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
Who hasnt pondered the possibility of running out of money in retirement?

Its a pervasive undercurrent in retirement planning for millions of Americans. The fear is particularly palpable for many of those nearing and living in retirement.

We all want our nest egg to last our lifetime.

Sign up for the Mind Your Money weekly newsletter Subscribe By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy

In his new book, A Richer Retirement: Supercharging the 4% Rule to Spend More and Enjoy More, William P. Bengen rolls out the data to argue that everything is going to be okay  with the proper investing and spending plan throughout your retirement.

Bengen is the guy who proffered the celebrated 4% rule for withdrawing money from retirement accounts decades ago, explaining how much retirees can safely spend each year without the well running dry.

Hes been refining that strategy ever since.

Here are edited excerpts of our conversation:

Kerry Hannon: How did you get fascinated with this question of whether people will outlive their money more than three decades ago?

Bill Bengen: I was a financial advisor then, a relatively new one. I was an early baby boomer, as were many of my clients. They were just starting to ask questions in the early 90s about retirement, which was some 20 years off for them, and how much they could spend and how much they needed to save.

When I tried to find answers to those questions in literature, from other advisors, from textbooks, there was nothing available. Thats really not surprising because at that time it was just starting to become a big issue because my generation was the first really to have such a long life expectancy in retirement.

If you retired in the 50s or 60s you might have looked forward to about 10 years of retirement, and that's about it. But the rest of us now are looking at 20, 30, even longer periods of time.

Read more: How much should I have saved by 50?

Can you explain in the simplest way possible, what the 4%, now 4.7%, rule is?

I basically reconstructed the investment experience of hundreds of retirees from 1926 to date and tested them with various withdrawal rates from retirement accounts, primarily IRA accounts, over a 30-year period. And back in 94, I came out with a number, 4.15% as the lowest safe withdrawal rate for any person. So if you use that number, you would've always been successful with 30 years of withdrawals. Its actually not something I recommend to everybody  its a very conservative number.

Did you ever expect when you came up with a 4% rule that this was going to become the gold standard?

Not a clue. I was doing it for my clients at that time. It's an amazing thing.
Archer Aviations shares have been on a stellar run, up by a staggering 144% over the past 52 weeks, far outperforming the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 20% surge. The rally has been powered by steady progress toward FAA certification and tangible production milestones, keeping bullish sentiment airborne.

Founded in 2018 and based in California, Archer Aviation is racing to redefine urban air mobility with its sleek, battery-powered eVTOL aircraft. Currently valued at a market capitalization of $5.3 billion, Archer's flagship Midnight, designed for 20- to 50-mile hops, is nearing commercial debut in 2025, backed by global partnerships like Jetex for infrastructure rollout. Recent defense-focused acquisitions expand its reach beyond city commutes, positioning Archer as a rising force in both commercial mobility and advanced military aviation.

Its a moment that could either fuel more momentum or spark fresh questions. For those tracking the future of flight, this date is more than just earnings. It's a look under the hood of one of the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) industrys most-watched players.

From strategic alliances to global infrastructure plays, Archer has been busy building altitude. But while the headlines boast of breakthroughs and vision, the market moves on proof, and investors are hungry for numbers. Archer will release its second-quarter 2025 earnings results after the bell on Monday, Aug. 11  a critical checkpoint.

Recently, Archer added two strategic acquisitions to accelerate next-gen defense aircraft development, bringing core composite manufacturing in-house, securing critical talent, and positioning itself for speed in both defense and commercial markets.

Urban air mobility isnt science fiction anymore, and Archer Aviation (ACHR) is making sure its in the pilots seat. The company has quietly climbed the ranks, scoring a rare spotlight as the Official Air Taxi Provider for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. Plus, with its Midnight aircraft edging closer to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification, global test flights underway, and partnerships stacking up, its 2025 air taxi vision is gaining serious altitude.

Story Continues

ACHR stock is up 11% in just the last three months, peaking at $13.92 in May, then slipping and again rising above $13 in July before shedding some gains. Now trading at $9.72, the stock is 30% below its high but still towers over its 52-week low of $2.82.

For traders, the chart reads like a pilots log  rapid ascents, sudden drops, and plenty of crosswinds. The next big test is whether next weeks earnings can chart a new flight path or trigger another descent.

www.barchart.com

Digging Into Archers Q1 Earnings Results

Archer Aviations fiscal Q1 2025 earnings results, unveiled on May 12, offered a balanced mix of turbulence and tailwinds for this pre-revenue eVTOL contender. The company posted a $93.4 million net loss, yet trimmed its loss per share to -$0.17, half of last years mark. Adjusted EBITDA slipped deeper into negative territory at $109 million versus $86.8 million a year ago, hinting at heavier early-stage investment.

Still, Archer kept its spending disciplined, with non-GAAP operating expenses at $113.1 million, underscoring a lean approach as it edges toward commercial launch. The financial runway remains robust  over $1 billion in cash and equivalents  giving Archer one of the thickest cushions in air mobility. That capital will fuel plans for a United Arab Emirates (UAE) debut later this year and a New York City air taxi network buildout.

CEO Adam Goldstein pointed to meaningful advances in both civil and defense programs, with partnerships strengthening across global markets. While profitability is still distant, Archers combination of tightened operations, strategic positioning, and deep pockets keeps the storyline alive, proof that in this race to the skies the company is still very much in the flight plan.

With Q2 results on deck next week, Archer Aviation is steering into another critical checkpoint. Management is bracing for an adjusted EBITDA loss between $100 million and $120 million  a reminder that even high-flyers can burn serious fuel before cruising altitude.

Meanwhile, analysts tracking the company anticipate Q2 losses to narrow 25.8% year-over-year (YOY) to -$0.23 per share, still with zero revenue on the board. Looking further ahead to fiscal 2025, the forecast calls for further trimming, with losses contracting 33.1% annually to -$0.95 per share, then easing another 4.2% in fiscal 2026 to -$0.91 per share.

What Do Analysts Expect for Archer Aviation Stock?

Back in early July, Archer Aviations Midnight eVTOL lifted off from Abu Dhabis Al Bateen Executive Airport, marking its first test flight in the UAE. The event, attended by top aviation officials, was a milestone in Archers Launch Edition partnership with Abu Dhabi Aviation and underscored the companys expanding international footprint.

The market response was swift. Canaccord Genuity and Cantor Fitzgerald both reiterated Buy ratings with $13 price targets, praising Archers steady progress toward FAA approval and its growing presence in the UAE as signs of commercial readiness.

But as the Q2 earnings release approaches, the tone is not universally bullish. JPMorgan analyst Bill Peterson raised his target from $9 to $10 yet held a Neutral rating, warning against irrational exuberance. While acknowledging strong sector momentum and policy tailwinds from President Donald Trump's administration, the analyst flagged persistent cash burn and possible delays in revenue as near-term risks.

ACHR stock has a consensus Moderate Buy rating overall. Of the nine analysts covering the stock, five recommend a Strong Buy, two suggest a Moderate Buy, and the remaining two play it safe with a Hold rating.

The mean price target of $12.17 suggests shares have upside potential of 25% from current levels. The Street-high target of $18 implies ACHR could rally as much as 85% from here.

www.barchart.com

On the date of publication, Sristi Suman Jayaswal 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
Analysts have become bullish on hydrogen after President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) passed. The recent legislation provides for extended tax cuts and lays the groundwork for the long-term prospects of clean energy projects. Plug Power (PLUG), as a primary player in the hydrogen fuel cell business, stands to benefit significantly from this legislation.

The OBBB Act provides a 30% credit on all fuel cell purchases, while also eliminating some requirements, which broadens credit access. The act also extends the hydrogen production tax credit.

More News from Barchart

In the face of bullish sentiments about hydrogen, Plug Power is set to report its second-quarter results on Aug. 11 after the market close. Should you be excited about the upcoming earnings and PLUG stock?

About Plug Power Stock

Incorporated in 1997 and headquartered in Latham, New York, Plug Power develops hydrogen fuel cell systems used primarily to replace conventional batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) and equipment powered by electricity. Plug Power has a market capitalization of $1.73 billion.

Plug Power designs and manufactures fuel cells for applications in material handling, stationary power, and on-road vehicles. Beyond fuel cells, the company is building a comprehensive green hydrogen ecosystem, including production, storage, transportation, and refueling infrastructure. Plug Power is also investing in global expansion and innovation in electrolyzer technology to meet growing demand in the renewable energy and hydrogen markets.

Concerns over Plug Powers financials have not been favorable to the stock. Over the past 52 weeks, PLUG stock has declined by 27%, and so far this year, it has decreased by 29%. The stock had reached a 52-week high of $3.32 in January but is now down nearly 55% from that high.

www.barchart.com

Plug Power still has a lofty valuation. Its price-to-sales ratio is at 2.75 times, which is stretched compared to the industry average.

Plug Powers Q1 Top Line Growth and Bottom Line Snags

On May 12, Plug Power reported its Q1 earnings for fiscal 2025. For the period, net revenue increased by 11.2% year-over-year (YOY) to $133.67 million, surpassing the $132.2 million that analysts had expected. Plug Power cited expanding electrolyzer deliveries, sustained demand in material handling, and ongoing deployments of its cryogenic platform as reasons for this growth.
Drawing significant hedge fund interest, Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK) secures a spot on our list of the 13 Best Oil Refinery Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Delek US Holdings, Inc. (DK) Reports Performance for Q2 2025

A row of massive oil rigs in a desert landscape, against a setting sun.

On August 6, 2025, Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK) reported its performance for the second quarter of 2025. The company reported an adjusted loss per share of $0.56, compared to the consensus loss of $0.92. The improvement was a result of better refining margins and record system throughput. Meanwhile, its adjusted EBITDA reached $170.2 million, driven by strong performance at the Big Spring and Krotz Springs refineries.

Looking ahead, Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK) increased its Enterprise Optimization Plan (EOP) guidance from $120 million to $130-$170 million in run-rate benefits starting in the second half of 2025. This reflects cost improvements and enhanced operations. Meanwhile, Delek Logistics (DKL), the companys logistics subsidiary, reported $120 million in adjusted EBITDA and is expected to generate $480-$520 million for the year. This highlights the segments growing independence and liquidity. The companys pipeline looks strong with the Libby 2 gas plant commissioning and expanded sour gas gathering capacity in the Delaware Basin. Lastly, the companys financial health is further reflected through $29 million in dividends and share repurchases.

With its Refining and Logistics segments, Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK) operates as an integrated energy company in the U.S.

While we acknowledge the potential of DK as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 12 Cheap Value Stocks to Buy Now According to Warren Buffett and 7 Best Potash Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.

Disclosure: None.
Elon Musk faces controversy as his tunneling venture, The Boring Company, pushes forward with plans for a 10-mile underground loop in Nashville, despite his repeated promises to focus on Tesla (TSLA) and eliminate political distractions. The timing couldnt be worse for TSLA stock investors who are concerned about Musks divided attention.

The Nashville project has sparked heated political battles, as Democratic lawmakers have demanded transparency while Republican leaders embrace the partnership. Democratic state representative Justin Jones was reportedly barred from company recruiting events and told hes not allowed to be here despite representing the impacted district. A state commission held an emergency meeting to discuss a controversial no cost/mutual benefit lease arrangement giving Musk access to public property.

More News from Barchart

www.barchart.com

The Music City Loop proposal faces technical challenges that highlight Musks pattern of ambitious promises that often struggle to become reality. According to a CNBC report, Nashville receives 50 inches of annual rainfall compared to Las Vegas 4 inches, and The Boring Company allegedly has no experience building in flood-prone areas. The city has previously purchased flood-vulnerable homes to convert to green spaces, raising questions about underground construction safety.

The Boring Companys previous projects offer little reassurance. The Las Vegas tunnel system cost Nevada taxpayers $50 million and has been criticized for safety violations and design limitations. It also abandoned tunnel plans in Chicago and faces allegations of ongoing worker safety violations in Nevada.

For Tesla stock shareholders, this controversy represents another distraction from Musks core automotive business. Despite promises to refocus on Tesla, Musk continues to be involved in multiple ventures.

Tesla Did Not Impress Wall Street in Q2

In Q2, Tesla launched its robotaxi service in Austin, marking a pivotal moment in autonomous driving technology. The EV maker achieved its first fully autonomous rides with paying customers and no safety driver, demonstrating tangible progress toward its ambitious autonomy goals. However, near-term challenges are clouding the investment outlook for TSLA stock.
- Getty Images

Gold futures scored another record high Friday  with the precious metal extending its lead over bitcoin this year and, despite some volatility, reinforcing its status as the go-to safe haven in uncertain times.

While both assets have rallied in 2025 and repeatedly notched fresh highs, gold has pulled ahead even after paring gains Friday afternoon. Gold futures GC00 rose earlier in the day after the U.S. ruled that 1-kilogram and 100-ounce gold bars would be subject to tariffs, but trimmed gains after reports said the Trump administration planned to clarify that imported gold bars would be exempt.

Most Read from MarketWatch

Still, golds edge this year may reflect a broader trend where elevated geopolitical tensions and tariff concerns have given traditional risk-off assets an extra edge over newer alternatives. Crypto bulls have long pitched bitcoin BTCUSD as digital gold, arguing it could eventually play a similar role. But for now, analysts say golds legacy as a crisis hedge is prevailing.

Gold has certainly benefited from safe-haven flows more so than cryptocurrencies like bitcoin this year, said Rob Haworth, senior investment-strategy director at U.S. Bank Asset Management Group. He noted in a phone interview that bitcoin still tends to move in lockstep with risk assets, limiting its appeal during times of uncertainty.

In particular, gold has seen strong support from global central-bank purchases, which have accelerated in response to geopolitical tensions, tariffs and other macroeconomic uncertainties this year, according to Konstantin Anissimov, chief executive at Currency.com.

I think the overall theme is uncertainty. And when there is uncertainty, sovereigns flee to what they know best  an asset that has weathered the storms of millennia rather than just decades or centuries, Anissimov said in a phone interview.

In contrast with gold, no major government has adopted bitcoin as a reserve asset, though Anissimov sees strong long-term potential for it to serve as a store of value. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March to establish a federal bitcoin reserve, though few details have emerged since. Anissimov also noted that corporations have been increasingly adding the cryptocurrency to their treasuries.
Gold (GC=F) futures in New York retreated from record intraday highs on Friday after the White House indicated it would clarify its trade position on the precious metal amid reports that imports of Swiss gold bars would not be exempt from tariffs.

"The White House intends to issue an executive order in the near future clarifying misinformation about the tariffing of gold bars and other specialty products," a White House official told Yahoo Finance.

Futures on the COMEX exchange trimmed gains to around $3,461. Futures had hit an intraday high of $4,490 per ounce earlier in the session after a Financial Times report said Customs and Border Patrol classified Swiss one-kilogram and 100-ounce bars of gold as subject to 39% tariffs recently imposed on Switzerland by the Trump administration.

"The move is significant because 1-kilo and 100-ounce gold bars form the backbone of much of the gold trading activity in the United States," Ryan McIntyre, senior managing partner at investment manager Sprott, told Yahoo Finance.

McIntyre highlighted contracts on the Comex with physical delivery requirements are based in large part on Swiss bars, noting "the introduction of tariffs will likely inject additional uncertainty into that market."

Read more: How to invest in gold in 4 steps

The prospect of tariffs on gold bars sent gold futures in New York skyrocketing as traders assessed the implications for transfers of the precious metals and how the futures market could be reshaped.

UK-based Metals Daily CEO Ross Norman said those tariffs would amount to "pouring sand into an otherwise well functioning engine."

Gold inventories in New York skyrocketed earlier this year as institutional investors shipped elevated amounts of physical bars to vaults in Manhattan ahead of tariff announcements.

In late March, inventories reached their highest level since the pandemic in 2021, according to Bloomberg data.

Read more: What to know before buying gold, silver, or platinum from Costco

Gold futures in New York hit intraday record highs on Friday amid reports that imports of Swiss gold bars would not be exempt from tariffs. (Reuters/Angelika Warmuth/ File Photo)  Reuters / Reuters

Ines Ferre is a senior business reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X at @ines_ferre.

Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
Harvard Management Company, which oversees the universitys $50 billion endowment, disclosed a $116 million position in BlackRocks iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) in its latest quarterly filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The stake, reported in a Form 13-F on Friday covering holdings as of June 30, 2025, represents one of the largest known bitcoin allocations by a U.S. university endowment. IBIT, launched in January of last year, is a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund that allows investors to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency without directly holding it.

The position places the university among a growing cohort of institutional investors  from hedge funds to pension systems  adding regulated bitcoin products to their portfolios.

The disclosure comes as total assets across U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs have climbed into the tens of billions of dollars, driven by both retail inflows and large-scale institutional allocations. For endowments, the ETF structure offers daily liquidity and SEC oversight, which can help meet governance and compliance requirements for alternative investments.

Harvard didn't provide further comment on the filing.

Read more: U.S. Endowments Are Leaning Into Crypto: FT
The artificial intelligence (AI) sector has entered a new chapter, moving beyond text-bound generative models into the more dynamic world of agentic AI. These advanced systems can not only process data but also act upon it by editing visuals, generating videos, navigating online environments, and even deploying functional code.

For companies positioned at the heart of this evolution, the opportunity is immense. One such company is BigBear.ai Holdings (BBAI), which has captured market attention with a 120% surge in share price over the past three months. The climb has been fueled by a string of developments aligned with its core strengths in national security and enterprise AI.

More News from Barchart

BigBear.ai has built a reputation for delivering mission-ready solutions that closely align with government and commercial demands. With its second-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings scheduled to release on Aug. 11 after the market close, the coming days may offer a clearer view of its trajectory.

About BigBear.ai Stock

BigBear.ai, headquartered in McLean, Virginia, specializes in AI-driven software designed to help organizations interpret complex data and make critical decisions with precision. Its market capitalization stands at $2 billion, and while a significant portion of its revenue flows from government contracts, its reach extends to manufacturing, healthcare, and life sciences.

BBAI stock has been on a remarkable run, reflecting the markets appetite for AI-linked plays. Over the past year, BBA has delivered a 480% gain, far outpacing the broader market. Year-to-date (YTD), shares have risen 60%.

www.barchart.com

From a valuation lens, however, the stock is trading at a premium. At 12 times sales, BBAI stock sits well above the industry average, a sign that the market is already pricing in substantial growth.

BigBear Misses on Q1 Earnings

On May 1, BigBear.ai reported its first-quarter earnings, which fell short of analysts expectations. Revenue came in at $34.8 million, marking a 5% increase from the same quarter last year, driven mainly by additional revenue from the Department of Homeland Security and Digital Identity awards. However, this figure missed the consensus estimate of $40.24 million.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  When the Clark Art Institute opened its expanded campus more than a decade ago, the Tadao Ando-designed Clark Center won acclaim throughout the worlds of art and architecture.

However, according to a retired Williams College professor, at least one glowing review may have understated the beauty of the project.

"You approach the new Clark Center along smooth walls of red granite that can feel a bit daunting. But a reward is imminent," New York Times art critic Roberta Smith wrote in July 2014, going on to discuss everything on the other side of that wall.

Bud Wobus offers a different perspective: The red granite walls outside are part of the reward.

"I tell people, 'Don't hurry in. Don't hurry out,' " he said during his "Granite of the Grounds" lecture at the South Street museum on Tuesday.

Wobus, an emeritus professor of geology, makes a convincing case that the natural beauty of the red granite in the walls outside the Clark is as much a work of art as anything hanging on the walls inside.

Of course, he is a little biased.

"My middle name should be 'granite,'" Wobus jokes. "Most of my career was spent in the study of granite  in Colorado, on the Maine coast, in New Hampshire, and some spots in Western Massachusetts.

"In 2014, the granite came to me. They built this wonderful addition to the Clark. Not only was it nice granite, it was very well exposed and clean."

And it tells a story, once you learn to listen. For several years, Wobus has been telling people how.

A dozen people gathered in the the Clark's Manton Research Center conference room for Wobus' fifth lecture and walking tour of the museum's exterior. He has plans to do it again in October.

"My goal is to give you enough of a background that you'll look more closely at [the granite] when you come to the Clark," he said.

"It is telling you something about its history."

The rock's history dates back 2.5 billion years when the granite was formed from cooling magma deep beneath what is now South Dakota, Wobus explained. To put that into perspective, the Earth itself is approximately 4.5 billion years old.



An example of inclusion in the granite at the Manton Research Center

As the igneous rock formed, magma flowed through the developing granite, bringing along pieces of rock that became lodged in the granite and are now known as "inclusions," Wobus explained.

Meanwhile, variations in the rate of crystallization of magma produces pegmatite, a sort of rock within a rock with distinct properties from the rest of the surrounding granite.

"Inclusions could be hundreds of millions of years older than the [surrounding] granite, and often are," Wobus said, explaining how carbon dating can pinpoint the age of rocks.

Wobus' lecture detailed how inclusions and pegmatites are formed, and he then showed attendees examples of both in the marble of the Manton building and the nearby Clark Center.

It was, by necessity, a crash course at a venue where Wobus has led much deeper dives into the topic.

"My [Williams] students would spend a month in the spring down here," he said. "They would take pictures of a [granite] panel that appealed to them and take a month to study it."

The visual observations would be supplemented by samples of the granite that could be examined both under a microscope  in 30 micron-thin samples  and through chemical analysis.

"We had big slabs of rock the people from the grounds department gave me during construction," Wobus explained.

But you don't have to put granite under the microscope to see its beauty, Wobus said.

"Almost every granite slab will have inclusions in it," he said. "Those are really works of art in their own right.

"I love the Clark. And I rarely even go inside anymore."
Nue Electrolysis, located at 69 Church Street in Suite 4, is now accepting patients to help remove unwanted hair. Owner, Kristen Fontaine, recently opened the space around July 15th. It takes multiple sessions to help get rid of the hair PreviousNext

New Permanent Hair Removal Option in Lenox

LENOX, Mass. Nue Electrolysis, located at 69 Church Street in Suite 4, is now accepting patients to help remove unwanted hair.

Owner, Kristen Fontaine, recently opened the space around July 15th.

What she does is use electrolysis to zap the hair out of your body. Electrolysis is the only FDA approved method for permanent hair removal.

"Basically what you do is you take a fine probe and use it to get into a particle, and it goes down to the base of the root and use that with electricity," she said.

Fontaine went to the Electrology Institute of New England becoming licensed in Massachusetts.

Electrology has three methods: Galvanic, where she uses a direct current to create a chemical reaction to remove the follicle; Thermolysis, which uses an alternating current to generate heat coagulating the follicles cells; and the Blend method, using both of the first two methods to destroy the follicle which is best used for coarse or distorted hairs.

Fontaine said she was inspired to get into the field from another electrologist.

"I find electrology to be very detail oriented, which I love. I like getting focused in on something and just working towards a goal and I like helping people," she said.

It takes multiple sessions to help get rid of the hair, with the range varying based on hair growth. However Fontaine recommends having appointments at least once a week.

"You need a series of sessions to really get results with this kind of thing. It's because of the hair growth cycle. Once the hair comes out, another one's going to come in. Keep going until you keep zapping that one bulb eventually it will grow finer and finer."

Fontaine grew up in Pittsfield wanted to open her business in Lenox because this part of the county was lacking in the electrology field.

"I specifically wanted Lenox, just because there is somebody in Barrington doing electrology, somebody in Pittsfield who is also in Williamstown doing it. So, I wanted to be able to kind of serve this area of Berkshire County."

Fontaine hopes to help people feel better in their skin and make their life easier when it comes to their hair on their body.

"I want people to be comfortable in their skin and I want people to not have to shave every day and tweeze and pluck or go through 'beauty is pain' even though that is the process here, but it'll end eventually," she said.

Fontaine is planning to go to school for aesthetics at the Aesthetic Science Institute, where she can hopefully provide services like facials.

"I'm going to start going to school for esthetics very soon, in a couple weeks, hopefully I can add on some basic esthetic services. I definitely want to keep my focus on hair removal," she said.

Hours are by appointment and can be made here or by calling.
The Girls Unity Squad offers experiences for minority girls.

Girls Unity Squad Seeks To Inspire Next Gen of Girls

PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Girls Unity Squad has been cultivating a safe, inclusive space for young minority girls for nearly two years and it is looking for new members.

Originally, the group was specific for girls of color. However, it has expanded to include all girls between ages 5 and 11 that want to express their voice in the community or experience things they may not encounter in their daily lives, said Shanekia Richmond, lead facilitator.

Once a month, the girls gather to participate in activities that help them build identity, resilience and community.

"Knowing, as a teacher, the younger you learn something, the most effective it will be. So instilling these important aspects of life into young women early would allow them to have the power they need to go forward into the world," Richmond said.

The program collaborates with local businesses to create opportunities for the girls. This year's activities include a tour of a minor operating room at Berkshire Eye Center led by one of the doctors and a hands-on learning experience at the Berkshire Museum, among several other activities.

Kaylani Wells, age 12, has been with GUS since its inception, and said she has learned a lot from her experiences there.

"It's had a really big impact on me, because it helps me learn stuff that I didn't know before," she said.

Wells highlighted one of the experiences where a natural hair specialist demonstrated how to care for their hair and showcased the beauty of natural curls.

"Before, I knew how to do my hair, but it helps a lot more because there was people with curly hair, like my hair, giving me examples and ways to do my hair. So it was validating," Wells said.

During that activity the students learned about Elizabeth Freeman, also known as Mumbet, who was the first enslaved African-American to file a lawsuit to win her freedom in Massachusetts, Wells said.

The program is a partnership with Berkshire Community College funded with a grant provided by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

"Early on, the grant was looking at what populations would need support, really focusing on substance-use prevention in adulthood and so they wanted to establish a girls group for 5- to 11-year-olds to come together and address some of those resilience factors and those protective factors, so building community, building self esteem and self awareness, seeing a career path or a choice for your future," said Alicia Ginsberg, faculty facilitator.

All the activities focus on achieving those goals to promote emotional regulation and healthy life skills, Ginsberg said.

"I've learned that I'll be able to express myself and like, share my thoughts and feelings wherever I go, and I should just be myself," said Henrietta Owusu, age 12, who has been with the program since October 2024.

Sometimes people do not have the confidence to pursue their heart's desires. This group helps build confidence so the girls can follow their dreams, Owusu said.

"I love to stay here forever, maybe, be a leader, and maybe continue this to eternity," she said.

Berkshire Community College facilitating these experiences demonstrates to the girls that there is a supportive community behind them, Grant said.

It is important for youth in the community to have the opportunities to grow and to instill this healthy environment in them going forward so that there's more focus on prevention and less focus on intervention in our society, Ginsberg said.

"I think there is so much stress in our children right now, and they're asked to do and be so much and so any ways that we can build and strengthen them and prevent any bad things from happening are so much more important than intervening once something bad happens," she said.

This may inspire the girls to develop similar programs in the future, continuing the cycle of inspiring the next generation of leaders, she said.

"I believe representation matters," said Claudette Grant, supporting facilitator

A girls group that is predominantly minority based is a good resource to the community because it provides a safe space where they can connect with others who share similar experiences, Grant said.

Richmond expressed that growing up, she didn't feel seen or heard, which is why it is important to her that children have that opportunity.

"A lot of times, children in general are told there's so many rules all around. We want to make sure that their voice is heard and seen in an appropriate way, and so not shut out from the world and not shut out from society, giving them these frames that they need to stay in, you can come out and you can do that in a positive and you can do that in a respectful way," she said.

Richmond hopes that this program expands and that she sees its girls recruiting other girls or starting their own group using everything they've learned to pay it forward.

"We hope that they all become leaders and advocates for young women and show them how to grow up and that a lot of experiences is normal and natural developmental growth and building a positive mindset and positive relationships is what I hope and that it just keeps rippling," Ginsberg said.
The company also expanded its deployment of AI-powered Caper Carts at Allegiance Retail Services and launched new pilots at Wegmans Food Markets and Sprouts Farmers Markets. Shutterstock

You can find original article here Supermarketnews. Subscribe to our free daily Supermarketnews newsletter.

Instacart this week posted double-digit gains in revenues for the second quarter and nearly doubled its net income, compared with year-ago results.

The company said it is seeing significant positive trends in customers use of the online, third-party delivery service as it leverages technology, including artificial intelligence, to create more personalized shopping experiences.

Net income was up 92% in the quarter, to $116 million, and revenues rose 11% to $914 million, compared with the second quarter of a year ago. The company also said it grew orders by 17%, to 82.7 million, and grew gross transaction volume to nearly $9.1 billion, up 11% vs. year ago levels.

Our efforts are driving strong user growth and higher order frequency while also delivering better retention, especially among new 2025 customers compared to last year, said Fidji Simo, CEO of Instacart, in a conference call with investors.

As previously reported, Simo is leaving Instacart to become the CEO of technology company OpenAI Applications in the coming days. Instacart has named Chris Rogers, chief business officer, to succeed her as CEO effective Aug. 15.

Technology drives sales gains, efficiency

Simo said technology is also helping the company streamline the onboarding process for new retailers. Instacart has onboarded 40 net new retailers so far this year, compared with 30 in all of last year, she said.

The company also expanded its deployment of AI-powered Caper Carts at Allegiance Retail Services and launched new pilots at Wegmans Food Markets and Sprouts Farmers Markets. Sprouts, in particular, has leaned into Instacarts full ecosystem,leveraging a suite of Instacarts technology tools, the company said in its earnings report.

In addition, Simo said the companys growing scale and its focus on efficiency have enabled it to improve gross profit per order to more than $8 in Q2. That increased profitability has come even as average transaction sizes are decreasing, due in part to the addition of more low-ticket restaurant orders through its partnership with Uber Eats.

Emily Maher, chief financial officer and treasurer, said the company expects its Q3 gross transaction volume to be between $9 billion and $9.15 billion, up between 8% and 10 % vs. a year ago.

CPG companies under pressure

Instacart reported that revenues from its advertising business were up 12% in the second quarter, to $255 million. Simo noted, however, that CPG companies have come under increasing pressure from several directions.
BCC to Hold Auditions for 'A Winter's Tale'

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Berkshire Community College Players will hold auditions for its fall show, Shakespeare's "A Winter's Tale," on Thursday, Sept. 18 and Friday, Sept. 19 from 6:30-9 p.m.

Auditions will be held in the Boland Theatre on BCC's main campus, located at 1350 West Street, Pittsfield.

According to a press release:

"A Winter's Tale," written in the early 1600s, is the classic story of jealousy, redemption, and the passage of time. Set in Sicilia, the play begins with King Leontes wrongly accusing his wife Hermione of infidelity with his childhood friend and Bohemian king, Polixenes. Possessed with jealousy and filled with rage, Leontes orders his loyal retainer, Camillo, to poison Polixenes. Instead, Camillo warns Polixenes of the plan, and the two men flee. What follows is a tale of betrayal, hardship, tragedy and eventual reconciliation.

The BCC Players performance is directed by Grace Kelley, theatre building supervisor for the College. Information on showtimes and ticket sales will be announced at a later date.
domenica 10 agosto 2025, 06:00

 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This article is automatically translated

The summer that changed my life? It was the summer of 2016. Around the beginning of June, when Newton Compton contacted me to evaluate the novel I had self-published, Matrimonio di convenienza. Facebook groups still had a lot of influence, and word of mouth had started. A virtuous mechanism that led my book, just published on Amazon, to gain visibility and climb the digital charts." Speaking is Felicia Kingsley, a bestselling romance author with over 3.5 million copies sold in Italy alone, talking about that June 2016 when major publishers took notice of her. Her new novel, "Scandalo a Hollywood," will be released on August 26. What were you doing at that moment? "I was at my grandmother's house, having breakfast and checking emails before going to work at my office, an architecture studio. There was also this message that, at first, I hadn't opened." Were you still working as an architect then? "Yes, and summer is a crucial period because since August is a shutdown month, there are all these urgent deadlines until July 31. It's like the world is about to end. Then, after lunch, I found myself in front of that same message again." Tell the truth, did you think it was a joke? "At first, yes, but then I told myself: the novel is already published, they certainly can't take it away from me, even if it were a joke. People outside the publishing world imagine very professional, very institutional mechanisms. Certainly not a message in Facebook's instant messaging inbox." But the negotiation continued. "We started discussing and comparing notes. They even sent me a contract proposal. They also wanted the other novel I had self-published, Bugiarde si diventa. It all started like this." There is a lot of attention on self-publishing as well. "Newton Compton was perhaps the first publishing house to keep an eye on this market segment. Anna Premoli also comes from my same path." Today you have a film coming out based on one of your books, and two other novels optioned. You've sold over 3.5 million copies in Italy alone and are translated into 20 countries. How did you celebrate that day? "I, who always take a quick shower like a soldier, allowed myself a relaxing bath with salts. I even got a tray, one of those that attach to the edges of the tub, and treated myself to an aperitif. I told myself: relax, don't rush things today. But since then, I keep telling myself I really need to celebrate. I've never really done it." How would you like to do it? "Imagine that I live in Modena but have never been to Bottura's restaurant. I would like to treat myself to a dinner at Osteria Francescana. But I always postpone, I can never set a date." Didn't your partner celebrate you? "He was more incredulous than I was. The world of publishing is so far from people's daily lives. The fact is that there have been no real celebrations yet." Next year will be ten years since that turning point. What will you gift yourself? "I will force myself to go celebrate, finally." Going back to 2016, after closing the studio and learning the news, did you go on vacation? "Yes, to Croatia. It's a bit of our passion, traveling the world in a camper." Is it still today? "Yes, although a bit less, our son is four years old, still quite young." Where did you go that year? "We chose the sea. The island of Pag, the Simuni beach, the city of Novalja. But that's all the clubbing area: a phase I've outgrown. We also went to Zadar, Zagreb, Ljubljana. Unfortunately, we weren't particularly lucky with the weather: it rained a lot, and we often found ourselves stuck in the camper." Wet but happy? "Yes, but when two rays of sunshine came, we had to make the most of them." Do you prefer the sea? "In recent years, we've discovered the mountains in summer. We really like the area of Lake Molveno in Trentino. Walks, food. Especially food." Where will you go this year? "We're returning to Croatia, still in a camper. But we're changing islands, we'll go to Lussino. Departing for Sicily from here would be complicated. Instead, Croatia is not too far, passing through Veneto and Friuli. And there are plenty of campsites in those areas." What other places have you visited by camper? "For years, we've done itinerant trips. So tours of France, Alsace, Austria, Hungary." Who drives? "Luckily, my partner likes to drive. I'm more in charge of the routes, the logistics. I look at where to go, calculate the time it takes, choose where to stay overnight." The route officer, then. "We've done very long routes. Today with the child, we wouldn't do them. To get to Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, we made only one stop to rest. Ten hours of driving and then another ten. Among beautiful landscapes." Are itinerant vacations better? "Yes, when you see something interesting, like the castles of the Loire, you stop. Or when you find a winery. I always came back from these trips with no less than twenty bottles of wine. It's also nice to discover the local cuisine. Unfortunately, not always, it goes well. In some places, they love to fool tourists. In Alsace, however, we ate very well."
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

Senior Chinese diplomat Liu Jianchao, widely regarded as a potential successor to the post of foreign minister, has reportedly been taken in for questioning by the authorities.

Mr Liu, 61, who heads the Communist Partys International Department, was detained upon his return to Beijing in late July following overseas engagements, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the matter.

No explanation has been offered by the Chinese government for Mr Lius detention.

Neither the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs nor the party apparatus, including the International Liaison Department and the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, have responded to media inquiries.

Born in Dehui, Jilin province in February 1964, Mr Liu studied English at Beijing Foreign Studies University and pursued postgraduate studies in international relations at Oxford, attending from 1986 to 1987.

His career in the diplomatic service began in the foreign ministrys translation office, followed by key postings including first secretary in the UK mission (199598), counselor in the Information Department (19982000), and deputy director-general of the same department (20012006).

Mr Liu went on to serve as the ministrys spokesperson, earning recognition for his sharp communication style, and subsequently held ambassadorial posts in the Philippines and Indonesia. In 2013, he was appointed assistant foreign minister, and in 2022, he assumed leadership of the Communist Partys International Department.

open image in gallery Senior Chinese diplomat Liu Jianchao, widely regarded as a potential successor to the foreign ministers post, has reportedly been taken in for questioning by authorities ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

Alongside his diplomatic duties, Mr Liu also played a significant role in Chinese president Xi Jinpings anti-corruption campaign, having worked in the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and led international cooperation efforts under the Partys internal watchdog.

Mr Liu has travelled extensively since assuming his current role, engaging with officials across more than 20 countries and meeting representatives from over 160 nations, a record that fuelled expectations of his elevation to foreign minister. His outreach included meetings with the US secretary of state Antony Blinken in Washington in early 2024, where he was praised for his balanced style.

Mr Liu's disappearance marks the most high-profile diplomatic probe since the 2023 removal of former foreign minister Qin Gang amid scandal and internal party investigation.

open image in gallery Mr Liu's disappearance marks the most high-profile diplomatic probe since the 2023 removal of former foreign minister Qin Gang amid scandal and internal party investigation ( Getty Images )

Mr Qin, 58, who was known for his wolf warrior diplomacy and regarded as one of Beijings most influential policymakers, was unceremoniously removed from his position after a month-long disappearance from public view.

Following his removal, Mr Qin was replaced by his predecessor, Wang Yi, in what some analysts described as a stopgap measure to restore diplomatic stability.
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

Relatives of those who were killed in the devastating Air India crash in June have formally demanded the immediate release of the data from the aircrafts two flight recorders, insisting that delays in doing so are severely undermining public confidence in the investigation.

On 12 June, Air India Flight 171 crashed into a medical college less than a minute after it took off from Ahmedabad in western India heading for London Gatwick, killing 241 people on board and another 19 on the ground. Only one passenger survived the crash.

While one of the two black boxes was retrieved within roughly 28 hours, the second took three days to recover. Both were taken to Delhi, where data retrieval yielded approximately two hours of cockpit audio and 49 hours of flight data, an Economic Times report stated.

Black boxes provide crucial data such as altitude, airspeed and audio from the pilots conversations, which can help investigators establish the cause of a crash.

A preliminary report was issued by Indias aviation authorities one month after the crash, in line with international regulations. It revealed that the Boeing 787 Dreamliners fuel switches had flipped from run to cutoff within one second of each other and shortly after takeoff, causing the engines to lose power.

The report does not say how this occurred.

Investigators also summarised a conversation between the flights two pilots, saying one asked the other why he had flipped the fuel switches. The second pilot denied doing so, the report said.

The report did not identity who said what, but subsequent media reports based on sources in the investigation revealed it was the younger co-pilot, Clive Kunder, who asked flight captain Sumeet Sabharwal why he had turned off the planes fuel-supply switches.

The authorities have stressed that they need more time to carry out their full investigation, but victims families are now growing increasingly frustrated by a perceived lack of progress.

We are formally demanding the immediate release of the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder  the black box. These devices contain vital information that can reveal the truth behind this horrific tragedy, Imtiaz Ali Sayed, who lost several family members in the crash, told AFP.

Every day without answers deepens the pain of our loss and erodes public trust in aviation safety, he said, adding that he was speaking on behalf of 60 other families with the same pain and unanswered questions.

Air India employees pay a floral tribute to the victims of last month's Air India flight 171 crash, at the accident site in Ahmedabad ( AFP via Getty Images )

Both the pilots on board Flight 171 were highly experienced, with about 19,000 total flying hours between them, including more than 9,000 on Boeing 787s.

The preliminary report said CCTV footage showed the planes backup engine, known as a RAM air turbine, deployed almost immediately after the plane lifted off the ground, indicating a loss of power from the engines.

The London-bound plane began to lose thrust, and after reaching a height of 650 feet, the jet started to sink. The fuel switches for both engines were turned back to run, and the airplane automatically tried restarting its engines, the report said  but not before the plane crashed into a medical college building.

The incident has rekindled debate among experts over whether planes should have video cameras in the cockpit. Some argue that it would offer valuable insights to investigators, while pilots describe it as an unnecessary intrusion into their workplace that is not justified by the rare cases such footage might be useful.
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

On 17 August, Indonesia will celebrate 80 years of independence  a moment that its leader Prabowo Subianto has said should be marked by citizens proudly displaying the countrys red and white national flag.

Yet its a very different kind of flag that has been flying off shelves ahead of Independence Day: one with a classic pirates skull and crossbones wearing a distinctive yellow straw hat.

Disgruntled Indonesians have drawn on the Jolly Roger from Japanese anime One Piece as a symbol of rebellion, and the flag is now appearing everywhere, from graffiti on streets to peoples car windows and balconies.

One Piece, a hugely popular Japanese manga and anime that also received a Netflix adaptation in 2023, has a massive fanbase in Indonesia. Protesters are drawing inspiration from the cartoons story about a group of pirates who band together against the forces of an authoritarian regime.

The use of the skull and crossbones symbol appears to have begun on Indonesian social media platforms earlier this year alongside student protests, dubbed Dark Indonesia, that swept across cities in response to budget cuts and growing military influence in civilian affairs.

open image in gallery Workers cut flags depicting a Jolly Roger from the popular Japanese anime and manga series 'One Piece', at a flag-seller in Karanganyar, central Java province ( Reuters )

Indonesian artist Kemas Muhammad Firdaus, 28, a mural artist in West Javas Bekasi district, told Reuters he was painting the pirate sign as a form of protest against government corruption and unemployment.

Many Indonesians are hoisting the One Piece flag because they want the government to listen to them, said Mr Kemas.

In central Javas Karanganyar district, flag-maker Dendi Christanto said demand for custom One Piece pirate flags has surged so dramatically in the past month that hes had to stop taking new orders.

The movement taps into a long tradition of student activism in Indonesia, where protests have historically flared into unrest, most notably in 1998, when mass demonstrations brought down President Suharto after 32 years in power.

open image in gallery A worker holds a replica of the pirate flag from Japanese anime 'One Piece' ( AFP via Getty Images )

The spread of the Jolly Roger has not gone unnoticed: the deputy house speaker in the countrys parliament called the trend divisive, while another lawmaker went as far as to label it borderline treason.

This week, local media reported that authorities in East Java had seized several One Piece flags, in a move Amnesty International condemned as excessive.

They didnt have to do all that, accusing them of dividing Indonesia  thats wrong, Mr Kemas said. Its just art.

President Prabowos office denied any involvement, saying the government had not ordered the confiscations.

open image in gallery A Jolly Roger skull and bone symbol topped with a straw hat from Japan's anime series 'One Piece' has caused concern among officials in Jakarta that it is being used to criticise president Prabowo Subianto's policies ( AFP via Getty Images )

But security minister Budi Gunawan said flying the One Piece flag before the countrys 80th Independence Day is a crime and disrespects the national flag. He warned that the government would take legal action to protect state symbols.

The deputy speaker, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, also reportedly said that we have detected and received input from security agencies that there is indeed an attempt to divide unity. My appeal to all the nations children is to unite and fight against such things.

In a Medium post, Mulawarman University student Farhan Rizqullah wrote: The flag they were talking about was the Jolly Roger of the Straw Hat Pirates, Luffys goofy, grinning skull wearing his signature straw hat. It was the symbol of the lovable crew I had just watched sail off into the sunset.

open image in gallery As Indonesia's Independence Day approaches, red and white flags will be flown across the country, but a viral anime pirate banner has drawn government threats ( AFP via Getty Images )

And now, a real-world government, the government of Indonesia, the worlds third-largest democracy, was treating this cartoon emblem as a legitimate threat to national security. It was being called a provocation, a systematic movement to divide the nation, and a symbol of potential treason.

Ubedilah Badrun, a sociology lecturer at Jakarta State University, said the government should listen to its people rather than overreact to the flying of One Piece flag by branding it an act of rebellion.

In terms of sociopolitical symbolism, any symbol that emerges massively in public arenas, including on social media, is an expression of citizens to convey something, he told Tempo.
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

Co-op has issued an urgent do not eat warning for a popular snack bought from its stores after discovering it contains milk, which is not disclosed on the packaging.

The retailer is now recalling a large batch of its Mini Pork & Pickle Pies (4 pack) as they pose a health risk to anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed the recall, telling customers: If you have bought the above product and have an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents, do not eat it.

Customers can identify the affected product by the use-by date. Batches with the dates 13 August, 14 August and 16 August are included in the recall, all of which are 200g four-packs.

open image in gallery Several batches of the Co-ops 4 Mini Pork & Pickle Pies (200g) have been recalled ( Food Standards Agency )

Anyone who has purchased a product included in the recall will receive a full refund or exchange where available, the health body has confirmed.

Customers who purchased the product online can arrange a refund by calling 0330 041 7737. For additional assistance, they can reach Co-ops help line on 0800 0686 727, or use the online form on the retailers product issues webpage.

The retailer has notified relevant allergy support groups about the recall to ensure members are warned about the issue.

Notices have also been placed in stores to alert shoppers, and will remain in place until August 17.

Allergic reactions to milk vary. They can be fast-acting, with symptoms showing within a few minutes or hours, or slow-acting, where symptoms take up to 72 hours to show.

open image in gallery Co-op has asked shoppers to return a popular British snack bought from its stores (Co-op/PA) ( PA Media )

According to Allergy UK, common reactions include skin reactions, gastrointestinal issues and respiratory symptoms.

In severe cases, CMA can lead to a potentially fatal allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical attention.

The FSA said: Sometimes foods have to be withdrawn or recalled if there is a risk to consumers because the allergy labelling is missing or incorrect or if there is any other food allergy risk. When there is a food allergy risk, the FSA will issue an allergy alert.

Earlier this year, Co-op suffered a major cyber attack, which saw all of its 6.5 million members details stolen. It came after a string of similar attacks, with fellow major retailer M&S also targeted.

The National Crime Agency said in July that four young people were arrested for their suspected involvement in the cyber attacks against the two grocery retailers, as well as department store Harrods.
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 British Airways cabin crew member was forced to abandon his dream career eight years after arriving in the UK when the Home Office told him to move to a country where he says he has never lived.

Shady El Farra, a 28-year-old Egyptian national whose primary language is English, came to the UK to study in 2016, having grown up between the United States and Saudi Arabia due to his parents jobs as academics.

He was granted a two-year graduate visa in 2021 and started a career at British Airways as a cabin crew member. But he was forced to quit the job after an application for a private life visa, which allows people to stay based on strong personal ties to the UK, was rejected by the Home Office in November 2024.

Home Office officials said Mr El Farra should be able to integrate into life in Egypt, despite the 28-year-old explaining that he left the country shortly after he was born and has never lived there as an adult. The country also requires mandatory military service for everyone under the age of 30.

The initial refusal decision also told Mr El Farra that he would be able to fully support yourself in India  despite his application having nothing to do with that country.

He told The Independent: Ive worked in the UK, studied in the UK, and now Im being told I have no expectation of a future here.

open image in gallery Mr El Farra studied in the UK and then found work in the aviation sector ( Shady El Farra )

Speaking about his visa refusal, he said: Its like a robot has written it. They can belittle it as errors, but it has a huge impact on a human beings life.

Its been two years of not working, not being in the skies. Its been mentally very challenging. Throughout the whole process, theyve not bothered to look into or consider the obstacles that I would have if I was sent to Egypt.

I barely speak the language, I have no family there and there is conscription in Egypt.

Mr El Farra is relying on support from his parents but fears he will soon be unable to pay rent at his flat in London. He is unable to claim public funds due to his immigration status.

open image in gallery Mr El Farra said he cannot build a life in Egypt as he doesnt have family there and has not ever lived in the country ( Shady El Farra )

Mr El Farra had to hand over his passport when he first applied for the private life visa in September 2023, meaning he was unable to fly internationally. BA let him work on domestic flights, but he was then moved to working as a staff trainer while he waited for the visa decision, he said. He received his refusal in November 2024 and had to leave the job he loved.

I had a future at British Airways, he said. I was going to be a senior trainer and they just upended that... for what? How is it a benefit to the UK for me to be sitting here unable to contribute anything?

He then submitted an appeal of the decision to the immigration tribunal, and is now allowed to look for work while the court proceedings are ongoing.

International students have been one of the main drivers of net migration in recent years, along with Ukrainian refugees and people coming to work on health and social care visas.

Since Brexit, more international students have stayed in the UK following the conclusion of their studies, and the Labour government has recently introduced measures to restrict this  shortening the post-study graduate visa from two years to 18 months.

open image in gallery Mr El Farra trained other cabin crew when his visa application meant he could no longer travel by plane ( Shady El Farra )

Though Mr El Farra has gone through training and security checks to work as cabin crew, he would need a salary of at least 41,700 to be sponsored for a skilled worker visa to stay in the UK.

Referring to the initial error in the Home Office letter, he said: The rejection said I should go back to India, which obviously doesnt make any sense. They said I should not have had any expectations for staying in the UK. But the graduate visa enables you to find a job in the UK and become a taxpayer, so I think that gives people some expectation that they might stay.

The Home Offices refusal was upheld on review, and Mr El Farra is now waiting for a tribunal hearing to consider his case.

His father, Dr Ehab el Farra, a professor of hospitality management in Saudi Arabia, insisted his son loved the UK and the family was astonished by the initial Home Office response.

The UK should take talented people, use them, and keep them in the system, he said. I used to live in the States, where we have lots of nationalities who live there, and thats one of the reasons why America is very prosperous.

He is fighting to stay in the UK because he loves Britain and wants to make a good life there.

His mother, Molly, also an academic, added: Its a big puzzle for us. Hes not allowed to live in Saudi Arabia with us unless he is a student or worker here. He cannot live with us because he is over 18. We are in this vicious cycle.

A Home Office spokesperson said: It is our longstanding policy not to comment on individual cases.

British Airways has been contacted for comment.
Manulife Financial Corporation (NYSE:MFC) is one of the most undervalued Canadian stocks to buy now. On August 6, Affiliated Managers Group Inc. (NYSE:AMG) announced that it agreed to sell its interest in Comvest Partners private credit business to Manulife Financial Corporation. The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

Affiliated Managers Group, or simply AMG, is set to receive ~$285 million in total cash for the sale. The company will also retain its interest in Comvests private equity business, along with an interest in the carry from certain existing private credit funds and a share of Comvests invested capital in those funds. AMG will also sell its interest in the AMG Comvest Senior Lending Fund joint venture.

Manulife to Acquire Comvest's Private Credit Business from AMG for $285M

A bank manager signing off on a loan agreement to a business in her office.

For over 25 years, Comvest Partners has focused on providing capital to North American middle-market companies. The partnership between AMG and Comvest began over 5 years ago. At the start of the collaboration, Comvests private credit business had $2 billion in assets under management/AUM, which grew to $14 billion at the time of the acquisition announcement.

Manulife Financial Corporation (NYSE:MFC) provides financial products and services through 3 segments: Wealth & Asset Management Businesses, Insurance & Annuity Products, and Corporate & Other.

Affiliated Managers Group Inc. (NYSE:AMG) is an investment management company that provides investment management services to mutual funds, institutional clients, and high-net-worth individuals in the US.

While we acknowledge the potential of MFC as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

The UK is braced for the fourth heatwave of the year as temperatures begin to soar, with warnings they could reach 34C.

The heat is set to peak in the mid-thirties in the south of England, according to the Met Office, with London marking 32C on Tuesday.

Other parts of the country are also forecast for high temperatures, with Manchester clocking highs of 28C on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

Grahame Madge, a Met Office spokesperson, said that while exact temperatures werent set in stone - and could hit the mid-thirties - many areas would enjoy a hot spell during the week.

I think we could be seeing parts of the UK have another heatwave by the middle of next week, he said.

open image in gallery The Met Office's temperature forecast for Tuesday 12 August at 3pm shows the UK reaching highs of 32C in the south ( Met Office )

A heatwave is identified when a location records maximum temperatures exceeding a designated value across at least three consecutive days, according to the Met Office. For most of the UK, this is 25C, but rises to 28C in London and the surrounding areas, where temperatures are typically higher.

The general pattern is that well see temperatures start to increase from Sunday and the duration of the heat is likely to last until Tuesday, possibly Wednesday, said Mr Madge.

Were likely to see temperatures get to high 20s across quite a lot of the UK, and in the south were likely to see the possibility of temperatures reaching mid-30s degrees centigrade across parts of central, southern and eastern England, with the likelihood that the heat will probably last longest in places like East Anglia, up through Lincolnshire and into Yorkshire.

Yellow and amber heat health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) across England from Monday to Wednesday, with warnings that lives could be at risk. At least one of the warnings covers every region.

Health bosses have warned of significant impacts across health and social care services as temperatures rocket.

open image in gallery The UKHSA has put several yellow and amber heat health alerts in place across the entire of England lasting from 11 August to 13 August ( UK Health and Security Agency )

In areas covered by an amber health alert, the UKHSA says there will likely be a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.

The hottest day of the year so far saw 34.7C recorded at St Jamess Park in central London on 1 July. As it gets hotter once again, Britain is expected to see its fourth heatwave after one in June and two in July.

It comes as Britons have said they feel unprepared for hot weather, with only half saying they would comply with hosepipe bans if they came into action, dropping to 35 per cent of 16- to 34-year-olds, according to new Ipsos polling of a sample of 1,075 adults across the country.

Nearly half  48 per cent  of the public are either not at all or only somewhat prepared to adjust their work or daily routines as scorching temperatures become more frequent. Meanwhile, 62 per cent say they think climate change has had some influence on the recent heatwaves and droughts in the country.

However, 16 per cent think recent heatwaves and droughts are mainly caused by natural weather cycles, including a third (34 per cent) of Reform UK voters.

Commenting on the findings, Rachel Brisley, head of energy and environment at Ipsos, said: Our research suggests that the majority of the British public dont consider themselves to be prepared to adapt their lifestyles to heatwaves, and this includes an unwillingness, by almost half of those surveyed, to comply with hosepipe bans. This seems to be particularly true for younger generations.
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 large fire on Arthurs Seat in Edinburgh was likely started by human activity, fire chiefs have said.

Emergency services were alerted to the blaze just after 4pm on Sunday, as smoke billowed into the sky from the extinct volcano in Holyrood Park.

Fire crews worked throughout the night and into Monday afternoon to control the fire, which spread quickly through gorse and heather on the steep hillside.

Although the cause of the blaze is still unknown, it was almost certainly caused by humans, fire chiefs have said.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Group Commander Niall MacLennan said: While we have no indication of the cause of the fire, the majority of fires of this nature are started by human behaviour.

open image in gallery Members of the public watch the fire on Arthurs Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA) ( PA Wire )

Responsible human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a fire starting.

Its vital to follow all safety advice when outdoors and to make sure you are familiar with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code at all times.

A frightened eyewitness said he watched as the flames spread while he made his way down Arthurs Seat.

Nick Brice, from Brighton, told BBC Scotland News: "We could see this little plume of smoke on the ridge at the far side, and it just got bigger and bigger.

"All of a sudden we could see these flames starting to come up and people noticed it spreading fast.

open image in gallery Smoke from the extinct volcano in Holyrood Park could be seen across the city ( Jane Barlow/PA Wire )

One Edinburgh resident said the fire was pretty scary and one of the worst she had seen. Nim Byron told the Independent: It shows how dry it has actually been in Scotland this summer, this is not normal, as Scotland is famously a very wet place.

Dr Rory Hadden, Rushbrook senior lecturer in fire investigation at the University of Edinburgh, said wildfires are becoming more frequent due to land use and climate change.

Dr Hadden said: Wildfires in and around Arthurs Seat in Edinburgh occur relatively often. Like this one, these typically burn relatively small areas (compared to other wildfires in Scotland) but can have relatively large impacts due to the location and proximity to people  the plume of smoke can exacerbate respiratory conditions as well as the direct danger to those on the hill.

open image in gallery Firefighters work at the scene of a wildfire at Arthur's Seat ( REUTERS )

It has been very dry in Edinburgh this year. This means that vegetation  particularly dead growth from previous years  is very dry. The weather in Edinburgh has been reasonably good recently (sunny and warm) but with quite strong winds.

This all acts to dry out even more of the dead vegetation, making it easy to ignite  and once ignited, for the fire to spread rapidly. Especially on the steep terrain of Arthurs Seat.

It comes after Scotland had the driest spring on record since 1964, it had a deficit of 60m litres a day during droughts. Earlier in July, parts of the north of the country were hit by wildfires.
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

European leaders have rallied in support of Ukraine after a defiant Volodymyr Zelensky rejected Donald Trumps suggestion that a peace plan may involve giving up land to Russia.

President Trump, who is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin next Friday in Alaska as he seeks to bring an end to the war, has said the talks could include some swapping of territories.

But an angry President Zelensky hit back on Saturday, insisting Ukraine will not give Russia any awards for what it has done and that Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.

Members of the so-called coalition of the willing  countries which have pledged support for Ukraine against Russias aggression  were quick to show their support, insisting that any deal must include Ukraine and Europe, warning its security is at stake.

The joint leaders statement from the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland and the European Commission said: We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraines and Europes vital security interests.

Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force. The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations.

open image in gallery Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer tour the streets of Kyiv, Ukraine, after a meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing at the Presidential Palace in France earlier this year ( PA Wire )

The show of unity came as the UK hosted a hastily arranged meeting of national security advisers from the US, Ukraine and European countries on Saturday. The meeting at David Lammys official country retreat, Chevening, Kent, and held with US vice-president JD Vance, was called to discuss progress towards securing a just and lasting peace.

Sir Keir Starmer on Saturday reiterated his unwavering support for Ukraine and its people, while Frances President Emmanuel Macron said the UK and Germany were ready to work as productively as possible for the sake of real peace after a call with Sir Keir and Chancellor Frederich Merz.

In their call, Sir Keir and President Macron said they welcomed President Trumps efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine and end Russias war of aggression, and discussed how to further work closely with President Trump and President Zelensky over the coming days.

Confirming next weeks summit with the US president in Alaska, the Kremlin said Mr Trump and Mr Putin would focus on discussing options for achieving a long-term peaceful resolution.

President Putin is expected to use the meeting to set out his demands, including that Ukraine give up two eastern regions as well as Crimea.

Announcing the talks to reporters at the White House on Friday, Mr Trump said any deal may include the some swapping of territories, adding: Were going to get some back. Were going to get some switched. There will be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both.

However, Mr Zelensky has rejected that notion and said his country would not violate its constitution by ceding territory.

Ukrainians will not give their land to occupiers, he said. He also warned that any peace deal that excluded Kyiv would lead to dead solutions.

President Trumps decision to meet Mr Putin has fuelled fears that Ukraine could be sidelined in the efforts to end the war.

open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky have spoken, No 10 said ( PA Wire )

But Mr Zelensky issued a staunch warning to the international community that any agreement reached without Ukraine would ultimately fail.

He said: Any decisions that are without Ukraine are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not bring anything. These are dead decisions. They will never work.

After his call with Sir Keir, Mr Zelensky said the two men shared the same view on the need for a truly lasting peace and on the danger of Russias plan to reduce everything to discussing the impossible.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: Both leaders welcomed President Trumps desire to bring this barbaric war to an end and agreed that we must keep up the pressure on Putin to end his illegal war. The prime minister ended the call by reiterating his unwavering support for Ukraine and its people.

Mr Macron insisted that Ukraines future cannot be decided without the Ukrainians and warned that Europeans will also necessarily be part of the solution, as their own security is at stake.

Kristen Michal, Estonias prime minister, joined the chorus of support, saying she agreed that security decisions for Ukraine matter for everyone in Europe. Pointing to demands for Ukraine to give up land to secure peace, she added: Respect for territorial integrity is the foundation of stable international relations and changing borders by force can never be accepted.

This was echoed by Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister, who wrote on X: Any lasting settlement must respect UA's sovereignty  nothing about UA without UA. DK stands with our partners for a ceasefire built on Ukrainian strength and Western unity and resolve.

And after his phone call with Mr Zelensky, Pedro Sanchez, the prime minister of Spain, said: We must reach a just and lasting peace that respects Ukraines independence and sovereignty. Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. We must remain united.

Russia has previously claimed four Ukrainian regions  Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson  as well as the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which was annexed in 2014.

Mr Putins forces do not fully control all land in those areas and Moscow has demanded that Ukraine withdraw its troops from the parts they still control.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

The UK is set to deport foreign criminals to free up prison space in the governments latest immigration crackdown.

Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood vowed the offenders will be sent packing immediately when they receive a custodial sentence.

The proposed law change  which could save taxpayers an average of 54,000 per year, per prison place  would apply to prisoners serving fixed-term determinate sentences. Authorities would also retain their power not to deport a criminal but instead keep them in custody, for example, if the offender was planning further crimes against the UKs interests or national security.

Our message is clear, Ms Mahmood said. If you abuse our hospitality and break our laws, we will send you packing.

She added: Deportations are up under this government, and with this new law they will happen earlier than ever before.

open image in gallery Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood vowed that the offenders will be sent packing immediately when they receive a custodial sentence ( PA )

Almost 5,200 foreign national offenders have been deported since July 2024, a 14 per cent increase on the 12 months prior, according to the government.

The justice secretarys announcement follows a tweak in the law in June  expected to come into force in September  which will see prisoners face deportation 30 per cent into their prison sentence rather than the current 50 per cent.

The government will need parliament to greenlight its proposal to bring this down to 0 per cent.

According to a Labour source, the previous Conservative government relied on prison transfer agreements with other countries to deport foreign national offenders, in deals which allow inmates to serve their custodial sentence in their home country.

This saw 945 prisoners sent to jails abroad between 2010 and 2023.

open image in gallery A protester outside the Bell Hotel in Epping last month ( PA Wire )

Foreign national offenders make up around 12 per cent of the prison population.

Conservative shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said: In Starmers topsy-turvy world investors are fleeing the country in their droves while record numbers of violent and sexual offenders from abroad are put up in our prisons. Its a farce.

Yet again Starmer has refused to confront our broken human rights laws. He needs to grow a backbone and change them so we can actually deport these individuals. The safety of the British public is infinitely more important than the rights of sick foreign criminals.

If countries wont take back their nationals, Starmer should suspend visas and foreign aid. His soft-touch approach isnt working.

The prison population currently stands at 88,007, just 514 below the record high of 88,521, which was reached on 6 September last year.

open image in gallery Keir Starmers government has vowed to create 14,000 new prison places by 2031 ( PA Wire )

The government has vowed to create 14,000 new prison places by 2031. Ms Mahmood has also accepted a string of recommendations following a major report by David Gauke, which will see some offenders serve less of their sentence in custody in sweeping reforms expected to ease pressure on prisons.

The proposed law change comes amid the governments wider crackdown on immigration. Labour has put a pledge to tackle the number of people coming to the UK on small boats at the centre of its plan for government.

Last week, figures showed that the number of migrants arriving in the UK this year 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.

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.

open image in gallery Hundreds of inmates were let out early last year as part of attempts to ease overcrowding in prisons ( PA )

Meanwhile, escalating protests are breaking out across the UK opposing the use of hotels to house asylum seekers.

In recent days, the government announced further measures to support its crackdown on illegal migration, including pouring an extra 100m into the efforts.

The money will support the pilot of the UKs new one in, one out deal with France, paying for up to 300 more National Crime Agency officers and new technology and equipment to step up intelligence-gathering on smuggling gangs.

The first small boat migrants were detained this week under the UKs new returns agreement with Emmanuel Macron and could be sent back to France within weeks.

The agreement, announced by the prime minister in a joint press conference with the French president last month, means that for each small boat migrant sent back across the English Channel, an asylum seeker will be allowed to enter the UK from France under a legal route.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

The education sector is facing disaster, a union boss has warned, after a new survey showed that one in 10 teachers could leave the profession in the next two years.

A survey of 1,800 teachers found that 9 per cent say they are very likely to quit in the next 24 months, with over a third (37 per cent) saying their workload is overwhelming or unsustainable.

With 468,258 teachers in England, this would amount to around 42,000 leaving the profession  a figure that dwarfs the 6,500 Labour has promised to hire, funded by charging VAT on private school fees.

open image in gallery School teachers are under increasing pressure ( PA Wire )

Just 22 per cent of teachers said their workloads were manageable, while a quarter said they didnt have enough time for lesson planning, the survey conducted by ed-tech platform Kahoot indicated.

Matt Wrack, general secretary of teaching union NASUWT, told The Independent that the Labour government has taken no serious action to address the current crisis in teaching.

There are multiple factors behind the crisis in teacher recruitment and retention. There is a huge problem of excessive and unmanageable workload.

This is widely recognised, including by government, but no serious action is being taken to address it, either by ministers, local authorities or academy trusts. So the situation has got worse.

Teachers all too often face poor or abusive behaviour which is often not addressed by school leaders or employers.

He added: On top of all this, living standards have fallen due to 14 years of austerity pay and attacks on teachers pensions.

It is a recipe for disaster and no way to run education.

Mr Wrack didnt rule out strike action from teachers in the NASUWT union, saying it depends on how the government proceeds when it comes to teachers pay and funding for the education sector.

The survey saw more than a third of respondents blame short attention spans, driven by smartphone and social media use, as their main barrier to engagement with pupils.

Class sizes were also a significant concern, with one in five (21 per cent) teachers citing large class sizes as the biggest obstacle to keeping students engaged.

open image in gallery Matt Wrack told The Independent the current situation is a recipe for disaster ( PA Archive )

Kahoots Sean DArcy warned that an exodus of teachers from the profession would heap further pressure on an education system that already has some of the highest class sizes in the industrialised world.

The UK is already experiencing a teacher shortage, and a continued departure of teachers could also add to existing challenges such as limited time and overcrowded classrooms, he told The Independent.

Educators shape young minds and prepare children for the world. They are one of our most vital societal assets and the idea that so many of them could leave the profession is worrying. Of the 1,800 we surveyed, over 250 said that it was unlikely they would still be in the classroom come 2027.

He added: Labour has committed to hiring 6,500 extra teachers in England, but even the minister in charge, Bridget Phillipson, has admitted it will be a challenge. I sincerely hope it is one the government can rise to.

The government estimates its VAT tax raid will raise 1.7bn per year by 2029-30, money which ministers said would be used to fund 6,500 new teachers for state schools.

But so far, private school pupil numbers have fallen by more than 11,000 in England following the tax hike, DfE data showed  sparking concerns the exodus could push up class sizes in state schools and reduce the effectiveness of the tax.

In January 2025, there were around 582,500 pupils at English private schools, down from 593,500 at the same point last year.

Kahoots survey spoke to 1,782 UK teachers in June 2025.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: Last year saw one of the lowest rates of teachers leaving the profession since 2010, and we are already delivering on our pledge to recruit and retain 6,500 more talented teachers with 2,300 more secondary and special school teachers in classrooms this year.

This government is restoring teaching as the highly valued profession it should be, announcing pay awards of almost 10 per cent over two years, and has committed to tackling poor pupil behaviour, high workload and poor wellbeing.
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 Lee fire burning in northwestern Colorado has scorched over 88,000 acres in less than a weekand is now so large it is creating its own weather system, officials said.

High winds and dry conditions are fueling the flames of the Lee fire, which is now the sixth-largest in Colorados history.

As of Saturday evening, the fire had burned through 88,755 acres and was zero percent contained, according to an update on InciWeb, a government website that tracks fires.

Extreme fire activity has started to create its own weather system, Tyler Nathe, Rocky Mountain Incident Management Teams operations chief, said in an update Friday.

It built up what we like to call a pyrocumulus cloud. Thats where it punched up above 30,000 feet, Nathe said. When it does that phenomenon, it starts to create its own weather at that point, and so it was creating some additional outflow and inflow winds at ground level, which was increasing the fire behavior as the main fire front was moving down to the southeast.

open image in gallery High winds and dry conditions are fueling the flames of the Lee fire, which is now the sixth-largest in Colorados history. ( Garfield County Sheriff's Office )

More than 700 firefighters are battling the fire, which started after a lightning strike west of the town of Meeker a week ago.

Evacuation orders are in place for residents in the Rio Blanco and Garfield counties area as a red flag weather warning continues.

Elsewhere, a brush fire in a mountainous area north of Los Angeles forced thousands of people to evacuate as firefighters worked to get it under control.

open image in gallery Extreme fire activity has started to create its own weather system, Tyler Nathe, Rocky Mountain Incident Management Teams operations chief, said in an update Friday. ( Rio Blanco County Sheriff's Office )

Hundreds of firefighters battled the Canyon Fire after it ignited Thursday afternoon in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, as temperatures hit 100 degrees mixed with strong winds.

By Saturday, the Canyon fire was winding down and officials lifted the evacuation orders.

Meanwhile, the Dragon Bravo fire on the north rim of the Grand Canyon continues to burn a month on. The blaze, which started because of a lightning strike, has scorched 141,147 acres as of August 9 and is 36 percent contained, according to officials.
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

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has seen her stock in Palantir Technologies surge 142 percent since she invested in April, just days before Immigration and Customs Enforcement handed the company a $30 million contract.

The Georgia representative is a member of the House Homeland Security Committee which oversees ICE, and since her investment on April 8, the stock has rocketed, research platform Quiver Quantitative, which tracks politicians investments, noted.

Marjorie Taylor Greene bought stock in Palantir on April 8th, the platform said in a post on X. We reported on this right away, because Greene sits on the House Committee on Homeland Security. $PLTR has now risen 142% since her purchase.

On April 11, the artificial intelligence software company was awarded a contract by ICE to support the Trump administrations sweeping anti-immigration agenda, including designing a system to track self-deportation and identify individuals for deportation.

Greene has previously shrugged off criticism as laughable and clarified that her financial adviser controls her investments.

open image in gallery Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has seen her stock in Palantir Technologies surge 142 percent since she invested in April, just days before Immigration and Customs Enforcement handed the company a $30 million contract. ( Getty Images )

After many successful years of running my own business, I ran for Congress to bring that mindset to Washington. Now that I'm proudly serving the people of Northwest Georgia, I have signed a fiduciary agreement to allow my financial advisor to control my investments, Greene said in a statement to Snopes when her Palantir investment came to light in May.

All of my investments are reported with full transparency. I refuse to hide my stock trades in a blind trust like many others do, she added. I learned about my Palantir trades when I saw it in the media.

Greenes comments are reminiscent of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who, along with her husband, has long been dogged by allegations of insider trading, which she denies.

There is overwhelming public support to ban the trading of stocks of individual companies by members of Congress.

open image in gallery Greene has previously shrugged off criticism as laughable and clarified that her financial adviser controls her investments. ( Getty )

It emerged last month that White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino sold up to $5 million worth of Trump Media stock the day before the presidents Liberation Day tariffs were announced.

Scavino sold stock worth between $1 million and $5 million on April 1, according to financial disclosure reports first obtained by USA Today. Trump Media is the parent company of Trumps TruthSocial social media platform.

Scavino sold the day before the president officially announced reciprocal tariffs on U.S. trading partners. The announcement caused the markets to plummet and prompted Trump to put a 90-day pause on the tariffs on April 9, by which point the markets had slumped 12 percent. Stocks for Trump Media fell by about 11 percent.

The White House said the sales had nothing to do with the tariff announcement when approached by The Independent at the time.
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

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce has been nominated to be the deputy representative to the U.N.

I am pleased to announce that I am nominating Tammy Bruce, a Great Patriot, Television Personality, and Bestselling Author, as our next Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador, President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday.

Since the beginning of my Second Term, Tammy has been serving with distinction as Spokesperson of the State Department, where she did a fantastic job, he added. Tammy Bruce will represent our Country brilliantly at the United Nations. Congratulations Tammy!

Bruce has become one of the most well-known faces of Trumps State Department in the first six months of his second stint in the White House. She has regularly held press conferences on the administrations foreign policy.

This comes as the U.S. doesnt currently have an ambassador to the U.N. Former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who was ousted following the Signal scandal in which sensitive battle plans were inadvertently shared with a prominent journalist, has been nominated but has yet to be confirmed. He had his confirmation hearing last month, but the Senate hasnt held a vote on his nomination yet.

Trump has nominated former Fox News contributor Tammy Bruce to serve as the deputy U.N. ambassador ( Middle East Images )

It was first revealed in January that Bruce, a former Fox News contributor and radio host, would join the State Department. Trump has made several picks from the network to join his administration, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox & Friends co-host.

Bruce had long been a Democrat and liberal activist before becoming a conservative and backing Trump, Politico noted.

Deputy representative is a role that requires Senate confirmation, meaning that legislators will have the opportunity to scrutinize Bruce, who, if confirmed, would take on the role as the Trump administrations actions have put the U.S. on a collision course with allies. Specifically, her new posting comes as the U.S. is backing Israel even as the global community is increasingly critical of the country amid its war in Gaza.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

President Donald Trump has demanded that the homeless immediately move out of Washington, D.C. to make the nations capital more beautiful.

Trump reiterated his Saturday announcement that hes set to hold a press conference at the White House on Monday, adding on Truth Social on Sunday that Im going to make our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before.

The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY, he continued. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you dont have to move out. Were going to put you in jail where you belong.

The president went on to say that Its all going to happen very fast, just like the Border. We went from millions pouring in, to ZERO in the last few months. This will be easier  Be prepared! There will be no MR. NICE GUY. We want our Capital BACK.

Trumps promise to jail criminals in Washington comes as the citys mayor, Muriel Bowser, has noted that theres no recent increase in crime. Trump didnt outline what legal authority he would use to evict people from the capital  the president only controls federal lands and buildings in the District of Columbia.

open image in gallery Trump called on Washingtons homeless to leave the city immediately on Sunday ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Trump also took to Truth Social on Saturday to say that he was hosting a press conference that would put a stop to violent crime in Washington. The presidents Sunday post included images of tents and garbage on the streets of the capital.

The Community Partnership is an organization working to reduce homelessness in Washington, a city of 700,000 people. According to the group, on any given night, there are roughly 3,782 people experiencing homelessness. However, most of them are in emergency shelters or transitional housing, while about 800 are unsheltered or on the street, according to the group.

On Friday, a White House official said that extra federal law enforcement officers were being deployed in Washington after a group of teenagers reportedly attacked a young Trump administration staffer during an attempted carjacking, angering Trump.

Appearing on MSNBC on Sunday, Bowser said Washington was "not experiencing a crime spike."

"It is true that we had a terrible spike in crime in 2023, but this is not 2023," she said. "We have spent over the last two years driving down violent crime in this city, driving it down to a 30-year low."

The capitals police department reported that violent crime in the first seven months of this year was down by 26 percent compared with 2024. Overall, crime was down roughly seven percent.

Bowser noted that the president is very aware of Washingtons work alongside federal law enforcement after she met with him at the White House some weeks ago.

open image in gallery Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser told MSNBC that Trump is very aware of the citys work alongside federal law enforcement ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The mayor added on Sunday that Trump can call in the National Guard if he so chooses. The administration recently did so over the objection of local officials in response to immigration protests in Los Angeles.

Congress controls Washingtons budget following its establishment in 1790, using land from Maryland and Virginia. However, D.C. residents choose their own mayor and city council.

If Trump wanted to take control of D.C., Congress would likely have to pass legislation revoking the law that put in place the local elected leaders, which the president then would have to sign for it to take effect.
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 Trumps decision to wade into the debate over a congressional stock-trading ban could end up making things awkward for some of his closest allies in the House and Senate.

While stock trades by members of Congress and their families have long been controversial, the sustained push for new restrictions on lawmakers is new.

Supported by members of both parties, the effort to push back against an image of corruption and decadence in the chamber is growing in popularity particularly among younger members. But the prospect of making it to the presidents desk with legislation that would ban congressional stock trading has now caused Trump to weigh in.

The issue was glaring as he went on a late-night rant on Truth Social Saturday night against Democratic former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi  after reports about one of his own MAGA faithful, Marjorie Taylor Greene cashing in on a stock deal tied to an ICE contractor.

Crooked Nancy Pelosi, and her very interesting husband, beat every Hedge Fund in 2024. In other words, these two very average minds beat ALL of the Super Geniuses on Wall Street, thousands of them. Its all INSIDE iNFORMATION! Is anybody looking into this??? She is a disgusting degenerate, who Impeached me twice, on NO GROUNDS, and LOST! How are you feeling now, Nancy??? he raged in his posting.

open image in gallery All of my investments are reported with full transparency, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said after she won big on an ICE investment in contractor. ( Getty Images )

Pelosis office hadnt responded publicly as of Sunday morning.

Taylor Greene has drawn criticism after she purchased stock in Peter Thiel-owned Palantir in April, three days before the company won an ICE contract.

The companys stock has since surged. Thats not even the first time this year Greene, who maintains that all of her trades are managed without her input by a financial adviser, has been called out by stock-trading watchdogs for highly-lucrative trading activity.

After many successful years of running my own business, I ran for Congress to bring that mindset to Washington. Now that I'm proudly serving the people of Northwest Georgia, I have signed a fiduciary agreement to allow my financial advisor to control my investments, Greene told the fact-checker site Snopes in May.

open image in gallery Nancy Pelosi signed on to a stock trading ban earlier this year, dropping her previous opposition ( REUTERS )

All of my investments are reported with full transparency. I refuse to hide my stock trades in a blind trust like many others do, she added. I learned about my Palantir trades when I saw it in the media.

The California Democrat Pelosi, once her partys leader in the House of Representatives, is one of a few senior members of the chamber who has come out publicly against restrictions on congressional stock trading.

Were a free market economy, Pelosi said in 2021. They should be able to participate in that.

But her stance shifted over time and earlier in 2025 she came out in favor of legislation that would restrict such activity. The HONEST Act, a bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, advanced through a Senate committee in late July.

While I appreciate the creativity of my Republican colleagues in drafting legislative acronyms, I welcome any serious effort to raise ethical standards in public service. The HONEST Act, as amended, rightly applies its stock trading ban not only to Members of Congress, but now to the President and Vice President as well. I strongly support this legislation and look forward to voting for it on the Floor of the House.

Pelosi supports the bill, despite it previously bearing her name: Hawley originally dubbed it the the PELOSI Act, a reference to the trading activity primarily conducted by Pelosis husband Paul. She is one of the wealthier members of Congress; her family controls more than $127m in publicly-traded assets watched by stock-trading analysts.

open image in gallery MTG has drawn criticism after she purchased stock in Peter Thiel-owned Palantir in April, three days before the company won an ICE contract. But Trump turned his attention to Pelosi. ( Getty )

Its advancement drew opposition from Trump, which Hawley characterized in a rare public shot at his own colleagues as the result of Republican senators supposedly having called up the president and lied to him about what was in the bill.

I wonder why Hawley would pass a Bill that Nancy Pelosi is in absolute love with  He is playing right into the dirty hands of the Democrats, Trump wrote on Truth Social in late July.

Hawley responded, telling reporters: He said, senators, I dont know who, had called and told him yesterday afternoon that the bill had been changed at the last minute and would force him to sell all of his assets, sell Mar-a-Lago, sell his properties. So, I said, Well, thats just false. I mean, it explicitly exempts you and all your assets.

The senators response referred to a provision stuck in aimed explicitly at winning Trump over. The ban affects future presidents and vice presidents, but not Trump or his no. 2, JD Vance.

Its unclear whether Hawley will succeed in winning over the president, but the ban at least has the potential to make it through both chambers of Congress with bipartisan support.

Members of Congress on key committees are often scrutinized for their trading activity as in some cases lawmakers are privy to information that is not yet public or widely known, but could still affect markets.

Some members of Congress were caught up in a scandal over such activity in 2020, at the onset of the Covid pandemic, when they triggered selloffs of their own stock shares ahead of a market collapse.

One former North Carolina senator, a Republican, sold more than $1 million in stock one week before the market crashed.
Buying gold bars from Costco is just about the easiest way to get your hands on the precious metal  if you're lucky enough to find them in stock.

Gold (GC=F) has been surging all year, with gold futures reaching yet another high Friday. However, the surprising announcement of additional tariffs on gold bars by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has stymied would-be gold buyers.

US gold futures (GC=F) in New York fell on Monday falling 2% as traders awaited clarification from the White House over its tariff policy.

Here's the latest.

Deciphering the new 39% tariff on gold

Scott Travers, editor in chief of COINage magazine, said that the new tariff didn't appear to apply to consumer gold buyers  however, he added that published guidelines are "ambiguous."

He noted that the 39% tariff ruling specifically targets 1-kilogram and 100-ounce gold bars.

"It doesn't look like there is any tariff on 1-ounce gold bars. And they're the predominant investment vehicle and traded asset in gold globally  1-ounce gold bars," Travers told Yahoo Finance.

Confusion erupted Friday because gold traders and analysts had understood the bars would be exempt from reciprocal tariffs, including a 39% levy on Swiss goods imposed by President Trump. But when a gold refiner in Switzerland asked about it, CBP clarified that 1-kilogram and 100-ounce gold bars are subject to the levies, Bloomberg reported.

"I'm doing research on this and, you know, a lot of it looks ambiguous. And when you have ambiguity, you have speculation," Travers added.

What about Costco gold bars?

Costco (COST) sells Swiss-made, 1-ounce gold bullion bars to members via its website.

"The 1-ounce gold bars, which are used in the retail and most small investment transactions, don't seem to be mentioned here in the US Customs and Border Protection ruling," Travers said.

A spokesperson with Costco media relations told Yahoo Finance that they "don't comment on news reports."

Read more: What to know before buying gold at Costco

Sign up for the Mind Your Money weekly newsletter Subscribe By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy

What should gold investors do?

Gold prices soared on the tariff news, hitting an intraday high of $4,490 per ounce at one point Friday. So, what should prospective gold buyers do?

"Nothing," Travers said. "They shouldn't be buying on this speculative trend, and they shouldn't be selling their gold holdings based on assuming that other people are ignorant and are buying their gold with the belief that the 1-ounce bars are subject to the tariff."

Full disclosure: Travers admits he's not a fan of gold as an investment  he sees it more as a manner of "insurance" and a currency.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

President Donald Trump is considering inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to join him and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week, according to a report.

Trump and Putin are set to meet for a summit in the Last Frontier state next Friday to discuss the war in Ukraine.

Extending an invitation to the Ukrainian leader is being discussed, according to NBC News, citing three people briefed on internal conversations about the meeting.

A senior U.S. official reportedly told the outlet that Zelenskys attendance is absolutely possible, but nothing has been finalized. Everyone is very hopeful that would happen, the official reportedly added.

Quizzed whether an official invite had been extended to Zelensky, a senior White House official told NBC: The President remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is focusing on planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin.

open image in gallery Extending an invitation to the Ukrainian leader is being discussed, according to NBC News, citing three people briefed on internal conversations of the meeting. ( Getty Images )

The Independent has contacted the White House for further comment.

Zelenskys reaction to the TrumpPutin summit was dismissive, warning that any negotiations to end Europe's biggest conflict since World War II must include Kyiv.

Any decisions that are without Ukraine are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not bring anything. These are dead decisions. They will never work, Zelensky said.

Putin is expected to use the summit to set out Russia's demands for a ceasefire deal. Speaking to reporters at the White House Friday, Trump admitted any peace deal may involve some swapping of territories.

The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska, Trump declared Friday on Truth Social.

open image in gallery Zelenskys reaction to the TrumpPutin summit was dismissive, warning that any negotiations to end Europe's biggest conflict since World War II must include Kyiv. ( AFP/Getty )

Despite facing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, the meeting slated for August 15 would mark the first time in a decade that Putin has set foot on U.S. soil.

The last time the two leaders met was in Helsinki, Finland, in July 2018, during Trumps first term as president. Following the meeting, Trump publicly contradicted U.S. intelligence agencies and appeared to take Putins word over their findings regarding Russian election interference.

The remarks caused bipartisan outrage in Washington, with many accusing Trump of having sided with the enemy.

Negotiations on peace talks have been slow-moving and, at times, fraught.

Zelensky was ambushed in the Oval Office earlier this year by Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The vice president criticized Zelensky for not expressing gratitude enough for U.S. financial and military support, accusing him of being disrespectful.

Trump has also publicly blamed Zelensky  rather than Putin  for starting the war.
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

Russian commentators and officials bragged about the perceived coup of Vladimir Putin getting a summit in Alaska Friday with President Donald Trump over a potential Ukraine War ceasefire.

Its the first time that a Russian leader has been invited to American soil outside of the United Nations since 2007, and comes without the Kremlin having made any apparent concessions amid its war of aggression in Ukraine.

Just days before the summit was announced, Trump was sharing his anger at Putins consistent bombing of Ukraine and threatened to increase sanctions on Russia. The sudden decision to meet with the Russian leader prompted European and Ukrainian officials to scramble to respond to the new arrangement.

One of the top interlocutors between the Kremlin and the Trump administration is Russias special economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who argued that the decision to have the meeting in Alaska was symbolically significant. The U.S. bought Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, roughly two cents per acre.

Born as Russian America  Orthodox roots, forts, fur trade  Alaska echoes those ties and makes the U.S. an Arctic nation, he said on X.

open image in gallery Putin and Trump are set to meet in Alaska on Friday ( Reuters )

Konstantin Malofeyev is a billionaire who the Obama administration sanctioned for funding separatists in Ukraine backed by the Kremlin and interfering in elections in a number of countries.

He claimed Alaskans respectfully remember their Russian past and their Orthodox present.

Alexander Kots, a war correspondent supportive of the Kremlin, said in his Telegram channel that The meeting in Alaska has every chance to become historic.

That is, of course, if the West does not try to pull off another scheme, he added.

Meanwhile, analysts in the West urged caution. Michael McFaul served as the U.S. ambassador to Russia during the Obama administration.

Trump has chosen to host Putin in a part of the former Russian Empire, he said on X. Wonder if he knows that Russian nationalists claim that losing Alaska, like Ukraine, was a raw deal for Moscow that needs to be corrected.

The symbolism of holding the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska is horrendous  as though designed to demonstrate that borders can change, land can be bought and sold, said Kings College London Russian Politics professor Sam Greene, according to The Washington Post. Never mind that mainstream Russian discourse maintains a claim that Alaska should be returned to Russia.

While Czar Alexander II offered up Alaska for sale, Putin has taken Ukrainian territory by force via the unlawful annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, when he illegally claimed to annex four regions of Ukraine.

Russia analysts told The Post that its unlikely that the Kremlin has left behind any of its goals for Ukraine, such as demilitarization, the replacement of the current regime with a pro-Russia one, and for Ukraine not to join NATO.

A senior fellow with the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, Tatiana Stanovaya, said Trump didnt want to fall into confrontation with Russia.

Trump himself said that further sanctions probably wouldnt force Putin to change his mind. We could see from these signals that Trump could be open to a new attempt, and he did so just days before the end of his ultimatum, Stanovaya added.

The deputy head of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, Janis Kluge, told The Post that Putins proposal is part of the war.

Its just a temporary ceasefire in exchange for land, said Kluge. It is meant to give Putin an advantage in the longer run against Ukraine and the West.

A former top Kremlin official told the paper that Russia appeared willing to compromise, as it indicated that it was ready for a ceasefire.

open image in gallery Zelensky has warned that he wont give up land ahead of Trump-Putin meeting ( Volodymyr Zelensky )

Politically, it is easier [for the Kremlin] to continue the war until Ukraines final collapse than to make peace, the anonymous official said. This is why they are clinging on to the idea that there needs to be a temporary but not permanent truce  and then in the meantime [Ukrainian] elections can be conducted.

While the Kremlin has pushed for a friendly regime in Kyiv, Ukrainians have often demonstrated their wish for free and fair elections and a democratic future as part of the European Union.

Pro-Kremlin analyst Sergei Markov said, Russian troops are not going to make any step backward, as part of a deal to reach a ceasefire.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that he wouldnt agree to any deal that included handing over territory to Russia, saying Ukraines constitution prohibited it.

There are no guarantees, Markov added, according to The Post. But there are also no guarantees that Ukraine wont begin the war again.

He went on to say that Russias top goal during the summit was to paint Europe and Ukraine as impediments to Trumps dream of achieving a peace deal.

Russia hopes that Trump will finally become sensible and see that Zelensky is the main reason for the war that is happening now, and that the second reason for the war is European leaders  and that they are his enemies too, said Markov, adding that Trump will realze that Putin is one of his few good political friends.
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 Vietnamese tourists have drowned after being swept into the sea by strong winds while visiting a beach on the Greek island of Milos, the countrys embassy in Greece has confirmed.

The incident took place on Friday at Sarakiniko Beach, a popular tourist destination known for its white volcanic cliffs.

According to the Greek authorities, the victims were a couple from Vietnam and both in their 50s. They had arrived in Milos as part of a cruise ship group that had disembarked at the islands port of Adamas earlier in the day, according to Greek state broadcaster ERT.

They had gone to Sarakiniko to take photographs when the woman was swept into the sea by powerful gusts of wind. Her companion jumped in after her in an attempt to rescue her, but both were overcome by the turbulent waters. Their bodies were later recovered by the Greek coastguard and taken to hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

The man and woman were found unconscious in the sea and were taken to the local health centre, a coastguard spokeswoman told AFP. They were Vietnamese tourists on a cruise ship group. The woman fell in the water and the man apparently tried to save her.

The Vietnamese embassy in Greece confirmed the deaths late on Saturday and said it had been in contact with both Greek authorities and the victims families in Vietnam.

In a statement, the embassy said it was working closely with officials and the travel company involved to investigate the incident and assist with funeral arrangements. It also issued a warning advising Vietnamese nationals travelling in Greece to avoid approaching cliff edges or venturing into the sea during periods of high wind.

Giorgos Vallis, president of the Panhellenic Association of Yacht Crews, told ERT that access to certain beaches should be restricted during extreme weather.

When such phenomena occur, port authorities should close off the area to prevent people from taking photos or jumping from the rocks into the sea, he said. After the weather clears, visitors can safely return.

People stand outside ticket offices at the port of Piraeus, near Athens; Ferry services between Athens and the Cyclades were heavily disrupted by the gale-force winds, leaving travellers stranded ( AFP via Getty Images )

Much of southern Greece is currently experiencing severe weather conditions, with the countrys civil protection ministry warning of wind speeds reaching up to 88kmph in parts of the Aegean and Crete on the day of the incident.

The Athens National Observatory also issued alerts for a very high potential for wind-driven forest fires, particularly in the east and south.

Ferry services between Athens and the Cyclades were heavily disrupted by the gale-force winds, leaving travellers stranded at ports in Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio. Several sailings were cancelled, while others faced long delays.

Footage from Piraeus showed queues of tourists waiting outside ticket offices, many trying to rebook journeys to islands such as Paros and Naxos.

Wildfires also flared across parts of the country, including near the town of Keratea east of Athens and on the Ionian island of Cephalonia. More than 200 firefighters, aided by aircraft and helicopters, were deployed to tackle the flames in Keratea, where homes and farmland were threatened.
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 signalled that Ukraine might have to give up territory to end the war with Russia as he prepares to meet Vladimir Putin for peace talks.

Announcing the talks with the Russian president, set to take place in Alaska on Friday, Mr Trump said: There will be some swapping of territories.

The White House is reportedly trying to sway European leaders to accept an agreement that would include Russia taking the entire Donbas region in eastern Ukraine and keeping Crimea. In exchange, it would give up the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, areas which Russia is partially occupying, CBS reported.

But in a statement on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the idea, saying that Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.

A map from ISW shows where Russian forces are currently occupying Ukraine and the most active frontlines ( Institute for the Study of War )

The Wall Street Journal reported that Mr Putin had already proposed a similar land swap agreement to US envoy Steve Witkoff at a meeting in Moscow.

Ukraine had previously warned that no peace deal is possible if it is forced to give up territory to Russia, after the US said supporting Kyiv to retake occupied land was unrealistic.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has previously said that we must start by recognising that returning to Ukraines pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective. Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering".

The position is markedly different from that of the previous Joe Biden administration, which supported Ukraine in ejecting Russian forces from its land completely.

The hardline stance under the Trump regime has already faced backlash, with accusations that the US is betraying Ukraine.

On Saturday, European leaders reaffirmed their backing of Ukraine in a joint statement from the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland and the European Commission.

Insisting that Ukraine be part of any peace talks, they said: The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force. The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations.

Russia currently occupies around 20 per cent of Ukraine, including parts of four regions of mainland Ukraine, as well as the Crimean peninsula.

Mr Putin first invaded Ukraine in 2014, when he illegally annexed Crimea. It is widely believed he then ordered unmarked soldiers known as little green men to fight on behalf of Russia in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

In February 2022, he then ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reportedly hoping to take the country in just three days.

After being pushed back from Kyiv and northeastern Ukraine, the latest iteration of Mr Putins land grab focused on the four regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

In September 2022, he illegally annexed these four regions, none of which are completely controlled by Russian forces.

He has since repeatedly claimed that he will only agree to end his invasion of Ukraine if Kyiv cedes these four regions to him.

Ukraine and the countrys European supporters have suggested this would amount to rewarding Mr Putin for his illegal land grab.

Ceding the Donbas region would mean giving up an area with cities and industrial centres, and Ukraine abandoning its defensive line in northern Donetsk.
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 said he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday to discuss the war in Ukraine.

Putin is expected to use the talks to set out Russia's demands for a ceasefire deal.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, Mr Trump admitted any peace deal may involve some swapping of territories.

But Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky hit back, vowing he would not cede land, saying: Ukrainians will not give their land to occupiers.

Trump has said he will meet with Russian president Vladimir Putin next Friday ( AP )

When and where are talks happening?

The talks are set to happen on Friday, August 15 in Alaska.

The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska, President Trump declared on Truth Social.

The meeting between the two leaders will be the first US-Russia summit since 2021, when former US President Joe Biden met Mr Putin in Switzerland.

However, critics pointed out that Russia once laid claim to the state of Alaska at the beginning of the 1770s, where they mercilessly exploited Alaskan natives to hunt fur for the Russians, and nationalists have long wanted to take it back.

The agreement to meet comes after Mr Trumps growing frustration with Mr Putin's refusal to halt Russia's military offensive.

The US president had threatened to impose new sanctions and tariffs from Friday against Moscow and countries that buy its goods unless the Russian leader agreed to end the war. Itis not yet clear whether those sanctions would still go ahead or have been delayed.

What will they discuss?

The two presidents are expected to discuss the war in Ukraine and Russias demands if a ceasefire is to be agreed.

It could lead to a breakthrough in President Trumps effort to end the conflict, after he vowed during his election campaign to end the war in 24 hours of taking office.

But there is no guarantee it will stop the fighting since Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on their conditions for peace.

What has Trump said?

Mr Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday that he couldn't announce where or when the meeting would take place, but he would do so soon and suggested the talks would come before any discussion involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

But shortly after, he announced it would take place in Alaska on 15 August.

The US president has said a peace deal may involve the swapping of territories between Russia and Ukraine.

We're going to get some back. We're going to get some switched. There will be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both, he said.

What has Russia said?

Russia wants to discuss its demands for a ceasefire deal, including Ukraine giving up two eastern regions and its sovereignty over Crimea.

The Kremlin confirmed the summit in an online statement and said the two leaders would focus on discussing options for achieving a long-term peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian crisis.

"It seems entirely logical for our delegation to fly across the Bering Strait simply, and for such an important and anticipated summit of the leaders of the two countries to be held in Alaska," President Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said in a statement posted to the Kremlin's news channel.

What has Zelensky said?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the planned summit between Mr Trump and Mr Putin, would lead to "dead solutions if the deal excluded Kyiv.

In a statement posted to Telegram, Zelensky said Ukraine "will not give Russia any awards for what it has done" and that "Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier."

The answer to the Ukrainian territorial issue is in the Constitution of Ukraine. No one will deviate from this.

He added: "Any solutions that are without Ukraine, are at the same time solutions against peace. They will not bring anything. These are dead solutions, they will never work."

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has also said Ukraine remains open to meaningful dialogue but warned "Russia must not be rewarded for starting this war".
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 vice-president JD Vance says Europe must spend more on Ukraine as he warned that America is done with the funding of the war. He also vowed that Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky will be forced to meet by Donald Trump.

Mr Vance, in a wide-ranging interview on Fox News, went on to dismiss European leaders calls to allow the Ukrainian president to attend the upcoming summit between the US and Russian leaders, insisting that it would not be productive at this point.

On Saturday, European leaders including Sir Keir Starmer jointly welcomed the meeting, which is planned for Friday in Alaska. However, they warned that any talks should see Ukraine represented and not permit any land to be ceded to Russia.

Their statement came after Mr Trump admitted the deal may involve some swapping of territories  a suggestion Mr Zelensky strongly rejected.

open image in gallery From left: Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin ( Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/AFP/Getty/Sputnik )

Mr Vance told Fox News that Mr Trump has to be the one to bring these two together, before criticising Europe for not stepping up.

He said: What we said to the Europeans is simply: this is in your neck of the woods, this is in your back door. You guys have gotta step up and take a bigger role in this thing. And if you care so much about this conflict, you should be willing to play a more direct and substantial way in funding this war yourself.

I think the president, and I certainly think that America, were done with the funding of the Ukraine war business. We wanna bring about a peaceful settlement of this thing, we wanna stop the killing.

Mr Vance met with top European and Ukrainian officials at the British foreign secretary's weekend residence on Saturday to discuss how to end the war.

European Commission president Kaja Kallas confirmed that European foreign ministers are scrambling to convene for an emergency meeting on Monday ahead of Fridays summit.

open image in gallery A firefighter at the site of a Russian drone strike in the town of Bilozerske in the Donetsk region on Sunday ( AFP via Getty Images )

As European nations rally behind Ukraine, Mr Zelensky thanked his allies, writing in a post on X on Sunday: "The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people."

A White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they aren't allowed to speak publicly, told the Associated Press that Mr Trump remained open to a trilateral summit with both the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, but for now, he will have a bilateral meeting requested by Mr Putin.

The summit may prove pivotal in the war that began in February 2022, although there is no guarantee it will stop the fighting, since Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on their conditions for peace.

Saturday's statement, signed by the president of the European Union and leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland and the UK, stressed the need for a "just and lasting peace" for Kyiv, including "robust and credible" security guarantees. "The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine," it added.

US senator Lindsey Graham told NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday that a good deal would mean preventing an emboldened Russia, and aggressors elsewhere, from trying to once again redraw borders by force.

open image in gallery Vance met with top European and Ukrainian officials at the British foreign secretary's weekend residence in Kent on Saturday ( PA )

A Trump ally and Russia hawk, Mr Graham nevertheless said that "you can't end a war without talking. He added: "I do hope that Zelensky can be part of the process. I have every confidence in the world that [President Trump] is going to go to meet Putin from a position of strength, that he's going to look out for Europe and Ukrainian needs to end this war honourably.

A month-long US-led push to achieve a truce in Ukraine has so far proved fruitless, with Kyiv agreeing in principle while the Kremlin has held out for terms more to its liking.

Mr Zelensky said on Saturday that Ukraine "will not give Russia any awards for what it has done" and that "Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier".

Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Mr Zelensky, noted on Sunday that Kyiv will strive to boost its position ahead of the planned Trump-Putin meeting. "Ahead lies an important week of diplomacy," he said.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday that European leaders are "intensively preparing" ahead of the Alaska summit, while they "hope and expect" that Mr Zelensky will be invited.

Natos secretary general Mark Rutte on Sunday praised Washington for taking steps such as allowing more military equipment to flow to Ukraine and imposing secondary sanctions on India for purchasing Russian oil, saying Mr Trump "clearly is putting pressure on Putin".

In the interview with ABC's This Week, Mr Rutte added: Next Friday will be important because it will be about testing Putin  how serious he is  on bringing this terrible war to an end.

Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia continued to trade blows on the battlefield on Sunday. Three swimmers were killed by unexploded objects in Ukraine's southern Odesa region at two beaches where swimming has been banned, regional officials said.

And Ukraine's military said on Sunday that it had struck an oil refinery in Russia's Saratov region in an overnight drone attack.
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 has declared that Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas, as he addressed foreign media in Jerusalem.

Defending a planned military offensive, Mr Netanyahu asserted that our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza. He also pushed back against what he called a global campaign of lies amid growing condemnation of the plan both inside and outside Israel.

Mr Netanyahu remarked that chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany, one of Israels strongest backers, had buckled under by announcing that Germany wont authorise exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza until further notice.

The prime minister outlined a fairly short timetable for the next steps in Gaza.

He stated that Israels objectives include demilitarising the territory, ensuring the Israeli military has overriding security control, and establishing a non-Israeli civilian administration.

In a striking development, Mr Netanyahu revealed he had recently directed Israels military to bring in more foreign journalists.

This marks a significant shift, as foreign media have not typically been allowed into Gaza beyond military embeds.

open image in gallery Displaced Palestinians carry food parcels as they raid trucks carrying humanitarian aid in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip ( AFP via Getty )

He again blamed the Hamas militant group for many of Gazas problems, including civilian deaths, destruction, and shortages of aid. Hamas still has thousands of armed terrorists in Gaza, he asserted, adding that Palestinians are begging the world to be freed from them.

The prime minister, who has asserted that there is no starvation in Gaza, did acknowledge hunger there, saying, There was a problem with deprivation, no question about it. Israel wants to increase the number of aid distribution sites, he said, but gave no details.

At least 26 Palestinians were killed while seeking aid in the Gaza Strip, hospitals and witnesses said, as families of Israeli hostages called for a general strike to protest Mr Netanyahus plans to expand military operations in the territory.

Hospital officials said they received bodies from areas where Palestinians were seeking aid  either along food convoy routes or near privately run aid distribution points across Gaza.

The dead include 10 who were killed while waiting for aid trucks close to the newly built Morag corridor, which separates the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, said Nasser hospital.

A further six people were killed while waiting for aid in northern Gaza near the Zikim crossing, according to the Gaza Health Ministry and the Shifa hospital in Gaza City, which received the casualties.

In central Gaza, witnesses said they first heard warning shots before the fire was aimed toward crowds of aid seekers trying to reach a food distribution site operated by Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. It hasnt been possible to independently confirm who fired the shots. The Al-Awda hospital in the nearby Nuseirat refugee camp said four people were killed by Israeli gunfire.

open image in gallery Netanyahu says Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas ( Reuters )

First, it was in the air, then they started to fire at the people, said Sayed Awda, who waited hundreds of meters from the GHF site in the area.

Six other aid seekers were killed while trying to reach GHF sites in Khan Younis and Rafah, Nasser hospital said.

The US and Israel backed the foundation months ago as an alternative to the UN-run aid system, but its early operations have been marred by deaths and chaos, with aid seekers coming under gunfire near the routes leading to the sites.

Responding to Associated Press inquiries, the GHF media office said: There were no incidents at or near our sites today, and these incidents appear to be linked to crowds trying to loot aid convoy.

Israels military also said there were no incidents involving Israeli troops near central Gaza aid sites.

Seven people were killed in airstrikes, local hospitals reported  three people near the fishermens port in Gaza City and four people, two of them children, in a strike that hit a tent in Khan Younis. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the strikes, but it has accused Hamas of operating from civilian areas.

Israels air and ground offensive has displaced most of the population and pushed the territory toward famine. Two more Palestinian children died of malnutrition-related causes on Saturday, bringing the death toll among children in Gaza from starvation to 100 since the war began.

open image in gallery Aid pallets are parachuted after being dropped from a military plane over Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip during an airdrop mission above the Israel-besieged Palestinian territory ( AFP via Getty )

A total of 117 adults have died of malnutrition-related causes since late June, when the ministry started to count this age category, it said.

The toll from hunger isnt included in the ministrys death toll of 61,400 Palestinians in the war.

The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, doesnt distinguish between fighters or civilians, but says around half of the dead have been women and children. The UN and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on war casualties.

The prospect of expanding the war has sparked outrage both internationally and within Israel, where bereaved families and relatives of hostages still held in Gaza urged companies to declare a general strike next week.

Tens of thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday night in what local media called one of the largest anti-government protests in recent months.

The families and their supporters hope to pressure the government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City, warning that expanding the war will endanger their loved ones.

Of the 251 people abducted when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200, around 50 remain in Gaza, with 20 Israel believed to be alive.

Lishay Miran-Lavi, whose husband Omri is among the hostages, also appealed to US President Donald Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff to halt the war.

open image in gallery Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip attend a rally demanding their release from Hamas captivity and calling for an end to the war, in Tel Aviv, Israel ( AP )

The decision to send the army deeper into Gaza is a danger to my husband, Omri. But we can still stop this disaster, she said.

Also Sunday, Israeli defense minister Israel Katz toured the northern part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. He said Israels military would remain in the areas refugee camps at least until the end of the year.

Approximately 40,000 Palestinians have been driven from their homes this year in the West Banks largest displacement since Israel captured the territory in 1967. Israel says the operations are needed to stamp out militancy, as violence by all sides has surged since Hamass 7 October attack.

Katz on Sunday said the number of warnings about attacks against Israelis in the West Bank had decreased by 80 per cent since the operation began in January.
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

Israelis want peace. Israelis want to get out of Gaza. This is not in our name  we are not our government. Israel must be stopped.

These are the desperate pleas of Yotam Cohen, whose younger brother Nimrod, a then 19-year-old Israeli soldier serving mandatory service, was taken captive to Gaza by Hamas militants during their deadly 7 October attack on southern Israel nearly two years ago.

This weekend, Yotam joined tens of thousands of people who marched on Israels military headquarters in Tel Aviv. Wielding portraits of their loved ones and banners, they urged world leaders to intervene. They protested against Benjamin Netanyahus controversial plan to expand the devastating 22-month bombardment of Gaza, a plan he defended on Sunday, vowing in a press conference to finish the job... finish Hamas.

At the mass protest, some family members even called on soldiers to refuse to serve in the expanded fighting, and for the opposition to call a general strike. It follows waves of rallies across the country by Israelis calling on their government to return to the negotiating table.

open image in gallery Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip attend a rally demanding their release from Hamas captivity and calling for an end to the war, in Tel Aviv ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press All rights reserved )

Israel must be stopped. The Israeli government has to be stopped. Hamas must be pressured to achieve a deal. But the main problem right now is the Israeli government, Yotam says bluntly.

The decision to expand the war was pushed through the security cabinet last week, despite fierce resistance from Israels chief of staff Eyal Zamir and numerous former security and intelligence officials.

It will see Israeli forces, that according to the United Nations effectively hold more than 85 per cent of the strip, push into the last corners of the tiny enclave, starting with Gaza City, with the intent of taking full security control.

It is a move many in Israel fear will not only embroil the Israeli military in a costly, protracted, and unwinnable conflict, but also serve as a death sentence for the 20 remaining hostages  like Nimrod  who are still believed to be alive. It could also crush the hopes of retrieving the bodies of around 30 more slain captives who remain in the hands of the militants.

Some of the families told The Independent they are also deeply concerned about the humanitarian impact on Palestinian civilians, as the death toll from the bombardment surges past 61,000, according to local officials, and famine unfolds amid fighting and under an Israeli blockade.

As an Israeli... first of all, we are not our government. Israelis want peace. Israelis want to get out of Gaza. Israelis do not support what is happening right now in Gaza, Yotam says, with a quiet determination in his voice.

open image in gallery Nimrod Cohen (left) with his brother Yotam (centre) and father Yehuda before the October 7 attacks. Yotam has criticised the Israeli government for expanding its military action in Gaza ( Yehuda Cohen )

It is our government  our so-called elected officials  who right now in our name, with the power we gave them democratically, are using that power to commit atrocities: to kill Israeli soldiers, to kill Israeli hostages, to kill Palestinian civilians. This is not in our name.

The desperation was echoed by Shay Dickmann, who says her family suffered the deadly consequences of a ceasefire deal collapsing and Israel choosing military pressure over negotiations.

In November 2023, Shays cousin Carmel Gat, 41  an occupational therapist from Tel Aviv  was next on the list of hostages to be freed, but the truce collapsed the very day she was meant to be released.

She and five others were later shot dead by Hamas militants in a tunnel as Israeli forces advanced into Rafah in August 2024. The family say they believe she was alive just 48 hours before Israeli soldiers reached her.

A year ago today, my cousin was still alive  I was hopeful and also frightened, just like the families you see here today, Shay says, through tears, at an earlier protest outside the home of Israels defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in the centre of the country.

To the Israeli government, I [beg], make a deal now that brings back all 50 hostages. This is what the people of Israel want. This is what we wish for.

And for the whole world: we need your help. We want the suffering to end. No one should be starving. No one should be suffering, no one should suffer from a terror organisation, neither the hostages, nor the Palestinians.

All we want is to live in peace and safety. We need the hostages to be back. We need this war to end.

open image in gallery Shay Dickmann, whose hostage cousin Carmel Gat was killed by Hamas after a ceasefire collapsed, at a protest outside the Israeli defence ministers home ( Bel Trew )

Israel launched an unprecedented bombardment of Gaza in response to Hamass deadly 2023 attacks on southern Israel, in which militants seized 251 hostages and killed over 1,000, according to Israeli estimates.

Since then, Israels bombardment, war with Hamas and blockade has killed tens of thousands, destroyed more than 90 per cent of homes and pushed the 25-mile-long enclave into starvation.

So far The Independent understands 148 hostages, eight of whom are dead, have been released in exchanges or other deals, while the Israeli military has retrieved 49 bodies. Only eight have been rescued alive by the security forces  which is why families fear military intervention is not effective.

Of those 50 still in captivity, Israel believes 27 are dead and Mr Netanyahu has said there are doubts about the fate of several more.

open image in gallery Displaced Palestinians raid trucks carrying humanitarian aid in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip ( AFP via Getty Images )

Israels latest planned military escalation has already drawn national and global outrage: Sir Keir Starmer said hours after the announcement that it will only bring more bloodshed.

The UK joined dozens of countries  including Austria, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and ceasefire mediators Egypt and Qatar  in issuing separate statements against the decision.

On Sunday, UN ambassadors in New York debated the plans and several European countries warned that Israel "risks violating international humanitarian law" with the new offensive. UK representative ambassador James Kariuki urged both parties to step away from the path of destruction.

Even Germany, a staunch ally of Israel during the war, announced it will no longer authorise exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza until further notice.

Within Israel, anger at the protracted conflict extends beyond those directly caught up in it, with growing resentment at the repeated reservist call-ups, the comparatively high death toll for Israeli soldiers, and concerns for the hostages. Polls show three-quarters of the country support an immediate end of the war with a release of all the hostages as part of the deal.

There are also growing concerns about Israels global reputation amid a surge in condemnation over a famine unfolding in Gaza due to Israels blockade  something Israel denies and blames on Hamas. Some family members of the hostages fear Israel is becoming a pariah state.

Theres so much international criticism about how Israel is acting, it feels like this government does not care about hearing that criticism, says Ruby Chen, whose son Itay  a soldier in a tank brigade  was killed by Hamas on 7 October, and whose body was taken into Gaza where he has remained.

He says Mr Netanyahu has miscalculated, and superseded the dismantling of Hamas over the return of the hostages, against the wishes of his people.

I think that this humanitarian crisis in Gaza, both for the hostages and what is happening to the people in Gaza, has gone on long enough, he said.

There needs to be an international intervention if the prime minister is miscalculating. And its unfortunate that the US, as the mediator, is not putting both sides together and saying enough is enough. We feel like we are collateral damage.

open image in gallery Demonstrators light torches during a protest demanding the release of all hostages from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip and calling for an end to the war, outside the prime ministers office in Jerusalem ( AP )

On Sunday, Mr Netanyahu said he had a fairly short timetable in mind for the next steps in Gaza, but didnt give specifics and insisted his military takeover was the quickest way to end the war.

At the protests there were direct calls for Donald Trump  Israels closest ally and largest provider of weapons  to step up and push through a deal.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly met Qatari prime minister Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Spain on Saturday to discuss ending the Gaza war and the release of all remaining hostages and captives, in an apparent bid to prevent Israels planned expansion of its offensive.

There are reportedly frantic negotiations underway between the US, Qatar and Egypt to try to restart talks.

But many fear Mr Netanyahus new proposal will undermine those efforts. And pressure is mounting in Israel, especially after the militant group released new, galling videos of two emaciated Israeli hostages in tunnels last week, prompting accusations from Israel that Hamas was deliberately starving its captives.

In one, Evyatar David  who was seized from the Nova Music Festival  was described by his family as a living skeleton because he was so thin. He appears to be digging his own grave and speaks of going days without food.

His cousin Naama, 28, told The Independent the family cant eat, we cant sleep, we cant breathe well, knowing what Evyatar is going through.

open image in gallery Benjamin Netanyahu says he has a fairly short timetable in mind for the next steps in Gaza, and insists a military takeover is the quickest way to end the war ( AFP via Getty Images )

Standing outside the Israeli defence ministers office, she says she was crying for help and urged Israel to defend your citizens. Thats your first obligation as your leaders. And if theyre gonna be dead there  the blood of the hostages is gonna be on your hands.

She added: To the leaders of the world  we need you to stand up and speak out against Hamas.

Lishay Miran, a mother of two whose husband Omri, now 48, was seized from Kibbutz Nahal Oz, added: This is not just a military decision. This is a death sentence for the people we love the most.

Lishay was briefly held by the militants with her two daughters, the youngest of whom was just six months old. She is now more than two years old and doesnt remember her father, Lishay says in a voice cracked with pain.

She says Mr Netanyahus decision can really kill them all  we need to put the pressure on Israel, on Hamas, on Qatar, on everyone there is no more time left.
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

Passengers on flights with Emirates will soon be banned from using phone power banks due to concerns over fires, explosions and toxic gases.

The airline announced this week that the new safety measures will be implemented from 1 October following a safety review - becoming the latest to raise concerns over the popular portable charger devices.

Power banks are rechargeable and can then charge other electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops and cameras, when people are out.

Emirates customers will still be allowed to carry one power bank onboard, as long as it has capacity rating information available and is only stored in the seat pocket or a bag under the seat in front, not in the overhead storage. There is already a ban in place preventing them from being stored in checked luggage.

However, the airline warned that the device will not be allowed to be used in aircraft cabins for fear of dangerous consequences like fire, explosions, and the release of toxic gases.

open image in gallery Power banks will soon be banned from use on board Emirates flights due to fears over fires, explosions and toxic gases ( AP )

It said in a statement: There has been a significant growth in customers using power banks in recent years, resulting in an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents onboard flights across the wider aviation industry.

New regulations will significantly reduce risks associated with power banks by prohibiting their use while onboard the aircraft. Storing power banks in accessible locations within the cabin ensures that in the rare event of a fire, trained cabin crew can quickly respond and extinguish the fire.

It is the lithium-ion batteries used in power banks that have raised major concerns among airlines and aviation safety regulators due to the risks of overheating in cases of overcharging or damage.

The move may trigger other carriers to introduce their own restrictions on power bank usage.

Multiple Asian airlines have already done so, including carriers in China, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea and Singapore, such as Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways.

open image in gallery A Batik Air flight began to be filled with smoke from a burning power bank minutes before it landed in Bangkok in March, with videos posted to social media showing panic among passengers ( kentmaherr/TikTok )

From 1 March, South Korea implemented stricter rules across operators following a fire on an Air Busan plane on 28 January.

Meanwhile, in the US, Southwest Airlines passengers must now use their portable chargers and batteries in plain sight. The airline brought in the rule from 28 May citing safety concerns after multiple overheating incidents.

Last year, three incidents a fortnight of overheating lithium batteries on planes were recorded globally by the US Federal Aviation Administration, compared to just under one a week in 2018.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) advises that spare batteries for portable electronic devices containing lithium-ion batteries exceeding a Watt-hour rating of 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh are permitted in carry-on luggage for personal use.

It adds: No more than two individually protected spare batteries per person may be carried.

Each lithium-ion cell or battery must also be individually protected so as to prevent short circuits.

Any spare batteries are not permitted to fly in checked baggage, warns the CAA.

Glenn Bradley, head of flight operations at the CAA, said: Lithium batteries power everything from vapes and mobile phones to cameras and power banks. If they become faulty or damaged, they can cause an intense fire that is difficult to extinguish  both in the cabin or hold of an aircraft.

Correct handling reduces risk. Lithium batteries should be carried in your carry-on baggage. Power banks and spare batteries should also be in a cabin bag and should be completely turned off and not in standby mode.

Foreign Office travel advice recommends checking the restrictions on certain types of batteries with your airline if youre not sure what you can carry.
Mexico Citys streets came alive on Saturday, August 9, as residents celebrated the International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples.

Many wore colourful traditional clothing as they danced, drummed, and sang while marching through the city.

This annual global observance aims to raise awareness of the struggles faced by indigenous communities and to promote the protection of their rights.
Drawing significant hedge fund interest, Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:PARR) secures a spot on our list of the 13 Best Oil Refinery Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (PARR) Releases Q2 2025 Results

An expansive oil refinery beneath a night sky, illuminated by artificial lights.

On August 5, 2025, Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:PARR) announced results for Q2 2025. The company generated $59.5 million in net income, which represents over 3x growth from the previous year. Its Adjusted EBITDA grew 69% YoY to $137.8 million, thanks to record throughput of 88 thousand barrels per day (Mbpd) in Hawaii, improved gross margins in Montana and Washington, and a completed turnaround at its Montana refinery. Furthermore, Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:PARR) repurchased $28 million in shares and increased its liquidity by 23% to $647 million.

Meanwhile, the next day, Raymond James decreased its price target on Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:PARR) from $38 to $36, maintaining an Outperform rating. The analyst believes that the company has strong upside potential due to its refining optimization and planned SAF project sell-down.

With its Refining, Retail, and Logistics segments, Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:PARR) operates as an energy company in the U.S.

While we acknowledge the potential of PARR as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 12 Cheap Value Stocks to Buy Now According to Warren Buffett and 7 Best Potash Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.

Disclosure: None.
The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Fraser Nelson, the former editor of The Spectator, the Conservative weekly, is having a remarkable afterlife as a great defender of the Labour government. He has gone head-to-head with Nigel Farage over the Reform leaders claim that we are living in lawless Britain.

There is less crime in Britain today than there has been for decades, Nelson pointed out at one of Farages media conferences this week.

This crime reduction is nothing to do with people not bothering to report crime to the police any more, because the figures come from the Crime Survey for England and Wales , a large survey of a representative sample of the population that asks people if they have been the victim of a crime in the previous 12 months. The number of crimes has fallen by four-fifths since 1995.

Farage waved the Crime Survey aside, saying it was discredited because it does not include shoplifting. It doesnt, because it asks people about crimes of which they have personally been the victim, and shoplifting has indeed increased. But that does not mean the Crime Survey is discredited. On the contrary, it is the best and most reliable evidence, and it is especially useful for measuring trends over time, because it is not affected by changes in the way police record crime.

What did Farage say to that? We all know that crime has risen significantly over the course of the last few years. A big welcome back, please, to that dread phrase, we all know. For years, I would point out that four public inquiries had found that Tony Blair told the truth about Iraq, only to be told that we all know he didnt.

As Nelson comments: This is the politics of perception. As he points out in an excellent article in The Times today, it is the same with road safety, air pollution, sewage, and living standards. We all know they are getting worse, when in fact they are getting better.

So it does not matter to most people what the Crime Survey says. Most people believe that crime is rising, and the numbers who believe that have not changed over the years that crime has been falling. People are influenced by reports of terrible things happening to other people and misremember their own experience. Anything more than five or 10 years ago was a golden age when there was some decent music in the charts and Mars bars werent behind perspex screens.

Why, though, has what we all know become so much worse in the past year? Probably because some highly visible crimes have increased: shoplifting, phone thefts and graffiti. These are crimes that make people feel threatened by disorder, even as more of us than ever report feeling safe walking alone in their local area at night.

What is corrosive is the perception  we all know  that the authorities are not securely in control. Behind that perception lies the reality of asylum-seeker hotels and a government that is powerless to stop the boats. What has changed since the election is that Farage is more active, at the head of a social-media movement and a TV channel, GB News, dedicated to portraying the country as a hellhole.

The intensity of this campaign to spread fear and insecurity seems to have reached a critical mass that is dangerous to Keir Starmer. He cannot fight it with facts, or not only with facts, because the answer will always be that we all know that the facts are wrong.

As Ian Leslie, the advertising executive turned social commentator, says, Instead of asking, Why are people angry? we should ask, What are we missing?

What the government needs is to take visible and forceful action on the things that people care about, the shoplifting, phone snatching and graffiti, but above all on asylum hotels and stopping the boats.

So far, Starmer has tried to do all these things, but limply. There have been roundtables at No 10 with the police and representatives of the retail industry and phone companies. Even these feeble initiatives have been undermined by people in authority doing foolish things, such as the police in Wales telling off a shopkeeper for calling thieves scumbags and Andy Lord, the London Underground boss, accusing citizen graffiti-removers of defacing trains themselves so that they could pose as heroes for cleaning them up.

Most importantly, Starmer now has a treaty with France to return some of the cross-Channel migrants, but it will take a long time to build up to returning all or nearly all those who arrive, at which point the crossings would stop  and it is not clear that the French are in it for the long haul.

One thing that Tony Blair understood, as he faced spikes of street crime, anti-social behaviour and asylum-seeker numbers, was the importance of grip. It may sound like annoying spin-speak, but it was critical to communicating that he understood how people felt and he was doing something about it.

Starmer should be grateful to Fraser Nelson, formerly of The Spectator, for pointing out that we are safer, richer and healthier than ever before  but if the perception is that we are not, the government has to get a grip on what we all know.
We think our old neighbour is grazing his cattle on our vacant family farm and were worried he could claim squatters rights. What can we do?
States latest renewables auction likely to fail to meet procurement targets, experts warn

RESS 5 is our last chance to bring in wind or solar projects before hefty EU fines for missing our goals kick in in 2030

'Things do need to change after this auction if we want to reach net zero by 2050,' said industry expert Steph Unsworth. Photo: Getty Images

Fearghal O'Connor Sun 10 Aug 2025 at 06:30

The Governments upcoming renewable energy auction for solar and onshore wind projects is likely to fail to meet renewable energy procurement targets, according to experts.
Planning

A Waterford shellfish company that sparked protests over its plans for a mussel farm in Kinsale, Co Cork, has taken legal action against An Coimisiun Pleanala in a separate planning battle over a development of 40 homes close to the home of its owner in Dunmore East.

Paul Barlow of Woodstown Bay Shellfish Ltd was one of a number of local objectors to the plans by housebuilders S & K Carey Ltd to build 40 homes in the picturesque Waterford village, to which the planning board has subsequently given the green light.
Trinity College Dublin research for Tusla finds fear of losing face

Children in the child protection system have spoken of their fear of stigma, loss of privacy and being kept out of the loop by those who decide on their care.
Company accused of corporate espionage questions state of mind of its Dublin spy

Former chief justice and legal heavyweight Frank Clarke has provided a legal opinion to spys employer Rippling as legal battle looms

Main image: Former chief justice Frank Clarke, who provided Rippling with advice on the Dublin case and (inset left) Keith OBrien, who is alleged to have spied on employer Rippling for rival Deel. Photo: Colin ORiordan

Maeve Sheehan Sun 10 Aug 2025 at 06:30

A US tech firm is questioning the state of mind of the Dublin payroll manager it allegedly recruited as a corporate spy, according to new court records.
LATEST | Murder investigation launched into mans death  which police suspect is linked to brutal attack on priest

Murder investigation launched following discovery of mans body in Downpatrick housing estatePriest seriously assaulted at nearby church in DownpatrickPriest was taken to hospital for treatment of head injury, where he remains in a serious conditionPolice suspect the two incidents may be linked

St Patrick's Church, St Patricks Avenue, Downpatrick. Inset: Fr John Murray

Claire Williamson Sun 10 Aug 2025 at 17:00

A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a man in Downpatrick, Co Down  which police suspect is linked to the attack on a priest in the same area.
This kind of racism used to shock us, now its part of normal life  Indians in Ireland living in fear amid spate of violent attacks

Community plans a silent protest outside the Department of the Taoiseach over racially motivated assaults

Sharans Kabra, who lives in Dublin, has had many bad experiences. Photo: Steve Humphreys

Azmia Riaz Sun 10 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Less than a month ago, an Indian family were sitting in their apartment in an affluent neighbourhood in South Dublin when a group of four strangers showed up screaming racial slurs outside on their patio.
Former Brown Thomas chief executive Paul Kelly remembers his friend and boss, who played a key role in transforming the Dublin store

When her friend Cecily MacMenamin died in November 2012, Hilary Weston told the Sunday Independent: There is a land of the living and a land of the dead, and the bridge is love. You dont stop loving someone because they are dead, and as long as you love them, the connection is still there.
Report of Trump's $500 billion Fannie, Freddie decision turns heads on Wall Street originally appeared on TheStreet.

After months of murmurs, the Trump administration is reportedly prepping to take mortgage giants Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FMCC) public, per the Wall Street Journal. The report adds that officials believe the offering could raise $30 billion in such a debut, valuing the two at "roughly $500 billion."

The two firms are operated by the federal government, which receives its profits and manages its day-to-day business through a conservatorship. The two firms were taken into government control after they faced significant losses on mortgage securities during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008.

In particular, the firms were heavily exposed to subprime mortgages. The government's takeover of the firms at the time helped stabilize the market. However, after 17 years under government management, officials in the White House believe that the firms have replenished their reserves and should be privatized.

One big incentive to doing so? A multi-billion dollar windfall for the federal government.

Related: Bill Ackmans net worth in 2025: The hedge funder's wealth & income

Why IPO Freddie and Fannie?

An IPO of the two firms might read as perplexing for the unacquainted, seeing as though the two firms have traded on the OTC markets for nearly two decades despite being government-supported enterprises (GSEs). However, while the firms are run by the government, it is not a majority owner (at least, not directly.)

Instead, as part of the 2008 agreement, the U.S. government received warrants which entitled it to acquire the vast majority of the two businesses. Aside from that, the companies maintain their current private ownership. Among their largest shareholders is Pershing Square's Bill Ackman, a vocal proponent of their privatization.

Ackman, who has owned a sizable stake in the two for over a decade, has been banking on their privatization. In January, Ackman claimed that ending that conservatorship could boost the two stocks and help the government realize billions in profits from an IPO. Since the start of the year, when Ackman began boosting his investment case, Fannie and Freddie are up 183% and 132%, respectively.

What Happens After Privatization?

The GSEs currently serve a public mission: expanding housing access and increasing mortgage market stability. They do this by effectively guaranteeing the mortgages and lowering the risk of borrowing.

However, analysts warn that if Fannie and Freddie were privatized, doing away with this guarantee and public mission could affect housing access and affordability. Fair housing advocates say that those impacts would be most dramatic for lower income Americans and minorities. However, privatization of the two firms would almost certainly lead to higher rates, as the firms focus on shareholder value.
Mike Gaine murder investigation: Gardai now seek at least two weapons

Locals in Kenmare complain of murder tourism as gardai attempt to keep onlookers off crime scene

Forensic tests have indicated at least two types of bladed implements were used in the dismemberment of Kerry farmer Mike Gaine

Ralph Riegel Sun 10 Aug 2025 at 00:00

Gardai investigating the murder of Kerry farmer Michael Mike Gaine are searching for at least two bladed implements used to dismember his body.
Ministers ordered councils to dezone housing land 25 times in last three years

Sinn Fein accuses Government of failing to support builders, and calls for greater zoning flexibility

Housing Minister James Browne is being blamed for causing confusion among local authorities

Wayne O'Connor Sun 10 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Government ministers ordered councils to dezone residential land 25 times over the last three years, amid outcry over a lack of sites to relieve housing demand.
The different kinds of jellyfish in Irish waters  when to look out for them and how to treat stings
People dont get charged with dangerous use of a gun: campaigner calls for vehicular manslaughter to replace dangerous driving offences

Leo Lieghio continues push for major changes to safety measures and legislation 20 years after losing his daughter Marsia

Leo Lieghio wants to see tougher penalties enacted. Photo: Steve Humphreys

Sarah Slater Sun 10 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Convictions for careless and dangerous driving offences should be scrapped in favour of a new charge of vehicular manslaughter, a road safety campaigner has said.
Michael Flatley: After my last cancer journey, I realised that life is short and I need to do more  more with my family and more for the country that I love

Ahead of an official announcement on whether he will run for the presidency, the Riverdance star and Breakthrough Cancer Research ambassador discusses his fragile health, faith and future plans

'I hate talking about my own experience. It's not something that I like to reflect on but if it helps one little child, if it helps one older person' - Michael Flatley on his cancer diagnosis

Emily Hourican Sun 10 Aug 2025 at 06:30

As Michael Flatley and I prepare to say our goodbyes following an interview in which we have talked primarily about cancer  the impact this has had on his life and the work he has done with Breakthrough Cancer Research  we touch briefly on his plans for the future. There are indeed plans, but nothing I think that I can share with the class yet, he says with a laugh, adding there are a few surprises. Ive been approached to do some incredible things in Ireland that never even came into my mind so Im considering that now with my team of inside advisers.
Theres panic, were severely lacking: race is on to train biker gardai in time for Irelands EU presidency

State doesnt have enough specialist motorcade officers to escort dignitaries for six months next year

A garda escort of All-Ireland-winning Kerry footballers through the streets of Tralee in 2022. Photo: Sportsfile

Ali Bracken and Maeve Sheehan Sun 10 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Specialist motorcycle gardai needed to escort dignitaries when Ireland hosts the EU presidency for six months next year are severely lacking and the race is now on to train up members of the force in time.
Irish rock band U2 have issued a joint statement condemning the Israeli government and its leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, for using starvation as a weapon of war.

The bands frontman, Bono  who is known for his humanitarian work and outspoken views on social justice  said he had previously tried to stay out of Middle Eastern Politics and admitted to previously circling the subject of the Israel-Hamas war since October 7, 2023.
Actor Dany Boon claims fellow Frenchman conned him out of millions

The fake aristocrat who charmed his way into the Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC) and allegedly used an Irish company to con a movie star out of millions is due to go on trial in France next month for an alleged 4.5m fraud.
The UN Security Council is to debate whether to renew Unifils mandate this month

The fate of the Irish Defence Forces serving in Lebanon may be hanging in the balance. Later this month the UN Security Council will debate whether to renew Unifils mandate. This debate will take place in the context of a radically changed geopolitical situation in the Middle East since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukrainian sovereignty is not up for auction. Photo: Thomas Peter/AP

The horror unfolding in Gaza has inevitably driven other conflicts from the worlds sight. Ukraine, now into the fourth year of a brutal full-scale Russian invasion, is paying the steepest price.

Yesterday morning there were multiple Russian drone and missile attacks across the country, including a targeted strike on a bus near the southern port of Kherson, killing two people, in defiance of a ceasefire ultimatum from the US to the Kremlin.

The one sliver of hope lies in talks later this week between presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

One president will be notable by his absence  Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky

In looking forward to Fridays summit in Alaska, however, it is impossible to ignore that one president will be notable by his absence  Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky, whose right to be at the table ought to be uncontested.

Putin says that the conditions for such a meeting are not right, but the only conditions preventing Ukraine from being represented are those that have been laid down by Moscow. President Trump had the opportunity to insist on Zelenskys presence.

Putin was in no position to refuse. Instead, it is the US that already looks weak before talks have even begun.

Zelensky spent yesterday afternoon on the phone to various sympathetic leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen. Europes position is clear. We fully support Ukraine, said the European Commission president afterwards.

What that means in real terms if the Alaskan summit goes ahead without Zelensky is worryingly unclear. Messages of solidarity amount to little while Ukraine still relies on US money and weaponry for the lions share of its defence.

Putin is said to have told Trump that he is prepared to end the war in return for large swathes of eastern Ukraine. In turn, Zelensky repeated yesterday that Ukrainian sovereignty is not up for auction. The country has recognised borders, and expects them to be respected by any rules-based international order worth the name.

Vladimir Putin has insisted Volodymyr Zelensky not be at the talks

For Trump to talk in this climate of the inevitability of some swapping of territories, to the betterment of both while the victim of the conflict is excluded from talks at the behest of the aggressor stirs some disturbing colonial undertones. It is redolent of the Great Powers carving up the world to their fancies  a tactic that historically did not work out well in the Middle East or Africa, where the consequences are still being felt.

The partition of the former Yugoslavia provides another warning of the dangers of imagining that lines drawn on a map in some smoke-filled room will provide enduring peace on the ground.

The fear is that Putin is heading into negotiations in bad faith

It is important, nonetheless, not to be too negative about the talks without first seeing what emerges from the process. Jaw-jaw is better than war-war, as the adage has it.

The fear is that Putin is heading into negotiations in bad faith, intent on using jaw-jaw as a ruse to continue this particular war-war on his own terms, and that Trumps eagerness to end the conflict at any cost will incline him to regarding any deal, however bad, as better than none.

Gaza is a stain on the worlds conscience, but any concession which emboldens Russia to test Natos resolve elsewhere along its eastern border at some future date would represent a far more pressing threat to Europes security, and the outcome could end up being deadlier still.
XRP slides through key levels in a high-volume selloff before stabilizing at major support, with regulatory clarity now in place after the Ripple-SEC settlement.

Technical Analysis Overview

XRP falls 5% in the 24-hour period ending August 9, dropping from $3.34 to $3.20 before recovering to $3.30. The move spans a $0.17 range, marking 5.24% volatility.

Selling pressure peaks between 14:00-15:00, when price collapses from $3.36 to $3.20 on 209.67 million volume  the largest single-hour print of the session.

Buyers defend the $3.20 zone, triggering a rebound to $3.33 by 19:00. Resistance forms at $3.31-$3.33, with support locked at $3.20.

News Background

The Securities and Exchange Commission and Ripple Labs have officially ended their five-year legal battle, jointly dismissing their appeals in the XRP case. The Second Circuit Appeals Court recognized the filing, with both parties bearing their own costs.

Following the Commissions vote today, the SEC and Ripple formally filed directly with the Second Circuit to dismiss their appeals, Ripples chief legal officer, Stuart Alderoty, said on X.

Price Action Summary

 XRP drops from $3.34 to $3.20 in Aug. 8, between 14:00-15:00 UTC in a high-volume selloff, printing 209.67 million tokens traded.

 Buyers defend $3.20 support, sparking recovery to $3.33 by 19:00.

 Resistance builds at $3.31-$3.33 as profit-taking caps upside momentum.

Technical Indicators Analysis

 $3.20 confirmed as key support with volume validation at 209.67 million.

 Resistance established at $3.31-$3.33 during recovery phase.

 Bull flag structure forming above $3.28, suggesting potential upside continuation if $3.33 breaks.

 Volume spike to 1.86 million at 01:52 indicates targeted accumulation attempts.

 5.24% intraday volatility highlights a defined range-bound trade between $3.20 and $3.33.

What Traders Are Watching

 Whether $3.20 holds on the next retest amid continued institutional positioning

 Breakout confirmation above $3.33 to signal end of profit-taking phase

 Follow-through buying linked to post-settlement regulatory clarity

 ETF-related flows from Japans SBI filing and potential spillover into U.S. markets
Madam  In an article in the Sunday Independent on August 3, under the headline Sinn Fein accused of fearmongering over conscription, political editor Mary Regan includes extensive quotes from Junior European Affairs Minister Thomas Byrne accusing Sinn Fein of making incendiary and deeply troubling statements on neutrality and the triple lock.

Like the majority of Irish citizens, I believe that active Irish neutrality is by far the best way to protect the best interests and security of the Irish people. As a former UN peacekeeper, I believe the triple lock is vital towards ensuring that Irish soldiers are only sent on overseas missions approved by the UN Security Council or the UN General Assembly.

Mary Lou McDonald is accused of saying that she does not want her son to be deployed to fight an imperialist war of aggression on any people. Pearse Doherty is accused of saying I dont want Irish young people fighting another mans war. I, and most Irish people, agree with these statements.

Does Thomas Byrne believe that Irish mothers and fathers should want their sons and daughters to be sent to fight imperialist wars of aggression, as happened in World War I at the cost of up to 50,000 Irishmen dead?

When I served in the Irish Defence Forces, I had to volunteer before being sent on overseas missions. The Irish Defence Act was amended in 2006, to allow Irish soldiers to be sent on a wide variety of overseas missions whether they wished to or not, including on missions with Nato in Afghanistan. At least 176,000 Afghans died due to this unjustified Nato war.

Active Irish neutrality must be restored and not abandoned, as the present Government appears intent on doing.

Edward Horgan, Castletroy, Limerick

Parents and schools can raise expectations

Madam  David Quinns discomfort with the new Aistear curriculum  boggling at babies being cast as agentic global citizens  misses a larger truth about education today (McEntee can improve education by listening to parents instead of babies, August 3). Whats really shifting isnt ideology, but the global educational environment. Early-years programmes worldwide increasingly aim to equip children not just with academic content but with the psychological architecture to function in complex, interconnected settings.

These frameworks dont infantilise children  they anticipate adulthood. Governments recognise that early alignment of expectation, mindset and environment shapes outcomes decades later.

One of the clearest drivers of success in education is when parents and schools share high expectations. Research shows that when parents believe their children can do well and schools reinforce that belief, outcomes improve dramatically. Children take harder subjects, get better grades and are more likely to go on to higher education. That alignment is what changes lives.

If the National Convention on Education fails to strengthen that shared expectation between parents and schools, it wont matter how glossy or progressive the curriculum looks. But if they get that bit right, well see results that go far beyond ideology. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran, Co Armagh

Time to hit pause on Leaving Cert plans

Madam  Helen McEntees decision to establish a National Convention on Education involving consultation with all stakeholders is in stark contrast with her insistence on fast-tracking controversial Leaving Cert reforms despite major concerns. Teachers feel legitimate unease about the integrity, equity and fairness of the proposed additional assessment components (AACs), based on unsupervised external work and worth 40pc of total marks in a subject.

Teachers feel there is a lack of knowledge and guidance around the use of artificial intelligence and about authentication of students work. They want these issues addressed before AACs are introduced. They also worry the AACs will have a far bigger negative impact on disadvantaged schools. Private schools are better equipped with technology to support students.

The minister must take on board these concerns. No one will fault her for postponing the reforms and referring them to the National Convention on Education where all views can be aired, leading to a better outcome for students. Billy Ryle, Spa, Tralee, Co Kerry

McEntee must let all voices be heard

Madam  E Bolger (Letters, August 3) pinpoints the hypocrisy in the euphemistically titled consultation carried out by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment for its review of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE). A consultation should be just that, not a regurgitation of views by a cohort of government-funded organisations as was the case in the RSE programme. If it werent for an online campaign alerting the public, parents voices would have been non-existent.

Parents are the primary educators of their children and need to be front and centre of Education Minister Helen McEntees National Convention on Education.

Lets see what happens, and then we can see for ourselves if this so-called conversation is going to be just that or a diktat. Aileen Hooper, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7

Education Minister Helen McEntee Photo: Niall Carson.

AI steamroller sets course for Ireland

Madam  The Programme for Government acknowledges the central role data centres play in contributing to economic growth and the enterprise economy. Adrian Weckler (Microsofts AI investment puts Irish data centre debate in spotlight and shows tech is now any everyday tool, August 3) points out that data centres is shorthand for AI investment, which is the future of computing.

There is only one problem. AI consumes vast amounts of energy. One data centre can consume the same energy as a city the size of Kilkenny. We dont have that spare capacity, or more precisely, that quantity of clean energy so as not to add to our greenhouse emissions.

This conundrum has in many ways been self-inflicted. The Government has neither delivered renewables at the speed required nor has it embraced nuclear power. Instead, the Government burns gas, and excuse the pun, has placed AI on the back burner. Forty data centres have planning permission but require authorisation to connect to the grid. Our competitors, such as the US, France, and the UK, are not so sanctimonious about nuclear, although we dont mind buying nuclear-generated electricity from the last two.

As Stewart Brand, the US project developer and writer, observes: Once a new technology rolls over you, if youre not part of the steamroller, youre part of the road. Andy Hales, Kenmare, Co Kerry

Irish disdain for Israel hard to take

Madam  Daltun O Ceallaigh (Letters, August 3) demeans Zionism as a colonial ideology equivalent to the historical English plantations that tried to displace the native Irish. However, most Israelis today are not of European origin but Sephardic Jews, refugees who fled Arab countries and their descendants  people indigenous to the Middle East.

I can never understand why so many Irish, who like to root for the underdog, despise Israel. Tiny Israel, a quarter the size of Ireland, faces a belligerent Arab world of 22 countries  which has 500 times as much land as Israel  plus the arch-enemy Iran, a huge non-Arab but Muslim country. A classic David and Goliath story. Jacob Mendlovic, Toronto, Canada

Plantation point is way off the target

Madam  As a comparison with the conflict between Israel and Palestine, Daltun O Ceallaigh (Letters, August 3) raises the plantation of Ireland, but I am not sure if he knows what a planter is. He confirms that the Jews did indeed live in the region of Palestine 2,000 years ago, but apparently this gives them no rights to their ancestral home. I wonder what the cut-off point is  800 years perhaps?

He claims the Romans drove most of the Jews out of the region of Palestine, but who replaced them? Did all the Jewish land lie vacant and untouched for centuries until Jewish immigrants started returning in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

If Jewish immigrants returned to their ancestors land only to find someone else living there, who are the planters? Jason Fitzharris, Swords, Co Dublin

Dont look back on the 1990s in anger

Madam  What a delightful article by Pat Carty on laddism in the midst of Oasis mania that is engulfing the country (Whatever happened to the New Lads?, People & Culture, August 3). Articulate, informative, honest and funny. While calling out the wrongs of the time, he still says it was healthier for young men in the 1990s to have a beer and hug each other at a concert in a field rather than listen to the rantings of the ultra males spouting drivel on the internet. Too true. John McCann, Co Donegal

Martys magic too much for machines

Madam  Hats off to your supreme wordsmith Declan Lynch on his incisive piece last week in praise of our national treasure Marty Whelan (Marty plays and wins well against the AI machine, People & Culture, August 3). I have switched the dial from morning politics to Marty in the morning on Lyric FM and always feel the better for it. Long live Marty. Brendan Carew, Co Tipperary

Marty Whelan. Photo: Steve Humphreys

Women being denied their rights by State

Madam  I wholeheartedly empathise with Karen Sugrues memory of what erasure and control and lack of bodily autonomy felt like in Ireland in the 1970s, 80s and 90s (Irish women are ready to fight for trans rights, Letters, August 3), which is why I find it so distressing that in 2025 women are being openly denied their rights by the Irish State.

The introduction of the Gender Recognition Act into law in 2015 has meant that for the past decade women and girls have, without consultation, been stripped of their legal right to single-sex intimate care, changing rooms, sports, homeless shelters, rape crisis facilities and prisons.

Despite the medias lack of coverage, we are witnessing the negative effects of this policy, which allows men who say they are women to access facilities and services reserved for the privacy, dignity, fairness and safety of women and girls. That this law disproportionally impacts socially disadvantaged women is an unspeakable shame on us all.

Im delighted that trans people have exactly the same rights as everybody else in this country. However, I think it is time for an open conversation about why the Irish State endorses and retains a law that denies women, over half its citizens, their basic human rights. J Conway, Bray, Co Wicklow

Worrying results of trans activism

Madam  Karen Sugrue says that trans people simply want dignity and respect. Most people, myself included, believe that people experiencing gender dysphoria should be protected against bullying, harassment and discrimination. However, the consequences of trans activism across the English-speaking world in recent years have included:

The words woman and mother being replaced in medical literature with terms such as person with a cervix, menstruator, birthing parent, chestfeeder;

Men competing in womens sports;

Male sex offenders being placed in womens prisons and their victims being instructed to refer to them as female in court;

Women being taken to court, losing jobs or being disciplined for challenging men who say they are women;

Lesbian dating apps being flooded by men who say they are not just women, but lesbians.

This doesnt look like dignity and respect to me. E Bolger, Dublin 9

Human beings cant change their sex

Madam  Bernie Linnane (Letters, August 3) sets up a straw man argument that the rights of trans people to live their best, authentic lives are under attack. No evidence is provided for this. I suspect this may very well be because there is no evidence. She finishes her letter with the sentence, The greatest sin of our time is... the failure to believe women when we tell you who we are. This surely is the nub of the whole question; trans people believe that there is a mismatch between their biological sex and how they wish to identify and present themselves. Trans people are free to believe whatever they wish. But they cannot expect those of us who know that human beings cannot change sex to be forced to go along with their beliefs. Sex is real and science-based; transgenderism is belief. Julia Anderson, Kilpedder, Greystones, Co Wicklow

Rising cost of doing business is an issue

Madam  Im struck by the emphasis you put on the customer in both your front-page story on your opinion poll (Cut income tax instead of Vat on hospitality, voters demand, August 3) and your report on restaurateurs thoughts on the Vat rate (Will dining out cost less if the Vat rate is reduced?, August 3).

The reality is that our competitiveness is being eroded by the ever-increasing costs of doing business in Ireland. Handouts and tax reductions may be more popular with voters but unless the Government addresses the underlying causes of why we have the second-most expensive electricity rates in Europe, for example, any cost-of-living measures are doomed to fail. Tom McElligott, Tournageehy, Listowel, Co Kerry

Planning problems dont just exist here

Madam  Desmond Kampff (Letters, August 3) pointed out how the planning system saved him from a serious injustice and I am happy on his behalf. However, that in itself does not invalidate the point made by Barry Con that planning laws and a multitude of other regulations are effectively an almost insurmountable barrier to progress on so many important different issues.

This problem is not confined to Ireland. It is seen as an issue all over Europe. One article which I read in a continental paper referred to the legal quagmire that has been created.

As an example: the popular Omey Races, which takes place every summer on the strand here in Connemara, has been called off this year. Some new regulatory body (another one) wanted an engineers report on the state of the strand. I rest my case. Anthony Hanrahan, Salruck, Renvyle, Co Galway
Luke ONeill: RFK Jrs cuts to US vaccine programmes signal a return to the dark ages

Citing not a shred of scientific evidence, Trumps health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has cut federal support for new vaccines that could have saved millions of lives

Robert F Kennedy Jr. Photo: Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Luke O'Neill Sun 10 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Why is Robert F Kennedy Jr ignoring science? The US Department of Health and Human Services, which he runs, has cancelled 22 federal contracts for new vaccines based on the RNA technology that freed us from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Shane Ross: When Dermot Desmond and Michael OLeary call for MetroLink to be scrapped, they have earned the right to be heard

Who to believe about the long-awaited project  politicians and mandarins or two successful visionaries?

Dermot Desmond: gave Shane Ross his P45. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Shane Ross Sun 10 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Dermot Desmond will be 75 on Thursday. The billionaire financier has been an important player in Irelands business world for 50 years. Last week, he entered the heated MetroLink debate, signalling his intent to remain at the centre of Irish business for at least another decade.
Birdwatchers and ornithophiles can look forward to a fascinating series of free events as part of Wicklows Heritage Week that will shine a spotlight on the broad spectrum of bird species that call the Garden County home.

On August 16, from 1.30pm to 2.15pm, Russborough House in Blessington will host a bird of prey demonstration, where an expert team will showcase majestic birds and offer insights about their nesting habitats, survival routes and vital roles within our natural heritage. Register at Russborough.ie.

At Arklow Library, the evening of August 19 (6pm to 8pm) will be dedicated to one of Irelands favourite birds, the barn owl, with author and ornithologist Oran OSullivan from the Wicklow Barn Owl Group presenting a talk about the iconic bird, which is making a comeback in Wicklow.

This will be followed by a barn owl pellet workshop led by National Parks and Wildlife Service education guide Ruairi Mac an Tuile, where participants can discover what barn owls in Wicklow are feeding on. Book via arklowlibrary@wicklowcoco.ie.

The bird life of the Vartry River and Reservoir in Roundwood will be explored on August 20, from 7pm to 8.30pm, with East Wicklow Rivers Trust and Roundwood Tidy Towns Biodiversity Group at a bird watching walk. Book via eventbrite.ie.

Finally, experts from BirdWatch Ireland will host an evening nature walk on August 19 (7pm to 8.30pm) around the East Coast Nature Reserve on the north Wicklow coast, where the public will learn about the special birds, insects, mammals, plants and other wildlife that call the natural space home.

The walk will last for 1.5 hours and will take participants on a tour of the nature reserves rich network of trails, boardwalks, and observation hides.

Looking ahead to the event, head of communications and development with BirdWatch Ireland, Niall Hatch, said it is the best time of year for the event, with birds, all sorts of insects, plants and wildlife active at the nature reserve.

Its the time of the year when a lot of our summer migrants are still here, and while their breeding season is just finishing up, theyre still around, he said.

Hopefully, well see swallows, house and sand martins hunting for insects before they head off to Africa. There are all sorts of birds at the reserve because you have that mixture of different habitats. One Im very much hoping to see, as its one of the most reliable places in the whole country, is the great spotted woodpecker, which has only started to colonise Ireland in the last 20 years.

Its a very family-friendly event, and the loop well be doing is not strenuous, but it does take you through some really interesting habitats, he added. We have areas of hedgerow, a lovely boardwalk, observational hides, and well work our way around there through more woodland. Its a time of year with quite a few butterflies, dragonflies, and creatures like that as well. There are open fields too, so a good mix of different habitats, which is the key to seeing wildlife.
Warmer and sunnier weather is expected early next week, with temperatures set to hit 26C. Photo: Frank McGrath

Temperatures are expected to soar to 26C, but the sunshine will be shortly followed by possible heavy rain and thunderstorms brought by the remnants of Storm Dexter, Met Eireann reports.
Volodymyr Zelensky vows Ukraine will not cede territory in effort to end Russian invasion

EU leaders engaged in round of diplomatic talks as Donald Trump prepares for Alaska meeting with Vladimir Putin

Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky with US president Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters

Samya Kullab Bloomberg Sun 10 Aug 2025 at 06:30

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said Kyiv wont cede territory to bring an end to war, as European and American security advisers met in the UK in advance of a key US-Russia summit.
LATEST | Netanyahu vows to continue with Gaza occupation despite protests as he denies Israel is starving Palestinians

Ireland pens letter with other European countries in condemning Israels Gaza planNetanyahu faces criticism from allies over plan to escalate the nearly two-year Gaza warProtesters in Israel demand end to Gaza war, release of hostagesIsraeli public largely opposes military escalation in Gaza

People carry a young boy who was injured in a food drop in Nuseirat, central Gaza. Photo: Reuters

Alexander Cornwell Associated Press Sun 10 Aug 2025 at 16:47

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas as 26 more people were shot dead in Gaza while seeking aid, authorities said.
Her body just shut down  Gazan man reunited with wife in Ireland tells how she was hospitalised the next day due to starvation
Ripples victory lap may be premature originally appeared on TheStreet.

Aug. 7, 2025 would be counted among the most glorious days in the history of the crypto industry as the years-long legal battle involving the crypto payments firm Ripple Labs and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) finally came to an end.

Both the parties informed the Second Circuit Court of Appeals that they have dropped their appeals and cross-appeals of the landmark 2023 ruling in the case.

XRP was trading at $3.32 at press time, up more than 8.5% in 24 hours.

Let's unfold the iconic saga to get an overview of the most controversial legal case involving crypto assets.

End of a saga

It was during the first presidential term of Donald Trump that the SEC, under the leadership of Chair Jay Clayton, sued Ripple and two of its top executives, Brad Garlinghouse and Chris Larsen, in December 2020.

The securities regulator alleged the crypto firm engaged in the sale of unregistered XRP securities to raise over $1.3 billion. Ripple argued XRP is a digital currency, not a security.

Join the discussion with CryptoWendyO on Roundtable here.

The case lingered for a few years until July 2023, when Judge Analisa Torres delivered a judgment that both parties claimed as a victory yet resented.

The judgment said that though Ripple's programmatic sale of XRP tokens to retail traders didn't constitute a sale of securities, the firm's sale of those tokens to institutional clients violated securities laws.

The SEC dropped its claims against Garlinghouse and Larsen in October 2023.

Next, the court issued another major ruling in August 2024, slapping Ripple with a civil penalty of more than $125 million  the SEC had asked for a $2 billion penalty  and asking it to desist from further violations of securities laws.

Consequently, both parties appealed the ruling  (i) Ripple hoping for a judgment that XRP is a digital currency, not a security at all, and even the institutional sale of XRP didn't violate any securities laws, and (ii) the SEC, now under Chair Gary Gensler, hoping for one that ruled the sale of XRP in both the scenarios to be violations of securities laws.

The above rulings were delivered during the Joe Biden administration.

But then, Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, and things began to take a 180 degree turn for Ripple and the broader crypto industry too.

Join the discussion with Scott Melker on Roundtable here.

In March, the SEC and Ripple dropped their appeals and filed a joint settlement in May. Both parties repeatedly requested Judge Torres to slash the penalty from more than $125 million to $50 million and vacate the injunction against further securities violations.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hosted a Janata Darshan at Gorakhnath Temple, personally listening to around 200 people seeking help with serious medical conditions and land disputes. He promised that the government would fully fund treatment at top hospitals, drawing from the Chief Ministers Discretionary Fund.

Each grievance was handed directly to officials with clear instructions for prompt, sensitive and high-quality resolutionno delays, no neglect. He also ordered strict action against land encroachment and directed dialogue-based resolution of family matters.

With this initiative, CM Yogi reaffirmed that public welfare, justice, and transparent governance are top priorities of his administration.

Public grievances heard one-on-one

CM Yogi met individuals personally during the Janata Darshan at Gorakhnath Temple and listened attentively to their concerns, from health to land issues. Applications were handed to officials with firm directions for swift action.

Full financial support for critical healthcare

CM Yogi listens to public grievances and hands over applications to officials. | Credit: Gorakhpur News

Those suffering from serious illnesses were assured full funding for treatment at leading hospitals. CM Yogi directed officials to fast-track cost estimates and release aid via the discretionary fund immediately.

Taking on land encroachment firmly

The CM instructed strict legal action against anyone illegally occupying land, especially that of the vulnerable. In family disputes, he emphasised resolution through dialogue and fairness.

Sensitive, timely governance with no room for neglect

Yogi urged officials to handle all grievancesmedical, land, or familywith utmost sensitivity and efficiency, warning that negligence would not be tolerated.

Community outreach and warmth

The CMs warm gesturesblessings, chocolates, and kind words for women and childrenhighlighted a compassionate, people-centred approach.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has extended his greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Sanskrit Week. He urged citizens to actively promote the ancient language not only in educational institutions but also within their homes and communities.

Speaking about the cultural and historical value of Sanskrit, the CM highlighted its role in preserving Indias heritage and connecting generations through traditional knowledge. He encouraged schools to incorporate more Sanskrit-based learning and families to speak the language in daily life.

This appeal aligns with ongoing government initiatives to revive and expand Sanskrit usage across the state. The week-long celebration aims to create awareness and inspire a deeper connection with the language that has shaped much of Indias philosophical, literary, and spiritual traditions.

Yogi Adityanath's call for cultural revival

The CM's message focused on making Sanskrit a living language once again. He stressed that its use should not be restricted to classrooms but should also thrive in households, festivals, and community events.

Government initiatives to promote Sanskrit

Uttar Pradesh has launched multiple schemes to support Sanskrit education, including specialised teacher training, digital resources, and integration of Sanskrit in early learning curricula.

Importance of Sanskrit in modern times

Sanskrit is more than a historical languageit influences modern science, linguistics, yoga, and philosophy. Promoting it helps preserve India's cultural DNA.
The parents of this Delhi University student thought that their daughter had a secret boyfriend. So, they hired a private investigator to know the truth. However, what they found out was completely different and way more complicated than they could have ever imagined. Their daughter was found at a brothel.

AI generated image

The story was uncovered in a podcast by Tanya Puri, a private investigator who shared details about the incident. She mentioned that they followed the girl for a few days but found nothing suspicious. However, after three to four days, they followed her to GTB Nagar. The girl reached an area that had many brothels. This shocked not only the parents but also the private investigator.

The truth behind brothel visits

It then came to light that the girl was going to the brothel to earn some extra money as she wanted to wear fancy and branded clothes and go to expensive parties like her college friends.

The two sides of the debate on social media

While some people are highlighting how Aniruddhacharya's recent comments were right about young women having 'loose morals', several others are slamming the parents for their hypocrisy - saying that they had money to hire an investigator but didn't have money to give their daughter for shopping. "Instead of hiring detectives, why cant parents still talk with their own children?," one comment read.

Parents face backlash for hypocrisy

"Parents could afford spy, but they didn't have money to provide for their daughter?" wrote another one. "This is very common in Delhi, actually," a third one said. "Aniruddhachrya ji was right," wrote another user.

Instagram

Similar stories emerge across India

Another user highlighted a similar incident of a friend "One of my friends (not a friend anymore) is doing the same. Wo Tinder bumble se naye naye ladke fasati h do things in hotel rooms and use them for shopping and lifestyle." It's not just Delhi, but everywhere in India that such incidents are happening, said a user. "Any where in india this is happening."
While Donald Trump is dominating world news with his latest tariff proposals, Emma Thompson stirred the pot with a throwback story that has piqued people's interest. The Harry Potter actress revealed that the US President asked her out on a date on the day her divorce with ex-husband Kenneth Branagh was finalised.

The actress who essayed the role of Professor Sybill Trelawney in the Harry Potter movie series revealed the details at Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland recently. She recounted how Trump asked her to stay at his place and have dinner with him on the same day she got divorced.

A dinner invitation from Donald Trump

Instagram

Thompson revealed, "He said, 'Hello, this is Donald Trump.'" at first she thought it was a joke as he had called on the landline that she never had used. "I thought it was a joke and asked, 'How can I help you?' Maybe he needed directions from someone."

What happened next? Trump apparently asked her out on a date. "Then he said: 'I would love you to come and stay at one of my beautiful places. Maybe we could have dinner." Thompson politely declined the offer by saying, "thank you... I will get back to you."

Emma Thompson says Trump asked her out the day she got divorced

Twitter

He called her on the same day her divorce was finalised. Trump, who was 52 years old, himself had recently got divorced from his second wife Marla Maples, with whom he shares daughter Tiffany Trump.

Thompson had shared about this incident which took place in 1998 on The Graham Norton Show in 2017 as well. She said that the incident happened on the sets of Primary Colors, a film based on Bill Clinton's run for president in 1992.

Emma Thompson said that this might have changed the course of history. While she was in her trailer, the phone, which had never been used by her or had rung before, suddenly rang. She had assumed that her phone was not even working until it rang that day. On the other end was a man claiming to be Trump. Believing that it was a joke, she told him to "f*** off".

"In so many ways I wish I had because I could have ruffled his hair and we would then all have known the truth! And maybe he wouldnt have been president," she joked.


Social media is in disbelief over claims that beloved childrens TV character Bob the Builder has died at age 26 after being shot multiple times. The strange and unexpected rumour has taken over X, where users are reacting with a mix of shock, confusion, and humour, unsure whether to treat it as tragic news or an internet joke.

Viral posts claim Bob was 'shot in Atlanta

According to dozens of viral tweets, Bob was allegedly found dead in Atlanta with three gunshot wounds to the chest. Some posts even claim that police are still searching for the culprit, adding a fake crime scene backstory to make the claim sound more believable.

One user wrote, "The violence in Atlanta is getting out of hand. RIP Bob The Builder."

The violence in Atlanta is getting out of hand. RIP Bob The Builder.  pic.twitter.com/39FA0xjZZi  Kingflaymes (@wavu_is_active) August 9, 2025

"Damn, Bob the Builder was living that gangster life, RIP Bob," another said.

damn bob the builder was living that gangster life rip bob pic.twitter.com/CQk2ne0O5n  Craig (@St_Louisra) August 9, 2025

One tweet read, "Hope the news of Bob the Builder being found dead is wrong."

Hope the news of Bob the Builder being found dead is wrong   Gumball (@Gum_Ball69) August 9, 2025

"Beloved childhood icon Bob the Builder has reportedly been found dead in Atlanta. From Can we fix it? to fixing smiles, his legacy will live on in the hearts of millions," mentioned one user.

 BREAKING: Beloved childhood icon Bob the Builder has reportedly been found dead in Atlanta. 



From Can we fix it? to fixing smiles, his legacy will live on in the hearts of millions. pic.twitter.com/31G9EUTYNN  Awnish Sharma (@sharma__awnish) August 10, 2025

The truth behind the rumour  and why its spreading

In reality, the rumour comes from a lyric in rapper JIDs latest song, Community, where he says, "I'll put a bullet in Bob the f**in' Builder 'fore they try and kick us out the building." * Fans picked up the line and turned it into a running joke, pretending JID killed Bob. The exaggerated posts, paired with dramatic fake news edits, have made the gag blow up on social media, with thousands joining in on the joke and mock-demanding JIDs arrest.

Rapper JID is being accused of shooting Bob the Builder dead | Credit: X/@DatDaDatty

Who is Bob the Builder?

Bob the Builder is safe and sound | Credit: X/DailyNoud

Bob the Builder is a British animated childrens series character first introduced in 1998. Famous for his catchphrase, Can we fix it? Yes, we can! Bob is a friendly construction worker who works alongside talking tools and machines to solve building problems. The show became a global hit, teaching teamwork, creativity, and perseverance to young viewers.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Fleabag creator and actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge was spotted on a shopping trip in London this week, dressed in denim dungarees, white trainers, and sunglasses. The relaxed look marked one of her rare public appearances this year; however, many online were left amused by what appears to be a baby bump during her latest outing.

Phoebe MOTHER Waller Bridge pic.twitter.com/wEZuXImkzu    '   (@TChips86) August 10, 2025

Phoebe Waller-Bridge's new pics spark pregnancy rumours

Soon after the images emerged online, social media went into overdrive with speculation that the 40-year-old might be expecting her first child. Several users claimed the photos showed what appeared to be a baby bump, fuelling widespread chatter across X, Instagram, and celebrity news pages. Waller-Bridge, known for guarding her private life, has not responded to the rumours, and no official confirmation has been made by her representatives.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge's latest outing has sparked pregnancy rumours | Credit: X/Metculturecrav

Long-term relationship with Martin McDonagh

The Emmy-winning star has been in a relationship with British-Irish filmmaker Martin McDonagh since 2018. The pair are believed to be engaged and maintains a low profile, rarely discussing their relationship in public. McDonagh, 55, is best known for acclaimed films such as The Banshees of Inisherin and In Bruges.

Before meeting McDonagh, Waller-Bridge was married to Irish presenter and documentary filmmaker Conor Woodman from 2014 until their divorce in 2017.

From theatre beginnings to global acclaim

Waller-Bridges career began on the stage in 2009 at Londons Soho Theatre. She first presented Fleabag as a one-woman show at the 2014 Edinburgh Festival before adapting it into a BBC Two series in 2016. The show earned multiple BAFTA and Emmy Awards and established her as one of the most distinctive voices in television.

Beyond Fleabag, Waller-Bridge served as head writer and executive producer for season one of Killing Eve, winning a Golden Globe for the series. She also co-wrote the screenplay for the James Bond film No Time to Die.

More about Felebag

Waller-Bridges creation, Fleabag, was a cultural earthquake. Bursting onto screens in 2016 after its Edinburgh Fringe debut, the razor-sharp comedy-drama instantly resonated with audiences for its brutally honest take on love, grief, and self-sabotage.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge garnered critical acclaim for her BBC series Fleabag | Credit: IMDb

Also starring Andrew Scott as the 'hot priest', viewers devoured its fourth-wall-breaking confessions, whip-smart one-liners, and painfully relatable chaos, turning it into an Emmy-winning phenomenon. Even years later, fans still find it impossible to separate Phoebe from her on-screen alter ego, the sardonic, messy, vulnerable Fleabag, with many seeing her real-life moves, from public appearances to romantic updates, through the lens of that iconic character.

Fleabag also starred Andrew Scott in a pivotal role | Credit: IMDb

While her latest outing has reignited public curiosity, Waller-Bridge has remained silent on the pregnancy rumours. Her representatives have not issued a statement, leaving the speculation unconfirmed.

For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
One Piece season 2 release update: Netflixs live-action One Piece is gearing up for an exciting new chapter, and fans have plenty to celebrate. The streamer has revealed the long-awaited first look at Season 2, offering a glimpse of the Straw Hat Pirates as they prepare for fresh adventures on the Grand Line. From returning favourites to the introduction of new faces, the preview hints at an action-packed journey ahead. To make things even better, Netflix has also confirmed that Season 3 is officially in development, guaranteeing that Eiichiro Odas legendary tale will continue to unfold in live-action form. If you have been waiting for the show, here's all you need to know.

One Piece season 2 release update - When will the live-action drop on Netflix?

One Piece season 2 will be released in 2026, but the exact date has not been announced yet, so fans will have to wait a little longer to find out.

One Piece season 2 first look

Netflix recently released the first look at One Piece season 2, setting the stage for whats to come. This time, anime fans can expect double the intensity and even more adventures from the Straw Hat Pirates.

Reacting to it, one wrote, As a one piece fan who is caught up with the anime,this makes me proud and excited for this season. Another added, Everyone talks about Robin, Smoker and Vivi but my man Brogy is looking good!. A third went on to add, Luffy used more stretchy powers in this teaser than Pedro Pascal did in the entire Fantastic Four movie.

Eiichiro Oda's letter | Credit: Netflix

What to expect from One Piece season 2?

Season 2 is described in the official synopsis as bringing fiercer adversaries and the most perilous quests yet. The story follows Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they embark on a daring voyage to the legendary Grand Line, a vast and unpredictable sea filled with both danger and wonder. Along the way, the crew will explore strange islands and face a range of formidable new foes in their quest for the worlds greatest treasure.

One Piece season 3 confirmed

The video announcement also confirmed that Netflixs live-action One Piece has been renewed early for a third season, much to the delight of fans. Filming for Season 3 is scheduled to begin this fall in Cape Town, South Africa, a long-standing production hub for the series. Ian Stokes will join Joe Tracz as co-showrunner, while also serving as a writer and executive producer, bringing new creative input to the project. The early greenlight underscores the shows growing popularity and ensures that the Straw Hat Pirates adventure will carry on beyond the highly anticipated second season.

Zoro in One Piece season 2 | Credit: Netflix

One Piece season 2 cast

Returning Main Cast

Inaki Godoy  Monkey D. Luffy

Emily Rudd  Nami

Mackenyu  Roronoa Zoro

Jacob Romero Gibson  Usopp

Taz Skylar  Sanji

Recurring Cast

Vincent Regan  Monkey D. Garp

Morgan Davies  Koby

Aidan Scott  Helmeppo

Jeff Ward  Buggy

New Additions to the Cast

Sendhil Ramamurthy  Nefertari Cobra

Katey Sagal  Dr. Kureha

Mark Harelik  Dr. Hiriluk

Lera Abova  Miss All Sunday (Nico Robin)

Joe Manganiello  Mr. 0 (Crocodile)

Daniel Lasker  Mr. 9

Camrus Johnson  Mr. 5

Jazzara Jaslyn  Miss Valentine

David Dastmalchian  Mr. 3

Werner Coetser  Dorry

Brendan Murray  Brogy

Clive Russell  Crocus

Callum Kerr  Smoker

Julia Rehwald  Tashigi

Rob Colletti  Wapol

Ty Keogh  Dalton

Charithra Chandran  Miss Wednesday

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Udaipur Files true story: Udaipur Files powerfully depicts the horrifying true story of tailor Kanhaiya Lal, whose brutal beheading shocked the entire nation. The film delves into the events and underlying motives that led to this tragic attack. At a recent screening, Kanhaiya Lals sons were visibly emotional, breaking down as they watched their fathers painful story unfold on screen. Their raw reaction underscores the deep and ongoing trauma the family continues to endure. With the films release, heres a closer look at the real-life story that inspired it.

BIG NEWS  Kanhaiya Lals son broke down in tears after watching Udaipur Files 



He said, My father was killed in a terrorist conspiracy"



Kanhaiya Lals wife said, I wont watch the film as it will bring back painful memories, but we hope Udaipur Files will help us get pic.twitter.com/Pu9FV9NwRC  Times Algebra (@TimesAlgebraIND) August 9, 2025

Udaipur Files true story explained

Vijay Raaz in Udaipur Files | Credit: X

On June 28, 2022, tailor Kanhaiya Lal was brutally killed by beheading inside his shop in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

The attack was carried out by two men named Mohammad Riyaz Attari and Ghouse Mohammad.

The assailants claimed their act was in retaliation for what they considered insults to Islam, connected to Kanhaiya Lals support for controversial comments made by former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma about Prophet Muhammad.

The murder was recorded on video and widely shared online, sparking nationwide outrage.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took charge of the investigation and charged the accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The legal proceedings have been delayed significantly, with only a handful of witnesses testifying as of mid-2025.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and others have criticized the handling of the case, alleging political interference and slow justice.

The incident heightened communal tensions and ignited debates about freedom of speech, social harmony, and political accountability.

The case remains unresolved and continues to fuel discussions about justice and communal relations in India.

All you need to know about Udaipur Files

Udaipur Files, directed and written by Bharat S Shrinate and produced by Amit Jani, is loosely based on real events. The film stars Vijay Raaz as Kanhaiya Lal, with Rajniesh Duggal and Preeti Jhangiani in important roles. Yash Sahu, son of Kanhaiya Lal, described the movie as a message from their family to those still mourning his fathers tragic death. During a special screening, Yash revealed his mother was unable to watch the film due to emotional distress, while a seat with his fathers photograph was left empty in his honor.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
An American travel vlogger known as Van Boys has been making waves online with his candid and fresh videos about India and its people. His honest take on the country challenges many common negative ideas and has earned him a lot of attention.

Van Boys has become popular for his honest and positive videos about India. | Credit: Instagram/ vanboys222

Who is Van Boys, and when did he come to India?

This American travel vlogger is 24-year-old and runs the YouTube channel Van Boys, which has nearly 100,000 subscribers. He started his solo journey across Asia in January 2024, beginning in Thailand, where he also celebrated his 23rd birthday. After sharing more than 20 videos from his life in Thailand, he moved to the Philippines and uploaded many videos comparing life in the two countries.

His father joined him in November after retirement, and together they spent more time in Thailand. In June, they visited Sri Lanka, and in July, they arrived in Delhi, India. Since then, Van Boys has traveled to Ladakh, taken a road trip to the Himalayas, and visited Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu.

Why is he going viral?

Van Boys has become popular for his honest and positive videos about India, challenging common negative views. In one viral video, he said, Does India look dirty and polluted to you? This countrys one of my favorite countries. Its the cheapest. Its got amazing people and amazing different climates. Im in the mountains right now at a waterfall. All the propaganda you see about India is just a little bit of the truth. I mean, look at this place.

He shared a post on Instagram with the caption, India is more than dirty, overpopulated slums; this country has the best food and beautiful nature. Local Indians love hosting and have the best hospitality. I love India and cant wait to come back to meet more people.

Another viral video showed him visiting Gurugrams upscale Cyber Hub, where he praised the clean and modern shopping area. He said, India is not all slums, overpopulated, and full of trash. Some air pollution is over here. But hey, at least its looking like this. They got everything you could ask for.

He added, Yes, there are beautiful Indian women. Ive seen a lot of them. But Ive been going to the wrong places. Look at this! Hey, this looks like America. Like better than America. The video was captioned, Dirty Polluted India has a CLEAN shopping outlet that looks better than Miami. Did you know India had this?

Background and journey

Another viral video showed him visiting Gurugrams upscale Cyber Hub. | Credit: Instagram/ vanboys222

Van Boys started his journey in Asia last year and shares raw, unfiltered travel content about the places he visits. His videos show hidden beaches, bustling cities, and local life across different countries.

On Instagram, where he is known as Free Spirit Traveler and has over 2,85,000 followers, he writes, Somehow turned traveling into my job. His YouTube channel, Van Boys description says, Raw Travel Adventures Across Asia, Were one year into this incredible journey, and were this close to hitting 100K subscribers! Thank you for every like, comment, and moment youve shared with me along the way.

The vlogger continues to explore India and share his experiences through videos on both YouTube and Instagram, gaining more followers and attention.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.


Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Chairman and ex-Minister of State for Works, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, believes President Bola Tinubu will gain more northern votes in 2027.

This, he stressed, will be the case despite the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Saturday, Adeyeye dismissed claims that Buharis death would hurt Tinubus chances.

Advertisement

He stressed that the president never relied on Buharis influence in the North to win in 2023.

Ninety per cent of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) figures are with him (Tinubu), quote me anywhere, Adeyeye said.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/08/act-now-on-2009-agreement-or-face-university-strike-asuu-warns-fg.html

The leadership met about three or four weeks ago and declared their full support.

According to him, The North knows Tinubu has kept his promises.

He has built bridges across regions, and people appreciate loyalty and consistency.

Adeyeye further said, Politics is not about sentiments; its about trust, structure, and the ability to deliver. Tinubu has all three.

Adeyeye argued that political alignments in the North remain solidly behind the president, noting that the structures that backed Tinubu in the last election have only grown stronger.

He emphasised that Tinubus political strategy and alliances were built independently of Buharis popularity.

Those saying Buharis death will cost Tinubu the North are mistaken, he added.

Tinubus victory in 2023 was not hinged on Buharis political goodwill; it was the result of his own networks, planning, and the trust of the people.
Kevin O'Leary is a "Shark Tank" investor. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Kevin O'Leary dismissed a comparison between the AI boom and the dot-com bubble.

The "Shark Tank" investor told Business Insider that AI generates measurable savings.

He also said that "everybody got it wrong" on the impact of tariffs on the economy.

The AI boom isn't going to collapse like the dot-com bubble, investor Kevin O'Leary told Business Insider.

Many people, including Nobel economist Paul Krugman, fund manager Bill Smead, and entrepreneurship professor Erik Gordon, have compared the fervor around AI to internet buzz in the late 1990s and early 2000s, which ended with a stock-market crash.

But the "Shark Tank" investor and chair of O'Leary Ventures said AI wasn't "the same hype that the internet bubble was, because today, you actually can see the productivity and measure it on a dollar-by-dollar basis."

O'Leary gave the example of Fly Guys, a drone company he's invested in. Other companies can commission it to scan the tops of their buildings and deliver "AI-ready aerial imagery" to identify problems and automatically create work orders for them.

"That saves millions of dollars" for companies like Walmart or Home Depot with large commercial footprints, O'Leary said.

He added that such savings from AI may offset tariff costs and support high valuations for stocks.

Whether that's the case should be revealed in earnings over the next 12 to 18 months, he said.

O'Leary thinks tariffs aren't the threat many thought

Stocks plunged after Trump unveiled his plans for tariffs on "Liberation Day" in early April, but have since rebounded to record highs.

The recovery shows why investors should stay in the market during downturns "even though it's nerve-racking and nail-biting," O'Leary said.

The celebrity investor and self-proclaimed "Mr. Wonderful" said it can be costly to panic and dump stocks, adding he has seen investors miss out by doing this "over and over again."

He added that if an investor cashed out during April's sell-off, they missed the sort of returns they might expect over three years in just 88 trading sessions.

The S&P has gained around 27% from its low on April 8, and is around 12% higher than its level before the slump, far above the market's long-term annual return of about 7%.

The bounceback reflects greater "clarity" over tariffs, O'Leary said, adding some were "very manageable" at 10% to 15% for trade partners such as the EU. The latest rates range from 10% for the UK to 41% for Syria.
Famous social media activist VeryDarkMan has addressed messages from prophets who reportedly foresaw a threat to his life.

Sharing videos from both a Nigerian and a Ghanaian prophet on his Instagram page on Sunday, VeryDarkMan revealed that their visions warned of an impending danger looming over him.

Despite this, he remains unbothered, reminding everyone that death is inevitable and comes for all.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Cubana Chief Priest Breaks Silence On Missing Davidos White Wedding In U.S.

VeryDarkMan stressed that, like many great figures before him who have passed and been forgotten, he does not fear death. He encouraged the prophets to focus their visions on the future growth of their countries instead.

Youre seeing vision for me as if Im one person that thinks Im important; I am not important. Death is inevitable and is coming for all of us. Tells us a vision about our country. Tell us when Nigeria will be a great country he partly said.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele, aka Abbas Ajakaiye, founder of The Turn of Mercy Church.

He is accused of masterminding multiple illicit drug shipments into Nigeria, specifically trafficking large quantities of cannabis via waterways from Ghana.

The arrest took place on Sunday, at his church located along Okun Ajah, Ogombo Road, Lekki, Lagos.

Advertisement

NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi revealed that operatives waited until the end of the Sunday worship service before apprehending the suspect.

Babafemi stated, Prophet Adefolusho had been on the run since June after two major seizures of Ghana Loud cannabis were traced to him.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/08/sowore-vows-legal-action-against-police-for-alleged-brutality-in-custody.html

Our operatives acted on reliable intelligence to bring him to justice.

The cleric confessed to trafficking drugs and admitted fleeing to Ghana after narrowly escaping arrest twice.

Babafemi added, This arrest sends a clear message to all traffickers that the NDLEA is relentless and will not tolerate drug peddling in our communities.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the operatives involved in the arrest he said, This arrest is a significant victory in our ongoing fight against drug trafficking.

We urge all Nigerians to support our efforts to rid the nation of illicit drugs.

Marwa also emphasised the importance of continued vigilance and community engagement in combating drug abuse.

Education and cooperation are key to winning this war, he added.
Nollywood actor Jim Iyke has sparked controversy by suggesting that medical doctors are trained not to cure patients throughout their careers.

In a recent interview on the Echo Room, hosted by reality TV star Teddy A, shared on X on Saturday, Jim Iyke implied that the healthcare system benefits financially from patients repeatedly visiting hospitals rather than being fully healed.

Theres a GMO everywhere. The orthodox medicines; the lies. If I say it anywhere, it upsets them [medical practitioners], he said.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Asisat Oshoala Ignored My Calls Since WAFCON Win, $100,000 Cash Reward  Peller

He went on to explain, Medical doctors are basically trained all through their career not to heal. Its big pharma business. If they tell you what to take and they heal you, youre not a customer anymore and they wont make money.

Jim Iyke described the healthcare industry as a trillion-dollar industry, highlighting his belief that profit motives overshadow patient recovery.
Former presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore plans to sue the Nigeria Police for alleged inhumane treatment during his recent detention.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Sowores lawyer, Tope Temokun, alleged that police officers fractured his clients arm during a violent attempt to forcibly transfer him from one cell to another at about 6 a.m. on Friday, August 8.

Advertisement

The fact remains unshaken: Omoyele Sowores arm was broken in police custody, under their control, Temokun stated. 

We will pursue all appropriate legal remedies, including petitions to the Nigeria Police Council and the Police Service Commission.

The legal team rejected the polices claim that Sowore arrived at their facility with a bandage, calling it false, self-indicting, and illogical.

Temokun further declared: No amount of propaganda can erase the truth of what happened to him in their custody.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/08/ogun-govt-denies-political-witchaunt-against-gbenga-daniel-after-serving-him-demolition-notices-for-his-house-hotel.html

Temokun challenged the police to publish the inventory of Sowores possessions seized during his arrest to support their account, stressing that transparency is the first test of integrity.

According to the lawyers, Sowore was denied access to his personal medical team and offered treatment only by an unqualified first-aider, without X-rays or a proper diagnosis.

This was not medical care; it was an insult to both his health and his rights, Temokun said.

They added that his refusal to be examined by police medical personnel was meant to prevent manipulation of evidence by those allegedly responsible for his injury.

The team also accused the police of ignoring other allegations, such as the alleged theft of Sowores Ray-Ban AI glasses by an officer, while rushing to issue denials over the assault.

Sowore was released on Friday evening after two days in custody, but his legal team insists: We will not rest until every officer involved is held accountable.
A file crime scene image from a shooting in West Philadelphia in 2024. Read more

A Havertown woman was arrested in Maine after, authorities say, her 3-year-old daughter was found dead in her car Saturday night.

According to a statement from local police, Kelly Brown, 40, was arrested early Sunday morning at around 5 a.m. and charged with manslaughter.

Advertisement

Penobscot County Sheriffs Office law enforcement officers located Brown after receiving a request for a welfare check from family members one day earlier, the statement said. Bangor is the county seat.

On Saturday evening, police responded to a business in Milford, Maine, where a car registered in Browns name was located with a 3-year-old girl, later identified as Browns daughter, dead inside. The girls name has not been released to the public.

Delaware County and Penobscot County are about 500 miles and nine hours apart. Its unclear what brought Brown to Maine.

Police did not immediately provide further details on the incident or how the child died. The girls death is being investigated by Maines State Police and major crimes unit. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, police said, and Brown is currently in police custody in Maine awaiting a preliminary hearing.

Public records show Brown has resided in Delaware County for years, living in her Havertown home for over a decade.
The Philadelphia field office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Center City. Read more

Gonzalo Hernandez Roque was arrested in Doylestown last May, accused of stealing about $500 worth of clothes and jewelry from Kohls. For the next 10 months, he remained free on unsecured bail as his misdemeanor case slowly worked its way through Bucks Countys courts.

But this spring, the consequences of the arrest suddenly escalated.

Advertisement

In March, court documents show, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent found records from the case that helped show that Hernandez Roque, a 29-year-old Guatemalan, had been living in the country illegally. He was jailed and charged with a federal immigration crime.

By June, Hernandez Roque was deported.

That sequence of events  a months-old arrest triggering a new federal prosecution  has been happening with growing frequency in the Philadelphia region over the last seven months, The Inquirer has found, as federal authorities seek to boost deportation numbers under President Donald Trump.

To understand the shift in enforcement patterns, The Inquirer reviewed records from dozens of cases in which federal prosecutors charged immigrants with the crime known as illegal reentry after deportation. In those cases, ICE typically arrests defendants and accuses them of living in the United States after having been deported before  sometimes years or even decades earlier.

While the majority of immigration arrests are handled in the civil administrative court known as immigration court, illegal reentry cases are considered felonies and are pursued by federal prosecutors in criminal court. Upon conviction, defendants can face a federal jail sentence before being placed into deportation proceedings.

The charge is not new: Under former President Joe Biden, records show, the U.S. Attorneys Office in Philadelphia filed about two dozen such cases each year.

But with Trump back in the White House  and promising an unprecedented wave of deportations  prosecutors have more than tripled that pace this fiscal year, Justice Department data show.

If the trend holds, the number of illegal reentry prosecutions filed in Philadelphias federal courthouse this fiscal year will be at its highest level in at least two decades, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), a nonprofit that has been collecting immigration data since 1989.

Much of the boost appears tied to the tactic used in Hernandez Roques case, The Inquirers review found. In about half the cases the newspaper reviewed, ICE agents said in court documents that they began looking for a previously deported immigrant after receiving an automated notification of a new arrest  typically because the persons fingerprints, taken by local police during processing and entered into a national database accessible by ICE, matched the prints on file from an earlier deportation.

Still, in many instances, The Inquirer found that ICE was notified of a fingerprint match last year  but did not pursue the suspect until after Trump returned to office in 2025.

In addition, The Inquirer found, many of ICEs targets in these cases were arrested for nonviolent crimes such as retail theft or driving under the influence  a contrast to the Trump administrations contention that it has been pushing out some of societys most dangerous criminals.

Some previously deported immigrants had no criminal record: In at least two instances, ICE agents set out to pursue one target and ended up arresting someone else after discovering that person had been previously deported.

Brennan Gian-Grasso, a Philadelphia-based immigration attorney, said many of those tactics echo the changes hes noticed in ICEs approach to enforcement overall, which is that the agency has become more aggressive in pursuing people to deport.

In the past, Gian-Grasso said, federal authorities, particularly during administrative arrests, often used discretion to prioritize which suspects were worthy of apprehension, because seeking to remove all undocumented people  particularly those living and working here without issue  can be destabilizing to families and communities.

Now, he said, ICEs approach is effectively indiscriminate.

Its all about the numbers, its all about getting people, its all about fear, he said.

An ICE spokesperson did not respond to questions about how its approach to illegal reentry cases has changed in the Trump administration.

U.S. Attorney David Metcalf said in a statement that his office continues to pursue and prosecute cases as it always has, guided by the rule of law, our responsibility to the people of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the priorities of the DOJ.

Quick resolutions

Noel Velasquez-Basurto was one of those prosecuted for illegal reentry without a new local arrest.

The Mexican man, who was living in Norristown and working as a day laborer, was riding to work in a pickup truck in February when ICE agents stopped the vehicle while seeking to arrest its driver.

When ICE asked for Velasquez-Basurtos ID, agents said in court documents, he gave them his Mexican passport, which allowed them to learn that Velasquez-Basurto had been deported twice, both times in 2013.

He was arrested, and weeks later, prosecutors charged him with illegal reentry.

By July hed pleaded guilty and was sentenced to time-served before being deported back to Mexico. During his sentencing hearing, he spoke through an interpreter and said little, generally only answering yes or no to a judges questions.

That swift resolution was mirrored in many illegal reentry cases The Inquirer reviewed: Prosecutions filed in 2025 have often wrapped up within a few months.

Attorneys say that is in part because the evidence in illegal reentry cases is generally straightforward, particularly if there is a fingerprint match between a new arrest and the deportation records. A quick guilty plea also allows defendants to be released from federal jail and sent home, they said.

But it does sometimes cause unusual consequences: Hernandez Roque, the man accused of retail theft in Doylestown, was deported before his Bucks County criminal case was resolved.

His case is still active, and another court date is scheduled for September.

Enforcement vs. public safety

Gian-Grasso, the immigration attorney, said preempting the local justice system was just one issue he had with illegal reentry cases, which he called tremendously wasteful.

His biggest critique is that the cases require federal prosecutors to divert resources from more pressing cases, such as violent crime, fraud, or corruption.

If we are prioritizing numbers  and lets be honest, numbers of a certain type of people, primarily Latinos  were not doing anything that actually impacts society or public safety, he said.

Still, authorities seem unlikely to slow the pace of filing such cases anytime soon.

Just last week, prosecutors unsealed two new indictments charging defendants with illegal reentry, court records show. And this week, they announced that three others had recently been sentenced and would be deported.
Sheppard Elementary, on West Cambria Street in West Kensington, is about 28% full, according to district records. Community members have fought off multiple attempts to close the school. Read more

When Andrea Kohn began teaching at Sheppard Elementary, people warned her about the school in West Kensington.

They told me, Dont get used to Sheppard, because theyre going to close it, said Kohn.

Advertisement

That was 1993. Kohn built a career at the Philadelphia School District K-4 anyway, withstanding multiple attempts to close a school that she and others say is a miracle: a small, well-functioning hub in the community, a school thats improving academically, a place that wraps its arms around students and families, and where staff stay for decades.

 READ MORE: Philly school district leaders are identifying schools to close. Heres a look at the data that will inform those decisions.

With the school board a few months from approving a facilities master plan that officials say will include more closures, the Sheppard community is on high alert.

City public schools have nearly 70,000 empty seats, and many buildings are in poor condition. Sheppard last year educated 123 students in a building district officials say has room for 439  its just 28% full  and the building is in unsatisfactory shape. Sheppard has no camera system and no playground. It has neither air-conditioning nor adequate electric service to support it.

The school also earned a poor" district rating for program alignment, a measure of whether the school building can support programs such as prekindergarten, and has dedicated spaces for physical education, art, and music.

Christina Clark, a district spokesperson, said officials encourage continued engagement in the facilities process as the district works towards presenting a plan that maximizes use of school buildings and student rostering to provide more equitable prekindergarten opportunities, rigorous academic offerings, access to high-quality arts, music, physical education, and career and technical education opportunities, recognizing that many of the districts aging and unequal facilities are under enrolled or over enrolled.

But Sheppard staff have been attending district facilities meetings in droves, making a case for why their school should stay open.

District officials have stressed that no decisions have been made about which schools could close and which will get new buildings, major renovations, or be ordered to relocate to existing buildings that have room for another school. A list of recommendations is expected this fall, with a final school board vote before the end of the year.

 READ MORE: From 2012: In West Kensington, a vibrant school community faces closing

At a July meeting at Julia de Burgos Elementary, less than a mile away from Sheppard in North Philadelphia, a group of Sheppard supporters questioned the districts data, and said numbers cannot describe the value of a school to a community, especially one as distressed as Kensington.

Dont forget us, said Keely Gray, a Sheppard first-grade teacher, because were not going away.

Nothing we can control

Enrollment in Philadelphias traditional public schools has generally been slipping since 1997, when the first charter schools opened. But Sheppards declining enrollment was hastened further by the district itself, staff say.

When Kohn began her career at Sheppard 30-plus years ago, there were three or four sections of each grade. Now, theres just one class per grade.

The district itself took our catchment area when they built de Burgos and Hunter; thats nothing we can control, said Melissa Achuff, a longtime Sheppard teacher, speaking about nearby, newer, and bigger schools built in 2002 and 2004, respectively. Its nothing we can control.

Compounding the problem is a lack of a feeder preschool; a nearby program shut a few years back.

Weve asked to add fifth grade, and weve asked to have a pre-K, said Achuff. Give us more students.

But, those on the inside say, small size is a big part of what makes Sheppard shine. Sheppard students generally have complicated lives; the surrounding neighborhood is marred by an active drug trade, gun violence, and trauma.

The kids are getting more attention, and they need it, said Gray, whose class usually hovers around 23 students. We all know every single kid in the school, theres a sense of community and family, and every kid feels safe and were able to make academic progress. A lot of people would love to have their kids in that small of a school, to have those small classes.

Sheppard isnt Marian Nasutis only school  shes a district psychologist who works in multiple district schools. But Sheppard is close to her heart, in part because its small size mean every child is seen.

Our kids do not fall through the cracks  reading issues, behavioral issues, anything, I go to other schools and its not like that, Nasuti said.

One in four Sheppard students is an English language learner; when fears among some immigrant parents spiked this winter over possible immigration arrests, a number of families kept their children out of school. Some were preparing to unenroll their children.

But Sheppard staff rallied, said Susan Murphy, the school nurse. They explained that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents werent allowed into schools, and answered every question people had.

We got those families back  got their trust, got their anxiety levels down, Murphy said. Kids that were actively being unenrolled, but we used the relationships that weve built. We told them, Weve got your back.

A community anchor

Natasha Delgado is well aware of the possibility that Sheppard could land on a school closing list. Her daughter is about to enter second grade there, and she said shes bracing herself.

If they do close Sheppard, Im going to end up homeschooling her, said Delgado.

Delgado doesnt have a car, and she wouldnt be comfortable walking her daughter to a school thats farther from home, she said.

Its not the best neighborhood, but we know that our kids are safe at Sheppard, said Delgado. Its just a great school  all the teachers, they give her hugs and they care about her. Theyre all part of our community, and thats so beneficial. I dont want her at a bigger school.

Erica Santos agrees. Sheppard has educated generations of her family  she attended, as did her son, and now, her daughter is a rising second grader.

Santos works two jobs, and relies on her father, who lives down the street from Sheppard, to get her daughter to school. Shes not sure what would happen if Sheppard were to close. And she doesnt like the idea of losing an anchor in a community that very much needs it, Santos said.

My daughter is doing so good at Sheppard, she said.

Closing the doors?

In a cash-strapped district with billions of capital projects needs, making a case for a small elementary school could be a tough sell, the Sheppard community understands. But officials have said they will weigh something called a neighborhood vulnerability score in the mix  a measure of adverse factors like poverty and prior school closings.

Sheppards vulnerability, then could help the school community stay afloat.

Parents and staff are banking on it.

But Amy Devlin, another Sheppard teacher, is anxious about what the next few months will bring  officials have said theyll announce facilities recommendations this fall, with a final school board vote set for the end of the year.

If you close the doors on Sheppard, its like youre closing the doors on our kids, Devlin said.
A warning sign posted on the bathroom door at Ricketts Glen State Park in Benton, Pa., warns campers to be vigilant. Read more

The worst part about getting mauled by a bear would be my father saying I told you so over and over.

I used to think that, anyway, until around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, at Ricketts Glen State Park in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Getting mauled by the bear would be worse.

Advertisement

My kids had banished me to a solo tent a day earlier because of alleged snoring. Three of them, including the 4-year-old, slept in comfort on an air mattress in the larger tent.

I usually wear earplugs or headphones when I camp, to drown out the little footfalls of raccoons or falling branches, but a sudden racket of clanging pots and pans jolted me awake. I figured it was my 18-year-old who still likes to annoy me.

Dude, what are you doing? Stop making so much noise, I said.

Then I heard the lid to the cooler slamming, and I shot up out of my sleeping bag with a dreaded realization: Id forgotten to put the cooler in the car.

This was no raccoon, or my son.

When I shined my phones light out the tent window, an enormous black bear was about a foot away, beside the cooler, looking right at me.

I like to think of myself as an outdoorsman who is, for the most part, comfortable and prepared in bear country. I spent a week in deep Alaska earlier this summer, storing food in metal barrels at night with my head on a swivel. Ive hiked and camped in Banff, the Sierra Nevadas, the Adirondacks, and was forced to watch a bear safety video before camping in Yosemite National Park. I even cuddled a black bear cub in my jacket once, for work.

Between Alaska and several trips in Pennsylvania this summer, Ive seen about a half dozen, the most ever for me in one year. One of them was just days earlier, in the woods at Ricketts Glen, about 100 yards from my site.

Careful, momma is probably around, a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources employee told us.

Of course, she was. Why didnt I think of that?

DCNR had gone out of its way to warn campers that bears and raccoons have been a major problem at the campground due to careless campers.

If food/coolers are left out animals WILL enter your site, eat your food, and destroy your belongings, the sign on the bathroom door warned.

Thats plain talk. The sign wasnt there last time I camped at Ricketts.

Ive been camping for about 30 years, and I havent always put coolers away, unless required. I had to do it in the Adirondacks and used a big, metal bear box in California. Once, on a camping trip to Baxter State Park in Maine, I had to canoe the cooler back and forth to the truck daily.

Usually, I put a rock on the cooler, and raccoons cant lift it. Once, while camping on the Ausable River in Upstate New York, I threw hiking boots at skunks that were tearing up a bag of shredded cheese.

When I reached out to Travis Lau, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, about my bear encounter, he pointed me to Bearwise.org, a website the agency uses to help campers and hikers be safe in bear country.

A bears sense of smell and its willingness to follow its nose to food is the common thread behind all of this advice, Lau told me.

A quick check told me Id broken more than Bearwise rules.

Keep a clean camp. Dont burn food or trash in your fire ring (blaming my son for this one). Do not store food, trash, clothes worn when cooking, or toiletries in your tent. Store in approved bear-resistant containers OR out of sight in a locked vehicle OR suspended at least 10 feet above the ground and 10 feet from any part of the tree.

My dad, whos been trying to pound bearphobia into me for decades, saw the sign when he came to the campground for a day, too.

Do you want my bear spray and my knife? he asked.

I didnt. And at the time of my encounter with the bear, I had only my phone, earbuds, a pair of Crocs, and a book in my tent. I dont think my copy of Robin Wall Kimmerers Braiding Sweetgrass would have made a dent.

I began yelling at the bear to go away and for my son to wake up. He described it as a scream.

You were a big baby, he later said.

Lights began to pop on at surrounding campsites, and my son emerged from the tent with a large metal flashlight that had a strobe effect that seemed to annoy the bear.

We forgot to put the cooler away, I yelled, loud enough for everyone to hear.

I pondered whether he should take the toddler and hide in the car. Oddly, she never woke up and only remembers the daddy longlegs in the canoe.

The bear retreated as we moved forward, but it didnt seem scared. It would inch back toward camp when it was out of the light, emitting this low growl/whine the whole time, and I got the sense it was ticked off and really wanted my Ballpark franks.

My God, its huge, my son said.

When it finally moved on, passing through other sites, I heard other campers yelling and car horns honking in the night. I stayed awake for hours, off adrenaline.

The guy next door left his food out, a camper beside me said in his tent. You cant do that.

We camped five nights, and that was the only night I forgot to put the cooler away. The lesson is learned, though. Ill never leave a cooler out again when I camp, particularly the one the bear bit a hole in.
A landscaper on the warm morning in Philadelphia in June. Sunday should be another decent day, but an air quality alert for ozone is in effect for the Philly area. Read more

Another air quality alert is in effect for Philly and its neighboring Pennsylvania counties Sunday, and it looks like more heat, and that summer of 2025 favorite  smoke  are poised to return during the week.

The state Department of Environmental Protection hoisted the Code Orange air-quality advisory Saturday night, saying it expected ozone conditions to worsen Sunday afternoon.

Advertisement

In addition, NOAA says smoke may appear in the upper-atmosphere over parts of the region late in the day.

It could become a more-frequent visitor during the week when temperatures are due to climb, said Nick Guzzo, a National Weather Service meteorologist in the Mount Holly office.

However, he said he did not expect the smoke to mix down into lower levels of the atmosphere.

Temperatures could reach 90 or better Tuesday through Friday, peaking on Wednesday, the weather service said, although the heat will not reach the ferocity that it did the end of July and in June.

But at least on Sunday, bright sun and light winds will be favorable for cooking ground ozone  not to be confused with the benign stuff in the high atmosphere that blocks ultraviolet radiation.

Ground ozone forms when chemicals in the air react with sunlight. It occurs most frequently in summer, commonly generated by car exhaust and industrial pollutants, although smoke also can contribute to ozone production.

On Code Orange days, health officials advise people with respiratory conditions to eschew vigorous outdoor activity.

Save for the ozone, Sunday overall should be a pleasant day weather-wise with highs in the 80s on the mainland and at the Shore, where the nearly full moon will be rising into mostly clear skies.

Summer forecasts are notoriously changeable, but it does appear that the run of 90 or better may not make it into the weekend.

So far August has been quite cool with temperatures in Philadelphia averaging about 3.5 degrees below normal, quite a contrast to the steaminess of July. It also has been bone dry  with no measurable rain reported yet at Philadelphia International Airport.

Shower chances are in the outlooks Wednesday through Friday, but those may or may not happen.

One thing that will happen is that the Dog Days of summer will end.

Traditionally the Dog Days run from July 3 through Aug. 11. They are so-named for the appearance of Sirius, the dog star, which was so bright that the ancient Romans believed it contributed to summer heat.

The Romans did have some better ideas.
Celena Morrison-McLean (left) and her husband, Darius McLean, hold a news conference on Thursday, March 7, 2024 in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia city official was arrested during a traffic stop and started recording the incident because she feared for her husband's life as a trooper handcuffed him on a rainy elevated highway. (Tom Gralish/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP) Read more

The former head of Philadelphias Office of LGBTQ Affairs has sued the Pennsylvania State Police and a since-fired state trooper for his actions  captured on video that went viral  when he arrested her and her husband after a 2024 traffic stop.

Celena Morrison-McLean, 52, and her husband, Darius McLean, 36, contend that the former trooper, identified in their suit as Andrew Zaborowski, used force without provocation or justification.

Advertisement

Their allegations against Zaborowski include assault, false imprisonment, and battery.

In the suit, filed last Monday in Common Pleas Court in Philadelphia, they also accuse the Pennsylvania State Police of negligent hiring, retention, and supervision, and ask for damages in excess of $50,000; damage requests under $50,000 require compulsory arbitration in Philadelphia.

 READ MORE: What we know about the Philly LGBT official detained by Pa. State Police

Pennsylvania State Police said that as a matter of policy the agency does not comment on pending litigation. Zaborowski also declined to comment.

The incident began on the morning of March 2, 2024 on the Vine Street Expressway. Morrison-McLean was driving a gray Infiniti sedan with an expired and suspended registration, illegally tinted windows, and without illuminated headlights at a time when it was raining, state police said. McLean was tailgating Morrison without enough space between the cars.

The couple were on their way to a mechanic to fix Morrison-McLeans car, according to the suit.

Zaborowski signaled Morrison-McLean to pull over, and McLean followed in his rental car, stopping on the shoulder of the expressway as well.

Zaborowski approached McLeans vehicle first with his service weapon drawn, the suit says. McLean explained that he was following his wife when Zaborowski responded get the F out of the car and forcibly removed McLean from the vehicle and pushed him to the ground, according to the complaint.

Morrison-McLean then stepped out of her vehicle and began recording the incident on her phone.

State police said that McLean became verbally combative toward the trooper and refused multiple lawful orders leading to his arrest. Morrison-McClean was arrested after attempting to interfere with her husbands arrest, according to the agency.

Both individuals were arrested for resisting arrest, obstruction of justice, disorderly conduct, and other related charges, state police said at the time.

The video of the arrest, which went viral on social media in the following days, begins when McLean is on the pavement as Zaborowski attempts to handcuff him.

Do you want to get tased? Put your hands behind your back! the officer can be heard yelling.

OK! They are! McLean says.

That is my husband! Please! Morrison-McLean yells.

Its OK, baby, its OK. ... I dont know why hes doing this, McLean says.

At one point Morrison-McLean shouts toward the officer, I work for the mayor! I work for the mayor! Zaborowski responds by telling her to shut the f up."

Later in the video, she is heard saying: He just punched me.

Morrison-McLean said that she mentioned her position with the mayors office as an attempt to de-escalate the situation, according to the complaint.

The two were held for roughly 12 hours before they were released Saturday night, according to the suit.

State police initially filed several misdemeanor and summary charges against the couple, but the district attorneys office declined the charges pending additional review. Court records indicate no charges have been filed against them.

The widely circulated video led to comments by elected officials.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker called the footage very concerning, and Councilmember Rue Landau, the first openly LGBTQ member of City Council, called it alarming.

Speaking about the incident a few days later, Morrison-McLean said that she never felt more helpless than she did during the traffic stop.

Its disheartening that as Black individuals, we are all too familiar with the use of the phrase Stop resisting as a green light for excessive force by law enforcement, Morrison-McLean said at the time.

Kevin Mincey, an attorney with Mincey Fitzpatrick Ross who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the couple, did not respond to requests for comment.

 READ MORE: Pa. state trooper who arrested a Philly LGBTQ official has been fired, union says

Two months after the stop, Zaborowski was fired from the State Police after the agency opened an internal investigation into the stop.

Stephen Polishan, president of the Pennsylvania State Trooper Association, criticized the decision.

The departments leadership should have fought against the attacks made about this young mans character. Instead, they abandoned him, Polishan said in May 2024.

In a statement on X, Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity said that that Zaborowski was a victim of political retribution after he arrested a well-connected Philly politician.

Morrison-McLean was appointed to lead the office in 2020 by then-Mayor Jim Kenney and was the first openly transgender person to lead the Philadelphia office. She left the post in November 2024.

Staff writers Ellie Rushing and Michelle Myers contributed to this article.
Skechers quietly released its second quarter earnings after the market closed on Friday as the company continues its work to go private.

The Manhattan Beach, Calif.-based footwear company reported net sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 of $2.44 billion, a 13.1 percent increase from $2.16 billion the same time last year.

More from WWD

These results beat analyst expectations, which called for net sales between $2.3 billion and $2.38 billion in Q2, according to Yahoo Finance.

Skechers noted that the second quarters net sales include a favorable impact due to foreign currency exchange rates of $33.9 million. The company also said that its wholesale sales grew 15.0 percent in Q2, while its direct-to-consumer sales increased 11.0 percent in the period.

Net earnings also increased in Q2 to $170.5 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.13, a 21.5 percent increase compared with prior year net earnings of $140.3 million and diluted earnings per share of 91 cents in Q2 2024.

No executives provided comment in the Friday earnings release.

These latest numbers come amid Skechers bid to become a private company this year. In May, Skechers announced a $9 billion go-private deal with Brazilian private-equity firm 3G Capital  the biggest shoe buyout in history.

The deal structure has one election at $63 a share and the other at $57 a share in cash and one unlisted, non-transferable equity unit in a newly formed entity that will become the parent of Skechers upon the closing of the transaction.

The blockbuster move is a reflection of the business prowess of Robert and Michael Greenberg, the father-son duo that has taken the company from family start-up to global powerhouse during the past three decades.

And the Greenbergs have been working diligently on closing the deal. In July, a California federal district court judge in Los Angeles ruled against a pension plan investors bid for a preliminary injunction to delay the closing of the planned acquisition of Skechers by 3G Capital. Marking a win for Skechers as it works to move forward.

When the deal was announced in May, the expectation then was that a closing date likely would be in the third quarter.

The footwear firm will remain headquartered in its hometown of Manhattan Beach, Calif. and its current management team will continue to steer the company.
Protesters help British photojournalist Nick Stern after he sustained an injury during a protest in Compton, Calif., on June 7 after the deployment of federal immigration authorities. Read more

The latest Los Angeles protest march against President Donald Trumps aggressive deportation arrests took off from the citys MacArthur Park uneventfully on Friday night, which might have been just as well for a British photojournalist named Nick Stern.

Just two months earlier, Stern had been covering mayhem outside a Home Depot in the LA suburb of Paramount, the scene of arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), when, as he later recounted to the BBC, something struck him. He said there was something hard sticking out of the back of my leg and my leg was getting wet from blood.

Advertisement

That something turned out to be a three-inch plastic bullet, which was allegedly fired by LA County sheriffs deputies policing the protest, and which had to be removed by surgery at a nearby hospital. But the wounded 60-year-old Stern insisted to the BBC that he would return to the sometimes chaotic streets of Americas second-largest city as soon as he healed. He said, This is too important and it needs documenting.

At Fridays march, Sterns media colleagues were thrilled to see the veteran conflict photographer back on the job for the first time, but any joy was short-lived. When the 60 or so protesters reached the federal detention center where ICE detainees are held, Homeland Security officers called the Los Angeles Police Department for backup. Soon, as shown on multiple videos, a line of LAPD cops was pushing everyone back, including journalists, and in short order, some of the officers began swinging their batons.

According to witnesses, one of the first people struck by the police was Nick Stern.

He took a baton literally on the chin, journalist Mel Buer, whos been covering protests in Southern California for weeks, told me by phone Saturday. And he came away from that bleeding.

Adam Rose, the press rights chair of the Los Angeles Press Club, confirmed to me that Stern had been cut in the melee, but this time declined hospital care and was instead stitched up by his wife, a healthcare professional.

Sterns newest injury was not an isolated incident. Rose, Buer, and online accounts of the protest say a couple of journalists were bloodied by police nightsticks, photographers saw their expensive cameras slammed to the pavement, and about a half dozen, including Buer, were detained at the scene by LAPD officers  their hands zip-tied  for at least an hour, maybe two.

Rose did not mince words after the violence Friday night outside the federal Metropolitan Detention Center, calling it utter lawlessness by the LAPD and adding, They seemed thirsty to crack skulls. The frustrated advocate noted that the pummeling and detentions occurred despite a 2022 California press freedom law, a federal court order against the police detaining or firing projectiles at journalists last month, and orders from the LAPD top chief that should have allowed journalists to freely cover both the protest and the police response.

And Fridays incident was just one of many that have targeted journalists in the roughly 10 weeks since the Trump regime and ICE launched large-scale immigration raids in California. The press clubs Rose has maintained a spreadsheet that now chronicles more than 100 incidents of alleged police misconduct in this summers protests.

This is an element of a dramatically escalating war against the First Amendment and press freedom in an increasingly authoritarian America that needs far more attention than its been getting.

Since Trump  with his longtime mantra that journalists are the enemy of the people  returned to office in January, most of the attention has been on his efforts to either intimidate or co-opt the large traditional outlets like CBS News, NPR, or the Washington Post. They are owned by billionaires or corporations that are either inclined to back Trump or that grovel because they need government favors.

Thats made street-level journalists like Stern, Buer, and the others whove been assaulted or arrested  freelancers or reporters for small independent sites  more important than ever. They are arguably the truths last line of defense, keeping tabs on community activism right at the moment when legacy newsrooms are increasingly walking away from that function. They cant be bought, so they are bloodied.

This isnt only happening in Los Angeles, nor did it start with Trumps inauguration. Arrests of working U.S. journalists doubled in 2024, amid campus protests over the carnage in Gaza, and an online press freedom tracker in the first six months of 2025 followed dozens of incidents from Georgia to Oregon, although California has had the largest number of assaults, arrests, and detentions.

This aggression toward journalists has been a staple of Trumpist politics, Clayton Weimers, the American director of Reporters Without Borders, wrote in a report last month. The brutalization and detention of journalists covering anti-government protests is also common in countries such as Serbia, Turkey and Georgia.

Yet, one thing thats important to understand is that much of the ongoing assault against American journalists isnt being undertaken by federal law enforcement, but by local cops or state troopers  some of them at least ostensibly under the command of reform-minded Democratic mayors or governors. Observers believe Trumps restoration has given rank-and-file officers a permission structure to unleash brutality on both protesters and the press, divorced from bosses politics.

Rose, whos long been tracking the police and press freedom in California, said hostility and misconduct by the LAPD and other units have been like a 25-year-long wildfire that subsides and then flares up at moments of stress, such as 2011s Occupy movement or the 2020 George Floyd protests. The Trump administration has  instead of being a fire suppressant tanker  theyve been dropping napalm on the existing fire, he said.

I reached out to the LAPD on Saturday by phone and then, as it requested, by email. I wanted its response specifically to the police action against journalists  especially in light of the July 11 temporary restraining order by U.S. District Judge Hernan D. Vera that bars the department from, among other things, detaining journalists while reporting. So far, the LAPD has not responded.

The LAPD did issue a statement about Friday nights incident, including the arrest of more than a dozen protesters, which is at odds with what the journalists who were present described. According to the police account, officers cleared the area after a crowd surrounded them, struck cars, and threw objects. It said the responding unit will continue to support 1st Amendment rights of all people. However, if violence or criminal activity occurs, laws will be enforced.

Buer told me shed only witnessed scenes of jubilation around 9 p.m. Friday when the MacArthur Park marchers met a small crowd staging an around-the-clock protest outside the detention center. She described clapping and yelling and chanting, dancing, you know, really kind of a noise demonstration sort of atmosphere. That changed abruptly after the Homeland Security agents outside the facility called in the LAPD.

They  the LAPD  got heckled by the crowd and then set up a pretty haphazard skirmish line and then just right out the gate, began pushing  shoving pretty aggressively  batons in medias faces, Buer recounted. She said officers did not initially make an announcement that the assembly was unlawful, and seemed to ignore press passes  including a large one worn by Stern  or pleas from reporters that they had a right to cover the event. Before long, Buer said she and four others were detained by the LAPD and placed in zip ties by officers, who she said didnt want to hear about the July court order.

Its a frustrating experience, Buer said. She said independent journalists are trying to tell the story of a resilient community that is pushing back against racial profiling and these immigration raids. And we are being obstructed from doing our jobs, and often violently so.

 READ MORE: From Fort Bragg to LA, Trump enlists the military in a slow-motion coup | Will Bunch

Neither Buer nor Rose was aware of any mainstream journalists  that is, reporters from the Los Angeles Times or local TV stations  who covered Fridays violence. Rose told me thats a sign of a much deeper problem  that these legacy newsrooms are already intimidated by the risk of violence, or by how aggressive reporting of protests might be seen in a moment of rising authoritarianism.

The Los Angeles Press Club advocate said he hears in private conversations that newsrooms are concerned about sending their journalists out into places where they might be unsafe. And so, where these sorts of things happen, often the mainstream press has run away, which is not good. That is a chilling of constitutional rights.

That only makes the bravery of independent journalists like Stern, Buer, and a dozen or so colleagues whove kept covering the LA protests when others have gone home stand out even more. They are risking their necks for a free press in America that, on too many other fronts, is surrendering without a fight.

The LA street reporters are making a bold stand for our shrinking First Amendment rights, and getting clubbed in the head for it. Yet, people continue to ignore their work, including not only too many folks in the mainstream media but also supposedly liberal politicians like Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who has not responded to the press clubs frequent pleas for help with the LAPD.

They need to understand that the violence against reporters with press passes is the uglier side of the same disease that is causing the bigger high-profile newsrooms to capitulate  a tyrannical push to crush what remains of journalistic freedom in America. Because just imagine how the cops will act when the reporters and cameras are finally no longer there.

 READ MORE: SIGN UP: The Will Bunch Newsletter
U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan prepares to addresses the annual Pennsylvania Leadership Conference in Camp Hill in April. The freshman Republican has faced scrutiny over his stock trading. Read more

U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, a first-term Republican, has become the most active trader in Pennsylvanias congressional delegation even as he pushes to ban the practice.

Despite introducing a House bill to ban congressional stock trading in May, Bresnahan has reported 617 stock trades totaling $7.24 million this year, according to investment research firm Quiver Quantitative. Hes placed roughly five times as many trades as the next most active trader in the delegation, freshman Republican Sen. Dave McCormick, a former CEO of Bridgewater, the worlds largest hedge fund.

Advertisement

Bresnahan flipped Pennsylvanias 8th Congressional District in 2024 with a narrow 1.6 point win. Itll be one of the most competitive seats in 2026 and Democrats are already pinning their hopes of retaking the seat to the escalating controversy surrounding the freshman lawmakers trades. Even some Republicans are expressing concern that Bresnahans stock trading could hamper his reelection prospects.

This spotlight wont be going away anytime soon. Last month, a Senate committee advanced Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawleys bill to ban members of Congress from trading. And in Northeast Pennsylvania, an environmental group started airing TV ads on Thursday against Bresnahan on his trading.

Before Congress, Bresnahan was the CEO of his familys electrical contracting company and heavily invested in the stock market, owning 492 individual stocks, according to his financial disclosure report. He now has a net worth of $48 million, according to the latest estimates from Quiver Quantitative.

Following criticism over his stock trades in April, Bresnahan announced in May that he would establish a blind trust, a move that would formally remove control over how his money is managed.

But late last month, Bresnahan said moving his assets into a blind trust had proven too difficult under House Ethics Committee Rules, and rejected the idea of directing his financial advisers to stop trading in the interim. The multimillionaire told Scranton-area radio station WVIA he would risk going broke if he stopped trading, a comment that has sparked renewed criticism.

And then do what with it? Bresnahan told WVIA. Just leave it all in the accounts and just leave it there and lose money and go broke?

Bresnahan has repeatedly stated that he does not trade his own stocks. I think you need to know that the trades are being executed on my behalf. I do not have any dialogues with my financial advisers, Bresnahan said in response to a question during a June 10 telephone town hall.

Bresnahans spokesperson Hannah Pope said that he is focused on his constituents, not personal financial gains. She dismissed the media attention on his trades.

His focus is on serving the working families of Northeastern Pennsylvania. People here care about safe streets, steady jobs, better roads and bridges, and a quality of life that keeps families strong. Rob is committed to those local priorities. He is not interested in political games or Washington talking points, Pope wrote in a statement.

His largest trading days in Congress, with up to 171 trades in a single day, coincide with politically consequential moments including President Donald Trumps Liberation Day tariffs announcement and votes for the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill.

Bresnahans May 15 sale of $1,001 to $15,000 worth of Centene stock, the largest Medicaid managed care organization in the country, was recently criticized by Joe Rogan on a July 18 episode of the The Joe Rogan Experience for alleged insider trading.

Everyone wants to use Nancy Pelosi as an example  But if you look at the actual insider trading its red and blue, said Rogan after learning about Bresnahans Centene trade.

Rogans podcast attracts millions of listeners and his endorsement of Trump last year is widely credited with helping the president appeal to younger men.

Republicans worry that Bresnahans trading will turn off the type of voter they need to hold these swing districts.

Whether he realizes it or not his continuing scuffles on this issue are making him an even more inviting target for Democrats, GOP political consultant Chris Nicholas said.

I dont know what hes doing but hes throwing away his seat, said another Pennsylvania GOP consultant who did not want to be named publicly criticizing his party.

The strategist said its especially frustrating since the trades are within his control.

On Thursday, the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund released a TV and digital ad in the 8th District slamming Bresnahan for buying oil stocks and selling shares in clean energy on May 15, then voting for the Big Beautiful Bill a week later. The ad claims he made out like a bandit, while supporting legislation that threatens clean energy jobs in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Bresnahans May 15 trades spanned sectors like biotech, real estate, and aerospace, but the new ads criticism focuses on his sale of seven clean energy stocks, including companies involved in hydrogen production and solar, and his purchase of six oil and gas stocks that same day.

This isnt just about the remarkably convenient timing of his stock trades. Its about his lack of care for people he represents who will pay more while their congressman enriches himself, said Christy Goldfuss, executive director of the NRDC Action Fund.

The small TV and digital buy  about $150,000 on cable, is the first ad to directly target Bresnahans trading and could be a preview of more to come.

A Democrat hasnt yet announced a run in Bresnahans district, but Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, Pittston Mayor Mike Lombardo, State Sen. Marty Flynn, and Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti are all rumored to be interested. The party will likely expend major resources to win back the seat formerly held by Democrat Matt Carwright.

Bresnahan has made hundreds of stock trades worth millions of dollars, playing the markets while voting to screw over hardworking NEPA families.  and thats exactly why hell be a one-term member of Congress, Eli Cousin, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said in a statement.

In Washington, a renewed focus on congressional stock activity has taken hold and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R., Fla.) said she will file a discharge petition to force a House vote on a congressional stock trading ban this fall. Pennsylvania Republican lawmakers are also weighing in on the issue.

I dont own a stock  period. Anyone in Congress for reasons other than servant leadership and saving/strengthening our democratic republic needs to go home. Public service is about what you can GIVE, not what you can get, U.S. Rep Scott Perry (R., Pa.) wrote in an X post on Monday from his personal account. Perry won his seat by just 1.2 points in 2024 making him another top target for Democrats in the upcoming cycle.

In that same tweet, Perry called on House members to bring the TRUST Act, a bipartisan bill prohibiting stock trading for members of Congress and their families, to the floor.

Bresnahan introduced his own stock ban bill in the House, which has been overshadowed as longer-tenured House members push alternative legislation like the TRUST Act.

While on the campaign trail last year, Bresnahan published a letter to the editor in the Pottsville Republican Herald calling for a bipartisan ban on congressional stock trading.

Whether or not they have done something wrong, the idea that we can buy and sell stocks while voting on legislation that will have a direct impact on these companies is wrong and needs to come to an end immediately, Bresnahan wrote in the letter.
Farmers may benefit from a newly-developed ammonia sensor as it improves real-time detection.

Researchers at University College Cork (UCC) have developed the sensor to help advance real-time detection of ammonia pollution. The development of the sensor was the result of the EU-funded RADICAL project led by UCC.

The technology hopes to transform environmental monitoring as we know it, removing the cost barriers to farmers and supporting the enhancement of sustainable farming practices.

Efficient detection of ammonia is essential for reducing air and water pollution, safeguarding human health, promoting sustainable agriculture, and shaping climate and environmental policies.

Practical alternative to current sensors

The researchers at UCC have developed the sensor out of silicon nanowire, promising a less bulky and more practical alternative to the spectroscopic sensors currently used to measure ammonia levels.

The new sensor is said to be sensitive and precise while also consuming minimal power, and can operate at room temperature, allowing for real-time air quality monitoring.

The sensor is designed to be compatible with existing technologies and is cost-effective and simple to produce.

Initially designed to detect free radicals in the air, the team realised after meeting with several air quality companies that sensors for gases such as nitrogen dioxide from traffic fumes and ammonia from industry and agriculture were high on the priority list.

The new technology can quickly and reliably detect ammonia, even in small amounts, and provide a portable solution for use in diverse environments.

Vaishali Vardhan, lead author of the paper, said: This new sensor is a powerful tool for both air quality monitoring and research.

"It is low in cost, small, and suitable for large-scale deployment.

What distinguishes our technology is the use of bare silicon nanowires  avoiding complex hybridisation techniques  which makes the sensor more affordable and scalable.

"The integration of UV light further boosts its sensitivity, enabling efficient detection of ammonia at low concentrations.

With ammonia playing a major role in Irish agriculture, and also sourced from vehicle emissions, it has become a growing concern.

Once in the atmosphere, ammonia reacts with acidic gases to form particulate matter (PM2.5), which is harmful to human health and can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Direct exposure can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.

Excess ammonia in an environment causes water pollution, leading to algal blooms and eutrophication, which harm aquatic life. It also impacts air quality and climate.

RADICAL project coordinator, Professor Justin Holmes, commented: This pioneering technology is set to revolutionise environmental monitoring in the agricultural sector. It will allow farmers to make more informed decisions, benefiting both their businesses and the environment as a whole.
IN a global era where we are being ruled by psychopaths and led by donkeys, where nobody can afford anything anymore and our distrust of each other is being weaponised against us for unscrupulous political gain, where a formerly utopian internet is being replaced by the creeping dystopia of AI, all of which is playing out against the ominous thrum of climate crisis, its no wonder were becoming nostalgia ostriches. Theres only so much news cycle a central nervous system can take.

Yay then for burying our heads in the warm, fuzzy distraction of nostalgia. Allowing it to blanket us in feelings of comfort and safety, shepherd us towards softer, more innocent times where all we had to contend with was George W Bush, lad mag sexism, and old-fashioned racism and homophobia. Where genocide was not being livestreamed daily on our phones, incels and the manosphere were not yet born, and a personality-disordered white supremacist was not in charge in the White House.

Its too much. So were collectively self-soothing by immersing ourselves in reruns, remakes, reissues, sequels, and prequels. Lovely easy familiarity.

Freakier Friday.

Freakier Friday is in cinemas this weekend, starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan  a sequel to the 2003 movie, also starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, because continuity is calming.

The new Jurassic movie, Rebirth, isnt just another slice of familiar creature-feature, but is embedded with nods to classics like Jaws and Alien. (Its terrific, by the way.)

28 Days Later, starring Cillian Murphy

Danny Boyles latest, 28 Years Later, his sequel to 2002s 28 Days Later, is itself a comment on nostalgia and Brexit-like isolationismsignalled via props like images of a young queen Elizabeth, and the story being set on a barricaded island  but with zombies.

If marauding flesh-eaters are not your bag, theres always the current remake of The Naked Gun, or Superman, the 14th Superman movie since 1948.

Maybe we secretly think that if we keep making films about him, hell come and save us.

Sarah Jessica Parker, star of Sex and the City

On TikTok, small screen #noughties nostalgia is up 36% from last year  Sex and The City (1999-2004) has 108,000 videos, Gossip Girl (2007  2012) has 1.2 million, and Gilmore Girls (2000-2007) has one million. Skins, Kin, Code of Silence and The Vampire Diaries are being rediscovered by TikTok, just as older viewers traditionally migrate towards comfort telly like Only Fools and Horses, Blackadder, AbFab, Golden Girls.

Small screen nostalgia has been with us as long as there have been televisions in our sitting rooms: in the 1970s, amid a schedule of The Muppet Show and M*A*S*H*, was a Sunday evening item called The Good Old Days. It emulated Victorian variety shows, with the audience dressed accordingly  a sort of prototype Britains Got Talent, but with bonnets. A classic example of nostalgia as false memory syndrome, given how the Victorian era was all about starving urchins and sexual repression.

MAD FERRIT

Music loves nostalgia too. Gen X lads of the Loaded era  now middle-aged men inhabiting dadbods  have been mad for the Oasis reunion, the singalong heroes of their beery youth speaking more to them than, say, Bob Vylan.

Meanwhile, 84-year-old Bob Dylan is going on tour again despite now sounding like a cat caught in barbed wire, and the Rolling Stones are talking about a 2026 tour.

The eternal, unchanging Neil Young headlined Glastonbury in June. Tik Tok has allowed Gen Z to discover older artists from Kate Bush to Connie Francis.

Nostalgia extends to all aspects of life as we choose bright colours, nursery foods, and familiar tunes in our quest for comfort. Unthreatening analogue tech.

We are adapting old things to be newer things, rather than jarring ourselves with innovation  we call this nowstalgia, defined by Consumer Additions as the trend where brands breathe new life into the past. Its not about re-launching old products as they were; its about creating something that feels nostalgic yet relevant to todays consumer.

Nothing is too trivial for nowstalgia.

Think When Sally Met Hellmanns  the current mayonnaise advert rebooting the famous Harry Met Sally cafe scene: Ill have what shes having..

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal reunited to re-create the iconic When Harry Met Sally scene.

Or the McDonalds side mission advert featuring the retro digital style of the infant internet  because the internet is now old enough to be nostalgified.

Graydon Carters post- Vanity Fair online magazine, Air Mail, is elegantly styled to resemble those vintage red and blue foldable airmail letters.

And Gen Z, frazzled from being online since birth, are fetishising 90s analogue tech in a search for authenticity and to escape digital brain-fry.

Flip phones, Polaroid cameras, tape decks, vinyl, from an era where screen time meant moderate doses of MTV or Nintendo.

Nintendo DS: an icon of the post-Y2K tech aesthetic now worshipped by Gen Z

Gen X fondly remember 90s rave culture as an era where nobody was curating their feed every second of their waking existence, or uploading content, or tagging anyone  we were just sweaty on the dancefloor or the beach or field, saucer-eyed and in the moment.

The Nokia C300 - emblematic of a different tech era.

This was a moment which lasted a decade, and is now looked back upon with the same pangs of nostalgia as old hippies look back on the Sixties  not just by those of us who were there, but by our tech-addled kids. The 90s were an analogue sweet spot before the fun-sapping self-consciousness of digital life set in.

Back then, nobody was blocking your view at a gig with their phone, or standing in front of the DJ booth filming instead of dancing.

Away from raves, the Beckhams recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in the same purple outfits they wore in 1999, when they were at the height of their powers and plastered all over OK! magazine.

Theyre a nostalgia brand now, representing memories of (relative) prosperity and certainty. The Royal Family exists purely thanks to British nostalgia, a cultural comfort blanket existing solely to embody a sense of exceptionalism; hence the rage at Prince Harry when he dared rip a hole in it.

Fashion has always been notoriously nostalgic, given how there are only so many variations on how to dress the human form; fashion repeats itself in endless cycles, reselling us the 80s, the 90s, the Noughties, zhuzhed a bit differently.

Dior is sending those Jadore Dior T-shirts down its runway again, last seen in 2001 when Galliano was at the helm; Alexander McQueens skull scarf from the mid-2000s has also made a comeback, as has Chloes Paddington bag.

High street fashion  for people who dont want to spend a grand on a T-shirt  is having a playful Y2K neon moment, with lots of metallic and pleather, reminiscent of two dominant 90s themes  bright baggy rave clothes and the sci-fi feel of the oncoming Millennium.

Which all sounds lovely. Harmless and comforting, right? Not always, though.

RETROMANIA

Nostalgia can be harnessed for malign purposes  its not always a merry trip down memory lane.

Nostalgia is what fuelled the MAGA movement and Brexit with such unexpected success, harnessing a false harking back to an imaginary golden era that never was, while inflaming a sense of grievance in voters about the present. It worked.

Retrospective idealisation and euphoric recall of a fictional past are the building blocks of fascism, along with weaponised othering; populist grifters urge us to remember when things were great before all the [insert scapegoat] came along and ruined it.

This strain of nostalgia  conservative and sentimental  is what got Trump and Brexit over the line.

Historian Robert Saunders, referred to the mindset of the Brexit Leave vote as a psychological disorder: a pathology to be diagnosed, rather than an argument with which to engage.

So what is it exactly, nostalgia? An emotion? A behaviour? A reflex? A 2020 US study published in Frontiers in Psychology describes nostalgia as a sentimental longing for the past [and] a common, universal and highly social emotional experience. Nostalgic reverie is centred around the self, important social connections, and personally meaningful life events. Yet the study suggests, somewhat counterintuitively, that nostalgia can also involve the future: By definition, nostalgia is a past-focused affective experience. A growing body of evidence, however, documents the future-oriented nature of nostalgia. Specifically, people can reference their nostalgic past to remind themselves what it felt like to be young and loved, which in turn promotes future-oriented behaviour, such as physically caring for oneself, connecting with others, and pursuing goals.

It wasnt always so well-regarded. Once upon a time, nostalgia was thought of as an illness.

First coined in 1688 by a Swiss doctor, Johannes Hofer, it comes from the Greek nostos (homecoming) and algos (pain), and was considered a pathology that could cause sleep disturbance, lethargy, and depression. Apparently, it could even kill you.

Medical historian Agnes Arnold-Forster, in her book Nostalgia: A History Of A Dangerous Emotion, writes how Sufferers also experienced physical symptoms  heart palpitations, open sores, and confusion. For some, the illness proved fatal  its victims refused food and slowly starved to death.

She describes how a Parisian man facing eviction during the 1830s took to his bed and starved himself to death at the prospect of losing his beloved home. Official cause of death? Nostalgia.

Even when, during the 20th century, the medical world stopped regarding nostalgia as a physical condition, it transformed instead into a psychological one, a kind of hybrid of neurosis and reality-avoidance, something that required treatment by psychoanalysis.

It wasnt until the 1970s that these views softened, writes Dr Arnold-Forster. Today, psychologists believe nostalgia is a near-universal, fundamentally positive emotion  a powerful psychological resource that provides people with a variety of benefits.

It can boost self-esteem, increase meaning in life, foster a sense of social connectedness, encourage people to seek help and support for their problems, improve mental health and attenuate loneliness, boredom, stress or anxiety. Nostalgia is even now used as an intervention to maintain and improve memory among older adults, enrich psychological health and ameliorate depression.

Nostalgia is used in the treatment of dementia in the form of reminiscence therapy  it can bring comfort to patients whose short-term cognitive function is compromised, but who can remember the olden days when their memory is stimulated by catalysts from their youth. Music is especially effective, as are photographs.

Even if youre a hard-nosed nostalgia sceptic, associating it with cultural laziness, with clinging to safe ground, looking backwards instead of forwards, prioritising sensations of comfort over the scary thrill of new stuff, sometimes nostalgia can ambush you most unexpectedly, triggering a cascade of memory sensations you didnt even know your brain was storing.

I experienced this recently at the small, fascinating Museum of Brands in Londons Notting Hill  the billboard outside had promised 10,000 memories, which seemed unlikely yet turned out to be barely an exaggeration. A tidal wave of sensory nostalgia all but knocked me off my feet.

Sweets from the 1970s and 1980s  thousands of them, displayed in glass cases. Weekend, Iced Caramels, Black Magic  all genuinely horrible confectionery Id forgotten ever existed  created a feeling of pure delight as I peered at all the familiar but long-gone items of my childhood. Toys and comics Id forgotten, yet remembered with crystal clarity when I saw them again fifty years on.

I was not alone. The small museum was filled with audible ooohs and aaaahs as people recognised stuff from their own childhoods. We were sloshing about in nostalgia, bathing in it, as it cocooned us, warm and comforting as amniotic fluid. The outside world suddenly seemed very far away.
A 74-year-old woman who was arrested for wearing a Palestine Action T-shirt in Belfast has been released.

The woman was arrested at a protest in Belfast on Saturday.
The funeral details of Carlow woman Martha Nolan OSlatarra, who was found dead on a boat at Montauk Yacht Club in New York's Hamptons, are to be announced later this week.

The 33-year-old entrepreneur from Monacurragh, Co Carlow, worked in Ireland until 2015 before emigrating to the US.

She set up her own brand, East x East, a luxury brand for sunglasses, swimwear, and resort wear for men and women.

She was also the director of operations at investment firm K4 Capital and ran a fashion brand called Duper.

She kept in contact with her many Carlow-based friends, while a Bagenalsown-based family who moved to the US helped her set up her business in Montauk.

Ms Nolan OSlatarra was found dead on board a boat that was docked at a yacht club on Long Island in New York in the early hours of last Tuesday.

A man found Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra unconscious on the boat at Montauk Yacht Club at 12am local time and shouted for help.

It is believed that two men on a nearby boat performed CPR, but the businesswoman was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services.

Inconclusive autopsy results

A post-mortem has been carried out by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office, which showed there were no visible signs of injury.

Authorities said the autopsy results were inconclusive and are awaiting further test results to decide the direction of their investigation.

A police investigation into her death is being carried out by Suffolk County police detectives.

Her funeral details on the death notice website Rip.ie read that she passed away unexpectedly, on August 5.

The RIP.ie notice described her as 'beloved' and 'adored'.

She was the beloved daughter of Elma, much-loved sister of Jacqui, treasured granddaughter of Betty and Liam, cherished niece of John, Michelle, Barry and Mona and adored partner of Nick," it said.

The notice adds: She will be sadly missed by her loving mother and her mother's partner Patrick, sister, aunts, uncles, partner, her father Seamus, grandparents, extended family, relatives and her large circle of friends in Ireland and the US. Funeral arrangements will be published later in the week.

One sympathiser wrote on Rip.ie that her death is dreadful and shocking news for you and all of us".

It added: "A beautiful and stunning looking young woman with a head on her shoulders. May Martha have a smooth passage home to her final resting place and rest peacefully, sympathy to you all.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.
The case against a man accused of the murder of Cork-born Bishop David OConnell in Los Angeles remains stalled amid efforts to establish whether he is mentally competent to stand trial.

Carlos Medina, husband of Bishop OConnells housekeeper, was charged in February 2023 with the murder of the Brooklodge native at his home in Hacienda Heights in Los Angeles on February 18, 2023.

Medina was also charged with a special allegation that he used a firearm during the commission of an offence. He has denied both charges.

His case came before Hollywood court on Thursday for a mental competency hearing.

The case has now been adjourned until September 11, for further proceedings, according to the office of the district attorney for Los Angeles.

The case against him has been at a standstill for almost a year, after being suspended last October following concerns raised by Medinas lawyers about his ability to stand trial, during a pre-trial hearing.

It is understood that his legal team raised their concerns about Medinas mental competency because of interactions they had with him since his arrest over two years ago.

Behaviour in prison sparked concern

His behaviour while in prison awaiting trial has also sparked concern. He has been assessed by an independent expert who believes he is not able to stand trial.

Medinas wife worked as a housekeeper for the bishop, while Medina himself also carried out some work for him on a number of occasions.

He was arrested after barricading himself into his home following the discovery of the bishop's body by a deacon who went to the house after Bishop OConnell failed to turn up for a scheduled meeting.

Candles and messages near Bishop David O'Connell's residence in Hacienda Heights, California, after his death in 2023. Picture: AP/Damian Dovarganes

If Medina is found mentally unfit to stand trial, he will be required to undergo psychiatric treatment by a licensed psychologist.

Following that, the judge will decide on what treatment options are required, which could include referral to a state mental health facility for a period of up to four months.

After that, the court could grant additional time for treatment or order that the criminal proceedings against him could continue.

If convicted, Medina could face up to 35 years to life in prison.

The 69-year-old Glanmire native's killing devastated Catholics across the Los Angeles archdiocese, where he had served since his ordination in 1979. He was laid to rest in a crypt in Los Angeles Cathedral.
A murder investigation has been launched into a mans death that police said may be linked to a brutal attack on a priest in a church in Co Down.

Police received a report that a man was found dead at an address in the Marian Park area of Downpatrick at about 12pm on Sunday.

A man, 30, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is in police custody.

It comes after a priest was left in a serious condition in hospital after a brutal attack in a church in Downpatrick on Sunday morning.

It was reported to police that at about 10.10am, a man walked into St Patricks Church and hit Fr John Murray on the head with a bottle.

Superintendent Norman Haslett, district commander for Newry, Mourne and Down, said officers suspect that the murder investigation may be linked to the attack on the priest.

Inquiries are at an early stage and, at this time, we suspect this may be connected to a serious assault in the St Patricks Avenue area of Downpatrick on Sunday, he said.

I am appealing to anyone who believes they may have information which could assist us with our investigation to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 713 of August 10 2025. Detective Chief Inspector McBurney said it was a shocking and brutal attack on the priest and appealed for people with information to come forward.

The Sinn Fein MP for South Down, Chris Hazzard, said the attack on the priest and the death of the man in Downpatrick was deeply shocking.

The death of a man, along with the vicious attack on Fr Murray in St Patricks Church, has deeply saddened and horrified the local community.

My thoughts are with all those affected by these tragic events including family and friends of the victims, parishioners who were on their way to mass this morning, and the emergency services who attended the scenes.

I would encourage anyone with information to contact police to assist them with their investigations. People can also submit a report on the PSNI website or anonymously through Crimestoppers.
However, the comeback rally appears to be facing turbulence lately. SMCI is once again under pressure following its latest earnings miss, with shares tumbling 19% in just the past five trading days.

After sliding last year under the weight of negative headlines, SMCI stock came roaring back in 2025, hitting a fresh high of $66.44 in February. Even after pulling back some 32% from that peak, the stock remains up an impressive 50% so far this year, well ahead of the broader S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) modest 8.5% gain year-to-date (YTD).

Super Micro Computer specializes in building high-powered, energy-efficient servers to support surging demand from AI, cloud services, and data centers. With operations across the U.S., Taiwan, and the Netherlands, the company has built a solid international footprint and currently holds a market capitalization of $27.8 billion.

Investor sentiment around SMCI stock has clearly taken a hit, and analysts' opinions are now deeply divided. On one end, the most bullish target on Wall Street suggests that SMCI stock could soar to $70, while on the other side, the most bearish sees it dropping all the way to $15 per share. So, with expectations stretched so far apart, can SMCI defy the doubts and reclaim its momentum? Or is there more downside still to come?

But the narrative took a sharp turn in the wrong direction after the company dropped its fourth-quarter earnings report on Aug. 5. Shares of SMCI sank more than 18% in the following trading session, as Super Micro missed Wall Streets expectations on both revenue and earnings. Even guidance fell short, sparking fresh concerns about slowing growth and rising competition.

After putting accounting controversies and Nasdaq delisting fears stemming from the delayed filings in the rearview mirror, Super Micro Computer (SMCI) had been on a strong recovery run this year. SMCI stock once again regained traction as investors bet big on its leadership in the artificial intelligence (AI) hardware space, growing demand for next-gen servers, and close partnership with chip giant Nvidia (NVDA)  all of which painted a promising growth story.

Story Continues

www.barchart.com

A Look Inside Super Micros Q4 Earnings

Super Micros fiscal 2025 fourth-quarter earnings report released earlier this month came as a letdown to investors, missing Wall Streets expectations on both the top and bottom lines. Revenue for the quarter rose 7.4% year-over-year (YOY) to $5.8 billion but still fell short of the $5.9 billion analysts had expected. Adjusted EPS came in at $0.41, marking a notable 24% decline from the prior year and falling below the consensus estimate of $0.44, partly because of the impact from President Donald Trumps tariffs on goods imported into the United States.

While the company pointed to tariffs as a key reason for the earnings shortfall, the miss stung even more given the backdrop of soaring demand for AI infrastructure, which had set investors expectations sky high. Instead of a blowout quarter, the results revealed mounting cost pressures and thinner margins, casting doubt on Super Micros ability to deliver strong profits even as sales continue to rise.

A key red flag was the drop in gross margin, which slipped to 9.5% from 10.2% a year ago. The decline suggests the company may be facing pricing pressure or higher costs, likely tied to competitive dynamics or more expensive AI components. As of June 30, Super Micro reported $5.2 billion in cash and equivalents, alongside $4.8 billion in total bank debt and convertible notes.

Unfortunately, the disappointment didnt end at Super Micros Q4 financials. The companys guidance for Q1 of fiscal 2026 also fell short of expectations. Management expects revenue to land between $6 billion and $7 billion, while adjusted EPS is expected to be between $0.40 and $0.52. Both of these figures miss Wall Streets forecasts for $6.6 billion in revenue and $0.59 in EPS.

Over the longer term, analysts tracking Super Micro project the company's bottom line to rise 19.2% YOY to $2.05 per share in fiscal 2026, then leap 21% annually to $2.49 in fiscal 2027.

What Do Analysts Think About Super Micro Stock?

After the disappointing Q4 showing, several Wall Street analysts struck a more cautious tone. For instance, JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee lowered the firms price target to $45 from $46, maintaining a Neutral rating. Chatterjee pointed to capital constraints and customer hesitation as key reasons the company fell short of expectations.

On the other hand, Bank of America Securities analyst Ruplu Bhattacharya slightly raised the price target to $37 from $35 while sticking with an Underperform rating. The analyst noted that gross margins were pressured once again, this time due to inventory reserves for older products. Bhattacharya explained that many customers are opting to wait for Nvidias upcoming B300/GB300 GPUs, which has weighed on current demand.

Overall, Wall Street sentiment on Super Micro is tilting cautious, with SMCI stock earning a consensus rating of Hold. Among the 16 analysts covering the stock, opinions are clearly mixed. Only four recommend a Strong Buy, while three lean toward a Moderate Buy. The majority of analysts take a wait-and-see approach, with six suggesting Hold. On the bearish side, one analyst has a Moderate Sell rating for SMCI and two assign a Strong Sell rating, reflecting growing uncertainty around the companys near-term outlook.

SMCI stock has a Street-high price target of $70, indicating nearly 54% potential upside. The lowest target of $15 suggests a steep 67% drop from current levels.

www.barchart.com

Key Takeaways

Super Micros wide price target range, spanning from $15 to a Street-high of $70, underscores the uncertainty surrounding its near-term trajectory. While some analysts remain bullish on its long-term AI-driven potential, others are wary of execution risks and margin pressures. With sentiment this divided, the stocks path forward may remain volatile as investors wait for more apparent signs of sustained growth.

On the date of publication, Anushka Mukherji 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
Calls are being made to require developers of the former Good Shepherd convent, orphanage, and Magdalene laundry in Cork City to establish how many women and children died at the property and where they are buried, before redeveloping the site.

Plans for 274 student apartments on lands of the former Good Shepherd Convent on Convent Avenue, Sundays Well, in the northwest of the city, have been appealed to An Coimisiun Pleanala.

The plans, by Bellmount Good Shepherd Limited, were appealed to the planning body after approval was granted by Cork City Council.

In a submission to the planning authority, the Justice for Magdalenes Research group asked that the commission place an explicit condition on the developer to ensure that the history of the site is fully acknowledged and to meaningfully consult with survivors, affected people and family members, and provide evidence of that consultation.

Crews from Cork Fire Brigade battling a fire at the former convent in Sunday's Well, Cork in 2022  one of several fires in recent years at the former Good Shepherd Magdalene laundry.

The group says that it is concerned that a graveyard for women who were long-term residents of the laundry which lies outside the boundaries of the proposed development will be even further marginalised if measures are not taken to prevent this.

A second graveyard, for nuns and in which Ellen Organ, known as Little Nellie of Holy God, is buried, is within in the boundaries of the development and the development plan makes provisions for this section.

The submission from the group says: The new developments proposed enhancement of the religious sisters burial ground, while leaving the Magdalene cemetery in a state of disrepair, reinforces the marginalisation of these women and girls.

It asks that the planning authority place a condition that requires the developer to carry out repairs and ensure that the Magdalene graveyard is maintained to the highest possible standard, if the development gets the go-ahead.

And it also highlights concerns that children could have been buried elsewhere on the site, in locations not yet identified.

While acknowledging that research carried out by its own group indicates that many of the children who died at the orphanage were buried in St Josephs cemetery in Cork City, Justice for Magdalenes Research says his research is incomplete, not least because registers after 1917 are not available online.

Death certificates

The group also contends that it has been unable to locate death certificates for many of the children located in the St Josephs registers, raising concerns about deficiencies in record-keeping by the Good Shepherd order.

If planning is to be granted, the group wants a condition imposed that research be first conducted by a suitably-qualified university-affiliated researcher with experience in this area to establish how many women and children died at the site and where they are buried by forensically consulting the civil registration records and the burial registers of public cemeteries in Cork (beginning with St Josephs), and by corresponding with the Good Shepherd Order.

The group advocates for the imposition of a positive obligation on the developer to ensure that rigorous, forensic, victim-centred archaeological methods are mobilised at Sundays Well, to establish beyond doubt whether undocumented burials are present at the site.

A ruling is expected from An Coimisiun Pleanala by early November.
Fianna Fail minister Darragh OBrien has said Conor McGregor would not be fit to become president of Ireland.

The transport minister said that he does not envisage a situation where the former MMA fighter will get the backing of enough politicians to get on the ballot paper.

To enter the race to replace President Michael D Higgins, a person must receive either 20 nominations from members of the Oireachtas, TDs and senators, or four county or city councils.

In recent days, Mr McGregor set up a petition seeking people to express their wish for him to be on the ballot paper.

The Sunday Times reported that Mr McGregor is considered a legal challenge to the eligibility rules.

Speaking at the opening of Woodbrook Dart station in Shankill, south Dublin, Mr OBrien said: Like any citizen, he's entitled to take a case, should he wish, but the constitution is clear on that.

The nomination process is clear. I don't envisage he'll be nominated to run for president.

I think it's open to any citizen to take a challenge, should they wish.

But the office of Uachtarain na hEireann is the highest office in the land. It's a critically important office.

If you look at the work that Michael D Higgins has done over the last 14 years and representing our country abroad with such distinction, I would just ask people to draw the comparison to what our president has done and what someone like Conor McGregor might do.

I don't think he would be fit to hold that office.

Earlier this month, Mr McGregor lost his appeal against a civil jury finding that he assaulted Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.

In a civil case heard last November, she alleged that Mr McGregor raped her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, and she sued him for damages.

Mr McGregor denied the allegation and said that they had consensual sex.

A jury found McGregor had assaulted Ms Hand and awarded her 250,000 in damages. He was also ordered to pay Ms Hands costs in the case.

To date, in the contest for the presidency, Fine Gaels Mairead McGuinness and Independent TD Catherine Connolly have been declared as candidates and have sufficient backing to secure a place on the ballot paper.

Separately, businessman Gareth Sheridan has declared his bid to become an independent candidate.

Aged 35, he would be the youngest ever candidate.

He has stepped aside as CEO of the US-based company Nutriband to facilitate his bid.

He added that he is confident we have at least the necessary four local authorities to consider my nomination as stipulated in Article 12.2.2 of the constitution.

"I believe there has never been a time in our countrys history where the choice of a younger candidate being on the ballot paper has been more relevant or important than today," Mr Sheridan said.
Tanaiste Simon Harris has said he is deeply concerned about attacks on the Indian community in recent weeks.

Mr Harris is to meet with the Ireland India Council on Monday after they requested an engagement about the number of assaults and threats against Indian citizens.

The issue has been highlighted after an Indian man was the victim of an unprovoked attack in Tallaght, Dublin, last month.

A silent vigil was held outside the Department of Justice by Friends of India in response.

There's at least 80,000 people of Indian descent living here in Ireland, and I tell you, our health service would fall over if it wasn't for them, so many parts of our economy would

The Indian embassy in Dublin has also issued a warning that there has been an increase in the instances of physical attacks reported against Indian citizens in Ireland recently.

The embassy said it was in contact with Irish authorities about the matter.

All Indian citizens in Ireland are advised to take reasonable precautions for their personal security and avoid deserted areas, especially in odd hours, it said.

Mr Harris said he received a request from the Ireland India Council about the issue.

He said he was particularly concerned about the reported attack on a six-year-old girl in Waterford.

Im deeply concerned by what weve seen happen in the last number of weeks, he said.

The Indian community in Ireland have made and continues to make an incredible contribution to our economy, to our society, to life in this country.

Theres at least 80,000 people of Indian descent living here in Ireland, and I tell you, our health service would fall over if it wasnt for them, so many parts of our economy would.

We have seen a spate of brutal, horrific attacks, and one in particular sticks in my mind  of that poor six-year-old girl and what she experienced in Waterford, I think, is something that would sicken all of us.

This is a good country. This is a country of cead mile failte.

This is a country that recognises the incredible value that the Indian community have made. Its a country that abhors racism, and we must continue to call it out.

I think one of the most concerning things weve seen is the very young age of those that have been involved in some of this racist activity.

So, tomorrow, Ill take the opportunity to meet with the Indian community, to hear their views directly, and then to see what more government can do to help.
Daniel O'Connell believed in peaceful reform, democracy and civil rights. The 250th anniversary of the birth of one of our most important figures  in his lifetime viewed as "the uncrowned king of Ireland"  will be widely celebrated this year with a commemorative programme at home and abroad, which kicked off at Derrynane House on Wednesday (August 6).

Taoiseach Micheal Martin will deliver the O'Connell lecture at Derrynane House as part of the Daniel O'Connell Summer School, which takes place in Caherciveen and Derrynane on August 29-30.

The school will host a full programme of speakers with representatives from universities in the UK and the US.

The Bar of Ireland is planning an autumn commemoration with the Department of the Taoiseach, and various events are in the pipeline through our network of embassies.

These will begin with a ceremony at the Reform Club in London in September, hosted by the Irish Ambassador to honour its former member. The anniversary will be marked by receptions at embassies in Rome, Paris and the US.

HISTORY HUB If you are interested in this article then no doubt you will enjoy exploring the various history collections and content in our history hub. Check it out HERE and happy reading

Hardly a year goes by without some memorabilia relating to Daniel O'Connell, known as the Liberator  who delivered Catholic Emancipation in 1829  surfacing at auction.

Daniel O'Connell by PJ Haverty RHA (1794-1864), courtesy Derrynane House (OPW).

Lots relating to him are usually sought after. There are plenty of portraits, including one of the most noted of all by Joseph Patrick Haverty from the OPW Collection, illustrated here.

A leather gun case belonging to O'Connell (a pacifist) and stamped Derrynane House was sold by Marshs in Cork for 980 in December 2023.

Daniel O'Connell's gold pocket watch made 26,000 at hammer at Fonsie Mealy.

The previous year, his pocket watch made 26,000 at hammer over a top estimate of 6,000 at a sale by Fonsie Mealy. Whyte's sold a 19th-century coloured lithograph for 600 in 2024 over a top estimate of 150

His early experience of the French Revolution put O'Connell off mob violence for good, but inevitably, for a man of his time, he was involved in a couple of duels. Among the people he offended was Robert Peel, British prime minister, by continuously referring to him as "Orange Peel" while he served as chief secretary for Ireland.

John Doyle's portrait of Daniel O'Connell.

A half-length portrait of O'Connell holding a pistol by the Irish artist John Doyle (grandfather to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) failed at Bonhams Irish sale in 2023. As in any auction, not everything sells.

The Bank of Ireland is gifting a statue of O'Connell, currently in its College Green branch in Dublin, to Leinster House, where it will be unveiled later this year.

An Post issued two stamps by artist David Rooney last week, and gold and silver-proof coins will be issued by the Central Bank.

Local authorities and the Irish Georgian Society are among those marking the 250th anniversary, and RTE has created a new documentary.
And just like that, wallpaper has become kind of cool once more. As Sarah Jessica Parker unveiled her Mysa wallpaper range over the summer, interior design aficionados and fashionistas alike wanted a piece of the Scandi-influenced decor action thanks to the actors partnership with Wallshoppe.

The collection draws from the concept of mysa a Swedish word evoking cosiness, comfort, and contentment  the designs blend craft with warmth, colour and painterly elegance. As Wallshoppe co-creative director Eric Hughes says: Mysa is where style meets serenity.

Liselott from SJP's wallpaper collection.

The wallpaper even featured in the recent season of SATC sequel series And Just Like That....

Its a far cry from beatific botanicals (or maybe not), but at one stage, wallpaper-making in Ireland was regarded similarly to whiskey distilling?

The result unleashed many an 18th-century cut-and-paste forerunner to Al Capone, thanks to a 1797 Act of Parliament that meant that a wallpaper printer was required to take out a licence.

Sarah Jessica Parker with her new 'Mysa' wallpaper collection.

The product was subject to a duty of one and a half pence per square yard, and the regulations were stringent. Revenue officers would visit the premises of wallpaper makers daily to examine their stock.

'Ulricha' from Sarah Jessica Parker's wallpaper collection.

Unprinted paper was stamped as it arrived from the paper mill, and further stamps were added to the finished product to show the duty had been charged. As with whiskey, the regulations were widely evaded, and much bootleg wallpaper was produced secretly in unlicensed premises.

Raids by inspectors sometimes led to altercations  Roger Coleman, an exciseman, described at a trial in 1820 how he had been violently assaulted and flung through a trapdoor by wallpaper printer Thomas Tully and his supporters.

Nevertheless, a flourishing contraband wallpaper trade developed with the West of England  one of the main reasons for the abolition of the tax in 1836 was the difficulty of enforcing it in Ireland.

Im up to speed on all the above thanks to contemporary Cork artist Jaki Coffey, who created a piece entitled Tacks on Wallpaper, using thumb tacks on a roll of wallpaper as a play on words of how the tax and tacks impact the product, she says.

Artist Jaki Coffey with her piece 'Tacks on Wallpaper'.

It was shown at Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens as one of a number of thought-provoking canvases that made up Beneath the Layers, a wallpaper-themed display in partnership with Mor Artists Collective in June. Artist Catherine Cullinane was fascinated by a travel tradition of yesteryear  where gentlemen on the move around Europes hotspots would use a piece of wallpaper as a luggage-identifying tag.

The exhibition showcased wallpapers from Fota House interpreted by artists from East Cork and West Waterford. And never fear, if you were to check, tax stamps on the back of several of the original wallpapers used in Fota House show that the duty had been paid on them. The green and grey floral pattern with its flock border is stamped with the date 1814, and therefore is known to predate John Smith-Barrys rebuilding of Fota.

Smith Barry inherited Fota, then a hunting lodge, in 1823, and set about transforming the house into a grand residence.

Wallpaper may have adorned Irish homes for three centuries now, but most of it has vanished without a trace, apart from fragments displaying tastes of previous generations.

Colourful and affordable, it was found in the townhouses of merchants and professionals as well as the big houses, where the gentry and aristocracy hung their hats.

While London and Dublin were originally centres of production, from 1773, Cork householders had the opportunity to shop for locally made wallpaper when Caesar Fanning advertised the newest patterns for sale at his Stamped Paper Manufactory on the Mall.

Wallpaper in Fota House. Picture: Colin Shanahan

Cork residents could choose between locally made wallpapers and those imported from England, France or even Japan at the extensive premises of Bible Brothers on Popes Quay. The choice included Japanese embossed, raised flock papers on gold and coloured grounds, lacquered metal and embossed leather papers, crystal damask and frosted gold papers, according to the archives at Fota House.

Jessica Bonenfant, artistic director, Greywood Arts, and Cllr Dominic Finn deputising for the Mayor of the County of Cork, looking at an artwork by Matt Ind in the kitchen at Fota House.

Meanwhile, the Beneath the Layers wallpaper project offers a rare opportunity to view contemporary responses to an extraordinary collection of 17th to 19th-century wallpaper samples, collected over decades by Irish conservation architect John OConnell, and donated to Fota House in 2004.

The collection includes over 275 wallpaper samples sourced from stately homes across Ireland, featuring everything from intricate Chinese wallpapers and leather wall coverings to delicate tracings and fragments that offer insights into the interior styles of past centuries.

This archive has never before been interpreted in this way, granting exclusive access to artists for research and inspiration. Over 30 of the 48-member collective of artists across East Cork and West Waterford have responded in diverse media, including painting, written work, collage, and sound installation.

The Fota House Wallpaper Collection is a treasure trove of design, craftsmanship, and cultural history, says Martina Madden, museum standards and property coordinator, Fota House.

Through Beneath the Layers, we are thrilled to open a new chapter in how this unique archive is experienced  not just as a historical resource, but as a living source of artistic inspiration.

Mor Artists Collective members Paudrig Lee and Annie Shaw looking at Annie's egg tempera painting at the Fota House exhibition.

Jessica Bonenfant, creative director of Greywood Arts, Killeagh, who facilitates the Mor Artists Collective, says the project fuelled wild imagination, adding: Its a unique and exciting opportunity to engage with Fota House behind the scenes.

The archive contains over 250 examples of wallpaper from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries and from locations including Dublin Castle and Ballinterry House, Co Cork.

Mor Artists Collective member Jeni Wu with her artwork at Fota House.

The archive also includes a collection of never-used rolls of 19th-century hand-printed wallpaper. Found among builders waste outside a shop in Dublin, these were presented to John OConnell by Desmond Guinness, co-founder of the Irish Georgian Society.
The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine, European leaders have said, as US President Donald Trump prepares to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks on Friday.

In a joint statement, British prime minister Keir Starmer, with the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland and the European Commission, said that the current line of contact between Russia and Ukraine could only be a starting point of negotiations.

They said: Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.

The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.

We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force.

The statement comes a day after Mr Trump announced that he would meet Mr Putin in Alaska on Friday, as he seeks an end to a conflict he had promised he could finish on his first day in office.

The US president had earlier suggested that any peace deal was likely to involve some swapping of territories, with reports suggesting this could involve Ukraine giving up its Donetsk region.

But President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already rejected any proposal that would compromise Ukraines territorial integrity, something that is forbidden by Ukraines constitution.

He said Mr Putin wanted to exchange a pause in the war, in the killing, for the legalisation of the occupation of our land  he wants to get territorial spoils for the second time.

The UKs support for Ukraine remains ironclad as we continue working towards a just and lasting peace

Mr Zelenskyy added: We will not allow this second attempt to partition Ukraine. Knowing Russia, where there is a second, there will be a third.

He also said that any peace agreement that excluded Ukraine would be a decision against peace.

In their statement, the European leaders said they welcomed Mr Trumps work to stop the killing in Ukraine, end the Russian Federations war of aggression and achieve just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine.

Adding that they were ready to support this work diplomatically and through military and financial support for Kyiv, they reiterated the need for robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine and their own unwavering support for the country.

The statement also comes after UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy hosted a meeting of top Ukrainian officials and European national security advisers alongside US vice-president JD Vance on Saturday.

Saturdays meeting of national security advisers was co-hosted by US vice-president JD Vance (Suzanne Plunkett/PA)

The meeting took place at the Foreign Secretarys official country retreat, Chevening, in Kent, where Mr Vance is staying at the start of a UK holiday.

After the meeting, Mr Lammy said: The UKs support for Ukraine remains ironclad as we continue working towards a just and lasting peace.

It is understood that the meeting had been called at Washingtons request, and included representatives from the US, Ukraine, France, Germany, Italy, Finland and Poland as well as the UK.

Ukraine was represented by Rustem Umerov, secretary of the countrys national security and defence council, and the head of Mr Zelenskyys office, Andriy Yermak.

In a post on social media, Mr Yermak said the allies positions were clear that a reliable, lasting peace is only possible with Ukraine at the negotiating table, with full respect for our sovereignty and without recognising the occupation.

Ahead of the meeting at Chevening, Mr Starmer discussed the talks in a call with Mr Zelenskyy on Saturday, and also spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Meanwhile, the conflict continues, with Ukrainian authorities reporting four people killed and 16 wounded in Russian drone strikes on Saturday in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
The Taliban are investigating explicit death threats against dozens of Afghan women working for the United Nations, according to a report published on Sunday.

In its latest update on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, the UN mission to the country said dozens of female national staff were subjected to explicit death threats in May.

The threats came from unidentified individuals related to their work with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, other agencies, funds, and programmes, requiring the UN to implement interim measures to protect their safety, according to the report.

Afghan girls attend a religious studies class at the Tasnim-e-Nusrat religious education centre in Kabul (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

Afghan authorities, including the Interior Ministry, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report or the investigation.

The Taliban barred Afghan women from working at domestic and foreign nongovernmental organisations in December 2022, extending this ban to the UN six months later, and then threatening to shut down agencies and groups still employing women.

Humanitarian agencies say the Taliban have hampered or interfered with their operations, allegations denied by authorities.

The UN report is the first official confirmation of death threats against Afghan women working in the sector. The report also highlighted other areas affecting womens personal freedoms and safety.

In Herat, inspectors from the Vice and Virtue Ministry began requiring women to wear a chador, a full-body cloak covering the head. Dozens of women deemed not in compliance were barred from entering markets or using public transportation. Several women were detained until relatives brought them a chador, the report said.

In Uruzgan, women were arrested for wearing a headscarf, a hijab, rather than a burqa.

Women have also been denied access to public areas, in line with laws banning them from such spaces. In Ghor province, police forced several families to leave a recreational area. They warned the families against visiting outdoor picnic sites with women.

In Herat, vice and virtue inspectors stopped family groups with women and girls from accessing an open recreational area, only allowing all-male groups.

Nobody from the Vice and Virtue Ministry was immediately available to comment on the Ghor, Herat and Uruzgan incidents, which the UN said happened in May.

In Kandahar, the Public Health Department instructed female health care workers to be accompanied to work by male guardians with an identification card proving that they were related to the woman by blood or marriage.

It was not immediately clear if the card is specific to Kandahar or will be rolled out across Afghanistan.

The process to apply for a mahram (male guardian) identification card is reportedly cumbersome and can take up to several weeks as it requires the de facto Department for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice and a member of the local community (eg malik, imam or village elder) to verify the relationship, the UN report said.
The Trump administration is looking to sell its stock holdings in mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac through a public offering that it believes could raise $30 billion and begin later this year.

The plans being discussed within the administration, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, could value these firms at a combined $500 billion or more and involve a 5% to 15% sale of Fannie and Freddie shares.

Still being debated is whether the mortgage giants would go public as two separate entities or one combined company. The president is still weighing all of his options.

The over-the-counter shares of Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FMCC) both jumped 21% on Friday following the report. They are up over 190% and 130%, respectively, year to date.

Chiefs of the country's biggest Wall Street banks, JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Goldman Sachs (GS), Bank of America (BAC), Citigroup (C), Morgan Stanley (MS), and Wells Fargo (WFC), have visited Washington, D.C., in recent weeks to meet with President Trump one by one to discuss plans for Fannie and Freddie, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Freddie and Fannie, attended some of these meetings, according to the report.

These giants play integral roles in the US housing market by purchasing mortgages and repackaging them as securities. Both fell under government conservatorship during the 2008 financial crisis when mortgage defaults soared.

Investors in the mortgage-backed securities offered by Fannie and Freddie rate them as lower risk compared to their private-sector equivalents, given the implicit guarantee that they have the government's backing.

Dealing and wheeling: President Trump holds charts as he speaks about the economy in the Oval Office of the White House on Aug. 7. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)  ASSOCIATED PRESS

Read more: Where and how to find the lowest mortgage rates right now

It remains unclear whether the Trump administration plans to fully relinquish its stakes in these major institutions.

"I am working on TAKING THESE AMAZING COMPANIES PUBLIC, but I want to be clear, the U.S. Government will keep its implicit GUARANTEES, and I will stay strong in my position on overseeing them as President," Trump said in a post on Truth Social in late May.

Many housing experts and critics alike worry that fully privatizing these firms will cause investors to view their mortgage obligations as more risky, creating a ripple effect across the US housing market that would raise mortgage rates for homebuyers.

Making such a guarantee explicit without the government's ownership would require an act of Congress. That kind of federal guarantee could even prompt mortgage rates to fall, benefiting borrowers, but "political gridlock makes this unlikely," Moody's Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi noted in June.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  Rubaie Sawaid, writing for the Israeli newspaper Arab 48, reports that on Saturday enormous crowds demonstrated in Israel against the governments plan to take over all of Gaza, demanding that the release of the remaining over two dozen Israeli hostages in the Strip be prioritized.

He writes that the families with hostage relatives asserted that the cabinet of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sealed the fate on Thursday of the hostages, ensuring that those still living will be killed and the bodies of the dead will never be located. They said that its decision demonstrated that this is not a political, security cabinet but a cabinet of death.

Some 60,000 Israelis demonstrated Saturday evening in Tel Aviv and others in several other cities against the governments decision to occupy Gaza City and to demand a one-stage hostage exchange deal in return for an end to the war on Gaza. They closed Tel Avivs Highway 20, known as Ayalon Street, into which all the major thoroughfares feed bringing traffic from other towns, blocking it on its north-south axis at several points and setting fires.

Euronews reports that at one point crowds invaded the Channel 13 TV studio while it was on air broadcasting a popular program, wearing shirts with the logo Leave Gaza! They chanted No business as usual with this war!

Please enable JavaScript play-sharp-fill



Embed Copy and paste this HTML code into your webpage to embed.

Israeli protestors storm Channel 13 studios on-air demanding end to war

Arab 48 reports that Israeli police announced that they had arrested three demonstrators and had reopened Ayalon Street to traffic.

Hostage families and their supporters rallied at the gate of the Ministry of Security in Tel Aviv. They savaged Netanyahu and warned that if he tried to occupy parts of the Gaza Strip and ended up killing the hostages, they would ensure it became a major issue in the next political campaign, reminding the Israeli public night and day that Netanyahu had had the ability to conclude a hostage exchange and had decided to kill the Israeli hostages instead.

AP: Israelis call for release of remaining Gaza hostages, protest Israel government

Please enable JavaScript play-sharp-fill



Embed Copy and paste this HTML code into your webpage to embed.

Israelis call for release of remaining Gaza hostages, protest Israel government

(In the above AP clip, the wife of a hostage says in English, Now, the government has decided to expand the war and push deeper into Gaza, but my husband is still there. Every invasion, every bullet, and every airstrike could cost him his life. This isnt just a military decision; it could be a death sentence for the people we love most.)

Arab 48 reports that, addressing the prime minister, a mother of one of the hostages said Your hands will be stained with their blood. She underscored that there is no popular support for directly militarily occupying Gaza City, and most of the people want an end to the war and the return of everyone to their homes. Instead of finding a path to an armistice, she said, Netanyahu had condemned Israelis to a forever war.



Photo of Yoqneam St 13, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel by Shai Pal on Unsplash

She pointed out that the Israeli army chief of staff opposed the cabinet plan, saying that it would send Israeli troops into an ambush of death. She called on the Israeli public to come out into the streets and to bring the government and the economy to a standstill.

The leaders of these demonstrations planned to set an official deadline for the start of a general strike that would involve private businesses, organizations and unions. The goal is to secure the release of the hostages and to spare troops from the high casualties that close fighting in Gaza City will entail.
By Yaron Peleg, University of Cambridge

(The Conversation)  When the Zionist movement began to gather pace a century ago, many Jewish supporters wanted not just to create a political state for themselves, but to initiate a cultural revolution that would forge a new kind of Jewishness. Proud, self-reliant and resilient, the new Jew was a reaction to centuries of bullying, culminating in the virulent antisemitism of the modern era.

But, as I argue in my book, New Hebrews: Making National Culture in Zion, as Zionists set out to invent themselves anew, they also sowed the seeds of self sabotage. Early pride and defiance, paired with disregard for the native Arabs of Palestine, bred both a survival instinct and a dangerous militarism.

A look back at some of the principles of the Zionist revolution in the 20th century uncovers the cultural backstory to Israels current situation. It shows how the same vision that built a strong nation also hardwired the divisions and antagonisms now threatening its democracy, security and place in the world.

In this way, I argue the logic behind Israels alarming actions in Gaza, the rage with which it continues to come down on the Gazans following the October 7 attack almost two years ago, may be found in the countrys history.

The cultural revolution Zionists staged was an intensive project. It was a revolution so fervent that it altered the course of Jewish history and set in motion one of the most enduring transformations in a century crowded with radical changes.

Many of the Zionist innovations were truly impressive. The ancient Hebrew of the Bible was used to create a completely modern literature and was later turned into a spoken language. The socialist leanings of early Zionists led them to experiment with new communal forms, such as the kibbutz. The old Jewish festival calendar was creatively updated in the spirit of modern nationalism.

Zionists also created new artistic sensibilities in visual art and in music. They tapped into rich and diverse Jewish cultural traditions that spanned geographic regions.

The new Jewish body

One innovation in particular, the physical transformation of the Jewish image, had profound consequences that continue to reverberate today as we see in the tragic war on Gaza. At the heart of the Zionist cultural revolution lay a determination to overturn centuries-old stereotypes of Jews as outcasts: weak, passive, cowardly. Drawing on European nationalist ideals Zionists wanted to disprove these slanders by forging new Jewish men (men in particular): strong, productive, and self-reliant.

This remaking of the Jewish body was not merely symbolic. It was a deliberate strategy to reclaim visibility, dignity and respect. It was a quest that would have far-reaching consequences for Jews and non-Jews alike.

The obsession with manual labour was both a necessity and an ideological cornerstone of Zionist ideology. It was the engine behind the remarkable growth of the Yishuv  (literally: settlement)  the Jewish community that developed in Palestine in the first half of the 20th century.

Commonly referred to in quasi-military terms as the conquest of labour, it romanticised agriculture and construction work as a moral and spiritual renewal. It was a rebuttal to the negative stereotype of Jews.

But I believe it had a more problematic side. As Arab resistance to Zionist settlement grew, the new Jewish farmers evolved a military side as well.

The inspiration for it came from two sources, from the fighting culture of local Bedouins, and from the Ukrainian Cossacks. This was an ironic twist given the violence Cossacks often directed at Jews. By 1948, both farmers and soldiers became two of Zionisms most distinct symbols, national ideals of productivity and physical force.

But something unexpected happened to that evolution somewhere along the way. In their effort to create a new kind of Jew, Zionists in Israel distanced themselves from life in the Jewish diaspora  sometimes by internalising antisemitic notions of that life.

One sad example was the chilly reception Holocaust survivors received in 1950s Israel. Some Jews born in what is now Israel, who were referred to as sabras (prickly pears), were arrogant enough to believe they would have fared better under the same circumstances than those caught up by the Holocaust, who they called sabonim (soap).

Return of victimhood

By the 1980s, attempts to leave behind the so-called lachrymose history of Jews  which viewed Jewish history primarily as a narrative of suffering and persecution  began to be supplanted. During and after the trial of Nazi war criminal Adolph Eichmann in 1961, Nazi persecution of Jews was linked first by Israeli prime minister Ben-Gurion and then journalists and academics with Arab resistance to the state of Israel.

Both were eventually presented as examples of congenital hatred and used as a powerful argument for the establishment of the state and its right to exist. It was a dramatic combination, hard to resist, that connected the creation of the Jewish state with the near destruction of the Jews in the Holocaust  even if Zionism emerged long before that catastrophe.

The baggage that was put aside in the rush to statehood, was now being opened. A reminder for Zionists that utopias are more easily written about than created  and that the pull of Jewish history is stronger than they thought.



Israeli Naval Commander Mordechai Limon with Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, 1950. Public Domain. Via Picryl.

The resulting new mix was alarming: a combination of the Jewish power Zionism obtained with the old sense of Jewish victimhood that early Zionists had fought hard to eradicate.

Consider this: in the aftermath of the October 7 2023, attack many people in Israel referred to it as a pogrom, a word that describes the sporadic massacres of Jews in eastern Europe. Think about it. Israel, a rich and powerful country, well-connected and  until recently at least, generally well-liked  compared itself to a small, vulnerable and isolated Jewish shtetl (small settlement in eastern Europe) in a bygone world where Jews were utterly powerless.

That one word, pogrom, explains it all. It wipes away 100 years of Zionist history and resurrects old Jewish grievances.

This may be one explanation for the countrys overreaction in Gaza. This is not an excuse, but an explanation that calls for the next evolutionary step in the history of Zionism  one in which Israel understands that it has achieved the goal for which it was established. Israel must realise it has power  that it is a power  and that with power comes responsibility.

This article contains references to books that have been included for editorial reasons, and this may include links to bookshop.org. If you click on one of the links and go on to buy something from bookshop.org The Conversation UK may earn a commission.

Yaron Peleg, Kennedy-Leigh Professor of Modern Hebrew Studies, University of Cambridge

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
By Yossi Melman and Dan Raviv for ProPublica | 

( ProPublica )  In the early morning hours of June 13, a commando team led by a young Iranian, S.T., settled into position on the outskirts of Tehran. The target was an anti-aircraft battery, part of the umbrella of radars and missiles set up to protect the capital and its military installations from aerial attack.

Across the country, teams of Israeli-trained commandos recruited from Iran and neighboring nations were preparing to attack Iranian defenses from within.

As described by their handlers, their motives were a mix of personal and political. Some were seeking revenge against a repressive, clerical regime that had imposed strict limits on political expression and daily life. Others were enticed by cash, the promise of medical care for family members or opportunities to attend college overseas.

The attack had been planned for more than a year by the Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service. Just nine months earlier, the spy agency had shocked the world with its technical prowess  executing a plot hatched in 2014 by its director at the time, Tamir Pardo, that crippled Hezbollah by detonating pagers booby-trapped with tiny but lethal amounts of explosives. According to Hezbollah, the blasts killed 30 fighters and 12 civilians, including two children, and injured more than 3,500.

At 3 a.m. on June 13, S.T. and a foreign legion of roughly 70 commandos opened fire with drones and missiles on a carefully chosen list of anti-aircraft batteries and ballistic missile launchers. (His handlers in the Mossad would only tell us his initials.) The next day, another group of Iranians and others recruited from the region launched a second wave of attacks inside Iran.

In detailed interviews, 10 present and former Israeli intelligence officials described the commando raids and a wealth of previously undisclosed details of the countrys decadeslong covert effort to prevent Iran from building a nuclear bomb. They requested anonymity so they could speak freely.

The officials said the commando attacks were pivotal in Junes airstrikes, allowing Israels air force to carry out wave after wave of bombing runs without losing a single plane. Informed by intelligence gathered by the Mossads agents on the ground, Israeli warplanes pounded nuclear facilities, destroyed around half of Irans 3,000 ballistic missiles and 80% of its launchers, and fired missiles at the bedrooms of Iranian nuclear scientists and military commanders.

As they had with the pagers, Israeli spies took advantage of their ability to penetrate their adversarys communications systems. Early in the aerial attack, Israeli cyberwarriors sent a fake message to Irans top military leaders, luring them to a phantom meeting in an underground bunker that was then demolished in a precision strike. Twenty were killed, including three chiefs of staff.

The strategic map of the region has been dramatically redrawn since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in which Hamas killed more than 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. Public attention, particularly in recent weeks, has focused on Israels retaliation against Gaza, which has caused scores of thousands of deaths and a deepening famine that has been globally condemned.

The secret war between Israel and Iran has attracted far less public attention but has also played a significant role in the regions changing balance of power.

In 2018, Israeli-trained operatives broke into an unguarded Tehran warehouse and used high-temperature plasma cutters to crack safes containing drawings, data, computer disks and planning books. The material, weighing over 1,000 pounds, was loaded onto two trucks and driven into neighboring Azerbaijan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu displayed the material at a press conference in Tel Aviv and said it proved Iran had been lying about its nuclear intentions.

Two years later, the Mossad killed one of Irans top physicists, using artificial intelligence-enhanced facial recognition to direct a remotely operated machine gun parked on a roadside near his weekend house.

In the lead-up to Junes air attacks, according to Israeli planners, they arranged for unwitting truck drivers to smuggle into Iran tons of metallic equipment  the parts for the weapons used by the commando teams.

Israeli officials said these operations reflect a fundamental shift in the Mossads approach that began about 15 years ago. The agents in Iran who broke into the safes, set up the machine guns, blasted the air defenses and watched the scientists apartments were not Israelis. All were either Iranians or citizens of third countries, according to senior Israeli officials with direct knowledge of the operations. For years, such missions in Iran had been the exclusive work of Israeli field operatives. But officials said the growing unpopularity of the Iranian regime has made it much easier to attract agents.

S.T. was one of them. Israeli officials said he grew up in a working-class family in a small town near Tehran. He enrolled in college and was living a seemingly ordinary student life, when he and several classmates were arrested by Irans feared Basij militia and taken to a detention center where they were tortured with electric shocks and brutally beaten.

S.T. and his friends were ultimately released, but the experience left him enraged and eager for revenge. Soon after, a relative living overseas provided his name to an Israeli spy whose job was to identify disaffected Iranians. Messages were exchanged via an encrypted phone app, and S.T. accepted a free trip to a neighboring country.

A case officer from the Mossad invited him to work as a covert operative against Iran. He agreed, asking only that Israel pledge to take care of his family if anything went wrong. (Iran summarily executes anyone caught spying for foreign countries, especially Israel.)

He was trained for months outside of Iran by Israeli weapons specialists. Just before the attack was to begin, he and his small team slipped back into the country to play their role in one of the biggest and most complex military operations in Israels history.

The Origins of a Secret War

The Mossad made Iran its top priority in 1993 after Israelis and Palestinians signed the Oslo Accords on the White House lawn, seemingly ending decades of conflict.

Israel had long had a complicated relationship with Iran. For decades, it maintained a strategic alliance with the shah of Iran. But Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the Islamists who overthrew the monarch in 1979 described the Jewish state as a cancerous tumor that should be excised from the Middle East.

Israels strategy is, in effect, to protect its nuclear monopoly in the region. It does not publicly acknowledge its arsenal, estimated at more than 90 warheads. The Israeli air force destroyed Iraqs nuclear reactor in 1981 and a Syrian reactor under construction in 2007.

After the Iraq airstrike, Israels prime minister, Menachem Begin, declared that his country had a right to prevent neighbors from building their own bomb. We cannot allow a second Holocaust, he said.

A few years later, Iran began researching nuclear weapons, drawing on the expertise of a Pakistani engineer, Abdul Qadeer Khan, who had once worked for a Dutch company that produced enriched uranium.

Shabtai Shavit, the Mossad director whose term ended in 1996, said Israel was aware of Khans travels in the region but did not initially detect his crucial role in Irans program. We didnt fully understand his intentions, Shavit told us in an interview before his death in 2023. If we had known, I would have ordered my combatants to kill him. I believe that could have reversed the course of history.

According to United Nations nuclear inspectors, the Iranians used blueprints provided by Khan to begin building the centrifuges needed to enrich uranium they purchased from Pakistan, China and South Africa.

In 2000, Shavits successor drew up plans for the Mossads special missions unit known as Kidon  Hebrew for bayonet  to assassinate Khan while he was visiting what one official described as a Southeast Asian country. The mission was shelved when Pakistans president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, told President Bill Clinton he would rein in Khans global activities.

That promise wasnt kept.

That same year, the Mossad discovered that the Iranians were building a secret enrichment plant near Natanz, a city about 200 miles south of Tehran. The spy agency tipped off an Iranian dissident group, which went public with the revelation two years later.

Mossad veterans said that operatives  likely Israelis posing as Europeans installing or servicing equipment  walked around Natanz wearing shoes with double soles that collected dust and soil samples. Testing eventually revealed that the Iranian-made centrifuges were enriching uranium well beyond the 5% level needed for a nuclear power plant. (Medical isotopes use 20% enriched uranium; bombs need 90%.)

In 2001, Israel elected Gen. Ariel Sharon, famous for his belligerent toughness, as prime minister. The following year, Sharon named one of his favorite generals, Meir Dagan, as director of the Mossad. Both had a reputation for pushing boundaries and defying norms.

Dagan, who led the Mossad from 2002 to 2011, decided to make stopping Irans nuclear program the spy agencys main goal.

Like Begin, who was born in Poland, Dagan was haunted by the Holocaust. Heads of foreign intelligence agencies recalled visiting his office and seeing a photograph of Nazi soldiers brutalizing Dagans grandfather on the wall. Explaining the photos meaning at an anti-Netanyahu rally in 2015, he said: I swore that that would never happen again. I hope and believe that I have done everything in my power to keep that promise.

Under Dagans leadership, the Mossad organized an array of covert operations to slow the Iranian program. Israeli agents began assassinating Irans nuclear scientists, sending operatives on motorcycles to attach small bombs to cars in traffic.

The Art of Recruitment

Dagan took pride in the Mossads growing ability to recruit Iranians and others for covert operations inside Iran.

One key to the spy agencys success is the ethnic composition of Iran. Israeli officials noted in interviews that roughly 40% of the countrys population of 90 million is made up of ethnic minorities: Arabs, Azeris, Baluchis, Kurds and others.

Shortly before he died in 2016, Dagan told us that the best pool for recruiting agents inside Iran lies within the countrys ethnic and human mosaic. Many of them oppose the regime. Some even hate it.

Present and former officials said Dagan championed the shift to relying on foreign-born agents. In the early years of the effort to penetrate Iran, the spy agency had relied mostly on Israelis, known to Mossad insiders as blue and white  a reference to the colors of Israels flag.

Under Dagan, the Mossads leadership came to believe they could find highly effective agents in Iran or among Iranian exiles and others living in one of the seven countries that border it.

Present and former officials said the recruits fell into two categories. Some gravitated to the realm of traditional espionage, gathering intelligence and passing it on to their handler. Others expressed a willingness to carry out violent operations, including attacks on nuclear scientists.

Not surprisingly, given the risk of summary execution, many had initial doubts.

Convincing someone to betray their country is no small feat, said a former senior Mossad officer who oversaw units handling foreign agents. Its a process of gradual erosion. You start with a minor request, an insignificant task. Then another. These are trial runs. If they perform well, you assign them something larger, more meaningful. And if they refuse  well, by then you have leverage: pressure, threats, even blackmail.

Spymasters, he said, try to avoid threats or coercion. Its better to guide them to a place where they act willingly  where they take the first step themselves, the former officer said.

The most critical element is trust. Your agent must be loyal and emotionally tied to you. Like a soldier who charges forward despite the danger, trusting his comrades, so it is with agents. He goes on the mission because he trusts his handler and feels a deep sense of responsibility toward him.

Most of the people who agreed to work for Israel expected payment for the risks they were taking. But the present and former officials said the driving force for people who agree to spy on their own country is often more primal.

Financial reward is, of course, important, the former Mossad officer said. But people are also driven by emotion  hatred, love, dependence, revenge. Yet it always helps when the recruits motives are supported by some kind of tangible benefit: not necessarily a direct payment but some type of indirect help.

This is how S.T. was recruited.

His handlers said he was consumed by hatred toward the regime and what had been done to him by the Basij militia. But what finally pushed him to cooperate was the Mossads offer to arrange medical treatment unavailable in Iran for a relative.

For decades, medical care has been one of the Mossads signature recruitment methods. Israeli intelligence has links with doctors and clinics in several countries, and arranging surgery and various therapies was also used to penetrate Palestinian extremist groups. It has featured even more in approaches to Iranians, in the hope of persuading them to help Israel.

The Mossad also uses the internet to attract agents, creating websites and publishing social media posts aimed at Iranians that offer to help people suffering from life-threatening illnesses such as cancer. These posts include phone numbers or encrypted contact options.

Israeli intelligence can mobilize its international network to find trusted doctors or clinics  places that wont ask too many questions. The Mossad typically pays the bills directly and discreetly.

Another incentive used to entice potential spies is higher education in a foreign country. Based on years of research and experience, Mossad recruiters know that Iranians crave access to quality education. Even the fundamentalist religious regime of the current supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, encourages academic advancement. This makes offers of placement in Western universities, or boarding schools for teenagers, an especially compelling tool.

Once a candidate is identified, the Mossad sets up an initial meeting in an accessible location  often in neighboring countries such as Turkey, Armenia or Azerbaijan, which are relatively easy for Iranians to enter. Other options include destinations in Southeast Asia like Thailand and India that allow Iranian citizens to apply online for business, medical or tourist visas.

Candidates undergo a series of meetings and psychological evaluations. Psychologists observe their behavior, often from behind one-way mirrors. They fill out detailed questionnaires about their personal history, including intimate details about their family life, and are questioned by a polygraph examiner.

Agents are regularly retested after they begin working in the field. Every action, whether minor or major, is followed by another lie detector test to confirm continued loyalty.

They receive extensive training and supervision. To avoid arousing suspicion, they are told what to wear, where to buy their clothing, what cars to drive, and even how, when and where to deposit the money they receive.

The agent-handler relationship is critical, as a former Mossad operative who ran agents explained. In many cases, the handler is simultaneously confessor, babysitter, psychologist, spiritual mentor and surrogate family member.

The goal is to build a bond so strong that the agent feels safe and supported  comfortable enough to share even their deepest personal secrets, including their sexual relationships.

Any and all information about the agent can be valuable to the Mossad, either as a red flag marking a potential vulnerability to Irans secret police or another aspect of the agents life that the handlers can put to use. Among the key questions: Whos in the persons social circle? Can he or she use that relationship to the Mossads benefit?

The operatives who were assigned to assassinate nuclear scientists on the street received extensive training from Mossad case officers. They were taught to ride motorcycles and either shoot their targets at close range or plant explosives on their vehicles.

The intent was both to deprive the Iranian program of expertise and to discourage promising scientists from working on nuclear weapons. From 2010 to 2012 the Israelis killed at least four scientists and barely missed another.

The operations were managed by Israelis, down to the smallest details, often from nearby countries or directly from Mossad headquarters north of Tel Aviv, and occasionally by Israeli intelligence officers who briefly entered Iran.

Operation Rising Lion

Over the years, the Mossad and Israels military repeatedly drew up plans to halt Irans nuclear program by bombing its key facilities. Israels political leaders always drew back under pressure from American presidents who feared an attack would trigger a regional war, destabilizing the Middle East. Hezbollah, Irans proxy in Lebanon, had stockpiled tens of thousands of missiles, enough to overwhelm Israels air defenses and hit its largest cities.

Those calculations shifted dramatically in the past year.

In April and October of 2024, Iran fired missiles and drones directly at Israel. Nearly all were shot down with the help of the United States and allies. The Israeli air force responded with airstrikes that destroyed much of Irans air defenses.

The Israeli military had begun planning a bombing campaign against Iran in mid-2024 that it hoped would be ready within a year. With Donald Trumps victory in the November election, and Hezbollah neutralized, Israeli officials saw a window of opportunity.

Israels American-trained pilots had been secretly flying over Iran since 2016  learning the landscape and exploring various routes to minimize the chances of detection.

One nuclear target in Iran, however, was considered so formidable that the Israeli air force had no plan for destroying it. The Iranians had built a uranium-enrichment facility at Fordo and buried it inside a mountain  nearly 300 feet beneath the surface. Iran tried to keep Fordo a secret, but the Mossad and American and British intelligence were able to track movements in and out of the mountain. President Barack Obama disclosed its existence in 2009, and United Nations inspectors who visited the site soon after found that Iran was planning for up to 3,000 highly advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium.

Only the United States had a bomb powerful enough to pierce a mountain: the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, the worlds largest conventional bomb known as a bunker buster.

And so Israeli military planners drew up a plan for a highly risky ground operation, details of which are disclosed here for the first time. Under the plan, elite commandos were to be smuggled to the Fordo site without being detected. Then they would storm the building, taking advantage of the element of surprise. Once inside, their mission would be to blow up the centrifuges, grab Irans enriched uranium and escape.

The new head of the Mossad was skeptical. David Barnea, known as Dadi, had long pushed for aggressive actions against Iran. He had overseen the remote-machine gun attack in 2020 just before being promoted to the top job. Yet he thought the plans for a commando attack on Fordo were far too risky. Barnea worried that some of Israels best soldiers and spies would be killed or taken hostage, a nightmare for Israelis already deeply pained by the ordeal of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza since the attack of Oct. 7, 2023.

Barnea and other Israeli officials came to believe that the Trump administration might join an Israeli attack on Iran, with U.S. warplanes dropping the massive bunker busters on Fordo. Trump had repeatedly and publicly declared that he would not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear bomb.

To prepare for what would be dubbed Operation Rising Lion, the Mossad and the military intelligence agency, Aman, stepped up their tracking of Irans military leaders and nuclear teams. Several of the operations planners said that Barnea significantly expanded the Mossads Tzomet, or Junction, division, which recruits and trains non-Israeli agents. The decision was made to entrust this foreign legion with Israels most sophisticated equipment for paramilitary operations and communications. The cover stories for each agent, known as their legends, were checked and rechecked for inconsistencies.

The Mossads espionage efforts were helped by a geographic fact. Iran is bordered by Iraq, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. Smuggling is a way of life in the region, as thousands of people earn their living using donkeys, camels, cars and trucks to carry drugs, fuel and electronics across the borders.

The Mossad had developed contacts with smugglers  and often with the government intelligence agencies  in all seven nations.

Bringing equipment in and out is relatively easy, said an Israeli who has worked with Mossad on logistics, and the Mossad also used front companies that legally shipped boxes and crates by sea and on trucks driven legitimately through border crossings.

The material was delivered to infrastructure agents, Mossad operatives inside Iran who store the material until its needed. Mossad veterans said the gear can be hidden in safe houses for years, updated as technology evolves or maintenance is needed.

Officials said the Mossad trained the non-Israeli agents who would attack Iranian targets for about five months. Some were brought to Israel, where models had been built to enable practice runs. Others rehearsed their missions in third countries where they met Israeli experts.

There were two groups of commandos, each with 14 teams of four to six members. Some already lived in Iran. Others were anti-regime exiles who slipped into the country on the eve of the attack.

Each had their instructions, but they were also in touch with Israeli planners who could change or update the attack plan. Most of the teams were tasked with striking Iranian air defenses from a list of targets provided by the Israeli air force.

The Mossad had code names for each of the teams and their assignments, which were based on combinations of musical notes.

On the night of June 12, the teams arrived at their positions as orchestrated. The Israelis in charge of the covert operations directed the agents to leave little or no equipment behind. (Iranian media reports after the attack asserted that the infiltrators had missed their targets and fled without their gear; Israeli officials said what the Iranians found were insignificant components  the equivalent of gum wrappers.)

One hundred percent of the anti-aircraft batteries marked for the Mossad by the air force were destroyed, a senior Israeli intelligence official said. Most were near Tehran in areas where the Israeli air force had not previously operated.

In the first hours of the war, one of the commando teams struck an Iranian ballistic missile launcher. Israeli analysts believe this mission had a disproportionate impact, causing Iran to delay its retaliatory salvo against Israel out of fear that other missile launchers were vulnerable to attacks from inside Iran.

Officials emphasized that the military logistics of the plan were the work of Aman and the Israeli air force, which hit more than a thousand targets over the 11 days of airstrikes. But officials agree that the Mossad contributed key intelligence for one aspect of Rising Lion: the assassinations of senior Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists.

The Mossad compiled detailed information on the habits and whereabouts of 11 Iranian nuclear scientists. The dossiers even mapped the locations of the bedrooms in the mens homes. On the morning of June 13, Israeli air force warplanes fired air-to-ground missiles at those coordinates, killing all 11.

After a delay, Iran retaliated with a barrage of missiles. Most were intercepted, but the ones that got through did considerable damage. Israel reported 30 civilian deaths and estimated its reconstruction costs at $12 billion. Irans state media put the death toll in their country at more than 600.

The question of how much Irans nuclear efforts were set back remains in dispute. Trump has insisted the American airstrikes on Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan obliterated Irans program. Analysts in Israeli and American intelligence have been more restrained.

This war significantly set them back, said a former head of Aman, Gen. Tamir Hayman. Iran is no longer a nuclear threshold state, as it was on the eve of the war. It could be able to return to threshold status in one or two years at the earliest, assuming a decision by the Supreme Leader to break out toward a bomb.

Hayman, who now heads the Institute for National Security Studies in Israel, said its possible the assault might have the opposite of its intended effect, if Iran becomes even more eager to build a bomb that could deter future Israeli attacks.

Yossi Melman is a commentator on Israeli intelligence and a documentary filmmaker. Dan Raviv is a former CBS correspondent and host of The Mossad Files podcast. They are the co-authors of Spies Against Armageddon: Inside Israels Secret Wars.

Yossi Melman is a commentator on Israeli intelligence and a documentary filmmaker. Dan Raviv is a former CBS correspondent and host of The Mossad Files podcast. They are the co-authors of Spies Against Armageddon: Inside Israels Secret Wars.

Via ProPublica
The party of former Ivory Coast leader Laurent Gbagbo said on Sunday that two more of its members had been arrested as part of a campaign of "intimidation" by the authorities.

Critics have accused the west African nation's government of seeking to silence the opposition ahead of a presidential election in which incumbent Alassane Ouattara will seek a constitutionally contested fourth term.

Gbagbo is among the opposition figures barred from running by the courts, while the police have made a spate of arrests targeting dissenting activists in recent weeks.

Gbagbo's African People's Party of Ivory Coast (PPACI) said former defence minister Moise Lida Kouassi and ex-ambassador Boubacar Kone have been held in pre-trial detention since Friday, accused of being responsible for unrest that broke out on the sidelines of a protest the previous week.

On the night of August 1 to 2, a bus was set on fire while a police car was vandalised by individuals armed with machetes, firearms and incendiary cocktails in the Yopougon commune of the economic capital Abidjan, according to prosecutors.

Eleven people were arrested in connection with the scenes in Yopougon, where thousands marched on Saturday against Ouattara's candidacy at a rally called by the PPACI and the fellow opposition Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI), which passed off without incident.

Denying any involvement in the assaults on the bus and police car, the PPACI urged the immediate release of its detained members.

According to the PPACI, six of its members were "kidnapped" last weekend, and the party has not heard from them since.

"The PPACI demands the immediate liberation of Moise Lida Kouassi and Boubacar Kone and of prisoners of conscience of all stripes," said Sebastien Dano Djedje, the party's executive president, complaining of "a campaign of intimidation and repression" as well as "judicial and political harassment".

Speaking Sunday evening on the private channel NCI 360, Prosecutor Oumar Braman Kone declined to comment on specific investigations but insisted the prosecution's actions "are not based on party politics."

"There has never been a kidnapping. They are in open court proceedings and are in proper detention facilities," he added.

Ouattara's opponents have questioned the legality of Ouattara's mandates as the law limited him to two, until the adoption of a new constitution in 2016 reset the term counter to zero.

Gbagbo is a bitter rival of Ouattara, with the former's refusal to concede defeat after 2010 elections leading to unrest in which more than 3,000 people were killed.

He was acquitted of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

But the courts barred him from running against Ouattara on the basis of a conviction in Ivory Coast stemming from that post-election crisis.
Shinhwa member Lee Minwoo is both applauded and criticized following the confirmation of plans to wed a single mother, evoking warm debate about love, family, and social opinion in South Korea.

As reported by industry sources on August 6th KST, Lee Minwoo's fiancee is a single mother of a six-year-old daughter and is pregnant with their child.

For the veteran K-pop star, this is a highly personal achievement, as he is set to begin his first familynot just with his longtime partner but also by adopting her daughter and their yet-unborn baby.

In a past personal note to fans, Lee Minwoo revealed his process to this choice.

""There were times when I felt emotionally drained and wished I had a family of my own," he shared.

"Now, I've decided to start a family with someone who has been a cherished presence in my life for a long time," he continued, showing his sincerest commitment.

Fans have greeted him with affection and support. Most showed admiration not only for Minwoo's choice but also for his fiancee's strength and devotion for staying by him during challenging times.

According to Allkpop, "Lee Minwoo's bride-to-be is a single mother with a six-year-old daughter.

For Lee Minwoo, a first-time groom, it is the start of a rich new chapter as he opens his heart to his bride, as well as her daughter and their soon-to-be-born baby."

As support poured in, not everything was positive. Some internet users expressed concerns based on conventional thinking, objecting to the dynamic. Many, though, countered such opinions.

"It's not our place to judge someone's personal choices," one fan wrote.

"The best thing we can do is to celebrate the love and mutual respect they share."

Another posted, "Instead of harboring bias, we should applaud their courage to build a future together. Love itself is more than enough reason to start a family."

A few ardent fans confessed to being surprised by the news and wished it was announced more slowly. Yet the general tone was heavily in favor of support and congratulations.

"In the end, what truly matters is their sincerity," wrote one of the numerous best-wishing remarks, as supporters persist in uniting behind the pair and their new beginning.

READ MORE: Lee Min Woo and Model Ko So Hyun Have Been Dating 1.5 Years
New York, US (PANA) - In honour of the International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples on 9 August, the UN hosted a virtual commemoration on Friday on the theme AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order directing regulators to clear the path for 401(k) plans to include private market investments and cryptocurrencies  a shift that could reshape how advisors construct retirement portfolios.

The order instructs the Department of Labor to review and clarify ERISA fiduciary guidelines for offering alternative assets in defined-contribution plans. If implemented, the changes could expand advisors' toolkit to include asset classes such as private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real estate and digital assets.

READ MORE:

The lure of private equity investing comes with these risks

Mindful of risks, RIAs steer clients into private markets

With Trump admin rule rollback, will 401(k)s see more crypto options?

Annuities in 401(k)s? Savers show interest, but advisors are hesitant

The executive order calls for the Labor Secretary to examine past and current guidance on fiduciaries' duties when including alternatives in asset allocation funds, such as target date products. Within the next 180 days, the department must clarify the criteria fiduciaries should use to weigh the higher costs of these investments against potential long-term gains and broader diversification benefits.

American Retirement Association CEO Brian Graff argued that fiduciaries, not the government, should be the ones deciding if an investment class is appropriate for plan participants.

"Professional retirement plan fiduciaries that are subject to strict fiduciary standards  not the federal government  are in the best position to assess developments in the financial markets and determine what is in the financial best interest of retirement plan participants and beneficiaries," Graff said in a statement.

The move also aims to curb ERISA litigation that has historically deterred plan sponsors from offering private market and digital assets.

Industry interest in alternatives has been building in recent years. In 2024, 3.9% of plan sponsors offered alternative investments to participants, up from 2.2% in 2023, according to PLANSPONSOR's latest Recordkeeping Survey .

In the Financial Planning Association's 2025 Trends in Investing survey , researchers saw a sharp increase in the use of alternative investments among advisors. Nearly 1 in 5 advisors surveyed said they currently use or recommend investing in private debt to their clients, up 55% from the previous year.

Proponents say alternative assets offer an opportunity for improved returns and diversification, but critics warn that higher fees, lower liquidity and a lack of transparency could ultimately harm retirement savings for the average investor.
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada

Zip Code






Saturday, August 9, 2025 - Kenyan filmmaker and actor, Abel Mutua, has stepped into the conversation surrounding fellow actor, Daddie Marto, and his estranged wife, content creator Koku Lwanga, after a week of ugly online exchanges between the two.

The once-admired couple, known for sharing warm glimpses of their family life, shocked fans when private marital struggles spilled into the public eye.

What began with subtle hints on social media quickly escalated into direct accusations, shocking revelations, and widespread concern for their well-being - and that of their children.

Mutua, known for blending wit with wisdom, took to Instagram to offer encouragement.

Love and light to both of you take this as a redirection. Let this pain build you.

You survived the loss, now go thrive in the healing, he wrote, urging both to embrace recovery.

In true Mkurugenzi fashion, he lightened the mood with playful jabs - teasing Koku about teaching him how to make chapatis and urging Marto to get back to making his awesome content.

Na mrudi kazi sasa. @koku_lwanga one of my resolutions this year ilikuwa kulearn kumake chapos. Nijenge hiyo recipe book niingie jikoni. @daddiemarto nimehata zile video zako ziko na Marto 16 in the same scene. Itakuwaje Morio?

Around the same time, Marto issued an emotional apology for his earlier outbursts, admitting frustration had clouded his judgment.

I have had time to sit with myself, sit with the counsel of friends, colleagues, family, and elders. I will stop, he wrote.

I was angry, frustrated, and I broke. I am human. We have our limits. I am sorry for the ugliness.

I failed my family It might be too late for me and the mother of my children as a couple, but it is not too late for us as parents, he shared, vowing to focus on co-parenting and healing.




Saturday, August 9, 2025 - AMREF Flying Doctors has identified the four team members who perished in Thursdays Mwihoko plane crash in Kiambu County.

The fatal incident occurred on August 7th when a Cessna Citation XLS, en route from Nairobis Wilson Airport to Somalia on a medical evacuation mission, crashed into a residential house in Mwihoko.

All four crew members died instantly, alongside two residents inside a house.

Captain Muthuka Munuve





Munuve had served AMREF Flying Doctors for six years and nine months, operating as captain and check pilot on both the Cessna Citation XLS and Pilatus PC-12.

With over 10,000 flight hours, he was lauded for his calm precision, commitment to safety, and exceptional airmanship.

Captain Brian Kimani Miaro





Miaro joined AMREF three years and nine months ago, quickly rising to instructor captain on the Pilatus PC-12 before becoming a check pilot. He had logged more than 5,800 flight hours. AMREF praised his exceptional skill, professionalism, and dedication to every mission.

Nurse Jane Rispah Aluoch Omusula





With four years and eight months of service, Omusula was recognised as a highly skilled emergency flight nurse whose compassion, courage, and steady presence brought comfort to countless patients during critical moments.

Dr. Charles Mugo Njoroge





Njoroge served AMREF for seven years and eight months, offering medical expertise and care in emergencies. He was remembered as a devoted doctor whose compassion and skill left a lasting impact on patients.






Saturday, August 9, 2025 - Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to record a statement immediately upon landing in Kenya over controversial terrorism claims he made while in the United States.

Speaking on Saturday during the Keiyo South Economic Empowerment Program, Murkomen said Gachagua must explain his allegations, including claims that Government officials held meetings with Al-Shabaab operatives.

As soon as he lands in Kenya, he must record a statement to tell us exactly which meetings he is having with terrorists, Murkomen said, accusing the former DP of using security matters to score political points abroad.

The directive comes after Gachagua alleged that President William Ruto met Al-Shabaab militia leaders during a visit to Mandera County.

Murkomen dismissed the remarks as reckless and damaging to Kenyas reputation.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki backed the call, urging authorities to ensure Gachagua records a statement, saying anyone with information on terrorists must aid investigations.

Mandera Senator Ali Roba has also urged the DCI to arrest Gachagua, terming his comments a desperate attempt at political mileage.

Gachagua has been in the U.S since July 9th on a two-month tour meeting Kenyans in the diaspora and international partners.






Saturday, August 9, 2025 - Jacaranda-based political commentator, Omosh One Hour, was among the hundreds of youths who gathered at State House for an empowerment programme hosted by President William Ruto.

Omosh became the centre of attention after hitting the dancefloor with a well-endowed woman, showing off his impressive and flexible waist moves.

In the viral clip, the Omosh sways and spins to Ohangla beats as the crowd erupts in cheers, clearly enjoying the unexpected performance.

Interestingly, Omosh, once a fierce critic of President Rutos administration, has in recent months transformed into one of the Head of States vocal supporters.

Watch the video.

OMOSH ONE HOUR steals the show at State House event after taking to the dancefloor with a well-endowed woman pic.twitter.com/JrAhgGiOjl  DAILY POST  (@dailypost_ke) August 10, 2025

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Saturday, August 9, 2025 - Detectives in Juja, Kiambu County, are investigating a suspected murder-suicide involving a 20-year-old female college student and a 36-year-old man in Witeithie Estate.

According to Juja Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Daniel Ndege, the victim identified as Linet Nkatha, a student at TIBs College in Thika, was found strangled.

Her boyfriend was later discovered hanging from the ceiling of the same house with a manila rope.

Daniel Mwangi, a resident of Witeithie near the Tel Aviv building where the incident occurred, said he was awakened by screams from a neighbouring plot.

He was later informed that a man had killed a woman before taking his own life.

Linets boyfriend left a handwritten note confessing to the murder and requesting that detectives inform his mother about his death.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the two were in a romantic relationship and may have had a disagreement that escalated fatally.






Saturday, August 9, 2025 - President William Ruto has directed traffic authorities to take immediate action following the tragic Coptic Roundabout accident on the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway, which has claimed 25 lives and left 32 others injured.

In a statement to Kenyans, Ruto called for a thorough investigation into the events leading to the crash and urged enforcement of traffic laws to prevent future tragedies.

Our prayers are with the victims of the terrible accident.

We ask traffic enforcers to act swiftly to bring to book those responsible for any negligence and address all traffic violations to ensure road safety, he said.

The accident involved a bus carrying mourners from the Sigoti Clan, reportedly returning from a funeral.

Witnesses said the driver lost control, causing the vehicle, belonging to a local high school, to veer off the road and overturn.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has dispatched road safety auditors to the scene, while Roads CS Davis Chirchir announced a full safety assessment.

Health PS Ouma Oluga has organised an urgent blood drive today at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital to assist survivors, many of whom are being treated in the facilitys Orthopaedic Trauma Ward.
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

The United States has imposed tariffs on Swiss gold imports, a move that could significantly disrupt the global bullion market.

US Tariffs Hit Swiss Gold Bar Exports Worth $61.5 Billion

The Customs Border Protection agency's July 31 ruling places one-kilo and 100-ounce gold bars under a customs code that carries levies, reported the Financial Times. This decision contradicts the industrys prior expectations that these gold bars would be classified under a different code that is exempt from tariffs.

One-kilo gold bars, which are the most commonly traded form on Comex, the worlds largest gold futures market, constitute a significant part of Switzerlands bullion exports to the U.S. Christoph Wild, president of the Swiss Association of Manufacturers and Traders of Precious Metals, said the new tariff ruling has delivered "another blow" to Switzerland's gold trade with the U.S.

Trending: The same firms that backed Uber, Venmo and eBay are investing in this pre-IPO company disrupting a $1.8T market  and you can too at just $2.90/share.

Switzerland, the world's largest refining hub, exported $61.5 billion worth of gold to the U.S. in the year ending June 2025. This amount would now face an additional $24 billion in tariffs under Switzerland's 39% tariff rate, which took effect Thursday.

The new tariff ruling has caused uncertainty among Swiss gold refineries, with some temporarily reducing or halting shipments to the U.S.

Swiss Economy At Risk Amid High Trump Tariffs

The U.S.s decision to impose tariffs on Swiss gold imports comes on the heels of a contentious phone call between Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter and President Donald Trump. The U.S.s new tariff rates of 39%, have put immense pressure on the Swiss government.

Switzerlands failure to secure a trade deal could result in a significant impact on its GDP, as the country faces some of the highest tariff rates on its exports to the US. The recent decision to impose tariffs on Swiss gold imports further complicates the situation, potentially leading to a significant disruption in the global bullion market.

See Also: Accredited Investors: Grab Pre-IPO Shares of the AI Company Powering Hasbro, Sephora & MGMSecure $0.63 Shares Before 8/14

Tariffs May Push Gold Buyers Toward Smaller Bars, Coins

Noted economist Peter Schiff stated with tariffs hitting 100-ounce and kilo bars, demand is expected to shift toward smaller bars and coins, likely driving their premiums higher as investors seek to sidestep the tariffs. He also expects Trump to extend the tariffs to cover smaller bars, so it's wiser to purchase them now before you risk paying extra.
By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

Ireland is among eight European nations that have urged Israel to abandon its plans to occupy Gaza City.

Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, signed the letter on Sunday along with representatives from Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

The letter states that the countries strongly condemn the recent announcement of the intensification of the occupation and the military offensive, including in Gaza city.

It said Israels plan to expand its military operation and take control of Gaza City would force the displacement of a million Palestinians and further endanger the remaining hostages lives.

The signing comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.

He also pushed back against what he called a global campaign of lies as condemnation of the plan grows both inside and outside Israel.

The letter from eight European nations said: We firmly reject any demographic or territorial changes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Actions in this regard constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested Israel will occupy Gaza City (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP)

The intensification of the military offensive and the occupation of Gaza City represents a serious obstacle to the implementation of the two-state solution, which is the only path towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.

The Gaza Strip must be an integral part of the state of Palestine, along with the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

The recognition of both Palestine and Israel is the best security guarantee for both and will ensure stability for the whole region.

We continue to call for an immediate ceasefire agreement and a permanent end to hostilities, for the immediate release of all hostages at the hands of Hamas and for the rapid, unimpeded and large-scale entry of humanitarian aid. Hamas cannot have a role in the future governance or security arrangements in Gaza, and must be disarmed.

Speaking on Sunday, Mr Harris said this was an extraordinarily dangerous moment for Palestinians in Gaza.

Were living at a time where children are starving in Gaza and where there had been a lot of effort by a lot of countries, including Ireland, to try to get to a moment of de-escalation, where finally there could be a ceasefire, humanitarian aid could flow, hostages could be released.

We now see the Netanyahu government take an extraordinarily dangerous step in the absolute wrong direction, and we are joining today with a number of other European countries in calling this out for what it is and condemning these actions.

We will continue to use every lever available here in this country and working across the European Union and the international community to call for a reversal here, a ceasefire, the release of the hostages and a major surge in humanitarian aid.

I think people in Ireland know what famine is like. Its ingrained in our mindset, in our history, and to be seeing a modern day famine take place in the 21st century is utterly repulsive and repugnant to everything any decent person can stand.
A YOUNG Kilcullen dancer who recently got to perform with the current Riverdance show in Dublins Gaiety Theatre says she would love to become a professional dancer.

Kayla Reid, who has already competed in Irish dancing at a world level, is just 13 and a Cross and Passion College Kilcullen student. Her chance to go on the Gaiety stage came from participating in the 2025 Riverdance Summer School.

There were about 150 of us in the week and 15 were chosen to do the Saturday matinee performance with the professional cast, she told the Kildare Nationalist, detailing how the week had been a high-stress tuition period in the Liffey Trust Studio. I was up at five every morning getting ready, and then I didnt get home until after seven each evening. It was just go, go, go all week. The weeks students, divided into four groups, spent all their time learning actual Riverdance numbers. Kayla, who had been at the summer school last year, could build on her experience. I knew the dancing and could pick up everything much quicker. The choice of those to perform the public matinee came immediately after the weeks dancers had gone through a complete Riverdance show of their own on the Saturday morning. It was a bit on the scary side, Kayla says. But overall, its a feeling of excitement and joy, because it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing to do. And I was also doing it with friends. Kayla says the Riverdance Summer School is an excellent opportunity to make new friends from all over the world. There were people from Ireland, the UK, and America. Its all meeting people, having fun. Kayla is well used to the rigours of dancing. A student at Curley Brennan Irish Dance in Newbridge, she attends there four evenings a week. And Im up at six oclock every morning doing exercises. I take one day a week off. Even in August, shes been back with Curley Brennan, last week in their summer school from 12.30pm to 5pm each day.

Its early days for the teenager to consider career decisions. She also carefully keeps her dancing life separate from her current student work at CPC. But she has been doing competitive dancing for years, and in 2023, she competed at the Irish Dancing Worlds in Montreal. Which means she has a solid background towards achieving her ambition.

Id just love to be a professional dancer in the future, she said.
What started as a love of making dog bandanas has grown into one of Kilkennys most beloved dog-friendly businesses.

Annette McGarry opened Finn & Penny just over a year ago on James Street in Kilkenny City.

The shop is a haven for dog owners and their four-legged companions, combining homemade treats, stylish accessories, and even coffee and donuts for humans.

I lived in Florida for nearly 30 years, said Annette. When I moved back, I was making bandanas for dogs, just for fun at first. But people liked them and an idea of starting a shop sprang from there.

Those handmade accessories are still stocked in-store today, but the shop has expanded its offering to include premium items such as Lupi Paws harnesses, collars and leashes.

Theres something for every shape and size, she said. Weve just brought in their tactical, tweed and reversible ranges too.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Finn and Penny By Annette. (@finnandpenny)

Finn and Penny also caters to the growing number of pet owners looking to stimulate their dogs with toys like snuffleballs.

They keep dogs entertained and help with anxiety too, Annette said.

The store also stocks Atlas and Tails 100% natural meat pate, suitable for both cats and dogs.

Dog owners can also find Mamo brand pet products in stock, a gentle, plant-based range of care items for pets. Its a lovely, ethical brand and a great fit for what we want to offer, Annette said.

She also carries a selection of quality dog beds and other animal treat products that balance comfort, quality and sustainability.

Annette bakes all her dog treats in-house and now offers custom dog-friendly cakes for birthdays and special occasions.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Finn and Penny By Annette. (@finnandpenny)

Its a bit of fun. People celebrate their dogs just like family, and why not?

The bakery menu includes blueberry bones, carrot bones, pupcakes, frozen fruit cups and even picnic lunches for dogs.

Any products that contain peanut butter use 100% dog-friendly all natural peanut butter.

Also in stock are Kilkenny jerseys for your beloved doggy campanion - a great way to show county pride.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @dougsworldpets

Weve jerseys in all sizes, from extra-small to extra-large, she said.

Poppy, my own rescue dog, wears a medium. She gets a lot of attention in the window and many people stop to take photos of her or just to peek inside to see whats new.

Even if youre just passing by, pop in. Theres always something different, and a free puppuccino for the dogs.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Finn and Penny By Annette. (@finnandpenny)

Where possible, Annette sources her stock locally and builds relationships with trusted suppliers.

Its important to me to support Irish brands and local makers whenever I can, she said.

Annette is also keen to highlight the importance of supporting local shops, particularly those trying something different.

Its great to see so many new dog-friendly businesses and initiatives popping up around Kilkenny, she said. But they need support to keep going. So dont be afraid to pop in with your doggie and have a look.

OPENING HOURS

The shop is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and Annette can also be found trading on Sundays at the Mountain View Markets.

For the latest on products, deals and ranges, follow the shop on Instagram (@finnandpenny) and Facebook (Finn & Penny).
Farmers are being warned that the use of incorrect equipment, particularly dosing guns, can lead to animal injury or even death.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has issued the warning to farmers as cattle are turned out to grass, with a statement urging, "please be aware of the risk of serious injury to them from dosing guns, particularly when administering boluses."

The Department says: "Injuries to the mouth, throat, and oesophagus can occur when incorrect equipment is used or when animals are not properly restrained.

"The Departments Regional Veterinary Laboratories are seeing an increase in cases linked to improper bolus size and the use of unsuitable dosing guns.

"Similar risks are also identified every year, in ewes and lambs. Incorrect use of dosing gunsespecially in young lambshas been associated with traumatic oesophageal injuries, cellulitis, and fatal complications (septicaemia/bacteriaemia, fatal bleeding).

READ NEXT: Ryanair passenger's discovery lands airline in hot water after 'misleading' ad

"Careful restraint and properly sized equipment are just as essential in sheep as in cattle," the circular added.

There have also been several recent cases of serious traumatic lesions in lambs linked to the use of intraruminal tags, the Department said.

"These tags are rectangular and significantly larger than typical mineral boluses and have been associated with tissue damage and fatal outcomes when used inappropriately."

They provided tips to protect your animals:

Use the correct bolus size for the animals weight and age

Always use the matching dosing gun supplied with the product

Restrain animals properly to avoid sudden head movements

Do not force boluses or use excessive pressure. Be gentle!

If in doubt, seek veterinary advice

"Taking a few extra minutes to use the right tools can prevent long-term damage or distress to your animalsand avoid costly treatment or losses. Keep your animals safe this season and dose with care," a statement concluded.
(Reuters) -The U.S. Justice Department said on Friday that it had filed a proposed settlement to resolve claims against apartment manager Greystar in a case alleging algorithmic collusion and anticompetitive practices in rental markets.

If approved, the settlement would require Greystar, among other conditions, to refrain from using any anticompetitive algorithm that generates pricing recommendations using its competitors' data, the Justice Department said.

The proposal would also require Greystar to refrain from sharing competitively sensitive information with competitors and accept a court-appointed monitor if it uses a third-party pricing algorithm that is not certified in the settlement terms, the department added.

The proposed U.S. settlement deal would require Greystar to cooperate with the United States in its ongoing lawsuit against RealPage. The Justice Department in 2024 sued RealPage over its revenue management software.

RealPage did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the lawsuit and GreyStar's potential cooperation.

Greystar has also reached a settlement in principle to resolve a related lawsuit brought by private attorneys representing renters.

The proposal includes what the plaintiffs' lawyers on Friday called "significant" monetary damages for tenants nationwide. The details of the accord will be presented to a judge for approval as early as October, they said.

"This agreement represents meaningful relief for renters affected by the alleged practices," the plaintiffs' attorneys said in a statement. "We are pleased that Greystar has stepped forward to resolve these claims, and we commend the DOJ for its parallel efforts to protect competitive markets."

Greystar in a statement on Friday denied any wrongdoing and said it maintains that its use of RealPage's revenue management software complied with applicable laws.

"The settlements provide clarity for Greystar and the industry at large," Greystar said. The accords will allow the company to focus on its clients and business operations, it said.

(Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa and Mike Scarcella in Washington, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
In an effort to skirt steep tariffs on Chinese-made goods, Volvo plans to move some production of its electric vehicle stock to Europe  and will debut a new model in its wake.

The Swedish carmaker plans to build the compact Polestar 7 EV at its new plant in Kosice, Slovakia, starting in 2028, InsideEVs reported. The latest model will be the first Polestar car made in Europe, and the facility will be able to produce 250,000 units per year when it opens.

The move comes in the wake of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which will heavily impact companies that outsource manufacturing to China. Volvo has chosen the Slovakia plant for EV production to sidestep this issue and continue sales to the crucial U.S. market.

Volvo's premium EV spinoff marked the start of 2025 with an exciting finish to the first quarter, which saw a 76% sales increase year over year. Polestar has struggled to gain ground in the EV market, though a recent strategic reset for the brand and shifting interest for buyers has played to its advantage.

By taking advantage of new momentum with this manufacturing shift, Polestar is jockeying for a favored position among American drivers looking to switch to an EV. More potential buyers are moving toward this option for cost reasons, namely the savings on routine maintenance and fuel.

Many also see EVs as the most environmentally friendly option because of the lack of tailpipe pollution. While there are concerns about lithium battery production, as well as the pollution created through charging these cars, the Department of Energy notes that EVs produce six times less carbon pollution annually than gas-powered counterparts.

Combined with other clean energy measures  like home solar panels to charge an EV  owners can limit energy consumption while saving money over time. EnergySage makes the solar installation process easy, allowing potential buyers to compare quotes from local installers  and even save up to $10,000 on the investment.

While the latest Polestar model won't be available stateside until at least 2028, potential EV buyers can expect the car to feature Volvo's next-generation software-defined vehicle platform,

cell-to-body battery packs, and more of the Swedish brand's most cutting-edge features.

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.
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.
(Bloomberg) -- The Trump administration suggested it would issue a new policy clarifying that imports of gold bars shouldnt face tariffs, after a US government agency stunned traders by formally ruling that theyd be subject to duties.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The administration intends to post an executive order in the near future to clarify what it called misinformation about the tariffing of gold and other specialty products, a White House official told Bloomberg in a written statement. The official detailed the plans Friday on condition of anonymity.

Futures prices on New Yorks Comex pared gains and the global benchmark for spot prices in London fell after the White House statement. The price differential between the two key trading hubs collapsed below $60 an ounce, after earlier surging to above $100 in response to the initial tariff shock.

The chaos that shook the bullion markets in the past 23 hours came after details emerged of a US Customs and Border Protection ruling that said one-kilogram and 100-ounce gold bars are subject to so-called reciprocal tariffs. The ruling, posted on the agencys website, came after a Swiss refiner sought clarity on the levies. Such a directive would bring sweeping implications for bullion around the world and could have disrupted the functioning of the US futures contract.

Gold-related equities also quickly dropped after the White House statement, with larger gold mining stocks including Newmont Corp. and Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. immediately erased earlier gains, as did gold royalty provider Franco-Nevada Corp. and funds like the VanEck Gold Miners ETF.

Gold has a unique role as a financial asset and global currency, making it different from copper, steel and aluminum  other metals that have been hit by Trumps tariffs. Shipments were freezing up in response to the decision that gold imports would face US duties, traders said earlier Friday.

A White House order clarifying its position would serve to calm the market chaos caused by fears of a tariff on gold imports.

Trump administration officials have repeatedly vowed the presidents second-term tariffs wont be marked by exemptions, after a host of exclusions granted his first four years in office were seen as undermining the effectiveness of previous levies.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Bo Hines, who headed Republican President Donald Trump's Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, said on Saturday he was leaving his current role and returning to the private sector.

Late last month, a cryptocurrency working group led by Hines and including several administration officials outlined the Trump administration's stance on market-defining crypto legislation and called on the U.S. securities regulator to create new rules specific to digital assets.

Shortly after taking office in January, Trump had ordered the creation of the crypto working group and tasked it with proposing new regulations, making good on his campaign promise to overhaul U.S. crypto policy.

"Serving in President Trump's administration and working alongside our brilliant AI & Crypto Czar @DavidSacks as Executive Director of the White House Crypto Council has been the honor of a lifetime," Hines said in a post on X on Saturday.

Sacks, the White House AI czar, praised Hines in response to the post announcing his departure.

Hines has twice unsuccessfully run for Congress in North Carolina.

Trump last month signed a law to create a regulatory regime for dollar-pegged cryptocurrencies known as stablecoins, a milestone that could pave the way for the digital assets to become an everyday way to make payments and move money.

Hines was a backer of that legislation, dubbed the GENIUS Act.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Nia Williams)
Sarah Slater

The funeral details of Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, an Irish woman who was found dead on a boat in New York's Hamptons, are to be announced later this week.

The 33-year-old entrepreneur from Monacurragh, Co Carlow, worked in Ireland until 2015 before emigrating to the United States. She set up her own brand, East x East, a luxury brand for sunglasses, swimwear and resort wear for men and women.

She was also director of operations at investment firm K4 Capital and ran fashion brand Duper.

Ms Nolan-OSlatarra was found dead on a boat docked at a yacht club on Long Island in New York in the early hours of last Tuesday.

A man found her unconscious on the boat at Montauk Yacht Club at 12am local time on Tuesday and shouted for help. It is believed that two men on a nearby boat performed CPR on the Carlow woman.

The businesswoman was later pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services.

A postmortem has been carried out on her body by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office, which showed there were no visible signs of injury. Authorities said the postmortem results were inconclusive and are awaiting further test results to decide the direction of their investigation.

A police investigation into her death is being carried out by Suffolk County police detectives.

Her funeral details on the death notice website RIP.ie said she died unexpectedly on August 5th.

The notice read: Beloved daughter of Elma, much loved sister of Jacqui, treasured granddaughter of Betty and Liam, cherished niece of John, Michelle, Barry and Mona and adored partner of Nick.

It added: She will be sadly missed by her loving mother and her mother's partner Patrick, sister, aunts, uncles, partner, her father Seamus, grandparents, extended family, relatives and her large circle of friends in Ireland and the US. Funeral arrangements will be published later in the week.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.
By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

Criticisms of the MetroLink by billionaires Michael OLeary and Dermot Desmond have been dismissed by Darragh OBrien.

The Minister for Transport said that while he respects both businessmen, he did not agree with their comments that the proposed metro for Dublin would be out of date by the time it is built.

The 18.8km MetroLink rail line, most of which will be underground, is to run from north of Swords to Charlemont in the south of Dublin city centre at an estimated cost of 11 billion.

Ryanair chief executive Michael OLeary has made several criticisms of the Metro including that it will only serve about 100,000 people and that the money should be invested in buses instead.

Desmond, estimated to be in the top 10 richest people in Ireland, also weighed in on the project, stating that by the time the metro is built, in 2035, it would be made obsolete by advancements in AI and autonomously driven vehicles.

Responding to the criticisms, Mr OBrien said: Dermot Desmond is a very successful business person. I dont agree with him in this instance.

I think its more than about the airport. If you look at the development around the whole of Swords, North County Dublin and right the way through it in and across the city, the cost benefit analysis thats been done on the project speaks for itself.

This is a project of significant national importance. It would not be replaced by self-driving cars.

Businessman Dermot Desmond has criticised the new metro project (Andrew Milligan/PA)

AI will certainly advance our public transport offering, unquestionably, but weve waited long enough for projects like Metrolink to get into construction.

This Government [is] committed to it, and we will be doing it, and it will actually drive economic benefit. It will pay back to the exchequer over time, and it will improve quality of life.

He added: Both people Ive a lot of regard for, theyre successful in their own fields.

The reality of it is, though, weve the fifth best connected airport in Europe, an airport thats growing, thats a really important economic driver, but for an island, its critically important by way of connectivity  [and] it doesnt have a rail link.

But it isnt just about the airport. If you take the area of Swords, the size of a city now, that does not have a rail link.

For us to be able to continue to grow  and our population has grown substantially since 1990, well over close to one and a half million additional people in the country  weve got to support our citizens and those who come and live in this country with a public transport network that can support what they need to do.

I dont agree with either of them, frankly, I think theyre obviously perfectly entitled to their opinion, but this government are committed to Metro and we will deliver it.

Mr OBrien was speaking at the opening of the new Dart station, Woodbrook, in south Dublin built between the stops of Bray and Shankill.

The works on the station began in October 2023 and cost under the budgeted 24 million.

Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien (centre) after arriving by Dart at the newly opened Woodbrook station in Dublin on Sunday. Photo: Grainne Ni Aodha/PA

It marks the 147th railway station in the Irish rail network and is the first new railway station in just under 15 years.

He said the station would have 191 services each week and it would take 40 minutes to get into the city centre.

He noted the station was near the largest social and affordable housing scheme in the country, Shanganagh Castle Estate, which will have 2,300 homes in the area when it is completed.

Mr OBrien said the station was an example of what the Governments ambition was over the next five years in office.

Addressing locals who attended the stations opening on Sunday, he said: This is your money, these are your taxes that you paid, invested in infrastructure for the good of all of our citizens and, indeed, visitors alike.

Well continue to do that over the course of the term of this five years, between now and the end of the decade.

I believe that this period of time can be transformational for our public transport system, particularly our rail system, right the way across the country.
A PUBLIC information meeting will be held on Monday 11 August at 8pm in the Castle Arms Hotel in Durrow over plans to locate IPAS centres in the village.

Those attending will be provided with an updated progress report on steps that have been taken by the committee and the community in their opposition to the two centres that are planned for along Mary Street.

Local politicians will also be in attendance to provide an update on their efforts in support of the communitys objections to the IPAS centres.

Following the meeting, there will be several tables available where information packs containing printed submission forms, objecting to the plans for the IPAS centres, for you to fill out, correct planning numbers to use, step-by-step guide to filling out submissions, in-formation on the payment process, checklist to ensure your submission is correct and sample submissions to guide you.

There is also a guide to submitting an observation through the e-portal available to view at www.durrow.ie/ipas.

The deadline for submissions, objections and/or observations to the plans to locate two IPAS centres in Durrow is Wednesday 13 August at 4pm.
THREE tourism centres in Laois have been awarded more than 380,000, with the majority going to a former rectory that has been converted into self-catering accommodation.

Rectory Park in Coolbanagher, Emo, is the biggest local winner in the latest round of Failte Irelands EU Just Transition funding, receiving 300,000 for the development of two two-bedroom cottages with sensory rooms in the grounds of the 18th century property.

The other successful applicants are Ballykilcavan Brewery near Stradbally and Brielle House in Mountmellick, which also offers self-catering accommodation.

Brielle House was awarded 66,000 to enhance visitor experience with improvements that will include a resurfaced car park and bedroom upgrades.

Ballykilcavan Brewery got 18,256 for a commercial kitchen as well as upgrades to the visitor centre, to further expand the current offering for one of the key sustainable tourism attractions in the county.

A combined total of 384, 256 was announced on Thursday for the three local projects, as part of a Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme for the midlands. Nationally, Failte Ireland announced almost 3.6 million in funding for 24 projects under its Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs.

The Old Rectory at Coolbanagher, which was built in 1790, is set on 45 acres and contains a range of holiday lets and self-catering accommodation. Now operating as Rectory Park, the Just Transition funding is for a holiday village designed specifically for children with special needs.

The development will provide accessible accommodation, tailored recreational facilities and therapeutic services to offer an inclusive holiday experience for families.

The project aims to promote well-being, social inclusion and relaxation for children and their families, while contributing positively to the local community.

According to Failte Ireland, the latest grants bring total investment in private and SME capital project development in Laois to over 1.5 million to date.

The funding is part of a broader initiative under the EU Just Transition Fund, aimed at supporting businesses that are committed to sustainable practices, economic diversification and contributing to the green transition in Ireland.

The fund supports initiatives that promote environmental conservation, reduce carbon footprints and generate employment in green industries.

Evelyn Reddin, head of the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) at Laois County Council, said the funding for local projects is a testament to the exceptional work by businesses across the county.

Ms Reddin said these businesses continually strengthen the sustainable tourism industry and incentivise more visitors to pick Laois as their destination of choice.

Regina Dunne, EU Just Transition Fund tourism activator in Laois, said: The funding for these projects will further enhance the offering available to tourists, providing for sustainable and inclusive visitor needs.

With a growing number of visitors requiring some form of accessibility requirements, the funding for these projects ensures we are meeting the growing demand.
Key Points

Eli Lilly is seeing strong growth from its weight loss drugs.

Investors are nervous about tariffs on drugs and weak data from its upcoming pipeline.

The stock is cheaper but still trades at a premium valuation.

10 stocks we like better than Eli Lilly 

Shares of Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) sank 18% this week, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. The drugmaker with a market cap of over $500 billion is in a sharp drawdown due to previously high expectations and weak data on its obesity drug pipeline.

Even though the stock is in a 35% dip from all-time highs, Eli Lilly is up 300% in the last five years on the back of its blockbuster weight loss drugs.

Here's why Lilly stock dipped after posting its second-quarter results.

Expansion of weight loss drugs miss expectations

The top-line figures looked strong for the second quarter. Revenue grew 38% year over year to $15.5 billion, driven by gains for its weight loss drugs.

Mounjaro revenue grew 68% year over year to $5.2 billion in the quarter, while Zepbound grew 172% to $3.4 billion. Net income was also rock solid, up 91% to $5.56 billion. Investors were likely pleased to see these revenue gains and profit margins expand. There is still plenty of opportunity to get more and more obese people taking these weight-loss drugs around the globe, given that there are an estimated 1 billion or more obese people today.

So why did the stock drop? For two reasons: First is the uncertainty over pharmaceutical tariffs placed by the United States on foreign imports, which could have a large impact on Eli Lilly's cost structure.

Second is the data on results from a new weight-loss drug called orfoglipron showing that it had large drop-out rates when taken during a trial. This made investors pessimistic on the company's drug pipeline.

Image source: Getty Images.

Time to buy the dip?

Eli Lilly is guiding for just over $20 in earnings per share (EPS) this year, and it trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 28. This is much cheaper than it traded at a year ago, but it is not a dirt cheap valuation and a bit of a surprise for a stock in a 35% drawdown. Its previous P/E was quite the premium.

Growth from these blockbuster drugs should continue through the rest of this decade, which will lead to further operating leverage and growth for Eli Lilly in EPS. For that reason, the stock is likely a good buy for investors searching for a solid stock in the midst of this booming bull market.

Should you buy stock in Eli Lilly right now?

Before you buy stock in Eli Lilly, consider this:
DEAR MISS MANNERS: For almost 20 years, Ive worked with the same group of nine people. Every birthday is celebrated with a party, cake and gifts. Every birthday, every year ... except mine.

No one, including myself, has ever commented on the omission in all these years. Twice, I threw out a hint by asking if anyone had dined at a certain restaurant, as my husband was taking me there next week for my birthday. But no one acted upon the clue.

I dont care as much about the party or gifts as I do about the recognition that I exist. I know I should have spoken up years ago, but didnt.

Shall I continue to keep silent and celebrate privately? Perhaps whisper the omission into a co-workers ear and repeat that process until its acted upon? Quietly proclaim that as Ive never been an honoree, I no longer care to be a participant?

I cant for the life of me find a polite way to shout out, Hey! What about ME?

GENTLE READER: It is hard for Miss Manners to believe that, for 20 years, your nine co-workers have adamantly refused to acknowledge your birthday while flagrantly celebrating their own. It is more likely there is a list somewhere, made by someone in HR or management who has long since left the company, and that your birthday was inadvertently omitted from it.

If you really need office cake this badly, she suggests you go to current HR or management and ask -- in a polite, non-accusatory, somewhat apologetic and embarrassed way -- if that is the case. If not, from everything Miss Manners has heard about workplace birthday parties, someone may well be happy to swap theirs out for yours.

***

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)
If your little one cant get enough of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+, the new Disney Jr. series that hit Disney+ this July, theres a magical surprise waiting at Walmart.com.

Though officially slated for a Fall 2025 release, the Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse 28-inch Clubhouse Deluxe Playset is already available online  for just $50.

Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse 28-inch Clubhouse Deluxe Playset $50 The show-mirroring playset has a Fall 2025 release window but, if you shop fast, you can get it online at Walmart this week. Buy it now at Walmart.com

Inspired by the vibrant world of Clubhouse+, this 16-piece set brings Mickey, Minnie, Donald and friends off the screen and into your home.

According to Disney and Just Play, the playset is designed to spark imaginative play with interactive features like lights, sounds and over 20 Mickey phrases. Kids can slide, spin, cruise and even grill hot dogs in a multilevel Clubhouse that opens for play and closes for easy storage.

Parents familiar with the OG Mickey Mouse Clubhouse franchise, which ran from 20062016, will appreciate the nostalgic nods. Meanwhile, new fans will love getting to know new regulars like Little Helper and, of course, the ever-helpful Toodles.

Both companies say the whimsical toy (the first piece of merch for this Disney Jr. reboot) supports developmental play for preschoolers ages 3 and up, with poseable figures, a kid-powered elevator and a mini maze to explore.

Whether youre shopping for a birthday gift or just want to surprise your toddler with a screen-free version of their favorite show, this under-the-radar release is a steal. But dont wait. Once word gets out, this hidden gem might not stay hidden for long.

And speaking as a mom of two Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ super fans, this is an especially sanity-saving distraction, since it might take a while for new 27-minute episodes to drop  only 10 episodes are currently streaming on Disney+ and Seasons 2 and 3 wont be airing until 2027 and 2028, respectively, as per The Wrap.

More hot toys to shop at Walmart

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Danielle Halibey can be reached at dhalibey@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
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.
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
University College Dublin has applied to Kildare County Council for planning permission for a 5.8m Nutrition Lab Building in Celbridge, Kildare.

The address of the proposed site is UCD Lyons Farm, Lyons Estate, Celbridge, Co Kildare.

According to Construction Information Services (CIS), a planning application was submitted by University College Dublin on August 1 2025.

READ NEXT: Report on back-to-school costs must be a 'wake-up call' for government  Kildare TD

The proposed plans comprise of the demolition of an existing farm shed, an existing Nutrition Lab building, two existing silos, an existing plinth, and a bay window on the existing compound, totalling 1,604 sqm GFA.

The plans also include the construction of a two-storey 'UCD FBD Agricultural Science Centre', measuring at 2,037 sqm GFA, to include labs, teaching labs, classrooms, and study areas which will connect to the existing AgTech Building which adjoins the subject site.

The use of the building is associated with the existing use of the farm as an educational facility.

There is to be relocation of six car parking spaces from the existing car park to maintain a total of 48 car parking spaces.

Plans also include the relocation of the existing AC unit enclosure on the subject site to roof level of the new proposed building, as well as the provision of 20 bicycle parking spaces to serve the development.

There is also to be provision of an attenuation pond and percolation area, and all associated site development works including landscaping and servicing.

The architect for the project is RKD Architects.
An award-winning author from Kildare town has published his latest book: 'The Devils Relics: An Emer Harte Mystery'.

The crime novel, which published under the Owl Fellas Press imprint, is based in south Lebanon and north Israel in 2010.

According to author Martin Malone, its origins rest in a short story produced by BBC Radio 4 and read by Conleth Hill of 'Game of Thrones' fame.

He told the Leinster Leader: "The story, 'Secret of the Furze', was never published, but this opening chapter has been revised, and the lead character now is Emer Harte, a military police officer based in Naqoura, UNIFIL Headquarters.

"Captain Harte is assigned to investigate the mysterious disappearances of two Irish UN peacekeepers who went missing while on leave with their units touring party in Israel.

"As she delves deeper, Emer is drawn into a dangerous web of blackmail, threats, ambushes and double-crosses, resulting from her discovery of a smuggling ring involving military policewhich places her life on the line."

Author Martin Malone. File photograph

READ NEXT: New Kildare market will launch this weekend

Speaking about himself, Martin said: "Im a former military policeman with 15 titles to my credit, including 'Us', which won the 'Sunday Independent / Dr John B Keane Literary Award' and was shortlisted for the 'Kerry Ingredient Irish Fiction Award'.

"Simon & Schuster published 'The Broken Cedar', a novel, and the Moat Theatre in Naas brought 'Rosanna Nightwalker, The Wren of the Curragh' to the stage in 2011.

"I used to write people features weekly, wordage 1,600, and a column for the Leinster Leader."

He also revealed that he is set to retire from serious writing next year after the publication of 'Pike Hill: The Rath Massacre', which will be set in 1798 on the Curragh Plains and its surrounding areas.

'The Devils Relics: An Emer Harte Mystery' is on sale now.

READ NEXT: Vehicle inspection company based in Kildare proposes demolition and replacement of building
European ministers slam Israel's Gaza control plan

Eight European nations, including Spain, Portugal and Ireland, said on Sunday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed plan to control Gaza would only 'aggravate the humanitarian crisis.'
Security forces in Yemen's Abyan province conduct a sweep along the coast on August 5, 2025, as they search for bodies and survivors after a boat carrying around 200 mostly Ethiopian migrants sank off the coast of Yemen on August 3. AFP

It was the deadliest boat accident on the migration path known as the "Eastern Route" in the past five years. On Sunday, August 3, at least 90 people drowned off the coast of Yemen, near the town of Shoqra. According to Abdusattor Esoev, the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) chief of mission in Yemen, 154 people were aboard a wooden boat when it capsized in the Gulf of Aden. The boat was overloaded and sailing in rough seas, and though 12 migrants  all men  survived, around 50 other people were still missing. All of them hailed from Ethiopia.

On Monday, Ethiopia's Foreign Affairs Ministry expressed "deep sorrow" and conveyed its condolences to the victims' families, in a statement reported by the state-backed Fana Media Corporation. The ministry also urged Ethiopian citizens to "avoid irregular migration routes" and to "protect themselves from human traffickers, who exploit vulnerable individuals and expose them to life-threatening risks."

Sinkings along this route, one of the "one of the world's most dangerous migration corridors," according to the IOM, are not uncommon. In March, four migrant boats sank in the area, resulting in a grim toll of 180 missing individuals. Moreover, these figures do not include other damage they can suffer at sea: On Wednesday, at least seven Ethiopians died from thirst and hunger, and several others went missing after a boat traveling from Somalia to Yemen broke down in the open sea.

You have 74.94% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
BISHOP Brendan Leahy is encouraging people to pray for Gaza after hearing an address from Pope Leo XIV in St Peters Square, Rome.

Addressing a packed St Peters Square, the Pope said: We must cry out for peace in the world and he then invited all the young people to join him in saying: We want peace in the world!

Bishop Leahy said in recent weeks, people have told him about how distressed they are in seeing the images of Gaza on TV and on social media.

"We become numb in our sense of helplessness before scenes that speak of mans inhumanity to man. We feel bewildered when we see and hear about people crushed by hunger. Most upsetting of all is the horrible violence and death that children are experiencing and witnessing. Is there anything we can do? we ask, doubting we can do anything."

READ MORE: Limerick people urged to donate blood to increase low stocks following Bank Holiday

He said Archbishop Eamon Martin has called on parishes to set aside Sunday, 24 August as a day of prayer and reflection for Gaza.

"As Archbishop Eamon suggests, we can light a candle in our family home or local parish church; attend Mass, spend time before the Blessed Sacrament; pray the Rosary; make some small personal penance or sacrifice, and on that day let the light of hope radiate out from the island of Ireland for peace, for Gaza and for the future of its people."
A LIMERICK woman is turning grief into a lasting tribute by creating a digital memorial dedicated to those buried in St Patricks Graveyard, Patrickswell.

Inspired by the tragically short life of her son, Tom Conway Mullane, who passed away just one hour and 58 minutes after birth, Jane Conway, Deputy Principal of Caherelly National School, hopes the online archive will preserve the memories and stories of all who rest there, ensuring they are never forgotten.

One of my greatest fears is that he might be forgotten, Jane said. To mark his tenth anniversary, Im working on a very special project: the creation of a website dedicated to St Patricks Graveyard. The idea is to honour and remember all who rest there by creating a page for each of the deceased.

The website will feature individual pages dedicated to those buried in the graveyard, inviting families to share photos, memories, and personal stories of their loved ones. Jane wants to keep a digital record of the people buried there to keep their memories alive.

READ MORE: This year's Queensland Rose proudly flies the Limerick colours

Speaking about her son Tom, Jane explained: He might have only been here for a short while but he made a huge difference to our lives, how you think about things, our family and probably changed the course of things even though he was here for such a short time.

So it was just important to me that he wouldn't be forgotten and this is just another way of helping that. Hopefully, the other families might feel the same too.

Jane, from Ballyneety, whose father Michael Conway grew up in Patrickswell, hopes to launch the site in November - the Month of the Holy Souls, a time traditionally dedicated to remembering the departed. She asked Parish Priest, Fr Eddie Cleary what he thought and he said the website was a great idea.

A plaque with a QR code will be installed at the entrance of the graveyard, allowing visitors to connect instantly with the online memorial and read about the lives behind the names on the headstones.

The response to this project has been incredibly moving, and Im so grateful for the interest shown, Jane added. Id now like to invite families to take the next step: if you would like your loved one to be included, please consider sending on a photo, a few words, or a memory. No contribution is too small.

Those who wish to participate can email stpatricksgraveyard@gmail.com or WhatsApp 086 7749749.
Key Points

Hims & Hers posted record revenue this quarter.

It is still selling patented weight loss drugs on its platform and is now getting sued by the pharmaceutical companies.

Investors would do best to avoid this stock until the legal battle is resolved.

10 stocks we like better than Hims & Hers Health 

Shares of Hims & Hers (NYSE: HIMS) stock sank 17% this week, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. The telehealth platform is delivering huge revenue growth but is at risk of a legal battle with weight loss drugmakers. Shares of the stock are down 25% from all-time highs but are up 400% in the past five years due to the platform's fast growth.

Here's why the stock sank this week.

Fast growth but a looming lawsuit

In the second quarter of 2025, Hims & Hers' revenue grew 73% year over year to over $500 million, making it one of the fastest-growing companies in the world. This was driven by 30% growth in total subscribers to Hims & Hers products and 30% growth in spend per active subscriber. The company offers telehealth services for basic pharmaceuticals such as hair loss, sexual wellness, and weight loss drugs.

While the company is growing quickly and now generating a profit, Hims & Hers is facing a looming legal battle with Novo Nordisk. The innovator in weight loss drugs originally had a partnership with Hims & Hers but pulled out of the deal because of disagreements over Hims & Hers selling knockoffs of its weight loss drug formula. Hims & Hers was permitted to sell patented weight loss drugs while they were in shortage, but now that the shortage is over, it is breaking the law by selling patented drugs to customers at a discount.

Unsurprisingly, Hims & Hers is getting sued for this practice, which is a fast-growing part of its business. Investors are worried about the future impacts of this legal battle and how it could hurt Hims & Hers' future revenue growth and profitability.

Image source: Getty Images.

Should you buy Hims & Hers stock?

Hims & Hers has been an incredible stock to own over the last few years, making shareholders rich. It has $2 billion in trailing revenue, up over 1,000% in the last five years. By far, it is the leading telehealth provider for drugs and medical treatments over the internet, making a ton of inroads in market share gains in the last few years.

If there were no legal battle looming, Hims & Hers would probably be a buy on this dip. However, we cannot ignore the potential legal ramifications and huge risk Hims & Hers management is putting on itself and shareholders by blatantly selling patented weight loss drugs on its website. This legal battle is not likely to end well. Don't buy the dip on Hims & Hers stock until its dispute with the weight loss drugmakers is resolved.
I WAS travelling abroad recently and flying out of Dublin Airport and I think when you travel by plane, the first thing you do when you arrive at the airport is to check the flight information board to see what gate you need to go to check in.

And of course I did the same thing and whats great to see and its probably the one thing were looking for more than anything else, is the status of the flight and God the relief when you see, on time.

And my flight was on time which was great for me but I did notice there were quite a few others whose status said 'delayed' which is obviously awful to see. As an aside I wasnt so lucky on the return flight home because even though we boarded on time, the plane didnt take off for 90 minutes because of some technical fault!

Anyway, how long a flight is delayed and the reasons for the delay and where you are travelling to will all influence what, as a consumer, you are entitled to, which is why I wanted to put some information in front of you again this year, showing what your rights are if your flight happens to be delayed or is cancelled.

READ MORE: Four mortgage areas for Limerick homeowners to monitor

And for 100% accuracy and so that no one is left in any doubt, Im going to use text that Ive taken directly from websites like the Irish Aviation Authority, Citizens Information and the European Consumer Centre Ireland.



Delayed Flights

Okay if your flight is delayed beyond certain timeframes your air carrier should provide you with written information about what your entitlements are and what care and assistance they will provide.

The timeframes are as follows: for all flights less than 1500kms (short haul e.g., Shannon to Brussels or Cork to Paris), the delay must be greater than 2 hours.

For European flights of more than 1500kms and all other flights of between 1500  3500kms (medium haul e.g., Dublin to Malta or Knock to Madrid), the delay must be greater than 3 hours.

And for all non-Community flights of more than 3500kms (long haul e.g., Shannon to New York or Dublin to Cape Town), the delay must be greater than 4 hours. If your flight is delayed by more than 5 hours (regardless of the length of the journey) and you decide not to travel, you are entitled to a full refund.

What is care and assistance?

Care and assistance consists of: meals and refreshments (in reasonable relation to the waiting time), hotel accommodation (where an overnight stay becomes necessary), transport between the airport and the hotel (where necessary) and two telephone calls/ faxes/ emails.

If the airline does not provide the above assistance to you and you are forced to make your own arrangements, you should retain all your receipts as you will be entitled to a full reimbursement of your expenses.

But you should make yourself known to the airline so you can avoid a situation where you have to make your own arrangements. And airlines should also ensure where available that accommodation is accessible for people with disabilities and their service dogs. And you only have the right to assistance as long as you have to wait to be re-routed to your final destination under comparable transport conditions.

And in exceptional cases an airline may decide to limit or decline assistance if they feel it would cause further delay to passengers waiting for an alternative or a delayed flight.

Compensation

Following a 2009 European Court ruling, you are now entitled to compensation if you arrive at your destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled arrival time unless the air carrier can prove that the delay was the result of extraordinary circumstances.

And examples of events defined as extraordinary circumstances are air traffic management decisions, political instability, adverse weather conditions and security risks.

Situations which are not considered as extraordinary circumstances include: most technical problems which come to light during aircraft maintenance or are caused by failure to maintain an aircraft, collision of mobile boarding stairs with an aircraft and strikes by air carrier staff (internal strike action).

Any strike external to an air carrier that affects the operation of the airline may be considered as extraordinary circumstances. However, to be exempted from paying compensation, the airline must prove that (a) there is a link between the extraordinary circumstances and the delay or the cancellation, and (b) the delay or cancellation could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken.

If a dispute arises between you and your air carrier regarding the existence of extraordinary circumstances and the payment of compensation, the matter should be referred to the appropriate enforcement body.

If you miss a connecting flight travelling within the EU or outside the EU on a flight originating from an EU country, you should be entitled to compensation, if you arrive at your final destination with a delay of more than 3 hours. It is not relevant if the carrier operating the connecting flights is an EU or non-EU airline.

If you depart from a non-EU country to your final destination in an EU country, with connecting flights operated successively by non-EU and EU airlines or by EU airlines only, only the flights operated by EU airlines are taken into consideration for the right to compensation in case of a long delay on arrival at the final destination.

You are not entitled to compensation if you miss connecting flights due to delays at security checks or if you did not respect the boarding time of your flight at the airport of transfer.

If you accept a flight to a different airport from the one in the original booking and it arrives late, you're entitled to compensation. The time of arrival used for calculating the delay is the time of arrival at the airport mentioned in the original booking or the destination agreed upon with the airline. Transport costs between the alternative airport and the one in the original booking or agreed destination should be borne by the airline.

The amount of compensation payable depends on the distance of the flight. If the flight is classed as: short haul, the amount payable is 250 per person, medium haul, the amount payable is 400 per person and long haul, the amount payable is 600 per person.

The amount of compensation payable in respect of non-Community flights of more than 3500kms (long haul) may be reduced by 50% if you arrive at your destination less than 4 hours after the scheduled arrival time.

Compensation when re-routed

When the choice is re-routing and you are entitled to compensation, the amount of compensation you are entitled to depends on the length of delay past your original planned arrival time as follows:

Flight Type Delay Compensation

Flights of 1500km or less 2 hours or less 125

Flights of 1500km or less more than 2 hours 250

Flights of over 1,500 km within the EU and other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km 3 hours or less 200

Flights of over 1,500 km within the EU and other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km more than 3 hours 400

All other flights 4 hours or less 300

All other flights more than 4 hours 600

Cancelled Flights

Where your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to a choice of: Refund the cost of your ticket within 7 days or re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity or re-routing at a later date at your convenience, subject to the availability of seats

You are not entitled to compensation if: You have received at least 2 weeks notice of the cancellation; or you have received between 2 weeks and 7 days notice, but you have been offered an alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before your original departure time and arriving at your final destination less than 4 hours after your original scheduled time of arrival.

You have received less than 7 days notice, but you have been offered an alternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before your original departure time and arriving at your final destination less than 2 hours after your original scheduled time of arrival.

If the airline can prove that the cancellation was caused by an extraordinary circumstance which could not have been avoided, even if all reasonable measures had been taken, no compensation is payable.

How to make a complaint: Complain to the airline first, complain to the appropriate national enforcement body and if you have a complaint about a cancellation, long flight delay or an instance of denied boarding, complain to the airline first.



If your airline does not resolve your complaint, you should send it to the appropriate national enforcement body. Each member state is responsible for departures from airports within its territory and arrivals into such airports from third countries on EU/EEA-licensed carriers.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is the national enforcement body in Ireland.

It deals with complaints arising from flights departing from Irish airports or those arriving at an Irish airport from outside the EU/EEA on an EUEEA-licensed carrier.

If you have a complaint about a flight returning to Ireland from the EU/EEA, you contact the national enforcement body in the EU/EEA and state where your flight departed from.

Liam Croke is MD of Harmonics Financial Ltd, based in Plassey. He can be contacted at liam@harmonics.ie or www.harmonics.ie
THERE was some Himalayan flair in the city as two Nepalese cyclists showed promising pedal power to visit Limerick as part of a global cultural tour.

Ajay Mishra and Bhagat Katri have visited 115 countries, spreading a message of hospitality and friendship from their homeland, nestled between China and India in the Asian continent.

They saddled up to the banks of the River Shannon, where they were met by members of Limericks Nepalese community - the countrys largest outside of Dublin, alongside Fianna Fail councillor Azad Talukder, and later, Minister of State at the Department of Justice Niall Collins.

READ MORE: Founding brothers of Limerick's The Cranberries to perform at Electric Picnic

So far, Ajay and Bhagat have cycled more than 92,000km and their itinerary has included Singapore, Paris, Bangkok, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Manchester, Liverpool and London.

Here in Ireland, the pair, whose crash helmets sport the unique Nepalese flag, have visited Dublin, Carlow, Thurles, Cork, Galway, Dublin, as well as Shannonside.

We are travelling around the world by bike with the purpose of promoting Nepal all over the world. Nepal has three precious things - Gautuma Buddha, the symbol of peace, Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak of the world, and Gurkhas, explained Ajay.

People are forgetting these things, and we are trying to remind and recall these three things in the world, he added. People might forget our names, but hopefully they will remember Nepal and know Nepal as the land of Buddha.

Each city they visit, the two cyclists are giving away a national hat of Nepal, and two of the countrys unique flags - the only ones in the world not shaped in a rectangular fashion.

The pair have received funding from Nepalese communities around the world for their adventure.

Given they are not allowed to cycle along motorways, they have passed through many villages across Ireland on the back roads.

It is really friendly, people are very welcoming. We talk with a lot of Irish people. People stop us and ask if we need anything, and take pictures with us, Ajay added.

They picked Limerick in particular as part of the tour because of its strong Nepalese community, pictured below.

Cllr Talukder said he was proud to welcome the two cyclists to Limerick, as was Mr Collins.

The local TD said: I am delighted Ajay and Bhagat decided to include Limerick on their journey. There is a strong Nepalese community in the city which you could see from the welcome they received.

Next stop for the pair is Canada.
Searching for the perfect electric car could have taken hours. Instead, I opened ChatGPT, clicked the deep research button and walked away from my computer.

By the time Id made coffee, ChatGPT delivered an impressive 6,800-word report.

This year, ChatGPT and other popular AI chatbots introduced advanced research modes. When activated, the AI goes beyond basic chat, taking more time, examining more sources and composing a more thorough response. In short: Its just more.

Now free users can access this feature, with limits. Recent upgrades, such as OpenAIs latest GPT-5 model, have made research even more powerful.

For the past few months, Ive experimented with deep research for complicated questions involving big purchases and international trip planning. Could a robot-generated report help me make tough decisions? Or would I end up with 6,000-plus words of AI nonsense?

The bots answered questions I didnt think to ask. Though they occasionally led me astray, I realized my days of long Google quests were likely over. This is what I learned about what to deep research, which bots work best and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Understanding deep research

Deep research is best for queries with multiple factors to weigh. (If youre just getting started, hop to my AI beginners guide first, then come back.)

For my EV journey, I first sought advice from my colleagues Joanna and Dan. But I needed to dig deeper for my specific criteria including a roomy back row for a car seat, a length shorter than my current SUV and a battery range that covers a round trip to visit my parents.

I fed my many needs into several chatbots. When I hit enter, the AI showed me their thinking." First, they made a plan. Then, they launched searches. Lots of searches. In deep research mode, AI repeats this cyclesearch then synthesizemultiple times until satisfied. Occasionally, though, the bot can get stuck in its own rabbit hole and you need to start over.

Results varied. Perplexity delivered the quickest results, but hallucinated an all-wheel drive model that doesnt exist. Copilot and Gemini provided helpful tables. ChatGPT took more time because it asked clarifying questions firsta clever way to narrow the scope and personalize the report. Claude analyzed the most sources: 386.

Deep research can take 30 minutes to complete. Turn on notifications so the app can let you know when your research is ready.

My go-to bot is typically Claude for its strong privacy defaults. But for research, comparing results across multiple services proved most useful. Models that appeared on every list became our top contenders. Now Im about to test drive a Kia Niro, and potentially spend tens of thousands based on a robots recommendation. Basic chat missed the mark, proposing two models that are too big for parallel parking on city streets.

Other successful deep research queries included a family-friendly San Francisco trip itinerary, a comparison of popular 529 savings plans, a detailed summary of scientific consensus on intermittent fasting and a guide to improving my distance swimming. On ChatGPT and Claude, you can add your Google Calendar and other accounts as sources, and ask the AI to, for example, plan activities around your schedule.

Deep research isnt always a final answer, but it can help you get there.

Dos and donts

Ready for AI to do your research? Switch on the deep research" or research" toggle next to the AI chat box.

ChatGPT offers five deep research queries a month to free users, while Perplexitys free plan includes five daily. Copilot, Gemini and Grok limit free access, but dont share specifics. Paid plans increase limits and offer access to more advanced models. Claudes research mode requires a subscription.

Here are tips for the best results:

Be specific. Give the AI context (your situation and your goal), requirements (must-haves) and your desired output (a report, bullets or a timeline). Chatbots cant read your mindyet.

Enable notifications. Deep research takes time. Turn on notifications so the app can ping you when your response is ready.

Verify citations. AI can still make mistakes, so dont copy its work. Before making big decisions, click on citations to check source credibility and attribution.

Summarize the output. Reports can be long. Ask for a scannable summary or table, then dive into the full text for details.

Understand limitations. The information is only as good as its sources. These chatbots largely use publicly available web content. They cant access paywalled stuff, so think of it as a launchpad for further investigation.

Whatever the imperfections of deep research, it easily beats hours and days stuck in a Google-search black hole. I have a new research partner, and it never needs a coffee break.

News Corp, owner of Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal, has a content-licensing partnership with OpenAI. Last year, the Journals parent company, Dow Jones, sued Perplexity for copyright infringement.
New Delhi: Indian textile and apparel exporters are redrawing their global playbooks as a sudden US tariff hike threatens a market that comprises a major share of their shipments. Big names like the Raymond Group, Gokaldas Exports and Pearl Global Industries Ltd (PGIL) are pivoting towards the UK and the European Union (EU), and are looking to leverage upcoming free trade agreements (FTAs) with other markets to soften the blow.

The latest punitive move of the USdoubling duties on Indian goods, including garments to 50%has upended cost structures in a price-sensitive sector that competes with Bangladesh and Vietnam that have lower tariffs than India.

Companies are now diversifying buyers, shifting production to lower tariff hubs in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, and building orders in FTA-linked markets. For Raymond, Gokaldas and Pearl Global, that means everything from relocating lines to Ethiopia or Guatemala to intensifying sales efforts in the UK, where a new trade pact promises duty parity with Bangladesh and a 12% edge over China. With Europe already expanding in their export mix, the industry is moving quickly to contain short-term losses in the US while positioning for long-term growth in markets with lower trade barriers.

Also Read | Tamil Nadus textile exporters to US choose wait and watch mode; some pause production

India is the sixth-largest exporter of textiles and apparel globally, with the sector's exports valued at $34.4 billion in FY24, government data shows. Europe and the US consumed nearly 66% of Indias apparel exports, 58% of finished non-apparel goods, and 12% of raw materials-semi-finished materials.

The new tariff regime, announced by US President Donald Trump, imposes a 25% penalty tariff on goods from India over and above the 25% duty that kicked in earlier this week.

In 2017, the Raymond Group had moved part of its manufacturing base to Ethiopia, which attracts a 10% tariff in the US. India, however, remains the primary production hub for the company's US exports, and the new tariffs will significantly increase costs.

For example, readymade garments such as shirts and trousers, which earlier faced an 11% tariff, are now subject to 36%, with a potential total of over 60% with the additional duty.

Raymond is now stepping up efforts to secure larger orders from the UK, a move that is expected to be lucrative once the India-UK FTA takes effect.

Also Read | Trump tariff-hit exporters chalk survival plans ahead of deadline

We can push some of our customers to the Ethiopian market. Additionally, we have always had a diversified portfolio. The US is attractive because of the large quantum of orders which enables us to get more productivity. However, February-March onwards, we have pushed our teams to camp constantly in Europe to build more orders. With the recent FTA with UK, the market is going to be more attractive. Over the next three to four years, our UK business can easily double," Amit Agarwal, group chief financial officer of Raymond Ltd, told Mint.

Agarwal said there remains a possibility of relocating more production lines from India to Ethiopia if the tariff issue persists. "We can take out some of the lines from India and put it in Ethiopia, if the need be. We dont want to take any knee-jerk reaction. At the back of the mind, the alternate exists if the issue continues to prolong. In the short-term, US volumes could see a temporary dip if the issue does not resolve over the coming week," he said

Earlier this week, Sivaramakrishnan Ganapathi, vice chairman and managing director of Gokaldas Exports, said sourcing diversification was a key theme for all customers, and that India remained a top contender among its Asian peers.

Gokaldas Exports, which exports and manufactures apparel to over 50 markets, including the US and Europe, saw North America contribute 80% of its business in FY24. In the same year, the share from Europe nearly doubled to 6.1%.

The recently-announced India-UK FTA offers a 12% duty advantage over China, putting India at par with Bangladesh. This creates strong export potential and an opportunity for exporters to diversify. India is also in negotiations for an FTA with the EU, which has the potential to further expand the industry, the company said.

"In anticipation, we are stepping up our European business. Our share in Q1 FY26 has increased to over 13% from a 9% average in FY25. We are actively engaging with customers in the EU and UK to diversify," Ganapathi said during the companys post earnings call on 6 August.

Over the last few years, Gokaldas Exports has tried to de-risk its business model by expanding its product range and building manufacturing facilities across continents, in India as well as Africa. We have also started to diversify the markets where we sell, and the FTA with UK will be a big help. As this unprecedented tariff scenario with the US unfolds, we will explore all diversification options, including working with our existing customers, on how we can hold price points for the end consumer through innovation," he said in a statement to Mint.

Pearl Global Industries Ltd (PGIL), a listed garment exporter with manufacturing hubs in India, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Guatemala, has been working to reduce its reliance on the US market. While over 60% of its business came from the US in FY24, that figure is down to just over 50% at present due to growth in other markets. Its clients include Kohls, Old Navy, Primark, among others.

With the sharp hike in US tariffs, PGIL is now shifting US-bound production to tariff-friendly hubs like Guatemala, Vietnam, Indonesia and Bangladesh, its managing director Pallab Banerjee said in a statement to Mint.

With the 50% tariff imposed on India, Pearl Global is recalibrating its business strategy to adapt to these evolving trade dynamics. While production for the US market will be reassigned to more favourable hubs, India will continue to grow by tapping into new and advantageous partnershipslike the UK FTA, and will focus on other existing FTA markets of Japan and Australia until the US tariff issue is resolved."

Banerjee said the increased tariff has already triggered an immediate order shift, with buyers relocating production to alternative hubs where PGIL has operational capacity and a net 10% baseline tariff.
A new standard operating procedure has set the framework for slashing the longdrawn procedural drift involved in securing regulatory approvals for mergers and demergers, creating much-needed predictability for dealmakers. Yet, the toughest hurdles remain untouched.

The SOP rolled out by the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd and BSE Ltd, effective 1 August, promises a seven-working-day processing window for merger and demerger applications if all the documents are in order. Until now, the processing window typically stretched for 3-5 months.

The framework, which has been mandated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India, also scraps physical paperwork, requiring only digital filings through platforms such as NSEs Electronic Application Processing System and BSEs Listing Centre.

However, companies listed on stock exchanges still need to approach the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to secure approvals for mergers and demergers, a time-consuming and laborious processthe government had considered eliminating.

Also, regulatory scrutiny and sequence can still stretch deal timetables, said market participants and lawyers, adding that the new frameworks rigidity could create fresh risks.

While the SOP imposes a streamlined and timebound mechanism it simultaneously gives rise to certain challenges, primarily due to the inflexible nature of the framework, undefined obligations of Sebi, and the absence of safeguards against unforeseen procedural failures," said Madhavan Srivatsan, senior partner, Emerald Law Offices.

Key Takeaways NSE and BSEs new SOP sets a seven-day window for reviewing merger and demerger applications if filings are complete, replacing longer processes.

However, NCLT clearances, undefined Sebi timelines, and rigid response rules could still stretch deal closures.

While investors and lawyers welcome predictability, concerns remain over procedural inflexibility and tight deadlines for company responses.

The SOP enforces strict timelines at every stage. Companies must file their draft scheme for a merger or demerger within 15 days of board approval, and will be given only two opportunities to respond to queries from the exchanges.

The exchanges, if satisfied with the draft scheme, will issue a noobjection certificate or observation letter to Sebi, which will then issue its clearance. Only then can a company approach the NCLT for a final sanction.

Ketan Dalal, managing director at compliance and advisory firm Katalyst Advisors, termed the first step of securing exchange and Sebi signoffs as long and tortuous".

The first step of taking approval from exchanges (where they internally take Sebis approval) is now taking 3-5 months. Unless this approval comes, companies cannot apply to the NCLT," he said.

Dalal urged for a structural change: Allow parallel NCLT filings, with companies committing to incorporate Sebi-driven amendments in their draft scheme or withdraw if the plan is rejected. This parallel tracking will help to save 4-5 months in a situation where the current timelines are out of sync with commercial reality," he said.

Also Read | Sebi may revisit AIF rules after industry pushback on investor parity norms

Some gaps, but keeps traffic moving

Srivatsan of Emerald Law Offices pointed to the lack of a statutory outer limit for Sebis signoff in the new framework, leaving the overall timetable open-ended.

The SOP could have clarified an outer timeline for exchanges to grant the NoC to the issuer, which actually matters the most to the issuer for filing the scheme with NCLT," he said.

Srivatsan also flagged the absence of redressal mechanisms for technology failures, which could potentially require restarting the review cycle.

The SOPs strict reminders-and-return mechanism for incomplete responses could penalize issuers even when delays stem from exchange systems or required third-party inputs, he added.

Other practitioners warned about the tighter response pressures in the new framework.

They (companies) will now only get two opportunities to respond to the deficiencies before the application is rejected," said Yash Vardhan Singh, counsel, Sarvaank Associates, adding that the mandate to respond only through a digital platform could test the digital-readiness of a company.

Ravi Mehta, leadertransaction tax, BhutaShah and Co. Llp, flagged that limited timeline allowed for companies to respond to queries from the stock exchanges.

Companies must respond to exchange queries in three working days, which may be tight if internal approvals, like (from the) board or auditors, are needed. There could also be risk of rejection or deferral if deadlines are missed," he said.

Also Read | Sebi proposes to ease disclosure norms for debenture issuers

The exchanges should ideally have the power to relax the time period for responding certain queries upon request," added Anand Jayachandran, partner at law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.

The new framework, despite these complaints, offers several advantages, market participants and lawyers said.

The fixed turnaround times and common checklists in the new SOP should cut friction, enable cleaner equity issuance timelines, and support capital deployment schedules for investors and private equity funds, said Mehta.

The SOP also ensures quick transmission of documents to Sebi, which often has been a bottleneck in large deals. Investors and private equity can better estimate when regulatory clearance might arrive," he said.

Any step that defines or reduces approval timelines is a net win," added Jayachandran. They may not eliminate traffic lights, but will ensure listed companies and exchanges try to keep the traffic moving."

Also Read | Sebi proposes sweeping changes for fund managers, AMC overhaul
Tata Group-owned Air India announced on Sunday, 10 August 2025, that the airline is set to upgrade its 26-aircraft fleet of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners to increase reliability and reduce operational disruptions.

As part of a Reliability Enhancement Programme, Air India will be upgrading the avionics and other critical components of the 26 legacy B787-8 aircraft up to the latest industry standards, thus improving their reliability, said Air India in its official announcement.

According to the official announcement, the company will analyse the maintenance and configuration records for these aircraft as part of its programme.

Additionally, seven of the 26 B787-8s will undergo heavy, scheduled maintenance (D-checks) at Victorville, ensuring the fleets long-term operational excellence, said the company in the official filing.

Air India's Upgrade Details Air India's Dreamliners' 26 B787-8 aircraft and seven 787-9 aircraft had undergone checks, including that of fuel switches, after the fatal crash of the London Gatwick Air India flight, which crashed moments after take off from Ahmedabad. The accident killed 260 people on 12 June 2025.

Under the $400 million fleet retrofit programme announced in December 2022, the Tata Group-owned airline has now started the retrofit of the first legacy Dreamliner, which was flown to a Boeing facility in Victorville, California, in July 2025.

A second aircraft is scheduled to depart for the same facility in October 2025, with both expected to return to service in December 2025, said the airline on Sunday.

Additionally, the airline said seven of the 26 B787-8s will undergo heavy, scheduled maintenance (D-checks) at Victorville, ensuring the fleet's long-term operational excellence.

The retrofit of the legacy Dreamliners is expected to be completed by mid-2027. The retrofitted planes will have three-class configurations: Business, Premium Economy, and Economy Class seats.

Starting in early 2027, Air India will additionally retrofit 13 of its legacy Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, aiming for completion by October 2028, with the timeline having shifted due to supply chain delays, said the company.

Air India has around 190 narrow-body and wide-body planes.

The airline's retrofit programme for 27 legacy A320 neo aircraft that commenced last September is expected to be completed in September this year.

So far, 16 A320neo aircraft have been retrofitted.

Air India has also decided to retrofit its 13 legacy A321 ceo planes that were earlier planned to be taken out of service.
Battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. has suspended production at a major lithium mine in Chinas Jiangxi province for at least three months, according to people familiar with the matter.

CATL, the worlds largest manufacturer of electric-vehicle batteries, has announced internally that the Jianxiawo mine would be temporarily halting operations, said the people. One of the people said affiliated refineries in nearby Yichun had been informed. They asked not to be named as they are not authorized to speak publicly.

Traders had been closely monitoring the mine and the extension of a mining permit which was due to expire on Aug. 9. The Chinese company didnt immediately respond to questions from Bloomberg outside business hours.

The lithium industry has been buffeted in recent weeks by extreme volatility in the spot, futures and equity markets, and the Jianxiawo operation has been in particular focus given questions over its permit renewal. Last week traders flew drones over the mine, forecast to account for about 3% of the worlds mined production, in the hope of gauging the current state of production.

CATLs permit trouble and suspension come as Beijing cracks down on overcapacity across a host of industries and increases scrutiny of mining operations. For an industry that has been plagued by a glut for more than two years, however, the pause in output from a significant link in the supply chain will be a boon.

The most-active lithium carbonate futures contract touched more than 80,000 yuan in July on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange, which moved to rein in speculative trades afterward. The material surged around 9% last week to change hands at 75,000 yuan on Friday.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
The Punjab National Bank (PNB) has identified 100 non-performing assets (NPAs) for sale to asset reconstruction companies (ARCs) in FY26, MD and CEO Ashok Chandra told PTI in an interview.

Speaking to the news agency, Chandra said that the second largest public sector bank (PSB) in India, is aiming for recovery with book size between 4,000-5,000 crore. He added that the bank expects to recover something in the range of 40-50 per cent minimum.

Through that route also, we are expecting a good recovery should happen this financial year. There may be an account where 100 per cent recovery is also going to take place because you have good security now, but in some cases it could be low. We are anticipating that average recovery should be 40-50 per cent minimum, he added.

Strategies to touch  30 lakh crore by FY-end Chandra also told PTI that the bank is working on the right strategies to reach a milestone of 30 lakh crore total business by the end of the current financial year.

PNB's total business rose by 11.6 per cent to 27.19 crore at the end of Q1FY26; and it is followed closely by Bank of Baroda with a total business of 26.43 lakh crore and Canara Bank at 25.64 lakh crore, till June 30, 2025.

We have a target of 29.56 lakh crore for the current financial year. We may do better than our target and can touch 30 lakh crore by March next year, but let me add that we are very mindful that whatever the top line, we are going to build, it should add profit to my bank, Chandra said.

He added that PNB is very conscious of the operating profit, and even in the first quarter itself, the bank has recorded the highest ever operating profit of 7,081 crore. Whether it is deposit mobilisation or the corporate loan book, everything should add to the bottom line of the bank. So, that is the reason now, bulk deposits have been brought down and the corporate deposits have curtailed to a great extent, he said.

Sharing the strategy to achieve the goal, Chandra said the bank targets a minimum 11-12 per cent credit growth and 9-10 per cent deposit growth in FY26.

Have good corporate loan book pipeline of  1.29 lakh crore We have a good pipeline of corporate loan book of 1.29 lakh crore, which is in various stages of disbursement. There has been muted growth in the past, as there was a low-yielding advanced corporate loan book. We have shed that. Now, we are very mindful that whatever loan book we are going to build, it should make a good contribution to operating profit, according to Chandra.

He also expressed confidence that there will be at least a double-digit digit from Q2 onwards as far as the corporate loan segment is concerned. And noted that the lender is very aggressive in corporate lending and has provided confidence to corporate borrowers that decisions will be taken within 15 days.

Anything which comes to the head office, within 15 days, we are going to communicate the decision. This has given a lot of confidence to the corporates, he said.

The bank is also aggressive as far as project finance is concerned. We have created a dedicated cell, which is headed by a General Manager, for the project financing, he added.

On MSMEs, SHGs, rural sectors In the MSME segment, he said, the bank has grown at 17-18 per cent and that growth will continue, while core retail loans in housing, vehicle and education would also continue to grow at 17 per cent.

Stressing that agriculture is a important component for the bank now, he said, "There is one component that is self help group, where we have put lot of focus, and we are seeing that this year, at least 30-40 per cent growth should happen in self help group portfolio, because that constitutes my small and marginal farmer category and forms part of priority sector lending."

The bank is also putting a lot of focus on the food processing sector and infrastructure-related facilities like godowns and cold storage for the rural areas, he added.

In a bid to promote lending, the bank has been holding loan outreach programmes for various segments, including MSME and agriculture, at regular intervals.
Chandigarh, Aug 10 (PTI) Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday said since the launch of the 'Bill Liao Inam Pao' scheme in September 2023, a penalty worth 9.07 crore has been imposed on entities which were found guilty of irregularities in issuing bills to consumers.

"Of this, 7.30 crore has already been recovered, marking a significant step forward in ensuring fiscal accountability", said Cheema while adding that the scheme has further expanded the tax base by facilitating 135 new registrations.

In a statement, Cheema said, "The scheme's focus on encouraging citizens to demand bills has had a profound impact on tax enforcement.

The finance minister said the scheme 'Bill Liao Inam Pao' (bring a bill, get a reward), which was launched to encourage responsible consumer behaviour and strengthen tax compliance, has seen remarkable success.

The initiative has witnessed enthusiastic public participation, with a total of 1,76,832 bills uploaded on the 'Mera Bill app' from September 2023, when it was launched, to July 2025.

"This surge in engagement has resulted in 5,644 winners receiving prizes amounting to 3,35,80,215," said Cheema.

The scheme is targeted at motivating consumers to obtain bills from dealers for their purchases made within the state.

Under this scheme, consumers are encouraged to upload bills of their purchases on the "mera bill app", after which they will automatically become eligible to participate in a lucky draw, which is held on the seventh of each month.

The reward will be equivalent to five times the taxable value of goods or services declared in the bill, with a maximum capping of 10,000 for each reward.

The FM said the department promptly transfers the prize amount to winners' bank accounts upon receipt of the necessary details, including account numbers.

He appealed to the people of Punjab to actively engage with the "Bill Liao Inam Pao" scheme by demanding bills for their purchases.

He underscored that every bill uploaded not only offers a chance to win but also contributes meaningfully to the state's efforts in curbing tax evasion and promoting a culture of compliance.

Cheema clarified that bills pertaining to petroleum products (including crude oil, petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel, and natural gas), liquor, out-of-state purchases, and B2B transactions are excluded from the scheme's eligibility criteria.

He stressed that only bills for purchases made in the preceding month are considered for the draw, thereby ensuring the scheme's fairness and operational effectiveness.

The success of this initiative stands as a testament to the power of citizen-driven governance and reflects the AAP government's resolve to build a more accountable and participatory fiscal ecosystem, he said.
Mumbai, Aug 10 (PTI) The RBI plans to standardise forms to process claims on deceased customers' bank accounts and lockers within a 15-day timeframe and provide compensation to nominees for any settlement delays.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposes to come out with standard procedures for the settlement of claims in respect of bank accounts, and articles kept in safe custody or safe deposit lockers of deceased bank customers. The aim is to make the settlement more convenient and simpler.

Towards this, the central bank has issued 'Draft Circular - Reserve Bank of India (Settlement of Claims in respect of Deceased Customers of Banks) Directions, 2025' and invited comments and feedback on it by August 27.

"A bank shall use the standardised forms for receiving the claims and other documents...," said the draft.

It also has provisions for compensation for delay in the settlement of claims.

In case a nominee has been provided in deposit accounts or lockers, he or she would have to submit a claim form, death certificate (deceased customer), and an officially valid document of the nominee/survivor towards verifying identity and address, the draft said.

According to the draft, a bank should adopt a simplified procedure for settlement of claims in deposit accounts, where a deceased depositor had not made any nomination, keeping in view the imperative need to avoid inconvenience and undue hardship to the claimant/ legal heir.

For the settlement of such claims, a bank, based on its risk management systems, should fix a threshold limit, subject to a minimum of 15 lakh.

In cases of claim amount up to the threshold limit, additional documents like a bond of indemnity/ surety signed by the claimants and a letter of disclaimer/ no objection from non-claimant legal heirs, if applicable, will be required.

For a claim amount above the threshold limit, a succession certificate, or a legal heir certificate issued by a competent authority, or a declaration regarding the legal heirs of the deceased depositor would also be needed.

The draft also lists documents required for settlement of claims in a safe deposit locker and articles in safe custody kept by the deceased customer in cases without a nominee/survivor.

It further said that a bank should settle a claim in respect of deposit accounts of a deceased customer within a period not exceeding 15 calendar days from the date of receipt of all the requisite documents associated with the claim, it said.

"In case of safe deposit locker/ articles in safe custody, the bank shall, within 15 days of receipt of all the requisite documents, process the claim and issue communication to the claimant for fixing the date for taking inventory of the locker/ articles in safe custody," said the draft.

According to the draft, the standardised forms and other documents required for settlement of claims with respect to the deposit accounts/ safe deposit locker/ articles in safe custody kept by a deceased customer should be made available in all the branches as well as on the bank's website.

Banks should also display on their website the list of documents to be submitted by a claimant and the procedure to be followed for the settlement of claims in various scenarios.

On compensation for delay in settlement of claims, the draft said that if any deposit-related claim is not settled within the timeframe stipulated, then the bank should communicate to the claimants the reasons for such delay.

"Further, in cases of delay attributable to the bank, compensation shall be paid to the claimants by the bank in the form of interest, at a rate not less than the prevailing Bank Rate plus 4 per cent per annum, on the settlement amount due for the period of delay. The reference date for reckoning the amount due and the prevailing Bank rate shall be the date of receipt of all requisite documents from the claimant," the draft said.

In claims related to safe deposit locker/ articles in safe custody, the bank would pay compensation to the claimants at the rate of 5,000 for each day of delay, in cases where it doesn't adhere to the timeline prescribed.

While issuing the draft directions, the RBI said the nomination facility in deposit accounts, safe deposit lockers and articles in safe custody is intended to facilitate expeditious settlement of claims by banks upon the death of a deceased customer and to minimise hardship caused to the family members.

Further, in cases where nomination is not registered, the extant instructions require banks to adopt a simplified procedure up to a threshold limit.

"However, it is observed that divergent practices are being followed by banks. Hence, it has been decided to review the extant instructions and issue revised regulations to streamline the procedures and standardise the documentation to bring improvement in the quality of customer service in this regard," it said.
Key Points

MP Materials lost less money than expected last quarter, and collected more revenue than expected.

Sales surged 84% year over year, but MP is still losing money and burning cash.

The government has offered MP financial support in the form of a $400 million investment.

10 stocks we like better than MP Materials 

Shares of MP Materials (NYSE: MP), America's biggest pure play on mining rare earths, soared nearly 12% in early trading Friday after beating earnings (sort of) last night. It's since given back much of its gains, but as of 2:25 p.m. ET is still up 4.1%.

Analysts forecast MP would lose $0.20 per share on second-quarter sales of $45.6 million. In fact, the company lost only $0.13 per share (hence "beating" earnings), and reported $57.4 million in sales.

Image source: Getty Images.

MP Materials' Q2 earnings

Sales surged 84% year over year, with rare-earth oxide production up 45% and NdPr production more than doubling. MP is still selling off most of the rare earths it mines -- 74%. But the company's keeping more for itself, and used it to create and sell $19.9 million worth of magnets.

One unhappy note worth highlighting: MP lost only $0.13 after backing out one-time costs. With costs included, the company's loss as calculated according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) was much closer to analysts' forecast: $0.19 per share.

Still, this was less than MP lost in last year's Q2.

Is MP stock a buy?

MP Materials stock skyrocketed in July after the Department of Defense invested $400 million in company stock in order to boost the magnets business and secure U.S. supply chain access to these invaluable components. Investors seemed to think that if the government was investing in MP stock, then it must be a sure thing.

I'm not so sure about that.

MP has lost $53.5 million so far this year, and burned through more than $126 million in cash. Even with sales surging, I'm going to want to see the company prove it can generate consistent, solid profits before buying into MP.

Should you buy stock in MP Materials right now?

Before you buy stock in MP Materials, 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 MP Materials 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 $636,563!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,108,033!*
Trump tariff shock: Indian steelmakers industry body has filed a petition to consider and impose anti-dumping duties on cheap steel imports into India, which are posing a challenge to the domestic operators.

The Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISSDA) filed a petition with the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) requesting the regulator to investigate the dumping of stainless steel items in India from a selected group of nations. The steelmakers of the nation are now waiting for DGTR to start its investigation into the matter.

Ministry of Commerces Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) is the authority for administering all trade remedial measures, including antidumping, countervailing duties and safeguard measures in the nation.

DGTR also takes two to three months to start an investigation, reported PTI quoting Abhyuday Jindal, the managing director of Jindal Stainless.

He highlighting that the appeal was filed around the end of June 2025.

Also Read | Dalal Street week ahead: 5 key factors that will drive the market

The executive also said that Indian steelmakers have been suffering from the steel dumping into India from nations like China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Now, with the backdrop of the 50% US tariffs imposed on India, and the overall volatile geopolitical environment due to a raging trade war with the US against other nations, Jindal highlighted the need to protect our borders.

Definitely...because for a very long time we have been suffering with substandard dumped material from countries like China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and looking at now absolutely these trade uncertainties globally, it's definitely required to protect our borders, protect our homegrown companies, Jindal told the news agency.

Indias stainless steel imports for the financial year ended 2024-25 jumped to 1.73 million tonnes, with China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and South Korea contributing the most to the rise in shipments into the nation, reported the news agency, citing BigMints market research data.

Trump tariffs Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump increased the tariffs on all imports from India, bringing it up to 50% after signing an executive order to impose an additional 25% tariff rate on all imports from India, on top of the pre-existing 25% rates.

Indian exporters are already facing the blow of the US tariffs, with the nation now falling under one of the most heavily tariffed countries in the world amid the ongoing trade war between the United States and other world nations.
Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee said that India should consider whether or not importing cheap crude oil from Russia is worth it after US President Donald Trump imposed additional tariffs on all imports from India, reported the news agency PTI on Sunday, 10 August 2025.

Abhijit Banerjee, at the sidelines of an event at the BML Munjal University, highlighted that India needs to think hard about the topic of importing Russian oil and then ask the US about whether or not they will take the tariffs down if the oil import stops.

"We need to think hard about whether Russian oil imports are worth it and then go back to the US to say that, you know, will they take it (tariff) off, if we stop importing Russian oil," Banerjee told the news agency.

Tariff Impact According to the agency report, the steep US tariffs are expected to bring a $27 billion impact on non-exempt exports that India deals with the US, and that there have been talks of stopping or curbing oil imports from Russia.

"It is not crazy to think about it. At a 25 per cent tariff, some of our exports are already not competitive, so maybe 50 per cent (tariff) does not matter," said Banerjee, cited in the news report.

Also Read | Trump mulls tariffs on China over Russian oil purchases after move against India

India-Russia Trade India is the largest importer of Russian crude oil as the nation purchased 1.6 million barrels per day in July 2025, according to the agency report.

The news report also highlights that India has not placed any orders for August and September, due to the discounts that encouraged Indian oil refiners to import oil from the Black Sea, which have decreased by about $2 per barrel.

India imported 88 million tonnes of crude oil from Russia in the financial year 2024-25 out of the total shipment of 245 million tonnes, as per the agency report. Oil refining companies buy supplies of crude in advance contracts of two months, hence the orders for August and September were arranged before Trump's 7 August 2025 additional tariff announcement.

Trump tariffs on India US President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff rate on all imports from India in addition to the baseline import duties of 10% before the tariff deadline of 1 August 2025, scrapping an industry-expected trade deal between the two nations.

Trump attributed this tariff-imposition move, citing that India is a vast majority buyer of military equipment and crude oil from Russia. He also claimed that Indias purchase of these items has enabled Russia in the war against Ukraine.

Indias 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, said Donald Trump in his post on Truth Social.

After the initial tariff move against India, President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff rate on all imports from India on top of pre-existing rates.
Romanian auteur Radu Jude and Hollywood actor Sebastian Stan are teaming up for a daring new cinematic project that reimagines Mary Shelleys iconic monster  this time, on Romanian soil.

Sebastian Stan to lead the Romanian take on Frankenstein Fresh off the world premiere of Dracula at the Locarno Film Festival, Jude revealed that he is currently writing Frankenstein in Romania, a film that promises to blend gothic horror with political subtext.

Stan, known globally for his roles in Pam & Tommy, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier', and The Apprentice, is set to take on a challenging double role  both as Victor Frankenstein and his infamous creature.

Jude, who won the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay at this years Berlin Film Festival with Kontinental 25, said the idea grew organically after discussing a possible collaboration with Stan. The actor, who was born in Romania and later emigrated to the United States, reportedly responded enthusiastically to Judes unconventional pitch.

Im writing a Frankenstein film in Romania, Jude told The Hollywood Reporter. Its going to be called Frankenstein in Romania. Sebastian will play both roles  Frankenstein and the monster.

Why Sebastian Stan and why Frankenstein? The story is expected to weave in historical elements, including the real-life existence of a secret CIA prison once located in Romania, layering modern political commentary onto the mythos of the Frankenstein legend.

This marks a unique moment for both artists. For Stan, its a return to his roots and a departure from the typical blockbuster fare. For Jude, its another boundary-pushing exploration following the absurdist satire of Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn and the sharp class critique in Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World.

Judes prolific 2025 continues. After Locarno, he plans to begin work on another film  a more grounded drama inspired by The Diary of a Chambermaid that will tackle themes of immigration and labour. It will follow the story of a Romanian woman working for a French family in Bordeaux while her own child remains at home.

This next one wont be Dracula-ish, Jude noted. Its more in the tone of Kontinental 25  serious, reflective. I want to explore the ties between Western Europe and Eastern Europe through personal experience.
War 2 Advance Bookings Open Today: The most anticipated Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR and Kiara Advani starrer is set to hit the silver screen soon. Releasing on the occasion of Independence Day alongside Rajinikanth's Coolie on August 14, the two major movies are in for a clash.

As per film industry tracker Sacnilk, the Hindi version of War 2 is will release on 5000 screens in India, which features a runtime of 2 hours 53 minutes.

Although the movie will see limited release in the Southern belt  Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Pondicherry, the film will be available in 2 other languages besides Hindi  Telugu and Tamil. Made on a budget of 400 crores, according to Bollywood Hungama, the costliest Spy film in India is expected to emerge as one of the biggest openers of the year.

War 2 Advance Bookings The advance bookings window of Hindi version opens today, August 10 while that of Telugu and Tamil versions will open tomorrow, August 11.

"Early reports suggest that premium formats like IMAX and 4DX are already witnessing strong demand in metropolitan cities, while single screens in mass belts are gearing up for a high turnout, Sacnilk said.

Film trade analyst Taran Adarsh in a post on X stated, 'WAR 2' RUN TIME  HINDI, TELUGU, TAMIL #War2 has been certified 'UA' 16+ by #CBFC #India for all three versions #Hindi: 2 hours, 53 min, 24 sec #Telugu: 2 hours, 51 min, 44 sec #Tamil: 2 hours, 51 min, 44 sec. Theatrical release date: [Thursday] 14 August 2025.

The filmmakers Yash Raj Films (YRF) locked in the ticket pricing strategy for the Ayan Mukerji directorial film. As per reports, the ticket prices of 'War 2' are likely to be higher and in the range of other big movies like 'Pushpa 2'.

YRF has asked cinemas to go for mega blockbuster pricing for War 2," a trade insider informed Bollywood Hungama. Hrithik Roshan reprises in his role as super-spy Kabir while Ashutosh Rana and Anil Kapoor play key roles.
New Delhi, Aug 10 (PTI) The Seafood Export Association of India has approached the ministries of commerce and finance to seek emergency financial support as USD 2 billion worth of shrimp exports to the US face severe disruptions due to increased tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, a statement said on Sunday.

The association has requested a 30 per cent increase in working capital through soft loans, with margins covered by interest subvention and a 240-day moratorium for pre- and post-packaging operations.

"Close to USD 2 billion worth of shrimp exports face severe disruptions," Seafood Export Association of India (SEAI) Secretary General K N Raghavan told PTI, adding that Trump last week further increased reciprocal tariffs from 25 per cent to up to 50 per cent.

India exported USD 2.8 billion worth of shrimps to the US in 2024 and has shipped USD 500 million worth so far this year. The new duties make Indian seafood significantly less competitive compared to China, Vietnam and Thailand, which face US tariffs of only 20-30 per cent, Raghavan said.

He warned that these Asian competitors would likely capture US market share by lowering prices while Indian exporters cannot reroute existing shipments as it would attract additional 40 per cent penalties for contract violations.

"The only way is to explore five new markets, but it would take time. For instance, the free trade deal with the UK, although signed, will take time for implementation," Raghavan said.
Lucknow, Aug 10 (PTI) A special session on "Empowering Public Representatives: Strengthening Communication through AI" was held in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Sunday.

Speaker Satish Mahana, Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna and members from various parties attended the programme, which was conducted by IT experts Harshit and Ashutosh Tiwari, a statement said.

In his inaugural address, Mahana said technology keeps changing with time, but the ideals and guidance of seniors always provide the right direction.

Recalling the early days of mobile phones, he said it has now become integral to daily life, and in changing times, it is essential for MLAs to adopt new technologies, he said.

He further said that in changing times, it has become mandatory for the MLAs to adopt new technologies. Through Artificial Intelligence (AI), not only efficiency can be increased, but communication with the public can also be made more transparent and quick.

Mahana said, "Technology is not just a means of convenience, it has the potential to completely change the way we work."

Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey said he was happy that new technology was being promoted in the Vidhan Sabha and recalled that there was a time when even mobile phones were rare

Today advanced technologies like AI are further empowering legislative work, he said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said the history of the Vidhan Sabha was now being preserved through technology and this was the result of Speaker Mahana's visionary thinking.

Describing AI as a "source of knowledge", he said the right use of technology could make legislators more effective.

During the session, various members -- including Sachin Yadav, Surabhi, Shashank Trivedi, Ragini, Pallavi and Abhay -- agreed that technologies like AI open up new possibilities in serving the citizens by empowering public representatives, the statement said.

On this occasion, a handbook titled "AI-Driven Governance for Legislators" was also released, which provides information ranging from the basic concepts of AI to multilingual communication, automated policy analysis, case studies and guidelines for ethical use.

Technical experts in the session explained how AI can be used in voice-to-text, sentiment analysis, translation and document preparation. The proposed AI solutions include integrated dashboards and chatbots, which will make information available instantly to both legislators and the public.

Mahana said the use of AI is not just an act of adopting technology, but it is a means of improving accountability, transparency and public interest.
As China unveils a sweeping national child-care subsidy, its nurturing a new constituency within local government budgets: a publicspending class of parents, service providers, and provincial officials now woven into Beijings demographic stimulus strategy.

In late July 2025, Beijing announced a standardized subsidy of 3,600 yuan ($500) a year for every child under the age of threea measure universally applied to children born before or after 2025, with provinces encouraged to top up the central payment.

The central government has earmarked 90 billion yuan ($12.5 billion) for the program in 2025, projected to reach over 20 million families, shifting the burden from local governments onto state coffers.

The National Health Commission described the initiative as an important national livelihood policy" and predicted it could reduce the cost of family childbirth and parenting" while helping to assuage the fertility anxieties of young couples."

Chinas population dropped for the third consecutive year in 2024, with just 9.54 million births, about half of the figure in 2016, when the onechild policy ended. Fertility remains stubbornly low, at an estimated 1.15 children per woman, far below the replacement rate.

Economists see the subsidy as emblematic of a deeper pivot: from coercive population limits to tacit fiscal encouragement. But skepticism abounds as to its effectiveness.

Zichun Huang of Capital Economics called it a major milestone in terms of direct handouts to households," but warned the sums were too small to have a nearterm impact on the birthrate or consumption."

Similarly, China economist Emma Zang of Yale University cautioned that without sustained structural investment in areas like affordable child-care, parental leave, and job protections for women, the effect on fertility is likely to remain minimal."

To meet the policys promise, local governments must either absorb operational overhead for subsidy payouts or develop new support structures. In wealthier provinceslike Zhejiang or Guangdonglocal leaders may add generous top-ups or expand service networks. In less affluent regions, the subsidy may deepen fragility if central supports are insufficient.

Already, some pilot programs had demonstrated the scale local subsidies can reach: Hohhot (Inner Mongolia) offered up to 100,000 yuan for third births, while Shenyang in Liaoning gave 500 yuan a month until age 3 for thirdchild familiesfar exceeding the new national baseline.

These experiments have created expectations for future local expansions, even as provincial debt burdens grow. The centrallocal fiscal tension is sharpening.

By transferring cash directly to households, Beijing hopes to spur modest increases in household spending. But the sumsroughly $500 per child a yearare unlikely to fundamentally shift behavior.

Still, for many families, even a modest subsidy carries weight. Its not enough to change whether we have another child," said Liu Chen, a 32-year-old mother of two in Sichuan. But it helps cover diapers and daycare, and it makes us feel like the government sees us."

Others see the program less as a parenting incentive than a welcome form of income support. I never thought Id get money from the government just for being a dad," said Zhang Wei, a delivery driver in Shandong whose second child was born last year. Its not much, but it makes you pay attention. You start to notice these policies."

Still, analysts note it isnt just about fertilityits about seeding a care economy. Providers of earlyeducation, maternal health, and child services may see new revenue streams, especially in urban hubs. The policy may also invite private capital into a previously understructured sector.

Investors should watch listed Chinese firms tied to child-care services, womens health, or realestate developers catering to familyoriented infrastructure. Baby and child-care product providers Beingmate and Shanghai Aiyingshiboth mainland China-listedhave seen notable share price jumps immediately following the subsidy announcement.

This policy shift arrives as China confronts a rapidly aging population, a shrinking labor force, and persistent underconsumption. Without higher birthrates or immigration, fiscal pressures will mount as pension and healthcare costs rise.

With a publicspending class" of child-care recipients, policymakers may be laying the groundwork for more ambitious social transfers in the future. The centralized rollout breaks precedentand marks a symbolic shift in the role of welfare in Chinas developmental state.

The question for policymakers and markets is whether this is the foundation of a new social contract, or a fiscally manageable shortterm fix.

Chinas child-care subsidy is modest in size but massive in symbolism. For the first time, Beijing is committing to fiscal transfers for young familiesshaping a new publicspending constituency and signaling a shift in statesociety relations.

Yet its ability to move demographic trends or transform consumption remains unproven. The coming quarters may reveal where China is headedtoward broader social welfare or deeper management of the demographic decline.

Write to editors@barrons.com
Leopold Aschenbrenner emerged last year as a precocious artificial-intelligence influencer after publishing a widely read manifesto. Then he decided to try his hand at stock picking.

The 23-year-old with no professional investing experience quickly raised more money for a hedge fund than most pedigreed portfolio managers can when they strike out on their own.

As valuations of Nvidia, OpenAI and other artificial-intelligence companies continue to soar, so do investments in hedge funds hoping to ride the AI wave.

Aschenbrenners San Francisco-based firm, Situational Awareness, now manages more than $1.5 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. He has described the firm as a brain trust on AI."

His strategy involves betting on global stocks that stand to benefit from the development of AI technology, such as semiconductor, infrastructure and power companies, along with investments in a few startups, including Anthropic. He told investors he plans to offset those with smaller short bets on industries that could get left behind.

Situational Awareness gained 47% after fees in the first half of the year, one of the people said. In the same period, the S&P 500 gained about 6%, including dividends, while an index of tech hedge funds compiled by research firm PivotalPath gained about 7%.

Aschenbrenner, a native of Germany, briefly worked as a researcher at OpenAI before being pushed out. He named Situational Awareness after the 165-page essay he wrote about the promise and risks of artificial superintelligence. He recruited Carl Shulman, another AI intellectual who used to work at Peter Thiels macro hedge fund, as director of research.

The firms backers include Patrick and John Collison, the billionaire brothers who founded payments company Stripe, as well as Daniel Gross and Nat Friedman, whom Mark Zuckerberg recently recruited to help run Metas AI efforts. Graham Duncan, a well-known investor who organizes the Sohn Investment Conference, is an adviser.

Were going to have way more situational awareness than any of the people who manage money in New York," Aschenbrenner told podcaster Dwarkesh Patel last year. Were definitely going to do great on investing."

In another sign of the demand for Aschenbrenners services, many investors agreed to lock up their money with him for years.

Other recent launches include an AI-focused hedge fund from Value Aligned Research Advisors, a Princeton, N.J.-based investment firm founded by former quants Ben Hoskin and David Field. The fund, launched in March, has already amassed about $1 billion in assets, a person familiar with it said. VAR also manages about $2 billion in other AI-focused investment strategies.

VARs investors have included the philanthropic foundation of Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, according to regulatory filings reviewed by fund-data tracker Old Well Labs.

Veteran hedge-fund firms are entering the fray, too. Last year, Steve Cohen tapped one of his portfolio managers at Point72 Asset Management, Eric Sanchez, to start an AI-focused hedge fund that Cohen planned to stake with $150 million of his own money. Assets at the fund, called Turionafter AI theorist Alan Turingnow exceed $2 billion, people familiar with the matter said.

Turion is up about 11% this year through July after it gained about 7% last month, the people said.

It is no surprise that thematic funds are springing up to capitalize on the AI frenzy. In years past, hedge funds that specialized in the transition to clean energy and investing with an environmental, social and corporate-governance lens proliferated in response to client demand.

Identifying a winning theme isnt the same thing as trading it well. Investors tastes can be fickle; many prominent ESG hedge funds have either shrunk or gone out of business.

The market swoon that followed the January release of an advanced, low-cost language model from Chinese company DeepSeek showed the fragility of the valuations of AI winners, though the market has roared back since then.

AI-focused investors argue the long-term trend of development and adoption are inevitable, even if there are bumps along the way.

With only so many publicly traded companies that operate in the AI-adjacent economy today, stock picking funds often pile into the same positions as one another and more generalist hedge funds. Vistra, a power producer that supplies the juice to AI data centers, was a top-three U.S. position of both Situational Awareness and VAR Advisors as of March 31, according to their most recent securities filings.

Other hedge-fund managers are debuting funds to make investments in privately held AI companies and startups. Gavin Bakers Atreides Management teamed up with Valor Equity Partners to launch a venture-capital fund earlier this year that has raised millions from investors including Omans sovereign-wealth fund. Each firm separately invested in Elon Musks xAI.

At least one portfolio manager is planning an AI hedge fund as a comeback vehicle. Sean Ma wound down his Hong Kong-based firm, Snow Lake Capital, after it agreed to pay about $2.8 million to settle Securities and Exchange Commission charges last year that the firm participated in stock offerings of companies that it had also bet against.

Ma took over an investment firm called M37 Management in Menlo Park, Calif., earlier this year. He is currently fundraising for a hedge fund focused on AI software and hardware.
Persistent Systems Ltd named Jaideep Vijay Dhok as its chief operating officer for technology on Thursday, marking its third leadership change in as many weeks, to bolster its growth momentum. However, the countrys ninth-largest information technology (IT) outsourcer is not the only one to have made leadership changes in the recent weeks.

At least five of its peers earning less than $5 billion in annual revenue announced a dozen such leadership changes in totalranking vertical heads and abovein less than 45 days. Analysts attribute these changes at mid-tier IT firms to their ambition to grow their business, with many of them luring top talent from their larger peers with proven skills and experience in scaling complex businesses.

These new appointments and exits at the nations mid-cap software services companies signal that they are looking to turbocharge growth at a time when generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and macro uncertainties are prompting their clients to carefully reassess their spending plans. This is because maintaining IT budgets gets tough when primary business itself is getting hampered due to tariff-related turmoil.

Sample this.

Dhok, earlier the senior vice-president and general manager for banks and financial institutions at Persistent, replaced Dhanashree Bhat, who resigned for personal reasons. He assumes the new role from 12 August. Bhat joined Persistent from Tech Mahindra Ltd in December 2023.

On 7 August, Persistent announced strategic leadership changes to scale its growth momentum and enhance its operational excellence."

This change reflects the strength of the companys existing leadership, succession planning, long-term transformation priorities, and continued focus on seamless execution," said Persistent Systems in a press release on 7 August.

As part of the rejig, Vinit Teredesai, who is the companys chief financial officer (CFO), is expected to take on the additional mantle of IT and ESG (environmental, social and governance), according to the companys press release.

Dhoks elevation follows the retirement of Yogesh Patgaonkar as the companys chief people officer on 23 July. He was replaced by Rajiv Naithani, who was previously the senior vice president of the company for six months. Naithani assumed his role from the start of the month.

Also Read | Top 5 IT firms feel the heatbut their richest CEO gets a raise

However, Pune-based Persistent was not the only mid-sized IT outsourcer to reshuffle its top ranks in the last 45 daysfive other peers have made similar changes.

Gururaj Deshpande joined as chief delivery officer of larger peer LTIMindtree Ltd on 4 August. He is expected to handle the companys delivery centres and talent functions, and will report directly to chief executive officer (CEO) Venu Lambu, according to a company release.

On 1 August, Coforge Ltd announced the exit of Gautam Samanta, president and executive director of the countrys seventh-largest IT outsourcer, as he wished to pursue other opportunities.

A day earlier, changes ensued at Hexaware Technologies Ltd, which made a comeback to the Indian stock exchanges this February. The Mumbai-headquartered IT service provider appointed Shantanu Baruah as president and global head of its healthcare and insurance vertical on 31 July. The former HCL executive vice-president replaced Milan Bhatt, who resigned in May.

There is a lot of talent demand for mid-caps. This is where the growth is anticipated and boards are seeking talent from experienced large-cap players to drive growth, avoid the bureaucracy of a large-cap, and make more money in the process," said R. Wang, founder of Constellation Research.

Hexaware also reposed its faith in company veteran Kush Gupta, who was promoted as vertical head of Hexawares hi-tech professional services on 6 July. While Baruah joins from the country's third-largest IT company HCL Technologies Ltd, Gupta has plied his trade in Hexaware for 24 years.

Both were designated as senior managerial personnel of the company and both changes were done to strengthen domain leadership and scale vertical growth, according to the companys press releases.

At L&T Technology Services Ltd (LTTS), M.T. Lakshmanan ceased to be the chief human resources officer (CHRO) as he was transferred back to Larsen & Toubro Ltd, the parent company which deputed him to LTTS. According to the companys 16 July press release, T. Shivram is the new CHRO of LTTS. He also came from the L&T Group.

Kamini Shah resigned as Birlasoft CFO on 23 July citing personal reasons, and was replaced by Chandrasekar Thyagarajan, who joined from Greaves Electric Mobility for a second stint as CFO.

There were elevations even in the non-client facing roles, as Shimona Chadha was named Persistent Systems chief marketing officer on 3 July, whereas Sairam Vedam took up that role for Coforge last month.

LTIMindtree, Coforge, Persistent Systems, Hexaware, LTTS and Birlasoft ended the April-June 2025 period with $1.15 billion, $442 million, $389.7 million, $382.1 million, $335.3 million and $150.7 million, respectively.

Mid-caps have outpaced the countrys five largest tech service providersTata Consultancy Services Ltd, Infosys Ltd, HCLTech, Wipro Ltd and Tech Mahindrafor two consecutive years, growing in double digits last year compared with 1-5% revenue growth at large-caps. Notably, Wipro and Tech Mahindra have reported a revenue decline in the last two years.

In relation to large-caps, churn at the CXO and vertical head level has been more pronounced for the smaller peers.

The last company to report this churn was Tech Mahindra, which saw 11 leadership changes in the past 15 months, and the movement count at the companys senior management swelled to at least 20 since March last year.

Some analysts said the changes were AI-induced.

The industry has hit a slowdown and its now much harder to grow. AI looks to be disrupting the industry," said Peter Bendor-Samuel, founder of Everest Group, adding that mid-sized firms are looking at attracting leaders from larger firms as they believe that these executives understand how to scale."

Also Read | The spectre of AI is staring Indian IT in the face

Automation has disrupted the countrys $283-billion IT industry, as Fortune companies push tech service providers to deliver more at lower costs. This comes at a time when IT outsourcers are grappling with low demand and tariff volatility.

A third expert said that mid-caps were struggling to find the right talent to build high-value customer relationships.

Many of these managers lack strategic thinking skills and are far too P&L (profit and loss) focused, so when the business is struggling, they struggle to build the right client relationships to be effective," said Phil Fersht, chief executive of HFS Research.

Fersht also echoed Bendor-Samuels views, adding that more talent from the large providers is coming onto the job market so it's easier for the likes of Persistent, Coforge and Mphasis to upgrade their teams, hence the heavy turnover we are seeing."
Mumbai: Kewal Kiran Clothing Ltd (KKCL), the maker of Killer, LawmanPg3, Integriti and Kraus apparel brands, aims to move beyond its denim-led heritage and become a multi-category fashion house, as it chases 1,500 crore in annual revenue by FY28.

The focus is to keep growing our core brands while entering categories where we can create value ourselves. We are not chasing volumes for the sake of it; we are building for long-term brand equity and profitability," joint managing director Hemant Jain told Mint.

The June quarter offered a strong start to the year. Revenue rose 54.5% year-on-year to 233.8 crore; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) climbed 50.6% to 41.5 crore with a 17.8% margin. Net profit grew 26.9% to 32 crore.

Also Read | India Couture Week: Clothes that reinvent the idea of wedding wear

The company net-added 14 exclusive brand outlets (EBOs), taking the total to 623 stores as of 30 June. The growth came from both higher volumes and better realisations. We saw encouraging orders for SpringSummer 2026 across brands," Jain said.

The strategy now is to diversify the mix. Killer will always remain the anchor, but LawmanPg3 will be driven harder on direct-to-consumer, Integriti is positioned to take share from unbranded apparel and value private labels and Kraus is our entry into womens casualwear with its own retail and export plans," Jain said.

On manufacturing, Jain was categorical: We dont want to do white label for others because our quality is as good as any other international brand. If we have to scale, we will do it for ourselves."

White label in apparel manufacturing refers to a business model where the manufacturer produces clothes that are then sold by other companies under their own brand and logo.

Retail expansion remains the primary growth lever. From 623 EBOs now, KKCL plans to reach 900 by FY28. About 85% will remain franchise-run, but in high-rent metro sites, we will operate stores ourselves to protect pricing and positioning," Jain said, adding that store formats are being standardised as the network deepens in tier-2 markets.

On e-commerce, Jain said the company is not looking to go all-in on its own sites yet. We are very clear, D2C is still a tough P&L to crack in our price points without creating channel conflict. So, we will focus on platforms where the unit economics work," he said. That includes a renewed three-year exclusive partnership with Flipkart for Killer, while keeping brand-owned websites in hygiene" mode.

Kraus is central to reducing dependence on Killer. Historically, Kraus was more large-format-heavy. We are changing that with our own stores, export entry and a bigger marketplace play," Jain said. Management expects to have about 30 Kraus EBOs by year-end.

Category mix is also shifting. In Killer, jeans have come down from about 70% five years ago to 50% now. Shirts, trousers and tees are growing faster," Jain said. Outside apparel, KKCLs personal care and grooming lines, launched for brand connect, have become profitable. Footwear is another interesting space. We launched it on Flipkart through a licence, and its already in their top-10 brands," he added.

Exports, currently skewed to the Middle East, will test South Asia and parts of Europe. We will start digital-first in new markets before going retail. The idea is to take the brand to diaspora-heavy markets first," he said.

The company will fund expansion largely through internal accruals, with guided annual capex of 30-35 crore. Most of it is going into brownfield expansion at Daman and Vapi," Jain said. Working capital, which stretched after the Kraus acquisition, is expected to improve. With integration stabilizing, we should come back towards 120 days," he added.

Also Read | Apparel retailers opt for an early summer shakeup to reset a slow year

Brokerages see merit in the pivot, but execution is key. ICICI Direct maintained a Buy" in its latest note, citing KKCLs strong brand portfolio and pan-India store and distribution network" and its long-standing margin discipline. Anand Rathi, in a May report, retained Buy" with a 610 target, highlighting the FY28 roadmap and noting that the retail channel now accounts for more than half of sales, a shift that could compress margins in the short term.

Kewal Kiran's stock closed nearly 3.5% lower at 549 on the BSE on Friday.

Real estate could be another lever. KKCL has begun shifting its Goregaon headquarters and is evaluating options for monetizing the current site. We will look at the best use: JV, outright sale or using it for a new category," Jain said, without giving a timeline.

For the company, the near-term test will be in execution. We have the brands, the network and the product quality. Now its about making each lever, retail, womens wear, category expansion and exports, work in tandem," Jain said.

If the plan holds, KKCLs next chapter will be less about a denim revival and more about building a house of brands with Killer as the engine, LawmanPg3 as fast-fashion, Integriti for value, Kraus to unlock womens wear, and extensions in grooming and footwear to widen wallet share. The first quarter points in that direction; the festive and winter seasons will show how fast it can run.
Key Points

An archrival's investigational obesity drug didn't perform spectacularly in a recent clinical study.

Its results lagged that of Novo Nordisk's star product, Wegovy.

10 stocks we like better than Novo Nordisk 

On Friday, the stock of Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) continued to be affected by results from the lab the previous day. The interesting twist: It wasn't the company conducting the research.

Rather, it was the Danish pharmaceutical company's No. 1 rival. Appreciative investors bid up Novo Nordisk's stock in a mini-rally that extended into Friday; the company's share price added nearly 5% during today's session.

That looked especially good next to the trajectory of the S&P 500 index, which could only manage a 0.8% increase on the day.

News from the lab

The previous day, that peer, Eli Lilly, reported the top-line results from a phase 3 trial of orforglipron. This is a pipeline GLP-1 drug akin to Novo Nordisk's Wegovy or Eli Lilly's own Zepbound, targeting weight loss. A key difference is that it's an oral medication, and thus easier to administer than the jabs of Wegovy and Zepbound.

Image source: Getty Images.

The company revealed that the highest dose of the medication led to an average of nearly 12% loss in body weight for the study's participants. The trial was conducted over a stretch of 72 weeks. Many analysts and pharmaceutical industry observers were expecting a higher rate: 15% or so.

More than a few believe orforglipron's rate compares unfavorably to Wegovy, hence Novo Nordisk's small share-price pop.

This, despite Eli Lilly's positive spin on the trial. In an interview on CNBC's Squawk Box, CEO David Ricks said that he was not disappointed with these results: "It's right on thesis for us."

"The goal was to create an oral pill that was convenient and can be made at a huge scale, really, for the mass market, and had weight loss that was competitive with other single-acting GLP-1s, and that's what we've achieved," Ricks said.

Weight loss for gain

This may be so, but GLP-1 weight loss drugs are a duopoly at the moment, with Wegovy and Zepbound, so the segment is tight and competitive. Any advantage is large, and with this latest news, Novo Nordisk seems to be enjoying one.

Should you buy stock in Novo Nordisk right now?

Before you buy stock in Novo Nordisk, 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 Novo Nordisk wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
US President Donald Trumps chip-tariff regime could disrupt the global electronics trade and send prices of all kinds of goods higher. One thing it appears unlikely to do: bring advanced chip-making roaring back in the U.S.

Trump last week threatened a 100% tariff on chips and semiconductors," but offered an exemption. Companies that commit to build in the U.S." wont have to pay the duty, according to Trump.

While vague, that appears logical on its face. If the point of the tariffs is to cajole companies into doing more of their work in the U.S., they ought to get a reprieve when they do that.

One issue is that all of the worlds big chip companies are already investing in U.S. production, encouraged in part by subsidies doled out by the prior administration. Meanwhile, other big technology companies are likely to invest in areas other than advanced chip production to get their own exemptions.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing is building chip factories north of Phoenix that are part of $165 billion of U.S. investments. South Koreas Samsung Electronics is building a project in Texas worth $40 billion. The list goes on.

It seems likely those chip manufacturers will win exemptions on tariffs thanks to the size of these investments. But if so, the latest tariffs wont incentivize them to keep adding to their U.S. operations. If anything, the incentive will be to make just enough U.S. investment to appease politicians, then import whatever else is needed, especially considering the substantially higher cost of manufacturing in the U.S.

Those higher U.S. costs have been a core issue for foreign chip-makers that the tariffs wont alleviate. TSMC told investors last month that it expects the higher cost of its U.S. fabrication to weigh down companywide gross margins by 2 to 3 percentage points over the next few years. And those fabs arent even first in line for the companys most expensive and most advanced technology. TSMCs Arizona facilities are currently producing chips with the companys N4 process technologytwo generations older than the N2 process the company is about to launch in its Taiwan fabs.

TSMC may be just one company, but advanced chip making is a game only few can play. TSMC, Samsung and Intel are the only chip makers in the world that can produce at the most technically advanced process nodes. And Intel is struggling for survivalhaving slashed its workforce and capital spending plans to conserve cash as it tries to catch up to TSMC. Trumps recent broadside against Intels Malaysian-born chief executive adds even more uncertainty to the chip giants outlook.

Counterintuitively, chip tariffs might end up having a more dramatic effect on electronics companies that dont make chips, because they have so much to lose from tariffs on vital imported components. Apples tariff exemptionsecured through pledges for $600 billion of investments over the next four yearssaved the company from costs that could have undermined its U.S. business.

Its peersat least those with deep pocketswill likely aim for the same tariff-free treatment.

If the goal is to spur investment in U.S. manufacturing generally, this might make sense. But if the aim of chip tariffs was to bring more advanced chip manufacturing to the U.S., these pledges are hardly silver bullets.

Apples U.S. investments do support domestic advanced chip-making: The company is the first and largest customer of TSMCs factory in Arizona and is working with Samsung to devise chip-making technology in Texas, among other efforts. But Apple is also spending big on server manufacturing, expanding its data centers and adding to its campus in Austin, Texasall activities that have less bearing on the domestic chip industry.

It is also notable that much of what Apple is doing was already in progress before the tariff threat. Chief Executive Tim Cook said in 2022 during a joint press conference with President Joe Biden that Apple would use TSMCs Arizona chips. Now that Apple has a tariff exemption, the tariffs provide no nudge to do more.

What is more, U.S.-based manufacturing will still come at a premium, and someone will have to cover the price. The higher cost of tariffs and U.S. production will eventually be shared across U.S. consumers and different parts of the supply chain," Bernstein Research analysts wrote in a report Thursday.

There remain good reasons for chip makers to expand in the U.S., of course. The companies have tapped grant money under 2022s Chips Act to increase their U.S. manufacturing. They also have access to tax credits for purchases of chip-making equipment that increased in Trumps big, beautiful bill" last month.

Many companies also see value in locating more of their supply chains in the U.S. to avoid the kind of shock they experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic. There is a geopolitical calculation at play, too, that has little to do with tariffs: A more aggressive Chinese posture toward Taiwan, a widening of conflicts in the Middle East, or any number of other potential political disruptions all give companies reasons to want more of their semiconductor supply chain close to home.

Those factors have been, and will continue to be, the main drivers of chip investment in the U.S.not tariffs.
New Delhi, Aug 10 (PTI) Indian refiners, the world's biggest user of Russian oil, can operate without supplies from Moscow from a technical standpoint, but the shift would involve major economic and strategic trade-offs, analysts said.

Russian crude supports high distillate yields - the share of crude converted into fuels like petrol, diesel, and jet fuel through distillation. Replacing Russian crude, which accounts for up to 38 per cent of India's refinery intake, with alternatives will shift yields, resulting in lower middle distillates (diesel and jet fuel) and higher residue outputs, according to global real-time data and analytics provider Kpler.

US President Donald Trump last week announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on US imports from India -- raising the overall duty to 50 per cent -- as a penalty for the country's continued imports of Russian oil.

Since the steep tariffs are likely to hit the USD 27 billion of non-exempt exports that India does to the US, there has been chatter around stopping or curtailing oil imports from Russia.

"Indian refiners can operate without Russian crude from a technical standpoint, but the shift would involve major economic and strategic trade-offs," Kpler said in a report, 'US Tariffs on Indian Imports: Implications for Energy Markets & Trade Flows'.

India turned to purchasing Russian oil sold at a discount after Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow and shunned its supplies over its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Consequently, from a mere 1.7 per cent share in total oil imports in 2019-20 (FY20), Russia's share increased to 35.1 per cent in FY25, and it is now the biggest oil supplier to India.

In terms of volume, India imported 88 million tonnes from Russia in FY25, out of the total shipment of 245 million tonnes.

In July, India received 1.6 million barrels per day of crude from Russia, ahead of China's nearly 1 million bpd and Turkey's around 5,00,000 bpd.

Kpler said deep discounts and strong compatibility with India's refining systems led to a surge in imports of Russian Ural crude oil.

"Russian crude supports high distillate yields (diesel and jet fuel) and is ideally suited to India's advanced refining infrastructure. It has enabled both state-owned and private refiners to operate above nameplate capacity while maintaining strong margins.

"A reversal of this will result in a mild yield shift (lower middle distillate yields, higher residue yields) and probably a small reduction in primary throughput rates, as margins will no longer command a sizeable premium against regional benchmarks, considering existing discounts on Russian oil," Kpler said.

The Indian government has issued diplomatic but firm responses to the US tariffs, emphasising the importance of maintaining energy security.

"Should Russian oil become inaccessible, India could face an additional USD 3-5 billion in annual import costs (based on a USD 5 per barrel premium on 1.8 million bpd). If global prices rise further (a scenario in which Russian crude exports are being curtailed, in the absence of sufficient buying interest from India), the financial burden could increase significantly," the report said.

This may prompt the government to cap retail fuel prices, which could strain fiscal balances. A spike in the import bill could even lead to a reduction in overall crude purchases. India's limited storage capacity further constrains its ability to manage such disruptions.

While Russian flows to India continue under a 'business-as-usual' stance, the escalating US rhetoric has reopened conversations about supply diversification, with some Indian refiners reportedly booking increased volumes of Middle Eastern crude.

According to Kpler, replacing 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude would require a multi-regional approach. The Middle East remains the most viable option operationally, grades such as WTI Midland from the US could contribute 2,00,000-4,00,000 bpd.

These (US crude) are lighter and yield less diesel, a disadvantage for India's distillate-heavy demand. Long-haul freight and cost considerations will also restrict scalability, it said.

West Africa and Latin America (LatAm) crudes offer moderate potential.

"A balanced replacement strategy may involve 60-70 per cent of substitute volumes from the Middle East, with US and African/LatAm crudes serving as tactical fillers. Nevertheless, none match Russian barrels in cost, quality, or reliability (some of the Russia-to-India barrels have already been contracted under term agreements)," it noted.

According to Kpler, Indian refiners can technically adapt to the loss of Russian barrels, but with significant economic consequences.

"Replacing 1.7-2.0 million bpd of discounted, medium-sour crude would erode refining margins and misalign product yields. Lighter substitutes like WTI or West African grades produce more gasoline and naphtha, reducing diesel output and hurting both domestic and export economics."

Even Middle Eastern grades, while closer in quality, are priced tightly to official selling prices (OSP), leaving limited arbitrage opportunities.

"In addition to higher feedstock costs, Indian refiners would face elevated freight and credit charges," it said.
Buy or Sell: This week, the Indian equity benchmark Nifty 50 ended lower by 0.76%, closing at 24,363, as selling pressure intensified after the Trump administration announced an additional 25% tariff and warned of possible secondary tariffs if India continues purchasing oil from Russia.

On the domestic front, the RBI kept policy rates unchanged in its latest monetary policy meeting.

Technical Analysis Technically, Nifty slipped below the crucial 24,800 support and extended its decline toward the 24,20024,300 zone, which aligns with the 200-day EMA and the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement from the March low of 21,700.

The index has formed a bearish rising wedge pattern, indicating potential short-term downside, with immediate support at 24,200 and resistance at 24,80025,000.

Bank Nifty Outlook Bank Nifty also mirrored this weakness, forming a bearish wedge pattern, with key support at 53,800  near its 200-day EMA and 38.2% retracement  and resistance at 56,00057,000.

Also Read | Buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia recommends three stocks to buy on Monday

Overall, both indices show a short-term bearish bias, with global trade tensions and geopolitical risks weighing on sentiment, despite domestic policy stability from the RBI.

Market Strategy & Key Levels On a broader timeframe, both the Nifty and Bank Nifty closed the week below their respective monthly support levels23,800 for Nifty and 56,000 for Bank Niftyindicating a continuation of the prevailing short-term bearish sentiment.

For the week ahead, key levels to watch include support at 24,20024,300 and resistance at 25,200 for the Nifty, while Bank Nifty holds support between 54,00053,500 and faces resistance at 57,000.

Traders are advised to remain cautious and closely monitor global cues and geopolitical developments, which may influence short-term market direction. While the broader trend remains cautiously optimistic, a breakout above the identified resistance levels will be essential to confirm the resumption of upward momentum.

Stocks to Buy this week 1. Aurobindo Pharma Ltd (AUROPHARMA): Buy at 1,042; Target Price at 1,100; Stop Loss at 1,010.

2. ICICI Bank Ltd (ICICIBANK): Buy at 1,435; Target Price at 1,470; Stop Loss at 1,410.

3. TVS Motor Company Ltd (TVSMOTOR): Buy at 2,968; Target Price at 3,030; Stop Loss at 2,920.
In the battle royale of global e-commerce, the names are familiar and formidable: Amazon. TikTok Shop. Shein. Temu. But in Southeast Asia, home to 675 million people and a $160 billion online shopping market, the reigning monarch is an app the color of a traffic cone.

Its called Shopee. And its thriving.

Owned by Singapore-based Sea Ltd., Shopee has pulled off one of the more improbable corporate comebacks in recent memory, sending its stock soaring more than 300% since the start of 2024. A key secret weapon is a little known logistics operation powered by an army of homemakers, students and retirees. And the help of some very large Ikea bags.

That operation is SPX Express, a homegrown in-house delivery network that Sea spent years building in the shadows. While rivals like Amazon.com Inc. plastered ads across the city for Black Friday and TikTok Shop flooded feeds with flash sales, Shopee was busy rewiring the infrastructure of Southeast Asian commerce one community at a time.

Theyre a familiar sight in Singapore. The retired uncle in flip-flops, slinging parcels across a housing block in an ever-practical blue Ikea bag. Or an entrepreneurial homemaker busily sorting a makeshift Shopee kiosk beside the elevator. Theyre the human backbone of SPX Express, which now handles the majority of Shopees several billion parcels annually.

And Wall Street has noticed. Shopees success has helped Sea inch toward a $100 billion market cap, on the heels of Singaporean banking giant DBS, the regions most valuable company. The stock, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, has soared 324% since hitting a low in January last year. Of the 41 analysts tracked by Bloomberg who rate Sea, 33 of them have a buy recommendation on the stock.

Seas significant recovery was largely driven by growth in its e-commerce business, which was executed really well during the post-Covid period, said Hussaini Saifee, an equity research analyst at Maybank Securities Pte., who rates the stock a buy.

In 2021, Shopee was facing a conundrum: demand was exploding  especially during the Covid pandemic  but its delivery pipeline was buckling under the pressure. Until then, Shopee had relied mostly on third-party carriers like J&T Global Express Ltd. and Singapore Post to navigate the logistical complexity of Southeast Asia: thousands of islands, alleys too narrow for vans, dirt roads more familiar to scooters than trucks.

That changed almost overnight. As online orders more than doubled in 2021, Sea bet big on building its own logistics arm. During a 2022 Sea earnings call, Chief Executive Officer Forrest Li pledged to build up its logistics business, spending nearly $1 billion that year alone. Lowering the cost of delivering parcels will be key to long-term growth, he said.

It was a big risk during a difficult period. Sea had just lost almost 90% of its value from its 2021 peak. Investors were disillusioned about its money-making potential in a global tech rout, scrutinizing Seas growth prospects after shoppers emerging from pandemic lockdowns started cutting back on online purchases. The gaming and e-commerce giant had cut about 7,000 jobs to try assuage some of these concerns. It also shuttered its e-commerce operations in some European and Latin American markets and said it would reduce expenses to cope.

Read: Seas Path to Profit Paved With Layoffs, Single-Ply Toilet Paper

CEO Li brought in Hoirul Hafiidz Bin Maksom, a bespectacled 43-year-old former hospital operator, experienced in coordinating large local teams in a high stakes, time-sensitive, customer-centric environment. Over the span of two years, as Hoirul obsessed over shortening delivery timings and ways to bring down costs, Sea built up a network of delivery drivers, warehouses and thousands of collection points. The market share of its logistics operations in Southeast Asia, which was essentially non-existent in 2022, grew to about 25% in 2024, according to research firm Momentum Works.

Covid was a great accelerator for us, said Hoirul. There was definitely a gap in the services available for last-mile logistics, just because e-commerce was just growing too fast during Covid. So we had to do our part and solve this problem.

Today, SPX Express is a finely tuned operation. At midnight, sorting centers buzz to life. Parcels are unpacked, scanned, and routed via conveyor belts into color-coded plastic bags  blue, orange, green and purple  each representing a different part of the island. One such sorting facility can processes up to 400,000 parcels a day. With SPX Express, 90% of its parcels are delivered the next day in Singapore. In the rest of Asia, almost half of SPX Express orders were delivered within two days.

But whats truly characteristic to Shopee begins after the parcels leave the warehouse.

SPX Express edge is in its intimacy. Its the fact that your parcel might be delivered by your retired neighbor, or the kid next door looking to earn pocket money. People like John, a 64-year-old whos been delivering in his neighborhood for four years, going up and down apartments in a quarter-mile radius to hand over hundreds of parcels every day. He does it for the money, sure  a little extra cash is always nice. But he also likes the community. I've made so many friends, I get to chat with elderly neighbors who welcome me into their home and witness milestones of so many families, John said.

Shopee scaled this model. Hoiruls lightbulb moment came while walking through his public housing estate last year. He noticed that neighbors were already informally receiving parcels on behalf of others. Why not pay them? This would be easy to set up, the parcels would be safe and SPX Express would be able to leverage the existing public housing infrastructure of Singapore, where more than 80% of the population lives.

So Shopee started doing just that  setting up collection points in the very homes of the people who live in the buildings they deliver to. Shopee now has more than 3,500 of these sites, which also include shops and lockers, across Singapore. Some look like tidy mini post offices. Others are literally living rooms stacked with brown packages and a folding table.

Pearlyn Tan and her husband, a delivery driver, run one out of their flat. She handles up to 80 parcels a day. At 30 Singapore cents per package , they earn enough to cover a few days of groceries each week. Then theres Diyana Scott, a TikTok influencer and mother of five, who turned to Shopee after losing her job earlier this year. Her whole family helps. Her kids rotate shifts and greet neighbors collecting their orders. I made new friendships with many mothers in the neighborhood, Scott said. I love it.

Shopees vibrant orange is plastered over thousands of touchpoints all across Southeast Asia  delivery trucks, parcel lockers and sometimes even on the back of motorbikes, said Jianggan Li, founder of Singapore-based research firm Momentum Works. This level of visibility, coupled with the human touch, helps Shopee reinforce their presence in the fabric of life of locals; especially across Southeast Asias diverse landscape and hard-to-reach places in the region.

By the fall of 2024, Seas logistics arm was delivering a majority of its own packages. It also briefly surpassed J&T Express, according to Momentum Works. SPX is also partnering with other companies like Shopify to expand its logistics services.

Ahead of Sea's second quarter earnings on Aug. 12, the company is forecast to post a record $5 billion in revenue, according to Bloomberg estimates. Its e-commerce arm is projected to account for 72% of sales, with value-added services including logistics estimated to contribute $799 million, up 14% from a year ago. Shopees market share has jumped to 56% of $120 billion in gross merchandise value last year, according to Momentum Works based on the top four Southeast Asian e-commerce platforms. TikTok Shop and Lazada claimed 19% and 15%, respectively.

But SPX Express isnt friction-free. Residents complain that they are using shared public spaces to sort parcels and local councils in Singapore often make them shift from one block to another. And the gig-like pay structure, with typical payouts of S$0.50 per parcel, mean workers often hustle longer hours to keep up with rising volumes.

Also, while SPX may have briefly overtaken J&T Express in parcel volume, margins remain tight and SPX has yet to prove that it can win outside of Shopees terrain as it looks to offer its logistics services to more companies. Meanwhile, TikTok Shop remains a formidable force with its tight partnership with J&T Express and deep-pocketed investment in the region.

TikTok Shops emergence was a concern for Shopee because they have the capital backing from ByteDance to take market share, said Maybanks Saifee. Shopees retention of its market share is linked to SPX Express, as well as increasing the assortment on their platform and bringing down prices by working together with sellers.

But its clear that Shopee has become part of the social fabric in Southeast Asia. In Indonesia, SPX collection points operate out of warungs  small family shops that double as pickup depots. In Taiwan, theyve been installed in convenience stores and shops filled with Shopee lockers. In Brazil, where Shopee has also expanded, the network is growing too.

John, the retiree, has witnessed first hand how fast Shopee has expanded and isnt worried about the competition. The number of packages he delivers has tripled in four years. He knows his neighbors unit numbers by heart and sometimes slips the package behind their shoe rack if theyre not home. I just take things in my stride, said John, hurrying off with two Ikea bags full of parcels.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- A decade and a half ago, Guillermo Felices was helping clients navigate Europes sovereign debt crisis. Now, hes extolling the bonds once at the center of that storm.

Italy, Spain, Ireland, Portugal and Greece, which nearly collapsed under the burden of their debt in 2011, have since transformed into top picks for firms like PGIM Fixed Income, where Felices works as a London-based investment strategist.

His recommendations are emblematic of the historic shift thats taken place in the regions debt-market hierarchy. The recovery in the nations on Europes periphery has been years in the making and as investors shy away from President Donald Trumps policy making, their bonds are increasingly being seen as healthy alternatives to the debt of Europes biggest economies.

Spanish, Greek and Portuguese bonds now all yield less than France. Italy is on course to outperform Germany and France for the fourth year in a row on a total returns basis  matching the longest winning streak on record.

Post-crisis, the story was always that Europe is going to be difficult to solve, Felices said, pointing to its history of sluggish growth, excessive public spending and squabbling among member states. This is less the case now, especially in terms of fiscal profligacy, while the US is more unorthodox.

US Treasuries have been buffeted this year, most notably in April when Trump unveiled a package of aggressive trade tariffs. Worries over the US fiscal outlook have also flared up.

The appeal of the peripheral bonds, meanwhile, is down to a post-pandemic economic recovery that outstripped the gains in the regions economic powerhouses of Germany and France. Spain is a particular bright spot, and is expected to grow around 2.5% this year, more than double the pace of the wider bloc.

Investors exposure to the nations on Europes fringes remains near the highest levels seen in the past five years, according to a monthly Bank of America survey published on Friday.

German Pivot

Another key turning point came in March, when Germany abandoned decades of fiscal austerity and vowed to plow billions of euros into defense and infrastructure. While thats seen as a vital catalyst for EU growth, the coming deluge of German bonds has made some investors cautious and damped prices for the nations debt.

We prefer countries with strong growth and which havent committed to raising defense spending as much as Germany, said Niall Scanlon, fixed income portfolio manager at Mediolanum International Funds Limited. Spain is his standout pick, though he says he has also favored Italy this year.

Then theres France, once considered a proxy for Germany in terms of its financial heft, but now a no-go for many bond funds. Investor sentiment soured last year after unbridled public spending left it with the largest deficit in the euro area. Attempts by the government to pass its 2026 budget in the coming months may trigger a fresh bout of volatility.

As a result, the difference in borrowing costs between France and Italy has shrunk: investors demand just 12 basis points of extra yield to lend to Italy for 10 years rather than France  the smallest amount in two decades.

We prefer Italy and Spain over France and Germany, said Sachin Gupta, portfolio manager at bond giant Pacific Investment Management Co. The peripherys outperformance can continue, even after having come a long way, he added.

In a speech in June, European Central Bank official Philip Lane pointed to the relative stability of euro-area bonds this year, even as other debt markets saw significant price swings. Thats likely down to factors including inflows from domestic and global investors as they reduced exposure to US assets, as well as a shared commitment to fiscal responsibility across the bloc, Lane said.

To be sure, peripheral bonds have already rallied so much that potential returns arent as attractive as they once were. Greece is a case in point  less than three years ago its 10-year bonds yielded more than 5%. Thats since declined to about 3.30%.

It is undeniable that the heavy lifting has been done, said Gareth Hill, a senior fund manager at Royal London Asset Management Ltd.

And theres still some reticence among US investors to venture into European sovereign markets beyond German bonds, which retain their status as the regions haven asset. Ales Koutny, head of international rates at Vanguard, said that while US demand has picked up, bunds have taken the lions share of inflows.

Still, its hard to make a case that the periphery nations will fall back into the slow lane, unless theres a fresh economic crisis or sharp lapse in budgetary discipline, according to Royal Londons Hill.

Kristina Hooper, chief market strategist for Man Group Plc, argues that with the appropriate vetting  there are plenty of opportunities to be found beyond the traditional core.

It is the time to diversify away, at least modestly, from the US, Hooper said from New York. Peripheral countries are doing well, and their bonds look far more attractive than they used to, she said.

--With assistance from Michael Mackenzie, Anya Andrianova and Freya Jones.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Stocks to buy for long term: The Indian stock market is reeling under pressure due to tariff blow by US President Donald Trump, uninspiring earnings and foreign capital outflow.

The Nifty 50 is now over 7 per cent down from its all-time high of 26,277.35, which it hit on September 27 last year.

At this juncture, it seems difficult to foresee a fresh high for the Nifty 50 in the near future. Trumps tariffs are estimated to reduce Indias GDP growth by as much as 1 per cent, hopes of an earnings recovery in the second half of the financial year (H2FY26) are weakening, and foreign investors are relentlessly pulling money out of Indian markets.

Can Nifty hit 27k by year-end? Pankaj Pandey, the head of research at ICICI Securities, still believes that the Indian stock market can emerge from the Trump tariffs shock and the Nifty may hit the 27,000 level by the end of the year.

"On an overall basis, we see limited impact on the equity market amid the India-US tariff across most sectors. We, in fact, see current tariff threats as negotiation tactics," said Pandey.

Pandey even sees some winners out of this trade war. For example, with tariffs being imposed by the US across countries, Indias relative export competitiveness has improved at the global stage in the electronic manufacturing service (EMS) segment, he explained.

The head of research at ICICI Securities underscored that the trade war is still an evolving space, but it will force global brands to look for alternatives to countries like China over the medium term for manufacturing electronics items like mobile phones and laptops.

However, Pandey said the contours of the ultimate tariff, which will be clear later once the negotiations end, will hold the key.

"We believe we have learnt to live with this uncertainty and domestic factors such as corporate earnings, as well as macroeconomic indicators like GDP growth, capex spending, consumption, etc, will be a bigger catalyst," said Pandey.

"Overall, we expect markets to move towards a new high by FY26 end. Our 12-month rolling Nifty target is pegged at 27,000 levels, wherein we have valued the index at nearly 22 times PE on FY27E," Pandey said.

Also Read | Dalal Street week ahead: 5 key factors that will drive the market

Stock picks for the long term Larsen & Toubro | Previous close:  3,607.60 | Target price:  4,380 Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is Indias largest engineering and construction (E&C) company. It has a current order backlog of 6,12,761 crore.

L&T began FY26 with a strong quarter at 16 per cent revenue growth and 33 per cent growth in order inflows.

L&T further has 14.8 lakh crore order bid pipeline for the remaining nine months of the financial year (9MFY26E).

"With solid execution momentum expected to continue, we expect revenues and PAT to grow at a CAGR of 14.5 per cent and 19.4 per cent over FY25-FY27E. Further, L&T aspires to reach 18 per cent ROE by FY26E versus nearly 17 per cent in Q1FY26 and is best placed to play the India capex-led growth story," said Pandey.

City Union Bank | Previous close:  210.14 | Target price:  250 City Union Bank is a strong regional franchise with a deep-rooted presence in South India. Nearly 56 per cent of its advances are in secured MSME and agri segments.

City Union Bank is well-positioned to deliver advanced growth surpassing the industry, aided by its focus on high-yield, granular segments.

Margins are expected to remain resilient in the range of 3.453.5 per cent despite repo-linked repricing, supported by a favourable loan mix and improved liabilities mobilisation.

Credit costs are projected to stay benign at nearly 5060 bps, with an aim to raise specific PCR to nearly 6364 per cent.

While MSME stress remains a key monitorable, better-than-peer margins, stable asset quality and RoA at 1.4-1.5 per cent, justify relatively superior valuation.

Lemon Tree Hotels | Previous close:  143.31 | Target price:  185 Lemon Tree Hotels is emerging as Indias largest hotel chain in the mid-priced sector, with a room inventory of 10,269 in 111 hotels.

Scale-up in performance of Aurika Mumbai and strong growth of 40 per cent+ in management contract revenues, coupled with steady growth in existing hotels, will drive Revenue and PAT CAGR of 16 per cent and 33 per cent over FY25-27E, said Pandey.

Value unlock in its subsidiary Fluer will be an additional trigger for stock, along with favourable industry tailwinds.

Dalmia Bharat | Previous close:  2,243.40 | Target price:  2,650 Dalmia Bharat, the fourth largest cement manufacturer in India with a cement capacity of 49.5 mtpa, is poised to grow significantly, led by capacity additions along with a strong focus on capital allocation and cost-saving measures.

With ongoing expansions at Karnataka, Maharashtra & Andhra Pradesh (3 mtpa each), total capacity would reach 61.5 mtpa by FY28E. Company targets to reach 110-130 mtpa by FY31E.

"Profitability to improve driven by operational efficiencies (led by increasing green power share, optimisation of fuel mix, logistics, etc.) and positive operating leverage, translating to nearly 30 per cent EBITDA CAGR over FY25-27E," said Pandey.

Steel Strips Wheels | Previous close:  217.08 | Target price:  290 Steel Strips Wheels is a prominent player in the domestic oligopolistic wheels industry.

It currently has five plants in India with a total production capacity of nearly 2.5 crore wheels per annum (including nearly 0.42 crore of alloy wheels), and it realises 32 per cent of its revenue from alloy wheels.

"Its powertrain agnostic product profile (no EV risk) and healthy growth in volumes supported by capacity expansion will help it to achieve sales and PAT CAGR of 10 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively, over FY25P-27E," Pandey observed.

"It is one of the inexpensive stocks in the auto ancillary space and trades at less than 13 times PE on FY27E, offering healthy upside. Double-digit CFO yield provided a good margin of safety," Pandey said.

Read all market-related news here

Read more stories by Nishant Kumar
India is undergoing an unprecedented digital transformation. With rapid adoption of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital payment systems, the countrysdigital economy is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2027-28. However, this growth brings an increasing wave of cyber threats. According to a PwC report, India saw a15% increase in cyberattacks in 2023 per week, affecting critical infrastructure, enterprises, and government agencies.

India faces a severe shortfall of cybersecurity professionals, a challenge that could undermine both digital trust and national security.

The growing cybersecurity skill crisis A report by NASSCOM states thatIndia needs at least one million cybersecurity professionals, but currently has less than half that number. The demand is outpacing supply at an alarming rate, leaving organizations vulnerable to sophisticated cyber threats. A key issue is the lack of structured learning pathways for cybersecurity, particularly at the undergraduate and early career levels.

Traditional IT programs often fail to equip students with the defensive, analytical, and compliance-focused skill sets required for modern cybersecurity roles. The lack of skilled professionals is the number one barrier to effective cybersecurity implementation in Indian enterprises. Without a steady pipeline of well-trained security experts, businesses are forced to either outsource critical security functions or leave vulnerabilities unaddressed, increasing the risk of data breaches.

Building a talent pipeline through early skilling Industry leaders agree that skilling students and early-career professionals is the most sustainable way to bridge this gap. Industry leaders have also emphasized the need for educational institutions and industry collaborations to create specialized training programs in cybersecurity. Similarly,a report by the World Economic Forum suggests that integrating cybersecurity education into mainstream curriculum can significantly reduce skill shortages over time.

The solution lies in structured, hands-on learning programs that provide students with practical experience in areas like identity and access management (IAM), threat detection, compliance, and cloud security. Unlike traditional IT courses, cybersecurity requires a proactive, defense-oriented mindsetsomething that cannot be learned from textbooks alone. Interactive labs, industry certification programs, and real-world simulations must become a fundamental part of cybersecurity training.

How industry leaders are making a difference Recognizing this need, future-ready organizations are stepping up to address the skill shortage. Several companies are partnering with universities to introduce cybersecurity-focused courses, internship opportunities, and mentorship programs. By providing access to industry-grade tools and case studies, these initiatives are helping students build the practical expertise needed for real-world challenges. They span from technical bootcamps to formal memorandums of understanding and are helping students gain early exposure to real-world security challenges and enterprise tools.

Such collaborations are instrumental in preparing students for in-demand roles and creating a talent pipeline that reflects current industry needs. Educational institutions that open their doors to workshops, guest lectures, and mentorship programs benefit from higher student engagement and stronger job placement outcomes.

The role of continuous learning in cybersecurity Cybersecurity is not a one-time skillit requires continuous upskilling to keep up with evolving threats. Organizations need to invest in lifelong learning for their security teams, encouraging participation in ongoing training, certifications, and security exercises. According to the IEEE study, "Bridging Cybersecurity Education and Industry Demands: Mapping and Prioritizing Knowledge Areas", there is a significant misalignment between current academic curricula and the evolving needs of the cybersecurity workforce.

Government bodies, academia, and enterprises must work together to create a sustainable cybersecurity workforce. Initiatives like theCyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative by the Indian government, which aims to increase cybersecurity awareness and training, need to be complemented by flexible, industry-backed skilling programs that cater to both students and working professionals.

The road ahead The cybersecurity skill gap is not just an industry challengeit is a national security issue. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, the need for skilled professionals is more urgent than ever. Educational institutions must integrate cybersecurity into their core curricula, businesses should invest in upskilling initiatives, and aspiring professionals must actively seek learning opportunities in this field.

New-age certification programs, collaborative workshops, and leadership mentorships are helping build the next generation of cyber defenders. While no single initiative can close the skill gap overnight, a concerted effort from industry, academia, and government can create a robust pipeline of cybersecurity talent. It is time to prioritize cybersecurity educationnot just as an IT necessity, but as a national imperative.

Suraj Krishnaiah is Vice President, Enablement and Solutions at security software company Saviynt. The views expressed are the author's own

Also Read | How reasoning AI is all set to change our lives
Recent months have seen a rush for the unlisted shares of the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) among retail investors, causing a more than fourfold surge in the number of such shareholders at Indias largest bourse.

The count has jumped from 33,896 as of 31 March 2024 to 146,208 as of 30 June this year. But its not just the NSE. Tata Capital, the Metropolitan Stock Exchange and the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange are among the companies that have seen investor appetite for their unlisted shares grow.

However, investing in unlisted shares is not as straightforward as buying and selling listed stocks. The intermediaries include dealers working offline and online platforms. While investors hope to exit with large gains when such companies eventually list, the unlisted space is also fraught with risks. Here is a look at how investors can deal in unlisted shares.

How it works

To invest in unlisted shares, you must have a demat account to get the securities credited after the transfer. Platforms or dealers collect these stocks from a mix of shareholdersemployees owning the company shares, early-stage investors looking for exit or, in some cases, from the promoters themselves.

The process starts with identifying a credible digital platform or an offline dealer. Once an investor selects a stock to buy, the dealer will ask for documents such as PAN, Aadhaar, client market list (CML) and a cancelled cheque of your bank account.

CML contains all the details of your demat account and can be procured from the broking platform that holds the account.

You then need to sign the deal confirmation letter (DCL) or an agreement with the dealer.

The investor then has to transfer funds to the platform of the dealer buying shares. Once the platform receives the shares in its demat account, those are transferred to the investors demat account.

To ensure there is no lag in this process, the platform will also add the investors demat account to the list of beneficiaries.

Registering a new beneficiary and activation also takes 24 hours. So, initiating that process simultaneously reduces the lag time for the investors," said a dealer, requesting anonymity.

Pricing problem

While retail investors may expect to make a quick gain once the unlisted company launches its initial public offering (IPO) and gets listed, they need to be wary of several risks.

The prices of unlisted shares may not always be a fair picture of the underlying valuation of the company. As the supply of unlisted shares is limited, irrational investor demand can easily move up the prices. Similarly, these prices can see a sudden collapse," said Vijay Kuppa, chief executive officer of InCred Money. However, this mismatch between the prices and underlying valuation is not unique to the unlisted market. It is quite common in the listed space as well."

Sidhoji Sawant, who is an insights provider on unlisted shares, said this market operates in a price vacuum, where volatility thrives and transparency is scarce". Without robust research and clear price discovery, investors are often left navigating blind."

Investors should also avoid dealers or platforms that require long lag times to settle the trade.

Investors should opt for platforms that can settle the trade in a short frame of time. Prefer platforms or dealers that offer a settlement period of not more than T+3 or T+5," said the dealer quoted above.

If the intermediary needs longer to source the shares and credit to an investors account and prices change in the interim period, the original seller could back out.

It is not uncommon for a seller to back out if the price of the unlisted share rises suddenly before the trade is finally settled," the dealer said.

Other risks and costs

The other point to remember is that unlike listed companies, which are bound by regular disclosure requirements on exchanges, unlisted companies have no such requirements. So, for investors, there is no clarity on the fundamentals of the company, whether it is improving or deteriorating," Kuppa said.

The unlisted market is not regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), so it is important to pick a credible dealer or platform to avoid the risk of default by a broker. Since its not an exchange-settled trade, it is important that investors work with reputed names to mitigate counterparty risk.

As far as commissions are concerned, buyers may be charged hidden costs via markups. The platforms also charge commissions from sellers for providing liquidity to exit these shares.

View Full Image .

Taxation

If the stock is sold after two years of holding, the capital gains are treated as long-term capital gainstaxed at 12.5%. If the unlisted shares are sold within two years, the appreciation in their price is treated as short-term capital gains, and the investors are taxed at their slab rate.

However, if the stock is sold after the companys IPO, the tax treatment changes to that of a listed share. The holding period is still calculated from the original purchase, but long-term rates apply after a one-year holding period.

For less than a year, the short-term capital gains tax rate of 20% is applicable, as is the case for listed stocks.

Not for everyone

Experts advise retail investors avoid unlisted markets despite their increasing popularity in recent months. The lack of disclosures makes it difficult to keep track of an unlisted companys performance. Making a quick return in an IPO is also not straightforward as there is a six-month lock-in after going public, which many retail investors may not be aware of.

Unlisted shares do not have a mechanism to be valued appropriately and are also not regulated by Sebi. There have also been multiple instances where the IPO price has been significantly lower than the price of the unlisted securities," said Vishal Dhawan, founder of Plan Ahead Wealth Advisors.

Additionally, investors may not be aware of the risk of the delay in the company going public as well as the lock-ins post IPO," he said. For retail investors with limited resources, assessing the fundamentals of an unlisted company can be a challenge. Investors are therefore better off investing in listed businesses where regulations and liquidity are superior."
Bengaluru traffic police issued a road advisory ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit scheduled for August 10. As per Prime Minister's Office, he is set to flag-off 3 Vande Bharat Express trains at KSR Railway Station in Bengaluru at the event slated for 11:00 AM. Besides this, he will inaugurate the Yellow line of Bangalore metro and take a metro ride to Electronic City metro station from RV Road (Ragigudda).

Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project worth over 15,610 crore, PMO's press release dated August 9 adds.

Traffic restrictions will be in place in Bengaluru from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Check key routes to take and avoid on Sunday.

The traffic advisory states, In the view of VVIP visit to the Bengaluru City on 10/08/2025, the following traffic arrangements were made from 10:00 AM To 2:30 PM in the interest of smooth movement of traffic. All vehicles will be diverted to Bannerghatta Road at the Bannerghatta Nice Toll.

Also Read | Delhi Metro construction causes Mahipalpur road to cave in  Alternate route

Traffic restrictions will be effective on the following routes:

From Bannerghatta Road Nice Toll to Electronic City Toll

From from Kanakapura Road NICE Toll to Electronic City Toll.

From Nayandahalli Nice Toll to Electronic City Toll.

From Sompura Nice Toll to Electronic City Toll.

From PES College Nice Toll to Electronic City Toll.

From Kengeri Nice Toll to Electronic City Toll.

From Magadi Road Nice toll to Electronic City toll.

From Madavara Road Nice toll to Electronic City toll.

From the Parle Biscuits factory Road to the Electronic City toll. Vehicles travelling to Electronic city Toll from Nice Road will be diverted along the following routes:

Alternate route: Vehicles heading to Electronic City through the Nelamangala NICE Toll-Magadhi road NICE Toll-Kengeri NICE Toll-Kanakapura Nice Toll will be re-routed at the Bannerghatta Road Toll.

Also Read | Delhi police celebrate Raksha Bandhan by tying Rakhis to traffic violators

Motorists travelling to Electronic City will have to take Bannerghatta Road route - NICE Road Junction - Sharewood Junction - Kolifarm Gate Junction Bannerghatta Village -Jigani to Hosur Road / Electronic City.
The Election Commission opposed a plea filed by political think tank Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) that sought details of approximately 65 lakh people who werenot included in draft electoral roll.

The ADR's application sought the publication of a list of persons not included in the draft electoral roll and the furnishing of reasons for their non-inclusion.

Also Read | INDIA Bloc gathers at Rahul Gandhis residence to discuss Bihar SIR row

According to Live Law, the Election Commission told the Supreme Court:

1."It is not bound by the Rules to publish a separate list of persons not included in the draft electoral roll."

2. "It is also not required under the Rules to furnish the reasons for the non-inclusion of persons in the draft Roll."

3. "It has shared with political parties the booth-level list of individuals whose Enumeration Forms were not received."

4. Persons not included in the draft have the option of submitting a declaration for inclusion.

'No name will be deleted without notice' Earlier on Saturday (August 9, 2025), the Election Commission assured the Supreme Court that deletion of voters names in the Bihar draft electoral roll, published on August 1 as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, would be done only after issuing prior notice indicating the grounds for the action.

As per The Hindu, the commission said its policy would be adhere to the principles of natural justice by giving voters facing deletion a reasonable opportunity of being heard and furnishing relevant documents."

The subsequent order by the competent authority would be a reasoned and speaking one.

The Election Commission filed a separate affidavit detailing the measures it has taken to give wide publicity for the SIR exercise to ensure that every voter becomes aware of the process.

The ECI stated that house-to-house visits were undertaken by the BLOs to collect the enumeration forms. To create awareness among persons who are working in other states, wide publicity was given through the publication of Hindi advertisements in 246 newspapers. SMS and social media campaigns were also undertaken.

Also Read | Tejashwi listed in Bihar draft electoral rolls with old EPIC, probe on
The parents of a two-month-old baby in Delaware County were arrested after being accused of neglect after their child was found to have suffered from "catastrophic" and life-threatening injuries.

Authorities identified the two suspects as 22-year-old Mystique J. Scott and 19-year-old Shon Louis Taylor, who were being held in the Delaware County Jail under $50,000 bonds each. The couple was arrested on suspicion of neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury, which is a Level 1 felony that carries up to 40 years in prison.

Two-Month-Old Baby's Parents Accused of Neglect

Investigators with the Delaware County Sheriff's Department noted in an affidavit that Scott and Taylor took the two-month-old baby to Peyton Manning Children's Hospital in Indianapolis on Aug. 1 for a scheduled appointment.

However, hospital staff then determined that the baby had suffered "severe and life-threatening injuries," which included several fractures to various parts of its body. The horrific case was immediately listed at the hospital as a "near fatality," according to the Star Press.

A pediatric physician then told investigators that she believed the infant was a victim of "severe child abuse." Medical professionals described the child's injuries as "in various stages of healing" and "traumatic and non-accidental."

Read more: Mother Indicted on Murder Charges 11 Years After the Disappearance of Her 2 Children

Later, a deputy asked the infant's parents about the injuries that were found on their child, where they said that the two-month-old struck his head "on the crib while sleeping" and was recently stung by a bee. The couple maintained their stance that they were not responsible for the severe injuries.

After further questioning, Scott claimed that the child may have been injured during a fight with her mother, where she was holding the infant when her mother attacked her. She said that during that altercation, the baby's head hit the refrigerator, Fox59 reported.

Questioning the Parents

Court documents showed that Scott also became angry and later requested a lawyer when investigators pushed for more answers to their questions. So far, there have been no official charges filed against the child's parents.

There was a similar case where two Indiana parents were charged after their 10-year-old son was found to be improperly fed, had his hands zip-tied, and was forced to face a wall "for approximately 10-12 hours a day."

The case follows officers visiting the family's home to check on the condition of the 10-year-old and the other seven kids inside the residence. When they arrived, police found the young boy to be extremely thin.

The child's parents were identified as 36-year-old Adam Greenwood and 38-year-old Melody Greenwood. The other kids inside the home confirmed that the 10-year-old was the only one who was being treated that way, adding that they were able to eat normal food, as per the Mercer County Outlook.
Noida Police have busted a fake police station and arrested six men for allegedly impersonating as government officials and extorting money using fake documents and IDs, reported Hindustan Times.

According to police, the gang posed as public servants, collected donations via their website www.intlpcrib.in, and displayed various national and international certificates online to appear legitimate.

The gang was running a bogus office in the name of the International Police & Crime Investigation Bureau in Noidas Phase 3 area. Its members posed as public servants, collected donations via their website www.intlpcrib.in, said the HT report citing the police.

Also Read | Ghaziabad fake embassy case: Meet Harsh Vardhan Jain who visited 40 nations

The fraudsters allegedly used fake identity cards and police-style insignia to create an air of legitimacy. They also showcased several national and international certificates on their website to appear authentic.

During the operation, the police found a large cache of forged IDs, official-looking documents, passbooks, and cheque books from the fake office.

DCP Shakti Mohan Avasthy said the accused claimed to be part of an international-level investigation agency and contacted people under the pretext of verification or inquiries, according to the HT report.

Initial investigation has revealed they possessed counterfeit stamps, letterheads, and replicas of various government emblems, Avasthy added.

In July, Uttar Pradesh Police had arrested a man accused of running a fake embassy from a rented house in Ghaziabad and duping job seekers out of money with promises of overseas employment.

The accused, 47-year-old Harsh Vardhan Jain, was operating an "illegal West Arctic embassy by renting a house" in Ghaziabad, police had said.

According to the police, Jain claimed to be the ambassador of fictional nations "like West Arctica, Saborga, Poulvia, Lodonia".

He allegedly used vehicles with fake diplomatic plates and shared doctored photos of himself with Indian leaders to bolster his claims.
Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday described the chance faced during Operation Sindoor, saying, "It was like a game of chess, we didnt know what the enemys next move would be, and we had to adapt our own constantly.

During an address at IIT Madras on August 4, he said, In Operation Sindoor, we played chess. We did not know what the enemy's next move was going to be, and what we were going to do. This is called the grey zone. Grey zone means that we are not going for the conventional operations. What we are doing is just short of a conventional operation. We were making the chess moves, and he (enemy) was also making the chess moves. Somewhere we were giving them the checkmate and somewhere we were going in for the kill at the risk of losing our own but that's life is all about.

He further noted, ...If you ask a Pakistani whether you lost or won, he'd say my chief has become a field marshal. We must have won only, that's why he's become a field marshal...

He also inaugurated 'Agnishodh' - the Indian Army Research Cell (IARC) at IIT Madras, marking a significant step towards self-reliance in defence technology.

The initiative aims to upskill military personnel in emerging fields such as additive manufacturing, cybersecurity, quantum computing, wireless communication and unmanned systems, fostering a tech-enabled force.

Speaking on the Operation, the COAS said, "What happened on 22 April in Pahalgam shocked the nation. On the 23rd, the next day itself, we all sat down. This was the first time that RM (Defence Minister Rajnath Singh) said, "Enough is enough". All three chiefs were very clear that something had to be done. The free hand was given, 'you decide what is to be done.' That is the kind of confidence, political direction and political clarity we saw for the first time. That is what raises your morale. That is how it helped our army commanders-in-chief to be on the ground and act as per their wisdom."

In the early hours of May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor  striking nine terror beds across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)  in retaliation to the lethal Pahalgam attack in April, that killed 26 civilians.

Touted as the Indian militarys biggest and deepest strike yet, Operation Sindoor marked India's first joint operation since the 1971 war. All three defence branches  Army, Navy, and Air Force  coordinated to carry out the strikes on Pakistan to eliminate Jaish-e-Muhammed and Lashkar leadership.

"On the 25th, we visited the Northern Command, where we thought, planned, conceptualised and executed the seven targets out of the nine that were destroyed, and a lot of terrorists were killed. On April 29, we met the Prime Minister for the first time. It is important that how a small name Op Sindoor connects the whole nation. That is something which galvanised the whole nation. That is the reason the whole nation was saying why have you stopped? That question was being asked and it has been amply answered," Dwivedi added.

Agnishodh The collaboration will also extend to the IIT Madras Research Park, including partnerships with AMTDC and Pravartak Technologies Foundation. On the occasion, Dwivedi addressed the faculty and students on "Operation Sindoor - A New Chapter in India's Fight Against Terrorism," highlighting it as a calibrated, intelligence-led operation reflecting a doctrinal shift.

He underlined the role of indigenous technology and precision military action in reinforcing India's proactive security posture. He also lauded the IIT faculty for their contribution to nation-building through academic excellence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed Operation Sindoor, stating that India brought Pakistan to its knees, and the world saw the nation's new avatar. Modi made the comments in Bengaluru after laying the foundational stone for Orange Line of the city's metro.

PM Modi's Bengaluru visit on Sunday marks his first trip to the city after India's Operation Sindoor on May 7, where all three defence branches  Army, Navy, and Air Force  coordinated to carry out the strikes on terror infrastructures in Pakistan.

Also Read | PM Modi flags off three Vande Bharat trains in Bengaluru: Ticket fare and more

There was a major role of Bengaluru and its youth in Operation Sindoor, said PM Modi, lauding 'Made in India' for the joint military action's success.

During Operation Sindoor, which IAF Chief AP Singh said was a high-tech war, India downed at least five Pakistani fighter jets, and one large aircraft  marking the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill, said the Air Marshal.

What PM Modi said  The world has seen for the first time Indias new face during Operation Sindoor where the Indian military demonstrated the ability to destroy the terror hubs by targeting them deep inside Pakistan and bringing Pakistan to its knees within a few hours, said PM Modi.

 Our technology and the strength of Make In India is behind the success of Operation Sindoor, said the PM.

 India's Silicon Valley has gained a spot in the league of best cities, and that further impetus is on projects," for modern infrastructure.

 PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for Phase-3 of Bangalore Metro Rail project worth over 15,610 crore, which is also known as the "Orange Line". Earlier in the day, he also flagged off the Yellow Line of Bengaluru Namma Metro.

 We are seeing Bengaluru as a symbol of the rise of New India. It is a city whose soul has spiritual knowledge and has tech knowledge in its action.

 We will progress only when our cities are smart, fast and efficient, said Modi.

In this image released by DPR PMO on Aug. 10, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the flag-off ceremony of the Yellow Line of Namma Metro, in Bengaluru. Union Minister Manohar Lal, Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also seen. (DPR PMO via PTI Photo)(PTI08_10_2025_000108B)

Also Read | Bengaluru metro timings, key facts as PM Modi to launch Namma Yellow Line today

 The total route length of the Orange Line project will be more than 44 km with 31 elevated stations, said officials.

 Phase-3 will have two corridors: JP Nagar 4th Phase to Kempapura (32.15 km) and Hosahalli to Kadabagere (12.5 km), reported PTI.

During his visit, PM Modi also took a metro ride from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Electronic City metro station and interacted with students during the journey.

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Union Ministers Manohar Lal Khattar, Ashwini Vaishnaw and H D Kumaraswamy, Union Ministers of State, Shobha Karandlaje and V Somanna; Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar were also present during the event.

In this image released by DPR PMO on Aug. 10, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the gathering during the flag-off ceremony of the Yellow Line of Namma Metro, in Bengaluru. (DPR PMO via PTI Photo)(PTI08_10_2025_000105B)
Karnataka's Chief Electoral Officer has issued a notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, over his claims that a 70-year-old woman from Mahadevpura, Shakun Rani, had voted twice.

The Karnataka CEO has directed the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha to provide all the relevant documents on the basis of which he made the claims.

The Electoral Officer, in the notice, also clarified that the woman in question  Shakun Rani, upon inquiry, stated that she voted only once and not twice  contrary to Rahul Gandhi's allegations.

What did Rahul Gandhi say? In a press conference on alleged vote chori last week , Rahul Gandhi claimed there was a theft of 1,00,250 votes in Karnataka's Mahadevapura segment.

He claimed these included nearly 12,000 duplicate voters, 40,000 with fake or invalid addresses, over 10,000 registered at the same address, 4,100 with invalid photos, and around 34,000 misusing Form 6 for new voters.

To substantiate the figures, Rahul Gandhi had cited the example of one woman named Shakun Rani, alleging that the 70-year-old woman had registered twice in two months.

What Karnataka CEO's notice states The Karnataka CEO's notice further pointed out that one of the images contaning Shakun Rani's name in it, which was shown by Rahul Gandhi in his presentation, is not a document issued by the polling officer.

The image from Rahul Gandhi's video that the Karnataka CEO flagged

Shakun Rani, upon inquiry had told the poll body that she had voted only once.

Rahul Gandhi has been directed to provide relevant documents for the basis of his allegations as he claimed that all the information cited by him was EC data. Vote chori claims  What has happened so far Following Rahul Gandhi's vote theft allegations, the Election Commission had demanded an affidavit under oath from the leader to support his claims.
Rajnath Singh on Sunday took a dig at Donald Trump over tariffs, claiming that some people think they are everyone's bosses, and wonder how India is moving forward so fast.

Although Rajnath Singh did not explicitly name anyone, he made a veiled dig at Trump, stating that people are not liking the rapid development of India and are unable to digest it.'

The Defence Minister's comments come amid the ongoing tensions surrounding the 50 per cent tariff that US levied on India, citing obnoxious trade barriers and the nation's defence ties with Russia.

Also Read | Pakistan Army Chief Munir visits US again, 2 months after lunch with Trump

Following the tariff announcement, the POTUS had also labelled India's economy as dead.

What Rajnath Singh said  Rajnath Singh, during his address, described India's economy as dashing and dynamic.

 They think that we are everyone's boss and how is India moving forward so fast? Many people are trying to do something, so that when things made by the hands of Indians in India go to countries of the world, they become more expensive than the things made in those countries, and they become so expensive that the people of the world do not buy them, said the Defence Minister.

 Singh recalled that when PM Modi assumed office in 2014, only 600 crore worth of Indian defence products were exported to other countries. Now, the figure has increased four-fold, said Singh claiming that defence products worth over 24,000 crore is exported to other countries of the world.

 This is the power of India. This is the new defence sector of the new India, said Singh.

What experts said about Trump tariffs Speaking about the tariffs that Donald Trump has imposed on friend India, famed US economist Jeffrey Sachs advised that India should not count on some great trade relationship with the US.

Also Read | Rajnath Singh, Hegseth discuss ways to augment defence ties
A Delhi consumer forum directed Indigo Airlines to pay 1.5 lakh compensation after finding the airline guilty of "deficiency of service."

According to a PTI report, the Delhi consumer forum said Indigo Airlines provided a woman with an "unhygienic" and stained seat, and hence, was directed to pay 1.5 lakh compensation for the discomfort, pain, and mental agony she suffered.

The direction was issued when the New Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission was hearing one Pinki's complaint.

In her complaint, she alleged that she was provided with an "unhygienic, dirty, and stained" seat while travelling from Baku (Azerbaijan) to New Delhi on January 2 this year.

Pinki alleged that her complaint regarding the issue was treated in a "dismissive and insensitive manner".

What did IndiGo say? IndiGo countered the claim and reportedly said that they took cognisance of Pinki's issue and assigned her a different seat, on which she willingly travelled and completed her journey to New Delhi.

Also Read | IndiGo to join list of Indian carriers flying to London Heathrow

What did the forum rule? Noting the evidence before it, the forum, in an order dated July 9, said, "We hold that the opposite party [Indigo] was guilty of deficiency in service."

"As regards the discomfort and pain, mental agony suffered by her, we are of the view that she must be compensated. We accordingly direct the opposite party to pay 1.5 lakh as compensation for mental agony, physical pain and harassment to her," the forum was quoted by PTI as saying.

It also directed payment of 25,000 as litigation expenses.

In its order, the forum said that the airlines had failed to produce the Situation Data Display (SDD) report, which formed a part of its internal operational records as per standard aviation protocols.

It said, "There is no reference to this report in the written statement or in the evidence filed by the opposite party. The SDD is a crucial document used for flight operation monitoring and to record passenger-related incidents. The absence of this document significantly weakens the opposite party's defence."
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday predicted heavy rains and thunderstorms in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand between August 10 and August 14.

IMD has issued orange and yellow alerts for several districts in Uttarakhand. Heavy rains are likely to occur at isolated places in Bageshwar, Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar and Champawat.

Situation in Himachal Pradesh: Earlier, moderate rain continued to lash parts of Himachal Pradesh with Kangra receiving 68.4 mm of rain since Saturday night, followed by Murari Devi 52.6 mm, Palampur 52 mm, Sarahan 25 mm, Dharamshala 23.2 mm, Jubbarhatti 17 mm, Bajura 16 mm, Pandoh 11.5 mm, Kufri 11.2 mm, Bilaspur 10.4 mm and Kasauli 10 mm.

Following the rains and thunderstorms, the authorities closed a total of 360 roads in Himachal, including the Aut-Sainj road. As per the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), 212 were in Mandi district and 92 in the adjoining Kullu district have been closed for vehicular traffic.

SEOC said that 116 people have died in rain-related incidents this monsoon, while 37 remain missing. It added that 132 power transformers and 520 water supply schemes have been affected.

Also Himachal Pradesh has reported losses amounting to 1,989 crore since 20 June and witnessed 58 flash floods, 30 cloudbursts and 54 major landslides.

Himachal Pradesh has received 507.3 mm of rainfall against a normal of 445.5 mm this ongoing monsoon, which is an excess of 11 per cent from June 1 to August 10, the meteorological office said.

Situation in Uttarakhashi: Similar warning has been issued by the met department for Uttarakhand, where the IMD issued an orange alert till August 14. It also warned of extremely bad weather with the potential of disruption in the commute with road and rail closures, and interruption of power supply.

Meanwhile, in Uttarkashi, administration is working continuously to help people affected by the recent disaster in Dharali and Harshil. A total of 20 people had been rescued safely at Matli helipad on Sunday and were sent to their destination after the first aid was done.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday had said that over 1000 people have been rescued after the recent flash floods and mudslides in the Uttarkashi district.

Speaking to ANI on Saturday, CM Dhami asserted, "More than 1000 people have been rescued. All the devotees and pilgrims from all across the country, who were stuck there, have been rescued... All the injured people have been shifted to hospitals. Connectivity was completely destroyed in Harsil. It was restored there yesterday. A Bailey bridge will be installed by evening near Lachi Gad, which will help reconstruct roads till Harsil."

Uttarakhand Health Secretary R Rajesh Kumar said that doctors were treating patients in Dharali and that 28 ambulances had been stationed in the area for emergencies.
The Centre is planning to digitally archive Indian tribes' heritage to develop the market for their products and cultural expressions, Vivek Bharadwaj, the secretary of the ministry of panchayati raj, told Mint in an interview.

The government has executed a pilot in Jharkhand and will begin documentation in Chhattisgarh in August. The project will be expanded to other states covered under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, such as Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telanganahome to approximately 350 recognized scheduled tribes (STs).

The idea is to help tribals derive economic value through Geographical Indication (GI) tagging and domestic and global market linkages, Bharadwaj added.

A GI tag offers legal safeguards against fake products by protecting the unique identity, quality and reputation of products linked to certain geographical locations.

The project will also record their ecological knowledge, crafts, games, festivals, rituals, cuisines, beverages, folk stories, motifs, agricultural practices, institutions, monuments, artefacts, herbal medicines and traditional attire.

The government may incorporate this documentation in policymaking, which will help tribals achieve social and economic upliftment, said a volunteer associated with the project, on the condition of anonymity.

The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, also known as PESA, empowers the tribal communities to preserve their culture and heritage. Today, this heritage is getting lost due to the winds of change blowing in the tribal areas. It is therefore imperative to facilitate tribal communities to document their culture and traditions," Bharadwaj said.

Bharadwaj added that the central government is already conducting a pilot projectsince 26 Januaryin Jharkhand under the Hamari Parampara, Hamari Virasat (our tradition, our heritage) initiative.

Cultural preservation

The government will begin documentation efforts in Chhattisgarhhome to a rich diversity of tribal communities, many of whom have unique traditions, languages, and lifestylesin August.

Around 30% of the state's total population of 25.5 million, according to the 2011 census, belongs to STs, making it one of the most tribal-dominated states in India. There are around 42 recognized scheduled tribes in the state, broadly categorized into major tribes and minor tribes. The popular tribes are Gond, Baiga, Maria, Halba, Oraon and Munda.

With more than 5,000 PESA gram panchayats, Chhattisgarh has great potential to become a role model in documenting and conserving the rich tribal heritage of India, Bharadwaj explained.

The government will also develop a state-of-the-art Central Heritage Portal for documentation, archival, and dissemination of tribal cultural data. This would offer a comprehensive database accessible to researchers, policymakers, and the public.

The initiative will go a long way in promoting handicrafts of the tribal community. Currently, we are marketing around half a dozen products of the tribal communities based out of Chhattisgarh through Tribes India retail outlet," said P.M. Khadane, regional manager, Chhattisgarh regional office of Tribal Co-Operative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd, ministry of tribal affairs.

"We feel that many of the products as well as herbal medicines can be patented after the documentation. Also, folk songs can be copyrighted to help communities derive economic and cultural benefits," said Vijay Kuzur, a social activist and associated with the Hamari Parampara, Hamari Virasat programme in Jharkhand.

Additionally, documentation helps in mapping the area, so in case of any displacement, the tribes would be entitled to appropriate compensation.

The effort assumes significance as India has either lost or is on the verge of losing many tribes and tribal languages to modernization, according to experts.

"For example, Ghotul practicea cultural academy where tribal youth are shaped into custodians of their heritage, trained in values, arts, and communal life under the guidance of eldersprevalent among Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradeshs Gond and Muria communities doesn't exist anymore," said Delhi University professor Jitendra Meena who authored the book Rashtra Nirman Mein Aadiwasi (Tribes in Nation-Building).
A few words of praise for his reporting manager, who was sacked, allegedly landed an employee from a billion dollar unicorn into trouble. Yes, you heard that right.

A Reddit user recently shared that a friend  a mid-level manager at a billion-dollar unicorn  landed in hot water with the CEO after posting a LinkedIn recommendation for the companys recently fired Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

So what do you think? Is this actually disloyal, or is the CEO overstepping into someones personal freedom? Where should the boundary be between your job and your individuality on social media? the Reddit user posed a question, while detailing the incident.

The employee, in question, used to directly report to the CTO, as per the Reddit post.

Why was the CTO fired? What started as a mere recommendation has turned into an online debate over loyalty, and where work ends and personal life begins.

The CTO, admired by the employee, was allegedly ousted after personality clashes with the CEO. Following the episode, when the former boss reached out for a recommendation, the employee, who respected the CTO a lot, wrote one without thinking twice, as per the Reddit post.

The recommendation landed the employee into trouble with the CEO, who felt it was a big mistake and called the person out for going against the company and not acting in its best interests.

The Reddit post that sparked a debate

CEO overstepped boundaries The story has now sparked an online chatter, with many netizens stating that the CEO overstepped boundaries while some others said that it was a toxic behaviour from the boss.

CEO has too much time on his hands if it's cyber stalking ex employees, wrote one user.

"I blocked some of my colleagues in management on LinkedIn - the toxic bas***** that they are. I'm just not active on LinkedIn anymore, commented another one.
U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Tammy Bruce, a television personality, political commentator, and bestselling author to serve as the next Deputy U.S. Representative to the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador.

Announcing the decision on Truth Social, Trump wrote, I am pleased to announce that I am nominating Tammy Bruce, a Great Patriot, Television Personality, and Bestselling Author, as our next Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador. Since the beginning of my Second Term, Tammy has been serving with distinction as Spokesperson of the State Department, where she did a fantastic job. Tammy Bruce will represent our Country brilliantly at the United Nations. Congratulations Tammy!

ITTrump praised Bruce's work at the State Department, highlighting her role as Spokesperson since the start of his second term and expressing confidence that she would represent the US brilliantly at the UN.

Bruce currently serves as the US Department of State Spokesperson, a position she assumed in January 2025 at the start of the Trump-Vance administration. According to the State Department, she advises the Secretary of State on all aspects of the Department's press relations and serves as the principal voice on US foreign policy, delivering public briefings and strategic communication on behalf of the Secretary and the Department.

Who is she? She holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Southern California and was awarded the Spirit of Lincoln Award by the Log Cabin Republicans in 2022. Before joining the administration, Bruce was a Fox News political contributor and commentator for over 20 years and is the author of four New York Times bestselling books focused on political science, philosophy, and cultural critique.

Trump has long praised Bruce's political instincts and communication skills. Following his 2024 election victory, he appointed her as State Department Spokesperson, calling her a "highly respected political analyst" and "one of the strongest Conservative voices" in the country.

In a January post, Trump had written, "It is my great honour to announce that Tammy Bruce will be joining our incredible Nominee for United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, as Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State. Tammy is a highly respected political analyst who understood the power and importance of 'MAGA' early on. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science at the University of Southern California and, after being a liberal activist in the 1990s, saw the lies and fraud of the Radical Left, and quickly became one of the strongest Conservative voices on Radio and Television."

Bruce's nomination to the UN role will require the Senate's confirmation.
US President Donald Trump is considering imposing tariffs on China over its purchases of Russian oil, in a move similar to the one recently taken against India, according to Vice President JD Vance. Speaking to Fox News, Vance said no final decision has been made but confirmed that the idea is under discussion.

Earlier this week, Trump announced tariffs on India, citing its continued imports of Russian oil.

The discussions reflect growing concern within Trumps circle over Beijings role in supporting Moscows economy amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The measure would aim to pressure China to reduce its energy trade with Russia.

Vance emphasised that the idea remains under consideration and no formal policy has been set.

China has significantly increased its imports of discounted Russian crude since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022, helping offset the impact of Western sanctions on Moscow. Washington has previously warned Beijing that such purchases undermine international efforts to isolate Russia economically.

If enacted, new tariffs could mark an escalation in Trumps already tough trade stance toward China.

Tariffs doubled on Indian goods The White House last week issued an Executive Order imposing an additional 25 percentage points in tariffs on all Indian goods, raising the total duty to 50%. The move, announced by Trump, targets Indias continued imports of Russian oil, which the administration says undermine US foreign policy and national security interests.

The new tariffs will take effect 21 days after the signing of the order, providing a brief window for India and Russia to potentially negotiate with Washington on the import taxes.

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said India faced the steep hike due to its refusal to halt purchases of Russian crude  a trade the US claims is helping fund Moscows war in Ukraine.

Since 2022, Russias share of Indias total oil imports has surged from 1.7% to 35.1%, making it Indias largest oil supplier. The shift has been driven by discounted Russian crude, often capped at $60 per barrel, which India says is critical for its energy security.

No trade talks until dispute resolved President Trump announced last week that the US would not engage in new trade negotiations with India until the tariff dispute is resolved. The Executive Order also allows for further expansion or reduction of tariffs depending on a countrys alignment with US national security and foreign policy objectives.

The penalty on India follows the administrations earlier trade actions against other countries but contrasts with a softer approach toward China. While Beijing currently faces a 30% tariff, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has suggested its August 12 deadline could be extended if trade talks progress.

If implemented as planned, the 50% tariffs mark one of the harshest trade measures taken by Washington against a major economic partner in recent years, potentially escalating tensions between two of the worlds largest democracies.

Also Read | India apparel exporters look to UK, EU to soften Trump tariff blow
Amid a string of violent attacks on Indians in Ireland, a 51-year-old Indian-origin man was brutally assaulted and robbed on his way to work earlier this week.

According to an Irish Mirror report, the victim, Laxman Das, has lived in Ireland for 22 years and is an Irish citizen. Das, a father of two, is a sous chef at the Anantara The Marker hotel in Dublin.

He was reportedly travelling to work on his e-bike on Wednesday, August 6, morning when he was targeted by a gang of three men, who allegedly wrestled him off his bike.

Also Read | Amid racist attacks in Ireland, man says Indians must adapt to local culture

The gang, Das told Dublin Live, were relentless and started beating him, causing his helmet to break. He said that his phone, credit card, cash and electric bike were also stolen during the incident.

Laxman Das was taken to the hospital following the assault with injuries to his legs, eye socket, shoulder and arm. He was discharged later in the evening.

He is currently on sick leave to recover from the attack.

Racial attacks on a rise in Ireland Earlier in the week, Anupa Achuthan, originally from Kerala and now an Irish citizen, spoke about her Ireland-born six-year-old daughter Nia Naveen being assaulted outside her home in the city of Waterford, south-east Ireland, and told to go back to India.

Violent assaults involving Lakhvir Singh, a taxi driver in his 40s, and entrepreneur and AI expert Dr Santosh Yadav followed an Indian Embassy advisory urging Indian citizens to take safety precautions and avoid deserted areas, especially at odd hours".

The advisory followed 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 people of Ireland stand with the Indian community and will continue to stand firmly against racism in all its forms, the Irish Embassy in New Delhi said in a social media statement this week.

The Irish India Council welcomed the strong statement, adding: Racism and xenophobia have no place in our society. The Indian communitys contributions continue to enrich Ireland, and our shared bonds remain strong.

On Saturday, the diversity unit of Irelands police force, the Garda National Diversity Unit, said investigations into reports of assault on people of Indian heritage remain ongoing.
Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi trolled Pakistan's logic of promoting Pakistan General Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal after Operation Sindoor.

If you ask a Pakistani whether you lost or won, he'd say my chief has become a field marshal. We must have won only, that's why he's become a field marshal, Dwivedi said during his address at IIT-Madras.

Under Operation Sindoor in May, the IAF carried out precision strikes on multiple targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir linked to terror groups. The operation was aimed at destroying terror infrastructure and neutralising key operatives in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.

Watch the video here:

Speaking on the Operation, the COAS said, "What happened on 22 April in Pahalgam shocked the nation. On the 23rd, the next day itself, we all sat down. This was the first time that RM (Defence Minister Rajnath Singh) said, "Enough is enough". All three chiefs were very clear that something had to be done. The free hand was given, 'you decide what is to be done.' That is the kind of confidence, political direction and political clarity we saw for the first time. That is what raises your morale. That is how it helped our army commanders-in-chief to be on the ground and act as per their wisdom."

Earlier on Saturday, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh delivered the 16th Air Chief Marshal L M Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru.

He said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and a large aircraft during Operation Sindoor, in the largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill by India. He provided a detailed account of Operation Sindoor with visuals and slides.

India carried out air strikes in Balakot, targeting a training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group.

If you ask a Pakistani whether you lost or won, he'd say my chief has become a field marshal.

The Indian strikes were in response to a terror attack, carried out in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir by a suicide bomber, resulting in the death of 40 CRPF personnel.
Skywatchers around the globe were treated to a breathtaking celestial display as Augusts full Moon, known as the Sturgeon Moon, illuminated the night sky on August 9, 2025. This second full Moon of summer in the northern hemisphere captivated observers with its striking orange glow and larger-than-usual appearance near the horizon.

Astrophotographers worldwide showcased their talent by capturing the Moons glowing disk in diverse settings  from urban skylines to tranquil natural landscapes. These images highlight the timeless allure of the Moon and its cultural significance across different regions and traditions.

Here is a collection of some of the most captivating photos of August 2025s Sturgeon Moon, a reminder of the wonder and beauty that the night sky continues to offer.

Yerai Garcia, 31, plays with his dog Greta during the full moon rise known as the Sturgeon Moon in Arguineguin, on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, August 9, 2025. REUTERS/Borja Suarez

Photographers from various countries skillfully captured stunning images of the Sturgeon Moon, showcasing its warm, vibrant hues as it rose just after 9 pm in the UK and across other parts of the world.

A firework explodes in front of the full moon known as the Sturgeon Moon during celebrations ahead of the Feast of St Lawrence in Vittoriosa, as seen from Valletta, Malta, August 9, 2025. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

The moons deep orange color is caused by its low position in the sky, which allows its light to pass through more of Earths atmosphere. This scatters shorter blue wavelengths and lets longer red and orange wavelengths reach observers, creating the Moons fiery appearance.

A passenger plane passes a full moon known as the Sturgeon Moon as the moon rises over Frankfurt, Germany, August 9, 2025. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

The Sturgeon Moon gets its traditional name from the time of year when sturgeon fish  large, prehistoric freshwater fish  were most plentiful and easy to catch, especially in the Great Lakes region of North America. Indigenous communities, such as the Anishinaabe, recognized the August full Moon as a signal for important seasonal activities, including harvesting rice, earning it alternative names like the Ricing Moon.

A full moon known as the Sturgeon Moon rises over a horizon in Kyiv, Ukraine August 9, 2025. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

This years Sturgeon Moon also arrived just days before the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, adding to the excitement of the summers astronomical events.

Sturgeon Moon is seen over the Sultanahmet Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque, in Istanbul, Turkey, August 9, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya

The full Moons brilliance posed a challenge for meteor watchers, but it offered a perfect spectacle for photographers and casual observers alike.
Almost a month after Royal Navy F-35 fighter jet flew back from Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala to return home, another British F-35 stealth fighter jet made an emergency landing Sunday at Kagoshima airport in southwestern Japan due to a malfunction, reported Kyodo News.

The report added that following the emergency landing of the British F-35 stealth fighter jet, several departures and arrivals of commercial flights at the airport were affected.

Also Read | Kerala airport to charge THIS amount for parking stranded British F-35 jet

Also, the runway was closed for around 20 minutes at around 1:30 am (local time). No injuries were reported in the incident.

The report mentioned that from 4 August, British forces have been conducting a joint drill with Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force and US forces.

Previous incident: On 14 June, a Royal Navy F-35 fighter jet was diverted at the Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala due to a midair emergency and subsequently developed serious engineering issues.

The F-35 fighter jet was diverted from the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales due to bad weather and low fuel. It reported a hydraulic failure. British engineers arrived at the Thiruvananthapuram airport to fix the fault, which included landing gear, brakes and control surfaces issues.

Its prolonged stay sparked a flood of memes on social media and it was grounded for weeks.

Built by Lockheed Martin, the F-35B is considered as one of the most advanced and expensive fighter jets in the world. It costs over $115 million each and designed for short take-offs and vertical landings.

Spain rules out buying F-35: Another report by Reuters said that Spain is no longer considering the option of buying U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets. It is choosing between European-made Eurofighter and the so-called Future Combat Air System (FCAS), Reuters quoted a defence ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Also Read | Kerala uses stranded British F-35 stealth fighter to promote tourism

The spokesperson confirmed an earlier report by El Pais newspaper which said that the government had shelved plans to buy the F-35, which is manufactured by U.S. aerospace giant Lockheed Martin.

The report added that though the Spanish government earmarked 6.25 billion euros ($7.24 billion) in its 2023 budget to buy new fighter jets, but now plan to spend most of the additional 10.5 billion euros for defence this year in Europe made it impossible to acquire the U.S.-made fighter jets.
Chinese authorities have detained senior diplomat Liu Jianchao for a probe, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Liu was taken away in late July after arriving in Beijing after an overseas trip, the paper said, adding the reason for the detention was unclear. Liu heads the Communist Partys International Department, an agency for outreaches to foreign political parties and in parallel to Chinas foreign ministry. He has held the role since May 2022.

Liu was widely expected to take over from Wang Yi as Beijings top diplomat. Wang was reappointed as foreign minister in July 2023 after Qin Gang was abruptly ousted less than a year into his role. Qin hasnt been seen in public since his dismissal.

Its a big deal. Liu was seen as someone who could replace Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the future, said Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the National University of Singapores Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

Beijings crackdown on corruption, especially targeting high-ranking officials, also serves to boost Xis legitimacy and popularity among ordinary people by demonstrating his determination to fight corruption, he said.

While Wu cautioned that the details surrounding the detention are unclear  and may never be revealed  he said when senior Chinese government officials are questioned the most likely reason is for corruption-related issues.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs didnt respond immediately to a WeChat message seeking comment outside of regular business hours. The WSJ said Liu and the International Department couldnt be reached for comment.

The International Departments official website showed Lius last public activity was on July 29, when he met with local officials in Algeria.

Liu has a long history at the foreign affairs ministry. After studying international relations at Oxford University from 1986-1987, he worked as a translator before rotating through the bureaucracy, eventually ending up at the information department.

He was promoted to ambassador to the Philippines in 2009, a traditionally important position in the Chinese diplomatic corps. In 2015, he was moved from the foreign ministry to the international affairs wing of the partys top anti-corruption unit. Liu leveraged his foreign policy background to coordinate with other countries, including the US, in helping track down corrupt officials overseas as Xi accelerated his flagship graft campaign.

Lius graft-buster resume was boosted when he became Zhejiang provinces corruption chief in 2017. There he served under Xia Baolong, who once worked alongside Xi and is now Beijings point person on Hong Kong and Macau.

READ: China Tells Its Diplomats to Be Wary of Foreign Influence, Graft

In 2018, Liu returned to Beijing as a deputy director of the new Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission. Led by Yang Jiechi, the commission was part of Xis efforts to consolidate the partys control over diplomacy.

Liu was promoted to head of the International Department in June 2022. Traditionally, the agency was in charge of maintaining ties with parties from fellow Communist countries like North Korea and Vietnam, and other friendly nations such as Cambodia and Russia.

Under his watch, the department has taken on a more public profile, with Liu hosting ambassadors and meeting with foreign ministers from Western countries, including Australia and the US.

With assistance from Tian Ying.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended plans for a new military offensive in Gaza, declaring Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas. Speaking to foreign media in Jerusalem, he insisted, Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza.

Netanyahu pushed back against what he called a global campaign of lies amid growing condemnation of the plan at home and abroad. He said there was a fairly short timetable for next steps, which would include demilitarizing Gaza, establishing Israeli overriding security control there, and installing a non-Israeli civilian administration.

The prime minister also revealed he had ordered the military to bring in more foreign journalists to Gaza  a notable shift, as outside reporters have largely been restricted to military-escorted embeds.

Growing civilian toll as Palestinians seek aid At least 26 Palestinians were killed Saturday while seeking aid in the Gaza Strip, according to hospital officials and witnesses. The casualties occurred along food convoy routes and at privately run aid distribution points.

Ten people died near the newly built Morag corridor separating Rafah and Khan Younis, Nasser hospital reported. Six more were killed waiting for aid near the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry and Shifa hospital.

In central Gaza, witnesses said warning shots preceded direct fire on aid-seekers near a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) site. First, it was in the air, then they started to fire at the people, said Sayed Awda, who was waiting hundreds of meters away. Awda hospital confirmed four deaths from gunfire.

The GHF denied any incidents at or near its sites, claiming the violence was linked to crowds trying to loot aid convoy. Israels military also reported no troop involvement in the incidents.

Airstrikes continue as hunger crisis deepens Seven Palestinians were killed in separate airstrikes  three near Gaza Citys fishermens port, and four, including two children, in Khan Younis. Israel did not immediately comment on the strikes but has accused Hamas of operating from civilian areas.

Meanwhile, Gazas health ministry reported two more children dead from malnutrition-related causes, bringing the total to 100 since the war began. Another 117 adults have died from hunger-related issues since late June.

The wars death toll now stands at 61,400 Palestinians, according to the ministry, which does not differentiate between fighters and civilians but says about half the victims are women and children.

Labor strike urged in Israel over Gaza city offensive Inside Israel, opposition to the planned Gaza City takeover is intensifying. Families of hostages and their supporters called for a general strike next week, warning the operation could endanger captives.

Tens of thousands rallied in Tel Aviv Saturday night in one of the largest anti-government protests in recent months.

Lishay Miran-Lavi, whose husband Omri remains in Gaza, appealed directly to US President Donald Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff: The decision to send the army deeper into Gaza is a danger to my husband, Omri. But we can still stop this disaster.

Of the 251 people abducted in Hamas October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, killing about 1,200, roughly 50 remain in Gaza, with 20 believed alive.

Israeli operations expand in West Bank Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the northern West Bank on Sunday, announcing that military operations in refugee camps would continue until at least the end of the year.

He said security warnings about attacks had dropped by 80% since operations began in January. However, about 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced this year  the largest such exodus since Israel captured the territory in 1967.

Israel argues the campaign is necessary to suppress militancy, as violence in the West Bank has surged since the Gaza war erupted.
Less than two months after he was hosted to a private lunch at the White House by President Donald Trump, Pakistan army chief Asim Munir on Sunday visited the United States for the second time and held a high-level interactions with senior political and military leadership.

In his second trip to Washington since the four-day conflict with India, Munir held talks with US Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Dan Caine and invited him to visit Pakistan, reported Bloomberg, quoting a statement from Pakistans military wing.

Also Read | India brought Pakistan to its knees: PM Modi on Op Sindoor in Bengaluru

Field Marshal Munir and Caine reportedly also discussed matters of mutual professional interest".

Munir expressed confidence in continued collaboration to address shared security challenges at the event, according to the statement.

Munir also held the retirement Ceremony of outgoing Centcom, General Michael E. Kurilla.

"In Tampa, COAS attended the Retirement Ceremony of outgoing Commander United States Central Command (Centcom), General Michael E. Kurilla, and the Change of Command Ceremony marking the assumption of command by Admiral Brad Cooper," reported Dawn News, citing a press release from the ISPR.

COAS lauded General Kurillas exemplary leadership and his invaluable contributions to strengthening bilateral military cooperation, and extended his best wishes to Admiral Cooper," it further added.

In June, Munir travelled to the US on a rare five-day trip during which he attended a private luncheon with President Donald Trump. That meeting culminated in Trump's announcement of enhanced US-Pakistan cooperation in various fields, including an oil deal.

After his meeting with Trump, Munir also had held a comprehensive and candid exchange with senior scholars, analysts, policy experts, and representatives of leading international media outlets in Washington.

Meanwhile, earlier this week, Pakistan Army denied the rumours that Army chief Asim Munir plans to become the next president and called the reports 'baseless'.

Army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that the army chief has no interest in the presidency and no such proposal is under consideration, the state-run PTV posted on social media on Wednesday.
Pakistan has incurred heavy financial losses after closing its airspace to Indian-registered aircraft, with the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) losing more than 1,240 crore (PKR 4.1 billion) in just over two months, the Ministry of Defence informed the National Assembly on Friday, as reported by Dawn.

The airspace ban, which began on April 24, was introduced in response to Indias suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty on April 23. It blocked overflight access to all aircraft registered in India or operated, owned, or leased by Indian carriers, according to Dawn.

The move, however, backfired economically. The PAA's revenue from overflying charges plunged between April 24 and June 30, nearly affecting 100-150 Indian aircraft daily and slashing Pakistan's transit air traffic by almost 20 per cent, as per Dawn.

The Pakistani defence ministry admitted the financial setback but tried to justify it by saying, "Sovereignty and national defence take precedence over economic considerations." Officials also claimed such measures were issued via Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) for "strategic and diplomatic" reasons.

According to the ministry's own data, PAA's average daily overflight revenue in 2019 was $508,000, compared to $760,000 in 2025, meaning the ban is costing Pakistan far more now than during the previous standoff, Dawn reported.

Currently, Pakistan's airspace remains open to all except Indian airlines and aircraft, with the ban extended twice and now set to last until the last week of August.

Also Read: Pakistan funding review expected in second half of 2025 amid 11 new conditions for IMF bailout

Indian carriers continue unaffected on other international routes, while Pakistani airlines are still barred from entering Indian airspace.

The airspace standoff began after the April 22 Pakistan-sponsored terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which killed 26 people. In response, India banned all Pakistani-operated, owned or leased aircraft, including military flights, from entering Indian skies from April 30.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said the NOTAM restricting Pakistani aircraft from entering Indian airspace has been extended till August 23, 2025, citing "prevailing security protocols and strategic considerations."
A man caught on video lighting a cigarette from the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris has been handed a three-month suspended sentence, according to Irelands National Public Service Multi-Media Organisation, Raidio Teilifis Eireann.

Hakim H, a 47-year-old construction worker living in Normandy and working in Paris, was found guilty of desecrating the sacred monument by a Paris criminal court. The man, as per the report, admitted his actions during an expedited trial, describing his behavior as "the stupidity of the century."

I deeply regret this, I apologise to all French people, Hakim H was quoted as saying, breaking down in tears in the courtroom. He explained that he acted under the influence of alcohol and medication.

Besides the suspended sentence, Hakim was fined a symbolic one euro and ordered to seek treatment for his alcohol and drug addictions.

Video sparks outrage The incident occurred on Monday evening and was widely shared on social media, provoking public indignation. The footage shows Hakim stepping over protective barriers, crouching to light his cigarette from the flame that has burned continuously since 1923, then walking away calmly as tourists watch.

Official reactions French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the act on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating: This unworthy and deplorable act undermines the memory of those who died for France.

Veterans Minister Patricia Miralles described the action as a grave insult, declaring: "France will never tolerate tarnishing the memory of those who died for her. This is not a simple deviation, it is a desecration.
Across the UK, growing protests have erupted outside hotels housing asylum seekers, exposing deep community divisions and raising concerns about safety, misinformation, and the governments handling of asylum accommodations. As both protesters and counter-protesters clash, police face increasing pressure to maintain order amid a heated national debate over immigration and public security.

The protests are primarily about the use of hotels across the UK to house asylum seekers, which has sparked significant local concern and division. Many residents, including mothers and grandmothers, fear that the presence of asylum seekers in their communities poses risks to safety, especially for women and children. These fears have been amplified by high-profile criminal cases involving some asylum seekers, leading to larger public outcry and demonstrations. On the other hand, counter-protesters argue that many asylum seekers are legitimate refugees seeking protection and criticize the anti-migrant protests as fueled by misinformation and racism. The protests have attracted far-right activists in some areas, raising tensions further and prompting police to prepare carefully to maintain order. Overall, the demonstrations reflect broader anxieties about immigration, community safety, and the governments handling of asylum accommodation.

Recent weeks have seen a surge in protests across multiple UK cities over the governments policy of housing asylum seekers in hotels.

Protests highlight community concerns and divisions Police in Liverpool, among other cities, have managed to keep opposing groups separated during protests near hotels housing asylum seekers, with many officers visibly prepared with riot gear. While largely peaceful, the events have seen heated exchanges of shouting and occasional minor scuffles.

On the anti-migrant side, many protesters are womenmothers and grandmothersexpressing fears for their childrens safety and the impact of housing asylum seekers in their neighborhoods. Meanwhile, counter-protesters have voiced strong opposition to what they describe as misinformation and racism, welcoming refugees and accusing some protesters of xenophobia.

Incidents spark larger demonstrations Tensions escalated in Nuneaton following the arrest of two Afghan asylum seekers charged with the rape of a 12-year-old girl. Hundreds protested, outnumbering counter-demonstrators, with police intervening to prevent clashes. Similar protests have occurred in Bristol, Bournemouth, Birmingham, and other locations.

The protests began notably at the Bell Hotel in Essex after a man living there faced charges of sexual assault and harassment. This case intensified local opposition and sparked wider debates about the policy of using hotels for asylum accommodation.

Far-right influence and community activism Some protests have seen involvement from far-right activists, though many participants are everyday residents new to political activism, indicating a shift in public sentiment in affected areas. Anti-racist groups such as Stand Up To Racism warn these far-right elements are exploiting concerns to incite violence and division.

Government and policing challenges Police forces across the country report significant strain managing the volume and frequency of protests. Essex Police noted events drawing up to 2,000 participants.

Who are the asylum seekers? Asylum seekers arriving in the UK seek protection from persecution and danger in their home countries, although not all are granted asylum status. They are typically housed in government-contracted hotels and accommodations managed by firms like Serco, Clearsprings, and Mears, mostly in southern England. The government spends millions daily on these arrangements, with projected costs soaring.

Controversies over crime and transparency Local communities have raised concerns about alleged increases in crime linked to asylum hotels. However, official crime data does not provide clear information tying offenses to asylum seekers, making it difficult to assess the validity of such claims. Police statistics on the nationality or immigration status of suspects are not publicly detailed.

Political responses and future outlook The Home Office has removed thousands from hotels and closed many facilities amid mounting criticism. The Labour Party has pledged to close all asylum hotels by the next election, advocating for more sustainable housing solutions.

Meanwhile, groups like Stand Up To Racism call for better government engagement with local councils and communities to improve information flow and counter misinformation.

The ongoing influx of asylum seekers, combined with high accommodation costs and public disquiet, poses an ongoing challenge for the UK government, highlighting tensions between humanitarian commitments and community stability.
The United States repotedly blocked a planned visit by Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Pakistan as it refused to approve a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) travel ban exemption.

According to Pakistan-based media outlet Dawn, Muttaqi was scheduled to visit Pakistan on August 4. This was after Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visited to Kabul. Dar's visit was facilitated by China.

What happened exactly? Citing diplomatic sources, Dawn reported that as the Afghan foreign minister is under international sanctions, he is barred from foreign travel without a special waiver from the UN sanctions committee.

The committee, set up under UNSC Resolution 1988 (2011), oversees travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes on Taliban-linked figures.

The Dawn report stated that Washington delayed its decision until the last moment before ultimately refusing to grant the waiver, effectively scuttling the trip.

Dawn noted that the US decision is believed to have been influenced by concerns over the Taliban government's growing closeness with China.

When asked at a recent briefing whether the US had blocked Muttaqi's travel, the State Department said, "We do not comment on rumours," Dawn reported.

Pakistan's Foreign Office, however, did not directly confirm the US role. At a weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan told reporters there were "certain procedural issues" being worked out and maintained that no official dates had been confirmed for Muttaqi's visit. As quoted by Dawn, he added, Once these procedural matters are resolved, we look forward to welcoming the Afghan foreign minister to Pakistan.

Also Read | Tourists are trickling into Afghanistan and the Taliban government is eager to welcome them

The Dawn also highlighted that the US has often clashed with China and Russia in the UNSC sanctions committee, with Beijing and Moscow supporting more lenient travel exemptions for Taliban officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy secured strong diplomatic backing from European leaders and NATO on Sunday, as concerns mount ahead of the much-anticipated Russia-US summit scheduled for August 15 in Alaska. Kyiv fears that Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump may negotiate terms without Ukrainian involvement, potentially pressuring Ukraine to cede territory in the ongoing conflict.

Summit sparks fears of exclusion and territorial pressure President Trump, who had previously threatened new sanctions on Russia, surprised many by announcing the summit with Putin, raising alarm in Kyiv. Trump suggested a possible deal involving some swapping of territories to the betterment of both sides, a notion that has deeply unsettled Ukrainian officials.

Zelensky responded firmly, warning, Any decisions taken without Ukraine will be stillborn and unworkable. He emphasised the need for sanctions and continued pressure on Russia following recent strikes in Ukraines Zaporizhzhia region, which injured at least 12 people.

European and NATO leaders rally behind Ukraine European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed the importance of inclusive diplomacy: Any deal between the US and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraines and the whole of Europes security. EU foreign ministers planned to meet on Monday to discuss next steps.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte echoed these sentiments in an interview with ABC News: It will be about security guarantees, but also about the absolute need to acknowledge that Ukraine decides on its own future, that Ukraine has to be a sovereign nation.

Rutte also ruled out any deal that legally recognizes Russian control over Ukrainian territory, though he noted de facto arrangements could be possible, comparing the situation to the post-World War II status of the Baltic states.

Russia and Europe at odds over diplomatic efforts A European official revealed that Europe had prepared a counter-proposal to Trumps plan but declined to share specifics. Russian officials reacted harshly, with former president Dmitry Medvedev accusing Europe of attempting to sabotage American efforts. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova disparaged Ukraines relationship with the EU, likening it to necrophilia.

Pro-Kremlin voices warned that a direct Russia-US deal could sideline Europe and Ukraine, leaving them powerless against the terms imposed.

(With Reuters inputs)

Also Read | Donald Trump promises swift action to clear homeless people from Washington
The Indian economy is resilient. It will absorb the shock of Donald Trumps tariffs and plough on. Like a river that eventually flows into the sea, the economy will respond to the sudden obstacle by changing course and springing new distributaries.

As I have written in these pages before, Indias size, diversity, demographics and popular expectations drive its growth. A dip in trade with the United States might shave up to half a percentage point off Indias growth rate this year. This is smaller than how much a bad monsoon affects Indias economic output.

Also Read: Mint Snapview: India must flex its digital-market muscle to counter Trump tariffs

India must not concede to President Trumps political demands. To do so would allow the proverbial camel to enter the tent. Instead, New Delhi should keep its negotiating lines open, be ready to find new common ground and build mutually beneficial options in both the geo-economic and geopolitical domains.

In the meantime, we should be prepared to bear some pain. As Trumps policies run through the US economy, the US-China contest unfolds and crises in Eastern Europe as well as West Asia throw up new realities, it is likely that Washington will rediscover the reasons for better relations with India. That will be a good time to make deals. How long will this take? Maybe a year. What if it doesnt happen? If we discover that the pain is more than we can bear, we could still make some concessions that Washington demands.

Indias policy response to Trumps tariffs will almost certainly involve some combination of financial support for affected sectors, domestic economic reforms, incentives for local demand and export diversification to other markets. Overall, the economic impact is manageable and will be managed.

It is the geopolitical dimension that leaves us with a sense of crisis. India is not the only American strategic partner that Trump has alienated. So, at one level, we shouldnt be surprised that he didnt make an exception for India. Yet, his demeaning rhetoric and attempt to use Pakistan to goad India into submission is surprising. This has struck a severe blow to a process of convergence that began with talks between Jaswant Singh and Strobe Talbott more than 25 years ago. It will have long-term consequences.

Also Read: Indian agriculture and dairy sectors are strong enough to withstand US tariff vagaries

The case to purchase defence equipment from the US has already become harder to make. Every corporate board will want to mitigate the risk of relying on American vendors and supply chains. Every regulator will demand that the companies it governs demonstrate that they are not reliant on Western firms and technology for critical functions. Even if Trump rescinds his tariffs by month-end, American technology and companies will no longer enjoy the trust they did until last week.

The geopolitics of todays situation is reminiscent of the period between 1989-1991. During that crisis, India compensated for the loss of the Soviet Union by opening up its economy and looking East towards South East Asia. This formula is as valid today as it was then.

That is why New Delhis fundamental response to Trumps tariffs should be to unleash a fresh dose of economic reforms. Do another 1991. The reform agenda is too well knowncertainly within the governments economic brain trustto need spelling out here. Suffice it to say that the focus should be on structural reforms and not on palliatives for tariff-hit sectors. At the minimum, these reforms should be intense enough to cancel out the harm by Trumps tariffs.

Also Read: Rethink policy: Lets take Trumps tariff tirade as an opportunity for tax reforms

It is understandable for people to demand economic retaliation against the US or an embrace of China and Russia in response to Trumps actions. This, however, would be a big error. Heres what a cold and hard reading of reality tells us.

One, it is in Indias interests to open its economy to global trade. Our trade barriers limit entrepreneurship, competitiveness and growth. Two, despite Trumps recent moves, the US is still Indias most important economic and political partner. Three, as much as an amicable relationship with China is desirable, Beijing has deep reasons to not care. Four, market power tends to concentrate into global oligopolies in the information age economy. Five, the nature of the future global economic order is uncertain.

Indias economic statecraft must set a course that navigates through these five factors. There are no categorical solutions, only contextual ones.

PS: In response to my query, Perplexity replied that between 1565 and 1901, Western powers systematically forced at least 32 separate instances of trade opening across Asia... virtually every major Asian political entity experienced some form of coercive trade imposition. This represents one of historys most comprehensive examples of economic imperialism."

PPS: It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation; For fear they should succumb and go astray; So when you are requested to pay up or be molested, You will find it better policy to say:

We never pay any-one Dane-geld,

No matter how trifling the cost;

For the end of that game is oppression and shame, And the nation that plays it is lost!"

Rudyard Kipling (irony intended)

The author is co-founder and director of The Takshashila Institution, an independent centre for research and education in public policy.
The United States of America, Russia and Chinathe state of relations among these three countries tends to determine how safe the world generally is for India. India feels threatened by China at its doorstep, with which it also has a territorial dispute that has turned bloody on a few occasions. India, therefore, seeks good relations with both the US and Russia.

An ideal world for India would be one in which it has good relations with both of them, and those two, the US and Russia, also have good relations with each other. In this world, India could build defence ties with both the US and Russia, and its relations with either will not be looked at with suspicion by the other. However, even if it can attempt to build good relations with both Washington and Moscow, bilateral relations between those two are beyond New Delhis control.

Since independence, India has hardly ever enjoyed such an ideal world for its safety and prosperity. During the Cold War, the US and Soviet Union were two superpowers engaged in an intense security competition. Despite not wanting to choose sides, India was forced to do soand it chose better relations with the Soviet Union over the US for a variety of reasons.

Also Read: Nitin Pai: India should craft a calibrated response to Chinas Yarlung dam project

This choice had mixed results. It did not work in 1962, when Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev was still hopeful of salvaging Sino-Soviet ties and hence chose to remain neutral in the China-India war despite fearing that New Delhi might defect to the Western camp as a result of Chinas aggression. Indias choice, however, worked in 1971, when the Beijing-Moscow split was complete and the Soviet leadership did not hesitate to sign a quasi-military alliance with India to deter China. The lesson was that India needed a great power partner fully committed to balancing China.

After the Cold War and collapse of the Soviet Union, Indias old choice set no longer existed. The US was now the sole great power. In 1991, it was not clear if China would truly emerge as a challenger to Americas global hegemony or if Russia would regain its old strategic power and reach. By the beginning of the new century, the contours of a new world order were beginning to emerge. Russia might gain back some of its old power and glory, but China was going to be the real contender for great power status.

This world was more dangerous for India. New Delhis threat would now come not from a poverty-stricken Peoples Republic, dangerous as it was, but from a China that sported a modernized military, giant economy and the status of a tech superpower. Russia was a shadow of the erstwhile Soviet Union and was increasingly reliant on Beijing.

The saving grace for India was that its economy had begun doing well and it fielded a nuclear arsenal that came to acquire the capability to threaten Shanghai and Beijing with long-range missiles. However, the growing power deficit vis-a-vis China meant India still needed a great-power partner that saw a common interest in deterring Chinese aggression, if not mitigating other adverse implications of its rise.

Also Read: India-US standoff over Russian oil: Lets not waver but resolve it

This was the logic that gave birth to an India-US strategic partnership. Since China was rapidly growing to become Americas strategic competitor, New Delhi and Washington had a shared interest in dealing with Chinas rise and providing security in the Indo-Pacific.

What about Russia, though? It is here that the interests of India and the US diverged. India still saw Russia as an important defence partner. The Indian armed forces needed Russian military platforms and Moscow was the only partner willing to part with certain assets that no one else wouldfor example, leasing a nuclear-powered attack submarine.

Also Read: Andy Mukherjee: Indias stiff 50% tariff is a US sanction in disguise

The US, however, could not move beyond looking at Russia as an adversary. Of course, Russia continued to pose a threat to American allies in Europe, but one thought the US would shift the burden of European defence to its trans-Atlantic allies and shift focus to its bigger threat in the Indo-Pacific.

If American attention and resources could be secured for Indo-Pacific security, a close-to-ideal setting could be obtained for India through the confluence of the following: a growing economy at home that could over time be converted into military power, a strategic partnership with a US that is committed to balancing China, a defence partnership with Russia that could part with high-tech weapons that no one else would, and, finally, a China-focused US that would not mind India-Russia defence cooperation.

Perhaps this was too much to ask. The US has made the right noises and written stacks of strategy documents talking about shifting its focus to the Indo-Pacific. However, all this talk and text faltered at the first hurdle in 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. Since then, while US strategy documents still talk about China, the actual American strategy targets Russia.

Also Read: US-Russia face-off: Nuclear sub moves shouldnt be announced on social media

Indians had by and large believed that the election of Donald Trump as US president would change Washingtons geo-strategic orientation and a change did seem to be happening for his first few months in office. As of August 2025, however, Trump is back to targeting Russia and has gone to the extent of punishing India for its ties with Moscow.

Today, India faces a great power threat in China, a weakened Russia distracted by a war in Ukraine and a US bent on punishing it for its relations with Russia. Far from ideal, its closer to a nightmare.

The author is a Stanton Nuclear Security post-doctoral research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy Schools Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- President Donald Trump portrays himself to his supporters as an agent of both punishment and revenge, smiting Democrats, bureaucrats and elitists alike. Among the most recent targets of this vengeance: taxpayers in Maryland, where flash floods have caused millions of dollars in damage this year. Its part of a larger pattern: Blue states, like Maryland and California , must beg for federal disaster aid but may not receive it. Red states, like Arkansas, Texas and West Virginia, get the help they need.

But because no state is totally blue or red, Republican voters have gotten caught up in Trumps partisan approach to disaster relief, suffering neglect and punishment along with their Democratic neighbors.

Families here lost their furnaces. They have no money to replace those. So, we have families that will be cold this winter or will resort to other means to heat their homes, which is a concern for the fire department as well, said Westernport, Maryland Mayor Judy Hamilton in an interview with reporters last month about the flooding. There is money that the state has given us that right now were using for hot water tanks, looking to provide furnaces, those types of things for our residents.

Although only 34% of Marylanders voted for Trump in 2024, Westernport, a town of roughly 1,800, is Trump country. In mid-May, it experienced flooding that left roads damaged and buildings shuttered, including the library and school facilities. Governor Wes Moore, a Democrat and possible presidential contender, applied for $15.8 million in federal assistance but his claim was turned down.

We met the criteria, Hamilton said in an interview with The Washington Post. So, were confused, and we dont understand why we were not given the FEMA assistance.

(I reached out to Hamilton for a comment but her office replied that because of harassment and threats they have decided to not do any interviews with the press.)

Moore and other Democratic governors dont share Hamiltons confusion about what is happening. Trump is doling out favors to like-minded friends and withholding aid from people he disagrees with.

Ive stopped trying to do the mental gymnastics of trying to understand how this administration is making its decisions, or what to expect when it comes to partnership with them, Moore told reporters. What I do know is the decision that they made, it is petty, it is partisan, and it is punishing and is deeply unfair to the people of Allegany and Garrett County.

Blue states have had to stretch their budgets to make up for the lack of federal dollars, allocating funds to assist residents in the path of natural disasters, which will be increasingly common as climate change worsens. But local and state funding and expertise cant match what the federal government can do.

Moreover, by reserving taxpayer money for Republican-controlled states, Trump is setting up a scenario where Republican governors can tout achievements around their disaster response, while Democrats will be left explaining their Trump-inflicted failures.

According to an Economist/YouGov poll taken last month, some two-thirds of Americans support the Federal Emergency Management Agency, with 36% favoring an expansion and 30% saying the agency should remain the same size. Since 2011, state governments have gotten $68.2 billion in FEMA aid, excluding money for oil spills and the pandemic according to the Associated Press. Only 9% of Americans favor Trump making good on his campaign threat to eliminate the agency.

This broad support attests to the agencys resilience to the misinformation spread by the president. In 2024, Trump spun a tale about FEMAs partisan response to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina that took hold among some residents. Thats created the kind of partisan split that seems to follow everything Trump touches, with 1% of Democrats and 18% of Republicans wanting to see the agency eliminated.

FEMA has always been bipartisan because when its your time, you dont want another delegation from another state to vote against support, but in an increasingly partisan world its not a surprise, [although] Ive never seen it at a presidential level, said Susan L. Cutter, co-director of the Hazards Vulnerability & Resilience Institute at the University of South Carolina, in an interview.

She added that FEMA has now lost a lot of its capacity. Its not clear how well they are going to be able to handle a big event.

Trumps misinformation was the backdrop of massive DOGE cuts and also set up comments like this: This entire agency needs to be eliminated as it exists today and remade into a responsive agency, Kristi Noem, head of the Department of Homeland Security (which includes FEMA) said last month as federal officials were responding to deadly Texas floods.

But the agency is being remade: It is becoming yet another vehicle for Trumps petty grievances. For the president, punishment is the coin of the realm, even if his supporters become collateral damage in the process.

Peak hurricane season begins in late August and runs through September, providing another test for the administration in handling disasters. It will also offer another opportunity for the administration to respond in a nonpartisan way. Elected officials from both parties, but particularly Republicans, might want to start reminding Trump that his supporters are everywhere and need help too, even if their neighbors voted against him.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Nia-Malika Henderson is a politics and policy columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. A former senior political reporter for CNN and the Washington Post, she has covered politics and campaigns for almost two decades.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion
Veteran Congress leader Anand Sharma resigned as the chairman of the Grand Old Party's foreign affairs department on Sunday to help in its reconstitution and enable bringing in younger leaders.

The former Union minister led the department for around a decade, as the National Committee of the Department of Foreign Affairs was last constituted in 2018.

What Anand Sharma said in his resignation letter "As I have conveyed earlier, both to CP and Chairperson CPP, in my considered view, the committee needs to be reconstituted to bring in younger leaders of potential and promise. That will ensure continuity in its functioning.

"Expressing my gratitude to the party leadership for having entrusted me with this responsibility, I am submitting my resignation as Chairman DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) to facilitate its reconstitution," Sharma said in his resignation letter addressed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Also Read | Rahul Gandhi alleges 40,009 fake voter addresses in Karnataka

Sharma, a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest decision-making body in the party, has been the Congress's leading face on international affairs for almost four decades.

He, however, continues to be a member of the Congress.

Anand Sharma's roles  Sharma has earlier played a crucial role in the negotiations of the Indo-US nuclear deal, pitched for India-specific waivers at the Nuclear Suppliers Group and is also credited with institutionalising the India-Africa partnership in a structured manner and convening the first India-Africa summit.

 He also articulated India's position to the world after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

 During Sharma's tenure as the commerce minister, the first-ever WTO Agreement and comprehensive trade agreements were signed.

 Sharma, along with Manish Tiwari and Shashi Tharoor, were part of the multi-party Parliamentary delegations that had gone abroad to put across India's viewpoint on Operation Sindoor.

Even though the Congress had forwarded the names of Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi and Naseer Hussain to be part of the delegations, the government had nominated only Anand Sharma, besides taking Tharoor and Tiwari.

Manish Tewari reacts to Anand Sharma's resignation In a post on X, Manish Tewari, "Had the pleasure and honour of working with Anand Sharma for over four decades. His understanding of Foreign Affairs is astute. Especially in Africa, the depth of his knowledge is incisive."

"As we were together on the same politico-strategic delegation together in end May-early June 2025, we greatly benefited from his insights. He has spent close to five and a half decades of his life in the service of Congress. Wishing him a very healthy and fulfilling life," he added.

In his resignation letter, Sharma said the DFA has, over the last few decades, been actively engaged in building and strengthening the Congress's relations with like-minded political parties across the world, which share the values of democracy, equality and human rights.

He said the Congress has built strong relations with major political parties in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America. The foreign affairs department of the party has established an institutional mechanism for the exchange of leadership delegations with fraternal political parties and international organisations.

"I have had the privilege to have been proactively associated with all major international initiatives of the Congress since the mid-1980s as IYC president. These included: NAM youth conference 1985 and the historic 'Anti Apartheid Conference' in 1987. These were universally acclaimed," Sharma said.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha hit back at Tejashwi Yadav's allegations on Sunday, claiming that he votes from only one place.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had alleged that the Bihar Deputy CM had two voter ID cards from different assembly constituencies.

Responding to the allegations, Sinha said his name was originally on the Bankipur voter list. In April 2024, however, he applied for his name to be added to the Lakhisarai rolls and, at the same time, requested that it be removed from Bankipur.

Earlier, my entire family's name was listed in Patna. In April 2024, I applied to add my name to the Lakhisarai Assembly. I also filled out a form to have my name removed from there. I have proof. For some reason, my name wasn't removed, so I called the BLO, submitted a written application, and took a receipt. I have both documents. My deletion form was rejected, said Sinha, responding to Tejashwi Yadav's claims.

Yadav's allegations come amid the political storm over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar.

What did Yadav allege? The RJD leader alleged that Sinhas name appears in the electoral rolls for both the Lakhisarai constituency and the Bankipur constituency in Patna district  each with a separate EPIC number and even different ages listed: 57 in one and 60 in the other.

Also Read | INDIA Bloc gathers at Rahul Gandhis residence to discuss Bihar SIR row

"He has two different Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) cards. Surprisingly, it has happened after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by the Election Commission in Bihar. Who should be held responsible, either Sinha himself or the Election Commission? What action is being taken against Sinha? When will he (Sinha) resign from the post after the revelations?" asked the Bihar Assembly's Leader of Opposition.

Also Read | EC sends another reminder to Tejashwi Yadav amid EPIC card row
President Donald Trump signed a joint peace declaration with the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia aimed at ending decades of war and reached pacts giving the US exclusive rights to develop a transit route through the South Caucasus.

With this accord, weve finally succeeded in making peace, Trump said in the White House meeting Friday.

US officials portrayed the agreements as a win for Washington and a setback for Russia, Iran and China. While the peace declaration doesnt carry the legal force of a treaty, all the leaders expressed confidence its terms would hold.

The two former Soviet neighbors have been in conflict since the waning years of the USSR, when Nagorno-Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan. Tensions spiraled into wars that killed more than 30,000 people in the early 1990s and at least 6,000 during a 44-day conflict in 2020.

Russia, the US and France tried unsuccessfully for decades to negotiate a settlement in a region that sits at the crossroads of trade and energy flows but has been riven by years of strife.

Were opening a chapter of peace, prosperity and security and economic cooperation in the South Caucasus, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said, hailing Trumps contribution.

This is a tangible result of President Trumps leadership, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said. He and Pashinyan added they plan to jointly nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Trump cited the deal as the latest of a string of international peace agreements for which he claims credit. He talked up his role in a treaty between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and in ceasefires between Iran and Israel, India and Pakistan, and Thailand and Cambodia.

Although senior administration officials acknowledged the agreement will presage more talks - and many more details will need to be hashed out  they said the arrangement promised to help ease regional tensions that have handed Russian President Vladimir Putin leverage.

Under the agreement, the US will get exclusive development rights for up to 99 years to a transit route across southern Armenia linking the bulk of Azerbaijans territory to the exclave of Naxcivan, which borders its ally Turkey. The administration is calling it the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity.

Armenia had rejected a transit corridor as a breach of sovereignty, while saying that borders and transport routes would be open as a result of a peace agreement anyway.

The US officials said the route would open up trade opportunities for Armenia in partnership with the US. Talks on the commercial elements of the deal will begin next week.

As part of the agreements, the US also lifted restrictions on defense cooperation with Azerbaijan, Trump said.

Those limits have been in place for more than three decades. We are starting the path toward strategic partnership with the US, Azerbaijans Aliyev said.

Azerbaijan exports oil through a pipeline connecting its Caspian Sea output with Turkeys Mediterranean port of Ceyhan via Georgia and bypassing Armenia. It also supplies natural gas to 10 European countries, including Greece and Italy, via the US-backed Southern Gas Corridor. In 2022, it signed a deal with the European Union to double gas exports to the bloc by 2027.

Energy-rich Azerbaijan and landlocked Armenia have sought to negotiate a final peace agreement since the 2020 war, including a delineation of their state border, though talks have stumbled over Azerbaijani demands for changes to the Armenian constitution to exclude claims on Nagorno-Karabakh.

Putin brokered a truce to halt the 2020 war, in which Azerbaijan took most of Nagorno-Karabakh and reclaimed six surrounding areas occupied by Armenian forces for decades. But the sides did not reach a final peace agreement.

In September 2023, Azerbaijani troops gained control of the rest of Nagorno-Karabakh in a lightning military operation that triggered the exodus of more than 100,000 Armenians from the territory into neighboring Armenia. Russia peacekeepers were withdrawn last year after the Armenian population fled.

The 2020 war represented a strategic triumph for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who backed Azerbaijan and was able to muscle into Russias backyard at time.

With assistance from Kate Sullivan and Eric Martin.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
US President Donald Trump is using the threat of stiff tariffs to try to peel India away from Russia, as he attempts to boost pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine .

But decades of close economic, political and military relations between New Delhi and Moscow mean Trump faces a challenge in persuading Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to drop a partnership that has survived great geopolitical turmoil.

In recent days, Trump has blasted India for its heavy reliance on Russian oil imports, as well as its longstanding purchases of Russian military equipment. On Wednesday, the president slapped India with an additional tariff of 25% on its exports to the U.S.doubling the existing 25% duty that went into effect earlier this monthas punishment for its continued purchasing of Russian oil.

Despite tariffs that could inflict real damage on the Indian economy, Modi has stood firm in the face of rising American pressurea sign of how important relations with Russia are for the South Asian giant.

Indias foreign ministry called the penalty unfair, unjustified and unreasonable" and promised that India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interest." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier in the week that sovereign countries should have and do have the right to choose their own trading partners."

On Friday, Modi wrote on X that he had a good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin."

I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine," the prime minister wrote, adding that the leaders had reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership." He said he expected Putin to visit India later this year.

Since the Cold War, Russia has been one of Indias most constant partners in a relationship anchored by arms deals, economic cooperation and diplomatic support for New Delhi as it faces off with regional rivals China and Pakistan. For its part, Moscow drew close to India after tensions grew in the 1960s between the Soviet Union and Beijing.

In the decades that followed, Russia extended more than a billion dollars worth of loans for the purchase of Russian military and nonmilitary goods.

The charm offensive was further sweetened by Russian crude, which Moscow sold to New Delhi in the 1960s at a 10% to 20% discount to prevailing world prices.

This was all part of the Soviet oil offensive," said historian Sergey Radchenko, Cold War expert and professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Moscow even sent geologists to India to search for oil and, when little was found, the Soviet Union allowed India to purchase Siberian crude with shipments of tea so that New Delhi could conserve its cash reserves, he said.

The bonds grew closer after the U.S. backed Pakistana bitter rival of Indiaand imposed a slew of sanctions on New Delhi in 1974 after its first nuclear test and in 1998 when India again tested its nuclear weapons.

Many Indians still find Russia today, because of the history, a reliable partner," said Harsh V. Pant, head of strategic studies at the Observer Research Foundation, a think tank in New Delhi. Many in India believe that America has always been more favorably disposed towards Pakistan."

Even Russias invasion of Ukraine hasnt pushed Modi to repudiate Moscow. Indiawhich has long pursued a strategy of avoiding alignments with other major powershas stayed neutral on the Ukraine war, abstaining from United Nations votes to condemn the invasion and declining to join successive waves of Western sanctions.

Meanwhile, Indiaa net energy importer with a voracious and growing appetite for energybenefited from a shift by Western countries away from Russian oil, as well as a price cap that the U.S. and its allies have imposed on the countrys crude.

Sanctions targeting Russias oil industry have increased Moscows reliance on friendly nations such as India.

Over the past several years, India has begun buying massive amounts of Russian oil. Last year, India accounted for more than one-third of Russias oil exports, second only to China at nearly 50%, according to the Observer Research Foundation. Steep discounts have saved Indian refineries $17 billion over the past three years, according to credit-rating firm ICRA.

Indeed, India isnt the only Asian country to benefit from Russias increasing economic isolation. Rival China has likewise bought crude and scooped up assets inside Russia. But a creeping wariness in Moscow of overdependence on Beijing makes Russias relationship with India all the more important.

The cheap oil is critical for a country of 1.4 billion that is growing rapidly. The South Asian nation is the worlds fastest-growing consumer of oil, behind only the U.S. and China in total consumption, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Its vast energy needs are met by importing 90% of its crude oil from overseas.

Over the past three years, trade between the two countries skyrocketed to $69 billion, a record figure pushed higher by Indias purchases of Russian crude. Those imports have allowed New Delhi to sell gasoline at a cheaper rate domestically and resell its oil products abroad at a fatter margin.

Its not going to be shutting off the Russian tap in the immediate future," said Syed Akbaruddin, former Indian permanent representative to the U.N. and dean of the Kautilya School of Public Policy in Hyderabad. There is no way, given the cost differential and the impact on the budget."

To be sure, Indian refineries have already started hedging their bets by curbing their purchases in recent weeks, according to data and analytics firm Kpler. Imports of Russian crude oil fell about 500,000 barrels a day in July to a five-month low of 1.6 million.

According to the companys analysis, Indias private refiners, which process over 50% of imported Russian crude, are expected to boost their imports from other sources including the Middle East and West Africabut cant cut off Russian oil completely.

Replacing Russian barrels is no easy featlogistically daunting, economically painful and geopolitically fraught," Sumit Ritolia, Kplers lead research analyst in refining and modeling, wrote in a research note.

Meanwhile, Trump has also taken aim at Indias historic reliance on Russia for military equipment.

Although New Delhi has been trying to diversify its suppliers in recent decades, Russian and Soviet-made equipment still makes up over 50% of Indias arsenal. New Delhi continues to be a loyal customer of Russian arms.

Part of the appeal is Moscows willingness to share technology and help India manufacture arms domestically. In contrast, under former President Joe Biden, the U.S. signaled its openness to technology transfers, but Washington has dragged its feet on some projects.

Last month, the Indian navy commissioned a new stealth frigate purchased from Russia. Two more frigates are being built in India with technical assistance from Russias Yantar shipyards.

In 2018, during Trumps first term, India bucked threats of sanctions from the U.S. to agree to buy five squadrons of Russias top shelf S-400 air-defense system. Three of those squadrons so far have been deliveredand stationed along Indias borders with China and Pakistan.

It will be many decades before India can actually replace the Russian kit in their inventory, if they can replace it at all," said Ashley J. Tellis, an expert on geopolitics at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Roger Carstens was rushing across Tel Aviv to meet Roman Abramovich, knowing he would have to ask the White House for forgiveness rather than permission.

Twice before, the Biden administration had turned down requests by the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs to meet this enigmatic Russian oligarch, one of the handful of people Carstens considered a back channel wizard" with the influence to untangle the thorniest diplomatic knots.

But in November 2023, when Carstens traveled to Israel to help American families whose loved ones Hamas had taken hostage, a message reached his phone saying Abramovich was also in town. It seemed like an unmissable chance to advance a prisoner swap that could free U.S. citizens jailed in Russiaand at the same time, rescue Vladimir Putins archnemesis, the Russian dissident leader Alexei Navalny.

The hostage envoy had been on the ground in six wars but joked the most combat hed ever seen was wearing a suit and tie in Washington, trying to get anything done." He had a plan to free Navalny and the Americans but the White House didnt think the time was right to move on it. He often joked that he felt like Gulliver, tied down by Lilliputians.

His perceived adversaries: senior White House and State Department officials who had been working, albeit more cautiously, toward the same end, and were weighing the geopolitical and moral risks of trading prisoners with Putin. Carstens complained to colleagues he was stuck reporting to decision makers who, in his view, had never been to combat, never smelled cordite and who sat at their desks, offering reasons why his proposals wouldnt work.

This time, the former Green Beret wasnt going to give anyone enough time to tell him no. On Nov. 30, he shot off an email to Washington, where the day was still young, saying he was poised to sit with Abramovich. Minutes later, he walked into a hotel chosen for the meeting. Sitting opposite, the billionaire said he could see prisoner talksbetween the Central Intelligence Agency and Russias FSB spy servicewere stalled.

Im not sure the FSB is passing on our messages," Carstens said. He reiterated the latest offer from the White House: a mix of prisoners that included neither Navalnywhom Germany wantednor Russias own must-have, an FSB officer named Vadim Krasikov, who was serving a life sentence for murdering a Putin opponent in downtown Berlin. Carstens felt that proposal was never going to fly.

But let me run another idea by you," he ventured, Not officially, but just to get your view."

Carstens pitched an idea he called enlarging the problem." Germany would free Krasikov, if Russia freed Navalny. As an add-on, the U.S. and European allies could return various deep-cover sleeper spies in their possession, and Russia would release two Americans held on espionage charges the U.S. government strongly denied: former Marine Paul Whelan, and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

It sounded intriguing, Abramovich said, but added that he couldnt imagine Putin would free Navalny. After 30 minutes, Carstens left, reopening his phone to see cascading messages ordering him not to hold the meeting. A few days later, Carstens heard back from Abramovich, who seemed as surprised as anybody.

Putin, he said, was willing to free Navalny.

That same week, guards bundled the 47-year-old dissident onto a prison train and locked the door with no word of where he was heading. Hours turned to days as Navalny read the books hed been allowed to take from the IK-6 prison camp. He couldnt see the towns passing outside, but the train was snaking across the Ural Mountains, then north toward the Arctic Circle to the dead railway," built by political prisoners under Stalin.

It took two weeks to reach his ice-covered destination, known as Polar Wolf."

I am your new Santa Claus," he wrote in his first letter home to his wife, Yulia. Unfortunately, there are no reindeer, but there are huge, fluffy and very beautiful German shepherds."

A few weeks after he arrived, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz logged on to a private videoconference with Joe Biden, officially to discuss the war in Ukraine. Unofficially, the prisoner trade was on the agenda.

Hours earlier, the Journals editor in chief, Emma Tucker, had met with Scholzs top aides in Switzerland. Biden had just met Paul Whelans sister, Elizabeth, a portrait painter who struck up an easy rapport with the president. Sullivan had been in constant contact with his opposite number in Berlin ahead of the meeting. The idea was so delicate Scholz was too nervous to mention specifics over the call.

I will fly to see you," Scholz said. I would be happy to."

The chancellor traveled without telling his own cabinet, giving such short notice that the only plane the German government could book was a medium-haul Airbus A321, which had to refuel in Iceland. There were no aides and no note-takers in the Feb. 9 meeting, just Biden and Scholz.

Hours earlier, Tucker Carlson aired an interview with Putin at the Kremlin, where the former Fox host pushed the Russian president to release Gershkovich. Putin, chastened by Carlson, looked embarrassed. The pieces all seemed to be clicking into place.

In the Oval Office, Scholz agreed to free the assassin Krasikov as the centerpiece of a broader deal. The chancellor would rescue Navalny from his Arctic prisonand, he hoped, boost the aging U.S. presidents chances in what was certain to be a bruising re-election campaign.

For you, I will do this," Scholz told Biden.

Black motorcades

On Feb. 15, 2024, the narrow streets of Munich were lined with black motorcades delivering the Wests most important leaders to the Bavarian citys annual security conference. Carstens wasnt registered as a speaker or panelist, but he quietly slipped out of Washington on a red-eye flight bound for Germany.

By now, the administration was accelerating the Navalny trade toward completion, but preferred to keep Carstens on the periphery of any Russia prisoner talks.

Christo Grozev was already there, waiting anxiously in a cafe close to the venues security perimeter. The Bulgarian investigative journalist and spy-hunter felt the deal was almost done, yet he and Carstens wanted to be as close as possible to the Wests top security officials to spot-check that nothing would derail it. Odessa Rae, the Navalny" film producer, was texting from Dubai in route to Ukraine after meeting their Russian contact, Stanislav Petlinsky.

Vice President Kamala Harris was flying in on Air Force Two, officially to deliver a keynote address, while more quietly representing Biden at a meeting with Slovenian leaders to confirm the trade could include two Russian sleeper spies in their custody: a married couple posing as Argentine nationals.

Germanys foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, was at the conference, and still uneasy about the moral line her country was inching toward, but Secretary of State Antony Blinken was set to meet her and soothe any concerns. Navalnys wife, Yulia, was also in Munich, on hand to address lingering doubts.

Next to Grozev, messaging contacts to try to piece together the state of play, was Maria Pevchikh, Navalnys friend and head of investigations. Their location felt ominous. Seventeen years earlier, at the same Munich gathering, Russias president delivered a speech castigating the world order in which America was one master, one sovereign," a diatribe considered the starting gun of his war against the West.

Now, within touching distance of the biggest East-West prisoner swap since the Soviet collapse, the memory of that speech was like a specter.

As the evening wrapped toward a close, Pevchikh raised a question, like a terrible premonition: What if they kill him?" After years studying Russian intelligence services, Grozev was confident her concern wouldnt come to pass. There was a protocol, he reassured her, a methodology for prison swaps upheld since the Cold War. The Journal even had prewritten articles, ready to go, the moment Navalny walked free.

The next day, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray was sitting down for lunch with the chiefs of Britains MI6 and Germanys BND intelligence agency. Their discreet and thankless work was about to pay off in the very real gift of freedom not only for Navalny but also for Gershkovich, whose reporting Wray admired.

But as the meal unfolded, dignitaries began reaching for their phones, buzzing with news from Russia. The most powerful security czars in the Western alliance turned to each other in horror and bewilderment. Alexei Navalny has died in prison," the Kremlins state newswire announced. The cause of death is being established."

The guests rose one by one to start fielding calls. Wray rushed upstairs to confer with Blinken. Americas top diplomat immediately shot back: Get me Yulia." An aide struggled to reach Navalnys wife and came back with the number for Grozev.

Weaving through the tightly controlled security cordons, European and American officials were scrambling to find each other and confer on what would happen next. The news spread through the hallways and coffee line where a German diplomat blurted out in full earshot of reporters, Oh no! We were working on getting him out!"

Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, reacts as she speaks during the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 16, 2024.

Grozev guided Navalnys ashen-faced widow through the hotel gates to the secretary of states suite. The two embraced, then sat down, and Yulia delivered a powerful message: Putin must be punished for the misery he has wrought. Minutes later she walked down toward the lectern in the shellshocked conference hall with delegates standing to applaud, or crying in their seats, her eyes filled with tears and righteous anger.

I want Putin, his entourage, Putins friends, and his government to know they will pay for what they have done to our country, to our family, and my husband," she said.

Chancellor Scholz wanted to see Yulia but wasnt sure if the woman who had minutes earlier discovered she was a widow would want time with her family. I want to meet," she responded and arrived, somehow still composed, in the hotel suite where the chancellor was waiting.

I have one request," Yulia said, before turning to the question of Krasikov. Do not release that man."

Across the world, the secret club of people who had labored at organizing an exchange were reeling as its one necessary component was lying dead in an Arctic morgue. Officials across the West had worked for months to free not just Navalny but a growing list of Americans seized by the Kremlin as bargaining chips.

CIA officers and their European partners had hunted down Russian spies undercover in an Arctic research institute, the front lines of Ukraine and the suburbs of an Alpine capital. The Justice Department had extradited Russian cybercriminals arrested in the Maldives and on a Swiss mountainside helipadhigh-wire legal and diplomatic maneuvers that had given the U.S. trading stock for an exchange that was now on ice.

In Los Angeles, Journal publisher Almar Latour was visiting a museum exhibit of art made by prisoners from Soviet gulags, and wondering if a dark gray pencil sketch was drawn in the same camp as Navalny, when his phone rang. It was Carstens, who had landed in Munich just in time to learn it was all for nought.

The U.S. could have brought Navalny back alive if it had acted with more urgency, Carstens said. If only I had moved faster."

The special envoy was blaming himself for not putting more pressure on the White House. We could have wrapped this up in August!" Rae, on her way to Ukraine, was boarding a flight, talking to a fellow passenger about her film, neither of them aware until she glanced at her phone that its subject, her friend, had just died.

In Russias IK-17 labor camp, Paul Whelan was trading cigarettes to place a call to his family: If they are willing to kill Navalny they could do something to me. Poison me. Break my leg?" His sister Elizabeth was quizzing a case officer on Carstenss staff over text messages about the consequences of a death she was sure wasnt an accident.

The IK-17 Penal Colony, where American Paul Whelan was transferred to serve a 16-year sentence on espionage charges he and the U.S. government denied.

Recalibration

Jake Sullivan was on his office sofa when a delegation from The Wall Street Journal stepped in. Their meeting, pre-scheduled, was meant to deliver good news, but word of Navalnys death, hours earlier, lent it the air of a wake.

Sullivan had a habit of looking toward the floor, or to one side, as he carefully deliberated the angles of a problem. After a long pause, he spoke: I never thought a deal with Navalny would work." But he also hadnt expected Putin to kill him, and still wasnt sure if he would ever know the truth behind the dissidents death.

Navalnys supporters had lost everythingthe man they were trying to save and Russias dreams for a democratic future. And the Journal, whose reporter, Gershkovich, had now spent 323 days in the Moscow jail where Stalins henchman once executed purged officials, was no closer to freeing him than in the first hours of his arrest.

But in the cloud of grief and disorientation, the national security adviser could also glimpse a new possibility. Germany had crossed the psychological threshold of agreeing to free a murdererand perhaps they would accept other political prisoners in Navalnys place. The question hanging over that analysis was whether Putin had come to the same fatal conclusion.

In the weeks to come, CIA officials would fly to meet their Russian counterparts in Saudi hotels, booked under false names, carrying eyes-only hard-copy lists of prisoners the West could trade with the Kremlin.

The world would finally see the fruits of their labor when, on Aug. 1, 2024 six planes delivered 24 prisoners and two children to an exchange point outside a Turkish air terminal, a mix of Russian spies, hackers, cybercriminalsand Krasikovtraded for Russian dissidents, German convicts, and Americans including Whelan, Gershkovich, and other journalists.

That trade, the largest East-West swap in modern history, would cement a cold, inescapable fact about the emerging world order: taking and trading prisoners, and bending the justice system to do it, is now what powerful countries do, a transactional order of statecraft encapsulated by Navalnys arrest, the campaign to free him, and his tragic death.

For now, however, looking up from his office couch, Sullivan engaged the Journal without offering false hope. The newspapers lawyers had brought Gershkovichs mother, Ella Milman, and she was looking right at him, asking: Doesnt this create more urgency to free Evan?"

It might," he said. Its not a breaking point," he added. We will get this done. I see a pathway."

Drew Hinshaw and Joe Parkinson are leaders on The Wall Street Journals World Enterprise Team. This piece is adapted from their new book, Swap: A Secret History of the New Cold War," which will be published on Aug. 19 by HarperCollins (which, like the Journal, is owned by News Corp).
Fridays attack on the CDC offices was targeted and deliberate, CDC leaders tell staffers
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) and The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) have been involved in a negotiating process with Uisce Eireann on the Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project for a number of months.

The process was undertaken with a view to agreeing a package that would be offered to landowners whose lands are on the proposed pipeline route.

Uisce Eireann has now sent an offer pack out to farmers on the route.

While the discussions between the negotiating teams have concluded, the final outcome has yet to go before the governing bodies of our organisations for approval.

Prior to the negotiations commencing, both the IFA and ICMSA made it clear to Uisce Eireann that such approval would be sought and required.

They have now released a joint statement on the matter.

"We advised Uisce Eireann that we would put the proposed agreement to the scheduled meetings of our governing bodies in early September.

"The compensation package and associated items will still be put the governing bodies for approval at that point.

"We are disappointed that Uisce Eireann chose to issue the offer pack to landowners in the absence of a final agreement with IFA and ICMSA.

"We have told Uisce Eireann that their September deadline for farmers to accept the offer is far too premature and suggest that they should extend this deadline by a number of weeks.

"Both organisations will issue a further update once the package has been brought in front of their respective governing bodies.

"Farmers on the route should take the time to read the package on offer and consult with qualified advisers. They should not feel pressured by this communication from Uisce Eireann."

READ NEXT: Longford PhD student triumphs in four competitions at the Leinster Fleadh Cheoil

READ NEXT: Connection between Co Longford's Ballinamuck and France's Essert continues
A man accused of having a false 'no claims bonus' had his case dismissed at Longford District Court last week.

Maksims Vapne (46) of 47 Beechwood Park Granard pleaded not guilty to a charge that on November, 2022 at Beechwood, Granard he used a false instrument, a fraudulent no claims bonus certificate, with the intention of inducing another person to accept it as genuine.

Garda O'Keeffe stated that they received an email from Liberty Insurance who had queried a no claims bonus document they had received from Mr Vapne and they had doubts over whether it was a 'true' and genuine document.

"Enquiries were carried out with the insurance company in Lithuania by the name of Seesam.

"Arrangements were made with a representative from Liberty Insurance named Denise Condron and a statement was taken from her.

The defendant had no previous convictions.

Garda O'Keeffe agreed under cross examination by Barrister Ross Nestor BL, defending, that Liberty Insurance incurred no loss.

The legal representative also argued that in relation to the alleged false document Seesam had not provided it.

Judge Vincent Deane dismissed the case as he stated it had not met the threshold after hearing that no representative from Seesam was present.

READ NEXT: Critical Longford water main works set to begin with three month road closure warning

READ NEXT: Mother and son cycling from Donegal to Longford to raise funds for FND Ireland
Shooter who attacked the CDC headquarters was a 30-year-old man from suburban Atlanta

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has identified the man who opened fire at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White of Kennesaw, Georgia
Colorado Springs has begun the process of updating its aging annexation plan to better guide how, when and where the city, currently spanning about 200 square miles and home to nearly 500,000 residents, will grow.
The Camelot Cat Cafe in Greenfield isnt just housing cats  its creating a space for visitors to relax, work, and hang out with friends, all while surrounded by six friendly felines.

The first cat cafe in Western Massachusetts recently had its soft opening, previously announced on social media. The opening weekend exceeded the businesss expectations, it said.

People were so supportive, Kelley Goddard, owner of Camelot Cat Cafe, told MassLive. Neighbors came. People called their friends, people came from quite a distance. We had over 85 people.

The 305 Wells St. site allows guests to surround themselves with cats, escaping a bit of reality for a while. The cafe also offers snacks and various beverages to enjoy.

But what sets the Camelot Cat Cafe apart from other cat cafes is its focus.

Gaining popularity in pop culture a decade ago, cat cafes tend to have a heavy focus on the cafe experience. Many offer full-size operational cafe counters with baristas, an extensive menu and elaborate coffee.

We felt like there were plenty of places in town to get a drink of high quality, but there was no place in town to have time with the cats, Cameron Ward, who owns the building site, said.

While the business does offer different food and beverages, the space is fully dedicated to cats that occupy it.

Currently, the cafe is home to six sanctuary cats ranging in age, size, fur color and personality.

The sanctuary cats have all come to the cafe under different circumstances and now take up permanent residence in the space.

Though having different walks of life, like one cat being thrown from a car window, to another being surrendered by a previous owner, the six furry residents now spend their days at the cafe receiving the utmost care.

We want them to have a standard higher than any other shelter or any other cafe, for that matter, Goddard said. Theyre here, they live here. They eat very particularly, and they get treated amazing. Theyre very spoiled.

The sanctuary cats are not up for adoption. The business plans to partner with the Franklin County Sheriffs Office Regional Dog Shelter, which received approval to build a new facility to take in cats.

The business would house the shelters cats and put them up for adoption. But since the partnership is unfinished, the business is only currently housing the six sanctuary cats.

Customers can spend time with the cats, pet them, have a snack, work from home, or even transform the space into whatever they want, including a yoga space or a gathering to catch a game on the TV.

You can even simply head to the cafe for some peace and quiet.

Its a real relaxing, slow environment. And I think thats the vibe that were putting out, Ward said.

We love the idea of a community gathering spot, Goddard added.

For now, the business is booking appointments daily except Tuesdays. There are 40-minute time slot visits available for $20 per person. It also offers a quick visit appointment, approximately 15 minutes, for $10. Longer visits and group rates are available by appointment.

While walk-ins are not welcome yet, guests are asked to call or text 413-824-1118 to reserve a spot.

.
While saving for college is a great way to prepare for your childs future, it can also penalize you when it comes time to apply for financial aid.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is used by most institutions to calculate aid. It takes into account college savings and adjusts amounts accordingly.

MassLive spoke with Mark Kantrowitz, a financial aid expert, about the tricks and tips he has for how to balance receiving the most financial aid while still putting aside money to pay for higher education expenses.

The more you save, the more flexibility youll have, the more options youll have. So every dollar you borrow will cost you about $2 by the time you repay the debt, he said.

Saving for college is especially important as tuition in Massachusetts has surged to nearly $100,000 per year at some elite institutions and student loans have become riskier and more expensive under President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill.

Families should seek advice of financial planners to help with specific advice for their own situations.

Meanwhile, here are the four things to know about when saving for college in 2025.

Your own retirement account might be your kids best college savings vehicle

Retirement accounts such as 401(k), 403(b) or Roth IRA accounts are one surprising strategy for how to save for your childs future.

While you wont be able to use the money saved in retirement accounts to pay for college right away, the money can be used to pay back loans in the future when the parent reaches the eligible age of 59 and a half.

However, it is essential to remember that money taken out prior to the account-holder turning 59 and a half years old comes with a steep penalty  often 10%  which is the risk of using this strategy. Account holders also have to have had the retirement account for at least five years.

Retirement accounts are one good option because anything that is saved in those accounts wont be counted as income under FAFSA, the federal financial aid form, because theyre not reported on federal income tax returns, according to Kantrowitz.

Contributions to an IRA do count as untaxed income on the FAFSA.

A benefit of using a retirement account as a college savings account is that even if a child doesnt need the money or decides not to go to college, parents will still be saving for their retirement, Kantrowitz said.

You dont have to be a parent to open a college savings account

Parents often save for their childrens college with a 529 account.

A 529 plan is an investment account that is tax-free when used for college and college-related expenses and K-12 education.

While a 529 plan will show up on a FAFSA form if it is created by a parent of a child, another family member  such as a grandparent or aunt  could create the investment account without it impacting the family income, Kantrowitz said.

However, if a grandparent dies and the money goes to the students parents, that will count toward their income.

While money saved in a 529 plan by a family member  who isnt a parent  wont show up in a familys income, it will show up on a CSS Profile, which is an online application through the CollegeBoard that allows colleges to distribute non-federal institutional aid. As such, it may reduce the students total financial aid offered if a significant amount of money has been saved in a 529 plan, Kantrowitz said.

Because only some colleges participate in the CSS Profile, the potential impact on the students financial aid offer may not be something that your family has to think about.

Trumps Big Beautiful Bill changed 529 plans by increasing the cap of $10,000 annually for K-12 tuition to $20,000 and additional uses were included.

The set of qualified expenses for 529 plans will now also include not just savings for tuition and fees but also book supplies and equipment, tutoring and standardized test fees, among other options.

Workforce education programs and post-secondary credentialing expenses will also be a part of the 529 plan.

Expenses that arent qualified would be taxable.

Kantrowitz suggests parents open a retirement account and a 529 plan in order to save for college to be able to pay throughout the degree and for any loans after.

While Trumps Big Beautiful Bill has restricted how much people can borrow and completely eliminated some repayment plan options, Kantrowitz said 529 plans and retirement accounts arent something he is worried about as a long-term investment.

While a lot has changed this year already with student loans and savings, there is half a trillion dollars invested in 529 plans and $48 trillion in retirement accounts, he said.

Congress would be fools to change the law. That doesnt mean they wont, but there are a lot of powerful financial interests who would oppose any changes, Kantrowitz said.

Consider U. Plan or U. Fund in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has its own 529 plan, also known as U. Fund, which surged in popularity last year.

In 2024, 36,485 signed up for new accounts, raising the total to more than 285,000. Compared to five years ago, the number of accounts has grown by 73%, according to Julie Shields-Rutyna, Massachusetts Educational Financing Authoritys senior director of college planning, education and training.

Part of its appeal comes from the reduction or elimination of taxes, but also its multi-purpose spending options, Shields-Rutyna told MassLive last year.

Money in the U. Fund can be spent on things like college tuition, food and housing, books, supplies and equipment.

It can also be used for accredited vocational and career training schools, K-12 tuition instead of college or to pay off a student loan. Funds can be transferred to another member of the family.

Massachusetts residents can also claim a state income tax deduction when saving through a U. Fund account.

Another unique college savings fund the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority offers is the U. Plan.

The plan allows family members to lock in a tuition price today for a student who will go to certain Massachusetts colleges in the future.

The idea behind the plan is that tuition prices have often increased at a rate beyond what most investment accounts returns would be.

Paying 10% of a year at a college now would still be considered paying 10% of the year at the time when the child goes to school years later, even if by then the costs have significantly increased.

There is a list of colleges that have agreed to be part of the U. Plan, ranging from state institutions to private institutions.

If the child decides they dont want to go to any on the list, the funds can be transferred to another child or cashed out. Funds can only be used for tuition and fees.

People can have U. Fund and U. Plan accounts to serve different purposes for college saving.

Think ahead about where to apply and how many loans to take on

No matter what, parents should use a financial aid calculator for each school their child plans to apply to, often available through individual college websites. It is important to play what if games to determine how their money might impact financial aid eligibility before placing money in any account, Kantrowitz said.

Students should also apply to a variety of colleges  including a financial aid safety school, which is a college the student can afford even if they dont get any financial aid, according to Kantrowitz.

In order to minimize debt, the total student loan debt at graduation should be less than the students annual starting salary. If that is the case, the student should be able to afford to repay their loans in 10 years or less, he said.

Dont choose the most expensive college in the country just because its the most expensive. You can get a perfectly fine college education at an in-state public college, which will cost you a quarter to a third the price of a private college, Kantrowitz said.
A pickup truck with two French bulldogs inside was stolen from a McDonald's parking lot in Weymouth on Thursday. Police located the stolen truck on Friday and found the two dogs still inside the pickup, which had heated up internally. Weymouth Police Department

Police arrested a Brockton man on Friday after he stole a pickup truck with two French bulldogs inside it from a McDonalds parking lot in Weymouth the day prior, according to police.

Marcus Morse, 29, has been charged with two counts of animal cruelty and larceny over $1,200 and one count of larceny of a motor vehicle, receiving a stolen motor vehicle and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, Weymouth police said in a press release. Morse is also facing criminal charges out of Winchendon and Falmouth District Courts.

On Aug. 7, Weymouth police responded to the McDonalds at 701 Bridge St. around 4:30 p.m. for a report that a vehicle had been stolen, the police department said. At the scene, a woman said shed left her Nissan Frontier in the parking lot unlocked with the keys inside as she picked up food from the restaurant. Two small French bulldogs were in the truck when it was stolen.

Detectives continued their investigation into the theft the next day and soon found that someone was trying to sell the stolen pickup online, police said. The sellers listing included a photo of the truck with its license plate.

Investigators soon discovered that the pickup was now located at Morses home in Brockton, police said. Officers found the two dogs still in the truck, which had heated up internally.

Brockton Animal Control evaluated the dogs before releasing them into Weymouth police custody, police said. Officers arrested Morse at the scene.

No further information has been released.
FOXBOROUGH - Mike Vrabel told reporters that Christian Gonzalez would be making the trip to Minnesota with the Patriots.

Youll see him in Minnesota, Vrabel said, pumping up expectations for the star cornerback, who suffered a hamstring injury two weeks ago.

After a playful pause, Vrabel further clarified that while Gonzalez would be with the team, he would not be participating in either of the two days of joint practices with the Vikings, or second preseason game on Saturday.

Before you think Im being funny, youll probably see Christian in Minnesota. You wont see him on the field in a uniform, Vrabel said flashing an impish grin. He probably wont be practicing this week.

Gonzalez suffered the injury on July 28. It occurred during an 11-on-11 drill while Gonzalez was covering wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

Vrabel also indicated that fellow corner Carlton Davis III, who hasnt participated in any padded practices, would be in Minnesota, but not on the field.

As for wide receiver JaLynn Polk, who suffered what appeared to be an upper body injury during Friday nights 48-18 preseason win over Washington, hes a definite no-go.

You wont see JaLynn Polk in Minnesota, Vrabel said.

Left tackle Morgan Moses, whos been a limited participant at practices, was out there Sunday.
President Donald Trump speaks as he signs a proclamation declaring National Purple Heart Day in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) AP

By Jacob Bogage and Kadia Goba

The Internal Revenue Service clashed with the White House over using tax data to help locate suspected undocumented immigrants hours before Trump administration officials forced IRS Commissioner Billy Long from his post Friday, according to two people familiar with the situation.

The Department of Homeland Security sent the IRS a list Thursday of 40,000 names of people DHS officials thought were in the country illegally and asked the IRS to use confidential taxpayer data to verify their addresses, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

The Treasury Department, the parent agency of the IRS, and DHS agreed to an arrangement in April to facilitate such data sharing - over the objections of the tax services privacy lawyers.

DHS officials have suggested they would eventually ask the IRS for help locating 7 million people. There are about 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, according to federal estimates.

On Friday, though, the IRS responded that it was able to verify fewer than 3 percent of the names immigration enforcement officials submitted, the people said.

The names the agency could match were mainly the individuals for whom DHS provided an individual taxpayer identification number. An ITIN is an IRS-specific ID that immigrants often use in place of a Social Security number on a tax filing. Undocumented immigrants pay tens of billions of dollars in taxes each year, which the ITINs help facilitate.

White House officials requested additional information on the taxpayers the IRS identified, the people said - specifically, if any of them had claimed the earned income tax credit, which can reduce the tax bill for some low-income filers. The IRS declined to provide that information, citing taxpayer privacy rights.

Long had previously told agency executives that his agency would not furnish confidential taxpayer information outside of the confines of the IRSs agreement with DHS, the people said.

Still, the people did not know if tension over the IRSs role in President Donald Trumps mass deportation drive contributed to Longs departure from the IRS.

The Trump administration is working in lockstep to eliminate information silos and to prevent illegal aliens from taking advantage of benefits meant for hardworking American taxpayers, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement.

Any absurd assertion other than everyone being aligned on the mission is simply false and totally fake news, she added after this story was published.

DHS said in a statement that the agreement with the IRS outlines a process to ensure that sensitive taxpayer information is protected, while allowing law enforcement to effectively pursue criminal violations.

After four years of Joe Biden flooding the nation with illegal aliens, these processes streamline pursuit of violent criminals, scrub these individuals from voter rolls, identify what public benefits these aliens are using at taxpayer expense, all while protecting American citizens safety and data, the statement said.

Treasury Department officials did not immediately return a request for comment.

Long on Friday said Trump intended to nominate him as the U.S. ambassador to Iceland after less than two months in the IRS job. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will serve as the interim IRS commissioner. Trump administration officials confirmed both moves.

Long jokingly posted on social media Friday that hed called Trump and asked to join ICE, or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

I guess he thought I said Iceland? Long wrote. Oh well.

Long had previously sparred with Treasury officials over plans to start tax filing season around Presidents Day in February - about a month behind schedule - and also preemptively announced plans to eliminate the IRSs Direct File program, even though Treasury officials had not decided to do so, according to four people familiar with the events, who similarly spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Billy Long did a great job while at the IRS, and his promotion to ambassador was previously slated to happen, a White House official said Saturday, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters.

Long, a former six-term Republican congressman from Missouri, was confirmed to the position in mid-June. Trump broke tradition by not allowing the former Biden-appointed IRS commissioner, Danny Werfel, to serve out his full five-year term.

He was the sixth IRS leader since the start of the year. One early acting commissioner left amid churn at the agency due to the administrations cost-cutting campaign led by Elon Musks U.S. DOGE Service, while another left after the agency agreed to the DHS data-sharing arrangement. A third acting commissioner was pushed out after only two days because of an internal conflict between Musk and Bessent.

Washington Post Reporter Riley Beggin contributed to this story.
Springfield firefighters pour water on a mountain of wrecked cars and scrap metal Friday night at Chet's Auto Wrecking and Scrap Metal on Page Boulevard. (Springfield Fire Department photo) republican

SPRINGFIELD  Fire investigators are searching for the cause of a massive blaze in a scrap metal yard that burned for roughly 16 hours, as nearby residents aired concerns about impacts from the thick, black smoke that spewed from the blaze.

Firefighters cleared the scene around 10:30 a.m., Saturday, after extinguishing the last of the smoldering debris. No one was injured and the fire did not spread beyond the mountain of scrap metal which ignited Friday evening, Fire Capt. Drew Piemonte said.
Following addresses by speakers from Africa and beyond, and fruitful deliberations, we, Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops, members of SECAM , address this message to the Church, the Family of God in Africa and its Islands, as well as to all people of goodwill.

In our Final Message of the 19th Plenary Assembly, held in Accra, Ghana, from 25 July to 1 August 2022, we recalled the great insecurity reigning in several regions of our continent, due to socio-political instability, violence, economic poverty, weak health structures, insurgency, terrorism, the exploitation of religion for political purposes, and the lack of respect for the environment and good governance. These challenges persist and remain to be fully overcome, but they should not be a reason to fall into despair. For with Christ and through Him, an essential virtue can fill our hearts and allow us to look toward the future with confidence and hope. Christ is the Source of hope for Africa and its peoples.

1. Hope at the Heart of Our Lives

Before returning to the Fathers house, Pope Francis set the whole Church on the path of synodality. It is within this framework that our meeting this year takes place, bearing witness to our collective reflection on how we walk together over the next 25 years. As we know, synod means walking together. But we can only walk together if we share a common goal. Our goal is to make Christ ever more present in our communities and in our lives. Christ is the ultimate purpose of our synodal journey; He is the foundation of our hope and the reason we carry our cross in His footsteps. He is our hope and the way (John 14:6) that leads us to the fullness of truth and abundant life (John 10:10).

Christian hope is rooted in the primacy of the Kingdom of God. It is a promise of Gods reign among people of goodwill. This entails a life of faith and obedience to God; a God who provides for the needs of all who trust in Him: Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Mt. 6:33).

We exhort all Christians in Africa and its Islands to open their hearts to this hope that Christ, the Resurrection and the Life in abundance, offers, so they may be freed from all forms of death that confront them in daily life. It is timely to recall the prophetic words of Saint Pope John Paul II at his inauguration in Saint Peters Square on 22 October 1978: Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors for Christ and His saving power. Open the boundaries of States, political and economic systems, as well as the vast fields of culture, development, and civilization. Do not be afraid!

The challenge of being the architects of the Africa we want ultimately involves opening up the horizons of hope, so that we may grow into our full humanity as children of God, called to the newness of the Gospel that sets us free from all evil (cf. Instrumentum Laboris, October 2023).

Christian hope is not to be confused with a mere mental projection detached from reality. It is an active commitment, a presence in the name of the Lord Jesus, alongside those who suffer, who endure injustice, and who are cast aside by the powerful of this world. Following Christ, the Church in Africa and Madagascar must embrace the preferential option for the poor, as taught by her Master. Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient (2 Tim 4:2), following the example of Saint Paul, calls for bold words that challenge and disrupt the status quo. Saint John Paul II even stated that a sign of contradiction could be a distinctive definition of Christ and His Church.

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves (Mt. 10:16), Jesus warned His disciples, yet He immediately added this reassuring promise: And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age (Mt. 28:20).

Therefore, despite the difficulties of the mission, the presence of Jesus remains a source of hope for a Church that goes forth, as Pope Francis says; a Church made up of Christians actively building a new world, a new heaven, and a new earth that has been promised to us. These are Christians who transform humanity into the Family of God and work to make it inhabit the Kingdom of God.

On June 15, a young Congolese layman, Floribert Bwana Chui, was beatified in Rome. He was assassinated in 2007 in Goma for refusing to allow spoiled food products to enter the country in exchange for a bribe. Pope Francis paid tribute to this young man, recognized as a martyr of honesty and moral integrity. We encourage our African youth to bear witness to Gospel values.

The Kampala Document called for the creation of a new Africa:  An Africa of the baptized who are conscious that their vocation, intrinsically linked to their identity, is to cling to the person of Jesus Christ, to remain in Him, to be transformed by the Holy Spirit in the love of the Father, and to work so that the reign of God may spread more deeply within the heart of African societies (no. 131).

2. Christ, Source of Reconciliation and Peace

Interethnic and interstate tensions in various African regions result only in human impoverishment, which in turn triggers further deprivation that paralyzes the entire continent. No one truly wins in a conflict, whatever its nature. Reconciliation, forgiveness, and peace are essential elements for the development of all dimensions of human life. As Saint Paul insists: We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:20-21).

Reconciliation between people, and even more so between Christians, must find its foundation in Gods reconciliation with all humanity through the Lord Jesus.

We, your Pastors, believe that our mission, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, is to call all baptized persons in conflict to reconciliation and forgiveness, so that the harmony and peaceful coexistence established by Christs salvific act may become a lifestyle for all.

Reconciliation and peace are indeed a path of hope in that they reveal the true nature of the human person as intrinsically oriented toward others. The proclamation of this message of hope is all the more urgent in light of the continued reality, tragically, where so many men and women, children and the elderly, are denied their dignity, their physical integrity, their freedom, including religious freedom, deprived of community solidarity and of hope for the future. Countless innocent victims bear the burden of humiliation and exclusion, of bereavement and injustice, and even the trauma of systematic persecution directed against their people and loved ones.

Peace among the sons and daughters of the Church in Africa and the Islands, baptized in Christ, must be uncompromising and unconditional. It must be rooted in the gratuitous gift of God given through Christ by the Holy Spirit. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives, said Jesus (John 14:27). It is in this spirit that Pope Leo XIV, on the day of his election, solemnly declared: It is the peace of the Risen Christ, disarming, humble, and persevering. It comes from God, who loves us all unconditionally.

The Church, as a witness to the suffering of peoples in areas plagued by armed conflict, must commit itself more vigorously to awareness-raising and concrete action for peace.

Educating the younger generations in the ways of peace must be among her priorities, so that every man and woman of Africa and Madagascar may become a channel of Gods peace in Christ Jesus.

We seize this opportunity to appeal to all our political leaders to have at heart the wellbeing of the peoples they govern, to protect the weakest, and to promote dialogue and a better way of living together.

Saint Pope Paul VI, in his encyclical Populorum Progressio (1967), launched a message that remains highly relevant to our continent today: Development is the new name for peace. In other words, peace is a sine qua non for the emergence of a healthy environmentone that alone can ensure the foundational elements of social and economic progress. However, this peace, which opens the way to development, can only be true if it is rooted in its Source, who is Christ. In the words of Saint Paul, and with firm conviction in our prophetic mission, we never cease to wish for our continent: Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 6:23).

3. Walking Together as the Church-Family of God

The message that SECAM seeks to place in the hearts of the sons and daughters of Africa and Madagascar at this 20th Plenary Assembly carries a twofold dimension: first, to rekindle and live out our true identity as the Church-Family of God; God as our Father, the Church as our Mother, and others as our brothers and sisters; second, to fully embrace the great mission of reconciliation.

Because we are human and often wound one another, we constantly need to heal and restore our relationships. Reconciliation, whose source is Christ, enables us to mend broken bonds. Through this healing, we are called to live in justice and peace. This is the mission entrusted to us by the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops: The face of evangelization today takes the name of reconciliation, an indispensable condition for establishing relationships of justice among people in Africa and for building a just and lasting peace that respects each person and all peoples. It is a peace open to the contributions of all people of goodwill, beyond religious, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and social affiliations. (Africae Munus, no. 174)

To walk and live as the Church-Family of God means to be in right relationship with God and with one another. It means recognizing God as our Father, the Church as our Mother, and ourselves as brothers and sisters. This image calls us to a life of communion, love, and mutual responsibility.

Today, Christ sends us forth on mission: to renew our understanding and practice of being a Family of God, and to serve our communities and our continent with the Gospel of reconciliation, justice, and peace.

In the Kampala Document of 2019, we expressed a similar vision: The Church is a family of people united by life, mutual acceptance, love, commitment, celebration of faith, forgiveness, joy, and sharing. It is a community for building justice, peace, solidarity, and fraternity, lived out in word and deed. Understood in this way, the Church-Family of God becomes a true cradle for the birth and growth of hope, reconciliation, and peace.

Conclusion

In this Jubilee Year, we recall that the fundamental mission of all the baptized is to be messengers and builders of hope.

Thus, the Church-Family of God in Africa and its Islands proposes a vision for the next 25 years, a vision rooted in Christ our Hope and structured around twelve pillars:

1. Evangelization (Catholic Education and theological tradition)

2. A self-reliant Church

3. Family model of leadership

4. Formation on missionary discipleship and synodality.

5. Care of creation

6. The youth and the renewal of the Church

7. Justice, Peace and Integral human development

8. Ecumenism and interfaith dialogue

9. Mission in the digital environment

10. The health of the people of God

11. Liturgical life of the African Church

12. Church and Politic
Video News: [Video News] Dimans Politik[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 9 aout 2025[Video News] A la decouverte de lheritage de Mauricia de GraysDeces de Patrice Laffont[Video news] Deuxieme journee hippique de 2025 en Live[Vodeo News] Un nouvel alambic mis en route a New Grove Distillery[Video news] Partenariat entre Ticketbox.mu et Hospitality Plus[Video News] Conference de presse de la Plateforme Citoyenne du 8 aout 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 8 aout 2025[Video News] Nando Bodha: nef mois apre ene 60-0 c ene deception total pou lepep [Video News] Middlesex University Mauritius celebre ses talents internationaux et leur impact[Video News] Conference de presse de Paul Berenger[Video News] Chimene Hope a dit[Video news] LUniversite du Middlesex a Maurice celebre lexcellence et ses 15 ans de succes[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 6 aout 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 5 aout 2025[Video News] Lancement de Zamana[Video News] La premiere journee hippique de 2025 en Live[Video News] Jubile des Iles 2025 a lile Maurice[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du aout 2025Declaration de Nando Bodha sur le tarif de 15% impose par Washington.[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 1er aout 2025 en Live[Video news] Conference de presse de la Plateforme Citoyenne du 31 juillet 2025[Video news] Presentation du Jubile des Iles 2025 et Festival des Vocations[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 30 juillet 2025[Video News] Edition Speciale[Video News] Diner-conference de Bando avec LTV Trading Company Limited et VCJ Trading Ltd[Video News] Innovation Challenge 2025 de la TurbineMCB Talk on Container Homes: Less concrete, more sustainable[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 29 juillet 2025[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 29 juillet 2025 en Live[Video News] M.A.C Cosmetics relance son iconique Studio Fix Powder[Video News] Dr. Renganaden Padayachy a dit[Video News] Courts Mammouth celebre 40 ans de succes et devoile une application dachat innovante[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 27 juillet 2025[Video news] Courts Mammouth fete ses 40 ans[Video news] MAC lance le nouveau Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation a Bagatelle[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 25 juillet 2025[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 25 juillet 2025 en Live[Video News] Table Ronde de la Turbine[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 23 juillet 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 22 juillet 2025[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 22 juillet 2025[Video news] Nando Bodha : Mo convaincu ki linite loppostion li sel solution contre enn gouvernement 60/0Parlons de : 175 ans de lEglise St John.[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 19 juillet 2025[Video News] La MFDC, Mauritius Telecom et Media Trust unissent leurs forces pour former les assistants-cameramans mauriciens[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 18 juillet 2025[Video News] Sonu Nigam promet une soiree electrisante, ce samedi 19 juillet a 20H au SVICC, Pailles[Video News] Conference de presse de Nando Bodha[Video News] Assurance Quantum Insurance transforme lexperience client avec un service 24/7[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 16 juillet 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 15 juillet 2025[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 15 juillet 2025 en Live[Video News] Edition Speciale[Video news] Dimans Politik[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 12 juillet 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 11 juillet 2025Parlons de:  Systeme de parking relais a Rennes  [Video News] [Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 09 juillet 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 9 juillet 2025[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 8 juillet 2025 en Live[Video News] Renganaden Padayachy a dit[Video News] Sudheer Ramnoruth a fait la premiere partie de Robin Sharma[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 5 juillet 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 4 juillet 2025[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 4 juillet 2025 en Live[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 2 juillet 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 1er juillet 2025[Video News]Lancement officiel du programme 2025 JCI Mauritius Creative Young Entrepreneur[Video News] Renganaden Padayachy a dit[Video news] Seance parlementaire du 30 juin 2025 en LIve[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 28 juin 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 27 juin 2025[Video news] Seance parlementaire du 27 juin 2025 en Live[Video News]Horizon 2024 : Une initiative qui change des vies[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 26 juin 2025 en Live[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 25 juin 2025[Video News] Cloture du programme Horizon 2024[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 24 juin 2025 en Live[Video news] Seance parlementaire du 23 juin 2025 en Live.[Video News] Edition Speciale[Video News] Fete de la Musique a lIFM[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 21 juin 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 20 juin 2025[Video news] Seance parlementaire du 20 juin 2025[Video news] Conference de presse de la SEF du 18 juin 2025[Video news] Conference de presse de la FPU du 19 juin 2025[Video news] Seance parlementaire du 19 juin 2025 en Live[Video News] Edition Speciale[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 18 juin 2025[Video News] Educathon @ IFM[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 18 juin 2025 en Live[Video News] Middlesex University Mauritius tient un colloque sur lexcellence et linnovation dans lenseignement et lapprentissage a lere numerique[Video news] LAMM et Made in Moris marque leurs presences dans Hotel World 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 17 juin 2025[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 17 juin 2025[Video news] Teaching and Learning Colloquim 2025[Video News] Lancement de  Paradise Club et autres histoires [Video News] Conference de presse  Platform Pas Touss nu pension 60 ans 
Video News: [Video News] A la decouverte de lheritage de Mauricia de GraysDeces de Patrice Laffont[Video news] Deuxieme journee hippique de 2025 en Live[Vodeo News] Un nouvel alambic mis en route a New Grove Distillery[Video news] Partenariat entre Ticketbox.mu et Hospitality Plus[Video News] Conference de presse de la Plateforme Citoyenne du 8 aout 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 8 aout 2025[Video News] Nando Bodha: nef mois apre ene 60-0 c ene deception total pou lepep [Video News] Middlesex University Mauritius celebre ses talents internationaux et leur impact[Video News] Conference de presse de Paul Berenger[Video News] Chimene Hope a dit[Video news] LUniversite du Middlesex a Maurice celebre lexcellence et ses 15 ans de succes[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 6 aout 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 5 aout 2025[Video News] Lancement de Zamana[Video News] La premiere journee hippique de 2025 en Live[Video News] Jubile des Iles 2025 a lile Maurice[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du aout 2025Declaration de Nando Bodha sur le tarif de 15% impose par Washington.[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 1er aout 2025 en Live[Video news] Conference de presse de la Plateforme Citoyenne du 31 juillet 2025[Video news] Presentation du Jubile des Iles 2025 et Festival des Vocations[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 30 juillet 2025[Video News] Edition Speciale[Video News] Diner-conference de Bando avec LTV Trading Company Limited et VCJ Trading Ltd[Video News] Innovation Challenge 2025 de la TurbineMCB Talk on Container Homes: Less concrete, more sustainable[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 29 juillet 2025[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 29 juillet 2025 en Live[Video News] M.A.C Cosmetics relance son iconique Studio Fix Powder[Video News] Dr. Renganaden Padayachy a dit[Video News] Courts Mammouth celebre 40 ans de succes et devoile une application dachat innovante[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 27 juillet 2025[Video news] Courts Mammouth fete ses 40 ans[Video news] MAC lance le nouveau Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation a Bagatelle[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 25 juillet 2025[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 25 juillet 2025 en Live[Video News] Table Ronde de la Turbine[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 23 juillet 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 22 juillet 2025[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 22 juillet 2025[Video news] Nando Bodha : Mo convaincu ki linite loppostion li sel solution contre enn gouvernement 60/0Parlons de : 175 ans de lEglise St John.[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 19 juillet 2025[Video News] La MFDC, Mauritius Telecom et Media Trust unissent leurs forces pour former les assistants-cameramans mauriciens[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 18 juillet 2025[Video News] Sonu Nigam promet une soiree electrisante, ce samedi 19 juillet a 20H au SVICC, Pailles[Video News] Conference de presse de Nando Bodha[Video News] Assurance Quantum Insurance transforme lexperience client avec un service 24/7[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 16 juillet 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 15 juillet 2025[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 15 juillet 2025 en Live[Video News] Edition Speciale[Video news] Dimans Politik[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 12 juillet 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 11 juillet 2025Parlons de:  Systeme de parking relais a Rennes  [Video News] [Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 09 juillet 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 9 juillet 2025[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 8 juillet 2025 en Live[Video News] Renganaden Padayachy a dit[Video News] Sudheer Ramnoruth a fait la premiere partie de Robin Sharma[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 5 juillet 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 4 juillet 2025[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 4 juillet 2025 en Live[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 2 juillet 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 1er juillet 2025[Video News]Lancement officiel du programme 2025 JCI Mauritius Creative Young Entrepreneur[Video News] Renganaden Padayachy a dit[Video news] Seance parlementaire du 30 juin 2025 en LIve[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 28 juin 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 27 juin 2025[Video news] Seance parlementaire du 27 juin 2025 en Live[Video News]Horizon 2024 : Une initiative qui change des vies[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 26 juin 2025 en Live[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 25 juin 2025[Video News] Cloture du programme Horizon 2024[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 24 juin 2025 en Live[Video news] Seance parlementaire du 23 juin 2025 en Live.[Video News] Edition Speciale[Video News] Fete de la Musique a lIFM[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 21 juin 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 20 juin 2025[Video news] Seance parlementaire du 20 juin 2025[Video news] Conference de presse de la SEF du 18 juin 2025[Video news] Conference de presse de la FPU du 19 juin 2025[Video news] Seance parlementaire du 19 juin 2025 en Live[Video News] Edition Speciale[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 18 juin 2025[Video News] Educathon @ IFM[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 18 juin 2025 en Live[Video News] Middlesex University Mauritius tient un colloque sur lexcellence et linnovation dans lenseignement et lapprentissage a lere numerique[Video news] LAMM et Made in Moris marque leurs presences dans Hotel World 2025[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 17 juin 2025[Video News] Seance parlementaire du 17 juin 2025[Video news] Teaching and Learning Colloquim 2025[Video News] Lancement de  Paradise Club et autres histoires [Video News] Conference de presse  Platform Pas Touss nu pension 60 ans [Video news] Conference de presse de Roshi Bhadain[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 14 juin 2025
Three Richardson's ground squirrels appear on July 14, 2025, in a vacant lot near apartment homes in Minot, North Dakota.
**Title: Breaking Up With Google Classroom: Your Exit Guide When Its Time to Go**







(How To Leave A Google Classroom)

**Main Product Keywords:** Google Classroom

So, you joined a Google Classroom. Maybe it was for math class last semester. Maybe it was a club project that wrapped up. Now, that class sits in your digital space, unused. It clutters your screen. You want it gone. Leaving Google Classroom is simple. But knowing the right steps avoids confusion later. This guide explains everything clearly.

**1. What Does Leaving a Google Classroom Mean?**

Leaving a Google Classroom means you remove yourself as a student from that specific online class. Think of it like unsubscribing from an email list for that one group. You disconnect your account from that particular Classroom. The teacher and other students stay. The class itself keeps running. But you wont be part of it anymore.

You stop seeing that Classroom on your main Google Classroom page. You lose access to all the class materials inside. This includes assignments, announcements, posts, and comments. You wont get new notifications about that class. Leaving is permanent. You cant just peek back in later. If you need to rejoin, the teacher must send you a new invitation code.

Its important. Leaving is different from just closing the browser tab. Closing the tab doesnt remove you from the class. You are still enrolled. Leaving is an action you take within Classroom itself. It formally ends your enrollment.

**2. Why Would You Want to Leave a Google Classroom?**

Several good reasons exist to leave a Google Classroom. The most common one is simple. The class is over. You finished the course or the project. Staying enrolled serves no purpose. It just adds digital clutter to your Google Classroom homepage. Seeing old classes you dont need is distracting.

Another reason is joining the wrong class. Maybe you entered the class code incorrectly. You find yourself in the wrong science section. Leaving that incorrect class is necessary. Then you can join the correct one using the right code.

Sometimes, you might join a class by accident. A code gets shared widely. You click it without realizing what it is. Leaving quickly cleans up this mistake. You avoid seeing content you shouldnt.

Perhaps you switched groups or sections. Your schedule changed. You moved to a different class period for the same subject. Leaving the old class makes room for the new one. It keeps your list accurate.

Finally, maybe you just need a cleaner digital workspace. Too many old classes can feel overwhelming. Leaving ones you definitely wont use again helps organize your online learning environment. It makes finding your current classes easier.

**3. How Do You Actually Leave a Google Classroom? (Step-by-Step)**

Leaving a Google Classroom only takes a few clicks. Follow these steps carefully. Remember, this action is permanent.

* **Step 1: Open Google Classroom.** Go to `classroom.google.com` in your web browser. Sign in with the Google account you used to join the class. You can also use the Classroom mobile app. The steps are very similar.

* **Step 2: Find the Class Tile.** Look at your main Classroom homepage. You will see squares (tiles) for each class you are in. Find the tile for the class you want to leave. It will show the class name and the teachers name.

* **Step 3: Click the Three Dots ().** In the top right corner of that specific class tile, you will see three vertical dots. Click on them. This opens a small menu.

* **Step 4: Select Unenroll.** In the menu that pops up, click the option that says Unenroll. Sometimes it might just say Leave.

* **Step 5: Confirm You Want to Leave.** A box will appear asking if you are sure. It warns you that you will lose all work and posts in the class. Read this message. If you are certain, click Unenroll again to confirm.

Thats it! The class tile will disappear from your homepage immediately. You have successfully left the Google Classroom. If you change your mind later, you need a new invite from the teacher.

**4. Applications: When Leaving Isnt the Answer (Teacher vs. Student)**

Leaving a Classroom is a student action. Teachers have different options. Understanding this prevents problems.

* **Students:** As a student, Unenroll or Leave is your only option to remove a class from your view. Use it when the class is truly done or wrong for you. Be certain before clicking. Your work disappears from your access.

* **Teachers:** Teachers cannot simply leave their own Classroom. That would abandon the class entirely. Instead, teachers have two main choices:

* **Archiving a Class:** This is the best option for finished classes. Archiving removes the class from the active homepage for both teacher and students. It preserves all the work, posts, and grades inside. Its like putting the class folder into a storage box. You can still find it later if needed. Students see archived classes in a separate section but cant interact. Teachers can reuse posts from archived classes in new ones.

* **Deleting a Class:** This is permanent. Deleting a class removes it completely from Google Classroom. All posts, assignments, comments, and grades are gone forever. Neither teachers nor students can access it again. Only teachers can delete a class. They should only do this if they are absolutely sure they will never need the class content again. Archiving is almost always safer.

**5. FAQs: Your Google Classroom Exit Questions Answered**

* **Can I get my work back after leaving?** No. Once you leave a class, you lose access to all assignments, documents, and posts inside that Classroom. Always download or save any important work *before* you unenroll. Screenshot grades if needed.

* **What if I leave by accident?** Dont panic. Contact the teacher immediately. Explain you accidentally unenrolled. Ask them to send you a new invitation link or class code. Only the teacher can add you back. You will need to rejoin the class. Any work you submitted before leaving *might* still be visible to the teacher, but you likely wont see it again yourself.

* **Do assignments disappear for the teacher when I leave?** No. Work you submitted before leaving usually stays visible to the teacher in their view of the class. They can still grade it. However, you wont see the grade or feedback after you leave. Any assignments you didnt submit will show as missing for the teacher.

* **I archived a class as a teacher. Can students still see it?** Students see archived classes in a separate Archived classes section on their homepage. They can click to view the class, but they cannot post, comment, or submit new work. They can only see past content.

* **Will I still get emails after leaving?** No. Once you unenroll, you stop receiving any email notifications related to that Google Classroom. Announcements, assignment reminders, and comments wont come to your inbox anymore.







(How To Leave A Google Classroom)

* **Can I leave a class on my phone?** Yes. The Google Classroom app lets you leave a class. Open the app. Tap the class you want to leave. Tap the three dots () in the top right corner. Select Unenroll. Confirm your choice. It works the same as the website.

Inquiry us

if you want to want to know more, please feel free to contact us. ([email protected])
**Title:** When Did China Join the Nuclear Club? The Explosive Story







(When Did China Become A Nuclear Power)

**Blog:**

China becoming a nuclear power changed everything. It reshaped global politics and security. But pinpointing the exact moment requires looking beyond a single date. Its a tale of intense effort, secrecy, and a desert blast that echoed worldwide. Lets explore this pivotal chapter.

**Main Product Keywords:** Nuclear Power

**1. What Chinas Nuclear Power Means**

China becoming a nuclear power means it successfully developed and tested atomic weapons. It joined the small group of nations possessing this ultimate deterrent. The key moment was October 16, 1964. That day, China detonated its first atomic device. The test happened at the Lop Nur test site in the remote Xinjiang desert. Code-named Project 596, this bomb was a uranium-235 implosion device. Its yield was roughly 22 kilotons. The mushroom cloud over the Gobi Desert announced Chinas arrival. This test proved China mastered the complex science and engineering. It showed China could build these weapons independently. Achieving this status took immense resources. It demanded brilliant scientists and unwavering political will. The project became a huge source of national pride. It signaled Chinas technological rise. It also fundamentally altered the Cold War balance.

**2. Why China Pursued Nuclear Weapons**

China sought nuclear weapons for clear reasons. Security was the biggest driver. The early Cold War felt incredibly dangerous. China faced nuclear threats, particularly from the United States. Events like the Korean War heightened these fears. US leaders openly discussed using nuclear weapons against China. Possessing its own bomb was seen as essential survival. It was the only way to deter potential nuclear attacks. Mao Zedong famously stated, We must have the atomic bomb we must have it even if it takes us 10,000 years! This wasnt just about defense. Nuclear status meant global prestige. It cemented Chinas position as a major world power. It broke the monopoly held by the US and USSR. It gave China a stronger voice internationally. The 1960 Sino-Soviet split made the quest urgent. Soviet aid stopped abruptly. China had to go it alone. The bomb became a symbol of national self-reliance. It proved China could achieve greatness without outside help.

**3. How China Built Its Nuclear Program**

Building the bomb was an enormous national effort. It started seriously in the mid-1950s. Initial help came from the Soviet Union. They provided some technology and training. But this cooperation ended suddenly in 1960. Soviet experts left, taking blueprints with them. China faced the challenge alone. The project became top secret, known only as Task Two. Brilliant scientists like Qian Sanqiang and Deng Jiaxian led the work. They faced huge obstacles. China lacked advanced infrastructure. Key resources like enriched uranium were scarce. Scientists and engineers endured harsh conditions. Many worked in secret facilities in remote western China. The uranium enrichment plant in Lanzhou was critical. Workers processed uranium ore by hand in some stages. Safety was often rudimentary. Radiation exposure harmed many pioneers. Despite setbacks and immense hardship, the team persevered. Every component, from explosives to detonators, had to be developed domestically. Years of intense, secretive labor culminated in that 1964 desert test. It was a triumph of sheer determination.

**4. Applications of Chinas Nuclear Capability**

Chinas nuclear power serves several key purposes. Its primary application is deterrence. The bomb prevents nuclear attacks against China. It assures national survival against existential threats. This principle is called No First Use. China promises never to use nuclear weapons first. Its arsenal exists solely to retaliate if attacked. This policy shapes its military strategy. The bombs are a shield, not a sword. Beyond pure deterrence, nuclear status boosts Chinas global standing. It commands respect on the international stage. It gives China a permanent seat at high-level security talks. Nuclear power also enables a civilian nuclear energy program. While separate from weapons, the technological base overlaps. China now operates numerous nuclear power plants. These generate significant electricity. This helps meet the countrys massive energy demands. The program also fosters advanced scientific research. It drives innovation in physics, materials science, and engineering. This benefits other sectors of the economy.

**5. Nuclear Power FAQs**

People often ask key questions about Chinas nuclear journey.

* **When exactly did China test its first bomb?** Chinas first successful atomic bomb test occurred on October 16, 1964. It happened at the Lop Nur test site.

* **What kind of bomb was it?** It was a uranium-235 implosion-type fission device. Its explosive yield was about 22 kilotons, similar to the US bomb dropped on Nagasaki.

* **Did the Soviets help?** Initially, yes. The USSR provided some early technical assistance and training. This support ended completely in 1960 when relations soured. China completed the project independently.

* **What was Chinas No First Use policy?** Announced immediately after the first test, this policy states China will never use nuclear weapons first in a conflict. It pledges only to use them in retaliation against a nuclear attack on China.

* **Has China tested since then?** Yes. China conducted its first thermonuclear (hydrogen) bomb test in 1967. It continued testing nuclear weapons until 1996. That year, China signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). It hasnt tested a nuclear weapon since.







(When Did China Become A Nuclear Power)

Chinas path to becoming a nuclear power was long and difficult. It required overcoming immense technical hurdles and geopolitical isolation. The 1964 test was the undeniable proof of success. This achievement reshaped Chinas destiny and the worlds strategic landscape. The echoes of that desert explosion continue to resonate.

Inquiry us

if you want to want to know more, please feel free to contact us. ([email protected])
The Rangers have agreed to a minor league contract with catcher Omar Narvaez. The team revealed the news to reporters, including Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports, this afternoon. Narvaez will report to Triple-A Round Rock.

A veteran of 10 MLB seasons, Narvaez has suited up behind the dish for the White Sox, Mariners, Brewers, and Mets. He returned to the White Sox on a minor league deal this offseason and eventually, albeit briefly, made his way back to the big league club. He caught four games for the South Siders in April, going 2-for-7 at the plate with two walks and three RBI.

After the White Sox released him in May, Narvaez signed a minor league deal with the Astros in early June. He had previously signed a minor league contract with Houston last summer after being released by the Mets. However, as was the case in 2024, Narvaez never made it to the majors with the Astros. They released him last weekend.

There was a time when Narvaez was considered a good offensive catcher, but he became such a liability with the bat last season that the Mets released him partway through the second season of a two-year, $15MM deal. Whats more, while he blossomed into a strong defensive catcher during his time with the Brewers, he was previously a bat-first backstop. He had negative grades according to Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), Fielding Run Value (FRV), and Deserved Runs Prevented (DRP) in each of the first four seasons of his career. Many of his defensive metrics fell back into the negatives during his time with the Mets. So, its unclear if the 33-year-old Narvaez still has much to offer a big league team on either side of the ball. That being said, he comes with plenty of game-calling experience, if nothing else, and he was hitting well at Triple-A Sugar Land (110 wRC+) before his Astros release. A team like the Rangers, that has next to no catching depth behind Kyle Higashioka and Jonah Heim, could certainly do much worse.
45 1 / 45 Five years after massive Sanford flood

LANSING, MI  Five years after the catastrophic Edenville Dam failure unleashed floodwaters on thousands of mid-Michigan homes and businesses, a high-stakes legal battle over who is liable for the disaster is reaching a critical stage.
Michigan parents are helping their children navigate college entrance exams, the SAT and ACT. High school counselors and college admissions advisors offer some guidance. Pictured is Ashley Chavez-Cruz taking a practice SAT test to prepare herself for the digital SAT on March 6, 2024, at Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) AP

Nkechinyere Okwuwasi, a senior at City High Middle School in Grand Rapids, said when she first got her SAT score back, she was bewildered.

The student activist has visions of attending an out-of-state school, like the Ivy League Brown University. She has already held board seats on various Grand Rapids nonprofits, and describes herself online as a future neurosurgeon.
The Georgetown Township Public Library, 1525 Baldwin St., is planning to eliminate late fines in 2025 in an effort to remove barriers for patrons. Audra Gamble

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI  If youve ever gotten a speeding ticket in Ottawa County, you donated to the countys public libraries.

Under Michigan law, a portion of funds collected from traffic ticket fines are distributed to local libraries where the ticket was issued.

This year, fines from speeding tickets in Ottawa County netted over $682,000 for nine local public libraries across the county, the county treasurers office said.

Thats one benefit to your lead foot, said Treasurer Cheryl Clark.

This is one thing that the Ottawa County Treasurers Office is proud to do, is to help out our local libraries by disbursing this money out to them, she told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press.

Libraries provide essential services to residents of all ages, and these funds play a key role in sustaining their operations.

This years revenue is down from past years, when it ranged from $700,000 to $900,000, Clark said.

That could be due to a number of factors, including a decline in tickets being handed out, or the types of tickets that were issued. Different fees are issued based on whether a local or state ordinance is broken, so there could have been more tickets handed out with lesser fines this year, Clark said.

Michigan state law requires all penalties collected for violations of state penal laws to be divided into court costs, statutory fees and penal fines. Penal fines are deposited into a library fund that is used to support public libraries and county law libraries, distributed based on local population sizes.

Hollands Herrick Library, the largest library in Ottawa County, netted the largest percentage of the countys fines this year, at 30%, or $202,262. The library with the smallest percentage of fee revenue was the Patmos (Jamestown) Library, which received 3% of funding or $22,191 this year.

Rob Bristow, director of the Georgetown Township Public Library, says revenue from penal fines goes right into the librarys general fund budget, which is used to cover all of the librarys operating expenses like maintenance and acquisition of books, offering library programming and staffing the library.

Bristow said people are often surprised to find out that traffic ticket fines go toward their local libraries.

This year, the Georgetown Township library received $124,646, which makes up roughly 8% of its $1.6 million annual budget.

It doesnt sound like a lot of the budget, but we would definitely notice it if it was gone, he said.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
The National Weather Service issued a report at 6:38 p.m. EDT on Saturday for strong thunderstorms until 7:30 p.m. EDT for Emmet, Cheboygan, Antrim and Charlevoix counties.

Residents may experience wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

"At 6:36 p.m., Doppler radar tracked strong thunderstorms producing strong outflow winds ahead of them. These storms are along a line extending from near Mullet Lake to near Old Mission. Movement was east at 35 mph," explains the weather service. "Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects."

Locations impacted by the alert include Petoskey, Cheboygan, Boyne City, Charlevoix, East Jordan, Elk Rapids, Mancelona, Harbor Springs, Bellaire, Pellston, Mackinaw City, Ellsworth, Indian River, Antrim, Conway, Torch Lake, Central Lake, Aloha, Carp Lake and Alanson.

The weather service adds, "Thunderstorm outflow winds can happen before rain or thunder is observed. Do not wait to see rain or lightning or to hear thunder! If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building."

Lightning on the horizon: Expert safety measures for thunderstorms

Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, mostly during the summer. It claims the lives of about 20 people annually, according to the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.

To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, consider the following recommendations:

Lightning safety plan:

When venturing outdoors, it's vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.

Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it's a clear indication of nearby lightning.

Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.

Indoors safety measures:

Once you're indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.

These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.

Wait for the all-clear:

After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.

It's important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn't available:

If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.

Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.

If you're with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.

Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It's crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning.

Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. While water and metal don't attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.

Driving through downpours: Safety guidelines for wet roads

When heavy rain strikes, safety is paramount. Equip yourself with these guidelines from the weather service to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards:

Beware of swollen waterways:

During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.

Maintain safe driving distances:

The two-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.

Slow down and stay cautious:

On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.

Prioritize visibility

Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Watch out for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Watch out for slippery roads:

The first half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mix of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Don't follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.

When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
Chennai Express (2013) Deepikas comic timing and her portrayal of the feisty yet lovable Meenamma stole the show in this action-comedy. Her unique Tamil-accented Hindi and effortless charisma made the character unforgettable and added freshness to the masala entertainer.

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) As the intelligent and reserved Naina, Deepika beautifully captured the journey of a shy girl finding her confidence and voice. Her chemistry with Ranbir Kapoor, especially in the emotional scenes, brought a perfect blend of realism and romance to the story.

Pathaan (2023) Returning to mainstream action, Deepika impressed as an undercover agent with fierce combat skills and sharp wit. Her commanding screen presence held its own alongside Bollywood heavyweights in this blockbuster.

Padmaavat (2018) Deepikas regal portrayal of Rani Padmavati was nothing short of majestic. Her dignified stance, intense eyes, and silent strength made the climax unforgettable, especially the final act of self-sacrifice.

Bajirao Mastani (2015) As the brave and dignified Mastani, Deepika embodied strength, love, and sacrifice. Her commanding presence, elegant dance sequences, and emotional intensity added depth to this epic historical romance.

Piku (2015) In this slice-of-life film, Deepika shone as a headstrong yet compassionate daughter juggling her career and her quirky father. Her restrained and realistic performance was widely applauded for its emotional depth.

Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013) As the fiery and passionate Leela, Deepika delivered a powerful performance in this modern-day Romeo-Juliet tale. Her chemistry with Ranveer Singh and her bold portrayal won both hearts and awards.

Om Shanti Om (2007) Deepika made a dream debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in this reincarnation drama. Playing dual roles  a vintage-era star and a modern-day woman  she captivated audiences with her beauty, grace, and confident screen presence.

Palak Vij

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
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. 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
Deepika Padukone to back off from acting in The Intern remake, takes charge as producer: Report

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. 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
Palak Vij

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
Tom Hanks pays tribute to Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell: "Godspeed you, on this next voyage"

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. 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
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
India sets up high-level panel to fix export bottlenecks as US tariff war heats up: Report

Aishwarya Dabhade

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
Did the STEM School Highlands Ranch senior live a life of heroic virtue, before it was tragically ended by a gunman, who also injured eight people? Priests have enacted the initial stages of the journey toward canonization, or sainthood, for Kendrick Castillo in the Catholic church.
IndusInd Bank to focus on building retail loan, MSME assets; ramping up retail liabilities in FY26

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. 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
Aishwarya Dabhade

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
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. 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
Bengaluru Metro Phase 2 deadline pushed to Sept 2026; Pink Line to open in two phases

Christin Mathew Philip

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
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. 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
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. 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
A recent proposed settlement in a federal court case out of Texas that would change how churches intersect with politics has become what suppo
India will decide oil imports based on national interest, says Venkaiah Naidu amid US tariffs

Arishaa Izaj

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
Tamal Nandi

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
ISRO to launch 6,500 kg communication satellite built by USA in couple of months: Chairman V Narayanan

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. 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
Rewati Karan

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
Like playing chess, move by move: General Dwivedi gives first detailed account of Operation Sindoor

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
Arishaa Izaj

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
Christin Mathew Philip

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
In a recent video Q&A, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Pane breaks down the differences between tummy tuck, revision surgery, and liposuction, helping patients choose the right path after weight loss or prior surgery.

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla., Aug. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Many patients who've undergone prior abdominal surgery or experienced significant weight loss struggle to decide whether they need a tummy tuck revision, a full abdominoplasty, or simply liposuction to achieve their aesthetic goals. In a recent installment of his video series, 'Ask Dr. Pane,' board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Thomas Pane helps patients understand the key differencesand how to know what's right for their body.

"If the abdominal wall is still rounded or lax, liposuction alone won't fix it," said Dr. Pane. "That's when you may need to revisit the plication, or muscle tightening, as part of a tummy tuck revision. It's about tailoring the solution to each patient's unique anatomy and goals."

Dr. Pane's expert evaluation includes:

Assessment of abdominal wall integrity and diastasis

Determining whether prior plication was too aggressive or insufficient

Evaluating fat volume and skin laxity for liposuction candidacy

Considering scar position and healing from previous procedures

Outlining options for minimally invasive revision or full abdominoplasty

In the featured case, a patient from Jupiter, FL, had previously undergone a muscle repair and umbilical float, then lost approximately 30 pounds. Residual roundness and excess skin raised the question of what procedure might be appropriate. Dr. Pane emphasizes that personalized care and physical evaluation are critical: photographs alone can't always reveal the full picture.

"When patients lose weight or go through pregnancy after abdominal surgery, the muscles and skin may respond in different ways," he explained. "Revision isn't always necessary, but when it is, we want to make sure it's done safely and effectively."

Watch the full tummy tuck Q&A with Dr. Pane here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/LvbnfC2UFfM?feature=shared

Schedule a Consultation

Patients interested in learning more or scheduling a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Pane can visit:

https://DrThomasPane.com

Connect With Dr. Pane Online

Google Business Profile: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pVt1stKS3XLJrCGj8

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drthomaspane/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acplasticsurg

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCss2DknnEAhdlLqtwuc1PXw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atlantic-coast-aesthetics

Why Patients Choose Dr. Pane

Patients from across Floridaincluding Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, Orlando, and West Palm Beachseek out Dr. Pane's expertise for cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Known for his attention to detail, commitment to safety, and artistic surgical approach, Dr. Pane offers procedures including tummy tucks, breast surgery, facial rejuvenation, and more. For a full list of services and videos, please visit https://DrThomasPane.com.

SOURCE Atlantic Coast Aesthetics
Downtown Westminster is about to get more lively with a giant balloon structure honoring the citys past and future.

The City of Westminster announced the artist and design for a permanent art installation in the new downtown neighborhood during a City Council study session Monday evening.

The city issued an international call for entries at the beginning of the year to commission a permanent, significant public artwork to be placed in the new Central Park section of the up-and-coming Downtown Westminster, according to the city.

Westminster received 104 submissions from across the world, with a panel of community members from the North Metro Arts Alliance, staff from the citys landscape architecture firm DTJ and group of city staff members deciding on winning concept.

The contest was eventually narrowed down to two choices  Hou De Sousa and Engineered Artworks  with the city then asking for public input through local events and online.

Ultimately, New York City design studio Hou De Sousa was selected for its Float Together proposal.

Aric Otzelberger, director of Parks, Recreation and Libraries, told the council that the design is a signature piece of art in downtown that honors the past with an eye to the future.

The Float Together piece will be a hollow, steel hot air balloon made up of bars, mountainous zig-zags and entryways. It will represent both a community quilt and the mechanical hot air balloons once located within the central atrium of the long-ago demolished Westminster Mall.

Featured Local Savings

The Westminster Mall once sat where the downtown area is being constructed, acting as the pseudo downtown for the city until its demise in 2011.

The social use of the mall lies deep within the citys plans for the new downtown area, which has slowly and carefully developed over the last 14 years.

The area is bounded by 92nd Avenue to the north, 88th Avenue to the south, Harlan Street to the west, and Sheridan Boulevard to the east.

The mall was always a gathering place, and the idea was to create a modern community space where people want to be. This area is vital to the Westminster community, Heather Cronenberg, the real estate development manager for the city of Westminster, told The Denver Gazette in July.

The sculpture has a $250,000 budget and is expected to be completed in summer 2026. It will sit in the middle of Central Park, the nearly $11 million project expected to be opened in the fall and completed next spring.

This will be a feather in the cap of that wonderful park, Otzelberger said.

The sculpture is a reminder that unity is built on contribution and holding space for others, city officials said.
Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir in US second time since June; meets political, military leaders

Rewati Karan

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
Christin Mathew Philip is an Assistant editor at moneycontrol.com. Based in Bengaluru, he writes on mobility, infrastructure and start-ups. He is a Ramnath Goenka excellence in journalism awardee. You can find him on Twitter here: twitter.com/ChristinMP_

Christin Mathew Philip

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
Siddaramaiah says Karnataka provides 87% of Metro project funds, promises 220 km network in Bengaluru by 2030

Christin Mathew Philip

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
Uttarkashi floods: Villagers get cheques of Rs 5,000 each, say amount 'inadequate, not reflecting the reality'

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. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation.

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

Aabhas Sharma

USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang explains why he reviews salaries of all 42,000 employees instead of HR

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
Proposal to integrate pharmacists into Australian GP clinics faces implementation hurdles

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has proposed to the Productivity Commission that government-funded pharmacists be integrated into GP clinics to improve patient medication management, according to a report in The Conversation. While the RACGP suggests this could yield A$545 million in net savings over four years, the article notes this estimate is based on dated studies. The proposed clinical role would not include dispensing medicines. Key challenges to implementation include a potential shortage of pharmacists, the need to better integrate digital health records like My Health Record, and defining clear roles and workflows between GPs and pharmacists. Researchers who recently completed a trial in Queensland suggest that while the model can be cost-effective, more extensive implementation trials are needed in Australia to gather evidence before any large-scale rollout.
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
'If we're going down, we'll take half the world down': Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir

Rewati Karan

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
Officers arrested a man Saturday who walked into a northeast Colorado Springs police station and asked to go to jail before allegedly throwing a chair at officers and staff, police said.

The suspect purportedly walked into the Colorado Springs Police Department's Stetson Hills substation yelling profanities and making threats toward police and citizens around 1 p.m., according to a police blotter entry. The man was arrested shortly after the situation escalated.

Before the chair was thrown, officers tried to deescalate the situation by speaking with the man from the other side of the front window. The man responded by threatening to break the front glass door, police said.

Afterward, he allegedly picked up the chair and threw it at the officers and staff on the other side of the front window.

The suspect, 30-year-old John Work, was taken into custody without further incident. There was "minimal" property damage, police said.

Work was taken to the El Paso County jail on charges of obstructing government operations and menacing, according to police.
Trump nominates Tammy Bruce as US Deputy Representative to the UN with rank of ambassador

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. 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
Trump vs the world: How tariff backlash is pushing allies and rivals into the same camp

Abhinav Gupta With over 12 years in digital journalism, has navigated the fast-evolving media landscape, shaping digital strategies and leading high-impact newsrooms. Currently, he serves as News Editor at MoneyControl, leading coverage in Global Affairs, Indian Politics, Governance and Policy Making. Previously, he has spearheaded fact-checking and digital media operations at Press Trust of India. Abhinav has also led news desks at Financial Express, DNA, and Jagran English, managing editorial direction, breaking news coverage, and digital growth. His journey includes stints with The Indian Express Group, Zee Media Group, and more, where he has honed his expertise in newsroom leadership, audience engagement, and digital transformation.

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
UK F-35B fighter makes emergency landing in Japan; Second such incident in 2 months

Rewati Karan

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
Vance says US working to set up Putin-Zelenskiy talks

Aishwarya Dabhade

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
Israel launches new plan to attract skilled and wealthy Jewish immigrants

The Israeli government has introduced a new plan aimed at encouraging the immigration of talented and wealthy Jewish people to the country, according to a report in The Times of Israel. The initiative is designed to address labor shortages by offering new incentives and grants to workers who possess professional skills that are in high demand within Israeli companies. This policy operates within the existing framework of the Law of Return, adding specific economic benefits to make immigration more attractive for individuals who can contribute to key sectors of the nation's economy.
Which Latin American gangs could face US military action under Trumps directive

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
The sister of Cristo Canett, the man who died from a perforated ulcer in El Paso County jail without receiving medical treatment despite being in apparent agony, won a settlement against the county for her brother's death after three years. But she is adamant that the "emotional rollercoaster" of court battles still has track ahead.

Elizabeth Naranjo's brother, 48, went to a hospital to seek help for severe back pain in April 2022. But Naranjo said her brother was wrongly arrested for leaving the halfway house where he was staying and taken to the El Paso County jail, leading to his subsequent death.

Naranjo won a $2.5 million lawsuit in May against the El Paso County Sheriff's Office for her brother's death.

But her lawsuit against Wellpath, the county's former for-profit jail health care provider, and against two nurses allegedly negligent of Canett, was blocked when the company filed for bankruptcy in November 2024. At the time, Wellpath faced 1,500 similar lawsuits nationwide.

Wellpath underwent a restructuring process through bankruptcy court, which was settled in April. Part of the troubled company's court-approved reorganization included paying $15.5 million to settle the 1,500 lawsuits, which, if evenly divided, would be about $10,333 per lawsuit. Initially, the company had offered only $5 million to settle the cases, according to court documents.

Plaintiffs, particularly those businesses and other entities with secured claims, also got a share of the reorganized company's equity value.

The jail health care provider announced in May that it completed its restructuring process and that it would continue "leading the correctional health care industry."

The company continues to operate in 37 states and provides medical and mental health care services to over 200,000 patients a day in more than 350 locations, according to its website. Before its bankruptcy, the company provided services to approximately 420 facilities in 39 states.

More than 20 incarcerated people, including Canett, died during Wellpath's tenure providing health care for the El Paso County jail from 2020 to 2023.

"I don't understand how a company can have so many lawsuits filed against them and deaths on their plate, yet they still manage to operate and continue to give people inadequate care," Naranjo said. "People's lives are at stake and, yet, somehow, these companies do not get charged with the murders they cause."

Meghan Baker, attorney for Disability Law Colorado, was involved in helping set new standards for the El Paso County jail and has talked to several county jail officials in Colorado to get their perspectives on the matter.

Baker said companies like Wellpath aren't an outlier, that typical jail health care providers are substandard and often face lawsuits. She points to the for-profit model of these companies and low standards of care as chief culprits.

"(County jails) can't afford to provide the care themselves," Baker said. "It's the liability for potential medical claims that they can't afford. They have to contract away the liability."

In January 2024, the El Paso County jail switched to VitalCore. There have been four reported deaths in the jail since.

Most recently, a woman was found dead in her cell early Friday morning with no indication of foul play or self-harm. Another woman was found dead in her cell on July 24 with no indication of foul play or self-harm. In 2024, a terminally ill inmate died after being found unresponsive in the facility's medical unit, and another died from an apparent suicide.

Dan Weiss, one of Naranjo's attorneys, said no further action in Canett's death can be taken against Wellpath after the company's bankruptcy settlement. But litigation against former Wellpath nurses Anthony Lupo and Michelle Silva can resume.

The lawsuit alleges Canett made Silva, the charge nurse, and Lupo aware of his pain multiple times when he was first admitted to the jail, but they didn't conduct any assessment on him despite there being "obvious signs of a medical emergency," including onset shoulder and abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting and more.

It further claims that the nurses were "deliberately indifferent" to Canett and refused him medical treatment despite a deputy calling and urging Silva to help Canett's "ongoing and immense suffering."

"They kind of played Russian roulette with his life," Naranjo said. "(El Paso County) paid the settlement, and now they're  out of it, and we're left dealing with the people that they chose to represent the jail's health system  It doesn't help me feel like I got justice for my brother."

Silva and Lupo have been licensed practical nurses in Colorado since 2000, according to public records. Silva moved to North Carolina last year and became a registered nurse in January.

Naranjo said the ongoing lawsuit is because she wants to hold the two nurses accountable.

"It's not about the money. I want to raise awareness so other people's families don't have to go through this," she said.

The Gazette reached out to Lupo, who declined to comment. Multiple attempts were made to contact Silva and her attorney for comment.

Weiss said the proceedings will move rapidly and expects a trial next year. "We believe it's time for the public to see the case through a trial and for a jury to decide if someone is liable or not," Weiss said.

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office declined to comment on pending litigation.

Naranjo received news of her brother's death while working from home in Colorado Springs. Her mother was too distraught to talk. Her older brother called.

Naranjo said Canett struggled with drug use and intermittent periods in jail. But she believes he was committed to "turning over a new leaf" for his son, who was 10 when his father died.

Canett was living in a halfway house and working to go back to school to be a counselor, his sister said. Shortly before his death, he was set for a promotion at a Whole Foods market where he worked and had passed a seven-step rehabilitation program.

"He did love being a dad, and he just wanted to be a good one," Naranjo said. "He was just a family person  everybody loved him."

Her brother was always there to help or to just be a friend. Naranjo said he would never miss a family barbecue or a moment to spend time with her, his son and her kids.

"A few weeks before he passed away, he climbed on my big old pine tree because my cat was stuck up there. He was my brother  he was the one person I could always count on."

Canett's son, who was entering middle school when his father died, is almost 14 and about to enter high school. Naranjo said he has grown quiet since his father's death. She said she is trying to help him process his father's death, and she hopes for a return to normalcy so that he can grow into a healthy adult.

Through funeral preparations, court battles and dealing with everyday life, Naranjo said she's been under three years of "hard emotional stress" that's taken its toll.

"There's days that I'm good, and there's days that I'm bad," Naranjo said. "I dream about him a lot, and it just really hurts."

Even if the anxiety and emotional stress are dragged out longer by her lawsuit, Naranjo said its worth it in the name of seeking justice.

Following the change in jail health care providers, El Paso County has taken efforts to decrease inmate deaths by implementing a system that increases the number of inmates taken to the hospital and improving safety measures for inmates.

"Like jails across the country, many individuals in our care face serious health challenges, and we remain committed to providing the support they need," a spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office said. "Our office takes this responsibility seriously and continues working to keep the entire Pikes Peak region, including our incarcerated people, safe."

Naranjo is skeptical.

"But will they keep that up? I guess only time will tell," she said.

Owned by $70 billion global private equity firm H.I.G Capital, Wellpath was facing more than $100 million in potential liabilities before filing for bankruptcy in Texas. To emerge from bankruptcy, Wellpath sold its behavioral health division in exchange for canceling about $375 million of its $644 million debt.

It was a court-appointed creditors' committee, which previously opposed Wellpath's restructuring, that secured the $15.5 million, a 33.3% equity stake in the reorganized company and other benefits for individuals and organizations that had filed lawsuits against the company in a deal that had an "unprecedented" result, according to the judge who oversaw the case.

As "unsecured creditors," Naranjo and other families who had pending litigation may see some share of the funds, but they will also be standing in line behind secured claimholders including medical vendors and other services.

A creditor's committee attorney, Zachary Hemenway of law firm Stinson, said unsecured creditors saw a recovery as high as 50%, meaning they received half of what the claims in their lawsuits were asking. Hemenway noted it's typical to see about 3%-5% recovery when a bankrupt company is over $100 million in debt.

"This is the case where if you don't get a good result it really eats at you because there's so many people that have suffered real harm here," he said.

Before the bankruptcy, Wellpath had already paid out large sums to families in previous lawsuits, including one that was almost equivalent to the total of its bankruptcy settlement. In August 2023, Wellpath settled a wrongful-death lawsuit with the family of Randall Johnson  who died in custody of the Shasta County, Calif., jail in 2018  for a total of $12.75 million.

"That does not justify all the damage they have done and all the lives that have been lost under their care," Naranjo said of the settlement.

Hemenway said the most valuable asset are the company shares because they can be sold as the company generates revenue.

As part of the right to owning the shares, still in legal process as to who gets what, the trust committee also gets to appoint a board observer, who is present at company management meetings.

Wellpath was the second jail health provider to use the federal bankruptcy court's Houston division in two years. Prison health care company YesCare, formerly known as Corizon, filed for bankruptcy in early 2023. The company was also facing lawsuits for medical malpractice.

An article from The Guardian stated the southern district of Texas saw 31 filings for bankruptcy by companies with assets greater than $100 million last year.

"These companies keep their costs as low as possible and then rely on the bankruptcy courts in Houston to bail them out once they hit a critical mass of lawsuits," New Mexico attorney Adam Flores, who was representing a claimant against Wellpath, told The Guardian in March.

Naranjo is one of the many families seeking to raise awareness on the matter.

"More people need to be aware of companies like Wellpath and how they operate so that they see where their tax money (for jail health care) is going," Naranjo said. "Better health care equals less deaths."
White House considers inviting Zelensky to Alaska for possible trilateral talks with Trump and Putin: Report

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
Why European leaders are scrambling ahead of the Trump-Putin summit on Ukraine

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
Zelensky slams Putin for trying to sell ceasefire and legalise occupation, vows no second partition of Ukraine

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
DAKAR, Senegal (AP)  Chads criminal court on Saturday sentenced Success Masra, the countrys former prime minister and opposition leader, to 20 years in prison after convictions on charges including incitement to hatred and revolt and complicity to murder. The charges stemmed from a deadly clash between herders and farmers in May.

Masra was also fined 1 billion CFA francs, or almost $1.8 million. Before leaving the courtroom, Masra gave a message to his supporters: Stand firm.

Following the verdict Kadjilembay Francis, Masras lawyer, told reporters: He has just been subjected to ignominy and unworthy humiliation. He said he will appeal the sentence.

Masra and 67 co-defendants, mostly people from the same Ngambaye ethnic group, have been on trial accused of causing a clash between herders and farmers in May in Logone Occidental in the southwest of the central African country. The fighting left 35 people dead and six others injured. He has denied the charges against him.

Masra, who was prime minister between January and May last year, is the head of the Les Transformateurs party and has been a sharp critic of Mahamat Deby, Chads current president.

Deby took power in 2021 after his father Idriss Deby Itno was killed while fighting rebels in the countrys north. He had ruled the country for 30 years.

Deby legitimized his presidency with an election earlier this year, which was opposed by Masra and his party.
CalFire Defensible Space View Photo

At the end of May, Cal Fire personnel (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) came through our Jamestown neighborhood inspecting properties for compliance with defensible space regulations. My wild-at-heart landscaping was found wanting. We have learned, from places like Paradise, Palisades and Altadena, that no one in California is safe from wildfire. We, who live in the WUI or Wildland Urban Interface, have a responsibility to ourselves and our neighbors to do our part to reduce the threat of wildfire.

To create defensible space around your home, the landscape is divided into zones. Zone 0 is a five-foot ember-resistant border around buildings. Zone 1 stretches from the outside edge of zone 0 to 30 feet from the building. Zone 2 extends from 30 feet to 100 feet (or the property line).

Each zone carries specific landscaping and home hardening recommendations. According to Cal Fire, flying embers can ignite a home one mile ahead of a wildfire. Zone 0 is critical for protecting homes from flying embers. Eliminate flammable vegetation and materials, make sure gutters are clean or screened, and that building vents have fire-resistant covers installed. In zone 0, Yana Valachovic, University of California Forest Advisor and UC ANR Fire Network researcher, advises that Californians will be better protected by losing their love of foundation plantings. Move individual, separated specimen plants away from buildings into the 30-foot zone.

In zone 1, remove dead and dying grass, plants, shrubs, trees, branches, leaves, weeds and needles. In my case, that included California poppies setting seed. Prune up and separate plants to eliminate ladder fuels. If you still burn wood (as I do), move wood piles outside of zone 1 and cover with a fire-resistant cover or surround with 10 feet of bare mineral soil.

Zone 2 requires vertical and horizontal plant spacing dependent on slope. Prune tree branches to a minimum of 6 feet above ground; trees should be separated by at least 10 feet. The steeper the slope, the farther apart trees and shrubs should be. Trim grasses to a height of four inches. Loose surface litter used as mulch (bare soil bad/organic matter good) can have a depth up to 3 inches. Propane tanks need 10 feet of clearance to bare mineral soil, with no flammable vegetation for another 10 feet. My 15-year-old monster lavender that disguised my tank had to go!

By the time of inspection #3, I had removed 2-3 cubic yards of plant material, including rambler roses, leggy salvias, hydrangeas, and magnolia leaves from my small suburban yard. With a huge thank you to friends with pick-up trucks and trailers, my efforts passed inspection. In conclusion, I want to give a shout-out to the very polite and soft-spoken Cal Fire personnel who performed inspections. They educated from a research and science-based perspective while being diligent and persistent in trying to protect us from ourselves. Lets all do our part to help them and us!

Rebecca Miller-Cripps is a University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener.
Immigration Arrests New York View Photo

The Justice Department identified some three dozen states, cities and counties as so-called sanctuary jurisdictions on Tuesday, two months after the federal government quietly removed a much longer list that included many localities that support the Trump administrations hard-line immigration policies.

The earlier, typo-riddled list was met with pushback from across the political spectrum, with officials often saying it wasnt clear why their jurisdictions were included.

The new announcement doesnt appear to threaten consequences beyond what the federal government is already doing.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi warned in the announcement that the department would continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these harmful policies around the country.

Sanctuary policies impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design, she said.

The new list is composed overwhelmingly of Democratic jurisdictions, including states like New York, California and Connecticut, cities like Boston and New York City and a handful of counties, including Baltimore County, Maryland, and Cook County, Illinois.

Theres no clear definition of sanctuary jurisdictions, but the term is generally applied to state and local governments that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The administration never fully explained the errors in the first announcement, which included hundreds of jurisdictions, including places that had voted overwhelmingly for Trump and at least one that had declared itself a non-sanctuary city. The list was published in late May on the Department of Homeland Securitys website but within three days was replaced with a Page Not Found error message.

Trump officials have long warned that the federal government would go after jurisdictions that resist the presidents plans for mass deportations. In April, Trump signed an executive order requiring Homeland Security and the attorney general to publish a list of jurisdictions they believe are obstructing federal immigration laws.

The administration has filed a series of lawsuits targeting state or city policies it says are interfering with immigration enforcement, including those in Los Angeles, New York City, Denver and Rochester, New York. It sued four New Jersey cities in May.

In late July, a judge in Illinois dismissed a Trump administration lawsuit that sought to disrupt limits Chicago imposes on cooperation between federal immigration agents and local police.

In Connecticut, Democratic officials pushed back, arguing theres no reference to sanctuary jurisdictions in state law.

Attorney General William Tong called the description of sanctuary states in the Department of Justice announcement a concocted fiction of the Trump administration.

Connecticuts Trust Act law has limited how police in the state can work with federal immigration since 2013.

___

Associated Press reporter Susan Haigh contributed from Hartford, Connecticut.

By TIM SULLIVAN

Associated Press
California could slash 5 GOP US House seats to counter Texas move to pad Republican margin

Election 2026 California Redistricting View Photo

LOS ANGELES (AP)  California Democrats are considering new political maps that could slash five Republican-held House seats in the liberal-leaning state while bolstering Democratic incumbents in other battleground districts.

The move comes in direct response to efforts by Texas Republicans to redraw House districts in order to strengthen the GOP hold on the chamber in 2026.

A draft plan thats circulating aims to boost the Democratic margin to 48 of Californias 52 congressional seats, according to a source familiar with the plan who was not authorized to discuss it publicly. Thats up from the 43 seats the party now holds. It would need approval from lawmakers and voters, who may be skeptical to give it after handing redistricting power to an independent commission years ago.

In addition, the proposal would generously pad Democratic margins in districts for competitive seats anchored in Orange County, San Diego County and the Central Valley farm belt, giving Democrats a potential advantage as Texas Republicans try to sway the tissue-thin balance of the House.

According to the proposal, districts now held by Republican Reps. Ken Calvert, Darrell Issa, Kevin Kiley, David Valadao and Doug LaMalfa would see right-leaning voters shaved and Democratic voters boosted in a shift that would make it likely a left-leaning candidate would prevail in each race.

In districts held by Democratic Reps. Dave Min, Mike Levin and Derek Tran, the partys edge would be boosted to strengthen their hold on the seats, the source said.

Democratic members of Californias congressional delegation were briefed on the new map on Monday, according to a person familiar with the meeting who requested anonymity to discuss private conversations.

The proposal is being circulated at the same time that Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has said he wants to advance partisan redistricting. He says he wont move ahead if Texas pauses its efforts.

Newsom said hed call a special election for the first week of November. Voters would weigh a new congressional map drawn by the Democratic-controlled Legislature.

California will not sit by idly and watch this democracy waste away, Newsom said Monday.



Associated Press writers Tran Nguyen in Sacramento and Joey Cappelletti in Washington contributed.

By MICHAEL R. BLOOD

AP Political Writer
Russia and Ukraine hold fast to their demands ahead of a planned Putin-Trump summit View Photo

The threats, pressure and ultimatums have come and gone, but Russian President Vladimir Putin has maintained Moscows uncompromising demands in the war in Ukraine, raising fears he could use a planned summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska to coerce Kyiv into accepting an unfavorable deal.

The maximalist demands reflect Putins determination to reach the goals he set when he launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

Putin sees a possible meeting with Trump as a chance to negotiate a broad deal that would not only cement Russias territorial gains but also keep Ukraine from joining NATO and hosting any Western troops, allowing Moscow to gradually pull the country back into its orbit.

The Kremlin leader believes time is on his side as the exhausted and outgunned Ukrainian forces are struggling to stem Russian advances in many sectors of the over 1,000-kilometer (over 600-mile) front line while swarms of Russian missiles and drones batter Ukrainian cities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also has stood firm in his positions, agreeing to a ceasefire proposed by Trump while reaffirming the countrys refusal to abandon seeking NATO membership and rejecting acknowledgment of Russias annexation of any of its regions.

European leaders, meanwhile, rallied behind Ukraine, saying peace in the war-torn nation cant be resolved without Kyiv. Zelenskyy thanked European allies in a post on X, writing Sunday: The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people.

A look at Russian and Ukrainian visions of a peace deal and how a Putin-Trump summit could evolve:

Russias position

In a memorandum presented at talks in Istanbul in June, Russia offered Ukraine two options for establishing a 30-day ceasefire. One demanded Ukraine withdraw its forces from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson  the four regions Moscow illegally annexed in September 2022 but never fully captured.

As an alternate condition for a ceasefire, Russia made a package proposal for Ukraine to halt mobilization efforts, freeze Western arms deliveries and ban any third-country forces on its soil. Moscow also suggested Ukraine end martial law and hold elections, after which the countries could sign a comprehensive peace treaty.

Once theres a truce, Moscow wants a deal to include the international legal recognition of its annexations of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and the four regions in 2022.

Russia says a peace treaty should have Ukraine declare its neutral status between Russia and the West, abandon its bid to join NATO, limit the size of its armed forces and recognize Russian as an official language on par with Ukrainian - conditions reflecting Putins earliest goals.

It also demands Ukraine ban the glorification and propaganda of Nazism and neo-Nazism and dissolve nationalist groups. Since the war began, Putin has falsely alleged that neo-Nazi groups were shaping Ukrainian politics under Zelenskyy, who is Jewish. They were fiercely dismissed by Kyiv and its Western allies.

In Russias view, a comprehensive peace treaty should see both countries lift all sanctions and restrictions, abandon any claims to compensation for wartime damage, resume trade and communications, and reestablish diplomatic ties.

Asked Thursday whether Moscow has signaled any willingness to compromise to make a meeting with Trump possible, Putins foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov responded that there havent been any shifts in the Russian position.

Ukraines position

The memorandum that Ukraine presented to Moscow in Istanbul emphasized the need for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to set stage for peace negotiations.

It reaffirmed Ukraines consistent rejection of Russian demands for neutral status as an attack on its sovereignty, declaring it is free to choose its alliances and adding that its NATO membership will depend on consensus with the alliance.

It emphasized Kyivs rejection of any restrictions on the size and other parameters of its armed forces, as well as curbs on the presence of foreign troops on its soil.

Ukraines memorandum also opposed recognizing any Russian territorial gains, while describing the current line of contact as a starting point in negotiations.

The document noted the need for international security guarantees to ensure the implementation of peace agreements and prevent further aggression.

Kyivs peace proposal also demanded the return of all deported and illegally displaced children and a total prisoner exchange.

It held the door open to gradual lifting of some of the sanctions against Russia if it abides by the agreement.

Trumps positions

Trump has often spoken admiringly of Putin and even echoed his talking points on the war. He had a harsh confrontation with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on Feb. 28, but later warmed his tone. As Putin resisted a ceasefire and continued his aerial bombardments, Trump showed exasperation with the Kremlin leader, threatening Moscow with new sanctions.

Although Trump expressed disappointment with Putin, his agreement to meet him without Zelenskyy at the table raised worries in Ukraine and its European allies, who fear it could allow the Russian to get Trump on his side and strong-arm Ukraine into concessions.

Trump said without giving details that therell be some swapping of territories, to the betterment of both Russia and Ukraine as part of any peace deal that he will discuss with Putin when they meet Friday.

Putin repeatedly warned Ukraine will face tougher conditions for peace if it doesnt accept Moscows demands as Russian troops forge into other regions to build what he described as a buffer zone. Some observers suggested Russia could trade those recent gains for the territories of the four annexed by Moscow still under Ukrainian control.

That is potentially a situation that gives Putin a tremendous amount of leeway as long as he can use that leverage to force the Ukrainians into a deal that they may not like and to sideline the Europeans effectively, Sam Greene of Kings College London said. The question is, will Trump sign up to that and will he actually have the leverage to force the Ukrainians and the Europeans to accept it?

Putin could accept a temporary truce to win Trumps sympathy as he seeks to achieve broader goals, Greene said.

He could accept a ceasefire so long as its one that leaves him in control, in which theres no real deterrence against renewed aggression somewhere down the line, he said. He understands that his only route to getting there runs via Trump.

In a possible indication he thinks a ceasefire or peace deal could be close, Putin called the leaders of China, India, South Africa and several ex-Soviet nations in an apparent effort to inform these allies about prospective agreements.

Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Russia and Eurasia Center argued Putin wouldnt budge on his goals.

However these conditions are worded, they amount to the same demand: Ukraine stops resisting, the West halts arms supplies, and Kyiv accepts Russias terms, which effectively amount to a de facto capitulation, she posted on X. The Russian side can frame this in a dozen different ways, creating the impression that Moscow is open to concessions and serious negotiation. It has been doing so for some time, but the core position remains unchanged: Russia wants Kyiv to surrender.

She predicted Putin might agree to meet Zelenskyy but noted the Kremlin leader would only accept such a meeting if there is a prearranged agenda and predetermined outcomes, which remains difficult to imagine.

The likely scenario is that this peace effort will fail once again, she said. This would be a negative outcome for Ukraine, but it would not deliver Ukraine to Putin on a plate either, at least not in the way he wants it. The conflict, alternating between open warfare and periods of simmering tension, appears likely to persist for the foreseeable future.

By The Associated Press
Taliban investigating death threats against United Nations Afghan female staff, report says View Photo

ISLAMABAD (AP)  The Taliban are investigating explicit death threats against dozens of Afghan women working for the United Nations, according to a report published Sunday.

In its latest update on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, the U.N. mission to the country said that dozens of female national staff were subjected to explicit death threats in May.

The threats come against a backdrop of severe restrictions placed on women since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021.

The U.N. report said the threats came from unidentified individuals related to their work with the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, other agencies, funds, and programs, requiring the U.N. to implement interim measures to protect their safety.

It said that the Taliban told the U.N. mission that their personnel were not responsible for the threats. An Interior Ministry investigation is underway, the report added.

The Interior Ministry spokesman, Abdul Mateen Qani, said no such threats had been made.

This is completely incorrect, Qani said. The ministry has an independent department for this, and we have a strategic plan for protection and security so there is no threat to them in any area, nor can anyone threaten them, nor is there any threat to them.

Qani did not answer questions about an investigation.

The Taliban barred Afghan women from working at domestic and foreign nongovernmental organizations in December 2022, extending this ban to the U.N. six months later, and then threatening to shut down agencies and groups still employing women. Some women have nonetheless stayed on in key sectors, such as health care and urgent humanitarian assistance, where aid agencies say the needs are great.

Humanitarian agencies say the Taliban have hampered or interfered with their operations, allegations denied by authorities.

The U.N. report is the first official confirmation of death threats against Afghan women working in the sector. The report also highlighted other areas affecting womens personal freedoms and safety.

In Herat, inspectors from the Vice and Virtue Ministry began requiring women to wear a chador, a full-body cloak covering the head. Dozens of women deemed not in compliance were barred from entering markets or using public transportation. Several women were detained until relatives brought them a chador, the report said.

In Uruzgan, women were arrested for wearing a hijab  a headscarf  rather than a burqa covering the entire body and face.

Women have also been denied access to public areas, in line with laws banning them from such spaces. In Ghor province, police forced several families to leave a recreational area. They warned the families against visiting outdoor picnic sites with women.

In Herat, Vice and Virtue inspectors stopped family groups with women and girls from accessing an open recreational area, only allowing all-male groups.

Nobody from the Vice and Virtue Ministry was immediately available to comment on the Ghor, Herat and Uruzgan incidents, which the U.N. said happened in May.

In Kandahar, the Public Health Department instructed female health care workers to be accompanied to work by male guardians with an identification card proving that they were related to the woman by blood or marriage.

It wasnt immediately clear if the card is specific to Kandahar or will be rolled out across Afghanistan.

The process to apply for a mahram (male guardian) identification card is reportedly cumbersome and can take up to several weeks as it requires the de facto Department for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice and a member of the local community (e.g. malik, imam or village elder) to verify the relationship, the U.N. report said.
UK police say more than 500 people arrested in pro-Palestinian events over weekend

UK police say more than 500 people arrested in pro-Palestinian events over weekend View Photo

LONDON (AP)  London police said Sunday that 532 people were arrested the previous day when supporters of a pro-Palestinian group recently outlawed as a terrorist organization intentionally broke the law to test the governments ability to enforce the ban.

The Metropolitan Police Service released the updated figures as protesters demanding the immediate release of the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza held their own march through central London on Sunday afternoon.

The vast majority of those detained on Saturday were arrested for displaying placards declaring their support for the group known as Palestine Action. Police updated their earlier totals and said 522 people were arrested for supporting a proscribed organization in violation of anti-terror laws. Another 10 people were arrested on a variety of charges, including assaulting and obstructing police officers.

Backers of Palestine Action staged the protest to underscore their belief that the government is illegally restricting freedom of expression by banning a direct action organization that has challenged its policies.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who oversees law enforcement in Britain, rejected that characterization, saying Palestine Action was banned after committing serious attacks involving violence, significant injuries and extensive criminal damage.

The right to protest is one we protect fiercely but this is very different from displaying support for this one specific and narrow, proscribed organization, Cooper said in a statement. Many people may not yet know the reality of this organization, but the assessments are very clear, this is not a nonviolent organization, she added.

Police released updated information on the Palestine Action protest after the front pages of Sunday newspapers featured photos of elderly protesters being carted off by officers.

One of those was La Pethick, an 89-year-old retired psychotherapist, who told the Times of London that she had the support of her five grandchildren. We are having our right to peaceful protest being taken away, she said.

Almost half of those arrested were over the age of 60, according to figures released by the Met.

Police said the process of deciding whether to file charges against those arrested is likely to take weeks as officers from the Mets Counter Terrorism Command put together case files and seek approval from prosecutors, and in some cases the attorney general.

Parliament voted to ban Palestine Action after activists broke into a Royal Air Force base and damaged two tanker planes to protest British support for the war in Gaza. Palestine Action had previously targeted Israeli defense contractors and other sites in Britain that they believe have links with the Israeli military.

Supporters of Palestine Action are challenging the ban in court, arguing that the government has violated human rights laws by in declaring the group a terrorist organization.

By DANICA KIRKA

Associated Press
Greetings gentle readers, welcome to another installment of the Sunday Morning Movie. Today its an experimental horror film from the 1950s: Daughter of Horror a.k.a Dementia.

Broken Pencil says:

Fifty years on, Daughter of Horror (or, Dementia) is for me the granddaddy (or is that grandmother?) of indie horror. This film represents what independent truly stands for: reshaping existing forms into something wholly unique, and innovation with ones limited resources. Its story is full of visceral horror, a chiaroscuro canvas out of film noir, and a fragmented dream-like structure owing more to underground experimental films than anything else in American narrative cinema. If you can imagine a marriage of B-movie horror directed by Fritz Lang and Maya Deren, then one gets a sense of this films unique feel.

The Nitrate Diva says:

Directed by the obscure John Parker and written by Z-grade producer/director Bruno Ve Sota (although theres some debate as to who really deserves artistic credit), this oily, shoestring-cheap horror-noir contains not one line of dialogue. Yep, were dealing with a strangely contradictory silent film with a soundtrack. Apart from a few diegetic soundsessentials like sobs, screams, laughter, and gunshotsyou mostly hear a ghoulish atonal score by modernist composer George Antheil, filled with foreboding jazz and the occasional soprano wail.

LaLa Film says:

For Daughter of Horror is not a film easily forgotten. No dialogue is spoken during its 54 minute running time, although, unlike the original Dementia, we have a melodramatic narration, chewed up and spat out by Ed McMahon, later to enter the American television hall of fame as Johnny Carsons sidekick for 30 years of The Tonight Show. The narration was a sop to the censors, concerned audiences wouldnt be able to fathom the onscreen events, and though McMahon adds a certain brutal giddiness to proceedings, pronouncements such as Let me show you the bed of evil you sprang from! and Guilty! Mad with guilt and the devils whove taken possession of you, often detract from the films serious intent.

My take: This is an odd little film. Its not a great film, although I can see its charm for the horror aficionado who cares about the history of the genre. Some of the scenes are a bit silly in my estimation, like the fat guy sucking fried chicken off the bone accompanied by eerie music. The fact that it was censored says a lot about American culture in the 1950s; today it would be considered utterly harmless. It was originally released as Dementia but the censors squashed it and two years later it was re-released as Daughter of Horror with a voice over by Ed McMahon to guide the viewer through its maze of imagery.

Directed by: John Parker

Written by: John Parker (there is some controversy as to whether it was written by the producer (and fat guy) Bruno Ve Sota)

Notable actors: Shorty Rogers

Plot (Spoilers!):

The movie starts with a young woman awakening from a nightmare in a seedy hotel room. Wandering onto the street, she buys a newspaper headlined Mysterious Stabbing. Her smile indicates this means something to her.

She wanders into an alley and is accosted by a drunk. The cops arrive and beat the drunk as she makes her escape. Next a pimp approaches her and convinces her to get into the car of a wealthy man. While she rides, she recalls murdering her father after he shot and killed her unfaithful mother.

The wealthy man gives her the tour of the citys night life and then takes her to his luxurious apartment. After consuming a rich meal, he makes his moves on her. She stabs him with a switchblade and pushes him out of the window. Grasping wildly, he manages to rip the pendant off of her neck. She races out of the building to recover her jewelry. She finds the corpse but it has the pendant locked in a death-grip. She saws off the dead mans hand to retrieve it.

She runs through the city streets, gawked at by anonymous bystanders. The cops reappear and a detective with her fathers face follows her with a spotlight. She runs around the corner and dumps the hand into a flower girls basket.

The pimp has returned and now pulls her into a wild jazz club. The cop enters behind them. The crowd begins to laugh at her maniacally and the corpse of the wealthy man appears in the window and points to her with his stump.

The woman collapses and passes out. She awakens back in her tawdry hotel room. Dazed, she opens her top dresser drawer only to discover the bloody hand.
Chinas heavy-handed crackdown on chikungunya outbreak sparks controversy

China is facing its largest recorded chikungunya virus outbreak, with over 10,000 cases7,000 in Foshan alone. The mosquito-borne virus causes fever, joint pain and, in rare cases, severe complications.

Authorities are enforcing aggressive containment tactics, including fines for standing water, power cuts, forced hospital isolation in mosquito-netted wards, and widespread insecticide spraying.

The U.S. CDC has issued travel alerts for China and other high-risk countries. While no deaths are reported in China, global cases exceed 240,000 this year, raising fears of a repeat of past epidemics.

China's response mirrors its controversial COVID-19 strategy, prioritizing strict control over individual freedoms, despite chikungunya not being person-to-person transmissible.

The crisis tests the balance between public health and civil liberties, sparking debate over whether China's heavy-handed tactics are necessary or an overreach in a warming, outbreak-prone world.

China is once again deploying draconian measures to contain a viral outbreak, this time targeting the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus. With over 10,000 cases reported nationwide7,000 in Foshan aloneauthorities are cutting power, imposing fines and locking patients in mosquito-netted hospital wards. The aggressive tactics mirror the country's controversial Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) response, raising questions about the balance between public health and personal freedoms.

The outbreak's rapid spread

The chikungunya virus, primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoesthe same species that carry dengue and Zikahas surged across China's Guangdong province. Twelve cities have reported at least 3,000 cases, with Foshan as the epicenter. Though rarely fatal, the virus causes debilitating fever, joint pain and in severe cases, heart and brain complications. (Related: China's chikungunya outbreak spreads amid government secrecy and forced quarantines.)

The outbreak marks the largest documented chikungunya surge in China's history. Experts warn that the population lacks preexisting immunity, allowing rapid transmission. Unusually heavy rains and high temperatures have exacerbated mosquito breeding, accelerating the crisis.

Extreme measures: Power cuts, fines and forced isolation

In a move reminiscent of (COVID-19)-era lockdowns, Chinese authorities are enforcing strict containment protocols. Patients are confined to mosquito-netted hospital wards for at least a week or until they test negative. Residents who fail to eliminate standing waterwhere mosquitoes breedface fines up to $1,400 (10,000 yuan) and even power disconnections.

Drones and ground teams spray clouds of insecticide across streets, construction sites and residential areas. Some offices require workers to disinfect buildings before entry, a chilling callback to 2020s pandemic controls. Local media reports reveal bizarre tactics, including breeding fish and larger mosquitoes to consume virus-carrying larvae.

Global concerns and travel warnings

The virus is not confined to China. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 travel alert for China, Brazil, India and other high-risk nations. Globally, 240,000 cases and 90 deaths have been recorded this year, with Brazil reporting over 200,000 infections.

Though no deaths have been linked to China's outbreak, the World Health Organization warns of parallels to the 2004-2005 epidemic, which infected half a million people across three continents. "We are seeing history repeating itself," said Dr. Diana Rojas Alvarez, a WHO medical officer.

A history of heavy-handed virus control

China's response reflects its longstanding reliance on authoritarian public health strategies. From the 2003 SARS crisis to COVID-19's brutal lockdowns, the government prioritizes containment over individual rights. This time, officials briefly imposed a 14-day quarantine on Foshan travelerslater abandoned when it became clear chikungunya cannot spread person-to-person.

Critics argue the measures are excessive for a non-fatal virus. Yet, with memories of COVID mismanagement still fresh, Beijing seems determined to avoid another public relations disaster.

What comes next?

For now, China's aggressive mosquito-eradication campaigns may slow the outbreak. Two vaccinesIXCHIQ and VIMKUNYAare available for high-risk travelers, though no widespread immunization efforts are planned.

The bigger question is whether such extreme interventions are justifiedor if they signal a troubling pattern of prioritizing control over civil liberties. As the world watches, China's handling of this crisis may set a precedent for future outbreaks.

A test of power and public trust

China's battle against chikungunya is as much about politics as public health. While the tactics may curb the virus, they also reinforce a system where state power trumps personal freedom. As outbreaks grow more frequent in a warming world, the world must decide: Is China's approach a necessary evilor a dangerous overreach?

China mystery virus runs through Chinese hospitals similar to how the COVID-19 pandemic started. Watch this video.

This video is from the TNTVNEWS channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Puerto Rico declares epidemic as chikungunya virus continues to spread unabated.

Secretary Kennedy expands access to RSV, chikungunya, and meningococcal vaccines, despite disbanding 'conflicted' advisory panel.

Compound in turmeric found to suppress viruses, including hepatitis, herpes, chikungunya, influenza-A, HIV and HPV.

Use garlic to naturally repel mosquitoes and treat West Nile Virus.

Biden Regime and NATO may be collaborating with Bill Gates to attack Russia with virus-spreading genetically-mutated MOSQUITOES.

Sources include:

Dailymail.co.uk

MSN.com

MedicalXpress.com

Brighteon.com
Israeli doctors warn: Gazas children are starving due to the BLOCKADE

The severe malnutrition of 18-month-old Muhammad al-Mutawaq has sparked global outrage. While Israeli officials claimed his condition was due to preexisting illnesses, senior Israeli doctors argue that no child in a developed country would deteriorate to such a state without medical intervention. Gaza's collapsing healthcare and food systems, worsened by Israel's blockade, are the real cause of his starvation.

Israeli pediatric specialists, including Professor Dan Turner and Dr. Michal Feldon, state that even children with chronic illnesses should not reach such extreme malnutrition under proper care. Al-Mutawaq's rapid weight loss coincided with Israel's aid blockade, and his required nutritional supplements were unavailable in Gaza.

Israel's siege has devastated Gaza's food and medical infrastructure, leading to severe shortages. UN reports show child malnutrition rates rising sharply, nearing famine thresholds. Despite Israel's claims of allowing aid, distribution remains dangerously slow, with humanitarian groups blaming restrictions.

Infants, the elderly and chronically ill patients are hit hardest. Doctors condemn Israel's restrictions on food as morally indefensible, citing desperate scenes of Gazans risking their lives for aid.

Experts warn that Israel's actions in Gaza are eroding its ethical values and global standing. Without urgent intervention, Gaza's malnutrition crisis will leave a generation scarred by hunger and war.

The haunting image of 18-month-old Muhammad al-Mutawaq, his tiny body skeletal from severe malnutrition, made global headlines weeks ago, sparking outrage over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

But when reports emerged that the child suffered from preexisting neurological and muscle disorders, Israeli officials and allies accused international media of misrepresenting his condition, even claiming that his emaciation was due to illness, not starvation caused by Israel's blockade.

Now, two senior Israeli doctors are pushing back. They insisted that while al-Mutawaq's underlying conditions may have contributed to his frailty, no child in Israel or any developed country would be allowed to deteriorate to such a state without intervention. The real cause, they argue, is the near-total collapse of Gaza's medical and food supply systems under Israel's restrictions on aid.

Professor Dan Turner, head of pediatric gastroenterology at a leading Jerusalem hospital and deputy dean at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's School of Medicine, explained that even children with severe illnesses should not reach such extreme malnutrition in a functioning healthcare system.

"You categorically do not find kids looking like that in Israel or Western countries," said Turner. He added that even the patients with "background diseases" do not reach al-Mutawaq's level of malnutrition. Turner also said that a patient like al-Mutawaq "would be admitted to [the] hospital."

In an interview, al-Mutawaq's mother said that he once weighed nine kilograms, but that he had dropped to just six, indicating a rapid decline coinciding with Israel's 10-week total blockade on aid between March and May. She added that he required specialized nutritional supplements, which were unavailable in Gaza.

Dr. Michal Feldon, a senior pediatrician at another top Israeli hospital, echoed Turner's concerns. Feldon, who had 20 years of experience as a pediatrician, had never seen children looking like al-Mutawaq, "even very chronically ill children."

Feldon added that children don't normally look that emaciated because he was "starving and hungry despite whatever condition he has." Feldon suggested that al-Mutawaq may have previously relied on formula or liquid nutrition, which is now impossible to obtain in Gaza.

Aid blockade worsens Gaza's famine conditions

Israels near-total siege on Gaza, imposed after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, has devastated the enclave's food and medical infrastructure. Though Israel insists it allows sufficient aid, United Nations agencies and humanitarian groups report severe shortages of food, clean water and medical supplies.

According to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), acute malnutrition among Gaza's children has skyrocketed from 2.4 percent in February to 8.8 percent in July. In Gaza City, malnutrition rates surged from four percent to 16 percent in the same period.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), which monitors famine risks, defines famine conditions as occurring when 30 percent of children suffer acute malnutrition, a threshold that Gaza is rapidly approaching.

Despite these figures, Israel still denies that famine exists in Gaza. A senior Israeli security official acknowledged in July that steps were needed to "stabilize the humanitarian situation," while the military later announced daily 10-hour pauses in fighting to facilitate aid delivery.

However, aid workers say distribution remains dangerously slow. Israel has pointed its finger at UN agencies for delays, a claim that humanitarian groups reject.

The most vulnerable suffer first

Turner emphasized that the most vulnerable, such as infants, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, are bearing the brunt of the crisis.

He also condemned Israel's role in creating the crisis, arguing that restricting food to civilians, regardless of military objectives, violates moral principles.

"Personally, I don't think limiting food to a population, regardless of the war aims, should be on the table for the Jewish people and the State of Israel, said Turner.

Turner pointed to the chaotic scenes of desperate Gazans swarming aid trucks, often at great risk, as proof of extreme hunger. Beyond the physical suffering, Turner expressed alarm over what he sees as Israel's moral decline during the war. He said that while the country has had "a good compass over four thousand years for what is right and wrong," Israel has changed significantly in recent years.

"Our values have kept us together in the most difficult periods of history, and we are losing these values," concluded Turner. He also warned that Israel's actions in Gaza, particularly the withholding of aid, risk long-term damage to its ethical standing. (Related: Borrell slams EU's complicity in Israeli war crimes, calls for action.)

As Gaza's children continue to starve amid the ongoing conflict, the international community watches with growing concern. While Israel maintains that it is not restricting aid, doctors like Turner and Feldon argue that the evidence on the ground, such as children like Muhammad al-Mutawaq, tells a different story.

Watch UNICEF spokeswoman Rosalia Bollen being at a loss of words to describe the catastrophe in Gaza.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Major Israeli human rights groups accuse Tel Aviv of genocide in Gaza.

Gazas humanitarian crisis: The weaponization of starvation and the failure of international law.

Slovenia becomes first EU nation to impose arms embargo on Israel over Gaza assault.

Sources include:

News.Antiwar.com

TimesOfIsrael.com

NYTimes.com

Brighteon.com
Sorry, something doesn't look right.

Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks to reporters Wednesday at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, saying he has not ruled out the possibility of Illinois redrawing its congressional district maps if Texas Republicans follow through on their plan to draw a new map favoring Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
466 arrested in London protest backing banned Palestine Action

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 08:45 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

London [UK], August 10 (ANI): Police in London have arrested 466 people during a protest in support of Palestine Action, which the British government designated a terror organisation" last month, Al Jazeera reported.The arrests took place at Parliament Square by 9 pm local time (20:00 GMT) on Saturday, with the Metropolitan Police stating the detainees were held for showing support for Palestine Action."It will take time, but we will arrest anyone expressing support for Palestine Action," the police force said in a post on X.Videos on social media showed officers removing demonstrators seated across the square, holding placards reading, I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action."Defend Our Juries, the advocacy group behind the protest, wrote on X, The people are collectively opposing the genocide in Gaza and the Palestine Action ban."Under the UKs Terrorism Act 2000, membership in or support for the group is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.Al Jazeeras Sonia Gallego reported from the scene that the threat of arrest hasnt deterred any supporters" of the group. Something as simple as wearing a t-shirt saying, I support Palestine Action, or even having that written on a sheet of paper," could lead to detention, she added.Protester Paddy Friend said, If we cant come down with seven words on a sign and sit quietly, then what does freedom of speech mean?"Amnesty International UK condemned the arrests as a violation of the UKs international obligations to protect the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly."Labour MP John McDonnell also criticised the police action, calling it a disgrace that people are being arrested for upholding our democratic rights."The ban on Palestine Action was issued after members of the group broke into a military airbase in June and damaged two Airbus Voyager aircraft used for air-to-air refuelling, Al Jazeera reported.Palestine Action says the aircraft can be used to refuel and have been used to refuel Israeli fighter jets" involved in the Gaza conflict. (ANI)

First Published: August 10, 2025, 08:45 IST

News agency-feeds 466 arrested in London protest backing banned Palestine Action

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...
Greek police seize over 270 kg cocaine worth over 5.5 million euros, 3 arrested

Last Updated: August 11, 2025, 04:00 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Thessaloniki (Greece), Aug 10 (AP) Greek police said on Sunday they seized over 270 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated value of over 5.5 million euros (USD 6.5 million) and arrested three men. The cocaine was hidden inside a container of bananas imported from Ecuador, they said.

Police had been informed by the United Kingdoms National Crime Agency that the cocaine would be carried by a ship headed to the northern Greek port of Thessaloniki.

Recommended Stories

Police officers found the cocaine and removed most of the drug contained in brick-sized packages from the container before it was loaded into a truck. They released a short video of the removal operation.

The truck headed for the Athens suburb of Aspropyrgos, more that 500 kilometres to the south, where the police arrested three men as they opened the container on Saturday.

The total amount of cocaine seized was 271.15 kilograms, police said.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The arrested men include two Greeks, the 40-year-old owner of a haulage company, a 32-year-old and a 47-year-old Bulgarian citizen, police say, adding that the Bulgarian was in touch with a drug gang and organised the picking up and transport of the container. The 32-year-old was in charge of distributing the drug through unnamed gang members.

Police are looking for more people they say belong to a drug distribution gang. The three arrested men will face a prosecutor on Monday. (AP) RUK RUK

First Published: August 11, 2025, 04:00 IST

News agency-feeds Greek police seize over 270 kg cocaine worth over 5.5 million euros, 3 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...
Kerala: Car crashes into footpath near General Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 23:30 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], August 10 (ANI): A speeding vehicle veered off the road and mounted the footpath in front of the General Hospital in Keralas Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, injuring people and causing panic in the busy area, police said. According to officials, the incident had been caused by driver negligence. The driver suddenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brakes, after which the vehicle veered off the road and mounted the footpath in front of the hospital. The preliminary investigation reveals that the driver was being trained by the person sitting next to him. State Transport Commissioner CH Nagaraju said that the accident happened out of pure negligence on the part of the driver and his attendant. The preliminary information reveals that the driver was being trained by the person sitting next to him. It appears that the driver suddenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brakes. Its a very busy route in front of the General Hospital. The car was speeding, and suddenly he (driver) noticed something, and he pressed the accelerator instead of the brake The medical team and the police arrived in time. I think the driver and the person sitting next to him have been taken into custody. I learned that they are in the cantonment police station and that proceedings are going on" he said. Soon after the incident, the medical team and the police arrived at the spot. The driver and the person sitting next to him have been taken into custody, he added. Police were further looking into the incident. (ANI)

First Published: August 10, 2025, 23:30 IST

News agency-feeds Kerala: Car crashes into footpath near General Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram

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...
Maruti Suzuki unveils Phantom Blaq Grand Vitara celebrating 10 years of NEXA

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 12:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

New Delhi [India], August 10 (ANI): Maruti Suzuki India has unveiled an exclusive limited-edition Grand Vitara Phantom Blaq to mark the 10th anniversary of the NEXA channel.NEXA was launched in 2015 to bring a premium automotive retail experience to its discerning customers in India.According to Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer of Marketing and Sales, the Phantom Blaq" signifies rarity and luxury. It is a matte-finished vehicle with lavish interiors, bespoke alloy wheels, besides other cool" features. If you look at the car, I think you will fall in love with it," Banerjee told ANI.He, in a way, teased prospective buyers to experience its premium appeal firsthand at their nearest NEXA showroom. So I would say only, please visit our NEXA showroom and experience the new Phantom Blaq," he added.The advanced 22.86cm (9") SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system offers seamless wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, complemented by a premium Clarion sound system for a refined listening experience. Safety and convenience are further enhanced with a 360 view camera and Head-Up Display (HUD), while a wireless charging dock ensures effortless device charging. Additionally, Suzuki Connect provides smart, connected car capabilities with remote access features, creating a trulymodern and connected SUV experience.Delving into safety standards, the Maruti Suzuki official said they have introduced a robust six-airbag system across its line-up, accompanied by two comprehensive safety packages: the NEXA Safety Shield and Arena Safety Shield. Banerjee emphasised the scale of this initiative, calling it a mammoth job" that shatters the enduring perception around the safety of Maruti vehicles.He underlined the presence of both active and passive safety features, affirming that the automaker now provides one of the most secure driving experiences in the industry.I think we are the first company now that who have introduced six air packing, (in) more than 140 variants. Its a, I think, mammoth job, which we have done," he asserted.On the current weak market dynamics, Banerjee noted that while sales during the first four months of the financial year 2025-26 remain largely flat, the ongoing monsoon is expected to spur a recovery.He expressed optimism that the festive season, traditionally a strong driver for auto sales in India, would catalyze renewed customer interest and uplift sales figures.The market is more or less flat, but we are seeing a good monsoon, and it is expected in the festival season, the sale should pick up," Banerjee added. (ANI)

First Published: August 10, 2025, 12:15 IST

News agency-feeds Maruti Suzuki unveils Phantom Blaq Grand Vitara celebrating 10 years of NEXA

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...
Sebastian Stan to star in Radu Judes project, see details

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 23:30 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Los Angeles [US], August 10 (ANI): Hollywood star Sebastian Stan is all set to star in Romanian auteur Radu Judes new project. As per The Hollywood Reporter, the film is about a popular character from another iconic horror novel  Frankenstein. Im writing a film now. Its a Frankenstein film in Romania. Frankenstein in Romania, its going to be called," Jude told the out. Stan and the iconoclast previously discussed their interest in a collaboration, but Jude didnt immediately have an idea. Then he pitched the star, who was born in Romania before moving to the U.S. with his mother, his idea for the Frankenstein film, which Stan liked, according to Jude.The auteur tells The Hollywood Reporter that he envisions Stan playing both roles," that of Victor Frankenstein and his monster.The story is understood to combine the real-life existence of a secret CIA prison in Romania in the past with the legend of the Frankenstein monster. (ANI)

First Published: August 10, 2025, 23:30 IST

News agency-feeds Sebastian Stan to star in Radu Judes project, see 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...
Trump signals support for Netanyahus Gaza takeover amid global criticism

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 11:45 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Washington [US], August 10 (ANI): US President Donald Trump has signalled tacit approval for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus plan to take over the Gaza Strip, framing it as an Israeli decision amid growing international criticism, The Hill reported.While committing the US to lead humanitarian aid efforts amid Gazas dire crisis, Trump refrained from opposing Israels military expansion in the region. As far as the rest of it, I really cant say. Thats going to be pretty much up to Israel," he said earlier this week, The Hill added.Netanyahus move, approved by Israels security Cabinet, has deepened divisions domestically and isolated Israel from European, Arab, and Gulf allies. Germany announced a halt on military exports to Israel for use in Gaza, following similar stances by France, Canada, and the UK, which has called an emergency UN Security Council meeting, The Hill reported.US Vice President Vance, meeting British Foreign Minister David Lammy, acknowledged differences in approach but noted shared objectives. Theres a lot of common objectives here. There is some, I think, disagreement about how exactly to accomplish those common objectives," he said.Netanyahu dismissed international criticism, stating, We are not going to occupy Gaza  we are going to free Gaza from Hamas." He vowed to establish a peaceful civilian administration independent of Hamas or the Palestinian Authority to secure hostages release and prevent future threats.Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir warned the Cabinet the occupation could endanger hostages and entrap the military but committed to executing the plan in the best possible way."The Israeli public remains divided, with many doubting the operation will end Hamass rule or secure hostages. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the Cabinets decision a total disaster."In Washington, bipartisan support for Israel persists, but Netanyahus war strategy and the humanitarian toll have eroded some public opinion, with voices like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene calling the conflict a genocide." Sen. Bernie Sanders gained increased support for blocking arms sales to Israel.Saudi Arabia condemned Netanyahus Gaza takeover plan, denouncing the crimes of starvation, brutal practices, and ethnic cleansing" against Palestinians.Mediators from Egypt and Qatar, collaborating with the US, are reportedly drafting a ceasefire framework involving the release of hostages in exchange for ending the war and Israeli withdrawal, The Associated Press reported.Will Todman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies warned of the risks of a prolonged Israeli occupation without a clear exit plan, saying, Unless the United States changes its stance, I think ultimately, Israel will continue with this plan." (ANI)

First Published: August 10, 2025, 11:45 IST

News agency-feeds Trump signals support for Netanyahus Gaza takeover amid global criticism

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...
Aaj Ka Panchang, August 10, 2025: Tithi, Vrat, Shubh Muhurat & Rahu Kaal Today

Written By :

GaneshaGrace

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 05:00 IST

Aaj Ka Panchang, August 10, 2025: With Moon in Aquarius and Shatabhisha Nakshatra, it's a perfect day for reflection, networking, and mental clarity.

Aaj Ka Panchang, August 10, 2025: Today is a good day for any kind of intellectual work, book study, policy making, or social work during this time of the rainy season. (AI generated image)

Aaj Ka Panchang, August 10, 2025: Today begins on the second day of Krishna Paksha, which is considered favorable for relaxation, introspection, and planning. The Moon is in Aquarius, which inspires intellect, innovation, and human service. Todays Nakshatra Shatabhisha symbolizes mysticism and healing power, so this day is good for those works in which you are involved in research, psychological analysis, or spiritual development.

Also, Yoga Shobhan, which will last till 12:03 am, is auspicious and brings beauty, joy, and positivity in life.

Recommended Stories

This day can be considered good for any kind of intellectual work, book study, policy making, or social work during this time of the rainy season. The position of the Moon strengthens friendship, networking, and teamwork, due to which collective efforts can be successful today.

Today is especially beneficial for increasing mental clarity and inner awareness. With the Moon in Aquarius, your thinking can become broad and forward-looking, due to which thinking about any long-term plan will be successful.

Shatabhisha Nakshatra represents remedies and solutions, so if you are confused, you may find a solution today. Shobhan Yoga will add shine to your work and boost creativity. Efforts made during Abhijeet Muhurta may yield quick results.

August 10, 2025, can be considered ideal for introspection, review of plans, intellectual discussions, digital projects, or networking. Whatever you focus on today will determine the direction. So keep your mind and thoughts positive todaysuccess will kiss your feet.

Aaj Ka Panchang, August 10, 2025

Tithi: Krishna Dwitiya

Nakshatra: Shatbhisha

Karana: Taitil

Paksha: Krishna-Paksha

Yoga: Shobhan till 12:03:08 AM

Day: Sunday

Sun & Moon Calculations

Sun Rise: 06:15:38 AM

Sun Set: 07:16:24 PM

Moon Rise: 08:10:08 PM

Moon Set: 06:59:51 AM

Moon Sign: Aquarius

Ritu: Varsha

Hindu Month & Year

Shaka Samvat: 1947

Vikram Samvat: 2082

Month Amanta: Shraavan

Month Purnimanta: Shraavan

Inauspicious Timings (Ashubh Muhurat)

Rahu Kaal: 05:38:49 PM to 07:16:24 PM

Yamaganda: 12:46:01 PM to 02:23:37 PM

Gulika Kaal: 04:01:13 PM to 05:38:49 PM

Auspicious Timings (Shubh Muhurat)

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Abhijit: 12:20:00 PM to 01:12:00 PM

(The author Chirag Daruwalla is the son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla).

About the Author Chirag Daruwalla Chirag Daruwalla, a renowned Indian astrologer with 18+ years of experience, provides expert guidance in career, health, finance, business, and more. He combines Vedic and Western astrology, I-Ching, Tarot, Num... Read More Chirag Daruwalla, a renowned Indian astrologer with 18+ years of experience, provides expert guidance in career, health, finance, business, and more. He combines Vedic and Western astrology, I-Ching, Tarot, Num... Read More

First Published: August 10, 2025, 05:00 IST

News astrology Aaj Ka Panchang, August 10, 2025: Tithi, Vrat, Shubh Muhurat & Rahu Kaal Today

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...
Bengaluru Metro: How Yellow Line Launch Passed Through Credit War, Camaraderie & Jibes

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 15:41 IST

While PM Modi launched the Yellow Line and flagged off first driverless train from Ragigudda  after inaugurating 3 Vande Bharat trains  the political theatre just got interesting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the flag-off ceremony of the Yellow Line of Namma Metro, in Bengaluru. Union Minister Manohar Lal, Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also seen. (DPR PMO via PTI)

The much-anticipated visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to flag off Bengaluru Metros Yellow Line turned into a showcase of unity in development" optics, even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress remain locked in intense political rivalry.

While PM Modi officially launched the Yellow Line and flagged off the first driverless train from Ragigudda metro station  after inaugurating three Vande Bharat trains at KSR Bengaluru station  the political theatre just got interesting.

Recommended Stories

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was front and centre, taking charge of explaining the metro projects details, especially the Yellow Line and other upcoming expansion works, while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah watched his deputy lead the conversation.

After the inaugural flag-off, Shivakumar escorted the Prime Minister to Ragigudda metro station. Modi arrived there directly from KSR Bengaluru railway station, having travelled by road after the Vande Bharat launch. At Ragigudda, the PM was given a guided tour of the station. With its launch, the Bengaluru Metro network now spans 96.1 km  the second-longest in India after Delhi Metro.

Shivakumar, who also holds the portfolio of Bengaluru Urban Development Minister apart from being the States Deputy Chief Minister, briefed PM Modi on the Yellow Lines design, route, and features, and also showed him a model of the railway stations on the Yellow Line.

Built over eight years at a cost of Rs 7,610 crore, the 19.15-km fully elevated corridor connects RV Road to Bommasandra via Silk Board Junction and Electronics City. This brings metro connectivity to southern and southeastern Bengaluru and is expected to significantly ease the notorious Silk Board traffic, which has often been highlighted when speaking about Bengalurus traffic woes.

PM Modi in his address said that with this Yellow line launch 25 lakh passengers will use the metro services each day.

Inside the station, Modi purchased his ticket to Electronics City by scanning a QR code and paying through UPI  a move that played straight into his digital economy narrative.

Once onboard the Yellow Line train, Modi was flanked by Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah on each side as the Deputy CM continued his explanations about the route.

Connectivity projects being launched in Bengaluru today will make travel smoother, faster and more convenient, while also boosting economic growth. https://t.co/UQgtiBfwqA Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 10, 2025

Siddarmaiah, DK Shivakumar side by side

The Yellow Line inauguration also produced a rare visual  Shivakumar and Kumaraswamy, arch-political rivals, sitting side by side. It was a sight few could miss. Also accompanying them was young parliamentarian, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, whom Shivakumar jibed at, referring to him as the boy in a hurry" when it came to the metro project inauguration that Surya has been pushing for.

Though the event was officially a central government programme, the Congress-led Karnataka government used the platform to highlight Bengalurus crucial role in powering Indias economy  and to remind the BJP-led Centre that funding and support for development projects in the state cannot be ignored.

It was here that CM Siddaramaiah took the stage to drive home his message to the PM: It is very important to say that it is a joint programme of the Central and State Governments. The State Government has already completed 96.10 km of metro work and spent Rs 20,387 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is here for three programmes  the inauguration of the Metro Yellow Line, the laying of the foundation stone for Metro Phase 3, and the launch of One India Three Trains. You all know that the Bengaluru Metro began in 2005, during the tenure of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. It has always been a joint project between the Centre and the State  supposedly 50-50  but the State Government is spending more."

Today marks a proud moment as we launch Namma Bengalurus Namma Metro  set to transform daily mobility for over 8 lakh passengers.The green flag was waved by PM Shri @narendramodi signalling a new era of connectivity for our city. Sharing powerful visuals from this historic pic.twitter.com/pB3OEIGjFE  DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) August 10, 2025

The yellow line operations

Operations on the Yellow Line will begin at 5 am on August 11, with trains running every 25 minutes. A highlight of the line is the Jayadeva Hospital station, now the tallest in South India. This multi-tier interchange will link the Yellow and Pink Lines, providing a crucial hub for the citys growing metro network and also service the IT capitals largest technology hub  Electronics City.

While laying the foundation stone for the third phase of the metro project, PM Modi pointed out that India has become the worlds third-largest metro network.

In four major cities we have 1,000 km of metro network. Before 2014, 20,000 km of rail network was electrified; in the last ten years 14,000 km has been electrified," he said.

Similarly, the PM referred to development in education, opening of medical colleges, and other works.

I welcome Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Karnataka for the inauguration of Yellow Line Metro.As BJP desperately tries to shift the focus from #VoteChori to #CreditChori by hijacking the credit for the Yellow Line phase 2, lets set the record straight. The pic.twitter.com/YZWEBOQE9X  Priyank Kharge /   (@PriyankKharge) August 10, 2025

Shivakumars pitch for Bengaluru

Taking the camaraderie with Prime Minister Narendra Modi a step further, Shivakumar compared tax allocations, saying Ahmedabad received a 20% share while Bengaluru got only 10%. We should be treated like other major cities and considered alongside the national capital and treated just like the national capital," he said, stressing that his appeal was non-political.

Shivakumar also had a pitch for Bengaluru. He said that the city should be considered to become the national capital. Shivakumar has his reasons, and this is what he said:

Bengalurus superior infrastructure, the speedy work on development projects, the fact that Bengalurus roads are better than Delhis, and the citys higher tax contributions and larger investment in projects like the Metro and flyovers. He urged the Prime Minister to consider declaring Bengaluru as the national capital.

The Deputy Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to sanction at least Rs 1 lakh crore for Bengalurus development. He said the State Government had borne the entire cost of land acquisition for the project, despite the Centre being expected to contribute 50%. Even though Bengaluru is the countrys second-highest tax-paying city, the grants we receive are minimal," he said.

One cannot, however, also miss the fact that Shivakumar himself had taken a ride on the Yellow Line just days before the PMs visit, which the BJP alleged was a way to try to steal credit for the work that the BJP at the Centre had done.

Flagged off the Vande Bharat train from Bengaluru to Belagavi along with PM @narendramodi at the Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station in Bengaluru.Also virtually flagged off the Vande Bharat Express trains from Amritsar to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, and from Nagpur pic.twitter.com/VXqylD02K5  Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) August 10, 2025

Credit chori, says Priyank Kharge

Amid this clamour, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge called the PMs visit another attempt at credit chori." Kharge said the delays for the projects and the launch were due to the shortage of adequate funding from the Centre, and now, with everything in place, the BJP is attempting to hijack the credit, he alleged.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

I welcome Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Karnataka for the inauguration of the Yellow Line Metro. As BJP desperately tries to shift the focus from #VoteChori to #CreditChori by hijacking the credit for the Yellow Line Phase 2, lets set the record straight," Kharge said.

Tejasvi Surya took a swipe at this and said that the Congress took credit for the IPL win as well, and in the process 11 lives were lost. They want to take credit for things they have not done," the MP said.

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 10, 2025, 15:40 IST

News bengaluru-news Bengaluru Metro: How Yellow Line Launch Passed Through Credit War, Camaraderie & Jibes

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...
Maharashtra Woman Dies In Ambulance Caught In Massive NH-48 Traffic Jam: 'Screamed In Pain'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 11, 2025, 10:19 IST

Chhaya Purav suffered a serious injury and was referred to a Mumbai hospital. However, the ambulance got stuck in a traffic jam on NH-48, after which she succumbed to her injuries.

Mumbai traffic. (Representative Image/PTI)

A woman died in an ambulance while on her way to a Mumbai hospital after a critical injury, as the vehicle was stuck in a massive traffic jam on National Highway-48. The woman, identified as Chhaya Purav, had suffered a critical injury in Maharashtras Palghar district.

On July 31, Purav was injured when a tree branch fell on her near her residence in Palghars Madhukar Nagar, suffering injuries to her ribs, shoulders and head. A local hospital referred her to the Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai, which is around 100 km from Palghar, reported NDTV.

Recommended Stories

The woman was administered anaesthesia, and her husband was seated next to her as the ambulance began its journey to Mumbai at around 3 pm. However, it got stuck in a massive traffic jam on NH-48.

The journey from Palghar to Mumbai usually takes 2.5 hours. However, due to the traffic jam, the ambulance only managed to cover half of the distance in three hours. Meanwhile, the anaesthesias effect began to weaken, and Purav began to experience excruciating pain.

The road was full of potholes and that put her in so much pain. She was screaming in pain and crying. She begged to take her to a hospital at the earliest. But we were stuck, vehicles were driven from the wrong side, making the traffic jam worse," Puravs shocked husband, Kaushik, told NDTV.

At around 7 pm, the ambulance drove into the Orbit Hospital in Mira Road, about 30 km away from the Hinduja hospital so that Purav could get immediate attention, but it was too late at this point as doctors declared her dead.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The doctors told Kaushik that Purav could have been saved if she reached the hospital just 30 minutes earlier. I saw her suffering in unbearable pain for four hours," he said, highlighting the traffic crisis that has plagued Mumbai for years.

Mumbaikars on a daily basis face traffic congestion, due to poorly maintained roads, ongoing construction projects, lack of parking space and unregulated driving behaviour.

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 10, 2025, 20:58 IST

News mumbai-news Maharashtra Woman Dies In Ambulance Caught In Massive NH-48 Traffic Jam: 'Screamed In Pain'

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 Traffic Diversions Near Siddhivinayak Temple Today: Can You Take Metro3? Is There Dress Code?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 12, 2025, 11:30 IST

Siddhivinayak August 12 Rush: Are there special arrangements to travel to Mumbai temple on Angarki Chaturthi? What are darshan timings? Can you carry laptop? Can you take Metro-3?

The Shree Siddhivinayak Temple sees thousands of visitors daily. (File/PTI)

From Mumbai traffic diversions to special arrangements, the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbais Prabhadevi is set to welcome lakhs of devotees on Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi on August 12.

Sankashti Chaturthi is a monthly observance in the Hindu lunar calendar, falling on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the waning phase of the moon (Krishna Paksha). It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and prosperity. In Hindu astrology, Tuesday is associated with the planet Mars, also known as Angaraka. Tuesday is also a day traditionally dedicated to Lord Ganesha. When Sankashti Chaturthi coincides with a Tuesday, it is known as Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi. This confluence of Sankashti and Tuesday is considered highly auspicious. It is believed that observing a fast and performing puja (worship) on this day can bring blessings, fulfill desires, and remove obstacles from ones life.

Recommended Stories

      //Ganapati Bappa Moraya  Mangalmurti Moraya 10/08/2025 pic.twitter.com/2GkyoeQqgq Shri Siddhivinayak Temple (@SVTMumbai) August 9, 2025

What are Mumbai traffic diversions around Siddhivinayak on August 12?

The traffic restrictions will be in place on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, from 6 am to midnight, according to a Mid-Day report.

Traffic movement on the following roads will be affected:

S Veer Savarkar Road (SVS Road)

SK Bole Road

Gokhale Road (South and North)

Kakasaheb Gadgil Marg

Sayani Road

Appasaheb Marathe Marg

Which roads will be closed and restricted for traffic on August 12?

SK Bole Road: No entry for any vehicle from Gokhale Road and Agar Bazar junction.

Datta Raul Road and NM Kale Road: No vehicle entry from Gokhale Road.

SVS Road (from Siddhivinayak Temple Junction to SK Bole Road): Fully closed to all vehicles.

Right turn from Leningrad Chowk on Sayani Road to Shankar Ghanekar Marg will be closed.

Left turn from Ravindra Natya Mandir will also be closed.

What are the Siddhivinayak darshan timings on August 12?

Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi will start at 9.17 pm on August 12. The days darshan will start at 1.30 am and finish at 3.15 am, and resume between 3.30 am and 9.00 pm. The final phase of darshan will start at 9.30 pm and end at 11.50 pm, the Free Press Journal reported.

What are the arrangements for darshan?

Sada Sarvankar, chairperson of the shrine trust, said that five to six lakh devotees could visit the temple on Tuesday.

The temple will arrange for ambulances, water dispensers, and extra security. The municipal corporation will arrange sanitation facilities. A free-to-use footwear stand will be available in the pavilions.

Pavilions will be set up for separate queues for men, women, and senior citizens.

There will also be a separate queue for sanctum darshan and viewing from the gallery. Arrangements for remote viewing of the deity will be made at the temple entrance number one on S K Bole Marg. Plasma TVs will be fitted in the pavilions for a live telecast of the pooja.

The temple will provide free tea to all devotees, courtesy of a tea company.

Heres an exclusive glimpse of #???????????????????????????????????????????????????? metro station built near one of #Mumbais most revered temples, where devotion meets engineering. Navigating tight spaces and constant crowds, the station was constructed with extra care and coordination. Today, it brings pic.twitter.com/y1wedtYOXV MumbaiMetro3 (@MumbaiMetro3) April 14, 2025

How to travel to Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi?

Metro-3: Use Siddhivinayak temple station on Metro line 3 to travel to and from the temple.

By train: A free bus service will take devotees from Dadar station to Ravindra Natya Mandir, the beginning point of the queues, and back.

Can you carry laptops and cameras to Siddhivinayak on August 12?

Do not bring laptops and cameras as no arrangements will be made to deposit gadgets.

Does Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai have a dress code?

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai has implemented a dress code, requiring devotees to wear decent and body-covering clothes". This means short skirts, revealing clothing, and clothing with cuts or tears are not permitted. The temple trust encourages the use of decent Indian attire".

With Agency Inputs

About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More

First Published: August 10, 2025, 13:52 IST

News cities  mumbai-news Mumbai Traffic Diversions Near Siddhivinayak Temple Today: Can You Take Metro3? Is There Dress Code?

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's Severed Head, Chopped Up Body Found In Plastic Bags In Karnataka; Probe Underway

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 08:48 IST

Tumakuru Superintendent of Police, Ashok KV, made special teams to search Kolala village near Koratagere.

A representative photo of a crime scene (PTI)

In a horrific incident, the police found the severed head and dismembered body of a woman stuffed in several plastic bags along the road at Kolala village in Koratagere. While the officials are yet to identify the body of the victim, the incident came to light on August 7 when the passersby found seven more plastic bags with the womans body parts stuffed in them.

Recommended Stories

When officials reached the spot on receiving the information, they found seven more plastic bags stuffed with body parts and the head on August 8. An official involved in the investigation said they are close to identifying the woman with the help of the recovered head.

But we are yet to confirm the identity," said the official to PTI.

Tumakuru Superintendent of Police, Ashok KV, made special teams to search Kolala village near Koratagerethe area where body parts were foundas well as surrounding villages.

According to the officials, the accused more likely came in a car and disposed of the plastic bags, and the officials believe that the plastic bags are dumped all along the road connecting Chimpuganhalli and Venkatapura villages.

However, the official also mentioned that the woman was more likely killed somewhere else.

Heavy rainfall in the area on Saturday hampered the search for additional body parts.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

(With inputs from PTI)

About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her... Read More Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her... Read More

Location : Karnataka, India, India

First Published: August 10, 2025, 08:46 IST

News cities Woman's Severed Head, Chopped Up Body Found In Plastic Bags In Karnataka; Probe Underway

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...
'Provide Documents': EC Asks Rahul Gandhi For 'Poll Data' He Cited In Voter Theft Allegations

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 17:41 IST

The Karnataka chief electoral officer said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi had cited Election Commission records to show that a voter, identified as Shakun Rani, had cast her vote twice

Congress leader and LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi with Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar during the party's 'Vote Adhikar Rally', at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on August 8. (Image: PTI/Shailendra Bhojak)

A day after the EC asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to either give a declaration or apologise for his voter theft allegations, Karnatakas chief electoral officer on Sunday asked him to provide documents so that it can conduct a detailed" probe into the matter.

The Karnataka chief electoral officer (CEO) said Gandhi had cited Election Commission (EC) records to show that a voter, identified as Shakun Rani, had cast her vote twice. The state poll panel, however, said this is not the case as per its preliminary inquiry and the document used by him had not been issued by a polling officer.

Recommended Stories

In your ibid Press Conference, you have stated that the documents shown in your presentation are from the records of the Election Commission of India. You have said: This is EC data," the Karnataka CEO wrote in its letter dated August 10, addressed to Gandhi.

You have also stated that as per the records given by the polling officer, Smt. Shakun Rani has voted twice. You have said: Es ID card per do baar vote lagahai, wo jo tick hai, polling booth ke officer kihai," the letter said.

In the letter, the CEO said Shakun Rani has negated his allegation and stated that she has voted only once. As per preliminary enquiry conducted by this office", it has been revealed that the document used by him was not issued by a polling officer.

On inquiry, Smt. Shakun Rani has stated that she has voted only once and not twice, as alleged by you. Preliminary enquiry conducted by this office also reveals that the tick marked document shown by you in the presentation (copy enclosed) is not a document issued by the polling officer," the letter said.

It further said on the basis of this, the Congress leader should provide the documents in his possession so that the poll body can conduct a detailed inquiry" into his allegations.

Therefore, you are kindly requested to provide the relevant documents on the basis of which you have concluded that Smt. Shakun Rani or anyone else has voted twice, so that a detailed inquiry can be undertaken by this office," it added.

OUR DEMAND FROM EC CLEAR

Gandhi, meanwhile, doubled down on his vote theft allegations and noted that a clean" voter roll is imperative for free and fair elections. He linked his stand to a fight to protect" democracy.

Vote Chori is an attack on the foundational idea of one man, one vote. A clean voter roll is imperative for free and fair elections. Our demand from the EC is clear  be transparent and release digital voter rolls so that people and parties can audit them. This fight is to protect our democracy," Gandhi posted on X.

Vote Chori is an attack on the foundational idea of 'one man, one vote'. A clean voter roll is imperative for free and fair elections. Our demand from the EC is clear  be transparent and release digital voter rolls so that people and parties can audit them. Join us and https://t.co/4V9pOpGP68 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 10, 2025

The Congress said it will hold a meeting of its general secretaries, incharges, and frontal organisation heads on Monday (August 11) to discuss a nationwide campaign against voter list manipulation and election fraud".

On August 7, Gandhi held a press conference citing internal analysis. He said the Congress expected to win 16 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka but ended up with only nine. He said the party probed the seven unexpected losses, zeroing in on Mahadevapura, where he alleged vote theft of 1,00,250 votes.

Our internal polling told us we would win 16 seats in Karnataka; we won nine. We then focused on seven unexpected losses. We focused on Mahadevapura All data is 2024 data from the Election Commission; the total votes polled in the Lok Sabha were 6.26 lakh. The BJP won with 6,58,915, securing a margin of 32,707. But then we look at Mahadevapura, where Congress polls 1,15,586 and BJP polls 2,29,632. The Congress wins all vidhan sabhas but this one," he said.

The Election Commission of India has again asked him to either give a declaration on his allegations regarding the voter lists. Rahul Gandhi should either give a Declaration as per rules or apologise to the country for his false allegations," it said.

The Congress-led Karnataka government, however, has said there is no need for Gandhi to provide the relevant documents. It said the state Congress unit will file a complaint with the State Election Commission on the matter.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara said: Since there are allegations of vote rigging in our state constituency, we will file a complaint in the state on behalf of the KPCC. Rahul Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, will file a complaint with the Central Election Commissionthe Election Commission has asked Rahul Gandhi to provide documents regarding the allegations. It can say whatever it wants, but we will provide them according to the rules of the commission. There is no need for Rahul Gandhi to provide documents. Since he is in our state, the KPCC president will provide them. There is a difference in the voter list, which means the commission should accept it"

(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 10, 2025, 17:41 IST

News elections 'Provide Documents': EC Asks Rahul Gandhi For 'Poll Data' He Cited In Voter Theft Allegations

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...
Andhra College Fresher Ragged, Given Electric Shocks By Seniors; Probe Launched

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 12:47 IST

The incident, captured in a video now circulating online, reportedly occurred at Dachepalli Government Junior College.

Cops launched a probe into the case | Image: X

A case of ragging emerged from Andhra Pradeshs Palnadu district, where a first-year intermediate student at a government college was allegedly assaulted and subjected to electric shocks by a group of seniors.

The incident, captured in a video now circulating online, reportedly occurred at Dachepalli Government Junior College.

Recommended Stories

Sources said the victim was taken to a hostel, beaten, and given electric shocks by the accused, all second-year students and minors, reported NDTV.

The attackers also filmed the act and allegedly threatened to kill the victim, with one outsider reportedly involved in the assault.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The victims parents have lodged a police complaint, prompting an investigation.

Several student groups have staged protests demanding action, while the college has yet to issue an official statement.

Location : Andhra Pradesh, India, India

First Published: August 10, 2025, 12:47 IST

News india Andhra College Fresher Ragged, Given Electric Shocks By Seniors; Probe Launched

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...
Armed Bangladeshi Gang Assaults Meghalaya Villager, Caught After Midnight Hunt

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 07:56 IST

Police said a gang of eight to nine armed men slipped into Indian territory under cover of darkness, armed with knives and at least one firearm

Four Bangladeshi nationals arrested after cross border assault in Meghalaya | Image: X

The Border Security Force (BSF) and Meghalaya Police captured four armed Bangladeshi nationals who allegedly crossed into Indian territory, stabbed a villager, and attempted to drag him across the border before an escape and midnight manhunt that led to their arrest.

The brazen attack unfolded on Friday night in Rongdongai village, South West Khasi Hills, just a few hundred metres from the Bangladesh border.

Recommended Stories

Police said a gang of eight to nine armed men slipped into Indian territory under cover of darkness, armed with knives and at least one firearm, reported NDTV.

Their target was Balsrang A Marak, a shopkeeper who operates near the frontier.

According to police, the gang stormed into his shop while he was asleep, handcuffed him, and began marching him toward the border.

They would have slit my throat," Marak later told police, recounting how he managed to break free and sprint into a nearby home as the gang fired shots at him in the dark.

BSF Inspector General OP Upadhyay described the assault as brazen," saying, We have arrested four of them and will arrest all of them. Combing operations are on with BSF, police, and local residents working together."

The captured suspects, Mefus Rehman, 35; Jangir Alom, 25; Meruphur Rahman, 32; and Saem Hussain, 30, were apprehended after a high-speed foot chase through forested terrain.

Three were cornered by BSF and police after warning shots were fired, while villagers nabbed the fourth.

Before being caught, the intruders dumped their weapons, Bangladeshi currency, walkie-talkies, chargers, and even an identity card belonging to a Bangladesh police officer, raising suspicions of links to rogue law enforcement elements across the border.

Authorities say the rest of the gang remains at large.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

This season has seen a surge in cattle smuggling, with criminals also making illegal incursions to loot natural resources like sand and stone. Large stretches of the riverine border are difficult to patrol, and miscreants are exploiting that terrain," Upadhyay warned.

Security forces have intensified vigilance along the Indo-Bangladesh frontier, deploying specialised teams and advanced surveillance to intercept future incursions.

Location : Meghalaya, India, India

First Published: August 10, 2025, 07:56 IST

News india Armed Bangladeshi Gang Assaults Meghalaya Villager, Caught After Midnight Hunt

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...
Army Chief Mocks Islamabads Victory Claim After Op Sindoor: 'If You Ask A Pakistani...'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 07:36 IST

He referred to narrative building in the aftermath of the four-day conflict, noting Islamabad's move to promote its Army Chief Asim Munir to Field Marshal rank despite setback

Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi (Image: PTI)

Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday took a sharp swipe at Pakistan over its claim of victory during clashes with India after Operation Sindoors launch on May 7.

Dwivedi referred to narrative building in the aftermath of the four-day conflict, noting Islamabads move to promote its Army Chief Asim Munir to a five-star general and field marshal despite setbacks in the military conflict with India.

Recommended Stories

If you ask a Pakistani whether you lost or won, hed say, My chief has become a field marshal. We must have won, thats why hes become a field marshal,'" Dwivedi said while speaking at an event held in IIT Madras.

#WATCH | During an address at IIT Madras, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi says, If you ask a Pakistani whether you lost or won, hed say my chief has become a field marshal. We must have won only, thats why hes become a field marshal" (09.08)(Source: pic.twitter.com/G81nCSY9dh  ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2025

Dwivedi also praised the Centre for giving the armed forces a free hand" to carry out Operation Sindoor.

What happened on 22 April in Pahalgam shocked the nation. On the 23rd, the next day itself, we all sat down. This is the first time that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, Enough is enough."

All three chiefs were very clear that something had to be done. The free hand was given  you decide what is to be done. That is the kind of confidence, political direction, and political clarity we saw for the first time," Dwivedi said.

He added, That is what raises your morale. That is how it helped our army commanders-in-chief to be on the ground and act as per their wisdom."

Earlier, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh also credited the missions success to the political will" of the central government, noting that the armed forces operated without any outside constraints.

A key reason for success was the presence of political will. There was very clear political will and very clear directions given to us. No restrictions were put on us If there were any constraints, they were self-made. The forces decided what the rules of engagement would be. We decided how we wanted to control the escalation. We had full freedom to plan and execute," Singh said at an event in Bengaluru.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

Indian forces struck terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, killing more than 100 militants linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

In response to Indias strike on terror hubs, Pakistan responded with cross-border shelling, drone attack attempts, and air defence action.

In retaliation, Indias counterstrikes damaged Islamabads radar systems, communication nodes, and airfields across 11 key bases, including the Nur Khan air base.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

About the Author Ronit Singh Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More

Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India

First Published: August 10, 2025, 07:14 IST

News india Army Chief Mocks Islamabads Victory Claim After Op Sindoor: 'If You Ask A Pakistani...'

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...
BJP Blasts Rahul Gandhi After IAF Chief's 'Full Freedom' Remark: 'Silence In Pakistan And...'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 11:01 IST

During a recent discussion in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government tied the hands of IAF pilots by instructing them not to strike Pakistani air defence systems

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi | File Image

After Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh publicly credited the political leadership for giving full freedom" to forces during Operation Sindoor, the BJP launched a sharp offensive against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who accused the Centre of tying the hands" of jawans.

The Air Force Chief credited the Centres political will" for the success of Operation Sindoor, an offensive launched to avenge the killing of 26 civilians in the April Pahalgam terror attack.

Recommended Stories

However, during a recent special discussion in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi had alleged that the government had tied the hands" of IAF pilots by instructing them not to strike Pakistani air defence systems.

You told our pilots to go and attack and face the air defence system of Pakistan. Meaning, you tied their hands behind their back," he had said.

Contradicting this claim, Air Chief Marshal Singh stated on Friday that the operation had been conducted without any limitations or restrictions.

There was very clear political will, very clear directions, which were given to us. And there were no kind of restrictions which were put on us," he said, adding that six Pakistani aircraft were shot down in the action.

Addressing speculation about operational constraints, Singh said: If there were any constraints, they were self-made. We, the forces, decided what our rules of engagement will be I want to make it very clear, there were no, I repeat, no restrictions on us. Full freedom was given to us to plan and execute."

I request Rahul Gandhi ji to maintain the decorum of Indias Parliament. Why do you keep lying all the time?I have witnessed many Leaders of Opposition who had maintained Parliamentary standards. You have not only lowered your stature but damaged Indias high reputation! pic.twitter.com/TwVQEnKX9q Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 9, 2025

Silence In Pak And Congress

Air Force Chiefs remarks triggered a political backlash from the BJP, with the partys IT cell chief Amit Malviya taking a deathly silence" swipe at Congress.

There is a deathly silence in both the Congress and Pakistan media after Air Chief Marshal AP Singh revealed details of Pakistani fighter aircraft and military installations destroyed during #OperationSindoor. The timing is surreal, coming right after Rahul Gandhi made a complete fool of himself on the floor of Parliament," Malviya posted on X.

Whatever little credibility the Leader of Opposition had is now in tatters, if he had any to begin with. The symbolism of Rakshabandhan being the chosen day is not lost on anyone."

There is a deathly silence in both the Congress and Pakistan media after Air Chief Marshal AP Singh revealed details of Pakistani fighter aircraft and military installations destroyed during #OperationSindoor.The timing is surreal. Coming right after Rahul Gandhi made a  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 9, 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Air Chief Marshals statement should put the Congress party to shame."

First, their leaders peddled lies on Indias losses whereas we now have quantifiable, detailed and irrefutable proof on the wrath inflicted upon the enemy. Second, they ran another Pak-originated disinfo campaign claiming the Modi Govt put restrictions on the operational capability of our forces. This, too, has been debunked comprehensively," he said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also slammed Rahul Gandhi, urging him to maintain the decorum of the Parliament.

Why do you keep lying all the time? I have witnessed many Leaders of Opposition who have maintained Parliamentary standards. You have not only lowered your stature but damaged Indias high reputation," he said.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The BJP leaders posted a video debunking Gandhis claim, showing the statement of the IAF chief on Operation Sindoor.

About the Author Ronit Singh Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More

First Published: August 10, 2025, 10:48 IST

News india BJP Blasts Rahul Gandhi After IAF Chief's 'Full Freedom' Remark: 'Silence In Pakistan And...'

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...
'Brought Pakistan To Its Knees': PM Modi Praises Op Sindoor, Says Whole World Saw Indias New Face

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 14:50 IST

Addressing a public event in Bengaluru, the Prime Minister said the whole world saw India's new face, pointing out New Delhi's hardline stance against terrorism.

PM Narendra Modi. (PMO)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed Operation Sindoor and the Armed Forces, saying the offensive forced Pakistan to its knees within hours of its launch.

Addressing a public event in Bengaluru, the Prime Minister said the whole world saw Indias new face, pointing out New Delhis hardline stance against terrorism.

Recommended Stories

This is the first time I have come to Bengaluru after Operation Sindoor. Operation Sindoor saw the success of the Indian forces, our ability to destroy terrorist hideouts several kilometres across the border, and our ability to bring Pakistan, which came to the rescue of terrorism, to its knees in a few hours," said PM Modi.

#WATCH | Karanataka | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, This is the first time I have come to Bengaluru after Operation Sindoor. Operation Sindoor saw the success of the Indian forces, our ability to destroy terrorist hideouts several kilometres across the border, and our pic.twitter.com/6VnEEWg8l9 ANI (@ANI) August 10, 2025

He further credited technology and the impact of Make in India in defence behind the success of Operation Sindoor. The youth of Bengaluru and Karnataka have contributed a lot to this," he added.

PM Modi was speaking at the Next-Gen Mobility for a Next-Gen City programme in Bengaluru.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

Indian forces struck terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, killing more than 100 militants linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

In response to Indias strike on terror hubs, Pakistan responded with cross-border shelling, drone attack attempts, and air defence action.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

In retaliation, Indias counterstrikes damaged Islamabads radar systems, communication nodes, and airfields across 11 key bases, including the Nur Khan air base.

First Published: August 10, 2025, 14:46 IST

News india 'Brought Pakistan To Its Knees': PM Modi Praises Op Sindoor, Says Whole World Saw Indias New Face

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 Delists 334 Unrecognised Political Parties For Failing To Comply With Norms

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 09, 2025, 15:52 IST

In a statement, the poll body said these 334 registered unrecognised political parties from different states and Union Territories failed to comply with required norms.

Election Commission of India (PTI Image)

The Election Commission on Saturday delisted 334 registered unrecognised political parties (RUPPs), which have failed to fulfil the essential condition of contesting even a single election for six years since 2019.

In a statement, the poll body said these 334 registered unrecognised political parties are from different states and Union Territories across the country. Guidelines for registration of Political Parties mention that if the party does not contest elections continuously for 6 years, the party shall be taken off the list of registered parties."

Recommended Stories

Earlier, in June 2025, ECI had directed the CEOs of States & UTs to conduct verification enquiries of 345 RUPPs regarding compliance with the above conditions. CEOs conducted enquiries, issued show-cause notices to these RUPPs and provided each party an opportunity to respond and present their case through personal hearings," it further said.

Cleaning up the Electoral System: ECI Delists 334 RUPPsRead in detail: https://t.co/qlam3VRcBX pic.twitter.com/hbZDF2fnDZ  Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) August 9, 2025

However, the Election Commission found 334 RUPPs not complying with the conditions, and their address could not be located. The Commission, after considering all the facts and recommendations of the CEOs, has delisted 334 RUPPs. Now, out of the total of 2854 RUPPs, 2520 are remaining," it said.

This delisting exercise is part of a comprehensive and continuous strategy of the Election Commission to clean up the electoral system. There are 6 National Parties and 67 State Parties in India as of now.

Since 2001, the EC has weeded out defunct RUPPs three to four" times, officials said. The Supreme Court had earlier barred the poll panel from derecognising" political parties, noting that it was not prescribed under law.

However, the EC has found a way to delist parties". Those delisted can be listed again by the poll authority without getting into the process of giving them fresh recognition, a former EC functionary pointed out.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The latest move comes ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. Parties delisted cannot field their candidates to contest elections.

(with PTI inputs)

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

First Published: August 09, 2025, 15:52 IST

News india ECI Delists 334 Unrecognised Political Parties For Failing To Comply With Norms

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...
A recovery coach for Peer Connect gives a homeless man a piece of pizza last summer outside the Springs Rescue Mission.
'Hang Him': Wife Accuses Tripura Cop Of Poisoning Daughter As He Didn't Want Second Girl

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: August 11, 2025, 02:56 IST

Police said the accused took his daughter out promising to buy her biscuits and, on their way home, forced her to drink from a bottle in which the liquid was laced with poison

Police identified the accused as Rathindra Debbarma of the Tripura State Rifles, who was stationed at the ADC Khumulwng headquarters. (Image: News18)

A three-year-old girl died after her father, a policeman from Tripura, allegedly poisoned her over being unhappy about having a second daughter. Demanding the strictest action, his wife has accused him of foul play and of mistreating both their daughters.

According to the police, the incident took place late on August 8 in North Tripuras Behala Bari area in Dharmanagar. Police identified the accused as Rathindra Debbarma of the Tripura State Rifles, who was stationed at the ADC Khumulwng headquarters. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was declared dead, the police said.

Recommended Stories

Police said Debbarma took his daughter to a shop on the evening of August 8, promising her biscuits and, on their way back, asked her to drink from a bottle he was carrying. They said the girl resisted but he forced her to consume the liquid inside the bottle, which was laced with poison. He brought her home and left and, soon, the child started vomiting, they added.

They said the mother, identified as Mitali Debbarma, suspected something was amiss and confronted her husband. She found out that he had poisoned the girl, they added.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

A few days ago, we visited my sisters house. While I was at the neighbours house with my sister, he took our daughter to get biscuits. When I returned home, I found her vomiting. We rushed her to the hospital, but the doctors directly sent her to the morgue," Mitali said.

My husband was unhappy because we dont have a son. We have two daughters, and she was the younger one. He always said a girl child is useless and often mistreated our daughters," she said. I hope the government takes stern action and hangs him."

Location : Dharmanagar, India, India

First Published: August 11, 2025, 02:56 IST

News india 'Hang Him': Wife Accuses Tripura Cop Of Poisoning Daughter As He Didn't Want Second Girl

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, Pakistan To Hold Separate Naval Firing Drills In Arabian Sea On August 11-12

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 15:35 IST

India and Pakistan will hold separate naval exercises on August 11-12 in the Arabian Sea, 60 nautical miles apart.

Indian Navy's exercise in Arabian Sea | File Image

In a significant development in the Arabian Sea, India and Pakistan are scheduled to conduct separate naval exercises on August 11-12 near each others maritime zones.

The exercises, positioned approximately 60 nautical miles from each other, underscore the heightened naval presence and strategic posturing between the two nations.

Recommended Stories

Both the naval forces have also issued separate notifications for firing exercises in the Arabian Sea next week.

According to the notification issued, the Indian Navy will conduct its maritime drills from August 11 to 12 off the coast of Porbandar and Okha in Gujarat.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

While such military drills are routine for both nations, the timing and proximity of these exercises have drawn attention amid the soaring tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad after Operation Sindoor Indias military strikes against Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent people on April 22.

The operation, targeting terror infrastructure associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, involved coordinated actions by the Army, Air Force, and Navy.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

First Published: August 10, 2025, 15:35 IST

News india India, Pakistan To Hold Separate Naval Firing Drills In Arabian Sea On August 11-12

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...
IndiGo Slapped With Rs 1.5 Lakh Fine For Providing 'Dirty, Unhygienic' Seat To Passenger

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 09:08 IST

The airlines responded to the complaint by a passenger named Pinki, and said that they assigned her a different seat.

The airlines said that they took cognisance of the issue (File Photo)

IndiGo was penalised with Rs 1.5 lakh for providing an unhygienic, dirty and stained" seat to a passenger who was travelling from Baku to New Delhi on January 2 this year. The fine was charged after the airline was found guilty by a Delhi consumer forum of deficiency of service.

The forum ordered a compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh to be paid to the customer for the discomfort, pain, and mental agony she suffered.

Recommended Stories

Pinki, the passenger, filed a complaint with the New Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, alleging that she was provided an unhygienic, dirty and stained" seat. She also alleged that her complaint regarding the issue was treated in a dismissive and insensitive manner".

However, the airlines said that they took note of the inconvenience faced by her and also provided her with a different seat, on which she willingly travelled and completed her journey to New Delhi.

Based on the evidence presented, the forum stated in an order dated July 9, released recently, We find the opposite party (IndiGo) guilty of deficiency in service."

As regards the discomfort and pain, mental agony suffered by her, we are of the view that she must be compensated. We accordingly direct the opposite party to pay Rs 1.5 lakh as compensation for mental agony, physical pain and harassment to her," the forum added.

It also asked the airlines to pay her Rs 25,000 as litigation expenses.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

In its order, the forum noted that the airline failed to provide the Situation Data Display (SDD) report, a component of its internal operational records required by standard aviation protocols.

It said, There is no reference to this report in the written statement or in the evidence filed by the opposite party. The SDD is a crucial document used for flight operation monitoring and to record passenger-related incidents. The absence of this document significantly weakens the opposite partys defence."

About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her... Read More Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her... Read More

First Published: August 10, 2025, 08:56 IST

News india IndiGo Slapped With Rs 1.5 Lakh Fine For Providing 'Dirty, Unhygienic' Seat To Passenger

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...
Interpol Link, Forged Insignia: Fake International Police Station Busted In Noida; 6 Held

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 23:09 IST

Six men in Noida were arrested for running a fake "police station" named "International Police and Crime Investigation Bureau" to extort money, using forged IDs and fake insignia.

The senior police official also said that all the six persons arrested in the raid are natives of West Bengal. (X/@noidapolice)

Less than a month after a fake embassy" was busted in Ghaziabad, another similar case came into the limelight, where six men were found operating a fake police station" in Noida to allegedly extort money from people.

The Gautam Buddh Nagar Police on Sunday arrested six men for allegedly misleading people through a bogus office in the name of the International Police and Crime Investigation Bureau," officials said, as reported by news agency PTI.

Recommended Stories

Modus Operandi

The accused men identified as Vibhash Chandra Adhikari (27), an arts graduate, Aragya Adhikari (26), a law graduate, Pintu Pal (27), Samapdal (25), Babul Chandra Mandal (27), Ashish Kumar (57)  all natives of West Bengal and were living together in the rented office premises in Sector 70 in Central Noida.

While the first four are residents of Birbhum district, Mandal and Kumar are residents of 24 Parganas and Kolkata, respectively, the police said.

According to the police, the gang had decorated the premises with police-like colours, emblems, and signage. They displayed counterfeit certificates purportedly issued by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Ministry of Ayush, and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

They used to pose as government officers and used forged IDs, fake insignia, and fabricated documents to extort money. The gang also claimed links with Interpol and the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC), and said they worked on international crimes and criminals." They also claimed to have an office in the United Kingdom.

How The Gang Was Busted?

Police said the arrests followed a tip-off about suspicious activities at an address in Noidas Sector 70. Around midnight on Sunday, a raid was carried out at the spot.

The racket was busted and six people were arrested, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Noida) Shakti Mohan Awasthy said.

In an official statement, the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police took to X and said, Six accused arrested for fraudulently extorting money from the general public by creating a fake office under the name INTERNATIONAL POLICE & CRIME INVESTIGATION BUREAU in an organized manner, misleading people, falsely posing as government officials, and using police-like colors and logos to influence them."

 -3:-    INTERNATIONAL POLICE & CRIME INVESTIGATION BUREAU                        LOGO             06   pic.twitter.com/KuPfUaC0Vh POLICE COMMISSIONERATE GAUTAM BUDDH NAGAR (@noidapolice) August 10, 2025

In a press brief, the DCP Central Noida said that the entire racket had just begun recently. They used to extort money from people by showing fake documents and logos. They also pretended as government officials to impress people," the officer added.

The arrested accused made a rent agreement on June 4 and were operating the office for the last 15 days. They also had a website  www.intlpcrib.in  and took donations. Further investigation is on," he said.

Police have seized nine mobile phones, 17 stamp seals, six cheque books, nine identity cards, a PAN card, a voter card, six ATM cards, three types of visiting cards, certificates recognised by ministries and a CPU.

Four boards of the International Police and Crime Investigation Bureau", Rs 42,300 in cash, and other documents were also seized from the possession of the accused.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

A case has been registered under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Information Technology Act and Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act at the Phase 3 police station in Central Noida.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

First Published: August 10, 2025, 23:09 IST

News india Interpol Link, Forged Insignia: Fake International Police Station Busted In Noida; 6 Held

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...
Gunfight Erupts After Army Engages Terrorists In J&K's Kishtwar; Operation Underway

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 08:37 IST

The encounter began after Army, acting on specific intelligence inputs, tracked suspected terrorists in the area and exchanged gunfire soon after making contact

Indian Army's anti-terror ops in J&K's Kishtwar underway | Image: File

Indian Army troops established contact with terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in the Dul area of Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir during the early hours of Sunday, the Armys White Knight Corps said.

The encounter began after the Army, acting on specific intelligence inputs, tracked suspected terrorists in the area and exchanged gunfire soon after making contact.

Recommended Stories

Security sources said that two to three Pakistani terrorists are suspected to be holed up in the Dul area of Kishtwar, where a fierce exchange of fire is currently underway.

The Army has cordoned off the area, and the operation is currently underway. Further details on the number of terrorists and casualties, if any, are awaited.

Kishtwar, in Jammu and Kashmir, has seen heightened counterterrorism activity in recent months, with security forces intensifying operations to neutralise militant presence in remote and mountainous terrain.

Op Akhal

The clash comes even as forces continue Operation Akhal in South Kashmirs Kulgam district, now one of the Valleys longest-running anti-terror offensives.

The operation, launched on August 1 following specific intelligence about terrorist movement in a forested belt, has so far claimed the lives of two terrorists.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

In the past 10 days, two Army personnel  Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh  have been killed, while 10 others have been injured, including two in Fridays overnight gunfight.

Two terrorists have been confirmed dead, but at least two to three remain cornered in the dense forest. Elite PARA units are engaged in flushing them out, with drones and attack helicopters deployed to prevent their escape.

Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India

First Published: August 10, 2025, 08:27 IST

News india Gunfight Erupts After Army Engages Terrorists In J&K's Kishtwar; Operation Underway

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...
Poll Body Sends Notice To Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Sinha Over Allegations Of 2 Voter IDs

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 21:40 IST

The poll body's notice came hours after Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav leveled allegations against Sinha of holding two different voter IDs.

Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha. (File)

The Patna District Administration on Sunday issued a notice to Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha over allegations of holding two different EPICs (Electors Photo Identity Card).

It has been found that your name is mentioned in the draft electoral list published during Special Intensive Revision, 2025 at polling station no. 405, voter list serial no. 757 EPIC No.  AFS0853341 of 182 Bankipur Assembly Constituency and in 168 Lakhisarai Assembly Constituency, Lakhisarai, EPIC No.  IAF3939337," the notice issued by Bankipurs Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) stated.

Recommended Stories

The BJP leader has been asked to submit his response by 5 pm on Sunday, 14 August.

Tejashwi Yadavs Allegations

The poll bodys notice came hours after Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav leveled allegations against Sinha of holding two different voter IDs.

He posted details of the alleged entries on X, including two different EPIC numbers  IAF3939337 for Lakhisarai and AFS0853341 for Bankipur.

The former Deputy CM also pointed to discrepancies in the age recorded in the two voter IDs.

His age is also different in both places  57 years in one, 60 years in the other. Is this not outright fraud and an age-related falsification? He has submitted two separate enumeration forms in the two different constituencies. Both forms bear his signatures, indicating that he knowingly got himself registered in two separate places," he said.

Alleging an age scam" and voter list scam", Yadav asked why the ECI was silent, and when action would be taken against the BJP leader. He also demanded that an FIR be filed against the Deputy CM.

Vijay Sinhas Response

Sinha categorically rejected Yadavs allegation that he holds two voter IDs in different constituencies, calling it a deliberate attempt to mislead people.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Sinha said his family earlier had voter IDs from Bankipur, where they used to live, but in April 2024, he applied to have his name added to the Lakhisarai constituency and removed from the Bankipur list.

It did not happen. Then I called the BLO, filled the form, took receipt," he said, adding that despite the clerical lapse, he only casts his vote from Lakhisarai.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

First Published: August 10, 2025, 21:01 IST

News india Poll Body Sends Notice To Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Sinha Over Allegations Of 2 Voter IDs

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...
Some Indulging In Dadagiri.: Nitin Gadkari Stresses On Self-Reliance Amid US' Tariff Offensive

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 23:48 IST

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stressed boosting exports and reducing imports for India's self-reliance, noting that strong economies with advanced tech dominate globally.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari (PTI)

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that countries indulging in dadagiri" (bullying) on the global stage are able to do so because they are economically strong and have technology.

While speaking at the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) in Nagpur on Saturday, Gadkari stressed the need to increase Indias exports and reduce imports, and also harness science and technology to achieve self-reliance.

Recommended Stories

If the rate of our exports and economy increases, then I dont think we will need to go to anyone. Those who are indulging in `dadagiri are doing so because they are economically strong, and they have technology. If we get better technology and resources, we will not bully anyone, because our culture teaches us that the welfare of the world is most important," he said as quoted by news agency PTI.

We are facing various problems globally, and the solution to all these problems is science and technology, that is, knowledge, which is a power," he added.

Gadkari highlighted that increasing exports and decreasing imports is necessary if India wants to become a vishwaguru.

His remarks come at a time when India is facing its steepest-ever tariffs from the United States as announced by Donald Trump.

Trump last week had announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on US imports from India  raising the overall duty to 50 per cent. This makes India one of the most heavily taxed trading partners in US history.

Trump has railed against India and Russia over the past few days for the trade and energy relations between the two countries and pressured New Delhi to cut its Russian oil purchases. While the reciprocal tariffs have come into force, the additional duties will take effect starting August 27.

Meanwhile, India has defended its energy strategy, saying that its crude oil purchases from Russia are a necessity compelled by global market conditions" and not a political endorsement of Moscow.

It further asserted that the country will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.

The MEA termed the levies as unjustified and unreasonable" and called out the double standards of the United States and the European Union over their trade ties with Russia.

Earlier today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took a veiled swipe at Trump saying some people are not liking the fast pace of Indias growth. Addressing a gathering in Madhya Pradeshs Raisen, the Defence Minister referred to the US administration as sabke boss."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

There are some people who are not happy with the speed at which India is developing. They are not liking it. Sabke boss toh hum hain, how is India growing at such a fast pace?" Rajnath Singh said.

(With inputs from PTI)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

Location : Nagpur, India, India

First Published: August 10, 2025, 23:48 IST

News india Some Indulging In Dadagiri.: Nitin Gadkari Stresses On Self-Reliance Amid US' Tariff Offensive

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...
UP Woman Jumps Into Canal With Three Children; All Found Dead With Bodies Tied Together

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 12:40 IST

A woman along with her three children jumped into Ken Canal in UP's Banda after a marital dispute. Their bodies were found tied together.

Police were interrogating the husband to ascertain further details of the incident (Representative Image)

Following a dispute with her husband, a woman along with her three children jumped into Ken Canal in Uttar Pradeshs Banda district on Saturday. Hours later, four bodies tied together were recovered from the water body, news agency PTI reported.

The deceased have been identified as Reena (30) and her three children  Himanshu (9), Anshi (5) and Prince (3).

Recommended Stories

Following the recovery, the husband, Akhilesh Aarkh of Risoura village, was taken into custody for questioning, police said.

PTI cited Additional Superintendent of Police Shivraj as saying that on Saturday morning, police received information that Reena and her three kids had gone missing from house.

Soon after, police and Reenas family members began looking for them. Later, they found Reenas bangles and some of the childrens clothes on the bank of the Ken Canal, about a km from the village, PTI reported.

Suspecting that the woman had jumped into the canal, authorities stopped the water flow, and with the help of local divers and police teams, set up nets to locate the bodies.

Around 4 pm, the bodies of the woman and her children were recovered, still bound together, Shivraj said.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The bodies were sent for postmortem, said police.

Police were interrogating Akhilesh to ascertain further details of the incident. More details are awaited.

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 : Banda, India, India

First Published: August 10, 2025, 12:39 IST

News india UP Woman Jumps Into Canal With Three Children; All Found Dead With Bodies Tied Together

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 Flood Survivors Protest Against Rs 5000 Relief Cheques, Call Amount 'Too Less'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 10:16 IST

Uttarkashi has been battered by flash floods, which caused severe loss of lives and properties in the area.

Flash floods in Uttarkashi brought a sudden wave of debris and destruction, forcing terrified locals to run for their lives. (Image: PTI)

The flash floods in Uttarkashi have left many locals homeless, sweeping away people, houses, and entire families. Adding to their distress was the issuance of Rs 5,000 cheques as immediate relief" on Fridayan amount many felt was grossly inadequate given the scale of the tragedy.

According to a report by The Times Of India, several people refused to accept it and called it an insult" to their suffering".

Recommended Stories

We have lost everything: our families, homes, businesses worth crores. This amount is an insult," one villager was quoted as saying.

The area has no electricity, and they received candles four days after the disaster battered the place.

We spent those nights in darkness. Used firewood to heat food. Govt talks about ration, but that, too, has not reached us. We had to go door to door looking for it," one of the villagers said.

This also sparked a protest as Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had announced Rs 5 lakh compensation.

Over 1000 People Rescued

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that over 1,000 people have been rescued, including devotees and pilgrims from across the country.

Speaking to ANI on Saturday, CM Dhami asserted, More than 1000 people have been rescued. All the devotees and pilgrims from all across the country, who were stuck there, have been rescued All the injured people have been shifted to hospitals. Connectivity was completely destroyed in Harsil. It was restored there yesterday. A Bailey bridge will be installed by evening near Lachi Gad, which will help reconstruct roads till Harsil."

He added, We have decided to provide affected families with rations for the next six months A three-member committee is being formed under the chairmanship of the Revenue Secretary They will see how the affected family can be rehabilitated and the extent of the loss incurred We will also provide a relief package to those in need."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Earlier on Saturday, CM Dhami met the state Governor, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Gurmit Singh at Raj Bhavan in Dehradun to take stock of the situation.

In a post on X, Dhami wrote, I met the Honourable Governor @LtGenGurmit (Retd.) at Raj Bhavan. During this, we discussed the ongoing disaster relief operations in Dhrali and Harsil and the rehabilitation of the affected people."

About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her... Read More Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her... Read More

Location : Uttarkashi, India, India

First Published: August 10, 2025, 10:16 IST

News india Uttarkashi Flood Survivors Protest Against Rs 5000 Relief Cheques, Call Amount 'Too Less'

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...
Your Turn Will Come: What PM Modi Told Navy Chief After IndiaPakistan Ceasefire

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 18:57 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark came after the Navy was asked to hold back from a reportedly planned strike on Karachi port during Operation Sindoor.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with top military commanders to review Operation Sindoor on May 10. (File)

While reviewing the Operation Sindoor with the Indian defence forces chiefs amid soaring tensions with Pakistan on May 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the efforts of Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh for their roles in the operation.

He then turned to Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi and said, Humne aapke mooh se niwala cheen liya, aapko mauka phir milega (I have snatched the morsel out of your mouth, but your turn will come)", reported Hindustan Times.

Recommended Stories

The Prime Ministers remark came after the Navy was asked to hold back from a reportedly planned strike on Karachi port during Operation Sindoor. As per the report, PM Modi remained unfazed by the possibility of a retaliatory Pakistani missile strike on Gujarat, and granted the three service chiefs complete operational autonomy.

Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, a staunch advocate for the Navys offensive capabilities, was ready to launch BrahMos missiles at Karachi port on May 10 until he was ordered to hold back, the news outlet reported.

Operation Sindoor

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 bombing terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in pre-dawn strikes that killed at least 100 militants in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent people.

The operation sparked four days of cross-border fighting involving fighter jets, missiles and artillery.

Heavy Destruction In Pakistan

Between 8 and 10 May, IAF fighter jets struck 11 military air bases across Pakistan in a coordinated, precision-led campaign. The IAF also destroyed several key Pakistani assets, including fighter aircraft, radar systems, and an airborne early warning platform. Intelligence reports confirm that a hangar at Chaklala airbase in Rawalpindi housing C-130 Hercules aircraft was heavily damaged and two F-16 jets were destroyed in Jacobabad.

The objective was to cripple the Pakistan Air Forces capability to launch aerial attacks using drones and fighter jets.

While addressing an event on Saturday, the IAF Chief had said that Indias air defence surface-to-air missile systems destroyed five Pakistani fighter jets and an AEW&C/ELINT aircraft, which is a specialised military plane designed for airborne surveillance, early warning. He also said that some parked F-16 jets were destroyed in Jacobabad and an AEW&C in Bholari.

Indias Defence System

During Operation Sindoor, Indias Akash missile defence system and security shields like the S-400 fortified the nations defences. Pakistan launched a wave of drone attacks using UAVs acquired from Turkey. While Pakistan rained drones, Indias defence system proved strong, intercepting and destroying about 99 percent of them in time.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

On the intervening night of May 7 and 8, Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military targets in northern and western India, including Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankote, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj, using drones and missiles. These were neutralised by the Integrated Counter UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) Grid and Air Defence systems.

Air Defence systems detect, track, and neutralise threats using a network of radars, control centres, artillery, and both aircraft- and ground-based missiles. On the morning of May 8, the armed forces targeted air defence radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

First Published: August 10, 2025, 18:57 IST

News india Your Turn Will Come: What PM Modi Told Navy Chief After IndiaPakistan Ceasefire

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...
BEIJING, Aug. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- August 1, 2025 marks the 98th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). Over the past 98 years, the people's army under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has made indelible contributions to national independence, liberation of the people and national prosperity. It has fought in the Agrarian Revolutionary War, the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the War of Liberation, and the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. It has fulfilled its defense duties in Hong Kong and Macao in accordance with the law, effectively responded to various threats to national security, resolutely cracked down on all forms of separatist and sabotage activities, and actively participated in foreign military exchanges and cooperation as well as UN peacekeeping operations. Practice has fully proved that the people's military is a strong pillar for safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and a staunch force for maintaining world peace.

The book series of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China includes several important speeches on adhering to the path of strengthening the military with Chinese characteristics. In the article "Continue to Strengthen Our Military" included in Volume II of the book series, Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said that the military must resolutely safeguard the Party's leadership and our socialist system, our sovereignty, security and interests, and regional and world peace.

In Volume IV of the book series, Xi said when delivering an important speech during a ceremony marking the Centenary of the CPC that the achievements of the people's military on behalf of the Party and the people have been remarkable. It is a strong pillar that safeguards our socialist country and preserves national dignity, and a powerful force for protecting peace in our region and beyond.

In the ninth installment of the special series "Decoding the Book of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China," the Global Times, along with People's Daily Overseas Edition, explores the theme: following a Chinese path to military development, the Chinese military has always been a staunch force for world peace. We continue to invite Chinese and foreign scholars, translators of Xi's works, practitioners with firsthand experience, and international readers to discuss how, in the new era, the people's army fulfills its mission of building a strong military, practices the Global Security Initiative with concrete actions, takes on the responsibilities of a major country's military, and continuously makes greater contributions to maintaining world peace and stability.

In the ninth article of the "Readers' Reflections" column, Global Times talked to Mauricio Santoro (Santoro), a professor of International Relations at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, and a researcher at the Brazilian Navy's Center for Political and Strategic Studies.

GT: In his speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2021, included in Volume IV of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, President Xi stated, "We must accelerate the modernization of national defense and the armed forces. A strong country must have a strong military; only then can it guarantee the security of the nation." China has made significant progress its military modernization in recent years, especially in technological innovation. How do you assess China's achievements in this area? Which developments stand out to you, and how do you think they contribute to the country's national interests?

Santoro: China's military modernization is truly remarkable from every perspective. The economic boom and societal prosperity following the reform and opening-up period have provided abundant resources and robust support for the modernization of its defense and armed forces.

Today, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is more efficient, modern, and science-oriented than ever before. It has made high-level achievements in sophisticated technology, such as the Internet and space domains, while cultivating a cadre of highly educated senior officers.

From a historical perspective, what impresses me the most is the development of the PLA Navy. Since the great voyages of Zheng He in the Ming Dynasty, China has once again been transforming from a major maritime country into a leading maritime power. Today, the country boasts three aircraft carriers, a substantial submarine fleet, a powerful coast guard force, and a rapidly expanding marine corps, all marking steady progress in naval modernization.

GT: In Volume III of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, President Xi emphasized that the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force should forever preserve their nature, purpose and character as the forces of the people, resolutely safeguard the country's sovereignty, security and development interests, and firmly uphold world peace. How do you understand the core essence of the "people's army" concept? What specific examples demonstrate this essence in the practices of the modern Chinese military?

Santoro: In my view, the core essence of the "people's army" concept lies in its deep connection of the armed forces to the political struggles of the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, particularly during the 20th century's fight for liberation after the century of humiliations, and overcoming foreign interventions, warlord conflicts, and other hardships of that sad period.

We can see this connection in many important moments of Chinese history, from the Red Army, Eighth Route Army, and New Fourth Army to the PLA's role and its contributions since the founding of the People's Republic of China. In the West, many associate the PLA with guerrilla warfare, which was indeed critical during the resistance against Japanese aggression. However, the "people's army" concept is far broader, as demonstrated in large-scale conventional campaigns like the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953), which showcased the PLA's exceptional combat capabilities and unwavering commitment to the nation and its people.

In recent years, China's ongoing defense and military reforms, aimed at building a world-class military, reflect a steadfast commitment to the goal of building strong armed forces under new conditions put forward by President Xi. This dedication also manifests in the PLA's deep concern for the people's well-being. For instance, during the Wenchuan earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, the PLA swiftly mobilized for disaster relief and epidemic control, protecting lives and property with concrete actions that vividly embody the "people's army" ethos.

GT: This year marks the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. In his speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC, President Xi emphasized, "Peace, concord, and harmony are goals that China has pursued and carried forward for more than 5,000 years." In today's volatile geopolitical landscape, how do these commitments contribute to global peace and security, particularly in fostering a peaceful environment for developing nations? What concrete contributions has China-Brazil cooperation on genuine multilateralism made toward a multipolar world and a fairer international order?

Santoro: Amid global conflicts and instability, President Xi has repeatedly emphasized in key speeches the importance of peace and stability for nations. A stable international environment was vital during China's reform and opening-up period and has also benefited its neighbors, particularly ASEAN countries.

However, recent years have seen large-scale conflicts erupt in Europe and Gaza. Against this backdrop, China's commitment to "peace, concord, and harmony" positions it as a vital force for maintaining global and regional stability. Since 1990, the Chinese military has participated in 25 UN peacekeeping missions, deploying over 50,000 personnel to more than 20 countries and regions, demonstrating a responsible great power's unwavering commitment to peace.

For example, in South Sudan and Mali, Chinese peacekeepers and medical teams have played key roles in stabilizing security, rebuilding infrastructure, and safeguarding local populations' health. Also, for years, the Chinese Navy has conducted escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters, ensuring the safety of Chinese and foreign commercial vessels and humanitarian aid ships, underscoring its commitment to securing global maritime routes and peace.

Brazil and China are working closely on bilateral and global issues. For instance, the two countries proposed a six-point consensus to politically resolve the Ukraine crisis, aiming to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. They also actively promote BRICS cooperation, with the group's expanding "circle of friends." Together, they counter trade protectionism and advocate for reforms in multilateral institutions to better meet the needs of the Global South.

Brazil and China should also enhance defense cooperation. Brazilians do not perceive China as a threat, yet our military equipment and training have historically relied on the US and EU. Opportunities exist to expand collaboration in high-tech fields like space programs or artificial intelligence, building on existing civilian initiatives.

GT: China is the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) for 20242025 and will host the SCO Summit in Tianjin this autumn. At the "SCO Plus" Astana Summit in July 2024, President Xi said "We should jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, practice true multilateralism, and make global governance more just and equitable. The SCO should make its important contribution to eliminating the deficits in peace, development, security and governance." How do you evaluate the SCO's specific contributions to promoting global security and fairness? What are your expectations and key priorities for the 2025 Tianjin Summit in advancing these goals?

Santoro: The establishment of the SCO marked a turning point in international security, showcasing China's commitment to addressing global challenges like terrorism through new institutions. The SCO serves as a vital platform for tackling issues in Central Asia and Afghanistan and could play a significant role in mediating India-Pakistan tensions over Kashmir.

The SCO operates with a flexible, inclusive framework focused on global security challenges rather than targeting specific nations. With its expanding membership, the SCO could evolve into a platform akin to BRICS, attracting developing nations and emerging markets seeking a multipolar world order.

The 2025 Tianjin Summit will convene amid complex global security challenges, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, tensions involving Israel, Iran, and Gaza, and renewed India-Pakistan friction. These issues lack simple solutions, but I hope the SCO summit will propose innovative approaches to address them.

SOURCE Global Times
Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute in Denver and hosts The Devils Advocate with Jon Caldara on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. His column appears Sundays in Colorado Politics.
Independence Day 2025: Is It 78th Or 79th I-Day In India? History, Wishes And Significance

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: August 15, 2025, 06:56 IST

India Independence Day 2025: Swatantrata Diwas is more than just a celebration; it is a reminder of the sacrifices that won us freedom and the responsibilities that come with it.

India celebrates Independence Day on August 15. (AI generated image)

India Independence Day 2025: India annually celebrates its Independence Day on August 15. This year, it will be grandly celebrated on Friday. This day is observed with great pride across the country and by Indians worldwide. It reminds us of the long struggle and sacrifices made to gain freedom from British rule after nearly 200 years.

India Independence Day 2025: Is it the 79th I-Day?

Recommended Stories

Many people wonder if 2025 marks the 78th or 79th Independence Day. Lets clear up the confusion:

ALSO READ: Happy Independence Day 2025: 79+ Heartfelt Wishes, Images, Gif, Quotes, Slogans, Messages, Instagram & WhatsApp Status For 15th August

India gained independence on August 15, 1947. The first anniversary of that event was celebrated on August 15, 1948. So, the year 2025 marks 78 years since independence. However, since 1947 was the first Independence Day celebration, 2025 will be the 79th time India celebrates the day.

In short, India will celebrate its 79th Independence Day in 2025, marking 78 years of freedom.

India became free from British rule on August 15, 1947, after over 200 years of colonisation. The first spark of resistance began with the Revolt of 1857, and the freedom movement gained strength around 1920 under Mahatma Gandhis leadership.

The final step toward freedom came on July 4, 1947, when the Indian Independence Bill was introduced in the British Parliament. India officially became independent on August 15, 1947.

On the night before Independence, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indias first Prime Minister, described the moment as a Tryst with Destiny." The next day, he hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort in Delhi, something every Prime Minister has done since, followed by a speech to the nation.

The Red Fort, or Lal Quila, is now the central spot for Independence Day celebrations. It has witnessed many important moments in Indias freedom struggle and is a strong symbol of the countrys history.

Happy Independence Day Wishes to Share

Wishing you a joyous Independence Day filled with pride, love, and happiness. Happy Independence Day! May the colours of our flag remind us of the sacrifices made for our freedom. May this Independence Day inspire you to cherish the freedoms we enjoy and honour those who fought for them. On this day, lets honour the heroes of our nation and appreciate the gift of freedom. Wishing you a very Happy Independence Day! May our nation continue to prosper and thrive. Wishing you and your family peace, prosperity, and a strong sense of national pride on this special day. Happy Independence Day! Lets celebrate the unity and strength of our nation. May the spirit of freedom and independence always be with you. Happy Independence Day! May the pride of being free bring you happiness and joy today. Happy Independence Day! Happy Independence Day! May we always have the courage to stand up for what is right.

The preservation of freedom is not the task of soldiers alone. The whole nation has to be strong."  Lal Bahadur Shastri.

We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again."  Jawaharlal Nehru.

A nations culture resides in the hearts and the soul of its people."  Mahatma Gandhi.

Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark."  Rabindranath Tagore.

Forget not that the grossest crime is to compromise with injustice and wrong. Remember the eternal law: You must give if you want to get."  Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom."  Jawaharlal Nehru.

Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes."  Mahatma Gandhi.

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.

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."  Mahatma Gandhi.

Independence Day 2025: Why It Still Matters

Many of us celebrate Independence Day without fully thinking about its deeper meaning. But when we take a moment to remember the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters, we begin to understand just how important this day really is.

Those who fought for Indias freedom showed us the power of unity and determination. Their courage and strength helped them overcome many challenges, and their example teaches us that when people come together for a common cause, they can achieve great things.

Independence Day is not just about remembering the past. It is also about appreciating the freedom we have today and understanding the duties that come with it. This day is just as much about us now as it was about them then.

As citizens, we should reflect the real meaning of freedom by being kind, caring, and united. It is also about celebrating Indias rich and diverse culture, and using our differences to grow stronger together.

More than just a holiday, Independence Day reminds us of our duty to help others and make our country better. Each of us can play a part, whether we are students, professionals, entrepreneurs, or social workers, by supporting those in need and helping build a better future.

Every August 15, we think of the brave people who fought for our rights. But their legacy shouldnt just be remembered once a year; it should inspire us to do good every day. Together, we can build a better India, where everyone has the chance to live with dignity and freedom.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

By understanding what Independence Day truly stands for, we can help create a kinder, more united, and more caring society.

In the end, Independence Day isnt just a day off; it is a chance to reflect, honour our heroes, and commit to making a difference. Let it remind us to carry forward the spirit of freedom by spreading hope, helping others, and working toward a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

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 10, 2025, 09:05 IST

News lifestyle Independence Day 2025: Is It 78th Or 79th I-Day In India? History, Wishes And Significance
'Harassed By A Child': Indian Family Faces Racial Abuse In Ireland's Dublin Amid Rising Attacks

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 11:25 IST

Urging the government to review the situation and take action against the accused, the woman said, 'No one should have to feel unsafe or powerless in public spaces'.

The Garda (Police) in Ireland. (Reuters/Representative Image)

Ireland has recently reported a rise in attacks on Indian citizens, with a 60-year-old woman becoming the latest target. Sharing a Reddit post, a friend of the woman alleged that the victim was subjected to racial harassment at a bus stop in Dublin.

The woman said she was at a bus stop in Dublin with her father and sister when two boys, who looked about seven or eight years old, came up to them. According to her, the boys at first asked for selfies with her father but then started mocking him, and one of them allegedly reached for his wallet.

Recommended Stories

We tried to stay calm and ignored their behaviour. But then, shockingly, one boy blocked my fathers way and made grabbing gestures toward his crotch," she said.

Urging the government to review the situation and take action against the accused, the woman said, No one should have to feel unsafe or powerless in public spaces, regardless of their background."

My father, aged 60, was harassed by a child right in front of his daughters, leaving us feeling defenceless. Knowing the current climate for people of colour in Ireland and being aware of the laws, it was frustrating not to have any immediate recourse," she added.

In another similar case that took place earlier this week, an Indian-origin taxi driver and a six-year-old girl were attacked.

Taking cognisance of the incidents, the diversity unit of Irelands police force said on Saturday that it is engaging with the Indian community in the wake of a string of violent attacks in the capital Dublin and other parts of the country in recent weeks.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Meanwhile, the Irish Embassy in New Delhi has condemned the attack on Indian citizens and informed that the Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs will meet the representatives of the Indian community on August 11.

We condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms. They are an assault on the values of equality and human dignity that Ireland holds dear," said an official statement from the Embassy.

About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her... Read More Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her... Read More

First Published: August 10, 2025, 11:19 IST

News nri 'Harassed By A Child': Indian Family Faces Racial Abuse In Ireland's Dublin Amid Rising Attacks

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 | Empowering Bharats Future Amid Trumpian Turbulence: The Swadeshi Approach To Self-Reliance

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 12:50 IST

The expansion of public services and core industries under the Swadeshi vision will provide a solid foundation for our economy

Bharats rural economy is not limited to just farms and the dairy sector. (PTI File)

The ongoing tariff war by the United States to pressurise Bharat for an unfair trade deal is not only irrational but also a direct attack on the countrys rural agricultural economy and self-reliance. In this context, Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for Swadeshi" (indigenous products) and Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant Bharat) is no longer just an emotional appeal but a strategic response.

Bharats rural economy is not limited to just farms and the dairy sector. It is a socio-economic structure that includes small farmers, womens self-help groups, cooperative societies, and traditional production chains. About 86 per cent of Bhartiya farmers are small and marginal, with land holdings of less than two hectares. Over 8 crore rural families in the country are associated with the dairy sector, most of whom are women and landless farmers.

Recommended Stories

This entire group is highly vulnerable and relies heavily on government support for their livelihood. The entire structure involving such a vast population depends on Minimum Support Price (MSP), subsidies, and customs duties.

Prime Minister Modi has expressed his commitment to protect the interests of agriculture and dairy, which are the backbone of the rural economy. Safeguarding the tariff structure, strengthening local price structures, and empowering farmer producer organisations, cold storage facilities, and processing units are among the governments top priorities.

The government is fully committed to empowering women economically, ensuring nutritional security, preserving traditional agricultural diversity, and safeguarding rural life and livelihoods in every possible way.

In light of these concerns, the Prime Minister, during his visit to Kashi, raised the slogan of Swadeshi (indigenous) to the people of the country. Referring to Operation Sindoor, he stated that the world has witnessed the strength of indigenous weapons. The Prime Minister described this as the power of self-reliance in Bharats defence sector.

There is an atmosphere of uncertainty and instability in the global economy. To overcome this instability, all nations are adopting policies that protect their national interests. In such a scenario, how can Bharat remain an exception? We are on the path to becoming the worlds third-largest economy. In this context, we must remain vigilant about our national interests, as well as the livelihoods of our farmers, small industries, and youth.

To achieve the goal of becoming the third-largest economy, all political parties, intellectuals, and society as a whole must rise above partisan lines and unite in proclaiming the mantra of Swadeshi. We must adopt Swadeshi and promote Swadeshi.

Over the past decade, Bharats economy has steadily climbed to new heights. In 20132014, Bharat was ranked as the 11th largest economy in the world. Today, it stands in fourth position and is rapidly moving toward becoming the third largest. Our growth rate is progressing at a strong pace of 6.4 per cent. Bharats influence has expanded across all sectors, including defence and agriculture. Bharats participation in the global market has also increased significantly.

Because of our sound welfare policies, more than 24 crore people have been elevated beyond the poverty line. Bharat has made progress in all areas, including infrastructure development. The standard of our basic amenities is reaching world-class levels.

Referring to the success of Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Modi stated that while we worship Lord Bholenath, when the need arises, we also become Kaal Bhairav for our security.

Bharats rising economic progress, robust security policy, and growing global influence are also generating envy toward India among some nations of the world.

The agricultural system in the United States is industrialised, subsidy-supported, and operates on a large scale. In contrast, Bharats agricultural sector is composed mainly of small landholding farmers. Around 55 per cent of Bharats population depends on agriculture, the majority of whom live in villages. Agriculture contributes about 15 per cent to Bharats Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Farming in Bharat is highly dependent on unpredictable weather conditions. Rooted in a labour-intensive system, Bhartiya agriculture cannot be compared to that of the United States. Therefore, countries like the US and Bharat cannot be expected to operate under similar tariff structures.

In Bharat, sectors like textiles, food grains, sugar, dairy, and fisheries are closely linked to agriculture. Forcing Bharat to open up sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy to the US would be unreasonable.

If such a situation arises, Bharats market will be flooded with cheap American dairy products. Womens self-help groups and cooperative institutions like Amul will face economic distress. Bharats farmers will be forced to sell their produce at throwaway prices in the market. This could trigger an economic crisis in rural areas, leading to unemployment, migration, and growing discontent.

The Prime Minister has introduced numerous policies for agriculture and farmer welfare over the past decade. In the last ten years, the agriculture budget has increased more than fivefold  from Rs 21,933 crore in 2013-2014 to Rs 1.25 lakh crore in 2023-2024.

The cooperative sector in Bharat is also actively working to empower women and strengthen the rural economy. Supporting rural economies, agriculture and farmer welfare, womens safety, the dairy industry, and nurturing the cooperative movement is our national duty  a call that has been strongly voiced by Prime Minister Modi.

Swadeshi is not just a temporary idea  it is the very soul of Bharat. It is the clarion call of Bharats unity, patriotism, and collective aspirations. The spirit of Swadeshi has manifested itself in various forms throughout Bharats history. During British colonial rule, it emerged as a powerful tool of resistance  symbolised by the burning of foreign clothes and the slogan Vande Mataram, which helped uproot foreign domination.

Even during the prime ministerial tenure of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, when Bharat faced international sanctions after conducting nuclear tests, the country responded with the spirit of Swadeshi. The world was given a fitting reply, powered by the strength of indigenous resolve.

The mantra of Swadeshi awakens a sense of restraint and self-reliance, helping us resist unnecessary dependence on foreign capital. By embracing this principle, we can fuel the growth of our defence industry, increase agricultural productivity, and expand labour-intensive industries.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The expansion of public services and core industries under the Swadeshi vision will provide a solid foundation for our economy. Prime Minister Modi has called for the practical adoption of Swadeshi based on these very principles. By truly integrating it into our lives, we can re-establish Bharat as an invincible force. This is the need of the hour.

The writer is the national joint general secretary (organisation) of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: August 10, 2025, 12:49 IST

News opinion Opinion | Empowering Bharats Future Amid Trumpian Turbulence: The Swadeshi Approach To Self-Reliance

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 Keep Lying? Kiren Rijiju To Rahul Gandhi Over 'IAF's Hands Tied' Remark

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 17:51 IST

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticiced Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on the Indian Air Force, accusing him of lying. IAF Chief refuted Gandhi's claims, stating they had full freedom

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of lying" and damaging Indias high reputation" over his remarks regarding the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Operation Sindoor in the Parliament.

His response came after IAF Chief Air Marshal AP Singh rubbished the claims levelled by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that the government had instructed the IAF not to target Pakistans air defence systems. The Air Marshal had said that they had full freedom" to plan and execute attacks on Pakistan.

Recommended Stories

Sharing a video of Gandhis statement alongside Singhs comments, Rijiju said on X, Why do you keep lying all the time? You have not only lowered your stature but damaged Indias high reputation."

       !                https://t.co/gJ8vPc16B3 Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 10, 2025

I request Rahul Gandhi ji to maintain the decorum of Indias Parliament. Why do you keep lying all the time? I have witnessed many Leaders of Opposition who had maintained Parliamentary standards. You have not only lowered your stature but damaged Indias high reputation!" he said in another post on X.

What Rahul Gandhi Said?

While participating in the debate over Operation Sindoor in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi had alleged that the government had instructed the IAF not to target Pakistans air defence systems during the operation, effectively limiting their capability.

He had said the hands of the IAF were tied" by the government during Operation Sindoor.

You went into Pakistan, you attacked Pakistan, and you told our pilots do not attack their air defence systems, meaning you told our pilots go and attack and face the air defence systems of Pakistan. Meaning, you tied their hands behind their backs," Gandhi had said.

IAF Chiefs Rebuttal

These claims were rubbished by the IAF Chief Air Marshal AP Singh, who said on Saturday that the government had put no restrictions on them during the operation and they had full freedom" to plan and execute attacks on Pakistan.

Addressing an event in Bengaluru, Singh credited very clear political will" as a key factor in the operations success.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

There was very clear political will, very clear directions were given to us and there were no kind of restrictions which were put on us," he had said.

Many people have spoken somewhere unfortunately, every one is speaking about itthere were talks about was there any restriction, were you kept constraint. It there were any constraints, they were self made," the Air Marshal said.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

First Published: August 10, 2025, 17:51 IST

News politics Why Keep Lying? Kiren Rijiju To Rahul Gandhi Over 'IAF's Hands Tied' Remark

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...
Emma Thompson Reveals Trump Asked Her Out Soon After Her Divorce: 'I Thought It Was A Joke'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 15:55 IST

At the Locarno Film Festival, actress Emma Thompson revealed that Trump had called her and asked her out on the same day as her divorce from actor Kenneth Branagh was confirmed.

British actress Emma Thompson and US President Donald Trump. (Reuters/File Photo)

British actress Emma Thompson, while attending the Locarno Film Festival, recalled a surprising call from US President Donald Trump asking for a dinner, joking that she could have changed the course of American history" if she accepted.

The 66-year-old Love Actually star said the call came while she was filming the 1998 political comedy Primary Colors, loosely based on former US President Bill Clintons 1992 presidential campaign. It happened on the same day as Thompsons divorce from actor-filmmaker Kenneth Branagh was confirmed, according to The Telegraph.

Recommended Stories

A phone rang in my trailer, and it was Donald Trump. I thought it was a joke. Hi, its Donald Trump here. I said: How can I help you? I thought he needed directions. He said: I would love for you to stay in one of my beautiful places, and maybe we could have dinner," Thompson recounted at the Locarno Film Festival.

Couldve Changed The Course Of American History

I realised that on that very day, my divorce had finally come through. I bet he has people looking all over for suitable people he could take out, for all these nice divorcees  I mean, he found the number of my trailer! Thats stalking! So yes, I could have gone on a date with Donald Trump. I could have changed the course of American history!" she quipped.

However, Thompson said she rejected Trumps offer, politely saying, Thats very sweet. Thank you so much. Ill get back to you." Later, the actress revealed that Trump had split from his second wife, Marla Maples, and his team might have been looking for a suitable partner for him to take out.

Emma Thompson met Kenneth Branagh in 1987 on the sets of the miniseries Fortunes of War and married in 1989. They divorced in 1995 after Branaghs affair with Helena Bonham Carter. Several years later, in 2003, Thompson married actor Greg Wise. The couple share two children, son Tindyebwa Tindy" Agaba and daughter Gaia, who accompanied her to the festival.

Donald Trump split from Maples, 61, in May 1997. He was previously married to his first wife, Ivana Trump, and later remarried, tying the knot with Melania Trump in 2005.

Salma Hayeks Explosive Revelation

Thompsons revelation came several years after popular actress Salma Hayek also spoke about Trumps attempts to ask her out. , which resurfaced after Trump won the 2024 elections. When I met that man, I had a boyfriend, and he tried to befriend him to get my home phone number," Hayek said in an interview shortly before the presidential elections in 2016.

In 2017, during an appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Hayek said Trump immediately draped her coat over her shoulders when she was feeling cold at an event. Trump said, Sorry, your girlfriend looked cold, so I offered my coat. Then he kept talking to my boyfriend."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

She said Trump kept speaking to her boyfriend and later invited her and her partner to visit his hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, if they were ever in the area, which is how he got their phone numbers. Hayek said that Trump called her directly instead of calling her boyfriend.

Hes asking me out, and I said, What about my boyfriend? Are you crazy? Youre asking me out knowing I have a boyfriend?'" the actress said. Trump reportedly responded by saying, Hes not good enough for you. Hes not important; hes not big enough for you. You should go out with me."

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

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 : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 10, 2025, 15:55 IST

News viral Emma Thompson Reveals Trump Asked Her Out Soon After Her Divorce: 'I Thought It Was A Joke'

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...
Iss Kalyug Mein: Khan Sir Shares 15K Girls Tied Him Rakhi On Raksha Bandhan

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 16:41 IST

Khan Sir celebrated Raksha Bandhan 2025 with over 15k rakhis tied by his students, showcasing their strong bond. His heartfelt video received over 8 million views in 24 hours.

Khan Sir Shares 15K Girls Tied Him Rakhi On Raksha Bandhan. (Instagram/khanglobalstudies_official)

Popular online tutor from Patna, Khan Sir, had a heartwarming Raksha Bandhan 2025 celebration with his students. In an Instagram video on August 9, he shared the number of students who tied rakhis on him as he showcased the strong bond between his students and him.

In the video, Khan Sir expressed that he regards his female students as sisters and felt deeply moved by their affection. He noted that their gesture embodies the true spirit of mentorship and camaraderie, which transcends blood relations.

Recommended Stories

Today, the number of rakhis tied to my wrist was more than 15,000. These rakhis are so heavy that I am not even able to raise my hand. Iss kalyug mein hum itne saubhagyashali hai (I am so fortunate to have such an experience in todays day and age). How do I even get up? This is so heavy," Khan Sir said in Hindi. His video raked in more than 8 million views on Instagram in less than 24 hours.

Khan Sir expressed gratitude to his students for valuing him not only as a teacher but also as a brother figure who supports and guides them in their academic journey, regardless of religion or other differences. These girls set aside caste, religion, state, and other distinctions to tie rakhis on my wrist. This is a true reflection of humanity. There can be no festival greater than this (Raksha Bandhan)," he said.

Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of the sibling bond, where sisters tie a sacred thread (rakhi) around their brothers wrists, symbolising love, trust, and protection. Brothers, in return, pledge to safeguard their sisters and offer gifts or tokens of appreciation.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The important Hindu festival celebrates the bond of love, responsibility, and respect between siblings. In 2025, Raksha Bandhan was observed on Saturday, August 9.

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 10, 2025, 16:41 IST

News viral Iss Kalyug Mein: Khan Sir Shares 15K Girls Tied Him Rakhi On Raksha Bandhan

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...
'Goal Is To Free, Not Occupy Gaza': Netanyahu Says Palestinians Desperate For End To Hamas Rule

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 23:33 IST

Israeli PM Netanyahu states Israel's goal in Gaza is liberation from Hamas, not occupation. He envisions postwar demilitarisation and civilian administration.

A file photo of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday insisted that Israels goal in Gaza is liberation from Hamas rule, not to impose a long-term occupation, as he addressed the media ahead of an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

Gazans are begging us and begging the world to be freed from Hamas," Netanyahu said, calling the militant group a genocidal organisation" committed to Israels destruction. No nation would put up with an entity committed to its annihilation a stones throw away from its border," he added.

Recommended Stories

Netanyahu stated that the war could end if Hamas released all hostages and surrendered its weapons. He accused the group of still having thousands of armed terrorists" in Gaza and said Israels military operations are focused on eliminating this threat.

Netanyahu claims people in Gaza begging Israel to free us from HamasOur goal not to occupy Gaza, our goal to free Gaza Says enclave to be demilitarized and security zone made on border pic.twitter.com/vFGsBIqkUY  RT (@RT_com) August 10, 2025

Presenting his postwar vision for Gaza, Netanyahu said the territory would be demilitarised, with Israel maintaining ultimate security control. A security buffer zone will be created along the Israel-Gaza border to prevent future attacks. Gaza will have a civilian administration committed to peaceful coexistence with Israel. Thats our plan for the day after Hamas," he said.

He outlined the five principles to conclude the war: The disarmament of Hamas, Return of all hostages, Demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip, Israel taking overriding security control" in the Strip, Establishment of an alternative civil administration" that is not Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.

Given Hamass refusal to lay down its arms, Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas," Netanyahu said.

He further vowed to puncture the lies" surrounding Israels intentions in Gaza City, blasting the global campaign of lies" around Israels intentions.

Netanyahu rejected allegations that Israel is intentionally starving Gazas population, calling the accusations baseless."

If Israel had a starvation policy, no one in Gaza would still be alive after two years of war," Netanyahu said, adding that hundreds of trucks" with food, water, and medical supplies have entered the territory, and civilians are being directed to designated safe zones away from fighting.

We will ensure the civilian population can leave combat areas safely, and we will provide them with the essentials, as we have done before," he said. Netanyahu added that Israel has sent millions of text messages and made phone calls to warn residents to evacuate danger zones.

The Israeli prime minister accused the international media of uncritically accepting what he described as Hamas propaganda hook, line, and sinker." He dismissed reports of starvation in Gaza, comparing them to the malignant lies" once spread about the Jewish people in the Middle Ages.

Responding to a question on US President Donald Trumps remarks about starvation in Gaza, Netanyahu said he values Trumps support.

He said that Trump has made two key points: that all 20 hostages must be freed and that Hamas should not remain in power, and that Trump acknowledges Hamas as the cause of deprivation in Gaza.

His comments come as the UN Security Council prepares to address Israels plan to expand its military presence in Gaza, amid continued international concern over the humanitarian crisis.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council on Saturday condemned Israels decision to take over the Gaza Strip, saying that it risks violating international humanitarian law," and endangers the lives of the hostages.

The council called on Israel to urgently reverse this decision and not to implement it," and further argued that it would lead to a worsening of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and speed up the hunger in the territory.

Location : Israel

First Published: August 10, 2025, 21:54 IST

News world 'Goal Is To Free, Not Occupy Gaza': Netanyahu Says Palestinians Desperate For End To Hamas Rule

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...
Netanyahu To Allow Foreign Journalists In War-Torn Gaza: 'We Have Ordered The Military To...'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 23:47 IST

Israel had so far blocked most foreign reporters from independently accessing Gaza since it launched its military offensive after the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AFP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday announced a plan to allow more foreign journalists to report inside the war-torn Gaza with the military, in a rare press conference where he offered more details about his vision of victory against Hamas in the ongoing conflict.

Israel had so far blocked most foreign reporters from independently accessing the territory since it launched its military offensive there after Hamas unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people. Officials have often cited security as the reason for not allowing foreign journalists there.

Recommended Stories

We have decided and have ordered, directed the military to bring in foreign journalists, more foreign journalists, a lot," Netanyahu said during Sundays press conference. Theres a problem with assuring security, but I think it can be done in a way that is responsible and careful to preserve your own safety."

However, Netanyahu did not provide any specifics on the plan. Global press outlets have relied on local journalists on the ground in Gaza to provide reporting and footage from the war for a long time, as access to Gaza has been tightly controlled for the 22 months of war.

Netanyahus Plan For Gaza

Netanyahu also defended Israels plan to occupy Gaza City, insisting that Israels goal is liberation from Hamas rule, not to impose a long-term occupation. Gazans are begging us and begging the world to be freed from Hamas," he said.

ALSO READ: Goal Is To Free, Not Occupy Gaza: Netanyahu Says Palestinians Desperate For End To Hamas Rule

He accused the Palestinian militant group of still having thousands of armed terrorists" in Gaza and said Israels military operations are focused on eliminating this threat. No nation would put up with an entity committed to its annihilation a stones throw away from its border."

Presenting his postwar vision for Gaza, Netanyahu said the territory would be demilitarised, with Israel maintaining ultimate security control. A security buffer zone will be created along the Israel-Gaza border to prevent future attacks.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

Meanwhile, Hamas accused Netanyahu of telling what it called a series of lies" at a press conference Sunday where he laid out his vision for victory in Gaza. Everything Netanyahu said in the press conference is a series of lies, and he cannot face the truth; instead, he works on distortion and hiding it," said Taher al-Nunu, the media adviser to the head of Hamass political bureau.

(with AFP inputs)

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

Location : Jerusalem, Israel

First Published: August 10, 2025, 23:47 IST

News world Netanyahu To Allow Foreign Journalists In War-Torn Gaza: 'We Have Ordered The Military To...'

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...
UK's F-35B Fighter Jet Makes Emergency Landing In Japan, Months After Similar Incident In India

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 20:12 IST

A British Royal Air Force F-35B fighter jet made an emergency landing at Japan's Kagoshima International Airport due to a technical glitch, similar to a recent incident in India.

Royal Air Force F35B fighter jet makes emergency landing at Kagoshima Airport, no injuries (X)

A British Royal Air Force F-35B fighter jet made an emergency landing at Japans Kagoshima International Airport on Sunday after the pilot experienced a technical glitch mid-air, local media reported.

According to Kyodo News, the flight operations were affected at the airport as the runway was closed for around 20 minutes following the incident.

Recommended Stories

Officials at the Japanese airport said the incident occurred around 11:30 am (local time) when the pilot sought permission for an emergency landing due to a suspected equipment malfunction. The aircraft was moved to a taxiway for inspection.

This is a second such incident in recent weeks involving a British F-35B fighter jet after one of the aircraft remained grounded in India for over a month.

On June 14, an F-35B fighter jet, en route from the UK to Australia, made an emergency landing at Keralas Thiruvananthapuram airport after the aircraft encountered a hydraulic system fault.

The fighter jet was out on a routine sortie when it developed a snag and could not land on the ship. The plane reached the Thiruvananthapuram airport, which was designated as the emergency recovery airfield, and requested emergency landing permission.

Despite initial inspections by a 24-member team from the British Royal Air Force and subsequent repair efforts by engineers from the UK Royal Navy, the advanced stealth aircraft remained grounded, prompting widespread curiosity over how such a state-of-the-art jet could be stranded for weeks on foreign soil.

Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force provided all required support and assisted in the process, including refuelling.

Following the failed repair attempts, a 14-member engineering team from the UK Ministry of Defence was dispatched with specialised equipment to assist in the recovery and maintenance of the jet. The aircraft was moved to a secure hangar at the airport for detailed assessment.

The fighter jet finally took off from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on July 22 after remaining grounded at the airport for over a month.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The jet, worth over $110 million, is one of the most advanced fighter planes in the world. The F-35B is the only fifth-generation fighter jet with short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities, making it suitable for small decks, austere bases, and ships.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

Location : Japan

First Published: August 10, 2025, 20:12 IST

News world UK's F-35B Fighter Jet Makes Emergency Landing In Japan, Months After Similar Incident In 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...
US VP Vance Says Zelenskyy Meeting Putin Before Trump 'Not That Productive' | Watch

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 20:32 IST

US VP JD Vance downplayed the impact of a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin, suggesting progress in the Ukraine war would be more likely with US President Trump involved.

Vance is currently in the UK on an official visit with his wife (IMAGE: AFP)

US Vice President JD Vance downplayed the potential impact of any meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin before a planned summit with US President Donald Trump, calling such talks not that productive."

Speaking in an interview on Sunday, Vance suggested that meaningful progress toward resolving the war in Ukraine would be more likely once Trump is directly involved in negotiations.

Recommended Stories

I actually dont think it would be that productive. I think fundamentally, the President United States has to bring these two together. Were going to talk to Ukrainians. There is something where the President needs to force President Putin and President Zelenskyy to sit down to figure out.You cant wag your finger at someone and say youre wrong, were right," Vance said.

NOT that productive for Putin to meet Zelensky before TrumpVance shoot down Kievs chances of being at Alaska table Adds in a decent Zelensky impression too: You cant wag your finger at someone and say youre wrong, were right" https://t.co/cG9P9UZwB2 pic.twitter.com/oIRgUWRA5u  RT (@RT_com) August 10, 2025

This comes after speculation grows over a potential face-to-face meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin, which some diplomats have framed as a possible step toward ending the nearly three-year conflict.

Zelenskyy on Sunday expressed gratitude to several European leaders who called for Kyivs inclusion in the Alaska summit set to take place on Friday.

During the Alaska summit, Trump and Putin will hold talks over ending the war in Ukraine. The Ukrainian President has expressed deep concern over being excluded from the upcoming US-Russia summit, warning that any peace deal excluding Kyiv will lead to dead solutions.

On Saturday, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland and the European Commission issued a joint statement, saying any diplomatic solution must protect the vital security interests of Ukraine and Europe.

The path to peace cannot be decided without Ukraine," they said, urging robust and credible security guarantees" to allow Ukraine to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In response to European leaders, Zelenskyy said on Sunday, The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today for the sake of peace in Ukraine, which is defending the vital security interests of our European nations."

The summit has raised concerns in Kyiv and across Europe, with Ukraine fearing that Washington and Moscow could try to broker a deal to end the 3.5-year war that might come at the cost of its sovereignty.

A White House official said Trump is open to Zelenskyys participation, but the current agenda still calls for a one-on-one meeting with Putin. The Kremlin has rejected including Ukraine, citing unmet conditions for holding talks with Zelenskyy.

Trump has suggested some swapping of territories to the betterment of both (sides)," further raising Ukrainian fears of being pressured into ceding land.

Meanwhile, Russia has responded angrily over European leaders call for including Ukraine in the summit, with former president Dmitry Medvedev calling them Euro-imbeciles" and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova likening EU-Ukraine relations to necrophilia."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

The Euro-imbeciles are trying to prevent American efforts to help resolve the Ukrainian conflict," former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev posted on social media on Sunday.

The Alaska summit, arranged after a recent trip to Moscow by Trumps envoy, has renewed concerns that Trump could reach a deal advantageous to Putin in return for political or economic concessions, potentially sidelining Ukraine and Europe.

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 10, 2025, 20:32 IST

News world US VP Vance Says Zelenskyy Meeting Putin Before Trump 'Not That Productive' | 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...
Pius Kamau, M.D., a retired general surgeon, is president of the Aurora-based Africa America Higher Education Partnerships; co-founder of the Africa Enterprise Group and an activist for minority students STEM education. He is a National Public Radio commentator, a Huffington Post blogger, a past columnist for Denver dailies and is featured on the podcast, Never Again.
Washington Hospital Sacks 15 Nurses After 12-Year-Old Patient Dies By Suicide

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 17:59 IST

A 12-year-old girl allegedly died by suicide at Providence Sacred Heart Childrens Hospital in Washington on April 13.

An AI-generated image showing a group of nurses leaving a hospital building with downcast expressions, holding personal belongings, symbolising dismissal after a tragic incident. (IMAGE: IMAGEN 4)

Following the alleged suicide of a 12-year-old patient at a hospital in Washington, over a dozen nurses have been sacked at the facility, according to a report in New York Post.

On April 13, Sarah Niyimbona, a middle schooler, died after slipping out of her room at Providence Sacred Heart Childrens Hospital and jumping from the fourth floor of a parking garage, the report suggests.

Recommended Stories

The teen had been admitted to the emergency room multiple times in 2024 for suicide attempts, The Spokesman-Review newspaper mentioned.

Despite knowing her tendency for harming herself, the health care facility allegedly removed key safety measures, including a round-the-clock sitter, a video monitor and a door alarm, and failed to properly supervise her the night she killed herself, Investigate West reported, citing a lawsuit filed by the family.

While speaking to Investigate West, Sarahs mother Nasra Gertrude said, I ask what happened. How come she left the room without anybody seeing her? How come she walked all the way to the elevator without anybody seeing her?"

They havent given me any answer at all. I trusted this hospital to take care of my daughter," she added.

Since the tragic incident,15 nurses have been fired and another disciplined amid questions over how the minor patient was able to leave her room undetected, the Spokesman-Review reported.

Meanwhile, the Hospital brass claimed the nurses improperly accessed Niyimbonas medical records without being directly involved in her care, a potential violation of the federal privacy law HIPAA, the New York Post mentioned.

Meanwhile, Washington State Nurses Association, that represents the staffers, claims the sacking were retaliation" against nurses who addressed media after teenagers death.

The union said the nurses have filed a grievance, a process that could take a long time" to resolve.

While speaking to Spokesman-Review, the hospitals spokesperson Jen York stated the terminations were about protecting patient privacy, saying the hospital reviews conduct and takes appropriate action, including termination of employment, where warranted."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

A state Department of Health investigation into Niyimbonas death is underway.

This news piece may be triggering. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata)

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 : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 10, 2025, 17:48 IST

News world Washington Hospital Sacks 15 Nurses After 12-Year-Old Patient Dies By Suicide

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 Asim Munir Issues Brazen Nuke Threat, Targets Dams, Mukesh Ambani In Anti-India Rant: Report

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 11, 2025, 14:52 IST

Asim Munir threatened nuclear war with India, saying Islamabad would take "half the world" down if facing an existential threat, as reported by The Print.

Asim Munir (File image)

Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir has once again threatened India, warning that Islamabad would be prepared to plunge the region into nuclear war and take almost half of the world" down if the country faced an existential threat in a future conflict with New Delhi, The Print reported. His remarks also included a threat directed at industrialist Mukesh Ambani, Asias richest man.

We are a nuclear nation; if we think we are going down, well take half the world down with us," Munir reportedly said at a black-tie event hosted for him in Floridas Tampa during his second visit to the US in two months.

Recommended Stories

As per the report, this is the first time that nuclear threats have been issued from the soil of the US against a third country.

Munir, who came out of the shadows amid soaring tensions between India and Pakistan, further raked up the Indus Waters Treaty issue, which has been kept in abeyance" by New Delhi after the ghastly Pahalgam terror attack, saying Indias decision could put 250 million people at risk of starvation.

He further threatened to destroy the Indian dams (to be built) with missiles on the river, saying that Islamabad has plenty of missiles.

We will wait for India to build a dam, and when it does so, phir 10 missile sey faarigh kar dengey (we will destroy it with 10 missiles). The Indus river is not the Indians family property. Humein missilon ki kami nahin hai, (we have no shortage of missiles)," Munir reportedly said.

Threat Against Mukesh Ambani

A large part of Field Marshal Munirs speech was reportedly devoted to the recent conflict with India. Ek tweet karwaya tha with Surah Fil and a picture of [the industrialist] Mukesh Ambani to show them what we will do the next time," he said, according to The Print. The publication explained that the verse, Surah Fil, describes how Allah dispatched birds to drop stones on an enemys battle elephants, an act that reduced them to chewed-up straw".

The Pakistan Army Chief is on his second visit to the US in less than two months to meet top American military officials.

Munir held talks with US Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Dan Caine and invited him to visit Pakistan, according to a statement from Pakistans military wing. They discussed matters of mutual professional interest," it said.

Earlier, he was hosted to a private lunch at the White House by US President Donald Trump.

On several occasions, Munir has blamed India without any evidence for the recent tensions in the region in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. After the Pahalgam attack, the diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan downgraded with New Delhi announcing several punitive measures, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, cutting Islamabad Mission strength and expulsion of its military attaches.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

India and Pakistan exchanged cross-border hostilities for four days after the former launched Operation Sindoor against terror camps in the neighbouring country. New Delhi struck several air bases and dealt a crushing blow to Islamabad Armys capabilities, while also effectively repelling missile and drone attacks.

Despite this, Munir had claimed India undertaken acts of unprovoked aggression, marked by a troubling absence of strategic foresight", and vowed a decisive response to any future Indian aggression.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: August 10, 2025, 19:43 IST

News world Pakistan's Asim Munir Issues Brazen Nuke Threat, Targets Dams, Mukesh Ambani In Anti-India Rant: 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...
Zelenskyy Accuses Putin Of 'Trying To Sell' Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire For Highest Price

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 07:33 IST

Zelenskyy said that Ukraine will not give land to the occupier, adding that it will not give Russia any awards for what it has done.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Credits: X)

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy on Saturday slammed Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the latters meeting with his US counterpart and said that he was trying to sell the cessation of killings.

Recommended Stories

In a video message on X, the Ukrainian president said, First and foremost, there must be a just end to the war, and it depends on Russia. It is Russia that must end the war it started."

Zelensky stated that Ukraine and its allies share a common understanding on the necessity of a ceasefire and putting an end to the violence.

Only one actor stands against this, Putin. His only card is the ability to kill, and he is trying to sell the cessation of killings at the highest possible price," he stated.

I have not heard any partners express doubts about Americas ability to ensure that the war ends. The President of the United States has the levers and the determination. Ukraine has supported all of President Trumps proposals, starting back in February. Ceasefire, all formats pic.twitter.com/klG8tMqpIq Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) August 9, 2025

Ukraine will not give land to the occupier," Zelenskyy said, adding it will not give Russia any awards for what it has done."

I have not heard any partners express doubts about Americas ability to ensure that the war ends," he said in the video message.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized confidence in the United States role in ending the war, saying, I have not heard any partners express doubts about Americas ability to ensure that the war ends. The President of the United States has the levers and the determination."

He further noted Ukraines consistent support for US initiatives, stating, Ukraine has supported all of President Trumps proposals, starting back in February. Ceasefire, all formats have been supported."

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her... Read More Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her... Read More

First Published: August 10, 2025, 07:31 IST

News world Zelenskyy Accuses Putin Of 'Trying To Sell' Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire For Highest Price

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 'Considers' Holding Trilateral Meeting With Putin, Zelenskyy In Alaska: Report

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: August 10, 2025, 09:02 IST

According to a White House official, President Trump is open to holding a trilateral summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.

Russia-Ukraine War: US President Donald Trump with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The White House is reportedly considering extending an invitation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to join President Donald Trump in Alaska, where Trump is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15, according to NBC News.

The report cited a senior US official and three individuals familiar with the internal deliberations. Its under discussion," one of the sources reportedly said.

Recommended Stories

The report noted that Zelenskyys visit is not final yet, and it also remains unclear if the Ukrainian president will be in Alaska for meetings.

President Donald Trump is open to holding a trilateral summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a White House official said on Saturday.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

However, the White House is currently planning a bilateral meeting with Putin at his request, the official added.

(With inputs from Reuters)

About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her... Read More Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her... Read More

First Published: August 10, 2025, 08:25 IST

News world Trump 'Considers' Holding Trilateral Meeting With Putin, Zelenskyy In Alaska: 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...
|

Seeking Your Purpose in Life? You Might Feel Anxious Over It

There's a lot of hubbub about finding your life's meaning, but not a lot of support for doing so
The US Supreme Court's standing with the public has taken a record drop, with a new Gallup poll showing its approval rating sinking below 40% for the first time since polling began in 2000. The court now draws a 39% approval rating, down five points from earlier this year and reflecting the lowest confidence in the institution on record. The primary drivers: record-low marks from Democrats (11%) and independents (34%), while Republican approval has risen to 75%creating the widest partisan gap Gallup has ever measured, the Miami Herald reports.

The poll of 1,002 adults, conducted in July, highlights how recent decisions have reshaped perceptions of the court. The 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade and a 2024 ruling granting broad immunity to presidents from criminal prosecution especially appear to be fueling the divide. The numbers show how sharply attitudes have shifted: In the late 2010s, the court's approval rating hovered in the high 40s and low 50s. Members of the court have acknowledged the public skepticism. Justice Elena Kagan warned in 2022 that the court risks trouble if it is viewed as a political arm rather than an impartial body. Chief Justice John Roberts has insisted that disagreement alone isn't a reason to doubt the court's legitimacy.
As President Trump prepares for a high-stakes summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, NBC News reports that the White House is weighing a surprise move: inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to join the talks. "It's being discussed," a person briefed on the discussions tells the outlet. NewsNation, a sister network to the Hill , also is reporting that the idea is under consideration. The Ukrainian government hasn't commented on the possibility.

"The president remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders," a senior White House official told NewsNation. "Right now, the White House is planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin." Trump is scheduled to meet Putin on August 15 as part of a push to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine. Previously, the White House had wanted a Zelensky-Putin meeting to precede any Trump-Putin summit, but Trump later dropped that as a prerequisite.

These diplomatic moves follow a recent visit to Moscow by Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, ahead of a ceasefire deadline set by Trump. Putin has not agreed to a ceasefire, instead proposing a settlement that would allow Russia to retain significant Ukrainian territory. Zelensky has rejected any territorial concessions, warning that giving up land would lead to further Russian aggression.
The town of Meeker has been self-evacuated as the nearby Elk and Lee fires surpassed 75,000 combined acres Thursday.
Fairbanks, AK (99701)

Today

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 53F. Winds light and variable.
Washuzan Highland in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, has introduced a new extreme attraction called Kyotenja, a Ferris wheel that uses only a lap bar, leaving riders largely exposed. The ride lifts passengers to 60 meters above ground at an elevation of about 200 meters above sea level, offering sweeping views of the Seto Inland Sea and the Great Seto Bridge while delivering a mix of fear and excitement.
As poverty deepens in Japan, more children are eating alone and food inequality is widening, eroding the simple pleasure of dining out. In response, childrens cafeterias that provide meals and safe places to spend time are spreading nationwide; their number topped 10,000 last year, exceeding the count of public junior high schools.
All-electric seaglider manufacturer Regent Craft will deliver its first 50-100-passenger Monarch seaglider to United Marine Egypt (UME) Shipping before the end of the decade.

The vessel is an all-electric hydrofoiling wing-in-ground (WIG) craft, which means it always operates in ground effect, an operation that occurs within one wingspan of the surface of the water and provides increased aerodynamic efficiency, enabling it to travel further on a single charge.

The Monarch seaglider will travel up to 650km at 225km/h with 50-100 passengers or a 10,000kg payload. The Viceroy seaglider will travel up to 300km at 300km/h with 12 passengers or a 1,600kg payload.

UPDATE : New article considers the potential of larger wing in ground effect planes like previous DARPA liberty lifter and Boeing Pelican designs updated with Regent Craft technology.

A hybrid version of the Monarch could have about 2000 miles of range. In ground effect, induced drag drops by 40-50% due to the air cushion between the wing and water, boosting lift-to-drag ratios to 20-30 (versus 15-20 for conventional aircraft in free flight). Larger vehicles amplify this efficiency via the square-cube law: as size increases, volume (payload capacity) grows faster than surface area (drag), reducing energy per ton-mile. Regents digital controls scale without adding proportional weight or complexity, unlike mechanical stabilizers in past WIG. Combined with electric propulsion, operational costs could be 30-50% lower than ferries or aircraft for coastal routes, while speeds of 140-180 mph make them 5-10x faster than cargo ships (typically 15-25 mph).

This expansion aligns with Regents broader vision for regional coastal transportation, including partnerships like Hawaiian Airlines for 100-seat island-hopping services.

Flying in ground effect unlocks incredible aerodynamic efficiencies, but for decades, its been a notoriously difficult regime to operate inprone to instability and hard to control. Earlier attempts at wing-in-ground effect vehicles, like the Soviet-era ekranoplans, tried to brute-force stability through unconventional wing designs at the expense of efficiency.

The challenge of flying in ground effect

In most airplanes, WIGs included, the tail lifts downwards. Think of the airplane or WIG like a see-saw with the pivot on the center of gravity (by the nose). The more the tail pushes downwards, the more the nose rises.

The more an airfoil (like a wing, or a tail) turns the airflow, the more lift it creates. The angle between the line drawn from the nose to the tail of the airfoil (the chordline), and the incoming air, is called the angle of attack. The greater the angle of attack, the more the air foil turns the air, and the more lift it generates. This is why an airplane pitches its nose up to takeoff: it increases the angle of attack on the wings to generate enough lift to leave the ground.

When an airplane enters ground effect, the downwash is reduced. The ground gets in the way of the downwash and keeps the airflow straighter. This is what decreases drag and makes ground effect so efficient.

We lowered our altitude to enter ground effect, and then our nose goes down. This leads us to descend even more, which makes the ground effect stronger, which reduces the wing downwash on the tail even more, which reduces the tail downforce even more, which makes the nose go down even more  eventually, all the way into the ground. This is called instability and was very challenging for early WIG captains and designers.

3 early WIG designs

There have been three kinds of WIG design before the Seaglider one  all of which attempted to fix this instability issue with wing design.

The ekranoplans used (A), basically trying to separate the wing and tail absolutely as far as possible so the ground effect and wing downwash would not affect the tail. This led to very heavy designs because so much structural reinforcement was required to build these giant tails so far away from the main wing.

Other types of WIGs used the reverse-delta (B) or the tandem-wing (C). In both cases, it works the same with upwards lift being ahead of the center of gravity see-saw.

The ekranoplan design (A) leads to a really, really heavy WIG, and designs (B) and (C) lead to inefficient ones, which defeats the whole purpose of ground effect.

The Seaglider solution

Regent Craft does not need to fix instability with wing design anymore. There are now advanced digital flight control systems that can control even unstable vehicles. REGENT Seaglider vessels use digital control systems to protect their flight envelope and ensure safety in all cases.

Wing in Ground Effect Does Scale Well to Larger Sizes

Apeeds would remain 140-200 mph, vastly outpacing ships while consuming 50-70% less energy per ton-mile than aircraft due to WIG. Challenges include port infrastructure for mega-sizes and regulatory hurdles, but efficiency gains could cut global shipping emissions by enabling coastal WIG highways.
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada

Postal Code
Skater Ventresca Beal, left, and Trenton Sk8s founder Jaclyn Duncan skate together at Trenton Sk8s' weekly skating event on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Cadwalader Park in Trenton. Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance Media

On any given Wednesday, Jaclyn Duncan can be found cruising in her Riedell 3200 roller skates at Trentons Cadwalader Park.

For her, skating offers a rush like no other.

Roller skating checks a lot of boxes for a lot of people. Obviously, its a physical activity. So, exercise releases endorphins and dopamine and all those happy chemicals in your brain, said Duncan, 47, who started Trenton Sk8s in April 2022.

From May to September, Duncan hosts a free weekly adult skating event every Wednesday, 5:30-8 p.m., at Cadwalader Parks pavilion at 36 Parkside Ave. in Trenton

I had been skating out at Cadwalader Parks pavilion, one of my skate students a year prior had referred me to the space, said Duncan, of Lawrence Township. So, I would go out there from time to time, and in the spring 2022, is when I started posting, hey, does anyone want to join me?

Skater Ventresca Beal, left, and Trenton Sk8s founder Jaclyn Duncan skating together on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Cadwalader Park in Trenton, New Jersey. Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance Media

At first, Duncan said about six people showed up, but as weeks went by more people started to come join her.

Then my friends and contacts from different skating rinks outside of Trenton started coming to skate with us too. So, it kind of grew really organically, said Duncan, who is a classically trained pianist as well as a flute player. She owns the Jaclyn Duncan Music LLC, which offers live ambience music for private and corporate events.

Today, Duncan said she not only hosts free skating events, but also hosts a once-a-month skating event at The Rink in Edgewater Park Township.

While some attend the weekly or monthly events to skate, Duncan said others just come to hang out and enjoy the live music usually provided by a local DJ.

Harry Molder, of Trenton, also known as DJ Special K, provides the tunes for skaters at Trenton Sk8s weekly skating event on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Cadwalader Park in Trenton, New Jersey. Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance Media

Trenton native Harry Molder, known as DJ Special K, has been DJing for 25 years.

Growing up in the capital city, Molder, 60, said he would skate at the now-closed Capitol Arena roller skating rink in Trenton.

I used to be a skater (but) I knocked two of my teeth out, and thats why I stopped skating, said Molder. But I always wanted to be a DJ because it was something about the energy with the people on roller skatesit was a totally different energy.

With his headphones, mixer and speakers, Molder set the mood by playing a variety of music like, hip hop, house music and usually will end the event with 90s slow jams.

DJing at a Trenton Sk8s event is electric, he said.

(Duncan) put something back into Trenton where those folks who used to skate back in the day could do so comfortably as an older adult  and its a fun event, said Molder. Its a fun, action-packed, and thrilling experience for those of us over 50 years old. To come out on a Wednesday and have something to do, but theres no gun play. There is no animosity, there is just great energy and great fun.

Harry Molder, of Trenton, also known as DJ Special K, provides the tunes for skaters at Trenton Sk8s weekly skating event on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Cadwalader Park in Trenton, New Jersey. Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance Media

Duncan admits organizing the skating events for the community is a labor of love. After paying for yearly insurance, weekly permits, and the DJs, Duncan said its costs about $170 to host each weekly event.

Receiving donations for Trenton Sk8s, Duncan said, is the biggest need to just get the bills covered. But besides that, we always appreciate cases of water, cases of Gatorade, any snacks or food people want to bring to the events those things are always appreciated.

Skater Angela Reitter grooving along in her purple and light blue skates at Trenton Sk8s weekly skating event on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Cadwalader Park's pavilion in Trenton, New Jersey. Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance Media

Ventresca Beal, 29, of Trenton, said she began skating in 2022 after her then-boyfriend brought her to an adult skating event.

Its like, basically dancing on eight (wheels), said Beal. I love to dance, so I was like this is a great outlet for me to just dance honestly, and it makes you feel good, and then you gravitate towards good people too within the community.

Beal first connected with Duncan on social media after she began posting videos of her skating.

She was one of the people who used to comment on my videos and give me constructive criticism about my skating, said Beal, who eventually met Duncan in person by chance while skating in Cadwalader Park.

Trenton Sk8s operates off of donations to cover costs to host its weekly and monthly skating events in and outside of Trenton. Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance Media

When Beal heard the thump of electronic dance music, she took a turn toward the house beats to see what was going on. When I went up there, I realized it was a whole event for skating, she said.

Since then, Beal has continued to skate at many of Trenton Sk8s events while Duncan has taught different skating styles and techniques for free.

The culture around skating is very harsh for beginner skaters or any skater who just wants to come and have fun. Thats why (Duncan) created that space, said Beal. Theres no judgment going on. Theres nobody trying to be in competition with you. Its all love.

Duncan also offers one-on-one skating lessons for those who want to learn how to skate.

Beal added that, Theres never been any type of negativity at the events.She keeps us very much safe. And she makes everybody feel welcomed and loved.

To donate to Trenton Sk8s or learn about the next event, visit its Facebook page and Instagram page.

15 1 / 15 Trenton Sk8s

Mosaic staff writer Vashti Harris can be reached at vharris@njadvancemedia.com.

Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom, on Facebook at MosaicNJcom, on Twitter (X) at @MosaicNJcom and on YouTube at @MosaicNJcom.
By Tom Malinowski

In New Jersey, we think of the fall of former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez as a story of old fashioned corruption  a politician taking gifts for favors.

For that crime, Menendez is now serving an 11 year prison sentence. And state officials have continued to pile on consequences, with Attorney General Matt Platkin filing a lawsuit to have it judicially confirmed that Menendez is forever disqualified from holding public office, and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn promoting a bill that would take away state pensions from former officials convicted of misconduct in office.

But there is an equally disturbing side of the story thats gotten less attention, involving the people on the other side of the transaction.

As evidence in Menendezs trial showed, the government of a foreign dictatorship  Egypt  and its willing partners in the United States used the former senator to gather intelligence on our country, and to change our governments foreign policy, by easing restrictions on arms sales that were put in place because of Egypts imprisonment and torture of dissidents.

The trial also made clear that a New Jersey company  IS EG Halal based in Edgewater  played a vital role in parts of the corrupt scheme.

The Egyptian government in 2019 gave this company a monopoly for certifying food exported to Egypt as halal, apparently to create a source and channel of funds for bribing Menendez. Several of the bribes to him and his wife in 2019 and 2021 were reportedly paid out of the companys checkbook.

So what has happened to the authors of this scheme?

After the Menendez indictment, Democrats in the U.S. Senate temporarily held up some U.S. aid to Egypt, but the current Republican-led Congress is moving to lift all restrictions on that aid  which would be even more than what the Egyptians hoped to get from bribing Menendez.

No Egyptian official has been sanctioned by the U.S. government for trying to corrupt our political system, though prosecutors and reporters identified some of them and the Treasury and State Departments have legal authority to freeze their assets and to ban them from entering the U.S..

The chief executive officer of the New Jersey company that channeled some of the bribes  Wael Hana (a man who responded to text message suggestions from an Egyptian intelligence official with the phrase orders, consider it done )  was convicted alongside Menendez. But the Justice Department did not charge the company itself, as might be expected in a case of corporate wrongdoing.

Rather than distancing itself from its convicted CEO, IS EG Halal released a statement after the trial that laid out his personal plans to challenge his verdict; stated he will remain chief advisor to the company; and promised there would be no changes to the companys operations.

Ive heard from reliable sources that the Egyptian government has been lobbying President Trump to pardon Hana, to signal that it will not leave its agents in the U.S. behind.

Meanwhile, Trump has gutted the Justice Departments Public Integrity Section, which prosecuted Menendez, stopped enforcing the law prohibiting Americans from bribing officials overseas, and openly invited foreign interests to buy cryptocurrency from companies that he owns.

So in sum: A bribed U.S. senator has been punished, but the bribers have mostly gotten off scot free, and Washington is surrendering the fight against this kind of corruption and malign foreign influence altogether.

That fight is normally the federal governments responsibility. But in these extraordinary circumstances, state governments, including New Jersey, will have to step up.

The company that served as Egypts willing partner in bribing Menendez is still in our backyard, still benefiting from its unjustly acquired monopoly, still linked to a government that tried to buy influence in our country, and presumably still available for that purpose.

Much of IS EG Halals alleged conduct happened within New Jerseys borders. We have state laws to prevent bribery in official matters and for racketeering . It would seem that the company could potentially be charged with violating either of these laws.

The state Legislature could demand answers from the companys leaders about what they have done  if anything  to ensure that it will not be used to corrupt our elected representatives again. Those answers would be of interest beyond New Jersey too, since the company owns subsidiaries from Australia and New Zealand to Germany to Brazil.

The image of a senators stashed-away gold bars captured something shocking, and its good that Menendez will not be able to betray the public trust again.

But focusing only on him misses the broader problem of Americas vulnerability to corruption, which has grown exponentially since Trumps election.

New Jersey should make clear that no interest, foreign or domestic, that is tied to our jurisdiction will be allowed to make that problem worse.

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.

Tom Malinowski is a two-term New Jersey Congressman and former assistant secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.
Authorities are investigating whether the latest incident on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025 is connected to other recent shootings in town, including cases involving Andrew Weaver and Matthew Dawe in separate gun violence episodes. Sarah Cassi | For lehighvalleylive.com

Update: 2nd teen charged in Phillipsburg shooting of parked vehicle

A 17-year-old was charged last week after allegedly shooting at a parked car multiple times in Phillipsburg and police announced a second suspect has been arrested in the incident, authorities said.

The teen was not identified by police because he is a juvenile. He was detained Tuesday on an arrest warrant and is awaiting a hearing before a Warren County Family Court judge.

There were no reported injuries. Authorities said area surveillance footage connected the teen to the shooting, which remains under investigation.

He was charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, aggravated assault and weapons offenses. He was also charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief.

The Warren County Prosecutors Office announced the charges Friday evening against the teen. Phillipsburg police announced on the departments Facebook page Saturday a second person was arrested in connection with the shooting. The Warren County Prosecutors Office is expected to release more information later this week.

The message remains clear, Phillipsburg Police Chief Anthony Goodell stated in a Facebook video and in the posting. The Phillipsburg Police Department; mayor and council; Warren County Prosecutors Office; New Jersey State Police; and our community will not tolerate this violence and will continue to use every resource available to bring to justice violent offenders.

Phillipsburg police just after 4:15 p.m. Tuesday received an alert from their gunshot detection technology that shots were fired in the 100 block of Henderson Street.

Investigators found several discharged cartridge casings at Henderson and Wilson streets. Bullet holes were also found in a vehicle parked nearby, police said.

Tuesdays incident is the latest in a series of shootings in Phillipsburg over the past few weeks.

Its not immediately known if any of the incidents are connected.

Andrew Robert Weaver, 20, of the first block of Rose Street in Phillipsburg, was charged after allegedly knocking on a homeowners door in the early hours of Aug. 3 and then firing gunshots. One of the shots traveled through a window as the homeowner came to answer the door, authorities said.

Matthew R. Dawe, 32, of the 100 block of Lewis Street, is facing similar charges after police say he fired gunshots July 30 at a home of a neighbor.

Police have responded to at least five other incidents of gun violence in recent months for the town.

Investigators on June 30 found evidence a shooting happened shortly before 2 a.m. at Mercer and River streets. Dorien E. Roberts, 18, of Port Murray, and Alfatir T. Kelly, 26, of Phillipsburg, each were later charged in connection with the shootings.

A man on June 2 was found fatally shot outside a Phillipsburg home along Summit Avenue. The man, identified as Kevin Clervil, of East Orange, had been shot several times and later succumbed to his injuries at an area hospital, authorities said.

On May 15, police recovered evidence of two more incidents of gunfire in the 100 block of Broad Street and Memorial Parkway.

A 26-year-old woman, Hadiyah Peggins, was then killed a day later in a stabbing at a home in the 400 block of Anderson Street. A Maryland man, 28-year-old Jamari E. Dortch, is charged with first-degree homicide in connection with Peggins death.

The Warren County Prosecutors Office and Phillipsburg Police Department are seeking witnesses of the most recent shooting. Those with information are asked to contact Phillipsburg police at 908-835-2002.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
Country

United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. 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
FARM Safety Live marks its 10th year at the Tullamore Show this August, continuing its focus on practical, farm-based safety demonstrations.

This years Farm Safety Live demonstrations at the Tullamore Show was officially launched on the morning of the show by Show Chairman, John Keenan.

Michael Healy-Rae, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, with special responsibility for Farm Safety, Forestry and Horticulture, was unable to attend..

Building on the success of the past decade, Farm Safety Live aims to emphasize the importance of safety around farm vehicles, equipment and livestock with demonstrations at the Tullamore Show this year, which takes place on Sunday 10th August.

READ MORE: 'Christy's Gig Rig' remembers founder of Tullamore Show

This years Farm Safety Live demonstrations, which is a collaboration between FRS Co-Op, FBD Insurance, and the HSA, in conjunction with the Tullamore Show, also include a live chainsaw safety demo in response to a notable increase in requests for chainsaw training following the severe storm damage caused by Storm Eowyn earlier this year.

Ben Fearn, Operations Manager at FRS Training, said: This is the 10th year of providing live demonstrations at the show and they are a powerful tool for helping to change behaviours. Watching routine practices and observing the potential hazards helps farm families and farm workers recognise and mitigate risks. Continuous education and training is essential to foster a safety-conscious culture on farms. The Tullamore Show is an ideal platform for promoting these vital messages to a wide audience."

The importance of these demonstrations is highlighted by HSA data, which shows that farms remain the most dangerous workplaces in Ireland with a total of 171 fatal accidents recorded on farms in the past decade. So far in 2025, there have been 12 farming fatalities, which is equal to the total number of fatalities in farming for all of 2024. Of the 12 farm fatalities this year, five (41%) have involved vehicles.

Ger Hartnett, Senior Inspector at the HSA, said: Incidents on farms continue to contribute to a disproportionate number of work-related fatal injuries. In the last 10 years, farm vehicles and machinery account for almost half of all farm deaths. In order to keep reducing serious and fatal injuries in the sector, we need to improve the safety culture and behaviour on Irish farms. The focus on farm vehicles, livestock handling, and chainsaw safety is a key objective of Farm Safety Live this year. Giving these demonstrations at the Tullamore Show will hopefully help promote safer behaviour and help prevent future accidents on our farms.

READ MORE: Farming keeps the country going, in good times and in bad times, Tanaiste tells Tullamore Show

Farm Safety Live has been developed by FRS Co-Op, the HSA and FBD Insurance in conjunction with the Tullamore Show. This marks the tenth year of this interactive farm safety demonstration as part of the annual Offaly-based agricultural event. Farm Safety Live will be located at stand L105 at the Tullamore Show.

Chelsey Cox McDonald, Secretary of the Tullamore Show, said: "We are delighted to welcome Farm Safety Live again this year. Highlighting farm safety is a fundamental part of our show program and we hope each demonstration will help everyone to 'think farm safety' and work towards eliminating risks. The number of families affected by farm tragedies each year is truly heart-wrenching."
AGRICULTURE keeps the county going, in good times and in bad times, and must be backed fully at all times by the Government.

The words of Tanaiste Simon Harris when he officially opened the Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show earlier today.

The Tanaiste also hit out at those politicians who made a career "out of talking down rural Ireland".

"Looking out here today we can see that rural Ireland is thriving," he said to applause from the attendance at the opening.

READ MORE: CAP remains cornerstone of livestock farming  IFA President at Tullamore Show

In a brief address, Deputy Harris promised the Government would back farmers on the nitrates derogation and the Mercursor deal.

Show Chairman, John Keena thanked all the volunteers and Show Society members who had ensured the event was a success, in particular Show Secretary Chelsey Cox McDonald.

FBD Head of Sales, Midlands and East, Pat Gilligan recalled the company's seven year involvement with the Show and he encouraged all to view the classes in the FBD National Livestock Show.

The President of the Irish Shows Association, Freda Kinnarney  for Show Secretary  emphasised the vital roles shows play in farming and rural communities.

"Since I've taken on the role of ISA President I have seen a lot of shows around the country and I'm convinced that there are hugely important to community," she added.

Before the tape was cut to declare the Show open the event was blessed by Rev. Yvonne Hutchinson, Rector, and FR Michael Whittaker PP.

READ MORE: TULLAMORE SHOW: Sustainable Livestock Village returns with focus on generation renewal
The Leinster Regiment Display was officially opened in Birr Library by Leas-Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr Sean O'Brien, on Thursday afternoon last.

Over 30 turned up for the opening and Cllr O'Brien pointed out that he was in great company because also present were Birr Municipal Councillors Audrey Hennessy Kennedy, Eleanor Clendennen, Sean Maher, and Peter Ormond. Also in attendance were Leinster Regiment Association members Junior O'Callaghan, Damien Delaney, Chris Brummell, Brendan Fogarty, Bill Finnane, Tony Hayden, Katrina Hayden and John Hoare. Cllr O'Brien said Cllr John Leahy, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, was on leave and therefore he was standing in for him. He praised the hard working Association committee, adding that he was glad to see the young generation being represented on the committee by Damien Delaney. To put on this expanded exhibition is a great sign of who you, the committee, are, he remarked. You are fantastic people. What we see here is a super collection and I strongly recommend it to everyone.

Cllr O'Brien gave us a brief history of the Regiment, which was established in 1881 and its Home Barracks was in Birr. It could trace its history back through a number of regiments to 1804. The Leinsters were disbanded in 1922.

There's a memorial window to the Leinsters in St Brendan's Catholic Church in Birr, the Councillor continued.

He went through a number of the campaigns, including the Fourth Anglo-Ashanti War in 1895, the Second Boer War and the Western Front during World War One.

He pointed out that the Regimental Silverware is housed in the Royal Military College of Canada.

Junior O'Callaghan, Chairperson of the Leinster Regiment Association, pointed out that the exhibition showcases an amazing collection of medals and items from all over the world. Many of these medals were collected by Bill Finnane, who is deeply committed to the hobby. Thanks to Bill we now have medals from other armies, including the German army during World War 2. All the medals are originals. The Chairperson praised the Association Secretary Damien Delaney whose relation was a Captain in the Regiment. Damien is a hard worker in the Association and we are very grateful to him. He thanked the librarian Sarah D'Arcy and the other members of the Birr Library staff for being very helpful and accommodating.

Included in the display of memorabilia related to the regiment are a Soldier's Pocket Book, an Officer's Record of Services, a Pilot's Flying Log Book, a large number of medals awarded to many members of the rank and file, non-commissioned and commissioned officers, Flint and Buckshot from the battlefields, the Leinster Regiment in Comics (including Victor 25/2/1984  Private Martin Moffat VC; Hornet 4/2/67  the Regiment Mascot Sam the Dog during the 1857 Indian Rebellion; and Victor 3/3/1973  Sgt John O'Neill VC).

Also on display are uniforms, headwear, trumpets, swords, medals from different regiments and different countries. There is even a German SS insignia (skull and crossbones), and an Auschwitz Cross (which was established in 1985 to honour survivors of Nazi concentration camps).

One of the contributions to the Display was made by Cllr Sean Maher, who presented a trumpet that had been in the ownership of his relation George Stoney George fought with the Connaught Rangers in the Salonica Campaign in Macedonia during World War One. He survived the war.

Tony Hayden commented that from 1881 to 1922 Birr was a garrison town, from where troops were posted to various parts of the world to fight. There's a lot of Birr people today, continued Tony, whose relatives were in the Regiment, a lot of them, sadly, dying in battle. It's very sad but it's also a very important part of our history and we should always remember it. The wonderful exhibition we see today, with its incredible display of medals, is largely made up of items donated by various families in Birr, families whose relatives were in the Regiment. We started off this exhibition about ten years ago, in the Violet Doolin Room in the Library. Now it's expanded into this much bigger Atrium. The exhibition is open right throughout August, so if anyone wants to come along and look at their history then please do so. It's well worth seeing.

The specific opening times for the exhibition in August are those of the Birr Library opening hours, which are Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday 10am to 3pm.

Speaking to the Tribune after the official opening the Chairperson said some of the exhibition will remain on permanent display in the Library while the remainder will go into storage. He said the Association is looking for a new home for the exhibition. We are very grateful to the library, but we are now seeking a larger, permanent space, somewhere in Birr. He urged anyone who may have such a space to please contact the Birr Library staff.

Another major aim is to twin Birr with Ledegem in Belgium. Ledegem was liberated by the Leinsters in October 1918. A lot of work went into this twinning project, including visits to Ledegem, but it fell by the wayside in 2014 when the Council was disbanded. We want to revive it now and get it done. We have discussed the matter with a couple of local Councillors.

READ NEXT:

https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/offaly-life/734478/on-this-day-a-century-ago-the-leinster-regiment-left-birr-barracks-never-to-return.html
A complaint made by Aldi about a recent Lidl advertising campaign has been upheld by the Advertising Standards Authoritys independent Complaints Council.

Aldi complained about an ad in which Lidl claimed to be Ireland's 'best value supermarket' on the grounds that it made it appear Lidl had been awarded that title through an official and independent competition.

The ads appeared across multiple platforms, including social media and television, and displayed a rosette with the wording Irelands Best Value Supermarket.

A footnote at the bottom of the press advertisement stated: Comparison shop completed on the 06/01/2025. Pro rata price comparison based on supermarket own label where appropriate. Loyalty apps and schemes included. For more information visit lidl.ie/PriceIsAlwaysRight."

However, Aldi Stores Ireland Ltd objected to the advertising on the grounds that the advertising claim Irelands Best Value Supermarket implied the advertisers had been awarded through a competition or an independent award. They also said that nowhere in the advertisements had the claim been verified or substantiated.

READ NEXT: Ryanair passenger's discovery lands airline in hot water after 'misleading' ad

Lidl fired back and told the Council that the claim could be fully substantiated from Ireland RepTrak 2024 data. They provided the Executive with a copy of the relevant section of the RepTrak 2024 data confirming the ranking of retailers in Ireland in respect to offers products and services that are a good value for the money."

RepTrak is a study based on the perceptions of over 5,000 members of the public. It measures the level of trust, respect, admiration and esteem the public has for 100 of the largest, most familiar and most important organisations in Ireland, alongside 100 other reputation, brand, purpose and ESG indicators.

Despite this, the Complaints Council upheld the complaint despite the fact that Lidl had subsequently amended the advertising material to refer to the RepTrak 2024 award.

The Council noted that the claim to be Irelands Best Value Supermarket was based on the results of a reputational study in which respondents were asked to attribute the retailer they considered offers products and services that are good value for the money. The Council noted that the research was carried out by a third party and that brands could sign up to access and use the results of the reputational survey.

The Council considered that the study reflected the opinions and sentiment of the respondents.

While noting that the concept value was not always linked to price, in this case, as the advertising included a reference to Lidls Price is Always Right as well as to comparison shops, the Council considered that the value claim related to price. They considered that to claim to be the best value in these circumstances would require detailed price comparisons across all competitors. They noted that such data had not been submitted to the ASA.

The Council also noted that the claim Irelands Best Value Supermarket had appeared on a rosette and that traditionally a rosette was something associated with a prize. The Council considered the consumer take out of the claim together with the use of the rosette, and they considered that a reasonable interpretation was that the claim was being made on foot of an award.

In the circumstances, they considered that the advertising was likely to mislead consumer and was therefore in breach of Sections 4.1, 4.4, 4.9 and 4.10 of the Code.

Lidl has been informed that the advertising should not appear in its current form again. The Council advised advertisers to ensure that appropriate substantiation was to hand for claims made.

This complaint came to light as the Advertising Standards Authoritys independent Complaints Council released its latest Complaints Bulletin which contains 10 case reports on complaints recently investigated by the organisation.

Nine cases were upheld in full. Advertisements across Radio, Social Media, Television and Online were found to be in breach of the Advertising Standards Authority Code on grounds related to Misleading, Environmental, Principles, Safety and Responsibility. The Complaints Council chose to not uphold one complaint.

The Complaints Council is a completely independent arm of the Advertising Standards Authority and is responsible for considering and adjudicating on complaints submitted by the public, by an organisation, by a Government Department, or any other person or body. The Council is made up of a range of experts from the advertising, media, education, consumer, and marketing sectors.

Commenting on the latest Advertising Standards Authority rulings, Orla Twomey, Chief Executive of the Advertising Standards Authority, said: The Advertising Standards Authority is committed to protecting consumers from advertising that is harmful, misleading, or offensive. Our latest complaints bulletin showcases the broad scope of our work in maintaining honesty, transparency, and integrity across Irish advertising.

"In addition to ensuring adherence to the Code, we actively promote its values throughout the industry. Our approach goes beyond addressing non-compliant advertising, we also focus on educating both consumers and advertisers. Through these efforts, we strive to build and sustain public trust in advertising.

"Additionally, to assist advertisers, we offer a free and confidential copy advice service, guiding them in creating responsible and compliant advertisements. This service provides invaluable guidance for advertisers, agencies and media that carry advertisements who may have questions or concerns about the compliance of marketing communications. We encourage anyone in the industry to take advantage of this resource to ensure their advertising is both responsible and effective."
2025 is a very special year for all fans of the rock'n'roll era: Bill Haley, the man who shaped the soundtrack of an entire generation 
Nobody was injured in the derailment, and the chemical tankers that derailed were empty at the time of the crash. Washington County Sheriff's Office

A freight train derailed Saturday in North Plains, closing roads to the North Plains Garlic Festival, causing traffic tie-ups and forcing attendees to take detours.

The derailment happened around 12:30 p.m. near Northwest Main and Hillcrest streets, Washington County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Deputy Kendall Hazel told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Some of the train cars slid sideways and collided with a parked train car, but - no injuries were reported, Hazel said.

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue responded to the scene, as well as employees from the railroad company, Hazel said.

Tualatin Fire spokesperson Diego De La Rosa said five cars went off the tracks, two of which were grain transports. He said the other three were empty chemical tankers.

A firefighter hazmat team confirmed the chemical tankers were empty before railroad investigators examined them, De La Rosa said.

The derailment cut off the flow of traffic where Main crosses Hillcrest, as well as part of Glencoe Road  making Northeast Gordon Road the only way into the festival, De La Rosa said.

Festival organizer Patti Burns told The Oregonian/OregonLive the festival continued as planned, although the event saw traffic congestion along Gordon. Some people who had parked their cars were unable to get to them without walking the length of the detour, so the festival organized a bus shuttle to speed access.

The cause is under investigation.

 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.
Lea este articulo en espanol: Festival en Hillsboro celebra un aspecto no muy reconocido de la cultura mexicana

Wearing heavy wooden masks with long curved horns and intricate designs resembling demons, witches and skeletons, dancers launched into a danza de los diablos (dance of the devils) in Shute Park on Saturday afternoon as onlookers gathered to watch.

The performance was a focal point of La Guelaguetza, an annual Indigenous cultural celebration in Hillsboro that honors the history and traditions of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Dozens of dancers in masks and chivarras (leather chaps made from goat skin) stomped their feet to live music, while holding whips above their heads. Many completed their costumes with boots and intricate suit jackets with fringe or sequined designs.

Although the masks are heavy and stifling, the dancers showed no exhaustion.

Intricately carved wooden masks with horns and detailed designs brought the danza de los diablos to life at La Guelaguetza festival in Hillsboro. Chiara Profenna

Its hard, but were used to it, said Ricardo Sixto Gutierrez, an Oaxacan mask-maker and dancer, in Spanish. Its tiring, but we always rest. And then we come back.

The danza de los diablos traces its roots to a ritual once performed by enslaved Africans in honor of the deity Ruja, in a plea for liberation from Spanish rule. Over centuries, it absorbed Indigenous and Catholic influences, transforming into a symbolic battle between good and evil and a testament to endurance and survival.

Elements of the choreography draw from the movements of Mexican cattle ranchers, while the devil masks pay tribute to the artistry and storytelling traditions of African ancestors.

The dance originated in Oaxaca, a state in southern Mexico with a rich cultural heritage that predates colonization. According to organizers, the Oaxaca region is one of the few where Indigenous languages are commonly spoken. The state officially recognizes over 150 linguistic variations.

Saturdays festival at Shute Park featured a lineup of dance and music performances by Oaxacan groups from across Oregon, as well as a few from Washington and California. La Guelaguetza is distinct from a typical Mexican festival, said organizer Adan Merecias.

Dancers of all ages performed on Saturday, showcasing the variety of Oaxacan dance styles. Chiara Profenna

I think whats often missed is the work and also the contributions from the Indigenous communities, Merecias said about other events which celebrate Mexican culture more broadly. Theres a lot of Indigenous communities that existed in Mexico. And we just want to highlight the languages, cultures, food, even music, is very different.

Gutierrez, has been a part of the festival since its inception in 2019 through his Oregon-based dance group Santiago Naranjas.

I formed a group because I wanted to share the culture of where we come from, where we are, who we are, Gutierrez said. Thats why Im still in this now, despite getting older.

Gutierrez continues to dance and craft masks for his four children, who were raised in Oregon, so they can experience their culture the way he did as a child in Oaxaca.

Mask-maker and dancer Ricardo Sixto Gutierrez crafts each cedar mask by hand, spending up to three weeks perfecting every detail. Chiara Profenna

For the past eight years, Gutierrez has crafted the wooden masks from cedar. Each design can take anywhere from one to three weeks to create, he said. Completed masks can cost between $500 and $2,000 depending on the design and length of the horns.

Danza de los diablos wasnt the only Indigenous style performed at La Guelaguetza. Other Oaxacan dances filled the calendar from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. including flor de pina (pineapple flower dance), la danza de los rubios (the dance of the blondes) and other folk performances. The dances represented various communities from Oaxaca, including dancers from the Mixtec (Nuu Savi), Zapotec, Afro-Mexican and valley communities.

Between performances, dancers handed out fruit and candy to the audience as a sign of gratitude for their presence. The practice is a tradition in Oaxaca.

This goes back to the Zapotec community, which is a community in the state of Oaxaca, Merecias said. They used to celebrate this on a yearly basis to honor their goddess Centeotl, whos the goddess of maize harvest.

La Guelaguetza began as a festival honoring the goddess and seeking a plentiful harvest, but also functioned as a communal gathering to celebrate and exchange goods and traditions. Merecias and fellow organizers launched La Guelaguetza in Oregon in 2019, and the event has expanded in size and popularity each year since.

Chinas Oaxaquenas de Oregon, a group of Oaxacan women based in Eugene performed at La Guelaguetza. Chiara Profenna

In Oaxaca, La Guelaguetza has increasingly become an event for those who can afford it, Merecias said. He aims to challenge that exclusivity by placing Indigenous community members at the center of the celebration in Oregon.

The event is open to everybody, Merecias said. Its a space to be able to learn and connect with the Oaxacan community, but the leadership is focused on the Oaxaquena community, and I think thats essential.

Despite organizers fears that this years Guelaguetza would be underattended in response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and other attacks on immigrant communities, the event was a moment of joy and cultural connection for many in attendance.

I think with what is going on in our state, in our country, its important to have this space to really be ourselves and teach our younger generation that this is important, having community, said Carmen Morales Arnbrister, an attendee.

Morales Arnbrister, whose father was from Oaxaca, said she is proud to be part of the Oaxacan community, which preserves historic art and culture in its traditions. She said events like La Guelaguetza provide a space to celebrate, share cultural understanding and enrich the community.

I do understand that theres a lot of fear in the back of our minds, but I think its important to step out and not be so fearful, said Morales Arnbrister. We need to support each other so that were not alone. We have all these beautiful people and beautiful culture that we should be proud of. We belong here.

 Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at 503-221-4327; cprofenna@oregonian.com or @chiaraprofenna.

The Oregonian/OregonLive receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to bring readers stories on religion, faith and cultural connections in Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive is solely responsible for all content.
Such needless harm, I told myself, after reading about the controversy at St. Agatha Catholic School, (Portland Catholic school revokes admission for same-sex couples children, July 26). How did the youngsters deserve this? And, while I dont wish more harm, I did wonder if the school is similarly disenrolling children of divorced and single parents.

One of the parents of the excluded family met with the parish priest, who reportedly expressed concern about the schools other children finding out our kids have two parents of the same sex. Perhaps the priest is worried it would lead to acceptance: countless Catholics have trod that path, embracing their LGBT brethren with a Christian love that church leaders often seem unable to fathom or to match.

I was raised Catholic in a parish school. My husband and I taught for many years at a school affiliated with a more hospitable denomination. I know what it is to ask bread of the Catholic Church and be given stone. Some Catholic institutions fire people in same-sex marriages such as mine. Now the children of such couples are also unwelcome, at least at St. Agatha.

While church leaders denounce Immigrations and Customs Enforcement deportation actions, and many of us wrestle with how not to acquiesce to the harms being done, a local priest invents a new cruelty. The families of St. Agatha will have to decide: Do they buckle under? Resist? Leave? My heart goes out to themmost of all, to the parents who must tell their children that the school and the church no longer want them.

Rick Rees, Portland

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
FRISCO, TEXAS - AUGUST 9: Osaze Urhoghide #3 of FC Dallas goes for a header against Felipe Mora #9 of Portland Timbers during the MLS soccer game between FC Dallas and Portland Timbers at Toyota Stadium on August 9, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. Getty Images

FRISCO, Texas  Petar Musa and defender Lalas Abubakar scored goals, and Michael Collodi earned his second clean sheet in his third career start as FC Dallas beat the Portland Timbers 2-0 on Saturday night.

Musa scored his 12th goal, unassisted in the 8th minute to give Dallas (7-11-7) an early lead.

Abubakar used an assist from Sebastian Lletget to score in the 62nd minute for a two-goal advantage. It was the first goal this season for Abubakar and the second assist for Lletget, who subbed in for Patrickson Delgado two minutes earlier.

Collodi saved three shots in goal for Dallas.

Maxime Crepeau did not have a save for the Timbers (10-8-7).

Dallas improves to 3-8-2 at home this season in the first meeting between the clubs.

Dallas is 11-1-5 all time at home against the Timbers in a series it leads 12-9-10.

Portland, which began the day in fifth place in the Western Conference, has won just twice in its last eight matches in league play.

The Timbers will host FC Cincinnati on Saturday. Dallas travels to play Austin FC on Saturday.

In other Timbers news, Santiago Moreno looks to be on his way out, as Brazilian Serie A side Fluminense agreed to pay Portland a $5.5 million transfer fee to obtain the forward, according to ESPN.

The deal is pending completion of paperwork. Moreno, 25, played in 136 games for the Timbers, scoring 21 goals and assisting on 19 others.
On Sunday at 1:11 p.m. an extreme heat warning was issued by the National Weather Service in effect until Tuesday at 10 p.m. for John Day Basin, Foothills of the Southern Blue Mountains of Oregon, North Central Oregon and Central Oregon.

The weather service comments, "Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures of 99 to 102 degrees expected. This will pose a moderate to locally major risk of heat-related illness, especially on Monday."

"Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events," comments the weather service.

Beating the heat: Heat safety guidelines from the weather service

Stay hydrated: Keep yourself well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.

Seek cool shelter: Stay in an air-conditioned room.

Avoid sun exposure: Avoid direct sun exposure, protect yourself and check on vulnerable relatives and neighbors.

Child and pet safety: Do not leave young children and pets unattended in vehicles when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

Caution outdoors: When working or spending time outside, take extra precautions.

Time your activities wisely: Whenever possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening hours when temperatures are more manageable.

Recognize heat-related issues: Know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Dress for comfort: Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing to stay cool.

Additional tips for outdoor workers:

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas for outdoor workers.

If someone is overwhelmed by the heat, swiftly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.

In emergencies, call 911 for immediate assistance.

These NWS heat safety directives are essential for safeguarding your well-being when facing high temperatures. Stay well-informed and take the necessary precautions to shield yourself and others from the potential hazards of extreme heat.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
Children play in the Salmon Street Springs fountain in 2015. A heat advisory is in effect for Portland from noon Sunday through Tuesday. AP

High temperatures of nearly 100 degrees from Sunday through Tuesday have prompted forecasters to issue an extreme heat warning for the Portland area.

Temperatures really start to heat up after noon on Sunday, and the National Weather Service expects heat to peak around 5 p.m. in the upper 90s.

Though cooling shelters are not yet open in Multnomah County, several libraries, pools, malls, community centers and splash pads offer Portland residents a place to beat the heat.

(Click here for a full map.)

Anyone living in an area experiencing extreme heat should stay in air-conditioned spaces if possible during the hottest parts of the day, stay hydrated and avoid caffeine or alcohol, and use cool compresses, cold showers and baths to beat the heat, the Oregon Health Authority said in a statement.

For those without air conditioning, the health authority recommends staying with friends or family who have it or to find a cooling center if one is available.

Clackamas County:

Clackamas County offers several cooling shelters in Oregon City, Canby, Sandy and Estacada.

Fathers Heart Street Ministry in at 603 12th St. in Oregon City will be open until 8 p.m. on Sunday for anyone who needs to beat the heat. Service pets on leashes or in carriers are welcome.

A full list of daytime centers is listed here.

Libraries:

Most Multnomah County libraries are open starting at noon on Sunday and will stay open through the hottest hours of the day. Several have extended their hours of operation until 8 p.m.

Use this map to find a library near you.

Malls:

The artsy Lloyd Center in Northeast Portland is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday.

(It also has indoor, air-conditioned pickleball courts for anyone hoping to stay active in a safe way.)

Clackamas Town Center, Washington Square and Pioneer Place malls also open at 11 a.m.

Interactive fountains, splash pads and pools:

Portland has dozens of interactive fountains and splash pads across the city. A full list can be found here.

Remember that health experts recommend staying out of the sun in the hottest parts of the day, drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.

The American Red Cross recommends drinking at least a cup of water every hour - and at least a cup every 20 minutes for athletes and outdoor workers.

Several Portland city pools are also open on Sunday. Find a full list and hours of operation here.

-- Reporter Tatum Todd contributed to this article.
A Chico teenager admitted to committing a racially-motivated assault with a deadly weapon on a 31-year-old international student along with three other juveniles.

The Butte County District Attorney detailed the incident, saying that as the victim walked through the Chico State University campus grounds from the grocery store, the group of four juveniles threw rocks at him while yelling racial slurs and racially charged comments.

Teen Admits to Racially-Motivated Assault

The district attorney also said that even though the victim tried to flee the scene, two members of the group chased him and later used a tree branch to beat him. The report specified that the remaining two juveniles watched the incident from the other side of the creek.

The 31-year-old was later able to get to safety and called 911 to report the incident after sustaining injuries to his head, arm, shoulder blade, and neck. District Attorney Michael Ramsey added that the victim also suffered emotional turmoil, according to Fox40.

Officials reported that the two juveniles who were involved in the original assault were located nearby and identified as a 16-year-old female and a 14-year-old male. Ramsey said that on that same day, police were able to arrest the juveniles on the allegation of resisting arrest.

Read more: Georgia Teenager Charged With Murder for Fatal Shooting of Mother and Stepfather document

After that, Chico State University Police reviewed several surveillance cameras and were able to identify the 13-year-old defendant. He is now waiting in the juvenile hall until his sentencing, where he faces a maximum of six years in the local juvenile hall for his involvement in the assault.

The identity of the fourth juvenile involved in the case is still a mystery, and the Butte County District Attorney's Office is urging anyone who may have information about the individual to contact officials, KRCRTV reported.

A Fight Between Two Groups of Teenagers

There was a similar incident in California that involved four teenagers who were arrested following a fight that was captured on video outside a Simi Valley movie theater. Police officers responded to a report of an assault in a parking lot at 2751 Tapo Canyon Road.

Authorities said that the law enforcement personnel arrested four underage boys for battery. The group allegedly approached another group at the Regal Plaza before a fight broke out between the individuals.

Police said in a press release that two victims were left injured after the fight, which included a possible concussion, chipped tooth, minor cuts, and abrasions. One victim, Michael Robinson, said he was with his friends when a group suddenly approached them, as per ABC7.
Schools in New York City received millions of dollars in support to help them implement bell-to-bell phone bans this school year.

Every single public school in NYC is entitled to receive one-time funding amounting to $25.90 per student, and is determined by the number of students in grades three to 12. When it comes to the city's most densely populated schools, the funding would total massive amounts.

NYC Schools Receive Millions of Dollars for Cellphone Bans

Brooklyn Tech, which is the largest high school in the United States, will receive more than $145,000, while Francis Lewis High School in Queens will get more than $122,000. On the other hand, Brooklyn's James Madison High School will receive more than $110,000.

NYC is sending more than $16 million in funding to schools in support of the implementation of the cellphone bans. Officials previously earmarked $29 million to be used for the cause, with the city itself contributing $25 million and the state putting the remaining $4 million, according to Chalkbeat.

Officials with the Education Department, when asked about the discrepancy in funding, said that they plan to use the additional money to support schools as needs arise. The money would be used by schools to buy pouches or the setup of cellphone lockers from government-approved sellers.

These would include schools that already had cellphone bans in place before the funds were given out. Officials estimate that roughly 800 of the city's 1,600 schools have already collected cellphones or allowed their students to carry their mobile devices inside pouches.

The efforts mirror New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has repeatedly supported cellphone bans during the school day. NYC's rules will differ from school to school, and the Education Department said each institution will be responsible for developing its own policy regarding the matter, the New York Times reported.

The Effects of the Restrictions

Some students from different states have expressed their opinions on the effect of the cellphone bans in their schools, which reflects what NYC students can expect to see. One 17-year-old, Zach Mangino, who attends Wilton High School in Connecticut, said it was refreshing to walk around school and see students smiling and having conversations.

Before the bans, he said that the majority of the people around his school would be standing against the walls like zombies. They could be a foot away from each other, but they would not even say a word.

Hochul's reasoning for the statewide cellphone ban is to create distraction-free schools that allow students better opportunities for learning. A report, based on the governor's listening tour, highlighted the fact that American teenagers get pinged with an average of 250 notifications every day, as per the New York Post.
Parents in Alabama are raising concerns and calling on officials to implement better road safety measures after a Mountain Gap middle schooler was fatally struck by a car while riding his bicycle.

The calls come three days after the young victim, identified as Kallel Fox, was struck and killed by a car while he was riding his bike at the intersection of Bailey Cove Road and Green Mountain Road. Parents argue that the former is a street that they are scared of, not because it was where Kal was killed.

Alabama Parents Raise Concern After Middle Schooler's Death

It is because they claim that these dangers in the area have already been around for several years and are now calling on authorities to do something about the issue. Local residents Melissa Autin and Ann Bagwell live in a neighborhood that is close enough to the area where Mountain Gap middle schoolers could walk or ride their bikes home.

However, they argue that this is something they never let happen, citing speeding drivers on Bailey Cove Road that threaten kids' safety. Autin added that because so many people are adamant about crossing that particular street, it has been named "psycho street," according to WAFF.

Read more: Florida Teenager Fatally Shots Parents Before Turning Himself in to Authorities

Bagwell noted that while she wants to give her kids the opportunity to ride their bikes home, they do not trust the other drivers who go through that area. The school bus cannot take Autin and Bagwell's children home because they live within two miles of Mountain Gap Middle School.

The parents argue that the situation has forced them to structure their jobs around picking up their children from school. Now, Huntsville City Councilwoman Jennie Robinson said she believes that access to buses is the safest solution that is currently available and is talking to Huntsville City Schools to extend bus services in closer neighborhoods.

Addressing Road Safety

At the time of the incident involving 13-year-old Fox, the Huntsville Police Department (HPD) said the boy suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital, but later died. It was later revealed that the teenager had already gotten home but was going somewhere nearby when the accident struck, News19 reported.

The HPD also said that it received various inquiries regarding potential charges against the driver of the car that fatally struck Fox. However, the department did not confirm whether or not any charges would be filed, as it is still waiting for toxicology reports for the driver.

The incident is still under investigation by the Traffic Homicide Unit, and Mountain Gap Middle School released a statement, adding that counselors are available for students and staff members, as per WAAY31.
More lead was found inside Oakland Unified School District pipes this week, raising even more concern about contaminated water.

Parents and students attended an orientation at Hillcrest Elementary earlier in the week, where they were issued a warning about seven water fixtures that tested above the legal limit for lead. One parent, Daniele Clendenning, said there are things officials can do to address the situation.

School District's Lead Contamination Problem

He noted that a similar issue last year was addressed by replacing some of the affected pipes, which was not able to completely remove the problem. The parent added that despite the warnings, they are not overly concerned, pointing to the water filtration system that is set up on campus.

However, a recent round of testing showed that some of the schools in the Oakland Unified School District continue to suffer from lead issues. Communications Director for OUSD, John Sasaki, said the system that is in place now is much better than the one in 2017, which is when they first dealt with lead issues, according to ABC7 News.

There were changes to the state law in 2017 that prompted lead testing, and in the years since, OUSD has regularly tested water fountains and faucets. The EPA standard is that when lead exceeds 15 parts per billion, there needs to be public notification and treatment.

The OUSD's benchmark is much stricter, being five parts per billion. The school district noted that in a first round of testing last spring, they found that 83% of water sources were below five parts per billion. However, 6.5% were higher than the state and federal standard of 15 parts per billion.

Addressing the Issue

The latest district reports note that lead was found in pipes that lead to drinking fountains at campuses. The situation comes after the OUSD came under fire last August after nearly 200 fixtures throughout the district tested positive for lead, the NBC Bay Area reported.

During the latest school board meeting, school counselor Catherine Cotter said they were given a report that kids at the school were no longer allowed to drink water at their school. She said that she has the responsibility of raising any inequities she sees. She is demanding safe drinking water for their students immediately.

A teacher, Ella Every-Wortman, also stepped up and excoriated the board for "endangering" the school community. She argued that students and staff were left to drink water that was known to be contaminated from April to August. She called the delay on the part of OUSD negligent, as per the Oakland Side.
The U.S. Department of Justice building is seen in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. AP

Story by Carter Walker of Votebeat

This article is made possible through Spotlight PAs collaboration with Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting. Sign up for Votebeat Pennsylvanias free newsletters here.

The U.S. Justice Department is asking Pennsylvania to turn over its complete voter rolls, a request that appears to encompass voters personal information, including Social Security and drivers license numbers.

The request, which Pennsylvania officials received in a letter this week, is part of a recent push to get states to turn over voter registration information, which the federal government says is aimed at enforcing election law.

But one expert told Votebeat and Spotlight PA that the federal government is likely asking for more information than it needs, and that it would be potentially illegal for states to turn over this kind of personal data.

The letter, sent to Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt on Aug. 4, was first reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer. It asks the state for a copy of its voter rolls  which it had not requested in its previous communications with Pennsylvania about election security  as well as information on the states answer to a survey about election administration.

We write to you as the chief election official for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to request information regarding the Commonwealths procedures for complying with the statewide voter registration list maintenance provisions of the National Voter Registration Act, the letter said.

Justin Levitt, a professor at Loyola Law School in California and former civil rights official in the Justice Department, said he thinks the request oversteps the federal governments authority.

The letter cites the National Voter Registration Act, which provides for voter registration information to be public. But the law doesnt say that all fields in the voter rolls can be made public, as the letter requests.

Pennsylvanias voter rolls are available online and can be downloaded for $20, although that version does not contain personal information such as drivers license and Social Security numbers. Levitt noted that courts have repeatedly ruled that the law doesnt require the release of private information.

Levitt said the Justice Department doesnt need specific voters information, as the letter requests, to ensure that states are complying with the NVRA.

Knowing whether or not Justin Levitt is on the rolls and Justin Levitts Social Security number tells you nothing about whether a state has a general program of list maintenance, he said.

The Justice Department recently sued Orange County, California, in part for redacting drivers license and Social Security numbers in responding to a department request for voter registration information. Releasing those parts of the voter rolls has also been met with legal resistance in the past in Pennsylvania, based on privacy concerns.

Levitt said another issue with the letter is that the department has not disclosed publicly or to Congress why it is seeking this data, which it is required to do under the Privacy Act of 1974.

In a statement to Votebeat and Spotlight PA, Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for civil rights, said clean voter rolls and election safeguards are requisites for free, fair, and transparent elections.

The DOJ Civil Rights Division has a statutory mandate to enforce our federal voting rights laws, and ensuring the voting publics confidence in the integrity of our elections is a top priority of this administration, the statement said.

The letter from federal officials also seeks information about some answers from Pennsylvania to the Election Administration and Voting Survey. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission conducts that survey of election officials every two years to collect data on various aspects of election administration, including list maintenance.

Previously reported communications between the Justice Department and Pennsylvania did not mention EAVS data, but the Aug. 4 letter asks Schmidt to explain the states survey responses, including why it reported fewer-than-average duplicate registrations and why so few voter registration applications came from military recruitment offices.

Additionally, the letter asks for the voting history of any noncitizen, person with a felony conviction, or individual deemed incompetent who was removed from the rolls since the 2022 midterm election.

The letter asked the Department of State to respond within 14 days. As of Thursday evening, a spokesperson for the department said it had not yet responded.

Carter Walker is a reporter for Votebeat in partnership with Spotlight PA. Contact Carter at cwalker@votebeat.org.
Fans of popular actor Anthony Anderson are sending prayers his way this weekend after he shared the news that he had to recently be rushed to the emergency room.

The good news is the actors situation does not appear to be overly serious. The bad news is, it also doesnt appear to be a comfortable situation.

Sunday morning out of the blue I woke up to a swollen knee, the 54-year-old Black-ish star wrote on Instagram on Aug. 5. I ended up in the ER until 1230am. To my surprise I was told that I have arthritis in my knee and the Kings Disease. 140 ccs of fluid was drained from my knee.

Thank you to the doctors at UCLA Santa Monica, my son @hotboynato and Lucera from making sure that I was OK.

Along with his post the actor shared a video of his knee getting drained, and  well, that was a whole lot of yellow fluid that came out of his joint.

My dawg glad your feeling better, Cedric the Entertainer responded.

Looking forward to a speedy recovery fam, E40 wrote.

Feel better honey, Jill Scott wrote.

Looking good as new! Claressa Shields wrote. Wishing you a speedy recovery my friend!!!

Sleep walking and hit your knee on the best post? Charles Woodson wrote. (Dang) homie.

Opphhh, another person wrote. Ive had my knee drained before and that (expletive) hurt like hell. But the immediate relief was unreal. Hope your knee feels better.
Music superstars Eric Church and Morgan Wallen fishing in Field & Stream apparel. The country music singers are part of a team that has acquired the Field & Stream brand from Dick's Sporting Goods and the media platform from Recurrent. Field & Stream

There seems to be a sizeable cross over market between country music fans and folks who appreciate hunting and fishing in the great outdoors, and a pair of country music stars are taking advantage of that.

Morgan Wallen and Eric Church came together last year to buy one of the most iconic brands  Field and Stream  in the outdoors space.

(Field and Stream) Born in 1871. Reborn in 2024, Wallen captioned an Instagram video featuring he and Church fishing last year. Theres nothin I love more than being with friends around a campfire, on a boat or in a deer stand  and Field & Stream represents all of those to me. Being part of its future is incredible and we want to keep bringing people together outdoors, makin memories, for generations to come  MW.

Church also shared a fishing video at the time, and wrote, I can remember my grandfather kept a few of his favorite Field & Stream magazines on the dash of his truck. That truck took us on hundreds of outdoor adventures and I all but memorized every story and picture on every page. They were my Bible. It is the honor of my life to make sure that legacy carries on. It is both this responsibility to an American Icon and also to a young boy in his papaws truck that will be the compass that guides our steps.

Wallen and Church brought the magazine, which had moved to an all-digital format, back into print, and they have also launched a new brand of clothing that is making headlines because it is available exclusively on Amazon.

It features new fishing wear, hats, shirts, shorts and pants, according to a recent Yahoo profile.

And, of course with Wallen and Church involved, there is a music element, too.

The Field & Steam music festival is slated to take place Oct. 3-5 in Winnsboro, South Carolina.

Wallen is not currently featured among the acts, but Church is listed as the headliner for the final night.
Relatives and soldiers of the Azov Regiment pay last respect near the coffin of their comrade, Georgian volunteer Mykhailo Kovaliv, during a farewell ceremony on Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Dan Bashakov) AP

By Samya Kullab, The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine  European nations rallied behind Ukraine, saying peace in the war-torn nation cant be resolved without Kyiv, ahead of a planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russias Vladimir Putin.

Trump had said Fridays meeting in Alaska with his Russian counterpart was to discuss ending the more than three-year war.

Zelenskyy responded by thanking European allies and wrote on X on Sunday: The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people.

Trump-Putin meeting spikes worries

Saturdays statement by top European leaders came after the White House confirmed the U.S president was willing to grant Putin the one-on-one meeting Russia has long pushed for, and suggestions from Trump that a peace deal could include some swapping of territories. That raised fears that Kyiv may be pressured into giving up land or accepting other curbs on its sovereignty.

A White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they arent allowed to speak publicly, told The Associated Press that Trump remained open to a trilateral summit with both the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, but for now, he will have a bilateral meeting requested by Putin.

Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance met Saturday with top European and Ukrainian officials at the British Foreign Secretarys weekend residence to discuss how to end the war.

Trump had earlier said he would meet with Putin even if the Russian leader would not meet with Zelenskyy.

The Trump-Putin meeting may prove pivotal in a war that began when Russia invaded its western neighbor and has led to tens of thousands of deaths, although theres no guarantee it will stop the fighting since Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on their conditions for peace.

The statement

Saturdays statement, signed by the president of the European Union and leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland and the UK, stressed the need for a just and lasting peace for Kyiv, including robust and credible security guarantees.

Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities, the statement said.

The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force, the Europeans added.

A fruitless push toward a truce

A monthlong U.S.-led push to achieve a truce in Ukraine has so far proved fruitless, with Kyiv agreeing in principle while the Kremlin has held out for terms more to its liking.

Trump had also moved up an ultimatum to impose additional sanctions on Russia and introduce secondary tariffs targeting countries that buy Russian oil if the Kremlin did not move toward a settlement. The deadline was Friday. The White House did not answer questions Saturday about possible sanctions.

The Kremlin earlier this week reiterated demands that Ukraine give up territory, abandon its bid to join NATO, and accept limits on its military, in exchange for a withdrawal of Russian troops from the rest of the country.

Zelenskyy said Saturday that Ukraine will not give Russia any awards for what it has done and that Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.

Ukrainian officials previously told the AP privately that Kyiv would be amenable to a peace deal that would de facto recognize Ukraines inability to regain lost territories militarily. But Zelenskyy on Saturday insisted that formally ceding land was out of the question.

Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.
Palestinians collect humanitarian aid packages from the United Arab Emirates after they were airdropped into Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) AP

By Wafaa Shurafa, Sam Metz and Samy Magdy, The Associated Press

JERUSALEM  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended a new military offensive in Gaza thats more sweeping than previously announced, declaring in the face of growing condemnation at home and abroad that Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.

Even as more Israelis express concern over the 22-month war, Netanyahu said the security Cabinet last week instructed the dismantling of Hamas strongholds not only in Gaza City but also in the central camps and Muwasi. A source familiar with the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media, confirmed that Israel plans it in both areas.

The crowded camps  sheltering well over a half-million displaced people, according to the U.N.  had not been part of Israels announcement Friday. It was not clear why, though Netanyahu faced criticism this weekend within his ruling coalition that targeting Gaza City was not enough. Netanyahu said there would be safe zones, but such designated areas have been bombed in the past.

Netanyahu spoke with Trump about plan

Netanyahus office late Sunday said he had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump about the plan and thanked him for his steadfast support.

Rejecting starvation in Gaza as well as a global campaign of lies, Netanyahu spoke to foreign media just before an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, a platform for outrage but little action on the war.

Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza, Netanyahu asserted.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in Jerusalem, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP) AP

Netanyahu said there is a fairly short timetable for next steps there, but didnt give specifics. The goals, he said, include demilitarizing the territory, the Israeli military having overriding security control and a non-Israeli civilian administration in charge.

Israel wants to increase the number of aid distribution sites in Gaza, he said, but in a later briefing to local media, he asserted: There is no hunger. There was no hunger. There was a shortage, and there was certainly no policy of starvation.

Netanyahu also said he has directed Israels military to bring in more foreign journalists  which would be a striking development, as they havent been allowed into Gaza beyond military embeds during the war.

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip attend a rally demanding their release from Hamas captivity and calling for an end to the war, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) AP

He again blamed many of Gazas problems on the Hamas militant group, including civilian deaths, destruction and aid shortages. Hamas still has thousands of armed terrorists, he asserted, adding that Palestinians are begging to be freed from them.

Hamas responded with a lengthy statement that summed up Netanyahus remarks as blatant lies.

U.S. defends Israel at Security Council meeting

The United States defended Israel, saying it has the right to decide whats best for its security. It called allegations of genocide in Gaza false.

The U.S. has veto power at the council and can block proposed actions there.

Other council members, and U.N. officials, expressed alarm. China called the collective punishment of people in Gaza unacceptable. Russia warned against a reckless intensification of hostilities.

This is no longer a looming hunger crisis; this is starvation, said Ramesh Rajasingham with the U.N. humanitarian office. Humanitarian conditions are beyond horrific. We have frankly run out of words to describe it.

Demonstrators march near the border with Gaza calling for the release of all hostages held by Hamas and for an end to the ongoing war, in southern Israel, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) AP

Israel faces growing action even by its closest allies. Netanyahu said Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany had buckled under the growing international criticism by stopping exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza. Merz, for his part, told public broadcaster ARD that Germany and Israel were talking very critically but Berlins overall policies of friendship havent changed.

More Palestinians killed as they seek aid

At least 31 Palestinians were killed while seeking aid in Gaza, hospitals and witnesses said. The Associated Press spoke to witnesses of gunfire in the Israeli-controlled Morag and Netzarim corridors and the Teina area in the south. All accused Israeli forces of firing at crowds trying to reach food distributions or waiting for convoys.

Fifteen people were killed while waiting for trucks near the Morag corridor that separates the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, according to Nasser hospital.

The situation is a death trap, said Jamal al-Laweh, who said Israeli forces opened fire there. But I have no other choice to feed the kids.

Six were killed while waiting for aid in northern Gaza near the Zikim crossing, according to Gazas Health Ministry and Shifa hospital.

In central Gaza, witnesses said they heard warning shots before fire was aimed toward crowds trying to reach a distribution site operated by the Israeli-backed and U.S.-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The AP could not independently confirm who fired. Awda hospital said four people were killed by Israeli gunfire.

Six other aid-seekers were killed while trying to reach GHF sites in Khan Younis and Rafah, Nasser hospital said.

The GHF sites opened in May as an alternative to the U.N.-run aid system, but operations have been marred by deaths and chaos.

Tents housing displaced Palestinians crowd the beach in Gaza City, as the sun sets over the Mediterranean Sea, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi) AP

Responding to AP inquiries, the GHF media office said: There were no incidents at or near our sites today. Israels military said there were no incidents involving troops near central Gaza aid sites.

Hunger death toll among children hits 100

Israels air and ground offensive has displaced most Palestinians and pushed the territory toward famine. Two Palestinian children died of malnutrition-related causes on Saturday, bringing the toll among children to 100 since the war began.

At least 117 adults have died of malnutrition-related causes since June, when the ministry started to count them.

The hunger toll is in addition to the ministrys war toll of 61,400 Palestinians. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, doesnt distinguish between fighters or civilians, but says around half of the dead have been women and children. The U.N. and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on war casualties.

Labor strike urged in Israel over looming offensive

Hostages relatives have urged a labor strike in Israel next week over the plans to expand military operations, fearing it will endanger their loved ones. Fifty hostages remain after being taken in the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, that sparked the war. Twenty are believed to be alive.

Dozens of people sat outside the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem to protest Israels offensive. I think its a horrible decision. Its like deciding that we dont want (hostages) alive anymore, said one, Milly Rothschild.

Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel; Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut; Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed.

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
The first space race was about flags and footprints. Now, decades later, landing on the Moon is old news. (PennLive.com | Mark Pynes)

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Author: Michelle L.D. Hanlon, University of Mississippi

The first space race was about flags and footprints. Now, decades later, landing on the Moon is old news. The new race is to build there, and doing so hinges on power.

In April 2025, China reportedly unveiled plans to build a nuclear power plant on the Moon by 2035. This plant would support its planned international lunar research station. The United States countered in August, when acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy reportedly suggested a U.S. reactor would be operational on the Moon by 2030.

While it might feel like a sudden sprint, this isnt exactly breaking news. NASA and the Department of Energy have spent years quietly developing small nuclear power systems to power lunar bases, mining operations and long-term habitats.

As a space lawyer focused on long-term human advancement into space, I see this not as an arms race but as a strategic infrastructure race. And in this case, infrastructure is influence.

A lunar nuclear reactor may sound dramatic, but its neither illegal nor unprecedented. If deployed responsibly, it could allow countries to peacefully explore the Moon, fuel their economic growth and test out technologies for deeper space missions. But building a reactor also raises critical questions about access and power.

The legal framework already exists

Nuclear power in space isnt a new idea. Since the 1960s, the U.S. and the Soviet Union have relied on radioisotope generators that use small amounts of radioactive elements  a type of nuclear fuel  to power satellites, Mars rovers and the Voyager probes.

Nuclear energy in space isnt new  some spacecraft are nuclear-powered. This photo shows the nuclear heat source for the Mars Curiosity rover encased in a graphite shell. The fuel glows red hot because of the radioactive decay of plutonium-238. Idaho National Laboratory, CC BY Idaho National Laboratory, CC BY

The United Nations 1992 Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space, a nonbinding resolution, recognizes that nuclear energy may be essential for missions where solar power is insufficient. This resolution sets guidelines for safety, transparency and international consultation.

Nothing in international law prohibits the peaceful use of nuclear power on the Moon. But what matters is how countries deploy it. And the first country to succeed could shape the norms for expectations, behaviors and legal interpretations related to lunar presence and influence.

Why being first matters

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty, ratified by all major spacefaring nations including the U.S., China and Russia, governs space activity. Its Article IX requires that states act with due regard to the corresponding interests of all other States Parties.

That statement means if one country places a nuclear reactor on the Moon, others must navigate around it, legally and physically. In effect, it draws a line on the lunar map. If the reactor anchors a larger, long-term facility, it could quietly shape what countries do and how their moves are interpreted legally, on the Moon and beyond.

Other articles in the Outer Space Treaty set similar boundaries on behavior, even as they encourage cooperation. They affirm that all countries have the right to freely explore and access the Moon and other celestial bodies, but they explicitly prohibit territorial claims or assertions of sovereignty.

At the same time, the treaty acknowledges that countries may establish installations such as bases  and with that, gain the power to limit access. While visits by other countries are encouraged as a transparency measure, they must be preceded by prior consultations. Effectively, this grants operators a degree of control over who can enter and when.

Building infrastructure is not staking a territorial claim. No one can own the Moon, but one country setting up a reactor could shape where and how others operate  functionally, if not legally.

Infrastructure is influence

Building a nuclear reactor establishes a countrys presence in a given area. This idea is especially important for resource-rich areas such as the lunar south pole, where ice found in perpetually shadowed craters could fuel rockets and sustain lunar bases.

These sought-after regions are scientifically vital and geopolitically sensitive, as multiple countries want to build bases or conduct research there. Building infrastructure in these areas would cement a countrys ability to access the resources there and potentially exclude others from doing the same.

Dark craters on the Moon, parts of which are indicated here in blue, never get sunlight. Scientists think some of these permanently shadowed regions could contain water ice. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Critics may worry about radiation risks. Even if designed for peaceful use and contained properly, reactors introduce new environmental and operational hazards, particularly in a dangerous setting such as space. But the U.N. guidelines do outline rigorous safety protocols, and following them could potentially mitigate these concerns.

Why nuclear? Because solar has limits

The Moon has little atmosphere and experiences 14-day stretches of darkness. In some shadowed craters, where ice is likely to be found, sunlight never reaches the surface at all. These issues make solar energy unreliable, if not impossible, in some of the most critical regions.

A small lunar reactor could operate continuously for a decade or more, powering habitats, rovers, 3D printers and life-support systems. Nuclear power could be the linchpin for long-term human activity. And its not just about the Moon  developing this capability is essential for missions to Mars, where solar power is even more constrained.

The U.N. Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space sets guidelines to govern how countries act in outer space. United States Mission to International Organizations in Vienna, CC BY-NC-ND CC BY-NC-ND

A call for governance, not alarm

The United States has an opportunity to lead not just in technology but in governance. If it commits to sharing its plans publicly, following Article IX of the Outer Space Treaty and reaffirming a commitment to peaceful use and international participation, it will encourage other countries to do the same.

The future of the Moon wont be determined by who plants the most flags. It will be determined by who builds what, and how. Nuclear power may be essential for that future. Building transparently and in line with international guidelines would allow countries to more safely realize that future.

A reactor on the Moon isnt a territorial claim or a declaration of war. But it is infrastructure. And infrastructure will be how countries display power  of all kinds  in the next era of space exploration.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/nasa-plans-to-build-a-nuclear-reactor-on-the-moon-a-space-lawyer-explains-why-and-what-the-law-has-to-say-262773.
A white-tailed deer is photographed in January 2023 in the snow. Pennsylvania hunters can use property-specific Deer Management Assistance Program permits that go on sale Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, to hunt antlerless deer with firearms statewide Dec. 26-Jan. 24. Courtney Celley/U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Public Domain Photo

Sales open at 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11 for property-specific deer-hunting permits that will open up nearly a month of opportunities to get into the woods after Christmas across Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania hunters who hold these Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) permits for antlerless deer can use them during the extended firearms season Dec. 26-Jan. 24 statewide, but only on the specific property for which the permit was issued.

For example, a hunter with a DMAP permit good for a farm in Westmoreland County can only use the permit on that property, while a hunter with a DMAP permit for a portion of state forest in Clearfield County can only use it there.

Hunters also can use DMAP permits for their appropriate properties Jan. 2-19 in certain Wildlife Management Units. These WMUs are 4A, 4D, 5A and  new for the 2025-26 license year  4C.

The extended firearms season also is open to any hunter with unused antlerless tags for WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D from Dec. 26-Jan. 24 and in WMUs 4A, 4C, 4D and 5A from Jan. 2-19.

Along with the first opportunity to pick up DMAP permits for the upcoming seasons, Monday also marks the start of the third round of antlerless license sales. Hunters who already bought two antlerless licenses can pick up a third, or hunters who have not yet gotten a license can purchase up to three. The fourth round of sales begins Aug. 25, with a limit of six antlerless licenses per hunter.

Sales are first-come-first-served until a WMU is sold out. Visit huntfish.pa.gov to see where antlerless licenses remain available.

Each DMAP permit costs $10.97 for residents and $35.97 for nonresidents. An antlerless license costs $6.97 and $26.97 for nonresidents.

Hunters also may use DMAP permits to harvest antlerless deer during other open deer seasons.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission requires DMAP permit-holders to file a harvest report, regardless of whether or not they get a deer. Pennsylvania hunters who dont get a deer are not otherwise required to file a harvest report.

For some properties, DMAP permits are available to purchase online or at a license-issuing agent, and hunters may purchase up to two permits per property. For other properties, a hunter must first obtain between one and four coupons from the landowner, then redeem them to purchase their DMAP permits.

Visit pgcapps.pa.gov/Harvest/DMAP to find properties participating in the Deer Management Assistance Program.

Some DMAP permits are extremely limited. Within WMU 3D, for example, The Nature Conservancy is making available just four permits for its Minsi Lake Preserve in northern Northampton County. On State Game Lands 168 within 3D, 156 DMAP permits were approved to be sold.

Aside from the Deer Management Assistance Program, the Pennsylvania Game Commission for 2025-26 allocated a record 1,312,000 antlerless permits  up nearly 11% from the 1,186,000 available last year. The allocation is based on deer-management goals in each Wildlife Management Unit. But it represents an expansion of hunting opportunities  as do making the DMAP permits valid statewide after Christmas and the addition of 10 Sundays for hunting.

Hunting in Pennsylvania is now open for 13 consecutive Sundays, from Sept. 14 through Dec. 7, for game thats in season. Prior to the Sunday hunting expansion becoming law this summer, only three Sundays were open for hunting:

Nov. 16 , for small game; and archery for deer statewide and black bear in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D.

Nov. 23 , for small game; archery for deer in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D; archery for bear in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D; and regular firearms for bear statewide.

Nov. 30, regular firearms for deer statewide and extended firearms for bear in WMUs 2B, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4E, 5A 5B, 5C and 5D.

Note that the regular firearms deer season still ends on Saturday, Dec. 13. Many established hunting seasons will continue to close as scheduled on a Saturday. Sundays must fall between the established opening and closing days of a season to be open to hunting.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
Blog Archive: Aug 2025 (130) Jul 2025 (155) Jun 2025 (150) May 2025 (155) Apr 2025 (9) Mar 2025 (149) Feb 2025 (139) Jan 2025 (155) Dec 2024 (144) Nov 2024 (143) Oct 2024 (155) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (155) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55)
The inaugural 2025 Onyx Super High Roller Series Cyprus presented by Onyx Club got underway today at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa with the first starting flight of the $10,400 GG Million$. The opening event of the festival attracted 229 entries on Day 1a, putting the tournament well on the way to surpassing its massive $5,000,000 guaranteed prize pool.

After 15 levels of poker, 41 players bagged up chips and secured their spot in Day 2. At the top of the chip counts was Michael Allen of the United Kingdom, who finished with 1,430,000. Roman Stoika ended the night in second place with 1,200,000, helped by a big hand early in the day where his pocket kings held against Hassan Nashars suited ace for a full double-up.

Day 1a Top Ten Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Michael Allen United Kingdom 1,430,000 89 2 Roman Stoika Russia 1,200,000 75 3 Sondre Stormyr Norway 1,111,000 69 4 Christopher Putz Germany 1,047,000 65 5 Weiran Pu China 1,026,000 64 6 Moussa Ahmad Lebanon 869,000 54 7 Robert Burlacu Romania 865,000 54 8 Ivan Zabiiakin Russia 852,000 53 9 Gilles Simon Netherlands 812,000 51 10 Philip Joyce United Kingdom 779,000 49

The Day's Action

The 2025 Onyx Super High Roller Series got off to an explosive start as Nashar scored the first elimination after just minutes of play. His Big Slick rivered a flush against Changyang Lius pocket jacks, sending Liu to the rail as the first casualty of the festival.

Several familiar names arrived before the close of late registration, including Jesse Lonis, Ren Lin, Nick Schulman, and Biao Ding. Lonis earned a big double-up after catching Artur Martirosian bluffing with a missed draw. Martirosians day ended a few levels later when Xiaosheng Zheng spiked a three-outer on the flop to send the Russian pro to the showers.

Jesse Lonis

With such an allure of this series, it's no wonder so many big names were out today. Some of the notables to advance from Day 1a include Christopher Putz (1,047,000) and Werian Pu (1,026,000), who stayed alive after rivering a boat against Boris Kolevs turned flush. Gilles Simon (812,000), Ohad Geiger (667,000), Aliaksei Boika (418,000), and Tommy Vedes (155,000) also locked up their places on the second day of this three-day affair.

Lonis bagged 750,000 when the dust settled, while Fahredin Mustafoc (635,000), Viktor Iarilov (533,000), Aliaksei Boika (418,000), and Matthew Wantman (292,000) also made it through. Wantman scored himself a big double-up just before the dinner break, when he correctly picked off Alexandr Chernikovs triple-barrel bluff with two pair.

Matthew Wantman

Day 1b kicks off at 12 p.m. and will follow the same structure as today. The final chance for players to reach Day 2 is through the Day 1 Turbo, which is a 6-max format with 20-minute levels, and begins at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. Survivors from all starting flights will combine for Day 2 on Monday, August 11.

Remaining $10,400 GG Million$ Schedule

Date Day Time Blind Levels August 10 Day 1b 12 p.m. 40 minutes (Play 15 levels) August 10 Day 1 Turbo 8:30 p.m. 20 minutes (Play 15 levels) August 11 Day 2 12 p.m. 50 minutes August 12 Final Day 12 p.m. 60 minutes

Follow PokerNews for continued coverage of the $10,400 GG Million$, including live updates, chip counts, and drama from the tournament floor as the poker continues in Northern Cyprus.
PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-10 00:07:15

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 642 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 9, 2025 /WHY: New York, N.Y., August 9, 2025. Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:HIMS) between April 29, 2025 and June 23, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important August 25, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Hims common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Hims class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=40578or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than August 25, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the communication between Hims and the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk A/S ("Novo") would facilitate a long-term collaboration that would ensure continued access to the weight-loss drug Wegovy for Hims subscribers; (2) Novo approved of Hims' offerings of compounded semaglutide products under the "personalization" exception; (3) branded Wegovy would be offered alongside compounded semaglutide options on the Hims platform, thereby expanding user choice; and (4) defendants made positive statements about the Novo partnership and Hims users' ongoing access to Wegovy alongside compounded semaglutide products. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Hims class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=40578 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-10 17:55:13

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 305 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 10, 2025 / Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation of Encompass Health Corporation ("Encompass Health Corporation") (NYSE:EHC) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.On July 15, 2025, the New York Times published an article, entitled "Even Grave Errors at Rehab Hospitals Go Unpenalized and Undisclosed," discussing the state of the private rehabilitation hospital industry. In the article, the Times specifically identified Encompass as one of the for-profit rehab corporations that "have had rare but serious incident of patient harm and perform below average on two key safety measure tracked by Medicare." The article went on to note specific examples highlighting significant patient safety concerns, medication errors, and an overall lack of oversight at Encompass' hospitals. Following this news, Encompass' stock price fell by $12.39 per share to close at $ 107.28 per share. To obtain additional information, go to:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212)363-7500.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212)363-7500 Fax: (212)363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Nigerias First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, says the federal government remains committed to the well-being of Nigerians.

Mrs Tinubu gave the assurance after receiving a chieftaincy title of Iya Oba of Ikorodu in Lagos State on Saturday.

The honour was given to her by the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi, at Ikorodu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was part of activities marking Mr Shotobis 10th coronation anniversary.

The activities started on 2 August.

Mrs Tinubu was represented by the Wife of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Oluremi Hamzat.

She said: I extend my heartfelt appreciation to his royal majesty, the royal families and the good people of Ikorodu for finding me worthy of this distinguished recognition.

This gesture is not only a personal honour, but a call to continued service.

The title of Iya Oba carries with it, not just prestige, but also a responsibility.

Mrs Tinubu said that she was fully aware of the cultural significance of the honour.

Ikorodu kingdom holds a special place in the heart of Lagos, she said.

According to her, Ikorodu has produced generations of industrious persons.

She praised the kings good leadership over the past decade.

I congratulate Your Majesty and the people of Ikorodu Kingdom on your 10th coronation anniversary and commend Your Majestys leadership over the past decade.

Your tenure is marked by peace, progress, stability and strengthening of our cultural heritage, she said.

In his remarks, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau (APC Kano North) said that the traditional ruler had provided impactful leadership that brought many Ikorodu indigenes to national limelight.

He commended Mr Shotobi for inclusive leadership.

He said that through the efforts of Mr Shotobi, Ikorodu had transformed from a rural community to a business hub.

READ ALSO: First Lady Oluremi Tinubu hails Super Falcons as role models

Earlier, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, also praised Mr Shotobi for impactful leadership and expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his administrations reforms and its Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Akarigbo of Remo land in Ogun State, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, also praised Mr Shotobi for good leadership.

Earlier, Buba Marwa, the chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and former military administrator of Lagos State, also commended Mr Shotobi for impactful leadership.

(NAN)
Cast: Uche Montana, Chinenye Nnebe, Phyna Otabor, Daniel Nsude, Emmanuel Damilare, Jbronze, Chiamaka Okoye, Nnoruka Ugochukwu, Ume Daniel, Joshua Frederick Adum

Director: Omoruyi Efosa Emmanuel

Run time: 127 minutes

In an era driven by the content is king mantra, many young people have invested person-hours into becoming internet stars.

The result is a fast-paced world of trends and instant gratification. But what happens when the realisation that there is always a price to pay hits?

Inspired by a true story, Hustle Code follows the life of Mena (Chinenye Nnebe) and Zara (Uche Montana), two seemingly broke ladies living the Lekki life.

On the surface, Mena is a forex trader while Zara is an entrepreneur. In reality, Mena assists fraudsters, also known as Yahoo Boys, in their activities. In street lingo, she is what you would call a Picker.

Zara, on the other hand, is broke and jobless. She dates Pato (Daniel Nsude) for a living.

In comes Kelly (Phyna Otabor), a glamorous content creator who just returned from South Africa and needs a place to stay.

With a spare room and bills to pay, the ladies rent out a part of their apartment, but, as is expected, differences in their personalities begin to get in the way.

While Zara takes a hostile path, Mena meets Kelly for tips on how to start creating content.

Triggered by her constant bickering with Kelly, Zara uses content creation to rival her new roommate.

However, in a moment of shared trauma, the three ladies realised they are bound by the same thing: mounting bills, black tax and indebtedness.

After brainstorming ideas on how to get out of their financial mess, they settled for the escort service hustle.

Kelly calls Dapo (Emmanuel Damilare), who links them up with a gig.

As they set out to secure the bag,  what was supposed to be a one-time thing soon becomes a habit even as the consequences manifest.

Review

Hustle Code is a take on the desire to live the soft life without working.

The movie explores the content creation world behind the scenes and all the pretence it is known to come with.

Although viewers may be familiar with the themes presented in the movie, Hustle Code still tries to be impactful by offering a fresh perspective that resonates with audiences.

Even though she starts by masquerading her Yahoo girl antics as forex trading, Mena has an epiphany and eventually tells the girls to wrap it up and seek paid employment.

They insist on going for enticing payouts that they are bound to receive. She eventually gives in to peer pressure.

In a fleeting moment of self-doubt, Mena caves. What follows is that they get more than they bargained for, and she becomes the biggest victim of their shenanigans.

One thing that works against the movie is its lack of attention to detail. Otherwise, how does Zara go to sleep and wake up with heavy makeup?

The movie was interesting until the moment the girls started taking escort service gigs. Then suddenly, it veers off and starts struggling.

Hustle Code is another movie that highlights a problem without solving it.

Although taking the spiritual route is not the ending viewers hoped for, the movie missed opportunities to properly address problems around fraud, fake life, the downside of going viral, and other sub-themes.

Rated 5/10
When the spine leans low beneath the weight of the world, that is when the sky sends its final stone, an African adage says. Such an unexpected blow can be devastating, as it comes at a time when you are vulnerable. The impact is felt instantly. It breaks you down in that wobbly state. Recovering then becomes a crossroads of chance.

That was exactly what happened on 20 January 2025, when United States President Donald Trump issued an executive order to halt all foreign aid and disbursements, except for food assistance. Executive Order 14169 affected the Agency for International Development (USAID), the worlds leading international development agency, responsible for billions of dollars in US aid projects across the world.

In March, Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, announced that the Trump administration had cancelled 83 per cent of USAIDs programme. Mr Rubio said the agency had disbursed over $715 billion over the years, and now America is redirecting the funding into domestic affairs. By July, the USAID was officially shut down, and decades of global development work came to a shocking end. The ripple effect was felt across the world, especially in global health and other humanitarian efforts.

For the developing world, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, where the health sector is poorly funded by the government and healthcare infrastructure is inadequate, the announcement was the straw that broke the camels back. The move disrupted ongoing health initiatives, especially AIDs, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, often referred to as ATM.

A NATIONS BURDEN

For Nigeria, Africas most populous country, most healthcare intervention programmes are donor-funded. In 2023, Nigeria was one of the top 10 recipients of USAID funding, getting over $600 million in health grants. The agency disbursed about $2.8 billion to Nigerias health sector between 2022 and 2024, which has gone primarily to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, polio, and tuberculosis.

Out of the countrys $388 million annual budget for TB, 6 per cent is domestically funded, 24 per cent is donor funded, while 70 per cent remains unfunded, with the United States contributing $22 million.

Tuberculosis is an airborne disease caused by a virulent bacterium known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Despite being preventable and curable, TB has been identified among the top 10 causes of death worldwide. According to estimates, one missed case can transmit the infectious disease to 15 people in a year.

At the moment, Nigeria has the highest tuberculosis burden in Africa and the sixth highest globally. The disease kills 268 Nigerians every day. According to available data, the country recorded its highest-ever TB notification rate in 2024, identifying over 400,000 cases, about 79 per cent of the estimated 506,000 cases. Of over 361,000 cases reported in 2023, 9 per cent were children. Nevertheless, TB cases were under-reported, increasing the high risk of transmission.

USAID funded the Tuberculosis Local Organisations Network Project (TB-LON) across Nigerias high-burden states. The agency worked with local Nigerian NGOs, community-based organisations, and health facilities to expand TB services beyond hospitals into local communities.

However, the global funding cuts have disrupted the TB programmes in 18 states in Nigeria. The Global Fund office in Nigeria says the country needs $404 million to deliver TB treatment and services in 2025. Without external funding, patients are expected to cough out about $3,000 for drug-resistant TB treatment, in a country where over half of the population is multidimensionally poor and living on less than $2 daily.

In March, Ibrahim Tajudeen, executive secretary of the Global Fund Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM) in Nigeria, said the TB drugs allocated for 2025 had been used to meet the treatment demands for 2024. He disclosed that the US funding withdrawal has created a $5 million funding gap.

As soon as the executive order came into effect, health workers employed by development agencies to man clinics, especially in remote communities, withdrew their services immediately.

When The Money Stops Coming

In Osun State, south-west Nigeria, where over 250 community extension workers funded by donors immediately left the system, the public healthcare staff felt the move. Some of the primary healthcare centres with a handful or no healthcare workers were left stranded. Nurses and doctors became frustrated and exhausted as one staff member is now expected to take on the job of four.

At the State Specialist Hospital in Ashubiaro, Osogbo, the Osun State capital, the chest clinic was unusually quiet. Face contorted with anger, the middle-aged nurse in white hijab spared 53-year-old Adegboyega no words. For the past three hours, she had gently attended to tuberculosis patients who had come for their bi-weekly treatment at the clinic. As she dispensed drugs, she admonished them and offered hope.

But this time around, with just about two nurses on duty, she seemed to have exhausted her gentility as much as her strength. The thought of a patient not taking his medication at a crucial period such expensive drugs are nearing depletion irked her. Mr Adegboyegas wife, who escorted him to the clinic, had reported him to the nurse.

Youre wasting our efforts, and that is not good enough, the nurse challenged him.

We told you to stop drinking alcohol and herbal concoctions. Your tests and drugs are expensive, but you get them free. Were helping you, but youve refused to help yourself.

There was awkward silence at first. Mr Adegboyega, a commercial driver, found himself groping for words. He kept quiet for a while. Then he promised to turn a new leaf. He hopes to get better soon and resume his commercial driving job.

Abdullahi, a resident of Iwo Town and a commercial motorcyclist, wasnt as lucky as Mr Adegboyega. Tall, dark and slim, he was in his 40s. He lived adjacent to the Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Clinic in the ancient town, where he had easy access to free treatment that could have saved his life. But he wouldnt take his drugs. Hed branch at the clinic to collect his share of the money meant for TB patients, return to the shade of the big tree near his compound, and discuss with friends.

When Mr Abdullahis friends got wind of his condition, they stopped him from joining them under the tree. His wife also left him with their three children. The staff at the clinic begged him to take his medicine; neighbours would buy food for him just to encourage him. But hed rather sit in front of his compound alone, gulp sachets of alcoholic drinks, expel tons of dry cough, while waiting to get some respite and return to ferry passengers across the town on his motorcycle.

His condition, which started as susceptible TB, became drug-resistant. When his health deteriorated, his relatives took him to their village, where he died three days later. Under the tree where Mr Abdullahi used to sit with his friends, some of whom later tested positive for TB, has now become a mobile clinic.

For Timilehin, a young petty trader in Osogbo, who had spent over N40,000 ($27) on typhoid treatment after he was misdiagnosed at a private clinic, the golden advice he got from his neighbour to visit the government hospital for a free screening was a lifesaver. He was properly diagnosed, and he has been receiving free treatment since April.

One of the state officials in charge of TB programmes, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said donors used to pay drug-resistant patients monthly for the period of free treatment to encourage them. It started from N3,000 ($2), then to N6,000 ($4), N10,000 ($7), N25,000 ($17) and later N35,000 ($23).

They were mostly poor locals, and they complained that they didnt have money for transport from their house to the clinic. They also complained that they didnt have money for food because most of their family members had abandoned them for fear of infection. We also give them food just to encourage them to comply, the official said.

They cant work during treatment, and they often hate themselves because of the disease. They hardly move around because of the stigma. Everyone avoids them, and they dont want to be seen in places where they are known. The money we gave them might not be enough to feed them in a month, but it really encouraged them to buy some nutritious food and come to the clinic often.

Grants are gone, donor-funded staff are disengaged, reagents are drying up, drugs are depleting, and financial incentives are no longer available for patients. Whats the current situation on the ground?

Case Detection Is Dropping

According to the state TB official, all the equipment used for TB was imported and paid for by donors who got their funds from the American government. The multi-million dollar equipments include digital x-ray machines, rapid diagnostic kits, GeneXpert machines, TruNat, and other radiological tools.

With the disengagement of partner staff who operated the machines and visited remote communities for house-to-house outreaches, contact tracing, and screening, cases are dropping.

The total TB cases diagnosed in Osun in 2024 were 22,031. State officials fear the figure might reduce in 2025. For instance, at the Alaye Primary Healthcare Centre in Iwo Town, the facility with the highest TB burden in the state, 612 cases were reported in the first quarter of 2025, then it dropped to 311 in the second quarter.

We have a shortage of reporting and recording tools, the TB official told TheCable. The sector was already struggling with low staff. Before, there was no counterpart funding from the government for these programmes, as we solely relied on donors. Now, the government is trying to recruit more officials.

The workload is much, and it is not possible to cover the areas of the partners who left, which is the reason the cases dropped, as we could not detect more. We had a shortage of drugs last quarter; we got a supply in the second quarter. Due to low case detection, there are still drugs. Our data is coming down because of the funding withdrawal. We screen patients all over; now, nobody is there to screen them. So, the case will go down to zero.

In Q3 of 2024, in Osun, there were over 7,000 cases. We were trying to bring it up when the US executive order came early this year, and it brought the number down. Q1 2025 was 4,525. Were currently collating the numbers for Q2 2025, and we cant tell what the present data says. It might be less.

TB is an airborne disease. We are sitting on a keg of gun powder which can explode anytime.

The Cost Of Neglect

In all this, there is a silent threat  patients with TB/HIV co-infection. During sensitisation programmes at the public health centres, officials describe TB and HIV as husband and wife  two diseases whose treatments come from donor funding. When a patient contracts HIV, their immune system is suppressed, and it cannot fight against some infectious diseases, especially TB. This co-infection leads to higher morbidity and mortality rates compared to a single infection, and it strains the healthcare system.

According to the 2021 national guidelines for the management of TB/HIV co-infection in Nigeria, HIV is known to increase the burden of TB, while TB is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV and was responsible for one-third of the estimated 690,000 deaths from HIV in 2019.

In Oyo State, 14,930 TB cases were diagnosed and treated in 2024, including 738 HIV co-infections. It was worse in 2022 when roughly 20 per cent of TB patients in the state also lived with HIV. If the drugs for TB and HIV are no longer available, that leaves the fate of patients with co-infection hanging in the balance.

The objectives of the National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Control 20212025, a policy document to end the TB epidemic in Nigeria, include strengthening the provision of integrated services for all co-infected with TB and HIV.

The budget required to implement the ambitious five-year strategy was pegged at $1,944,925,000, and the bulk of it was expected from external donors  USAID and The Global Fund. The policy document says the domestic funding for TB control in Nigeria is very low, stating that only 8 per cent of TB interventions are funded locally, while 32 per cent is funded by international donors. This leaves an existing gap of 60 per cent of the required funding for TB programmes.

One of the new strategic directions for the strategic plan is domestic resource mobilisation  in-country funding of the TB budget. The question on the lips of some stakeholders remains: What is the government doing to raise domestic funds to forestall an imminent crisis?

In May, while addressing a joint session of the National Assembly, President Bola Tinubu said no amount of foreign aid would help Nigeria unless citizens unite to build the country.

No amount of aid from foreign countries can help us. Let us work together to build our nation, charting a new path, the president said.

Earlier in the year, the National Assembly had approved $200 million to cater to health initiatives impacted by the US executive order.

TheCable contacted Alaba Balogun, head of press and public relations at the Federal Ministry of Health, asking questions on what the Nigerian government is doing to bridge the gap left behind by foreign donors and if domestic funding has actually been released to support ongoing health programmes. No response has been provided to date.

A senior government official at the Ministry of Health in Osun said the state government is also trying to raise over a billion naira to bridge the gap that is already becoming obvious.

The TB programme was doing fine, and we were moving towards the point of sustainability with the help of donors. Actually, weve got to the level of epidemic control in TB, but if we dont sustain the successes of the pre-Trump regime, patients will develop drug-resistant TB, the official said.

We may have a surge. There are some communities that are not easily accessible. We had people who could take drugs to patients at home. We had community testers, officials who stayed in these hard-to-reach areas. But they have been disengaged by partners who hired them.

In a chat with TheCable, Happy Adedapo, Oyo State chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), said the withdrawal of foreign funds portends great danger to the Nigerian healthcare system.

He said blaming a foreign country for withholding its funds is not the way out, but the government must look inwards, cut down on frivolities and extravagance to take care of its citizens.

I foresee a crisis of pandemic proportions. I can tell you categorically now that there is a resurgence in the incidence of HIV/AIDs. New cases are being recorded, unlike in the past when people had access to drugs and viral loads were reduced to the barest minimum. But now, these drugs are no longer readily available. The viral loads are increasing, which aids transmission easily, Mr Adedapo said.

When the political elites are affected by anything, they jump up and ensure their interests are protected. Now that HIV and tuberculosis may not touch them, we have to appeal to them. We knew what happened during the COVID pandemic. They could not fly out, the foreign destinations were locked against them, and the political elites looked inwards. They raised emergency funds and set up emergency centres, and the prediction of some foreign powers that people would drop dead on African streets didnt come to pass because of the actions some of our leaders took at that time.

The question to now ask is: where are those emergency and infectious centres set up during the COVID period? They have become moribund. Why should we allow another pandemic to come before we start creating emergency solutions?

Theres this saying that adversity may actually bring out the best in you. With the lack of funds from foreign donors, it should be an opportunity to strengthen our capacity. If we put so much into the system, we should expect something good.

TB remains a major public health threat. While the world is working to end the TB epidemic by 2030  a goal set within the Sustainable Development Goals  funding constraints could pull a major setback, especially in underdeveloped countries.

(This story was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center)
In the war-torn Sahel, armed groups including an al-Qaeda affiliate, Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), its opponent, Islamic State Sahel Province (IS Sahel) and state-backed militia do not just need oil or gold to sustain their operations, but also need livestock, a recent study has shown.

The study revealed how cattle rustling by jihadist groups, bandits and state-backed militias has become a central component of the war economy in the Sahel, extending deep into coastal West Africa, and benefiting not only the perpetrators but also key players such as younger herders, butchers, traders and transporters.

The study, published in July 2025 by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC) in partnership with Equal Access International/ ResilienceForPeace (EAI/R4P) and Acting for Life (AFL), documents how armed groups operating across the tri-border area of Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire and Ghana have systematised livestock theft as a means of financing operations, asserting territorial control and weakening local resilience.

Junta-led Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have been faced by violent attacks by JNIM and its Islamic State-aligned opponent. While these Sahelian states remain the cattle rustling fronts, some coastal West African countries like Ghana and Cote dIvoire serve as a laundering hub. However, some parts of Cote dIvoire have also witnessed violent raids and cattle rustling by these groups.

The study reveals that between 2022 and 2024, about 3,000 cattle were either rustled or forcefully taken as a form of tax from herders or cattle owners.

This war economy, championed by JNIM, has resulted in about 3,000 cattle theft in Burkina Faso and Cote dIvoire.

Between 2022 and 2024, over 2,000 cattle were stolen in Burkina Fasos Sud-Ouest region alone, while Cote dIvoires Bounkani region recorded 25 incidents in 2024, involving approximately 640 stolen cattlea doubling of incidents from previous years.

In Ghanas Upper West region, security sources say recent thefts now involve hundreds of cattle at a time, a scale considered beyond the capacity of petty thieves.

Cattle rustling remains one of the most resilient and lucrative sources of financing for armed groups operating in the region, the report states, explaining that the activity is no longer just an opportunistic crime but part of an entrenched transnational economy.

Apart from JNIM, other key perpetrators are Burkina Fasos Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland (VDP) and a network of criminal bandits and traders operating across porous borders. In regions under its control, JNIM imposes zakat (tax) on livestock owners, collecting hundreds of cattle annually as part of its governance model. Where its control is weaker, the group turns to outright lootings, sometimes seizing entire herds to intimidate or punish communities.

This is the playbook of many terrorist groups operating in West Africa. PREMIUM TIMES reports that in Nigeria, the style is also common with Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the Mahmuda terror group in Kwara State, and other bandit groups such as that of Dogo Gide and Bello Turji.

In one case cited by Flore Berger, the author of the report, a marabout in Djigoue, Burkina Faso, lost 400 cattle in a single night. The group accused him of corruption and seized his herd as punishment.

One evening, the terrorists took 400 heads of cattle from me on the pretext that I make gris-gris for people [cast spells] and that Im not honest, Im corrupt and therefore I deserve to die and since I have to be killed, my property is rightfully theirs, the marabout was quoted in the report.

However, state responses across the tri-border area have often been contradictory.

In Burkina Faso, the government has backed the VDP militia, now widely accused of human rights abuses and cattle looting. Since 2022, Ivorian military crackdowns have targeted jihadist infiltration in Bounkani, forcing JNIM to shift operations toward Ghana, where enforcement is weaker.

In Ghana, while there are no recorded jihadist attacks, authorities have done little to address cattle laundering, possibly as part of a strategy to avoid provoking violence.

From resistance to complicity

The report highlights growing evidence of state-affiliated militias becoming primary perpetrators of cattle rustling. Since 2024, the VDP has eclipsed JNIM as the dominant rustling actor in parts of Burkina Faso and Cote dIvoire.

Testimonies from affected communities in Bounkani describe cases where VDP forces carried out cross-border raids, abducted village chiefs, and looted livestocktargeting areas suspected of harbouring sympathies for jihadists.

Elements of Burkina Fasos formal army, particularly the Rapid Intervention Battalions or bataillons dintervention rapide (BIR), were also named in the report as being involved in cattle theft. In just the first three months of 2024, these units reportedly rustled up to 500 cattle, according to compiled testimonies.

Some elements of the VDP and the BIR have been denounced, re-assigned elsewhere or charged, but legal due process remains rare, the author noted.

Black markets and big profits

Once stolen, cattle are funnelled through laundering networks that span all three countries Burkina Faso, Ghana and Cote dIvoire.

The cattle are laundered through regional markets, then moved to southern cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Abidjan where demand for meat is high.

To facilitate the laundering, actors rely on both cash and digital money flows, including mobile money and Hawala-style informal banking.

The proceeds from rustled cattle are not limited to fighters. The report details an intricate chain of beneficiaries, from local scouts or young herders to regional transporters and traders.

Armed groups earn about 275 per ox, below 360 that an agent linked to them makes after selling the ox in regional markets. According to the report, traders resell cattle for up to 465 per head, often at Ghanas informal markets.

While transporters charge between 686 to 762 per truckload of 50 cattle, young herders acting as scouts earn between about 15 per animal.

JNIM does offer extra incentives to retain their [young herders] loyalty, typically a motorcycle or some of the stolen animals so the young herders can start their own herds, the report notes. For many young herders, this is their only viable chance to become cattle traders themselves over time.

A March 2024 raid by Burkinabe forces revealed the scale of the economy: 140 stolen cattle, 1.5 kilograms of gold, and CFA4 million (6,098) in cash were recovered from jihadist bases in Djigoue and Loropeni..

During the operation, we killed Abou Housseini al-Foulani, head of the Djigoue base, and Moktar, head of the Loropeni base, a security source told the author of the report. We arrested 20 terrorists in Djigoue and seven in Loropeni.

The social impact of this criminal and bloody enterprise has been devastating. The herders association in Sud-Ouest estimates that 70 per cent of livestock in the region has been lost due to theft and displacement.

Many pastoralists have abandoned rural areas, selling off remaining animals and fleeing to cities or neighbouring countries. PREMIUM TIMES understands that this displacement or migration has also led to other criminal activities in border countries such as Nigeria

The collapse of the livestock economy has also led to youth recruitment into armed groups, as disillusioned herders seek protection or profit.

A call for regional action

Cattle rustling in the tri-border area of Burkina Faso, Ghana and Cote dIvoire significantly contributes to regional instability, the author noted, calling for cross-border security initiatives and collaboration, improved livestock market transparency and regulation, among others.

In conflict zones where closure of cattle markets has been used as a control mechanism, the author recommended that states should rather strengthen their regulations.

These markets not only generate employment and revenue, but limit the sale of animals in black markets and foster community interaction, noted the author.
The management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) has condemned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions (EFCC) midnight raid on its premises.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the management said over 50 armed men claiming to be EFCC operatives stormed the library premises around 2 a.m.

The management described the operation as gestapo-like and alleged that the EFCC agents did not present any warrant or inform the police officers stationed at the facility.

Giving details of how the raid happened, the management said officers of the anti- corruption agency, led by an individual identified as Olapade, reportedly fired gunshots, threatened to kill people, and caused widespread panic.

The chaos caused serious injuries among the event attendees trying to escape the shooting. Also, residents on the site were left terrified.

On inquiry by phone, the Olapade informed the Managing Director of the OOPL establishment, Mr Vitalis Ortese, that they were acting on an intelligence tip about a private event in the amusement facility of the complex. They also informed management that the police have been duly informed of the operation, the statement read.

EFCCs midnight raid

The managements statement comes after the EFCC said it arrested suspected internet fraudsters at the venue.

In an X post on its official page, the EFCC said operatives from its Lagos zonal directorate 2 , apprehended 93 suspected internet fraudsters in Ogun state.

The anti- corruption agency said the suspects were arrested on Sunday, 10 August, in a sting operation in Abeokuta, Ogun State, following credible intelligence about their suspected involvement in internet crimes.

Upon their arrest, 18 vehicles and mobile devices were recovered from them. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded, EFCC said.

However, the library management has disputed the circumstances surrounding the raid, saying it was a private event that had been publicly advertised for days.

The management further stated that the police officers stationed at the OOPL gates and additional personnel from the Kemta Police Station, deployed at the request of event organizers and management, claimed they were not informed of the EFCCs planned operation.

It said the EFCC operatives also failed to present a warrant.

When the armed men were accosted by OOPL security and assisting police officers, they simply retorted, We are doing our job.

Management wishes to state that this action by the EFCC is a clear case of invasion of private property, infringement of OOPL rights as corporate citizens, and indeed a stark and blatant violation of the rights of the people who gathered for the event, the statement read.

The library said it has commenced its own investigation into the incident and has vowed to take the matter up with the highest authorities, including the EFCC, the police, and the State Security Service.

About OOPL

The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, located in Abeokuta, Ogun State, is a historic and academic centre conceived in 1988, years after then-General Olusegun Obasanjo stepped down in 1979 as the military Head of State. The library was incorporated in November 2002 as a not-for-profit organisation, two years into Mr Obasanjos tenure as elected Nigerian president. But it was only officially inaugurated by Obasanjo on 4 March 2017.

It serves as a national archive, preserving documents and materials on Nigerian history and former President Obasanjos life.

The library features a museum, archives, multipurpose hall, wildlife park, and amusement park, attracting researchers, scholars, and tourists.
Margaret Reist Local government reporter Follow Margaret Reist 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

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. Its not,  Dr. Seusss "The Lorax."

Wander down Goodhue Boulevard these days and in addition to the stately pin oaks, youll see a grouping of colorfully painted tree stumps, some that include the word "unless."

They are the handiwork of Jess Gieseke, and the reference to Dr. Seuss The Lorax is a gentle suggestion to city parks and recreation officials to meet people where they are on city forestry issues  which may not always be at open houses, City Council, advisory board or even neighborhood organization meetings.

Gieseke, a member of the citys Community Forestry Advisory Board, thinks that place may be the public right of way along Lincolns streets, especially in areas with renters who care about what happens along the streets where they live.

Shes calling the painted tree stumps community conversation pieces and has enlisted other artists to adorn them. They will be placed in parts of the city where residents would like to see some changes.

Maybe theyd like to see some trees cared for better, maybe trees replanted, she said. Really the idea is sticking something thats beautiful and not super controversial in the right of way to draw peoples attention.

Maybe its not just trees theyd like to see, she said. Maybe its native grasses or pollinators.

If youre wondering if this effort was sparked by the controversy that erupted over the citys decision to remove 29 of the trees along Goodhue, youd be right, at least in part.

Gieseke doesnt agree with the citys decision to remove all the trees, which officials say are dying and pose risks to property and pedestrians. But she doesnt live on the street and feels like its the residents who should have more of a say  and she's trying to find a way to make that happen.

So she tried something: She placed the painted stumps on the public right of way and hosted a pizza party there with homemade crusts and a propane oven  and more than 35 people showed up. They stayed and talked.

We had wonderful conversations about what people would like to see, she said.

But her idea is broader than Goodhue. Gieseke has been on the forestry advisory board since 2019 and shes recognized the need for better engagement in other situations.

The community conversation pieces will be in several neighborhoods  Woods Park, East Campus, Everett.

This isnt about making demands of the city, she said, but getting a conversation started about what residents would like to see in their right of way  that slice of grass between the sidewalk and street that is owned by the city but that property owners maintain.

Its also about getting residents to buy into the idea of helping care for whatever is planted along those areas  something that will be easier if neighbors know each other.

But it is also about finding ways to work with the city  and have a say in what happens, not just react to a city plan.

She's seen some neighborhoods that have come up with plans to improve public spaces, then gotten the city to buy into the plan.

The city offers tree vouchers for homeowners who want to replace trees, but maybe theres another way for residents to be stewards of those areas, if they come up with a plan and work with the city to accomplish it, Gieseke said.

Shes developing a website and plans to put QR codes near the trees, so people can connect to the website to learn more. Shes thinking of making a map of all the conversation pieces, perhaps coming up with a scavenger hunt.

Finding a way to take heed of the Loraxs advice.

The goal is just to get people connected with the concept of community and becoming stewards of their community spaces, she said.

Free pregnancy tests

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department will start distributing free pregnancy tests from vending machines, the Asian Community and Cultural Center and a central Lincoln drug store.

The goal: to reduce the number of women who go to emergency rooms to get pregnancy tests and to help connect them to insurance and doctors to ensure they get adequate prenatal care.

The department is working with the Community Health Endowment, which will give them $5,000 each year for the next three years to put the pregnancy tests in vending machines at Matt Talbot Kitchen and Centerpointe and in Health Department vending machines, once they get them. Theyll also give free tests to the Asian Community and Cultural Center and Kohlls Wagey Drug at 27th and Vine streets.

Health providers say many people come to the emergency departments at hospitals to find out if theyre pregnant, and the free pregnancy tests are a way to reduce some of the barriers women face, said Health Department Director Kerry Kernen.

Women can already come to the Health Department to get free pregnancy tests, and staff there help make sure they're signed up for Medicaid and connect them with doctors. This will expand on those efforts, Kernen said.

There will be QR codes with the tests that will allow women to connect with the Health Department, where staff will help them with their insurance and get them connected to a doctor.

All with the hope that they get early and adequate prenatal care, Kernen said.

Proper vape disposal

A pilot program designed to teach Lincoln Public Schools high school students about the environmental hazards caused by throwing vapes in the trash resulted in the collection of 106 vapes over four months.

Kernen said the department worked with LPS on the education campaign  which focused on the danger to the environment of improper disposal (lithium batteries, toxic e-liquids that can contaminate soil and water, and plastics that are non-biodegradable.)

So they shouldn't be thrown in the trash, they should be taken to hazardous waste collection sites.

The pilot was at four high schools. Now the Health Department plans to expand the program to all high schools and middle schools.

Not to sound like a lecturing parent, but it seems like there might be some correlation between the dangers to the environment and the dangers to the human body (lithium batteries and non-biodegradable plastics aside). And for what it's worth, the Health Department is also working to educate young people on that point.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have filed a lawsuit against Umar Bago, Niger state governor, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over the ongoing intimidation of Badeggi FM Radio, Minna, and the threat to shut down the station and weaponise the NBC and law enforcement agents to further crackdown on the station and its owner Shuaibu Badeggi.

Mr Bago recently threatened to strip Badeggi FM radio of its licence, seal the media outlet, demolish its premises, and profile the stations owner, having been unhappy with the stations broadcasts. The privatelyowned station and its owner face ongoing threat, intimidation and harassment.

In the suit number FHC/L/CS/1587/2025 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP and NGE are asking the court to determine whether by section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and section 2(1)(t) of the NBC Act, the NBC has the legal duty to protect Badeggi FM from the ongoing intimidation from the governor.

SERAP and NGE are asking the court for a declaration that by the combined provisions of section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution and section 2(1)(t) of the NBC Act, the NBC has the legal duty to protect Badeggi FM station and other broadcasting outlets in Nigeria from any threat, intimidation and harassment.

SERAP and NGE are also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Niger state governor and NBC from further harassing, intimidating and/or threatening to shut down Badeggi FM radio, revoke its licence and profile the stations owner.

In the suit, SERAP and NGE are arguing that: Unless the reliefs sought are granted, the governor will continue to threaten, intimidate and harass the radio station and its owner and may weaponize the NBC against the station.

SERAP and NGE are arguing that, the failure and/or neglect of the NBC to protect and defend the independence of Badeggi FM radio against arbitrary executive interference and ongoing intimidation constitutes a breach of its statutory duty to ensure fair, independent, and lawful broadcasting practices in Nigeria.

SERAP and NGE are also arguing that, the ongoing intimidation, and threat by Mr Bago to strip Badeggi FM station of its licence, further threat to demolish the stations premises and profile its owner is unlawful and a violation of the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom.

According to SERAP and NGE, the allegations of inciting violence against Badeggi FM and its owner are vague, unfounded and unsubstantiated and apparently made to silence the radio station.

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP and NGE by their lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Oluwakemi Agunbiade, and Andrew Nwankwo, read in part: The media plays an essential role as a vehicle or instrument for the exercise of freedom of expression and information  in its individual and collective aspects  in a democratic society.

Intimidating, harassing and silencing critical or dissenting voices under the guise of vague and unsubstantiated national security concerns is a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution and Nigerias international human rights obligations.

Intimidating, harassing and silencing Badeggi FM and its owner would have a chilling effect on the protection of freedom of expression and media freedom across several states.

The ongoing intimidation, harassment and threat to arbitrarily revoke the stations licence, unlawfully demolish its premises and profile its owner are all clearly antithetical to the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution and the countrys international human rights obligations.

The ongoing intimidation and harassment of Badeggi FM and its owner is capable of discouraging participation of the press in debates over matters of legitimate public concern ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The ongoing intimidation and harassment of Badeggi FM, its owner and other staff members of the station constitute a serious restriction on the development of democracy in the country, since it impedes free debate over ideas and opinions.

Media outlets in Niger State should be free to enable debate on issues of public interest without fear of reprisals.

Both Mr Bago and the NBC have the duty to respect and uphold their constitutional and statutory obligations to ensure that journalists and media houses that regularly impart information on matters of public interest including Badeggi FM enjoy an environment to perform that function.

There is significant public interest in the capacity of the press including Badeggi FM to obtain and impart the information that it needs to function properly and perform its vital public watchdog role.

Any restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom must be provided by law, imposed to protect legitimate aims, and necessary to protect those aims.

While the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties recognize national security and public order as legitimate aims for restricting freedom of expression, the UN Human Rights Council has stressed the need to ensure that the invocation of national security is not used arbitrarily to restrict freedom of expression.

Mr Bago reportedly ordered the immediate shutdown of Badeggi, ordered the stations premises to be marked for demolition and requested the Commissioner of Homeland Security to profile the stations owner Shuaibu Badeggi on unfounded allegations that the station promotes violence.

Mr Bago also reportedly stated that the daily activities of the radio station have been unethical, and accused the owner of the station of incitement of the people against the government.

A journalists or a radio stations right to freedom of expression is protected even if the opinion advanced is not positively received.

The Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties protect the press not merely so that specific journalists may conduct their work; they protect the press in order to guarantee the publics right of access to information in the public interest.

The free communication of information and ideas about public and political issues between citizens, candidates and elected representatives is essential. This implies a free press and other media able to comment on public issues without censorship or restraint and to inform public opinion.

SERAP and NGE are therefore asking the court for the following reliefs:

A DECLARATION that by the combined provisions of section 22 Nigerian Constitution and section 2(1)(t) of the National Broadcasting Act, the NBC is obligated by law to protect Badeggi FM station and other broadcasting outlets in Nigeria from undue interference from unauthorized persons or entity. A DECLARATION that the failure and/or neglect of the NBC to protect and defend the independence of the radio station against arbitrary executive interference constitutes a breach of its statutory duty to ensure fair, independent, and lawful broadcasting practices in Nigeria. A DECLARATION that the ongoing intimidation and threat issued by Mr Bago to strip Badeggi FM station of its operational licence and further threat to demolish the stations premises is unlawful and a violation of the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom. A DECLARATION that the threat issued by the Bago to strip Badeggi FM radio station of its operational licence encroaches upon the statutory powers of the NBC as provided for under section 2 of the National Broadcasting Commission Act. AN ORDER of perpetual injunction restraining the governor and NBC, its agents and privies from harassing, intimidating and/or threatening to revoke the operating licence of Badeggi FM station or any other broadcasting outlet in Niger State.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
The governments of Oyo, Ogun, and Kwara states have put in place proactive measures to mitigate the impact of flooding, following predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) of possible heavy rainfall in parts of the country.

The state governments said on Monday that public sensitisation, infrastructural interventions, and multi-agency coordination had been prioritised to reduce disaster risks in flood-prone areas.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NiMet had forecasted increased rainfall and potential flooding in several states between July and August 2025, urging governments to implement preventive actions.

In response, state officials in Oyo, Ogun and Kwara said a series of preparatory efforts had commenced to safeguard lives and property.

Daniel Ajayi, operations officer of the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA), said the agency had collaborated with relevant stakeholders to ensure an effective response system.

We have pre-positioned relief materials including foodstuffs, building materials, and household items in our warehouses to support affected residents if flooding occurs, he said.

Mr Ajayi noted that medical teams, in collaboration with the Red Cross, had been placed on alert. He added that continuous sensitisation campaigns were ongoing via radio, television, marketplaces, and public areas.

We have also alerted residents in flood-prone communities to prepare for possible heavy rains, he said.

According to him, the state government had cleared several river channels, particularly in high-risk zones, and warned residents against indiscriminate dumping of waste in drains.

Also speaking, the Head of Operations, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) South-West, Kadiri Olanrewaju, said the agency had conducted stakeholder engagements across affected local government areas in Ibadan, including Lagelu, Ona-Ara, and Egbeda.

He said, The initiative aims to promote early action and preparedness. Weve met with council chairmen and community leaders to develop coordinated responses.

Mr Olanrewaju stressed the need for inter-agency and inter-governmental collaboration, calling on local and state governments to take proactive steps.

There is an urgent need to dredge waterways and deploy waste management trucks across the state. Many flooding incidents are preventable, he added.

Johnson Adekola, technical officer with the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP), said the agency had intensified its flood preparedness response since NiMets alert.

He said major rivers such as Agodi, Ogunpa, Ogbere, Omin, and Onipepeye had been cleared to ensure smooth water flow.

Our structural and non-structural interventions include early warning systems, improved drainage channels, and sensitisation of residents along riverbanks, Adekola said.

In Ogun State, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the government had begun its annual flood preparedness campaign since March, following NiMets prediction.

He stated that rainfall in the state was expected to range between 965mm and 1805mm, with dry spells projected between April and July.

Flooding is part of our seasonal cycle, and we must prepare adequately. Our flood alerts help residents anticipate periods of heavy rainfall, Oresanya said.

According to him, the first rains peaked in July with over 360mm of rainfall, while the second phase is expected in mid-August through September.

Mr Oresanya explained that ongoing infrastructural interventions include the de-silting of over 988.3km of waterways, construction of 698 metres of drainage channels, and the dredging of the Opa Aro River.

These efforts have reduced flood duration in areas like Isheri from six weeks to three weeks. We are also working closely with community leaders and CDAs at the grassroots level, he added.

He urged residents, especially in flood-prone areas, to heed relocation advice, noting: We are committed not only to reducing flood impact but also to achieving zero fatalities.

Saheed Akiode, zonal director for NEMA South-west, also issued a flood alert, warning of possible flooding in several communities over the next 28 days.

Weve mobilised all relevant agencies, including the Ministries of Water Resources, Environment, and Health, to scale up preparedness, he said.

Mr Akiode urged state governments to clear blocked canals, monitor vulnerable communities, and stockpile relief materials.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government has advised residents to stay alert in anticipation of heavy rains accompanied by lightning and thunderstorms.

READ ALSO:Flood wreaks havoc in Anambra community

The Director of Public Orientation in the Ministry of Communications, Agboola Olanrewaju, said the state had embarked on public sensitisation, particularly targeting those living near rivers.

Relocation of residents in vulnerable areas is ongoing to prevent avoidable loss of life, he said.

Mr Olanrewaju also warned against movement during heavy rainfall and advised residents to unplug electrical appliances to avoid power surges.

He added that the state government was currently dredging the Asa River and clearing drainages within the metropolis to enhance flood control.

(NAN)
Three Ghanaians have been extradited from Ghana to the United States for their involvement in a $100 million online scam carried out by an international criminal organisation.

The Ghanaians were extradited to New York on Thursday, according to the US government.

They have been accused of defrauding victims around the world through fake romantic relationships and fraudulent business communications.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in a statement issued on Saturday, said federal prosecutors in New York have unsealed an indictment against the Ghanaians who were identified as Isaac Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, and Derrick Yeboah.

Another Ghanaian national, Patrick Asare, although not extradited, was also indicted in the fraud case.

The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Christopher G. Raia, announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging four Ghanaian nationals, ISAAC ODURO BOATENG, a/k/a Kofi Boat, INUSAH AHMED, a/k/a Pascal, DERRICK VAN YEBOAH, a/k/a Van, and PATRICK KWAME ASARE, a/k/a Borgar, for their roles in an international criminal organisation that stole more than $100 million from victims, the statement reads.

According to the FBI, the international crime syndicate often exploited vulnerable elderly victims by offering fraudulent companionship in order to exploit their trust and finances.

The FBI said the group also carried out business email compromise schemes, deceiving companies into wiring funds to the criminal enterprise.

Once members of the conspiracy had gained the trust of their victims, they deceived those victims into sending their money to the enterprise or into helping them launder funds from other victims, the statement read in part.

In total, the scheme stole and laundered over $100 million from dozens of victims.

After stealing the money, the fraud proceeds were then laundered to West Africa, where they were largely funnelled to individuals called chairmen, who directed the activities of other members of the conspiracy, it added.

The agency indicated that the indicted Ghanaians were high-ranking members of the criminal organisation, which is also based in Ghana.

It identified Isaac Boateng and Inusah Ahmed as the chairmen of the criminal organisation.

The extradited persons are now charged with one count of wire fraud conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

They are also charged with one count of wire fraud  which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison one count of money laundering conspiracy, and one count of receipt of stolen money.

The US government stated that the case is being prosecuted by the Offices Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.

The FBI also vowed that it will continue to ensure anyone who preys on companies and vulnerable Americans is brought to book.
The Police in Bauchi State have rescued two kidnapped victims and killed a suspected bandit during a fierce gun battle in Gwana District of Yankari Game Reserve.

The commands spokesperson, Ahmed Wakil, confirmed the incident to journalists on Saturday in Bauchi.

He said the incident occurred at about 2:30 a.m. on 8 August, when armed bandits attacked Kataraje village, near Kalgo and Alkaleri, abducting 60-year-old Ango Mallam Idi and 35-year-old Musa Alhaji Shumo.

Two other residents, Rabiu Alhaji Sale (50) and Alhaji Sale Akko (45), sustained injuries during the assault.

Acting on intelligence from some vigilant residents, the commands joint operation team swiftly mobilised to the area.

Medical aid was immediately rendered to the injured, while operatives pursued the attackers, he said.

Mr Wakil disclosed that the pursuit led to an exchange of gunfire, during which one bandit was killed and an AK-47 rifle was recovered.

The hostages were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families, he said.

According to Mr Wakil, the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, praised the operatives courage and professionalism.

The spokesman reaffirmed the commands determination to protect citizens and dismantle criminal networks.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to aid security operations across the state.

(NAN)
The federal government has met with the leadership of health sector unions and associations as part of ongoing reconciliation efforts to sustain industrial harmony in the nations healthcare system.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said this in a statement issued on Saturday by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Alaba Balogun.

According to the statement, Mr Pate, who led the governments delegation, said the administration of President Bola Tinubu holds health workers in high esteem and remains committed to improving their welfare.

He appreciates all Nigerian health workers, whom he regards as key to realising the Renewed Hope Agenda for the health sector, he said.

His administration has made significant investments in infrastructure, equipment, services, and welfare and will do even more.

Mr Pate stressed that the timely implementation of agreements recently reached with the unions is critical to maintaining healthcare services, which he noted had undergone significant reforms in the past two years.

According to him, Nigerian hospitals are now attracting patients from other West African countries, as well as Europe and America, due to improvements in the system.

He also described the meeting as the first of its kind, commending the dedication of health workers and expressing satisfaction with the level of discussions held.

He added that to ensure effective execution of the agreements, the federal government has set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako.

The committee includes Daju Kachollom, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and a representative of the Ministry of Labour and Employment and a delegate from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Others are a member of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission; representatives of the Federal Ministry of Finance and Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and the Budget Office.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Tanko Sununu, commended both the unions and the health ministers, stressing that agreements should be implemented consistently and uniformly.

Mr Sununu also called for continuous dialogue between the government and unions to ensure lasting industrial peace in the health sector.

(NAN)
Nigerian political leaders are expressing condolences and tributes following the death of Audu Ogbeh, a former minister and chairperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr Ogbeh served Nigeria in several administrations, including as Minister of Communications in the Second Republic and later as Minister of Agriculture under President Muhammadu Buhari (2015  2019).

The former minister died in his Abuja residence on Saturday morning at the age of 78.

President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the late statesmans family, friends and associates.

Jonathan hails Ogbehs patriotism and humility.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan also expressed sadness over the death of Mr Ogbeh, describing his life as defined by patriotism and humility.

In a condolence message signed by his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, Mr Jonathan described the former minister as a distinguished public servant and respected elder statesman.

He hailed the late politician for decades of meritorious service to Nigeria.

Ogbehs life was defined by patriotism, humility and a steadfast commitment to national unity and development.

In his various roles, including as teacher, minister and PDP national chairman, he displayed uncommon patriotism, intellect and unwavering commitment to unity, democracy and national development, Mr Jonathan said.

The former president lauded Mr Ogbehs contributions to agriculture and democratic governance, describing them as a lasting legacy that will inspire future generations.

Atiku mourns

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described Mr Ogbeh as a quintessential gentleman, affable and amiable friend and reliable political ally, whose immense contributions to nation-building would be sorely missed.

He was a detribalised and development-minded politician. One who combined intellectualism with pragmatism. He was also a true defender of liberal democracy. His type is difficult to replace, Atiku said in a statement.

He prayed that the Almighty would bless his soul and comfort his family, friends, and political associates.

Mark mourns

The Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, said he lost a dependable brother and friend.

Mr Mark said the death of the frontline politician was a huge blow to Nigerias political firmament.

He described Mr Ogbeh as a forthright leader who upheld truth and devoted himself to serving humanity. Mr Mark recalled that the late elder statesman belonged to a rare breed of political leaders who genuinely believed in Nigerias unity and the rights of all citizens.

Ogbeh preached justice, fairness and equity. He remained morally upright even in the face of adversity.

He will be remembered for his brilliance, forthrightness and unwavering integrity, Mr Mark added.

He urged the government and people of Benue State, as well as Ogbehs family, to take solace in his exemplary life worthy of emulation.

FRSC pay tribute

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) mourned the passing of Mr Ogbeh, the pioneer National Coordinator of the FRSC Special Marshals.

In a condolence message to the Ogbeh family on Sunday, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, described Mr Ogbehs death as a monumental loss to the nation and the FRSC.

Mr Mohammed said Mr Ogbeh was not only a statesman of national repute, but also a visionary who recognised that saving lives on Nigerias roads required the active participation of citizens.

He noted that Mr Ogbehs pioneering role in mobilising volunteer road safety advocates remained a landmark in the corps history.

He was the first National Coordinator of Special Marshals following the establishment of the FRSC in 1988.

Ogbeh laid a solid foundation for volunteerism in road safety advocacy, a foundation upon which the scheme continues to thrive decades later, the FRSC boss said.

He said Mr Ogbehs contributions to agriculture, national development, and road safety had left indelible marks on the countrys history.

On behalf of the Management, Officers, Marshals, and the entire Special Marshals family, we extend heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Benue. We also condole with the Ogbeh family and all Nigerians who benefited from his wisdom, mentorship, and selfless service.

We pray for the peaceful repose of his soul and the strength for his family to bear the monumental loss.

(NAN)
Stakeholders in the education sector have criticised the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) over the sudden change of the recently released 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results.

The stakeholders, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, demanded an independent investigation into the matter and an overhaul of the councils management team.

They contended that subjecting WASSCE, a standardised evaluation for secondary school leavers and a basic requirement for tertiary institution admissions, to trial and error is unacceptable.

According to them, inconsistencies in such high-stakes examinations could damage the credibility of Nigerias academic qualifications, both locally and internationally.

It would be recalled that WAEC, on 4 July, released the 2025 WASSCE results and announced that only 38.32 per cent of its 1,969,313 candidates secured credits in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

The mass failure had attracted strong criticism, with parents and some groups calling for the cancellation of some of the papers, especially English Language and Mathematics.

Subsequently, WAEC said it discovered technical glitches during an internal review and temporarily withdrew access to the results.

After reopening its online results portal on Friday, 10 August, the pass rate was revised upward to 62.96 per cent, effectively doubling the initial figure.

At a news conference in Lagos, WAEC said, after reviewing the process, the new statistics indicated that a total of 1,239,884 of the 1,969,313 candidates, representing 62.96 per cent, now have five credits, including English and Mathematics.

The council linked the initial discrepancies to serialisation issues in subjects such as Mathematics, English, Biology, and Economics.

The development, however, sparked reactions from stakeholders, including candidates, parents, and teachers.

The Founder, Exam Ethics Marshall International (EEMI), Ike Onyechere, questioned the councils credibility and the integrity of Nigerias education assessment system.

Mr Onyechere described the development as a national disaster, accusing WAEC of bastardising the entire education process.

You cannot make such a serious examination, a subject of trial and error. Today the pass rate is 38 per cent, tomorrow it becomes 63 per cent.

How are we supposed to trust the authenticity of these results?, he queried.

Mr Onyechere called on the Federal Ministry of Education, the Presidency, and the National Assembly to launch an urgent investigation into the matter, insisting that those at the helm of affairs in WAEC should be reshuffled.

All the up and down with results, is it just in Nigeria or is it happening in Ghana, in Sierra Leone, in Gambia, all those West African countries?

And, if it is happening only in Nigeria, then, the Federal Ministry of Education has to tell the country what exactly is going on, he said.

Mr Onyechere dismissed WAECs explanation on paper serialisation as technical excuses that failed to address deeper administrative lapses.

This is not a joke. We are gambling with the future of these students. Universities, employers, and foreign institutions rely on these results.

If people can no longer trust them, the consequences will be far-reaching.

So, those people with the responsibility for leadership should step up and review the matter and carry out thorough investigations with dire consequences, he said.

A teacher, Oluwaseun Omotubora, said that the mass failure recorded in the earlier results was a reflection of how the examinations were conducted.

Ms Omotubora said one could not expect a better performance in a systemic failure which led to writing of examinations midnight and with Torchlight.

She said, upon noticing the mass failure, a responsible examination body should have recalled the answer sheets of the affected subjects, reviewed them and find out the problems before releasing the results.

She said WAEC should have called for fresh examinations in the affected subjects, rather than creating the avenue for doubting the integrity of the body and the process.

A parent, Ifeoluwa Atteh, called for an independent investigation to determine whether candidates were unfairly failed or passed in either of the two results released.

Mrs Atteh urged caution, calling for a deeper analysis to ensure the results truly reflected improved learning outcomes and not just deliberate adjustments.

The whole WAEC results is confusing. Does it mean that those results earlier released just changed now, or what? she questioned.

She called for thorough investigations to ensure the authenticity or otherwise of the newly released results.

Another parent, Nathaniel Adamu, attributed the glitches purported by WAEC to low investments in the education budget.

Mr Adamu noted that, if the country could get it right in its education budget, all examination bodies would conduct credible examinations for candidates.

He said that an adequate education budget would curb the lingering examination malpractices and give examination bodies the resources to provide infrastructure that would enhance their job.

Look at the budgets of most of the state governments, little funds are allocated to the education sector.

Infrastructure, educational aids and other facilities to achieve qualitative education are not provided, and the teachers are not well remunerated and motivated.

In turn, teachers are not giving their best, because somebody who is not well paid will cut corners.

We also have the challenge of examination malpractice, being encouraged by parents who are willing to do anything to ensure their children pass, he said.

He called on the government at all levels to make deliberate attempts to revive the education sector.

Also, Chidinma Nwafor, a parent and teacher, said the back and forth by WAEC in the release of the results has made the council to lose its credibility.

Mr Nwafor noted that the public outcry and pressure on the examination body after the earlier released results, compelled the reviewed results, which could not be trusted.

Meanwhile, most of the candidates who spoke to NAN said that, in the earlier results released by WAEC, they scored F9, D7, or E8 in both or either English Language and Mathematics.

They said in the new results, uploaded by the examination body, their scores in both or either of the two subjects were reviewed to Credits.

They said the reviewed results have assuaged their earlier frustration of clearing other subjects, but failed in two compulsory subjects- Mathematics and English Language.

Chisom Jonah, who sat for the examinations in a public school in Abuja, said her score in English Language was reviewed from D7 to C6.

I cleared all the subjects I sat for except the English Language which had been reviewed now.

I am excited with the new results because I can now pursue my university admission. I scored 230 in JAMB, and I applied for Mass Communication in a Federal University, she said.

Another candidate, Favour Akindele, said her Mathematics was reviewed from D7 to C4 in the results newly uploaded by WAEC.

While expressing excitement on the review, Favour raised the concern that such inconsistency could create credibility problem for the examination body

(NAN)
The conversation on Artificial Intelligence in Africa largely falls into two camps. One faction believes the continent cannot afford to be left behind and must focus all resources on becoming up to speed with AI advancement. The other thinks it a distraction, willing the continents efforts be focused on more existential problems like hunger, electricity, and health.

While I admit that our more pressing problems are indeed pressing, I am inclined to tilt more on the side of those championing that the continent focuses on AI. However, it cannot be a zero-sum game. We can build AI capabilities while also solving core problems; in fact, there is no other way to do AI.

As Ojoma Ochai argues, the same was said for mobile communication in the 90s. The problems remain largely the same, and yet mobile phone penetration on the continent stands at a significant level. The larger question here is: can and should Africa attempt to leapfrog?

Nigeria leads, but the continental picture remains complex

Nigeria has emerged as West Africas undisputed AI leader, boasting over 400 AI firms and reclaiming its position as Africas top venture capital destination with $520 million in equity funding in 2024. The countrys National AI Strategy, launched in August 2024, positions Nigeria as West Africas AI hub and model for Africas economic growth, developed through collaboration with 120 global AI experts.

This progress is tangible. A Nigerian startup, Ubenwa Health, is using AI to analyse baby cries for birth asphyxia detection with 96 per cent accuracy, while Kudi leverages conversational AI for electronic banking services, raising $5.9 million from Y Combinator. The government has backed this ecosystem with a $1.5 million AI fund and partnerships with Google for an additional 100 million startup fund.

Yet, context matters. Sub-Saharan Africa still has the lowest average score on the 2023 government AI readiness index by Oxford Insights, a mere 30, compared to North Americas 81. Within Africa, Morocco (0.56), Egypt (0.53), and Tunisia (0.47) significantly outperform most Sub-Saharan nations in AI preparedness. Even the situation in Ghana, which hosts Googles African AI research centre, and Senegal, committed to training 90,000 citizens in data science by 2028, highlights how much ground West Africa must cover.

Continental initiatives signal serious intent

Several African countries have taken significant steps towards AI adoption. Rwanda leads the charge, having approved a National AI Policy in April 2023, while Mauritius has maintained a national AI strategy since 2018. Egypt unveiled its comprehensive National AI Strategy in July 2021, and South Africa launched its Draft National AI Plan in April 2024, aiming to attract ZAR70 billion (approximately $3.7 billion) in investment by 2030.

Most significantly, the African Union endorsed its Continental AI Strategy in July 2024, marking unprecedented pan-African coordination. This Africa-centric, development-focused approach emphasises continental collaboration over fragmented national efforts, a crucial recognition that individual African states may lack sufficient resources for separate, siloed strategies.

The ecosystem shows promise. Africa houses over 2,400 companies specialising in AI, with 41 per cent being startups that have attracted approximately $2.02 billion in investment. However, 63 per cent of African AI startups remain in initial and intermediate development phases, while around 50 per cent are concentrated in just seven countries, underscoring both the opportunity and the uneven distribution of AI development.

Infrastructure realities demand urgent attention

Africas infrastructure constraints create fundamental barriers to AI deployment. The continent holds less than 1 per cent of global data centre capacity, with approximately 100 data centres concentrated mainly in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. Only a third of Africas 80-plus cities with populations exceeding one million can boast at least one Tier III data centre facility.

The energy challenge is particularly stark. While traditional data centres typically use 5 to 10 kilowatts per rack per hour, AI centres can consume up to 50kw per rack per hour. To put this in perspective, a single rack in an AI data centre would require over eight times more electricity in a day than an average Nigerian consumes in an entire year. This comparison underscores the magnitude of infrastructure challenges when nearly half of sub-Saharan Africa lacks access to electricity.

Digital connectivity compounds these constraints. The regions 27 per cent mobile internet connectivity rate significantly trails the global average of 57 per cent, with data costs reaching 8.76 per cent of average income in Africa versus 1.54 per cent in Asia. As recent Science journal analysis notes, African businesses struggle with electricity supply that is among the most expensive and unreliable on earth.

The data and talent paradox

Africa grapples with what Shanta Devarajan of the World Bank terms a statistical tragedy, data scarcity stemming from underfunded national statistical systems, political interference, and resource constraints. This poses a fundamental challenge for AI development, which relies heavily on vast amounts of quality data.

The talent picture presents both challenges and opportunities. Many tertiary institutions across Africa still rely on outdated, overly theoretical digital technology curricula, failing to produce graduates ready for the demands of the digital workforce. The current AI workforce includes a growing pool of data annotators, often the entry point for AI work, but these workers frequently face poor labour conditions, including underpayment and exposure to potentially harmful content.

However, demographics favour transformation. An estimated 95 per cent of youth aged 15-24 in Africa are engaged in the informal sector, representing both challenge and opportunity. With proper training and support, this large pool of young talent could fuel Africas AI sector growth. Initiatives like Nigerias 3 Million Technical Talent programme and the African Development Bank-Intel partnership to train 3 million Africans in AI skills represent the scale of intervention required.

Success stories prove leapfrogging is possible

Despite constraints, breakthrough achievements demonstrate Africas AI potential. InstaDeeps $684 million acquisition by BioNTech in 2023 represents Africas largest AI exit to date, proving African AI companies can compete globally. The Tunis-based company, with operations across West Africa, collaborates with Google AI on locust detection systems for agricultural protection, directly addressing local challenges.

Googles AI research centre in Ghana has produced tangible regional benefits: flood forecasting systems for West and Central Africa, satellite imagery analysis that quadrupled African buildings on Google Maps, and machine learning for Google Translate supporting 24 new languages, 10 of which are African. These initiatives demonstrate how international partnerships can drive local innovation while addressing regional challenges.

Similarly, West Africas successful mobile money adoption proved the regions capacity to bypass traditional infrastructure development paths. The demographic dividend is substantial: Africa will house half the worlds working-age population by 2063, with high potential for technology adoption among its youthful population.

The window is narrowing

Africa finds itself at a crucial juncture in the global AI race. Projections suggest AI could contribute $1.2 billion to the continents GDP by 2030, provided it captures just 10 per cent of the rapidly growing global AI market. This transformative potential comes with urgency, as Bosun Tijani, Nigerias Minister of Communications, warns: We would be failing our people and future generations if we ignore artificial intelligence because these technologies will shape what you think, how you think, and how you operate.

The challenges are formidable: limited infrastructure and investment, data scarcity and quality issues, shortage of skilled talent, low market awareness, and significant regulatory gaps. Yet opportunities abound: a large, largely untapped market for AI solutions, potential for leapfrogging traditional technologies, context-specific application development, and a growing pool of young, tech-savvy talent.

While Europe focuses on governance frameworks like the EU AI Act, and America and Asia lead in innovation and infrastructure, Africas role in the global AI landscape is still evolving. By focusing on building its ecosystem and developing contextually relevant solutions, Africa could eventually play a larger role in both innovation and governance of AI technologies.

The key questions remain: What does Africa-centric Artificial Intelligence look like? And how do we sustainably create it? As the brilliant Abraham Augustine succinctly puts it, Leapfrog away. As long as you look before, during, and after you leap. This encapsulates the balanced approach Africa must take, ambitious yet cautious, innovative yet grounded in local realities.

The continent can neither afford to ignore its existential problems nor watch the AI revolution unfold from the sidelines. There is a small and closing window of opportunity for African nations to become serious players in this field, and the future of the continent may well depend on staking a claim in AI development. The journey ahead is long and fraught with challenges, but the first steps have been taken.
Nigerias Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Sunday pledged to find a lasting solution to the concerns raised by aviation unions in the country.

Nigerian aviation unions had suspended the nationwide strike scheduled for Monday, 11 August, after a last-minute intervention by the minister and other concerned officials.

In a joint statement by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUCPTRE), the unions said the suspension followed positive developments in their demand for improved remuneration for Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) workers.

According to the letter, the budget office has issued a no-objection letter to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, clearing the way for a new pay structure to be implemented from August salaries.

Based on the above, and in order to demonstrate good faith, our unions have taken the decision to defer the strike action pending the state of affairs on the subject matter at the end of August 2025, the unions said.

Reacting to the suspension, Mr Keyamo said, We are happy to announce that, after our intervention, the planned strike by the Aviation Unions due to commence tomorrow has been shelved.

The minister explained that, given his long relationship with labour unions, he has continued to work with union leaders to find lasting solutions to issues that have been pending in the sector long before he came to office.

By showing absolute good faith, the issues will be resolved one by one, he said.

The minister praised the unions for embracing dialogue, describing the move as a positive step toward restoring stability in the nations aviation sector.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Sunday defended its decision to withhold the discharge certificate of Ushie Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, a serving corps member in Lagos State.

But the Corps said the action was not taken in retaliation for her criticism of President Bola Tinubus administration as widely suggested.

In a statement shared on X on Sunday, the NYSC said it withheld her discharge certificate after extending her service year by two months as a disciplinary action against her for missing April clearance.

The body said she was not the only affected as there were 131 corps members whose discharge certificates were withheld for valid disciplinary reasons.

Contrary to false claims that she was denied a Certificate of National Service (CNS) due to critical remarks about the government, this assertion is entirely unfounded and false in its entirety, the statement said. Specifically, Ritas service year has been extended by two months for failing to attend the April 2025 biometrics clearance, a decision that aligns with the NYSC Bye-Laws.

Raye shot to limelight in March after posting a TikTok video in which she lamented rising prices, deteriorating living conditions, and poor infrastructure.

She described Mr Tinubu as a terrible leader and questioned his commitment to easing Nigerians hardship.

In the video, she complained about the cost of basic items  citing eggs rising from N800 to N6,500  alongside high utility bills, expensive transportation, and poor sanitation in Lagos.

She also criticised the NYSC scheme, saying her allowance could not cover her expenses.

Following the viral post, Ms Uguamaye alleged she began receiving threatening calls and messages, some purportedly from NYSC officials, demanding she delete the video.

She claimed her personal details were shared and that she was being looked for like a criminal.

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore later accompanied her to her Local Government Inspectors (LGI) office, but the LGI was not in her office.

We arrived at the Eti-Osa NYSC office with Youth Corper Ushie Rita Uguamaye in Lagos. She was scheduled to appear before the LGI today, and we escorted her with attorneys, but the LGI absconded, failing to show up throughout our stay. We will be back! Mr Sowore wrote in a Facebook post.

However, in a post on Instagram on Saturday, she alleged NYSC officials refused to clear her for Aprils biometric exercise, seized her file, and eventually withheld her certificate.

The corps member said she was later informed she would not receive her certificate because she missed April clearance, which she insists is untrue.

I genuinely wish I wasnt a Lagos State corps member because its a waste of my time, she wrote on social media, adding that she had decided to close the chapter and move on.

Misleading

The NYSC described as misleading the claim that she was punished for her remarks about the government.

It said her failure to attend the April biometric clearance was a violation of the schemes by-laws, resulting in a standard two-month extension of service.

The NYSC Management thus urges the public to approach this matter with understanding, as extending service for non-compliance is a longstanding tradition within the NYSC and should not be politicized.

The NYSC Scheme remains committed to discharging its mandate, in line with the dictates of the constitution, the statement stated.

Reactions

Reacting to the NYSC statement, her lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, dismissed the NYSCs explanation, saying it does not represent the truth of the matter and promising a formal response.

I have her instructions as her counsel to respond appropriately to the statement. History will vindicate the just, he stated on a post on his Facebook page on Sunday.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also criticised the NYSC, warning against impunity and urging that her certificate be released.

It is unacceptable that the young lady, who had served her country without queries, should not have received her National Youth Service Corps certificate one year after passing out. The appropriate authorities should take urgent steps to ensure that she gets her discharge certificate, Mr Abubakar said in a Facebook page on Sunday.

Amnesty International Nigeria described the denial as arbitrary and linked it to her criticism of government policies.

The decision to withhold her certificate may not be unconnected with her comments on social media about widespread economic hardship as a result of President Bola Tinubus economic policies. Instead of punishing her for expressing discontent, authorities should prioritise addressing the countrys escalating economic woes, the rights group said on its Facebook page on Saturday.

Amnesty International added that no citizen should be punished for expressing dissenting opinions, stressing that authorities have an obligation to uphold freedom of expression without discrimination.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has expressed deep sadness over the death of Audu Ogbeh, a former Minister of Agriculture, elder statesman, and founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who passed away recently at the age of 78.

In his condolence message, Governor Radda described the late Mr Ogbeh as a man of uncommon intellect and courage, whose decades of public service left a lasting imprint on Nigerias political and economic life.

Chief Ogbeh was more than a politician, he was a patriot. He stood for what he believed was right, even when it meant swimming against the tide. Whether in the National Party of Nigeria of the Second Republic, the Peoples Democratic Party, or in the APC, his voice was always guided by reason, experience, and deep love for this country, the Governor said.

Mr Radda recalled Mr Ogbehs long and distinguished career, from his early days as Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly in 1979, to his appointment as Minister of Communications and later Minister of Steel Development, and, decades later, Minister of Agriculture under President Muhammadu Buhari.

He brought intellect to the table, backed by facts, figures, and a clear vision for Nigerias growth. His contributions to agriculture alone touched millions of lives, especially in rural communities, Governor Radda noted.

The governor added that Mr Ogbehs passing is not just a loss to Benue State, but to the entire nation. At a time when Nigeria needs the steady counsel of experienced leaders, we have lost one of the finest. His wisdom, candour, and patriotism will be missed.

On behalf of the Government and people of Katsina State, Governor Radda extended condolences to the Government and people of Benue State, the family of Mr Ogbeh, and all Nigerians who valued his leadership and service.

He prayed God to forgive Mr Ogbehs shortcomings and grant his family the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss. He also asked God to comfort his friends, and associates during this time of grief, filling their hearts with courage and solace.
In a major transformation of digital tax administration, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has commenced an electronic invoicing solution (e-invoicing) aimed at revolutionising tax payment in the country.

The e-invoicing system, also known as the Merchant-Buyer Model, is aimed at making tax compliance easier, faster and more transparent for all categories of taxpayers.

A statement by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman, Zacch Adedeji, said the e-invoicing solution went live on 1 August, following a successful pilot phase which began in November 2024.

Large taxpayers, which are companies with annual turnover of N5billion and more, are expected to be the first to be onboarded on the platform.

In less than two weeks of the initiative going live, no fewer than 1, 000 companies, representing 20 percent of over 5, 000 eligible firms, have so far embraced the solution and commenced integration with FIRS MBS platform, said Mr Adekanmbi.

The remaining large taxpayers are expected to come onboard on or before 1 November which is the deadline for all the firms in the category to finalise their onboarding and integration processes, he stated, explaining further as follows:

MTN Nigeria became the first taxpayer to transmit live electronic invoices to the FIRS, officially ushering in the e-invoicing regime. Huawei Nigeria and IHS Nigeria have also concluded test transmissions and are set to go live in the coming days.

In collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Service Providers have been incorporated into the ecosystem to act as both System Integrators and Access Point Providers. These providers will facilitate the onboarding, integration, and invoice transmission processes for taxpayers.

The statement added that FIRS commended all large taxpayers, tax consultants, and service providers for their cooperation and commitment to the success of the e-invoicing project.

We also acknowledge the genuine efforts of many taxpayers who strove to meet the 1st of August 2025 deadline but encountered operational constraints.

In the spirit of encouraging voluntary compliance, the FIRS management has graciously approved a three-month extension of the deadline, with the new deadline now set for 1st November 2025.

The FIRS e-Invoicing Implementation Team will continue to provide support through stakeholder engagements, including webinars, workshops, and town hall meetings, to ensure a seamless transition for all large taxpayers.

The national e-invoicing solution is an electronic fiscal system (EFS) developed by FIRS to provide real-time visibility into commercial transactions and ensure the authenticity, accuracy, and completeness of invoices.

It is being rolled out in phases, beginning with large taxpayers and with those in the medium and emerging groups to follow.

The system aligns with global best practices and supports the Federal Governments broader objectives of enhancing revenue assurance, reducing tax evasion, and modernising tax administration.

It is also a critical tool in the implementation of the Nigeria Revenue Services Reform Act, which seeks to harmonise revenue reporting and establish a single source of truth for government revenues.
Parents of 88 stranded Zamfara students studying in Cyprus have appealed for urgent intervention from the Zamfara State Government to settle their debts in the countrys institutions.

The Chairman of the Cyprus Students Parents Association, Zamfara State, Ibrahim Tudu, in a statement issued in Gusau on Saturday, noted that the students had been in a critical situation without a proffered solution from the state government.

We are still appealing to Gov Dauda Lawal to settle the debt owed for our children stranded in Cyprus for them to continue their studies at various levels and disciplines, he said.

Mr Tudu noted that the students residence permits, tuition fees, and accommodation had long expired.

All the tuition fees for our children, accommodation, residence permits and feeding have not been paid by the state government.

We are still appealing to His Excellency to please respond positively and pay the debt, he added.

Mr Tudu said: We are here to inform the general public on the true situation of our children currently stranded in Cyprus, facing hardship.

It becomes necessary for us, as parents and guardians of the students and responsible Zamfara State citizens, to comment on misinformation spread about the condition of our children.

READ ALSO: Nigerian govt engages health sector unions to sustain industrial harmony

We are appealing again to His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Dauda Lawal, to settle the accumulated debt of the 88 students amounting to more than N1 billion, Mr Tudu added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dauda Lawal, Mustafa Jafaru-Kaura, recently said the state government had paid 290 million for the students.

Mr Jafaru-Kaura also said that the students refused to come back after the state government issued flight tickets for them to return to Nigeria.

(NAN)
NEW YORK, Aug. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE: NVO) between May 7, 2025 and July 28, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 30, 2025.

So What: If you purchased Novo Nordisk securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

What to do next: To join the Novo Nordisk class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34168 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for more information. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 30, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, defendants provided overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Novo Nordisk's growth potential. Notably, Novo Nordisk's asserted potential to capitalize on the compounded market greatly understated the potential impact of the personalization exception to the compounded GLP-1 exclusion and overstated the likelihood that such patients would switch to Novo Nordisk's branded alternatives. Further, defendants greatly overstated the potential GLP-1 market or otherwise, Novo's capability to penetrate said markets to achieve continued growth. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Novo Nordisk class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34168 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for more information.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
ZWIJNDRECHT, Netherlands, Aug. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Oceanco is proud to introduce Leviathan, formerly known as project Y722, a 111m / 364ft diesel-electric yacht that redefines how we live and operate at sea. Designed not around tradition, but around purpose, Leviathan puts people at the heart of every decision.

Built for an experienced owner with a deep commitment to team building and crew wellbeing, Leviathan represents a shift in how yachts are imagined, built, and run. From day one, crew were invited into the process  not just as operators, but lending their operational insights to shape a yacht that works better for those who run it.

Materials and systems were chosen not to reduce effort, but to redirect effort toward higher-value work, not repetitive basic maintenance. Durable, ease of care materials like honed stone and natural wool carpets reduce upkeep, allowing crew to focus on the things that truly matter  whether it is creating richer guest experiences, supporting onboard scientific work, or managing complex operations in real time. Traditional high-maintenance elements like polished handrails with wooden cappings, teak decks and vast painted superstructure sections were intentionally replaced with smart alternatives such as composite capping rails / decks and full height glass superstructure bulkheads were seamlessly integrated, all without compromising but enhancing aesthetics.

Leviathan's design reflects a human-centric approach to life at sea. With naval architecture by Lateral Naval Architects and Oceanco, exterior design by Oceanco, and interiors by Mark Berryman Design, every element has been developed to enhance functionality and comfort for both crew and guests. The owner played an active role throughout the process, alongside YTMC the owner's technical representatives, and Y.CO, ensuring the yacht remains aligned with its guiding philosophy. Crew and co-makers alike contributed their expertise  reflected in every practical detail and solution.

As a tribute to the spirit of collaboration at the heart of this project, a glass panel engraved with the names of over 2,000 individuals involved in the build now stands in Leviathan's main staircase  a permanent reminder that this yacht was built by people, for people.

"Leviathan represents a new philosophy of yachting  one that places greater purpose at the heart of design, ownership and operations," says Deniz de Koningh, Project Director at Oceanco. "The owner's vision sets a forward-thinking example of how yachts can be built and used with intent. We are excited to see the influence she may have in shaping the future of the industry."

"A sanctuary of comfort where silence meets strength, Leviathan wrapped in her sharp lines represents a superb synergy of form and function." says Dan Morgan, Managing Director of YTMC.

"She is not just a high-performance vessel," adds Charlie Birkett, CEO and Co-Founder of Y.CO. "She is a working ecosystem, designed to support everything from world-class hospitality to scientific research. That is what happens when you put people and purpose, at the center."

Leviathan will begin sea trials in the coming weeks. More details about her capabilities and the philosophy behind her will be shared soon.

SPECIFICATIONS

Length 111m / 364ft Beam 17.8m / 58ft Exterior design Oceanco Interior design Mark Berryman Design Owner's representatives Y.CO & YTMC Naval architecture Oceanco & Lateral Naval Architects

CONTACT

Georgia Lewis

[email protected]

www.builtbyoceanco.com

Contact name: Paris Baloumis

Contact phone: +31 78 69 95 399

Contact email: [email protected]

Images and press kit link: https://oceanco.scaura.com/s/33b8e05a

SOURCE Oceanco
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 Delhi, Aug 10 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a one-day visit to Karnataka on Sunday to inaugurate a series of major infrastructure and transport projects in Bengaluru.

As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will flag off three new Vande Bharat Express trains from KSR Bengaluru Railway Station.

These will include the Bengalurua"Belagavi service (physical flag-off), and virtual inaugurations of the Amritsara"Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Nagpur (Ajni)a"Pune routes. These trains are expected to significantly improve connectivity across various parts of the country, further strengthening Indiaas high-speed rail network.

Following the flag-off ceremony, PM Modi will inaugurate the much-awaited Yellow Line of the Namma Metro, which stretches from Ragigudda (RV Road) to Electronic City. He will also undertake a metro ride between the two stations.

This new corridor will cater to thousands of daily commuters, especially in the tech corridor of Electronic City, and is expected to begin commercial operations from 5:00 a.m. on Monday.

The Prime Minister will then lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple urban infrastructure and connectivity projects in the city. A key highlight will be the foundation laying of Bangalore Metro Phase-3, a Rs 15,610 crore project that will add over 44 km of route length and 31 elevated stations to the cityas metro network.

At around 1 p.m., the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of urban connectivity projects in Bengaluru. He will also address a public function.

Due to the high-level visit and expected crowds, the Bengaluru Traffic Police have implemented traffic restrictions and parking bans across several routes between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Major impacted areas include Marenahalli Main Road, Electronic City Flyover, Hosur Road, and internal roads in Electronics City Phase 1 like Infosys Avenue, Velankani Road, and HP Avenue Road. Citizens are advised to plan alternate routes and avoid restricted zones during these hours.

Over 10,000 police personnel will be deployed across the city, and more than 50 checkpoints will be in place to ensure smooth movement and security.
New York, Aug 10 : Three people were injured in a shooting at Times Square, said the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

All the injured were hospitalized and in stable condition, said an NYPD spokesperson. A 17-year-old boy was held in custody and a firearm was recovered, Xinhua news agency reported.

Saturday's shooting occurred at around 1:20 a.m. East Time (0520 GMT) at the intersection of 44th Street and Seventh Avenue in the city's heavily touristed district.

Videos on social media show people running away from the scene after the shooting, while the police were surrounding a vehicle and attending to the wounded lying on the ground.

A suspect has been reportedly taken into custody and is being questioned. No charges have been pressed so far. More details are awaited.

The incident came days after July's deadly shooting in a Manhattan office tower, which left four people dead.

Earlier on July 28, 2025, a gunman killed four people and injured six others before shooting himself dead inside an office building in Manhattan, New York City.

The 27-year-old gunman named Shane Tamura opened fire around 6 p.m. (2200 GMT) and died from "an apparently self-inflicted injury," CNN reported. The information was later confirmed by Mayor Eric Adams.

Earlier, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said on X, "At this time, the scene has been contained and the lone shooter has been neutralized."

One of the victims was an off-duty New York Police Department officer, while the other three were civilians, local media reported.
Bangkok, Aug 10 : The Thai Army said three Thai soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion during a patrol operation along the Thai-Cambodian border. However, Cambodia strongly refuted the Thai accusations.

According to Thailand's Second Army Region, the explosion occurred at around 10:00 a.m. local time on Saturday, when Thai troops were conducting a patrol and laying barbed wire to reinforce border security in Sisaket Province, Xinhua news agency reported.

Thai army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree said that the incident clearly demonstrated the continued, concealed use of weapons along the border by the Cambodian side, which is a clear violation of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, or the Ottawa Convention.

"Such actions pose a major obstacle to implementing ceasefire measures and resolving the conflict through peaceful means and further reinforce evidence that Cambodia has consistently initiated the use of weapons first," Winthai said in a statement.

The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) on Saturday evening strongly refuted the Thai accusations that Cambodia laid new mines that exploded and injured three Thai soldiers.

"Cambodia's position is unequivocal: We have not, and will not, plant new landmines," the CMAA said in a press release.

"At this time, no official and transparent investigation has been carried out regarding the reported incident involving injured Thai soldiers," the press release said.

"In the absence of verified facts, it is essential that all parties exercise restraint in public statements. Unsubstantiated accusations not only risk undermining the spirit of cooperation established under the ceasefire but also threaten to erode trust at a moment when constructive engagement is most needed," it added.

The press release said Cambodia hopes that the Thai side will respect the points agreed upon at the extraordinary meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC), especially point two, which states that both sides maintain current troop deployments without further movement, including patrol towards the other side's position.

On August 7, Cambodia and Thailand reached a consensus on the details of a ceasefire and signed an agreement at a GBC extraordinary meeting held in Malaysia. Both sides agreed to maintain current troop deployments and not to increase forces along the border.
Aden, Aug 10 : Yemeni government forces repelled a large-scale offensive by the Houthi group in southern Yemen's Dhalea province and killed three Houthi militants during the confrontation, a military official told Xinhua.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that the Houthis used heavy artillery in an attempt to break through government defensive lines in the Bab Ghalaq area in northern Dhalea, triggering intense fighting between the group and government forces.

The fighting lasted for about an hour before the Houthis were forced to withdraw in disarray toward their positions, whereas the government forces maintained their defensive positions, said the official.

Apart from three fatalities, the group also suffered military equipment losses, said the official, adding that five government soldiers were injured during the fighting.

The Houthi group has yet to respond to the reported confrontation, Xinhua news agency reported.

Yemen has remained in a fragile state of calm since the collapse of a UN-brokered truce at the end of 2022, with both sides failing to agree on its renewal or expansion.

The conflict, which began in late 2014, has killed hundreds of thousands and pushed millions to the brink of famine, according to UN estimates.
Kyiv, Aug 10 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected any suggestion that Ukraine might relinquish territory to Russia as part of a potential peace deal, following comments by US President Donald Trump proposing a "territorial swap" to end the war.

"Ukraine will not surrender land to the occupier," Zelenskyy said on Saturday, emphasising that Kyiv has no intention of rewarding Russia for its aggression. "We will not give Russia any awards for what it has done," he declared.

Zelenskyy underscored the need for a genuine and enduring peace, saying the goal is "not a pause in the killings, but a real, lasting peace immediately."

His remarks came as top Ukrainian and European officials met with US Vice President JD Vance in Kent, England, to discuss diplomatic avenues for ending the conflict, now entering its fourth year.

The meeting included representatives from key European nations, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, and Poland.

Zelenskyy described the discussions as "constructive" and expressed optimism about continued Western support.

Posting later on X, the Ukrainian president noted that Ukraine has backed all ceasefire initiatives proposed by the Trump administration since February, while adding, "I have not heard any partners express doubts about America's ability to ensure that the war ends."

Zelenskyy also strongly criticised a planned meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for August 15 in Alaska. "Any decisions made without Ukraine's participation are null and void. They will never work," he stated.

Trump confirmed the meeting during a brief post on his Truth Social platform, saying it would take place in Alaska next Friday.

Russian news agency Tass also verified the meeting, citing Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov.

Earlier on Saturday, Trump told reporters at the White House that the meeting had been delayed due to necessary security arrangements. He added that "some swapping of territories to the betterment of both" countries would be discussed, though he did not elaborate on the specifics of the proposal.
Seoul, Aug 10 : South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group ranked second globally in operating profit during the first half of this year, surpassing Germany's Volkswagen Group, industry data showed on Sunday.

The combined operating profit of Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. totaled 13.01 trillion won (US$9.35 billion) for the January-June period, reports Yonhap news agency.

By comparison, Volkswagen Group, the world's second-largest automaker by sales volume, recorded an operating profit of 6.7 billion euros (10.86 trillion won) during the same period.

It was the first time Hyundai Motor Group has outperformed Volkswagen Group in operating profit on a half-year basis.

Hyundai, currently ranked third globally in sales volume, is believed to have narrowed the gap with Volkswagen on the back of its swift response to market disruptions amid U.S. tariff measures, such as inventory adjustments and production management.

"Although Hyundai Motor Group saw its first-half operating profit fell by more than 10 percent, it performed relatively well compared with competitors like Toyota Group, which faced over 4 trillion won in tariff-related costs," an industry official said. Toyota Group retained the top position globally in both sales and operating profit.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Rotem, the rolling stock unit of South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group, said it has delivered the first batch of trams to the city of Edmonton in Canada under a 2021 supply deal.

The initial batch is part of a 218.8 billion-won (US$157.3 million) contract signed in 2021 to provide trams for Edmonton's Valley Line West light rail project. The delivered unit will undergo around 2,000 kilometers of trial runs before entering official service.

Hyundai Rotem plans to deliver all vehicles under the contract sequentially through 2027.

The trams are equipped with advanced temperature control systems capable of maintaining comfortable interior conditions even in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius.

a"IANS

na/
Bengaluru, Aug 10 : Karnataka BJP chief B.Y. Vijayendra said on Sunday that there is a festive mood in Bengaluru, with residents eagerly awaiting the inauguration of the Yellow Line Metro by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This Yellow Line Metro will benefit the people of South Bengaluru and the city's tech corridor, and everyone is happy and proud. It is not just BJP workers - people across Bengaluru and the state are looking forward to Prime Minister Modi's visit.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, BJP MLA Vijayendra stated the Vande Bharat train between Bengaluru and Belagavi is also being dedicated to the people, which has further added to the celebrations.

The Prime Minister will also participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 3 of the Metro. Bengaluru, identified as a global city and an IT hub, needs strong infrastructure, including an efficient Metro network, which the Prime Minister is keen to promote, he stated.

"The state government should also focus on the poor condition of road infrastructure in Bengaluru and across Karnataka. This is not the time for criticism. While the state government has made efforts, it is also because of the Centre's commitment that Metro services are being dedicated to the people of the state," he said.

"The Metro will help reduce traffic congestion in Bengaluru. Unfortunately, a lack of political will and foresight from successive state governments has hindered progress. For example, the Bengaluru International Airport, built 10 to 15 years ago, still does not have Metro connectivity - a clear governance failure," he stated.

"I am not criticising, but the speed required for Bengaluru's development has not been ensured. It is due to Prime Minister Modi's determination to fast-track development projects that many infrastructure works have been expedited," Vijayendra said.

When asked about the initial omission of Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka from the event's guest list, he stated, "It happened due to a lack of communication. We have spoken to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the office of Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi. The matter has been sorted out, and senior leader Ashoka will attend Prime Minister Modi's events. Party workers and leaders across the state are eagerly awaiting his visit."

He further clarified that decisions regarding who should be present at the events are not made by the BJP but by the PMO and the Centre.

"What happened was not ideal, but it has been rectified," he maintained.
Cincinnati, Aug 10 : Aryna Sabalenka began her title defense at the Cincinnati Open with a gritty win over former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova on Saturday night.

The World No. 1 battled through a challenging first set, saving six break points before clinching it 7-5. Despite facing constant pressure on her serve, Sabalenka maintained her composure and elevated her game in the second set to close out the match 7-5, 6-1.

"It's always a tough match against her," Sabalenka said after the match. "(Vondrousova) always pushes me to the limit. You have to stay focused, and you have to fight for every point against her."

Vondrousova had numerous chances, creating 12 break points across the two sets but failed to convert any. Sabalenka, in contrast, made the most of her limited opportunities, going two-for-two on break points in the second set. The win marked her fifth victory in eight career meetings with the Czech left-hander.

Next up for Sabalenka is another Grand Slam champion: Britain's Emma Raducanu. The former US Open winner advanced earlier in the day with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 win over Olga Danilovic. It was the pair's first meeting on the WTA Tour, and Raducanu impressed with her clean, aggressive baseline play.

Raducanu, now unbeaten in opening matches since March, will look to finally break through against Sabalenka. The two have faced off twice before, most recently at Wimbledon this year, where Sabalenka won in straight sets. Raducanu is yet to take a set from the top-ranked Belarusian.

Their upcoming third-round clash promises to be a marquee matchup between two of the sport's most exciting names, with Sabalenka aiming to continue her title defense and Raducanu seeking her first win in the rivalry.
Chennai, Aug 10 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who has been touring all districts to conduct field inspections, inaugurate completed projects, lay foundation stones for new initiatives, and meet the public, will resume his schedule in Coimbatore district on Sunday after a brief pause due to health reasons.

CM Stalin was originally scheduled to visit Coimbatore on July 22 and 23 for inspections and public interactions. However, the programmes were postponed following his sudden health condition.

He will now undertake the visit starting this evening. The Chief Minister will arrive in Coimbatore at 5.25 p.m. by flight from Chennai.

DMK cadres from Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts will accord him a grand reception at the airport. At 6.50 p.m., he will travel to Narasimhapuram in Udumalpet, Tiruppur district, and at around 8.50 p.m., he will unveil a statue of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

CM Stalin will halt for the night in Udumalpet. On Monday at 10 a.m., the Chief Minister will address a public meeting at Netaji Grounds in Udumalpet to highlight various government welfare schemes. Later, at noon, he will visit Pollachi to unveil statues of leaders Kamaraj, V.K. Palaniswami, C. Subramaniam, and Pollachi N. Mahalingam.

He will also inaugurate a memorial dedicated to workers who lost their lives during the construction of the Parambikulam Aliyar Dam.

Following this, CM Stalin will inaugurate a hall named after V.K. Palaniswami and view a photo exhibition and project model related to the Parambikulam Aliyar irrigation project.

After completing the engagements in Pollachi, CM Stalin will travel by road to Coimbatore at 12.15 p.m. and depart for Chennai from Coimbatore Airport at 2.10 p.m.

Security arrangements have been tightened for the visit, with 500 police personnel deployed in Coimbatore city and 800 in Pollachi and surrounding areas, bringing the total security force to 1,300 officers.
New Delhi, Aug 10 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended warm birthday greetings to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, wishing him good health and a long life.

"Greetings to Jharkhand CM Shri Hemant Soren Ji on his birthday. Praying for his long life and good health," the Prime Minister wrote on social media platform X.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also conveyed his wishes, posting: "Birthday greetings to Shri Hemant Soren, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. May he be blessed with a long and healthy life.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari joined in, saying: "Heartfelt birthday wishes to Jharkhand Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren Ji. I pray to God for your good health, long life, and a prosperous future."

Born on August 10, 1975, in Nemra village of Jharkhand's Ramgarh district, Hemant Soren is the son of veteran tribal leader and JMM founder Shibu Soren.

He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2009 and later won the Dumka Assembly seat. In 2013, he became the youngest Chief Minister of Jharkhand, although his first tenure lasted only 17 months.

He returned to power in 2019, leading the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance to victory. His government focused on tribal welfare, rural development, and social security.

In January 2024, the Enforcement Directorate arrested Hemant Soren in connection with a land scam case, which he claimed was a politically motivated attack. After spending five months in judicial custody, the Jharkhand High Court granted him bail in June 2024.

During his absence, his wife, Kalpana Soren, stepped into active politics and won the Gandey Assembly by-election, further solidifying the family's political presence.

The 2024 Assembly elections proved to be a major comeback for the JMM-led INDIA bloc, which secured 56 seats, paving the way for Soren's fourth swearing-in as Chief Minister on November 28, 2024.
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 10 : A month after the death of Chavara native Athulya Shekhar (29) in Sharjah, Kerala Police on Sunday detained her husband Satheesh (40), the sole accused in the case, at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

Police said Satheesh, who arrived from the UAE, will be handed over to Thekkumbhagam Police in Kollam district, which had registered a case against him under Sections relating to murder, cruelty, voluntarily causing hurt, and relevant provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act.

According to Thekkumbhagam police, Satheesh had already secured anticipatory bail from the District Court.

"We will record his statement and release him on bail as per the court's direction," a senior officer said.

The State Home Department has since transferred the investigation to the State Crime Branch. The case began after Athulya's parents lodged a complaint alleging that she was subjected to repeated harassment, physical abuse, and dowry-related demands by Satheesh.

They claimed that their daughter often confided in them about the abuse, and that they had repeatedly urged her to leave him.

Athulya's death on July 19 sent shockwaves through her native village. She was found hanging inside her apartment in Sharjah. Her mortal remains were repatriated to Kerala the same day, and a post-mortem examination was conducted at Parippally Medical College.

While Sharjah Police have reportedly classified the death as a case of suicide, Athulya's family insists that the abuse she endured drove her to take the extreme step. They also alleged that Satheesh's violent behaviour had been escalating in recent months.

In his statement to the media earlier, Satheesh denied responsibility for his wife's death but admitted to physically assaulting and abusing her.

"I am not the reason for her death," he said, adding that there were "differences" in their marriage.

The incident has reignited debates in Kerala over domestic violence, dowry harassment, and the challenges of prosecuting such cases when they occur abroad.

Women's rights groups have called for a thorough probe, noting that overseas deaths of Indian women are often hastily labelled suicides without examining possible abuse.

The State Crime Branch is expected to question Satheesh in detail in the coming days.

Officials said they will also seek further information from Sharjah authorities to establish the exact circumstances surrounding Athulya's death.
Mumbai, Aug 10 : ChatGPT maker OpenAI has announced massive bonus payouts for about 1,000 employees, which is approximately one-third of its full-time workforce.

On the eve of GPT-5's launch, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman sent a surprise message to employees via communication platform Slack. A quarterly bonus for two years was awarded to researchers and software engineers in the firm's applied engineering, scaling, and safety domains, according to The Verge.

The payouts vary by role and seniority. Top researchers will receive mid-single-digit millions as bonus, while engineers will get hundreds of thousands. Bonuses will be distributed quarterly for two years and can be received in stock, cash, or a combination of both.

Altman informed that the rise in compensation was a result of market dynamics, likely driven by the demand for AI talent.

"As we mentioned a few weeks ago, we have been looking at comp for our technical teams given the movement in the market," The Verge cited Altman's message to employees as saying.

"We very much intend to keep increasing comp as we keep doing better and better as a company," he wrote. "But we wanted to be transparent about this one since it's a new thing for us," he added.

Tech giants and well-funded startups in Silicon Valley are intensifying competition for AI expertise, announcing bonuses to attract talent. Altman has recently lost several key researchers to Meta, while Elon Musk's xAI is also seeking to attract talent.

India is OpenAI's second-largest market in the world after the US, and it may well become its biggest market in the near future, according to its CEO Sam Altman.

GPT5 is available to all users, with Plus subscribers getting more usage, and Pro subscribers getting access to GPT5 pro, a version with extended reasoning for even more comprehensive and accurate answers.

"GPT5 is a unified system with a smart, efficient model that answers most questions, a deeper reasoning model (GPT5 thinking) for harder problems, and a realtime router that quickly decides which to use based on conversation type, complexity, tool needs, and your explicit intent," the company noted.

IANS

aar/na
Seoul, Aug 10 : The commander of the US Forces Korea (USFK) said taking "shortcuts" for the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) to Seoul from Washington could imperil the readiness posture on the Korean Peninsula.

Gen. Xavier Brunson stressed the need to adhere to bilaterally agreed-upon conditions for the OPCON transfer, as the issue could emerge as a key agenda item related to "alliance modernisation" during the first-ever summit between the South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump later this month.

"If we choose to take shortcuts, that could endanger the readiness of the force here on the (Korean) Peninsula," Brunson told reporters during a South Korean defence press corps visit to the US military base Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, some 60 kilometres south of Seoul, on Friday.

"The conditions were set for particular reasons ... and so I think that to rush to do something, just to say that it was done, is not in the best interest of any of our homelands," he said, adding that any possible change in the plan should be accompanied by conditions to militarily ensure peace on the peninsula.

Seoul and Washington have been working on the "conditions-based" OPCON transfer. Conditions include South Korea's capabilities to lead combined Korea-US forces, its strike and air defence capabilities, and a regional security environment conducive to such a handover, Yonhap news agency reported.

The OPCON transfer was supposed to occur in 2015 but was postponed, as the allies agreed in 2014 to a conditions-based handover -- rather than a timeline-based one -- due to Pyongyang's advancing nuclear and missile threats.

While reaffirming his priority remains on protecting the allies from threats, including North Korea, which he called the "closest alligator to the boat," Brunson brought up the need for changes to reflect the "markedly different" security environment in Northeast Asia compared with when the alliance was forged 75 years ago.

"We have a nuclear-armed adversary who's north of the border. Here we have increasing involvement of Russia, along with the DPRK, and we also have the Chinese and the threat that they pose to a free and open Indo-Pacific," the commander said. DPRK is the acronym of the North's formal name.

"I think alliance modernisation is something that ensures that our alliance remains ready, that we remain relevant, and that we remain able to best deal with any of the evolving security challenges that might pose us, together," he said, when asked about his understanding of the concept.

On a similar note, a Pentagon official on Friday noted that efforts by the allies to modernise their alliance include expanding cooperation to ensure credible deterrence on the Korean Peninsula and "beyond," while underlining its "primary" focus on deterring North Korean threats.

Against such a backdrop, the USFK commander said he believes changes should occur within the 28,500-strong force. He still declined to discuss such changes in terms of numbers when asked about speculation over a possible reduction in the force for "strategic flexibility."

"I think that the conversation ought not be about numbers. It ought to be about capabilities," Brunson said.

"Moving those capabilities around might offer great protection. Using the things that we do have in different ways might offer better protection," he said.

Brunson cited as an example how Patriot batteries have been temporarily moved to the Middle East for strategic flexibility but will be returning here for the newest equipment upgrades.

On the Korean side, the USFK commander noted that South Korea should be equipped with stronger capabilities to cope with North Korea.

"What's being asked of Korea is to be stronger against DPRK, that we might have the flexibility as we modernise our alliance so that we could go do other things," he said, while stressing that each government will make decisions based on its own national interests.

In the midst of the security challenges and potentially ensuing changes awaiting the allies, Brunson voiced confidence in the power of the 75-year alliance, calling it the "envy of the world" that can fend off any threat.

"Our asymmetric advantage is our alliance. That counters anything that the DPRK has. That counters anything that China has. It counters anything that Russia has. It's being in alliance."
Yaounde, Aug 10 : Former Chadian Prime Minister Succes Masra was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a criminal court in the capital N'Djamena.

Masra was found guilty of inciting the public to hatred and hostility, according to the ruling handed down by Chad's criminal court, Xinhua news agency reported.

Masra's lawyers called the verdict "an ignominy" and said they will appeal.

Following the verdict Kadjilembay Francis, Masra's lawyer, told reporters: "He has just been subjected to ignominy and unworthy humiliation." He said he will appeal the sentence.

Masra was arrested in May after a government probe alleged that he incited people to violence, which led to the death of 42 people in clashes in Mandakao village in the southwestern province of Logone Occidental.

Masra, president of the opposition political party The Transformers, went into exile in 2022 but later returned and was appointed prime minister by President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno.

After serving as prime minister for five months in 2024, Masra resigned to pave the way for the formation of a new government.

Masra, who served as prime minister from January to May of last year, is the leader of the Les Transformateurs party and has been a strong critic of Mahamat Deby, the current president of Chad.

Deby came to power in 2021 following the death of his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who was killed while fighting rebels in the northern part of the country. Idriss Deby had ruled Chad for 30 years.

Earlier this year, Mahamat Deby legitimized his presidency through an election, which was opposed by Masra and his party.
Seoul, Aug 10 : The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies on Sunday endorsed a joint statement urging efforts to bolster food security in the region for shared prosperity, the South Korean agriculture ministry said.

The move came as the global community faces various challenges to food security, such as climate change, an ageing population, supply chain disruptions and poverty in some regions -- issues that can exacerbate surging food prices and heighten risks of food insecurity and malnutrition.

"We remain committed to promoting cooperation among APEC member economies and fostering solidarity to strengthen food security through productive, sustainable, resilient and innovative agri-food systems for the prosperity of all our people and future generations," according to a statement issued at the 2025 APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting, which wrapped up its two-day run in Incheon, about 40 kilometres west of Seoul.

The 2025 meeting brought together all 21 food security-related ministers of APEC member economies, including the United States, China, Japan and Thailand, to discuss the theme of "Driving Innovation in Agri-food Systems for Shared Prosperity."

Under the joint statement, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to APEC's road map for strengthening regional food security by 2030 and creating a resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040, according to the ministry.

"In response to these concerns, APEC economies recognise the importance of promoting more sustainable and resilient food systems through the efficient use of agricultural resources, and implementing policies and approaches that support sustainable agricultural productivity growth," it added.

The ministers also called for the application of advanced digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), in the food and agricultural sectors to boost supply chain sustainability, while recognising the "critical" role that trade can play in achieving food security, Yonhap news agency reported.

"We already possess various technologies, such as smart farming and data-driven policies (to enhance food security), and the key question now is, 'With whom and how will we connect these elements to create real change?'" South Korean Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said.

Song also said South Korea will work to share its experiences in smart farming and in developing AI-powered agricultural business models with global partners to promote food security in the region

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting, Song held bilateral talks with her counterparts from China, Japan, Vietnam and Malaysia to discuss ways to expand South Korea's exports of food products to those countries, according to her office.
Hyderabad, Aug 10 : Telugu cineworkers intensified their protest demanding a wage hike, while the Telugu Film Industry Employees Federation threatened to halt film shoots from Monday.

Tension prevailed at the office of Federation office on Sunday as a large number of workers gathered there, raising slogans in support of their demand. Workers belonging to all 24 unions participated in the protest.

Leaders of the Federation, which represents all the unions, threatened to completely halt the film shoots if the talks with the producers failed to yield any positive results.

They said that for the film shoot schedules already announced, they will give a couple of days.

Federation president Anil Vallabhaneni said they would also talk to the producers whose schedules were already announced and would stop the film shoot.

The Federation rejected the proposal of producers for a gradual hike in wages. The producers offered hikes to workers of only 13 unions out of 24. The Federation leaders termed this as an attempt to break their unity.

The Federation is willing to reconsider the original demand of a 30 per cent wage hike. The leaders, however, made it clear that a wage hike for some unions while leaving out others was unacceptable to them.

According to Federation leaders, the producers proposed hikes only for workers earning Rs 1,500 per day, excluding those at the Rs 2,500 level. They demanded that all 10,000 daily wage workers should be treated equally, instead of creating divisions among them.

On producer T.G. Vishwa Prasad sending court notices, the Federation leaders said they were holding talks with the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce and not individual producers.

The producer sent notices to the Federation's president, general secretary and treasurer over a Rs 1.5 crore loss he claimed to have incurred due to the strike. Anil Vallabhneni said that as long as the matter remains in the court, they will not attend the film shoots of Prasad.

The leaders said they would soon meet Telangana Cinematography Minister, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, to apprise him of their demands.

The Producers' Guild proposed a gradual hike formula. Under this proposal, workers earning less than Rs 2,000 per day would receive a 15 per cent increase in Year 1 and 5 per cent each in the second and third years. For those earning less than Rs 1,000 per day, the proposal was a 20 per cent increase in Year 1 and 5 per cent in the second and third year.

Meanwhile, top actor Chiranjeevi has denied reports that he is supporting the strike by Telugu Film Employees Federation.

"It has come to my attention that some individuals claiming to be the members of the Film Federation have gone to the media, falsely claiming that I have met them and given an assurance that their demands regarding a 30 per cent wage hike, etc., shall be met and that I will be starting shooting very soon. I wish to set the record straight that I have not met anyone from the federation. This is an industry issue and no individual including me can give any unilateral assurances to solve any problem one way or the other," the megastar posted on 'X'.

"The film chamber is the apex body of the Telugu Film Industry, and only the Film chamber as a collective will engage in discussions with all concerned and arrive at a just solution. Until such time, making such false claims is unacceptable. I condemn all such baseless and motivated claims to create confusion among all stakeholders," he added.
Mumbai, Aug 10 : The CBI has arrested five cyber conmen based in Mumbai and seized seven luxury cars worth Rs one crore, 44 laptops, Rs 1.20 crore cash and 500 gm gold during a raid on an illegal international call centre operating from a resort in Maharashtra's Nashik, an official said on Sunday.

Mumbai, Aug 10 (IANS) The CBI has arrested five cyber conmen based in Mumbai and seized seven luxury cars worth Rs one crore, 44 laptops, Rs 1.20 crore cash and 500 gm gold during a raid on an illegal international call centre operating from a resort in Maharashtraas Nashik, an official said on Sunday.

Rainforest Resort in Igatpuri was raided after the CBI registered a cyber fraud case on August 8 against six accused, all residents of Mumbai, as well as unknown private persons and bank officials for duping victims in the US and Canada.

Five accused arrested during the operation were identified as Vishal Yadav, Shehbaz, Durgesh, Abhay Raj and Sameer alias Kalia alias Sohail, the official said.

It was alleged in the FIR that the accused entered into a criminal conspiracy to commit financial fraud by impersonation and making phishing calls/deceptive calls from their illegal call centre, posing as Amazon Support Services Call Centre.

They were operating from rented premises in Igatpurias Rainforest Resort, the CBI said.

The FIR said that the accused have been cheating citizens of the US, Canada and other countries and fraudulently obtaining proceeds of crime via gift cards/cryptocurrency.

The call centre was run with the help of 60 operators comprising diallers, verifiers and closers, the CBI said.

Investigation by the CBI has resulted in the recovery of 44 laptops and 71 mobile phones and other incriminating digital evidence, as well as the recovery of unaccounted cash of Rs 1.20 crore, 500 gm of gold and seven luxury cars worth Rs one crore.

Transactions of approximately 5000 USDT cryptocurrency (Rs 5 lakh) and 2000 Canadian Dollar worth gift vouchers (Rs 1.26 lakh) were detected. During the searches, 62 employees working in the call centre were found operating live, and a process of cheating foreign nationals was in progress.

The CBI investigators are analysing the data retrieved from the 44 laptops and 71 mobile phones that were being used from the call centre to target foreign nationals.
New Delhi, Aug 10 : Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will host a dinner for MPs of the INDIA bloc on Monday, sources said, as the opposition alliance intensifies its efforts to present a united front against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and alleged large-scale rigging in polls.

According to sources, Kharge will host the dinner at Taj Palace in Chanakyapuri, which is likely to be attended by the INDIA bloc MPs.

The move follows a show of opposition unity just days after the INDIA bloc leaders gathered for a dinner meeting at the residence of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.

At the meeting, the Opposition leaders pledged to fight against the electoral roll revision in Bihar and what they have termed the BJP-Election Commission's "vote chori" model.

Several leaders from across 25 parties attended the meeting, including Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, TMC's Abhishek Banerjee, DMK leaders Tiruchi Siva and T.R. Baalu, CPI's D. Raja, CPI(M) leader M.A. Baby, MNM chief Kamal Haasan, and CPI(ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya.

During the meeting, Rahul Gandhi made a detailed presentation on the alleged "vote chori" being carried out by the BJP with the support of the Election Commission.

According to Congress, Gandhi explained the entire "game" of how elections were being "rigged" through this alleged collusion.

"A united front against electoral manipulation! We are committed to protecting democracy and will save it from being destroyed at all costs," Congress posted on X.

At a press conference earlier, Gandhi had unveiled what he called explosive evidence of a "huge criminal fraud" in the electoral process, alleging deep collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission.
Seoul, Aug 10 : South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will preside over an extraordinary Cabinet meeting early this week to determine special pardons, his office said Sunday, amid growing speculation that he may grant a presidential pardon to former Justice Minister Cho Kuk.

The Cabinet meeting will take place at 2,30 p.m. on Monday, with the review and potential approval of matters related to special pardons, reinstatements and other considerations for clemency expected to be the focus, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a message to reporters.

It is widely expected that Lee will make a decision on whether to grant a presidential pardon to Cho, who launched the minor Rebuilding Korea Party ahead of the general elections in April last year, Yonhap news agency reported.

Cho has reportedly been included on the potential list of beneficiaries of presidential pardons, raising the possibility of his early release from prison.

He is currently serving a two-year prison term following a conviction on academic fraud charges involving his children and unlawful interference with a government inspection.

Presidents usually grant special pardons to mark major national holidays, including Liberation Day on Aug 15, the anniversary of Korea's independence from Japan's colonial rule (1910a"45).

On August 7, according to legal sources, a Justice Ministry committee held a meeting and decided to include Cho on the special pardon list, which was expected to be finalised and approved at the Cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday.

Former lawmaker Choe Kang-wook was also included, sources added. He was sentenced in 2023 to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, on charges of business obstruction for issuing a false internship certificate for Cho's son in 2017 while he was working as a lawyer at a law firm.

Considering that the list is formed based on talks between the presidential office and the ministry, it would be highly unlikely for the committee to exclude Cho from the finalised list.
Bengaluru, Aug 10 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's pleasant conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Bengaluru on Sunday has become a topic of discussion among the public and the state's political circles.

Bengaluru, Aug 10 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumaras pleasant conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Bengaluru on Sunday has become a topic of discussion among the public and the stateas political circles.

CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM Shivakumar are known for often criticising Prime Minister Modi with sharp remarks.

The interaction began with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah holding Prime Minister Modias hand while presenting him with a bouquet and exchanging pleasantries. At the inauguration venue of the Yellow Line Metro services at R.V. Road (Ragigudda) Metro Station, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar took the lead in showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi the new station and shared details about the project.

Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah were seen closely interacting with Prime Minister Modi throughout the event.

When the Prime Minister took a ride on the newly inaugurated 19.15-kilometre Yellow Line Metro from R.V. Road to Bommanahalli Metro Station, the three leaders -- PM Modi, CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM Shivakumar -- sat side-by-side, appearing to be enjoying the journey, engaging in delightful conversation.

CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM Shivakumar sat on either side of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, maintaining a continuous conversation with him. Dy CM Shivakumar was seen pointing out of the Metro train and explaining various aspects to the Prime Minister.

Both CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM Shivakumar were also seen sharing hearty laughter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the journey. This development surprised many, and photos and videos of the interaction have gone viral on social media.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a 19.15-km ride from R.V. Road (Ragigudda) Metro Station to Bommanahalli Metro Station on Sunday, after waving the green flag to inaugurate the Yellow Line Metro services.

Eight children, 16 girl students from government schools, and eight workers who were part of the Yellow Line Metro project had the opportunity to travel with Prime Minister Modi. During the journey, he interacted with the girl students, women, Metro workers, and staffers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Yellow Line Metro services at the R.V. Road (Ragigudda) Metro Station on Sunday, which connects Bengaluruas Central District to the tech hub, Electronics City. He also purchased a ticket by scanning the QR code at the Metro station before entering the platform.
Quetta, Aug 10 : Education, online businesses and media reporting have faced widespread disruptions in Pakistan's Balochistan due to the suspension of internet services for the past several days, with the provincial government claiming that the decision was taken to curb communications among armed groups active in the region, local media reported on Saturday.

Officials said that the decision has been taken on the security agencies' recommendation, keeping in view rising tensions in August, especially around National Day celebrations in Pakistan. In a notification, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said that internet services will remain suspended in Balochistan until August 31.

Students, business owners, journalists, and human rights organisations have criticised the government's decision, The Balochistan Post reported. Students enrolled in online classes have said that they are not able to attend lectures or submit assignments, with the situation more severe in rural areas, where students already have limited educational resources.

Freelancers and entrepreneurs in Quetta, Turbat, Khuzdar and Panjgur have reported that their livelihoods have been brought to a standstill due to the suspension of internet services. One business owner said: "Our entire work depends on the internet; this shutdown has pushed us to the brink of financial collapse."

Media outlets have been majorly affected, with journalists saying that they are not able to share reports from the region, resulting in what some termed an "information blackout," as per the report.

Human rights groups have voiced serious concern over the decision taken by the government, describing the suspension of the internet as a violation of civil liberties and a blow to citizens' fundamental rights to education, economic activity and access to information.

Local political and social organisations have accused the government of imposing collective punishment on the public instead of improving security in the region. Critics have mentioned that people in the region also face other restrictive measures, including a ban on motorcycle pillion riding until August 15 and restrictions on road travel for religious pilgrims to Iran and Iraq.

Earlier this week, the Human Rights Council of Pakistan condemned the Pakistani authorities for shutting down internet and mobile phone services in Balochistan, terming it a "blatant violation" of fundamental human rights.

"The decision by the Balochistan government to suspend 3G and 4G mobile and internet services across the entire province starting from August 6 is a cruel and disproportionate measure that targets millions of innocent citizens. This decision tramples on fundamental rights such as the right to communication, freedom of expression, education, health, and employment," read a statement issued by the HRC Pakistan.

The rights body questioned whether silencing an entire province, disconnecting education, health, employment, and communication, is a legitimate strategy.

"Shutting down the internet does not harm terrorists but ordinary citizens. This is a dangerous pattern of collective punishment that weakens public trust rather than the fight against terrorism," it stated.
Dhaka, Aug 10 : A local journalist and his mother were brutally assaulted by a group of miscreants in Bangladesh's Lalmonirhat district, police said on Sunday. This adds to the cases of growing violence against journalists in the South Asian nation.

The victim, Helal Hossain Kabir, aged 32, is the executive editor of Alormoni, a weekly publication based in Lalmonirhat. Both he and his mother are currently under medical supervision at Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital, local media reported.

Following the attack, a case was filed naming 11 individuals. Police later arrested the prime accused, Sohrab Hossain, 48, on late Saturday night.

"Efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining accused. Upon completion of the investigation, a charge sheet will be submitted to the court. My seniors and I have already visited the injured at the hospital," leading Bangladeshi daily, The Daily Star, quoted the Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Police Station, Mohammad Nurnabi, as saying.

Dr Samina Hossain Chowdhury, Resident Medical Officer at the hospital, informed that the journalist sustained injuries to his head, face, hands, and legs. "He is under treatment but out of danger," she said.

Narrating the events leading up to the incident, Kabir said, "About five or six months ago, a local criminal named Abdul Aziz was caught red-handed while gambling in our village. He and his associates suspected that I was involved in exposing them."

"A day after his arrest, Aziz was granted bail and released from prison. Since then, he and his cohorts have been continuously harassing and threatening me," Kabir added.

He further said that he had filed a General Diary with the local police station on May 1 after receiving a death threat.

"Last evening, around 8 p.m., they barged into my home, assaulted me severely, and dragged me outside. They used bamboo sticks and iron rods to beat my face, head, hands, back, and legs. When my mother tried to intervene, they attacked her too," Kabir alleged.

Locals later came to their rescue and rushed them to the hospital.

This comes days after a reporter working for a Bangladeshi daily was publicly hacked to death in Chandana Chowrasta of Gazipur district, just hours after he went live on social media to expose extortion from street vendors and local shops in the area.

The deceased, identified as 38-year-old Asaduzzaman Tuhin was a staff reporter for the 'Daily Protidiner Kagoj' in Gazipur. The video of his murder on August 7 went viral on social media, sparking outrage in the media community.

On August 6, another journalist was brutally assaulted by extortionists in the Sahapara area of Gazipur while probing allegations of extortion collected from battery-powered and CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers.

The 35-year-old victim, Anwar Hossain Sourav, a staff reporter for the daily 'Bangladesher Alo', was attacked in broad daylight, reportedly in the presence of police.

Last month, Bangladesh's Awami League party stated that as many as 51 journalists from the South Asian country have expressed their grave concern over the ongoing killings, torture, and harassment against media persons under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.

The journalists demanded an immediate end to harassment, justice for slain colleagues, bail for imprisoned journalists, and restoration of the Dhaka Union of Journalists' operations.

Bangladesh has been gripped with numerous unprovoked and violent attacks against journalists, police officers, minorities, and those connected with the Awami League party after the Yunus-led interim government assumed power last year.
New Delhi, Aug 10 : With the US emerging as the sole superpower on the termination of the Cold War in 1991-consequent on the dismemberment of USSR, India was required to reset its geopolitical strategy keeping in view the three paradigm shifts that had occurred in the world scene.

First, the US was driving the global trends in a unipolar order but for India, a rising power itself, Indo-US relations reflected a natural friendship between the two largest and well-tested democracies in a world that faced dictatorial regimes like Chinaas.

Secondly, it was reasonable for India to work on the presumption that in the post-Cold War era the world would move towards multi-polarity because the nations did not have to be under the spell any more, of the militarily tense ideological divide between Communism with State controls and Capitalism backed by Free Market. The Non Aligned Movement that India led was therefore reshaped into a strategy of developing bilateral relationships with all countries-big or small- on the basis of mutually beneficial security and economic interests.

Finally, India found itself moving towards a leadership role in the South that basically wanted peace for economic growth. Strategic analysts have to rise above the details of policies a transient America under Donald Trump was pursuing or the direction European Union was consequently adopting in the present and see what was new in the geopolitical environment that India could strategise for- without getting trapped into the legacies of the past.

India has a realistic assessment of where it stands in the scale of global economy and military power. India is aware that China was pursuing the economic route to becoming the second superpower, having drawn lessons from the demise of the Soviet Union, and that it was now the leader of the China-Russia combine. There were enough indications of a return to Cold War on the horizon between the China-led axis and the US but it is also a fact that China was still having to buy time for reaching a position where it could measure upto a situation of military confrontation with America.

For India, astrategic autonomya is not a slogan but a way of remaining non-aligned in military conflicts of global implications, such as the Ukraine-Russia awara and the Israel-Iran conflagration, with the objective of serving the cause of world peace. Indiaas pursuit of multi-polarity is not a strategic liability but a meaningful way of handling international relations in the present geopolitical flux.

India is sending a clear message to China from the platforms of Quad, I2U2 and G20 about where will Indiaas support lie in a future US-China conflict. Inspite of the erratic pronouncements of President Trump, he is consistent in denouncing Islamic Terrorism and identifying China as the main adversary of the US. Trump withdrew from the WHO on a specific grouse that the UN agency was China dominant. This provides enough common ground for building Indo-US strategic partnership notwithstanding the irritation Trump has caused to Indians by his one- sided pronouncements on trade and comments on the state of Indian economy.

What should bother Indiaas policy makers, however, is that President Trump was apparently not fully alive to the security threat posed by Sino-Pak strategic alliance to the world peace in general and to India in particular. Trump has tried to cultivate Pakistan, whose military leadership has been traditionally close to the Pentagon any way, for gathering support for his own personal ambition of securing the Nobel Peace Prize for resolving aarmed conflictsa in the world. Israel has backed the proposition, which is not a surprise.

The US President has somehow ignored the proven fact of Pakistan sheltering Islamic radical forces that always looked upon the US as their afirst enemya. He had also not taken enough notice of the Chinese military hardware and technological support extended to Pakistan in the recent spell of Indo-Pak war-like confrontation that followed the Pakistan-directed gruesome terrorist attack at Pahalgam. India can deal with the inconsistent and transactional responses of Trump without compromising its own national interests, in the belief that the friendship between India and US as leaders of the democratic world, would survive this Presidency.

Trump is driven by the call of aAmerica Firsta in his push for consolidating US economy and his interest in Pakistan was primarily for striking a favourable economic deal with that country. India has responded with reason on the issues of both illegal migration as well as trade and tariff pitched by President Trump on top of his agenda. Indiaas strategy has to rest on the valid presumption that US needed India as much as India would need the US. This will help this country to stand firm on points of reciprocity affecting Indo-US relations.

India can afford to have a strategy of patience and looking out -not one of alignment. Not aligning with any existing or emerging superpower is a form of power by itself. For US India may not be an ally but it is certainly an autonomous partner who had to be given due regards by Trump. This fits in better with Indiaas profile as a major power whose word mattered in global issues of war and peace.

Also, Trump Presidency was reconsidering the terms of its security guarantees in Europe making it clear that US might be the worldas preeminent power but it no longer adrove a unipolar ordera. Many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America are coming on their own and it is strategically appropriate for India to have the image of an anchor of the South in todayas geopolitics.

India has to take deep cognisance of an Indo-Pacific that was witnessing a greater contest at present, a more violent Middle East and the growing influence of China in Indiaas neighbourhood. On balance, India has to lean towards a democratic US against a dictatorial China that was already betraying hostility towards this country. There was no need for India to rush to the American camp, however, and the policy of remaining an independent-minded observer of the world scene, ready to join in the cause of peace and human welfare, was in line with our strategic culture. Non-alignment for India has now changed to bilateral friendships with all-this has enabled India to respond to the trouble spots of the world with a call for peace and negotiations.

To sum up, Indo-US relations have to rest on a mutual acknowledgement by the two countries of the special importance of their friendship that gave a universal message about democracy standing against dictatorships, expansionism and recourse to terrorism for achieving political aims.

India has rightly stepped up its engagement with the Quad to reaffirm the importance of arules-based order in the Indo-Pacific regiona. Somewhere, it checks the outreach of China to the Indian Ocean and thus strengthens Indiaas maritime security. The Trump Administration is committed to combating Chinese advances and looking upon Quad as a centrepiece of its policy in the Indo-Pacific. India is thus as close to the US on this matter as any aallya would be.

India has in the past also stood by the US in dealing with a common threat to their security. It may be recalled that following 9/11, India was among the first to join the US- led a world coalition against global terrora even as a reluctant Pakistan needed to be coerced by President George Bush to come on board.

The biggest threat to Indiaas national security is the Sino-Pak axis directing its hostility against India. The military dimension of this strategic alliance came into play in the recent Indo-Pak conflict. India has the right to critically judge President Trumpas approach to this country. If he does not see Indiaas case against Pakistan on Pahalgam in contrast to Indiaas support for America on US-China issues, India should give this matter a serious thought.

Trump seemed to be giving allowance to Pakistan- a country known for instigating Islamic terrorism-for the narrow reason of trade and this gave India the right to balance its defence deals between US and Russia and seek tariff parity with the former.

President Trumpas suggestions of atariff pressurea being applied to countries trading with Russia on the ground that they indirectly helped Russia against Ukraine, were neither here nor there and could be handled by India through a mix of strategic firmness and diplomatic finesse. India has not hesitated to call Trumpas move as unfortunate and unreasonable. President Putin needs to know that India considered its friendship with Russia as a vital part of its strategic autonomy.

Meanwhile, India has adopted the strategy of promoting self- sufficiency in defence and economy which is the right thing to do in all circumstances - more so at a time when geopolitical divides and an economic flux seemed to be overtaking the world.

(The writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau)
Mumbai, Aug 10 : As India prepares for its 79th Independence Day next week, its digital governance ecosystem has made citizens more independent in accessing services and participating in governance.

Tech-enabled citizen-centric governance has led to the empowerment of citizens and inclusive development.

The Digital India initiative, launched in 2015, transformed India into a digitally enabled society and knowledge economy. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) platforms, including Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker, have revolutionised service delivery.

During the last month, UPI recorded around 19.5 billion transactions worth over Rs 25 lakh crore. This translates into around 650 million transactions per day on average and worth around Rs 83,000 crore daily.

India was the first country to implement Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) at scale, which reduced corruption and ensured the timely delivery of welfare benefits. Additionally, AI integration in governance-tailored services to citizen needs through grievance redressal systems and predictive analytics in healthcare and agriculture.

MyGov.in platform, National AI Portal (INDIAai) and Chic-CAD Plus were some noteworthy government-led programmes. POSHAN Tracker a" a mobile-based application was developed for Anganwadi workers to provide real-time data on the delivery of nutrition and childcare services

Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) a" a national platform for school education, and AYUSH Information Hub (AIH) for accurate and verified information on traditional medical systems, were other noteworthy programmes.

UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) helped access over 1,200 Central and state government services in multiple languages, including Aadhaar, DigiLocker, Bharat Bill Payment System, PAN, EPFO and other services.

E-governance platforms reduced bureaucratic opacity and increased public trust. Now, the country is developing AI-driven tools and multilingual platforms to ensure services reach marginalised communities.

The IndiaAI Mission, a government programme, has created 'AI Kosh', a data repository that has over 400 databases, to assist researchers and entrepreneurs in the development of multilingual AI solutions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated on multiple occasions that India is willing to share technology, knowledge and expertise acquired in tech-enabled governance with the Global South.
Kabul, Aug 10 : Afghan security forces have discovered a large amount of weapons and military equipment in the eastern Paktia province, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said on Sunday.

The items were seized during a series of operations on the outskirts of Samkani and Ahmad Khil districts, the ministry said.

Earlier on August 4, Afghanistan police authorities discovered arms and ammunition, including a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG), in western Afghanistan's Farah province, the provincial police office said in a news release.

The weaponry, including an AK-47, an RPG, four hand grenades, projectiles and other military equipment, was found in a house in Khak-e-Safid district, the news release added.

In a similar incident on July 27, the Afghan security forces discovered a mass weapon and ammunition cache in southern Afghanistan's Uruzgan province, seizing various types of arms along with a large quantity of ammunition.

Acting on a tip-off, the security personnel launched an operation based on intelligence reports in Tirin Kot, the capital of Uruzgan province, and discovered weapons, including six AK-47 rifles, a heavy machine gun, PK machine guns, rocket launchers, and hundreds of hand grenades.

Additionally, a substantial amount of ammunition and military equipment has been seized during the operations.

Two individuals were arrested in connection with the case, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Afghan interim government has rounded up thousands of arms and a huge quantity of ammunition as part of efforts to stabilise the security situation across the war-ravaged country over the past three-and-a-half years.

On July 24, police discovered some 200 pieces of light and heavy firearms in the eastern Afghanistan Paktia province, reported the state-run Radio and Television of Afghanistan (RTA).

The weaponry, according to the state-owned media outlet, includes 97 Kalashnikovs, seven M16-type assault rifles, 86 stock pistols, seven rocket launchers, and many more types of arms and ammunition.

The official media outlet cited the police as adding that no one has the right to keep or carry arms illegally.

In similar operations, police reported the discovery of arms and ammunition, including an anti-aircraft gun, in Afghanistan's northern Samangan province.
New Delhi, Aug 10 : The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is expanding its influence and surveillance operations on US soil. From academic institutions and cultural organisations to covert intimidation of dissidents, the CCP's reach now extends into the democratic society of the US.

This campaign has been launched by the CCP to protect its image, suppress criticism and implement ideological conformity - even among those who have left China for freedom. The extraterritorial campaign not only affects the safety of Chinese nationals living abroad but also the integrity of US institutions and values, European Times said in a report. These outposts, allegedly disguised as community services centres, were reportedly operating to monitor and intimidate members of the Chinese diaspora, especially those who were critical of the CCP.

The FBI's arrest of two men in New York for operating these illegal stations was a rare moment of public accountability. According to prosecutors, these two men were operating on the instructions given by Chinaas Ministry of Public Security, and they had tried to coerce a Chinese dissident to head back to China. These actions demonstrate how far China is ready to go in extending its authoritarian control into democratic societies.

The report has described China's plan of transnational repression as "persistent and systematic." According to the report, the CCP wants to silence critics, particularly ethnic minorities, democracy activists, and religious practitioners, who have escaped its reach but continue to express their opposition while living in other nations.

Chinese students and scholars in the US have reported that they were being monitored, harassed or coerced. Some have expressed fear that their families back home might face repercussions if they voice opposition. Professors who teach topics that are sensitive to the Chinese government, including Hong Kong, Tiananmen Square massacre, Tibet and Xinjiang, have faced online threats and harassment. The example of these threats includes Uyghur Americans who receive anonymous threats or face threats through family members in Xinjiang.

China's influence operations are not confined to the shadows as much of its presence is overt, facilitated through economic investments and cultural diplomacy. The CCPas United Front Work Department, a vast bureaucratic apparatus the work of shaping foreign public opinion has enhanced its operations globally, including in the US.

Meanwhile, Chinese students' organisations on the US campuses, some of which reportedly have ties with Chinese consulates, have been accused of monitoring fellow students and reporting "unpatriotic" behaviour. This causes fear and self-censorship within the academic sphere, undermining the very freedom of inquiry that higher education in the US is based upon, the European Times said in a report.

The CCP wants to project power beyond its borders in the digital realm. China's use of disinformation campaigns, cyber espionage, and digital surveillance tools is well documented. Pro-Beijing networks frequently exploit social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to discredit critics, promote CCP narratives, and harass activists. Many of these accounts engage in concerted disinformation campaigns aimed to aimed to distort public discourse, undermine trust in democratic institutions, and create divisions.

Furthermore, Chinese tech companies that function across the globe often have to obey laws which require cooperation with the Chinese state. This has raised red flags among policymakers, especially with apps like TikTok, which is owned by China-based ByteDance. Concerns have been raised not just for data privacy and potential censorship but also the psychological and cultural influence of content algorithms that are in accordance with the interests of the CCP, according to the report.

China's overseas repression also involves a "lawfare" tool, which means using legal systems to attack critics. Chinese officials have attempted to manipulate international extradition treaties, Interpol notices, and bilateral law enforcement agreements to take legal action against exiled dissidents under the guise of criminal charges. At the same time, Beijing uses lawsuits and legal intimidation to suppress journalism and scholarship critical of the Chinese regime, the report said.

The message CCP seeks to send through these tactics is that there is no safe haven. Criticism of the CCP may follow people, including students, activists, academics, or ordinary citizens, even in the United States. In many cases, the CCPas long arm not only targets foreign policy elites or national security threats, but those who are targeted are people who want to have basic freedoms like the right to speak, protest and live without fear. The transnational repression and influence efforts of the CCP directly challenge the values that form the foundation of US democracya"freedom of speech, academic freedom, transparency, and human rights.
Bhubaneswar, Aug 10 : Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Sunday, asserted that his government has prioritised qualitative growth in the healthcare and education sectors since assuming power in the state, government officials.

CM Majhi made the statement during the inauguration of a 650-bedded facility, built at a cost of Rs 280 crore, at the Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH) in Koraput district.

"Our government's duty is to provide corruption-free governance along with development. After our government assumed power, we prioritised qualitative growth in the education and healthcare sectors. We filled the long-pending vacancies in the healthcare sector on a priority basis. The state currently has 12 medical colleges and soon four new medical colleges will be set up in Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak and Nabarangpur districts," the Chief Minister said.

He also added that a six-lane road will soon be constructed, connecting the Jaypore-Berhampur-Bhubaneswar Economic Corridor.

He also assured that all the vacant healthcare professionals posts at the SLNMCH will be filled soon.

In his speech during the event, CM Majhi also said that the state government is taking all the measures to ensure that the residents of Koraput district don't require to visit far off places for healthcare services and face any hardships.

He also claimed that people from Koraput and districts like Malkangiri, Rayagada in Odisha and areas in neighbouring states Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh will get benefited by the medical college.

The Chief Minister added that the people will get all the advanced treatment facilities at the newly constructed 650-bedded hospital inaugurated on Sunday.

CM Majhi said that along with all the advanced diagnosis facilities the medical college will also have a special oxygen plant so that critical patients don't face the shortage of oxygen.

The state government has sanctioned Rs 41.15 crore for the construction of an advanced cancer hospital on the land measuring 2 acre adjacent to the SLNMCH in Koraput, he added.

CM Majhi highlighted the achievements of his government, the state and Koraput in particular, under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana.

He said that within just a one-year period in government, significant progress has been made across all sectors.

"These efforts will be further accelerated in the coming days. Ours is a government of the people. Our government is putting efforts to create a 'Samruddha Odisha' by 2036 and make Odisha a leading state in a developed India by 2047. New era has begun in the entire state of Odisha in the fields of education, healthcare, agriculture, industry, creation of new employment opportunities, sustainable economic development, etc. Koraput district has been included in all these," CM Majhi added.
Mumbai, Aug 10 : Actor Saad Bilgrami, who essays the antagonist in the recently released film 'Dhadak 2', feels that it's essential to preserve the rawness in craft.

The actor spoke with IANS during the promotions of the film, and said that he makes an effort to preserve that rawness in him as an artist. He also said that he is blessed with a great set of people around him, who keep him grounded.

He told IANS, "This is the most important thing in craft and work. I wish this thought stays with me all my life. You Have to work on yourself and hone it. It's the same like going to the gym .You leave it for 15 days, eat junk food, sit in the wrong company, it will start going downhill from there. Mental workout is very important, good friends are important, very strict people are important. I'm very fortunate to have friends like this".

He also spoke about the time when he had a personal crisis owing to his father's health. He said, "When my father got a heart attack, I thought being the eldest, everything is my responsibility. I thought this was the most precious thing".

"Work, fame and money, it's not in my hands. Now, I talk to my family everyday. In my house, it's a very basic thing", he added.

Earlier, the actor had shared how the Internet served as a huge catalyst to his craft as an actor. He said that he is "very fortunate" to be born in a generation where the internet existed.

He earlier told IANS, "When the internet came, I didn't have any guidance. I didn't know anything, it was God's grace. The internet has been a game-changer for me. Even today I am in touch with a lot of directors from South India, big directors, big producers, because of Instagram I send them my work, they see it, they reply, they know of me and my skills".

"The initial phase of my career also started on Instagram. When I came to Bombay I used to live in a small place. The internet worked for me", he added.
New Delhi, Aug 10 : Cautioning against attempts to malign a constitutional body like the ECI, BJP leader Amit Malviya on Sunday asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to prove his allegation of voter list manipulation by submitting names of the ineligible electors under declaration/oath.

"If Rahul Gandhi values his credibility, he must, under Declaration/Oath, submit the names of the ineligible electors he claims are on the voter list, as mandated by Rule 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960," said Malviya in a post on X.

"Failure to do so will make it abundantly clear that he has no real case, and was merely engaging in political theatre - aimed at distorting facts, sowing doubt in the public mind, and maligning a constitutional body entrusted with ensuring free and fair elections. Such conduct is reckless and deeply damaging to our democracy," said Malviya, the head of the BJP's IT wing.

Malviya's fresh attack on Rahul Gandhi came a day after the BJP leader, on Saturday, accused the LoP of not presenting proof to support his allegations.

"Big false claims in public. Zero proof when it matters. That's the Congress way," Malviya wrote on X on Saturday, attaching a copy of Karnataka election official's letter addressed to the state Congress chief and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

The letter issued by the Karnataka CEO's office said, "You have not submitted any documents in support of the references made in the representation" given on August 8.

Malviya also hit out at Rahul Gandhi for running away from sharing evidence with the ECI. The BJP leader wrote on X, "After all the noise Rahul Gandhi made about 'compromised' electoral roll, he didnat even have the courage to back it up. Forget giving a Declaration or Oath - he skipped the meeting with Election Commission officials entirely. Instead, he sent party functionaries empty-handed, without a single document."

The war of words between the BJP and the Congress over alleged manipulation of the voter list peaked on Sunday, even as Gandhi launched a "vote Chori" campaign website, seeking public support for his repeated demand for the release of digital voter rolls.

On Monday, Rahul Gandhi is likely to lead an INDIA bloc march from Parliament House Complex to the office of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Delhi.
New Delhi, Aug 10 : Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday fired a fresh salvo against the ECI by launching a "Vote Chori" campaign website, seeking public support for his repeated demand for the release of digital voter rolls.

New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday fired a fresh salvo against the ECI by launching a "Vote Chori" campaign website, seeking public support for his repeated demand for the release of digital voter rolls.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi attached a short video in which he said: "It is critical that we expose Voter Chori."

Addressing people in Hindi in the video, Rahul Gandhi goes on to urge people to support the campaign whole-heartedly by visiting its website and help stop the Vote Chori (theft of votes) taking place in the country.

Calling it a fight for the defence of democracy, Rahul Gandhi wrote on X: "Vote Chori is an attack on the foundational idea of 'one man, one vote'. A clean voter roll is imperative for free and fair elections."

"Our demand from the EC is clear - be transparent and release digital voter rolls so that people and parties can audit them. Join us and support our demand - visit http://votechori.in/ecdemand or give a missed call on 9650003420," wrote Rahul Gandhi.

At an event in Bengaluru on August 8, Rahul Gandhi demanded that the Election Commission of India (ECI) provide the electronic voters' list for the past 10 years along with video recordings. He warned that failure to do so would amount to the ECI concealing electoral fraud and a crime.

The ECI dismissed Rahul Gandhi's assertions as "baseless", maintaining that it remains committed to conducting elections in a fair, impartial, and transparent manner.

The Congress MP's fresh allegation of lapses against the ECI came on the eve of his plan to lead an INDIA bloc march from Parliament House Complex to the office of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Delhi on Monday.

Sources said the Opposition bloc MPs will walk the one km distance to the ECI office and have already sought time for the meeting with the Election Commissioners.

The same day, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will host a dinner for MPs of the INDIA bloc, sources said, as the opposition alliance intensifies its efforts to present a united front against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and alleged large-scale rigging in polls.
Mackay, Aug 10 : Sianna Ginger claimed 4-16 as Australia A edged India A by four runs to complete a 3-0 T20 series clean sweep at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay on Sunday.

Just a day after India A received a 114-run drubbing in the second T20, the visitors put in a much-improved showing with the ball to restrict Australia A to 144/8, with Prema Rawat and Radha Yadav taking three-fers each.

Opener Shafali Verma set the tone for the chase through a brisk 41 off 25 balls, laced with six fours and a maximum. But Sianna, the 20-year-old all-rounder from Queensland Ginger, turned the contest in favour of Australia A by removing Shafali in the eighth over before having Raghvi Bist stumped in the 15th over.

Sianna then picked out Radha and Sajana Sajeevan in the 19th over, conceding just three runs and leaving the visitors 15 short of victory with the tail at the crease, which Tess Flintoff defended well in the final over to give Australia A a tight win, as India A made 140/8.

Earlier, Alyssa Healy hit 27 off 21 balls, including three fours and a six, just a day after hitting a blistering 70. Tahlia Wilson (14) and Anika Learoyd (22) made starts, before Madeline Penna top-scored with 39 off 32 balls.

Sianna then hit an unbeaten 17 from seven balls to lift Australia A to a competitive 144/8, before she made a difference with the ball in the end to give the hostsa their third straight win. Both sides will now head to Brisbane for the first one-dayer happening on Wednesday.

Brief scores: Australia A 144/8 (Madeline Penna 39, Alyssa Healy 27; Prema Rawat 3-24, Radha Yadav 3-31) beat India A 140/8 (Shafali Verma 41, Minnu Mani 30; Sianna Ginger 4-16, Lucy Hamilton 1-22) by four runs.
Amaravati, Aug 10 : YSR Congress Party president Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of conspiring to hijack the by-election to ZPTC in Pulivendula and Ontimitta.

The former Chief Minister on Sunday alleged that together with certain officials, TDP's anarchic gangs, and police officers, Chandrababu Naidu is conspiring to hijack the election.

The YSRCP president took to 'X' to launch a bitter attack on Naidu ahead of August 12 by-election.

"Chandrababu Naidu is an undemocratic and anarchic figure who, instead of winning people's affection through genuine work, resorts to conspiracies, attacks, atrocities, lies, cheating, and backstabbing to seize power. This is once again being proven before our eyes. In the Pulivendula and Ontimitta ZPTC by-elections, he is undermining democracy through shameless politics, misusing his authority to prevent free and fair polls," Jagan Mohan Reddy said in a post.

TDP and YSRCP are locked in a bitter fight in ZPTC by-election in Pulivendula, the Assembly constituency represented by Jagan Mohan Reddy.

YSR Jagan alleged that from the moment the by-election notification was issued, police atrocities began. Hundreds of YSRCP leaders and workers were bound over, including people with no previous police cases, solely to intimidate them.

He said that on August 5, TDP gangs attacked YSRCP leaders attending a wedding in Pulivendula. Amaresh Reddy and Saidapuram Suresh Reddy were severely injured. Others were also attacked as a warning against supporting YSRCP.

On August 6, TDP gangs attempted to murder YSRCP MLC Ramesh Yadav and YSRCP leader Velpula Ramalinga Reddy near Nallagondavaripalle. Their car was smashed with sticks, stones, and rods, and petrol was poured in an attempt to set it on fire. Police stood by as silent spectators, alleged Jagan.

The former CM said that Instead of arresting the attackers, police filed a false SC/ST case on August 6 against Velpula Ramu and about 50 others, making several arrests and planning more on polling day.

On August 8, after threatening and luring a YSRCP leader to switch sides, the ruling party obtained a false complaint and police issued notices to Raghavareddy, Gangadharareddy, Y.S. Bhaskar Reddy, and Devireddy Shivashankar Reddy.

The same day, officials shifted polling booths from villages to far-off locations, forcing around 4,000 YSRCP-supporting voters in Pulivendula ZPTC to travel 2 to 4 km, facing threats and attacks on the way. This creates scope for booth capturing and rigging, the YSRCP chief said.

On the night of August 8, in the false case against Velpula Ramalinga Reddy, 12 people were arrested. Some were at the police station during the alleged incident, yet were still charged. After evidence was shown, four were released but eight were remanded.

"On polling day, TDP plans to suppress voter turnout and hide its attacks, atrocities, and booth capturing by controlling media coverage. Gangs are prepared to destroy live broadcast vehicles and equipment to stop the truth from reaching the public," Jagan Mohan Reddy said.

"In truth, one should feel ashamed to even call these democratic elections. Still, I have faith in God and in the people. Ultimately, dharma will prevail," he added.
Kurukshetra, Aug 10 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said on Sunday that protecting nature and environment is not merely a government initiative but the responsibility of every citizen.

"Amid continuous development, we must not forget that the basis of life lies in nature and trees. Issues like climate change, irregular rainfall and rising temperatures can only be addressed through large-scale tree plantation and their protection, which is essential for securing our future," he added.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has set a target of planting 2.1 crore saplings under several campaigns, to be achieved with collective efforts.

He was addressing the 76th state-level Van Mahotsav organised at Seonsar in Kurukshetra district.

Earlier, he laid the foundation stone of the Saraswati Wetland Reservoir, Saraswati Flora and Biodiversity Conservation Park and Saraswati Jungle Safari.

He also released the 'Triphala' booklet.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister planted saplings to give a message of environmental protection.

He also unveiled the Haryana wildlife map, Kurukshetra wildlife map, and five books prepared by the Forest Department.

Chief Minister Saini said that the 76th Van Mahotsav is not just an event, but a symbol of gratitude towards nature, responsibility and a resolve to ensure a happy future for generations to come.

"This is the third event in the series of this year's state-level Van Mahotsav celebrations. Various programmes are also being held at the district level across the state, with active participation from local people and students."

He added that Van Mahotsav means a festival of forests, a tribute to nature, and an expansion of greenery.

"It reminds us that trees are not just a source of wood but the foundation of life."

He said that "while we are moving ahead rapidly in the race for modernity, Van Mahotsav reminds us not to exploit nature but to learn to coexist with it".

Recognising the importance of trees, the state government has launched several plantation drives, which have yielded positive results, the Chief Minister added.

Many plans have been formulated to increase forest cover, CM Saini said.

He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi also launched a unique campaign, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", on June 5, 2024, on World Environment Day at the Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi.

In the first phase of this campaign, a target of planting 1.6 crore saplings in Haryana was set, but the state exceeded the target by planting 1.87 crore saplings.

This year, on June 5, the second phase of "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" began, with a target of 2.1 crore saplings.

"Since October 2014, about 18 crore saplings have been planted in the state."

The state government has also started special schemes to promote urban forestry so that greenery can be increased in cities.

In addition, strict measures have been taken to prevent illegal felling of trees and to protect wildlife.

The Forest Department has been instructed to be more proactive in this direction.

To make society more sensitive towards forests and wildlife, facilities such as jeep safaris and children's study tours have been arranged at Kalesar.

The 'Green Aravalli Action Plan' has also been launched in southern Haryana.

This joint project of the Central and state governments will be implemented in the Aravalli hills of four states, including Haryana, covering 29 districts, five of which are in Haryana.
New Delhi, Aug 10 : As the Middle East approaches a new boiling point, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) finds itself at the heart of an escalating geopolitical storm - from defending Israel against Iranian missile barrages to containing the reach of Chinese influence across the Indian Ocean. In this high-stakes arena, operational clarity and strategic trust are non-negotiable. Yet, CENTCOM's recent embrace of Pakistan-underscored by the award of the prestigious Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) to CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla-raises troubling questions about the judgment guiding America's military partnerships.

New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) As the Middle East approaches a new boiling point, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) finds itself at the heart of an escalating geopolitical storm - from defending Israel against Iranian missile barrages to containing the reach of Chinese influence across the Indian Ocean. In this high-stakes arena, operational clarity and strategic trust are non-negotiable. Yet, CENTCOMas recent embrace of Pakistana"underscored by the award of the prestigious Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) to CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurillaa"raises troubling questions about the judgment guiding Americaas military partnerships.

CENTCOMas responsibilities have grown dramatically since Israelas inclusion in its command structure in 2021. No longer a regional player, CENTCOM is now the fulcrum of US military power projection in one of the worldas most volatile theatres. When Iran unleashed swarms of missiles and drones on Israel in April and October 2024, it was CENTCOM that coordinated the multinational defence response. American destroyers in the Mediterranean and Red Sea shot down more than 80 drones and multiple ballistic missilesa"actions that underscored CENTCOMas frontline role in protecting Israel and maintaining regional balance.

Against this backdrop, welcoming Pakistan into CENTCOMas inner circle is not just ill-advised - itas strategically reckless.

Needless to say, Pakistan has always played a double game with the West. Pakistan has been found sheltering militant networks and hedging its alliance. It has been cultivating parallel partnerships with US adversaries. It has done so, while publicly pledging cooperation in counterterrorism. That duplicity is more dangerous than ever in the current situation.

Pakistan may have been removed from the FATF grey list in 2022, but its financial system remains compromised. It is the US State Department itself which continues to flag significant money laundering and terror financing risks. At the same time, FATFas July 2025 report warned of persistent state-sponsored extremist activity. There is no denying that several UN-designated terrorist groups still operate freely on Pakistani soil, fundraising and training with impunity.

Clearly, Pakistan's counterterrorism record remains deeply suspect - precisely the kind of red flag CENTCOM cannot afford to ignore.

What also merits attention is Pakistanas growing military-industrial entanglement with China that further complicates the entire picture. Joint development of JF-17 fighter jets, naval systems, and missile technology not only cements Islamabadas dependency on Beijing but potentially opens a backdoor into CENTCOMas security architecture. Sensitive intelligence, operational planning, and defence technologies shared with Pakistan could easily end up in Chinese handsa"an unacceptable risk when CENTCOM is actively countering Chinese influence across the Indian Ocean and Middle East.

Pakistanas enthusiastic embrace of Chinaas Belt and Road Initiativea"especially through strategic ports like Gwadara"makes clear where its long-term allegiances lie. In any future confrontation involving Iran, China, or their proxies, Pakistanas loyalties are unlikely to align with American interests.

History offers ample warning. This is the same Pakistan that hosted Osama bin Laden within a stoneas throw of its military academy while claiming to be a key U.S. ally in the war on terror. The same Pakistan that facilitated Taliban resurgence while cashing American checks. The same Pakistan is now receiving CENTCOMas highest military honours!

To trust such a partner with sensitive intelligencea"while CENTCOM coordinates missile defence operations in the Gulf, interdicts Iranian proxy arms shipments, and supports Israeli deterrencea"defies logic. It invites risk at the very core of the US regional command.

A critical US partner in the Indo-Pacific, India has repeatedly exposed Pakistanas duplicity. The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmira"traced back to Pakistani-based networksa"highlighted the continuing threat posed by militant sanctuaries across the border. CENTCOMas tolerance of such contradictions not only undermines US counterterror efforts but also alienates regional allies who share American strategic concerns.

Pakistanas chronic economic dysfunction compounds the danger. Heavily reliant on IMF bailouts and deep in debt to China, Islamabadas foreign policy is increasingly up for sale. Economic leverage from Beijing - or even Tehran - could skew Pakistanas decision-making at critical moments. CENTCOM simply cannot afford operational dependencies on a state so vulnerable to external pressure.

CENTCOMas evolving missiona"neutralising Iranas nuclear ambitions, stabilising Gaza, deterring Houthi aggression, and defending Israela"demands absolute trust among partners. Pakistan has never earned that trust. Recent developments only confirm Islamabad's status as a strategic liability.

Operational integrity cannot coexist with geopolitical hedging. Intelligence sharing with a country enmeshed in parallel alliances, riddled with terror links, and beholden to Chinese debt is a recipe for disaster.

General Kurillaas commendation may have been intended as diplomacy. In reality, it broadcasts strategic confusion at a time when clarity and conviction are needed most. The stakes in the Middle East are too high to tolerate divided loyalties. Itas time for CENTCOM to draw clear linesa"and Pakistan belongs on the outside of them.
Bengaluru, Aug 10 : Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V. Anbukumar has issued a notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asking him to produce relevant documents to support his "vote fraud" claim.

The CEO also underlined that the documents, which Rahul Gandhi showed in the August 8 conference, were not official.

The notice addressed to Rahul Gandhi stated, "In your press conference, you have stated that the documents shown in your presentation are from the records of the Election Commission of India. You said: 'This is EC data'. You have also stated that as per the records given by the polling officer, Smt. Shakun Rani has voted twice. You have said; 'Es ID card per do baar vote laga hai, wo jo tick hai, polling booth ke officer ki hai". (Two votes are given in this Voter ID card. The tick is made by the polling officer)."

"On inquiry, Smt. Shakun Rani has stated that she has voted only once and not twice, as alleged by you," the CEO stated.

"Therefore, you are kindly requested to provide the relevant documents based on which you have concluded that Smt. Shakun Rani or anyone else has voted twice, so that a detailed inquiry can be undertaken by this office," the CEO said.

Addressing a massive gathering during the 'Our Vote, Our Right, Our Fight' rally against alleged election fraud, Rahul Gandhi had demanded that the Election Commission of India (ECI) provide the electronic voters' list for the past 10 years along with video recordings.

Rahul Gandhi said that if the ECI is "withholding" data, it indicates "collusion" with the BJP in committing "electoral fraud".

"The Election Commission must understand that even if you don't provide the data, we can still uncover irregularities in 15 to 20 Lok Sabha seats. We already have the information. You can't hide and escape. One day, you will have to face the opposition. Each officer and the Commission must be aware of this," he warned.

Rahul Gandhi had said, "If you (ECI) attack the 'One Man, One Vote' right enshrined in the Indian Constitution, we will attack you."
New Delhi, Aug 10 : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed new rules to make it easier and faster to settle claims on the bank accounts and lockers of customers who have passed away.

The central bank has issued a draft circular, "Reserve Bank of India (Settlement of Claims in respect of Deceased Customers of Banks) Directions, 2025", and invited public feedback on it by August 27.

Under the proposal, banks will have to use standardised forms to receive claims and related documents from nominees or legal heirs.

These forms will be available in all bank branches as well as on their websites, along with a list of required documents and the step-by-step procedure for claim settlement.

The draft says that if a nominee is named in a deposit account or locker, they will need to submit a claim form, the deceased customeras death certificate, and proof of their own identity and address.

For cases where no nomination was made, banks must follow a simplified procedure to avoid inconvenience to legal heirs.

Banks will have to set a claim threshold of at least Rs 15 lakh. Claims up to this limit will require documents such as an indemnity bond and a no-objection letter from other legal heirs.

For higher claim amounts, additional legal documents like a succession certificate or legal heir certificate will be needed.

The RBI has also set a clear timeline for settlement. Banks must complete the process within 15 calendar days of receiving all necessary documents.

For lockers or articles kept in safe custody, banks must also issue a communication within 15 days to fix a date for taking inventory of the contents.

If banks delay the settlement of deposit-related claims beyond the deadline due to their own fault, they will have to pay compensation in the form of interest -- at a rate not less than the prevailing Bank Rate plus 4 per cent per annum -- for the period of delay.

In the case of lockers or articles in safe custody, compensation will be Rs 5,000 for each day of delay.
New Delhi, Aug 10 : Republican Party of India (Athawale) chief and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has taken a sharp aim at opposition leaders, including Sharad Pawar, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, and other INDIA bloc leaders. In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Athawale slammed the opposition for spreading what he called "false narratives" to mislead the public and also shared key details of his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) Republican Party of India (Athawale) chief and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has taken a sharp aim at opposition leaders, including Sharad Pawar, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, and other INDIA bloc leaders. In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Athawale slammed the opposition for spreading what he called "false narratives" to mislead the public and also shared key details of his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Responding to Sharad Pawar's controversial statement -- wherein the former Union Minister claimed that two individuals approached him during the Maharashtra elections and assured him of winning 160 seats -- Athawale said: "If someone is making such a claim, they could be trying to blackmail. Elections are a democratic process, and such statements raise doubts about integrity."

Addressing the ongoing controversy around EVMs, Athawale acknowledged the possibility of technical issues in some machines but dismissed broader allegations: "There might be glitches in a few EVMs, but it's incorrect to say all machines are faulty. When the NDA won fewer seats and the INDIA bloc won more, we did not question the system. We respected the results."

Athawale accused Rahul Gandhi of misleading the electorate during the Lok Sabha elections by falsely claiming that the Constitution would be changed under the BJP government: "Rahul Gandhi and his allies spread the false narrative that Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution would be scrapped. There is no truth to this. The public now sees through these lies."

Revealing details of his meeting with PM Modi, Ramdas Athawale said they discussed the success of Operation Sindoor, a recent counter-terror operation. "Our armed forces destroyed terrorist hideouts without any civilian casualties. That is commendable."

He also raised concerns about seat-sharing in Maharashtra, alleging that the BJP's state unit is not treating RPI fairly within the Mahayuti (grand alliance).

"I told the Prime Minister that RPI is being sidelined in seat distribution. We're being denied seats in Zilla Parishads, local body elections, and even one ministerial and one MLC post that we are demanding. PM Modi discussed with me about our party's performance, and I believe Devendra Fadnavis will do justice and fulfil our demands."

Taking another swipe at Rahul Gandhi, Athawale said: "Rahul Gandhi avoids approaching the Election Commission and prefers misleading people through public statements. The Commission has already stated that if there are any mistakes, they're open to correction. If Rahul has proof of bogus voting, he should submit it, not just create drama."

Speaking on the BJP-led NDA's performance, Athawale admitted losses in the Lok Sabha polls but emphasised their comeback in later elections: "Yes, we suffered losses in the general elections, but BJP and NDA have bounced back in Haryana, Delhi, and Maharashtra. In Maharashtra alone, we won 237 seats. The public continues to trust us."
Kabul, Aug 10 : Calling for an immediate halt to forced deportations, exiled Afghanistan journalists in Pakistan called on international media bodies and rights groups to provide protection and humanitarian support, local media reports said.

Thousands of journalists from Afghanistan who fled to Pakistan after the Taliban seized power are now facing the threat of forced deportation. Many journalists have been living in uncertainty while waiting for relocation to the US or Europe.

On August 9, exiled journalists urged immediate intervention of the Pakistani government, media advocacy groups, and international organisations, Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported. The statement of exiled Afghanistan journalists comes after Pakistanas suspension of visa extensions and a rise in arrests and deportations targeting Afghan refugees.

Journalists said that men, women and children have been living in constant fear, with some compelled to take shelter on the streets or in unfamiliar places where they face a risk to their safety. They emphasised that any deportations must respect international human rights standards and ensure that no one is returned to Afghanistan.

Media rights activists warned that continued arrests and deportations could cause a humanitarian crisis, severely impacting press freedom and putting Afghan journalists in harm's way. The risk of forced returns has witnessed a sharp rise as legal pathways have been stalled and visa renewals blocked.

Activists said that such deportations would not only pose a threat to people's lives but also cause a devastating blow to the freedom of expression in the country. The exiled journalists have urged the international community to act before it is too late, warning that inaction could trigger irreversible effects for human rights and press freedom in Afghanistan.

Earlier this week, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) called on Pakistan to halt the deportation of vulnerable Afghan refugees, warning that forcible repatriation, particularly of women, girls and people who are ill, could violate basic human rights and protections.

The UNHCR has voiced serious concern over Pakistan's decision to deport Afghan refugees who have temporary residence permits and demanded protection of vulnerable people, Khaama Press reported. In a statement, it called on the Pakistani government not to deport Afghans who require international protection and highlighted the risk faced by women and girls.

The UN refugee agency urged Pakistan not to deport students and those with medical conditions from deportation, considering their vulnerability and need for continued support.

The UNHCR's statement comes after Pakistan's Ministry of Interior announced that the repatriation of Afghan nationals holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards who do not opt to return voluntarily will start on September 1. As per the notification issued by Pakistan's Ministry of Interior, the voluntary repatriation process of PoR cardholders will start immediately, while the compulsory repatriation of remaining Afghan people will begin on September 1, local media reported.
Kolkata, Aug 10 : The mother of the RG Kar rape and murder victim was on Sunday discharged from the private hospital, where she was admitted following her injury during the "Nabanna Avijan" (march to the state secretariat), with doctors advising her to stay at home for a few days and rest.

Her condition is stable, and all her parameters are fine.

Soon after her discharge, the family left the hospital and went straight to their home in an ambulance.

On the way home, the victim's father said: "My wife will be treated at home under the supervision of a local doctor. Her physical condition is much more stable than before. The swelling on her head has reduced a lot. But there is a little pain in her neck. She is a little mentally devastated. Therefore, she will be at home and take a rest.

Union Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, visited her at the hospital earlier in the day. "She had taken a rakhi with her to tie on the hands of the policemen during yesterday's march. But on that auspicious day, Mamata Banerjee's police broke the conch shell bangles on her wrist. She has vowed not to wear a conch shell bangle on her hand again until her daughter gets justice," said Majumdar while leaving the hospital.

The first anniversary of the ghastly rape and murder of a lady junior doctor of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Saturday was marred by massive violence and tension on the streets of Kolkata and Howrah following a scuffle between police and protesters participating in the march.

The most unfortunate part was that the victimas mother had to be hospitalised after she fell ill amid police action against the protesters.

The victim's mother alleged that she was beaten up by the policemen after she, along with her husband and other protesters, tried to march towards the state Secretariat, Nabanna. The victimas mother and the BJP leaders alleged that in the police action, the sacred conch shell-bangle on her wrist, traditionally believed to be the symbolic representation of married Hindu women, was broken.

City Police Commissioner Manoj Verma said that they are examining the footage of the CCTV cameras and video footage to ascertain whether the victim's mother was beaten up.

Meanwhile, the father of the RG Kar victim alleged that his wife was at first denied admission to a private hospital after the state government put pressure on the medical facility.

"The doctor who checked my wife on Saturday evening said that she would be admitted for treatment. But after he left the hospital, there was a sudden change in the attitude of others in the hospital. They started delaying the process. Then they told me that my wife could not be admitted as there was some pressure on them from the state government," he alleged.

The father also said that when he contacted the doctor, he told him that he would not be able to discuss the matter on admission extensively.

"He, however, assured me that the medicine prescribed to her would be enough to heal her," the father said. Later, the victim's mother was admitted to the hospital and stayed overnight.

There was, however, no response from the private hospital authorities regarding the allegations.

Meanwhile, BJP workers blocked roads for a brief period in the Salt Lake area of Kolkata on Sunday to protest against the alleged police attack on the victim's mother and BJP activists during Saturday's march. Around 50 BJP workers started a sit-in at about 2 pm at the Wipro office-Biswabangla Sarani crossing, holding placards that denounced the state government and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Banerjee. The blockade was cleared, and the protesters were detained by the police. There was no untoward incident, said an officer of the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate.
Dhaka, Aug 10 : Traffic movement on Dhaka-Barishal highway remained disrupted for fourth consecutive day on Sunday as students continued to block highway for their three-point demand, including end of syndication in the health sector, the media reported.

Vehicular movement between Barishal and six southern districts was suspended after the students placed barricades at Nathullabad Bus Terminal area at around 11:30 a.m. (Bangladesh time). The protesters also shouted slogans in support of their demands, United News of Bangladesh reported.

Clashes erupted between the members of law enforcement agencies and the students after the former tried to remove the blockade at the highway. Vehicles remained stranded on both sides of the highway due to the blockade, causing inconvenience to commuters.

Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Model Police Station, said discussions were being held to resolve the issue. The protesters have been holding demonstrations for the 15 days against airregularitiesa and amismanagementa in the healthcare sector in Bangladesh.

Traffic movement remained disrupted on Dhaka-Barishal highway on Saturday as students blocked the highway for the third consecutive day for raising their three-point demand.

The students reached the highway at Nathullabad Bus Terminal area at 11:30 am (local time), suspending traffic movement between Barishal and six southern parts of Bangladesh.

Several members of law enforcement agencies were deployed in the area. Vehicles remained stranded on the highway due to the blockade. Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Model Police Station, said police are attempting to resolve the issue immediately. Earlier on Friday, the protesters blocked the highway for 7.5 hours to raise their demands.

Earlier on Thursday, Mohiuddin Rony, a student, said "Due to syndicates in government hospitals, people are not getting proper treatment. This syndicates in the health sector must be dismantled. After ten days of protests, today we have been compelled to block the highway," United News of Bangladesh reported. Another student, Riazul Alam, said that they will not return home until reforms in the health sector are made.
Chennai, Aug 10 : After the arrest of eight Rameswaram fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, the Rameswaram All Fishermen's Association, on Sunday, announced a series of protests, culminating in a hunger strike on August 15, India's Independence Day.

The fishermen were accused of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and were detained along with their boats -- an issue that has plagued the coastal community for years, threatening livelihoods and sparking repeated diplomatic tensions.

The association, in an emergency meeting, passed a resolution demanding the immediate release of the arrested fishermen and the seized boats.

"These arrests are destroying our lives. Fishing is our only livelihood, and the constant threat from the Sri Lankan Navy has made our existence uncertain," a representative of the association said.

Outlining their protest schedule, the association said that an indefinite strike will begin on August 11.

This will be followed by a demonstration near the Thangachimadam Valasai Bus Stand on August 13.

On August 19, fishermen plan to hold a rail blockade at 3 p.m. to press their demands.

The protests are intended to draw national attention to the continuing arrests and seizures in the Palk Bay region.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has also raised the matter with the Centre.

In a recent letter to Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Chief Minister Stalin urged urgent diplomatic intervention to put an end to the repeated arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen.

He said that on August 6, 14 fishermen from the state, along with their boats, were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy.

"This was the 17th such incident this year," CM Stalin wrote, noting that 237 boats and 80 fishermen from Tamil Nadu remain in Sri Lankan custody.

He stressed that losing boats not only deprives fishermen of their only means of income but also strips them of their right to fish in traditional waters -- a right the fishing community has exercised for generations.

Fishermen's associations have long demanded a lasting bilateral solution to the dispute, including measures to prevent arrests, ensure the return of boats, and safeguard traditional fishing rights.

Until such an agreement is reached, they say, the community will continue to suffer repeated disruptions to its livelihood.
Seoul, Aug 10 : The government and the ruling Democratic Party (DP) agreed on Sunday to deliberate on the Lee Jae Myung administration's recent proposal to broaden the definition of large shareholders to increase capital gains tax revenues.

The two sides held a high-level meeting presided over by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok at his official residence and discussed the controversial proposal to lower the threshold for being classified as a large shareholder from 5 billion won (US$3.59 million) to 1 billion won, DP senior spokesperson Rep. Park Soo-hyun said at a press briefing, reports Yonhap news agency.

If finalised, the measure would be a reversal of the previous administration's decision to raise the threshold from 1 billion won to 5 billion won in order to ease capital gains tax obligations.

"The party and the government consulted and coordinated closely and decided to deliberate on the issue while watching future developments," Park said, adding the party's policy committee conveyed its opinion on the proposal to the government.

The two sides also discussed follow-up measures to South Korea and the United States' recent trade deal, agreeing to provide support to industries and businesses likely to be hit hardest by the new U.S. tariffs, according to Park.

He said the party requested the government thoroughly pursue ways for South Korean businesses to enter the U.S. market while conducting negotiations with Washington on when to lower auto tariffs.

In addition, the party asked that the government prepare meticulously for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit to be held in the southeastern city of Gyeongju in October.

Meanwhile, South Korean stocks tumbled at the steepest pace in nearly four months earlier this month as investor sentiment was dragged down by the government's tax revision proposal to raise taxes on corporations and stock investors. The local currency lost sharply against the U.S. dollar to top the 1,400-won line for the first time since May.

a"IANS

na/
New Delhi, Aug 10 : Countering Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegations, the Election Commission of India clarified on Sunday that his claim that digital copies of the electoral rolls are not provided to the political parties is "absolutely false and totally misleading".

New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) Countering Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegations, the Election Commission of India clarified on Sunday that his claim that digital copies of the electoral rolls are not provided to the political parties is "absolutely false and totally misleading".

Within hours of Gandhi repeating his allegation of "Vote Chori" (vote theft) against the poll panel, the ECI issued a factcheck saying, "Anyone - any elector or any political party - can download the Electoral Rolls for any of the 36 States/UTs through the link: https://voters.eci.gov.in/download-eroll and check for themselves."

Looking to call out Gandhi on non-availability of digital copies of electoral rolls, the ECI said, "Under the Registration of Electors Rules 1960, every recognised political party is also provided both, digital as well physical copies of the Draft and Final Electoral Rolls."

It said that before every election, digital as well physical copies of the Draft and the Final Electoral Rolls are always shared with all political parties under their signatures, including the Congress.

The factcheck was issued by the ECI within hours of Gandhi launching a website to seek public support for the Congress campaign against "Vote Chori".

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi attached a short video in which he said, "It is critical that we expose Voter Chori."

Addressing people in Hindi in the video, Gandhi goes on to urge people to support the campaign whole-heartedly by visiting its website and help stop the Vote Chori (theft of votes) taking place in the country.

Calling it a fight for the defence of democracy, Gandhi wrote on X, "Vote Chori is an attack on the foundational idea of 'one man, one vote'. A clean voter roll is imperative for free and fair elections."

"Our demand from the EC is clear - be transparent and release digital voter rolls so that people and parties can audit them. Join us and support our demand - visit http://votechori.in/ecdemand or give a missed call on 9650003420," wrote Gandhi.

At an event in Bengaluru on August 8, Gandhi demanded that the Election Commission of India (ECI) provide the electronic voters' list for the past 10 years along with video recordings. He warned that failure to do so would amount to the ECI concealing electoral fraud and a crime.
New Delhi, Aug 10 : In a move laden with both symbolism and consequence, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma has stepped down as chairman of the party's Foreign Affairs Department, ending a decade-long stewardship that helped shape the party's global engagements.

His resignation, formally submitted to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, was framed as a gesture to facilitate generational renewal within the department.

Yet, the timing and context suggest deeper tremors within the party's strategic core.

Sharma, a member of the Congress Working Committee and one of the party's most seasoned voices on international diplomacy, cited the need to induct younger leaders "of potential and promise" to ensure continuity.

His departure comes amid internal disquiet over the party's handling of Operation Sindoor -- a cross-border military response to the Pahalgam terror attack -- and its diplomatic aftermath.

Sharma had been part of the all-party delegations sent abroad to articulate India's position post-Sindoor, alongside fellow Congress leaders Manish Tewari and Shashi Tharoor.

Yet, in a move that raised eyebrows, none of the three were permitted to speak during the parliamentary debate on the operation. Sources suggest Tharoor declined to speak, unwilling to contradict his earlier endorsement of the government's actions abroad.

Tewari, on the other hand, had formally requested to participate but was overlooked. Tewari's cryptic post on Xquoting the patriotic verse "Bharat ka rehne waala hoon, Bharat ki baat sunata hoon"was widely interpreted as a veiled protest against the party's decision.

His public admiration for Sharma's diplomatic acumen further underscored the growing rift between the party's institutional leadership and its experienced foreign policy voices.

Anand Sharma also publicly opposed the Congress party's endorsement of a nationwide caste census, framing it as a departure from its foundational ethos.

In a letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge dated March 21, 2024, Sharma warned that the move could be misconstrued as disrespecting the legacy of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, both of whom had resisted caste-based politics.

"Though caste is a reality of Indian society, Congress has never engaged in nor endorsed identity politics. That is detrimental to democracy in a society with a rich diversity of region, religion, caste and ethnicity," he wrote.

Sharma's resignation from the Foreign Affairs Department reads less like a routine transition and more like a quiet lament for a legacy at risk.

Having steered the party's global engagements for nearly four decadesfrom anti-apartheid solidarity to internationally acclaimed conferences under Sonia Gandhi's leadershipSharma embodied the Congress's diplomatic conscience.

His call to reconstitute the committee, coupled with the pointed reminder that it hasn't been refreshed since 2018, hints at strategic drift and institutional neglect.

Sharma's resignation also follows his earlier exit from the Himachal Pradesh steering committee, suggesting a broader recalibration of his role within the party.

His legacy includes pivotal contributions to the Indo-US nuclear deal, the India-Africa partnership, and the institutionalisation of Congress's global political networks.

While the Congress maintains that Sharma remains a valued member of the party, his departure from a key strategic postamid sidelining of other foreign affairs veteransraises questions about the coherence of the party's international messaging and its internal decision-making ethos.

In an era of assertive diplomacy and global realignments, the Congress's ability to reconcile national interest with partisan positioning may well hinge on how it treats voices like Sharma'snot as relics of the past, but as assets for the future.
Bhopal, Aug 10 : Madhya Pradesh has registered its highest-ever export value of Rs 66,218 crore in the financial year 2024-25, marking a 6 per cent year-on-year growth and propelling the state's national export ranking from 15th to 11th, according to the latest report by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).

Bhopal, Aug 10 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh has registered its highest-ever export value of Rs 66,218 crore in the financial year 2024a"25, marking a 6 per cent year-on-year growth and propelling the stateas national export ranking from 15th to 11th, according to the latest report by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).

A statement released by state government quoting the report said, the surge has been driven primarily by robust performance in pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, and soya-based agricultural products.

Merchandise exports accounted for the bulk of the figure, while IT (Information Technology) services from Special Economic Zones (SEZs) contributed an additional Rs 4,038 crore. Pharmaceuticals led the export portfolio with Rs 11,968 crore, followed by animal feed (Rs 6,062 crore), machinery (Rs 5,497 crore), aluminum (Rs 4,795 crore), and textiles (Rs 4,656 crore).

The United States remained the largest destination for pharmaceutical and machinery exports, while other key markets included Bangladesh, France, the UAE, and the Netherlands, the statement said.

The report attributes this growth to Madhya Pradeshas investment-friendly industrial policies, expanding manufacturing base, and improved export-oriented infrastructure.

The rising global interest in the stateas products has further consolidated its position in international markets.

District-wise, Dhar emerged as the top exporter with Rs 17,830 crore, followed by Indore at Rs 13,500 crore, both driven by pharmaceutical, automation, and food processing industries.

Ujjain also posted a record Rs 2,288 crore in exports, largely comprising industrial and processed agricultural goods.

Over the past six years, Madhya Pradeshas exports have shown a consistent upward trajectory a" from Rs 37,692 crore in 2019a"20 to Rs 66,218 crore in 2024a"25, including SEZ contributions, said the statement.

State officials credited the achievement to sustained efforts in industrial development and strategic trade facilitation. With its export momentum gathering pace, Madhya Pradesh is poised to play a more prominent role in Indiaas external trade landscape.
Surat, Aug 10 : Gujarat's Minister in charge of Tapi district, Mukesh Patel, visited Surat Airport on Sunday to bid farewell to 28 tribal students embarking on their first flight to Sriharikota as part of the 'Tapi ke Taare' project. The students, from the science stream of 15 government schools in the district, will undertake an educational tour of ISRO's satellite launch centre from August 10 to 13.

At the airport, Patel interacted with the students about their first air travel experience, future career goals, and the opportunities that await in science and technology. He urged them to learn from ISRO scientists and engineers, explore space research in depth, and maintain curiosity throughout their visit. The minister encouraged each student to write a letter to the Prime Minister describing their ISRO experience and the inspiration they draw from it.

Patel praised the Tapi district administration and the Tribal Development Department for launching this initiative, the first of its kind in the state for tribal students. Drawing on the example of former President and "Missile Man" Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, he motivated the students to pursue higher education and bring pride to their villages, the state, and the nation.

The tour will also include visits to Chennai's planetarium and zoological park. Patel suggested the students compile their experiences into a souvenir booklet. He congratulated the "Best 28" students  with a notable number of girls among them  and encouraged them to aim even higher in their academic and career pursuits.

District Development Officer Ramniwas Bugalia, Project Administrator Jayantsinh Rathod, Assistant Information Director Sumit Gohil, along with other officials and family members, were present for the send-off.

Tribal communities in Gujarat, comprising nearly 15 per cent of the state's population, play a vital role in its cultural, ecological, and socio-economic fabric. Spread mainly across districts like Dahod, Narmada, Tapi, Valsad, Dang, and parts of Banaskantha and Sabarkantha, these groups  including Bhils, Dublas, Warlis, and Gamits  have rich traditions in art, music, and sustainable living practices tied to forests and agriculture. Their lands are home to significant biodiversity, making them key stakeholders in conservation efforts such as Gir, Vansda, and Shoolpaneshwar sanctuaries.
Ahmedabad, Aug 10 : Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav led the state-level 'World Lion Day' celebrations at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, marking the Asiatic lion's return to the region after 143 years. Addressing the gathering, CM Patel called the Asiatic lion "a global symbol of India's identity" and announced the e-launch and foundation stone-laying of various forest department projects worth Rs 180 crore.

Ahmedabad, Aug 10 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav led the state-level 'World Lion Day' celebrations at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, marking the Asiatic lion's return to the region after 143 years. Addressing the gathering, CM Patel called the Asiatic lion "a global symbol of India's identity" and announced the e-launch and foundation stone-laying of various forest department projects worth Rs 180 crore.

This includes a Rs 75-crore safari park and enhanced tourist facilities in Barda, alongside new vehicles, rescue infrastructure, and community development works. Highlighting conservation success, Patel noted that lion habitats have expanded from 3 to 11 districts in the past 25 years, with the population rising from 674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025.

He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Project Lion" for addressing habitat management, wildlife health, human-wildlife conflict, tourism, and biodiversity protection. Union Minister Yadav praised the state's conservation efforts, calling the lion's natural return to Barda a "boost to biodiversity and eco-tourism." He underscored India's broader wildlife protection initiatives, including Project Tiger, Project Dolphin, and the newly launched International Big Cat Alliance.

State Forest Minister Mulu Bera described Barda as the Asiatic lion's "second home" and detailed new projects, from breeding centres to eco-tourism portals for booking visits to 24 sites across Gujarat. Officials, lawmakers, and hundreds of local residents attended the event, celebrating not only the lions' comeback but also a fresh chapter in Gujarat's wildlife tourism and conservation.

The Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica), once widespread across Asia, now survives only in Gujarat, making the state its sole natural habitat. Historically confined to the Gir Forest and its surrounding areas, the species has seen a remarkable revival over the past few decades due to sustained conservation measures under the Gujarat Forest Department and national initiatives like Project Lion. In 2020, the official census recorded 674 lions; by 2025, this number rose to 891, reflecting a growth of about 32 per cent in five years.

Their range has expanded significantly  from just 3 districts in the 1990s to 11 districts today, including Gir Somnath, Junagadh, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Porbandar, and Devbhumi Dwarka. The lions have even naturally recolonised areas like the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary after a gap of 143 years, boosting local biodiversity and eco-tourism.

Conservation strategies have focused on habitat management, wildlife health monitoring, conflict mitigation between lions and local communities, and the creation of wildlife corridors. Culturally, the lion holds symbolic value in Gujarat, with local Maldhari pastoral communities coexisting alongside the big cats, demonstrating a rare model of human-wildlife harmony.
Bhopal, Aug 10 : The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a statewide alert for heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning across Madhya Pradesh, warning of potential disruptions and hazards in both urban and rural areas.

The alert comes amid intensified monsoon activity triggered by cyclonic circulation and a developing low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.

Heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is expected at isolated locations in Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Dewas, Ashoknagar, Damoh, Sagar, Tikamgarh, and Niwari districts.

Meanwhile, thunderstorm activity is likely at several places including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Rewa, and over 40 other districts. Meteorologists have cautioned that the rainfall may lead to waterlogging in low-lying areas, localized flash floods, and disruption of rural transportation, especially on kachcha roads.

Gusty winds and lightning pose risks of tree fall, power outages, and injuries to outdoor workers and livestock. Vulnerable kutcha houses and temporary shelters may also face structural damage.

According to Bhopal center of Indian meteorological department officials, districts such as Narmadapuram, Betul, and Harda could receive up to 4.5 inches of rain within 24 hours. Rainfall intensity is expected to increase further from August 13 onward, as a fresh low-pressure system develops over the Bay of Bengal, potentially bringing continuous showers through mid-August.

The eastern divisions of Jabalpur, Sagar, Shahdol, and Rewa have already recorded 37 per cent above-average rainfall this season, while western divisions including Bhopal, Indore, and Ujjain are 27 per cent above normal.

Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors during lightning activity, avoid waterlogged zones, and follow local advisories.

Farmers and rural workers are advised to suspend outdoor tasks during peak storm hours and secure livestock.

Disaster response teams have been placed on alert, and district administrations are monitoring vulnerable zones for emergency intervention. With monsoon systems remaining active, further advisories are expected in the coming days.
Ahmedabad, Aug 11 : The Gujarat Police have created WhatsApp groups linking village sarpanches with local police stations in order to strengthen coordination between law enforcement and rural communities, officials said on Sunday.

The initiative aims to ensure timely reporting of incidents, big or small from remote areas, enabling quicker response, and improved monitoring.

Gujarat Police Chief Vikas Sahay, speaking at an interaction programme organised by Ahmedabad Rural Police, has said that the system has already delivered results.

"For the past few days, police stations and sarpanches have been connected through WhatsApp at the village level. We are now getting information about local incidents much faster, which makes it easier to keep an eye on the situation and act effectively," he added.

He said that the platform proved particularly valuable during 'Operation Sindoor' in border districts, where limited police resources make community assistance essential.

The interaction at Makarba Police Headquarters brought together around 150 sarpanches from the Sanand and Bopal police station limits.

Gujarat Police Chief Sahay urged village leaders to assist in crime prevention, help curb drug abuse and cyber fraud, and spread public awareness.

Sarpanches suggested steps like displaying police helpline numbers at gram panchayat offices, milk cooperatives, and other public gathering points.

According to officials, such policea"panchayat collaborations are part of a state-wide efforts to reduce criminal activities in villages and make policing more effective, with similar programmes being rolled out in various districts.

Gujarat is home to nearly 17,800 villages, spread across its 33 districts and some 250 talukas, according to Census data and official sources.

These villages are governed by gram panchayats, with each led by an elected sarpanch -- the local head responsible for village administration and acting as the key link between government authorities and rural communities.

Recent gram panchayat elections covered around 8,326 panchayats, highlighting the sizable role of sarpanchs in grassroots governance across the state.
Caterpillar tracks, track assembly

In 1837, Russian army captain Dmitry Zagryazhsky came up with drawings of a caterpillar drive and applied to the Ministry of Finance for a patent for his invention of a carriage with a flat chain mechanical caterpillar. He was granted a patent but his invention did not interest manufacturers at that time and the patent was annulled in 1839. Much later, in 1877, Russian peasant and self-taught inventor Fyodor Blinov completed Zagryazhskys unfinshed task and created a wagon that moved on caterpillars. This invention gave the green light to production of tractors and, subsequently, of tanks.

TASS TASS

Electrically-powered railway wagons

The invention of an electrically-powered railway wagon was a precondition for the transport revolution that spurred the development of towns and industrial centres. It all started in 1874-1876, when Fyodor Pirotsky conducted a slew of experiments on transmitting electricity over a distance, with one rail serving as a direct conductor and the other, as a reverse conductor. An electric motor, located one kilometre from the power source, worked. A few years later, he conducted an experiment at a railway spur near Sestroretsk. There were 40 people in the wagon. The first electrified tram line was opened as late as 1881 in a Berlin suburb on the basis of designs by the Russian inventor.

Alexey Filippov/TASS Alexey Filippov/TASS

Videotape recorder

Alexander Poniatoff (Poniatov), a student of the founding father of Russian aviation Nikolay Zhukovsky, started the Ampex company in the United States and worked there in the 1950s. The company succeeded in producing the first quality video signal recorder. Ampex kept its lead in the market for professional magnetic recording of video for half a century and global electronics giants had to use Poniatoffs patents to produce home video equipment.

TASS TASS

Radio

Alexander Popov, a professor of physics, announced the invention of a system for wireless communications at a lecture at St Petersburg University in April 1885 and displayed the worlds first radio set. He was unable to publish his work though because he worked for a military institution. Italian Guglielmo Marconi conducted similar experiments at about the same time  his article was published in 1897. Unlike Popovs, Marconis invention was commercialised fast, so they still argue in the West over who invented radio first.

Together with inventors Popov and Marconi their two American counterparts Lee De Forest and Edwin Howard Armstrong contributed to the development of the modern radio. While De Forest came up with the idea of AM-diapason, Armstrong created FM-diapason. They got off the ground the ideas of radio waves in the United States and the rest of the world.

Getty Images Getty Images

Helicopter

Igor Sikorsky was another Russian inventor whose potential was fully realized abroad. In 1910, he created the prototype of a rotor-driven device, which successfully got off the ground. In 1912, he created the first hydroplane in the world and then the first multiple-engine aircraft. After the 1917 Revolution in Russia, he had to emigrate to the US, where he established his own company, Sikorsky Aero Engineering Company, using a contribution from remarkable Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. Sikorskys first experimental helicopter designed in the United States got off the ground in September 1939. The design of that machine, which has been considered a classic helicopter design for more than fifty years now, has been used for almost 95% helicopters built around the world. In 1942, Sikorsky created a two-seater helicopter.

Getty Images Getty Images

Solar cell

It is owing to discoveries by Russian physicist Alexander Stoletov that we enjoy television today. In the late 1880s, he produced a theoretical justification of photoelectric effect through a series of experiments. Photoelectric effect formed the basis for the production of solar cells, which are broadly used in practice now. Stoletov created the first solar cell based upon outer photoelectric effect and discovered the proportionality between the intensity of light and photo induced current.

Getty Images Getty Images

Transformers

You cannot have a power grid without transformers. Transformers were invented, built and put into operation by Russian electrical engineer Pavel Yablochkov and physicist Ivan Usagin. The solution that made it to history books as the distribution of light was produced by Yablochkov in the mid-1870s. The invention, which consisted of a transformer and condenser, was displayed in Paris and St Petersburg and, as early as 1882, the open-core transformer was patented in France by inventors Lucien Gaulard and Josiah Willard Gibbs.

Phtoxpress Phtoxpress

Yoghurt

Although cultured milk products appeared centuries ago, it was Russian scientist Mechnikov who first theorised their positive impact on longevity. Back in 1910, he suggested that, in order to live longer, a person should consume fermented milk products, which reduce putrefactive processes in the intestines. Mechnikov proved that Bulgaria had the biggest percentage of long-livers  and it is in Bulgaria that yoghurt is believed to have been born, because ancient Thrace was the first country to ever mix milk with ferments.

Victoria Drey Victoria Drey

Television

Vladimir Zworykin was another Russian engineer whose inventions debuted in the United States. He came up with the main invention of the 20th century  electronic television. He applied for a television patent in the US in 1923. Six years later, he developed the kinescope, a high-vacuum television receiver tube, and two years later, he created the first transmitting device, which he called an iconoscope.

Getty Images Getty Images

Petrol cracking

You cannot imagine living in the modern world without a car but no car would be possible without petrol. Cracking is a process that allows petrol to be produced from heavy or high-boiling factions of oil and it is owing to cracking that we can produce the enormous amounts of petrol modern cars consume. Cracking allows up to 70% of crude oil to be turned into petrol, while standard distillation methods provide 10% to 20%. The cracking method was invented by Russian engineer Vladimir Shukhov, who also created the first industrial cracking unit in 1891.

Getty Images Getty Images

Synthetic rubber

It's hard to envisage modern economy without synthetic rubber.Man-made rubber is mostly used to make tyres for vehicles, aircraft and bicycles. Artificial rubber is also used in making seals, insulation, medical devices and in many other areas. Synthetic rubbers are also indispensable for producing solid rocket propellants. The first commercially viable artificial rubber was polybutadiene resin, synthesised by the method developed by Russian chemist Sergei Lebedev. He obtained the first specimens of synthetic rubber in 1910. His book Research in polymerisation of by-ethylene hydrocarbons, printed in 1913, provided the foundations for commercial artificial rubber synthesis.

Getty Images Getty Images

Grain harvester

Andrei Vlasenko ran an estate in Tver province. In 1868, he invented the worlds first grain harvester, which he called a reaper-thrasher. It was mostly wooden and was powered by three horses. The machine had a capacity of twenty 19th century peasants. Vlasenko built two machines, powered by two horses each and driven by a single operator, which worked on the landowners fields in Tver province for many years. Only a decade later, American newspapers delivered breaking news about a thrasher built in California  newsmen called it a combine harvester. The first American harvester was similar to Vlasenkos machine in terms of its operating principle, but was powered by 24 mules and driven by seven operators.

Getty Images Getty Images

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
Fargo and Upload alum Elizabeth Bowen says the partnership her Resident Alien character, Deputy Liv, has with her boss, Sheriff Mike (Corey Reynolds), evolves quite a lot over the sci-fi-comedy's four seasons.

ADVERTISEMENT

"From the start until now is leaps and bounds different than what it began. There is so much more respect. It's so much more equal," Bowen told UPI in a recent Zoom interview.

"We have such a greater understanding of what each character has been through in their past and what made them who they are. But, also, Corey and I have gone through life stuff. We went through the pandemic together," Bowen said.

"We've gone through a strike together. We've gone through all the ups and downs of working on a show in uncertain times, so it's been really interesting watching our characters' journeys and our personal journeys grow side by side. It's been a wonderful experience."

Known for his work in the police drama The Closer and the Broadway musical Hairspray, Reynolds noted that the Resident Alien stars and crew grew particularly close because the show started filming in 2020 when much of the world was still shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We were in this testing bubble," he recalled.

"Our cast and the other creatives were the only people that we knew we were 100 percent safe to be around because we were tested on a regular basis," Reynolds said. "We bonded a lot because we spent a lot of time together."

The actor said everyone was "fully invested" when they arrived to work on the adaptation of a graphic novel series about a space alien (Alan Tudyk), who crash-lands in a small Colorado town filled with kind, quirky people.

FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS!

Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source!

"Everyone came into this wanting to do it, which is, in and of itself, a victory," Reynolds said. "People don't always take jobs because they want to. They take them because they need them."

As the actors were cast, series creator Chris Sheridan added everyone to an email thread, so they could learn about each other, Reynolds added.

"He started a community online before we even got to meet one another, so by the time we finally did get to meet at the table-read, it was instant chemistry, creatively and professionally. We had kind of primed the pump," he said.

The latest run of episodes started out with extraterrestrial Harry (Tudyk) imprisoned on the moon, emotional and without his super powers, while an evil creature called the Mantid impersonates him and takes over his life in the Rocky Mountains.

By Season 4, most of the townspeople know that Harry is an alien, but Liv and Mike are among the last ones to discover his big secret.

The Mantid kidnaps Liv, takes over her appearance and tries to kill everyone she cares about.

After Harry vanquishes the Mantid, Mike leads a posse to rescue Liv, who seems to be cured of her obsession with space aliens, now that several have attempted to eat her.

"She was 10 when she first saw a UFO. Her world, in that way, has always been a bit bigger than Mike's with regards to aliens and believing in things that you might not have ever seen," Bowen said.

Faced with this new reality, Mike wonders what else he might have overlooked, Reynolds said.

"When you're so certain about something and have to do a 180, I think any person with any self-reflective nature would have to reflect on, what else could I have gotten wrong?" Reynolds said.

"That's one thing I will say that I'm kind of proud about bringing to life with Mike. He has a reluctance to be wrong and to acknowledge that he's wrong, but I think that once he gets there, he's genuinely regretful about not getting there sooner," he added. "He's been getting it wrong for a long time and, not just getting it wrong himself, but trying to convince someone -- Deputy Liv -- who's been getting it right that SHE'S been wrong, which is extra wrong."

Mike gets a taste of his own medicine this season when he tries to tell his girlfriend, Detective Lena (Nicola Correia-Damude), that aliens have invaded his town.

"He's now having firsthand experience at what Deputy Liv was experiencing when trying to get him to believe," Reynolds said.

"He's now more understanding of what he put her through because of what he's dealing with trying to convince Lena," he added. "He's going to have to tell her something that is going to seem ridiculous to her. But, to be true to himself and to reality, he's got to find a way to do it and it's a tricky thing and it doesn't go well."

The fourth and final season finale aired Friday on USA Network and Syfy.
'Indian refiners can operate without Russian crude from a technical standpoint, but the shift would involve major economic and strategic trade-offs'

Photograph: Sergei Karpukhin/Reuters

Indian refiners, the world's biggest user of Russian oil, can operate without supplies from Moscow from a technical standpoint, but the shift would involve major economic and strategic trade-offs, analysts said.

Russian crude supports high distillate yields - the share of crude converted into fuels like petrol, diesel, and jet fuel through distillation. Replacing Russian crude, which accounts for up to 38 per cent of India's refinery intake, with alternatives will shift yields, resulting in lower middle distillates (diesel and jet fuel) and higher residue outputs, according to global real-time data and analytics provider Kpler.

United States President Donald Trump last week announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on US imports from India -- raising the overall duty to 50 per cent -- as a penalty for the country's continued imports of Russian oil.

Since the steep tariffs are likely to hit the USD 27 billion of non-exempt exports that India does to the US, there has been chatter around stopping or curtailing oil imports from Russia.

"Indian refiners can operate without Russian crude from a technical standpoint, but the shift would involve major economic and strategic trade-offs," Kpler said in a report, 'US Tariffs on Indian Imports: Implications for Energy Markets & Trade Flows'.

India turned to purchasing Russian oil sold at a discount after Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow and shunned its supplies over its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Consequently, from a mere 1.7 per cent share in total oil imports in 2019-20 (FY20), Russia's share increased to 35.1 per cent in FY25, and it is now the biggest oil supplier to India.

In terms of volume, India imported 88 million tonnes from Russia in FY25, out of the total shipment of 245 million tonnes.

In July, India received 1.6 million barrels per day of crude from Russia, ahead of China's nearly 1 million bpd and Turkey's around 5,00,000 bpd.

Kpler said deep discounts and strong compatibility with India's refining systems led to a surge in imports of Russian Ural crude oil.

"Russian crude supports high distillate yields (diesel and jet fuel) and is ideally suited to India's advanced refining infrastructure. It has enabled both state-owned and private refiners to operate above nameplate capacity while maintaining strong margins.

"A reversal of this will result in a mild yield shift (lower middle distillate yields, higher residue yields) and probably a small reduction in primary throughput rates, as margins will no longer command a sizeable premium against regional benchmarks, considering existing discounts on Russian oil," Kpler said.

The Indian government has issued diplomatic but firm responses to the US tariffs, emphasising the importance of maintaining energy security.

"Should Russian oil become inaccessible, India could face an additional USD 3-5 billion in annual import costs (based on a USD 5 per barrel premium on 1.8 million bpd). If global prices rise further (a scenario in which Russian crude exports are being curtailed, in the absence of sufficient buying interest from India), the financial burden could increase significantly," the report said.

This may prompt the government to cap retail fuel prices, which could strain fiscal balances. A spike in the import bill could even lead to a reduction in overall crude purchases. India's limited storage capacity further constrains its ability to manage such disruptions.

While Russian flows to India continue under a 'business-as-usual' stance, the escalating US rhetoric has reopened conversations about supply diversification, with some Indian refiners reportedly booking increased volumes of Middle Eastern crude.

According to Kpler, replacing 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude would require a multi-regional approach. The Middle East remains the most viable option operationally, grades such as WTI Midland from the US could contribute 2,00,000-4,00,000 bpd.

These (US crude) are lighter and yield less diesel, a disadvantage for India's distillate-heavy demand. Long-haul freight and cost considerations will also restrict scalability, it said.

West Africa and Latin America (LatAm) crudes offer moderate potential.

"A balanced replacement strategy may involve 60-70 per cent of substitute volumes from the Middle East, with US and African/LatAm crudes serving as tactical fillers. Nevertheless, none match Russian barrels in cost, quality, or reliability (some of the Russia-to-India barrels have already been contracted under term agreements)," it noted.

According to Kpler, Indian refiners can technically adapt to the loss of Russian barrels, but with significant economic consequences.

"Replacing 1.7-2.0 million bpd of discounted, medium-sour crude would erode refining margins and misalign product yields. Lighter substitutes like WTI or West African grades produce more gasoline and naphtha, reducing diesel output and hurting both domestic and export economics."

Even Middle Eastern grades, while closer in quality, are priced tightly to official selling prices (OSP), leaving limited arbitrage opportunities.

"In addition to higher feedstock costs, Indian refiners would face elevated freight and credit charges," it said.

"The transition is commercially painful, even if technically feasible."
Upping the ante over Rahul Gandhi's poll rigging claims, the Congress has launched a web page where people can register to demand accountability from the Election Commission against what it called was 'vote chori' and express support for his demand for digital voter rolls.

IMAGE: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi delivers a presentation on 'Vote Chori' during a dinner meeting with INDIA alliance, in New Delhi. Photograph: AICC/ANI Photo

Anyone can click on the portal link and download 'vote chori proof, demand EC accountability and report vote chori'.

It also carries Gandhi's video in which reiterated his explosive claims of a 'huge criminal fraud' in the polls through collusion between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the EC

He had cited an analysis in a constituency in Karnataka, and said it was 'a crime against the Constitution'.

The portal also carries a message which states that the vote is the foundation of our democracy but it's under 'systematic attack by the BJP, with the Election Commission complicit'.

'In just one assembly segment of Bangalore Central, we found over 1 lakh fake voters that helped the BJP win this Lok Sabha seat. Imagine this happening in 70-100 seats - it would destroy free elections,' it says.

'The Congress and INDIA have raised alarms before, including in Maharashtra. Now we have proof. We will fight this vote chori with all our strength. Join us to defend our democracy,' the message on the portal reads.

Once a person registers on the portal, a certificate is issued in his name, which states that he stands against 'vote chori'.

'I support Rahul Gandhi's demand of digital voter rolls from the EC,' the certificate says.

The portal also gives the option to the people of calling on a number and filling the link in the SMS to register.

The certificate bears the signatures of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal and treasurer Ajay Maken.

Several Congress leaders and supporters had registered on the portal and shared the certificates on social media.

With Congress leaders amplifying the 'vote theft' allegation of Rahul Gandhi, Election Commission officials on Saturday once again pressed the Leader of the Opposition to either sign a declaration to support his claims or apologise to the country for making 'fake' charges.

A day after Gandhi and the EC exchanged barbs over alleged vote theft in at least three states, poll authority officials again insisted for a signed declaration by the Congress leader to substantiate his claims.
Air Chief Marshal A P Singh's assertion that Indian Air Force downed a large Pakistani aircraft from a distance of around 300 km, reflected its unprecedented air superiority that dealt a "huge" psychological blow to the adversary.

IMAGE: India's Akash Air Defence System displayed on screen during the press conference on Operation Sindoor. Photograph: ANI Photo

This is what military officials said while breaking down nuances of the Air Chief Marshal's address in Bengaluru on Saturday where he said India shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and a large special mission aircraft during Operation Sindoor.

The IAF chief described the downing of either an ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) or AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) aircraft as the "largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill" that we can talk about.

"It is significant as there is no publicly available information of a surface-to-air missile bringing down such an asset at a distance of 300 kms or beyond," said a senior military official on condition of anonymity.

The strike dealt a massive psychological, strategic and tactical blow that will be difficult for Pakistan to overcome, explained another official.

If it was an AEW&C aircraft, then the blow was much more significant as every air force globally has a limited number of such aircraft. An AEW&C aircraft provides airspace surveillance and early detection of airborne threats and plays a very important role in an air combat scenario. Pakistan is reported to have six to eight AEW&C aircraft.

"The kill showed we can reach every corner of Pakistan," he added while elaborating how induction of Russian S-400 air defence missile systems helped India enhance its air dominance.

This was not the case during the 2019 Balakot strikes as Pakistani jets came very close to the frontier and mounted a spirited offensive when they came for retaliation.

People had questioned India's air dominance capabilities, said a third officer. Pakistan had briefly captured Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman after he downed an enemy jet during aerial combat over six years back.

Now, it is a different scenario. The S-400 missile systems backed by superior air dominance jets have brought in a different dimension to India's air power capabilities.

Russia has delivered three squadrons of the air defence missile system under a USD 5.43 billion deal inked in 2018. The remaining two squadrons of the S-400 missile system are likely to be delivered within the next one year.

The S-400 missile system is a state-of-the-art air defence platform capable of engaging multiple aerial threats at long ranges of up to 450 kms.

It is learnt that India is now looking at the option of procuring additional regiments of S-400 missiles to further expand its tactical depth.

However, there is another view in the defence circle that India should focus on its ambitious Project Kusha being planned by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Under the programme, India plans to develop a long-range, indigenous air defence system similar to that of the S-400 system.

Following the Balakot strikes, people even questioned the efficacy of IAF's attack but this time, the force produced documented proof, said the second official.

The officials also pointed out how India managed to hit multiple Pakistani installations while jamming its communication systems.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure in territories controlled by Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

The strikes triggered four days of intense clashes that ended with an understanding on stopping the military actions on May 10.

New Delhi has been maintaining that India's fierce counter-attack that day forced Pakistan to plead for ending the hostilities.
The Karnataka chief electoral officer on Sunday issued a notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, asking him to share documents based on which he had alleged that a woman voted twice.

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses a press conference at Indira Bhawan, New Delhi, August 7, 2025. Photograph: @INCIndia/X

Soon after the notice was issued to the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Election Commission once again asked him to either sign a declaration to substantiate his allegations of vote theft in Karnataka, Haryana and Maharashtra or apologise to the nation for making "absurd" allegations.

Karnataka's top poll officer told Gandhi that the documents will help his office carry out a detailed inquiry.

Gandhi had shown the documents at a press conference in the national capital last week.

"You have also stated that as per the records given by the polling officer, Smt Shakun Rani had voted twice... On inquiry, Smt Sakun Rani has stated that she has voted only once and not twice, as alleged by you," the notice read.

A preliminary inquiry conducted by the CEO's office also revealed that the tick-marked document shown by the Congress leader in the presentation was not issued by the polling officer, the letter said.

"Therefore, you are kindly requested to provide the relevant documents on the basis of which you have concluded that Smt Shakun Rani or anyone else has voted twice, so that a detailed inquiry can be undertaken by this office," the notice stated.

Responding to the notice issued by its CEO, the EC said, "Rahul Gandhi still has time to give a declaration on the first letter of CEO Karnataka or apologise to the country.
Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir, who is visiting Washington for the second time since the four-day conflict with India, has met top US political and military leaders, the army said on Sunday.

IMAGE: Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir with former US Central Command Commander General Michael E Kurilla. Photograph: X

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) "is undertaking an official visit to the United States", the army said in a statement.

The army chief engaged in high-level interactions with senior political and military leadership as well as members of the Pakistani diaspora, according to the statement.

No details were shared about his stay in the US, and it was also not clear when he arrived.

In Tampa, Munir attended the Retirement Ceremony of outgoing US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Michael E Kurilla, and the Change of Command Ceremony, marking the assumption of command by Admiral Brad Cooper.

Field Marshal Munir lauded General Kurilla's exemplary leadership and his invaluable contributions to strengthening bilateral military cooperation and extended his best wishes to Admiral Cooper, expressing confidence in continued collaboration to address shared security challenges, the statement said.

He also met with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, where matters of mutual professional interest were discussed. He extended an invitation to General Caine to visit Pakistan, it added.

On the sidelines, Munir interacted with Chiefs of Defence from friendly nations.

During an interactive session with the Pakistani diaspora, Munir urged them to remain confident in Pakistan's bright future and to actively contribute to attracting investments. The diaspora reaffirmed its commitment to support Pakistan's progress and development, according to the army.

In June, Munir travelled to the US on a rare five-day trip during which he attended a private luncheon with President Donald Trump, an unprecedented gesture typically reserved for visiting heads of state or government. That meeting culminated in Trump's announcement of enhanced US-Pakistan cooperation in various fields, including an oil deal.

Munir's visit came just over a month after the US general described Pakistan as a phenomenal partner in counterterrorism efforts during a congressional hearing, where he also praised Pakistan's role in promoting peace and stability in the region.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said the coming together of estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray was "good for democracy", but also sent a strong message that people support those who work for their welfare.

IMAGE: Estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray shared the stage in Mumbai last month. Photograph: @ShivSenaUBT_/X

In a video interview to PTI, Shinde remarked that Uddhav Thackeray had once dismissed his cousin Raj, who made a dramatic exit from the Shiv Sena in 2005 after being sidelined, and it was ironic for the two to reunite.

"It would be incorrect to say that the Thackeray cousins had separated. Raj was expelled from the Shiv Sena. The same people who had questioned his (Raj's) influence are now thinking of joining hands again. It is a good thing. In an electoral democracy, anyone can join hands with anybody," Shinde said.

He said anyone can go anywhere, it is their personal choice, but people support those who work for them and think about their welfare.

"People recognise the work and not the 'name'. People have decided who works for them and who sits at home. People make those people sit at home who like to sit at home," Shinde said in an apparent reference to Uddhav Thackeray.

Shinde toppled Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government of Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP, contending that Thackeray had abandoned the principles of Hindutva espoused by Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

He walked out with more than two-thirds of Sena MLAs and MPs in June 2022 and later earned the tag of 'real' Shiv Sena from the Election Commission.

The Thackeray cousins shared the stage in Mumbai last month for a "victory rally" after the Maharashtra government rolled back its controversial three-language policy that made learning Hindi mandatory in primary schools.

The coming together of the Thackeray cousins is keenly watched after the shock defeat of Shiv Sena-UBT in the Maharashtra assembly elections last year as the party managed to win only 20 seats of the 100 it had contested as part of an alliance with the Congress and NCP-SP.

The upcoming elections to the Mumbai municipal corporations is seen as an existential battle for Uddhav Thackeray as Shinde looks to dominate politics in the financial capital of the country.

"In a democracy, anybody can form a coalition. I am not going to criticise anyone on that count. But, I only want to state that during my two-and-a-half years' tenure as chief minister, a number of decisions were taken by me and Devendra Fadnavis for the development of Mumbai and Maharashtra," Shinde said.

Asked about Uddhav Thackeray calling him gaddar (traitor), Shinde hit back saying it was Thackeray who betrayed the ideals of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

"The word gaddar he uses for me, actually fits him very well. In 2019, the people had given the mandate to the BJP and Shiv Sena. He (Uddhav Thackeray) betrayed that mandate and joined hands with the Congress and NCP. He is the real culprit," Shinde said.

He said Thackeray had insulted the mandate of the people in 2019 and the voters taught him a good lesson in the 2024 assembly elections.
A pedestrian was killed and another is battling for life after an allegedly speeding Thar mowed them down near the 11 Murti landmark in the Chanakyapuri area in New Delhi Sunday morning, police said.

IMAGE: The vehicle, which has a Uttar Pradesh registration number, has been seized. Photograph: X

Both were rushed to the AIIMS Trauma Centre, where one was declared brought dead, police said. The other is undergoing treatment.

The victims are yet to be identified.

According to an officer, a white Mahindra Thar Roxx coming from the direction of Dhaula Kuan went off the road and onto the footpath, where it hit the two men.

Police seized the car and found in it a bottle of whisky, with about a fifth of the liquor still left, according to visuals.

The driver was identified as one Ashish, a resident of east Delhi's Shakarpur, who was returning home from Dhaula Kuan.

The Uttar Pradesh registered car does not belong to him, but to a friend named Ankit, a resident of Ghaziabad, police said.

A police source said the vehicle was travelling at a high speed and dragged the two men for a few metres before coming to a halt.

"Such was the speed of the vehicle that one of its front wheels came off," the source said.

An eyewitness said he saw the car moving at a high speed and skidding before coming to a halt with a loud crash.

"It was very scary. Someone on the road shouted 'banda maar diya' (a man is killed). A police vehicle, which was not far away, immediately came for help and took the injured to the hospital," the person said.

Another source, privy to the investigation, said there is a possibility that the driver may have dozed off and lost control, or he may be drunk.

"On August 1, the driver's vehicle was fined for overspeeding. Police found that there is an unpaid fine of Rs 2,000 against the vehicle," the source said.

An officer said that a patrolling party witnessed the accident around 6.30 am.

"One of the policemen immediately made a PCR call and requested an ambulance. The injured were taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre without delay," the officer said.

"Preliminary inquiry has revealed that Ashish was headed towards his residence in Shakarpur. His occupation status is unclear at the moment, though he has previously worked as a driver," he said.

Police are examining CCTV footage from the area to establish the exact sequence of events.
The INDIA bloc will put up a joint candidate for the vice presidential polls and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is reaching out to opposition parties to explore names and reach a consensus on it, sources said Sunday.

IMAGE: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with INDIA alliance leaders during a dinner meeting at Rahul Gandhi's residence in New Delhi. Photograph: AICC/ANI Photo

They said that there was a strong feeling in the bloc that opposition parties should not shy away from a contest to send a strong political message irrespective of the outcome.

Though there has not been any structured discussion on picking a candidate, backchannel talks are on among INDIA bloc partners to deliberate on names of possible candidates with Kharge reaching out to opposition parties for building a consensus.

There is consensus among parties that the INDIA bloc will put up a joint candidate for the vice presidential polls, Congress sources said.

However, a section in the opposition camp believes that the INDIA bloc must decide their candidate after the Bharatiya Janata Party announces its pick.

This comes at a time of heightened unity among INDIA bloc constituents who have vowed to fight against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and alleged poll rigging.

In a show of unity, top INDIA bloc leaders held a dinner meeting at the residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday and vowed to fight the electoral rolls' revision in Bihar as well as what they described as the "vote chori model" of the BJP-Election Commission.

This was the first physical meeting of top leaders of the opposition bloc since they last met in June 2024, soon after the Lok Sabha elections at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's residence.

Several leaders from 25 parties were present at the meeting, which included Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, National Conference supremo Farooq Abdullah, PDP's Mehbooba Mufti, SP's Akhilesh Yadav, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, TMC's Abhishek Banerjee, Shiv Sena(UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, DMK's Tiruchi Siva and T R Baalu, CPI(M)'s M A Baby, CPI's D Raja, CPI(ML)'s Dipankar Bhattacharya and MNM chief Kamal Haasan.

During the meeting, Gandhi gave a presentation on the "vote chori model" being allegedly perpetrated by the BJP through the Election Commission.

Congress general secretary-organisation KC Venugopal termed the meeting as one of the "most successful".

Asked whether the vice presidential election was also discussed, he had said, "There wasn't much discussion on the vice presidential election... There are other occasions for it".

Kharge will also host a dinner for INDIA bloc MPs on Monday.

In a sudden move, Jagdeep Dhankhar quit as vice president on the evening of August 4 citing medical reasons, though there have been consistent murmurs about other reasons behind his resignation.

The effective strength of both the Houses together is 781 and the winning candidate will require to win 391 votes in the election for the vice president, considering all eligible voters exercise their franchise. All members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including the nominated ones, vote in the vice presidential poll.

The NDA seems to have the numbers on its side with a strength of around 422 members.

The Election Commission last Thursday issued a notification for the September 9 vice presidential poll, kickstarting the exercise to elect Dhankhar's successor.

Rajya Sabha Secretary General P C Mody, the returning officer for the election, received three nomination papers, which were rejected for not being in order.

According to the notification, August 21 is the last date for filing nominations and the documents will be scrutinised on August 22. The last date for the withdrawal of nominations is August 25.

According to constitutional provisions, in case of a mid-term poll, the incumbent gets a full five-year term.

A person cannot be elected as the vice president unless he is a citizen of India, has completed 35 years of age and is qualified for election as a member of Rajya Sabha.

A person is also not eligible if he holds any office of profit under the government of India or a state government or any subordinate local authority.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday reaffirmed his commitment to the country's territorial integrity, insisting that Kyiv continues to claim all territories now under Russian control, RT reported.

IMAGE: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photograph: Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters

His remarks came shortly after US President Donald Trump suggested that a potential peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv could involve a 'swapping of territories' between the two countries 'to the betterment of both', according to RT.

Zelenskyy firmly dismissed the idea of making any territorial concessions, saying, "Now Putin wants to be forgiven for seizing the south of our Kherson region, Zaporozhye, the entire territory of Lugansk region, Donetsk region, and Crimea. We will not allow Russia to make this second attempt to divide Ukraine."

The Ukrainian leader accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of seeking to exchange a 'pause in war' for the 'legalisation of occupation of our land.'

"That was exactly what Putin was after," Zelenskyy said in a video address.

Crimea broke away from Ukraine in 2014 following the Maidan coup in Kyiv and joined Russia after a referendum.

Four other territories were incorporated into Russia in 2022 after referendums held in each region.

Moscow has demanded a full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from territories it claims as its own and reiterated this position in a draft memorandum outlining its roadmap for ending the conflict during recent direct talks with Kyiv in Turkiye, RT reported.

In a parallel move aimed at ending the war, Zelenskyy has sought a direct meeting with Putin, following talks in Moscow between Trump's envoy and the Russian leader, France 24 reported.

'We in Ukraine have repeatedly said that finding real solutions can be truly effective at the level of leaders,' Zelenskyy wrote on social media.

'It is necessary to determine the timing for such a format and the range of issues to be addressed,' he added.

Zelenskyy said he had also scheduled several talks throughout the day, including with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as well as French and Italian officials.

"There will also be communication at the level of national security advisors," he said.

"The main thing is for Russia, which started this war, to take real steps to end its aggression," Zelenskyy added, according to France 24.
MANCHESTER  Orvis will cut 4 percent of its workforce by the end of 2025. This is the key news emerging from a statement released by Simon Pe
US President Donald Trump said he expects a "constructive conversation" with Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending the war in Ukraine, as Brussels seeks to forge a role for Kyiv at the summit.

"I'm going to tell him, 'You've got to end this war,'" Trump told a White House press conference when asked about his August 15 meeting with Putin in Alaska, adding he would like to see a quick cease-fire to the more than 3-year-old conflict.

At the same time, EU foreign ministers were holding a video conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, who warned the Alaska summit could present a diplomatic "trap" that Russia could use as an opportunity to evade responsibility for the war and establish a foothold for further offensives.

Talking to journalists on August 11, Trump repeated that a potential Ukraine-Russia deal could involve "land swapping" but signaled he might walk away from the peace process depending on "the parameters" discussed at his summit with Putin.

At the end of that meeting, probably the first two minutes, Ill know exactly whether or not a deal can be made, Trump said. He said the sit-down with Putin will be "really a feel-out meeting."

Itll be good, but it might be bad and said he may say, "lots of luck, keep fighting. Or I may say, we can make a deal.

Trump further said he would call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders right after the meeting.

He added the potential peace deal itself is not for the United States to decide and described Zelenskyy-Putin meeting as central to the settlement of the conflict. "The next meeting will be with Zelenskyy and Putin, or Zelenskyy, Putin, and me. I'll be there if they need."

A day earlier, following Zelenskyy's numerous calls to the European capitals, Brussels reaffirmed its stance, urging Trump to put more pressure on Russia.

"The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine," leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Britain, and Finland, along with EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, said in a joint statement on August 10.

Asked if Zelenskyy would attend the Alaska summit, Trump gave no clear answer, but said he was a little bothered by Zelenskyys comment that any territorial concessions would need constitutional approval.

"I mean, he's got approval to go into war and kill everybody. But he needs approval to do a land swap?" Trump said. "Russia has occupied some prime territory, we will try to get some of that territory back for Ukraine."

As Washington appeared to be preparing Kyiv and Moscow for major compromises to end the war, Sybiha told the EU foreign ministers conference Putin sees his meeting with Trump as a "reward and justification" for Russia's aggression.

US Vice President JD Vance on August 10 told Fox News that any peace deal will likely leave both sides "unhappy."

"It's not going to make anybody super happy. Both the Russians and the Ukrainians, probably, at the end of the day, are going to be unhappy with it," he added.

Sybiha, however, suggested the US-Russia negotiations could be beneficial to Putin.

"He is not a peacemaker, he is a peace breaker. To achieve true peace and avoid these traps, we must destroy Putin's plans and scenarios," Sybiha told EU diplomats.

In his nightly address on August 10, Zelenskyy said, "We understand Russia's intention to try to deceive America -- we will not allow this."

The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the representative organization of Americans of Ukrainian descent, warned in a news release on August 11 that any secret bargain over Ukraines future would be a betrayal of Americas values.

"UCCA condemns any meeting that risks bargaining away Ukraines sovereignty behind closed doors," the UCCA said.

The talks come at a pivotal moment, with Trump increasingly frustrated with Putin and the Russian president showing no signs of bending on the Kremlin's maximalist demands.

European leaders have welcomed Trump's efforts to try to resolve the 41-month-old military conflict but emphasized the need to pressure Moscow and provide security guarantees for Kyiv.

In another statement released by Kyiv's Western allies on August 10, the Nordic-Baltic 8 group voiced its support for Ukraine and said peace could only be brought about through increased pressure on Russia to stop its "unlawful" war.

The leaders of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden stated they "reaffirm the principle that international borders must not be changed by force."

The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed negotiators, has reported that European officials presented a counterproposal to the unspecified US plan, including a requirement that a cease-fire take place before any other steps are made and that any swaps of territory be reciprocal and include security guarantees.

European officials presented their proposals to Vance during a meeting with Ukrainian and European officials at a country mansion outside of London on August 9, the report said.

Russia's invasion has turned into the largest land war in Europe in more than 50 years, devastating Ukraine and transforming Russia, turning its economy into a war machine and establishing a police-state government criminalizing dissent.

Moscow's casualties, dead and wounded, stand at more than 1 million, according to Western estimates. Ukraine's war dead are believed to exceed 100,000, with overall casualties around 400,000.

As the talks near, both sides continue to launch attacks on each other.

In the early hours of August 11, Russian air strikes hit Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhya regions, while Ukrainian drones targeted sites deep inside Russia.

The Ukrainian Air Force said it successfully downed 59 Shahed-type drones and decoys out of 71 launched from the Russian towns and cities of Shatalovo, Kursk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. Twelve drones managed to hit six locations, while debris from others fell at one site.

In Arzamas, Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region, a Ukrainian drone attack on August 11 on an industrial site killed one worker and injured two, local Governor Gleb Nikitin confirmed. Ukrainian social media channels circulated footage allegedly showing the strike on the Arzamas Instrument-Making Plant.

The Russian military said it shot down 39 Ukrainian drones overnight across several regions as well as over Russia-annexed Crimea.
The European Union is on the beach for most of August. No European Parliament plenary sessions, council meetings, or committee gatherings. In short, nothing much is discussed, let alone decided on these weeks.

But as soon as the diplomats and officials are back in their offices in September, there are potential tough decisions to be taken and dilemmas to face this autumn. RFE/RL looks at five things to watch for in the upcoming months.

Unfreeze Russian Assets?

There are over 200 billion euros ($233 billion) worth of Russian assets in the European Union that have been frozen since the bloc started imposing sanctions on Moscow in February 2022 for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The debate inside the club has been raging ever since about what to do with the cash.

This debate will continue when EU foreign ministers meet in Denmark on August 29-30 for an informal gathering, known as Gymnich, which often serves as the opening act of the EU autumn.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has flagged that she wants a thorough debate during the two days on what the plan with the cash really is because it offers the bloc both a very potent bargaining chip in the future, even though it comes attached with some legal dilemmas.

Many EU member states, notably several hawkish ones in the east, want to seize the cash as soon as possible to pay for either weapons heading to Ukraine or re-arm the bloc.

The arguments are that this could cover the potential shortfall in US spending on Ukraine and that it is only fair that Russian money is used for weapons, as opposed to asking European taxpayers to foot the bill.

Others, notably the bigger member states, aren't too keen on seizing the cash quite yet. Some officials argue the money will be Europe's ticket into peace or cease-fire negotiations as Moscow is angling to get as much of the funds back as it can.

Others point out that it could be used as leverage against the Kremlin to cooperate with a new war tribunal. They also believe it is better to keep the assets frozen until the fighting ends and then use them to help pay for Ukraine's reconstruction.

Then, of course, there are fears inside the European Central Bank (ECB) about what a seizure of sovereign assets would do to the euro as a world currency as it may spook other countries from investing in the Euro area.

Belgium, home of the central securities depository Euroclear -- which holds most of the Russian cash -- is also wary of unilateral action. The argument from the Belgians is that the frozen assets are like a "golden goose" as the windfall profits from them, amounting 1 billion to 2 billion euros each quarter, would go directly to Kyiv's coffers. Expect the debate to rage on this for some time still.

Separating Moldova and Ukraine?

So far, Moldova and Ukraine have gone toward EU membership hand in hand. They were both granted candidate status in 2022 and, in late 2023, EU member states agreed that accession talks with the pair should commence.

Most European diplomats fully expected that the first of the 33 accession chapters would have been opened with both Chisinau and Kyiv in the first half of this year. But nothing has happened, as Hungary blocks the start of these negotiations due to what Budapest sees as a lack of rights for the Hungarian-speaking minority in Ukraine.

As Moldova and Ukraine are "coupled" so far, this blockage affects Chisinau as well. This spring there were talks about de-coupling the two countries so that at least Moldova could move ahead, but no consensus could be found.

Hungary has indicated it won't budge on this issue, notably after a nonbinding referendum earlier this year in which 95 percent of the respondents were opposed to Ukraine joining the bloc. Most EU officials now believe this position won't change until Hungarian parliamentary elections in April 2026.

At the same time, Moldova will hold an election on September 28 with the pro-EU government fighting to be re-elected. There are persistent rumors in Brussels that Ukraine and its many supporters in the club reluctantly have accepted a decoupling in which Moldova is allowed to advance alone for the time being.

Such a decision could come in early September to potentially tip the balance in favor of pro-EU forces in the Moldovan election.

Georgia On Their Minds

Brussels will continue to grapple with Georgia's backsliding this autumn -- possibly finally making some long-awaited decisions.

The European Commission sent a letter to the Georgian government in July asking it to comply by the end of August with eight benchmarks the Brussels executive arm set out in late 2024, including the need to repeal the controversial "transparency of foreign influence" law and the equally contested legislative package on "family values and protection of minors."

Few in Brussels expect Tbilisi to move much on these issues, setting up the question as to how the EU will respond -- and if so, when?

Sanctions on ruling Georgian Dream officials, as well as judges seen as responsible for targeting the opposition and demonstrators, have not materialized as Hungary and Slovakia have blocked them and are expected to do so again.

Therefore, work is under way in Brussels to potentially suspend Georgia's visa liberalization with the bloc. For this, only a qualified majority -- 55 percent of member states representing 65 percent of the EU's total population -- of member states is needed and this qualified majority seems to be in place.

It would be the first time ever the EU has suspended visa liberalization with a candidate country, but Brussels is clearly drawing up the necessary legal framework for this to happen.

The bloc could also suspend parts of the EU-Georgia association agreement this autumn, including its free trade aspects. The question is when this all can happen?

EU foreign ministers aren't officially meeting in any official council format until late October, potentially giving Tbilisi more time to respond to the demands. By then, Georgia will have held local elections (October 4), which will be another indicator as to where the South Caucasus republic is heading.

Entry/Exit Roll-Out

It should have happened already last year. And the year before that.

But on October 12, it will actually start: The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) will be rolled out. This is significant for all non-EU nationals traveling into 24 EU countries taking part (all the member states apart from Cyprus and Ireland, with Denmark potentially opting into the system later) and four non-EU countries (Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein).

EES will do away with the manual stamping of passports and is meant to give way to an elaborate IT system at every international airport, harbor, and land-crossing that records entries, exits, fingerprints and facial images.

The roll-out will be gradual over the next six months with many EU member states that are home to big international travel hubs fearing a collapse if there was a big-bang introduction all at once. The IT system was for a long time not believed to be completely solid, but EU officials are now confident that everything finally will work.

If the EES roll-out is complete in the first quarter of 2026, one can also assume that ETIAS (the European Travel and Authorization System) will be launched later that same year as the two systems are linked. ETIAS is the EU equivalent of the United States' Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and will have a big impact on all travelers that come to the EU visa free.

An estimated 1.4 billion people, including citizens of Britain, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, the United States, and the non-EU Western Balkan states, will need this authorization before entering the bloc for the first time. Valid for three years, it will cost 7 euros.

V4 Back With A Vengeance?

There aren't too many elections in Europe this autumn, which is something of a rarity. Yes, Moldova holds a crucial vote in September (see above) and there is a snap election in the Netherlands in late October in which the populist right-wing PVV might finish on top but is likely to see a surging center-left/green coalition form a government instead.

Perhaps the most interesting vote will be in the Czech Republic on October 3-4. All polls indicate that the populist Andrej Babis will return to power.

The main issue to watch is if his ANO party will govern alone, with the support of even more radical forces to the left and right on the political spectrum, or if any parties in the current pro-European government coalition will lend him support.

And that will in turn determine what type of Czech Republic will show up on the European scene.

But what's clear is that Slovakia's Robert Fico and Hungary's Viktor Orban most likely will welcome a like-minded partner in Prague.

As the populist Karol Nawrocki recently sworn in as president in Poland with the expectation of blocking a lot of the legislation of the more liberal Premier Donald Tusk is proposing, rumors are swirling in Warsaw that his government there might collapse soon as well and give way to a return of the conservative Law and Justice Party.

Emerging from all this is a pretty like-minded Visegrad Four (V4) again. The block of the four Central European countries has played a big role in shaping EU policies for many years but due to political differences among the capitals in recent times, V4 was very much a dormant concept.

Now, it could be one to watch again.

Sure, there are still differences, not at least when it comes to relations with Russia, and Warsaw is still something of an outlier as Tusk is expected to soldier on. But if Babis re-emerges with a clear popular mandate this autumn, you will have three Central European capitals with a clear skeptic attitude toward both Brussels and Kyiv.

This might, of course, change again when Hungary votes in a much-anticipated parliamentary election the spring of 2026. But at a crucial moment in Europe, the Visegrad countries can prove to throw plenty of curveballs in the near term.
Nizama Hecimovic: It was a name many Bosnians would come to know. On August 11, 2023, Hecimovic was killed in a small town in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The killer was her ex-partner, who then went on to murder two more, wound another, and then kill himself.

Hecimovic's murder, which her killer live-streamed, sparked nationwide protests and legislative change. There was also an increase in the number of women reporting violence.

"'You will be the next Nizama' is the most common threat from abusers, according to many women who reach out to us," says Selma Badzic from the Center for Women's Rights Zenica, an organization that works on the prevention of violence against women in Bosnia.

Hecimovic's murder shook the public, not just for its brutality, but because it was broadcast live on the Internet. Badzic says most of the murder cases in Bosnia over the past five years have included some violent digital component. It's a trend not just in Bosnia but one that's happening worldwide, as technology is increasingly being weaponized to promote and spread violence against women.

Two years after Hecimovic was killed, another murder, this time in Balochistan, a mountainous area of Pakistan, was widely shared online. Eleven people have been arrested after a woman and a man were murdered, allegedly to defend the "honor" of their families after the couple married against their wishes. The video of the killing was widely shared on messaging apps and social media.

There is "no honor" in that, just "disgrace," says Saima Munir, a manager at the Aurat Foundation, a women's rights group in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.

"Shooting a helpless woman nine times -- only a shameless group of people would do that," Munir says. Violence, she adds, has increased since people became exposed to technology, but that doesn't mean "technology is responsible for the uptick in violence."

"The real challenge in our part of the world is to change [people's] mindsets," Munir says.

Taliban Takeover Of Afghanistan

Since 2021, when the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, women there have struggled with the loss of fundamental rights, new, tighter restrictions, and the weaponization of technology.

"Fake accounts target me, attempting to discredit or silence my voice. There are even groups of fake accounts, often led by a single individual who coordinates attacks," Nilofar Ayoubi, a women's rights activist, tells RFE/RL. When the Taliban returned to power, she managed to flee to Poland. But, even there, she says, she didn't manage to escape online harassment.

"They use their platforms to spread misinformation and amplify hate, turning social media into a hostile space instead of one for dialogue or solidarity," Ayoubi says.

As Ayoubi explains, digital harassment in many ways is no different from the reality on the ground.

"It reflects the same culture of silencing, intimidation, and control that Afghan women face in everyday life. What happens offline is often mirrored online; the same voices that are pushed out of society are attacked again in the digital world."

None of this is that new, according to Jennifer Adams, an expert and consultant on gender, media, and human rights-centered digital policy. "Misogyny online is a manifestation of and a magnification of misogyny offline," Adams says.

But online space, she explains, has the capacity for anonymity and is also subject to algorithms. "It is a business model that prioritizes engagement," she says. "Unfortunately, what is engaging to more and more of the world's population is violence and misogyny."

Are Social Media Platforms Doing Enough?

Every messaging and social media platform has the option of removing harmful content. Most have moderators (human and automatic), along with various tools, some powered by AI, to monitor problematic materials being shared online.

Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, says the company removes threats of violence and most graphic content. For example, by its community standards, it will not allow the live-streaming of capital punishments or other killings.

Despite that, it took Meta several hours to remove footage showing the murder of Hecimovic from Instagram. By that time, it had already been shared on other platforms. The recent Pakistani video showing the couple's murder went viral on several platforms.

Platforms will prioritize content that people want to interact with, says Adams, and they are "doing this on purpose." And the platforms absolutely have the capacity to do the content moderation, she adds.

"They just choose not to. When you're seeing [that they're] able to do it when it comes to something that they don't politically agree with but not able to do it when it comes to the murder of a woman...that's a choice. That's a business decision," Adams says.

Sarah Little, a journalist and founder of the More To Her Story magazine, is one of those who believe there's growing evidence of social media platforms actively fueling misogynistic content.

"This absolutely fuels real-world violence against women. The fact that a video of a woman's murder went viral shows just how deeply normalized the dehumanization of women has become," Little says.

A survey carried out recently by the London-based Amnesty International says 73 percent of Generation Z users (people people born roughly between 1997 and 2012) have witnessed misogynistic content online. The same study says more young women than young men believe misogyny online mirrors real-world sexism.

A Way Forward?

Hecimovic's death has had a huge impact in Bosnia. The law on protection against domestic violence was changed in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the two entities that makes up the country. There are proposals for stricter sentences for femicide that are still waiting for final adoption to become law. And while violence against women remains prevalent, women are also more inclined to report it.

Local initiatives have helped. The Center for Women's Rights Zenica created an online map called 4P where women can speak to more than 100 dedicated helpers across the country. They "get necessary information, help, support, and encouragement to help them report violence and achieve protection," says the center's Badzic.

Despite having to flee her homeland, Afghanistan, women's rights activist Ayoubi still believes in the potential of technology to benefit women. "It can connect them to education, economic opportunities, support systems, and global solidarity," she says.

But for women to be able to reach their potential, Ayoubi concludes, they can only do so when online violence is addressed.

Daud Khan contributed to this report.
The county should be used as a pilot location for a high-level expert group to tackle the alarming rise in cocaine and alcohol use, Roscommon County Council has agreed.

At the July monthly meeting of the local authority, Independent councillor Micheal Frain asked the council to write to the Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghan, requesting that his department establish a high-level expert group on a pilot basis for County Roscommon.

Recently the coroner for County Roscommon, stated that his court had dealt with three cocaine-alcohol related deaths in the space of a month, Cllr Frains motion said. I understand that this is regrettably part of a national trend but evidence based raw data by toxicology reports presented to the County Roscommon coroner is extremely worrying for this county.

During the meeting, it was also agreed that the minister for health should be included in the motion.

Cllr Frain said it was a very important issue, and that drug driving detections now stood at three to one compared to drink driving detections.

He added that a recent report from the Rutland Centre indicated a huge rise in multi-addiction cases, with 72% of those who presented at the centre having a secondary addiction.

It is frightening for anyone with young families, he said, adding that he was in contact with Dr Martin Daly TD and Senator Gareth Scahill on this issue.

We need, as a county, to take a stand on this, he said warning that unless action was taken we will lose control over our towns and villages and lose the next generation of people to addiction.

It is all connected to crime, he said And it is in every town in Ireland. Cathaoirleach Liam Callaghan seconded the motion, saying that drugs were in every town and village in the country.

Young people are afraid to tell their parents what is going on, he said. There are also many people driving up huge drug debts. They have visitors to the house looking for their money, and even the parents are being threatened. This debt can start small but can grow to thousands or even tens of thousands of euro.

Cllr Sean Moylan said he was fully supportive of the motion, saying that drug addiction had brought in huge waves of crime into the county.

Almost every single crime is caused by drugs, he said. People dont seem to be connecting the dots. A line of cocaine on a Saturday night could lead to a shop or a farmyard being robbed to pay for it, he added. He added that increased education on the consequences of addiction was crucial.

Cllr Ruth Conboy supported the motion and suggested that the proposal also be addressed to the minister for health.

Cllr Valerie Byrne agreed that drugs were in every town and village, saying that parents were given drugs to their children to peddle them to their friends.

Citing the Rutland Centres report, Cllr Valerie Duffy said that ironically for people conscious of their appearance and health, cocaine was popular as it had no calories The largest age groups seeking help at the moment are adults aged between 25 to 44, which is worrying, she said.

The Fine Gael councillor also raised concern about the synthetic cannabis product, HHC (hexahydrocannabinol), which has recently been banned, saying that it was linked to serious mental health issues.

Cllr Leah Cull thanked Cllr Frain for bringing the matter forward.

We have a duty as elected representatives to call it out, she said. People dont want to think that it is on their doorsteps. Its in our clubs, its in our organisations, and in our schools. Thats the scary reality and we cant sugarcoat it.

The Sinn Fein councillor highlighted a wellbeing night hosted by Shannon Gaels GAA Club, and she praised one of the speakers, Peter Townsend.

Cllr John Keogh praised the Western Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force, and called for a mature conversation about cannabis in this country.

He said that the law on cannabis use should be changed.

The judiciary have been leading over the years on this, the Fianna Fail councillor said. Because the use of cannabis is treated in the manner in which it is, you have that connection with class A drugs (such as cocaine) you have the same network of people involved. We need to have a serious discussion because it is a pathway to harder drugs.

Cllr Emer Kelly said the scale of the problem was immense, with services being overrun.

The reality is it is actually cheaper to go out and do drugs on a night out, than it is to go out drinking, the independent councillor said. It is not just young people that are affected by this, a lot of middle aged men fall victim to it too.

Cllr Tom Crosby also supported the motion, saying the country has failed miserably on this issue.

Successive governments have totally and utterly failed, he accused, adding that it was so easy to bring drugs into Ireland.

That is why we are the capital of Europe as far as this issue is concerned.
A local real estate agency team has officially rebranded to Sheehy Meares Real Estate, marking a major milestone in its evolution as a fully independent, Irish-owned firm.

Founded in 2019, the company has grown from a single office into a five-location operation, with offices in Roscommon, Athlone, Ballinasloe, Galway, and most recently, Dublin.

The rebrand reflects the companys ambition to expand its reach, innovate faster, and serve clients across Ireland with increased flexibility and focus.

This is an exciting new chapter, said co-founder Cormac Sheehy, who will lead the companys commercial division.

Weve built our business on trust, local knowledge, and results. Now, as Sheehy Meares we have the independence to grow in a way that puts our clients first and positions us as a truly national property brand.

Co-founder Cathal Meares, who heads up the agricultural property division, added: Were proud of our roots and even prouder of where were going.

Our team continues to grow, and were focused on delivering market-leading service across sales, lettings, valuations, commercial, agri and more.

Sheehy Meares Real Estate is backed by a highly experienced and expanding residential sales team, operating across all regions.

The firm continues to build on its reputation for strong results, excellent client service, and deep understanding of local property markets.

The company also retains its strong regional identity with trusted local teams including: Team Earley and Team McCullagh in Roscommon and Ballinasloe; Martin Healy as consultant across Galway and Mayo; a growing base of TRV-qualified valuers providing nationwide valuation services; a large and expanding rental book, managed across all offices.

The business is supported by long-standing industry consultants John Earley, Michael McCullagh, and Martin Healy, bringing decades of experience and strategic insight.

Clients want expertise, transparency, and results, said Cormac. This rebrand is about owning who we are, staying agile, and delivering just thatunder a name that represents our leadership, our values, and our vision for the future.

For more information, visit www.sheehymeares.ie or follow @sheehymeares on Instagram.
Tomas Doherty

A wide range of stories feature across Sunday's newspaper front pages, including a possible terror link to a fire at Conor McGregor's pub.

The Sunday Independent reports that gardai investigating the murder of Kerry farmer Michael Mike Gaine are searching for at least two bladed implements used to dismember his body.

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has told the Business Post that Government agencies will not be defended or protected if they are slow to enable critical infrastructure development.

The Ireland edition of The Sunday Times reveals that there are fresh doubts about whether the new national children's hospital will open next summer.

The head of the St John of God religious order is facing mounting pressure to stand down, according to The Irish Mail on Sunday.

The Irish Sunday Mirror says gardai are probing an Islamic terror link to a fire at Conor McGregor's pub last month.

The Sunday World has published the first photos of former Kilkenny hurler DJ Carey since his guilty plea over fraud.

An ex-UVF boss is lucky to be alive after being shot in the face with a crossbow, according to Sunday Life.
James Cox

Targeted assaults on foreign nationals in Dublin and Limerick are examples of a "worrying pattern of far-right violence", according to an Irish anti-racism group.

In July, an Indian man on his way to work in Dublin was set upon and beaten, stripped and stabbed by a large group of men. Jennifer Murray, a local woman, stepped in to help him.

Also in July, a 64-year-old man originally from Afghanistan and seeking safety in Ireland was assaulted in broad daylight in Limerick city. He received several injuries, including a broken nose.

Both incidents were driven by misinformation on social media, with far-right agitators claiming the innocent men had committed sexual offences against children.

In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Emily Duffy, of the Hope and Courage Collective (H&CC), said: "What we're seeing is a pattern of violence towards people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people the far-right perceive as different or outside of the container of what it means to be Irish.

"These tactics aren't anything new, they have been learned from European fascists, they have been learned from the types of lynchings that happened in the past in the deep American south by the KKK.

"It is essentially to create a narrative around children and women. What is different now is that social media, the way the algorithms are designed is to reward outrageous content; content that literally engenders fear, disgust and anger. These are the three emotions that make people spend longer on platforms.

"When people create this type of content, which is nothing new, an old racist tactic, what we have now is an engine that makes it fly through the algorithm, particularly in a local setting."

Pointing to the incident in Limerick, Ms Duffy said the misinformation circulated on local algorithms.

'Copycat tactics'

"We see this over and over with all of these racist assaults occurring at the moment. There is a very strong social media element to it and there are copycat tactis they are learning from each other and past white supremacist and racist tactics."

In the days prior to the Limerick attack, the victim was harassed in a local park. Individuals filmed him and posted footage to social media. A false allegation began on the afternoon of Sunday, June 29th, when a woman uploaded a photo of the man alongside a fabricated story. This post was rapidly shared, including by members of Sinne Na Daoine (SND), inflaming local tensions and resulting in the assault two days later.

SND is a group that states they are a community watchdog dedicated to the safety and solidarity of Irish communities.

The group was set up in September 2023 by Anthony Casey, a former Irish Freedom Party candidate and the most recent and now former president of Ireland First. Initially SND operated online, sharing local crime alerts but has since moved offline. In 2025 the group and Casey came under media and public criticism for potentially encouraging vigilante activity.

Recruitment materials for Sinne na Daoine

According to a H&CC report: "Behind their self styled 'community watch' branding is an ideological agenda. Since their inception, SND have been involved predominantly in protests opposing the accommodation of people seeking asylum in Ireland, as well as spreading false information designed to incite strong emotion, such as claiming the monks living in of Mount Melleray Abbey in Waterford were to be evicted to make way for international protection applicants  a complete falsehood designed to provoke nativist emotion in persuadable audiences. This activity is also used as a recruitment tool."

After the assault, the victims image with a bloodied nose and the location where he was assaulted was shared numerous times across multiple platforms as his face became known.

Post from Sinne na Daoine

Ms Duffy said there is a "real risk" that escalating racial violence could have lethal consqeuences.

She said this has happened before in Ireland, pointing to the murder of Josip Strok in Dublin in 2024, a man who was killed by two teenagers because they heard him speaking Croatian.

Ms Duffy called on Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, and Ireland's EU Commissioner Michael McGrath, to take action on social media recommender systems.

These algorithms often create echo chambers for violent and racist content, and the Hope and Courage Collective has long called for them to be banned.

"We need our Minister for Justice, An Garda Siochana, to take this seriously. We need our Minister to show brave political leadership around this, and we also need the EU Commissioner Michael McGrath to take this seriously. He has the power under the new democracy shield that is being developed to turn off the recommender system, the toxic algorithm, this river of hate that is normalising this violence.

"Online hate results in real world violence, and potentially loss of life... murder. We're very worried about that."

She was also critical of Mr O'Callaghan's recent focus on deportations.

"The Minister needs to understand his words carry weight, and if he is pushing this tough on immigraiton stance, pandering to this far-right narrative, it will embolden them.

"Sometimes politicans pander to extreme voices thinking it will make them be quiet, but actually it just makes them louder. Instead what we need them to see is the courage in communities, the welcome in our communities, the fact people have become knitted into the fabric of our society, and we can't just rip them out and deport people to appear tough.

"We're asking for the Minister to show that leadership, and for the recommender system and these toxic algorithms to be turned off.

"You cannot appease hatred, it is not rational. These minorities are very organised online and their narrative is pushed and supported by the algorithm."

Ms Duffy said the community response against racism is a reason to be positive, pointing to an anti-racism demonstration that occurred in Tallaght following the assault.

We are worried that if serious action is not taken we will see more and more violence.

"On the flipside, what we're also seeing is communities are really rallying and people are really angry over this type of violence, people say 'not in my name'. We saw in Tallaght after that Indian man was assaulted there was a huge rally.

"What we're seeing is although this is a small minority, potentially becoming more violent because they are not managing to get elected, not managing to convince the wider public of their racist beliefs, what they're doing instead is beoming more extreme and violent, and trying to create this atmosphere of fear and suspicion. When they create that atmosphere they think it is a way to grow and get more power, essentially holding communities hostage in a lot of areas and creating this scary atmosphere for communities.

"What we've seen is communities showing up with an incredible amount of courage. We saw in Limerick, Doras were able to support that man. People in Limerick have come out and said they are disgusted by this behaviour and it is not the Ireland they want."

She added: "The flipside is while this is rising we are seeing huge amounts of community leadership. Now what we need to see is our actual leadership, our political leadership matching the courage of communities.

"The Minister's rhetoric around ramping up deporations, getting tough, all this is doing is emboldening a really extreme minority. Most people are welcoming, compassionate, they want to get to know their new neighbours, create community.

"We are worried that if serious action is not taken we will see more and more violence.

"There is a pattern of racist violence, there is a particular thing going on which is not coming from nowhere. We can see clear sources for these narratives and rhetoric, what puts racialised people at risk.

"Each individual case needs to be taken seriously along with the pattern behind them."
Shimla Police Rescue Three Missing Bishop Cotton School Students, Kidnapper Arrested

According to the police, the students were kidnapped for ransom.

Himachal Pradesh, Shimla Police Rescue Three Missing Bishop Cotton School Students, Kidnapper Arrested Latest News

Shimla School Student Kidnapped News: The Shimla Police have successfully located the three missing students of Bishop Cotton School, Shimla. These students were found in Chethla, Kotkhai, and the police have also arrested a kidnapper in connection with the case.

Advertisement

According to the police, the students were kidnapped for ransom.

All three are 6th graders and their names are Angad, Hitendra, and Vidansh. According to the police, the students had gone to Mall Road with their outing gate pass.

After the outing gate pass expired, the students did not return. Initially, the school management searched for the students on their own, but when they remained unsuccessful, a complaint was filed at the New Shimla Police Station.

Advertisement

Upon receiving the complaint, the police immediately started the search for the students and scanned CCTV footages from various locations in the city. The police also informed the family members of the students. To trace the children, the Himachal Pradesh Police contacted the police forces of Delhi and Haryana.

(For more news apart from Shimla Police Rescue Three Missing Bishop Cotton School Students, Kidnapper Arrested, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Bengaluru: India Top Smartphone Supplier to US, World's 2nd Largest Manufacturer; Ashwini Vaishnaw

Dream of having our own semi-conductor industry materialised after 60 years..."

Ashwini Vaishnaw in Bengaluru: India is Top Smartphone Supplier to the US, Latest News

Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said India, once known as a fragile economy, has become the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer in the world and the top smartphone supplier to the United States of America.

Advertisement

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made the statement while addressing the 'Next-Gen Mobility for a Next-Gen City' in Karnatakas Capital City, Bengaluru.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, speaking at the event, said, "In the leadership of PM Narendra Modi in 11 years, India is transforming in every sector. In 2014, India was called a fragile economy; today, India is considered a bright spot in the world filled with uncertainty.

"Our electronic production has grown 6 times in the last 11 years. Today, electronics manufacturing has touched 12 lakh crore rupees. Electronic exports have increased by 8 times... Today, it has grown to 3 lakh crore rupees. India has become the second-largest manufacturer of mobile phones in the world, Ashwini added.

Advertisement

He further said Devanahalli, Karnataka, is becoming a major iPhone manufacturing hub, adding, India has become the top smartphone supplier to the USA. The PM's vision is to democratise technology, that's why we have done India AI Mission, where 34,000 GPUs are available as a common compute facility for all our innovators...

The price of a GPU is less than $1 per hour, and it is the most affordable common compute facility in the world, Ashwini highlighted.

Dream of having our own semi-conductor industry materialised after 60 years..."

Advertisement

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, also speaking at the event, stated that Bangalore will have the second-best metro network after Delhi."

On a lighter note, pointing at the congested, infamous traffic of the city, Khattar said, "People jokingly say that if someone from Bengaluru drops someone else at the airport, by the time the second person reaches Delhi or Mumbai, the first person would not be able to reach home. We accepted this challenge under the leadership of the Prime Minister. There are more plans in the pipeline... In the coming years, Bangalore will have the second-best metro network after Delhi."

Karnataka Dy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar felicitated PM Narendra Modi during the 'Next-Gen Mobility for a Next-Gen City' programme.

Advertisement

Before the program started, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Dy CM DK Shivakumar, and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, undertook a metro ride from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Electronic City metro station via the Yellow line that PM Modi inaugurated earlier today. During the metro ride, Prime Minister Modi also interacted with students.

Prime Minister Modi also flagged off three Vande Bharat Express Trains in the city.

(For more news apart from Bengaluru: India Top Smartphone Supplier to US, World's 2nd Largest Manufacturer; Ashwini Vaishnaw, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka says data used by Rahul Gandhi in PPT is not official; Details (Image Courtesy, India Today

ECO has requested the leader of opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to provide the relevant documents, to conduct a detailed inquiry.

Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka says on Rahul Gandhi's allegations of Vote Fraud, Latest News

Chief Electoral Officer (ECO), Karnataka, on Sunday, has served notice to Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, seeking documents to inquire into allegations made by the LoP in his Press Conference in New Delhi on Thursda,y August 7.

Advertisement

ECO, Karnataka in its notice to the Lop, has claimed that the tick marked document of a woman named Shakun Rani, showed by Rahul Gandhi in his recent presentation as a proof to alleged vote scam, is not a document issued by the polling officer and that the woman in question has denied Rahuls allegations.

In your ibid Press Conference, you have stated that the documents shown in your presentation are from the records of the Election Commission of India. You have said, This is EC data.You have also stated that, as per the records given by the polling officer, Smt. Shakun Rani has voted twice. You have said, Es ID card per do baar vote lagayi, wo tick hai, polling booth ke officer kihai. On inquiry, Smt. Shakun Rani has stated that she has voted only once and not twice, as alleged by you, ECOs notice reads.

Preliminary enquiry conducted by this office also reveals that the tick-marked document shown by you in the presentation (copy enclosed) is not a document issued by the polling officer, the notice further read.

Advertisement

Chief Electoral Officer (ECO), Karnataka has requested the leader of opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to provide the relevant documents, based on which he concluded that Shakun Rani, a voter in question, or anyone else has voted twice, to conduct a detailed inquiry.

(For more news apart from Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka says data used by Rahul Gandhi in PPT is not official; Details, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
PM Modi Attributes Success of Operation Sindoor to India's Tech Adv. & Bengaluru Youth Contributions

"Our next big priority among the current achievements should be 'Tech Aatmanirbhar Bharat"

PM Modi Bengaluru, Karnataka, Vande Bharat Express Trains Inauguration, Latest News:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called Bangalore a symbol of New India, a city that has carried Indias flag on the Global IT Map, and praised the hard work and talent of the people behind the citys success. He said India is the fastest-growing major economy, and India gets this speed from the spirit of reform, perform, transform. He also attributed the success of Operation Sindoor to Indias technological advancement and the contributions of Bangaluru youths.

Advertisement

Speaking at the 'Next-Gen Mobility for a Next-Gen City' programme in Bengaluru, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "We are seeing Bangalore emerging as a city that has become a symbol of the rise of the new India... A city that has put India's flag on the global IT map. If there is anything behind Bangalore's success story, it is the hard work and talent of its people."

"Today, India is the fastest-growing major economy. In the last 11 years, our economy rose from number 10th position to number 4th position, we are going to become the third largest economy, we got this speed from the spirit of reform, perform, transform, it is also because of pure intention, honest efforts... PM said.

PM Modi highlighted that in 2014, metro services were available in only 5 cities and that now it is available in 24 cities. World's third largest metro network is in India now... In the last 11 years, we have done the electrification of rail routes spanning more than 40,000 km."

Advertisement

He further said, Till 2014, there were only 74 airports in India. Now their number has increased to more than 160... The figures for waterways are also equally impressive. In 2014, only 3 national waterways were operational. Now this number has increased to 30."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also laid the foundation stone of the Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project worth over Rs 15,610 crore. The total route length of the project will be more than 44 km with 31 elevated stations.

Earlier today, PM Modi flagged off three Vande Bharat Express Trains in the city. These included trains from Bengaluru to Belagavi, Amritsar to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, and Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune.

Advertisement

He also flagged off the Yellow line of the Bangalore metro, part of the Metro Phase-2 project worth about Rs 7,160 crore, and is expected to benefit eight lakh people.

Sunday visit to Bengaluru today is his first visit to the city after Operation Sindoor, Indias strategic military strike against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, carried out in May earlier this year.

Speaking further at the event, PM Modi said that during Operation Sindoor, the world saw Indias New Avatar and attributed its success to the countrys technological prowess and the contributions of Bengalurus youth.

Advertisement

PM Modi said, "I have come to Bengaluru for the first time after Operation Sindoor. Our Armed Forces brought Pakistan to its knees, and the world saw India's new avatar. It became possible due to our technological prowess, Make in India, which has contributions from the youth of Bengaluru. I thank you. Today, Bengaluru is in the league of the best cities, but we need to lead. Hence, for modern infrastructure, our impetus is on projects. The Yellow Line will connect many important areas. Ease of living, working will be there. We also laid the foundation for the Orange Line, with that, 25 lakh commuters will be commuting daily... Companies like Infosys, Biocon, and Delta Electronics have done part funding, their CSR model is inspirational, I congratulate the corporate sector."

"The reach of digital solutions has reached every village. More than 50% of the world's real-time transactions are done through UPI in India. With the help of technology, we are bridging the gap between the government and citizens... Now we are also investing in technologies like AI-powered threat detection. Our effort is to ensure that the benefits of the digital revolution in the country reach each person in society. Bengaluru is working actively in this effort."

Looking forward, he said, "Our next big priority among the current achievements should be 'Tech Aatmanirbhar Bharat'... Now is the time to give more priority to the needs of India and move ahead faster in developing new products..."

He emphasized that the presence of Bengaluru and Karnataka in 'Make in India' has to be strengthened and urged that products should be of the standards of 'Zero Defect, Zero Effect'.

That is, there should be defect-free products, and their manufacturing should also not have any negative impact on the environment. I expect that the talent of Karnataka will lead this vision of 'Aatmnirbhar Bharat,'the PM stated.

(For more news apart from PM Modi Attributes Success of Operation Sindoor to Indias Tech Adv. & Bengaluru Youth Contributions, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
August 10, 2025 UPDATE

A roundup of local and world news

August 10, 2025 UPDATE

Daniel Bilt, 10.08.2025, 19:55

BORDERS Early this year Romania made its entry into Europes border-free area, Schengen, also with its ground borders and that eliminated the checking at its borders with Hungary and Bulgaria. According to a communique released by the Romanian Border Police, in order to offset the absence of physical border checking, the police have conducted a series of unexpected controls, and used drones and vehicles fitted with surveillance equipment, infrared cameras, special boats and radars in the process of monitoring the borders. Over 110 persons under criminal investigation for people smuggling and roughly 800 illegal migrants have been stopped by the police while trying to cross the border. Over 700,000 cigarette packs have been seized most of them at the Bulgarian border. The police have also discovered 18 vehicles announced as stolen in the European Union. Roughly 150 thousand pieces of fake clothing, footwear and toys have also been seized. We recall that on March 31, 2024 Romania entered Schengen with its air and maritime borders, while ground border controls were eliminated on January 1, 2025.

TALKS The head of the European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, on Sunday said that any deal between the United States and Russia to end the war in Ukraine must include Ukraine and the EU. She says that she will convene a meeting of European foreign ministers on Monday to discuss the next steps as the US president Donald Trump is going to meet his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Alaska on Friday. Kallas says the international law is clear: all temporarily occupied territories belong to Ukraine. The White House leader suggested a possible land swapping between the two sides. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected any ceding of territory and any deal in his absence. In a joint communique released on Saturday night, leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland and the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, hailed the plan of the US president, Donald Trump, to meet his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, for talks on ending the war in Ukraine. They underlined the need for pressure to be maintained on Moscow and for the Ukrainian and European security interests to be protected.

DRAFT A draft law on the private pension system in Romania could again be included in the agenda of the government in Bucharest. The document, which was initiated by the Financial Supervision Authority, has already been submitted to the Executive for a first reading and has been put up for public debates on the web page of the Labour Ministry. Under the draft, contributors to the private pension system will be able to receive at the time of their retirement 25% of the entire sum deposited, and the rest in monthly installments. Under the present regulations, contributors can actually withdraw all the money deposited in a single installment unless they choose spaced-out installments. Romanias private pension system boasts 9.3 million contributors and the assets are accounting for 10% of the countrys GDP. The authorities, who are invoking an OECD recommendation, are worried that in 2030, when a record number of people are expected to retire, hundreds of thousands might choose to withdraw all their money at once. The intention to amend the payment regulations of the private pension system has triggered heated debates including in the ruling coalition.

MEDALS Rares Cojoc and Andreea Matei won the first medals for Romania at the World Games in Chengdu, China, silver in the Standard Dance Final of the Dancesport event. The two were outperformed by Alexey Glukhov and Anastasia Glazunova of the Republic of Moldova. Dariusz Mycka and Madara Freiberga of Poland became bronze medalists. Another Romanian pair, Georgy Kalashnikov/Daria Grigore came fifth in the ranking. The World Games is the highest level multi-sport competition, which includes non-Olympic disciplines. Held over August 6 and 17 this year, the present edition includes 34 disciplines, 60 sub-disciplines and 256 events, which brought together roughly four thousand athletes from over 100 countries and regions.

GAZA The plan of conquering Gaza City is not aimed at occupying but demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained on Sunday. The high Israeli official describes the plan as the best way of ending the war with the Palestinian group Hamas. According to him, 70-75% of the Strip is now under Israeli control, but there are two main strongholds, Gaza City and the central camps. Netanyahu says that a security zone will be set up at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel and a non-Israeli peaceful civil administration will be instated in Gaza. The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has cautioned Israel against a dangerous escalation of the situation in the region with worsening consequences for millions of Palestinians. The incumbent chief of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Ghebreyesus, earlier said that a large part of the population in Gaza risks dying of hunger due to the Israeli military offensive and blockade.

WEATHER The heatwave that has recently struck Romania will continue to wreak havoc on its southern regions in the next 24 hours, with a Discomfort Index above the critical 80 units. In the rest of the territory, temperatures will be close to the periods average. The highs of the day will be ranging between 25 and 41 degrees Celsius with showers and thunderstorms mainly in the mountainous and hilly areas in the south.

(bill)
European shares were mixed at the end of a busy week for earnings as traders eyed the latest moves by US President Donald Trump to broker a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war, while gold futures soared on a report imports to America would be hit by tariffs.

The pan-regional Stoxx 600 index closed 0.25% higher to 547.4. Germanys DAX was flat, while Frances CAC 40 rose 0.44% and Britains FTSE 100 gave up gains to be down 0.14% a day after the Bank of England cut rates.

"European markets have kicked off the day with a somewhat cautious tone, with markets failing to gain traction on a day that brings the potential for volatility as the deadline runs out for Russia to end their conflict with Ukraine," said Rostro analyst Joshua Mahony.

"For markets, the impending meeting between Trump and Putin over the coming days does provide the basis to expect a more patient approach for the time being, with oil prices falling to a one-month low in a signal that market concerns over a shift away from Russian oil will be minimal."

"Nonetheless, anyone following previous discussions between Putin and Trump will likely remain somewhat sceptical around the possibility of a breakthrough, raising the chance of more oil volatility."

Eyes were on Trump as his deadline for Russia to stop waging war on Ukraine expires on Friday. The president said he would impose secondary tariffs of about 100% on Russias trading partners if Moscow did not end its invasion.

In commodities news, US gold futures contracts hit record highs, soaring above $3500 on tariff fears after a report in the Financial Times citing a letter from US Customs officials stating rules imported gold bars would not be exempt from tariffs.

"The ruling that one kilo and one-hundred-ounce bars would not be exempt from tariffs is a shock move, and the sharp divergence between spot prices and futures demonstrates the wave of surprise pulsing through the market," said Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Susannah Streeter.

"This is a particular blow to Switzerland which is the biggest player in the gold refining market, given a 39% tariff rate on its exports to the US came into effect yesterday."

In equity news, Bechtle shares jumped after the German IT services provider released second-quarter results.

Georgias TBC Bank slumped despite reporting a rise in second-quarter operating profit.

Munich Re tumbled after the German reinsurer cut its full-year outlook for insurance revenue.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  To commemorate the 58th anniversary of the passing of the Rev. Vincent R. Capodanno, Auxiliary Bishop Peter Byrne, pastor of Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, will be the main celebrant at a memorial Mass to honor the late priest in the chapel that bears his name at Fort Wadsworth.

The Father Capodanno Memorial Chapel in Fort Wadsworth (Courtesy/Vincent Maligno) Staten Island Advance

The Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31.

A solemn ceremony following the Mass will be conducted outdoors by members of the Sgt. Angel Mendez Marine Corps League Detachment 246  next to the statue of Father Capodanno.

Members of the FDNY Color Guard Ceremonial Unit will present the American flag.

A statue of the Rev. Vincent Capodanno administering last rites to a dying soldier is located on the grounds of Fort Wadsworth. (Courtesy/Vincent Maligno)

A reading of Father Capodannos Congressional Medal of Honor citation will be followed by a rifle volley and the playing of Taps.

The Mass, open to all, will include the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Color Corps.

In addition to the Marine Corps League, a number of military organizations will then be called forward to present a wreath at Father Capodannos statue, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus Father Capodanno Council, the Rolling Thunder, the Sons/Daughters of Italy Father Capodanno Lodge No. 212, the Vietnam Knights and AMVETS.

Refreshments will be served following the ceremony.

The life of Father Vincent

Born on Feb. 13, 1929 and the youngest of nine children, Father Capodanno was ordained a priest on June 14, 1958.

Father Vincent R. Capodanno (Courtesy/Vincent Maligno) Staten Island Advance

During the Vietnam War, the Elm Park native participated in seven combat operations before dying at the age of 38 on Sept. 4, 1967, while administering last rites to mortally wounded Marines.

Father Capodanno, also known as the grunt padre, was shot 27 times in the back, neck and head on the battlefield in Que Son Valley when he refused to seek cover during Operation Swift. He was with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, during the search-and-destroy mission.

Despite his own injuries, the chaplain prayed with a young Marine he spotted lying mortally wounded in an open field, and fell by his side.

Although he was wearing a collar and was already injured  his hand nearly severed and his face wounded  he continued on his mission to console and administer last rites.

For his courage, fearlessness and heroism, an active effort to have him proclaimed a saint is under way. Hes already been declared a Servant of God, the first step on the path that leads to sainthood.

A Catholic priest and U.S. Navy chaplain, Father Capodanno received the Medal of Honor for his valor to the Marine Corps during some of the most harrowing battles of the Vietnam war.

On July 4, 1974, Seaside Boulevard was renamed for the Staten Island priest, whose family hailed from Mariners Harbor and Elm Park.

The path to sainthood

Per a recent story in the Father Vincent Capodanno Guild newsletter, a miracle has now been attributed to Father Vincent, after a year-long investigation.

The miracle was brought to the Diocese of Palm Beachs attention in August 2018, with information detailing the healing of a local woman who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and had fought a long battle with the disease since the mid-2000s.

The woman had adopted a strong devotion to Father Capodanno.

After hearing of the priests story, the woman prayed for his intercession in healing throughout her illness.

In 2017, her latest MRI showed that the lesions in her brain were gone. She attributes this miraculous healing to the intercession of Father Capodanno.

Should Father Capodanno be deemed worthy to carry on with canonization by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, he will next be beatified and then declared a saint.

For further information on the event, email drmaligno426@gmail.com or phone 718 744-5847.
Anthony Barresi, 47, collapsed an hour before his flight home from a family vacation in the Cayman Islands. He is pictured here while serving as an officer in 120th Precinct before retiring in 2022. (Courtesy of the Barresi Family)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  What started as a peaceful family vacation in the Cayman Islands quickly turned into a life-threatening ordeal for retired NYPD Officer Anthony Barresi.

On July 12, just an hour before he was set to head to the airport, Barresi, 47, collapsed in his vacation condo after suddenly feeling ill. His wife, Nicole, a registered nurse, immediately sprang into action, performing CPR as their children, Gabriella, 18, and Christopher, 16, ran to find help.

I started sweating profusely on the balcony, and I called my wife over, said Barresi. She got me inside, and thats when I collapsed and started going into cardiac arrest. She had to resuscitate me.

Once help arrived, Barresi was loaded into an ambulance for a 45-minute ride to the nearest emergency room.

I was in cardiac arrest the whole time, said Barresi. I remember the ambulance ride ... being in excruciating pain. Then after that, I dont remember anything. I dont even remember being in the ER.

There, doctors worked to stabilize him. But despite the urgent care, the ordeal was far from over, as his heart was still in need of more surgery, Barresi recalled.

Barresi and his wife, Nicole, are seen here on vacation in the Cayman Islands. (Courtesy of the Barresi Family)

Knowing she had to get her husband back to the United States, his wife immediately began contacting medical professionals at home to arrange transport.

On July 15, Barresi was airlifted to a hospital in Florida, where the medical team determined he had to be transported to a Pennsylvania facility for a second surgery.

It was there, according to Barresi, that doctors discovered he had an infection that required a wound vacuum, which is still attached to him.

With his body under immense strain, Barresi said that surgeons successfully implanted both a left and right ventricular assist device to help his heart pump blood. He has remained hospitalized ever since, working daily to rebuild his strength.

I was stuck in bed for two weeks, I had no strength in my legs, said Barresi. I couldnt even stand, but Im slowly getting the strength back.

While his physical recovery remains uncertain, Barresi said he is mentally strong and deeply grateful for the love and support from his family, friends, and community. Although, he explained that the emotional weight of what his wife and children endured stays with him.

It was scary for them, said Barresi. They saw everything: the collapse, the machines, the ventilator. But theyve gotten closer as siblings. Theyre resilient, they overcame a lot.

Barresi is pictured here with his daughter Gabriella, 18, and son Christopher, 15. (Courtesy of the Barresi Family)

After hearing about his health emergency, the community gathered to show support for Barresi and his family, even taking the extra step of creating a GoFundMe campaign to help with the financial burdens. As of this week, over $30,000 in funds have been raised.

I had no idea about it, said Barresi. I was shocked.

After growing up in New Jersey, Barresi moved to Staten Island in 2002 to become a police officer. For 20 years, he dedicated his life to the NYPD, working in the 120th Precinct, before retiring in 2022.

I cant ask for more support than the community, said Barresi. The Police Department and the guys I used to work with, thats huge. Thats what the Police Department was, everybody stuck together.

It was during that time on Staten Island that Barresi met his wife, Nicole. The couple lived in several neighborhoods, including Sunnyside, Richmond Town, and Graniteville, building a life and family while Barresi served the community.

After retiring, Barresi returned to New Jersey, where he owned and operated a small home improvement company. However, his health issues make it difficult for him to continue working.

Barresis condition will be long-term, and his prognosis remains uncertain, but the overwhelming support from his community has given him strength, he said.

I just want to thank everybody for reaching out to me and showing love and support, even from people I dont even know, said Barresi.

While the road ahead may be challenging, Barresi said he remains focused on healing and taking each day as it comes.

To support the Barresi family during this time, individuals can donate to the GoFundMe campaign.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Firefighters from around the five boroughs gathered outside Engine 157/Ladder 80 in Port Richmond to help the FDNY host a huge summer block party.

Hundreds of families, many with young children wearing the signature plastic FDNY helmets, enjoyed an afternoon full of various events.
While the One Big Beautiful Bill Act eliminated tax on tips and overtime up to a certain amount of money, youll need to play by new IRS rules when you file your tax returns for 2026.

The IRS has announced its working on new guidance and updated forms for tax year 2026 in regard to how tips and overtime pay are reported. The IRS said it will coordinate with employers, payroll providers and tax professionals to ensure a smooth transition.

More information will be shared in the coming months about how taxpayers can claim the bills related tax benefits when they file their returns.

Meanwhile, the IRS announced that, as part of its phased implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, there will be no changes to certain information returns or withholding tables for tax year 2025 related to the new law.

Key points for tax year 2025 relating to the bills provisions are:

Form W-2, existing Forms 1099, and Form 941 and other payroll return forms will remain unchanged for tax year 2025.

Federal income tax withholding tables will not be updated for these provisions for tax year 2025.

Employers and payroll providers should continue using current procedures for reporting and withholding.

These decisions are intended to avoid disruptions during the tax filing season and to give the IRS, business and tax professionals enough time to implement the changes effectively, said the IRS in a written statement.

No tax on tips rule

The legislation includes the creation of an above-the-line deduction for tips earned in traditionally tipped occupations, meaning those workers can now deduct tips from their taxable income, exempting those earnings from federal income taxes.

However, there are some exceptions, limits and stipulations in place; heres how it will work: Workers can deduct up to $25,000 per year in qualified tips, which includes cash tips, tips paid by card and tips earned through tip-sharing arrangements.

The legislation defines qualified tips as tips received by an individual in an occupation which customarily and regularly received tips, which includes the beauty and food services industries.

No tax on overtime

The legislation includes the creation of an above-the-line deduction for eligible overtime earnings, meaning workers can now deduct overtime pay from their taxable income, exempting those earnings from federal income taxes.

However, there are some exceptions, limits and stipulations in place; heres how it will work: Single-filers can deduct up to $12,500 per year in eligible overtime earnings, with married couples filing jointly able to deduct up to $25,000.

Taxpayers can only deduct overtime earnings that are beyond their standard hourly wage, meaning those who earn 1.5 times their hourly rate when working overtime will only be able to deduct the additional 50%.

The deduction also begins to phase out for single-filers earning more than $150,000 and joint-filers earning more than $300,000, with the deduction decreasing by $100 for each additional $1,000 in earnings beyond the aforementioned thresholds.

For more information visit, One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 Provisions.
Honeybee Convenience store on Forest Avenue in Port Richmond is pictured here. Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel

One lucky winner is putting nearly $20,000 in the bank after scoring a TAKE 5 top prize Saturday.

In the midday drawing, a ticket worth $18,441 was pulled after being purchased at Manhattans Yemsamali Grocery Inc, located at 881 10th Ave.

Not a bad way to kick off a Saturday night, right?

TAKE 5 numbers are drawn from a field of one through 39. To win the TAKE 5 jackpot, match the five numbers on your ticket to the winning five-number combination drawn. It costs $1 per game to play.

The drawing is broadcast on television twice daily at 2:30 and 10:30 p.m. TAKE 5 players with midday and evening draws on the same ticket must check their numbers at nylottery.ny.gov to determine if they have the winning numbers for the corresponding midday or evening drawing.

The odds of winning the TAKE 5 jackpot? One in 575,757.

Players can securely check their tickets on the New York Lottery app.

Jackpot.com brings the lottery to your fingertips. Order your official New York Lottery tickets online with ease and safety.

The New York Lottery continues to be touted as North Americas largest and most profitable lottery, contributing $3.8 billion in Lottery Aid to Education for fiscal year 2023-2024 to help support education in New York state.

New York Lottery revenue is distributed to local school districts by the same statutory formula used to distribute other state aid to education. It takes into account both a school districts size and its income level; larger, lower-income school districts receive proportionately larger shares of lottery school funding.
Imagine a president from either party you didnt much like, whose plans and pronouncements you mostly opposed. Now imagine Congress rolling over its powers of the purse, the courts drowning in waves of taxpayer-funded litigation. The man in charge wouldnt want to pass his power to the other party, or anyone else. Sounds like Russia, where election results are determined before the polls open.

Thats the threshold where America stands right now. After declaring war on trade and American institutions and driving family farms and small businesses into crisis, draining the swamp of public servants to install a cesspool of toadies, slashing air and water quality, health and nutrition standards, chasing research away to, say, China, with a recession looming and a projected future of debt for our great-grandkids and Social Security privatized to crypto shell-games, Donald Trump could have some difficulty holding on to his Congress of sheep.

He has already, lets say, objected when defeated. This friendless, bitter old man now demands red states gerrymander and push his power to end our effective vote. To top it all off, were he declining to dementia, wed never know it, given his world of alternate facts regardless of objective truth.

(Andrew Kass is a West Brighton resident.)
A police officer walks across an empty 7th Avenue in a sparsely populated Times Square due to COVID-19 concerns, Friday, March 20, 2020, in New York. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is ordering all workers in non-essential businesses to stay home and banning gatherings statewide. "Only essential businesses can have workers commuting to the job or on the job," Cuomo said of an executive order he will sign Friday. Nonessential gatherings of individuals of any size or for any reason are canceled or postponed. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) AP

A shooting in Times Square early Saturday left three people wounded, including two innocent bystanders, according to ABC 7 New York.

The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. at West 44th Street and Seventh Avenue. Police say a 17-year-old shot a 19-year-old during an argument, the publication detailed.
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!
Charmian Clift, on her return to Sydney in 1964. Credit: Nine A similar kind of justice has been accorded to Elizabeth Jane Howard, the English novelist married to Kingsley Amis at the height of his fame (and legendary alcoholism). Howard was a brilliant novelist but was overlooked in her lifetime, dismissed as a womens writer. Now, her books, particularly the marvellous Cazalet Chronicles  a saga of upper-class English life which spans the two world wars  are being reprinted at speed to keep up with a younger generation of readers just discovering her. Meanwhile, Kingsley Amis work, and to a lesser extent, that of his son, Martin (whose own writing was encouraged by his stepmother), has been relegated to the genre of Straight White Mans Novel. And sadly for the Amises, the Bellows, the Roths and the Mailers, not to mention all contemporary wannabe inheritors of the tradition, this once-vaunted body of work is sputtering to its death. This controversial claim has long been muttered among straight white man writers finding it difficult to sign publishing deals for their literary novels. But it flew out into the open in an essay published in March in the American literary journal Compact.

In it, American writer Jacob Savage, once a screenwriter, now a ticket-scalper, charted the downfall of The Vanishing White Male Writer. Savage conducted a forensic audit of literary prize and notable novel shortlists over the past decade or so and found them wanting in straight male whiteness. His conclusion is dramatic: Over the course of the 2010s, the literary pipeline for white men was effectively shut down. Savage goes on to argue his case, which is compelling because there is little doubt that in the United States and beyond, including in Australia, the contemporary literary fiction market is increasingly dominated by women and people of colour. This is not for reasons of charity or self-sabotaging affirmative action on the part of publishers. Its because literary fiction by women and people of colour is what readers of fiction (the majority of whom are women) want to buy right now. Savages critique is not a cry of self-pity (well, maybe it is a little bit); it is an attempt to explain this phenomenon of increasing female literary dominance and its co-phenomenon, the demise of fiction-reading among men.

The piece startled a lot of commentators and led to some derision, which only served to prove the potency of Savages point. Savage also argued that white male novelists were not producing innovative or fresh work because they were self-censoring according to the laws of Millennial political correctness. Martin Amis, Elizabeth Jane Howard and Kingsley Amis. Unwilling to portray themselves as victims (cringe, politically wrong), or as aggressors (toxic masculinity), unable to assume the authentic voices of others (appropriation), younger white men are no longer capable of describing the world around them, he wrote. The New York Times examined his claims in its own think-piece, entitled The Death and Life of the Straight White Mans Novel, in which it posed the question of whether we should care if the perspective of the straight white man is hopelessly demode.

We probably should, at least insofar as it conveys interesting shifts in culture. The alienation of the straight white male  particularly the economically displaced working-class men who powered Donald Trumps voter base  has self-fulfilling political power. Loading The anomie and anger of these men are being expressed, just not in the novel. Instead, it has spawned its own multiverse  loosely called the manosphere  with podcasters such as Joe Rogan sitting at its apex, and the humiliations of misogynistic porn occupying its gutter. Straight white men reigned the realm of the English novel for centuries  indeed, they invented it  Robinson Crusoe and Moll Flanders (by Daniel Defoe) are generally considered the first novels in English. Great female novelists only crept into publishing in the 18th and 19th centuries. Jane Austen published all her novels anonymously, the first under the byline By a Lady. The Bronte sisters originally published under male pseudonyms. Now, the advent of 21st-century postmodern identity politics has profoundly splintered the arts in a million fascinating directions. If reading a novel is a window into another world, then a window into the world of a historically marginalised perspective represents a particularly interesting vista.

Female buyers power the fiction market. As noted in a 2024 NYT article (by a male creative writing university teacher), over the past two decades, literary fiction has become largely a female pursuit. Novels are increasingly written by women and read by women. Loading In her 2019 book, Why Women Read Fiction: The Stories of our Lives, Helen Taylor cited research that women account for 80 per cent of the fiction-buying market in the UK, US and Canada. They also constitute most of the patrons of libraries, literary festivals and book clubs. She quotes novelist Ian McEwan as saying when women stop reading, the novel will be dead. In her informal survey of women readers, Taylor found that women often associated reading for pleasure with guilt, self-indulgence and even indolence. I can attest that the best compliment an author can receive from a female reader is the confession that they hid from their family to devour another chapter, or were so engrossed in your book that they ignored their children. And yet, its sad too  I wonder if men feel a similar guilt for indulging in their hobbies.
MUSIC

Lyrical Woodwinds in the City

Sydney Symphony Orchestra

City Recital Hall, August 7

Reviewed by PETER McCALLUM

 This was a program that should have been performed outdoors on a summer evening, but, as the opening of Richard Strausss Serenade for 13 wind instruments, Op. 7 (1881) demonstrated, the City Recital Halls clarity of sound served the piquancy and warmth of the wind instruments tellingly. The first phrase was an elegantly turned Mozartian melody on oboe (Shefali Pryor) with discreet support from clarinets and bassoons. But as if sensing instinctively that this Arcadian leanness was not going to satisfy more jaded late 19th-century palettes, the 17-year-old Richard Strauss introduced subtle extra warmth and thickness in the next phrase, adding four horns, contrabassoon and then a pair of flutes. The acoustics of the City Recital Hall suited perfectly the SSO woodwinds. Credit: Cassandra Hannagan

When the second theme appears later on clarinets and horns, the SSO players maintained transparency amid a more animated texture and busier brushstrokes. The darker colours of the development hinted at a storm that never arrives. This is an early example of Strausss fondness for evoking the 18th century with richer 19th-century flavours added in, and he was to repeat the exercise several times in his long career, always with a mixture of affection and make-believe, as though he wished he lived in a simpler age. The next work, Strausss Suite in B flat, Op. 4 (1884) introduced some of the more characteristically Straussian heroics that were to become a feature of his orchestral music. The ensemble played the lively gavotte with excellent rhythmic precision and moved from mournful chords at the opening of the finale to a fugue with a teasing game of metric ambiguity. Dvoraks Serenade in D minor, Op. 44 (1878) added a cello and double bass to the texture, and the solemnity of the march with which it opens is in strong contrast to the gentle glow of its central movements. In the third movement (andante con moto), clarinettist Olli Leppaniemi opened out the first phrase with expansive expressiveness as though sketching a woodland scene, and the exchanges between him and Pryor on oboe, with velvety horn tones in the mix, contained some of the programs most evocative moments. The substantial ensemble in all these works is a little too large for chamber music programs and a little too small for orchestral ones and, as well as capturing Romantic nostalgia for classical form and balance, the concert showcased excellent close listening and ensemble skills from the SSO players.

MUSIC

Ronan Apcar with Ensemble Apex

ACO On The Pier, August 9

Reviewed by PETER McCALLUM

 Born in the same year as Benjamin Britten (and also Australian Raymond Hanson), Dulcie Hollands music was well known and widely played in the lounge rooms of young music students but struggled to be heard in the places where it supposedly mattered  major concert halls. Her music is bright, inventive and shows high craft, and her harmonic language is salted with discreet dissonance but never over-spiced or atonal. After World War II, her genteel style was overlooked, partly because of the shift to avant-garde modernism and partly because she was a woman. Ronan Apcars playing showing facility, sincerity and conviction Credit: Angus McKee In recent years, several have sought to remedy this. In this program with Ensemble Apex under conductor Sam Weller, Canberra-based pianist Ronan Apcar presented three unpublished works spanning three decades, alongside music by Daniel Rojas and Nigel Westlake.

Hollands Serious Procession for solo piano (1950) began with quiet spiky thoughtfulness building to a climax in a well-shaped formal arc. Daniel Rojass La Gran Salsa (2019 revised 2025), heard here in an arrangement for piano and string orchestra, is a homage to Piazzollas Le Grand Tango and draws on the brooding energy of South American rhythms. It began quietly with a sultry piano solo, and the ensuing whistling sounds from the strings increased the steaminess of mood to a point of manic activity. It was a work of twitching, rhythmic energy that was sometimes suppressed and sometimes explosive. Nigel Westlakes Out of the Blue (1994) for string orchestra also built to moments of frenetic rhythmic intensity, using repetitive minimalist patterns and quirky string sounds, sometimes rasping, sometimes growling like a creaking door. It posed challenges for Ensemble Apex but Weller chiselled out its demanding rhythmic complexity with confidence and clarity. Hollands Conversation for Piano (1954) was in two contrasting movements which each intruded on the other, Reflective (impressionistic and supple) and Emphatic (rhythmically defined though never overbearing). The program concluded with a major work of Hollands  her Concertino for Piano and Strings (1983), unperformed until Apcar and conductor Leonard Weiss edited it from the manuscript in the National Library of Australia and presented it in 2022. The concise first movement was built on a short motive that seemed to be constantly urging the music to cheerful exuberance. The finale combined virtuosic toccata-style pianistic figuration with skipping energy from the strings.

Between these came the expressive centre of the work  a slow movement with tolling bell-like sounds and sorrowful cello melody (Rachel Siu). Each movement featured expansive piano cadenzas with Apcars playing showing facility, sincerity and conviction. THEATRE

MACBETH

The Lounge, Chatswood Concourse, August 5

Until August 9

Reviewed by JOHN SHAND

 Macbeth must gnaw at your vitals with ever-increasing ferocity, just as the titular characters desperation to escape his predicament gnaws at his own. It should be impossible to sit there passively: you should feel the spell ensnaring you, feel the blackness swelling. This production touches that abyss: intermittently at first  in a rush in the Act III banquet scene, when Macbeth (Charles Mayer) sees Banquos ghost. Then we feel Macbeths inner terror, as Mayers characterisation  sometimes too detached  suddenly congeals. Now we understand that, while Macbeth may have been an efficient killing machine as a soldier, murder lay beyond his bounds until one kept demanding another and another.

Charles Mayer and Jo Bloom as the royal couple. Credit: Syl Marie The banquet works all the more effectively because we audience members are made to be the other guests. This stripped-down production has a cast of only six, where Shakespeares original 30-odd characters might conventionally be played by a dozen or more actors. Because Macbeth and Lady Macbeth (Jo Bloom) address us as their guests, were drawn into the scene and consequently deeper into the terrors beating in the Kings heart. The production is presented by Chatswood Concourses new resident theatre company, Come you Spirits, and is collectively directed, reflecting the companys ethos. Not only is the cast pared back  the show has a running time of only 90 minutes (plus interval). So even if it took until the banquet scene to fully pull us in, it hadnt taken long to get there. Having proved he could grip us by the throat, Mayer could not quite sustain that intensity. Macbeths final soliloquy, which comes when hes been told his wife is dead, and which, containing Lifes but a walking shadow, a poor player/That struts and frets his hour upon the stage is one of Shakespeares greatest speeches, slid by without impaling us. It was too rushed, but, more than that, for us to be appalled, Macbeths very bowels must be appalled, and that we didnt feel. Bloom was convincing as both the lover and the spur of her husband, and slipped deeper into Lady Macbeth as the play progressed. As with her colleagues, she was fighting a creeping sense of melodrama, exacerbated by Brandon Reads busy score. The music helped set the eerie mood and tone, but could have been expunged more often beneath the voices.

Letitia Hodgkinsons effective set and costumes gave us the rare pleasure of having the play restored to its period setting. An oddity was having such a long runway extending from the stage into the audience, as this left most of the action more remote from us than if the stage itself came further forward. Among a cast completed by David Halgren, Ciaran ORiordan and dancer Ella Havelka, Willa King stood out as the First Witch, possessing such a commanding voice as could have made me, too, believe that I was fated to be Scottish king. MUSICAL THEATRE

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

Hayes Theatre, August 6

Until August 31

Reviewed by JOHN SHAND

 I dont recall attending another show at the Hayes Theatre where the best part was strolling past the El Alamein Fountain. That Once on This Island won an Olivier Award (best new musical) and a Tony Award (best revival of a musical) beggars belief. Even were those productions of a higher standard than this Curveball Creative one, the show itself is irretrievably flawed.

Because its set in the Caribbean (being based on the novel My Love, My Love, or, The Peasant Girl by Rosa Guy, which, in turn, was based on Hans Christian Andersens The Little Mermaid), composer Stephen Flaherty has drawn on that regions musical vibrancy. So far, so good. But then hes overlaid those rhythms and textures with some truly loathsome vocal melodies and added hackneyed key changes at every turn. The ensemble in Once On This Island. Credit: David Hooley The cause is not aided by Lynn Ahrens book and lyrics, which combine lame rhymes with such slushy sentimentality as leaves one gasping for air. Often its like watching a cross between a crass soap opera and excerpts from a Caribbean Spinal Tap. Seldom do vocal melodies force vocalists to sing this badly. Nothing wears the ears like screeching, and this was akin to dusk in Katoomba, when the sky turns white with sulphur-crested cockatoos shrieking their excitement at going off to roost. In fairness, the show duly received a standing ovation with the obligatory whooping. But then try attending a Sydney opening night where that doesnt happen. Theyre engineered. The only genuine standing ovation Ive experienced recently was for Grief Is the Thing with Feathers at Belvoir  and thats theatre of a monumentally different order.

Lets talk about the positives. Thalia Osegueda Santos, who plays Ti Moune, the teen who falls for the wrong boy (obviously having failed to read The Little Mermaid), can dance with abandon and shows flashes of star power. However, she needs to craft high notes that arent aural daggers. Zahra Andrews gives the standout performance as Mama Euralie, who adopts Ti Moune. She has a warmth of voice and ease of acting that are conspicuous on a stage where falseness is the norm. This stiltedness can occasionally work in Brittanie Shipways production, when theres a story within the story, for instance. But the performers are caught in a pickle because the characters, including Daniel, Ti Mounes love interest (Alexander Tye), have no more substance than the songs. How do you play a cipher? There are a few striking scenes, as when the gods (Googoorewon Knox, Paula Parore, Rebecca Verrier and Cypriana Singh) laugh at Ti Mounes prayer to them, when Daniels backstory is told in silhouette upon a screen, and when the journeying Ti Moune discovers birds, trees and frogs. Then Shipways staging is a delight. But ultimately, its putting lipstick on a mortally wounded body.

MUSIC

THE ROYAL ORGANIST

James ODonnell

Opera House, July 30

Reviewed by PETER McCALLUM

 Perched high in the organ loft, with video relay of his digital dexterity over the consoles five keyboards displayed on a large screen below, royal organist James ODonnell gave a magnificent display of the variety that can be conjured from the 10,244 pipes of the Ronald Sharp-designed grand organ, majestically positioned on the south wall of the Opera House concert hall. The instrument is neo-baroque in conception but, as ODonnell demonstrated, can be equally harnessed to the demands of the French and English Romantic traditions as well as to more delicate Impressionist styles. In ODonnells hands, its virtues were clarity across all six divisions both in combination and individually, a judicious mix of warmth and stridency, multiple shades of colour, piquancy and wispiness, and, of course, thrilling power when the full organ is opened up. In the Prelude and Fugue in E-flat, BWV 552 that frames Part 3 of Bachs Clavierubung (Keyboard practice), ODonnell selected stops that contrasted the full organ sound with quieter episodes, moving phrases agilely between divisions to convey the works structure and the impression of contrasting instrumental groups. The exhilarating complexity of the fugue combined transparency and richness.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This weeks picks include a creepy Australian thriller with supernatural vibes, an Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson action comedy and a three-season binge of Reservation Dogs. Playing Gracie Darling (Paramount+)  Opening with a flashback to a teen seance in an abandoned shack that quickly spins out of control, this Australian mystery comes on strong. There are signs of possession, ominous nightmares and a nerve-jangling score. Let me out! demands an unseen presence at the seance, and the show has the same desire. Playing Gracie Darling wants to take the small-town murder mystery, where the crime of a previous era seeps to the surface, and use the supernatural to bend the genres conventions. Harriet Walter and Morganna Reilly play mother and daughter in Playing Gracie Darling. We should appreciate that seditious intent. Without it, this limited series could be overly familiar. The seances convenor in 1997, 14-year-old Gracie Darling (Kristina Bogic), was never seen again, leaving her best friend, Joni Grey (Eloise Rothfield), traumatised. Cut to today and mother of two Joni (Morgana OReilly), now a child psychologist, is drawn to her coastal hometown, where Gracies niece, Frankie, is now the face on missing posters. It is, as on so many other shows, happening again. Loading The shows creator, Miranda Nation, previously made the 2018 independent feature Undertow, and her work examines how female perception can be a source of strength and vulnerability. Once Joni starts making inquiries, at the request of local police officer Jay Rajeswaran (Rudi Dharmalingam), who was also present on the fateful 1997 night, her empathy and expertise encounter supernatural portents, not least recurring sightings of the secret symbol she and Gracie created as teenagers. Every flashback adds to the unease.

Advertisement

Nation has her own take on the procedural. Joni and Jay are sidelined by barely seen homicide detectives, so their unofficial search unfolds in family visits and difficult reunions. Jonis understanding is stretched by the presence of her mother, the flinty Pattie (Harriet Walter), and her two daughters. Conversations between teenagers, including Jays daughter Raffy (Saiesha Sundaralingam) and Jonis Mina (Chloe Brink), illuminate their parents. Suspects of various kinds dot the narrative, including the friction of Joni possibly being compromised in some way. Rudi Dharmalingam as Jay Rajeswaran in Playing Gracie Darling. Director Jonathan Brough (Bay of Fires) accentuates all this without initially tipping over into pure horror. Only the first three of six episodes were provided for review, so its unclear how Playing Gracie Darling resolves what is a pungent, occasionally blunt, set-up. Certainly, with its dark forest canopy and a sense that past crimes and otherworldly incursions are one and alike, the show taps into a lineage that spans Picnic at Hanging Rock and The Kettering Incident. Can you feel it? are the very first words spoken, and the answer is a clear yes. Reservation Dogs (seasons 1-3)  (Disney+) Any serious list of the best new shows from the past five tumultuous years of television has to include 2021s Reservation Dogs. The three seasons of this bittersweet coming-of-age comedy, set on a Native American reservation in the back blocks of Oklahoma, constitute a small miracle. Now that all three seasons have found a permanent home on Disney+, this series should be a binge to savour. Please put it atop your to-view list. Lane Factor (Cheese), DPharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Bear) and Paulina Alexis (Willie Jack) in season two of Reservation Dogs. Few shows have a more telling, idiosyncratic sense of place, or the harsh hold it exerts on the next generation. Creator and showrunner Sterlin Harjo, with some doors meaningfully opened by his successful co-creator, Kiwi filmmaker Taika Waititi, offered a lived-in experience of intergenerational poverty, idiosyncratic spiritualism, collective trauma and deadpan hilarity. You quickly understood why the teenage protagonists were determined to skip town, and how difficult that would turn out to be.

Advertisement

Loading The young Native American leads, including Devery Jacobs as Elora and DPharaoh Woon-A-Tai as Bear, gave terrific performances that grow with their characters. Its striking how the show evolved, capable of taking in a hang at the local medical clinic, a self-contained episode where Eloras driving test with Bill Burrs instructor goes sideways, and community events where multiple generations hold a mirror to each other. The characters felt marooned, but Reservation Dogs never failed to take you somewhere new. Kristen Johnston (left) and Leanne Morgan in Leanne. Leanne  (Netflix) While its not as common now, stand-up success to sitcom star has long been an entertainment assembly line in America. It gets a southern gal spin in this latest variant, which was co-created by comic Leanne Morgan and sitcom bigwig Chuck Lorre (The Big Bang Theory). Morgans fictional alter-ego is a wife and mother from suburban Tennessee whose husband (Ryan Stiles) walks out on her for a younger woman after 33 years together. After the punchline-friendly anger comes starting over in her 50s. Its predictable, and it starts slowly, but Morgan is undeniably likeable. Noemie Merlant goes in search of sexual awakening in Emmanuelle.

Advertisement

Emmanuelle  (Binge) A 21st century feminist remake of the 1974 softcore porn hit about a young womans search for sexual pleasure in Thailand is a valid concept, and everyone involved in this erotic drama has first-rate credentials, from French filmmaker Audrey Diwan (Happening) to stars Noemie Merlant (Portrait of a Lady on Fire) and Will Sharpe (Too Much). But the film, in which Merlants title character travels to Hong Kong for her job evaluating luxury hotels, is moribund in its contemporary critique and cinematic chemistry. Its a tepid piece, nowhere near daring enough. Investigative reporter Nick McKenzie. Revealed: Building Bad  (Stan*) The Revealed series works extremely well as recaps of complex investigative journalism: detailed reporting across the print and broadcast outlets of Nine (the owner of Stan and this masthead) can be woven into a comprehensive narrative. Thats the case with this feature-length documentary about rampant corruption and underworld infiltration of the powerful CFMEU, a union now under administration. The journalists, including Revealed mainstay Nick McKenzie, explain how a culture of fear and extortion took hold across the construction industry. Thats business, says a fixer covertly recorded. Everybody eats. Eddie Murphy (left) and Pete Davidson in The Pickup.

Advertisement
In a gathering of old school friends, one told me I had called her flighty in year 8 during a (short-lived) period of disaffection in our friendship. In the scheme of things, flighty is no terrible insult but coming from a best friend it must have affected her enough to make a mark for decades.

The encounter hovered in our memories until it tentatively arose for discussion in adulthood. Credit: Getty Images

I have no memory of having made that pronouncement on my friend but that is not surprising; we tend to remember more what is said to us than what we say. I, in turn, remember a friend being called nanny goat by an unpredictable and unreasonable classmate. Again, the insult was tame but its intentional disrespect was alarming. The gloomy reality of having to tolerate this turbulent character for three more school years led my friend and I to conclude that saying nothing was the most practical response. Nevertheless, the encounter hovered in our memories until it tentatively arose for discussion in adulthood.

Words are powerful. Once uttered, they can linger for years, lodged in some part of the heart or mind of a recipient, sending out signals like a grumbling volcano.

If they are harsh words they may cause a pain that aches with a constant freshness, like a shard of oyster shell in the toe. The hurt delivered can cause a ripple of changes in the afflicted, leading to the establishment of strong lines of defence aimed at protecting the individual against future blows. Charm, distance, humour and avoidance mechanisms might be utilised to protect the individual from being in a vulnerable situation again, even at the price of not living life to the full.
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 this year-long investigation, we are lifting the lid on an open secret in Australias property market that is costing buyers millions. See all 8 stories . There was plenty to like about the cream-brick house. The generous block, the location, a park and playground just around the corner. But Josh Haywoods buyers agent had a warning as they texted him the link for the listing and asked for his thoughts. The agent responsible for the sale was one of the bigger underquoters in the inner north currently so we can expect this to [sell] above the range, they cautioned. While the practice of providing misleading price guides is rife across the city, with just over half of homes selling above the highest estimate given to buyers, an 18-month-long data investigation by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald analysing almost 26,000 auction listings in Melbourne found that swaths of suburbs in the north and east of the city were notable hotspots. The house Haywood looked at, in Fawkner, was located at the beginning of Melbournes northern underquoting belt, which starts in the suburbs of Thornbury and Coburg, where about seven out of 10 properties tracked in this mastheads data sold above the top end of the guide. The situation is worse further away from the city, in postcodes such as Keilor Downs, where close to 90 per cent of properties tracked sold above the top of the guide and homes sold on average $69,529 above the top of the range. In the eastern suburbs, many homes sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars above the top of the advertised range. In Ringwood North, Blackburn North and Blackburn South, at least eight in every 10 properties sold above the top end of the guide.

Advertisement

A gap between the advertised price and the sale price, as exposed in this investigations data, is itself not necessarily proof of underquoting, but underscores the challenge buyers face, as most properties sell above the top of the supposedly indicative selling price. Under Victorian law, advertised price guides are meant to be reasonable and, in most cases, consider the sale prices of three comparable properties, but there is no requirement for the listing price to align with the vendors reserve unless it is disclosed to the agent before the auction. Loading Traversing budgets and corners of the city, real estate experts say these underquoting regions likely have one thing in common. Its not the types of houses for sale, or even the buyers who frequent the areas, but the agents. They say underquoting is more common in areas where there are more agencies with a culture of using the technique. And once it takes hold, it spreads. We have created a rod for our own back in this industry, Melbourne buyer and vendor advocate Wendy Chamberlain said. The industry now has a reputation that theres underquoting. And so buyers out there think they will add 10 per cent. So when you have a real estate agent that is doing the right thing  and there are ones that do the right thing  they get disadvantaged.

Advertisement

Saul Zuvic and his partner spent two years looking to buy a small home in Melbournes inner north, but he said properties advertised in their budget, which could stretch to $650,000, typically went for a hell of a lot more than initially listed. In February, the 34-year-old attended a public inspection for a two-bedroom house in Pascoe Vale South advertised at $630,000 to $680,000, only to overhear the real estate agent telling someone on the phone the vendor had already rejected an offer of $690,000. Zuvic said that when he confronted the agent about the price, he admitted that they had received the offer of $690,000 more than a week earlier, but the seller wanted to see what they could get at auction. I said to him, Im only here because you said it was $630,000  Why havent you updated the price? And he kind of has a laugh about it and says, Oh yeah, Ive been meaning to get to that. But were not idiots, we know why they do that  its to drum up more interest and get more people at the auctions.

Advertisement

In an attempt to make sense of confusing price guides in the inner and middle north, Josh Haywood and his wife hired a buyers advocate earlier this year. The extra service cost about $15,000. Haywood does not regret the spend  he has since bought a home in Reservoir  but he argues it could have been avoided if the advertised estimated selling prices were more accurate and there was less secrecy around the vendors reserve. [The buyers agent] knew all the real estate agents, Haywood said. And when we would send him properties we were interested in, he would say, You will never get that [at that price]. That agent is known for underquoting. It will go for this much. Or, if he [the buyers agent] knew the agent, he would say, Ive spoken to them. The reserve is X amount. Its outside of your budget, and so youll never get it, so dont waste your time with building inspections and going to auctions. Property experts and real estate agents also told this mastheads investigation that agents would cherry-pick properties to include in the statement of information.

Advertisement

Perhaps the comparable properties for a four-bedroom home would include a three-bedroom home, or a home for sale on a full block of land would be compared to townhouses, buyers agent Julie DeBondt-Barker said. Most buyers advocates can tell when the agents are lying, said DeBondt-Barker, the founding director of Property Home Base. The sad thing is a lot of buyers cant. Many dont know to check the statement of information, and when they do, they just look at it like it is the gospel. As buyers head out into the far north, north-east and north-west of the city, the problem intensifies in suburbs where they are often hunting affordability. The investigation found that in Tullamarine, Gladstone Park, Taylors Hill, Westmeadows, Mill Park and Greenvale, where the median house price sits between $600,000 and $900,000, at least eight in every 10 tracked properties sold above the top end of the guide. Buyers advocate Cate Bakos believes that most properties she analyses for clients are underquoted. Credit: Chris Hopkins Melbourne buyers advocate Cate Bakos said the property market in Melbournes middle and outer northern ring was competitive because homes typically fetched less than $1 million (bar a handful of pricier postcodes such as Preston and Thornbury), driving strong demand from first home buyers and investors from across the country. Still, there were hotspots on the other side of the city that attracted buyers with larger budgets. In the south-east and the east, the market that were talking about is pretty much the $1.2 [million] to $2.4 [million] market, [and] theres a lot of townhouses and smaller houses in the mix that are being underquoted, Bakos said.

Advertisement
The advice that came back was Victoria could do it through one of three ways: building on provisions that exist in the Equal Opportunity Act requiring employers to accept reasonable requests from employees for flexible work arrangements (including working from home), changing Occupational Health and Safety laws, or drafting standalone legislation enshrining a statutory WFH right. Loading All these options carry varying risks of legal challenge. A source familiar with the advice says the premier is clear where she wants to get to, but is undecided on the best legislative path. An unusually strong consensus of workplace law experts  from Stephen Smith and Andrew Stewart to Graeme Watson and Joellen Riley  believe all state-based options would fail a High Court challenge. Symes drew on her previous experience as an industrial relations adviser to Rob Hulls, who as attorney-general in 2007 used the Equal Opportunity Act to give greater protections to people juggling work and care responsibilities. Her primary task now was to gain a better picture of current WFH practices across the public and private sectors and determine what the Allan plan would mean for productivity.

It is here that Allans WFH policy group discovered a rich vein of research by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, including a recent finding that people who work solely from home clock up 20 per cent more hours than those who dont. Loading This statistic relates to an exception  people who work entirely from home  rather than the two-day rule the Victorian government is promising to legislate. This distinction was lost in the premier and treasurers broad claims at the state conference that working from home allows people to work 20 per cent more. When Allan and Symes fronted the Work-from-home works backdrop a week ago to spruik their freshly announced policy, another Labor woman was standing off to one side, nodding in agreement. Her presence gave a strong clue about where the idea came from to legislate WFH rights. This woman, Imogen Sturni, is the Australian Services Union branch secretary for the Victorian private sector. She represents clerical and administrative staff who do the unglamorous back-of-house work that keeps companies running. Since before the end of the pandemic, the union has been pushing for national WFH rights.

Sturni says national laws are still needed but the Victorian proposal is a start. She tells this masthead that, while working from home has become accepted practice, there are not enough legal protections against bosses issuing abrupt, return-to-the-office edicts. She says that without these, some workers  especially women with children  are stalked by a constant anxiety that their finely balanced work/home arrangements can at any point come crashing down. Says Sturni: People who have been working from home for years, with good managers and supportive businesses, who have set up their childcare arrangements and families and work days around work from home, they ask us, What if we turn on our computers one day to an email saying everyone is back in the office full-time without exception? Pollster Kos Samaras. Credit: Wayne Taylor Former ALP campaign manager Kos Samaras says this anxiety is regularly expressed by people his Redbridge polling company surveys for their political views. Hundreds, if not thousands of Australians we have interviewed have cited to us that working from home has enabled them to save on childcare, travel expenses and has been a lifesaver for their family budget, he says. For many, it has been the real difference between severe economic hardship and getting by. Headline-grabbing edicts by prominent companies requiring workers to return to the office full-time  Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Dell, AT&T and Starbucks in the United States and Tabcorp in Australia  while not reflective of broader employer sentiment, have fuelled the uncertainty among workers who rely on hybrid arrangements.

JPMorgan chief executive James Dimon made clear his views about working from home in leaked audio from a town hall meeting in February. Dont give me this shit that work-from-home Friday works, he told employees of Americas biggest bank. I call a lot of people on Friday and not a goddamn person you can get a hold of. When Tabcorp chief and former AFL boss Gillon McLachlan issued his return-to-office edict in September last year, he said it was to build a winning culture. Employer, business and property groups have lambasted, ridiculed and expressed alarm about the Victorian proposal. Their arguments are two-fold  that discussions between employers and employees, rather than government mandates, are the best way to set work-from-home arrangements, and provisions in the Fair Work Act already place an onus on bosses to accept reasonable requests for flexible work. An editorial in this masthead described Allans policy as an affront and a furphy. Federal opposition spokesman for small business Tim Wilson has lashed out at Premier Jacinta Allans plan to enshrine out-of-office work arrangements in law. Credit: Paul Jeffers Two senior government sources say the backlash against the policy was not only expected but welcomed within Allans inner circle. It reminds me of the phrase you would always hear within Daniel Andrews office: stakeholders arent voters, says one source. A second source says the policy announcement had echoes of another signature moment for Allan, when the premier ventured into Liberal-held Brighton to spruik her plans for higher-density housing across the suburbs. She was greeted with chants of shame from a group of locals led by shadow treasurer James Newbury and now-returned Goldstein Liberal MP Tim Wilson. One announcement was made in enemy territory, the other in front of the friendliest crowd a Labor premier could have, but they both were made with the full-eye realisation that there would be a counter-reaction, the source says. The more vociferous that business groups are in their criticisms, the more they make the case that current work-from-home arrangements are at risk.

Victorian Labors popularity has recovered from the nadir contained in the Resolve Political Monitor surveys published by this masthead before the federal election. But Labor is still grappling with Allans persisting low popularity. The work-from-home pledge, a political issue that has jumped from press release to conference speech and a genuine water-cooler debate, was designed to draw the Liberal Party into an unwanted fight. So far, Opposition Leader Brad Battin has refused to take the bait but Wilson, the only federal Liberal MP left in middle Melbourne, has lashed the WFH proposal as professional apartheid. Michael Allen of Core Roasters in Brunswick. Credit: Simon Schluter Michael Allen, owner of cafe Core Roasters in Brunswick, says his business is 20 to 30 per cent busier on Fridays compared with Wednesdays or Thursdays because more people are working from home. We have a bigger sort of pre-9am rush on a Friday where people are coming out because theyve got the time to come and do this, rather than need to commute to work, Allen says.

They have their morning coffee here rather than at their regular [cafe] in the city  and then we might see them again in the afternoon when they go out for a walk. Allen says higher rates of working from home is beneficial for his business because it mostly serves residents in nearby houses and apartments. As a space in the suburbs thats focused around being here for our community of people, if our community people can be here a little bit more, thats a huge benefit for us, he says. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backed Victorias plans to enshrine WFH in law at a press conference in Melbourne this week. Credit: Joe Armao The worlds leading researcher on work from home, Stanford University economics professor Nicholas Bloom, says he is not aware of any other jurisdiction planning to legislate a WFH right, and predicts the announcement will resonate among suburban families. Research shows that WFH promotes families and drives higher fertility rates, he says. I think Asian countries are going to slowly start mandating it for this reason. On this, Victoria is ahead of the curve. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese endorsed the Victorian governments plans on Thursday but said changes to the Fair Work Act during the first term of his government provided stronger legal protections for people who wanted to work from home. This includes empowering the Fair Work Commission to arbitrate disputes about flexible work arrangements.

Committee for Economic Development of Australia economist James Brooks agrees the WFH debate has morphed into a broader culture war. US President Donald Trump, on the day of his inauguration, signed a directive ordering all heads of departments and agencies within the executive branch of government, to take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements. Earlier this year, then-opposition leader Peter Dutton sought to inject the issue into this years federal election campaign  with disastrous consequences. In Australia, although the data shows the rate of working from home  a little over one-third of employees work at least one day a week away from the office  has stabilised since the pandemic, workers and their bosses are not on the same page about what this means for productivity. Staff would have the right to work from home at least two days a week under proposed legislation. Credit: Chris Hopkins Brooks explains that one of the features from WFH is that while individual workers are more productive at home, this does not necessarily benefit the companies they work for. When, as an employee, you shave an hour or two off your daily commute and still get all your work done, you are more productive. When, as a boss, you dont consider the travel time of employees as work time and see only an empty office and an absence of collaboration, you dont share in or appreciate the productivity gains. An KPMG survey of CEOs found that in Australia, 82 per cent of bosses expect a full return to the office within the next three years. A study by the Australian HR Institute noted that the biggest pressure for return to the office tended to come from board directors and senior managers of companies, rather that the direct bosses of staff working from home. An emerging issue is quiet WFH, where chief executives and senior managers order staff back to the office but the edict is largely ignored.
The current pets on planes (C8) chat goes far beyond cats and dogs, as evidenced by the experience of Margaret Holle of Woollahra: As a young hostie in the 60s before much scrutiny on hand luggage, a young man had a moving sugar bag at his feet. You havent got kittens in there? I asked. Oh no, he replied Its only a snake.

While travelling from Barquisimeto in Venezuela many years ago I was startled mid-flight when I heard what, I thought, was a rooster crowing and chooks clucking coming from a nearby locker, reports Merilyn McClung of Forestville. The locals, seeing my bemusement, opened the locker to show me the flyers nesting comfortably with a newly laid egg.

Some carry-ons can lead to a right carry on. Just ask Geoff Carey of Pagewood: Boarding a flight in Chimbu, PNG, in the 1980s, once buckled-in, a fully loaded coffin was slid down the aisle of the Twin Otter. Accompanied by the grieving family, it began as a challenging flight only to be further complicated by the onset of air turbulence, which sent the coffin sliding up and down the aisle until the flight attendant put out a well-timed foot to stop it.

Bernie Carberrys story about DA [C8] aficionado Mercy Sister Mary Bernard caught my eye, writes Robert Jurd of Collaroy. My kindergarten (1958) teacher at St Philomenas, Moree was a Sister Bernard. My recollections recall a demure, fair but firm lady. Was Bernies Aunty (and my mentor), one and the same? I only ever saw her drink water, or the free milk supplied by the government.

After Peter Cole (C8) proffered remember them? regarding public phones, Leonie Barrett of Tantawangalo wrote in for the first time: Public phones still exist and are still needed. Especially in rural areas. Few people seem to realise theyre free to ring anywhere in Australia. Help save the remaining public phones by making a quick call to friends or family whenever you see one, or Telstra will say nobody is using them, and well lose them forever.
The offender presented with greater influence and control over each victim than perhaps their parents, given his spiritual role with each and his connection with God and his importance within the religious community. The three men abused by Rosentool as boys each had provided evidence against him at trial in front of a jury that found him guilty of five charges. The paedophile had maintained his innocence and shown no remorse throughout the case. Loading The men told the court they had revered Rosentool, as had their families, and they had kept his abuse a secret for decades. Each struggled to look at Rosentool as he sat in the dock in Sydneys Downing Centre Courts, as had been requested by the paedophiles lawyers during cross-examination.

Noman said that by the end of their evidence, the men faced down their abuser. It is a real and palpable harm that has endured over decades, and despite the personal and professional success each found in their adult lives, that a victim could excel in aspects of their life does not minimise the harm inflicted, Noman said. Supporters of Simeon Boikov, aka Aussie Cossack, protest for a harsh sentence against Alexis Rosentool on Friday. Credit: Rosentool was sentenced to 19 years in prison, 13 without parole. His life expectancy, the court heard, was about seven years due to declining health. Rosentool sat in shocked silence, dialled in from Goulburn Supermax prison. The offender is accustomed to the assistance provided by another member of the clergy, Noman said.

This devotion and practical assistance will not be available, and the offender may be required to rely upon the voluntary assistance provided by a cellmate. The survivors had turned Rosentool in to the police, decades after they were abused, after pro-Russian propagandist Aussie Cossack, real name Simeon Boikov, lobbied for an investigation in 2019. Putin sympathiser Simeon Boikov has spent almost 1000 days in the Russian Federation in Woollahra. Credit: Wolter Peeters On Friday, he filmed himself celebrating in the Russian consulate with a bottle of champagne. Rosentool was expected to be sentenced in the John Madison Tower in Sydneys Downing Centre but, the day before the court convened, Boikov had called his tens of thousands of supporters to protest outside.

A small handful showed up bearing signs including ROT IN HELL ALEXIS ROSENTOOL and WHY ARE PEDOPHILES A PROTECTED SPECIES. Fears of a much larger gathering prompted the court to secretly move the sentence to the NSW Supreme Court, on the other side of Hyde Park, citing security concerns. Boikov organised his protest from the Russian consulate, where he has remained for almost 1000 days in hiding from two arrest warrants. He is wanted by authorities, in part, to finish out six months in prison for naming Rosentool after the court suppressed his name during the prosecution.

Noman said the suppression order had been necessary to stop unfettered release of information that could have jeopardised the trial. Fridays protest was, according to Boikov, designed to send a message to Rosentools supporters within the church and its community. Loading His continuing influence within the church and over parishioners was evident from how a number of witnesses called in the defence case spoke of him with considerable reverence, Noman said on Friday. It was also evident that it was and remains a relatively close community.

A website was erected in the paedophiles support shortly after he was suspended from his post in 2019, in the early days of the investigation. We are pained by the injustice of our hierarchys prolongation of this suspension, which allows false rumours and slander to spread, and the community to suffer from deprivation of his priestly ministry, Rosentools supporters wrote on the now-removed website. Archpriest Boris Ignatievsky of the Cabramatta church, where Rosentool once served, had warned his flock sheep do not judge their shepherd in the days after the paedophile was convicted. The ROCORs Archbishop George, following reporting by the Herald, suspended the archpriest for one week over the comments. Due to the detrimental effect this has had on our community, especially those who have been directly affected, victims and their families, you are now suspended from all priestly duties for 1 week, a suspension notice states.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Having recently seen my two adult children go through the costs, pain and frustration of missing out on property purchases, I cant help but wonder how it has come to this (False hope, savings wasted in underquoting capital, August 9). Other than works of art, I cant think of anything else sold with a price guide. Price guides are clearly fictitious and do not even reflect the sellers expectations of the sale price. They are just a lure to attract more eyes to the property. Why cant we just ban price guides altogether and go back to the old method of naming a price and haggling? We all know that scene from Monty Pythons Life of Brian, right? The seller names their asking price; usually high and beyond expectation, with buyers negotiating downward from there. At least this way the upper limit is set. Warwick Spencer, West Pymble There is something seriously wrong with a real estate system that allows (encourages?) those selling to have a $1.25 million price guide, a reserve of $1.425 million and then sell for $1.559 million. To encourage more accurate price guides and reserves, any amount over these figures should be taxed at 50 per cent. Roger Campbell, Beecroft Bidders gather at an auction in Sydney. Credit: Peter Rae Having read the article describing the appalling practices carried out by estate agents when advertising properties for auction, a couple of simple legislative amendments could solve the issue and save potential buyers $1000s  and a lot of time. Legislate that the selling agent must provide an independent pest and building inspection report to all potential buyers, eventually paid for by the winning buyer; second, the price guide be set within 2 per cent of the sellers reserve price, this would at least give prospective buyers confidence that they were truly in the market and prevent many buyers who have no chance from wasting their time. Geoff Lindsay, Thurgoona There is a very simple solution to the practice of real estate agents underquoting a price guide for a property. If the government made it a legal requirement that the reserve price must be published on any advertisement and that the highest bid over the reserve had to be accepted, the problem would go away immediately. How about it, Mr Minns? Michael McFadyen, Kareela The Real Estate Institute of NSW seems to have been the only being who was in the dark. Everybody knows to add 20-30 per cent to any quoted house price for Sydney properties on the market. Nothing has changed. Michele Sharp, Bondi Beach Given vast amounts of money are made by governments from outrageously high fees and taxes on real estate transactions, its a crime there are not tougher rules protecting consumers, studiously enforced. The current rules mentioned in your story are a sick joke. No wonder real estate agents flout them. Tim Egan, Mosman

Advertisement

Horrors, heartbreak and humanity Your report regarding British surgeon Graeme Grooms voluntary service to the unfortunate in Gaza is compulsory reading (Its appalling for humanity: Doctors bear witness to Gaza, August 9). He should be honoured for his service to humanity. Benjamin Netanyahu can paint whatever picture regarding the plight of the Gazans, but his credibility is on the line. We Australians and other fair-minded people around the world are more intelligent to believe heroes like Graeme Groom along with many other volunteers than politicians whose integrity is questionable. Peng Ee, Castle Cove British surgeon Dr Graeme Groom at the European Gaza Hospital in March 2024. Credit: The testimony from the doctors in Gaza is indeed heartbreaking, but I expect any urban war zone would be similar, especially one that involved an entrenched terrorist army using civilians as human shields. The doctors have no way of knowing the circumstances under which these injuries were incurred, including where the victims were, what they were doing and, indeed, who did the shooting. For that, they only have the word of the Hamas arch-propagandists and those who are too scared to say anything other than what the Hamas terrorists order them to say. Shane Shmuel, Elsternwick (Vic) One sentence stood out in David Crowes account of the litany of horrors taking place in Gaza reported to him by volunteer medical personnel who were there. It was the fact that on July 25 Israeli authorities stopped medical teams taking in any baby formula. How could this ever be justifiable? It is to be hoped it causes pause for thought for those seeing the Gaza conflict as complicated and repeatedly talk of Israels right to defend itself. Against possible future Hamas fighters possibly? Louise Dolan, Birchgrove Thank you for the reminder of the very special people who work in Gaza to help innocent victims of the current war. How doctors such as Victoria Rose and other volunteers return time after time is beyond me, but I am so grateful for the humanity that they display. The world needs more of them and less of Netanyahu and Trump. Sharon Warner, North Turramurra Its true there is no [Arab] country that would want to administer whats left of Gaza after Israel departs, but Rodger Shanahan (No plan for wars end, so how can it?, August 9) fails to mention that Israel has offered control of Gaza to Arab countries on many occasions since it took control in 1967 and no Arab country has wanted anything to do with Gazans except to use them as pawns against Israel. George Fishman, Vaucluse

Advertisement

Rodger Shanahan repeats the claim that there is no plan for the wars end. No Rodger, there is a plan. Israel has made it abundantly clear that it will not accept a two-state solution. That leaves only three options. A one-state solution where all citizens have equal rights, the equally unpalatable solution of one without equal rights, or one with no Palestinians. There are no other options. With relentless bombing, the herding of people into safe zones only to be bombed, the immense destruction, the starvation of the people, Israel is terrorising the Gazans to such an extent that 48 per cent of them now want to leave, even were the war to end. Unpalatable as it may be, what we are seeing in Gaza is an Israeli plan to take the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity posed by Hamas brutal raid to remove them forever. Hans Knutzelius, Balmain Displaced Palestinians return to the war-devastated Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip on January 19. Credit: AFP The wholesale destruction of Gaza, once a city much like any other around the world, was shown in all its horror in the photo in the Herald (Netanyahu, Hamas locked in a dance to the death, August 9). All the innocent lives, amenities and human endeavour lost to the combined madness of a group of fanatics and a few pig-headed politicians. As with the war in Ukraine and other places, it only takes one egoist or nut-case to drag a whole country into conflict with another, whether the populace wants it or not. Sadly, the average civilian doesnt have the powerful connections, networking ability or support forces to make any resistance to these devastating decisions. Donald Hawes, Peel Israels decision to occupy the remaining section of Gaza is in clear violation of international law. Netanyahu, his rogue clique and enablers (Im thinking of you, Mr President) need to be held to account for this; and also for Israeli acts of terrorism in the West Bank (where they cant blame Hamas). Israel has acted with impunity since the International Courts 1967 decision on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Australia should look to take real action with other nations. Deporting the Israeli ambassador and imposing sanctions should be up for urgent consideration if Israel continues to defy international law. Further razing and illegal settlements will not bring peace. Martin Frohlich, Adamstown Heights Clueless Trump bound to spruik credentials after meeting with Putin Trump is going to meet Putin (Trump open to Alaska summit with Putin and Zelensky, White House says, smh.com.au, August 10). The orange one has already given away his negotiating position by saying a territory swap is on the table. What a pathetic dealmaker he is. He will come out of the meeting saying that Vladimir and I have had a very good meeting and its the best deal thats ever been made. Ive stopped more wars than any leader in history. How about my Nobel Peace Prize? Putin must not be able to believe his luck knowing that TACO. Ukraine wont be invited, of course. I suggest Ukraine should offer to give away Mar-a-Lago in exchange for any deal.

John Burman, Port Macquarie Illustration by Badiucao Credit:

Advertisement

President Putins smile must be extended from ear to ear with the prospect of negotiating with Donald Trump. He was and is the aggressor in the current war and has annexed vast areas of Ukraine, whose president will be banned from negotiations. Donald has already revealed there will be some give and take in the conclusion. Putin, the invader, will be delighted that his war crime has been legitimised.

Ferdo Mathews, Robina (Qld) Knowing that Trump has become such an honourable statesman and dealmaker, I imagine he will offer to return Alaska to Russia in exchange for Putin returning Donbas and Crimea to Ukraine.

Charles Hargrave, Elizabeth Bay Folbigg: more cruelty The premier asserts that Kathleen Folbigg can sue the government. Well and good, but her legal team have not been provided with the reasons behind the paltry $2 million compensation offer. They are unlikely to get them, considering a cabinet decision-making process. Any court action will be a costly exercise, so the premier could at least offer to pay her legal costs, regardless of the outcome. Surely Folbigg should not have to spend money to chase a better deal.

Michael Blissenden, Dural Premier, so you tell us the state can afford to pay Kathleen Folbigg only $2 million for 20 years jail, but you can close Opal card readers for 54 hours and throw away $7 million of taxpayers money. Did you think the $7 million should not have been paid to her instead? Not enough votes in that, I guess.

Trevor Stephenson East Ballina Different track When the Racing NSW chairperson says the Golden Eagle, like The Everest, will become the young generations must-go event, it is becoming increasingly apparent that both Racing NSW and the ATC is no longer really in racing any more. Randwick is being promoted as a nightclub with some horses running around a track occasionally, while Rosehill is just a course somewhere out west of the city (Officials strip Rosehill of its biggest race, August 9).

George Zivkovic, Northmead

Advertisement

The local price for a new Lamborghini Aventador starts at $789,000. Credit: Getty Images Tax luxury goods Sadly, Im inclined to agree with Peter Hartcher when he opines that there will be no change to the GST coming out of the summit next week because of the PMs reluctance to rock the boat (PM and Chalmers reform rift, August 9). But surely a politically safe move would be to increase the GST on luxury items. If I have the money to buy a Lamborghini for $400,000, would I baulk at paying a further 10 per cent over the existing 10 per cent? The task of defining luxury items may take some doing, but surely its a no-brainer and relatively politically safe to make that change.

Brian Roach, Westleigh While Peter Hartcher makes some good points in his article, I dont see a reform rift. The best change happens slowly with buy-in and consultation. The Australian people like changes that make sense and arent thrust upon them quickly, so that they have enough time to consider implications. Having said that, the fickle nature of parts of the Australian media mean that change shouldnt be rushed. The PM and treasurer appear to have a good working relationship, and both men are doing their jobs. The PM has learnt from the unsuccessful Voice campaign, a noble and just cause that was cheapened and defeated largely by a disingenuous opposition leader and the Murdoch media. Lets not sow division where there is none. Its refreshing to have a government that is talking about the big issues we face.

Geoff Nilon, Mascot Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers in question time on July 28. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The Productivity Commission is right to suggest that mining companies should pay tax on their so-called economic rents  that is, on the profits they make that are higher than their minimum expectations (Productivity Commission wants big mining companies to pay more rent, August 9). But there is another reason why they should pay more: they are producing a one-off product that cannot be reproduced once its been exhausted. The payment is to compensate future generations for loss of the mineral resource. Of course, the companies would scream all hell if threatened with higher taxes. We should call their bluff. The pittance they pay at present is just a joke.

Ken Enderby, Concord Languages triumph

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 We lift the lid on an open secret in Australias property market thats costing potential buyers millions. See all 5 stories . At first glance, the Sydney suburbs of Marrickville and Marayong dont seem to have a lot in common. Theyre separated by 35 kilometres and a million-dollar difference in the median house price  but both are hotbeds for misleading auction guides. Across suburbs clustered around the inner and western parts of the city, buyers typically pay hundreds of thousands of dollars more than the advertised price to secure a new home. This masthead has identified 38 neighbourhoods where properties consistently sold more than 10 per cent above the estimated selling price during the 18 months to June 2025. The largest average price discrepancies were in Smithfield (29% higher), Greenacre (24%), Marayong (22%), Alexandria (17%) and Marrickville (17%). In all these suburbs, the data analysis included at least 40 sales. An investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, analysing 10,772 Sydney auction campaigns and 26,000 in Melbourne, has uncovered an extraordinary level of misinformation and deception faced by buyers. Father of three Marcello DAmbra spent eight months searching for a home near Marrickville with a budget of about $3 million. He was also trying to sell a property in the inner west suburb of Concord while living in Toongabbie, where 11 auction guides were more than 30 per cent below the eventual sale price. Toongabbie is a couple of suburbs over from Marayong in western Sydney.

Advertisement

Its a highly contested market, where if you dont buy, someone else will, [with] between 20 and 30 rival buyers turning up at auctions, its pretty intimidating, DAmbra said. Marcello DAmbra spent about 8 months looking to buy on the borders of Marrickville, one of Sydneys most underquoted areas. Credit: Nick Moir Typically, at the start of a property campaign, inner west agents would say, we havent got market guidance enough to be able to tell you what the guide is, the commercial mortgage broker said. [But] the difference in most properties was anywhere between $200,000 and $400,000 in terms of the underquoting. It is a similar story in Alexandria, where properties typically exceed the top end of the guide by more than $225,000. Several homes have sold for almost $1 million above the estimate given to prospective buyers in the past 18 months and at least 10 traded more than 30 per cent above the agents guide. DAmbra eventually bought a converted warehouse in St Peters in March, because there was too much competition and it was too much of a nightmare trying to negotiate with agents. In June last year, a three-level townhouse in the trendy inner-city suburb of Alexandria sold for more than $700,000 above the $2.4 million price guide offered to buyers by The Agency.

Advertisement

A large crowd, with a dozen groups holding white bidding cards, crammed into the ground level for the auction. The first offer was $1.9 million. A reasonable start, we are going to move quickly above that, the auctioneer quipped. And move they did. The second bid drew shocked laughter: $2.8 million was the call, a whopping $900,000 above the starting bid and $400,000 above the guide. A few minutes later, the hammer fell at $3.11 million. The reserve had been $2.8 million  more than 16 per cent above the guide. Dealing with agents is inherently tricky, Buyers Alliance director Chris Paino said. After searching for a client in Newtown last year, he found that every single terrace had an auction campaign and was underquoted by about $300,000. If I call an agent and say, mate, is this underquoted? Because my clients have an X budget, they still never give a straight answer. Oh, well, its an auction, so we just dont know, just show up on the day and bid, Paino said. It needs to absolutely stop, because its honestly a killer for people out there. I see it in my clients; theyre just defeated.

Advertisement

Paino was engaged by a young family who attended a south-west Sydney auction in late June. Despite coming with a close to 20 per cent buffer above the guide, the family was outbid by six others who started $5000 over the agents guide. Southwestern and western Sydney Smithfield straddles Fairfield and Cumberland council areas, about 30km west of the citys CBD. Median house prices here rose almost 20 per cent in the year to March 2025, according to Domain data. It was also the worst suburb for discrepancies between the guide price for auctions and the sale price, with 20 of the 41 estimated selling prices tracked selling more than 30 per cent over the advertised guide. Many of the auctions in this area were run by Raine and Horne Wetherill Park, whose selling principal, Sam Ruisi, said his pricing guides were based on live market conditions, buyer feedback, and vendor instructions, not hindsight. 32A Green Avenue, Smithfield, a 4 bed duplex, guided at $800,000, sold for $1,045,000. The same agent listed a 4 bedroom duplex next door, two months later, for $800,000. It sold for $1.1m. Credit: Steven Siewert / SMH Ruisi declined to explain why he estimated a four-bedroom duplex on Green Avenue in Smithfield would sell for $800,000, after he sold the four-bedroom duplex next door for $1,045,000 three months earlier.

Advertisement

The former property sold in May 2024 for $1,105,000, 38 per cent above the agents estimate. We look closely at comparable active listings, particularly those were competing with in the same marketplace, Ruisi said. This is a live market, not a closed-book exercise. In the event another agent lists a superior home with a lower guide to attract attention (which does happen quite often), were forced to factor that into our own pricing strategy, subject to our vendors instructions, to ensure our vendors stay competitive. Otherwise, we risk shutting out buyer traffic from the outset. Raine & Horne Wetherill Park selling principal Sam Ruisi Credit: Instagram The Herald does not suggest that Ruisi deliberately underestimated the price of this property. In late June, auctioneer Mark King, who does not set prices, was chanting on the street during the sale of a three-bedroom house in south-western Sydney: Ladies and gentlemen, look at the number of paddles in the crowd. You can see the demand.

Advertisement
Once described as a man born devoid of shame, controversial businessman and now resident of Cyprus Nickolas John Karantzis has been fined $1 million and banned from being a company director for six years.

On Friday, Justice Timothy McEvoy of the Federal Court in Victoria agreed with the submissions of corporate regulator ASIC that Karantzis shows a complete disregard for law and compliance with corporate regulations and is a serious and continuing risk to the Australian public.

Former iSignthis chief executive Nickolas John Karantzis at an international departure gate in December 2021. Credit:

In addition to his being personally fined and banned from being a director, Karantzis former company, iSignthis (now known as Southern Cross Payments), has 30 days to pay a $10 million penalty for breaching disclosure laws.

Back in September 2019, Karantzis was on top of the world: iSignthis, which provided automated payment verification to help clients comply with anti-money laundering regulations, had soared to a market capitalisation of more than $1 billion. Investors who had bought shares when it listed that year had made a return of 10 times on their money.
My message is very clear to these dodgy operators. It is illegal and it must stop, she said. There are severe penalties in place for those who break the law, and we will continue to go after these dodgy operators. As defined in Victorian law, underquoting occurs when the published price for a property is set lower than it might reasonably be expected to sell, but is notoriously difficult to prove. Attorney General Sonya Kilkenny would not say why the government was yet to release the 2022 property market review. Credit: Wayne Taylor There is also no requirement for the advertised price to match the owners reserve, unless they disclose this to the agent ahead of time. This is one reason properties are passed in even after bidding passes the top of the advertised sale price range. The REIVs change of policy on reserve prices represents a fundamental shift for the group, who in their submission to the 2022 property review said it strongly opposed the mandatory public advertisement of a reserve price, arguing it would undermine the entire auction process.

In detailing the REIVs changed position on reserve price disclosure, Caine said he believed it would be appropriate that the reserve price would be disclosed some time during a propertys auction campaign, rather than at the very beginning. In the initial phase, were leaning towards later in the campaign closer to the auction, so the owner and the agents have had the opportunity to receive the feedback from the buyers who will ultimately inform where that price will sit. In 2022, the Consumer Policy Research Centre surveyed 500 Victorians who had purchased, or were in the process of purchasing, a home. It found that 17 per cent of those surveyed had paid for seven or more building or pest reports. At the time, we calculated thats costing them $4200 additional to their search process, said the organisations chief executive, Erin Turner.

Turner said she had begun the research unsure that underquoting was a major problem, but was left convinced the illegal practice caused real financial and other harm. The centre made the same recommendations to the Victorian government that are now being backed by the REIV; that a propertys reserve price is published and that home sellers provide potential buyers with free building and pest reports, a model already in place in the ACT. One of our theories here is that first home buyers, or people buying in areas theyre less familiar with, are more likely to be caught paying for multiple building and pest inspections. Its your less sophisticated buyer thats more likely to be harmed, Turner said. Its so important that we put these protections in place generally, but we also suspect that these protections are going to help the people who need it most.

Victorian opposition consumer affairs spokesman Tim McCurdy has backed a middle-ground solution, where vendors would not have to reveal their exact reserve but make sure it sits somewhere between the advertised guide. If their reserve price is not within the band, it is farcical, he said. Melbourne man Jeremy van Dijk was very surprised to discover that the reserve price was often well above the price that a home had been advertised for while searching for a property to buy with his wife. Credit: Joe Armao This masthead found examples of homes where the reserve was hundreds of thousands of dollars above the advertised price, while a survey of about 8000 readers overwhelmingly backed the disclosure of reserve prices. Almost 92 per cent supported the policy shift. Melbourne man Jeremy van Dijk is among them. While searching for a property to buy with his wife in the citys inner north last year, the pair were the highest and only bidder at an auction for a two-bedroom home in Brunswick East, and made a bid within the advertised range.

However, they were unable to secure the home because they had not yet hit the reserve. Loading When he questioned the agent about the discrepancy between the price guide and the reserve they replied that it was the owners who determined the reserve price. I think it would make the whole system more efficient and stop wasting so many peoples time, said the economist, in support of the proposed change to disclose reserve prices. It was just wasting so much of our time, and when you multiply that across the whole population, its just so many hours lost, its unbelievable.
Its common for people to find romance via online dating apps, through friends, or in the office.

But Taryan and Max Mathews will have a more original yarn to tell their grandchildren.

Its not all business: Taryan and Max Mathews at the Australian Alpaca National Show at Bendigo showgrounds. Credit: Joe Armao

The pair met in 2012, while exhibiting stock at an alpaca show in Bendigo.

Taryan remembers chatting to a lovely young man, who turned out to be fellow grazier Max, about how rapt she was to have won her first fleece competition.
I normally go for a walk down that way every day anyway so it was nothing out of the ordinary. Im a keen birder so it just meant looking down instead of looking up. Saskia Reus-Smit, who lives in Fryerstown about 15 minutes from Castlemaine, was stargazing about 7.30pm on Sunday when she realised there was a strong wash of light coming from behind her  much too big to be car headlights, which her neighbours hardly see anyway. There are no streetlights or shops or anything [here], so the night sky is always very dark  its a star watchers dream, Reus-Smit said. I stepped out of the carport, three steps, and turned my head just as this meteor flew overhead.

I do a lot of stargazing, although Im no expert. This was amazing. It was huge. If you think about four full moons joined together. Think about that in your sky above your head, lower than an aircraft. Reus-Smit said she could see the meteors shape, which she described as like a giant piece of volcanic porous rock, with red and orange burning craters at its centre and black formations. It passed across, and went over the hill, she said. It would have been a time delay of less than a minute. This to me sounded more like a massive boom combined with impact.

Associate professor Michael Brown from Monash Universitys school of physics and astronomy said the loud noise heard by those nearby was likely a sonic boom. Loading That is unusual and actually quite exciting  if those reports are accurate, probably what they were hearing was a sonic boom from the meteor, Brown said on Sunday night. To be able to hear the sonic boom loudly from the ground suggests that quite a big chunk of the meteor was pretty close to the ground. And that possibly means theres chunks of the meteorite actually made it down to the ground and, optimistically, might be found. Theyre not dangerous ... theres a lot of rocks out there in rural Victoria, so trying to identify a meteor amongst them can be pretty tricky.

Brown recalled a Canadian familys house camera capturing a meteorite landing near the front door last year. It was the first time such an event was caught on camera. If you have a look at that video, its not exactly an asteroid disaster movie, its much more of a curiosity, Brown said. The Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak on Wednesday and Thursday, so astronomers were expecting to see activity in Australian skies. But astronomer Perry Vlahos told this masthead that Sunday nights sighting was not part of any meteor shower such as the Perseids or Alpha Capricornids.
The NRL Integrity Unit has requested an explanation from South Sydney after star recruit Brandon Smith was stopped and spoken to by Queensland police when he arrived at Coolangatta airport before playing in Sundays nailbiting win over the Titans.

Smith played 58 minutes in the Rabbitohs 20-18 victory, just his second game in a year after suffering an ACL rupture, and then another knee injury after his high-profile mid-season move from the Roosters.

Smiths return for the Rabbitohs, and his 150th NRL game, was tinged with drama though when he was met by police officers upon landing on the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon.

The 29-year-old was singled out from the South Sydney travelling party by police officers, with Smith questioned at length before rejoining his teammates at the clubs Broadbeach Hotel on Saturday evening.
CSIRO researchers say theyve developed a new algorithm that can block images from being used to create deepfakes, as Australian state governments scramble to criminalise sexually explicit AI-generated content.

The use of generative AI deepfakes to create non-consensual sexualised deepfake images has soared in popularity among high school students and the broader public. Victoria banned image-based sexual abuse in 2022, and the NSW and South Australian state governments are following suit.

CSIRO researchers say theyve developed a new algorithm that can block images from being used to create deepfakes. Credit: Bloomberg

Now, a scientific breakthrough developed by Australian researchers could stop a users photos from being used to create deepfakes altogether.

The technique, developed by CSIRO in partnership with the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre and the University of Chicago, subtly alters content to make it unreadable to AI models while remaining unchanged to the human eye.
Advertisement

Reviews & adviceTripologist Opinion Qantas just devalued your frequent flyer points, but theres an upside Michael Gebicki The Tripologist August 11, 2025  5:00am

August 11, 2025  5:00am Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 71 View all comments

Key points Qantas has increased the number of points required for seats by about 1520 per cent

Frequent flyers now earn more points for flying, especially those with Silver status or higher

For maximum value, use points for flights, including upgrades, not for gift cards or shopping

Qantas has just raised the bar for its frequent flyers, requiring more points for its Classic Reward seats. Since last Tuesday, a Classic Rewards economy seat aboard Qantas between Melbourne and Sydney costs 9200 points, an increase of 1200 points, or 15 per cent. The fees stay the same, at $55. In business class, a Classic Rewards seat on that flight now requires 19,300 points, an increase of less than 5 per cent, plus a $21 increase in fees. On a Qantas Sydney-London flight, a Classic Rewards seat in economy class now costs 63,500 points, which is also a 15 per cent rise on the 55,200 points before August 5. Fees remain the same at $263. Qantas has reduced the value of your frequent flyer points by 15-20 per cent. iStock Regardless of which class youre flying, a Classic Reward seat now costs about 15-20 per cent more points than it did before August 5. The exception is premium economy, business and first-class seats aboard flights between 600 and 2400 miles (965 and 3862 kilometres), which have only increased by about 5 per cent. The number of points required for an International Classic Upgrade Reward to business class has now increased by 10-20 per cent, depending on the flight distance, with shorter flights around the 10 per cent mark. At the same time, Qantas has added a sugarcoating to the pill, announcing 400,000 more reward seats available across its domestic and international fleet in all cabins. Based on figures supplied in Qantas 2024 annual report, those 400,000 seats represent about 0.6 per cent of seats on all the airlines flights. Most of those seats will be on dedicated Points Planes, where every seat across all cabins can be secured with points (the first release launched last week and finished on Saturday, but Qantas promises more to come). The deal includes almost 25,000 seats to Paris and Los Angeles on Qantas flights, more than 40,000 seats on Points Planes to Japan and Singapore on Jetstar flights.

Advertisement

Also, almost 135,000 seats will be available on Points Planes for just 5700 points, the lowest reward seat fare in Australia and on Jetstar flights within New Zealand. However, the availability of reward seats on some of its most desirable routes is skewed towards off-peak periods. For example, those 25,000 reward seats to Paris are available for travel only in November 2025, to Los Angeles in February 2026. With excess capacity in those months, the airline is offering reward seats to soak up seats that might otherwise be empty. The cost of a business-class seat in points has gone up only about 5 per cent. Another plus, Qantas flyers now earn more points when they fly with the airline. Effective from July 21, just over two weeks before this latest announcement, Qantas boosted the number of frequent flyer points earned on its domestic flights by 25 per cent. For the airlines higher-tier frequent flyers, holding Silver status and above, the deal is even sweeter. A Qantas Platinum member flying business class between Sydney and Melbourne now earns 3500 Qantas points, an increase of 1500 points, or 75 per cent. On international flights, the increase is not nearly as generous. A Qantas Gold member flying Sydney to Los Angeles in the airlines business class now earns 25,594 Qantas points, about a 20 per cent increase. Qantas has also removed the earn cap for tiered members travelling in premium cabins, set to deliver almost 4 billion additional points for members each year. Winners and losers

Advertisement

Anyone earning points flying premium economy or better with Qantas and using those points to pay for Classic Reward seats is probably on a winner. Especially so if theyre sitting on Silver tier or better, earning points on flights of under 2400 miles and using those points to pay for flights over the same distance. For the rest of us, earning more points per mile and with more Classic Reward seats available, theres plenty to like about the new system. Only those who banked a big points balance before August 5, and who now find those points worth less, might have cause to groan, though Qantas telegraphed its intent to devalue its points early this year. Related Article Opinion

Tripologist Want an upgrade on your flight? Heres what works (and what doesnt) Michael Gebicki The Tripologist Squeezing maximum value from those Qantas points To maximise your chances of making a booking with points, book far in advance, 11 or even 12 months out is ideal. That also applies to points upgrades. Use points when prices spike, during school holiday periods or European summer periods, but Qantas strangles the number of Classic Reward seats available in peak times. Flying aboard partner airlines is a smart way to use Qantas points, and that brings flights aboard some of the worlds best airlines including Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways and Emirates into view. One of the best ways to use Qantas points is a Oneworld Classic Flight Reward around-the-world business class flight ticket, which now starts at 365,800 Qantas Points plus fees and taxes. This gives you up to five stopovers on the oneworld network, with 12 months to complete your itinerary, travelling up to 35,000 miles and with lounge access and priority perks at every airport. Using points for gift cards, hotels or shopping should be a last resort.

Advertisement

The value of such redemptions is generally about 0.5-0.8 a point, compared with 2-6 a point for premium flights. Above all, find ways to use your points on flights. Dont expect the value of your frequent flyer points to stay constant, they will erode over time. Points that gather dust are, well, pointless. The philosophy behind frequent flyer points Related Article Opinion

Air travel Frustration over a Qantas upgrade changed the way I travel Tony Wright Associate editor and special writer Unlike budget carriers, which know youre only flying with them because they offer the cheapest flight, legacy carriers want you to keep flying with them, and thats the rationale for frequent flyer programs. Nothing to do with generosity, these programs are engineered to incentivise repeat business. Once youre signed up and start to acquire points, youre a loyal customer and the perks  the preferential check-in, the lounge access, the better seat choice  play to our egos and reinforce loyalty to the brand. Youre invested in that airline, and the more points you acquire, the more likely you are to travel with them, even when there are cheaper or better alternatives. Frequent flyer programs are hugely profitable, delivering billions of dollars to airlines from partnerships with banks, supermarkets and retail partners. US budget carrier Spirit Airlines frequent flyer program is reckoned to be worth more than the airline itself, and the reason it keeps flying.

Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up 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 It is quiet in the temple-flecked jungles of the Dangkrek Mountains, where Thailand and Cambodia just fought a pointless five-day war. Still, the Wat Bat Thkao camp is heaving. Too scared to go home even days after a ceasefire, thousands of Cambodian families huddle here in wooden wagons, unfolding themselves when space permits on hammocks and cardboard mats. Hong Sreyrith and her eight day old baby Lin Kakada in their shelter at Wat Bat ThKao. Credit: Kate Geraghty As shelter from alternating blasts of monsoon rains and searing sun, they have tarpaulin, canvas and ropes. It is windy. It is raining. It is hot, says Hong Srey Rith, cradling her newborn, Lin Kakada, who was born on July 24. That was the same day when months (or centuries) of oscillating agitations and insecurities in Thailand and Cambodia burst forth into armed clashes, killing dozens  possibly many dozens  on both sides of the disputed borderlands.

Advertisement

The mother, from Kauk Chhouk village in Cambodias north-west, went into labour as she and hundreds of thousands of people from Thailand and Cambodia fled their homes. After one night in hospital, mother and daughter had nowhere to go but the camp. Yong Sophear washes her daughter Phath Chantha at a water collection point. Credit: Kate Geraghty I want to go home, but the authorities dont want that yet. Theres a chance there will be more fighting, she says. Im afraid, too, that it will continue. Wat Bat Thkao, the name of a nearby Buddhist temple, is divided into dirt streets, each lined with makeshift shelters. Some families have dug small trenches to drain off the rain. There are toilet facilities, and a medical centre treating mostly fevers. Men with loudspeakers announce new NGO and private company deliveries of food and water: Stay where you are and rations will be delivered, goes one paraphrased set of instructions. No one rushes. The families here say they are reasonably well-fed, but could do with more. Waist-high in the acrid reservoir at the edge of the camp, a boy of about ten crab walks along the line of a fishing net, hauling each section to eye level. He catches only grimy plastic bags and bottles.

Advertisement

A couple of hundred metres from him is Ron Touch, who is blind, mostly deaf and the rarest of Cambodians. Old. The 98-year-old is drawn into a crouch inside the family tent, a blanket draped over her shoulder, her great-great grandson shouting information into her ear. She understands just one of this mastheads questions: Yes, Im scared! she responds. Thoeun Sida with her children Lok Vina and Lok Chanthy and their dog Covid in their shelter. Credit: Kate Geraghty Wat Bat Thkao camp is one of the biggest of 180 temporary shelters set up across multiple Cambodian provinces when fighting broke out on July 24. By the evening of July 30, almost two full days since ceasefire, more than 170,000 Cambodians remained displaced, according to World Vision. Thais, too, fled in similar numbers. At least 17 civilians were killed by indiscriminate Cambodian rockets, according to the Thai authorities. At least one Cambodian civilian was killed  in a Thai bombing run over a Buddhist temple.

Advertisement

In the to-and-fro of claims, counterclaims and online propaganda, it was unclear if any side had advanced and maintained troop positions on enemy territory. What is clear is that the fighting has upended hundreds of thousands of lives in the newest, and most unexpected, crisis to unfold in Australias Asia-Pacific neighbourhood. Occupied with the Middle East and the Pacific, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong took two weeks to issue an official statement about the crisis, after an earlier post on X that welcomed the July 28 ceasefire. Cambodian Mine Action Centre officer inspecting one of several bomb craters at a military base near Thma Duan village, Cambodia. Credit: Kate Geraghty The Department of Foreign Affairs public contribution has been through Smartraveller, warning Australians not to visit the border provinces of either country. Uncertain about whether the ceasefire would hold, many Cambodian families chose to wait at the camps. They say provincial authorities had told them to wait until at least August 5 or 6. Then, an announcement from Cambodias Ministry of National Defence on the evening of August 3 changed everything again. Only that morning, it claimed, at 10.49am to be precise, it had received information that Thailand had instructed its citizens in Surin Province to evacuate.

Advertisement

The same source had also apparently warned of planned Thai attacks at ultra-sensitive sites including the Ta Moan Thom temple, the epicentre of the recent fighting, and the world-heritage listed Preah Vihear temple complex, which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled was on Cambodias way back in 1962. Former prime minister Hun Sen, who still calls the shots as president of both the senate and ruling Cambodian Peoples Party, took to social media to inform his followers that he will not be able to chair the Senate meeting on the morning of August 4 whether there is fighting or not, as I will be in command of the army 24 hours a day. Families pack their belongings at Wat Bat ThKao home to thousands of displaced Cambodians who fled the conflict areas. Credit: Kate Geraghty As it turned out, the information was bogus. Thailand denied evacuating Surin Province. The most serious allegation Cambodia could muster the following day was that Thailand had moved barbed-wire and heavy machinery into areas of its territory. It remained unclear why Hun Sen and the ministry warned of an imminent attack. But it did allow him to post more photos of him hard at work and, days before his 73rd birthday on August 5, very much in command, still defending his subjects from foreign invaders. The effect of this episode on civilians was that many who were thinking of leaving the camps held back; others who had already left returned.

Advertisement
Ukraine is shaping up as the elephant in its own room when US President Donald Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin meet in Alaska at weeks end, ostensibly to broker a peace deal to end the three and a half year conflict.

Trump has agreed to meet the Russian president even if he refuses to meet Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, adding to concerns Ukraine and its leader could be sidelined in negotiations. The US leader has added further to Ukraines fears by suggesting an end to the war must involve some swapping of territories to the betterment of both [countries].

Understandably, Zelensky has reacted angrily, saying Ukrainians would not cede their land to occupiers. Any decisions that are without Ukraine are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not bring anything. These are dead decisions. They will never work, he said.

US President Donald Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are set to meet. Credit: AP

The European Alliance agrees. Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Poland and Finland, and the president of the EU Commission, released a joint statement at the weekend declaring the path to peace could not be decided without Ukraine: We are convinced that only an approach that combines active diplomacy, support to Ukraine and pressure on the Russian Federation to end their illegal war, can succeed.
London: European leaders have ramped up their warnings to US President Donald Trump about his plans for a peace deal on Ukraine, amid claims that his top envoy misjudged Russian demands for territory due to a translation blunder.

Eight more European nations called for a hard line against Russian President Vladimir Putin in his meeting with Trump this Friday, insisting that Trump could not negotiate a deal without Ukraine and Europe having a say in the outcome.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff met in Moscow last week. Credit: AP

Negotiations can only take place in context of a ceasefire, said the leaders of eight Baltic and Nordic nations stretching from Norway to Latvia.

The people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their future. The path to peace cannot be charted without Ukraines voice. No decisions on Ukraine without Ukraine, and no decisions on Europe without Europe.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has branded Australia shameful in its advocacy for Palestinian statehood and accused foreign leaders of capitulating to public opinion over the Gaza war.

His comments came as Israel was roundly criticised at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Sunday, with China calling the collective punishment of people in Gaza unacceptable and Russia warning against a reckless intensification of hostilities.

Benjamin Netanyahu took aim at Australia and European nations for their pursuit of a two-state solution. Credit: AP

The meeting was called by Britain, Denmark, Greece, France and Slovenia in response to the Israeli announcement on Friday that it would to widen its military offensive and eventually take control of the whole Gaza Strip.

But in a wide-ranging press conference staged to puncture the lies and tell the truth about Israeli military and humanitarian action, Netanyahu denied Israel had a starvation policy and hit out at foreign powers for backing the absurdity of recognising Palestine in the pursuit of peace.
PHILIPSBURG: --- The government of St. Maarten owes its frontline workers, particularly its firefighters and ambulance personnel, not only support but an unequivocal display of respect and effective action. Instead, these workerswho put their lives on the line every day for the safety and well-being of the populationhave been met with negligence, blatant disrespect, and appalling bureaucratic delays.

Since August 7th, firefighters and ambulance workers have resumed their go-slow action. Why? The government has once again failed to deliver on its promises and address the grievances of these essential public servants. The last thread of goodwill was shredded when the Prime Ministers Office canceled a crucial meeting originally scheduled for August 6th, pushing it to August 15th without so much as an explanation or even a token apology.

This action was not just disappointingit was a slap in the face to those who carry the weight of public safety on their shoulders. How can the government justify prioritizing other matters while disrespecting the very people who respond when disaster strikes? The disregard for these workers is emblematic of an administration that seems completely out of touch with the needs of its citizens and employees.

A History of Disrespect

The sheer audacity of the governments inaction is compounded by the fact that the go-slow was initially sparked weeks ago after firefighters and ambulance workers were disrespected by members of the St. Maarten Carnival Foundation during events at the Festival Village. Instead of stepping up to rectify the situation and affirm their commitment to these workers, the government has compounded the issue with silence and delays.

The Windward Islands Civil Servants and Private Sector Union (WICSU/PSU), acting in good faith, suspended the initial go-slow under the expectation of meaningful dialogue and resolution at the August 6th meeting. But the government couldnt even manage the basic task of keeping its word. What followed was a cavalcade of disrespect, signaling not just administrative failure but a total lack of acknowledgment for the critical role these workers play in society.

Its not as if the grievances of firefighters and ambulance workers are new. For years, theyve been advocating for a function book to be finalizedan essential step in providing clarity on roles, responsibilities, and promotional pathways. Despite the function book being published in the national gazette, promotions for young firefighters who have been serving since 2019 remain unapproved. This glaring inaction has serious repercussions.

Some of these young professionals cannot even secure loans from banks because their placements have not been made official. Their ability to build a futurebuy a home, support a familyhas been effectively crippled because of the governments paralysis. The placement process, which should have been completed by 2024, was never finalized. Instead of champions of safety, these workers have been reduced to pawns in an endless game of administrative incompetence.

The governments negligence is shameful. The lack of urgency and accountability in this matter sends a clear message to firefighters and ambulance personnelthat their well-being is not a priority. These are not only operational failures; they are moral failures. How can an administration claim to care for its people when it ignores the cries of those who protect and serve?

This is not just about a function book or a rescheduled meeting. It is about respect, fairness, and basic human dignity. By failing to address these long-standing issues, the government has eroded the trust of its most essential workers. And unless immediate, concrete action is taken, this betrayal will leave scars not only on the morale of these workers but on the publics faith in its leadership.

St. Maarten deserves better leadership, and its frontline workers deserve a government that recognizes their invaluable contributions. Anything less is unacceptable.
Iran says deputy head of UN nuclear watchdog to visit Monday



Tehran, Aug 10 (AFP) Aug 10, 2025



Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday the deputy head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog will arrive in Tehran the following day.

The visit will be the first by a senior official from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since Iran suspended cooperation with the body last month in the wake of the 12-day war with Israel.

"Our talks with the Agency tomorrow will focus on a new cooperation framework... Until we reach an agreement on a new framework, cooperation will not begin," Araghchi told reporters.

He said there were "no inspections or visits" of nuclear sites planned for the official.

In mid-June, Israel launched an unprecedented attack targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, but also hitting residential areas over the course of the war.

US forces joined with attacks on nuclear facilities at Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz.

Last month, Iran officially suspended its cooperation with the IAEA citing the agency's failure to condemn Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Israel's attack derailed nuclear talks between Iran and the United States which had begun in April.

The talks had been the highest-level contact between Tehran and Washington since the United States abandoned in 2018 a landmark agreement on Iran's nuclear activities.

Since the 12-day war, Iran has demanded guarantees against military action before resuming any negotiations with the US.

Araghchi recently said Iran has "received messages" from the US side on the resumption of talks, and on Sunday, he said that "nothing has been finalised" on that matter.

On July 25, Iranian diplomats met with counterparts from Germany, Britain, and France who have threatened to trigger sanctions against Tehran by the end of August if it fails to reach a deal on its nuclear programme.

The so-called "snapback mechanism" would reinstate UN sanctions under a moribund 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.

The option expires in October and Tehran has warned of consequences should it be activated.

"Our contact with the Europeans is ongoing," said Araghchi on Sunday, adding that a date for the next round of talks has yet to be set.
Mali arrests dozens of soldiers over alleged bid to topple junta



Bamako, Aug 10 (AFP) Aug 10, 2025



Mali has arrested dozens of soldiers suspected of plotting to overthrow the junta, which itself took power in the west African country in a coup, sources told AFP on Sunday.

Since seizing the reins in Mali through back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, the west African country's junta has ramped up repression of its critics in the face of widespread jihadist unrest.

"Since three days ago, there have been arrests linked to an attempt to destabilise the institutions. There have been at least around 20 arrests," a Malian security source told AFP.

A separate source within the army confirmed an "attempt at destabilisation", adding: "We have gone ahead with the necessary arrests".

Among those arrested was General Abass Dembele, a former governor of the central Mopti region and a respected military officer.

"Soldiers came early this morning (Sunday) to arrest General Abass Dembele in Kati," on the outskirts of the capital Bamako, a figure close to the officer said.

"They have not told him why he was arrested."

A member of the National Transition Council, the junta-backed parliament, spoke of "around 50 arrests".

"All are soldiers. Their objective was to overthrow the junta," the lawmaker said.



- 'Grumblings within the ranks' -



Since 2012 Mali has been wracked with crises on various fronts, with militants linked to the Al-Qaeda or Islamic State groups carrying out violent attacks across the Sahel nation.

Criminal and sectarian violence are likewise rife, while the economy is in dire straits.

After the coups, the junta turned its back on France, arguing that the country should be free of its former colonial ruler, as have its fellow military-run allies in Niger and Burkina Faso.

It has forged ties with new allies, notably Russia, whose mercenaries from the paramilitary Wagner group and its successor Africa Corps have helped the military fight jihadists and other internal adversaries.

Yet, like Niger and Burkina Faso, Mali has continued to struggle to contain the jihadist threat, while the regular army and its Russian allies are frequently accused of committing atrocities against civilians.

For Malian sociologist Oumar Maiga, this latest purge was "proof that the officers are struggling to control the situation. There are grumblings within the army's ranks".

"Some soldiers are not happy with the treatment given to the Russian mercenaries at the expense of Malian soldiers," Maiga added.

In July, a bill passed by the military-appointed legislative body granted Mali's junta chief General Assimi Goita a five-year presidential mandate, renewable "as many times as necessary" and without elections.

The military government had initially pledged to return to civilian rule in March 2024.
I'm desperate to see my cousin come home and the rest of the hostages. I miss him dearly. The UK has not done enough. They need to apply more pressure, especially on states which have a relationship with Hamas.
A Met spokesperson said: Its not always possible to charge someone immediately after arrest as there is often further evidence to gather to build a case to the required evidential standard. There is no mechanism to hold a person in custody for an extended period prior to charge We acknowledge that in this case, the investigation has taken longer than we would ideally have wanted.
Addressing the crowd in Whitehall, the UKs Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said: To our Government we turn and we say how would you ever be able to live with the fact that you would have recognised a Palestinian state, at the head of which is a terrorist organisation, with a stated intention of destroying the state of Israel and harming Jews right around the world and all this at a time when the hostages are still languishing in the tunnels of Gaza?
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
()



When you walk around Korea, you will quickly see the passion for food spilling over from stalls lining the street and small restaurants full of people noisily slurping noodles or preening away at a dish with chopsticks. I am often asked why Korean people love spicy food, but it comes naturally to us; we grow up with it, and its ingrained in our culture. Even Western people (my husband included) quickly become hooked on Korean cuisine once they develop a liking for the warm Korean spices.

South Koreans first discovered spicy food when chili peppers were brought to Korea from Japan in the mid 16th century. Before long Koreans developed their own unique dishes using chilis, going on to develop our own unique sauce called gochujang, a hot red pepper paste. Its popularity is spreading  gochujang can now be found in Asian markets all over the world and has been used by a number of famous chefs.Commercially produced gochujang is available anywhere in South Korea  just look for the red plastic boxes ranging in size from 200g to several kilos. However, the true secret lies in the homemade stuff. If you look deep enough in Korean markets, you can find some real homemade gochujang, made and cared for using a traditional recipe. It should be traditionally aged in Korean clay pots and have a unique pungency that when added to food, will take you to a whole new level of Korean flavor.

Some say eating spicy food can help fight obesity as it speeds up the bodys metabolism and the excretion of waste, a contributing factor to South Koreas obesity rate of less than 5%. Its also packed with capsaicin, the component that makes the peppers spicy and helps fight the common cold. That said, there has been medical concern about the adverse effects of too much spice, considering that South Korea has one of the highest rates of stomach cancer in the world nearly 10 times that of the U.S. But what is life without a little risk?

Cooking with Gochujang

If you want to make spicy food at home, a good place to begin is Korean spicy pork belly known as jeyuk bokkeum, a nice warm dish thats quick and easy to make and will certainly impress your Korean and non-Korean friends.

Jeyuk Bokkeum Ingredients:

500g of Sliced Belly pork

1  tablespoon of gochujang

4 tablespoons of soy sauce

3 teaspoons of sugar

If you go to a butcher in South Korea and ask for sliced belly pork, you will be given thinly sliced pork that is just right for this dish, I would cut these further in to strips and put in a bowl. To make the spicy sauce mix, you need about 1  tablespoons of gochujang with 4 tablespoons of soy sauce and 3 teaspoons of sugar, add this to the bowl and mix well and allow to marinate. I like to leave it in the fridge to marinate overnight, but try to give it a few hours at least.To cook, pour the mix in to a hot pan and fry until cooked which is about 10 minutes, serve straight away with some rice and side dishes and you are sure to impress.

You can use this simple sauce with most meats like chicken or beef to create a simple fried spicy dish, or add to your bulgogi sauce for a spicy bulgogi dish.

Luna Points is the author and creator of Easy Korean Food, a site full of easy Korean recipes you can make at home.
We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraines and Europes vital security interests, it read. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force. The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations. We are united as Europeans and determined to jointly promote our interests.
In this undated aerial photo, one can see the landing strips as well as the airport service buildings at Haile Field, which rose at the end of Avenue F north of Hyde Park. Courtesy of North Loop Neighborhood Association



One Old Austin story almost inevitably leads to another Old Austin story.

A From the Archives column for July 4 delved into stories about the three locations of the Howard family nursery businesses, one on Shady Lane, another on Koenig Lane, and a third on Springdale Road.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Great piece about Howard Nursery, reader Emory Gose responded immediately. One thing you might not know is that the Koenig Lane location was originally a small airfield. And until the property was sold and razed there was an old army-type metal hanger with the faded Ragsdale Aviation name on the front. The Howards used the building for a storage shed, I believe.

Gose was not the only reader who was thinking about Haile Field, a small airport that was located between Waller Creek and the Northwestern and Austin railroad. The land later was developed as the aptly named Skyview neighborhood.

In 1938, French Rudolph Doc Haile founded a flying service in North Austin, shared Jim Duncan, the retired urban planner who contributes business histories to our periodic feature, Jim Duncans Austin. Doc was a commercial pilot with a multi-engine rating and a licensed aircraft mechanic. Airfield offices and hangars were located at the end of Avenue F, where Koenig Lane intersects today. Except for a U.S. Army bomber mistakenly landing on its dirt runway and getting stuck in the mud in 1941, not much exciting happened at Haile Field. In 1947, the airfield closed.

Duncan adds that, during the 1950s, the 50-acre field was subdivided into lots and blocks and marketed as Skyview Homes.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Two airports in tandem

I had heard about this small airport years ago while reporting on the nearby Hyde Park, Highland and Hancock neighborhoods; and noted its ghostly presence when I traced Waller Creek from its source near Highland Mall to its mouth at Lady Bird Lake.

One thing struck me as curious: Haile Field stood a little more than two miles northwest from Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, which opened in 1930 and closed in 1999.

Were flight patterns ever disrupted by this proximity during the Haile years?

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

During the 1980s, long after Haile closed, big jet planes descended right over the Skyview neighborhood into Mueller. In fact, a political campaign that supported moving the municipal airport ran TV commercials that showed jets practically hazing nearby Ridgetop Elementary School. (In 1984, I lived just north of Mueller in a stucco cottage that still stands at Lancaster Court and 52nd Street. Landing jets generated wall-shattering roars.)

What more can we find out about Haile Field?

During Haile Fields nine-year tenure, the American-Statesman did not ignore the tiny airport. Reports on flyer Doc Hailes links to other airfields go back even further. In fact, the earliest references to Haile report that he was taught to fly by Webb Ruff, his cousin, in 1925 at University Airport (subject for a future column?).

Here are a few highlights:

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

June 2, 1933: Haile Placed at Muny Airport. Rudolph F. Haile, local air pilot, who was operating an airport on Cameron Road Friday was awarded a temporary contract as manager of the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, to succeed Hal Naylor, who was killed in an airplane accident here Wednesday.

Haile Placed at Muny Airport. Rudolph F. Haile, local air pilot, who was operating an airport on Cameron Road Friday was awarded a temporary contract as manager of the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, to succeed Hal Naylor, who was killed in an airplane accident here Wednesday. Dec. 1, 1930: Doc Hailes Ship Was Mechanically Okeh, Says Expert. Andrew B. Granger, 21, of Bryan was killed and R.F. (Doc) Haile, the Austin pilot, was dangerously injured in crash just of the Georgetown highway three miles out of Austin Friday afternoon. The plane was in good mechanical condition before the crash occurred, said M.F. Clark of Houston, inspector of aeronautics for the U.S Department of Commerce.

Doc Hailes Ship Was Mechanically Okeh, Says Expert. Andrew B. Granger, 21, of Bryan was killed and R.F. (Doc) Haile, the Austin pilot, was dangerously injured in crash just of the Georgetown highway three miles out of Austin Friday afternoon. The plane was in good mechanical condition before the crash occurred, said M.F. Clark of Houston, inspector of aeronautics for the U.S Department of Commerce. April 2, 1941: Haile Airport Hangar Will Be Doubled. Clearly, Hailes 1938 airport was a success. By 1941, he constructed a second building, all-steel, with 7,000 square feet of storage space for airplanes. This wartime building could be the structure that reader Gose mentioned in her note. Other sources suggest that Haile trained some military flyers there.

Haile Airport Hangar Will Be Doubled. Clearly, Hailes 1938 airport was a success. By 1941, he constructed a second building, all-steel, with 7,000 square feet of storage space for airplanes. This wartime building could be the structure that reader Gose mentioned in her note. Other sources suggest that Haile trained some military flyers there. Feb. 7, 1946 : State Guard Air Wing Joins Hunt for Lost Private Plane. A twin-engine plane with four occupants went missing three days before this article appeared. It refers to Capt. Tom Beasley, a flight instructor at Haile airport, was among those patrolling for the lost plane. Given Goses reference to a Ragsdale Aviation building at Haile, this article notes that Bobby Ragsdale was flying with the official state guard contingent.

: State Guard Air Wing Joins Hunt for Lost Private Plane. A twin-engine plane with four occupants went missing three days before this article appeared. It refers to Capt. Tom Beasley, a flight instructor at Haile airport, was among those patrolling for the lost plane. Given Goses reference to a Ragsdale Aviation building at Haile, this article notes that Bobby Ragsdale was flying with the official state guard contingent. Aug. 1, 1945 : In the Air: Secretaries, Housewives, Students  They Love to Fly. As filed by Statesman staff writer Jeanne Douglas, this article, despite its somewhat condescending headline, was meant to celebrate the women who learned to fly airplanes, including WASPs during World War II. There are now approximately 100 women fliers in Austin, about 25 of whom have achieved a private flying license or better. All of them fly at one of Austins four flying schools: Ragsdale flying service, Browning aerial service, Haile airport and Austin flying service.

: In the Air: Secretaries, Housewives, Students  They Love to Fly. As filed by Statesman staff writer Jeanne Douglas, this article, despite its somewhat condescending headline, was meant to celebrate the women who learned to fly airplanes, including WASPs during World War II. There are now approximately 100 women fliers in Austin, about 25 of whom have achieved a private flying license or better. All of them fly at one of Austins four flying schools: Ragsdale flying service, Browning aerial service, Haile airport and Austin flying service. May 6, 1946 : Aged Pilot Tops Air Show. The headline refers to a stunt pilot at a postwar civilian airshow who dressed up as an 80-year-old woman to the gasping delight of observers. Doc Haile is listed among the performers at St. Edwards Airport on St. Elmo Lane in South Austin (surely related to the World War I-era Penn Field, and another candidate for a future column). Many of the newspaper references to Haile and his airport during the 1940s report on stunt flying, flight instruction, crop dusting, planes for sale, and social events held at his airports hangars.

: Aged Pilot Tops Air Show. The headline refers to a stunt pilot at a postwar civilian airshow who dressed up as an 80-year-old woman to the gasping delight of observers. Doc Haile is listed among the performers at St. Edwards Airport on St. Elmo Lane in South Austin (surely related to the World War I-era Penn Field, and another candidate for a future column). Many of the newspaper references to Haile and his airport during the 1940s report on stunt flying, flight instruction, crop dusting, planes for sale, and social events held at his airports hangars. Jan. 15, 1948: Crash Victims Given Chance. Colin Jones, 25, and John Breeder, 26, were listed in poor condition at Brackenridge Hospital after their two-place, single-engine Luscombe plane crashed about 10 miles west of Austin near Bee Cave Road. They had hit an electric line strung across the Colorado River. In a sad reiteration of previous newspaper stories about crashes, they had taken off from Haile Airport.

Crash Victims Given Chance. Colin Jones, 25, and John Breeder, 26, were listed in poor condition at Brackenridge Hospital after their two-place, single-engine Luscombe plane crashed about 10 miles west of Austin near Bee Cave Road. They had hit an electric line strung across the Colorado River. In a sad reiteration of previous newspaper stories about crashes, they had taken off from Haile Airport. Oct. 13, 1952: S-K-Y-V-I-E-W Open All Day. Display ad regarding houses for sale: Three-bedroom homes. Tile baths with colored fixtures. 80,000 BTU central ducted heat. Paved streets and curbed lots. Small down payments. Priced $8,600 to $8,950. 15-20-15-year loans. Located on the former Haile Airport site at 5700 Avenue F north of Hyde Park. See them before theyre all SOLD.
Fourteen months into her tenure as felony prosecutor, Katherine West wanted Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza to know exactly why she was resigning.

In her last act on her final day, she emailed him a two-page letter.

As a 27-year-old progressive, I had high hopes for a liberal DAs office, optimistic we could balance defendant rights with community and victim safety, she wrote June 6. I genuinely believe in what you are trying to accomplish, even if I think you are missing the mark.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

West laid bare a number of concerns before raising an issue that has bedeviled the office: Repeated missed state-imposed deadlines to secure grand jury indictments against jailed defendants. The lapses have led to the legally required release of suspects charged with violent crimes  and dozens more sitting behind bars with no formal charge, possibly in violation of their constitutional rights.

Why are we unable to take accountability for our shortcomings? West asked. Why are we hostile to honest debate and criticism, even internally?

Nothing gets through

For much of his five-plus years as Travis Countys top felony prosecutor, Garza has faced mostly GOP and law enforcement-led attacks targeting his approach to criminal justice reform. The political grenades have only further solidified him with left-leaning voters. Last year, Garza, beloved among the local progressive base, handily defeated an opponent in the Democratic primary and overwhelmingly won against a Republican in the general election.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

But eight months into his second term, Garza has faced criticism from a different constituency  not for his progressive prosecution approach  but about the day-in, day-out operations of his office that call into question his performance as chief administrator of a 250-person agency.

Jose Garza is in his fifth year in office and defends his record, saying he has prioritized prosecuting violent crime and making Austin safer. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

Instead of attacks from predictable opponents, the scrutiny has come from Democrat judges, defense attorneys who say they share Garzas core beliefs of a justice system needing overhaul, and prosecutors such as West who wanted to work alongside him. They say that Garza runs a chaotic agency with ever-shifting policies and personnel that hinders the ability of the office to function properly.

But in a political landscape where ideology often wins over effective day-to-day administration, experts and criminal courthouse observers say they believe organizational shortcomings likely create little to no liability among Garzas progressive core.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Daryl Slusher, who spent nine years as an Austin City Council member and was the politics editor for the Austin Chronicle in the late 1980s and early 1990s, has written critically about Garzas administration for his online publication, the Austin Independent.

He said that often in conversations with fellow Democratic voters, skepticism of Garzas performance fails to resonate. He attributes that to the broader state of the nations political discourse.

"I don't think the progressives can or will evaluate him objectively, he said. Any criticism of Garza to progressives tends to get labeled as coming from Republicans. And it makes even a person who is not a Republican suspect if they criticize him. It is something of a loop, and nothing gets through to make any difference."

Daryl Slusher served nine years on the Austin City Council and as politics editor of the Austin Chronicle in the 1980s and 1990s. He says progressives are reluctant to criticize Garza. Mark Matson/Austin American-Statesman file photo

While never acknowledging that missed deadlines were an issue in his office, and initially suggesting that prosecutors had no deadline, Garza has said he adopted new frameworks to ensure prosecutors obtain indictments or decide the future of a case in 90 days.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Jessica Brand, an Austin attorney and founder of the Wren Collective, a social justice strategic nonprofit that has worked with Garza and other progressive prosecutors nationally, said voters continue to focus on Garzas broader goals and performance, including getting more defendants into diversion programs that keep them out of prison.

"I think people care (about the deadline issue), but they see the response as a positive, which is that the DA has said we looked at it and put in safeguards to address it, she said.

Garza declined to comment for this story. His office said in a statement: Over the last five years, the Travis County District Attorneys Office has strengthened the safety of our community by improving outcomes for survivors of sexual assault and working to reduce gun violence. We are proud of our record and grateful to have the support of our community.

Inside the courthouse

When he took office in January 2021, Garza was cheered as a courthouse outsider with the hope of bringing new ideas and an agenda for reform.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Prior to becoming district attorney, Garza had never been a prosecutor and spent years as a public defender in federal courts. He then worked as executive director of the Workers Defense Project, a nonprofit that aims to create equality among the workforce and prevent crimes such as wage theft.

But some critics say Garzas lack of prosecutorial experience became publicly evident in February when the issue of missed indictment deadlines bubbled to the surface with the release of two murder defendants his office had failed to formally charge. To many in the local criminal justice system, the lapse exposed what had been an undercurrent of frustration with Garzas administration.

A child sexual assault suspect was interviewed in a room at an Austin Police Department facility on the grounds of the Center for Child Protection in Austin, photographed here on Monday, June 9, 2025. The suspect was deported before he was ever tried because District Attorney Jose Garza missed a 90-day deadline to indict him. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Garza first blamed the issue on a prosecutor no longer with the office, but reporting by the American-Statesman revealed a far more widespread pattern. Last year, the agency failed to obtain an indictment against jailed defendants 263 times.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Prominent Austin defense attorney Rick Cofer, who contributed $16,000 to Garzas campaign last year, said meeting deadlines "is just the nuts and bolts of criminal prosecution. If you are doing it right, there will never be a headline. It is just doing the job. Their oath, the job, is to see that justice is done, and you can't do that if you are blowing deadlines.

Charlie Baird, a former state district judge in Travis County and judge on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals who now works as an Austin defense attorney, said securing indictments within 90 days when a person is in jail is a fundamental responsibility of district attorneys.

Not running a seamless office can adversely impact the courts, the defense, all kinds of things there, he said. Managing a robust district attorneys office frequently comes with challenges and shortcomings, but it can be run a whole lot better than it has been.

The variability of things

Multiple defense attorneys told the Statesman that the deadline lapses illustrate a larger issue within the office about what they consider a lack of organization and expertise. They also share Wests experience that policies seem to shift based on political currents, rather than principle, making it difficult to know how to advise clients.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

West said she was particularly concerned about a new policy targeting the prosecution of domestic violence suspects. She said that as part of a national movement among some progressives to empower victims and allow them to decide the future of cases, Travis prosecutors were required to do everything in their power to dismiss a case if the victim no longer wanted to pursue charges.

The policy misattributes a victims willingness to move forward with prosecution as the most important factor in determining the viability of a case, rather than an evaluation of a cases merit on the whole, including community safety, she wrote.

She added: Two witnesses see a woman being punched, but she said she ran into a pole? Dismissed. Urinated on herself during strangulation but said she didnt want to prosecute? Dismissed.

She said the policy was put in place in May abruptly and unilaterally," removing prosecutor discretion.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Austin defense attorney Will Hale said he has experienced that lack of predictability from his side of the courtroom.

The biggest complaint is the variability of things  just the uncertainty of the office. Who is going to be prosecutor from one day to the next, he said. What are the policies?

Several defense attorneys said the office appears to struggle to attract and retain experienced prosecutors and that staff often shuffle from assignment to assignment with little continuity.

Austin defense attorney Charlie Baird, a former judge on the state's highest criminal court, said the district attorney's office has management lapses that impact day-to-day operations of the justice system. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Baird said he recently talked to a prosecutor who had been out of law school for four months  an experience level previously almost unheard of for the office.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

"They seem to have tremendously high turnover, and they have people in positions of trust who are not experienced enough to handle making decisions that impact so gravely another person's life, he said.

Mark Sampson, president of the Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, said: "To me, it is the turnover that they have...It is not easy when a lot of the most experienced people left."

He added that the issue of missed deadlines  which he said should have never been an issue anyway  brought to the forefront concerns that defense attorneys previously only privately groused about.

District Judge Chantal Eldridge, who presided over the cases of the two released murder defendants, has also cited concerns about prosecutor turnover and inexperience. However, she said that in recent weeks, after she raised her concerns with Garza, he reassigned prosecutors in her court.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

I have (prosecutors) who are paying attention to the day to day operations and actually doing a good job, she said. I will tell you that he has given me top notch prosecutors that I have not had for quite some time."

The Statesman sought resignation letters in the past six months from district attorneys office employees who departed within the past eight months. None besides West cited a workplace culture as the main issue for their departure. Others declined to comment when contacted.

The district attorneys office did not include Wests letter  titled Letter of Resignation  in response to a request under the Texas Public Information Act for all resignation letters in 2025. The Statesman obtained it from West.

Outside the courthouse

Among local officials, Garza has stood out as particularly popular  and polarizing  from Day 1.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

He was elected on a promise of police accountability in the aftermath of George Floyds death in 2020 and to resolve what he said is an issue of too many people being in jail not convicted of crimes. He blamed the justice system for racial and socioeconomic disparities and vowed to help remedy those issues.

Jose Garza was elected in 2020 after the social justice protests with a promise to hold police officers accountable and to help reform what he said was a broken justice system. Bronte Wittpenn/Austin American-Statesman file photo

In an early February profile in the Statesman about his second term, Garza prioritized prosecution of more sexual assault cases and the expansion of diversion programs designed to rehabilitate defendants outside of jail, especially those who are young or struggling with substance abuse.

Those are the progressive values that place Garza in continued good stead with voters, said Brian Smith, a political science professor at St. Edwards University.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

He has quite a bit of latitude, especially if he stays in the general confines of the law, he said.

However, Smith warned that Garza should not take his support for granted because seemingly small issues could accumulate sufficiently to draw a political opponent by the time Garza is up for re-election in three years.

After revelations of the missed deadlines, state Senator Sarah Eckhardt in February chastised Garza publicly and expressed concerns about how he was running the office.

Smith and others say that moment was striking, with one popular Democrat calling out another, but Smith said Eckhardts criticism was not sustained enough to politically injure Garza.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

She said, Im getting my displeasure on record, I'm letting it be known, but for her, it is not the hill worth dying on and because of that, the political damage is minimal, Smith said. He added that for Garza, Eckhardt is not an enemy you want.

Other observers agree with Brand from the Wren Collective: That as Garza continues to prioritize a progressive agenda, local Democratic party voters likely will not place much weight on day-to-day legal lapses.

"Your typical person is not following it that closely, and even engaged voters don't know how to follow up because it is a legal thing, it is a lawyer thing, said Adam Loewy, an Austin civil attorney who is active in local politics and donated $5,000 to Garzas re-election campaign. Your typical voter isn't interested in it."

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Chas Moore, a criminal justice reform advocate whose group has been among Garzas most vocal supporters, said it is important for Garza to correct, and explain to the public, any issues about deadline lapses. But he added that his support remains strong as Garza continues to focus on progressive priorities.
Rep. Daniel Alders, R-Tyler, left, greets Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows on Tuesday in the House Chamber at the state Capitol. The House did not have a quorum after most Democratic state representatives left Texas to block a vote on a Republican plan for Congressional redistricting. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Trying to steal elections?

Remember when Republicans were complaining that Democrats had stolen elections?

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

President Donald Trump claimed repeatedly, without evidence, that the 2020 presidential election was rigged" and "stolen from him.

That wasn't true; President Joe Biden legitimately defeated Trump that year.

Now, Republicans in Texas, at Trumps bidding, are trying to steal the 2026 mid-term congressional elections through the redistricting process in order to retain control of the U.S. House for Trump.

Isnt that ironic?

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Mary Alice Salmon, Round Rock

Fight against suppression

Texans have a proud history of standing against oppression, yet, Gov. Greg Abbott bends to President Donald Trumps agenda and enables voter suppression through a redistricting effort.

As Democratic lawmakers break quorum to block unfair redistricting, they embody civil disobedience defending our democracy. Gerrymandering silences voters, especially people of color, and Texas' maps earned an F for redistricting fairness in 2021 from Princeton University.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

This fight isnt partisan. Its about stopping voter suppression designed to cling to power.

Abbott claims Texans dont back down. Our lawmakers prove it by denying quorum to resist an increasingly authoritarian administration.

Texans have never stood quietly before injustice, so why start now? The Brennan Center warns these tactics suppress young, nonwhite voters and threaten democracy.

If we value fairness and freedom, we must stand with our lawmakers and refuse to bend the knee to those clinging to power. The fight is alive; now its our turn.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Gwyneth Ortiz, Georgetown

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin, left, and U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, join protesters outside the Governors Mansion on Monday to protest the Republican plan for congressional redistricting. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Illinois not the example

Texas Democrats are fleeing the state to protest Republican redistricting. Where are they going? Illinois with Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Did any of these Democrats take the time to view the Illinois congressional map? Pritzker and Illinois Democrats have mastered the art of gerrymandering as evidenced by the current map.

If Texas Democrats are serious about protesting gerrymandering, you would hope they could at least flee to a state that isnt the poster child for blatant gerrymandering.

Eric Hjerpe, Vernon Hills, Ill.

Kudos to Casar, Doggett

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

As a Democratic voter, I applaud the current actions of U.S. Reps. Lloyd Doggett and Greg Casar. They are doing exactly what I would wish them to do, taking action against a sea of Republicanism in Austin. Thank you to these two courageous men who actually care about the people they are serving.

The one word of truth in Sen. John Cornyn's remarks is that Texas House Democrats are fleeing the "scene of a crime." You actually have it right, sir: The crimes are being committed by your fellow Republicans. So sorry, I didn't come to America to be ruled by a pseudo king, Donald Trump.

I live in hopes that we can one day do better in the state of Texas.

Grania Patterson, Austin

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Glen Shield recently holds pieces of an explosive that was used in 2023 by a SWAT unit that blew open his front door while searching for a suspect who lived across the street. He and his wife filed a lawsuit this week against the city of Austin and individual officers from the Austin Police Department and the state Department of Public Safety. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

Can Chief Davis help?

I appreciated the commentary by columnist Bridget Grumet on the aftermath of the Glen and Mindy Shield's SWAT home invasion in 2023.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The whole episode is ludicrous and over the top, involving bumbling police who could have caused someone to be killed. That the officers involved, as well as their agencies, Austin Police Department and state Department of Public Safety, resolutely refuse to take responsibility for their incredible overreach is beyond belief and shameful.

As Glen Shield said, its amazing that this could happen in America.

But, Im wondering, what does Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis think about this? Shes a good administrator, fair, empathetic and can cut through red tape. She could initiate a response based on decency.

The Shields have been extremely patient and calm during this process. When they sell their home and move away, it will be Austins loss.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Mike Ozmun, Austin

Live within your means

The City Council has a lot of nerve planning to raise our property taxes more than 20% after being called out for profligate spending on personal lunches, business class upgrades and costly retirement parties.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

There are plenty of things we can do without, like all those annoying pylons lining bike lanes, inflated salaries (our city manager is the highest paid in Texas and our cops are the second highest paid in the state), and their latest money waster, the cap and stitch for Interstate 35.

No one is raising my income to pay for my wish list. Learn to budget.

Rona Distenfeld, Austin

Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax, who earns $488,800 a year as one of the highest-paid city managers in the country, expensed about 150 lunches during his first year on the job at a cost of about $3,300, according to an American-Statesman review. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Leaders wasted our money

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Lavish spending in any form by any elected public official is absurd.

As a former public official, I knew my first duty was to be a good steward of public money  it wasn't my money, it was your money  and I was responsible for spending it wisely.

Many years ago, 50 in fact, my office sent me out of state to recover a stolen vehicle. When I returned to the office and submitted my expense account, my manager called me in to discuss it.

He said, "I will not submit an expense account that has $1.47 for lunch on it; please explain." I said, "I wasn't all that hungry."

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Errant public officials (including the people they've hired) know right from wrong, and if you vote the officials back into office, you're culpable right along with them.

Julia Diggs, Austin

Where is the Texas I love?

I am a Democrat living in Texas, and I no longer recognize the state I love.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Everywhere I look, cruelty is being normalized. Elected officials arent leading, theyre dominating. They care more about controlling people than supporting them, and theyre using the full force of the government to do it.

Injustices are piling up, fast and shameless:

 Redistricting maps are being redrawn to silence millions of voices, including my own.

 Democratic legislators are being threatened with removal simply for walking out to protect democracy.

 Immigrant families are being caged, bused like cargo and left to suffer in extreme heat  treated as political pawns, not human beings.

 Women and girls are being forced to carry pregnancies they didnt choose, even when it puts their lives at risk.

 Books are being banned, history is being whitewashed and teachers are being silenced.

 Queer and transgender children are being targeted.

 Poor and marginalized communities are being flooded out and left behind, while the state fixates on power maps instead of rescue plans.

Meanwhile, our elected officials respond to all this suffering with smug sound bites, partisan stunts and aggressive redistricting, not with compassion.

This is not just politics. This is a moral failure masquerading as lawmaking.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Im tired of being told to sit down and be quiet while the people in charge redraw reality around their own comfort and power. I vote. I care. Im paying attention. I will not disappear quietly.

Karen Shaw, Austin

I have some questions

Why are so many government jobs, departments and agencies being rapidly and simultaneously eliminated?

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Why are we demonizing immigration, which has fueled economic growth and stability throughout our countrys history?

Why are our elected leaders authorizing the wholesale kidnapping and detention of people with no criminal history, by unidentifiable armed individuals without warrants?

Why are many of our courts permitting the deportation of individuals from our country to prisons, while their right to due process is ignored?

Why is it necessary to provide U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with $45 billion during the next four years, to build and operate criminal detention centers?

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Do these extreme actions make your life better? What do you think our future will look like as a result of these changes?

Where do you think were headed?

Bill Brink, Austin

Chuck Mangione performs during the Playboy Jazz Festival in Los Angeles, June 18, 2006. Mangione inspired young musicians in Austin years ago, a reader recalls. Lucas Jackson/Associated Press

Jazz musician's high notes

For more than five decades, professional jazz musician Chuck Mangiones love affair with music showed pure joy that radiated front stage.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Who would think that hed be sitting with the newly formed William B. Travis High School Jazz Band when he was invited to visit them on a trip to Austin for a performance at the Paramount Theater?

It was truly a historic day for the students. He also had those students as guests for his show.

Dizzy Gillespie was the one who gave Mangione an opportunity to play music. Mangiones years with the Jazz Brothers overlapped his attendance of the Eastman School of Music that eventually resulted in in his solo album debut.

Thank you, Mangione, for inspiring young musicians in Austin all those years ago and continuing throughout your illustrious career as a pioneer in the smooth jazz industry.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

With all Gods blessings, may you rest at peace, sir.

Moses P. Saldana, Sr., Austin
Former congressman Beto ORourke speaks during the Fight The Trump Takeover Rally at the Texas State Capitol, July 24, 2025. Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman

A Tarrant County judge on Friday temporarily blocked former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke and his political group from raising or spending money after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accused them of bribery by helping Democrats flee the state to block GOP redistricting

O'Rourke's group, Powered by People, had told Hearst Newspapers earlier in the week that it urged Democrats to carry out the walkout and agreed to front the costs of lodging and transportation. The group continued to fundraise, even as Paxton launched an investigation into the effort.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Paxton said in a statement Friday that the group was operating a misleading financial-influence scheme." Tarrant County Presiding Judge Megan Fahey sided with the state and set a hearing for Aug. 19 for a more permanent injunction. Fahey, a Republican, was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2019; the county went for President Donald Trump by 5 percentage points in 2024.

READ MORE: Ken Paxton sues to remove 13 Democrats who fled Texas over redistricting

Powered by People filed a responding suit in El Paso County district court against Paxton on Friday, claiming the attorney general's investigation violated the group's right to association, free speech and equal protection. The suit argues that Paxton is not filing similar suits against organizations that lean conservative and notes that Paxton, who is running for U.S. Senate, has identified O'Rourke as a potential opponent.

"The state is bluntly using the vast power of the Attorney General's Office to effectuate a fishing expedition, constitutional rights be damned," the suit reads. "The true motivation behind defendant's action thus appears to be an unlawful desire to retaliate against Mr. O'Rourke."

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Paxton did not immediately respond to a request for comment on O'Rourke's suit.

Paxton, a third-term Republican, said in the suit that the groups offer gave lawmakers an illegal benefit for violating a Constitutional duty and not showing up at the Capitol.

He also argues they violated Texas election law by offering political contributions for personal use, defined as a use that primarily furthers individual or family purposes not connected with the performance of duties or activities as a candidate for or holder of a public office.

ORourkes group hasnt said how it is sending money to the lawmakers, whether its a donation given directly, in-kind or through an intermediary.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The absent Democrats are subject to $500 daily fines under House rules, and are barred from using campaign funds to cover them. Paxton notes it would then be illegal for them to use campaign contributions from ORourke or Powered by People to pay for those.
The dad of one pleaded guilty to assaulting his female victim

A jilted punter who grabbed a young barmaid by the back of her neck and hair before trying to kiss her twice inside a midlands pub after she rejected his advances has walked free from court.

Father of one Jonathan Fereira, with an address at Thomond Court, Ballymahon, Co Longford, was handed the Probation Act following an incident at Skellys Pub, Main Street, Ballymahon on April 29, 2023.

Fereira, who pleaded guilty to assaulting his female victim, appeared at a sitting of Longford District Court more than three months on from his initial appearance and where the accused entered a guilty plea.

Sgt Mark Mahon said Fereira accosted the young bar worker in the wake of his own unsuccessful attempts to secure her phone number and Instagram details.

The court was told as the woman attempted to walk away from the accused, Fereira pulled her in towards him by suddenly grabbing the back of her neck and hair.

In a statement provided to gardai, the young woman told of how Fereira proceeded to lean in towards her neck area in an attempt to kiss her twice.

She stated the male had a tight grip of her hair and neck, said Sgt Mahon, in a hold the young bar worker found difficult to free herself from.

The court was told the 27-year-old had not previously come to garda attention and was someone who had no previous convictions to his name.

Brid Mimnagh, defending, told the court how Fereira had been drinking on the night in question and had misinterpreted his victims natural friendliness to carry a more amorous connotation.

He took it as meaning a little bit more and felt he might be able to talk and meet with her, she said, adding how her client was acutely aware of his wrongdoing.

Jonathan Fereira exiting Longford Courthouse.

News in 90 seconds - 10th August 2025

He completely accepts that it was wrong, Ms Mimnagh added, sentiments she said Fereira had reinforced upon closer analysis of the young womans victim impact statement.

Ms Mimnagh said that mindset was one which had been predicated on the fact Fereira had a younger teenage sister himself and was now supporting a partner and child of his own.

The case had previously been put back to allow Fereira undergo a restorative justice report while also allowing the accused to amass a sum of 500 for his victim.

In reading the young womans victim impact statement, Judge Owens said the young bar worker had not, in any way, overexaggerated her ordeal while noting how Fereira was fortunate to not be facing a more serious charge than the assault summons before the court.

In handing in the 500 to his victim, Fereira, Judge Owens was informed had not come to any further garda attention over the intervening three months.

On that basis and given his lack of any previous convictions, Judge Owens spared Fereira a criminal conviction by affording him the benefit of section 1(1) of the Probation Act.
The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) struck a deal with Keane and Laura Flanagan after the family home was one of three properties seized by gardai.

A judge gave Laura Flanagan two years to vacate a house targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau

The glamorous partner of Limerick gang leader Kieran Keane Jnr has been given two years to hand over the family home, which has been declared the proceeds of crime.

The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) struck a deal with Keane and Laura Flanagan after the family home was one of three properties seized by gardai.

At the High Court in June, Judge Alexander Owens appointed a receiver to the other houses but agreed to wait before doing the same with the Claughaun Avenue home in Garryown, Limerick.

Referring to her affidavit evidence, he said he has to take into account the situation surrounding her children.

CAB target Kieran Keane Jnr

Last week it emerged the couple had signed an agreement with Cab after negotiations over various undertakings and indemnities.

Ms Flanagan now has until July 2027 before leaving the house, on which the Bureau said 289,000 was spent on renovations.

No order was made over the costs of the legal proceedings and the other two houses are due to be handed to CAB this October.

A judge gave Laura Flanagan two years to vacate a house targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau

News in 90 seconds - 10th August 2025

While Keane jnr is currently living in Dubai and Spain, Laura still resides in the Limerick house with three children.

The houses, three cars and 101,000 in a bank account were deemed the proceeds of crime.

The couples relationship was described in court as tempestuous and counsel for the pair said she appears to be a lone parent.

The son of slain gangster Kieran Keane Snr, Kieran Jnr left Ireland not long after gardai launched a major operation aimed at the gangs money laundering operation in 2020.

A forensic analysis of the couples finances and lifestyle from 2009 to 2020 suggested there was 696,000 worth of spending from unknown sources.

The analysis by Cab included foreign travel to Spain, the UK, Lapland and Dubai, gambling and evidence of money being spent at a plastic surgery clinic in Lithuania.

Investigators said there was a pattern in how Keane Jnr acquired the properties without being recorded as the owner, which were then rented to relatives or associates for cash.

Cab said Keane Jnr has been involved in serious organised crime. Now aged 36, he has been collated by gardai with other known serious criminals.

They included infamous enforcer Gerard Mackin, who served time for nailing a mans foot to a floor in Limerick during an horrific extortion bid.

Another associate named in the High Court was Mark Heffernan, who had been acquitted over his alleged role in the same incident.

Keane Jnrs only record of employment was a stint with Hefferan in 2015, which accounted for income of 12,000, according to CAB.

Heffernan was stated to have carried out renovations to a burned-out house bought by Keane Jnr in Caherconlish and then sold in 2018 at a time when he had no official income.

Judge Owens said the remainder of the profits from the sale of that house made up part of the 101,000 in a bank account that was also declared the proceeds of crime.

Some of that cash also came from Keane Jnrs motor business he set up in Newcastlewest at the same premises used by another Cab target, Mike Nash.
Robert Noctor went on the run after being caught with stash on EncroChat devices and cash

EncroChat devices were used by gangs around the world, including the Kinahan Cartel, until it was shut down after being hacked by police forces

Barman Robert Noctor used the name Leftbay on EncroChat and supplied the devices to criminal gangs

This is the Dublin barman who allegedly became a key player in supplying gangsters with encrypted phones in Ireland and France.

Robert Noctor fled Ireland after being caught with a stash of cash and EncroChat devices used by organised crime gangs across Europe.

The encrypted phones, designed to look like an ordinary smart handset, were used to plot murders, drug shipments and money-laundering schemes.

Gardai believe Noctor was working for Kinahan Cartel-linked Ciaran Sam OSullivan, according to recent evidence put before the High Court.

Like OSullivan, who sent his daughters to a posh Swiss school, the under-the-radar barman also spent money on educating his son at an expensive boarding school in the UK.

EncroChat devices were used by gangs around the world, including the Kinahan Cartel, until it was shut down after being hacked by police forces

Noctor hasnt returned to Ireland since he was pulled over by gardai in January 2020 when they found more than 93,000 in a Brown Thomas bag in the boot of his Toyota Yaris.

He claimed to have collected the cash from an unknown man, and he left the loot in the boot of his car and went back to work at a bar on Ormond Quay, Dublin.

He also explained he sold the EncroChat phones for 1,000 each and top-ups every six months for 1,500.

The officer who stopped Noctors car that evening handed over the money to the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab), along with the encrypted phones and a classic Nokia handset that was being used as a burner phone.

Barman Robert Noctor used the name Leftbay on EncroChat and supplied the devices to criminal gangs

News in 90 seconds - 11th August 2025

In his affidavit evidence, Cabs Chief officer Michael Gubbins said: The bank accounts of Robert Noctor have been examined and the 93,390 seized did not come from any bank accounts held in his name and is from an unknown source of funds from unidentified persons.

It subsequently emerged that Noctor had allegedly been selling the handsets in France, according to court documents there.

Noctor never made any contact with gardai after the cash was seized and didnt contest a proceeds of crime case against him in 2021, according to sworn evidence.

Robert Noctor has no criminal convictions, but a review of his Revenue profile indicates he does not have sufficient legitimate means over the course of the preceding years to have accumulated 93,390 in savings.

His name cropped up again in another case this year against Ciaran Sam OSullivan, in which the close link between the men formed part of the evidence.

OSullivan was discovered in an apartment with more EncroChat devices when it was searched by gardai. He was with his then partner, who is Noctors ex-wife.

At that stage, EncroChat had been successfully hacked by French police in April 2020 and investigators were downloading messages until June that year before the network was shut down.

As a result, a money laundering operation run by a Chinese gang used by OSullivan became the focus of a major Garda operation.

OSullivan is described as known to be involved in the international drugs trade with convictions in Spain and Holland.

An associate of Christy Kinahan Snr, OSullivan was arrested at one stage in Spain along with Bernard Clancy, another senior player in the cartel.

It exposed OSullivans role in selling the encrypted phones through contacts he had made in 20 years of being involved in international drug dealing.

According to Cab, Noctor used the handle Leftbay on EncroChat while OSullivan used Shamrock.

The Sunday World previously revealed that French police have identified Noctor as the sole salesman of the phones to French criminals.

Only one seller seems to be operating in the French territory. He is of Irish descent and does not reside permanently in France, the document states

His EncroChat username is Leftbay. He works for the person using the nickname Shamrock.

We have 413 contacts for Leftbay in relation to the elements captured. Open source research and captured data allow us to identify Leftbay as Noctor, Rob.

The document also details how Leftbays phone is associated with the nickname silentradio, which French police linked to a chalet in the Haute Savoie rented by OSullivan in 2018.

The director of EncroChat Limited, a company based in Hong Kong where some of the funds from sales were transferred, was named as Paul Joseph Krusky, before it was dissolved in 2018.

At the time of the filing, it was revealed that more than 32,000 EncroChat phones had accepted the capture tool sent out via the computer servers French police had taken over.

The millions of messages gleaned from the EncroChat system has led to huge numbers of arrests, drug and cash seizures and successful prosecutions around Europe.

Until the French authorities successfully hacked the system, police investigators had no way of accessing the information on the phones.
Conors rants are stoking the racist attacks on immigrants

The chair of the Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council has said Conor McGregors hateful rhetoric is radicalising young people and directly leading to attacks on immigrants on the streets of Ireland.

Dr Umar Al-Qadri blasted McGregor this week after the disgraced UFC star ranted about immigrants and singled out Pakistani people in an online post.

Dr Al-Qadri hit back at him, saying he was turning to the oldest trick in the populist playbook: Blame the immigrants, blame the Muslims, blame anyone but yourself.

Last week, the Indian Embassy in Ireland issued a warning to its citizens following the rise of racially motivated attacks on Indian people living here.

The warning stated that the Embassy has been in touch with the authorities due to an increase in reports of physical attacks against Indian citizens in Ireland recently.

Dr Al-Qadri told the Sunday World yesterday that McGregors words are leading to violence on the streets.

People like Conor McGregor, when they post hateful remarks about immigrants it is basically radicalising young people which leads to hate and then leads to violence. Even if we look at the Dublin riots, he contributed to it by his tweets.

Conor McGregor

He has spoken out not just against Pakistani people but all immigrants, and the type of rhetoric and hate he is spreading is causing the rise not only of racism but of violent crime against immigrants

He has a large following and what he says has an impact especially among young people.

Dr Al-Qadri said he had been in Ireland 20 years and said it is one of the friendliest societies  but there has been a noticeable change recently.

Since the Dublin riots things are changing. For the Indian Embassy to send out a notification saying Indians in Ireland should be careful because Ireland is becoming unsafe is very bad, and people like Conor McGregor should hang their head in shame because it is due to their hateful remarks and radicalisation of young people who are being taught to hate.

He said McGregors talk online about deporting criminals was hypocrisy given his own history.

A civil jury last year found he sexually assaulted Nikita Hand in a Dublin in 2018, while he also has more than 20 criminal convictions for offences including assault.

Its hypocrisy, if you look at his actions and painted the whole Irish people by him then it would be very unfair. He is the kind of person who makes people unsafe. If he is saying he will deport criminals he is basically saying he shouldnt be in Ireland because he is a criminal.

Dr Al-Qadri had written a lengthy response to McGregor online earlier this week.

Dr Umar Al-Qadris letter to Conor McGregor calls out the fighters statements

News in 90 seconds - 10th August 2025

In the post he wrote: Unlike you, Mr McGregor, I dont believe in blaming entire communities for the actions of one individual.

We dont hold all Irish people responsible for the violent behaviour of some Irish citizens abroad, be it drunken brawls in Magaluf or assaults in Australia. And we... dont tear down our entire society every time you make headlines for throwing punches or facing serious criminal allegations.

You speak of crime and moral decay like youre a clean slate. Lets review: youve punched an elderly man for refusing your whiskey, been caught on video assaulting people in public, and faced multiple allegations of sexual assault, all while proudly calling yourself Irelands voice.

Spare us the lecture on crime, Conor. You are not a law abiding hero. You are a repeat offender whos been protected more by celebrity status than by innocence.

If were deporting criminals and lunatics as you suggest, you might want to start packing your own bags first.

He said McGregor was unravelling ever since Khabib humbled him by making him tap out in a 2018 UFC fight and was grasping for relevance and blaming immigrants.

You say you want to save Ireland, but from what exactly? accountability? Decency? Facts? Ireland doesnt need a celebrity saviour fuelled by ego and division. It needs leaders with integrity, humility, and a working moral compass none of which youve demonstrated.

He said McGregor casually smears the Pakistani community despite how much they contribute to Irish society,

They serve this country with dignity and dedication, particularly in our healthcare system, as doctors, nurses, consultants, and frontline workers.

They treat your sick, care for your elderly, and worked tirelessly during the Covid pandemic when many others stayed home.

In fact, the first doctor in Ireland to die from Covid-19 after selflessly treating Irish patients was Dr Syed Waqar Ali, a proud Pakistani-Irish citizen.

Most Pakistanis in Ireland are taxpayers, business owners, and law abiding citizens who contribute far more to this country than empty slogans and tantrums on this platform. Their presence strengthens Irelandnot weakens it. Try not to forget that.

Youve gone from world champion to full-time provocateur, and its honestly just sad to watch.
Gang boss says he may run for election again

Gerry The Monk Hutch says he isnt ruling out another run for the Dail after narrowly missing out on a seat last year

Gerry the Monk Hutch is not done with Irish politics after his narrow defeat in the 2024 general election and is now considering setting up his own political party to champion the working class.

The gang boss had previously described how his arrest in Spain last October prompted him to contest a Dail seat, saying his shocking treatment meant that running for office was not just an option, it was a necessity.

Reflecting for the first time on his experience as a candidate in last years general election, he claims his arrest a month earlier was orchestrated by forces who felt threatened by the possibility of him entering politics.

In a chapter he penned for a new book, How Ireland Voted 2024, he calls for more to be done to engage people from deprived communities in the process of elections.

Gerry The Monk Hutch narrowly missed out on a Dail seat last year

He does not rule out running for office again, and says if he does he would set up a political party dedicated to championing the working class.

Hutch made world headlines when he narrowly missed out on a seat in Dublin Central in last Novembers election. He secured more than 3,000 first-preference votes  a tenth of votes on the first count, and ultimately finished fifth in the four-seat constituency.

There was intense focus on his candidacy at the count centre in the RDS when it looked at one point that he would take the seat.

But he was edged out on the 11th count by Labours Marie Sherlock. She had been trailing behind, but leapfrogged him following transfers from Fine Gaels Paschal Donohoe.

In the aftermath of the campaign, Hutch went about studying the proportional representation single transferable vote system  the complexities of which played out so dramatically during his own will-he, wont-he election count.

News in 90 seconds - 10th August 2025

Unlike others who might be regarded as fringe candidates, Hutch does not try to cast doubt over the integrity of the voting system, and does not claim to be robbed by it.

Instead, he went about understanding it.

In the weeks that followed he contacted some esteemed political academics, asking them to go through the counting process and transfer patterns that resulted in his defeat.

It was during the course of a meeting he had with one academic, in an effort to glean a better understanding of the Dublin Central count, that his participation in How Ireland Voted 2024 came about.

Gerry Hutch leaving the Criminal Courts of Justice

It is a book compiled by academics which gives an in-depth analysis of the election, voting trends and the significance of the election result.

The book is a valuable resource for journalists, politicians and academic classes in the aftermath of elections.

Hutchs contribution to it might come as a surprise to many, but his insight was deemed relevant because of his near success, and what it said about the experience of the election for some of the most deprived parts of the country.

In it he writes that the single transferable vote system favours established parties, which can distribute votes strategically among multiple candidates.

He says: This is what happened. I was over 2,000 votes ahead of the next candidate at one stage, and looked likely to take the seat. However, an unusually high transfer between the establishment candidates meant I was overtaken in the last count. This system highlights the challenges faced by independents but also underscores the need for reform.

Far removed from the world of politics, The Monk was named in the High Court as the head of the Hutch organised crime group.

He came from a background of poverty and deprivation  this and the lack of alternatives is something he always blamed for his own role in criminality.

He left school early, but his contribution to an academic book shows he is intelligent as he reflects on the political system.

He describes how he had already been considering running for election last October  something sparked by the call of my community.

He had confided in a few close friends he says, but what followed was nothing short of shocking and surreal.

When he went to his home in Lanzarote in Spain, Hutch was one of nine people arrested as part of a money laundering investigation between Spanish and Irish police. He was released some days later on bail of 100,000.

The Regency Hotel attack led to a surge in gangland murders

I was bewildered with the situation. I knew I had committed no crime, he writes.

This led me to question who was orchestrating this and why they seemed so threatened. It was that moment I resolved that running for office was not just an option, it was a necessity.

On returning home, he announced his candidacy to a huge media gathering in Dublin Airport.

Upon returning to Ireland, the reception I received at Dublin Airport was astonishing, he says.

The intense media attention and public interest felt unreal, as though I were an international celebrity.

The buzz surrounding my potential candidacy even drew comments from political leaders. Some openly criticised the attention I was receiving, with statements suggesting that someone like me should not be allowed to run for election. Others implied that my campaign posed a threat to the established order. These reactions only deepened my resolve. What were they so afraid of?

He reflects a lot about what he observes and a detachment of working-class communities in deprived areas from politics.

One critical insight I gained is that many working-class individuals underestimate the power of their vote, he says. Political parties benefit from this lack of awareness, as it maintains the status quo.

This is something he says has to change through both education, and changing the requirements for citizens to register to vote.

During my campaign, I spoke with many people who were unaware they needed to register to vote. I strongly believe that everyone in Ireland should be automatically registered, allowing them to vote upon presenting valid ID at the polling station.

The current system disproportionately affects working-class communities and those less fortunate, as they must first navigate the registration process before they can even cast their vote.

One outcome of his candidacy is that many people in his constituency registered to vote for the first time, as he set about getting on the electoral register in the first few days of the campaign. But many potential voters, he says, left it too late.

Many of the households I visited and individuals I spoke with were unaware of the registration requirement and were disappointed to learn they had missed the deadline. This system, in my view, benefits the established political order while doing little to educate non-voters on the importance and impact of participating in elections.

He also believes the importance of voting and the electoral process should be taught in schools, starting with simple class elections and progressing to student unions.

He says: This would instil an understanding of civic responsibility and the power of collective action. Many working-class individuals enter trades or similar professions without realising how their vote can shape policies that directly impact their lives.

When Hutch arrived at the count centre in the RDS on the day of the count, there was a huge media scrum which will go down in history as one of the most bizarre moments of Irish politics.

He was questioned doggedly by RTEs crime correspondent, Paul Reynolds, over the judgment at the Special Criminal Court which found he had control of three AK-47 assault rifles used in the murder of the Regency Hotel, Dublin, in February 2016.

After losing, he jogged out of the count centre and towards Ballsbridge, surrounded by security and with journalists running along side him.

The experience is something he is likely to repeat.

Looking ahead, if I were to run again, I would consider affiliating with or creating a party dedicated to championing the working class, he says.

This party would prioritise the needs of those who keep the country running: nurses, carers, tradespeople, and others whose contributions are essential.

Supporting these individuals with adequate provisions and resources is crucial, as their work underpins our society. History offers lessons  from the sanitation strike in New York in 1968, which led to a state of emergency within a week, to the six-month banking strike in Ireland in 1970, which had minimal impact. These examples demonstrate the indispensable role of essential workers.

He says: The north inner city is one of the most deprived areas in the country, but it is surrounded by wealth. The recurring issues were clear: affordable housing, homelessness and crime.

These were not abstract problems but lived realities for many. The solutions they proposed were practical and actionable. For instance, the Central Statistics Office reported 64,000 vacant homes across Dublin, some deemed unfit for habitation.

The people suggested investing resources to bring these properties up to standard and involving skilled, motivated individuals from homeless or sheltered accommodations to do the work.

Their logic was simple yet profound: empower the community to solve its problems, and it will thrive. This spirit of collective effort is what builds strong communities and, ultimately, a resilient nation, he added.

While many would disagree with his candidacy, and take major issue with his attempts to cast himself as a working-class hero, few would disagree with his conclusion that the political system was rattled by his entry into the campaign.

Throughout this ordeal, I remained steadfast, trusting that the people would see through the noise and recognise the desperation of those clinging to the status quo, he says.

As he makes his voice heard through the most establishment of manuscripts, you get the sense that when it comes to the ordeal of electioneering, the Monk is not done just yet.
Creative dreamer endured divorce and legal worries after accusations from former employers in the States

Martha Nolan OSlatarra was found dead at the luxurious Montauk Yacht Club in The Hamptons

An Irish fashion entrepreneur found dead on a yacht in New York was living the American dream after coming through a divorce and a separate but very bitter lawsuit relating to her work with a luxury sunglasses brand.

Papers dissolving the marriage of Martha Nolan-OSlatarra to former husband Sam Ryan had been filed with the Countys Supreme Court earlier this year.

According to the filings, Ms Nolan-OSlatarras divorce was uncontested and the records indicate that no issues had arisen during the proceedings.

In April of this year, lawyer David Centeno filed a certificate of dissolution of the marriage, a proposed judgement of divorce and a separation agreement with the New York County Supreme Court.

On Thursday of this week, the same court was informed by Mr Centeno that Ms Nolan-OSlatarra has passed away.

The Montauk Yacht Club in The Hamptons

The Carlow born 33-year-old was found dead on a boat at the Montauk Yacht Club in East Hampton on Long Island at 12am local time on Tuesday.

Detectives in the US have said a post-mortem examination did not show evidence of violence and her final cause of death is pending further examination.

They also said a preliminary investigation and exam, after they arrived at the scene, were inconclusive in informing a cause of death for the businesswoman.

Ms Nolan-OSlatarras remains are currently in the custody of the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office as her loved ones await news on when they will be released for repatriation home to Ireland.

Her family have been told that a final post-mortem report, including toxicological, histological and other testing, will take at least three months to complete.

Although Ms Nolan OSlatarras social media accounts painted a picture-perfect lifestyle, with videos capturing her enjoying helicopter rides, driving convertibles and sitting in luxury jets, the energetic and successful businesswoman had also endured difficulties in business in recent years.

A model poses in a bikini for Marthas East x East swimwear brand

She and Limerick-born business partner Dylan Grace were previously sued in the US by the founder of luxury sunglasses brand Out East Accessories Inc.

In a 21-page-complaint filed before the District Court for the Southern State of New York in April 2022, lawyers for the company described the pair as two former employees of Out East, claiming they had been terminated for cause in November 2021.

The court filings claimed that in the weeks leading up to their termination and for months after, both Grace and Nolan-OSlatarra took the companys assets.

This included $34,000 remaining in Out Easts bank account and all of Out Easts eyewear inventory. The court filings also claimed the pair sold or gifted the eyewear without authorization, to enrich themselves at a total loss to the company.

Martha Nolan OSlatarra was found dead at the luxurious Montauk Yacht Club in The Hamptons

News in 90 seconds - 10th August 2025

This is an action, the court filings stated, first and foremost, to recover from defendants all intellectual property, cash, and inventory...and to prevent them from doing any further damage to Out East.

In addition, Out East is seeking damages against both defendants for their egregious actions.

Based on company valuations prior to defendants actions, Out East has suffered millions of dollars in damages, in a specific amount to be determined at trial, the documents claimed.

The case was ultimately settled in June of 2022 and dismissed the following month.

In the wake of her departure from Out East, Ms Nolan OSlatarra went about setting up her own luxury brand, East x East which came online in 2023.

A model poses in Marthas Out East sunglasses

She subsequently launched a series of pop-up boutiques in The Hamptons, featuring her line of swimwear and sunglasses.

And just weeks before her death, she celebrated a milestone by hosting a pop-up shop for the lifestyle brand at the popular Gurneys resort in Montauk.

Mr Grace, who was Ms Nolan-OSlatarras co-defendant in the Out East case, this week paid tribute to her on social media.

Im truly blessed and grateful to have had you in my life, he said.

We dreamed big together, laughed harder than anyone else could understand, and built so much from nothing.

The first concerns for Ms Nolan OSlatarras welfare arose at 12am Tuesday local time when a man called 911, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.

Suffolk police said good Samaritans tried to perform CPR, but Ms Nolan-OSlatarra was pronounced dead on the boat by first responders.

It emerged yesterday that Ms Nolan-OSlatarra had spoken to her boyfriend in the hours before she died, telling him that she was going to book an Uber and would be home around 1am.

It is understood that the couple were staying in the Montauk area for the summer.

Ms Nolan-OSlatarras boyfriend was not on the boat with her and she had told him she was meeting someone in connection with her business, it is understood.

Its understood all those who spoke with or had interactions with Ms Nolan-OSlatarra will be spoken to by detectives as part of the investigation.

The circumstances surrounding the mystery death of Ms Nolan-OSlatarra have shaken locals and visitors alike.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said its officials were aware of the case and providing consular assistance.

Speaking to the Irish Independent on Wednesday, Ms Nolan-OSlatarras mother Elma expressed her anguish over her daughters death.

I feel numb and in shock, she said. My younger daughter, Jacqui, arrived in on Tuesday night and she was crying and shaking.

She said, I have terrible news, Marthas dead.

The mother of two said that she was struggling to get information about the circumstances surrounding her daughters death since she received the news.

I dont know what happened to my daughter, she said.

We werent told anything about the circumstances.
Fr John Murray was taken to hospital for treatment of head injury, where he remains in a serious condition

A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a man in Downpatrick, Co Down  which police suspect is linked to the attack on a priest in the same area.

Newry, Mourne and Down, District Commander Superintendent Norman Haslett said: Police attended an address in the Marian Park area following a report of a deceased man at approximately 12pm on Sunday afternoon, 10th August.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and remains in police custody assisting with enquiries.

Enquiries are at an early stage and, at this time, we suspect this may be connected to a serious assault in the St Patrick's Street area of Downpatrick on Sunday.

I am appealing to anyone who believes they may have information which could assist us with our investigation to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 713 of 10/8/25.

Fr John Murray. Photo: Pacemaker

Earlier it was reported that a priest was seriously assaulted at his church in Downpatrick.

Police report that at 10.10am on Sunday August 10, a man walked into the St Patricks Church on St Patricks Avenue and hit the priest on his head with a bottle before leaving.

Fr John Murray was taken to hospital for treatment of head injury, where he remains in a serious condition.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it was one of two incidents this morning in the town.

It said it had received a 999 call at 11.57am after reports of an incident in the Marian Park area of Downpatrick, a spokesman said.

NIAS despatched two emergency ambulances and an ambulance officer to the incident.

It remains an ongoing incident.

St Patrick's Church, St Patricks Avenue, Downpatrick. Inset: Fr John Murray

News in 90 seconds - 10th August 2025

SDLP Downpatrick Councillor Conor Galbraith visited the scene at Marian Park.

Councillor Galbraith told the Irish News he had spoken to heartbroken relatives of a man who had died.

This is a very difficult day for people in Downpatrick after these two incidents and I have visited the Marian Park area to show my support to those affected, he said in a statement.

This is an ongoing situation and I would ask people to give police time and space to carry out their investigations.

People locally are devastated that this has happened on their doorsteps.

St Patrick's Church, St Patricks Avenue, Downpatrick

Earlier, SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath condemned the attack on the priest.

This is a disgraceful attack on an elderly priest which has left him in a serious condition in hospital. For this to happen in the church is particularly disgusting and I have spoken to many members of the community who are shocked and upset that this has taken place, he said.

My thoughts are with the priest and others impacted by this attack. I hope that he makes a quick recovery and that the person responsible is apprehended.

Sinn Fein MP for South Down Chris Hazzard urged anyone with information to come forward.

He said: I was shocked and saddened to hear the news from Downpatrick this morning that Father Murray was attacked in St Patrick's Church.

My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish him a full and speedy recovery.

This cowardly attack is completely unacceptable and I condemn it unequivocally.

I urge anyone with information to contact the police.

Its understood the priest was set to retire soon.

Commenting on a post addressing the incident by Downpatrick Family Parishes, parishioners have shared well wishes on social media, with many describing it as shocking.

One woman commented on the post, stating that her father was in the Downpatrick church at the time of the incident.

One wrote: Praying that he makes a full recovery. Holding Fr. Murray in my prayers and his family, Also all our priests in the parish and our parishioners. God bless Fr Murray.

Another commented: Totally shocked and disgusted at this terrible news. Prayers and thoughts with Canon Murray for a full recovery.

In a Facebook post Kilmore and Killyleagh Parishes asked for people to pray for his speedy recovery both physically and emotionally from this frightening incident.

Detective Chief Inspector McBurney said: This was a completely shocking and brutal attack and has left the priest with a serious head injury.

Our enquiries are ongoing into this incident, and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed the assault, or has any information to contact Police on 101 and quoting reference 543 of 10/08/25.
Dylan Murray threw tiles and chimney pots at cops shouting can you catch? as he did so

This is the Lurgan lout jailed for ripping off tiles and chimney pots and chucking them at cops below during a terrifying 80-minute roof-top stand-off.

Dylan Murray threw tiles and chimney pots at cops shouting can you catch? as he did so.

And we can reveal Murray, pictured here for the first time, had just been released from a 50-month jail sentence for petrol bombing a love rivals car when he went on another crime spree.

assaulted

The 27-year-old thug, who has more than 60 previous convictions for arson and violent attacks, assaulted eight police officers during his shocking roof-top protest six weeks ago on June 28 in Portadown.

In the process the father of one also caused criminal damage to two houses and a police vehicle and is now back behind bars after a judge jailed him for a year.

But it has emerged Murray had only been out of prison a matter of weeks and was still out on licence for a terrifying Buckfast bottle petrol bomb attack on the car belonging to his ex-partners new boyfriend and her house while two kids were asleep inside.

In a fit of jealousy Murray threw what the judge at Craigavon Crown Court described as what used to be called a Molotov cocktail at his love rivals Volkswagen Tiguan.

Dylan Murray

News in 90 seconds - 10th August 2025

According to a witness, Murray was seen kicking the car at Bells Row Court in Lurgan in June 2022 before setting a bottle of Buckfast filled with petrol alight and throwing it at the vehicle.

However, the fire spread to the house where his ex-partner lived  as well as two children.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended and were able to extinguish the fire before further damage was caused and the court heard that Murray surrendered himself to police later that day.

Dylan Murray

He eventually entered a guilty plea to a charge of arson intending to damage property and being reckless whether the life of his ex would be endangered.

The PPS counsel submitted there were multiple aggravating features to that case, including the domestic violence aspect of the offence, that it was committed at night, Murray had put the lives of people in the adjoining properties in danger and also his 59 previous criminal convictions which included entries for arson and criminal damage.

Defence counsel Aaron Thompson told the court that Murray had admitted he was hell-bent on damaging the car in some sort of pathetic but malicious protest at the new partner... and he is disgusted at his own behaviour.

Describing it as a revenge attack, Judge Lynch said it was clear from his previous convictions that Murray took out his angst against individuals by carrying out damage of other peoples property.

The judge added that with two kids inside sleeping, the danger was apparent and that should have been apparent to the accused.

Jailing the then 25-year-old, the judge lamented that theres very little positive to be said for Mr Murray.

However, just weeks after getting released from Maghaberry after more than two years inside, Murray was back committing more serious violent offences.

Murray appeared at Craigavon Magistrates Court via video link from prison last week.

According to Court News NI a prosecutor said police were contacted about an ongoing verbal argument and when officers arrived at Queen Street in Portadown the defendant was scaling the rooftop.

He was very unsteady on his feet and appeared intoxicated.

For an hour and 20 minutes he proceeded to rip off and smash chimney pots and rip off tiles from the roof between the numbers 19 and 23 in order to use as projectiles against the police.

A police vehicle was damaged when he had thrown parts of a chimney.

The prosecutor said Murray was heard asking police can you catch? while throwing items.

The court was told if police had not been using shields for their protection there would have been serious injury.

Murray attempted to speak to a woman in the property and he began to run up and down the rear of the roof between the apex and a flat roof.

He then tried to swing into a window from the rooftop but the weight caused the window to close resulting in damage and the defendant was immediately treated by ambulance services.

The court was told some of the assaults were apprehension assaults but some officers did receive cuts and bruises.

A defence barrister said the defendant was obviously in a state of distress.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan said it had been an appalling incident.

He said it was lucky police officers were not more significantly injured and added: But no doubt this required a massive police resource.
Tammy Tallon is now urging others to be aware of stroke symptoms and to seek help immediately if they suspect they are having a stroke

Tammy Tallon had her first stroke at 40 years old and her second stroke at 45

In 2018, Tammy Tallon found herself sat in the back of a taxi, face drooped, speech slurred and struggling to move the left side of her body.

The driver nervously glanced back at Tammy through the rear-view mirror. Im having a stroke apparently," Tammy told the driver as he weaved in and out of traffic.

Tammy, who had only just turned 40, had been suffering from extreme headaches and vertigo for the past two months on and off.

Putting it down to tiredness and stress, the Kildare woman had explained her symptoms away, never expecting that the pain in her head and dizziness she was experiencing may be the early signs of something far more sinister.

"The day before the stroke I was absolutely perfect, there was not a bother on me," Tammy told the Sunday World. I went to bed that night and when I woke up the next morning I couldnt physically get out of bed.

"I thought that maybe my legs were stuck in the duvet because I couldnt lift my left side to roll out of the bed.

Eventually, Tammy managed to drag her body out of bed and make her way to the bathroom. As she turned to face the bathroom mirror, the reflection of a woman she didnt recognise stared back at her.

Tammy Tallon had her first stroke at 40 years old and her second stroke at 45

News in 90 seconds - 10th August 2025

As Tammy surveyed the reflection of her drooped face, realisation hit that something was seriously wrong.

Tammy managed to get herself to the GP and through slurred words she explained to the doctor what had happened.

She was told to immediately go to a stroke unit, but despite her slurred speech, drooped face and weakness on her left side, no ambulance was called to rush her to hospital.

"I was told by the doctor that I needed to go to a stroke unit but the doctor never called me an ambulance, recalled Tammy. Instead I drove home and called a taxi to drive me to the hospital.

"The poor taxi driver, Id say I nearly gave him a stroke too because when I got into the car I told him Im having a stroke apparently so if I pass out, just keep driving to the hospital..

Once Tammy arrived at the hospital, she was then misdiagnosed and told she was suffering from a severe migraine.

"Because of my age and the fact that it is often wrongly assumed that only older people get strokes, the hospital treated me for three days for a severe migraine, when I was actually having a stroke.

"So between the Thursday and the Monday, I lost all power in my left side, despite the fact when I first arrived at hospital I had a bit of power still in my left side. But the hospital just focused instead on my headaches as opposed to the other stroke symptoms.

"They told me I would be ok in a few days but unfortunately I ended up in hospital for about six months.

Tammy Tallon had her first stroke at 40 years old and her second stroke at 45

While the physical consequences of the stroke were significant for Tammy, the mental toll was far greater as she grieved for the woman she once was.

"Immediately after a stroke, you grieve the life you once had and the person you once were, explained Tammy.

"I cried for about month after having my stroke. All I could see was my stroke, I couldnt see outside of that. I went from being active to being in a wheelchair to a zimmer frame to then using a walking stick.

"The first three months after my stroke were traumatic. I had to re-learn everything. I couldnt even tie my shoes laces, I couldnt cook food, I couldnt go to the bathroom by myself and I had to be taught how to shower myself.

"Its a really weird feeling because cognitively I wasnt affected, added Tammy. I knew what everything was but I just couldnt figure out what I was meant to do and how I was meant to do it. It was strange to hold a knife and fork and know they are used for eating food, but at the same time not knowing how to cut and eat food with them.

Following three months in hospital and a further three months at a rehabilitation unit in Dun Laoghaire, Tammy was steadily improving, determined to reclaim her life.

But in 2023, at just 45 years of age, Tammy had her second stroke and her world, which she had worked so hard to rebuild after her first stroke, came crashing down around her once again.

"I was going around with sunglasses on because my eyes were so sensitive to light, said Tammy. I remember sitting in A&E with sunglasses on my face because the lights in the room were so bright.

Following her first stroke Tammy had returned to her work as a youth worker. On the day she had her second stroke in 2023, she was sat watching a graduation for a number of the children she works with.

"I was physically at the graduation, but my brain wasnt there at all so I just knew something wasnt right.

"I literally got into my car after the graduation ceremony and started crying because I knew that I wasnt well again. It was very strange that I just knew that minute that something wasnt right. I just thought to myself here we are again and I called my mam and told her its happening again and I need to go to hospital.

Tammy Tallon had her first stroke at 40 years old and her second stroke at 45

For the second stroke I was a lot quicker to get help because I recognised the symptoms sooner. Because I reacted quickly I only had a few side effects from the stroke. It ignited the fatigue I suffered after my first stroke a little bit, but I was still able to walk and I didnt have any further deficit than I had the first time so I definitely listened to my body more.

While physically Tammy didnt deteriorate any further, her mental health took far more of a hit after the second stroke.

"The second stroke hit me really, really hard in terms of my mental health in that I had worked so hard after my first stroke. I had nearly killed myself trying to get better and be the best I could be and get back to work so to end up back where I had started in hospital, after suffering a stroke was heart-breaking.

While trying to come to terms with her second stroke, Tammy availed of counselling supports offered by the Irish Heart Foundation, who told her not to be so hard on herself.

"I accessed counselling through the Irish Heart Foundation and they were telling me not to be so hard on myself, Tammy said. But unbeknownst to myself, it actually turned out I had an underlying blood disorder that was never picked up when I had the first stroke.

Now diagnosed with Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), a disorder of the immune system that causes an increased risk of blood clots, Tammy now knew the root cause of her strokes.

"Having a stroke is a life-changing thing so you have to be so kind to yourself, said Tammy. After my first stroke, I spent about a year blaming myself for having a stroke saying my blood pressure was too high, Im overweight, Im working too hard, but in actual fact there was no way I could have avoided having a stoke because I had APS and I didnt realise it.

"If I had continued blaming myself, I would have never gotten better so my advice for anyone else who has just had a stroke is to be kind and patient with yourself and dont blame yourself because youll get in the way of your own recovery. You need to look forward and instead of focusing on blame, focus on getting better because you will get better.

Tammy Tallon had her first stroke at 40 years old and her second stroke at 45

Two years after her first stroke, Tammy joined the Irish Heart Foundations Young Stroke Survivors Network.

I joined the group in 2020 when there were just five of us, she recalled. Now, there are over 200 members and we all support each other. Being a part of this group has been a big part of my healing and acceptance and allowing myself to move forward with my life after my strokes.

Since joining the group, Tammy has noticed how frequently young women with stroke symptoms are often misdiagnosed, just like she was.

"For a lot of women in the Irish Heart Foundations Young Stroke Survivor Network, they were originally treated for migraines, vertigo and neuralgia leading up to their strokes and it was thought that these were stress related, not symptoms that a stroke was about to happen.

"But like me, the symptoms the other women were experiencing were not stress related, they were actually signs that a stroke was imminent.

"Because of our age and because a stroke is seen to be something that happens to older people, a lot of us young female stroke survivors were initially misdiagnosed when we were actually having a stroke.

If you suspect someone is having a stroke, Tammy said it is so important to remember the acronym BE FAST which will help identify if a person is suffering from stroke symptoms.

The B stands for balance, the E stands for eyesight changes, the F stands for face drooping, the A for arm weakness, the S for speech difficulty and the T for its time to call 999 or 112 immediately if someone has any of these symptoms.

Two years on from her second stroke and Tammy is living her life to the fullest. She has completed her masters degree and still works full-time. The Kildare woman also loves to travel and her favourite past time is going out for a walk and immersing herself in nature and her surroundings.

"When I first had my stroke I cried and I cried because I never thought I would ever get out of the wheelchair again, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, said Tammy.

For me, having a stroke was probably the best challenge because I appreciate life more and the little things like being able to tie your own shoelaces. You appreciate everything you once took for granted, even the smallest things in life.

"One of the hardest parts of recovering from a stroke is recovering mentally because the fright you get from having a stroke is debilitating.

"You need to heal your mental health just as much as your physical health, but there are supports out there. For me, it was the Irish Heart Foundations Young Stroke Survivors Network.
Career criminal Eamon Flanagan  pictured here for the first time  was released from prison three weeks ago after being banged up for a sick sex attack which hadnt been reported before

A pervert thug once jailed for his role in a man being stabbed to death has been chased out of the Shankill after he was exposed as a sex beast, we can reveal.

Career criminal Eamon Flanagan  pictured here for the first time  was released from prison three weeks ago after being banged up for a sick sex attack which hadnt been reported before.

However, the north Belfast mans bid to move into the Shankill area has been thwarted after he was recognised by people who DID know hes a convicted pervert.

A campaign to have him put out of the area was shared by a paedophile hunter group and its understood Flanagan has fled the area.

Sources told the Sunday World Flanagan, who also has convictions for theft and fraud, was not wanted in the area after what he had done.

He made friends with some boys from that part of Belfast and thought hed be safe to move into the area but people there were warned about his sex conviction and were having none of it, said a source.

Eamon Flanagan

News in 90 seconds - 11th August 2025

Hes nothing but bad news. Hes a creep and a coward and had a reputation for doing runners from bars and restaurants too. Hes not wanted round the Shankill. Hell be looking over his shoulder wherever he goes.

He had been living with a girl just off Cliftonpark Avenue but that all broke up after his court case and now hes out and looking to settle somewhere new.

The 41-year-old was convicted of affray after he fought Richard Caldwell in May 2004 and was ordered to serve three years in jail and one year on probation.

A judge told him during his trial at Belfast Crown Court in 2006 that, had it not been for his actions, Mr Caldwell would be alive today.

The then 20-year-old attacked 29-year-old Caldwell, who was a partner of Flanagans sister, but when Caldwell got the better of him in the fight Flanagan called his brother Robbie  who turned up and immediately stabbed him to death.

Robert Flanagan was just released from prison himself earlier this year for the manslaughter of Mr Caldwell.

But we can reveal for the first time Eamon Flanagan was jailed again just last year for a sickening sex attack.

On April 19, 2024, Eamon Flanagan was jailed for 30 months after he was found guilty of sexual assault by penetration.

He pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a jury, while he was found not guilty of a second charge of making threats to kill.

Flanagan appealed the conviction at the Court of Appeal in Belfast last October but the case was dismissed and his 30-month sentence affirmed.

Fifteen months of that sentence were to be served in prison while the other half was to be served on licence.

Flanagan was also on two suspended sentences for theft and fraud offences by the time he was sentenced last year for the 2020 sex attack but as they came afterwards they were not activated.

He was ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.

The attack on Richard Caldwell shocked the New Lodge area of north Belfast.

Mr Justice Weir told Belfast Crown Court on February 3, 2006: I propose to deal firstly with you Eamon. You were the catalyst for all that happened in this incident. You took it on yourself to interfere following an argument between your sister and Richard, although she asked you not to.

You followed Richard and began fighting with him. You resisted your sisters efforts and those of a friend to stop the fight.

When it did not go as you hoped, you committed the cowardly act of telephoning your brother Robert, whom you must have well known was not at that time mentally stable, to enlist his help.

The idea that you phoned home in the middle of this fight for any other purpose is frankly incredible. I do not find that you knew or suspected that he would arrive armed with a knife or that he would stab Richard but had it not been for your actions Richard would be alive today.

I sentence you to three years imprisonment together with one years probation supervision to commence upon your release from prison.

His brother Robert stabbed his victim eight times, inflicting horrific wounds to his lungs and liver.

Because he was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, Robert was sentenced to life with a minimum six-year term for manslaughter.

Due to breaches of his early release licence, he has been returned to prison on several occasions.

The most recent occurred in November 2022 when Flanagan was charged with stabbing a man on Kinnaird Street in north Belfast. However, he was cleared of wounding with intent and possessing a knife last year.

During one of Flanagans previous releases in July 2020, he was run over by rival criminals in a hit-and-run smash on the Antrim Road.

Video of the incident showed him on the pavement in agony, with another man standing over him and shouting: Youll not hit nobody, will ye?

After the 2022 stabbing on Kinnaird Street, of which Robert Flanagan was acquitted, he was hunted by cops for two weeks.

The PSNI released CCTV footage of him and warned the public not to approach him.
The legislation was an attempt to drag the UVF closer to a point where they could safely transition from criminality, its been claimed.

Video footage, showing the moment guns and ammunition were found in loyalist community worker Winston Irvine's car, has been released by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

The Tory Legacy Act was a pledge to the UVF to grant immunity from prosecution for conflict-era crimes, it has been claimed.

The contentious legislation imposed by Boris Johnsons Conservative government was seen as an attempt to protect former British military personnel from prosecution  but a new film claims it was a sop to the loyalist terror group.

A consequences of the act was to grant anybody, be they a soldier or paramilitary, virtual immunity from criminal proceedings.

But it has now been claimed that it was an attempt to drag the UVF closer to a point where they could safely transition from criminality.

Two videos have been posted to YouTube in recent weeks which explore the fall of UVF gunrunner Winston Winkie Irvine and negotiations between the terror groups leadership in the shape of Chief of Staff John Bunter Graham and alleged second in command Harmless Harry Stockman.

Two short videos  the second of which is called the Rise of Mackers  posted by New York-based filmmaker Will Maloney  questions the UVF intention to transition into an old boys club, as they have repeatedly pledged to do.

John Bunter Graham.

News in 90 seconds - 10th August 2025

The videos, which have each attracted 30,000 views in the first 24 hours, take the viewer through the UVFs journey to potentially transitioning.

Graham, who has been at the head of the group for almost five decades and who oversaw the likes of the Shankill Butchers, has been actively engaged in discussions with British government negotiators for some years.

In recent years he has come under pressure to rid the UVF of drug dealers and has appointed convicted bomber Jackie Anderson to carry out the task.

Several high-profile UVF figures were stood down for their involvement in drugs, and his purge was rewarded with the dangling carrot of immunity from prosecution.

Maloney in his YouTube video said the details of the Legacy Act were revealed to Graham and Stockman in a meeting at the Archbishop of Canterburys residence at Camden Palace.

As previously revealed by the Sunday World, one of the key demands from the UVF was protection from past crimes and as Maloney asserts that was delivered under the guise of protecting soldiers.

Winkie Irvines arrest and conviction for gunrunning, following the UVFs orchestration of a hoax bomb attack which forced then Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney to leave a cross-community engagement on Belfasts Crumlin Road, complicated the issue for Graham and Stockman.

It was Stockman and Irvine who orchestrated the coup that saw the removal of the command structure of East Belfast UVF allegedly headed by loyalist Stephen Matthews.

Matthews has previously denied being involved in both criminality and paramilitarism.

It was supposed to be another indication to the British that the UVF was cleaning its house. The imposition of a new command structure was supposed to signal a new era which would lead to the establishment of the veterans club.

However, it backfired spectacularly. Drugs were and remain the currency in east Belfast, the murder of anti-drugs loyalist Ian Ogle in 2019 ramped up tensions.

Nine people involved in the Ogle murder were convicted and jailed, five getting life sentences.

There had been much speculation that the UVF was close to transitioning, with an announcement anticipated as early as this autumn.

The Irvine fiasco has set the project back but those within the UVF in favour of a transition are pinning their hopes on Sam Austin.

Commander of the UVFs A company on the Shankill, he is vehemently anti-drugs, having lost his son Dan to an accidental overdose.

He is being touted as a deal maker and an acceptable face for the British security services as they struggle to drag the UVF over the line.

East Belfast remains a stumbling block, with drug dealing and racketeering continuing with little support for the newly Shankill appointed command structure.

Security sources have told the Sunday World the government may be ready to accept a compromise that will allow elements of the UVF to transition, while accepting that rogue elements will continue to use the terror groups name.

Maloney has posted a series of short videos on a variety of Northern Ireland-related topics including the disintegration of the UDAs command structure and the tragic disappearance of tragic schoolboy Noah Donohoe.
Former Late Late Show host says he made payment without condition

There are mixed feelings among staff at RTE as to whether they would welcome the return of Ryan Tubridy.

RTE confirmed on Friday that the former presenter has repaid the organisation a sum of 150,000, which he received as part of a controversial payment deal made in 2020.

Speaking to the Sunday World, a source in RTE radio said there could be a mass rebellion among staff if he returns to Montrose.

The general feeling is he was right to repay that money and he was foolish to have taken it in the first place, the source said.

In terms of coming back, the feeling ranges from its still way too soon to there would be mass rebellion from the staff.

Former RTE presenter Ryan Tubridy. Photo: Colin Keegan

News in 90 seconds - 10th August 2025

Some feel that although it might be unfair that he became the face of the whole RTE scandal, it was taking the money and a lack of judgment over how he responded to it by refusing to accept any responsibility that got him there.

The source said there is also a general feeling among some of his former colleagues that Tubridy would love to come back to Ireland full-time, but they said they would be very surprised if RTE agreed to have him back this soon.

It will be RTE director general Kevin Bakhursts decision and he did leave the door open at the time.

A second radio insider was damming in their assessment: RTE should have their heads examined if they are considering bringing him back, but nothing would shock you in Montrose.

Ryan Tubridys issue is not familiarity, everybody knows him for the right or wrong reasons: the issue is whether he can get over the scandal in the publics eyes.

They added that the listenership in his old RTE Radio 1 slot has grown since Oliver Callan took over, so the audience dont seem bothered hes gone.

Tubridy left RTE following weeks of controversy relating to the organisation publicly under-reporting payments to him.

In a statement on Friday, RTE said it received the payment via Tubridys solicitor.

RTE welcomes the payment and would like to thank Ryan Tubridy for making it, it said.

In a statement issued on behalf of Tubridy, he said: Earlier today, I made a payment of 150,000 to RTE. I made this payment through my solicitor, without any discussions with RTE  or with anyone acting on their behalf  and without condition.

Last month, Tubridy announced his engagement to his partner Dr Clare Kambamettu, after a jeweller in Galway leaked the news.

The radio and TV presenter broke the news on his Virgin Radio show, joking that the cat had been removed from the bag.

Before Tubridy confirmed the news, the jeweller shared an image on social media of the broadcaster with Ms Kambamettu outside the store, prompting speculation, which was later confirmed when it was revealed that the proposal had happened in the west of Ireland.

The couple were recently spotted out and about mixing with Tubridys former RTE colleagues at Joe Duffys leaving party.
Lake Waikaremoanas Great Walk combines incredible scenery with a rich cultural history.

Curving 46km around the North Islands deepest lake, it is the only one of New Zealands Great Walks not operated by the Department of Conservation.

The lake was formed about 2200 years ago, when a massive landslide dammed a gorge on the Waikaretaheke River. The area is home to Ngai Tuhoe, who have managed the track since a 2014 Treaty of Waitangi settlement.



Mud! Photo / Caitlin Burns

We set off the day after a cyclone had torn down the East Coast, and Lake Waikaremoana was living up to its name  lake of rippling waters.

The first day was a test of endurance  a five-hour uphill slog, by far the most challenging section of the walk but also the most beautiful, with breathtaking views leading up to Panekire Hut at roughly 1130m above sea level.

Panekire, a 36-bunk hut often described as the worst on the track because of its age and well-worn charm, proved anything but. As we stepped out of the closing cloud, we were met with the glow of a log fire and the warmth of warden Antzs welcome.



Panekire Hut. Photo / Caitlin Burns

It was immediately clear how deeply Antz cares for this place. We listened as he performed a short powhiri (welcome) and shared stories of his work  maintaining the hut, trapping predators, clearing invasive plants and readying the track for the hundreds of manuhiri (visitors) who arrive each year.

After a surprisingly restful night alongside 20-something fellow Great Walkers, we descended the opposite side of the bluff, bypassing the next recommended hut and pushing on 22km to Marauiti Hut on the lakes northwestern shore.



Mud! Photo / Caitlin Burns

On this stretch we discovered the cyclone had left a parting gift  mud. And plenty of it. Our planned seven-hour walk became nearly nine. With aching legs and empty stomachs, we reached Marauiti Hut and cooked dinner by headlamp.

Day three began with the luxury of a sleep-in and breakfast on the huts deck overlooking the lake. As we headed out around the lakes northern edge, dense forest gave way to rocky shorelines and the soft sound of waves. Right on time, our pre-arranged water taxi arrived to carry us back across the lake to where our journey began.



Marauiti Hut. Photo / Caitlin Burns

We departed Lake Waikaremoana with sore legs, full hearts, and a deeper appreciation for the wildly beautiful Te Urewera region.

Bookings for the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk, and all other Great Walks, are now open for the 2025/2026 season.



Dense native forest. Photo / Caitlin Burns
The Stand Tall Community Trust in Tauranga is to receive a $20,000 Government boost.

The trust is one of 11 community-based organisations to receive funding from the $1.5 million Ministry of Youth Development (MYD) fund.

Three separate funds will support a range of programmes targeting different levels of youth enterprise experience, eligible for those between 12 and 24 years of age.

More than 5300 young Kiwis will benefit from new funding which invests in their business potential, develops enterprise skills, and better prepares them for their future work environment, Youth Minister James Meager said this week.

Stand Tall is based in Tauranga, but the organisation works across the Bay of Plenty alongside young people aged 15 to 24 to grow their entrepreneurial capability.

General manager Pascale Hyboud-Peron says the funding strengthens their commitment to reach rangatahi (youth) who are often overlooked.

It tells them: You belong, your ideas matter, and were here to help you make something of them. Thats powerful.

He said the funding would help Stand Tall deliver ThriveX, a hands-on programme that runs over 10 weeks and supports rangatahi to explore ideas, solve real problems, and bring their thinking to life.

Its creative, messy, and deeply human  and it works best when we can take away barriers to participation," said Hyboud-Peron.

So, the funding goes toward facilitation, kai, venue hire, and anything else that makes the experience accessible, welcoming, and empowering.

Hyboud-Peron said the support from the Ministry of Youth Development was a real boost  not only for the trust, but also for the young people it works with.

It recognises the role that entrepreneurship can play in re-engaging youth, opening up future pathways, and building thriving communities.

It gives us the backing we need to keep showing up for young people  especially those who dont always fit into traditional boxes  and offer them something thats relevant, practical, and full of possibility."

Hyboud-Peron said the trust would like to thank Meager and the ministry for recognising the value of enterprise as a youth development tool.

This investment isnt just funding a programme  its enabling a mindset shift in our communities.

At Stand Tall, we believe that every young person should have the opportunity to explore who they are, what they care about, and how they can contribute. This funding brings that belief to life.

Hyboud-Peron said the trust was always keen to hear from people who wanted to be part of the journey.

Whether its sharing your story as a guest speaker, offering feedback to our young entrepreneurs, or simply showing up to our events and letting them know their ideas matter.

These young people are bold, curious, and ready to contribute  and when the community gets behind them, incredible things happen."

You can connect with the organisation at standtall.nz or follow them on Instagram @standtall_today
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey has announced a national promotion campaign focused on getting Kiwis to Top Up with everyday actions that promote better mental health.

The Top Up campaign uses the evidence-based 5 Ways to Wellbeing because we know it makes a difference in the lives of many New Zealanders," Doocey said.

"We want more Kiwis, and communities to take a proactive role in behaviour change that maintains and tops up their mental wellbeing."

Doocey said this is about common-sense tools and proven techniques that anyone can use.

"Whether youre on the farm, in the office, at school or at home with the kids, better mental health is something we all have a stake in," Doocey said.

"Applying the Five Ways to Wellbeing has been shown to aid recovery from tough times and the management of long-term mental health issues."

Doocey said "just like we look after our physical health, we need to be proactive in looking after our mental health".

"This campaign is about helping New Zealanders make these preventative actions part of their everyday life and continuing efforts to reduce the stigma around mental health issues.

We are not just focused on ensuring the right support is in place to treat mental health and addiction issues, we are also focused strongly on preventing Kiwis from getting to that point."

Doocey said when someone does reach out for help, "whether its you, your child, a friend or a family member", this Government is committed to ensuring support is there.

Were turning the corner on reducing wait times and increasing the mental health workforce. Recent data shows the frontline Health NZ mental health workforce has grown around 10 per cent since we came into Government, and over 80 per cent of people are being seen within three weeks for specialist services," Doocey said.

The campaign was developed by VML in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation. It aligns with the Governments Mental Health Targets, specifically by strengthening prevention and early intervention efforts.

The Top Up website which includes the promotion campaign video can be found here.

The campaign will aim to reach up to 2.6 million New Zealanders each year through a range of multimedia channels such as TV, radio, social media and other online platforms.

This will be complemented by a community grants scheme run by the Mental Health Foundation, with the first round open in October. It will offer $250,000 annually for two years to fund grassroots community wellbeing initiatives, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.
More cancer patients in the Taupo region can now receive treatment closer to home, following an expansion of chemotherapy services at Taupo Hospital, Health Minister Simeon Brown said.

For the first time in over 20 years, Taupo Hospitals chemotherapy clinic has doubled its operating days and now runs two days a week, Brown said.

This expansion reflects growing demand, driven by the Governments $604 million investment in Pharmac to fund new cancer medicines and treatments.

That investment is delivering broader access to cutting-edge medicines like Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug now publicly funded not just for melanoma, but for other cancers such as bowel and bladder.

More people in Taupo can now access the life-saving medicines they need, and thats driving increased demand for treatment locally," Brown said.

In the first half of 2025, 439 treatments, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, were delivered to Taupo-based patients, up 39 per cent from 315 in the same period last year.

To meet this demand, specialist nurses travel from Rotorua to deliver chemotherapy in Taupo, saving patients the need to make the trip themselves."

Brown said some of these treatments were taking just as long to administer as the return drive to Rotorua.

"Bringing care closer to home doesnt just save time  it eases the burden on patients and their families. It means fewer people having to take time off work, organise childcare, or travel long distances just to access the treatment they need," Brown said.

This service also benefits patients living further afield, with those in places like Turangi able to halve their travel time by going to Taupo instead of Rotorua.

The long-term plan is to expand chemotherapy services at Taupo Hospital to five days a week as demand continues to grow.

Delivering faster access to cancer treatment is a key focus for the Government, which is why its one of our five national health targets," Brown said.

This is what smart, patient-focused care looks like. Were building a health system that delivers for all New Zealanders and making sure people can get the cancer treatment they need, when and where they need it."
Alberto P. Castellanos Leon Sunday, 10 August 2025, 14:20 | Updated 14:28h. Share

If the situation was already complicated on Saturday evening in the province of Leon in Spain, since last night it has become even more so. Of the four level 1 fires, two of them have been upgraded to level 2; of the seven active fires now burning in the province. The longest-lived of them all - active since Friday - is the one still burning in the La Cabrera area, in the municipality of Benuza.

"It hasn't reached us yet, but if it is not extinguished by tonight we will have to evacuate the village," said Domingo Cabo, the mayor of Benuza, saddened by the fire that has been approaching Llamas de Cabrera for two days: "It is very widespread and it is burning strongly".

23:43#IFLlamasDeCabrera #LeonESP @briftabuyo se retiran del incendio a su base por tierra en sus vehiculos despues de trabajar en labores de extincion.



Somos #BRIF de @mitecogob pic.twitter.com/7xSzhtDikO  ATBRIF (@AT_Brif) August 9, 2025

Although in the information provided by the Junta there is no probable cause of the fire, the council leader reported that lightning is the main hypothesis being worked on, as "there was a storm on Friday afternoon and some lightning strikes" in an area "which is impossible to reach even on foot".

Zoom Fire nears the town of Yeres. Julio Arias

Almost 50 firefighting units were working on the fire and in the early hours of the morning there were still close to thirty. Although it seemed that progress was being made in its control, the orographic difficulties of the area have led to the maintenance of an extensive surveillance and extinguishing efforts with the BRIF of Tabuyo among the displaced units as well as the Soria de Lubia.

23:43#IFLlamasDeCabrera #LeonESP @briftabuyo se retiran del incendio a su base por tierra en sus vehiculos despues de trabajar en labores de extincion.



Somos #BRIF de @mitecogob pic.twitter.com/7xSzhtDikO  ATBRIF (@AT_Brif) August 9, 2025

An emergency planning committee, after meeting last night and this morning in the Junta in Leon region, reported that in the Llamas de Cabrera fire, which is a mountain area with a large amount of scrubland that with the high temperatures and low humidity at the moment which has become fuel that burns easily. Furthermore, extinguishing the fire is complicated by the steep slope and the presence of Roman canals that used to carry water to Las Medulas.

"The people are still evacuated"

In this incident, which Spain's emergency military init (UME) joined during the night in addition to the Orallo fire (level 1), the extinguishing work continued and the accesses to Las Medulas were cut off to facilitate the work of the fire-fighting operation and to avoid possible risks to the population, in addition to the evacuation of Yeres during the afternoon.

Zoom UME

"It was a good decision," Julio Arias, mayor of Puente de Domingo Florez, told Leonoticias : "It is a small town, everyone was gathered in the square and the evacuation was quick. It was possible to extinguish the few fires that broke out near the houses".

The civic leader added that the situation seemed very serious at around two or three in the morning, but that "thanks to the spectacular work of the brigades and the UME, everything is now much calmer. What you can see from the village right now - at ten o'clock in the morning - is much less flames and smoke. The troops must have done their job and the situation has improved a lot after it was out of control yesterday".

Zoom UME

The fire, which originated near a path that surrounds Las Medulas, did not advance towards the south, where this World Heritage Site is located: "It does not seem to have affected any of the viewpoints such as Reirigo and Orellan, nor Las Medulas itself", added Julio Arias, who also believes that "level 2 is being maintained to facilitate the work of the fire-fighting teams" because "everything is much better".

Both areas, in addition to presenting a risk to some population centres and infrastructures, are in places of high heritage and environmental value.

Six more fires

In addition to the two fires that are of most concern because of their effect on the population and natural areas, there are two others that are at a lower level of alert.

Both the Orallo and Fasgar fires originated last Friday and on Saturday reached level 1 severity declared by the Junta. It is believed that lightning may have been the cause of both fires and extraordinary resources have also been deployed, such as the UME, which has been working on the Orallo fire since Saturday night, and the BRIF from Pinofranqueado in Caceres on the Fasgar fire since Sunday morning.

Regional Junta teams are working in the area as well as fifty military personnel and 22 UME resources; it is similar to the deployment in Yeres with56 military personnel and 25 UME vehicles, where there are also plans to deploy two more helicopter water carriers. In Llamas de Cabrera, the Ministry's ACO is scheduled to define hot spots with a thermal camera; and in Fasgar there is a Guardia Civil patrol, a BRIF water bomber and a ground crew. Seven BRIF aerial resources are also scheduled to arrive.

After the CECOPI emergency committee meeting at midday this Sunday, it was commented that, as in Llamas de Cabrera and Yeres, the fires in Orallo and Fasgar are purely forest fires that "require time to be extinguished due to the availability of fuel, and the need for extinguishing tasks involving a lot of ground work".

In addition, the CECOPI commented that "the atmospheric instability forecast for Sunday afternoon is a cause for concern, although the evolution of the last two fires - Orallo and Fasgar - has been somewhat more favourable in the last few hours".

The last one to break out, which for the moment is located in Villaverde de los Cestos, in the municipality of Castropodame, has forced the National VI motorway to be closed between kilometres 370 and 380 due to smoke. A lack of visibility is also affecting the A-6, but for the moment there are no restrictions.

In addition to this one, three other fires are still active in Filiel, Cabanas de la Dornilla and Anllares del Sil.
Emma Seiwell | New York Daily News

New York  The last time Ukrainian immigrant Kate Kirilenko saw her husband, he was on a bench on the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza with chains around his waist, wrists and ankles.

That was June 27, three days after the couple went to the lower Manhattan immigration courthouse for what they expected would be a routine hearing for their joint asylum case. Theyd fled Russia in 2023, fearing her husbands anti-Putin politics and her Ukrainian nationality would lead to persecution.

Inside the courtroom, an immigration judge denied a Department of Homeland Security lawyers motion to dismiss their case and told them to return to court in March 2026 for another hearing.

They thought they were safe from the Trump administrations aggressive crackdown on immigration. But federal agents lurking outside the 12th-floor courtroom arrested her and her husband, Alex Uzkii, anyway.

As soon as we exited the courtroom, we were grabbed, Kirilenko, 39, said in Russian, through a translator. They directed us into the elevator and pushed us up against the wall. My husband had our documents in his hand and they tried to take them away forcefully. He sort of tried to not let them. So they pushed him into the wall, hit him in the back and handcuffed him right there.

Kirilenko said she was cuffed as they stepped out of the elevator onto what she believes was the 10th floor. The pair repeatedly asked why they were being detained. The agents, several covering their faces with masks, gave no answer.

Horror. No thoughts. It was just fear, she recalled.

Now, the life Kirlenko and her husband began building in New York is in pieces. She doesnt know when or if he will come home. And though she was released from detention for medical reasons, she fears what will happen when she returns to the courthouse next month.

I dont know what theyll do tomorrow. I dont know whats gonna happen with me. In September, I can be detained. I dont know what will happen with my husband, she said. Im not sleeping almost at all. I wake up every hour. I have a lot of dreams, a lot of thoughts in my head.

Michael Musa-Obregon, an attorney on the team representing the couple, said they are working to free Uzkii, so he can return to New York and fight his case from outside a prison. There is also a possibility Kirilenko could be detained the next time she returns to court, he said.

People are coming in to duly make their appointments, as is their responsibility and obligation, Musa-Obregon said. The idea of fighting meritorious cases such as (Kirilenkos) and they are now being arrested in that process, you know, theres something wrong with that. You cant be punished for going to your court date. And thats essentially whats happening.

The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to questions about the case.

Surprise arrest

Despite reading about ICE detaining immigrants at city courthouses, Kirilenko said they didnt expect to be arrested since they had followed the rules. They crossed the southern border using the Biden administrations CBP One app and filed for asylum within the one-year deadline after arriving.

We just didnt think that this would affect us because we were never late, we never missed anything, everything was proper and legal in our case, she said. We just did not realize that people were being detained for nothing.

Kirilenko spent nearly six days in detention before ICE released her for a major abdominal surgery she had already had scheduled. Uzkii, 46, remains in detention, far from home in Livingston, Texas.

Its not fair that we were detained. We didnt do anything wrong. We came here to look for protection from our country, she said. We did not do anything wrong. I want my husband to get out. He does not deserve to be arrested, to be kept in detention. We are not criminals.

Kirilenko described her holding cell inside 26 Federal Plaza as a cold, cement room where women slept on benches or the floor, with just reflective blankets to keep them warm. The bathroom was attached to the room, with just a waist-high wall blocking others view of the toilet, she said.

ICE fed the roughly 16 women being held in her room three times the first day, but other days only twice, she said. The menu included three or four varieties of hot soup, bagels with cheese, protein bars and cookies.

There were instances where we would have to ask for water multiple times. Im not sure why you had to ask multiple times, she said.

Kirilenko said agents refused to let her take medication shed had been prescribed to keep the cyst she would later have surgically removed from her ovaries from growing larger.

Meanwhile, Uzkii was inexplicably transported from 26 Federal Plaza to an upstate New York facility and back two times. Kirilenko watched through a glass panel in the door as agents shackled him in a reception area each time for the transport.

I only saw him through the window. We tried to communicate with our fingers or read lips. It didnt really work, she said.

(Alex) tried to encourage me. I cried and he looked very upset. We tried to speak, but it was difficult because its very noisy inside the room, and he couldnt hear me, Kirilenko said of the last time they saw each other on June 27.

He was later flown across the country to a Louisiana detention facility before being moved to the IAH Polk Adult Detention Center in Texas.

On June 29, ICE officials made Kirilenko download a tracking app to her cellphone and they released her ahead of her major surgery the next day.

Kirilenkos surgery went well and she was recovering at a friends place in Queens. But her rest was almost immediately disrupted when she was woken up from sleep at 7:22 a.m. the next morning by a message from ICE, asking her to report to court in person by 10 a.m. the same day.

Kirilenko had five incisions in her abdomen and was hardly able to get up from bed. After submitting a note from her surgeon saying recovery would take four to six weeks, ICE told her she could check in by submitting a photo of herself to the tracking app every week until further notice.

Being tracked has left Kirilenko wary of leaving her friends place, and she wont even walk around the block for fresh air, her friend said.

Every morning, Kirilenko looks forward to her 10-minute phone call with Uzkii.

He mostly tries to cheer me up. He doesnt complain much. He just tries to keep up my spirits, she said. He says that nothing much goes on where he is. He said even people who signed the paperwork to self-deport, theyre at this facility waiting for two months to be deported.

A lonely July 4

Still thousands of miles apart from one another, Independence Day came and went, and Kirilenko thought of last year, when they went to the Macys 4th of July fireworks show on the Hudson River.

It was a huge crowd. It was cool. In my city, the fireworks are not so long and so varied. Different shapes. (Alex) also liked it, she said. We were thinking to go this year too.

Uzkii, who was born in Russia, opposed the war against Ukraine and supported Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Kirilenko, who was born in Ukraine and moved to Ryazan, Russia, in 2010 to be with Uzkii, feared the worst living on the enemys turf.

The situation became more difficult. The laws became stricter. People were persecuted for supporting Navalny and obviously if they knew you were Ukrainian, she said. It was becoming clear that things were about to get worse and worse. At that point, it was literally a threat to our lives to continue to stay there. So we had to leave.

Though it was never their dream to move to New York, Kirilenko said her husband was instantly charmed by the city.

When we first arrived in New York, my husband said, Can you imagine we are in New York? We saw the Empire State Building, not just in pictures. In real life. He was very excited about it, she said.

Kirilenko said they had no life in Russia anymore, and had begun building a new life in the city, living in Midwood, Brooklyn, learning English and exploring the city.

Im not here just to make money, like some people. I want to live here, to integrate and be a part of it, she said, adding that she is considering going to college to become a pharmacist or an accountant.

Uzkii, who holds a degree in radio technology, told Kirilenko his experience being detained has left him hoping to volunteer for an organization that helps other immigrants and to possibly become a lawyer in the future.

We were interested in doing a drive through the country to see it. Its so big. See the desert, go somewhere where theres ocean and its warmer. See the mountains, the animals, the plants. Everything is different. Half of it doesnt exist back in Russia, she said. We were very excited to do that, and now we sort of feel like theres no hope.

For now, they live every day in uncertainty, with no clarity on where their asylum case stands.

Kirilenko shared a message from Uzkii in Texas:

Its not fair that they grab people like that, yank them out of their lives, leaving a bunch of obligations on the outside. I want to be released, go back to New York, where I am a resident, and use my right to defend a case in immigration court without extra pressure.
Federal prosecutors said last week they intend to retry Honduran immigrant Doris Aleman-Bonilla on a felony charge of illegal re-entry after a jury failed to reach a verdict. A second trial would double down on the vast amount of taxpayer resources already squandered trying to deport someone who poses no threat to us, or to you.

Aleman-Bonilla was the first illegal re-entry defendant to come to trial in federal court in the Northern District of New York since President Donald Trump took office for a second time.

Her story, powerfully told by staff writer Michelle Breidenbach, shows what Trumps immigration crackdown looks like, up close.

It is cruel. It is ugly. It is a perversion of justice. It is a waste.

After four days of deliberation, more than one juror refused to convict Aleman-Bonilla, despite clear evidence that she is in the country without legal permission. The case hinged on whether she was here voluntarily. It appears some jurors were not convinced.

We dont know their reasons for holding out. Wed like to think they are just as queasy, just as conflicted, as the majority of Americans are about how the Trump administration is prosecuting its war on immigrants.

We are being told that immigration authorities are going after rapists, murderers, drug traffickers and gang members, the worst of the worst, as border czar Tom Homan describes them. The reality on the ground is very different.

As immigration authorities struggle to meet aggressive deportation quotas, equipped with a huge influx of funding from the Trump budget bill, they are going after the low-hanging fruit: people who have been here illegally for decades, quietly working and paying taxes, or are in the process of obtaining legal status. They are Chinese restaurant owners, agriculture workers and people like Aleman-Bonilla.

She is a 30-year-old mother of two who said she fled Honduras to escape death threats against her family. Aleman-Bonilla made it to the U.S. but said she went back to care for her children. She fled again, to Mexico, where she said she was kidnapped, raped and forced to carry drugs across the border. Eventually, she ran away and made a life in Fulton.

Judge Elizabeth Coombe ruled the law would not allow the 12-member jury to hear any of those facts. The federal case was simply about whether Aleman-Bonilla is a citizen of Honduras, had been deported once before and is here without legal status. Those facts are not in dispute.

Federal immigration authorities used to look the other way at otherwise law-abiding people like Aleman-Bonilla, in tacit acknowledgement that the legal immigration system is broken and parts of the U.S. economy depend on immigrant labor to function. They focused their resources on the big fish who were trafficking people, smuggling drugs and guns, and committing violent crimes.

When Trump took office, promising mass deportations in the millions, the federal government abandoned all discretion. It is going after gang members and 30-year-old moms with equal fervor. Luckily for Aleman-Bonilla, a couple of jurors had the courage to decide that maybe her case is not so cut-and-dried, after all. That a conviction might have been justified under the law  but would not have been just.

If Aleman-Bonilla decides not to plead guilty at this point and accept deportation, the government wants a second trial, with all the time, logistics and expense that it entails: summoning a jury, bringing the defendant back and forth from jail, arranging for language interpreters and the technology they need, and all the preparation by lawyers on both sides and the judge. Making an example of an undocumented immigrant wouldnt be cheap. A new jury would face the same moral quandary.

The last seven months have shown us that Trump is still failing to back up the crusade against murderers and rapists he concocted. It is college students, farm workers, Chinese restaurant owners, roofers and parents in the crosshairs of the mighty federal justice system. They are treated like Mafia bosses, drug lords, gun dealers and pedophiles for the crime of entering the country illegally.

Mostly, theyre guilty and have to go home. But what does it say about us when we know that many are likely to die when they get there?

Trumps immoral and inhumane deportation machine only functions if law enforcement, prosecutors and other public officials continue to blindly follow orders. Does anyone have the principles and courage to say no  as those jurors did?

Doris Aleman-Bonillas is only the first of the many cases to follow. Public opinion is turning against this policy, and must continue to turn until it changes.
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

Emma Thompson reflected on the time Donald Trump invited her for dinner, joking in a new interview that had she accepted the date she could have changed the course of American history!

The 66-year-old Love Actually star recalled that the incident occurred while she was filming the 1998 political comedy Primary Colors, which was loosely based on Bill Clintons 1992 presidential campaign.

Variety reports that while speaking at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, Thompson remembered: A phone rang in my trailer, and it was Donald Trump.

I thought it was a joke: Hi, its Donald Trump here. I said: How can I help you? I thought he needed directions. He said: I would love for you to stay in one of my beautiful places, and maybe we could have dinner.

Thompson at that point had been going through a lengthy divorce from her first husband, fellow actor Kenneth Branagh.

I realised that on that very day my divorce has finally come through, continued Thompson. I bet he has people looking all over for suitable people he could take out, for all these nice divorcees  I mean, he found the number of my trailer! Thats stalking! So yes, I could have gone on a date with Donald Trump. I could have changed the course of American history!

open image in gallery Love Actually star Emma Thompson says she once turned down dinner with Donald Trump ( Getty )

Thompson previously shared the anecdote in 2017, telling Swedish television host Fredrik Skavlan: I didnt know what to do with myself. I was on my own and I just said: OK, well Ill get back to you! Thank you so much for ringing.

Skavlan joked: You could be the First Lady. You could have stopped him!

open image in gallery Emma Thompson (pictured at the World Premiere of "Love Actually" in 2003 at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City) recently joked about how the world could have changed if shed said yes to Donald Trump. ( Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images )

Thompson said at the time that she had still not met Trump in person. The Nanny McPhee star has been married to actor Greg Wise since 2003. They first met while they were filming Sense and Sensibility in 1995.

Earlier this year, Thompson told an audience in London that sex should be recommended by the National Health Service because its so good for you.

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.

She was speaking at a screening of her 2022 film Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, in which her widowed character hires a sex worker (Daryl McCormack) to experience pleasure.

Thompson said during the Q&A: We need to learn about our own response to: what if when youre unwell, you cant make connections, but you need sex? You need sex because its part of our health plan, if you like. It should really be on the NHS. It should. Its so good for you.
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

Weapons is the latest horror movie to generate a huge word-of-mouth following, with director Zach Creggers new film leaving many viewers baffled by what they have seen.

The film, starring Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Benedict Wong and Alden Ehrenreich, focuses on a mystery that is printed on its promotional poster.

It says: Last night, at 2:17 am, every child from Mrs Gandys class woke up, got out of bed, went downstairs, opened the front door, walked into the dark and they never came back.

On social media, people who have seen the movie have called the ending diabolical, claiming that it will stick in their memories for a long long time.

If youve seen the film and are confused as to what happened or just intrigued to see what all the hype is about, weve broken down the plot for you below.

Warning: The rest of this article contains major spoilers for Weapons!

The film wastes no time and starts by immersing viewers in the mystery of the missing 17 children, which has left the exasperated parents of Maybrook, Pennsylvania, seeking answers. Strangely, only one boy from the class, Alex (Cary Christopher), didnt go missing during the incident.

open image in gallery Cary Christopher in Weapons ( Warner Bros/ AP )

Weapons then follows four individuals linked to the disappearance: Troubled teacher Justine Gandy (Garner), worried parent Archer (Brolin), school principal Marcus (Wong) and Alexs creepy and sick aunt Gladys (Amy Madigan).

It is revealed that Gladys is a witch who has used her dark magic to render Alexs parents mute and motionless in their own home and appears to be harnessing their energy to make herself healthy again. She has also concocted a new spell which brainwashes people into murdering others, essentially turning them into weapons.

open image in gallery Julia Garner and Josh Brolin in Zach Cregger's Weapons ( Warner Bros )

A weaponised Marcus then attempts to kill Justine while she is being confronted by an irate Archer. Trying to protect Justine, Archer manages to fend off Marcus, who is then hit by a car and killed while running after his target. Justine and Archer then agree to work together and figure out that the childrens last known locations all point to Alexs house.

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 duo then manage to overcome her ex-boyfriend Paul (Alden Ehrenreich) and his friend James (Austin Abrams) and then head towards the basement, where they find the missing children. However, in doing so, Archer becomes brainwashed by Gladys, who orders him to kill Justine.

With the situation looking bleak, Alex, who has been studying Gladys, manages to escape from his brainwashed parents and casts a new spell, which orders the children to kill his aunt. The 17 children then chase Gladys out of the house and savagely tear her to shreds. With Gladys dead, the spell is seemingly lifted from those who had been brainwashed.

open image in gallery Julia Garner in Weapons ( Warner Bros )

The film ends with a narration from Alex, which takes place two years after the events of the movie. He explains that all of the children were returned to their homes and some have just started to talk again. Alexs parents were institutionalised due to their trauma but never recovered. Ominously, he reveals that he has been sent to live with a nice aunt instead.

Speaking about the films ending and the overall message of the film, Cregger told The Hollywood Reporter that it was inspired by his experiences of living with his fathers alcohol addiction.

Living in a house with an alcoholic parent, the inversion of the family dynamic that happens, he said. The idea that this foreign entity comes into your home, and it changes your parent, and you have to deal with this new behavioural pattern that you dont understand and dont have the equipment to deal with.

Cregger did concede that he doesnt mind if the metaphor doesnt come through and just hopes people have fun.

In a four-star review, The Independents Clarisse Loughrey writes of the ending: Yet, its climactic image is a pointed, and unexpectedly funny, act of intergenerational warfare that reveals Weaponss true message: no ones ever really thinking about the children.
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

Christopher Biggins has been called out after attempting to defend sacked MasterChef host Gregg Wallace with the admission that he used to grab women while working on sets.

The 76-year-old pantomime actor bizarrely joked that his past conduct towards women wouldve landed him in prison if he did it today.

Biggins, who also appeared on Celebrity MasterChef in 2014, claimed that this type of misconduct was not uncommon 25 years ago and was considered affection.

Speaking to The Sun, he said: Years ago, I would approach a woman from behind and grab her... Well, Im gay, so it didnt matter. And Id like to still be doing it, but I dont think I can anymore.

If I were to do that now, Id be put into prison. Twenty-five years ago, we were all doing it. It was a thing of affection.

He continued: Everybody is now terrified. I wouldnt want to be a comedian. I think comedians have a really tough job.

Refuge ambassador and former Love Island star Sharon Gaffka told the publication: Touching someone without their consent, regardless of the context, is never funny.

The Independent has contacted Biggins representatives for comment.

open image in gallery Christopher Biggins ( Getty )

His remarks come after he revealed that he had reached out to Wallace and his family following his departure from MasterChef.

I love Gregg and I love his wife, he explained during an appearance at the National Reality TV Awards. Ive tried to get hold of her because they must be going through a terrible time, because suddenly careers are vanishing, its so wrong.

Wallaces position on MasterChef was deemed untenable last month when an investigation into historical misconduct upheld 45 of 83 allegations against the presenter, including claims of inappropriate sexual language and one incident of unwelcome physical contact.

Meanwhile, John Torode, who had presented MasterChef alongside Wallace since 2005, was sacked just a day later, as the same report upheld a complaint against him involving an extremely offensive racist term.

open image in gallery Torode and Wallace on MasterChef 2025 ( BBC )

The latest series of MasterChef, which is presented by Wallace and Torode, premiered this week. The heavily edited first three episodes were made available on BBC iPlayer and appeared to feature fewer jokes and interactions between the hosts and contestants.

Some viewers said they felt conflicted seeing the hosts on screen following the accusations against them. One contestant, Sarah Shafi, agreed to be edited out of the series after objecting to it being broadcast over concerns that it sent the wrong message to women.

The BBC later revealed that news about the show had an impact on ratings, as the launch show was watched by just 1.96 million, as opposed to the 2.73 million who watched last years debut episode. The fact that this series launched in August, rather than in the usual April slot, may also have affected the viewership.
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

Gavin and Stacey actor Alison Steadman has recalled the ridiculous moment she was asked about falling off a camel when she injured her foot in Dubai.

Steadman, best known for playing Gavins mother Pam Shipman in the beloved BBC sitcom, suffered the incident six months while promoting her memoir Out of Character.

While she was in Dubai, Steadman explains that she managed to slip on a desert walkway and subsequently broke her metatarsal bone.

Speaking to The Times, the actor explained that she was left sitting on the sand sobbing in agony. When being attended by a paramedic, she was bizarrely asked how she had fallen of the camel.

I said, what? I havent even seen a camel, exclaimed Steadman.

She assumed that an elderly British womans broken her foot in the desert, the 78-year-old added. Well, she must have fallen off a camel. It was just ridiculous.

open image in gallery Alison Steadman in Gavin and Stacey ( BBC )

Steadman is now reportedly back on her feet following the injury.

Steadman, whose other roles include her work with director Mike Leigh, such as Abigails Party and Life is Sweet, is currently promoting the new season of Here We Go.

The BBC sitcom, set in Befford, focuses on the often chaotic life of the Jessop family. The acclaimed show stars Jim Horwick, Katherine Parkinson, as well as writer and creator Tom Basden.

open image in gallery Steadman (right) with the cast of 'Here We Go' ( BBC )

Steadman plays Granny Sue in the show, who often greets anyone who turns up at the front door with a variety of desserts.

Speaking with The Independent last month, Basden said that his own mother is a character of a similar nature to Granny Sue.

Shell just produce a roast chicken dinner and put it in front of someone, he says. Shes incredibly giving, but in a way that can be quite absurd.

Basden, meanwhile, plays Uncle Robin, a man who is obsessed with investing his time in whatever the hot new trend is. According to Basden, this is a riff on his own brother.

Around the age of 17, he had a very similar energy to Robin, he explains. So I wanted to write about that person in the family whos always reinventing themselves, and everyone being very accommodating, but sort of knowing its probably a mistake.
We wouldnt vote for them. We wouldnt live there. We complain about their guns, their politics, their Supreme Court rulings. And yet well queue 45 minutes in the rain for a smashburger with neon cheese and pay 100 a head for mafia-coded rigatoni. Well pretend Nashville is a vibe and not a state of mind when were line-dancing in Chiswick. America might be unravelling, but to Brits, its never looked so good on a plate.

London  and much of Britain  is in the grip of an Americana boom. From packed honky-tonk diners in west London to heaving Tex Mex joints in Manchester and Blackpool, its clear that American food is having a moment. Never mind our obsession with gut health or disdain for Trump  well take the brisket, the burgers, the mac and cheese and all the martinis, thank you very much.

Perhaps the most telling sign of this appetite is the impending arrival of Carbone  the celebrity-fuelled, old-school Italian-American dining room thats been a Manhattan status symbol since it opened in 2013. Soon to open at the glittering Chancery Rosewood hotel in Grosvenor Square  the redeveloped site of the former American Embassy  the London outpost will join the brands glossier Miami and Las Vegas siblings.

The New York original has hosted everyone from Rihanna and Leonardo DiCaprio to Barack Obama, serving a menu heavy on lobster ravioli, veal marsala and thick-cut grilled steaks in a dark-panelled, martini-soaked setting. Its hard to imagine a bolder symbol of Americanas grip on the capital than one of its most exclusive US dining rooms setting up shop here.

Martin Kuczmarski, founder of The Dover in Mayfair, another New York-Italian restaurant that opened in late 2023, says its not about chasing trends. Through my travels, and from living in London, I noticed that old-school hospitality was slowly disappearing. So my mission was to bring it back, he says.

In a city where restaurants often worship at the altar of reinvention, Kuczmarskis inspiration is almost rebellious: look backwards, not forwards. Being half-Italian, and having spent lots of time in New York, I always loved Brooklyn-Italian food specifically, because it was executed with slightly more punchy flavours, and a bit more attitude, rather than pure, classic Italian food.

Its an approach that, intentionally or not, mirrors a wider cultural mood. In America, the political clock feels like its ticking in reverse  Supreme Court rulings overturned, nostalgia for simpler times that were anything but. Here, the revival is culinary rather than ideological, but the instinct is the same: dust off the past and serve it up with a modern garnish.

open image in gallery Mayfair meets Manhattan: plush banquettes, polished martinis and a hint of mafia drama ( Press )

Its a worldview that also challenges Londons idea of what Mayfair dining should be. I have not followed any trend; I simply felt that this kind of food mixed with beautiful design, warm atmosphere and kind, professional and efficient service, would work in London, he says. I never wanted to be over-priced, like many other restaurants. I wanted to provide fair pricing for what you get, and I like to think The Dover has achieved this.

The Dover landed just ahead of a now-unstoppable Italian-American boom in London, its success helping to set the tone for the surge. Step inside and youre met with softly lit banquettes upholstered in plush brown fabric, checkerboard floors, wood-panelled walls and a hum that suggests deals might be struck over martinis in the corner. The room feels equal parts cinematic and conspiratorial  all the glamour of mid-century Italy with a wink of Godfather-style drama.

And yet, it isnt only the glossy, reservation-only restaurants muscling in. At street level, American fast food is in expansion mode: Popeyes, Wingstop, Taco Bell, Wendys and Chipotle all have plans to grow their UK footprint. American-style sandwich shops and pizzerias are springing up in cities across the country, offering diners a taste of New York or New Orleans without the airfare. In a cost of living crisis, this taps neatly into the small luxuries trend  fried chicken, burgers and pizza as affordable indulgences  with the added allure of massive portions. More bang for your buck.

But how authentic is this wave? Kate Krader, food editor at Bloomberg and an American who spends half the year living in London, thinks its often more of a curated fantasy than a straight import. Its definitely not a full-on authentic exchange, she says. People copying Levain-style cookies [a NYC bakery famous for its giant chocolate chip cookies] are generally using different chips and at Lennys Apizza in Finsbury Park the owner cant get the right clams for a clam pizza, which is a hallmark. Presumably, they also cant get the E-numbers.

open image in gallery Line-dancing at Lil Nashville in Chiswick is not included, but the fried chicken might just make you two-step ( Hannah Twiggs )

Still, Krader admits some places get the atmosphere spot-on. One Club Row [which opened in Shoreditch in April] feels a lot like a buzzy New York City place, she says. You wouldnt dip your burger in sauce in NYC  a staple at One Club Row  but its more the vibe and the energy. It quickly became one of the most hyped restaurants of the year; youll be lucky to grab a seat before 9pm if you havent booked months in advance. For the opportunists, a small light by the door illuminates if there are walk-in seats available  a nod to the New York model of dining, where the thrill is in squeezing into a buzzy room at short notice.

This kind of dining is less about culinary fireworks and more about curated comfort. Its buzzy, brash and very easy to love. In these tough financial times, American-style dining hits that sweet spot: fun, without pretension. The dishes are familiar but turbocharged  red sauce pasta, fried chicken, pickles, crinkle fries, peanut butter milkshakes.

Social media only amplifies the hype. Smashburgers practically exist to be filmed; cheese pulls, fried chicken ASMR and martini fountains are digital crack. American food lends itself perfectly to the theatre of TikTok and Instagram.

And perhaps, deeper down, it speaks to something more complex. Our relationship with America has always been a tangle of admiration, imitation, resistance and condescension. Its tricky to talk about rejecting US politics while embracing their food, says Krader slyly, but the tourism numbers say a lot.

Home Office data, meanwhile, shows more than 6,600 Americans applied for British citizenship or residency in the 12 months to March  a 26 per cent jump on the year before and the highest since records began in 2004. Almost a third of those applications landed between January and March this year, in the opening months of Donald Trumps second term. Thats not to mention the almost 5 million Americans who visited the UK as tourists last year, up 9 per cent compared to 2023.

open image in gallery Louis, Manchester: all the swagger of a New York brasserie, minus the seven-hour flight ( Press )

You might be forgiven for thinking that Britains restaurants already take their cues from every corner of the globe  Chinese and Indian are woven into our countrys fabric, French has never really left, Thai and Filipino are currently having their moment in the sun, and increasingly its more unfamiliar regional cooking from familiar places thats making waves. Theres even matcha in Pret.

Have we tired of all that? Hardly. But post-Brexit, with ties to Europe severed, British culture has started to look westward for inspiration. We speak the language of their menus. We know what a Reuben is, how to order our steak, what kind of Old Fashioned we like. Its fluency as belonging. These restaurants arent about authenticity. Theyre about atmosphere, identity, fantasy.

London and New York are actually competitive siblings, says Kuczmarski. They love each other, are inspired by each other, but at the same time are in constant competition with each other. I have to say, New York may be a bit edgier than London currently.

Kraders take? A for effort to London but they have a little ways to go before they catch New York. New York is in the midst of a very good food moment. But if what you care about is drinking martinis, youre in better shape in London at least until youre not!

Perhaps thats the point  were not trying to beat New York at its own game. Britain has always been a magpie nation when it comes to food, cherry-picking the best bits from everywhere else and calling them our own. America just happens to be the current muse. Give it a few years and the same questions could be asked about why X restaurant from X country is setting up shop here.

For now, the politics might still be hard to swallow  but the burgers, rigatoni and line-dancing arent.

Pass the ranch.
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

Londons Borough Market has always been a place where appetite meets history. For centuries, its been a sprawling, ever-changing hub of food. Today, beneath its Victorian ironwork and on its cobbled lanes, youll still find flavours both old and new.

And tucked into one corner of the market, Marias Market Cafe continues to serve up that most enduring of meals  the full English breakfast  to everyone from delivery drivers to City execs. Its a plate with deep roots, a complicated backstory and a surprising ability to unite us all.

When it comes to the origin of the full English, Kenelm Digby, one of the more colourful characters in the history of food writing, may  or may not  have the answer. Lying was, it was said, his infirmity. Did he really fake his own death to avoid sleeping with the King of Frances mum? Did he really kill a man on a Paris street? Did the powder of sympathy gifted to him by a mysterious monk really heal wounds from a distance? Questionable at best.

But one of Digbys claims is irrefutable: Two poched [sic] eggs with a few fine dry-fryed collops of pure bacon are not bad for break-fast, he wrote in 1669. Few have argued since.

Eggs and bacon are the twin pillars of the full English  a dish that manages to be both universally familiar and impossible to define without igniting a row. (Lets go with the 1964 US Supreme Court test for obscenity: I know it when I see it.)

The British have been breeding pigs and chickens, curing bacon, stuffing sausages and turning blood into black pudding since long before England was even a thing. But the idea of eating all of that first thing in the morning? Thats relatively new. On this matter, Kenelm Digby was ahead of his time.

In medieval England, breakfast was a modest affair: bread, porridge or gruel washed down with weak ale. As towns grew and workers moved from fields to factories, breakfast edged earlier in the day  but still without much bacon and egg in sight. Samuel Pepyss 1660s diaries mention breakfasts of mince pies and radishes, with just a single nod to eggs.

It wasnt until the 18th and 19th centuries that the idea of a more elaborate, protein-heavy breakfast took hold  and it did so in the grand kitchens of the elite. Wealth, empire and increasing domestic staff gave rise to vast breakfast spreads. Bacon and eggs were present, yes  but alongside sheeps kidneys, mackerel, whiting, veal pies, even collared pigs face. In The Breakfast Book (1865), Georgiana Hill lists among the usual suspects: bloaters, brain cakes, devilled bones, caviar and curries.

These were solid, substantial foods: expressions of Victorian virtues  robust, plain, defiantly un-French. The culinary equivalent of a cold bath or foxhunt. By contrast, the growing middle class, egged on by Mrs Beeton and her bestselling Book of Household Management, tried to replicate these grand spreads  but with less time, money, or kitchen help. Enter the simplified version: bacon, eggs, sausages, mushrooms, toast. All manageable on a domestic stove, all status-symbolic enough to pass.

Alchemist, aristocrat, alleged liar  and perhaps the first man to write down a recipe for bacon and eggs. Kenelm Digby was ahead of his time (and possibly out of his mind) ( Getty/iStock )

As the 20th century progressed, the full English broke free of the country house. Grand hotels, boarding schools, factory canteens and boarding houses all embraced it. In 1936, George Orwell, staying in a grotty Wigan terrace, was fed two rashers of bacon and a pale fried egg, and bread-and-butter which had often been cut overnight and always had thumbmarks on it. Mrs Beeton would not have approved.

Snobbish cookery writers, aghast at corners being cut, wailed at the shunning of sweetbreads, cods roe and fricasseed fowl. As Colonel Arthur Kenney Herbert wrote in the introduction to Fifty Breakfasts (1894): The ding-dong monotony of bacon and eggs alternated with eggs and bacon of many English breakfast tables is wholly inexcusable.

That monotony was finally broken by the Second World War, but not in a good way, as strict rationing of bacon and eggs condemned us once again to be a nation of porridge eaters. As Ambrose Heath reported in Good Breakfasts (1940): The lack of bacon has disturbed our native breakfast dish and brought doubt and distress into many an early morning kitchen. Forget the Blitz  this was the true national crisis.

Rationing ended in the 1950s. And with the post-war economic boom, mass food production and shrinking wealth gaps, a lavish home-cooked fry-up became possible for almost everyone. Greasy spoons  a term, sad to report, imported from America  sprang up across Britain. These caffs were democratic spaces: fast, affordable and unpretentious. The menu staples: strong tea, beans from a tin, bacon fried crisp, sausages of unknown provenance and eggs of variable runniness.

Interestingly, many of these caffs werent English at all in origin. They were opened and run by Italians, Cypriots, Turks, Bangladeshis and Chinese families  immigrants who helped shape and sustain one of the most traditional English dishes.

Marias Market Cafe, one of the true survivors of the golden age of the caff, was one of the many London caffs with Italian roots. After moving to the capital in the early 1960s, the Moruzzi family opened the Borough Cafe on Park Street. The market back then was a vast fruit and veg wholesale operation staffed by hundreds of burly porters, and many of the cafes regulars would be coming off a night shift, proving that a full English doesnt have to be the first meal of the working day  it can also be the last.

Under the management of Maria Moruzzi, the cafe that now bears her name moved to the heart of the revitalised retail market in 2012. Maria retired in 2021 with more than 50 years of service under her apron, but the Moruzzi legacy lives on in a classic full English breakfast still redolent of Borough Markets past.

Marias embodies the ability of a cooked breakfast to transcend social class in a way that few other English foods ever will.

Depending on the setting, a full English can express the country-house grandeur that birthed it or the post-war populism that made it universal. You can buy one for 56 at The Ritz or a fraction of that at Marias (with no compromise on quality). You can argue about black pudding or baked beans or whatever bugbear you happen to hold. But whatever your choices, youll grasp the truth that binds this nation tight: that two eggs with a few fine dry-fried rashers of bacon (plus three or four other elements) are not bad for breakfast.

Borough Market is one of Londons oldest and most renowned food markets, operating as a charitable trust that supports its community of shoppers, traders and neighbours. Located near London Bridge, the market has been a hub for traders and food lovers for over 1,000 years. For more information, visit boroughmarket.org.uk.
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 opened fire near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention campus and Emory University on Friday was fixated on the Covid-19 vaccine, his father reportedly told police.

Police say 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White opened fire from a CVS on Friday afternoon, striking several CDC buildings across the street and leaving bullet holes in windows. A DeKalb County police officer was killed in the shooting, and White was found dead at the scene.

Whites father told police his son believed the Covid-19 vaccine made him suicidal, the Associated Press reports. Whites neighbor also said the 30-year-old often discussed anti-vaccine conspiracy theories.

No civilians were hurt, officials confirmed.

Heres what we know about the suspected gunman and how Fridays shooting unfolded:

open image in gallery Windows on a CDC building pockmarked by bullet holes. The gunman struck at least four CDC buildings and killed a DeKalb County police officer, officials said ( REUTERS )

Police identify the suspected shooter

Police identified White as the shooter on Saturday morning. The 30-year-old lived with his parents in Kennesaw, Georgia, a suburb about 30 miles from the CDC campus in Atlanta.

The suspected gunman was found dead on the second floor of the CVS, though officials dont know whether that was from officers or if it was self-inflicted, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said Friday.

What was the gunmans motive?

Officials have yet to confirm Whites motive. However, CDC Chief Operating Officer Christa Capozzola told agency staff that the shooting was a targeted attack on C.D.C. related to Covid, according to an email reviewed by The New York Times.

Whites father told police his son believed the Covid-19 vaccine made him depressed and suicidal, the Associated Press reports. White had become fixated on the Covid-19 vaccine and was also upset about the recent death of his dog, his father revealed.

Whites neighbor, Nancy Hoalst, told The New York Times that he was unsettled and would often talk about anti-vaccine conspiracy theories. Hoalst noted she never thought he would take it out on other people.

He very deeply believed that vaccines had hurt him, and that they were hurting other people, Hoalst said.

Law enforcement officials told CNN on Friday they are working with the theory that White targeted the CDC because he believed the Covid-19 vaccine made him sick.

open image in gallery Police investigate the scene of a shooting near the CDC campus and Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. The suspected gunman is dead after officials say he killed a DeKalb County police officer ( Georgia Bureau of Investigation )

Officer killed in the line of duty

DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose was killed in the shooting after working in the role for nearly a year. He was a 33-year-old married father of two children, with a third on the way.

Rose was fatally shot after the gunman turned his aim away from the CDC campus and toward the officer, a law enforcement official told CNN. Rose later died at Emory University Hospital.

Officer Rose served DeKalb County with courage, integrity, and unwavering dedication, the DeKalb County Police Department said in a tribute.

Even in the face of danger was he diligent in his duty to protect our community.

open image in gallery DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose was killed in the shooting. He was a married father of two, with a third on the way ( DeKalb County Police Department )

Several CDC buildings hit by gunfire

Police say the gunman opened fire from inside a CVS across the street from the CDC campus on Friday afternoon. Before driving to the CVS, White tried to enter the CDC campus but was turned away by guards, the AP reports.

The gunman struck at least four buildings on the health agencys campus, CDC Director Susan Monarez said. No civilians were injured. White was armed with five guns, including one long gun, a law enforcement official told the AP.

CDC employees told CNN that bullets broke through the windows and flew past cubicles.

Its a miracle no one was killed here, one employee said.

open image in gallery Officers respond to the shooting near the CDC campus, where four buildings were struck ( Getty Images )

There were also 92 children in a daycare on the CDC campus during the shooting. A mother whose child was at the daycare told CBS News, "I'm also a bit angry that at a year and a half, he would have to experience something like this.

Its anxiety-inducing, its very scary, she added.

Employees at a nearby deli, General Muirs, also reported hearing gunshots, according to the Associated Press. Brandy Giraldo, the delis chief operating officer, said it sounded like fireworks going off, one right after the other.

The gunfire sent the nearby Emory University campus into lockdown, along with the CDC, Emory University Hospital and other nearby schools and daycares.

Active shooter on Emory Atlanta Campus at Emory Point CVS. RUN, HIDE, FIGHT, campus officials wrote in a statement. Avoid the area. Continue shelter in place. Police on scene.

open image in gallery Windows on a CDC building pockmarked by bullet holes. The gunman struck at least four CDC buildings ( REUTERS )

What have officials said about the shooting?

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson told reporters Friday was a very dark day for the community and for Roses family.

This evening there is a wife without a husband, Cochran-Johnson said of Rose. There are three children, one unborn, without a father.

Several Georgia lawmakers, including Senator Raphael Warnock and Representative Mike Collins, acknowledged the shooting and sent prayers to those impacted. FBI Director Kash Patel also commented on the shooting.

Pray for the family, friends, and colleagues of this hero who acted quickly to defend others and made the ultimate sacrifice, Patel wrote on X. The FBI will offer them our full support.

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 at 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.
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

California officials are searching for a babysitter who allegedly abducted three young children, issuing an Amber Alert Sunday, two days after the children were last seen.

Constance Franks, 55, and three young children whom she was babysitting were last seen around 7:30 p.m., according to the Inglewood Police Department.

The children were identified as 8-year-old Isabella Mamby, 6-year-old Meischon Mamby and 4-year-old Alona Mamby.

Franks was watching the children at the 300 block of W. Hyde Park Boulevard in Inglewood, near Los Angeles, and potentially left the area with the children on foot, authorities said.

In an Amber Alert issued Sunday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol identified Franks as a suspect and said the children were abducted or taken.

open image in gallery Police are searching for a California babysitter after she and the three young children she was watching were last seen on Friday. ( California Highway Patrol )

The oldest sibling, 8-year-old Isabella, is described as being a Black female standing at 4 feet tall and weighing 50 pounds. She has dark brown eyes and hair styled in braids. She was last seen wearing a red Winnie the Pooh shirt and black shorts.

The middle child, 6-year-old Mesichon, is described as a Black male standing at 4 feet tall and weighing about 40 pounds. He has dark brown eyes and hair, which is also styled in braids. He was last seen wearing a red Spider-Man shirt, black shorts, and black and white checkered Vans sneakers.

The youngest child, 4-year-old Alona, is described as a Black female who is 3 feet tall, weighs 35 pounds, and has brown eyes and dark brown mid-length hair.

open image in gallery Police issued an Amber Alert on Sunday urging people to call 911 if they see the missing woman or children. ( California Highway Patrol )

Like her sister, she was last seen wearing a red Winnie the Pooh shirt. She was also wearing black shorts and blue floral Van sneakers.

Authorities have described their babysitter, Franks, as a Black female who stands about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 170 pounds. She has red and black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a white tank top with a tan dress and brown UGG boots.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call 911 or contact the Inglewood Police Department Watch Commander at 310-412-5206.
by Priya Malhotra

The first time many of us learn the word no, its not in the context of refusalits in discipline. A toddler reaches for the stovetop: No. She throws a block: No. In these earliest exchanges, no is a limit set by someone else, a redirection of will. Its a stop sign held by authority. Children learn it as a small jolt, a micro-disruption in their experiment with the world.

And yet, the day comes when that same word becomes ours to wield. We learnslowly, awkwardlythat no can be a boundary, not just an order. That it can protect us, define us, even save us. But by then, the baggage has already attached itself. Weve been trained to think of no as negative, obstructive, and, in many cases, socially costly.

This is the paradox at the heart of no: linguistically, it is a word of negation; psychologically, it is an act of self-definition. It shuts a door, but in doing so, it opens a spaceoften the first space where personal agency can breathe.

The English no comes to us from Old English na, a compound of ne (not) and a (ever). In its oldest form, it was absolute: not ever. No qualification, no wiggle room. Cognates in other languagesnon in French, nein in Germancarry the same bluntness. Japanese, for instance, often avoids direct negation by substituting more face-saving constructions like chotto (its a bit) instead of a flat iie (no).

Across languages, direct negation can be perceived as impolite. In many cultures, to say no outright is to disrupt harmony. Anthropologists studying high-context communication (common in parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East) have noted that refusals are often couched in narrative, delay, or metaphor. The word no is there in spirit, but rarely in its bare form.

In English-speaking cultures, we dont always avoid the wordbut we soften it. I dont think so. Maybe later. Im not sure that works for me. This linguistic hedging reflects the social weight weve given noespecially when spoken by women or anyone in a subordinate position. A plain refusal risks being read as hostile. And so we learn to dress it in apologies, in smiles, in disclaimers.

In developmental psychology, the toddlers no phase is a milestone. Around age two, children begin asserting autonomy, often with the word no as their main instrument. Its a linguistic way of saying, I have a self now. Yet this assertion is often framed as defiance to be managed, rather than agency to be nurtured. Parents and educators sometimes treat it as a behavior to be grown out of, subtly discouraging its more assertive uses.

The result is that many children, especially girls, get early training in self-abandonment. Over time, these patterns accumulate into gendered norms around refusalmany classrooms show girls praised more for compliant behavior and boys engaged more through criticism or autonomy-oriented attention, though findings vary by context. When a boy refuses to share a toy, hes asserting himself; when a girl does the same, shes not being nice. These small differences in feedback and expectation can ripple forward into adolescence, the workplace, and intimate relationships.

Few cultural contexts reveal the stakes of no as clearly as dating and sexual politics. In theory, no is unambiguous. In practice, women are often taught to reject in ways that preserve the mans feelings. A sharp no risks backlashanything from verbal hostility to physical danger. And so women often employ soft refusals: Im seeing someone, I have to work early tomorrow, Im not ready to date right now. The goal is to decline without igniting anger.

The danger is that the more we train people to express no indirectly, the more room it leaves for others to pretend they didnt hear it. This is one reason the slogan No Means No emerged as a rallying cry in sexual consent activism. It was a counter to decades of cultural messaging that a womans no might mean convince me, try harder, or Im just playing hard to get.

At the grassroots level, no has powered some of the most consequential movements in history. Gandhis non-cooperation movement was a collective no to British rule, expressed through boycotts and strikes. The Civil Rights Movements lunch counter sit-ins and bus boycotts were nos enacted in public spacevisible refusals to participate in unjust systems. In these cases, no wasnt passive; it was strategic. It disrupted the normal flow of power.

The most powerful nos in activism often mark the starting point, not the end, of action. Rosa Parkss refusal to give up her seat was a no that catalyzed the Montgomery Bus Boycott, sustaining over a year of coordinated resistance. Greta Thunbergs school strikes for climate began as a refusal to attend class until political leaders addressed the crisis. These are nos that frame the stakes so sharply they compel others to join.

In these cases, no works because it is legible, collective, and sustained. Its not just the closing of a door; its the building of a barricade and the declaration of a cause. The refusal doesnt end the storyit creates the conditions for a new one.

Psychologists note that no is harder to say than we think, especially in face-to-face interactions. The discomfort often comes from anticipated social cost: we fear disappointing others, appearing selfish, or inviting conflict. This is magnified in collectivist cultures, where harmony is prized, but its hardly absent in individualist ones.

Neuroscience offers one reason why no can feel risky: our brains are wired to seek social belonging, and refusal threatens exclusion. The amygdala, which processes perceived threats, doesnt distinguish much between physical danger and social danger. Saying no can trigger a similar stress response to stepping into trafficyour heart races, your palms sweat, your mind rehearses escape routes.

This is why boundary-setting often requires practice. In cognitive-behavioral therapy, role-playing refusals can help rewire the brains threat response, making no feel less like a rupture and more like a choice.

If no is so essential to agency, why does it remain fraught? Part of the answer lies in power. A clear no challenges whoever benefits from your compliancewhether thats a person, an institution, or a cultural norm. And challenges to power are rarely welcomed.

Theres also a deep cultural bias toward positivity, particularly in American life. We valorize the yesthe go-getter, the team player, the person who says yes to opportunities, adventures, risks. No is seen as closing doors, narrowing possibilities. In business books, its often framed as a problem to be overcomehow to turn a no into a yes.

But this binary misses the point. No is not the opposite of possibility; it is the condition for choosing the right ones. Without the ability to refuse, a yes means nothing.

To reclaim no is to strip it of its automatic negativity. It is to recognize that no is often the most honest, generous, and self-respecting word we can speak. In childhood, it marks the dawn of a separate self. In dating, it can mean survival. In activism, it can be the hinge on which history turns.

If we could reframe no not as the end of dialogue but as the beginning of clarity, we might start to see it differently. Not as an obstacle, but as a map. Not as rejection, but as redirection. And perhaps most radically, not as negative at all.

Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.
Long before the Marvel Universe, Baton Rouge moviegoers flocked to silent adventures starring Clara Bow, Buster Keaton and Rudolph Valentino during the Louisiana Theatres reign on Third Street.

Though its movie screen is long gone, the Louisiana Theatre building, at 336 Third St., still stands  home to Baton Rouges first cinema, opened in 1913.

The building is better known these days as the Basin Music Room.

Thats the short answer to Mark Jeffers question about Baton Rouges first movie theater.

"I was thinking about all of the theaters I've watched movies in during the years," the Baton Rouge movie buff said. "I remember going to movies at the old Gordon and Hart theaters when I was a kid. I even went to the Paramount, which started showing movies in the 1920s."
Lance Wiffen is continuing a family tradition of farming on the Bellarine Peninsula, but unlike his forebears, he does not work the land.

Whereas most farmers grow their produce in orchards and paddocks, Wiffen farms the sea producing many tonnes of shellfish every year.

Lance Wiffen inspecting the mussels growing on ropes in Port Phillip Bay. Credit: Jason South

Wiffens father and grandfather were both dairy farmers. He had initially planned to continue in their footsteps but instead bought a small scallop boat with his father in the 1970s.

By the time then-premier Jeff Kennetts government banned scallop dredging in the early 1990s, Wiffen had begun mussel farming. He says mussels benefit the marine environment by acting as water filters.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 7, 2025 -- The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is coming later this year, refreshed with a new attitude  and proudly wears the Jeep badging.



Jeep Brand

For nearly 85 years, Jeep has been a global leader in SUVs, delivering legendary off-road capability, advanced technology and exceptional versatility for those who seek fun and adventure. With a commitment to innovation, the Jeep brand offers a diverse lineup of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, hybrid technology and all-electric drivetrains. Built on a heritage of freedom, adventure, authenticity and passion, Jeep continues to set the standard for rugged and refined vehicles designed to conquer it all.



Follow Jeep and company news and video on:

Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Jeep brand: www.jeep.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeep

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeep

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeep

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/jeep

YouTube: www.youtube.com/thejeepchannel or https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA

SOURCE Stellantis
2 soldiers killed, 2 hurtin J&K anti-terror op





SRINAGAR :

TWO Army soldiers were killed and as many injured in an overnight gunfight with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmirs Kulgam district, in one of the longest anti-terror operations in the Valley that entered the ninth day on Saturday, officials said. The Armys Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, in a post on X, paid tributes to the soldiers killed in the encounter and said that the operation was still underway.

Two terrorists have been killed in the encounter that began on August 1 after security forces launched a cordon and search operation in a forest at Akhal in the south Kashmir district, following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists there. The identity and the group affiliation of the slain terrorists have not been ascertained so far. In a post on X on Saturday, the Chinar Corps said, Chinar Corps honours the supreme sacrifice of the Bravehearts, L/Nk Pritpal Singh and Sep Harminder Singh, in line of duty for the Nation.

Their courage and dedication will forever inspire us. The Army said it stands in solidarity with the bereaved families. The operation continues, it added. Officials said two other soldiers were injured in the overnight firing, taking the number of injured security forces personnel to nine. Senior police and Army officers, including the Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Nalin Prabhat, and the Armys Northern Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, are closely monitoring the operation roundthe-clock, officials said. Security forces have pressed drones and helicopters into service to track the terrorists down in the forest area. Para commandos were also assisting the security forces in neutralising the hiding ultras.
5-year-old girl injured in attack by stray dogs in Trimurti Nagar





Staff Reporter :

A five-year-old girl was attacked by a pack of stray dogs in Deshpande Layout, Trimurti Nagar, on Saturday. Eight out of ten stray dogs suddenly surrounded and bit her inflicting serious injuries. The girls family quickly rushed her to a hospital. According to doctors, her condition is stable. The injured girl has been identified as Nitya Mongre. Her father works as a security guard at the house of Deepak Malhotra.

The incident occurred at around 5 pm when Nitya was walking on road. She was attacked and injured by stray dogs. Passers-by rescued her in time. The incident once again underlined increasing danger of stray dogs attacking citizens. Despite growing concerns, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has failed to take adequate action to address the issue. Many people feed stray dogs around residential areas which attracts them which invites more danger for residents, The issue of stray dog attacks has caught the attention of the public and the courts.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is currently pending at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, where the court has instructed the NMC to take strict measures to control the stray dog menace. However, despite the NMCs claims of taking action, incidents like this continue to occur. A similar incident occurred when a 12-year-old boy, Jayesh Bokhre, fell to his death off the sixth floor of a building after being chased by a stray dog while playing with his friends on July 8, 2025.
Emotions run high at Central Jail on Rakhi





Staff Reporter :

The campus of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Central Jail apparently charged with mixed emotions as a special meeting was held to commemorate the festival of Raksha Bandhan on Saturday. The special meeting, organized under the direction of Jail Superintendent Akhilesh Tomar, was designed to allow prisoners and undertrials to meet with their sisters and mothers amid tight security. The brothers-sisters relished their eternal bond by tying Rakhis while the other members of the family blessed them. Others were seen having tears in their eyes expressing the pain of separation due to imprisonment. To ensure safety and security arrangements, the jail administration provided special packages having Rakhi, sweets, kumkum and fruits to the prisoners through the jail canteen.

To facilitate the special meeting, the jail administration made various arrangements including drinking water, medical assistance and even wheelchairs for elderly or sick ones. Security protocols were also a key consideration, with specific duties assigned to various jail officers and employees to maintain order throughout the event. The meeting drew a substantial number of visitors, with approximately 3,707 mothers and sisters, along with 1,015 children, traveling to the facility.

These family members met with 1,561 male prisoners and undertrials, performing traditional Rakhi rituals such as applying kumkum tilak, tying the Rakhi, and offering sweets. The event also featured a symbolic element where the prisoners made a pledge to abandon negative behaviors. Additionally, 27 female prisoners were able to tie Rakhis to their brothers who were also incarcerated at the facility.

In total, 1,588 male and female prisoners celebrated the festivities, with a collective attendance of 4,722 family members. The successful organization of the event was attributed to the cooperation of the jail staff, police administration and others. Those who rendered remarkable contribution in the successful event included Jail Doctor, Dr. Laxman Shah, Jail Deputy Superintendent, Madan Kamlesh, Jail Deputy Superintendent, Yashwant Singh Manjhi, Jail Deputy Superintendent, Ganesh Singh and Jail Deputy Superintendent, Rupali Mishra along with other assistant jail superintendents and staff members.
IAF shot down 5 Pak fighter jets, 1 large aircraft during Op Sindoor





BENGALURU :

AIR Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh on Saturday said the Indian Air Force (IAF) shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and a large aircraft during Operation Sindoor, describing it as the largest-ever recorded surfaceto-air kill by India. The remarks were made at the 16th Air Chief Marshal L M Katre Memorial Lecture here. We have an indication of at least one AWC in that AWC hangar, and a few F-16s, which are under maintenance there. We have at least five fighters confirmed killed and one large aircraft which could be either an aircraft or an AWC, which was taken at a distance of about 300 kilometres.

This is actually thelargest ever recorded surface-toair kill that we can talk about,he said. Air Chief Marshal confirmedthat the Indian Air Force (IAF)shot down six Pakistani aircraft during OperationSindoor, including five fighterjets and a high-value surveillanceplatform, likely an AWACS(Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft. The operation also resulted in a large number of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), drones and some of their missiles falling into the Indian territory. Based on specific intelligence, Singh said, the IAF decided to attack the airfield. So the airfield was attacked and the main building where the planning goes on, which was also used as the civil terminal building at times. As far as the Sukkur airbase is concerned, we attacked the UAB hangar andradar site,he said. You have the visuals available here  this is the hangar which is flattened, this is the radar site before and after.The AWC hangar was attacked again.Herewehave veryclearly an aircraft inside where the attack took place, he said. Regarding Sargodha, the IAF chief said, We have grown up inourAirForcedreamingabout days like this.

Somedaywewill get a chance. Just so happens that I got a chance before my retirement.Weattacked theairfield thathad theveryhardinfo on the F-16s, he added. According to the Air Chief Marshal, the S-400 airDefence system, which India had recently procured, has been a game changer. The range of thatsystemhad keptPakistans aircraft and UAVs away from the Indian Defence system. Because of the S-400 system, Pakistan has not been able to penetrate the Indian Air Defence system, he noted. Singhalsosaid thepostofChief of Defence Staff (CDS) has made a difference in military operations. The CDS was always there to get us together and iron things out. Whenever we required it, we used to go to the senior leadership and discuss things, he added.

The Air Chief Marshal highlighted National Security Advisor Ajit Dovals role in Operation Sindoor, helping bringotheragenciesand forces together. When the operation began, military chiefs discussed in detail the eventualities, possible outcomes and how India should react, he underlined. On the takeaways from OperationSindoor, Singh said, The biggest takeaway of the operation has been the primacy of air warfare has come to the forefront once again. People have realised that air warfare is the first responder that any country has and air warfare is one which can actuallyreactinaquick time, attack deepinsidewithprecision and just achieve your objective without any collateral.
KC Overseas Educations Australia & New Zealand Admissions Day on Aug 12





Business Reporter :

KC Overseas Education, a pioneer in study abroad sector, is organising Australia & New Zealand Admissions Day for all the aspirants keen to apply for Masters or Bachelors programmes for 2025 & 2026 intakes. They may attend the event on August 12 from 11 am to 2 pm at KC Head office in IT Park or from 3 pm to 5 pm at KC Branch office in Sadar in the city. Visitors may interact with representatives of 12 top universities from Australia and New Zealand and collect complete information on the participating institutions, programmes and admission requirements.

They can also have a chance to avail free profile evaluation and application fee waivers* by direct interaction with the university delegates. The best part is that the eligible students can get up to 100 per cent scholarships. Ensure admissions in Australian or New Zealand Universities for 2025 or 2026 intakes by attending KCs Australia and New Zealand Admissions Day. Entry to the event is free.

KC Overseas Education, headquartered in Nagpur, is the front runner in study abroad education in South Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa. For details, visit KC Overseas Educations Head Office at Plot No 10/2, IT Park Rd., Parsodi, Gayatri Nagar, or KC Overseas Education Sadar Office on 2nd Floor, Block No. 112, Shriram Tower, Kingsway, Sadar or call on: +91 9146028913 or +91 7028949950.
monitoring-earth-with-nisar





By CHARVI ARORA :

Monitoring Earth With NISAR :

Accurate and timely data about changes on Earth is essential for everything from growing crops to managing natural disasters. Thats where space technology can playakey role.

The NASAISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, an Earth-observing radar satellite jointly developed by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is among the most advanced tools to monitor changes on our planet. Akshata Krishnamurthy, a scientist at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), serves as the science phase lead for the NISAR mission - one of the key figures driving the project. By combining science, engineering and international collaboration, her work supports efforts to improve food security, disaster response and environmental management,

benefiting communities in both India and the United States. Excerpts from an interview with Krishnamurthy. What inspired you to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and Earth observation, and how did your journey lead you to NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory? Growing up in India and watching space shuttle launches on TV in the early 2000s ignited a curiosity to learn what lies beyond Earth, but also to understand our own planet better.

That early spark evolved into a deep interest in working on technologies that could push the boundaries of human knowledge. I pursued a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering in India and then a masters and Ph.D. in aerospace engineering in the United States. Driven by the desire to work on space missions, I specialised in space systems and instrument development during my Ph.D. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and had the incredible opportunity to work on two NASA space missions for my doctoral thesis.

My path to NASA JPL was shaped by years of handson research, perseverance and an unwavering vision to be part of missions that have real-world impact. Today, I am grateful to be working on missions like NISAR that combine science, engineering and global collaboration to benefit millions of people around the world. Can you give an overview of the NISAR mission and its significance for Earth observation? NISAR is the first observatory of its kind in space to systematically map Earth, using two different radar frequencies, L-band and S-band, to measure changes in our planets surface with unmatched detail and consistency.

The primary objective of the mission is to track subtle changes in Earths surface that may signal ecosystem disturbances, ice sheet collapse, volcanic eruptions or landslides. The mission will produceavast amount of data that will be transformative for scientists, policymakers and communities. What are some potential real-world applications of NISARs data for India and the United States? The ability to capture subtle changes in Earths surface will make NISAR an invaluable tool. The satellites observations of forests, wetlands, agricultural fields and soil moisture will be key to supporting food and water security.

Data from NISAR will also enable a better understanding of the dynamics of earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides and coastal processes such as erosion. This information will be critical for local and regional governments to make informed decisions on protecting infrastructure and real estate, as well as community planning. Given the US-India collaboration on NISAR, what do you see as the strengths of such international partnerships in space research? In my opinion, international partnerships like NISAR leverage complementary capabilities, broaden scientific perspectives and increase access to space-based observations and data.

They foster long-term cooperation as well as the sharing of resources and knowledge between countries. Missions like NISAR help to build a more robust knowledge ecosystem and demonstrate how science and engineering can unite us in addressing global problems. With the fast pace of technological change, how does NASA-JPL stay ahead in developing cutting-edge tools and methodologies for space exploration? In my experience, innovation is a part of the culture at JPL. Missions like NISAR are born from decades of foundational research.

We continuously invest in research and development, working across disciplines and collaborating with universities, government agencies and commercial companies. Were always looking ahead, developing technologies that can support missions a decade or two from now. What emerging trends in Earth observation and space exploration do you find exciting? I am particularly excited about the integration of Earth observations with artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver real-time insights at scale. On the space exploration front, I am excited about more interplanetary missions with autonomous systems and human-robot collaboration for exploring the Moon and Mars. It is a thrilling time to be working in space exploration. (SPAN) 
NCB secures 15-year RI for major drug traffickers





Staff Reporter :

Raipur :

In a significant breakthrough against narcotics trafficking, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Raipur Zonal Unit, has secured convictions for two accused involved in large-scale drug smuggling. The court of the First District and Additional Sessions Judge, Janjgir, found both guilty under the NDPS Act. The case stemmed from a joint operation by NCBs Indore Regional Unit between September 9 and 13, 2023, in which 132.567 kg of cannabis was seized from multiple locations across Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra,

Haryana, and Delhi. Investigations revealed that the contraband was sent through parcels using fake names and addresses. Primary accused Anand Kumar Kashyap (resident of Janjgir-Champa, Chhattisgarh) has been sentenced to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 1.5 lakh for drug trafficking. He was also convicted under relevant sections of the

IPC and IT Act for forging PAN and Aadhaar cards. Additionally, Rs 2.01 lakh in his bank account has been frozen by SAFEMA, Mumbai. Co-accused Narendra Kumar Prajapati (resident of Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan) has been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and fined Rs 50,000. NCB stated that the convictions underscore its commitment to achieving a drug-free India thorough investigation and prosecution. Citizens have been urged to report drug-related activities to the national narcotics helpline 1933, assuring complete confidentiality of informants identities.
PM Modi celebrates Raksha Bandhan with school kids, Brahma Kumari members





NEW DELHI :

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday celebrated Raksha Bandhan at his residence here, with school children and members of the spiritual organisation Brahma Kumari tying rakhis on his wrist. He also interacted with children. The festival is the celebration of the traditional bond between brothers and sisters. Modi also posted a messageon X, greeting people on theauspicious occasion.
RBI conducts Re-KYC, FIS camps





Business Reporter :

The Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) Nagpur Regional Office, in collaboration with the State Bank of India and Bank of India, organised two special Financial Inclusion Saturation and re-KYC camps at Mansar and Mahadula Gram Panchayats in Ramtek block in the district recently. Charulatha S Kar, Executive Director, RBI; Sachin Y Shende, Regional Director, RBI Nagpur; Sujata Lal, Chief General Manager, RBI; Anjana Shyamnath, Deputy General Manager, RBI; Rajeev Sawrav, Deputy General Manager,

SBI; alongside other senior officials from RBI, and representatives of multiple public and private sector banks were present on the occasion. At the heart of the initiative was facilitating re-KYC (Know Your Customer) updates to keep accounts active, secure, and compliant. Account holders were guided through simple update processes, either through self-declaration (in case of unchanged details) or by providing updated identity documents such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, NREGA Job Card, Driving License, or Passport, and digital re-KYC via Aadhaar OTP or Video-based Customer Identification Process (V-CIP) from home. The camps saw a huge turnout of villagers.
Sharad Pawar refutes speculations of joining Ajit Pawar faction





Staff Reporter :

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar has firmly denied rumours of joining hands with his nephew Ajit Pawars faction, citing ideological differences. Sharad Pawar stated, We will never join an alliance led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Pawar was speaking during a press meet at Patrakar Club of Nagpur on Saturday. Pawar was in Nagpur to flag off the OBC Yatra. It may be mentioned that rumours were doing rounds whether two factions of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) would come together after Sharad Pawar and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar met at the engagement ceremony of Yugendra Pawar. Yugendra is the son of Shriniwas Pawar, younger brother of Ajit Pawar. Sharad Pawar said, Our group will only collaborate with those who share their ideology, rooted in the principles of Gandhi, Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar, making an alliance with Ajit Pawars BJP-backed faction unlikely.

In June, Sharad Pawars grandnephew Rohit Pawar sparked speculation about a possible merger, but Sharad Pawar quickly dismissed these rumours This decision may impact the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, comprising NCP (SP), Congress, and Shiv Sena (UBT), as Sharad Pawars NCP faction continues to prioritise its independence and ideological stance. Replying to a querry, Sharad Pawar said, MVA should have been more careful before the elections. Had we taken cautious steps, we would have not faced the damages. Pawar termed as disgusting of making an unnecessary controversy of Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackerays seating at a dinner meeting hosted by Rahul Gandhi. It was a Power Point presentation. The view from the back is more comfortable when we usually dont sit in front. In fact Farooq Abdullah and I too sat at the back. Uddhav Thackeray and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were also seated at the back. What difference does it make? Why to create controversy of such events, Pawar questioned. Suggesting that Election Commission of India (ECI) should seriously look into the matter raised by Rahul Gandhi, the NCP (SP) President said,

The presentation of Rahul Gandhi was well-researched and well-documented, and ECI should take it seriously, try to find out the truth in it. In the press conference held by Rahul Gandhi, there were people from Karnataka and Maharashtra and one other State. There are no elections there. No one raised any issue about the situation there. But Rahul Gandhi studied it thoroughly and after presenting all these things to the people, it was the responsibility of the Home Minister to respond to it. But he tried to take this issue to another place, pointed out Pawar. We are raising this issue in our demonstration on Monday. It will be about the issue of Bihar's voter list. For the last 15 days, there has been a ruckus in the Parliament on this issue. The Parliament was not functioning. The true situation is not coming before the people through the Parliament.

That is why we have apprehensions about Bihar, informed Pawar to mediapersons. Those accompanied Sharad Pawar included Shashikant Shinde, Dr Rajendra Shingane, Anil Deshmukh, Harshvardhan Patil, Jitendra Awhad, Ramesh Bang, Prakash Gajbhiye, Duneshwar Pethe, Salil Deshmukh, Rohit Pawar, Pankaj Thakre, Varsha Shamkule, Rajesh Nimbalkar and others. Adding further, Pawar claimed that two individuals who had met him in Delhi before assembly polls and guaranteed that they would help MVA to win 160 of 288 constituencies. Pawar introduced them to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. I was of the view that we shouldnt get involved in such things so I didnt give any importance to claims made by the two individuals, he didnt possess their names and contact details, Pawar made it clear.
Vision Of Viksit Bharat@ 2047 Can it be achieved without core Engg&Science?





By PROF (DR) GANAPATI D YADAV :

Vision Of Viksit Bharat@ 2047

Can it be achieved without core Engg&Science?

Recently, 71 of the top 100 JEE rankers chose IIT Bombay, while IIT Madras attracted candidates with offers like free air travel. Several IITs are now offering various perks to top students. However, this approach, while competitive, does not align with Indias long-term vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047. What about the other engineering and science institutions across the country? An even more concerning trend is the disproportionate focus on computer science and engineering (CSE). Most top students gravitate toward CSE, and many IIT graduates opt for management studies instead of entering industry or research.

This raises a serious question: who will build and sustain our industrial and technological base? The rising popularity of AI has unfortunately led to the perception that other engineering fields are irrelevant. Bharat @2047: The Ambitious Target India aspires to become a $30 trillion economy by 2047 with a population of around 1.67 billion. This would require:  A per capita GDP of $30,000  High standards of living and sustainable growth  Major emphasis on clean energy, advanced functional materials, and environmental protection Future society will be radically transformed, with instant communication, on-demand materials and services, urban vertical farming, precision medicine, functional food, and AI-integrated infrastructure.

Electronics will dominate, and technologies like 6G, 7G, Industry 6.0 will integrate physical and cyber systems. Yet, the foundational question remains: Are we preparing enough in the core fields to power this transformation? Economic & Industrial Goals Indias economy has already crossed the $4 trillion mark. Reaching $30 trillion will require:  70% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education  25% contribution of manufacturing to GDP  70% of GDP from services  10% growth from the auto sector  $500 billion pharmaceutical and biotech industry  65% workforce participation, including 50% women  At least 10% global share in fintech and professional services This journey demands excellence in smart manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, workforce, and innovation. Currently, manufacturing contributes only 1517% to GDP.

To scale up:  Strengthen Make in India  Boost PLI schemes  Incentivise deep-tech manufacturing  Ease logistics and regulations  Invest 2% of GDP in R&D  Promote AI, biotech, quantum, and space technologies through public-private innovation hubs  Drive green energy transitions (e.g., hydrogen, battery infra, grid modernisation) Engineering & Basic Sciences Are Central To make these aspirationsareality, all core engineering and science disciplines must work together:  Mechanical, Civil,

Electrical, Chemical, and Electronics Engineering will develop smart infrastructure, clean energy, chemical and pharmaceutical industry, net zero energy, automation, and processing systems.  Emerging interdisciplinary fields like robotics, materials science, and biomedical engineering will revolutionise healthcare, manufacturing, and sustainability.  Basic sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics) will propel semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, space research. Future warfare and climate challenges will demand advanced drones, sensors, satellites, climate resilient infrastructure, and biocompatible materials. Future wars will be using drone technology with powerful warheads needing powerful chemical industry. Agriculture must focus on smart farming and nutritious crops to eliminate poverty and malnutrition.

Thus, revolutionary R&D is needed in fields including mechanical, chemical, civil, electrical, aerospace, materials engineering, food tech, nutraceuticals, environmental and climate sciences. Education Reform: Structure & Delivery The traditional semester system is outdated.Atrimester model is more suitable for all STEMM courses, arts, humanities, commerce, etc.:  Hands-on learning  Industry alignment  Dual degrees  Flexible credentials: 1-year certificate, 2-year diploma, 3-year bachelors, 4-year honors, 5- year masters

In this way, every alternate term half of the batch goes for the work term and the other half in in the class room. Only in the first term and last term the all batchmates unite. They should be paid handsome internship. Students could major in a core field and take minors in AI, business, arts, etc building interdisciplinary skills. Popular minors could include AI/ML, OpenAI, blockchain, finance, Python, deep learning, economics, green energy, water management, and management. AI is a tool and not the substitute for manufacturing.Apersonal. designers degree is thus possible depending on personal interest. Faculty & Industry

Linkages  Teachers should be allowed one trimester annually for industry exposure. Two terms in classroom, one for research, innovation and translation, startup  Non-PhD faculty should pursue research during alternative trimesters.  Alumni should be invited regularly for talks on industry trends, innovation, and entrepreneurship. There is currently a 2030% faculty shortage in central and state institutions.

One solution is engaging PhD students as teaching assistants and interns in industries. Mandating predegree research trimesters can build innovation and employability. All curricula should integrate ethics, professionalism, Indian knowledge systems, and moral values. Funding, Internships & CSR  Raise CSR obligation from 2% to 3%, with at least 1% for research in higher education.  Use CSR for infrastructure, fellowships, and contingencies.  Under the Student Internship Responsibility (SIR) policy, companies with 1 crore turnover must:  Recruit interns equivalent to at least 10% of their workforce  Contribute 0.5% of profits to the SIR fund Industry-academia co-investment and IP sharing are critical to drive innovation. Incubators and trimester systems should support startups and research commercialization. Inclusivity & Social Equity Girls must receive free and unrestricted education up to the PhD level, irrespective of caste, region, or economic background.

This will require public funding, private support, and CSR. Centre and States can share costs 50:50 to make this a transformative scheme, benefiting socio economically and demographically. Within two generations, India will be an enlightened society with controlled population and high calibre of lifestyle. Outlook Education is not merely a means to a few high-paying jobs but it is the cornerstone of a productive, innovation-driven economy. While computer science is important, all engineering branches and fundamental sciences, along with humanities, are vital for India's industrial, societal, and policy development.

Only then Viksit Bharat will be a reality. (The author is Chairman, Board of Governors, LITU Nagpur; Founding Vice Chancellor, Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai; Bhatnagar Fellow; National Science Chair; and Padma Shri awardee. Views are personal)
> <

21:51 Sena-UBT, MNS to contest BEST credit society election together Shiv Sena-UBT and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena have joined hands to contest the upcoming BEST credit society election, a move described by union leaders as a precursor to the two parties allying for polls to local bodies.The Sena-UBT and MNS, headed by Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin Raj Thackeray,... Read more >

21:41 Air India to upgrade avionics, critical components of Dreamliners Air India on Sunday said it will upgrade the avionics and other critical components of its 26 legacy B787-8 Dreamliner aircraft to reduce operational disruptions as well as improve overall reliability. In recent times, the airline has faced operational issues with some of its planes,... Read more >

20:47 1971 war hero and IAF legend DK Parulkar passes away Indian Air Force veteran Gp Capt D K Parulkar (retd), who led a daring escape from captivity in Pakistan during the 1971 war, has passed away, the IAF said on Sunday. He died near Pune, Maharashtra, according to a senior official. Gp Capt DK Parulkar (Retd) VM, VSM -- 1971 War... Read more >

20:21 Assam: Madrassa running without govt nod demolished by locals Representative image A madrassa in Assam's Tinsukia district was allegedly demolished on Sunday by locals, who claimed that the institution did not obtain any government approval, officials said.The incident took place at Lohari Kachari village, where the local mosque committee, under pressure from residents of the... Read more >

20:11 Chinese diplomat, seen as future foreign minister, detained Liu Jianchao, a senior Chinese diplomat heading the foreign relations department of the ruling Communist Party, has been detained for questioning, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. The 61-year-old senior diplomat was taken away for questioning in late July after returning to... Read more >

19:38 Navy ships 'Udaygiri', 'Himgiri' to be commissioned on Aug 26 Indian naval ships 'Udaygiri' and 'Himgiri', part of Project 17A stealth frigates, are slated to be simultaneously commissioned on August 26 at Visakhapatnam, officials said on Sunday. The first ship of the P17A (Nilgiri Class) stealth frigates 'Nilgiri'? was commissioned at the Naval... Read more >

19:00 'Vote chori': K'taka chief poll officer sends notice to Rahul The Karnataka chief electoral officer on Sunday issued a notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, asking him to share documents based on which he had alleged that a woman voted twice. The state's top poll officer told Gandhi that the documents will help his office carry out a detailed... Read more >

18:32 Maha civic body orders closure of meat shops on I-Day A civic body in Maharashtra's Thane district has issued a notice directing meat shops to remain closed on Independence Day, drawing sharp criticism from NCP-SP leader Jitendra Awhad, who said he would host a mutton party that day.The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, in its notice, stated... Read more >

18:21 No party filed objections on Bihar draft rolls: EC The Election Commission on Sunday said that since the Bihar draft voters' list was published on August 1, no political party has approached it for inclusion or deletion of names of individuals from the rolls. The draft roll will be available till September 1 for claims and... Read more >

17:51 RG Kar victim's mother 'denied' admission in hospital The father of the Kar victim on Sunday alleged that his wife, who was injured in 'police lathicharge' during the previous day's protest march, was denied admission to a private hospital after the state government put pressure on the medical facility.The mother of the Kar victim, who reportedly... Read more >

17:18 People recognise work, not...: Shinde on Raj-Uddhav reunion Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said the coming together of estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray was good for democracy, but also sent a strong message that people support those who work for their welfare. In a video interview to PTI, Shinde... Read more >

17:10 Anand Sharma resigns as chairman of Congress's foreign affairs department Veteran Congress leader Anand Sharma resigned as the chairman of the party's foreign affairs department on Sunday to help in its reconstitution and enable bringing in younger leaders.The former Union minister led the department for around a decade as the National Committee of Department of... Read more >

16:59 Man held for placing iron rods on Kerala railway track Representative image A native of Andhra Pradesh was taken into custody on Sunday for allegedly placing iron rods on a railway track in the northern district, police said.The incident came to light when railway employees spotted the man placing the rods on the track in the morning.Tirur police, who took him into... Read more >

16:57 Man holds funeral feast for daughter who married against his wishes A man in Rajasthan's Bhilwara district printed a condolence notice for his daughter, who is alive, and held a funeral feast after she married against the family's wishes, police said on Sunday. The incident took place in Sareri village of Asind subdivision, where Bhairulal Joshi had... Read more >

16:25 Senior advocates not permitted to mention cases before CJI's court from Aug 11 No senior advocate will be permitted to mention cases for urgent listing and hearing before the court of Chief Justice of India B R Gavai from Monday. As directed, designated senior counsels are not permitted to mention any case/s before the court of the Chief Justice of India with effect... Read more >

16:15 Pak Army Chief visits US for 2nd time in 2 months Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir, who is visiting Washington for the second time since the four-day conflict with India, has met top US political and military leaders, the army said on Sunday.The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is undertaking an official visit to the United States, the army said in a... Read more >

16:08 Air India Express announces 'freedom sale' with fares from Rs 1,279 Air India Express on Sunday announced a 'freedom sale' to mark India's 79th Independence Day, offering around 50 lakh seats starting from Rs 1,279 across its domestic and international network.In a release, the airline said bookings are open until August 15 for travel from August 19, 2024, to... Read more >

15:42 SP leader blames 'bulldozer action' for U'khand tragedy Reacting on the natural disaster in Uttarakhand, former Samajwadi Party MP S T Hasan on Sunday cautioned that demolishing places of worship out of arrogance would anger the creator and lead to an increase in natural disasters. Talking to PTI Videos, he said India is a religious country... Read more >

15:24 After NISAR, ISRO to launch 6,500 kg satellite built by USA After marking a humble beginning in Indian space programme with a tiny rocket supplied by the United States, ISRO would launch a 6,500 kg communication satellite built by the USA in the next couple of months, the Chairman of space agency, V Narayanan said on Sunday.Following the historic launch... Read more >

15:19 Only opposition gets heartburns by my Delhi visits: Shinde Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said his frequent Delhi visits were no cause for heartburn for Mahayuti alliance partners BJP and NCP, but is leading to a great discomfort among the opposition ranks. In a video interview to PTI, Shinde said his frequent visits to the... Read more >

14:58 Sab ke boss to hum hain: Rajnath's dig at Trump Defence minister Rajnath Singh said that some people are unhappy with the fast pace of India's development and are trying to make Indian-made products expensive to slow down growth.Singh on Sunday laid the foundation stone of the BRAHMA Project (BEML Rail Hub for Manufacturing) to make rail... Read more >

14:14 Our demand from EC is clear...: Rahul on 'vote chori' Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday doubled down on his claims of vote chori during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and noted that a clean voter roll is imperative for free and fair elections. The Congress MP linked his stand to a fight to protect... Read more >

14:09 Woman chops off husband's genitals over dispute in UP A woman allegedly chopped off her husband's genitals during a domestic dispute in the Jagdishpur area of Uttar Pradesh's Amethi, police said on Sunday. The incident took place in Fasanganj Kachnaw village on Saturday night when the victim, Ansar Ahmad (38), was attacked by his second... Read more >

14:06 Want to work but people hesitant to cast after cancer diagnosis: Hina Khan A year after Indian TV star Hina Khan announced her breast cancer diagnosis, she says she can sense that people from the industry are still hesitant to work with her.The actor said work took a backseat after she fell ill and she had to leave a lot of offers. She is now back on the small screen... Read more >

13:18 Women patients, close kin of deceased to get priority in organ transplants Women patients should be accorded priority in organ transplant waiting lists to check gender disparity, the Union Health Ministry has advised states. It has also suggested that weightage be given to near relatives of deceased donors awaiting organ transplant. These suggestions are part... Read more >

13:10 Pedestrians run over by Thar in Delhi, 1 dead A pedestrian was killed and another injured after an SUV rammed into a pavement and hit them near the Gyarah Murti landmark in the Chanakyapuri area in New Delhi on Sunday morning, police said. Both victims were rushed to the AIIMS Trauma Centre, where one was declared brought dead... Read more >

12:57 Bihar deputy CM has 2 EPIC cards, claims Tejashwi Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday alleged that Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has two voter ID cards and asked what action is being taken against Sinha.Yadav, talking to reporters in Patna, said, Vijay Kumar Sinha is a voter from two different assembly... Read more >

12:03 Modi flags off 3 Vande Bharat Express trains Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains in Bengaluru on Sunday. While the much-awaited BengaluruBelagavi Vande Bharat Express was flagged off by Modi in person; the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Amritsar, and Ajni (Nagpur)-Pune Vande Bharat services, were... Read more >

11:48 Farmers to hoist tricolour in fields on I-Day to protest Shaktipeeth Expressway Farmers from 12 districts in Maharashtra will hoist the national flag in their fields on Independence Day as part of a unique protest against the proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway, which they claim will destroy fertile agricultural land.The campaign for the August 15 protest will carry the slogan... Read more >

11:22 Kharge to host dinner for INDIA bloc MPs Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will hold a dinner for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) MPs on Monday, sources said amid a concerted bid by the opposition grouping to close ranks against the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and alleged poll... Read more >

11:11 Pak lost Rs 4.1 billion after airspace ban on India Pakistan's airport body suffered a loss of Rs 4.1 billion in over two months due to the closure of airspace for Indian airlines, according to official data. Pakistan and India closed their respective airspaces for each other's airlines following the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack in... Read more >

11:03 Kulgam anti-terror operation enters 10th day The anti-terror operation in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir entered its 10th day on Sunday as security forces tried to squeeze the cordon around the terrorists.The operation is still in progress. The security forces are trying to close in on the positions of the hiding ultras, an official... Read more >

09:58 We did not know...: Army chief on Operation Sindoor Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi asserted that Operation Sindoor was unlike any conventional mission and that it was akin to playing a game of chess as 'we did not know' what would be the enemy's next move.In his address at a function at IIT-Madras, he recalled the intricacies of India's... Read more >

09:21 Modi to launch yellow line metro, Vande Bharat Express in Bengaluru Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the much-awaited Yellow Line of Bangalore Metro and the Vande Bharat Express train between Bengaluru and Belagavi here on Sunday.The PM will also lay the foundation stone for the Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project.As per the itinerary shared by the Chief... Read more >
Aigen Investment Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR  Free Report) in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm purchased 40,182 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $3,435,000. Entergy accounts for 0.6% of Aigen Investment Management LPs holdings, making the stock its 24th biggest holding.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ETR. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its stake in Entergy by 275.6% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 9,176 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $696,000 after purchasing an additional 6,733 shares during the period. Aviva PLC boosted its stake in Entergy by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 6,720 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $510,000 after purchasing an additional 3,360 shares during the period. Bank of Nova Scotia boosted its stake in Entergy by 126.8% during the 4th quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 62,017 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $4,702,000 after purchasing an additional 34,668 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Entergy during the 4th quarter worth $13,554,000. Finally, Advisory Services Network LLC boosted its stake in Entergy by 266.0% during the 4th quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 29,040 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,202,000 after purchasing an additional 21,106 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.07% of the companys stock.

Get Entergy alerts:

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on ETR. Raymond James Financial began coverage on shares of Entergy in a research note on Friday, June 13th. They set a market perform rating for the company. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Entergy from $82.00 to $81.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of Entergy from $89.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Mizuho set a $97.00 target price on shares of Entergy and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, Barclays cut their price target on shares of Entergy from $91.00 to $87.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Entergy has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $88.07.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Haley Fisackerly sold 4,463 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.50, for a total value of $403,901.50. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 3,318 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $300,279. This represents a 57.36% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.39% of the companys stock.

Entergy Stock Performance

NYSE:ETR opened at $90.44 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73. Entergy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $57.65 and a fifty-two week high of $92.40. The stock has a market cap of $40.37 billion, a PE ratio of 22.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 0.57. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $84.36 and its 200-day simple moving average is $83.49.

Entergy (NYSE:ETR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The utilities provider reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.91 by $0.14. Entergy had a net margin of 14.35% and a return on equity of 11.52%. The business had revenue of $3.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.11 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.92 EPS. Analysts expect that Entergy Corporation will post 3.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Entergy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 13th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 13th. Entergys dividend payout ratio is presently 59.85%.

Entergy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. It generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ETR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Entergy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Entergy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
American Alpha Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE:EMR  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 2,420 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $265,000.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Biltmore Family Office LLC lifted its position in shares of Emerson Electric by 18.5% in the first quarter. Biltmore Family Office LLC now owns 17,937 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,967,000 after buying an additional 2,800 shares during the last quarter. Fiduciary Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Emerson Electric in the first quarter worth about $800,000. True North Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Emerson Electric by 4.3% in the first quarter. True North Advisors LLC now owns 2,449 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $269,000 after buying an additional 101 shares during the last quarter. Manhattan West Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Emerson Electric in the first quarter worth about $263,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in shares of Emerson Electric by 9.3% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 7,166,817 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $785,770,000 after buying an additional 611,105 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.30% of the companys stock.

Get Emerson Electric alerts:

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have weighed in on EMR. KeyCorp boosted their price target on Emerson Electric from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Emerson Electric from $113.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. TD Cowen raised Emerson Electric to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on Emerson Electric from $140.00 to $130.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. Finally, Barclays raised Emerson Electric from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $125.00 to $127.00 in a research report on Thursday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Emerson Electric presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $142.39.

Emerson Electric Trading Down 0.0%

Emerson Electric stock opened at $132.82 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $135.34 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $121.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The stock has a market cap of $74.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 1.32. Emerson Electric Co. has a 12 month low of $90.06 and a 12 month high of $150.27.

Emerson Electric (NYSE:EMR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The industrial products company reported $1.52 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.51 by $0.01. Emerson Electric had a return on equity of 14.34% and a net margin of 14.92%. The firm had revenue of $4.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.60 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.43 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Emerson Electric Co. will post 5.96 EPS for the current year.

Emerson Electric Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be paid a $0.5275 dividend. This represents a $2.11 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. Emerson Electrics dividend payout ratio is currently 45.38%.

Emerson Electric Company Profile

(Free Report)

Emerson Electric Co, a technology and software company, provides various solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets in the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. It operates in six segments: Final Control, Control Systems & Software, Measurement & Analytical, AspenTech, Discrete Automation, and Safety & Productivity.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EMR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE:EMR  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Emerson Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Emerson Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Biltmore Family Office LLC increased its position in McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD  Free Report) by 47.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 4,652 shares of the fast-food giants stock after buying an additional 1,500 shares during the period. Biltmore Family Office LLCs holdings in McDonalds were worth $1,453,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MCD. Covington Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in McDonalds by 0.6% in the first quarter. Covington Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 30,067 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $9,392,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. raised its position in shares of McDonalds by 9.0% during the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,664,299 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $1,456,987,000 after purchasing an additional 386,392 shares during the period. Berger Financial Group Inc raised its position in shares of McDonalds by 3.8% during the first quarter. Berger Financial Group Inc now owns 2,441 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $762,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares during the period. Pandora Wealth Inc. bought a new position in shares of McDonalds in the 1st quarter worth $65,000. Finally, Sierra Summit Advisors LLC grew its position in McDonalds by 4.7% in the 1st quarter. Sierra Summit Advisors LLC now owns 5,405 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $1,688,000 after purchasing an additional 245 shares during the period. 70.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Get McDonald's alerts:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MCD has been the topic of several research reports. KeyCorp restated an overweight rating and set a $335.00 price objective (up previously from $325.00) on shares of McDonalds in a report on Thursday. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of McDonalds from $314.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday. TD Securities restated a hold rating and issued a $305.00 target price on shares of McDonalds in a report on Thursday, June 5th. Loop Capital cut shares of McDonalds from a buy rating to a hold rating and dropped their price target for the company from $346.00 to $315.00 in a research report on Friday, June 6th. Finally, Erste Group Bank downgraded McDonalds from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, May 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $326.87.

McDonalds Stock Down 0.7%

McDonalds stock opened at $305.62 on Friday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $298.57 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $304.49. The company has a market cap of $218.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.19, a P/E/G ratio of 3.19 and a beta of 0.52. McDonalds Corporation has a 52-week low of $265.33 and a 52-week high of $326.32.

McDonalds (NYSE:MCD  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The fast-food giant reported $3.19 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.15 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $6.84 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.68 billion. McDonalds had a negative return on equity of 225.52% and a net margin of 32.21%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.97 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that McDonalds Corporation will post 12.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

McDonalds Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be issued a $1.77 dividend. This represents a $7.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 2nd. McDonaldss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 60.67%.

Insider Transactions at McDonalds

In other McDonalds news, CMO Edith Morgan Flatley sold 976 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $303.50, for a total transaction of $296,216.00. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer directly owned 7,882 shares in the company, valued at $2,392,187. This trade represents a 11.02% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 939 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $299.49, for a total transaction of $281,221.11. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 9,283 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,780,165.67. This trade represents a 9.19% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 7,280 shares of company stock worth $2,215,178. 0.25% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About McDonalds

(Free Report)

McDonalds Corp. engages in the operation and franchising of restaurants. It operates through the following segments: U.S., International Operated Markets, and International Developmental Licensed Markets and Corporate. The U.S. segment focuses its operations on the United States. The International Operated Markets segment consists of operations and the franchising of restaurants in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the U.K.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MCD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for McDonald's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for McDonald's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Cetera Investment Advisers raised its holdings in shares of Brixmor Property Group Inc. (NYSE:BRX  Free Report) by 41.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 55,236 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 16,123 shares during the quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers holdings in Brixmor Property Group were worth $1,467,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Machina Capital S.A.S. purchased a new position in shares of Brixmor Property Group during the 1st quarter worth $253,000. Burney Co. raised its position in shares of Brixmor Property Group by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Burney Co. now owns 67,926 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,803,000 after purchasing an additional 1,052 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH raised its position in shares of Brixmor Property Group by 142.1% during the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 1,533,745 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $40,721,000 after purchasing an additional 900,352 shares during the period. Easterly Investment Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Brixmor Property Group during the 1st quarter valued at $8,254,000. Finally, Bailard Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Brixmor Property Group during the 1st quarter valued at $828,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.43% of the companys stock.

Get Brixmor Property Group alerts:

Brixmor Property Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE BRX opened at $25.55 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.74. The company has a market cap of $7.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.22, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 1.29. The firms fifty day moving average is $25.78 and its two-hundred day moving average is $25.89. Brixmor Property Group Inc. has a 52-week low of $22.28 and a 52-week high of $30.67.

Brixmor Property Group Announces Dividend

Brixmor Property Group ( NYSE:BRX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.55 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $339.40 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $332.59 million. Brixmor Property Group had a net margin of 25.27% and a return on equity of 11.39%. Brixmor Property Groups revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.54 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Brixmor Property Group Inc. will post 2.22 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 2nd will be issued a $0.2875 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 2nd. This represents a $1.15 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.5%. Brixmor Property Groups payout ratio is 104.55%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BRX has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of Brixmor Property Group from $33.00 to $29.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Mizuho upgraded shares of Brixmor Property Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $29.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on shares of Brixmor Property Group from $29.50 to $29.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 29th. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of Brixmor Property Group in a research report on Friday, May 30th. They set a buy rating and a $29.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Scotiabank decreased their price objective on shares of Brixmor Property Group from $30.00 to $29.00 and set a sector outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $30.08.

Read Our Latest Report on Brixmor Property Group

Brixmor Property Group Profile

(Free Report)

Brixmor Property Group, Inc operates as a real estate investment trust, which engages in owning and operating a portfolio of grocery anchored community and neighborhood shopping centers. The company was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BRX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brixmor Property Group Inc. (NYSE:BRX  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Brixmor Property Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brixmor Property Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH  Get Free Report) and Civeo (NYSE:CVEO  Get Free Report) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends and earnings.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Choice Hotels International and Civeos gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Get Choice Hotels International alerts:

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Choice Hotels International $1.58 billion 3.53 $299.67 million $6.55 18.48 Civeo $634.03 million 0.46 -$17.07 million ($2.43) -9.61

Volatility & Risk

Choice Hotels International has higher revenue and earnings than Civeo. Civeo is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Choice Hotels International, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Choice Hotels International has a beta of 0.96, indicating that its stock price is 4% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Civeo has a beta of 1.28, indicating that its stock price is 28% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Dividends

Choice Hotels International pays an annual dividend of $1.15 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. Civeo pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.3%. Choice Hotels International pays out 17.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Civeo pays out -41.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Civeo has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Civeo is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

65.6% of Choice Hotels International shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 81.4% of Civeo shares are owned by institutional investors. 23.8% of Choice Hotels International shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 4.7% of Civeo shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Choice Hotels International and Civeo, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Choice Hotels International 4 6 3 0 1.92 Civeo 0 0 1 0 3.00

Choice Hotels International presently has a consensus target price of $134.0769, indicating a potential upside of 10.79%. Civeo has a consensus target price of $27.00, indicating a potential upside of 15.67%. Given Civeos stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Civeo is more favorable than Choice Hotels International.

Profitability

This table compares Choice Hotels International and Civeos net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Choice Hotels International 19.52% -575.73% 12.92% Civeo -5.25% -12.76% -6.69%

Summary

Choice Hotels International beats Civeo on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Choice Hotels International

(Get Free Report)

Choice Hotels International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a hotel franchisor in the United States and internationally. It operates through Hotel Franchising & Management and Corporate & Other segments. The company franchises lodging properties under the brand names of Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Clarion Pointe, Sleep Inn, Ascend Hotel Collection, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, MainStay Suites, Suburban Studios, WoodSpring Suites, Everhome Suites, Cambria Hotels, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Radisson, Park Plaza, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Radisson Inn & Suites, Park Inn by Radisson, Radisson Individuals, and Radisson Collection. Choice Hotels International, Inc. was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in North Bethesda, Maryland.

About Civeo

(Get Free Report)

Civeo Corporation provides hospitality services to the natural resource industry in Canada, Australia, and the United States. The company develops lodges and villages; and mobile assets, including modular, skid-mounted accommodation, and central facilities that provide short to medium-term accommodation needs. It offers food, housekeeping, and maintenance services, as well as laundry, facility management and maintenance, water and wastewater treatment, power generation, communication systems, security, and logistics services, and camp management services. In addition, the company provides development activities for workforce accommodation facilities, including site selection, permitting, engineering and design, manufacturing management, and site construction services, as well as lodging and catering services. It serves oil, mining, engineering, and oilfield and mining service companies. Civeo Corporation was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Receive News & Ratings for Choice Hotels International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Choice Hotels International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Citigroup Inc. raised its holdings in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW  Free Report) by 43.5% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 65,159 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 19,746 shares during the quarter. Citigroup Inc.s holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $64,366,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of GWW. Golden State Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of W.W. Grainger by 1,685.7% in the first quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 125 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $123,000 after buying an additional 118 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of W.W. Grainger by 5.3% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 5,095 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $5,033,000 after buying an additional 256 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its position in shares of W.W. Grainger by 116.0% in the first quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 33,917 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $33,506,000 after buying an additional 18,216 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in shares of W.W. Grainger by 2.2% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 701 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $692,000 after buying an additional 15 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. raised its position in shares of W.W. Grainger by 8.8% in the first quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 6,970 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $6,796,000 after buying an additional 564 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.70% of the companys stock.

Get W.W. Grainger alerts:

Insider Buying and Selling at W.W. Grainger

In other W.W. Grainger news, VP Krantz Nancy L. Berardinelli sold 280 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,075.20, for a total transaction of $301,056.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 3,369 shares in the company, valued at $3,622,348.80. This represents a 7.67% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 6.10% of the companys stock.

W.W. Grainger Price Performance

GWW opened at $948.75 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $45.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.07, a P/E/G ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a 50 day moving average of $1,037.69 and a two-hundred day moving average of $1,028.23. The company has a quick ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 2.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a 52-week low of $893.99 and a 52-week high of $1,227.66.

W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, August 1st. The industrial products company reported $9.97 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $10.07 by ($0.10). The firm had revenue of $4.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.52 billion. W.W. Grainger had a net margin of 10.99% and a return on equity of 49.63%. W.W. Graingers revenue for the quarter was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $9.76 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 40.3 earnings per share for the current year.

W.W. Grainger Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 11th will be paid a $2.26 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 11th. This represents a $9.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. W.W. Graingers dividend payout ratio is 22.94%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Loop Capital cut their price objective on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,000.00 to $950.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,215.00 to $1,160.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,100.00 to $1,125.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 27th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,176.00 to $1,007.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, W.W. Grainger currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $1,080.38.

View Our Latest Stock Report on W.W. Grainger

About W.W. Grainger

(Free Report)

W.W. Grainger, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes maintenance, repair, and operating products and services primarily in North America, Japan, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment. The company provides safety, security, material handling and storage equipment, pumps and plumbing equipment, cleaning and maintenance, and metalworking and hand tools.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GWW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for W.W. Grainger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for W.W. Grainger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Coronation Fund Managers Ltd. purchased a new stake in Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 18,705 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $1,645,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in CRH by 62.8% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 63,755,468 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $5,608,567,000 after purchasing an additional 24,591,538 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 43.2% during the 1st quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 10,303,788 shares of the construction companys stock worth $906,424,000 after acquiring an additional 3,108,416 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 8,830,489 shares of the construction companys stock worth $776,818,000 after acquiring an additional 221,038 shares during the period. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 10.7% during the 1st quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 5,222,060 shares of the construction companys stock worth $459,385,000 after acquiring an additional 504,463 shares during the period. Finally, Millennium Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of CRH by 43.5% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 4,813,580 shares of the construction companys stock worth $445,352,000 after acquiring an additional 1,458,303 shares during the period. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Get CRH alerts:

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. DA Davidson reiterated a neutral rating and set a $105.00 target price (down from $120.00) on shares of CRH in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Vertical Research upgraded CRH to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating on shares of CRH in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of CRH in a research note on Friday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $112.00 target price (up from $108.00) on shares of CRH in a research note on Friday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $113.18.

CRH Price Performance

Shares of NYSE CRH opened at $109.56 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $74.02 billion, a PE ratio of 22.92, a P/E/G ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.26. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $94.17 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $94.95. Crh Plc has a fifty-two week low of $76.75 and a fifty-two week high of $110.97.

CRH (NYSE:CRH  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The construction company reported $1.94 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.06 by ($0.12). The company had revenue of $10.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.27 billion. CRH had a net margin of 9.09% and a return on equity of 15.68%. CRHs revenue was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.88 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that Crh Plc will post 5.47 EPS for the current year.

CRH Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 22nd will be issued a $0.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 22nd. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. CRHs payout ratio is currently 23.22%.

CRH Company Profile

(Free Report)

CRH plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides building materials solutions in Ireland and internationally. It operates through four segments: Americas Materials Solutions, Americas Building Solutions, Europe Materials Solutions, and Europe Building Solutions. The company provides solutions for the construction and maintenance of public infrastructure and commercial and residential buildings; and produces and sells aggregates, cement, readymixed concrete, and asphalt, as well as provides paving and construction services.

Featured Articles

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CRH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Crh Plc (NYSE:CRH  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for CRH Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CRH and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
SearchCore (OTCMKTS:WOFA  Get Free Report) and West Fraser Timber (NYSE:WFG  Get Free Report) are both construction companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations and risk.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for SearchCore and West Fraser Timber, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Get SearchCore alerts:

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score SearchCore 0 0 0 0 0.00 West Fraser Timber 0 1 4 0 2.80

West Fraser Timber has a consensus target price of $100.00, suggesting a potential upside of 39.76%. Given West Fraser Timbers stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe West Fraser Timber is more favorable than SearchCore.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

Profitability

40.2% of West Fraser Timber shares are owned by institutional investors. 33.3% of SearchCore shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.8% of West Fraser Timber shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

This table compares SearchCore and West Fraser Timbers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets SearchCore N/A N/A N/A West Fraser Timber -2.18% -0.85% -0.66%

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares SearchCore and West Fraser Timbers top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio SearchCore N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A West Fraser Timber $6.17 billion 0.89 -$5.00 million ($1.75) -40.89

SearchCore has higher earnings, but lower revenue than West Fraser Timber.

Summary

West Fraser Timber beats SearchCore on 5 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About SearchCore

(Get Free Report)

Wisdom Homes of America, Inc. engages in opening and operating manufactured home retail centers for homebuyers in Texas. The company was formerly known as SearchCore, Inc. and changed its name to Wisdom Homes of America, Inc. in March 2015. Wisdom Homes of America, Inc. was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Tyler, Texas.

About West Fraser Timber

(Get Free Report)

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd., a diversified wood products company, engages in manufacturing, selling, marketing, and distributing lumber, engineered wood products, pulp, newsprint, wood chips, and other residuals and renewable energy. It offers spruce-pine-fir, douglas fir-larch, hem-fir, and southern yellow pine lumber, treated wood products, medium density fiberboard panels and plywood, oriented strand board, and laminated veneer lumber wood products, as well as particleboards. The company also provides northern bleached softwood Kraft pulp and bleached chemical thermo-mechanical pulp used to produce various paper products, including printing and writing papers, paperboard products, tissue and towel products, and a variety of other paper grades. Further, it offers bioproducts, including bioenergy and biomaterial. Its products are used in home construction, repair and remodeling, papers, tissue, and box materials, and industrial applications. The company sells its products to major retail chains, contractor supply yards, and wholesalers, as well as industrial customers for further processing or as components for other products in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and internationally. West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. was founded in 1955 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Receive News & Ratings for SearchCore Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SearchCore and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Fiduciary Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 4,105 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $246,000.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC grew its position in Altria Group by 64.7% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 17,702 shares of the companys stock worth $926,000 after acquiring an additional 6,954 shares during the last quarter. F M Investments LLC grew its position in Altria Group by 19.0% during the 4th quarter. F M Investments LLC now owns 27,691 shares of the companys stock worth $1,448,000 after acquiring an additional 4,421 shares during the last quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. grew its position in Altria Group by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 363,694 shares of the companys stock worth $19,010,000 after acquiring an additional 7,523 shares during the last quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC grew its position in Altria Group by 15.0% during the 4th quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 85,803 shares of the companys stock worth $4,487,000 after acquiring an additional 11,214 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sagespring Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in Altria Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $3,091,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Get Altria Group alerts:

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on MO. Wall Street Zen lowered Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Barclays lifted their price objective on Altria Group from $49.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Altria Group in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. They issued an underperform rating and a $50.00 price objective on the stock. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Altria Group from $52.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, UBS Group upgraded Altria Group from a sell rating to a neutral rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $47.00 to $59.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 2nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $59.13.

Altria Group Stock Up 1.0%

NYSE MO opened at $64.21 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $48.86 and a twelve month high of $64.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $107.87 billion, a PE ratio of 12.42, a P/E/G ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.59. The stocks 50 day moving average is $59.72 and its 200 day moving average is $57.83.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.44 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.07. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 295.26% and a net margin of 37.24%. The company had revenue of $5.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.21 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.31 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 10th. Investors of record on Monday, June 16th were given a dividend of $1.02 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 16th. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.4%. Altria Groups payout ratio is currently 78.92%.

Altria Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Fiduciary Family Office LLC purchased a new position in shares of Annaly Capital Management Inc (NYSE:NLY  Free Report) during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund purchased 24,315 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $494,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Inlight Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Annaly Capital Management in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Annaly Capital Management in the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. Smallwood Wealth Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Annaly Capital Management in the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. MCF Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Annaly Capital Management by 1,087.1% in the 1st quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 1,745 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 1,598 shares during the period. Finally, Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Annaly Capital Management in the 4th quarter valued at about $39,000. 51.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Get Annaly Capital Management alerts:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on NLY shares. UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $20.00 target price (up from $18.00) on shares of Annaly Capital Management in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Jones Trading reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $21.00 target price on shares of Annaly Capital Management in a report on Thursday, July 24th. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on shares of Annaly Capital Management from $21.50 to $21.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their target price on shares of Annaly Capital Management from $22.00 to $21.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, May 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Annaly Capital Management from $21.00 to $19.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $20.72.

Annaly Capital Management Stock Up 0.1%

Annaly Capital Management stock opened at $20.60 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $13.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.39, a P/E/G ratio of 4.88 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a quick ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 0.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. Annaly Capital Management Inc has a twelve month low of $16.59 and a twelve month high of $22.11. The companys 50-day moving average price is $19.69 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $19.90.

Annaly Capital Management (NYSE:NLY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 23rd. The real estate investment trust reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.01. Annaly Capital Management had a net margin of 13.76% and a return on equity of 15.53%. The firm had revenue of $273.20 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $237.00 million. As a group, analysts expect that Annaly Capital Management Inc will post 2.81 EPS for the current year.

Annaly Capital Management Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 30th were given a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 13.6%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 30th. Annaly Capital Managements dividend payout ratio is presently 277.23%.

Annaly Capital Management Company Profile

(Free Report)

Annaly Capital Management, Inc, a diversified capital manager, engages in mortgage finance. The company invests in agency mortgage-backed securities collateralized by residential mortgages; non-agency residential whole loans and securitized products within the residential and commercial markets; mortgage servicing rights; agency commercial mortgage-backed securities; to-be-announced forward contracts; residential mortgage loans; and agency or private label credit risk transfer securities.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Annaly Capital Management Inc (NYSE:NLY  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Annaly Capital Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Annaly Capital Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
First American Trust FSB increased its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 80.0% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 56,382 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 25,063 shares during the quarter. First American Trust FSBs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $8,949,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 7.3% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 3,583,903 shares of the companys stock valued at $568,873,000 after buying an additional 242,799 shares during the last quarter. 49 Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 79.0% during the 1st quarter. 49 Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,334 shares of the companys stock valued at $847,000 after purchasing an additional 2,354 shares during the last quarter. Cortland Associates Inc. MO lifted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 704.0% during the 1st quarter. Cortland Associates Inc. MO now owns 142,950 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,690,000 after purchasing an additional 125,171 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 24.9% during the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 439,082 shares of the companys stock valued at $69,695,000 after purchasing an additional 87,631 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SpringVest Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International during the 1st quarter valued at $253,000. 78.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Get Philip Morris International alerts:

Philip Morris International Stock Performance

PM opened at $170.23 on Friday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $115.62 and a fifty-two week high of $186.69. The company has a market capitalization of $264.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.36, a P/E/G ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 0.48. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $176.29 and a 200-day moving average of $163.44.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 22nd. The company reported $1.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.86 by $0.05. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 120.86% and a net margin of 9.03%. The company had revenue of $10.14 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.33 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.59 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Friday, June 27th were given a $1.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 27th. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.2%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 102.66%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $195.00 price target on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on Philip Morris International from $168.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $182.00 price target (up previously from $156.00) on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, April 24th. UBS Group raised their price target on Philip Morris International from $170.00 to $181.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, July 14th. Finally, KGI Securities assumed coverage on Philip Morris International in a report on Monday, August 4th. They set an outperform rating for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $186.27.

View Our Latest Research Report on PM

Philip Morris International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. lifted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 60.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 493,100 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 185,300 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company makes up approximately 1.4% of Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co.s portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest holding. Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co.s holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $35,400,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of WFC. Cooper Financial Group raised its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 40.6% in the 1st quarter. Cooper Financial Group now owns 7,897 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $567,000 after purchasing an additional 2,282 shares during the period. Berger Financial Group Inc raised its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Berger Financial Group Inc now owns 12,399 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $890,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the period. Pandora Wealth Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 1st quarter worth approximately $75,000. Fiduciary Family Office LLC bought a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 1st quarter worth approximately $2,796,000. Finally, Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 13.9% in the 1st quarter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC now owns 23,380 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,678,000 after purchasing an additional 2,848 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.90% of the companys stock.

Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts:

Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance

Wells Fargo & Company stock opened at $77.78 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $78.92 and its 200-day moving average price is $74.95. Wells Fargo & Company has a twelve month low of $50.22 and a twelve month high of $84.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. The company has a market cap of $249.16 billion, a PE ratio of 13.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.20.

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 15th. The financial services provider reported $1.54 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.41 by $0.13. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 16.82% and a return on equity of 12.29%. The firm had revenue of $20.82 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.83 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.33 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wells Fargo & Company declared that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Tuesday, April 29th that permits the company to buyback $40.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the financial services provider to purchase up to 17.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

Wells Fargo & Company Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 1st. Investors of record on Friday, August 8th will be paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 8th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. This is a boost from Wells Fargo & Companys previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 27.40%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently commented on WFC. Phillip Securities cut shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a strong-buy rating to a moderate buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 17th. Cowen reissued a hold rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $92.00 to $87.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $92.00 to $91.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. Finally, Piper Sandler restated an overweight rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Wells Fargo & Company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $80.39.

Read Our Latest Analysis on WFC

About Wells Fargo & Company

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Macerich (NYSE:MAC  Get Free Report) is projected to announce its Q2 2025 earnings results after the market closes on Monday, August 11th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.34 per share and revenue of $245.19 million for the quarter.

Macerich (NYSE:MAC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 12th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.33 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $249.22 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $221.61 million. Macerich had a negative net margin of 12.26% and a negative return on equity of 4.37%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 19.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.33 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect Macerich to post $2 EPS for the current fiscal year and $2 EPS for the next fiscal year.

Get Macerich alerts:

Macerich Stock Performance

NYSE:MAC opened at $16.72 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.91, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 1.09. The company has a fifty day moving average of $16.44 and a two-hundred day moving average of $16.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.22 billion, a PE ratio of -38.87, a P/E/G ratio of 3.22 and a beta of 2.22. Macerich has a fifty-two week low of $12.48 and a fifty-two week high of $22.27.

Macerich Dividend Announcement

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 23rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 9th will be given a dividend of $0.17 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 9th. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.1%. Macerichs dividend payout ratio is currently -158.14%.

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on MAC shares. Piper Sandler raised shares of Macerich from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $16.00 target price for the company in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH started coverage on shares of Macerich in a report on Friday, July 18th. They set a buy rating and a $25.00 target price for the company. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Macerich from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, August 2nd. Scotiabank dropped their target price on shares of Macerich from $21.00 to $16.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of Macerich from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 9th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $19.26.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Macerich

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of MAC. Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Macerich by 376.2% during the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 906,843 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $15,570,000 after purchasing an additional 716,394 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Macerich by 10.2% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 148,592 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,551,000 after purchasing an additional 13,782 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in shares of Macerich by 20.1% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 77,872 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,338,000 after purchasing an additional 13,018 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its position in shares of Macerich by 12.8% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 26,361 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $453,000 after purchasing an additional 2,983 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Macerich by 2.2% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 37,808 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $640,000 after purchasing an additional 813 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.38% of the companys stock.

About Macerich

(Get Free Report)

Macerich is a fully integrated, self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT). As a leading owner, operator and developer of high-quality retail real estate in densely populated and attractive U.S. markets, Macerichs portfolio is concentrated in California, the Pacific Northwest, Phoenix/Scottsdale, and the Metro New York to Washington, DC corridor.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Macerich Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Macerich and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Magellan Asset Management Ltd reduced its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL  Free Report) by 58.9% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 911,997 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,308,715 shares during the quarter. Magellan Asset Management Ltds holdings in Colgate-Palmolive were worth $85,454,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 4.4% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 10,578 shares of the companys stock worth $962,000 after acquiring an additional 450 shares during the last quarter. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. bought a new stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. F M Investments LLC raised its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 16.5% during the 4th quarter. F M Investments LLC now owns 5,677 shares of the companys stock worth $516,000 after purchasing an additional 806 shares in the last quarter. Phoenix Financial Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 15.5% during the 4th quarter. Phoenix Financial Ltd. now owns 2,585 shares of the companys stock worth $235,000 after purchasing an additional 347 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Scotia Capital Inc. raised its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. Scotia Capital Inc. now owns 63,733 shares of the companys stock worth $5,794,000 after purchasing an additional 2,028 shares in the last quarter. 80.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Colgate-Palmolive alerts:

Colgate-Palmolive Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:CL opened at $84.71 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average is $88.76 and its 200-day moving average is $90.15. Colgate-Palmolive Company has a twelve month low of $82.40 and a twelve month high of $109.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $68.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.79, a PEG ratio of 4.41 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.79.

Colgate-Palmolive Dividend Announcement

Colgate-Palmolive ( NYSE:CL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 1st. The company reported $0.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.89 by $0.03. Colgate-Palmolive had a return on equity of 377.63% and a net margin of 14.55%. The business had revenue of $5.11 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.03 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.91 earnings per share. Colgate-Palmolives revenue was up 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that Colgate-Palmolive Company will post 3.75 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 18th will be paid a $0.52 dividend. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 18th. Colgate-Palmolives dividend payout ratio is 58.43%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently weighed in on CL. Barclays increased their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $86.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Colgate-Palmolive from $88.00 to $83.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Colgate-Palmolive from $99.00 to $95.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 4th. Wall Street Zen cut Colgate-Palmolive from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $96.00 target price on Colgate-Palmolive and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, August 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $98.92.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on CL

Colgate-Palmolive Profile

(Free Report)

Colgate-Palmolive Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells consumer products in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. The Oral, Personal and Home Care segment offers toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, bar and liquid hand soaps, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants and antiperspirants, skin health products, dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, and other related items.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Colgate-Palmolive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Colgate-Palmolive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
National Bank of Canada FI increased its stake in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Free Report) by 21.0% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 422,398 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 73,400 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FIs holdings in Aflac were worth $46,966,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. NorthRock Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Aflac by 1.5% in the first quarter. NorthRock Partners LLC now owns 6,519 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $725,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Aflac by 24.4% in the first quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 495 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $55,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Phillips Wealth Planners LLC boosted its holdings in Aflac by 1.5% in the first quarter. Phillips Wealth Planners LLC now owns 6,653 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $711,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Optas LLC boosted its holdings in Aflac by 3.5% in the first quarter. Optas LLC now owns 2,949 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $328,000 after purchasing an additional 101 shares during the last quarter. Finally, D.A. Davidson & CO. boosted its holdings in Aflac by 0.4% in the first quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 30,879 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,433,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.44% of the companys stock.

Get Aflac alerts:

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Aflac from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, May 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Aflac from $96.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on shares of Aflac from $104.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Aflac from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday. Finally, Raymond James Financial dropped their price target on shares of Aflac from $115.00 to $110.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Aflac has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $107.92.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Aflac news, Director Masatoshi Koide sold 37,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.59, for a total value of $3,906,830.00. Following the sale, the director owned 70,992 shares in the company, valued at $7,496,045.28. The trade was a 34.26% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Arthur Reginald Collins sold 2,750 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.70, for a total transaction of $290,675.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 6,728 shares in the company, valued at approximately $711,149.60. The trade was a 29.01% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Aflac Stock Up 1.2%

AFL opened at $103.48 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.09 and a current ratio of 0.11. Aflac Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $96.95 and a fifty-two week high of $115.50. The firms fifty day moving average is $102.41 and its 200 day moving average is $104.89. The stock has a market cap of $55.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.92 and a beta of 0.83.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The financial services provider reported $1.78 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $0.07. Aflac had a net margin of 15.32% and a return on equity of 15.08%. The company had revenue of $4.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.30 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.83 EPS. Aflacs revenue for the quarter was down 19.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Aflac Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.58 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 20th. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. Aflacs payout ratio is 52.61%.

Aflac Profile

(Free Report)

Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. The company operates through Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. segments. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AFL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Aflac Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aflac and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Scissortail Wealth Management LLC grew its position in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 49.1% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,829 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after buying an additional 1,590 shares during the period. Scissortail Wealth Management LLCs holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $2,529,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Cooper Financial Group grew its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 14.8% during the first quarter. Cooper Financial Group now owns 4,871 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $2,551,000 after buying an additional 628 shares in the last quarter. Entropy Technologies LP acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 1st quarter valued at $6,608,000. Pandora Wealth Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $806,000. Fiduciary Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the first quarter worth about $2,520,000. Finally, Manhattan West Asset Management LLC grew its position in UnitedHealth Group by 6.3% in the first quarter. Manhattan West Asset Management LLC now owns 5,297 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $2,775,000 after acquiring an additional 312 shares during the last quarter. 87.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Get UnitedHealth Group alerts:

UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 2.5%

Shares of NYSE UNH opened at $250.74 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $227.46 billion, a PE ratio of 10.86, a P/E/G ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 0.43. The firms 50 day moving average price is $291.78 and its 200-day moving average price is $406.04. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 52-week low of $234.60 and a 52-week high of $630.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.85.

UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend

UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE:UNH Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $4.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.45 by ($0.37). UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 23.32% and a net margin of 5.04%. The company had revenue of $111.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $111.75 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $6.80 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 24th. Investors of record on Monday, June 16th were paid a dividend of $2.21 per share. This is a positive change from UnitedHealth Groups previous quarterly dividend of $2.10. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 16th. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.5%. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 38.30%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UNH has been the topic of several recent research reports. Wolfe Research cut their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $501.00 to $390.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, May 20th. Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $353.00 to $317.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Argus lowered shares of UnitedHealth Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, April 21st. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $355.00 to $286.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Raymond James Financial lowered shares of UnitedHealth Group from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $366.52.

Get Our Latest Analysis on UnitedHealth Group

Insider Activity at UnitedHealth Group

In other UnitedHealth Group news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 589 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $305.00, for a total transaction of $179,645.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 10,398 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,171,390. This represents a 5.36% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO John F. Rex acquired 17,175 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 16th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $291.12 per share, for a total transaction of $4,999,986.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief financial officer directly owned 203,796 shares in the company, valued at approximately $59,329,091.52. This represents a 9.20% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have bought 109,408 shares of company stock worth $31,607,768 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.28% of the companys stock.

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for UnitedHealth Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UnitedHealth Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Swiss National Bank grew its holdings in shares of Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR  Free Report) by 0.0% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 416,335 shares of the construction companys stock after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. Swiss National Banks holdings in Quanta Services were worth $105,824,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Banque Transatlantique SA bought a new stake in shares of Quanta Services in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Quanta Services in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Quarry LP bought a new stake in shares of Quanta Services in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. OLD Second National Bank of Aurora bought a new stake in shares of Quanta Services in the 1st quarter valued at about $42,000. Finally, University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. bought a new stake in shares of Quanta Services in the 1st quarter valued at about $43,000. 90.49% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Get Quanta Services alerts:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

PWR has been the topic of a number of research reports. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered shares of Quanta Services from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $410.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Monday, July 28th. Roth Capital reiterated a buy rating and issued a $450.00 price target (up previously from $350.00) on shares of Quanta Services in a research note on Tuesday, July 29th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Quanta Services from $360.00 to $410.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Quanta Services from $411.00 to $432.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Finally, Argus set a $375.00 price target on shares of Quanta Services in a research note on Monday, May 5th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $392.45.

Quanta Services Stock Performance

NYSE PWR opened at $386.05 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. The firm has a market capitalization of $57.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 59.76, a P/E/G ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 1.10. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $380.24 and its 200 day simple moving average is $320.44. Quanta Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $227.08 and a 1 year high of $424.94.

Quanta Services (NYSE:PWR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The construction company reported $2.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.44 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $6.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.55 billion. Quanta Services had a net margin of 3.73% and a return on equity of 18.41%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 21.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.90 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Quanta Services, Inc. will post 9.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Quanta Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 11th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 1st were paid a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, July 1st. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.1%. Quanta Servicess dividend payout ratio is presently 6.19%.

About Quanta Services

(Free Report)

Quanta Services, Inc provides infrastructure solutions for the electric and gas utility, renewable energy, communications, and pipeline and energy industries in the United States, Canada, Australia, and internationally. The companys Electric Power Infrastructure Solutions segment engages in the design, procurement, construction, upgrade, repair, and maintenance of electric power transmission and distribution infrastructure and substation facilities; installation, maintenance, and upgrade of electric power infrastructure projects; installation of smart grid technologies on electric power networks; and design, installation, maintenance, and repair of commercial and industrial wirings.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PWR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Quanta Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Quanta Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
West Bengal has become a sanctuary for 2,476 Bengali migrant workers who have fled systematic violence and harassment in BJP-ruled states, with the Trinamul Congress TMC) facilitating their safe return from Maharashtra (168 workers) and Haryana (793 workers), among others.

The exodus highlights what TMC describes as targeted persecution of Bengali-speaking communities across India, especially where either the BJP or the NDA allies are in power. Meanwhile, chief minister Mamata Banerjee has pledged jobs, social security, and education for the children of returning workers, ensuring a safe and secure future for them in Bengal.

Advertisement

The scale of violence that drove these workers home reveals a disturbing pattern across BJP-ruled states. Among the 168 workers who returned from Maharashtra is the tragic case of Abu Bakkar Mandal, a 33-year-old migrant from Baduria, North 24-Parganas, whose dismembered body was discovered in a sack. The brutal murder has been linked to anti-Bengali sentiment, pointing to a broader climate of hostility that has made fellow workers fear for their safety. The situation in Haryana, which accounts for the largest exodus with 793 returning workers, presents an equally alarming picture of state-sanctioned brutality.

Advertisement

Sabbir Alam, a migrant from Bijubhita, North Dinajpur, returned home with both legs broken after allegedly being tortured by police who accused him of being a Bangladeshi infiltrator. His case exemplifies the dangerous targeting of Bengali-speaking migrants by law enforcement in BJP-ruled states, where linguistic identity has become grounds for violence and abuse.

The staggering scale of this humanitarian catastrophe becomes clear through the comprehensive exodus data: 2,476 people have fled the killing fields, especially of BJP-ruled states and its allies, seeking protection in Bengal. Beyond the horror stories from Haryana (793) and Maharashtra (168), massive evacuations continue from Odisha (361), Delhi (108), Uttar Pradesh (68), Rajasthan (45), Gujarat (37), and Assam (10).

Even the BJP allies have blood on their hands, with Bengals workers fleeing the persecution machinery in Bihar (26) and Andhra Pradesh (14).

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has extended a message of unconditional support to the returning workers, declaring: Even if we have just one roti, we will gladly share half with you. She emphasised that West Bengal stands in stark contrast to the violence documented in BJP-ruled states, highlighting how over 1.5 crore migrant workers from across India live safely in West Bengal without facing the harassment and torture that has driven Bengali workers to flee other BJP-ruled states.
Central Bank of India Kolkata Zonal Office celebrated the 144th birth anniversary of its founding father, Sir Sorabji Pochkhanawala .To commemorate this occasion Kolkata North Regional Office and Kolkata South Regional Office organised blood donation camp, health check-up, and eye check-up.

Staff members actively participated in the blood donation drive, contributing to the noble cause.

Advertisement

Kolkata Zonal Office organised a Customers Meet providing a platform for customers to share their experiences and feedback about the banks services. Zonal Head Tarsem Singh Zira addressed the meet and expressed his gratitude to customers for their participation and support in making this event a success. He emphasized the banks commitment to community service.

Advertisement

The event was a huge success, reflecting the banks values of social responsibility and customer-centricity.
The ruling Trinamul Congress has blamed the unrest on the streets today and the problem commuters faced while out on work or people celebrating Raksha Bandhan. The TMC leaders said the trouble defies the essence of the day, which Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore had tried to project as day of harmony.

Trinamul Congress women wing chairperson Chandrima Bhattacharya said that Rakhi carries the vision of Kobiguru Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengal where unity in diversity is a way of life. He walked on the city streets in 1905

Advertisement

The BJP neither honours this heritage nor understands its soul. Their politics survives only by dividing, by tearing apart the very fabric that holds people together, by turning harmony into hostility. But Bengal will never allow their politics of hate prevail. They are trying to divide people. Even on this day they, are sowing hatred. The party has never tried to be associated with the Bengali fabric or understand Bengali sentiments, said Chandrima.

Advertisement

The TMC also was equally caustic on the saffron camp and even blamed the violence on the opposition party. One year ago today, the R G Kar tragedy shook the nations conscience and left an unhealable scar. The pain endured by the victims family still weighs heavily on us.

Determined to ensure such horrors are never repeated, the West Bengal Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the Aparajita Anti-Rape Bill, proposing:

# Harshest punishment for rapists

# Swift, watertight investigations

# Speedy trials to deliver justice without delay

But when it came to protecting Indias daughters, the @narendramodi Govt. chose obstruction over action, raising frivolous objections and sending the Bill back for reconsideration.

Rape is a plague on society. It demands more than lip service and token gestures. It calls for decisive laws and strong deterrence. Yet, those who profit from selective outrage will never walk the talk because for them, womens safety is just another political prop.
In a brazen daylight attack, Amar Roy (35), son of Trinamul Congress leader Kuntala Roy, was shot dead at Dodeya under Cooch Behar-II on Saturday.

The incident occurred when Roy and his friend Alamgir arrived at the weekly Dadeya market in a four-wheeler. According to sources, a heated altercation broke out with a group of miscreants in the market. The attackers surrounded them, blocked their movement, and opened fire. Panic gripped the area as the assailants  reportedly wearing helmets  fired multiple rounds before fleeing. Shops and stalls quickly shut down.

Advertisement

Roy sustained a bullet wound to the head and was rushed to Cooch Behar Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Alamgir was shifted to a private hospital for advanced treatment.

Advertisement

A heavy police contingent reached the spot and secured the medical college premises. Police have launched an investigation but no arrests have been made so far.

Kuntala Roy is the pradhan of the TMC-led Dauaguri gram panchayat in Cooch Behar. District TMC president Abhijit Dey Bhowmik and North Bengal development minister Udayan Guho visited the hospital. While Guha refrained from commenting without full details, Dey Bhowmik hinted at the possibility of a political vendetta behind the killing.

Cooch Behar, known for its political volatility, has witnessed a string of violent incidents in recent weeks. Earlier, Panchayat Karmadaksha Raju Dey was attacked, leading to the arrest of a BJP MLAs son. Just two days ago, several houses were allegedly vandalised by TMC activists at Nazirhat in Dinhata, where women  including a pregnant woman  were reportedly assaulted. On 5 August, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikaris convoy was attacked and his car damaged by TMC supporters during his visit to protest assaults on BJP MLAs.
A brief training session was organized in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Sunday to train MLAs about Artificial Intelligence (AI). Experts from IIT Kanpur gave detailed information during the workshop.

During this workshop, the MLAs were given special information to try smart tools that help in legal research, document verification and study of policies.

Advertisement

The use of AI will also help MLAs to use AI in making laws, creating new bills, detecting legal problems and comparing proposed laws with similar laws of other states and countries.

Advertisement

The experts were called to train the MLAs in AI. The training session lasted for about two hours in which experts shared information. According to the information, the app of the state assembly will also be based on AI.

Apart from identifying the members at the entrance and recording their attendance, AI will also help the members find suitable reference material for their speech in the House.

Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana informed that the backup of the proceedings of the House will also be linked to the AI backup and this will help the members find excerpts on any issue from their speech or proceedings. Members will also be able to see important debates taking place in the House.
The Central Bank of India celebrated the 144th birth anniversary of its founder, Sorabji Pochkhanawala, the visionary behind Indias first Swadeshi Bank, established in 1911.

The Founders Day programme, held at the Banks Zonal Office in New Delhi, was inaugurated by Shishram Tundwal, Zonal Head, Delhi Zone, in the presence of esteemed customers and dedicated staff members.

Advertisement

Tundwal highlighted the Banks strong performance in the quarter ending June 2025, reporting a 32.84% growth in net profit, with ROA improving to 1.02% and ROE rising to 14.17%.

Advertisement

He also announced upcoming initiatives, including a Property Expo and an MSME Outreach Campaign scheduled for August 2025.

Encouraging staff participation, Tundwal urged employees to actively contribute to the Banks recently launched Each One Fetch One 6.0 campaign, aimed at expanding the customer base.

A patriot and visionary, Sorabji Pochkhanawala laid the foundation for a truly Indian-owned banking institution that continues to champion financial empowerment and inclusion.

The celebration concluded with a vote of thanks, marking yet another milestone in the Banks more than century-long journey of service to the nation.
Delhis Environment Department on Sunday announced that the upcoming E-waste Eco Park at Holambi Kalan will now be built to handle 1.1 lakh metric tonnes of waste annuallynearly double the original capacityacross almost twice the planned area, and with close to double the initial investment. The revision follows Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsas visit to the Revac E-waste Processing Facility in Norway on August 4 and 5.

Originally, the Delhi government planned to develop Indias first-of-its-kind E-Waste Eco Park to be built with an investment of Rs 150 crore to process 51,000 metric tonnes of e-waste annually.

Advertisement

The department added that the Delhi plant will follow the global zero-waste principle, ensuring no pollution, radiation, or untreated discharge, and enabling complete material recovery to support a circular economy.

Advertisement

The visit also dispelled myths about pollution from e-waste facilities. At the Norway plant, zero pollution is ensured by reusing water through in-house purification systems, using threshers and segregators to recover aluminium, iron and refuse-derived fuel from waste, and preventing radiation leaks by concretising the entire floor. The Delhi model aims to adopt similar measures to achieve zero waste and prevent environmental harm.

According to an official statement, the minister toured the European plant to examine the infrastructure used for safely dismantling and segregating e-waste. He also interacted with Revacs senior engineers and operational heads to discuss technological adaptation, compliance, and community integration.

The visit to the Norway plant also highlighted the need for a robust inspection mechanism during e-waste processing. While the European facility works with not-for-profit organisations to manage Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the Delhi government now plans to appoint an expert agency for third-party monitoring, the statement said.

Earlier, Sirsa affirmed his governments commitment to balancing industrial growth with environmental sustainability. This is not just about waste, said Sirsa, it is about a vision  of a Delhi that is clean, circular, competitive, and future-ready.
Supporters of different opposition parties wave flags and carry placards during a march calling for an inclusive election in the neighbourhood of Yopougon in Abidjan on 9 August 2025, ahead of the presidential election on 25 October 2025.

Thousands of Ivorians took to the streets in Abidjan, the main city of the West African nation, to protest against the exclusion of opposition leaders from the upcoming presidential election.

Protesters gathered from Saturday morning in Yopougon, a densely populated suburb of the capital Abidjan, holding banners with messages such as: Enough is enough! and No true democracy without true justice."

We are millions saying YES to Gbagbo and Thiam" said another banner in the crowd.

Cote d'Ivoire, a nation of 32 million that is the biggest economy of francophone West Africa, is due to hold a presidential vote in October.

ADVERTISEMENT

Earlier this year four main opposition figures, including former President Laurent Gbagbo and former Credit Suisse chief executive Tidjane Thiam, were barred from running by the electoral commission.

Gbagbo and Thiam joined forces earlier this year to challenge incumbent President Alassane Ouattara.

The 83-year-old leader announced last month that he would seek a fourth presidential term. His candidacy is contested after he changed the constitution in 2016 to remove presidential term limits.

We dont want a fourth term, and we want the electoral roll revised, thats what we are asking for," said Sagesse Divine, an activist who participated in Saturday's march. "We want all candidates names included, and we want to go to the elections in peace, thats all we want.

There was no immediate comments from Ivorian authorities.

ADVERTISEMENT

Thiam, president of the Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire (PDCI), won the partys primary in an uncontested vote in April. Seen as Ouattara's main rival, he has been barred from running on the grounds that he was still a French citizen at the time he declared his candidacy, even though he later renounced his French nationality. Ivorian law bans dual nationals from running for president.

Elections in Cote d'Ivoire have usually been fraught with tension and violence. When Ouattara announced his bid for a third term, several people were killed in election violence.

Ouattara is the latest among a growing number of leaders in West Africa who remain in power by changing constitutional term limits.

Ouattara justified his decision to run again by saying that the Cote d'Ivoire is facing unprecedented security, economic and monetary challenges that require experience to manage them effectively.

Over the past decade, groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group have been spreading from the Sahel region into wealthier West African coastal states, such as Cote d'Ivoire, Togo and Benin.

(AFP)
Despite incessant rain in Delhi and the NCR since Friday night, the Yamunas water level continued to fall for the second straight day on Sunday. At Delhis Old Railway Bridge station, it was recorded at 204.20 metreswithin the rivers safe zone. However, it still hovers near the warning level of 204.5 metres, according to data from the Central Water Commission (CWC) on Sunday.

Yamunas water level inched close to the danger mark early on Friday, reaching 205.15 metres at 3 am, the highest level recorded this season. Officials from the Flood Control and Irrigation Department attributed the rise to heavy rain in upstream areas, which triggered higher water discharge from the Hathnikund Barrage. Peak discharges touched 61,729 cusecs on Wednesday and 57,469 cusecs on Thursday.

Advertisement

On average, we release between 18,000 and 30,000 cusecs of water, depending on rainfall in the Himachal and Uttarakhand belt, an official said. To maintain optimum river levels, the Okhla barrages have been kept open, along with controlled releases from Hathnikund.

Advertisement

The rivers level began approaching the danger mark on Friday, August 8, prompting close monitoring. Discharge volumes have since declined, with 31,724 cusecs released from Hathnikund at 7 am on Saturday, according to the department.

Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh inspected low-lying areas along the Yamuna on Thursday amid rising water levels. Speaking to the media during his visit, the minister said the situation was normal and under control, and assured that the department was fully prepared. During this season, the Yamunas water level typically rises. The department is fully alert and active. The situation is completely under control, he said.
Emma Thompson has shared a hilarious memory from the late 1990s, a time when Donald Trump unexpectedly invited her out for dinner. The Oscar-winning actress joked that if she had accepted, the course of American politics might have been very different.

The 66-year-old Love Actually and Sense and Sensibility star was speaking at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland when she recalled the story. It happened in 1998, while she was filming the political comedy Primary Colors, a movie loosely based on Bill Clintons 1992 presidential campaign.

Advertisement

One day, the phone in my trailer rang, Thompson said. When I picked it up, a voice said, Hi, its Donald Trump here. I honestly thought it was a prank. I said, How can I help you? thinking he might be lost and needed directions. But instead, he said, Id love for you to stay in one of my beautiful places, and maybe we could have dinner.

Advertisement

At the time, Thompson was going through a difficult personal period. Her divorce from actor Kenneth Branagh had just been finalized, and in fact, she found out the same day Trump called.

I realised then that he must have people searching for eligible people to take out, probably divorced women, she laughed. He even managed to get the phone number to my trailer. Thats proper stalking! So yes, I could have gone on a date with Donald Trump. I could have changed the course of American history!

This is not the first time Thompson has told the story. Back in 2017, she shared the same anecdote on Swedish television with host Fredrik Skavlan. At the time, Skavlan teased her by saying: You could be the First Lady. You could have stopped him!

Emma Thompson replied then that she had still never met Donald Trump in person.

By 2003, Thompson had moved on to a very different love story. She married actor Greg Wise, whom she met in 1995 on the set of Sense and Sensibility. The two have been together ever since.
Calling Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Vermas visit to Connaught Place belated and meaningless, the Aam Aadmi Party Sunday lambasted the shoddy affairs of the Delhi government.

Addressing a press conference here, AAPs Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj said that Vermas inspection of the area a day after rainwater had receded from the streets held no meaning. Verma woke up 24 hours after the city drowned and was now looking for potholes instead of having been on the ground when people were dying, he said.

Advertisement

Pointing to Saturdays deaths from a collapsed wall and an open sewer, Bharadwaj said the minister should be visiting bereaved families, not dry roads, adding that if he truly wanted to see waterlogging, he should have gone out with an umbrella during the rain.

Advertisement

Bharadwaj further said that several parts of Delhi were waterlogged due to heavy rainfall, yet Minister Parvesh Verma is going for an inspection on Sunday, long after the water has receded. Does Parvesh Verma even own a watch? Someone should gift him one. Which time zone is he living in? The waterlogging happened on Saturday, a child drowned in an open sewer on Saturday, and now, on Sundaywhen not a single drop of water is on the streetshe is going to inspect Connaught Place. Who exactly is he trying to fool?

The AAP Delhi Unit Chief further questioned why the minister has not visited the families of the seven people who died when a wall collapsed due to flooding. Will he not go to the home of the two-and-a-half-year-old boy whose sisters kept searching for him on Raksha Bandhan, only to find that he had drowned in a sewer under the ministers own department? Now he will not find water on the streets. If he really wants to see waterlogging, he needs to step out with an umbrella while it is raining, he added.

Bharadwaj further noted, The same thing happened last timerain poured all day, and when it stopped in the evening, CM Rekha Gupta went for an inspection. The BJP government has turned Delhi into a joke.
Stunned by the shock exit of expelled AIADMK leader and former Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) from the NDA, a desperate BJP, attempting to cobble up a credible alliance, along with the AIADMK led by Edappadi K Palaniswamy (EPS), is desperately trying to woo the breakaway leader to return to the saffron fold.

Hectic efforts are being made in the BJP to mollify OPS and bring him back to the NDA to strengthen the alliance to take on the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu in the coming assembly election.

Advertisement

BJP functionaries have requested OPS, who was away in his native Theni, over the phone to meet BJP National General Secretary BL Santhosh, who is visiting Chennai on Sunday. The Tamil Nadu BJP is also having a brainstorming session at a meeting of state-level functionaries at the party headquarters Kamalalayam in Chennai on Sunday.

Advertisement

This followed other minor NDA allies like TTV Dhinakaran of AMMK and GK Vasan of Tamil Maanila Congress urging the BJP to pacify OPS and make efforts to accommodate him. For, OPS had started firing salvos at the Union Government on the demands made by the DMK government.

OPS, who is heading the AIADMK Workers Rights Retrieval Committee, has told the interlocutors that he would consult his supporters and get back. He is expected to arrive in Chennai later in the day. Though the AIADMK of EPS snapped ties with the BJP and contested the 2024 LS poll, OPS stood with the saffron party and fought the election from Ramanathapuram constituency and came second. But, after the AIADMKs re-entry into the NDA for the 2026 Assembly poll, OPS found himself marginalised with Union Home Minister and BJP stalwart Amit Shah making it clear that the BJP would not interfere in the internal affairs of the AIADMK. It was seen as a free hand given to EPS.

A steadfast loyalist of Modi, he was miffed over the denial of an audience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his July 26 visit to Tamil Nadu for the 1000th birth anniversary of the imperial Chola emperor Rajendra Chola at Gangaikonda Cholapuram; he had walked out of the NDA. Interestingly, his bete-noire EPS was given the opportunity to receive the Prime Minister at the airport.

After deserting the NDA, he had met Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin twice, but scotched rumours of his joining the DMK. A quintessential loyalist of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who had made anti-DMK-ism a credo of the AIADMK. He has been a stop-gap Chief Minister thrice. Now, it remains to be seen whether OPS will have a change of heart and return to the NDA fold.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh Sunday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of double standards on reservation policies, highlighting the partys differing approaches to the Bihar and Telangana reservation bills.

While Bihars 65 per cent reservation bill for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) was passed and implemented smoothly in 2023, the Telangana bill to increase reservations to 67 per cent for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes (BCs) has been pending for presidential assent for over four months.

Advertisement

The Bihar Assembly passed the bill on November 9, 2023, which was later approved by the Governor and became law on November 21, 2023.

Advertisement

Jairam Ramesh pointed out that the BJP didnt create hurdles in Bihar, possibly due to the states social realities.

The Telangana Assembly passed the bill on March 17, 2025, but it has been stuck in limbo, awaiting presidential assent since March 30, 2025.

Jairam Ramesh accused the BJP of creating hurdles in Telangana, questioning the partys commitment to social justice.

Jairam Ramesh emphasised that the Congress will take up issues of fundamental importance to social justice and empowerment in the monsoon session of Parliament.

He demanded that the government enable reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, and EBCs in private educational institutions and also overcome the 50 per cent ceiling for reservations imposed by Supreme Court judgments.

He also insisted that the government protect the reservation law from judicial scrutiny, as done by the Narasimha Rao government in 1994 for Tamil Nadus 69 per cent reservations.
In a major revelation that underscores the scale and precision of Indias recent military response to cross-border terrorism, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh confirmed that the Indian Air Force (IAF) shot down six Pakistani aircraft during Operation Sindoor, including five fighter jets and a high-value surveillance platform, likely an AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft.

Speaking at the Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru, the Air Chief shared satellite imagery and intelligence inputs that detailed the extent of damage inflicted on Pakistans air fleet and terror infrastructure.

Advertisement

These are the before and after images of the damage we caused at Bahawalpur, the JeM (Jaish-e-Mohammed) headquarters. Theres hardly any collateral here  the adjacent buildings are fairly intact, he said, pointing to high-resolution visuals that corroborated the precision of the strikes.

Advertisement

Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, was Indias calibrated response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives in April.

We have five confirmed kills and one large aircraft, which could be either an ELINT aircraft or an AEW & C aircraft, which was taken on at a distance of about 300 km. This is, actually, the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill that we can talk about, the Air Force chief said.

The operation targeted nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), eliminating over a hundred militants, according to defence sources. The offensive was executed with a blend of air-launched cruise missiles, electronic warfare assets, and real-time surveillance, ensuring minimal civilian harm while delivering maximum strategic impact.

He further said, Our air defence system has done a wonderful job. The S-400 system, which we had recently bought, has been a game-changer. The range of that system has really kept their aircraft away from their weapons, like those long-range glide bombs that they have. They have not been able to use any one of those because they have not been able to penetrate the system, the IAF chief said.

The Russian-origin S-400 air defence system played a pivotal role in neutralising airborne threats during the operation. The system was credited with the aerial kills, including the downing of the AWACS aircraft, which posed a significant intelligence and coordination threat to Indian forces.

The IAFs strikes were not limited to aerial engagements. Ground targets, including key Pakistani airbases such as Bholari and Rahim Yar Khan, were hit with precision munitions. Intelligence inputs from satellite imagery, local media, and electronic intercepts enabled the IAF to verify the destruction of terror infrastructure and military assets.

The operation also showcased Indias integrated defence architecture, with the Army and Navy providing coordinated support. The use of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and advanced drones added depth to the campaign, which unfolded over four days and forced Pakistan to seek a ceasefire.

Operation Sindoor marks a significant evolution in Indias deterrence strategy, combining technological superiority with operational restraint. As Air Chief Marshal Singh noted, This was not just about retaliation  it was about precision, professionalism, and purpose.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has deregistered 115 political parties in Uttar Pradesh.

The order was issued on August 9, stating that these political parties have not contested any assembly or Lok Sabha elections for six consecutive years since 2019 and do not have any presence at their registered addresses in Uttar Pradesh.

Advertisement

According to the ECI, these 115 deregistered political parties will no longer be entitled to any benefits available to political parties under Section 29B and Section 29C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, read with the relevant provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and the Election Symbol (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

Advertisement

However, any party aggrieved by the ECIs order removing it from the list of registered political parties may appeal to the poll panel within 30 days from the date of the order.

The political parties deregistered by the ECI include 29 from Lucknow, 17 from Varanasi, six from Ghaziabad, five each from Kanpur and Gautam Buddha Nagar, four each from Prayagraj, Deoria, and Bijnor, and three from Agra. The remaining districts have one or two political parties each.

The ECIs recent action affected political parties across 40 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
The upcoming visit of the Australian Army Chief to India is being seen as a rekindling of old camaraderie, as he trained alongside his Indian counterpart, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, at the United States Army War College in 2015.

In a statement issued here, the Army spokesperson described the meeting as a moment of forging a professional bond that has matured alongside their respective careers.

Advertisement

The shared academic background not only provides a strong foundation for mutual trust but also enables a deeper strategic understanding, paving the way for more meaningful cooperation between the two armies, the statement said.

Advertisement

For decades, Indias premier military institutions including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), National Defence Academy (NDA), Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), and National Defence College (NDC)  have quietly nurtured an influential network of global military leaders.

These academies have not only trained Indian officers but also welcomed hundreds from friendly foreign countries (FFCs), many of whom have gone on to lead their own armed forces.

Today, this alumni network spans continents and commands  from South Asia to Africa, from Southeast Asia to Oceania. Sri Lanka, for instance, boasts eight senior officers, including current and former Army Chiefs, who trained in India. Nepal and Bangladesh each have between six and nine senior officers with similar credentials.

Similarly, Malaysia, Bhutan, Nigeria, and even Australia have seen their top military brass pass through the portals of Indian institutions. The statement also highlighted that the Sri Lankan Army Chief is an alumnus of both the IMA and the School of Artillery, while Sri Lankas Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is a graduate of the NDC.

The exchange has never been one-sided. Indian military leaders have also sharpened their strategic thinking abroad  at institutions such as the U.S. Army War College, the UKs Royal College of Defence Studies, and Frances Ecole de Guerre.

Iconic figures like Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw attended the UKs Imperial Defence College. More recently, General Upendra Dwivedi, the current Indian Army Chief, graduated from the U.S. Army War College.

Recognizing the long-term value of these ties, the Indian Army has been formalizing efforts to keep alumni connected. Initiatives like Alumni Connect are actively maintained through digital platforms, reunions, and professional collaborations.

Think tanks such as the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) play a vital role, supported by initiatives like a renewed five-year MoU with the Australian Army Research Centre (AARC). Platforms like the upcoming Friends for Life digital portal aim to ensure these relationships flourish long after the cadets have become commanders.

As India aspires to play a greater role in regional and global security architectures  from the Indo-Pacific to UN peacekeeping  the quiet, enduring influence of these personal bonds will remain an indispensable tool of military diplomacy, the Army stated.

In the language of soldiers, trust built in fatigues lasts a lifetime; in the language of diplomacy, it often lasts even longer, the statement concluded.
A 14-year-old girl in Haridwar was allegedly gang-raped and then thrown from the terrace of a house by three accused youths, who subsequently fled the scene. The victim is currently recovering in the hospital.

The incident occurred on Saturday in Pathri area of Haridwar. According to the girls family, as reported to the police, the accused threw the victim from the rooftop into a sugarcane field.

Advertisement

This was done out of fear that they would be caught by villagers who had gathered outside the house, demanding the gate be opened. The girl sustained serious injuries and was admitted to the Haridwar district hospital.

Advertisement

According to the Pathri police, the incident caused a minor communal flare-up, as the three suspects and the victim are from different communities. To prevent any further trouble, a heavy police presence has been deployed in the village to maintain law and order. A case was registered late Saturday night against one known and two unknown youths.

Police stated that the victims familys complaint alleges that a teenage boy from the same village lured the girl onto his motorcycle and took her to a small house in a field in Ferupur area. Two of his friends were already there.

The family claims all three accused raped the girl in the room and then attempted to flee. However, some villagers who had seen the girl with the teenager reached the house and demanded they open the gate.

It was then that the accused, gripped by fear, took the girl to the roof and threw her into the sugarcane field before escaping. Police noted that the minor girl was in a serious condition upon her admission to the district hospital.

When contacted, Pathri SHO Manoj Nautiyal said: The victims medical examination, which could not be done yesterday, is being conducted now. A case of rape has been filed against three accused: one named as Arvind, 19, and two unnamed individuals, one of whom is a minor. The matter is under investigation.

The SHO confirmed that a search is underway to apprehend the accused, who are at large. Nautiyal added that additional police forces were called into the village and nearby areas to maintain law and order due to the communally sensitive nature of the case.
Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V Anbukumar on Sunday issued a fresh notice to Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, asking him to provide relevant documents to support his vote theft claims. The CEO said the papers displayed by Gandhi during his August 7 press conference were not official records.

The CEO also rejected Gandhis allegation that a woman named Shakun Rani voted twice in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Advertisement

In your press conference, you have stated that the documents shown in your presentation are from the records of the Election Commission of India. You said: This is EC data. You also stated that, as per records given by the polling officer, Smt. Shakun Rani voted twice. You said: Es ID card per do baar vote laga hai, wo jo tick hai, polling booth ke officer ki hai (Two votes are recorded on this voter ID card. The tick mark is made by the polling officer), the CEO wrote.

Advertisement

On inquiry, Smt. Shakun Rani has stated that she voted only once and not twice, as alleged by you, he added.

The CEO asked Gandhi to submit relevant documents for a detailed inquiry.

Therefore, you are kindly requested to provide the relevant documents based on which you have concluded that Smt. Shakun Rani or anyone else has voted twice, so that a detailed inquiry can be undertaken by this office, the notice read.

At his August 7 press conference in Delhi, Gandhi had alleged massive irregularities in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, claiming that approximately 1,00,250 votes were stolen in the Bangalore Central constituency.

Among other charges, the Congress MP accused the Election Commission of allowing the misuse of Form 6, which is meant for enrolling first-time voters. He claimed that 33,692 voters registered using Form 6 were not first-time voters.

Citing the case of 70-year-old Shakun Rani, who was allegedly registered twice within two months using Form 6, Gandhi shared a marked electoral roll, claiming she voted twice in Mahadevapura during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
MOSCOW  Russia cautiously welcomed a US-brokered draft deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan during the weeked, but Moscows regional ally Iran rejected the idea of a new border corridor backed by President Donald Trump.

The two former Soviet republics signed a peace deal in Washington on Friday to end a decades-long conflict, though the fine print and binding nature of the deal remained unclear.

- Advertisement -

The US-brokered agreement includes establishing a transit corridor through Armenia to connect Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan, a longstanding demand of Baku.

The United States would have development rights for the corridor  dubbed the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity  in the strategic and resource-rich region.

But Russias ally and the warring parties southern neighbor Tehran said it would not allow the creation of a such a corridor running along the Iranian border.

With the implementation of this plot, the security of the South Caucasus will be endangered, Akbar Velayati, an advisor to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told the Tasnim news agency.

The planned corridor was an impossible notion and will not happen, while the area would become a graveyard for Trumps mercenaries, he added.

In a similar tone, Moscow said it would further analyze the corridor clause, noting there were trilateral agreements in place between Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, from which no one had yet withdrawn.

It should not be ignored that Armenias border with Iran is guarded by Russian border guards, said Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

Moscow, previously a key backer of Armenia, still has a military base there. Embroiled in its Ukraine operation, launched in 2022, it did not intervene in the latest conflict.
The ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament has been a whirlwind of heated debates, frequent disruptions, and relentless demands from the Opposition. While Opposition parties have been pressing for urgent discussions on several contentious issues, the government has sought to highlight its recent achievements.

So far, the session has been dominated by persistent disruptions, with the Opposition demanding a detailed discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, citing large-scale voter deletions and alleged irregularities.

Advertisement

The government, on its part, has showcased successes in counter-terrorism operations, with Home Minister Amit Shah informing the Rajya Sabha about Operation Mahadev and Operation Sindoor. The Opposition, however, has sharply criticized the governments handling of terrorism-related matters.

Advertisement

The Congress party has reiterated its demand for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and the extension of Schedule VI status to Ladakh. Concerns over the situation in Manipur have also been prominently raised.

Both Houses of Parliament devoted 16 hours to debating Operation Sindoor. Meanwhile, parties in the INDIA bloc held a virtual meeting to coordinate their strategy for the remainder of the session, signalling their unity and resolve to challenge the government.

The Monsoon Session is scheduled to run until August 21, with a recess from August 12 to August 18. Despite continued disruptions, the government has managed to pass key legislation in the Lok Sabha, including the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024reserving seats in the Goa Legislative Assembly for Scheduled Tribesand the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, aimed at transforming Indias maritime sector.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) told the Supreme Court that the Representation of People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, do not require it to prepare a separate list of people excluded from the draft electoral rolls and publish the reasons for their non-inclusion.

Deputy Election Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said in the apex court in a response filed on Saturday to a petition filed by NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) against the Special Intensive Revision exercise in Bihar.

Advertisement

The ECI further said that anyone whose name is missing from the draft voter list can file Form 6 along with a signed declaration by September 1, following which Electoral Registration Officers must hear them and give reasons in cases where inclusion is contested.

Advertisement

As a matter of policy and in strict adherence to the principles of natural justice, no deletion of any electors name from the draft electoral roll, published on 1st August 2025, shall be undertaken without: (i) issuance of a prior notice to the concerned elector indicating the proposed deletion and the grounds thereof, (ii) affording a reasonable opportunity of being heard and furnishing relevant documents, and (iii) passing of a reasoned and speaking order by the competent authority, the ECI said.

These safeguards are further reinforced by a robust two-tier appeal mechanism prescribed under the relevant rules, thereby ensuring that every elector has adequate recourse against any adverse action, it added.

The ECI informed the court that it shared with all recognised parties booth-level lists of electors whose enumeration forms were not received.

Earlier, the ADR had claimed that the ECI had not followed the practice of publishing a list of deleted electors, nor did it provide the number of deleted or included electors.
Dr Harminder Singh Dua, a renowned ophthalmologist and Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, recently visited the Army Hospital (Research & Referral) [AHRR] in New Delhi.

Dr Dua is celebrated worldwide for his groundbreaking contributions to corneal science, including the discovery of the Duas Layer in the human cornea.

Advertisement

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, during his visit to the Department of Ophthalmology, Dr Dua commended the hospitals cutting-edge infrastructure, state-of-the-art equipment, immaculate environment, and disciplined yet compassionate work culture.

Advertisement

The facilities and standards at Army Hospital (R&R) match, and in some aspects even surpass, some of the best centres globally, he observed.

Prof Dua also delivered a lecture titled Steering the Ship: From Studentship to Leadership, exploring the transition from academic pursuit to visionary leadership, enriched by insights from his distinguished career in medicine.

During his visit, Dr Dua was briefed on upcoming projects at AHRR, including the Advanced Centre for Ophthalmic Visual Sciences, the Joint Replacement Centre, and the Oncology Centre.

These visionary initiatives are being implemented under the guidance of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who has been instrumental in modernising the Armed Forces.

The statement further noted that Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi has played a key role in driving these projects forward.

Prof Dua praised the Armed Forces Medical Services, led by DG Armed Forces Medical Services Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, describing it as a unique model of excellence founded on integrity, service, innovation, and clinical expertise.

A beacon of clinical excellence, academic mentorship, and surgical innovation for decades, Dr Dua has transformed the field of modern ophthalmology and continues to inspire generations of clinicians and researchers worldwide.

He was felicitated by Lt Gen Shankar Narayan, Commandant of Army Hospital (R&R), during his visit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday arrivee in Bengaluru, Karnataka where he will flag off three Vande Bharat Express Trains and Yellow line of the Bangalore metro.

PM Modi will to go KSR Railway Station in the city to flag off 3 Vande Bharat Express trains.

Advertisement

Thereafter, he will flag off the Yellow line of the Bangalore metro.

Advertisement

The Yellow Line, spanning 19.15 km with 16 stations, will connect RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra and is expected to ease traffic congestion on busy routes like Hosur Road and Silk Board Junction.

Modi will also undertake a metro ride from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Electronic City metro station.

He will lay the foundation stone for the Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project, worth over Rs 15,610 crore, which will cover a total length of 44.65 km with 31 elevated stations.

The Prime Minister will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of urban connectivity projects in Bengaluru.

He will also address a public function.
Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav set political temperatures in Bihar soaring on Sunday accusing Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha of having registered himself as a voter in two Assembly constituencies  one in Lakhisarai in the Munger district under EPIC Number IAF3939337 and the other in Bankipur in the Patna district under EPIC Number AFS0853341.

He said, It raises questions about the credibility of month-long Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar by the Election Commission of India (ECI), especially because a deputy chief ministers name is listed in two constituencies. The ECI must clarify whether this fraud was committed by Sinha or is the result of irregularities in the SIR process.

Advertisement

Whats more, the RJD leader pointed out that Sinha has also manipulated his age. In the voter list of Lakhisarai Assembly constituency, Sinhas age is mentioned as 57 years, while in the voter list of the Bankipur Assembly constituency, his age is shown as 60 years.

Advertisement

Accusing Sinha of violating the election commissions guidelines, which constitutes a serious offense, he asked why no notice has been issued by the Patna or Lakhisarai district administrations against Sinha, while in his (Tejashwis) case a media trial was initiated without verifying facts.

Later, Deputy CM Sinha clarified that his name was initially listed in the Bankipur Assembly constituency voter list along with his family members. On 30 April 2024, he applied to add his name to the Lakhisarai Assembly constituency voter list and simultaneously submitted an online application to remove his name from the Bankipur Assembly constituency voter list.

But when the draft voter list was published, he realised that his name was listed in two places. Thus, on 5 August, he submitted an application to the Booth Level Officer (BLO) to remove his name from the voter list of the Bankipur Assembly constituency. But he votes only at one place.

However, despite the clarification from Sinha, the issue continued to escalate with Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram demanding his resignation from the post of deputy chief minister, saying the BJP leader has committed a crime by possessing dual voter IDs.

Bihar Congress Spokesperson Rajesh Rathod asked: When will the election commission issue notice to Vijay Kumar Sinha?

Reacting to the issue, Union Minister and NDA leader Chirag Paswan assured media persons that the ECI would investigate the issue and take appropriate action.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday said the state is witnessing unprecedented development in every sphere, with massive projects underway to accelerate its growth.

Reviewing ongoing development works in the Dirbha assembly segment, the chief minister said the projects are progressing at full speed and will be completed soon.

Advertisement

He added that these initiatives have been designed to serve the larger public interest while boosting the states overall development. Mann assured that there is no dearth of funds for such projects and more will be dedicated to the public in the coming days.

Advertisement

Speaking about agriculture, Mann recalled his promise to ensure paddy transplantation without the use of tubewells. He expressed pride that canal water now reaches even the remotest villages at the states tail ends, adding that his government has revived 15,947 water channels across Punjab since taking office. He also emphasized that his government has successfully safeguarded Punjabs water resources from being diverted to other states.

The chief minister highlighted the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna  the first-of-its-kind scheme in the country, which provides cashless medical treatment of up to 10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab.

He noted that Punjab is the first state in India to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage, significantly reducing the publics financial burden while ensuring quality services. He said the historic initiative aims to provide universal healthcare to all families in the state.

Mann reiterated that agriculture and farmers remain the top priority of his government, with continuous efforts being made to make farming profitable. He expressed pride that farmers report no shortage of electricity or canal water and are receiving an uninterrupted supply. He said it is heartening to see smiles returning to farmers faces.

Striking an emotional chord with the public, Mann said villagers are close to his heart and he cherishes every moment spent with them. He added that such occasions inspire him to leave no stone unturned for their welfare. On the occasion, he handed over a cheque worth 1.76 crore to the village panchayat to further boost development in the village.
Days after charred remains of a 19-year-old female college student from Odishas Kendrapara district were retrieved from her house; police on Sunday claimed to have solved the case with the arrest of the victims ex-boyfriend on the charge of driving her to commit self-immolation through mental and sexual harassment.

The shocking incident took place in Kathiapada village under the Pattamundai (Rural) police station area on 6 August as the victim allegedly immolated herself at her house following her former boyfriends threat to upload her intimate photographs on social media.

Advertisement

The accused, Pramod Behera, named in the FIR lodged by the victims father has been arrested. He is accused of blackmailing the victim with obscene video clips as a result of which she took the extreme step, said Kendrapara Superintendent of Police, Siddharth Kataria.

Advertisement

Booked under Sections 296 (obscene act), 75 (sexual harassment), 78 (stalking) and 108 (abetment of suicide) of the BNS and Sections 66-E and 67-A of the IT Act, he is being forwarded to court later today, he said.

Coming as it does close on the heels of two such incidents, the death of the student triggered a statewide outrage. While a 20-year-old female student of FM College in Balasore died two days after immolating herself on the college campus on July 12 during treatment at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, a 15-year-old girl from the Balanga area of the Puri district also died of burns on 2 August.

Though preliminary investigation found it to be a foolproof case of suicide, we did not rule out the possibility of a foul play by the parents of the deceased. However, further investigation elicited clinching proof against the deceaseds ex-boyfriend. Obscene clips of the deceased were retrieved from the arrested persons mobile phone, confided a police official.

The womans father earlier claimed that his daughter took the extreme step after the police refused to accept the complaint in this regard about six months ago.

Meanwhile, the mother of the arrested accused also alleged that it was a case of honour killing as the girls parents stubbornly opposed the marriage on the ground that the boy hailed from poor economic background. The parents eliminated their daughter to keep the honour of the family intact and falsely implicated Pramod for abetting to suicide.

The family members of the accused besides locals from his native village staged sit-in near the police station with Beheras family members threatening to commit suicide right at the agitation spot. Apprehending trouble, police deployment has been beefed up at the site to avert occurrence of any untoward incident.
Three minor students of one of the oldest premier boys boarding schools for boys in Asia, the Bishop Cotton School in Shimla, founded in 1859, have gone missing under mysterious circumstances while on a weekly day out in the Himachal Pradesh capital, police said on Sunday.

One of the students, who belongs to Mohali, is related to a minister in Punjab, while another is from a prominent business family of Karnal in Haryana, and the third one is from the states Kullu.

Advertisement

The three students of Class 6 had gone to Mall Road for shopping on an outing on Saturday. The other students who had gone with them returned, but the threes whereabouts are still unknown, said the police.

Advertisement

Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Gandhi told the media here that police teams have been formed to search for the children. Delhi and Haryana Police have also been contacted to trace their whereabouts. He said a case has been registered.

With the police launching a search operation to find them out, vehicles going towards Shoghi, the entry and exit points of the state capital on the Shimla-Chandigarh national highway, are being searched.

It is believed that the children have gone somewhere without informing anyone. The police have not ruled out the possibility of their kidnapping.

Police investigations showed that the children were seen in different localities of the city in CCTV footage during the outing, particularly on Mall Road, but disappeared after some time.

BCS is an elite boarding school in the country, and children from India and abroad come here to study.

Every week, the children go on an outing on Saturday. Except for the three students, all other children returned to the school on time.

The school management has lodged a complaint with the police about the three missing children. Their disappearance has raised safety concerns about the students in the boarding school.
Even as the Supreme Court has put a temporary stay on the disputed Banke Bihari Trust, the Uttar Pradesh government is expected to bring the Banke Bihari Trust Bill 2025 in the monsoon session of the state assembly starting tomorrow to replace the Ordinance issued on May 26 last.

However, the Act will be implenmented after the apex courts directive.

Advertisement

According to sources, like the Ordinance, the Bill gives the Banke Bihari Trust rights over the offerings and properties of the temple. The trust will also have rights over the permanent property of the temple and the property that belongs to the temple or has been donated to the temple.

Advertisement

Apart from jewellery, it includes bank drafts and cheques. The board will hold a meeting in the first month of the financial year and pass the budget.

The trust will also decide the timings of the temple darshan, appointment of priests, their salary, etc. It will get the work done for the temple complex and corridor by taking advice from archeological experts, engineers, architects and reputed institutions.

The trust will have 11 nominated and seven ex-officio members. The nominated members will have three members related to Vaishnav traditions, sects and peeths, eminent persons including sadhus, saints, sages, gurus, scholars, heads of religious institutions, mahants, acharyas, swami. There will be three members related to traditions, sects, and peeths of Sanatan Dharma. No member of any Sanatan Dharma will have the right to vote.

There will be two members from the Goswami tradition serving in the temple who are descendants of Swami Haridas Ji. Among these, one will represent the Raj Bhog Sevadaars and the other will represent the Shayan Bhog Sevadaars. The tenure of all nominated members will be for three years. All nominated members will be Sanatani Hindus and believers of Sanatan.

The ex-officio members include District Magistrate of Mathura, Senior Superintendent of Police, Commissioner of Mathura Municipal Corporation, CEO of UP Braj Teerth Kshetra Vikas, CEO of Banke Bihari Temple Trust, appointed by the state government.

The government has clarified in the ordinance that no sacred or religious tradition of the temple will be violated. The purpose of forming the trust is not to violate any tradition. The government does not want to take over the properties of the temple. Rather, this property has been created from the donations and offerings of the public, so financial transparency should be maintained in relation to them.

The government has, in the ordinance, also clarified that the trust will work independently. It will not require the approval or authority of the government in any matter. (Unless specifically provided). The purpose of appointing ex-officio members of the board is not to control the temple but to seek constructive, administrative and practical advice for the running of the temple.

The Supreme Court on August 8 has put a temporary stay on the Banke Bihari Trust. It has transferred the petition challenging the constitutional validity of the ordinance to the high court.

In fact, on May 15, the Supreme Court allowed the UP government to use the temples funds for corridor development and acquire 5 acres of land around the temple. The condition was that the acquired land would be registered in the name of Thakurji.

After this, on May 26, the UP government issued Ordinance  2025. In this, a provision was made to form a trust to take care of the temple. In this, the management of the temple and the responsibility of facilities for the devotees were to be handled by Shri Banke Bihari Ji Temple Trust.

But on May 27, four petitions were filed against this in the Supreme Court on behalf of Devendra Goswami, Sohan Mishra, Rajat Goswami and the traders.
Morocco welcomed 11.6 million tourists by the end of July 2025, marking a 16% increase compared with the same period in 2024, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy.

The ministry noted that 52% of arrivals were Moroccan nationals living abroad (MRE). July alone recorded 2.7 million visitors, up 6% year-on-year, reinforcing the sectors upward momentum.

Foreign tourist arrivals reached 875,000 in July, a 2% annual increase, while visits from MREs rose by 7% to 1.8 million. The figures highlight Moroccos continued appeal to both international and diaspora travelers.

Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor emphasized that Morocco remains both a destination of the heart and of discovery for millions worldwide. She stressed that the sectors positive trajectory is supported equally by domestic tourists, the Moroccan diaspora, and foreign visitors.

This growth aligns with the objectives of the 20232026 tourism roadmap, which prioritizes enhancing visitor experience through sustained engagement with traveler expectations. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to developing a competitive, inclusive tourism industry that meets evolving global standards.
In a rare moment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday shared a metro ride with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar. Union Minister Manohar Lal also accompanied them as they undertook the ride from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Electronic City metro station via the yellow line that the PM inaugurated.

During the journey, PM Modi interacted with a group of students and shared some light-hearted moments with his political rivals Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. In one video, the three leaders are seen laughing together, though it was not clear what they were talking about as there was no audio.

Advertisement

Watch the video below

Advertisement

#WATCH | Bengaluru | Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertakes a metro ride from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Electronic City metro station via the Yellow line that PM Modi inaugurated earlier today. (Source: ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/U4SrPGjWWc  ANI (@ANI) August 10, 2025

Earlier today, Modi inaugurated the yellow line from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra of the Bangalore Metro Phase-2 project. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his deputy DK Shivakumar, and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar also accompanied him during the inauguration event in Bengaluru.

The yellow line, spanning 19.15 km with 16 stations, will connect RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra and is expected to ease traffic congestion on busy routes like Hosur Road and Silk Board Junction.

The yellow line metro project, worth around Rs 7,160 crore, will increase the operational metro network in Bengaluru to over 96 km, serving a large population in the region, the government release said.

Ahead of Modis visit, DK Shivakumar had alleged that Bengaluru has not been given sufficient funds and that he will tell the prime minister what is required for the city.

Bengaluru has been neglected. I would like to tell PM Modi that you have to take care of the city as the national capital. The MPs or MLAs of the BJP are only getting votes in the name of PM Modi or the party, Shivakumar said.
There was a moment in a recent Instagram reel that stayed with me. A young medical graduate stood quietly as a room broke into applause. The caption readNot just a uniform. A crown of thorns. Those words captured something profound, as to be a doctor in India is to carry the weight of responsibility, service, and quiet sacrifice.

National Doctors Day in India, celebrated on July 1, served as a reminder of the vital role doctors play, both as medical experts and as companions during lifes most vulnerable moments. The gratitude they receive is genuine, but it must be matched with something more enduring. At the heart of every doctors journey lies a very human need for support, for balance, and for dignity.

The World Bank has estimated a global shortfall of 18 million health workers by 2030. In India, official figures suggest we now have one doctor for every 834 citizens, more than the WHOs recommended ratio. But numbers do not always tell the full story. Nearly 70 per cent of our population lives in rural areas, while most specialists remain concentrated in cities. For a mother walking a mile to reach a clinic or a young doctor attending to emergencies without support, these are not statistics, they are lived realities.

Imaging: Deni Lal

Moreover, its important to be mindful that becoming a doctor in India is shaped by years of study, intense competition, and an unwavering commitment to serve. Doctors are expected to be knowledgeable, decisive, and deeply empathetic, often all at once. Yet, behind the calm exterior are individuals who carry emotional and physical burdens that are not always visible.

India is poised to lead not only as a global health care destination, but also as a source of skilled health care professionals. Under the Heal in India and Heal by India initiatives, our health care professionals will be serving both domestic and international health care needs. Nevertheless, we must also focus inward and this years Doctors Day themeBehind the Mask: Who Heals the Healerswas a reminder that even those who heal need healing themselves.

Thankfully, the conversation around the wellbeing of health care professionals is gaining ground. In the United Kingdom, the NHS has implemented mental health services and protected learning time through its Looking After You programme. These efforts offer helpful models that place care at the centre, not just for patients but also for those who serve them.

In India, too, there have been promising steps. This years Union budget included an increase in medical education seats, expanding opportunities for young aspirants across India. The launch of the Tele-MANAS programme under the National Mental Health Mission is another important move that signals growing recognition of the need to support psychological wellbeing within the health care system.

At the same time, our collective responsibility and an imperative is to strengthen the social fabric that surrounds the profession. Over time, an unfortunate climate of mistrust has crept into public perception. Doctors are sometimes seen not as partners in healing, but as distant figures to be questioned or doubted. This is not only unfair, it is unsustainable. Doctors, like all of us, need encouragement, empathy, and space to grow. The decision to pursue medicine has always been a mark of purpose and prestige in India. It must continue to remain so, not just in name but in experience.

Now, as we stand proud on Independence Day, we must remember that true national strength comes not only from policies or programmes, but also from how we treat those who serve the country every day. Doctors are central to that journey, so supporting them, respecting them, and standing by them is not just a tribute to the profession; it reflects the values we choose to uphold as a nation.

Dr Preetha Reddy is Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited.
PRASHANT KISHOR HAS got his partys colour branding down to a pat in Bihar. The Janata Dal (United) is green and white, so is the Rashtriya Janata Dal. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas) is blue, red and green. The Rashtriya Lok Morcha is blue, white and green. The Hindustani Awam Morcha seems to be favouring red, though the official colour is mentioned as yellow in a few places. And the Vikassheel Insaan Party appears to prefer a blue-red palette. Kishors Jan Suraaj is clearbright yellow.

It is prominent in his stole and the 600 yellow cars he has deployed (around 15 in each district). But, will that be enough to get him over the line, wonders Correspondent Badar Bashir. He says that the smaller parties could together upset the calculations of the BJP and the Mahagathbandhan.

His interviews with Upendra Kushwaha of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha, Mukesh Sahani of the Vikassheel Insaan Party and Akhtarul Iman of the All India Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen add heft to the cover story.

Another interesting story in this issue is the one marking one year of the tumult in Bangladesh. Three major stakeholders in the country are represented in our pages through Dr Ziauddin Hyder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Mohammad Ali Arafat of the Awami League and Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. It is interesting to listen to all perspectives. For example, Alam says that the Yunus government negotiated with Trump to bring down the tariffs to 20 per cent from the original 37 per cent.

Senior Special Correspondent Kanu Sarda covers THE WEEK Education Conclave held in Delhi last week. May I sincerely thank Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh, our columnist and MP Shashi Tharoor, Director Dr M. Srinivas of AIIMS Delhi, Secretary General Bharat Lal of the National Human Rights Commission, former UGC chairperson Dr M. Jagadesh Kumar, former ISRO chairman Dr S. Somanath, Principal John Varghese of St. Stephens College and other dignitaries for making time for us.

In other news, Chief of Bureau (Mumbai) Dnyanesh Jathar and Principal Correspondent Pooja Biraia take stock of the verdicts in the 2006 train bombings and the 2008 Malegaon blasts. Consultant (Sports) Ayaz Memon writes about the Oval thriller. Captain G.R. Gopinath (retd) shares his thoughts about the 2025 Sangita Kalanidhi awardee, violinist R.K. Shriramkumar.

Let me stop on a joyous note, personally. Most of you will remember the Ukraine cover of your favourite newsweekly (August 13, 2023), powered by Photo Editor Bhanu Prakash Chandras photos and reporting from the frontlines. For that effort, he was awarded the International Press Institutes (India Chapter) Award for Excellence in Journalism 2024. The award comprised Rs1 lakh, a memento and a certificate.

The cover article had a poetic headline: Sunflower Fields and No Mans Land. I was deeply touched when Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk attended the award ceremony and handed Bhanu a bouquet in Ukrainian coloursyellow and blue.

Bhanu generously donated the award money to Gen. Ukrainian, an NGO which creates innovative psychological rehabilitation programmes for children and adolescents who suffer from war trauma. Mostly children who have lost one or both parents, survived captivity, forced deportation and occupation.

The amount was handed over to Gen. Ukrainian last week by Indian orthopaedic surgeon Dr U.P.R. Menon and Yehor Konovalov, Bhanus translator during the assignment.

Bhanu made my day, dear reader. I hope he did the same for you.
Donald Trump is mad at India. For reasons galore. We laughed at his claim to have stopped our war with Pakistan; we didnt nominate him for a Nobel; we are haggling with him over tariffs; we arent buying his F-35; we do business with Iran; we buy his enemys oil. Finally, a frustrated Trump said, I dont care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care.

We laughed at that too. Then he turned the knife in the stab; said he had concluded a deal to develop Pakistans massive oil reserves and he is choosing the oil company that will lead this partnership. Who knows, maybe theyll be selling oil to India some day!

That got our goat. Choosing a terrorist state and a bankrupt economy over a resilient democracy and a robust economy, a Quad member and a strategic partner? Many in India were hurt, shocked, upset, angry or outraged. A few smirked, knowing Pakistan has as much oil under its soil as the Thar has water under its sands.

Imaging: Deni Lal/Ai

What if Trump is throwing a red herring? A red herring is the kind of thing that we see in whodunnits where the murderer plants wrong clues to mislead the sleuthslike the word rache (German for revenge) scribbled on a wall next to the corpse in the Sherlock Holmes story 'A Study in Scarlet' that misled sleuths to think the killer was a German. The term was popularised in 1807 by William Cobbett, who told a story of having used a strong-smelling smoked fish to divert hounds from chasing a rabbit.

Lets leave crime stories and get back to geopolitics. Trump is known for his red herrings in political narratives. As Sam Kwait-Spitzer, who called him king of red herrings, wrote in 2018, Trump has a profound need to distract, deceive, and gaslight, and there have been seemingly infinite occasions in which the president has wilfully sought to mislead the public.

What if he is now trying it on the world?

As most of us know, Pakistan has no oil. Then what is Trump prospecting for? My unintelligent guess isgold and more.

Gold in Pakistan? Yes, folks! They are said to have it in plentynot just gold but more. Reko Dik has the world's fifth largest copper-gold reserves, Thar has the second largest coal reserves, Khewra and Bahdarkhel have the second largest salt reserves. Geologists say 92 minerals worth $6 trillion are buried in the land stretching from Gilgit-Baltistan (we flinch) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the hills of Balochistan, the sands of Sind and the plains of Punjabcoal (185 billion tonnes), copper (7,000 million tonnes), gold (1,658 million), salt (10 billion), silver (620 million), lead-zinc (24 million), manganese (1.597 million), chromite (three million), iron ore (1,450 million). If mined well, prospectors say, Pakistan could become the Saudi Arabia of copper in 20 years!

Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir have been going to China for investments and knowhow to mine these out, and China has been snaring them into its CPEC loan trap. The duo would want to balance the Chinese, and who else can do it but the yanks? Was that what Munir and Trump talked over their lunch in the White House?

But can you be friends with the mutually warring Americans and Chinese?, many may ask. Remember the boast of the Yahyas and the Bhuttos of the cold-warring 1970s?that Pakistan was the only country that could be friends with the capitalists and the communists.

Geostrategists in the soon-to-be-vacated South Block! Lets stop flinching at Trump and smirking at Pak, and get our act together.

prasannan@theweek.in
Lunch can wait please dont hurry are you hungry? The great JRD Tata asked Lakshmi Venkataraman Venkatesan. He was 86 at the time. Lakshmi, a young woman brimming with ideas, was passionately narrating the story of a young, underprivileged entrepreneur. JRD was all ears. Take your time his story is more important.

That one meeting changed everything. JRD came on board, and Lakshmis dreamBharatiya Yuva Shakti Trusttook off in 1992.

Today, BYST continues to provide a solid platform for young people in the country to convert potentially promising business ideas into profitable enterprises. BYSTs Grampreneurs are offered not just financial support, but mentoring, training and global networking opportunities. As JRD once said, If we touch one life, it has the potential to transform the lives of a billion people.

This year, I was invited to be on the jury selecting winners for the annual BYST Awards. The process is meticulous and thorough. Not being an entrepreneur or a corporate person, I said yes for selfish reasons: the exposure to young, ambitious minds was irresistible. And, as anyone who has met Lakshmi will agree, no one says no to her!

Lakshmi Venkataraman Venkatesan | BYST.ORG.IN

The BYSTs success story is all thanks to one womans dedication and determination to translate the original vision into a reality. For the past 30 years, BYST has supported more than 50,000 entrepreneurs, who have collectively generated wealth worth Rs5,000 crore and created five lakh jobs. As I read the detailed profiles of 11 shortlisted finalists, I marvelled at the hunger, hard work and humility that had driven these remarkable individuals to keep at it and achieve their goals.

I first met Lakshmi over a Zoom call. The jury was meeting in Delhi to scrutinise the shortlist and come up with the winners who would be honoured at a prestigious ceremony. Two hours of intense discussions later, I was reeling from the impact of those amazing stories. But it was Lakshmis presence that stood outsuch control and clarity! Lakshmi studied physics and engineering science at Delhi University and New York University. She was working in a predominantly male environment in the US, before she decided to come back to India.

What Lakshmi underplays is her fathers identity. She is the daughter of R. Venkataraman, former president of India. Coincidentally, former vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar was to be the chief guest at this years BYST awards, but the unexpected happened. Days before the function, Dhankhar abruptly resigned.

Undaunted, the unflappable Lakshmi replaced him swiftly with Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. The minister arrived punctually, made a long and engaging speech, reminded Lakshmi of historic connections to BYST (his father, Madhavrao Scindia, was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony, and his grandfather Jiwajirao Scindia was a close friend of JRD). There were speeches galore as mighty industry leaders shared their personal growth stories and lauded the grampreneurs in the audience.

Over dinner the same night, I was fascinated to hear her vivid account of life inside Rashtrapati Bhavan as first daughter, receiving presidents, prime ministers, kings and queens. She recalled how Mikhail Gorbachev boasted at breakfast that his wife made the best coffee in the world. Venkataraman chuckled, Wait till you taste my wifes coffee.

Lakshmis lively recollections of British royalty in residence made me ask why she hasnt written a book about those years. She smiled, and changed the subject. We quickly went back to discussing her passion projectyes, BYST. I came home remembering the sincere words of gratitude expressed by the exceptional award winners whose lives have changed forever.

X@DeShobhaa, Instagram@shobhaade
In a significant setback for the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), a special NDPS court has acquitted three foreign nationals and one Indian accused in a high-profile international cocaine smuggling case, citing serious procedural lapses and lack of credible evidence. The case was triggered in 2020 after the USAs Homeland Security alerted Indian authorities to a suspicious FedEx parcel addressed to Andrea Tellies. Acting on this intelligence, the DRI planned a controlled delivery, a covert operation used globally to monitor the movement of illicit consignments and arrest their intended recipients. According to the prosecution, Soniya Khan was the alleged mastermind who arrived at a FedEx outlet in Kharghar on November 17, 2021, to collect the package, presenting KYC documents purportedly supplied by co-accused Hazel Donald Corriea. The drugs were allegedly destined for Nigerian nationals Ejike Offor and Kenechukwu Nelson Uteh, who prosecutors said were the ultimate recipients of the contraband, over 500 grams of high-purity cocaine. Police claimed Khan was arrested on the spot, after which Corriea, Offor, and Uteh were also taken into custody. Investigators alleged the KYC documents were fraudulent and that all four were part of an international smuggling network. However, the court found glaring gaps in the prosecutions case. Independent witnessesa mandatory safeguard under the NDPS Actwere absent during the seizure. No testimony was presented from FedEx employees or neutral observers to confirm the accuseds involvement. The judge further noted that the package had arrived in Mumbai on November 16, 2021, when none of the accused were present, undermining the claim that they were directly connected to its delivery. One of the witnesses did not testify that the accused came to take delivery of parcels in Kharghar, the court observed, pointing out that the evidence was entirely circumstantial. In light of these deficiencies, the court concluded that the prosecution failed to prove a conspiracy to import and trade narcotics. All four accused were acquitted and released on a personal bond of Rs 15,000 each. The verdict not only casts doubt on the handling of the case but also underscores the legal risks of sloppy investigative practices in high-stakes narcotics operations.
The Indian Air Force (IAF), in a statement, informed the demise of war veteran Group Captain DK Parulkar (Retd), who was held as a prisoner of the 1971 war in Pakistan.

"Gp Capt DK Parulkar (Retd) VM, VSM  1971 War hero, who led a daring escape from captivity in Pakistan, embodying unmatched courage, ingenuity & pride in the IAF  has left for his heavenly abode. All Air Warriors of the IAF express their heartfelt condolences," mentioned the tweet from the official IAF handle.

Wing Commander Dilip Kamalkar Parulkar, who was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in March 1963, held various appointments, such as the Flying Instructor at the Air Force Academy. He has also been on deputation to Singapore for two years and even served a ground tenure as Battalion commander at the National Defence Academy (NDA).

He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for the valour that he showcased during the Indo-Pak conflict in 1965. According to the IAF, his aircraft was hit by enemy fire, and he had injured his right shoulder. Despite the injury and the advice to eject from his leader, he flew the crippled aircraft back to base.

What happened in the 1971 war?

The 1971 India-Pakistan war that lasted for 13 days also saw Wg Cdr DK Parulkar being held as a prisoner of war in Pakistan. He led the escape attempt from captivity along with two colleagues from the enemy camp, facing hostilities with utmost bravery. For which he was awarded the Vishisht Sena Medal from the President of India.

The IAF paid tribute, describing him as a symbol of unmatched courage and pride for the nation.
Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi said the government had given a free hand to the armed forces to give a befitting response to the terrorist attack in Pahalagam on April 22.

He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating Agnishodh  the Indian Army Research Cell at IIT Madras.

#WATCH | Speaking on Operation, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi says, "...On 23rd, we all sat down. This is the first time that RM (Defence Minister Rajnath Singh) said, 'enough is enough'. All three chiefs were very clear that something had to be done. The pic.twitter.com/aSFRXsS2qn  ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2025

On April 23, the next day itself, we all sat down. This was the first time that RM (Defence Minister Rajnath Singh) said, Enough is enough. All three chiefs were very clear that something had to be done, General Dwivedi said.

He said the clarity in the political leaderships direction had boosted the morale of the forces and helped the army commanders-in-chief to be on the ground and act according to their wisdom.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, carrying out airstrikes on nine terrorist hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, killing over a hundred terrorists and inflicting heavy damage to the terror infrastructure.

Giving a detailed account of the military confrontation between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, General Dwivedi said it was like making chess moves.

#WATCH | During an address at IIT Madras, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi says, "In Operation Sindoor, we played chess... We did not know what the enemy's next move was going to be, and what we were going to do. This is called greyzone. Greyzone means that we pic.twitter.com/MfLScTMbG7  ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2025

"In Operation Sindoor, we played chess. We did not know what the enemy's next move was going to be, and what we were going to do. This is called the grey zone, he said, adding that what they were doing was just short of a conventional operation.

We were making the chess moves, and he (the enemy) was also making the chess moves. Somewhere we were giving them the checkmate and somewhere we were going in for the kill at the risk of losing our own, but that's what life is all about, he said.

#WATCH | During an address at IIT Madras, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi says, "...If you ask a Pakistani whether you lost or won, he'd say my chief has become a field marshal. We must have won only, that's why he's become a field marshal..." (09.08)



(Source: pic.twitter.com/G81nCSY9dh  ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2025

General Dwivedi also mocked Pakistans claims of victory in the conflict, and noted how narrative management is playing a key role in war.

If you ask a Pakistani whether you lost or won, he'd say, My chief has become a field marshal. We must have won only, that's why he's become a field marshal', said the Army chief.

The Army chiefs remarks came hours after Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh revealed that the IAF shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and a large aircraft during Operation Sindoor, in the largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill by India.

This was the first official comment on the damage caused to Pakistan during the Indian strikes over three months ago.

"We have at least five fighters confirmed killed and one large aircraft, which could be either an aircraft or an AWC, which was taken at a distance of about 300 kilometres. This is the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill that we can talk about," Singh said, while delivering the 16th Air Chief Marshal L M Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Tamil actor Kamal Hassan is facing trouble for his recent speech during an event hosted by Kollywood star Surya. Small screen actor Ravichandran has threatened to hack the actor to death for his anti-Santan comment during the event.

Tamil small screen actor Ravichandran, during a recent interview with a YouTube channel, made defamatory comments against the Makkal Needhi Maiam leader for making anti-Sanatan speech. Ravichandran charged Kamal Haasan is a naive politician and he "would slit his throat" for making anti-Sanatan comments.

Recently, Jai Bhim star Surya hosted an event in Chennai to celebrate 15 years of his NGO, Agaram Foundation. The NGO offers support to underprivileged children. Addressing at the event, Haasan criticised the Centre for introducing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and charged it has crumbled MBBS dreams of several students. Charging it was an ill outcome of Sanatan dharma, Hassan said only education can "break shackles of Sanatan".

Haasan's statement has annoyed right-wing politicians. Ravichandran, a small screen actor, lambasted Haasan for his comments and said he "would slit his throat".

Meanwhile, Makkal Needhi Maiam leaders petitioned with Chennai police and demanded action against Ravichandran. In the petition, MNM leaders charged that Ravichandran has issued a death threat against their leader and demanded action against him.
The 'memory card' row is yet another dramatic flashpoint in the run-up to the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (A.M.M.A) elections, which is scheduled to take place on August 15. After actress and dubbing artist Cuckoo Parameswaran filed a complaint against fellow Malayalam artists Usha Haseena and Ponnamma Babu to the DGP, Usha reached out to the Kerala Chief Minister, the Women's Commission, the Human Rights Commission, and the DGP, demanding that the memory card be returned to them.

Why the 'memory card' matters?

According to Malayalam media reports, after 'Me Too' allegations started to emerge, the female members of A.M.M.A. held a meeting in 2018 to internally confess and discuss the issues they were facing. Their experiences were recorded on a memory card during the meeting in video format.

According to Usha, it was Cuckoo Parameswaran who handled the memory card afterwards, and she questioned why such a solid piece of evidence was not presented before the Hema Committee. The memory card was even handled by Edavela Babu, a former A.M.M.A. strongman who has since been tainted by rape charges.

In September 2024, Babu was arrested and released on bail after being booked under IPC sections 354 (sexual assault), 376 (rape), and 509 (acts, words, or gestures that intend to insult a woman's modesty) over a complaint filed by a Kochi-based actress who said the incident occurred at his flat in Kaloor, where she had gone to fill out a form for A.M.M.A membership.

What is Cuckoo Parameswaran's side of the story?

Meanwhile, Cuckoo maintains that nobody ever approached her asking for the memory card so far, and she is uncertain why it has become an issue now. "I was here all these years after the memory card was used in 2018. Nobody had any complaints about me all these years. If they had any concerns, they could have complained and received my answer... neither did they demand it nor file a complaint," she had reportedly told Mathrubhumi.com.

ALSO READ | Devan backs opponent Shwetha Menon over FIR ahead of AMMA elections: It is a stupid case

Cuckoo further claimed that the contents of the memory card did not belong to her but to A.M.M.A., before concluding that she would not comment further on the controversy until the election results were out, but would explain everything afterwards.

What happened now?

Usha came forward with a counter-statement and petition after Cuckoo filed a complaint against her and senior actress Ponnamma Babu with the DGP, accusing them of defaming her on social media.

Usha, best known for her roles in Kireedam and Chenkol, said this forced them to come forward with a counter-complaint due to Cuckoo's recent actions. The memory card contains visuals of many artists making statements. Cuckoo is in possession of it and should to return it. The petition they submitted was signed by every female artist whose revelations were recorded on the said memory card, Manorama Online quoted Usha as saying.

ALSO READ | Hema Committee report: Why there are no lasting solutions in sight for Malayalam film industry

They were ready to wait until the elections were over before making any decisions, but they were forced to act after Cuckoo accused them of lying on television channels. They do not have any issues with Cuckoo running in the elections, but it is for the A.M.M.A. members to elect worthy and deserving office bearers.
One person died and another sustained grievous injuries after a speeding SUV hit them in New Delhis Chanakyapuri on Sunday.

The incident occurred on 11 Murti Roadaround two kilometres from the Rashtrapati Bhavanin the early hours, and the victims body lay on the ground for hours before police arrived, reported NDTV.

Police have detained the 26-year-old driver of the white Thar car while the injured person has been admitted to a hospital.

#WATCH | New Delhi | One person dead, another injured, after they were hit by a car on 11 Murti Road earlier today. The car driver has been detained: Delhi Police pic.twitter.com/uD1QWsEGW7  ANI (@ANI) August 10, 2025

According to reports, the vehicle was registered in the name of one Ankit Adnani, a resident of Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh. He gave his car to his friend Ashish, a resident of Shakarpur.

Ashish told police that he dozed off and lost control of the vehicle. A video shared by ANI on X showed that the left front tyre of the vehicle almost detached due to the impact of the accident.

#WATCH | New Delhi DCP Devesh Kumar Mahla reaches the accident spot where a car hit two people on the footpath, killing one and injuring the other. https://t.co/kyF9fpqOrD pic.twitter.com/60Ow14JLWv  ANI (@ANI) August 10, 2025

Police have recovered a liquor bottle inside the vehicle. They are also conducting a medical examination of the driver to determine if he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

Ashishs father, Ramesh, told the Indian Express that his son went out on Saturday evening with some friends after celebrating Raksha Bandhan, and the Thar vehicle belonged to one of his sons friends.
The Election Commission challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday and demanded proof for the "voted twice" charge he levelled during the recent press conference against the poll body. The Commission called Gandhi's online petition for a digital voter list "misleading" and said parties are already provided with digital copies of electoral rolls.

The Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka issued a notice to Gandhi on Sunday and asked him to provide proof for the double-voting charge he levelled against a voter named Shakun Rani.

"You have stated that the documents shown in your presentation are from the records of the Election Commission of India. You have said: 'This is EC data'. You have also stated that as per the records given by the polling officer, Smt Shakun Rani has voted twice. You have said: 'Es ID card per do baar vote lagahai, wo jo tick hai, polling booth ke officer kihai'," it said.

The poll body said on inquiry, it was proved that Shakun Rani had voted only once. "Preliminary enquiry conducted by this office also reveals that the tick-marked document shown by you in the presentation is not a document issued by the polling officer," the Commission charged.

The Karnataka CEO asked the Opposition leader to provide the documents so that it could initiate an inquiry.

The poll body also called his 'vote chori' charge and online petition for a digital voter list "misleading". "Under the Registration of Electors Rules 1960, every recognised political party is also provided both, digital as well physical copies of the draft and final electoral rolls. Before every election, digital as well physical copies of the draft and the final electoral rolls are always shared with all political parties under their signatures, including INC," the Commission said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Yellow Line of Bangalore Metro, also known as Namma Metro, giving a major boost to the urban mobility in the city.

The new line, built at a cost of 7,160 crore as part of Metro Phase-2 project, connects RV Road (Ragigudda) and Bommasandra in the Electronic City  one of India's largest technology and industrial clusters.

There are 16 elevated stations on the routeRagigudda, Jayadeva Hospital, BTM Layout, Central Silk Board, Bommanahalli, Hongasandra, Kudlu Gate, Singasandra, Hosa Road, Beratena Agrahara, Electronic City, Infosys Foundation Konappana Agrahara, Huskuru Road and Biocon Hebbagodi.

Following the #Majestic (Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station) interchange station, #RVRoad is set to join the list as the second operational interchange station  . #YellowLine pic.twitter.com/EdqRKU4S6O  Bangalore Metro Updates (@WF_Watcher) August 10, 2025

With the opening of this yellow line, the operational metro network in Bengaluru will increase to over 96 km, serving a large population in the region.

The Yellow Line is likely to decongest the IT corridor, which keeps making global headlines for traffic jams despite the many urban mobility initiatives taken to cut down the travel time.

"This area used to experience a lot of traffic. It was very difficult even for the ambulance to reach here. Now more than 6 lakh people will be able to travel daily through this yellow metro line, which will reduce traffic and open up that route, Union minister Shobha Karandlaje said.

After inaugurating the project, the prime minister undertook a metro ride from RV Road (Ragigudda) to the Electronic City metro station.

He also laid the foundation stone of the Bengaluru Metro Phase-3 project worth over Rs 15,610 crore. The total route length of the project will be more than 44 km with 31 elevated stations.

According to an official release, the project will address the growing transportation needs of the city, catering to residential, industrial, commercial and educational areas.

Earlier, the prime minister flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains at KSR Railway Station. They include trains from Bengaluru to Belagavi, Amritsar to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off 3 Vande Bharat Express trains at KSR Railway Station in Bengaluru



It includes trains from Bengaluru to Belagavi, Amritsar to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune.



(Source: DD) pic.twitter.com/l6dBwNrP2W  ANI (@ANI) August 10, 2025

These high-speed trains will significantly enhance regional connectivity, reduce travel time and provide a world-class travel experience to the passengers, the PMO said.
Shiv Sena Thackeray faction leader Sanjay Raut has made a controversial statement on former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar, questioning the former Vice-Presidents absence and whether certain practices prevalent in Russia and China were happening in India.

Stating that his party was considering filing a habeas corpus petition regarding Dhankhars absence, Raut said he spoke to Dhankhar on July 21. He appeared in the Rajya Sabha in the morning. We had a discussion and he gave some orders. Later, the House was adjourned, and he appeared in good health then. He spoke to us, but after 6 pm, news appeared in the media that Dhankhar had quit due to health reasons, said Raut, calling it a shocking development.

But, since the day he resigned, he is nowhere to be seen. Where is he? What is his health condition? Who is he with? Where is he staying? Is he fine? Is he really there?, said Raut, adding that he had doubts about his absence. If the Vice President of the country has disappeared like this and no one had an idea about him, it is a matter of concern for the country's democracy, Raut said. If this kind of practice has started in India, then Rahul Gandhi and his associates should remain alert.

He then took a dig at the BJP, stating that Russia and China had the practice of disappearing leaders and questioned whether some of those traditions were adopted in India. When Uddhav Thackeray came to Delhi, Kapil Sibal met him. We discussed this issue, he added.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar abrupt stepped down, citing the need to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice is said to be after a fallout with the government over his decision to admit an impeachment motion against Varma in the Rajya Sabha.
On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, the Congress party organised a unique event in Mumbai on Saturday for women who are often not given the respect they deserve in society.

The party leaders celebrated Raksha Bandhan with sex workers to send out a message of dignity and inclusiveness.

"There is a relationship on the holy occasion of Raksha Bandhan; there is a relationship between brother and sister, brother protects his sister. We conducted a unique event here today to connect such women who are not given their due respect and identity by society to the mainstream, Congress general secretary Bhanwar Jitendra Singh told the ANI news agency.

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Congress celebrated #RakshaBandhan with sex workers today.



Congress general secretary Bhanwar Jitendra Singh says, "...We conducted a unique event here today to connect such women who are not given their due respect and identity by society to the pic.twitter.com/uq3TQ0rEGC  ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2025

Singh said the party wants to convey a message that people are compelled to take on this job out of helplessness due to extreme poverty.

If we want to bring a smile to their faces and make them happy, then we can provide them money for the school fees of their children, and we can honour them. There can be nothing bigger than this for a brother and a sister. I would want this programme to be done across the country," he said.

Nitish ties rakhi to tree

Meanwhile, in another unique gesture, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar tied a rakhi to a tree on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan and 'Bihar Tree Protection Day' at Rajdhani Vatika in Patna.

Tree plantation is extremely essential to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change, the chief minister said, adding that a tree plantation drive was conducted at the venue.

"On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan and 'Bihar Tree Protection Day,' a Raksha Sutra (protective thread) was tied to a tree today at Rajdhani Vatika in Patna. Additionally, on this occasion, tree plantation was also carried out at Rajdhani Vatika, he said.
As human sufferings in the Gaza Strip show no signs of an early end, India is doggedly committed to its position on the endgame. Its response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has retained certain key but constant fixtures. These were reiterated in the Lok Sabha last Friday: an unwavering and unqualified support for the Palestinian self-determination through the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within secured and recognised borders, living side by side in peace with Israel. This has been the Indian position since the normalisation of relations with Israel in January 1992.

For some time, India even joined hands with Arab and Islamic countries and desired East Jerusalem as the capital of the future Palestinian state. At one time, the Modi government even supported the Qatari narrative that denied any Jewish links to the city of Jerusalem. India soon realised the unique, special, and unparalleled status of Jerusalem; it is not Berlin to be divided, Chandigarh to be shared, or Amravati Nagar to be rebuilt.

This realisation manifested in May 2017. Prime Minister Modis statement during the visit of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas skipped identifying East Jerusalem as the capital of the future Palestinian state. As visualised in the UNSC Resolution 242, the final borders between Israel and the Palestinian State have to be worked out through negotiations and compromise, and not imposed by any outside power. At regular intervals, both within the country and in international forums, India has repeated this formulation.

The support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been the main plank through which India also seeks to further its interests in the wider Middle East. New Delhi is aware that the two-state solution is herculean and faces serious internal opposition on both sides. Some regional powers still have misgivings about coexistence with Israel. The failure of the Oslo process substantially drained the support for coexistence among the Israelis and Palestinians. Frustration with the Israeli and Palestinian leadership has also destroyed international hopes for coexistence.

  In 1988, India became one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine, with firm support and commitment to the Two-State solution. I am pleased to underscore that India led by example in this regard more than 37 years ago. pic.twitter.com/bMJROU2kXP  State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) July 31, 2025

Despite all the difficulties, hardships, and negative consequences, the two-state solution remains the only honourable, viable, and realistic solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the borders and security arrangements should be worked out through negotiations, alternatives to a two-state solution are horrendous. One state solution, popular among a section of the Indian elite, denies the national rights of Jews as well as the Palestinians and visualises one complete assimilation of one with the other. Such a course is a national suicide.

At the same time, even while reiterating its long-term solution for the conflict, India has been consistent in framing the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel as terrorism and has frequently expressed its unequivocal condemnation. The escalation and intensification of the Israel-Hamas conflict led to a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and fears of mass starvation. Like other countries, India could not remain a mute spectator and has been urging all the parties for an early end to the conflict through an immediate ceasefire and massive humanitarian assistance to the people of the Gaza Strip.

However, as it seeks to enhance its influence in the Middle East, India has been cautious and less prescriptive. It realises its limited political capital with the conflicting parties and eschews any leadership aspirations. Thus, repeating the broad parameters of its endgame for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but without any active conflict resolution approach will continue to be the basic premise of India's policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Rhetoric was useful when India had no political role or leverage; when it seeks to enhance its influence in the Middle East and beyond, talking less is essential and sensible.

The author teaches contemporary Middle East at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Four-year-old Master Swarang is fighting for his life amid Mumbais worst blood shortage in years. Born with MaroteauxLamy syndrome (MPS VI), a rare genetic disorder, he underwent a bone marrow transplant at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on August 6. The procedure cost between Rs 2030 lakh, excluding mounting post-transplant expenses. The only treatment was a bone marrow transplant, said his father, Gopal Mahajan. During and after the transplant, chemotherapy reduces his white blood cell count to dangerously low levels. He now needs one fresh WBC donor every day, as it must be collected and transfused within 24 hours. The challenge is compounded by Swarangs rare A-negative blood type. Over the past 48 hours, Mahajan has found three of the five required donors through social media and personal outreach but is still searching for two more. Donors must undergo a fitness check, receive an injection at the hospital, wait eight hours, and then undergo a monitored twothree-hour procedure to separate WBCs while returning blood to the body. Originally from Jalgaon, Mahajan has been living in Andheri for his sons treatment. Every day without that A-negative white cell is a day closer to losing Swarang, he said. If any healthy donor can come forward, youre giving our son a future. Swarangs plight underscores a wider crisis. Blood reserves across Mumbai have dropped to just over 5,000 unitsbarely enough for five to six daysagainst a daily demand of 1,0001,400 units. Some hospitals, including KEM, Nair, and Sion, report single-digit stocks, while others have run out entirely. The State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) has issued an urgent appeal. No one is allowed to charge money for bloodits illegal and punishable, said Dr. Purushottam Puri, SBTCs Assistant Director. Weve held a drive at Mantralaya and are planning more. Housing societies, colleges, and workplaces must step up now. Sion Hospital Dean Dr. Mohan Joshi added: This is no longer just a hospital issueits a public emergency. The shortage began in late May when voluntary donations fell during the summer holidays, as colleges and offices paused regular drives. A subsequent ban on inter-state transferswhich once supplied up to 15% of Mumbais stockworsened the crisis. Emergency measures include extended blood bank hours, mobile collection vans, and intensified drives, but experts warn only a steady pool of regular donors can prevent future shortages. For Swarangs family, the call is urgent. Healthy A-negative donors can contact the family directly for screening and immediate coordination.
The Israeli governments decision to prepare for the military takeover of Gaza looks less a strategy than a risky gamble with very little chance of success. The fact that the move is opposed by the very institution expected to carry it out raises serious legal and ethical concerns and has already alienated key allies.

Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, the IDFs chief of staff, has made no secret of his misgivings. After nearly two years of grinding war, he has warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the exhaustion of reservists and the dangers to the remaining hostages held by Hamas.

ALSO READ | In major shift, Germany ends arms exports to Israel amid Netanyahu's Gaza takeover plan

The IDF prefers a ceasefire over yet another campaign. The reported plan, which would deploy five divisions for up to six months, assumes the army can achieve in a short period what it has failed to do in years: decisively defeat Hamas.

History offers no comfort. The United States discovered in Iraq and Afghanistan that military occupations in hostile territory bleed resources, inflame resentment and breed insurgencies. Even now, with 75 per cent of Gaza under Israeli control, Hamas fighters have returned to areas supposedly cleared. Some reports indicate that Hamas is even attracting fresh recruits.

The humanitarian implications are alarming. Gaza is already on the brink of famine, its infrastructure shattered. Large-scale evacuations from Gaza City would almost certainly be seen as collective punishment, potentially breaching international law. The opticswith families driven from tents and ruins under the watch of an occupying armywould deepen Israels isolation and erode what remains of its moral standing.

ALSO READ | Israeli security cabinet clears Netanyahus Gaza takeover plan

Foreign governments are already pushing back. Britain, Germany, Italy, Australia and New Zealand have warned that a new offensive will aggravate the catastrophe, endanger hostages and trigger further mass displacement. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged Israel to reconsider, and Berlin has frozen military exports linked to Gaza operations. The United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting.

Israels far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, stripped away any pretence, declaring: We are erasing the Palestinian state.

ALSO READ | Netanyahu VS Israel army: Gaza takeover plan leads to open confrontation with army chief Eyal Zamir

Such rhetoric hardens international opposition and makes it all but impossible to secure Arab participation in any postwar administration, particularly given the cabinets refusal to involve the Palestinian Authority. Without a credible plan for governance, military conquest would be an open-ended burden.

The financial costs are staggering. Military economist Ram Aminach estimates that maintaining full control over Gaza could cost $6 billion in the coming months, not including the incomprehensible expense of sustaining two million people in a devastated territory. With Israels economy already strained by conflicts on multiple fronts, the prospect of underwriting an occupation indefinitely is reckless.

ALSO READ | Hamas rejects disarmament amid ceasefire talks, slams US envoy's Gaza visit

Netanyahus shifting language only adds to the confusion. On Fox News, he promised full control of Gaza a few days ago. But in an official statement he stopped short, framing the operation as limited. Such ambiguity fuels suspicion that this is less about security than political manoeuvring, intended either to project resolve to domestic audiences or to gain leverage in ceasefire talks.

Whatever the motive, the risks are clear. An overstretched army could be dragged into a prolonged urban insurgency, civilians will suffer the most, and Israels global standing will erode further. The plan does not guarantee the defeat of Hamas, the safe return of hostages or the emergence of a stable Gaza. It guarantees only more death, debt and destruction.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.
Two months after a British F-35 fighter made an emergency landing in Keralas Thiruvananthapuram international airport following a technical snag, another one had to make an emergency landing in Japan on Sunday due malfunction, according to reports.

The F-35 was performing at a joint drill with Japan and the US when a technical issue forced the advanced fighter to rush to Japans Kagoshima Airport. Reports said the Royal Air Force fighter aircraft landed safely at the airport at around 11:30am local time, and imagery shows the aircraft visibly intact. The pilot, too, is safe.

 BREAKING: UK Royal Air Force (RAF) F-35B fighter jet makes emergency landing at Kagoshima airport in Japan due to malfunction.



According to the airport office, the fighter pilot had contacted air traffic control in advance, stating that he was experiencing a possible pic.twitter.com/LpGhvSnmT7  OSINT Updates (@OsintUpdates) August 10, 2025

The incident happened barely a month after an F-35 had to make an emergency landing at Keralas Thiruvananthapuram airport, diverted from the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. The fifth-generation stealth jet was stranded in Kerala for almost a month due to a hydraulic failure. British engineers arrived at Kerala to fix the fault. The incident gained widespread attention.

The F-35B are currently deployed to the region with the Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group (CSG) on Operation Highmast. Since its arrival, jets from the CSG have made history by becoming the first British jets in history to land on a Japanese naval vessel.

However, the reports of the F-35s emergency landing drew the attention of Chinese media, which took a dig at the British Royal Air Force, stating the UK sailors could be struggling to deal with the F-35s in far seas deployments.

Stating that the British fighter jet that became a subject of jokes and memes after being stranded in an Indian airport for more than five weeks, the state-backed Global Times mocked the operational capability of the UK Navy. From a technical point of view, the operational capabilities of the UK's navy are no longer what they once were, and the recent malfunction incidents should serve as an opportunity for the UK to reconsider its policy of accommodating US interests, Global Times quoted Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine.

However, many feel the recent emergency landing looked like a simple affair, rather than the one that happened in India. Many also ruled out the possibility of the jet getting stranded in India since the CSG is expected to remain in Japan, and the repair crew, equipment, and other facilities can be shipped easier to the airport.
As a consequence of closing its airspace to Indian aircraft, Pakistan has suffered a loss of over Rs 127 crore to date, according to reports. Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian-registered planes on April 24, 2025, in response to New Delhi's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam terror attack.

The PAA, the autonomous government body that manages, operates, and develops the country's airports, confirmed that Islamabad's finances incurred losses exceeding Rs 1,240 crore (PKR 4.1 billion) in just over two months due to the ban. This information was reportedly submitted to the National Assembly by Pakistan's Ministry of Defence.

The PKR 4.1 billion in revenue losses were reported between April 24 and June 30. The ministry reportedly categorised this sum as "revenue shortfalls, not overall financial losses." According to The Dawn, the ministry stated, "While financial losses occur, sovereignty and national defence take precedence over economic considerations." The ban on Indian planes, which was in effect from April 24 to June 30, impacted 100 to 150 daily flights, leading to a reduction in Pakistan's total transit air traffic by nearly 20%.

ALSO READ | Indus Waters Treaty: Done with threats, Pakistan now plans new water storage capacity

After its airspace was closed to Indian-registered aircraft, the Pakistan Airports Authority experienced a significant decline in overflying charges, the report added. Overflying charges, or en-route charges, are the fees that an airline pays a country for the right to fly through its airspace without landing. The cost of these charges depends on factors such as the distance flown within the country's airspace and the aircraft's weight.

Meanwhile, another report claimed that Pakistan has extended the airspace closure for Indian flights until August 24. Although Pakistan's airspace is closed to Indian aircraft, Indian carriers have continued to use other international flight routes. However, Pakistan's aircraft are still not allowed to use India's airspace. Indias Minister of State for Civil Aviation stated that Indian airspace would remain closed to Pakistani aircraft until August 23.

The ban is part of various measures taken by the government against Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. "The Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting Pakistani aircraft from entering Indian airspace has been officially extended till 23rd August 2025," Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said. This extension reflects continued strategic considerations and is in line with prevailing security protocols, the minister said in a post on X late on Tuesday. Initially, the ban was to end on May 24 and the same was extended first till June 24 and then till July 24.
With all eyes on the August 15 meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on ending the war in Ukraine, leaders of the European Union and Britain said the "path to peace" in Ukraine cannot be decided without Kyiv.

The leaders issued a joint statement, saying "they remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force.

Meanwhile, the ABC News reported on Saturday that the White House is considering inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy to Alaska for the August 15 meeting.

The report, which quoted a senior US official, added that Zelenskiyy's visit was not finalised and that it's unclear if the Ukrainian leader would ultimately be in Alaska for meetings, but it remained a possibility.

A White House official: Trump is open to holding a trilateral summit in Alaska with Putin and Zelensky, and the White House is currently planning a bilateral meeting at Putin's request.  First Squawk (@FirstSquawk) August 10, 2025

Trump had said the parties, including Zelenskiyy, were close to a deal that could resolve the three-and-a-half-year conflict. He didnt give details of the deal, but according to reports, it includes swapping of certain territories between Ukraine and Russia.

Kyiv and European leaders fear that the deal would require Ukraine to surrender a significant part of its territory, which, they claim, would eventually encourage Russian aggression.

"We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests," they said in the joint statement.

"We agree that these vital interests include the need for robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement said.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, the European leaders have presented a counterproposal that included demands that any territory exchange must be reciprocal, with firm security guarantees.

Zelenskyy, meanwhile, has rejected the idea that his country would give up land to end the war with Russia. He also dismissed the planned summit, warning that any negotiations to end Europe's biggest conflict since World War II must include Kyiv.

Ukraine is ready for real decisions that can bring peace. Any decisions that are against us, any decisions that are without Ukraine, are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not achieve anything. These are stillborn decisions. They are unworkable decisions. And we pic.twitter.com/JFg0rIeLzP  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) August 9, 2025

Any decisions that are without Ukraine are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not bring anything. These are dead decisions. They will never work, he said.
Interview/ Prashant Kishor, founder, Jan Suraaj party

Q. How big is the Jan Suraaj right now?

A. The Jan Suraaj is not owned by me or any other individual. This is a political formation where [millions] have come together. It is the result of a journey of more than two years, which I undertook on foot, covering more than 5,000 villages. I tried to explain to people the reasons behind their miseries and what the way out could be. Once people heard it and pondered over it, they decided to come together and form the Jan Suraaj, which was formally founded on October 2, 2024.

In the Jan Suraaj, our vision is clear: provide world-class education for those below 15, equip those between 15 and 55 with opportunities and resources to become self-reliant, and take care of those above 60 so that they dont suffer in the final phase of life.

Today, the Jan Suraaj is the largest political formation in Bihar. The closest competitor is the BJP, which claims to have roughly 70 lakh members in the state. The Jan Suraaj already has 1.25 crore members, founding and primary. Every month, three to four lakh people pay the membership fee and become part of the organisation. Those who genuinely want to change Bihar have come together to build this party.

Q. What are the key elements unique to your party?

A. The very idea of a political party being formed by the masses and not by an individual, a family or a set of self-proclaimed smart guys is unique in itself. The way the Jan Suraaj has been formed is different. Secondly, we are not believers in andolans or revolutions. For us, it is a slow grind. Until there is self-realisation in society, there can be no fundamental change in politicsno matter how good your political formation. This is something I have understood over the last 12 years of working with multiple parties.

Q. You have been talking about poverty, migration and lack of education and health care. Does it bother you and keep you up at night?

A. What keeps me up at night is not just these specific issues. What keeps me up is the realisation that people like uswho were born here, who studied in Bihars government schools, who came from humble backgroundshave achieved everything in life: name, money, success. Yet, Bihar remains the poorest, least educated, most unemployed statea labour factory for the rest of India. That is what keeps me awake, that how come all of us didnt realise this sooner? Now that the realisation has come, I have taken the plunge. I am not alone. Millions of people are lending a helping hand. This is not Prashant Kishors battle alone. I am doing my bit. Every right-minded person from this land must take responsibility to give something back to society. Because if we dont do it, nobody else will.

Q. Do you think when people go out to vote, they still say, hamare vote se kya hoga [what difference will my vote make]?

A. People always say that, but it is one of the biggest [misconceptions] floated by journalists and analysts. In fact, I would say it is an elitist view to think people dont understand just because they are not literate or are poor. People do want change. They want education. They dont want to suffer. The problem is: do they have credible options? If they do, sooner or later they will figure it out. They will believe in it. And they will vote for it.

Q. Will you be able to shake up the caste-centric politics of Bihar?

A. There is no caste-centric politics in Bihar; at least it is not any different from other parts of India. People are divided along caste and religious lines everywhere. In Gujarat, dont we talk about Patels, Kshatriyas, adivasis and Muslims? In Karnataka, arent Lingayats and Vokkaligas part of the political conversation? In Andhra, isnt politics discussed around Kammas, Kapus and Reddys? Why do people single out Bihar? It is a preconceived notion among many in India, even among some in Bihar.

Look at the BJPs performance in the last 15 years. What is getting them votes? I bet my neck that most people would say it is the popularity of Modi. Now, ask how many people from Modis caste actually live in Bihar? These two things cannot be true together. That clearly proves that caste is not the only factor. It is one of the factors, not the only one.

Bare necessities: A woman and a child at Oraon basti in Narpatganj, Araria | Salil Bera

Q. Your speeches give a sense that you are trying to rewrite peoples memory.

A. I am just trying to awaken peoples conscienceto make them realise that what is there in their subconscious mind has to come to the front. They should have access to education and employment. That doesnt require Prashant Kishor. People shouldnt have to go to Kashmir to dig tunnels or to Saurashtra to work as labourersit is already there in their subconscious mind; but over time, they have come to accept it as their destiny. I am trying to make them realise they can do all of this in Bihar. If people in Karnataka can do manual labour in their state, why cant Biharis do the same in Bihar? Corruption and poverty exist in those states, too. But there are also opportunities and jobs paying Rs12,000 in these states. Why cant these be created in Bihar?

Q. Do you think community pressure can reduce your chances of getting mass votes?

A. In any state, lets say 100 people voted for someone. Does that mean there is no room for another party? In most states, new parties come and take their place under the sun.

Q. Your critics say whichever state you have worked in, the BJP has either made inroads or significantly expanded.

A. My father used to say: those who do nothing are the first to criticise. Let them look at the facts. I worked on just two elections with the BJPin 2012 [Gujarat assembly polls] and in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. But after that, state after state, I have worked with parties that contested against the BJP, and we defeated them (BJP). In 2015, I helped Nitish Kumar form the Mahagathbandhan. Then came the Congress and Amarinder Singh in Punjab. In Andhra, we defeated the TDP-BJP alliance. Then came Telangana, Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Every party that defeated the BJP in those states had my involvement. The record speaks for itself.

Q. Do you think a failure can dent your image or prospects?

A. I have won not because I am some wonder kid. It is because of two things: we are fearless, and we work with honesty and full commitment. I am not afraid of failure. I put in everythingsincerity and devotion. Whether it is the Gita or the Quran, every belief system says if you do your work with honesty, no one can stop you from succeeding.

Look at what we are doing in Bihar. After Bengal in 2021, I said I would chart a new path. I left behind everythingcomfort, family, lifestyle. For nearly three and a half years now, I have dedicated my life to this. For two years, I have been walking across Bihars villages. I did nothing else. Usually when results come, people say, He gets things done. But no, things dont come easy. You have to struggle. And when you do, the whole universe helps you. In November, we will write history. A political experiment like this will not just secure votes but win Bihar and mark a new journey in the countrys political history.

Q. What are the three biggest structural reforms Bihar needs urgently? And, how will your party achieve them if it comes to power?

A. First, massive investment in primary education. Second, provide cheap capital in the hands of the youth to encourage self-employment. Third, support the 1.25 crore elderly people, so that they can live in dignity.

In the Jan Suraaj, our vision is clear: provide world-class education for those below 15, equip those between 15 and 55 with opportunities and resources to become self-reliant, and take care of those above 60 so that they dont suffer in the final phase of life.

Q. What are the three most tangible results from your yatra?

A. First, it helped me and hundreds of thousands of others understand the miseries people face, and more importantly, what we can do to overcome them. Second, it brought people together who now believe in what we are trying to do. Third, it created pressure on the political system. For instance, for the last 20 years, people aged 60+ and widows were receiving Rs400 per month as pensionthere was not a single rupee increase. But after our two-year persistent campaign, the government raised it to Rs1,100. That is still not enough. We will raise it to Rs2,000. Even before the Jan Suraaj wins a single vote or seat, we have brought about change.

Q. What would be on your guarantee card for Bihar?

A. I used the word guarantee ahead of the 2020 Delhi assembly elections. Kejriwal ki Guaranteethat idea came from us. What matters is the intent and preparation behind it. Take the Congress in Bihara party with a legacy but it will contest fewer than 40 seats. It will not be in any position to influence governance, yet it has advertised Rs2,500 for every woman. Do the math. Bihar has six crore women. Even if we exclude children and take 4.5 crore adult women, and multiply that by Rs2,500 per monththat is Rs1.5 lakh crore a year. Bihars total budget is not that much. How can the Congress promise this?... Rahul Gandhi, who hasnt spent a single night in Bihar, comes and preaches to 13 crore Biharis. These are the same people who sit in Delhi and laugh at us. Ask [P.] Chidambaram, their economist, to explain how this will work. If he cannot, he should apologise or ask his party to withdraw this kind of misleading campaign.

Q. You wont opt for an alliance? Not even a post-poll one?

A. We have already stitched up an alliance with the people, with those who want a new journey and a new future for Bihar. As for political alliances, write this down: neither before elections nor after; not in 2025, nor in 2029. The Jan Suraaj has never been in an alliance, and it never will be, period!
Rwanda-backed rebels have killed at least 80 people in eastern Congo in recent weeks, Congolese authorities said, despite the ongoing Qatar-led peace process aiming to end the conflict.

A decades-long conflict ravaging eastern Democratic Republic of Congo escalated earlier this year when the M23 rebel group seized two key cities 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 active.

The continuing violence could threaten the efforts to get Congo and the rebels to sign a permanent peace deal by Aug. 18 as hoped for. One of the deals conditions is the protection of civilians and the safe return of millions of displaced people.

The Congolese army said in a statement late Friday that it is fiercely condemning what it described as a series of mass murders of civilians in South Kivu. It said that 80 people were killed on Aug. 4 in the village of Nyaborongo, and that six civilians, including two minors, were murdered on July 24 in the village of Lumbishi.

It blamed the the RDF/M23-AFC coalition, which includes the rebel groups M23 and AFC backed by the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF).

In addition to this excessive criminality, the M23/AFC is engaged in the forced recruitment of young people, including minors, to join their illegal organization, the statement said.

There was no immediate comment from M23. When asked for a comment, the Rwandan foreign minister Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe told The Associated Press that he could not comment on any stupidity coming from DRC, using the acronym of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Earlier this month, the U.N. human rights chief said that M23 killed 319 people over the past month in a different part of the region, describing the toll as one of the largest documented of 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.

M23 denied the accusations and called the U.N. statement unverified and politically motivated.

These allegations constitute a blatant manipulation of the facts, a violation of basic principles of impartiality, and a serious attack on the credibility of U.N. institutions, said Lawrence Kanyuka, the spokesperson for the Congo River Alliance, an umbrella organization which includes M23. We call for the opening of an independent investigation and hope that the organizations that published this report can participate in it.

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.

(AP)
President Donald Trump announced he will hold a White House press conference Monday to unveil a plan he claims will essentially stop violent crime in the nations capital  and warned city leaders he is prepared to take direct federal control if they fail to act.

In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump called Washington one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the world and vowed to make it one of the safest under his watch.

The announcement comes on the heels of a Trump-ordered surge in law enforcement across D.C., part of a seven-day crackdown that could be extended. The White House said federal officers have been directed to flood city streets with increased patrols to protect innocent citizens and ensure no safe harbor for violent criminals.

President Trump is committed to making our Nations capital safer for its residents, lawmakers, and visitors from all around the world, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

Trump has escalated his rhetoric on D.C. crime in recent days, pointing to violent incidents and accusing city leadership of losing control. Earlier this week, he threatened to federalize the District, saying, If D.C. doesnt get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City and put criminals on notice that theyre not going to get away with it anymore.

Metropolitan Police Department data shows robberies, homicides, and assaults have dropped compared to 2024, but Trump has argued that the current crime rate remains unacceptable for the seat of the federal government.

The presidents Monday press conference is expected to outline his next steps in what he has framed as a fight to restore order to the capital.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa is urging President Donald Trump to steer clear of New York Citys high-stakes mayoral race, warning that his involvement would only strengthen progressive Democrat Zohran Mamdanis campaign.

Speaking on Fox 5s Politics Unusual with Morgan McKay, the Guardian Angels founder admitted to a love-hate relationship with Trump but said the presidents political capital would be better spent elsewhere.

I would just say to the president, spend your time where its needed more  on geopolitical interests that affect all Americans. This election in New York City does not affect all Americans, Sliwa said, confirming he has not spoken with Trump.

The comments come amid reports from The New York Times that Trump has privately discussed the race, including holding recent talks with former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

When asked if he was disappointed Trump spoke to Cuomo instead of him, Sliwa brushed it off, citing the long history between the Trump and Cuomo families. They grew up together, side by side. Fred, the patriarch of the Trump family, supported Mario Cuomo. I get that, he said.

Sliwa argued that any Trump endorsement  regardless of the candidate  would shift the campaign narrative away from local issues and into a nationalized Trump vs. Mamdani spectacle, ultimately benefiting the Democratic frontrunner.

In this situation, it doesnt help if he intervenes in New York City, Sliwa said. Every day its Trump versus Zohran Mamdani, its a good day for Zohran Mamdani. I talk the issues.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
New York Citys subway system was the scene of two separate violent attacks Saturday night, leaving two men hospitalized and police searching for suspects.

In Midtown, a 44-year-old man was shoved from behind onto the tracks of the 1 train at the 50th Street and 7th Avenue station around 7:50 p.m., according to the NYPD. The attack was unprovoked, and the assailant was a stranger to the victim, police said.

The man suffered injuries to his face and leg but managed to climb back onto the platform before a train arrived. Photos from the scene show him bleeding from the knee and with an abrasion on his forehead as FDNY medics wheeled him out of the station. Fellow riders rushed to help, and the victim even managed a smile as he was lifted into an ambulance. He was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.

Just over an hour later, another 44-year-old subway rider was stabbed in the neck during a confrontation at the 2nd Avenue F-train station in the East Village. Police said a verbal argument on the northbound platform turned physical shortly before 9:15 p.m. The attacker pulled out a knife, stabbing the victim once in the neck and once in the right armpit before fleeing.

The wounded man escaped to the street level at 1st Avenue and 1st Street, where he received medical aid before being taken to Bellevue Hospital. He was alert and conscious and is expected to survive, according to the NYPD.

No arrests have been made in either case, and police investigations are ongoing.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
President Donald Trump unleashed a blistering attack on Rep. Nancy Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi, on Saturday, accusing the couple of using insider information to rake in massive profits on the stock market.

In a Truth Social post, Trump mocked the Pelosis as two very average minds who somehow beat ALL of the Super Geniuses on Wall Street in 2024. Its all INSIDE INFORMATION! Is anybody looking into this??? he wrote, before branding Pelosi a disgusting degenerate who Impeached me twice, on NO GROUNDS, and LOST!



Trumps attack comes as Pelosi  long criticized for her and her husbands lucrative trades  has publicly backed legislation to ban members of Congress, the president, and the vice president from trading stocks. The bipartisan bill, spearheaded by Sen. Josh Hawley, was initially introduced under a different name: the PELOSI Act. It has since been rebranded as the HONEST Act.

The Pelosis trading activity has become a viral fascination online, spawning an app called Autopilot that tracks their portfolio and nicknames the former House speaker the queen of political stock trading. A dedicated Twitter account focused on Pelosis trades boasts over one million followers.

Pelosi has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The American people deserve confidence that their elected leaders are serving the public interest  not their personal portfolios, she said in a recent statement supporting the stock-trading ban.

Just last week, in an interview on CNNs The Lead, Pelosi bristled when anchor Jake Tapper raised insider trading allegations. She dismissed the claims as ridiculous and accused Tapper of straying from the topic she was there to discuss  the 60th anniversary of Medicaid.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Iran has moved its remaining nuclear scientists into hiding after dozens were killed in Israels Operation Rising Lion targeting Tehrans nuclear and ballistic missile programs, according to a report in The Telegraph.

The British daily, citing a senior Iranian official, said more than 15 surviving researchers  among roughly 100 individuals identified on an alleged Israeli target list  have abandoned their homes and halted public lectures amid fears of renewed strikes.

The scientists and their families have reportedly been relocated to heavily guarded villas in Tehran and along Irans northern coast. University lecturers tied to the program have been replaced with faculty members who have no involvement in nuclear research, the official said.

The move follows the 12-day Israeli campaign in June that killed dozens of scientists connected to Irans nuclear efforts. Israeli security sources told The Telegraph that successors poised to fill the gaps left by those assassinations are dead men walking, even with heightened security measures in place.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Frances move to recognize a Palestinian state directly contributed to the collapse of ceasefire and hostage-release negotiations between Israel and Hamas, warning that such decisions reward terrorism and make peace harder to achieve.

In an interview with the Catholic Eternal Word Television Network, Rubio said the talks fell apart the same day French President Emmanuel Macron announced Paris would unilaterally recognize Palestinian statehood.

And then you have other people come forward, other countries say, well, if there is not a ceasefire by September, were going to recognize a Palestinian state, Rubio said. If Im Hamas, Id basically conclude: lets not do a ceasefire  we can be rewarded, we can claim it as a victory.

Rubio argued that while such announcements may be largely symbolic for foreign governments, they send the wrong message to the terror group, stiffening its resolve and undercutting efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages.

So those messages actually have made it harder to get peace and harder to achieve a deal with Hamas, Rubio said.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The chief U.S. oversight body for foreign aid is conducting multiple investigations into what it says is systemic Hamas theft of humanitarian assistance in Gaza  findings that directly undercut a recently leaked internal USAID report claiming there is no evidence of such diversion.

According to a memo obtained by the Washington Free Beacon and confirmed by senior U.S. officials and congressional staff, the USAID inspector generals office has collected evidence showing Hamas has commandeered U.N. aid trucks, embedded operatives inside U.N. facilities, and ensured that shipments are delivered directly to its officials. The memo describes credible allegations of Hamas interference, diversion, and theft of humanitarian aid in Gaza and outlines ongoing audits into fraud, smuggling, and terrorist infiltration of U.S.-funded programs.

The findings stand in direct contradiction to the leaked USAID report  compiled by career staff before the agencys shutdown in June  which relied heavily on U.N. data and found no systemic diversion. Unlike that internal report, the inspector generals probes draw on whistleblowers, aid workers, and other on-the-ground sources who, officials say, fear retaliation if they report concerns through official channels.

One former inspector general investigator told the Free Beacon he had directly observed multiple instances in which aid meant for civilians was diverted to Hamas.

The watchdogs investigations include probing USAIDs failure to prevent terrorist-linked individuals from working with its funded partners; reviewing whether proper safeguards existed for cash aid to NGOs in Gaza and the West Bank; examining attempts to stop Hamas-linked UNRWA staff from moving to other U.S.-funded agencies.

In an April investigative summary, the inspector general said it found links between three current or former UNRWA employees and the October 7 terror attacks, and between 14 others and Hamas. A U.N. report on the matter redacted all names, making verification impossible.

The office is also reviewing evidence that Hamas has attacked aid delivery sites  including firing mortars, grenades, and live rounds at civilians seeking food.

A senior State Department official told the Free Beacon that intelligence from the probes confirms a significant portion of U.N. aid in Gaza is diverted, looted, stolen, or self-distributed by Hamas. The official said the chaos and violence at aid sites is shockingly underreported because it conflicts with the international aid complex narrative.

On Capitol Hill, congressional staffers briefed on the findings are reviewing initial evidence. Israeli intelligence estimates that at least 12 percent of U.N. employees in Gaza belong to Hamas or other terrorist groups. Aid workers in Gaza say U.N. truck drivers routinely coordinate with Hamas, handing over portions of shipments in exchange for a cut.

Hamas controls everything in Gaza, said Mohammad, a 35-year-old former Gaza resident now in Cairo. If youre not Hamas, you cant get anything.

The inspector generals office says it will continue working with the Justice Department to hold accountable any individuals or organizations involved in diverting U.S.-funded humanitarian aid.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Harav Dov Landau shlita has in recent days been exploring a highly unusual initiative aimed at bringing an end to the recent arrests of bochurim who have not reported to the draft offices.

According to reports, Rav Landau has been in contact with leaders of the Eida HaChareidis to discuss the possibility of several Chareidi groups jointly withdrawing investment funds from within Eretz Yisroel, as a way of applying heavy pressure on the authorities to halt the detentions.

The approach surprised members of the Eida, but they have agreed to consider the matter seriously. In response, they invited Rav Landau to either participate in or call for public demonstrations  an offer which the Rosh Yeshiva reportedly declined, saying that he does not believe in such forms of protest.

Some within the Eida have expressed concern about the possible economic impact of such a move, with one figure cautioning that it could have far-reaching financial consequences. Nevertheless, the proposal is being given consideration due to the immense stature of Rav Landau in the olam hatorah.

On Thursday, Rav Landau visited the military prison in Beit Lid, where two young bnei Torah are being held after being taken into custody for not appearing at the draft office. The visit was arranged with the agreement of the military authorities.

So far, there has been no official call from the gedolei Yisroel in the mainstream Chareidi leadership for organized public demonstrations. The recent protests in Yerushalayim and Bnei Brak have been arranged exclusively by Peleg Yerushalmi and the Eida HaChareidis.

One factor appears to be that the recent arrests have not taken place in major Chareidi centers. Both current detainees are residents of Tel Aviv, and earlier arrests occurred in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Migdal HaEmek  not within yeshivos or core Chareidi neighborhoods.

A source within the Chareidi political parties has said that Defense Minister Yisroel Katz assured them there is no plan to carry out arrests inside yeshivos or in primary Chareidi cities. Katzs office, however, has denied making such a statement.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Israeli security forces have thwarted a potentially devastating wave of terror attacks, including a planned bombing at a central Israel nightclub.

Shin Bet and the Jerusalem District Police arrested a father and son from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Kafr Aqab last month on suspicion of plotting multiple attacks against both civilians and security personnel. A third man in his 20s was also taken into custody.

During the investigation, authorities uncovered bomb-making laboratories and dozens of ready-to-use explosive devices. Officials said the suspects planned to plant bombs at a northern Jerusalem checkpoint to target soldiers and police. They had amassed firearms, explosives, and bomb components, reportedly learning assembly techniques through online tutorials.

The father is accused of seeking financial support for the attacks from a terror organization. Before the current war in Gaza, he allegedly fired shots near the West Bank security barrier and trained his son in weapons use on their rooftop. The son  reportedly a Jew who converted to Islam after being barred from serving as a combat soldier in the IDF  is said to have intended to carry out the nightclub attack but never followed through.

Investigators also allege that the father sold explosives to an undercover police informant known as Matrix, whose work has led to numerous convictions in illegal arms trafficking cases.

In coordinated raids, security forces seized chemical materials, detonators triggered by electricity or SIM cards, dozens of pipe bombs, and large quantities of ammunition.

All three suspects remain in custody as the Jerusalem District Prosecutors Office prepares indictments.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday outlined his vision for postwar Gaza, revealing that Israel has identified several candidates for a transitional governing authority to replace Hamas  but stressing that complete disarmament of the terror group must come first.

Speaking at a tense press conference with foreign media, Netanyahu insisted Israel has no intention of permanently occupying the Strip, but warned that nothing could move forward until Hamas is dismantled.

We dont want to stay in Gaza  thats not our purpose, Netanyahu said. Our goal is to make sure Hamas isnt there and that what replaces Hamas does not educate for terrorism, pay for terrorism, launch terrorism, but is willing to live in peace.

According to the prime minister, multiple Arab states privately agree with Israel that Hamas must be disarmed, calling this the starting point for any postwar arrangement. While he refused to name potential candidates for governance, he described the effort as a transitional period leading to longer-term stability.

Netanyahu linked his plan to capture Gaza City directly to efforts to free the remaining hostages  both living and dead  held in the Strip. He suggested the military move could create creative opportunities to secure their release, though he declined to provide operational details.

Israels top security officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Mossad chief David Barnea, and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, have reportedly warned that seizing Gaza City could endanger the hostages. Netanyahu dismissed the alternative of a long-term defensive posture as a strategy that would prolong the war and fail to secure their freedom.

I think that prolonging the war means that many of [the hostages] could be starved to death and I dont want that, he said, pointing to recently released Hamas videos showing Israeli captives in a severely emaciated state.

Netanyahu also lashed out at German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, accusing him of buckling under foreign and domestic pressure by imposing a partial arms embargo on Israel.

We will win the war, with or without the support of others, Netanyahu declared, accusing some European leaders of privately agreeing with Israels position while caving to hostile public opinion at home.

Netanyahu likened calls to halt the offensive before destroying Hamas to ending World War II before the capture of Berlin. Were not going to leave the remainder of the Nazi army in the equivalent of Berlin, he said, describing Hamas as neo-Nazis and reiterating his commitment to their complete defeat.

The prime minister devoted a significant portion of his remarks to what he called a global campaign of lies accusing Israel of deliberately starving Gazans. He said that while humanitarian aid reaches 2 million residents in the Strip, the only ones who are being deliberately starved in Gaza are our hostages.

Netanyahu accused the international press of uncritically amplifying Hamas propaganda and cited three widely shared images of malnourished children as fake depictions that omitted key medical facts:

Osama al-Rakab, age 5, suffers from a genetic disease affecting nutrient absorption; Netanyahu noted that Israel facilitated his travel to Italy for treatment.

Abdul Qader al-Fayoumi died from a degenerative neurological disorder unrelated to malnutrition.

Muhammad Zakaria Ayoub al-Mutawaq has cerebral palsy; Netanyahu said his condition was falsely portrayed as starvation and threatened a possible lawsuit against The New York Times over its coverage.

Every massacre of the Jewish people was preceded by massive vilification, Netanyahu warned, comparing current narratives about Gaza to medieval blood libels and Nazi-era antisemitism.

Netanyahus remarks come as Israels war cabinet faces mounting international pressure, rising internal divisions, and the complex task of shaping Gazas future. For the prime minister, that future hinges on one condition: Hamas must be destroyed  entirely and without compromise.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Gold is on a roll. The precious metal is flirting with record highs of more than $3,500 (2,608) an ounce, having soared 40 per cent in the past year alone.

These rising prices have not just benefited gold investors but also shareholders in mining companies, including Thor Explorations, whose share price has more than doubled since Midas tipped the stock in 2023.

Golden Prospect Metals has had a fabulous run too, with its shares up 60 per cent since this column recommended them less than a year ago.

For new and existing investors, golds meteoric run raises two big questions: does gold have further to go and will gold mining stocks be carried along in its wake?

Many pundits believe the answer to both of these questions is a resounding yes.

Gold is flirting with record highs of more than $3,500 (2,608) an ounce

Investors buy gold when times are uncertain, and right now the global outlook is pretty ropey.

Russia and Ukraine are still at war, the situation in the Middle East remains tense and US debt levels are so high that annual interest alone is around $900 billion.

It all makes for a potent cocktail, which is probably why central banks, the most cautious investors around, have bought more than 3,000 tons of gold in the past three years.

Last week, President Trump gave another boost to the market, slapping massive tariffs on Swiss gold bars and sending prices still higher.

Investors in gold clearly benefit from this environment but so do gold miners, particularly those run by experienced hands with clear plans for growth.

Thor Explorations

Segun Lawson is one such man. A geologist by training, he runs Thor Explorations, which is listed on Aim, the London Stock Exchanges market for smaller growing companies.

The firm has developed Nigerias first and only large-scale gold mine, Segilola, some 75 miles from Lagos.

Nigeria is often associated with turmoil and strife, but Lawson brought Segilola into production four years ago, has never had any problems with the site and now delivers around 90,000 ounces of gold a year, generating healthy profits along the way.

When Midas recommended Thor, the shares were trading at 17.5p. Today the price is 42p and should continue to spike from here.

Half-year results are due this week and should inspire confidence, with rising sales and profits, as well as plans to deliver further growth at Segilola and move a second larger mine in Senegal towards production.

The Nigerian site has a current mine life of just three years but this is likely to be extended, with more news expected over the coming months. At the same time, with work under way in Senegal, Lawson hopes to start producing gold in the country by 2027.

There is also a third mine site in Ivory Coast, where early signs are highly encouraging.

Thor Exploration profits soared to $91 million (67.9 million) last year and should more than double this to $190 million (141.7 million). The group pays a dividend too  small right now but likely to increase. At 42p, Thor shares have proved a rewarding investment, but there should be more upside from here as Lawson has shown he can deliver the goods.

Traded on: AIM

Ticker: THX

Contact: thorexpl.com

Recent calculations show that Golden Prospects investments are worth 65p a share, yet the shares are trading at 58p, a material discount

Golden Prospect Precious Metals

Golden Prospect invests in about 50 precious metal miners from around the world, including Thor Explorations.

Run by gold experts Keith Watson and Robert Crayfourd, Golden Prospect shares have soared from 34p to 58p in less than a year but, like Thor, there should be more to come.

Watson and Crayfourd are canny investors, focusing on companies that aim to generate long-term gains even if the gold price falters. The duos biggest holding is Greatland Resources, once a stock market tiddler, now worth 2.7 billion.

Most other firms are listed on the US, Australian and Canadian stock markets, giving shareholders access to a broad sweep of mining companies, from multi-billion-dollar giants to junior explorers.

Recent calculations show that Golden Prospects investments are worth 65p a share, yet the shares are trading at 58p, a material discount. The group is also offering shareholders one new share at 48p for every five held. The offer runs until the end of November but seems like a bargain at current prices.

Golden Prospect offers investors exposure to an impressive collection of mining companies, carefully curated by Watson and Crayfourd. At 58p, the shares remain attractive.

Traded on: Main market Ticker: GPM

Contact: ncim.co.uk/

golden-prospect-precious-metals-ltd

Huge dump trucks ferrying material at an open gold mine in Western Australia

First Development Resources

First Development is a tiny UK company with big ambitions  and the chance to deliver outsize returns.

The business has secured a selection of mining licences in top-producing parts of Australia, including a 220-square-mile plot in Western Australias Paterson Province, close to some of the biggest gold discoveries of recent times.

The firm joined the Aim market last month and intends to move full steam ahead within weeks, using a sophisticated diamond drill to bore deep into the earth, extract ore and analyse it for gold.

Initial results should be released by the end of the year, and chief executive Tristan Pottas believes there are solid grounds for optimism.

Before joining Aim, Pottas and his team spent three years analysing First Developments acreage, using advanced geophysical tests to assess whether the land might prove rewarding.

Their investigations suggest that First Developments land has similar properties to nearby acreage owned by Greatland Resources, already producing some 200,000 ounces of gold a year, with millions more coming down the line.

Pottas has also secured environmental and social permits so drilling can take place almost straight away.

This is unusual among small mining firms, many of which suffer lengthy delays as they battle with regulators, green lobbyists and local communities.

First Development has two further parcels of land in Western Australia and three licences in the Northern Territory, covering more than 600 square miles, in an area rich in lithium and rare earth minerals.

Geologists have been hard at work here, too, and Pottas hopes to start drilling in the next few months.

Born and raised in Yorkshire, Pottas trained as a mining engineer and spent several years working in Australia before returning home as a geologist for Whitby-based fertiliser group Sirius Minerals.

Many investors have terrible memories of Sirius, whose shares sank like a stone before the firm was acquired by mining giant Anglo American. Pottas had no executive role at the business but has learnt valuable lessons from its demise, particularly around management and funding.

First Developments chairman, Michael Moore, adds valuable experience as well. A seasoned mining engineer, Moore has spent more than 20 years on the Australian mining scene, chaired the prestigious Camborne School of Mines and is based Down Under full time.

First Development Resources is a small exploration firm which could deliver fabulous results  or not. But the shares are just 5.6p, the group has completed extensive tests on its land and there are high hopes of success.

That makes this stock a tempting punt for the adventurous investor.
A lot has happened in the UK since June 2019. None of us will ever forget Covid, the loss of loved ones, the economic destruction it brought about and the hole it put in the nation's finances. A black hole that Rachel from Accounts widens every day as a result of her inability to curb public spending.

We've seen four prime ministers come and four go  and, for better or worse (I will let you be the judge), we now have the first Labour government since 2010.

Personally, I've lost my mother (Helen of Troy) to cancer, finally got divorced after a 13-year separation, and been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Yet, in the financial world, one thing has not changed.

Investment manager Neil Woodford once considered the UK's answer to Warren Buffett, has yet to be punished for the part he played in the collapse of his flagship fund, Woodford Equity Income.

A collapse that was hurried along by the fund's suspension in June 2019 when a big institutional investor  Kent County Council  wasn't able to get its money out. The withdrawal couldn't be made because the fund's portfolio was chock-a-block with illiquid stocks that were difficult to sell in a hurry.

Hands-on: Investment manager Neil Woodford once considered the UK's answer to Warren Buffett, has yet to be punished for the part he played in the collapse of his flagship fund

A collapse which triggered painful losses for hundreds of thousands of investors despite a subsequent redress scheme.

Last week, after six long years, the City's regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, finally spelt out the punishment it would be meting out to Neil Woodford and his company, Woodford Investment Management: respective fines of 5.9 million and 40 million  and a ban preventing Mr Woodford from running retail investment funds in the future.

Hurrah, you would think. Justice at long last.

But not yet. Mr Woodford passionately believes he is innocent of any wrongdoing and has appealed against the regulator's decision. It will be heard in the Tax and Chancery Chamber of the Upper Tribunal, which deals with appeals against enforcement decisions made by the FCA and other financial regulators, such as the Prudential Regulation Authority and The Pensions Regulator.

If the judge sides with Woodford, the fines and ban could be quashed.

Fund expert Alan Miller believes there are enough flaws in the basis of the regulator's decision to make this a possibility. Equally, the judge could rubber stamp the FCA's decision.

But irrespective of the outcome, we won't find out for a while.

Judgments made in the Upper Tribunal are not handed out quickly. For example, an appeal made by two former Metro Bank executives against fines that the FCA wanted to impose on them for breaches of City listing rules was made in late 2022. It was only in June this year that the Upper Tribunal decided to uphold the FCA's decision  a wait of more than two and a half years.

There is nothing to indicate that Woodford's appeal will be judged any quicker.

So investors, sore over how Woodford has so far escaped financial punishment, might need to wait until the end of 2027 or early 2028 to discover whether he will finally pay a price for leaving them out of pocket.

I know this will irk many former Woodford investors because they have repeatedly told me they have waited too long for him to get his comeuppance. They feel let down on many levels.

First, by Woodford's risky management of a fund labelled as a plain vanilla UK equity income fund  skewing the portfolio towards smaller illiquid stocks.

Most investors bought the fund on the understanding they were getting exposure to a basket of dividend-friendly UK blue chip shares, the strategy that proved so successful for Woodford investors when he previously ran money for Invesco Perpetual.

Secondly, by an inadequate 235 million redress scheme arranged by the FCA which still left most investors nursing big losses.

Thirdly, by the fact that while the FCA has been looking into Woodford, he reinvented himself as an investment strategist, inviting people to pay for details of portfolios designed to deliver income, growth or a mix of the two. It's a business which currently sits outside the financial regulatory framework.

And of course, finally, by the regulator's protracted probe into Woodford's management of the fund in the run up to its suspension.

Many Woodford victims will not like to hear this, but even if the FCA's decision is upheld it is likely the bulk of the fines will never be paid.

Woodford Investment Management, a limited company, might have generated big profits in the past  and regularly paid Woodford and his colleague Craig Newman multi-million-pound dividends  but it now has barely two pennies to rub together.

Unaudited financial statements for the year to the end of March 2024 indicate that it has net liabilities of 230,028.

In other words, its debts exceed its assets  and it does not have the financial wherewithal to pay a 4 million fine, let alone a 40 million one.

The 5.9 million personal fine shouldn't be a problem  and it's interesting that Woodford has just put his Salcombe bolthole on the market for 10 million.

Yet there is a possibility Woodford might not end up having to pay a penny.

Miller, the founding partner of wealth manager SCM Direct and previously with both Jupiter and New Star, has been a long-term critic of the way Woodford ran the Equity Income fund.

But he believes Woodford's lawyers may well be able to pick holes in how the regulator has arrived at its decision.

He says the illiquidity of Woodford Equity Income's portfolio was not just an issue 'between 31 July 2018 and 3 June 2019'  the time period used by the FCA to base the fines on. It went back even further.

For example, at the end of December 2014, according to the fund's own accounts, 30 per cent of the portfolio were in illiquid assets, compared to 5 per cent for the Invesco Perpetual High Income fund that Woodford previously managed.

Miller says: 'The fund was illiquid from day one, which begs the question: why didn't anyone  the regulator or the fund's overseer Link  do anything about it?'

He also says that there are a number of small cap UK funds open today which have highly illiquid portfolios.

These issues, Miller says, could help Woodford in his quest to get the FCA's decision overturned.

A travesty, but one of the regulator's making.

Last Wednesday, in the wake of the announcement from the FCA on the intended fines, I asked to speak to Neil Woodford to get his side of the story, but I was met with a wall of silence.

No surprise there. Six years ago the same happened when I drove to his company's head office in Oxford at the crack of dawn to confront him in the wake of the fund's suspension.

Although I was standing outside his offices when he arrived at 7am in a swish black Audi, he sneaked in before I could get anywhere near him  the company's facilities manager at the time had just ordered me and my photographer to leave because we were on private property.

He might think silence is golden. I think he should pay a price for the way he let down his investors. But I'm not banking on it.
Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below.

G.H. writes: I received a new bank card from TSB, but I have never banked with them.

I called TSB's fraud line, but the person who answered wanted to know about a fraudulent transaction and refused to accept that the new account itself was the fraud. Eventually she transferred me to a dead extension.

Tony Hetherington replies: TSB was fortunate, since you pressed on with a second attempt to stop the fraudulent account being used. Your second call to the bank worked, as the man who answered understood right away what had happened and told you: 'We have had quite a few of these recently!'

He blocked the account, but could not  or would not  tell you how it had been opened or what proof of identity had been produced by whoever used your name. And when you suggested that if there had been a rash of fake account applications, there must be something wrong with TSB's system for approving new accounts, he could not answer.

So is there a serious problem within TSB?

Cutting corners?:TSB is Spanish owned but has its headquarters in Edinburgh and follows UK rules

The bank is Spanish owned but has its headquarters in Edinburgh and follows UK rules. It seems, though, that it does not actually demand any proof of identity before it allows a new account to be opened.

TSB told me: 'We follow industry standard processes to verify a customer opening an account  and continue to enhance our controls, which has helped reduce the number of false account openings overall.'

But, of course, since the fraudster used your personal details to apply for the account, it was really your details that TSB was verifying, so it is not surprising that you were accepted as a customer.

With this in mind, I asked the bank again to say what proof of identity it requested. TSB refused to answer, telling me: 'We can't share any further detail on our account opening processes and verification.'

What is clear, though, is that the account was successfully opened. So could a fraudster make use of such an account, perhaps for money laundering, before the person named as the account holder realises something is wrong and alerts TSB?

The bank would only say: 'This was prevented, due to our anti-impersonation controls which were applied and helped prevent the card being fraudulently used.'

But its anti-impersonation controls did not stop the account from being created by an impostor, nor did they stop the debit card from being posted to you. If you had not made your phone calls, how long would it have taken the bank to realise it had been tricked?

TSB has acknowledged the worrying position you were in because of your profession, and it has offered you 250 for the inconvenience.

It takes about 15 minutes to apply online for a TSB account, with no identification needed.

You just need someone else's personal details and you can then, for example, walk into a branch and deposit cheques, or you might transfer in funds from another account, just as a money launderer would. You could then withdraw the now laundered cash before TSB knew anything was wrong.

It all seems too easy, with the bank in danger of closing the branch door after the crook has already bolted.

Vanishing act: The Financial Conduct Authority is considering whether to issue its own warning against Al-Tabbaa & Hackett Capital

Vanished without trace

An unauthorised savings firm has vanished with no explanation to customers.

I warned two weeks ago that Al-Tabbaa & Hackett Capital was falsely claiming to be one of the largest savings organisations in the UK. It changed this to refer instead to the UAE, and now its website has disappeared.

The firm's Trustpilot page displayed reviews from happy savers, some of whom claimed to have been dealing with it for years  even though the website was just two months old.

Trustpilot has now taken down every review. The fake reviews were matched by bogus messages left on the Daily Mail's financial website, thisismoney.co.uk, as soon as it published my warning. And the company itself said my report was 'an enthralling work of fiction'. Thank you to the many readers who pointed out the fakes.

The Financial Conduct Authority is considering whether to issue its own warning against Al-Tabbaa & Hackett Capital.

If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned.
Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI purchased a new stake in Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:HWM  Free Report) during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm purchased 1,939 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $252,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Hemington Wealth Management increased its stake in Howmet Aerospace by 46.6% in the 1st quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 255 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. CVA Family Office LLC grew its position in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 15.7% in the 1st quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 605 shares of the companys stock valued at $78,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares during the period. Mount Lucas Management LP grew its position in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. Mount Lucas Management LP now owns 2,661 shares of the companys stock valued at $345,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares during the period. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB grew its position in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 4.9% in the 1st quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,971 shares of the companys stock valued at $256,000 after acquiring an additional 92 shares during the period. Finally, Nilsine Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 3.9% in the 1st quarter. Nilsine Partners LLC now owns 2,461 shares of the companys stock valued at $319,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares during the period. 90.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Howmet Aerospace alerts:

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently commented on HWM. Barclays reissued an overweight rating and issued a $190.00 price objective (up previously from $140.00) on shares of Howmet Aerospace in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Howmet Aerospace from $170.00 to $210.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Benchmark lifted their price objective on shares of Howmet Aerospace from $85.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 21st. BTIG Research set a $205.00 price objective on shares of Howmet Aerospace and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their target price on shares of Howmet Aerospace from $185.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $172.13.

Howmet Aerospace Stock Performance

NYSE HWM opened at $180.67 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 2.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The company has a market capitalization of $72.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 52.83, a P/E/G ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.48. Howmet Aerospace Inc. has a 12-month low of $90.71 and a 12-month high of $193.26. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $179.54 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $151.25.

Howmet Aerospace (NYSE:HWM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $0.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.87 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $2.05 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.99 billion. Howmet Aerospace had a net margin of 18.09% and a return on equity of 28.17%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.67 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Howmet Aerospace Inc. will post 3.27 earnings per share for the current year.

Howmet Aerospace Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 8th will be given a $0.12 dividend. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 8th. This is a boost from Howmet Aerospaces previous quarterly dividend of $0.10. Howmet Aerospaces dividend payout ratio is presently 11.70%.

Insider Activity at Howmet Aerospace

In other news, CEO John C. Plant sold 800,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.96, for a total value of $125,568,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 236,544 shares in the company, valued at approximately $37,127,946.24. The trade was a 77.18% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Neil Edward Marchuk sold 30,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $158.53, for a total transaction of $4,755,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 131,859 shares of the companys stock, valued at $20,903,607.27. The trade was a 18.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.04% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Howmet Aerospace Company Profile

(Free Report)

Howmet Aerospace Inc provides advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries in the United States, Japan, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Italy, Canada, Poland, China, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Engine Products, Fastening Systems, Engineered Structures, and Forged Wheels.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HWM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:HWM  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Howmet Aerospace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Howmet Aerospace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Townsquare Capital LLC lessened its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 1.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 84,262 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,541 shares during the period. Townsquare Capital LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $5,057,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 5.8% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 63,288,773 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,798,592,000 after buying an additional 3,483,487 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 6,969.4% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,162,401 shares of the companys stock valued at $129,787,000 after buying an additional 2,131,813 shares in the last quarter. Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $91,000. Northern Trust Corp raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 9.6% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 16,432,535 shares of the companys stock valued at $859,257,000 after buying an additional 1,444,021 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 17.4% during the 4th quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 8,927,340 shares of the companys stock valued at $466,811,000 after buying an additional 1,323,421 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the companys stock.

Get Altria Group alerts:

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of Altria Group stock opened at $64.21 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $59.72 and a two-hundred day moving average of $57.83. The company has a market cap of $107.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.42, a PEG ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.59. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $48.86 and a one year high of $64.35.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.44 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.37 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $5.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.21 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 37.24% and a negative return on equity of 295.26%. The firms revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.31 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 16th were paid a dividend of $1.02 per share. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 16th. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 78.92%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MO has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $57.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, May 1st. Needham & Company LLC upgraded shares of Altria Group to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. UBS Group upgraded shares of Altria Group from a sell rating to a neutral rating and increased their price objective for the company from $47.00 to $59.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 2nd. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $52.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Altria Group has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $59.13.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Altria Group

Altria Group Profile

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE  Free Report) by 2.6% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,530,184 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 63,997 shares during the quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities were worth $234,067,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Colonial Trust Co SC increased its holdings in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 514.3% in the 4th quarter. Colonial Trust Co SC now owns 301 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 252 shares during the period. Tsfg LLC acquired a new position in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. Avalon Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. TruNorth Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in the 1st quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Cromwell Holdings LLC acquired a new position in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. 96.54% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Get Alexandria Real Estate Equities alerts:

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Stock Down 0.5%

Shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities stock opened at $74.20 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.83 billion, a P/E ratio of -570.78, a PEG ratio of 6.25 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $75.42 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $82.81. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. has a 12-month low of $67.37 and a 12-month high of $125.63.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Dividend Announcement

Alexandria Real Estate Equities ( NYSE:ARE Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, July 21st. The real estate investment trust reported $2.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.29 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $737.28 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $748.02 million. Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a negative return on equity of 0.05% and a negative net margin of 0.33%. The companys revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.36 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. will post 9.32 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 30th were given a $1.32 dividend. This represents a $5.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 30th. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess dividend payout ratio is currently -4,061.54%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ARE has been the topic of a number of research reports. BNP Paribas Exane dropped their price objective on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $111.00 to $85.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price objective on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $100.00 to $98.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. Baird R W dropped their price objective on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $129.00 to $102.00 in a report on Thursday, June 12th. Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $103.00 to $91.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, Wedbush dropped their price objective on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $104.00 to $76.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $97.17.

View Our Latest Analysis on Alexandria Real Estate Equities

About Alexandria Real Estate Equities

(Free Report)

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500 company, is a best-in-class, mission-driven life science REIT making a positive and lasting impact on the world. As the pioneer of the life science real estate niche since our founding in 1994, Alexandria is the preeminent and longest-tenured owner, operator, and developer of collaborative life science, agtech, and advanced technology mega campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, including Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ARE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Mizuho Securities USA LLC lowered its holdings in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO  Free Report) by 16.1% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,344 shares of the companys stock after selling 258 shares during the period. Mizuho Securities USA LLCs holdings in AutoZone were worth $5,124,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in AutoZone by 3.5% in the 1st quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 89 shares of the companys stock valued at $339,000 after purchasing an additional 3 shares during the period. Colonial Trust Co SC boosted its holdings in AutoZone by 24.5% in the 4th quarter. Colonial Trust Co SC now owns 61 shares of the companys stock valued at $197,000 after purchasing an additional 12 shares during the period. Comerica Bank boosted its holdings in AutoZone by 5.4% in the 4th quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 4,262 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,647,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares during the period. Barclays PLC raised its position in shares of AutoZone by 82.6% in the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 170,216 shares of the companys stock valued at $545,033,000 after buying an additional 77,015 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hudson Valley Investment Advisors Inc. ADV raised its position in shares of AutoZone by 10.1% in the 1st quarter. Hudson Valley Investment Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 2,954 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,267,000 after buying an additional 271 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.74% of the companys stock.

Get AutoZone alerts:

AutoZone Stock Performance

NYSE:AZO opened at $4,036.97 on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average is $3,737.09 and its 200-day moving average is $3,644.88. AutoZone, Inc. has a 52 week low of $2,898.57 and a 52 week high of $4,094.69. The firm has a market cap of $67.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.32, a P/E/G ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.38.

Insider Activity at AutoZone

AutoZone ( NYSE:AZO Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 27th. The company reported $35.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $37.07 by ($1.71). The company had revenue of $4.46 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.41 billion. AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 56.07% and a net margin of 13.56%. The firms revenue was up 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $36.69 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that AutoZone, Inc. will post 152.94 earnings per share for the current year.

In related news, Chairman William C. Rhodes III sold 27,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,708.93, for a total transaction of $101,995,575.00. Following the transaction, the chairman directly owned 8,546 shares of the companys stock, valued at $31,696,515.78. This represents a 76.29% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Jamere Jackson sold 2,612 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,728.05, for a total transaction of $9,737,666.60. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 427 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,591,877.35. This represents a 85.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 33,862 shares of company stock valued at $126,058,789 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 2.10% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently commented on AZO shares. BMO Capital Markets restated an outperform rating and issued a $4,100.00 target price (up from $3,850.00) on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of AutoZone from $3,740.00 to $4,050.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 3rd. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of AutoZone from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and issued a $4,000.00 target price (up from $3,750.00) on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Finally, DA Davidson upped their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $4,192.00 to $4,850.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have given a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $4,087.00.

View Our Latest Stock Report on AZO

AutoZone Company Profile

(Free Report)

AutoZone, Inc retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The company provides various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for AutoZone Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AutoZone and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Free Report) during the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund purchased 9,717 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock, valued at approximately $2,226,000.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Smallwood Wealth Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Alpine Bank Wealth Management purchased a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. REAP Financial Group LLC increased its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 75.3% in the 4th quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC increased its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 341.4% in the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nexus Investment Management ULC bought a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 1st quarter worth about $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.97% of the companys stock.

Get Becton Dickinson and Company alerts:

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Claire Fraser sold 863 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $192.30, for a total value of $165,954.90. Following the transaction, the director owned 23,143 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,450,398.90. This represents a 3.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,185 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $180.29, for a total value of $213,643.65. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 4,887 shares in the company, valued at approximately $881,077.23. This trade represents a 19.52% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 3,214 shares of company stock valued at $579,206 over the last quarter. 0.36% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Trading Up 3.2%

Shares of NYSE BDX opened at $193.65 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $175.81 and its two-hundred day moving average is $198.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 0.64. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 1-year low of $163.33 and a 1-year high of $251.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $55.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.83, a PEG ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.20.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 7th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.68 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.40 by $0.28. The company had revenue of $5.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.50 billion. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 16.23% and a net margin of 7.51%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.50 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 EPS for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, September 8th will be paid a $1.04 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 8th. This represents a $4.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. Becton, Dickinson and Companys dividend payout ratio is 79.39%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on BDX shares. Barclays decreased their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $261.00 to $241.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. Citigroup lowered Becton, Dickinson and Company from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $217.00 to $185.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Bank of America lowered Becton, Dickinson and Company from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $190.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $172.00 to $184.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, William Blair lowered Becton, Dickinson and Company from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Becton, Dickinson and Company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $211.33.

View Our Latest Analysis on Becton, Dickinson and Company

About Becton, Dickinson and Company

(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.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BDX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Free Report).

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.
Strengthening Families & Communities LLC raised its holdings in Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG  Free Report) by 29.5% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 672 shares of the business services providers stock after buying an additional 153 shares during the period. Strengthening Families & Communities LLCs holdings in Republic Services were worth $163,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Golden State Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Republic Services by 3,533.3% in the first quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 109 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. Capital Management Associates Inc acquired a new position in shares of Republic Services in the first quarter valued at approximately $314,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. grew its position in Republic Services by 0.7% during the first quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 563,253 shares of the business services providers stock worth $136,397,000 after buying an additional 4,110 shares in the last quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in Republic Services during the first quarter worth approximately $260,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in Republic Services by 61.6% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 9,193 shares of the business services providers stock worth $2,226,000 after buying an additional 3,503 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.73% of the companys stock.

Get Republic Services alerts:

Republic Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE RSG opened at $235.36 on Friday. Republic Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $197.60 and a twelve month high of $258.75. The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $243.75 and its 200-day moving average price is $239.30. The company has a market capitalization of $73.48 billion, a PE ratio of 34.82, a PEG ratio of 3.67 and a beta of 0.60.

Republic Services Increases Dividend

Republic Services ( NYSE:RSG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 29th. The business services provider reported $1.77 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.01. Republic Services had a return on equity of 18.27% and a net margin of 12.97%. The business had revenue of $4.24 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.26 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.61 earnings per share. Republic Servicess revenue for the quarter was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Republic Services, Inc. will post 6.86 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 2nd will be paid a $0.625 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 2nd. This is a positive change from Republic Servicess previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. This represents a $2.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. Republic Servicess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 34.32%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on RSG shares. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Republic Services from $280.00 to $284.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Seaport Res Ptn raised Republic Services to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Republic Services from $230.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Republic Services from $232.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Melius Research raised Republic Services to a hold rating and set a $281.00 target price on the stock in a report on Monday, June 9th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $262.17.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on RSG

Republic Services Company Profile

(Free Report)

Republic Services, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers environmental services in the United States and Canada. It is involved in the collection and processing of recyclable, solid waste, and industrial waste materials; transportation and disposal of non-hazardous and hazardous waste streams; and other environmental solutions.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Republic Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Republic Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Strengthening Families & Communities LLC cut its position in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO  Free Report) by 15.2% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 1,111 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 199 shares during the quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLCs holdings in Valero Energy were worth $147,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in VLO. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Valero Energy by 12.0% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 38,881,222 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $5,135,043,000 after buying an additional 4,155,522 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 15,395.5% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,355,699 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $179,047,000 after purchasing an additional 1,346,950 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 34.1% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,905,145 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $647,823,000 after purchasing an additional 1,247,196 shares in the last quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $98,376,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 6.9% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 11,437,765 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,510,586,000 after purchasing an additional 736,533 shares in the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Get Valero Energy alerts:

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

VLO has been the topic of a number of research reports. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of Valero Energy from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Monday, July 14th. TD Cowen downgraded shares of Valero Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $118.00 to $140.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 22nd. Evercore ISI assumed coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Wednesday, June 18th. They issued an in-line rating and a $135.00 target price on the stock. Citigroup downgraded shares of Valero Energy from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $134.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $151.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $154.47.

Valero Energy Price Performance

NYSE VLO opened at $133.23 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. Valero Energy Corporation has a 12-month low of $99.00 and a 12-month high of $155.12. The company has a market capitalization of $41.39 billion, a PE ratio of 55.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 1.03. The firms 50 day moving average is $139.15 and its 200-day moving average is $130.95.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 24th. The oil and gas company reported $2.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.66 by $0.62. Valero Energy had a net margin of 0.62% and a return on equity of 5.76%. The company had revenue of $29.89 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $27 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.71 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 13.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 31st will be issued a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 31st. Valero Energys payout ratio is currently 188.33%.

About Valero Energy

(Free Report)

Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, Mexico, Peru, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VLO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Valero Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Valero Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Cooper Financial Group grew its position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 29.4% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 10,403 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,361 shares during the period. Cooper Financial Groups holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $1,651,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of PM. Brighton Jones LLC grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 31.1% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 8,531 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,027,000 after acquiring an additional 2,023 shares during the period. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,097 shares of the companys stock valued at $252,000 after acquiring an additional 91 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter valued at about $15,513,000. F M Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 14.3% in the 4th quarter. F M Investments LLC now owns 3,572 shares of the companys stock valued at $430,000 after acquiring an additional 446 shares during the period. Finally, Scotia Capital Inc. grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 26.5% in the 4th quarter. Scotia Capital Inc. now owns 46,792 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,631,000 after acquiring an additional 9,791 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 78.63% of the companys stock.

Get Philip Morris International alerts:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. Citigroup reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $225.00 to $220.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $182.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 4th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $182.00 price target (up previously from $156.00) on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $186.27.

Philip Morris International Stock Up 1.2%

Shares of Philip Morris International stock opened at $170.23 on Friday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a twelve month low of $115.62 and a twelve month high of $186.69. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $176.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $163.44. The stock has a market capitalization of $264.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 0.48.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 22nd. The company reported $1.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.86 by $0.05. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.03% and a negative return on equity of 120.86%. The business had revenue of $10.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.33 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.59 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Friday, June 27th were paid a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 27th. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 102.66%.

Philip Morris International Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Campion Asset Management trimmed its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 4.8% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 3,052 shares of the companys stock after selling 155 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company comprises approximately 1.9% of Campion Asset Managements investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest position. Campion Asset Managements holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $2,521,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Advent Capital Management DE bought a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 1st quarter worth about $2,891,000. Cooper Financial Group increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 12.1% in the 1st quarter. Cooper Financial Group now owns 2,976 shares of the companys stock worth $2,458,000 after purchasing an additional 321 shares during the last quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 4.5% in the 1st quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp now owns 149,642 shares of the companys stock worth $123,591,000 after purchasing an additional 6,484 shares during the last quarter. MSA Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 212.5% in the 1st quarter. MSA Advisors LLC now owns 2,500 shares of the companys stock worth $2,065,000 after purchasing an additional 1,700 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Covington Investment Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 3.1% in the 1st quarter. Covington Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 21,285 shares of the companys stock worth $17,579,000 after purchasing an additional 640 shares during the last quarter. 82.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts:

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 2.5%

LLY stock opened at $625.15 on Friday. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52 week low of $623.78 and a 52 week high of $972.53. The company has a market capitalization of $592.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 0.44. The firms 50-day moving average is $774.10 and its two-hundred day moving average is $799.11. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The company reported $6.31 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.59 by $0.72. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 25.91% and a return on equity of 98.25%. The company had revenue of $15.56 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.40 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.92 EPS. Eli Lilly and Companys revenue was up 37.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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 dividend of $1.50 per share. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 48.82%.

Insider Activity at Eli Lilly and Company

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, Director Jamere Jackson bought 200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 8th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $639.56 per share, for a total transaction of $127,912.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 9,402 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,013,143.12. This trade represents a 2.17% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Guggenheim boosted 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. HSBC downgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a reduce rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $1,150.00 to $700.00 in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, July 26th. Finally, Leerink Partners reaffirmed a market perform rating and issued a $715.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $984.41.

Read Our Latest Research Report on LLY

Eli Lilly and Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
First American Trust FSB purchased a new position in Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 45,569 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $3,896,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ETR. Choreo LLC boosted its stake in Entergy by 12.3% during the first quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 9,546 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $816,000 after buying an additional 1,042 shares during the period. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Entergy in the 1st quarter worth $1,073,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Entergy by 25.4% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 78,470 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $6,708,000 after buying an additional 15,892 shares during the last quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Entergy by 85.9% in the 4th quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 4,178 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $317,000 after buying an additional 1,931 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wedbush Securities Inc. bought a new position in shares of Entergy in the 1st quarter worth $216,000. 88.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Get Entergy alerts:

Entergy Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of Entergy stock opened at $90.44 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $40.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.53, a PEG ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 0.57. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $84.36 and a 200-day moving average price of $83.49. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73. Entergy Corporation has a twelve month low of $57.65 and a twelve month high of $92.40.

Entergy Announces Dividend

Entergy ( NYSE:ETR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The utilities provider reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.91 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $3.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.11 billion. Entergy had a return on equity of 11.52% and a net margin of 14.35%. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.92 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Entergy Corporation will post 3.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 13th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 13th. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. Entergys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 59.85%.

Insider Transactions at Entergy

In other Entergy news, insider Haley Fisackerly sold 4,463 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.50, for a total value of $403,901.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 3,318 shares of the companys stock, valued at $300,279. This trade represents a 57.36% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.39% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently commented on ETR. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of Entergy from $89.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Barclays dropped their price target on Entergy from $91.00 to $87.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Entergy from $82.00 to $81.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. Raymond James Financial began coverage on Entergy in a research note on Friday, June 13th. They set a market perform rating for the company. Finally, Mizuho set a $97.00 price target on Entergy and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $88.07.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on ETR

About Entergy

(Free Report)

Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. It generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ETR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Entergy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Entergy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Gardai in Waterford city are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road crash on the Williamstown Road this Saturday afternoon.

Shortly after 1pm, emergency services responded to the collision involving a car and a motorcycle.

"The motorcyclist, a man aged in his 40s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. His body has been removed to University Hospital Waterford where a post-mortem examination will take place in due course," said a spokesperson.

Gardai say the driver of the car, a woman aged in her 30s, was taken to University Hospital Waterford for treatment of injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.

No other injuries reported.

READ NEXT: RIP: Gardai seek witnesses after man dies in road crash on busy Tipperary road

As of 8pm, Garda Forensic Collision Investigators were conducting an examination of the scene and motorists are being advised the road remains closed with local diversions are in place.

Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this crash to come forward and any road users who were travelling in the area between 12.50pm and 1.30pm and who have dash-cam footage are asked to make the footage available to gardai

Homeowners along the Williamstown Road who may have CCTV or doorbell-camera footage are also asked to make this available.

Anyone with any information should contact Waterford garda station on (051) 305300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
This morning Angel Lily inspires another peek at pop culture, community reporting and top headlines for our Sunday news devotees.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Local Reference Required

The Kansas City Public Library is being 'reimagined.' Community input will guide its plan The Kansas City Public Library announced a "Strategic Plan" to meet community needs, funded by a new grant. Anyone can weigh in on what they want it to include.

Paddy Family Probs Expose Baller Broadcast Trouble

Mahomes' mom unable to tune in to Chiefs preseason game due to program block After kickoff in Phoenix, Randi Mahomes was unpleasantly surprised when she sat down to watch her son's first 2025 preseason game. She made a post on X showing that the Chiefs vs Cardinals game was blocked in her area.

Middle-Class Last Stop

FOX4 Zip Trip: Must-sees in Kansas City's Brookside Explore local shops, create candles, enjoy Italian cuisine, and visit the historic Wornall House Museum in Brookside.

Cowtown Folklore Debunked

'Wednesday' fans want to know: Is there really a Kansas City Scalper serial killer? Season 2 of Tim Burton's Netflix series featured references to Kansas City.

Golden Ghetto Advice

How to prevent lithium-ion battery fires in your home Following a garage fire in Fairway, local fire officials warn that damaged, malfunctioning or failed lithium-ion batteries can lead to fast-moving fires.

Angel Shares Retrospective

Lily Aldridge Shines in These 6 Show-Stopping SI Swimsuit Moments You'll Want to Revisit The SI Swimsuit Legend has made an impact on the magazine over the years.

MAGA Rethinks Weed Game

Trump considers reclassifying marijuana as less dangerous drug: report President Donald Trump is weighing whether to reclassify marijuana a less dangerous drug, which would make it easier to buy and sell cannabis.

Tasty Ingredients Exposed

'Breast milk ice cream' now available: What's really inside A new ice cream flavor inspired by breast milk is drumming up chatter across the country.

Progressive Cash Criticism

Champagne Socialist Zohran Mamdani slammed for hogging $2,300 apartment - despite six-figure salary, wealthy family Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in a tweet bashed Zohran Mamdani for hogging rent stabilized housing in Astoria from homeless New Yorkers.

Political Outrage Cont'd

"Bring It On": Marjorie Taylor Greene Goes Scorched Earth on AIPAC The MAGA congresswoman is warning AIPAC that America is fed up.

Mental Health Issues Reportedly Inspired Another Mass Shooter

CDC shooter believed COVID vaccine made him suicidal, his father tells police The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified the man who opened fire at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as Patrick Joseph White. White died and a police officer was shot and killed.

Progressive Worker Accused Of Nasty Conspiracy

Former youth organizer for AOC busted after urging 'attack' on Jewish students at Brooklyn public high school A woman urged her 25,000 Instagram followers to "attack" a Brooklyn high school she called a haven for pro-Israel students, sparking an NYPD probe and outrage from Jewish advocates. The now-deleted post targeted Leon M. Goldstein HS in Manhattan Beach.

MAGA Rules D.C.

The nation's capital waits for Trump's next move as a federal takeover threat looms President Donald Trump's promised law enforcement surge in the nation's capital didn't appear to happen as scheduled on its first night.

Holy Land Vs. Leader

Jerusalem protesters converge on PM Netanyahu's residence BBC correspondent Emir Nader speaks to demonstrators against PM Netanyahu's plans for Gaza, including a former soldier who says he no longer supports the Israeli government.

MAGA Teases Special Guest

White House hasn't ruled out Zelensky being in Alaska during Trump-Putin meeting on Friday | CNN Politics A diplomatic scramble unfolded Saturday after President Donald Trump announced he would meet his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, next week in Alaska, as European leaders rushed to understand the terms of the meeting and ensure Ukraine was not being left out of discussions about its future.

Activists Rage Across Pond

London police arrest 365 people as pro-Palestinian protesters defy new law British police said they arrested 365 people in central London on Saturday as supporters of a recently banned pro-Palestinian group intentionally flouted the law as part of their effort to force the government to reconsider the ban.

Emergency Brake Also Counts As Protection

Couple in car romp die when shaking vehicle plummets hundreds of feet off remote cliff in Brazil Adriana Ribeiro, 42, and her boyfriend Marcone Cardoso, 26, had parked the car at a scenic overlook the small city of Venda Nova do Imigrante after a party on Monday.

El Papa Trumps Prez

Poll finds Americans view Pope Leo XIV more favorably than all of these prominent figures Americans view Pope Leo XIV more favorably than President Donald Trump, Sen. Bernie Sanders and other key figures, according to a new poll.

Home Team Steps Up

Royals smother Twins 2-0 Neither team seemed to want to score, but the Royals did it anyway

Soggy Sunday Report

First Warn Forecast: Impactful weekend of heat and heavy rainfall Stay tuned with us as we continue to bring you the latest on this weekend's heavy rainfall and flooding potential.

Foreigner - I Want To Know What Love Is is the Sunday song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Mexico might not be paying for it . . . But that doesn't mean it's not important . . . Here's another important quote from a former KC morning anchor and currently one of the strongest supporters of MAGA in the House . . . Check-it:

"This landmark legislation delivers on the promises we've made to the American people: robust border security, sensible immigration reforms, and a return to law and order at our southern border.



"At its core, the One Big Beautiful Bill tackles the border crisis head-on with unprecedented investments and enforcement measures. It allocates $10 billion to the Department of Homeland Security for border security initiatives, including the construction and maintenance of a state-of-the-art border wall systemthe very wall President Trump championed and expanded during his first term. Another $10 billion establishes the State Border Security Reinforcement Fund, empowering states like Texas and Arizona to build additional fencing, combat drug and human trafficking, and interdict illegal aliens. The bill boosts U.S. Customs and Border Protection by funding more agents, vehicles, facilities, and advanced screening technologies to detect threats before they cross our borders.Immigration provisions in the bill are equally transformative . . ."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Turner Report -- (Congressman) Mark Alford: One Big Beautiful Bill tackles border crisis head on

Developing . . .
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 10. Director-General of ICESCO Salim bin Mohammed Almalik has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

"Excellency,

From the heart of the Islamic world to the heart of Azerbaijan, I send you my warmest and most heartfelt congratulations on the signing of the historic peace declaration between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, on 8 August 2025, at the White House.

This is a radiant new dawn, a moment when the horizon of the South Caucasus is filled with light, promise, and harmony. It is a milestone that enriches history and inspires the world, opening pathways of friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect.

Excellency, this achievement reflects your visionary leadership, your steadfast dedication, and your inspiring commitment to shaping a future of shared prosperity. Under your wise guidance, Azerbaijan has become a shining example of how determination, dialogue, and forward-looking vision can unite nations in common purpose.

As Director-General of ICESCO, I share in the joy of this moment and in the pride it brings to your people. This is more than an agreement, it is a gift to generations to come, a foundation upon which cultures, ideas, and opportunities will flourish. ICESCO stands beside Azerbaijan, ready to contribute to this spirit of peace through initiatives in education, culture, and science, nurturing understanding and collaboration in every sphere.

May Allah, the Almighty, bless this new era, strengthen the bonds it creates, and guide the peoples of the region toward ever-greater success, unity, and prosperity.

Once again, Excellency, please accept my highest admiration and heartfelt congratulations on this historic and inspiring accomplishment. The name of Azerbaijan will be forever associated with this luminous chapter in history," the letter reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 10. On August 10, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, made a phone call to Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated President Ilham Aliyev and the Azerbaijani people on the agreements reached in the United States regarding the normalization agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He noted the historic significance of these outcomes and expressed hope that they would create opportunities for comprehensive regional cooperation.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for his congratulations and emphasized the importance of the Joint Declaration signed by Azerbaijan and Armenia in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, along with other documents, in terms of ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region. The Azerbaijani leader highlighted the significant role played by U.S. President Donald Trump in supporting this process.

President Ilham Aliyev also stated that the agreement on unimpeded transport links between Azerbaijans mainland and its Nakhchivan region would positively impact the Middle Corridors transit capacity in the future.

The head of state expressed gratitude to Kazakhstan for hosting negotiations between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in May of the previous year within the framework of peace talks and for its contributions to the process.

During the call, the leaders exchanged views on the prospects for Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan relations.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 10. On August 10, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

During the conversation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on the achievements in the peace agenda between Armenia and Azerbaijan, supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing the historic nature of the meeting.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude for the congratulations and noted that the agreements reached, particularly the Joint Declaration signed by Azerbaijan and Armenia in the presence of the U.S. President, along with other documents, will contribute to ensuring lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

The call also touched upon bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Ukraine. The leaders highlighted the recent meeting of the intergovernmental commission held in Baku last month, where fruitful discussions on developing economic and trade relations took place.

During the conversation, both sides condemned the deliberate airstrikes by Russia on an oil storage facility owned by Azerbaijans SOCAR in Ukraine, as well as other Azerbaijani facilities and a gas compressor station transporting Azerbaijani gas to Ukraine. They emphasized their confidence that these attacks would not hinder energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Ukraine.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 10. State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Nevena Jovanovic met with the new Head of the EU Mission, Andreas von Beckerath, and representatives of the Quint countries embassies, Trend reports.

During the meeting, views were exchanged on the latest developments in Kosovo and Metohija, including the recent arrest of Igor Popovic, Deputy Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, by the authorities in Pristina.

In this context, Jovanovic expressed concern over the continued activities of the provisional Pristina institutions, which lead to further escalation of tensions and jeopardize efforts to maintain peace and stability on the ground.

She emphasized the expectation that the international community, especially partners from the EU and the Quint countries, will show full understanding of the Republic of Serbias positions and respond appropriately to unilateral and destabilizing actions by the other side.

The meeting was attended by the new Head of the EU Mission to the Republic of Serbia, Andreas von Beckerath, as well as charges daffaires from the embassies of the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Italy, and Germany.
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 10. Iran has expressed strong support for the peace declaration between Azerbaijan and Armenia and reaffirmed its readiness to assist in strengthening regional cooperation, Trend reports.

We welcome any peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and have previously stated our readiness to cooperate and assist in the peace process between the two countries, said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Araghchi noted that Iran maintains regular dialogue with both Yerevan and Baku. Tomorrow, the Foreign Minister of Armenia will call me. Prime Minister Pashinyan will also call, and on Tuesday, a visit by the Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia to Tehran is scheduled. We are constantly consulting with both sides, he said.

He stressed that Irans regional policy is based on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. We want all countries in the region to fully maintain sovereignty over their territories, and we support the territorial integrity of all countries in the region. We also defend international borders, the minister emphasized.

According to Araghchi, the joint statement of Armenia and Azerbaijan reflects three principles that align with Irans position: respect for sovereignty, respect for territorial integrity, and opposition to border changes.

He also stated that the corridor issue is no longer on the agenda and that the sides have agreed on a transit road to be built under Armenias sovereignty and jurisdiction. The project will be implemented by a company registered in Armenia and operating under Armenian laws.

Araghchi reiterated Irans commitment to constructive engagement. We are closely following developments and will continue consultations with all parties to support peace and stability in the region, he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 10. Iran's position on the Zangezur Corridor is not as presented by Iranian media, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told reporters, Trend reports.

According to him, the wishes of all parties were taken into account when discussing the Zangezur route. Pezeshkian emphasized that within the framework of territorial integrity, it is guaranteed that the Iranian road will not be blocked.

That some Iranian media outlets have expressed negative views about the Zangezur Corridor, claiming that its creation is detrimental to Irans interests.
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home

As Gaza bleeds, Egypt signs gas deal with Israel



Amid the talks of boycott calls and sanctions against Israel for its genocidal war in Gaza, Egypt has signed a $35 bn gas deal with the Zionist apartheid regime

Sunday August 10, 2025 5:33 PM , ummid.com News Network

Cairo/Tel Aviv: Amid the talks of boycott calls and sanctions against Israel for its genocidal war in Gaza, Egypt has signed a $35 bn gas deal with the Zionist apartheid regime.

The deal, announced by NewMed Energy Thursday August 07, 2025, is the largest export deal in the history of Israel. It will enable Egypt to import natural gas from Israels Leviathan gas field.

The Leviathan gas field, located off Israels Mediterranean coast with reserves of approximately 600 billion cubic meters, has become central to Israeli energy exports.

NewMed Energy, formerly Delek Drilling, one of three co-owners of the field, along with Israeli company Ratio and Chevron, engaged in the exploration, development, and production of natural gas and oil.

The field currently supplies Egypt with about 4.5 billion cubic meters annually under existing contracts. The supplies were temporarily stopped during the June 2025 Iran-Israel war .

Before the temporary halt in June this year, Egypt imported approximately one billion cubic feet of gas daily from Israel, accounting for about 13% of Egypts total daily consumption of around 7.5 billion cubic feet.

According to Mada Masr, Egypt will pay roughly $35m more per bcm, representing a 14.% increase on the previous deal under the new agreement.

Sisi accuses Israel of Genocide

Interestingly, Egypt signed the gas import deal with Israel, even as Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has called the Zionist regime's assault on Gaza a war for starvation, genocide, and the liquidation of the Palestinian cause.

In a statement released two days before the deal was announced by NewMed Energy, Sisi also defended Egypt against accusations that it was complicit in the sufferings of Palestinians in Gaza for not opening the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing to allow in aid.

Israels war on Gaza since October 07, 2023 has confirmed killed at least 61,430 people and wounded 153,213 - majority of them women and children. Other estimates put the figure of those died in Gaza as more than 100,000 because tens of thousands of Palestinians are missing and untraceble.

As many as 100 Palestinian children have died due to starvation as Israel is denying the smooth flow of aid in the Strip since March 18, 2025 .

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic
Israels Gaza Takeover Plan and Egypts Gas Deal



Egypts recent agreement with Israel is tantamount to aiding an oppressor, something that is categorically condemned in Islamic teachings

Sunday August 10, 2025 6:31 PM , Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi

[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in New York (File Image: AVI OHAYON - GPO)]

Israeli Cabinet Approves Full-Scale Gaza Occupation Plan

In recent days, there had been growing speculation about Israels intention to take complete occupation of Gaza. On the night of Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a detailed and "phased plan" for a complete occupation of Gaza during a cabinet meeting.

The following morning, Friday, 8th August, the Israeli cabinet approved the plan after a nearly ten-hour-long session. The length and intensity of the meeting reflect deep divisions and internal dissent within the Israeli leadership, as well as the apparent fragility of the current government.

According to the plan, the Israeli military will move into areas of Gaza where it has not yet established full control particularly in central Gaza and key parts of Gaza City. The first phase involves forcing residents of Gaza City to evacuate southward, effectively clearing homes and areas. This would be followed by a complete military siege and targeted operations, aimed at asserting total occupation over the region.

It is important to note that during the war that began on 7th October 2023, Israeli occupying forces seized control of several parts of Gaza. However, in April 2024, it was claimed that Hamass military infrastructure had been dismantled, after which Israeli forces began to withdraw.

Currently, several key areas in central Gaza, such as the refugee camps of Al-Nuseirat, Al-Maghazi, Al-Bureij and Deir al-Balah remain outside Israeli control. Despite this, these areas have suffered large-scale destruction. According to Palestinian officials, the remaining unconquered territory constitutes only 10 to 15 percent of Gazas total land area.

Concerns from Israeli Chief of Staff

The Israeli military leadership has expressed serious concerns over the proposed operation. Chief of Staff has acknowledged that carrying out such an operation would require nearly 200,000 reserve soldiers; while many of whom have already been engaged in prolonged combat, potentially impacting their effectiveness. He emphasized that military force alone would not be sufficient for the plans success; a robust logistical and infrastructural foundation is also essential, something that is currently lacking.

Additionally, the Israeli chief of staff pointed out that ensuring emergency medical services and humanitarian aid for Gazas civilian population would present a major challenge, one that exceeds the current capabilities of the Israeli military. His statement can also be seen as a veiled admission that achieving complete success in this plan of occupation is far from guaranteed, and may even hint at the possibility of a future withdrawal.

A New Face of Colonialism in 21st Century

In todays world, military occupation by powerful states over weaker nations is not only a blatant violation of international law; but also an affront to human rights and basic moral principles. The United Nations Charter emphasizes respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states.

Yet, Israels current actions stand in clear defiance of these foundational norms. This occupation plan is, in essence, a pursuit of geopolitical dominance, cleverly masked as security policy, while also serving to obscure what many see as an ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people.

In the 21st century, such acts of aggression and control, justified under the guise of peace and security, represent a continuation of colonialist ideology, merely repackaged in modern terms. At a time when the global community is more interconnected than ever and universal standards of human rights have been established, such state-sponsored violence and terror cannot and should not be accepted.

Gas Deal Between Egypt and Israel Amid Ongoing Violence

Even as Israeli military actions continue, Egypt and Israel have reached an agreement on a $35 billion natural gas deal. Under the agreement, gas exports from Israels Leviathan gas field to Egypt will nearly triple by 2029.

Currently, Egypt receives around 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Leviathan, but this figure is set to rise to 12 billion cubic meters. In total, over the next 15 years, Israel will supply Egypt with approximately 130 billion cubic meters of natural gas.

That is roughly equivalent to Egypts two-year energy consumption. The deal also includes plans to lay new supply pipelines and drill two additional wells, requiring an investment of around $2.5 billion.

Public Outrage in Egypt Over the Deal

The deal was finalized at a time when public anger in Egypt toward Israel is at a boiling point. There is a widespread perception among Egyptians that their government has failed to adequately support the suffering civilians in Gaza. This growing public frustration and sense of helplessness show no signs of diminishing.

According to Middle East analysts, the war in Gaza has pushed Egypt-Israel relations to a historic low, sparking deep unease across various social and political circles within Egypt. The timing of the gas agreement has only intensified the perception that economic interests are being prioritized over humanitarian concerns.

Zionist Media Campaign Against the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar

While Egypt is moving forward with large-scale gas agreements with Israel, Israeli media has launched a targeted and hateful campaign against Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam and Chancellor of Al-Azhar University, one of the Muslim worlds most prestigious religious institutions.

Alarmingly, open calls for his assassination have been made. This backlash stems from a bold statement Sheikh al-Tayeb issued in July 2025, in which he called on governments and international bodies around the world to take immediate and effective action to stop the famine and genocide unfolding in Gaza. He unequivocally declared that any country or institution supplying weapons to Israel is complicit in the genocide.

Reportedly, due to diplomatic pressure, the statement was later removed from Al-Azhars website and officially withdrawn. Since then, Sheikh al-Tayeb has become a continuous target of incitement in Israeli media, with explicit death threats now being circulated. Disturbingly, Egypts top leadership has yet to issue any strong or meaningful response to this serious matter despite the expectation that the government should have condemned the threats and demanded accountability from the Israeli state.

Islamic Teachings and Moral Responsibility

The open incitement to assassinate a towering Egyptian religious figure like the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, coupled with nearly two years of relentless Israeli aggression against neighboring Palestine and now a formal plan for occupation of Gaza, makes Egypts gas deal with Israel deeply troubling from an Islamic perspective.

The Egyptian government's decision appears to run counter to foundational Islamic teachings. Rather than standing in solidarity with the oppressed in Gaza, the Egyptian state, through this historic energy agreement, is effectively aiding the very forces responsible for the siege and destruction. Such actions undermine the principles of unity and mutual support that are essential to the Muslim Ummah.

This course of action also contradicts a well-known Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), who said: A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim; he does not oppress him, nor does he abandon him to the enemy. (Sahih al-Bukhari, 2424) In light of this, the Egyptian government's alignment with a state engaged in violence against fellow Muslims raises profound ethical and religious questions.

Egypts recent agreement with Israel is tantamount to aiding an oppressor, something that is categorically condemned in Islamic teachings. Islam instructs believers to refrain not only from committing injustice; but also from supporting or enabling it in any form. We should not incline even the least towards the oppressor. Qur'an clearly warns: And do not incline towards the wrongdoers, lest the Fire should catch you, (Surah Hud: 113)

To enter into a strategic energy deal with the Israeli state at a time when it continues its campaign of destruction in Gaza is not merely an act of inclination, it is a form of complicity. Such agreements, especially involving strategic resources like natural gas, provide tangible strength to a state actively engaged in violence against innocent civilians.

Engaging in trade with an aggressor, particularly in areas critical to economic and military power, directly undermines the Islamic principles of unity and support for the oppressed. From an Islamic standpoint, this approach is not only a betrayal of the suffering Palestinian people; but also falls under the category of aiding the oppressor, something unequivocally prohibited and morally indefensible.

Saudi Arabias Condemnation and Global Communitys Responsibility

At this critical juncture, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Friday, 8th August 2025, strongly condemning Israeli actions. The statement denounced the occupation of Gaza, acts of genocide and human rights violations as unacceptable.

It also warned the international community, including the United Nations, that if Israels aggression is not halted, it could have severe consequences, threatening peace and stability across the entire Middle East. However, the statement merely to express condemnation from the global community will not suffice to contain the situation. The time has come for decisive action through international platforms to stop oppressive forces and to protect the vulnerable.

Egypts Actions and the Path Forward

Amid ongoing atrocities in Gaza and Israels aggressive ambitions particularly its plan for full occupation, Egypts decision to enter into a major gas agreement with Israel represents a profound shock and a significant political and ethical challenge for the Muslim Ummah. This situation not only accelerates the genocide of Palestinians; but also erects barriers to unity and solidarity within the Muslim community.

What is even more distressing is that Sheikhul Azhar, who has courageously raised his voice for justice, has become a target of Zionist media campaigns, including open death threats. This starkly illustrates how dangerous it has become to stand for truth and fairness. These developments are a clear reflection of the ethical, political and strategic crisis facing the Muslim world today.

The time has come for the Ummah to recognize its religious, moral and humanitarian responsibilities, to support the oppressed and to mobilize every possible effort to hold oppressors and their collaborators accountable in the court of history. Only through such determined actions can lasting peace, justice and stability be achieved in this troubled region of the Middle East.

[The writer, Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi, works for Moon Rays Trust School, Zambia, Africa. Views are personal.]

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

Taif woman donates liver to ailing sister-wife, hailed



A woman in Taif, Saudi Arabia is widely hailed for an extraordinary gesture of selflessness after she donated liver to her sister-wife (co-wife) suffering from kidney failure

Sunday August 10, 2025 11:08 AM , ummid.com News Network

[Representative image]

Taif (Saudi Arabia): A woman in Taif, Saudi Arabia is widely hailed for an extraordinary gesture of selflessness after she donated liver to her sister-wife (co-wife) suffering from kidney failure.

The woman donated 80% of her liver to her sister-wife after their husband decided to donate his kidney, local media reported.

Noura Salem Al-Shammari, the first wife of Majed Baldah Al-Roqi, stepped forward to help her co-wife, Taghreed Awadh Al-Saadi, after seeing her suffer from years of dialysis, Saudi Gazette reported citing Arabic daily Okaz.

Al-Roqi told Okaz that his wife Taghreed had endured kidney failure for years and had traveled to the United States for a year in search of treatment, but without success.

Upon her return to the Kingdom, Al-Roqi decided to donate one of his kidneys to ease her suffering.

I entrusted Um Turki [Noura] with our five children in case anything happened to me during surgery, he recalled.

But I was surprised when she announced she would donate 80 percent of her liver to Taghreed, purely for the sake of Allah, The Almighty.

The transplant surgery was successful after medical tests confirmed tissue compatibility, Saudi Gazette reported.

She came like rain to revive barren desert, Al-Roqi said of his first wifes life-saving gift.

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic
KATHMANDU, Aug 10: Nepals dream of qualifying for the AFC U-20 Womens Asian Cup was crushed as powerhouse North Korea thrashed them 11-0 in their final group stage match held in Thimphu, Bhutan.

With this victory, North Korea topped Group A and secured their place in next years Asian Cup in Thailand.

North Korea dominated the match from the start, scoring their first goal in the third minute. Nepal, forced to defend for most of the first half, conceded five goals within 41 minutes.

Related story 2024 AFC U20 Womens Asian Cup Qualification: Nepal in Group B...

In the second half, North Korea intensified their attack, adding six more goals to seal the overwhelming win. North Korea remained undefeated in the qualifiers, having earlier defeated Saudi Arabia 15-0 and Bhutan 10-0.

This loss ended Nepals chances of topping the group and qualifying directly. With one win, one draw, and one loss, Nepal accumulated four points and stands second in the group.

Nepals slim hope to qualify now depends on finishing as one of the best runners-up in the qualifiers, which requires other match results to go in their favor.

Their fate hinges on the result of the Bhutan vs Saudi Arabia match scheduled today. Nepal will secure second place only if Saudi Arabia wins or draws that game.

Earlier, Nepal drew 1-1 with host Bhutan and won a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Saudi Arabia in their first two matches.
Sympathies

It is with great sadness that the death is announced of Avril MacRory, who passed away peacefully on the morning of July 14, in the expert and compassionate care of the Royal Trinity Hospice, London, aged 69 years. Originally from Tramore, Co. Waterford, Avril was a former member of RTE in Cork and later the BBC in London, where she was widely respected for her professionalism, creativity, and warmth. She was the CEO of Silverapples Media, but also worked at RTE, the BBC, and Channel 4, primarily in music and the arts. She is deeply mourned by her loving husband Val, her beloved son Sam and his partner Kimberley, her brother Simon and sister-in-law Angelica, her cherished godchildren Emma, Roxi, and Tom, her extended family, and her many treasured friends and colleagues whose lives she touched with generosity, wit, and kindness. She was well known for her charity work among the Irish in London. Avril reposed at Poppy's Funeral Home, The Gatehouse, Lambeth Cemetery, London, on Wednesday, August 6. A Humanist cremation service was held at Putney Vale Crematorium, followed by a wake at The Telegraph pub on Putney Heath, where memories of Avrils vibrant spirit were warmly shared and celebrated. She will be remembered with deep affection and enduring admiration.

Tramore Pottery

We are pleased to announce the launch of our after-school pottery classes for children beginning in September 2025, at the Tramore Community Centre. These sessions will introduce young participants to hand-building techniques and creative methods of clay decoration. Emphasis will be placed on encouraging individual expression and imaginative exploration, with each student supported in developing their own unique creations. Once completed, all pieces will be glazed and kiln-fired, bringing their artistic visions to life. All materials, tuition and firing costs are included in the programme. The term will conclude with a celebratory exhibition, where participants will have the opportunity to showcase their work to family and friends. We look forward to seeing the wonderful creations the children will bring to life. To reserve a place please visit: https://tramorepottery.ie/#kids

SVP Tramore

SVP Vincents Furniture Shop in Tramore is now welcoming donations of gently used, good-quality furniture as part of its ongoing mission to support individuals and families in need within the community. Members of the public are encouraged to declutter their homes while supporting a worthy cause. Donations will go directly to help fund the vital work carried out by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Those interested in donating are asked to contact the shop directly to arrange a collection. Donations can be coordinated by calling 085 8706332 during operating hours, Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm. We are so grateful for the continued kindness and generosity of our community, said a representative from the shop. Your donations help make a real difference in peoples lives. For further information or to schedule a collection, don't hesitate to get in touch with the number above.

Tramore Library

Bestselling author Sheila OFlanagan, recently visited Tramore Library for the sixth Writers at Waterford Libraries event of 2025. In conversation with City and County Librarian Mary Conway, Sheila discussed her writing journey and her latest novel, 'The Honeymoon Affair'. Author of over 30 contemporary novels and short stories, Sheilas debut 'Dreaming of a Stranger' became a bestseller in 1997. Her work also includes a historical novel inspired by her grandmother, two childrens fantasy novels and contributions to various anthologies and short fiction series.

Free Book Bag

Every child starting school in 2025 can get a free Little Library Book Bag. Each bag includes: Two books (starting school and friendship/self-confidence); A library card with a special holder and helpful resources for families, including the Rufus Handwashing Storybook. Available now at your local library.

Retirement

Pat Cullen has formally announced his retirement from the position of Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Micheal MacCraith Tramore GAA Club. Pat said: "I wish to inform you that I have retired, with immediate effect, from my role as PRO of our Micheal MacCraith Tramore GAA Club. It has been a position I greatly enjoyed over the years, and I am sincerely grateful to my fellow club members for entrusting me with this important responsibility. I would like to thank everyone for their support, kindness, and assistance throughout my time in the role  it was always deeply appreciated. I extend my very best wishes to all four divisions of our great club for continued success into the future."

The local GAA Club extends its appreciation to Pat for his dedicated service and contributions over the year.

Hospice Gathering

The Annual Gerry Rush Coffee Morning in aid of Waterford Hospice took place on August Bank Holiday Sunday, at the Guillamene in Tramore, in warm sunshine. The event featured a performance by the Male Voice Choir and brought together the local community in support of a very worthy cause. Guests enjoyed coffee, conversation, and music, all while raising funds for the vital services provided by the Waterford Hospice.
Waterford Libraries Bealtaine Choir are seeking new Male members to join their choir, no experience required.

If interested, pop into Central Library any Thursday at 11am from September 4, 2025.
SETU Arena: Adult Youth Orchestra of Ireland

The Adult Youth Orchestra of Ireland, conducted by Ronan OReilly with leader Sarah Murphy, is the brainchild of Barbara Dowling following on from the first Christmas in June concert, for Brain Tumour Ireland in 2022.

Barbara explains: A gap in the orchestral market for a successful symphony orchestra  like the Irish Symphonic Wind Orchestra  was obvious. While regional orchestras play a part, the notion of building on the success of the National Irish Youth Orchestra was obvious.

Hence tonights massive orchestra that is the first post-youth orchestra project of its type.

Their aim is spot on: the gathering of past members of youth orchestras from around the island to perform programmes of quality and innovation.

Theres a significant input from the Deise among the players and they all come with a massive musical career in place.

Violists Deirdre Scanlon and Moya Glynn, trombonist Liam Walsh, Paul Nolan on percussion along with three members of the Kirby family  mum Darina and daughter Lucy in the violin section along with cellist Sophie  and we remember their double bass player son and brother Karl who was taken from us far too young a few years ago.

And weve also got Ian McHardy on cello and Caroline Fielding on violin who are all resident here in the Deise. All of the members of the orchestra participate at their own expense and buy their own tickets.

Its interesting to hear the entire score of Mussorgskys, Pictures at an Exhibition, because theres always a cherrypick whenever this composition is performed.

Its a clever composition that was inspired by a memorial exhibition of the paintings of the composers friend, Russian artist and architect Victor Hartman.

The exhibition inspired Mussorgsky to create his own tribute to Hartman  a composition depicting ten pieces of art from the exhibit.

The moods and colours of the pictures are fascinating. Colours glowing, shadows threaten, figures brood, crowds clatter and jabber and life is everywhere. Grotesque nutcracker Gnomus lurches and lumbers across the frame with uneven stops and rhythms thats positively threatening.

The heavy lumbering movement of the Polish Oxcart is so clever with that pianissimo effect as it lurches off into the distance on the muddy plain.

But it doesnt last. A medieval troubadour brings summer love as he romances before the Old Castle.

The jabbering chatter of children as they prattle and argue at play in Les Gardins Tuilleries along with the Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks bring life and laughter as does the market place in Limoges that is just crammed with clattering and chattering as shoppers and traders barter and gossip.

The Great Gate of Kiev lives up to its classic Russian reputation and would rattle the bones of any self-respecting skeleton with its massive chords and heavy orchestration thats steeped in Tsarist nationalism and triumphalism.

Helen Doyle began her trumpet career at ripe old age of eight before becoming principal trumpeter with the Irish Youth Orchestra and performing with the National Symphony and the Garda Band.

Helens Trumpet Concerto from Alexander Arutiunian (1920-2012) is a real show-off piece that mixes Gypsy, Russian and Armenian music through beautiful, soulful melodies and several challenging rapid- tonguing passages for the trumpeter and Helens playing is a delight.

Theres a lot to hang on to in the Tchaikovsky 5th because the central theme keeps popping up in all four movements.

The players have a love-hate relationship with Tchaik Five because its a very physically demanding composition. Violist Deirdre Scanlon commented that the violas had only nine bars rest in the forty minute long symphony. Tchaik Five is melody built on simple recurring phrases like a Russian folk song but the rhythm plays tricks on us.

We hear it first on a slow, solo clarinet that casts dark shadows but then up-tempos into an agitated and spirited melody. A march steals its thunder before we find ourselves in the centre of a magnificent sweeping waltz that gives us a breather from the drama of whats gone on before.

And nobody writes waltzes like Tchaikovsky. A final Andante thats full of life rushes us headlong into a spectacular finish that gets us out the gap with chords that explode like grenades.

A great night from the Adult Youth Orchestra at the Arena where wisdom and experience shake hands across the generations
By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

A woman wearing a Palestine Action T-shirt has been arrested at an anti-racism protest in Belfast city centre.

It comes after the British government in July made expressing support for or being a member of Palestine Action a criminal offence under terrorism legislation.

In London, around 365 people were arrested for supporting the banned group after protesters gathered in Parliament Square on Saturday.

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll (Claudia Savage/PA)

In Belfast, videos shared online show a woman wearing a Palestine Action T-shirt being told by police officers she was being arrested on suspicion of possessing an article, namely a sign or T-shirt, that indicates support for Palestine Action.

Belfast MLA Gerry Carroll condemned police action against pro-Palestine activists.

He called on Executive ministers to speak up for the right to protest and dismiss any charges people may face.

The whole world can see the mass starvation and daily executions carried out by Israel, yet the people being harassed in Belfast are those who stand up for Palestine, Mr Carroll said.

On the same day we saw far-right protesters with offensive and provocative signage, including pro-Israel items, the police took it upon themselves to arrest activists for having the temerity to wear items of clothing in solidarity action.

The British Government implemented a regressive clampdown with their vote to proscribe Palestine Action, without a single vote being cast in the local Assembly.

Sinn Fein MLA for West Belfast Pat Sheehan said the British government and PSNIs actions were disgraceful.

While Keir Starmer continues to enable the ongoing Israeli genocide and starvation of Gazans, he is also moving to silence ordinary, decent people for speaking out, he said.

Just yesterday, [Israeli prime minister Benjamin] Netanyahu announced his intention to seize Gaza City.

Yet still, Starmer provides cover for this rogue regime, instead targeting activists for highlighting what should be a universal moral outrage.

Like all previous censorship attempts by the British government, which is totally out of step with the wider public, this too will fail.

Highlighting the ongoing devastation in Gaza is not a crime. The real crime is Israels policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide, aided and abetted by the US and Britain.

The PSNI has been contacted for comment.
After Liz became pregnant, she soon realised that her workplace wasnt going to afford her any flexibility when she returned to work.

The managers werent willing to be flexible at all. They were pressuring pregnant women or those with young babies to take overnight work trips. No wasnt an option, says Liz, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Working from home some days of the week is important for many workers. Credit: iStock

She had planned to return to work when her son was eight months old but, as the deadline approached, she knew she wasnt ready to leave him in childcare five days a week.

I tried to negotiate some flexibility to work from home, but they made it very clear that they wanted me back in the office full-time, she says.
The nature of celebrity is changing, and we should pay attention.

You may have noticed this in the past few years. Clubs are full again  and have a new life, thanks to dance music that actually makes people want to dance. Modern culture has been overtaken by the hedonism of brat summer. Even the modern Vaudeville of TikTok  where everyone is striving for a glimpse of digital fame that is probably not even worth having  reflects the kind of emotional world we live in.

(From left) Kesha in 2009, Lady Gaga rocks out the meat suit in 2010 and Beyonce during a recent Cowboy Carter show. Credit:

Relatability is out, fantasy to the point of mythology is what were seeing now.

To me, this seems the point of whats happening in culture around the world. If the prevailing feeling of the 2010s was despair, which might be absolved on the dance floor, the prevailing feeling of the mid-2020s is that of anger, blown up on the dance floor, opening the possibility of redemption and restitution. Recession pop is back.
In a steamy kitchen in western Sydney, sisters Sanjana and Shivangi Munial prepare to sell the days homemade orders on quite the unconventional food-selling platform: Facebook Marketplace.

There, a rotating menu of north Indian curries starting at $8 is advertised. The sisters, who arrived in Australia less than three years ago from India, work full-time selling food on social media.

Sanjana and Shivangi Munial preparing to sell north Indian food on Facebook Marketplace from their South Wentworthville home. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong

In the South Wentworthville kitchen, curries are being ladled into plastic containers, ranging from paneer bhurji (Indian cottage cheese with spices) to dal makhni (lentils) and butter chicken, ready to go out.

When asked about the level of hygiene in the kitchen, Shivangi said: We are always using gloves, [have an] apron on, and a cap as well, because we eat the same food... we cant compromise our health. Thats why we are not compromising other [peoples] health.
He spoke freely of a 2022 incident where he was hospitalised and later placed into intensive care before three sections of his bowel were operated on and removed. At pretrial Simon Patterson was frustrated, angry and, at times, emotional. His answers came quick and fast as he gripped the wooden balustrade surrounding him. When the jury gathered in Morwell, Simon Patterson spoke in front of them with a forced delicacy. Stopping and thinking before answering questions, he appeared to think deeply about what he could legally divulge, and what had to remain a secret, for now. Only weeks earlier multiple counts of attempted murder laid against Erin Patterson were axed after the Court of Appeal upheld the trial judges decision to sever the allegations into two separate trials. Police had alleged she repeatedly tried to kill her ex-husband using undisclosed poisoned meals in 2022 and 2021; however, those allegations could not be discussed during the high-profile murder trail, and its jury had to remain in the dark. The jury didnt know Simon Patterson had long suspected his wife was trying to kill him, or that hed changed his power of attorney and medical directives in secret so that his father and brother were in charge.

When his family fell sick about 12 hours after the fateful lunch, such were his fears of what may have occurred that he arrived at Ian and Heather Wilkinsons front door early the next morning, demanding they let him drive them to hospital. While they suspected food poisoning, Simon Patterson feared much worse. During the car ride to Leongatha hospital Heather Wilkinson made a point of raising her observation that Erin Patterson had served her beef Wellington on different coloured plates to the lunch guests. Erin Patterson and her guests who died after the 2023 lunch, Heather Wilkinson and Gail and Don Patterson. Credit: Matthew Absalom-Wong Simon Patterson had earlier told his personal poisoning fears to his father Don and, when his parents Don and Gail Patterson went to hospital in an ambulance, Don arrived with a sample of his vomit in a plastic jug. Following the lifting of a suppression order, this masthead and others can now reveal what the jury never heard, including the full extent of Simon Pattersons fears and how, as his parents fought for their lives, he gathered other family members in the Austin Hospital chapel to share his suspicions about Erin Patterson.

Now his truth can also be publicly revealed. Detective Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall and prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC, outside court in July. Credit: Jason South During the pretrial hearings Simon Patterson told how his ex had cooked him penne bolognese, a chicken curry, a wrap and beef stew during 2021 and 2022, which all saw him hospitalised with gastro-like symptoms, and no conclusive evidence about what had caused his illnesses. One meal, he told the jury-less court, placed him in a coma for 16 days before three parts of his bowel were removed during emergency surgery. During the much-publicised murder trial, Detective Leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall and his colleagues also swore to tell the whole truth while in the witness box, though they were legally bound not to speak about documents and online searches on poisons they found on the killers electronic devices.

Officers were also unable to reveal everything they found, including a trip Erin Patterson made to her local tip soon after the lunch, in addition to the one the jury did hear about which occurred days later when she returned to dump a dehydrator. Loading With fewer restriction, the pretrial hearing was told the killer had accessed a 2007 book titled Criminal Poisonings, and an article about 50 cases of red kidney bean poisoning in the UK from 1976 to 1989. It was also told of a string of Google searches for words including poison and hemlock, a highly poisonous flowering plant, and a paper about extracting toxic material from seeds. Pattersons devices had also accessed the iNaturalist website and a post made in September 2022 that pinpointed the location of a suspected sighting of hemlock at Loch in Gippsland, though orders prevented the later jury trial hearing these details. The truth the jury heard from these witnesses was a condensed version of what Simon Patterson and police had to say, posing the question: did trial witnesses really tell the whole truth? Or did the justice system silence them. Until now.
Electric vehicles are an absolute steal in China right now. And the countrys top leaders are concerned.

EV manufacturers are locked in a death spiral of cost-cutting fuelled by weak domestic demand and an overcrowded, ferociously competitive marketplace that has been bloated by state subsidies.

A BYD showroom in Shanghai. The car maker has launched a range of smaller, cheaper models to appeal to younger buyers. Credit: Bloomberg

Today, Chinese motorists can drive off in BYDs top-selling Seagull hatchback for just 50,800 yuan (about $11,000)  more than 30 per cent below its guide price  after the EV giant kicked off a price-slashing war in May to squeeze its rivals.

Its competitors followed suit.
Israel says it plans to take over Gaza City. The decision to escalate its 22-month war with Hamas drew a dismissal from the militant group, renewed international calls to end the conflict and stirred fears for hostages still in Gaza. Israels air and ground war has already killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza, destroyed vast areas and pushed the territory toward famine. The timing of another major ground operation remains unclear but will almost certainly exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe. Meanwhile, two Arab officials told the Associated Press that mediators from Egypt and Qatar are working on a new framework that will include the release of all hostages in one go in return for an end of the war in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the strip.
A woman is led away by police officers as supporters of Palestine Action take part in a mass action in Parliament Square, organised by Defend Our Juries as part of the Lift the Ban campaign, to end the proscription of Palestine Action, in London, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)
Brad Pitts girlfriend is being his person in the stars time of need.

The F1 actor, 61, is mourning the loss of his beloved mother, Jane Etta Pitt, who died earlier this week at age 84.

Sources are now sharing how Pitt is leaning on Ines de Ramon as he continues to grieve.

Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon in New York on June 16, 2025. ZUMAPRESS.com

Jane Pitt and Brad Pitt at the 84th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California, on February 26, 2012. FilmMagic

She is supporting Brad as he grieves his mothers loss. She wants to be there for him and Brad is very much letting her be that person, an insider told People.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

De Ramon, 35, who began dating Pitt in 2022, is also extending her support to Pitts loved ones.

Ines is really close with Brads family as well, the source shared, adding that the jewelry designer immediately reached out to send her condolences as soon as she heard the news.

Jane Etta Pitt, and Brad Pitt attend the local premiere of The Devils Own at Cinema One in New York City, on March 14, 1997. Penske Media via Getty Images

Ines de Ramon and Brad Pitt celebrate the European Premiere of F1 in London, England, on June 23, 2025. Dave Benett/Getty Images for Apple TV+

News of Janes death broke earlier this week, with the movie stars niece, Sydney Pitt, confirming her passing in a heartbreaking post on social media.

Sharing several never-before-seen photos of the retired school counselor, Sydney wrote, My sweet Grammy, Jane Etta, 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.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sharing that her grandma had the biggest heart, Pitts niece said, She cared deeply for everyone and everything, no questions asked.

Brad Pitts mom, Jane Etta Pitt, holding a red cup while rafting. pidney/Instagram

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt with his parents, William and Jane Pitt, at The Curious Case of Benjamin Button premiere in Los Angeles, California, on December 8, 2008. AFP via Getty Images

Brad Pitts father, William, hugging his giggling wife, Jane. pidney/Instagram

She taught me how to paint, how to be strong, how to lead with kindness, to love Jesus through everything, and to find joy in the smallest things. She made up the silliest games just to make us laugh, and she believed in fairness, in putting others first, and doing good simply because it was the right thing to do, she continued.

I dont know how we move forward without her. But I know shes still here in every brushstroke, every kind gesture, every hummingbird. She was love in its purest form, Sydney concluded. We were truly blessed to have her to love on growing up and I know she lives on through each of us.

Jane married Pitts father, William Pitt, in 1962. They shared three children: the movie star and his two siblings, Doug and Julie, whom she raised in Springfield, Missouri.

(L to R): William Pitt, Jane Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in New York on December 11, 2005. Getty Images

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

(L-R) Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt, Shiloh Nouve Jolie-Pitt, actor Brad Pitt, Maddox Jolie Pitt, Jane Pitt and William Pitt attend the premiere of Unbroken at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX in Hollywood, California, on December 15, 2014. FilmMagic

While Pitts parents tried to stay out of the spotlight, both Jane and William accompanied their famous son at the 2014 premiere of his then-wife Angelina Jolies movie Unbroken.

Julie also attended several red carpet events with the star over the years, including the 2012 Academy Awards.

In June, Pitt gave his mother a sweet shout-out during an interview with Savannah Guthrie on Today while promoting F1.

Brad Pitts mom, Jane Etta Pitt, with some of her family members. pidney/Instagram

Jane Etta Pitt with her husband, William, and three of their 14 grandkids. pidney/Instagram

I gotta say hi to my mom because she watches you every morning, he told Guthrie. To Jane Pitt. Love you, Mom, he added while blowing Jane a kiss.

Pitts rep declined to comment on his mothers passing; however, around the time of her death, he had been shooting Netflixs The Adventures of Cliff Booth, a sequel to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood that won him an Oscar.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Janes cause of death is not yet known.

In 2009, Pitt, along with his brother and sister, donated $1 million to a Missouri hospital to open a new wing named the Jane Pitt Pediatric Cancer Center, but its unclear whether it is somehow related.

Pitts mom left behind three children, her loving husband, and 14 grandkids.
Emma Thompson and Daughter Gaia Rock Fall's Biggest Trends in Rare Joint Appearance originally appeared on Parade.

In a glam mother-daughter night out, Emma Thompson and her 25-year-old daughter, actress Gaia Wise, delivered a red carpet moment at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. While the beloved actress was there to celebrate the premiere of her new film, The Dead of Winter, it was the pairs on-trend fits that gave fans a rare and heartwarming glimpse into their close-knit bond.

Thompson embraced one of fall 2025s most playful trends, wearing a top adorned with dramatic fringe. Meanwhile, Gaia proved that incredible style runs in the family as she opted for a bold and ethereal sheer dress, a daring trend that has become a favorite of fashion icons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Gaia gets her talent from both parents. Her father is actor Greg Wise, known to American audiences for his role as Lord Mountbatten in Netflixs The Crown. Wise and Thompsons family's story is one for the Hollywood history books: the couple famously met and fell in love on the set of the film, 1995s Sense and Sensibility.

LOCARNO, SWITZERLAND - AUGUST 08: Emma Thompson and Gaia Wise attend the 'The Dead of Winter' red carpet during the 78th Locarno Film Festival on August 08, 2025 in Locarno, Switzerland. (Photo by Alessandro Levati/Getty Images)

That film also cemented Thompson's place in history: she didn't just star as Elinor Dashwood, she also wrote the screenplay, a feat that landed her a history-making Academy Award. With that win, she became the only person ever to win an Oscar for both acting (for 1992s Howards End) and screenwriting.

Related: Hollywood Dame Says Donald Trump Asked Her Out the Day Her Divorce Was Finalized

Thompson career spans genres: she makes us cry every Christmas in Love Actually, charms a generation of kids as Nanny McPhee, and brings the eccentric Professor Trelawney to life in the Harry Potter seriesall while delivering compelling dramatic performances. As Thompson celebrated her new film in Switzerland with Gaia, whose parents met on a film set, the actress created a full-circle moment celebrating the career that brought her family together.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Emma Thompson and Daughter Gaia Rock Fall's Biggest Trends in Rare Joint Appearance first appeared on Parade on Aug 10, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Nina Roza, a feature by filmmaker Genevieve Dulude-De Celles, led the winners at this years Locarno Pro awards, taking two gongs.

The film, produced by Colonelle films (Canada), won the Urban Post First Look Award, covering post-production services up to CHF 50,000, and the Jannuzzi Smith Award, covering the design of an international poster worth  10,000.

More from Deadline

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The films co-producers include Umi Films (Italy), Echo Bravo (Belgium), Ginger Light (Bulgaria), and Premier Studio (Bulgaria). Discussing the film, the Locarno pro jury said: This film stood out for its beautiful integration of music and art, its performances, and a captivating narrative that explores identity, exile, and the idea of home and family. The Urban Post First Look Award goes to Nina Roza by Genevieve Dulude-De Celles.

The Music Library &SFX/Acorde Award , worth  45,000 in music supervision services at Music Library & SFXs labs, went to Thanks To The Hard Work Of The Elephants by Bryce Hodgson. The film is produced by Coukuma (Canada) and Harrington Studio (Canada).

Both the Cineground Award, worth CHF 15,000 in image finishing services, and Le Film Francais Award, worth  5,600 of advertising space, went to Lunar Sway by Nick Butler. The film is produced by Cloudy Pictures (Canada).

Elsewhere, Letter From My Village (1975) by Safi Faye won the third edition of the Locarno Heritage Restoration Contest. The film, represented by Arsenal  Institut fur Film und Videokunst e.V., and chosen from over 30 applications from around the world, will receive a full restoration by Cinegrell. The newly restored version will be shown at the Locarno Film Festival 2026.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The jury for the Locarno Heritage Restoration Contest, composed of Bernardo Rondeau (Freelance Programmer), Nicole T. Allemann (Head of Film Restoration & Lab, Cinegrell) and Leon van Hee (EYE Film institute), said of the film: On the 50th anniversary of its release, we want to honor Letter From My Village, the groundbreaking debut by pioneering Senegalese filmmaker Safi Faye. Thanks to this restoration, this powerful and poetic first feature will now be rediscovered by new generations. With this choice, we celebrate not only the films enduring relevance but also the legacy of a woman who paved the way for African cinema.

Scroll down for the full list of this evenings winners. Locarno ends on August 16.

FIRST LOOK

Urban Post First Look Award

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Up to  50,000 in post-production services

 Nina Roza by Genevieve Dulude-De Celles, produced by Colonelle films (Canada), coproduced by Umi Films (Italy), Echo Bravo (Belgium), Ginger Light (Bulgaria), Premier Studio (Bulgaria), Sales agent Best Friend Forever, Fiction

Jury statement: This film stood out for its beautiful integration of music and art, its performances and a captivating narrative that explores identity, exile and the idea of home and family. The Urban Post First Look Award goes to Nina Roza by Genevieve Dulude-De Celles.

Music Library &SFX/Acorde Award

 45,000 in music supervision services at Music Library &SFX s labs

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

 Thanks To The Hard Work Of The Elephants by Bryce Hodgson, produced by Coukuma (Canada) and Harrington Studio (Canada), Fiction

Cineground Award

CHF 15,000 in image finishing services

 Lunar Sway by Nick Butler, produced by Cloudy Pictures (Canada), Fiction

Jannuzzi Smith Award

The design of an international poster worth  10,000.

 Nina Roza by Genevieve Dulude-De Celles, produced by Colonelle films (Canada), coproduced by Umi Films (Italy), Echo Bravo (Belgium), Ginger Light (Bulgaria), Premier Studio (Bulgaria), Sales agent Best Friend Forever, Fiction

Le Film Francais Award

 5,600 of advertising space

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

 Lunar Sway by Nick Butler, produced by Cloudy Pictures (Canada), Fiction

SPANISH PREVIEWS

Antaviana Spanish Previews Award

A voucher worth  10,000, including editing rooms, color grading suites, sound mix rooms and final deliveries.

 Longquan: The Dragon Spring (Longquan: el Manantial del Dragon) by Adria Guxens, produced by La Charito Films (Spain), coproduced by Anna Moragriega Farres (Pausa Dramatica Films, Spain)

ALLIANCE 4 DEVELOPMENT

Mase Studio Award CHF 3,000 cash voucher

 Chocolat amer (Dark Chocolate) by Valentin Merz produced by Marie Lanne-Chesnot (Andrea Film, Switzerland)

Mase Studio Post-Production Award CHF 25,000 in post-production services

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

 Im Verborgenen (In the Hidden) by Goran Rebic, produced by Alexander Dumreicher-Ivanceanu and Bady Minck (Amour Fou Vienna and Amour Fou Luxembourg)

Mase Studio Post-Production Special Award CHF 10,000 in post-production services at the Mase studios, valid for 5 years

 Neige (Snow) by Jenna Hasse, produced by Olivier Zobrist (Langfilm, Switzerland)

Alphapanda Market Breakout Award

Consultancy services in the value of  3,500

 Das Bluhen einer Chimare (The Flowering of a Chimera) by Simon Maria Kubiena, produced by Elli Leeb & Fabian Leonhardt (Chimera Film, Austria)

Alphapanda states: This is a radical film that explores rarely addressed topics in order to dig deep into the human soul. Thanks to a talented director with a clear artistic vision, we are convinced that this film will have a strong impact, both on audiences and on the industry. We look forward to seeing it on a big screen at a major festival very soon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Special Mention

 Primo Viaggio by Alessandro Cassigoli and Casey Kauffman, produced by Nanni Moretti and Benedetta Barroero (Sacher Film, Italy)

Script Consultancy Residency at DreamAgo offered by the Valais Film Commission

Worth CHF 5,000

 Najma et Salome (Najma and Salome) by Anne Zinn-Justin, produced by Clementine Mourao-Ferreira (so-cle, France)

Pascale Rey (DreamAgo) and Tristan Albrecht (Valais Film Commission) state: A village with two communities that dont really get along sees its future threatened by recurring illnesses. This is the starting point for an alliance between two women determined to shed light on these strange events. DreamAgo and the Valais Film Commission are delighted to offer screenwriter and director Anne Zinn-Justin a script doctoring session with Sir Christopher Hampton for her project Najma and Salome  a story with the feel of a firmly rooted modern western that resonates in a universal way!

MIDPOINT Consulting Award

An in-depth online script consultancy with one of the MIDPOINT Institute experts

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

 Das Bluhen einer Chimare (The Flowering of a Chimera) by Simon Maria Kubiena, produced by Elli Leeb & Fabian Leonhardt (Chimera Film, Austria)

MIDPOINT states: MIDPOINT Institute is proud to support a project that dares to explore the complex aftermath of violence without judgment, offering a path toward understanding and healing. For its courageous thematic approach, emotional depth, and promise of a distinct new voice in cinema, the MIDPOINT Consulting Award goes to Das Bluhen einer Chimare (The Flowering of a Chimera) by Simon Maria Kubiena.

Ticino Film Commission Residence Award

A 2-day location scout (worth CHF 4,000) and Letter of Intent (LOI) for financial support for the production company (worth up to CHF 12,000), if all or part of the film will be shot in Ticino

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

 Solastalgia by Yosr Gasmi and Mauro Mazzocchi, produced by Ivan Casagrande Conti, Tommaso Santambrogio (Chiotto Film, Italy) and ismael (Utopia Films, Tunisia)

Jury statement: Here in our very own region, in Ticino, we know only too well the lingering feeling that accompanies the changing of our landscape, the gradual loss of glaciers and the places we used to visit or inhabit. For this reason, were happy to be able to support a duo of talented young filmmakers by helping them find the best locations to express their singular vision of Solastalgia.

LOCARNO HERITAGE RESTORATION CONTEST

 Letter From My Village (1975) by Safi Faye

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Determined police work by a female detective up against a misogynistic police force in the early 80s would help solve the case of a missing college student in Virginia.

Season 6, Episode 5 of Buried in the Backyard, available to watch Saturdays at 8/7c on Oxygen, examined the life and death of 23-year-old ROTC student, Janice Starr. The army vet was a coed at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, when she disappeared from her Chesapeake apartment in 1981.

Forty years later, now-retired detective Kay Lewis Shucker of the Chesapeake Police Department (C.P.D.) discusses what it took to go after an unlikely killer when so few chose not to.

The disappearance of Janice Starr

Army Vet Eva Nevarez St. John lived with the Miami-raised Starr while stationed in Dongducheon, South Korea. The best friends and roommates served together in the U.S. Army during the late 1970s before Starr relocated to Norfolk, Virginia, in 1980, and St. John, the following year, moved to Washington, D.C.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Back in America, Starr joined the ROTC, or the Reserve Officers Training Corps, hoping to climb the ranks and become an officer.

For more true crime news:

Ex-Arkansas State Senator Fatally Stabbed, Her Killer Seen on Surveillance Footage Clutching Bloody Knife

Prosecutors To Seek Death Penalty for Man Accused of Killing 4 Tennessee Family Members

Young Mom Found Murdered in Upstate New York Home "With an Ax Buried Into Her Head"

We were just really into that aspect of it, you know. Womens liberation, and we could have careers and do what we wanted to do, St. John told Buried in the Backyard. Of course, we werent always welcome in our efforts. We had to deal with sexual harassment and discrimination  Somebody had to do it.

Stateside, the women continued mailing letters back and forth, keeping one another apprised about their day-to-day activities. But, in mid-November 1982, St. John called her friend to catch up, and grew concerned when several calls went unanswered.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She contacted the school and learned from Starrs boss from her on-campus job that no one had heard from the student since Nov. 2.

Ultimately, Starrs ROTC instructor, U.S. Army Captain Dwight Beddingfield, filed a missing persons report with Chesapeake Police. Det. Shucker visited the students apartment, later joined by C.P.D. Det. Al Burns.

Janice Starr, featured in Buried in the Backyard Season 6, Episode 5n 6, Episode 5

For the most part, Shucker told Buried in the Backyard, the home appeared neat and orderly, though a spare bedroom had been ransacked. Starrs purse, glasses, keys, and wallet were also left in the home, leading investigators to believe she didnt go on her own.

There was something really bad going on in that house, Shucker said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Other clues also supported the theory that Starr hadnt left of her own volition. The chain lock on the front door had been cut open with a pair of bolt cutters, and a dark-colored staining in the bathtub was consistent with possible bodily fluids or blood, according to Burns.

To boot, the toilet seat had been left up, suggesting a male had been inside the home.

Janices revealing diaries

Through Starrs diaries, police learned of a man named Randy. According to St. John, Starr became smitten by Randy, and after only a few weeks of dating, Starr agreed to let her new beau rent one of the two bedrooms in her apartment.

She was kind of like that, St. John said. When she found somebody, she just moved very fast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But it didnt take long for Starr to realize the relationship wouldnt work. Not only did the new tenant fail to pay his portion of the rent, but Starr accused him of stealing her tape player, an expensive camera, and cash from her secret stash.

Det. Kay Lewis Shucker tracked Randy down in New York, discovering hed left Virginia to reunite with his wife and child. This, according to St. John, devastated Starr.

It would take some time for investigators to check out his alibi: he left for New York weeks before Starr disappeared, as later confirmed by his employer.



Meanwhile, St. John took her letters from Starr to the Chesapeake authorities. The letters stated Starr and her 35-year-old ROTC instructor, Cpt. Beddingfield  the one to report Starr as missing  were involved in a romantic affair. And, due to the risk of violating military and school policy, the pair had to keep their relationship under wraps.

Starrs letters to St. John proved to Det. Shucker that she and Beddingfield frequently went on whirlwind adventures, from boat rides and beach trips to private flights over the ocean on Beddingfields small plane.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The male police officers thought [St. John] was just trying to get somebody in trouble, Det. Shucker told Buried in the Backyard. I didnt think that.

RELATED: Punk Rock Teen Accused of Murdering Stepmother "Old-Fashioned Way" After Satanic Spell Fails

A look into Cpt. Dwight Beddingfield

Beddingfield was a decorated army man with an illustrious military background, according to Ron Peterson Jr., author of In the Wind: The Disappearance of Janice Starr. Some in the mostly male police department werent keen on pinning Starrs disappearance on such a well-respected family man, especially since he was the one to report Starr missing in the first place.

Meanwhile, Starrs mother  who then lived in Ohio  reported to Shucker that someone called her concerning the young womans whereabouts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She told me that a woman called her to say Janice is with me and shell be getting in touch with you in a few days, and shes just fine, Shucker said. I mean, I was shocked. It didnt make sense because I was convinced something bad had happened to her.

Det. Shucker later asked St. John to join her at Starrs apartment. The friend realized Starrs favorite red blanket from South Korea was missing. They also found a letter Starr addressed to St. John, but never sent. In it, Starr wrote about obtaining two life insurance policies  totaling more than $300,000  and naming Beddingfield as the sole beneficiary.

Janice wrote, If something happens to me, have them look at Dwight, Shucker said. So, she was feeling very nervous.

Det. Kay Lewis Shucker narrows in on Beddingfield

Shucker immediately suspected Beddingfield of being involved in Starrs sudden absence, but the men of the force seemed to disagree.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I was talking to him, but the male officers were very intrusive, Shucker admitted. Just talking man-talk to him, had nothing to do with the case I had to interfere with that to get him back on point.

Beddingfield denied having a romantic affair with the missing woman, and when Shucker inquired about the dual life insurance policies, he dismissed the idea of any devious plan. The military man claimed it wasnt uncommon for him to suggest new students take out such policies for themselves.

According to Shucker, Beddingfield claimed Starr didnt list her parents as beneficiaries because she didnt want them in her business.

The misogynistic society that we had at that point  he was one of the boys, look at him, he was a captain, Det. Burns told Buried in the Backyard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, Det. Shucker refused to cross Beddingfield from her suspect list and instead visited campus police at Old Dominion University. Officers there reported regularly seeing Beddingfield and Starr together a lot."

In fact, Shucker said, the campus officer claimed that around the time of Starrs disappearance, the captain borrowed a pair of bolt cutters, which piqued Shuckers interest since it was believed someone used bolt cutters to break the chain lock at Starrs apartment.

Police learned that on Nov. 6, 1982, Beddingfield borrowed a car belonging to an ROTC student, who reported that the captain returned the vehicle the same day. Beddingfield reportedly apologized for a smell similar to rotten cabbage after claiming he spilled something in the trunk, according to Shucker.

A forensic examination of the trunk revealed dark hairs and red fibers that resembled those possibly from Starrs blanket brought from South Korea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He wasnt as smart as he thought he was, Shucker told Buried in the Backyard. I was on him like ugly on an ape.

RELATED: Lost Security Footage Helps Police Solve College Student's 2020 Disappearance from LA Dispensary

The final days of Cpt. Dwight Beddingfield

Adding to her suspicions, Det. Shucker found Beddingfield faced financial ruin. Records showed he and his wife had separated, and he struggled to support his family while paying for a place of his own.

During a search of Beddingfields home, police found documents stating he was the beneficiary for other womens life insurance policies, too. Around this time, police tracked down the female whod called Janice Starrs mother to report she was OK. She wwas one of Beddingfields multiple paramours to name him as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy.

Another woman, on December 1, 1982, notified authorities that Beddingfield allegedly admitted to being a prime suspect in Starrs disappearance and said his goodbyes, according to author Ron Peterson Jr.

She said his behavior was very troubling, Peterson said. And she believed that he might be suicidal and on the run.

That very day, Beddingfield  a licensed pilot  took a single-engine Cessna plane and crashed near the South Norfolk Airport.

The wreckage was still smoldering, Peterson said. The pilot had been ejected from the plane and was lying in a ditch over 300 yards away.

Beddingfield circled the airport for half an hour and refused to land before the plane took a steep 50-degree dive into the ground, which led post-mortem investigators to rule the manner of death as suicide.

The discovery of Janice Starrs body

Janice Starr, featured in Buried in the Backyard Season 6, Episode 5

With Beddingfield dead, ROTC students came forward with new information. One of them, according to Det. Shucker, claimed Beddingfield drove her to the country, about one hour west of Norfolk in Southampton County.

The student said the captain asked her to scout out a spot he could revisit at a later time.

On the bitterly cold day of January 10, 1983, Det. Shucker, acting on this information, took her daughter to visit the rural site. There, on an active peanut farm, she found an oblong, depressed area which transpired to be a shallow grave.

The grave was pretty shallow, but the top seven inches of it was frozen, said C.P.D. Forensic Tech Terry Riggs. Just as soon as we got to unfrozen ground, you start getting that old familiar smell of a body.

Authorities then found the remains of Janice Starr wrapped in the missing red blanket. A broken hyoid bone proved she was strangled to death.

Today, authorities believe Beddingfield murdered Starr and left her body in the bathtub for several days, which would explain the peculiar staining in the tub. They allege the married military man ransacked the bedroom and cut the lock to stage the scene as a burglary.

Days later, on Nov. 6, 1982, he allegedly transported Starrs body in his students vehicle and buried her in the field.

We feared the worst, we believed the worst, said St. John. I was totally devastated. I lost my best friend."

Police have looked at no other suspects outside Dwight Beddingfield.

Since Starr and Beddingfields deaths, Janice Starrs loved ones fought Beddingfields estranged wife in court for the life insurance monies under Starrs name. They eventually settled the case.

Dont miss all-new episodes of Buried in Backyard, airing Saturdays at 8/7c on Oxygen.
After finishing an 11-year run as the bumbling but lovable Phil Dunphy on Modern Family, Ty Burrell created a new beginning of sorts and moved to Utah.

The actor and his wife, Holly  a Utah native who went to Kaysvilles Davis High School, per Deseret News  made the move with their two daughters back in 2020.

Five years later, Burrell is adamant that starting this new chapter in Salt Lake City has been a good move for his family.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its just been spectacular, he recently told People. We moved here right after (Modern Family) ended, and I dont have any regrets. Its been lovely and a great place to raise the kids.

Ty Burrells history with Utah

Burrells history with Utah actually dates back to 1999, when he took part in a production at Pioneer Theatre Company so he could be closer to Holly, who was his then-girlfriend, the actor wrote in a 2014 essay for HuffPost.

The couple, who met in the late 1990s when they were both studying at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., have had a home in Utah since 2008.

Over the years, Burrell has made his mark on Utah.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The actor co-owns the Beer Bar restaurant and Bar X on 200 South in downtown Salt Lake City; The Eating Establishment in Park City; and The Cotton Bottom in Holladay, per Deseret News.

And at the start of the pandemic, the Burrells wrote a check for $100,000 that helped establish the online fund Tip Your Server, which raised money for out-of-work servers in the local restaurant industry, as the Deseret News reported.

It was always their plan to move back to Utah when Modern Family ended, Burrell previously told the Deseret News.

What else Ty Burrell said about living in Utah

Although Burrell has been connected to Utah over the years, living in the Beehive State full-time was still a bit of an adjustment, he recently told People.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Growing up, he said, his family didnt take part in a lot of outdoor adventures, so being surrounded by mountains and an abundance of hiking trails was somewhat jarring.

At first, when we moved here, it almost felt like cosplay, like we were pretending to be people who were outdoorsy, Burrell said. And now we really truly love it.

Since living in Utah, Burrell has been spotted at a few Utah Jazz games  on one occasion flashing the U in support of the Utah Utes.

He and fellow actor Katherine Heigl  who has also praised Utah as being a great place to raise a family  also recently provided narration for a pair of videos that were part of the final bid presentation to the International Olympic Committee for the 2034 Olympic Games, per Deseret News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Heigl, who lives in Oakley, Summit County, has said that leaving Hollywood for more of a slow-paced, small-town life was the right choice for her family, as the Deseret News previously reported.

I didnt know how to raise them in L.A., she previously told E! News. So I felt like I could do it here.
This is an edited version of The Royalists regular Sunday newsletter, which has now moved to Substack. You can read it there for free and also sign up to get it delivered in full, unlocked, to your inbox.

Prince Andrews now-infamous alibi that he couldnt have been with Virginia Giuffre because he was at Pizza Express with his daughters means the York family has to be careful never to be photographed eating pizza again.

So when Princess Eugenie marked her sisters 37th birthday this week by posting a photo of herself and Princess Beatrice tucking into another Italian snacka paninishe might have been naive to think the trolls wouldnt pounce, with one commenter suggesting the picture seems to have been taken in Pizza Express in Woking. A regular haunt.

Advertisement Advertisement

That the sisters innocent lunch snap could become instant meme-fodder is a reminder of the inescapable shadow their fathers scandal casts over even the most banal Instagram post.

Its a problem baked into their public lives and only made worse by the astonishing revelations contained in Andrew Lownies brutal takedown of Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York.

Revelations include, but are not limited to: that Andrew lost his virginity at eleven to an escort; that he kept newly wrapped womens pantyhose, lingerie, and sandals in his closet at Jeffrey Epsteins home; that he had an orgy at a Thai hotel with a stream of sex workers and slept with 12 women in the first 12 months of his marriage. The book also unhelpfully rehashed rumors that he is bisexual and had HIV.

But friends insist that neither princess nor their mother is losing sleep over Lownies tome.

Advertisement Advertisement

Speaking to several of Andrew and Fergusons friends this week, I have been struck by how many of them think the controversy will quickly blow over, as so many royal scandals often do.

It would be totally inaccurate to say they are devastated or heartbroken by the book, or any of this crap, one told The Royalist. There are absolutely no new revelationsits just a rehash of things already said brought together in one place. The family used to wonder when this would ever end; now they know it never will. Its just, the tide comes in and the tide goes out.

Prince Andrew claimed in an interview that he could not have been with Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre because he was at PizzaExpress in Woking, England. / JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP via Getty Images

Another ally of Ferguson told me: The family have been pilloried and bullied by the British press for generations, so theyre well used to it by now.

That defiant tone has shaped their response this week. Fergie even seemed to wear her coping strategy on her feet, stepping out at a charity event in velvet evening slippers embroidered with the late queens mantra, Never complain, never explain.

Advertisement Advertisement

Certainly, there is no doubt that Queen Elizabeth II would have ignored this tabloid rubbish, but a slogan on a pair of slippers misses the fact of the queens lifetime devotion to duty and the fact that she didnt only not explain when it suited her not to. She always shunned personal revelations to such an extent that she never gave a personal interview. Fergie, by contrast, has, it can sometimes seem, spent huge chunks of her life complaining and explaining quite bitterly in venues such as, er, well, Oprah to start with.

Friends of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have described them as innocent victims and collateral damage in the biography of their father, and there are few, I think, who would support the demonization of children solely on the basis of the sins of their father. Lowney suggests in his book that the daughters may be more involved in dodgy deals than they appear at first blush, and if that turned out to be the case, then, of course, the dynamics would change.

Neither Princess Beatrice nor Princess Sarah has remarked on bombshell allegations about their father in Andrew Lownies book,

For now, however, I feel that most people feel quite sympathetic toward the kids.

As one contemporary of the sisterswho are 35 (Eugenie) and 37 (Beatrice), both with young childrenexclusively told The Royalist: All they have ever done is stand by their parents in the most horrifically public circumstances. I dont think its fair to criticize them for that.

Advertisement Advertisement

Theyre sweet girls who understand that they are immensely privileged and have always been grateful for the privilege theyve had and have tried to use it to do the right thing. They were told to get jobs by the firm, and they did that, so it seems unfair to attack them for making money, the source added.

Ferguson has always commanded more sympathy in the United States than in the United Kingdom. In the U.S., she has largely succeeded in portraying herself as a scrappy underdog, a royal rebel who pulled herself up by her bootstraps, spoke out against the stiff-upper-lip culture of the royal family, and earned plaudits for being honest and open about her mental health struggles and her eating disorder.

A new book claims Prince Andrew kept womens pantyhose, lingerie, and sandals in a designated closet at disgraced financier Jeffrey Epsteins home and that he hosted an orgy at a Thai hotel during a royal visit to the country. / Karwai Tang / WireImage/Getty Images

For more than a decade, she was a staple target of the British tabloids, which saddled her with cruel, often misogynistic nicknames like the Duchess of Pork, a jibe she has repeatedly cited when recalling her time under the media glare.

Yet despite the relentless mockery, the late Queen Elizabeth valued her as a crucial link to Andrew, with one royal confidant telling me she credited her with keeping Andrew from going completely bonkers.

Advertisement Advertisement

The queens forbearance, however, was not shared by Prince Philip, who refused to be in the same room as Fergie. Only after his death was she welcomed back to family gatherings.

Philips antipathy stemmed from the notorious episode in which she was photographed on holiday having her toes sucked by her then-boyfriend and financial adviser, Texan John Bryan.

Queen Elizabeth valued Prince Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who stopped the royal from going completely bonkers. / WPA Pool / Getty Images

Longstanding gossip has suggested that she and Andrew enjoyed a de facto open marriage, with the toe-sucking scandal forcing their divorce. Such theories have been fed by their continued cohabitation at Royal Lodge, Andrews residence, where they appear, in many respects, like a married couple.

Those close to them say they occupy separate wings, and while rumors of remarriage surface from time to time, friends dismiss them as tabloid fantasy, noting the absence of any romance and the unwanted attention it would bring.

Advertisement Advertisement

One friend told The Royalist: Sarah has seen it all before. Shes a tough old bird, and I dont think this latest round of revelations, which are really just recycled gossip, will make much difference. Its telling how many of the sources are either anonymous or dead.

Neither Andrew nor Fergie now have an official spokesperson, and despite repeated approaches by the Daily Beast to former adviserslawyers, PRs, and media handlers still believed to be in touch with the familyno one has commented on the book or on the princesses views.

Want more royal gossip, scoops and scandal? Head over to The Royalist on Substack
Here are the latest comings and goings casting news from all five daytime dramas: The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of our Lives, General Hospital, The Young and the Restless, and Beyond the Gates.

The Week of August 11, 2025

Find out if any of your favorite actors and actresses from yesteryear are returning to the shows you watch, if any newcomers have been cast in contract, recurring, or day-player roles, or if any popular performers are about to make their exit.

General Hospital

Theres double good news for GH fans. Chris McKenna, who has been recurring as Jack Brennan, has inked a contract with the soap. The move comes as the actors storyline has begun intensifying. McKenna revealed the news during GHs recent fan club weekend. He took over the role of Jack last February from Charles Mesure, who originated the part of the WSB station chief.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In addition, even though Rena Sofer announced that she and her husband, Sanford Bookstaver, are moving to New York, she is not leaving her role as Lois Cerrulo. The actress told Soap Opera Digest that she will be commuting for her LA-based job and, in fact, is set to film more episodes soon.

Finn Carr pops back in as Rocco Falconeri on Wednesday, August 13. He airs in scenes opposite Giovanni Mazzas Gio.

Vernee Watson continues her current visit as Stella Henry. Look for the character to encourage Kai (Jens Austin Astrup) to fight for Trina (Tabyana Ali) on Thursday, August 14.

Marc Forget gets more airtime as Pascal. The character is the concierge at Five Poppies Dalmatia, the Croatian hotel where Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) has been residing.

Days of our Lives

Sal Stowers is back filming scenes as Lani Price Grant at DAYS. The actress and the soap shared the news via a sweet Instagram Reel; specifically, a video of Stowers blowing a kiss to the camera from the studio parking lot along with the caption, Its always a beautiful day in Salem. Stowers, whos played Lani on and off since 2015, made her last appearance in December 2024. Due to the shows advance filming schedule, viewers will have to wait several months to see her. Shes not scheduled to air again until spring 2025.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Alice Halsey gets more screen time as Rachel Black on Tuesday, August 12 and Thursday, August 14. She interacts with her TV parents, Stacy Haiduks Kristen and Eric Martsolfs Brady, and Linsey Godfreys Sarah.

Timothy Hornor takes on the role of Adam, Leos (Greg Rikaart) juror-roommate and a major Body and Soul fan. He shares scenes with Rikaart and Al Calderons Leo on Friday, August 15.

Karole Foreman returns as Judge Dabne. The character continues to officiate over Johnnys trial this week.

Alison Sweeney wrapped up her Salem visit as Sami Brady DiMera. The character has returned to Italy to join her daughter, Sydney.

The Young and the Restless

A popular pair is back and getting some prominent screen time on Y&R. Lauralee Bell and Michael Damian return as the newly engaged Christine Blair and Danny Romalotti on Thursday, August 14. Look for the couple to share scenes with Michael Graziadeis Michael and Tracey Bregmans Lauren.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jess Walton has completed her quick video visit as Jill Abbott. As always the door remains open for her return at a later date.

The Bold and the Beautiful

As the battle for Brookes (Katherine Kelly Lang) heart continues on B&B, Jack Wagner is back as Nick Marone. He shares emotional scenes with Lang this week.

Ashleigh Brewer returns as Ivy Forrester. She interacts with her TV niece, Laneya Graces Electra, at the Forrester Creations offices on Tuesday, August 12.

Cassandra Creech gets more airtime as Dr. Grace Buckingham. Look for the duplicitous doctor to continue to take a hard fall now that the truth about her fabricating Liams (Scott Clifton) brain tumor has been revealed.

Beyond the Gates

Bryton James makes a special crossover appearance on BTG as Devon Winters, his longtime character on Y&R, on Monday, August 11. His character makes a mind-blowing proposition to Anita (Tamara Tunie) and will also interact with Clifton Davis Vernon.
The night before they went shopping for a dress for the 2023 Miss Teen USA pageant, UmaSofia Srivastava's mother had a dream. Her then-16-year-old daughter was wearing a purple gown  and a crown.

That dream came true, complete with the purple dress, but there was no premonition of what would come next.

Eight months after winning her title, Srivastava and Noelia Voigt became the first Miss Teen USA and Miss USA to step down in the organization's 72-year history.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bound by strict nondisclosure agreements, the two couldn't reveal much, but their mothers spoke up for them, sharing that the pageant queens had endured "eight months of torture and abuse" under the leadership of Miss USA CEO Laylah Rose  allegations that Rose has denied.

It's been a long-standing tradition for the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA winners to take a farewell walk across the stage before they crown their successors. Voigt and Srivastava never got that chance  until last week. On August 2, they said goodbye to their pageant careers at the brand-new Miss All-American competition in Charleston, South Carolina.

In their first joint interview since the historic resignations, Voigt and Srivastava spoke to Business Insider about coping with the aftermath, what comes next, and why they still believe in pageants.

A fresh start

Noelia Voigt and UmaSofia Srivastava at the Miss All-American pageant on August 2 in Charleston, South Carolina. Sage Media Group

On August 1, the night before their farewell walk, Voigt, 25, and Srivastava, 18, sat across from me at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, where dress rehearsals for the inaugural Miss All-American pageant  with 117 contestants from 28 states  were in full swing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Across the parking lot was a sold-out Embassy Suites, where contestant headshots fluttered across balconies like flags. Well-meaning parents politely interrupted our conversation every so often, asking for directions or where they could drop off an emergency box of tampons.

As ambassadors for the new national pageant, Voigt and Srivastava were able to experience the entrenched traditions they gave up when they resigned in May 2024. They even took part in the sashing ceremony, bequeathing the contestants with white ribbons emblazoned with the name of their respective hometowns.

"It's a stark contrast from what we experienced before," Voigt said as we discussed the new pageant. "There were many times during the week where Uma and I would just look at each other and be like, 'Wow, this is really what it should be.'"

Running Miss All-American is another Miss USA alum. Paula Miles was a director for multiple state pageants with the Miss USA organization for 45 years before she resigned in June due to Rose's leadership. At the time, her son Ryan Miles, who served as codirector, told me it had been the "worst year of our professional life."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"For her to walk away from something she built and the amount of lives she's changed, she wanted people's eyes to be open for what the organization has become," he said in July 2024.

Noelia Voigt and UmaSofia Srivastava crowning the first Miss All-American. Sage Media Group

The Miles family wasn't ready to leave the world of pageants. So they revived the defunct Miss Teen All-American pageant  which helped launch Halle Berry's career after she won in 1985  and added the titles of Miss All-American and Miss All-American Junior.

Voigt said it was a "no-brainer" when they asked her and Srivastava to join as national ambassadors.

"I didn't even need time to think about it," Voigt said. "They recognized that we did not get the ending we were hoping for. It wasn't even something we thought would be a possibility."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"And we were OK with that," Srivastava added. "We knew what we were stepping away from. All the people on this team really understood what we were going through, and I think that's why it's been so beautiful for all of us."

"It's like a big reunion and a safe place for all of us to heal from a dream that didn't quite work out, but to work on creating something that does," Srivastava said.

New year, same problems

Srivastava and Voigt during their reign as Miss Teen USA and Miss USA in February 2024. Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Supermodels Unlimited

Voigt and Srivastava became invisible during their reigns as Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. Their mothers, Barbara Srivastava and Jackeline Voigt, said Rose repeatedly refused to book appearances for their daughters and impersonated them in comments on the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA social-media pages.

Jackeline Voigt said Rose's communication was "so abusive, so aggressive," it would leave her daughter "shaking just to see a text or a call or an email from Laylah."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In her official Miss USA resignation letter, Voigt detailed the "detrimental mental and emotional toll" of her time as Miss USA, saying that she had been prescribed two anxiety medications due to Rose's constant harassment.

"I've never ever in my life been on anti-anxiety medication," Voigt said in Charleston. "It wasn't something that came out of nowhere. It was a byproduct of the situation that we were in. I felt like I had to put on a facade to represent the organization because I had this title, but I didn't agree with what was going on."

Rose reacted to what she called "false allegations made by individuals speaking on behalf of our former titleholder" in a statement sent to ABC News in May 2024.

"Such behavior is not accepted, and we can assure you that if such behavior ever occurred, we would take immediate steps to protect our titleholder and provide access to appropriate resources," she added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Srivastava said it was tough watching some people try to "weaponize" Voigt's mental health in the aftermath of their resignations and claim the pageant queens were "crazy" or "difficult to work with."

"Since that time, we've been able to work with a great number of organizations that we love, and I think it's a testament that we've been able to maintain relationships both before and after our time with the Miss USA organization," Srivastava added.

After Voigt and Srivastava resigned, the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA 2024 pageants went on as usual. The Miss Universe Organization, which oversees the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants, did not investigate the allegations against Rose.

Laylah Rose was a fashion designer before taking over Miss USA. She's pictured here during her show at New York Fashion Week in 2019. Brian Ach/Getty Images for hiTechMODA

Rose and representatives for Miss USA and Miss Universe did not respond to requests for comment on this story. However, in a statement sent to Business Insider in July 2024, a spokesperson for Miss Universe said the organization was a "beacon of women empowerment and diversity" and remained committed to "promoting inclusion, transparency, and integrity, which will not be swayed by unfounded allegations."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bound by their nondisclosure agreements, Voigt and Srivastava hoped stepping down would send a message that they no longer believed in the Miss USA organization. They said little seemed to change.

"We thought it would have more of an impact," Srivastava said. "It stopped a lot of girls from competing, but it didn't fully put an end to what the issue was. We wish it had done more."

Voigt said she doesn't see how Miss USA will continue to move forward if nothing changes at the organization.

"Things will either stay the same or they'll get worse, but I don't see the opposite happening," she said. "We were just the first to go through it. We saw a lot, we heard a lot, and we experienced a lot."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The truth comes out eventually," Voigt continued. "Sometimes, it just takes longer than we want. People's eyes are opening, and the rose-colored glasses  no pun intended  are starting to come off."

Fighting for a different future

Voigt at the Miss All-American pageant. Sage Media Group

The week in Charleston was healing for Voigt and Srivastava. They took part in a mental health panel with the Miss All-American contestants, and Srivastava shared her past struggles with suicidal ideation and self-harm while being bullied in school.

"It was the first time I had ever shared that in a pageant space, and it was so well-received," Srivastava said. "I think we should do more of that. Pageant girls are so much more than the gowns. We have ideas, and hearts, and minds  everything Jo March said in 'Little Women.'"

"There were so many girls that came up to me and Uma after the panel and thanked us for talking about those things, because they do relate," Voigt added. "If you're touting women's empowerment, you have to empower the women to talk about these hard things."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Voigt and Srivastava credit pageantry for giving them the confidence to speak up. It's why they still believe in the future of pageants.

"It makes me emotional to remember the girl that I was when I first started because I was so shy," said Voigt, who began competing when she was 16. "I'm so grateful for my whole journey, and that we're coming at this full-circle moment and getting to close our chapters with grace."

Srivastava during her final walk at the Miss All-American pageant. Sage Media Group

The soul-searching that followed their resignations has led to unexpected career paths for the pageant queens. Voigt plans to attend nursing school, and Srivastava is attending New York University next spring to study marketing and music business.

"In the short term, it seemed bleak, I'm not going to lie," Srivastava said of the period after they relinquished their crowns. "Both of us were kind of waffling about what we were going to do next, but it gave us time to step back and redefine our lives and what we wanted to do in the future."

"The fact that now, a year later, this is our closing chapter for this era in our lives is really wonderful to see," she added, "because sometimes things take time."

When it came time to decide what to wear for their farewell walk, Voigt and Srivastava chose to go back to the beginning. Voigt shone in the sparkling gold gown from the night she was named Miss USA, and Srivastava brought back that winning purple dress her mother had once dreamed.

As their parents wiped away tears and the crowd rose for a standing ovation, Voigt and Srivastava said goodbye to their pageant careers.

"I didn't lose a crown," Voigt said that night. "I reclaimed my voice."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Recently, my new favorite thing to do is drive to a small towns downtown section and eat a meal at a local restaurant. Not a chain, of course, but some locally owned, long-time-at-the-same-location place. Yesterday, on my way back from an errand in Spartanburg, I made my fifth stop at The Hare and Hound in Landrum, off Exit 1 on I-26.

A year ago when friends visited from out of town, we spent their several days here in Gerton traveling to Chimney Rock  to shop at The Hickory Nut (they had the best selection of yard wind spinners), eating meals at Highlands Grill and The Lake House, walking through the lobby of the Lake Lure Inn and Spa and then across the Flowering Bridge, and a quick stop at Chimney Rock State Park.

Except for the park and the Lake Lure Inn, the other places are now all gone or, at least, different because of Tropical Storm Helenes fury. I miss those places. And seeing the spaces where they used to be.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Many, many years ago (OK, over a half century) when it was time to choose a college, I found myself selecting Pfeiffer, a small liberal arts college in the Piedmont section of this fine state. Pfeiffer was and still is located in Misenheimer, a little place that could be a picture post card for rural America.

Without the college, there is a post office, and now a defunct Pop Drys Store, where we used to be able to buy Chef Boy-Ar-Dee pizza in a box for 63 cents. The dining hall didnt serve dinner on Sunday nights, so we made a plan to share a pizza that night and made sure to buy a box on Saturday. This was for those of us who didnt travel home on the weekend and bring back homemade country ham biscuits.

Two of my friends then (and still now  because that is one of many good things a small college will do for you) lived in the country  one on a poultry farm where her mom and dad delivered fresh eggs daily from their 10,000 chickens. And the other from a farm where her dad slaughtered the pig and her mom made the biscuits from scratch, of course.

She used to say, If I had an acre of land, I would never go hungry. To which I would reply, If my acre was next to yours, I wouldnt go hungry either."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When it came time to graduate and leave Pfeiffer, I realized that one of my takeaways was the great rural-urban divide. I had come from a large city in Florida and would go on to live most of my life in Denver, Colorado. When it came time to retire, I chose rural. Helped, of course, by my buying some land here in Gerton from a former Pfeiffer professor, who happened to have some lots available. (Because after that same half century passed, he had retired and still remembered who I was  another thing that happens at a small college.)

I have been trying to figure out why eating in downtowns of small towns has become so important to me, and I believe it just may be connected to those college years. The decisions we make in those formative years have a way of shaping us, instilling habits and preferences that dont diminish over time.

So when I sit in the Hare and Hound in Landrum, South Carolina, munch on their fresh appetizer popcorn and wait for my grilled catfish sandwich, I see that I am actually traveling back in time, when the responsibilities of adulthood  earning your own way, figuring out how to parent, putting to use what you are learning  are still in the future. Now, those things are in the past, and a bit of the freedom I once had in college days has returned. Pizza no longer costs 63 cents a box, but careful management has made it possible still to be able to afford todays restaurant costs.

Perhaps this is why when I celebrate my birthday in a few weeks, I will return with friends to Jonesborough, Tennessee, and have lunch at the Main Street Cafe and then go hear the days storyteller at 2 p.m. The lure of the small town just keeps calling.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Opinion: Demolished Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Community Center held the heart of Gerton

Opinion: Hold on to long road trips, family milestones, home ... and Mark Twain

Margaret Earley Whitt is a retired college professor and lives in Gerton.

Margaret Whitt is a retired English professor who taught at the University of Denver for 27 years.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Dining in Lake Lure, Chimney Rock revives good memories
Maine has a few different claims to fame. As the northeasternmost state in the union, it's the first one in the contiguous United States to see the sun rise. Stephen King famously hails from Maine, as did the legendary film director John Ford. And, of course, it's renowned for its seafood, from its bounty of lobsters (in roll form or otherwise) to its love of clam chowder  well, one specific kind of clam chowder, anyway. Locals hate the other kind so much that a Maine state representative once introduced a bill to ban tomatoes from being served in chowder altogether.

You see, there are two main varieties of clam chowder (although there are many more). The first and most famous kind is New England clam chowder, whose broth is enriched with milk or cream; the second is Manhattan clam chowder, with a tomato-based broth. Despite the name, Manhattan clam chowder was also invented in New England  it was developed by Portuguese immigrants who lived in Rhode Island and traveled to New York's Fulton Fish Market for their clams. But that doesn't stop some people from forming very strong opinions (most famously a Maine state representative from the early 20th century with the awesomely old-fashioned name of Cleveland Sleeper Jr.), who half-seriously wrote a bill to get tomato-based chowder banned in the Pine Tree State.

Read more: The 14 Most Unhealthy Canned Soups You Can Buy At The Store

Cleveland Sleeper's Chowder Crusade Culminated In A Cookoff

An overhead shot of Manhattan clam chowder. - Nickola_Che/Shutterstock

Cleveland Sleeper Jr., a state representative from Rockland, Maine, earned himself a spot in the Hater Hall of Fame with his crusade against tomato-based chowder. In 1939, he wrote a bill that would ban the stuff in Maine, specifying that those who ran afoul of the law would have to produce a barrel of clams from the nearest beach at high tide  which, for those who are unfamiliar with clamming, is kind of like asking someone to pick a basket of cherries without a ladder.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sleeper, not satisfied with debating Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio live on the radio (which he actually did), was itching for a fight, or at least for publicity. He got his wish when a contest was arranged in Portland, the state's largest city, with judges including then-Governor Lewis O. Barrows and chocolate chip cookie inventor (or popularizer) Ruth Wakefield. Somewhat confusingly, the representative for Manhattan clam chowder wasn't from Manhattan or Rhode Island, but a restaurant owner from Philadelphia. In any case, the chefs of both Sleeper and Philadelphia restaurateur Harry Tully prepared their respective soups and presented them to the judges.

It should come as no surprise that New England clam chowder won a contest held in Maine and judged almost exclusively by New Englanders. Sleeper, mollified, dropped his bill, and New England chowder is still the most popular kind of clam soup in most places  and certainly in Maine.

For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more!

Read the original article on The Takeout.
Dale beamed when his new friend Jason Wright handed him a Burger King gift card on a hot July day.

This wasnt your typical interaction between friends. In fact, it was the pairs first meeting.

Dale, an unhoused man, had been sitting under a tree in a Salt Lake City park surrounded by all of his belongings when Wright approached him.

The two talked about Dales life and love of writing, something they bonded over. Then Wright handed Dale gift cards to his favorite restaurant. Dales joy and surprise led to Wright handing him a few more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I doubt he had been that surprised and that full of joy in years  at $100 worth of gift cards to Burger King, Wright said.

Dale is one of the many individuals Wright has helped through the Kindness Card Movement, where people from all over the country donate gift cards to Wright to give away to the hungry and unhoused.

The origin of the Kindness Card Movement

Jason Wright was gifted this wallet full of $350 worth of gift cards by Fairview Church in Stephens City, Virginia, in 2022 to feed the hungry and unhoused. This wallet started the Kindness Card Movement | Jason Wright

On June 26, 2022, in Stephens City, Virginia, Wright, a speaker and author, had just finished his remarks at Fairview Church when then-Pastor Laetitia Schoeman and church member Dawn Welch handed him a wallet.

Wright didnt quite know what he was looking at. The gift was more unique than the typical T-shirt, mug or candy hed been gifted at previous speaking engagements.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He was then told that the wallet contained $350 worth of gift cards, but they werent for him. The church had heard of Wrights habit of befriending the lonely and neglected, including the hungry and unhoused.

They wanted Wright to use the cards to buy those strangers-turned-friends a meal. On that day, the Kindness Card Movement was born.

As Wright embarked on his new mission, he would share stories from his interactions on social media because he felt it was important that the people I meet have an opportunity to share the why in their circumstances, he said.

The cards lasted a few months, but before they ran out, Wright was gifted more donations while at book signings and speaking engagements.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Certainly, when I walked out of the church that day, in my mind, I was never imagining that strangers from across the country would be sending me currency or handing me gift cards to pay forward in their honor, he said.

Now, three years after he was given the wallet, Wright has gifted cards in over 30 states and received donations from almost every state with a donation total nearing $50,000.

Spreading kindness

In all of his Kindness Card interactions, Wright has never witnessed any ingratitude from the recipient. Their reaction is quite the opposite.

People have cried at the notion of Chick-fil-A. Seriously, their eyes well up, he said. Many of these people, their last meal was the leftover from your last meal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When deciding who to give a card to, Wright relies on his experience and good old-fashioned common sense to avoid putting himself in an unsafe situation. He also leans on his faith to guide him.

I believe in a God that gives us guidance if well tune in, and so, I try to tune in, he said. I dont do it perfectly, but I do try to listen.

Jason Wright met his new friend Zack and his dog, Ruger, in Orem, Utah. Wright gave Zack gift cards sent by donors to Wright's Kindness Card Movement. | Jason Wright

Wright is often asked various what if questions when it comes to the recipients: What if theyre not really homeless, they dont actually need it or they misuse the gift?

Wright doesnt care about the answers to those questions.

That does not keep me up for even a split second because I dont think that thats our job, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Donors dont seem to care either, never placing stipulations on their donations use.

People trust that itll find the right home, and they do, he said.

The recipients arent the only ones who walk away from the interactions changed.

Wrights eyes are always opened with each experience. He often walks away feeling the weight of his new friends hardships and with a greater perspective.

The difference for me is that I get to climb back into a car, go home to family, eat a well balanced meal and sleep in a bed. But my new friends leave their interactions and return to none of those things, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sometimes, the interactions bring Wright to tears.

I come away with a pretty overwhelming feeling that God put me in that place at that time with that resource  this $100 worth of meals or whatever  for a reason and that that person needed to be fed more ways than just a meal or two," he said.

Each interaction has brought Wright a little closer to God. The majority of his most spiritual experiences over the last three years have been through the Kindness Card Movement, he said.

I tell you with all sincerity that I believe I am a better person after each and every interaction that I have, he said. I just know how much God loves these people. He loves them deeply and personally, and he wants us to love them, too.

More than a meal

Members of Fairview Church in Stephens City, Virginia, hold up a chain of $1,500 in donated gift cards to the Kindness Card Movement. The church's initial donation in 2022 sparked the Kindness Card Movement. | Jason Wright

The Kindness Card Movement goes beyond feeding the hungry and unhoused.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It allows individuals to walk into a restaurant with their head held high, not asking for a handout, not asking for money in the parking lot, or not looking for leftovers and get to buy their own meal, Wright said.

The people helped through the Kindness Card Movement have lived what Wright described as an isolating life amongst many people.

No ones asked their name in months or longer. Like, no one cares. No one introduces themselves. Theyre not used to anybody shaking their hand or looking them in the eye and saying, What is your name? he said.

When Wright stops to have a conversation with these individuals, it gives them a chance to be acknowledged and feel like a person again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It sounds so unbelievably cliche, but if you give them five seconds of kindness by seeing them and smiling at them and looking them in the eye, you give them some validation that they matter, and that is incredible currency for these folks that are going through hard times  far more valuable than the $2 youre going to throw out your window, he said.

Some of those conversations have been with people who are ready to give up. Wright hopes the feelings of being seen and that they matter will last beyond their time together.

Im just hoping that theyll remember that time that some weirdo from Virginia talked to them on the street corner for an hour and reminded them that theyre not alone, that God sees them, that God knows their name, that God hears their prayers, he said.

Growing the movement

Though its been around for three years, Wright is calling this year the Kindness Card Movements pilot year as he focuses on growing the movement before potentially transitioning it into a nonprofit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As part of that, the movement launched its leadership circle this year. Donors who have donated $2,500 join the leadership circle where theyre able to advise and counsel the movement.

Fairview Church, whose original donation started it all, recently joined the leadership circle with another contribution to the Kindness Card Movement.

In June, Wright returned to the church to speak again. Afterwards, the church gave him $1,500 in gift cards, which they taped together to form a train that wrapped around the interior of the chapel. They then gave Wright a check for $2,500.

That money went toward Wrights goal of raising $250,000 this year in his pursuit of spreading kindness. But that will only be possible through the kindness of strangers.

Jason Wright takes a selfie with Bonnie, a woman he met through his Kindness Card Movement. Bonnie was walking from Virginia to North Carolina when Wright found her and drove her to her destination. | Jason Wright

Despite appearances on Good Morning America and The Kelly Clarkson Show, so far, the most effective way the movement has grown is by word of mouth, and Wright thinks thats part of the beauty of the movement.

Its really kind of one donor at a time tells the story to someone at church, to their neighbor, at their family reunion, he said.

Then that neighbor or family member calls, texts or messages Wright on Facebook asking how they can contribute.

Its quite an honor that people trust me to do that for them, to have these safe interactions with people and to give them an opportunity to be seen and tell their story, he said.

Wright still receives donations at his book signings or speaking engagements, like the teary-eyed woman who handed Wright $500 worth of Visa gift cards after he spoke to youth at a church in Waynesboro, Virginia.

Then theres the elementary school students who raised money as a class.

Or, theres the high school seniors at a Boys State in Virginia who donated the emergency cash their parents gave them and the one boy who gave his partially used gift card to a local cafe in Richmond, Virginia, because that was all he had to give.

The common denominator is that everyone wants to make a difference, and this movement of kindness ties us together. Its a religion of kindness, I think, for a lot of people, Wright said.

Those interested in donating to the Kindness Card Movement can find instructions on its website. There, youll also find how you can start your own local movement, which would make Wright more than happy to see.

This isnt mine. This doesnt belong to me. Im just here to help people, to be a resource for donors, for recipients, for people that want to launch it in their own community. Nothing would make me happier than to see a thousand of me doing this around the country and feeding people a few days at a time.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  One person was seriously injured Saturday afternoon, Aug. 9 when a vehicle hit a tree in Northeast El Paso, an El Paso Fire Department spokesperson said.

The crash happened just before 4 p.m. Saturday at Dyers and Sanders. One person was thrown through the windshield and was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, the spokesperson said.

A vehicle crashed into a tree Saturday afternoon, Aug. 9 at Dyer and Sanders. One person was taken to the hospital in serious condition. Photo by Edith Montero/KTSM

The scene was turned over to the Police Department and their Special Traffic Investigations Unit is looking into the crash.

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.
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI)  Saturday afternoon was a very special day for a 100-year-old D-Day veteran.

Richard Fazzio, a lifelong Woonsocket resident who piloted a Navy boat during the first wave of the D-Day invasion, received the Bob Dole World War II Leadership Award from U.S. Sen. Jack Reed.

I think his heroism is only matched by his humility, Reed said.

The award is named after Dole, the late former U.S. Senate majority leader and 1996 presidential candidate who was severely injured in World War II. Reed presented the award on behalf of the World War II Foundation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Fazzio was just 19 at the time when he led a boat of soldiers across the English Channel on June 6, 1944.

On the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Fazzio spoke with 12 News about how that experience has affected him. He acknowledged he doesnt like to talk about what happened that day and disagrees with those who call him a hero.

RELATED: The heroes are all dead: RI veteran, now 99, recalls landing at Normandy on D-Day

The heroes are all dead, he said. Im a survivor.

Fazzio told those in attendance at the ceremony hes grateful to receive this award and encouraged them to pray for peace.

Ted Nesi contributed to this report.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

NEXT: RI-based nonprofit helps Army sergeant receive life-saving cancer treatment

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.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Over the weekend, Siouxland celebrated the rich African cultures at the Siouxland African Festival.

The Siouxland African Association recently hosted a vibrant, free family event celebrating the diverse cultures of various African nations in Siouxland.

Story continues below

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Highlights included a colorful parade, an exhibition of African artifacts, a variety of traditional cuisines, and lively drumming and dancing performances. Organizers expressed their hope to continue such events in the future to raise awareness and appreciation for African culture within Iowa, promoting unity and cultural exchange among the community.

We dont just want to do one thing here, but we want to project this into the community, so people who are not able to come here can have a taste of our culture outside of here, said the board secretary for the Siouxland African Association. So its a big part of what we do.

Although the event recognizes all African countries, two countries were specifically highlighted this year: Congo-Brazzaville and Ghana.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Lincoln Hills, a detention facility the state has ordered closed by 2021. (Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections)

Rian Nyblom, 18, was sentenced to five years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges stemming from the death of a staff member at Wisconsins infamous juvenile prison, the Lincoln Hills School for Boys. Nyblom pleaded guilty in April to two counts of being party to a crime of battery by a prisoner, a deal which reduced felony murder charges, and dropped an additional battery charge, against the teen, the AP reported.

Prosecutors say that in June 2024, tensions arose between a then- 16-year-old Lincoln Hills resident and a female guard who the teen felt was abusing her power. The 16-year-old threw a cup of what he believed was soap on her, and proceeded to punch her repeatedly. When the teen ran out into the courtyard 49-year-old staff member Corey Proulx followed. After Proulx scuffled with the teen, he sustained a head injury after falling to the pavement. Proulx died a day later.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nyblom allegedly told investigators that he knew of the 16-year-olds issues with the female guard. Shortly before the fighting began Nyblom retrieved extra soup and conditioner, he told investigators, and gave it to the 16-year-old. Nyblom said he hadnt witnessed the attack on the female guard, but did see the teen hit Proulx.

Nyblom was sentenced to five years in prison, with 405 days counted as time served. He was transferred to the Lincoln County Jail last year. The 18-year-old had been sent to Lincoln Hills after being charged with misdemeanor criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct. To those charges, AP reported, Nyblom pleaded no contest and was found guilty in May.

The teen to whom Nyblom supplied the soup and conditioner, who is now 17, faces one count of first-degree reckless homicide, and two counts of battery by a prisoner, and is charged as an adult. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, with a trial expected to begin in February. Its possible that the teens lawyers will attempt to move the case back to juvenile court.

As of Aug. 1, there were 80 boys in Lincoln Hills, four girls in the Copper Lake School, and 26 youth at the Mendota Juvenile Treatment Facility, according to the Department of Corrections latest population report. Thats slightly up from the 78 boys held at Lincoln Hills in late April. The higher population number at the juvenile prison was noted by the Lincoln Hills court-ordered monitor around that same time. The monitor also highlighted enduring staffing vacancies and, in the past, had complained about staff treating students poorly, even exhibiting racist behaviors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In August 2024, following Proulxs death, Republican lawmakers wrote letters to DOC Sec. Jared Hoy saying that Lincoln Hills had become less safe, and blamed the consent decree for limiting the ability of staff to use force against juvenile residents.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Two Manatee County residents died and two other people were injured in a high-speed crash early Saturday morning, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Troopers say a 19-year-old Ellenton man was heading south on Silverleaf Avenue near U.S. 301 at a high rate of speed when his Dodge Charger traveled off the Parrish roadway with three passengers inside around 2:15 a.m. The car collided with several trees, killing the driver and the front seat passenger, a 19-year-old Parrish man, a crash report said.

Neither the driver nor the front seat passenger were wearing a seatbelt, troopers said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Two passengers in the backseat, a 17-year-old Parrish boy and a 16-year-old girl from Holtsville, New York, were injured in the crash and taken to a nearby hospital. The boy sustained critical injuries, and the girls injuries were serious, according to an FHP crash report.

Troopers have not publicly released the names of the people involved in the crash.

FHP says the crash remains under investigation. Further information was not immediately available Saturday afternoon.
The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission recently announced that 19 towns and two counties have completed the Film Ready New Jersey Program.

That brings the states total to 43 film-ready locations. The designation prepares the areas to effectively host and market themselves to movie and television producers.

The newest Film Ready Communities include Hunterdon and Salem counties, along with the following towns:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Atlantic City

Bridgewater

Carteret

Clinton Town

East Brunswick

Florence Township

Gloucester Township

Guttenberg

Keyport

Leonia

Little Silver

Livingston

Maplewood

Moorestown

Mount Holly

New Providence

Ocean

Sparta

Union Township

From the Jersey Shore to the Pine Barrens, and from vibrant cities to quiet suburban neighborhoods, New Jersey offers a remarkable variety of landscapes that meet the diverse needs of film and television productions, state Economic Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan, said in a statement.

The Film Ready New Jersey Program, a five-step certification and marketing initiative, educates municipalities on motion picture production fundamentals and establishes standards for attracting filmmakers.

The program includes workshops led by industry professionals, local mayors, and commission staff covering topics from economic impact to permitting and infrastructure development.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The commission will be hosting its next workshop at the 2025 League of Municipalities in Atlantic City on Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information on the event, click here.

Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.
A 23-year-old Ohio man is dead after a motorcycle crash Saturday morning.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Around 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol were dispatched to Panhandle Road just north of Hudson Road in Delaware County on reports of a crash, our news partners WBNS-10 TV reported.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A motorcycle driven by 23-year-old Rocco Torio of Delaware, Ohio, was traveling north of Pandhandle road, according to the OSHP.

The motorcycle drove off the left side of the road and struck a utility pole support wire and a rock, WBNS-10 TV reported.

Torio was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
The Brief

An Irving police officer shot and wounded an armed man who refused to comply with orders.

The suspect, Arlington Fuentes-Murillo, is in stable condition at a local hospital.

Fuentes-Murillo has been charged with aggravated assault on a public servant.

IRVING, Texas - A man was shot by Irving police after refusing to comply with orders while armed, the department said on Saturday.

Irving officer-involved shooting

What we know

The incident happened in the 1400 block of North Nursery Road. Officers were alerted to a suspicious person in the area around 3:34 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When they arrived, they found 25-year-old Arlington Fuentes-Murillo, who they say was armed with a gun.

After the subject did not comply with officers' orders, the department says one officer fired his gun, striking Fuentes-Murillo at least once.

Life-saving measures were given until Irving Fire Medics arrived to take Fuentes-Murillo to a hospital. He remains in stable condition, they say.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

What we don't know

The orders Fuentes-Murillo did not comply with were not included in the release.

The release does not say whether Fuentes-Murillo fired or aimed his gun at the officers.

The Source

Irving Police Department provided the information in this report.
The Brief

Three people are dead after an early Saturday shooting in Dallas.

Police believe Lalit Pradhan, 53, shot two people who were known to him before he was also shot.

Of the two other victims, one was a 3-year-old child.

DALLAS - Three people are dead, including the initial shooter, after an early Saturday morning incident in Dallas. One of the victims was a child.

Dallas triple-fatal

What we know

The incident happened in the 1900 block of Dudley Street. Dallas Police Department officers responded at around 2:10 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to their release, Lalit Pradhan, 53, is believed to have shot two victims at the scene who were known to him. After officers arrived, they found that Pradhan had also been shot and had several lacerations.

Pradhan was taken to a hospital for treatment, but he later died of his wounds.

The two victims allegedly shot by Pradhan died at the scene.

On Sunday, Dallas PD updated to say that the other two victims were identified as Pranish Pradhan, 3, and Ranjana Shrestha, 37.

What we don't know

Lalit Pradhan's relationship to the other two people killed was not released.

The motive behind the shooting was not commented on.

What you can do

This ongoing investigation will be documented under case numbers 113635-2025, 113712-2025, and 113721-2025. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Detective C. Fehrenbach #11089 at (214) 671-3671 or cody.fehrenbach@dallaspolice.gov .

The Source

Information in this article came from the Dallas Police Department.
Three people were killed by sea mines while swimming in prohibited areas on the Black Sea coast in Odesa Oblast, regional governor Oleh Kiper said on Aug. 10.

One man was killed at a beach about 60 kilometers south of the port city of Odesa, while another man and a woman were killed at a beach in Zatoka, further south, according to local authorities.

"This proves once again that being in water areas uncleared (from the mines) is deadly dangerous," Kiper said in a Telegram post.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Russia has deployed sea mines in the Black Sea  where Odesa Oblast sits  since the beginning of the full-scale war, with the U.K. saying that it is "almost certainly" Russia's intention to blame Ukraine for attacking civilian vessels. The drifting mines in the sea pose a threat to civilians in coastal areas.

Kiper urged the residents to only swim in the officially permitted areas due to the danger. He said that law enforcement officers were working at the sites to investigate the incidents.

The governor added that there are 32 officially permitted swimming areas in Odesa Oblast, including 30 in Odesa, and one each in Chornomorsk and Prymorske.

"Each of them has undergone a comprehensive inspection  the presence of shelters, the absence of mine danger both on land and in water," he said in the Telegram post.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read also: Exclusive: Putin to demand Ukraine cede new territory in Alaska peace plan  US likely to agree, Kyiv to reject

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A 31-year-old man has died after exchanging gunfire with four Milwaukee police officers on Aug. 9, police say.

The shooting took place at 7 p.m. around the 2700 block of North 60th Street, Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said at a news conference late Saturday night.

Police were in the area to investigate a vehicle related to multiple business robberies, which was found parked at the rear of a residence, Norman said. While investigating the residence, officers encountered the man armed with a gun on the rear porch, Norman said.

Officers gave several commands to drop the gun, but the man refused and gunfire was exchanged between the man and the officers, according to police. The man was struck by the officers' gunfire and no officers were struck by gunfire, a statement from the department said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Norman said it's still unclear if the man died from his injuries sustained from the officers' gunfire or a self-inflicted injury.

The four officers that discharged their firearm have been placed on administrative duty as is routine in police shootings. Those officers were described by Norman as:

A 46-year-old man with over 21 years of service

A 36-year-old man with over eight years of service

A 30-year-old man with over five years of service

A 29-year-old man with over 11 years of service

The Brookfield Police Department is the lead agency in the investigation. Footage from the incident will be made available to the public in 15 days.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 31-year-old man dies after being shot by 4 Milwaukee police officers
New investor registrations at the National Stock Exchange (NSE) increased by 15 per cent month-on-month in June 2025, reaching 12.7 lakh compared to 11.0 lakh in May. Despite this growth, the figures were significantly lower than June 2024, when 21.6 lakh new investors had joined the market, according to the latest NSE Market Pulse report for June 2025. Region-wise, the rise in new registrations was led by West India, which saw a 20.5 per cent month-on-month jump. South India followed with a 15.2 per cent increase, while North India and East India recorded growths of 13.4 per cent and 10.4 per cent, respectively. State-wise, Uttar Pradesh topped the list in June 2025, accounting for 14 per cent of all new registrations with 1.8 lakh additions, marking a 13.1 per cent increase from the previous month. Maharashtra was next with 12 per cent, followed by Tamil Nadu and West Bengal at 7 per cent each, and Karnataka at 6 per cent. Together, these five states contributed 46 per cent of the total new investor registrations for the month, the NSE report noted. For the first quarter of the fiscal year 2025-26, the average monthly investor registrations stood at 11.3 lakh, which is 35 per cent lower than the 17.4 lakh average monthly registrations recorded in previous fiscal year 2024-25. While Uttar Pradesh remained the largest contributor in the first half of calendar year 2025 (January-June), its share slightly increased from 13.9 per cent to 14.1 per cent compared to the second half of 2024. Rajasthan and Maharashtra, ranked eighth and second respectively by new investor share, showed the highest monthly growth among the top 10 states in June, with 22.1 per cent and 21.3 per cent increases, respectively. However, all states experienced a slowdown in investor registration pace during 2025-26 so far, compared to 2024-25. Gujarat reported the steepest decline of 60 per cent, followed by Rajasthan at 46 per cent. Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, the leading states in total investor numbers, also saw drops of 39 per cent and 36 per cent, respectively. (ANI)
CHICAGO  A 34-year-old man was shot and killed near an alley early Sunday morning in Woodlawn on the citys South Side, according to Chicago police.

2 dead, multiple people wounded overnight in 3 separate shootings in Austin neighborhood, police investigating

Police say the man was standing near an alley just before 5:30 a.m. in the 6600 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue when he was approached by an unknown offender, who took out a gun and fired shots at the victim.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The man was shot multiple times in the body and pronounced dead at the scene.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Police say nobody is in custody, and Area One 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.
NEW YORK CITY (PIX11)  Saturday night into Sunday morning was marked with gunfire throughout New York City, with a total of at least seven people shot in four separate incidents.

The first of the incidents resulted in the death of a 45-year-old man in Brooklyn, according to authorities. He was shot in the back in the area of 57th Street and Fourth Avenue in Sunset Park shortly after 9 p.m., police say.

More Crime News

The scene of a fatal shooting in Sunset Park, Brooklyn (Credit: CitizenApp)

In the Bronx, three people were shot at 1932 Crotona Parkway in West Farms just after midnight on Sunday, officials tell PIX11 News. A 22-year-old woman was shot in the left arm while a 32-year-old woman was shot in the back, leaving her in critical condition at the hospital, according to authorities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A 37-year-old man who was also shot at the location later walked himself to the hospital with a gunshot wound in his left arm.

The scene of a triple shooting in West Farms, the Bronx (Credit: CitizenApp)

More Local News

Back in Brooklyn, two more people were shot at 603 Bushwick Ave in Bushwick around 1:26 a.m. on Sunday, police say. A 35-year-old woman was shot in the chest and arm, while a man in his 20s was shot twice in the arm, officials report.

Sources say the shooter appeared to be waiting on the other side of a door and shot at the two victims when they exited the location.

The scene of a double shooting in Bushwick, Brooklyn (Credit: CitizenApp)

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

The last incident also resulted in the death of a 23-year-old man who was shot in the shoulder near 24 Pine Street in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, just before 2:30 a.m., according to police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There have been no arrests as investigators continue working to find out the circumstances leading up to each shooting.

The string of shootings came after three people were shot by a teen in Times Square early Saturday morning.

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).

Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found 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

On Saturday, Aug. 9, at least six people were injured in a shooting in Baltimore, Maryland

According to Baltimore police, "multiple rounds" were fired as a group of people were outside eating crabs

Multiple streets in the area are closed to the public. Please avoid the area, police wrote on X, following the incident







At least six people have been injured in a mass shooting in northwest Baltimore.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At around 8:46 p.m. local time on Saturday, Aug. 9, Baltimore police responded to reports of a shooting at Spaulding and Queensbury Avenues, where they located six victims who had been injured, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said in a news conference.

The victims included four men and one woman, with ages ranging from 23 to 52, and a five-year-old girl who was shot in the hand. Thankfully, it doesn't appear that [the girls] injury is very serious, Worley said in the news conference, per WBFF FOX45 Baltimore.

A 38-year-old man was critically injured in the shooting and was sent to the hospital for surgery, ABC News reported, citing Baltimore police. All of the other victims were also treated at the hospital for their injuries.

Both our homicide and district detective units are on the scene," said Worley, per the outlet. "We have very little information at this point. All we know is there's multiple rounds fired, multiple victims."

Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto via AP Police in northwest Baltimore on Aug. 9 Police in northwest Baltimore on Aug. 9

Worley stated in the news conference that it appears someone opened fire as a group of people were sitting outside eating crabs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police believe that the victims were possibly targeted in the shooting, Worley added. No details of any possible suspects have been released at this time.

The detectives are going to be at the hospital questioning any of our possible victims and any possible witnesses ... to see what we can piece together and find out what happened here tonight, Worley said in the news conference.

The Baltimore Police Department have restricted access to the area amid their investigation.

BPD is scene of a mass shooting at the intersection of Spaulding & Queensbury Avenues. Multiple streets in the area are closed to the public. Please avoid the area. More information to follow as it becomes available, the police wrote on X.

Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto via AP The scene following the Aug. 9 shooting in Baltimore The scene following the Aug. 9 shooting in Baltimore

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.

Police are asking anyone who has information about the incident to call the anonymous Metro Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-866-7LOCKUP or the homicide unit at 3940-3962100.

An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Baltimore Police Department for comment.



Read the original article on People
WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV)  Several northeastern Wisconsin fire departments have been called to send water resources to Waukesha County, where officials say a 500-year flood is expected.

According to the Appleton Fire Department, they have deployed swift water resources to Waukesha County on Sunday afternoon. Other departments have been called to assist as well, including the Neenah Menasha Fire Rescue and Clayton Fire Rescue.

Last day of Wisconsin State Fair canceled after Saturday flash flooding, forecast ahead

Flooding at Butler Frontier Park in Waukesha County (Village of Butler Police Department)

Flooding in Hartland, Waukesha County (Hartland Fire Department)

The Appleton Fire Department has deployed three swift water technicians as well as watercraft to support rescue and evacuation operations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Much of southeastern Wisconsin has been drastically affected by flood waters since Saturday afternoons storms, with possibly more inclement weather on the way Sunday.

Officials with the Appleton Fire Department are reminding everyone to never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Update: 5:15 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  Interstate 57 northbound is back open after a truck-tractor semi-trailer overturned into the median on Sunday in Champaign.

After the single vehicle crash, the left lane closed around 11:36 a.m., State Police said. All lanes have since been re-opened.

House damaged after heavy smoke and fire; Champaign crews investigate

State Police added that at this time, it is unknown if there are injuries. Previously, they had said that the crash appeared to be a property damage crash, with no injuries.

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  Interstate 57 northbound is partially shut down in Champaign County after a truck tractor semi-trailer overturned.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Illinois State Police said it happened around milepost 236. Just before 12:15 p.m., State Police shared with WCIA that the northbound roadway is down to only one lane.

Champaign may add ordinance making people provide more info. for crisis response

Authorities are asking drivers to use caution, because traffic could be slowing or stopped. If possible, drivers should find an alternate route.

At this time, State Police said it appears that only property damage was damaged in the crash; no injuries have been reported at this time. WCIA will provide updates when the roadway is completely open.

This is a developing 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 WCIA.com.
CHICAGO  Chicago police say a person of interest is in custody in connection with the shooting death of an 18-year-old male in the Austin neighborhood early Sunday morning.

The incident was one of three shootings within hours of each other in the West Side neighborhood over the weekend, including another in which a 22-year-old woman was killed. Police have not yet confirmed that any of the shootings were related or stemmed from a teen takeover.

Milwaukee area drying out after weekend rain causes record flooding on multiple rivers

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, the shootings occurred in the area of what was apparently a large gathering of young people overnight, stretching from about West Fulton Street on the north to West End Avenue on the south, and from about North Laporte Avenue on the west to Cicero Avenue on the east.

18-year-old male killed

The third of those shootings reported by police happened just after 4:30 a.m. Sunday in the 5000 block of West Maypole Avenue.

In that incident, police say, a verbal altercation between two 18-year-old males and two unknown offenders who approached them in a vehicle turned physical, then the two offenders in the vehicle produced their guns and shot at the 18-year-olds.

One of the 18-year-olds was shot twice in the back and taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He has since been identified by the Cook County Medical Examiners Office as Kaleb Williams.

Kaleb Williams (Photo courtesy of family)

His father told WGN-TV that Williams had been waiting for an Uber.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The other 18-year-old was shot in the arm and taken to an area hospital in good/stable condition, according to police.

22-year-old woman killed

About two hours before that, around 2:45 a.m. Sunday, police say officers found multiple people shot when they responded to a call of a large gathering in the 100 block of North Lacrosse Avenue.

Among those wounded was a 22-year-old woman, who police say was shot in the back. She was taken to an area hospital and subsequently pronounced dead.

Video shows moments before early-morning hit-and-run crash that killed man in Gage Park

Also in that incident, police say a 29-year-old man was shot in the right leg and taken to an area hospital in critical condition, an 18-year-old male was shot in the chest and left arm and taken to an area hospital in critical condition, and a 17-year-old boy was shot in the left thigh and taken to an area hospital in critical condition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Also wounded, according to police, was a 29-year-old woman who was shot in the right elbow and taken to an area hospital in good condition, and an 18-year-old male who was grazed in the left hand and released after being treated at the scene.

CCL holder injured in South Loop shootout

Weekend of violence

The first of the three reported shootings in Austin early Sunday happened around 1:45 a.m. in the 200 block of North Lamon Avenue, where police say responding officers found a 20-year-old woman with multiple gunshot wounds to the arms.

She was taken to an area hospital in good condition, according to police.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

WGN reached out to Mayor Brandon Johnson, a resident of the Austin neighborhood, for comment on the shootings but has not yet heard back.

The shootings in Austin represented just some of the weekend violence in the city.

According to Chicago police, from 6 p.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, 20 shooting incidents were reported in the city, with 32 people shot, including four fatally.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Overnight shootings on the West Side leave 2 dead, 11 injured after large gathering reported in Austin

Thirteen people were shot, two fatally, on the West Side in what appeared to be separate incidents early Sunday morning, Chicago police said.

Barbara Brown, 70, lives on North La Crosse and West End avenues in Austin, where one of the shootings happened. There were over a thousand young adults and teenagers in the area around 12:30 a.m., she said.

TikTok star Jroy hosted a party in the neighborhood Saturday night, according to social media posts. Videos on social media show hundreds of young adults and teens in the area, as well as a heavy police presence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police officers responded to a call reporting a large gathering on the 100 block of North La Crosse Avenue around 2:48 a.m. Sunday. Police said six people had been struck by gunfire, including a 22-year-old woman who was shot in the back and pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital.

An hour earlier and just over a half mile from Browns residence, police responded to a call of a person shot in the 4500 block of West Wilcox Street in West Garfield Park. They found four victims of gunfire, two of whom were teens.

A 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy were shot multiple times and taken to Stroger Hospital. One was in serious condition and the other in good condition.

Two 28-year-old men were also injured in the shooting. One was struck in the neck and head and was brought to Mount Sinai in serious condition. The other sustained a graze wound to his leg and was brought to Mount Sinai in good condition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Sunday afternoon, Ald. Jason Ervin, 28th, released a statement on the West Wilcox and North La Crosse Avenue shootings.

I am calling on our community leaders, our public safety partners, and concerned citizens to work together to bring the perpetrators of these shootings to justice and to begin the work of healing our community, Ervin wrote in the statement. The West Side of Chicago is home to strong, resilient people who deserve to live without fear.

When Brown heard the shots ring out on La Crosse Avenue, she didnt see the crowd moving, she said.

I thought maybe theyre just trying to clear the congestion out. But then I heard firetrucks and an ambulance, and that girl got shot in the back right there, Brown said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Three victims were found in critical condition on La Crosse Avenue. A 29-year-old man was shot in the right leg and taken to Loretto Hospital. An 18-year-old man was struck in his chest and left arm and was taken to Stroger. A 17-year-old boy was hit in the left thigh and taken to Mount Sinai.

A 29-year-old woman was struck in the right elbow and was listed in good condition at Rush. An 18-year-old man was treated and released at the scene for a graze on his hand.

Two other shootings also occurred early Sunday morning.

Minutes before the West Wilcox shooting and less than a quarter of a mile from Browns home, police said a 20-year-old woman was shot several times in both arms in the 200 block of North Lamon Avenue in Austin. She was taken to Mount Sinai and was in good condition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At 4:37 a.m., on the 5000 block of West Maypole Avenue in Austin, less than a quarter of a mile from the other two Austin incidents, two 18-year-old men were arguing with the occupants of a car when the two people in the car shot at them. One 18-year-old was taken to Stroger, where he was pronounced dead at 4:49 a.m. The other was taken to Mount Sinai in stable condition.

On Sunday night, the Cook County medical examiners office identified the 18-year-old who died as Kaleb Williams.

Police are investigating the four shootings. As of Sunday afternoon, no one was in custody.

Chicago Tribunes Nell Salzman contributed.
Job seekers can take advantage of seven hiring events this month in New Jersey starting on Wednesday.

August can be a good time to look for a job because its often a transition period before the busy fall hiring season.

While some companies slow down due to summer vacations, others may be preparing for a surge in hiring activity in September and October.

Heres a list of job fairs happening in New Jersey during August.

Atlantic County

Seminole Gaming

Date: Monday, August 25, 2025

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Time: 10 AM - 2 PM

Location: Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel, Two Convention Boulevard, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Organizer: Seminole Gaming

Focus: Casino table games positions

Registration: Not required

Entry Fee: Free

Website: Visit the Seminole gaming website for more information.

Additional Information: Offering up to $5,000 relocation packages. Candidates must bring resume, state-issued ID, and physical Social Security Card. Five years table games experience requiredCumberland County

Cumberland County

Bayada Home Health Care to host job fair in Vineland

Date: Thursday, August 14,

Time: The job fair will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Cumberland County Workforce Development center at 3322 College Drive, Vineland, NJ 08360.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Workforce Development center is located on the campus of Rowan College of South Jersey. Attendees should use the North college entrance, staying to the right, and look for parking lots L or M.

Organizer: Bayada Home Health Care is offering state-approved Certified Home Health Aide training and has positions available throughout Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties.

Pay: Employees at Bayada can expect several benefits, including a $500 referral bonus for referring family or friends as Certified Home Health Aides, $2 per hour extra pay for holidays, vacation and sick time, and a flexible schedule.

Focus: The company also provides personal protective equipment, matches caregivers with cases close to their homes, offers direct deposit, and maintains 24/7 on-duty support with experienced staff.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Job requirements include one year of work history, two professional references, and availability to work a minimum of 20 hours.

While walk-ins are welcome, interested candidates are encouraged to submit an interest form before the event at at the Bayada website

Danone to host recruitment event in Vineland

Date: Danone will hold a recruitment event on Friday, August 15.

Time: The event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Location: The Center for Workforce & Economic Development in Vineland, New Jersey.

Focus: The food company is looking to fill several positions, including Blender Processor, Controls Technician, Downline Operator, Maintenance Mechanic and Team Lead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Interested candidates must schedule an interview appointment in advance by calling 856-696-5660, ext. 3014.

Walk-ins will not be accepted at this event.

All applicants should bring an updated resume to their interview and must have at least a high school diploma or GED to qualify.

The Center for Workforce & Economic Development is located at 3322 College Drive in Vineland, Cumberland County.

For additional information, email the event coordinator at iwalker@ccoel.org or call the appointment number listed above.

Hudson County

U.S. Postal Service plans to hire maintenance staff in Kearny

Date: Wednesday, August 13.

Time: The event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dominick V. Daniels Processing and Distribution Center.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Location: Located at 850 Newark-Jersey City Turnpike in Kearny, the job fair will focus on filling immediate openings for maintenance positions.

Pay: The USPS is specifically recruiting for maintenance mechanic roles, which pay $27.32 per hour.

Applicants must meet several requirements to be considered for these positions.

Candidates need to be at least 18 years old at the time of appointment, or 16 with a high school diploma.

They must be United States citizens, permanent residents, or citizens of American Samoa or other U.S. territories for at least five years.

The postal service also requires applicants to possess a valid state drivers license with a minimum of two years of unsupervised driving experience.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Candidates must demonstrate and maintain a safe driving record for at least five years.

Additionally, they must be able to communicate in and understand English, with or without reasonable disability accommodations.

Job seekers can find more information about the event at the New Jersey Labor & Workforce Development website.

Mercer County

U.S. Postal Service to Host Vehicle Maintenance Career Fair in Trenton

Date: Thursday, August 14

Time: The event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: the Trenton Vehicle Maintenance Facility, located at 435 U.S. 130, Trenton, NJ 08620.

Organizer: The United States Postal Service will hold a Vehicle Maintenance Career Fair in Trenton. USPS is offering immediate job openings for automotive professionals. It is hiring for multiple automotive positions with competitive salaries:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lead Automotive Technician (Level 9): $71,056 annually or $34.16 hourly

Body and Fender Specialist (Level 9): $71,056 annually or $34.16 hourly

Automotive Technician (Level 8): $63,658 annually or $30.60 hourly

Job requirements include being at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or citizen of American Samoa or another U.S. territory for at least five years.

Applicants must pass an exam, possess a valid state drivers license with a safe driving record, and have at least two years of unsupervised driving experience.

The ability to communicate in and understand English is also required, with reasonable accommodations available for disabilities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Visit the New Jersey Labor & Workforce website for more information.

Monmouth County

Hackensack Meridian food service job fair, $1,000 sign-on bonuses

Date: Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Time: The job fair will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Amdur Lobby of the medical center.

Location: located at 1945 NJ-33 in Neptune, Monmouth County.

Organizer: Hackensack Meridian Health is hosting a Food and Nutrition Hiring Event at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune

The healthcare provider is looking to fill positions for Food Service Associates and Catering to You Associates.

Job seekers attending the event can learn about several benefits, including a $1,000 sign-on bonus for eligible roles, free on-the-job training, tuition reimbursement, and benefits that begin on day one of employment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Attendees should dress appropriately for the hiring event. Shorts and tank tops are not permitted.

The event offers an opportunity for those interested in food service careers to connect directly with one of New Jerseys largest healthcare employers.

Visit the New Jersey Labor & Workforce website for information and directions.

Passaic County

Career Resource and Job Fair

Date: Tuesday, August 19

Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Location: William Paterson University, 300 Pompton Road, Wayne, NJ 07470

Organizer: Passaic County Workforce Development Center and North Jersey Chamber of Commerce

Focus: General employment across multiple industries

Registration: Not required, but recommended

Entry Fee: Free

Website: Visit the job fair website.

Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A 75-year-old Memphis woman with a medical condition has been missing since Friday, police say.

Memphis Police issued a City Watch was issued for Milta Hall, who left her home wearing a black shirt, a black jacket, blue jeans, and blue shoes.

Police say Hall has a medical condition that may impair her ability to return home safely, and she communicates by writing things down.

Anyone with information on Hall is asked to call the Memphis Police department at 545-2677 or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

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.
Crews quickly knocked down a two-story structure fire in Jefferson Park on Sunday morning, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Firefighters responded around 9 a.m. to find an abandoned or vacant charter school, located at 2255 West Adams Boulevard, with heavy fire and smoke showing from the second floor.

LAFD immediately went into offensive mode, and footage from the scene on the Citizen App showed crew members rapidly going into battle with the flames. Large plumes of dark smoke were seen from neighborhoods and highways nearby.

Crews are seen fighting a structure fire at an abandoned charter school in South Los Angeles. August 2025. (Citizen.com) Smoke is seen coming from a structure fire at an abandoned charter school in South Los Angeles. August 2025. (Citizen.com) Crews are seen fighting a structure fire at an abandoned charter school in South Los Angeles. August 2025. (Citizen.com) Smoke is seen coming from a structure fire at an abandoned charter school in South Los Angeles. August 2025. (Citizen.com) Smoke is seen coming from a structure fire at an abandoned charter school in South Los Angeles. August 2025. (Citizen.com)

About 30 minutes later, a total of 72 firefighters extinguished the flames, which were primarily coming from the second floor of the school. Officials did not immediately know the name of the school.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to real estate listings, the building was operating as a private school, possibly teaching grades between Kindergarten and 8th grade. It was reported to be vacated as of July 1, 2025, according to the real estate company Marcus and Millichap.

No injuries were reported, and LAFD said crews would remain for an unknown amount of time for overhaul procedures and to ensure no chance that the blaze rekindles.

The cause of fire is under investigation.

Sam Bader contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
India has strengthened its trade ties over the past five years, signing five major Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and progressing on several new deals, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply this week. Congress member Jebi Mather Hisham asked the Minister to apprise the House about the number of international trade agreements that have been signed by India in the last five years, besides details of their implementation. The agreements inked over the past 5 years include the India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) implemented in 2021, the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) in 2022, the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) in 2024, and the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signed in 2025, which is yet to come into force. Trade data shared by the Union Minister shows mixed outcomes. Under the India-Australia ECTA, exports grew 14 per cent in 2023-24 and 8 per cent in 2024-25, though the trade balance remained negative in both the latest fiscals. The Mauritius trade deal maintained a consistent trade surplus, while trade with the UAE recorded significant growth in both exports and imports, primarily driven by petroleum products. A widening deficit has been noticed vis-a-vis the UAE. For India-UAE FTA, core imports in 2024-2025 included Petroleum: Crude, Petroleum Products, and other related commodities. India's exports of agricultural products and pharmaceuticals have registered growth. "Additionally, the FTA has also led to a significant growth in Foreign Direct Investment," the minister said in his reply. The India-European Union Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) is expected to be implemented later this year once all parties complete their ratification processes. Meanwhile, India has concluded negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Oman, and is in advanced talks for several other agreements, including the India-EU FTA, India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), India-Sri Lanka Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement, India-Peru FTA, India-Chile CEPA, India-New Zealand FTA, and a bilateral trade agreement with the United States. Additionally, India is reviewing and upgrading older trade pacts such as the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (2009) and the India-Korea CEPA (2009). (ANI)
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott lashed out at Rep. Jasmine Crockett after the progressive Democrat accused the Texas Legislature of trying to dilute the voting power of Black, Hispanic and Asian voters in the state.

It would not be a day that ends in the letter Y if Jasmine Crockett didn't say something racist. Abbott said Sunday on "Fox News Sunday."

Crockett on Saturday warned that if Republicans win the redistricting battle in the Lone Star State, Black voters would be left with only one-fifth of the voting power they should have while Latinos would have only one-third. She added: Asians, which tend to be one of the fastest growing demographics in the state of Texas, have literally no power."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But in an interview with host Shannon Bream, Abbott dismissed Crockett's concerns.

"The problem that Democrats have in the state of Texas is Hispanics, Black voters and other voters, they have learned now that the ideas that Democrats stand for are contrary to the ideas that the Hispanic community and Black community stand for."

Crocketts office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This weekend is not the first time the two Texans have lobbied insults at each other.

Earlier this year, Crockett called Abbott, who uses a wheelchair, "Governor Hot Wheels" and a "hot ass mess. Though she denied she was mocking Abbotts disability, her words drew swift condemnation. Abbott responded by saying Democrats "have no vision, no policy" and have nothing but hate to offer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The latest remarks come as Republicans in the state rush to follow President Donald Trumps directive for a new congressional map, one that could secure as many as five new congressional seats for the GOP. The directive has drawn backlash from Democrats nationwide, with many arguing the map is designed to silence voters of color.

In the first draft of the new map publicly released last month, voters of color in Tarrant County were split among multiple neighboring Republican districts, according to The Texas Tribune. The area is now represented by Democrat Rep. Marc Veasey, who is Black. The shape of the 35th District in Central Texas was also changed, despite being created after a court ordered the state to protect the voting rights of people of color. That district is represented by Democrat Rep. Greg Casar, who is of Mexican descent.

Abbott on Sunday said that in the maps the Republican-led legislature is drawing, four of the new seats will be predominantly Hispanic seats. The demographic, he added, "are now voting for Republicans."

"It's a proven fact that minority voters chose to vote for Trump as well as other Republicans, but they are trapped in one of these gerrymander districts that confines it only to electing a Democrat," Abbott said. "The Democrats would say that they shouldn't have  be entitled to elect a certain member of a particular race, but instead let the voters of that district decide regardless of their race. They're going to find that Democrats are going to lose voters and Republican will be picking up voters."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In 2024, 48 percent of Hispanic voters cast their ballots for Trump, compared to 36 percent in 2020, according to Pew Research. But Hispanic voters were also more likely to split their tickets and back down-ballot Democrats, and it's also not clear whether those Trump voters will continue to vote Republican in 2026.

Its unclear when or even if the map will be approved. Democrats have left the state, with some heading to allies in Illinois and California, to stop a vote on the new map.

If they show back up in the state of Texas they will be arrested and taken to the capital, Abbott said Sunday. If they want to evade the arrest they will stay outside of the state of Texas for literally years. They might as well start voting in California or voting in Illinois wherever they may be.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Families who were impacted by the catastrophic floods in July were presented $25,000 checks from Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday.

This comes after the benefit concert, Strait to the Heart, that was hosted by George Strait and Estancia Estates Founder Tom Cusick, according to a news release from Abbotts office. The concert happened on July 27, according to Straits website.

Along with Cusick, Abbott was joined at the check presentation by Rep. Wes Virdell and Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, the release said.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott presented $25,000 checks to families affected by the catastrophic July floods. (Office of the Governor Photo) Texas Gov. Greg Abbott presented $25,000 checks to families affected by the catastrophic July floods. (Office of the Governor Photo) Texas Gov. Greg Abbott presented $25,000 checks to families affected by the catastrophic July floods. (Office of the Governor Photo) Texas Gov. Greg Abbott presented $25,000 checks to families affected by the catastrophic July floods. (Office of the Governor Photo)

The benefit concert was announced by Strait and Vaqueros del Mar, a nonprofit organization, days after the floods hit the Central Texas area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Donations were made to the Vaqueros del Mar Texas Flood Relief Fund, according to the website. Those funds were then distributed directly to families affected, who were presented with checks Saturday.

We as a State are working tirelessly to make sure that the recovery process is as easy and effective as possible, Abbott said in the release. If you have a need in your area, let us know. There are a lot of people here to assist you with those needs. These checks will help you piece your lives back together, and theres more help on the way.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
More trees in New York City will help people beat the heat, clean up the air, and save energy, according to one area environmentalist and city council hopeful.

"These trees are important for us.  As homeowners, as a community, these trees help us. They keep us healthy, and they keep us wealthy," said Cliff Hagen, an environmentalist and Democratic candidate for Staten Island's South Shore City Council seat, per the Staten Island Advance.

The news site pointed out the many benefits of trees planted across Staten Island and the rest of New York City, citing statistics from the NYC Urban Forest Plan. For one, urban trees can cool city streets by up to 2 degrees, and forested natural areas are on average 6 degrees cooler than surrounding neighborhoods, the report claims.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This cooling power of trees will be critically important as we face the consequences of a warming world. In fact, New York and other parts of the Northeast recently faced a sweltering heatwave that brought triple-digit temperatures and extreme humidity to the city.

Plus, New York City trees provide $260 million in ecosystem services each year, according to the report. This includes removing 1,100 tons of air pollution, providing energy savings equivalent to the annual use of 8,000 homes, and reducing stormwater runoff by 69 million cubic feet.

Not to mention the health benefits that trees and other green spaces provide; for instance, one study found that spending just 10 minutes in nature could help adults with mental illness. And in England, doctor-prescribed nature time for patients was associated with a greater sense of happiness and purpose, along with lower anxiety levels.

New York City aims to reach 30% tree canopy coverage across its five boroughs in the next decade. The tree canopy across the city is currently just over 23%, according to the latest available data.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"City trees purify the air we breathe, improve human health and well-being, beautify neighborhoods, and can even manage stormwater," New York City states in its tree plan. "They can also keep us safer and more comfortable on hot days, shading and cooling us and providing protection from harmful ultra-violet sun rays."

Meanwhile, Governor Kathy Hochul's administration also has a plan to get 25 million trees planted across the state by 2033.

"Tree planting is a key strategy to help slow climate change and make our communities more resilient to challenges such as extreme heat, air pollution, and severe weather," it says on its website.

Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Some higher education advocates have long sought transparency in college admissions data, but President Trumps latest actions to bring that dream to reality comes with trepidation in how the administration will use the information.

In a memorandum signed Thursday, the president moved to require universities to give the Department of Education more admissions data. Education Secretary Linda McMahon is then instructed to build it into a database easily accessible to parents and students.

While the information could be eye-opening into how institutions are choosing students, it comes with a backdrop of fear the president will target universities that produce unfavorable data in his view.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ill say lots of folks in the space, researchers and think tanks alike, have wanted more transparency on the black box that is college admissions. So, I think that from that perspective, lots of folks would be interested in seeing this data. What I question with this administration is the intention around the collection of the data, said Wil Del Pilar, senior vice president of EdTrust.

McMahon has 120 days to expand the scope of reporting requirements, leaving universities with the options to submit or fight in the legal the system.

The move was made over the administrations concern universities are using race proxies such as diversity statements to circumvent the 2023 Supreme Court ruling that stated race cannot be considered in college admissions.

American students and taxpayers deserve confidence in the fairness and integrity of our Nations institutions of higher education, including confidence that they are recruiting and training capable future doctors, engineers, scientists, and other critical workers vital to the next generations of American prosperity. Race-based admissions practices are not only unfair, but also threaten our national security and well-being, the order reads.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Universities that accept federal money are already required to share some data with the Education Department, such as enrollment numbers and graduation rates.

However, admissions data has largely been kept under wraps for various reasons.

One reason is due to the complexities of compiling the data into an accurate spreadsheet. College admissions offices consider not only GPA and test scores, but extracurricular activities and personal essays that are hard to quantify.

Universities may also fear what the public will think regarding whom they do and do not admit.

I think one of the things that people are going to see is the amount of legacy admissions that have been taking place for a long, long time, and those admissions are typically white people, said Marybeth Gasman, executive director for Rutgers Universitys Center for Minority Serving Institutions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After the affirmative action ruling, attention turned to legacy admissions, the practice of admitting applicants with connections to alumni or wealthy donors. Experts argue this practice largely favors applicants who are rich and/or white.

The practice has been decried along partisan lines, and some schools have voluntarily banned it.

Schools could also receive flack if it is discovered they admit fewer Pell Grant recipients or other types of applicants compared with rival institutions.

I think that  that information  institutions have guarded that because they dont want narratives around them being closed to access for certain populations of students due to increased numbers of denied students. They dont want that narrative out, Pilar said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Whatever the outcome, advocates fear the Trump administration will use this as another avenue to strip schools of their funding.

The president has collectively paused billions of dollars to universities for alleged antisemitism; diversity, equity and inclusion practices; and allowing transgender athletes in womens sports.

While the focus of the Trump administration is returning to merit-based admissions  a concept the federal government made Columbia and Brown universities agree to in their deals to release federal funding  some say the administrations moves will have the opposite effect.

Timothy Welbeck, director of the Center for Anti-Racism at Temple University, said this memorandum doesnt address legacy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They dont do anything about whether your family has the ability to donate large amounts of money to your desired institution, Welbeck said. But they go after some of these other measures that they say are discriminatory and ignore these, which is why I believe that merit isnt really the intended outcome of these conversations to begin with.

This particular fight around the numbers is seeking to give another line of argument to people who are arguing that postsecondary institutions are discriminating against white people. Thats ultimately a claim thats implicit in some of these arguments, and what I would say to that is that the facts typically do not bear out, he added.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
News of Abdul Niazis death arrived in a chilling phone call.

It was March 26, nearly the end of Ramadan, and his wife wanted to know when to expect her husband, a former U.S. military interpreter who lost both legs in a bomb blast in Afghanistan and became one of Houstons most well-known advocates for new Afghan migrants.

It was almost time to break the days fast, recalled Niazis cousin, but he hadnt returned home. So she called his cellphone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Im not your husband, the man on the other end of the line said, according to Rizwanullah Niazi, Niazis cousin. I killed your husband.

The shock of that call intensified when his family learned what authorities later alleged in bail documents filed in Harris County District Court: An Afghan national whod sought help from Niazi was accused of stabbing him more than a dozen times over frustration with the slow pace of the U.S. immigration system.

The 34-year-olds death left the Marines he served with reeling and a hole in Houstons sizable Afghan community.

I still dont believe that he is not with us anymore, said Nisar Momand, who met Niazi more than a decade ago and, like his friend, helps recently resettled Afghans obtain services and navigate the immigration bureaucracy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Abdul was like the backbone of the community, Momand said. Without a backbone, we are totally disabled.

Its an unspeakable tragedy, said Brandon Remington, a former U.S. Marine Corps platoon commander who worked with Niazi in Afghanistan and helped him flee to the United States amid death threats from the Taliban. Given how much he escaped death and to die in that way  its insane. It feels like the universe is crazy.

Masiullah Sahil, 37, is accused of first-degree murder in Niazis death and, until last month, was being held in lieu of $750,000 bond. After prosecutors failed to indict him within three months, as Texas law requires, a judge ordered him released on a personal recognizance bond that required no payment, court records show.

It just didnt get done, a prosecutor said during a July 10 hearing about the failure to obtain that indictment, according to NBC affiliate KPRC of Houston.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sahil remains jailed, however. The same day Harris County District Court Judge Emily Detoto ordered him released, the district attorneys office filed a witness tampering charge. Hes being held on $25,000 bond, jail records show. Sahil is scheduled to be arraigned on both charges Aug. 12.

Still, the prosecutions apparent failure infuriated Niazis friends and family, who are calling for an investigation into the district attorneys office.

What if hed gotten out and came and killed his wife and kids? said Niazis close friend Mohammad Bayan, referring to Niazis family. I was completely heartbroken and outraged.

A spokesperson for the Harris County District Attorneys Office said the situation is under review with prosecutors assigned to the case. Sahils lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.

A fearless interpreter

Niazi was raised in Jalalabad, east of Kabul, and worked as an English teacher before he got a job as a translator with the U.S. Marines in Afghanistan in 2011, said Rizwanullah Niazi, a cousin who also worked as a military translator.

Michael Egan and Abdul Niazi reunited in the United States after Niazi fled Afghanistan. (Courtesy Michael Egan via Abdul Niazi)

Michael Egan, a Marine who led a unit that Abdul Niazi was attached to for several months in Helmand province, described him as one of the best combat interpreters he worked with  always levelheaded and alert, comfortable in potentially lethal situations and driven by a desire to protect his home.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He was one of the more courageous and fearless people out there, said Egan, 36. You knew if Niazi was with you, you were set.

That mission ended in May 2012, during what Egan described as a routine foot patrol through a village. Egan stepped on an improvised explosive device and instantly lost both legs.

Minutes later, as Marines desperately tried to stabilize Egan, he said he heard another blast.

Niazi had been ordered to take cover, and when he did, there was a second detonation, said Remington, the former platoon commander, citing an after-action report.

U.S. Marines in Helmand province, where Abdul Niazi was often deployed on dangerous missions. (Courtesy Brandon Remington)

It was complete and utter chaos, Egan said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Niazi was severely wounded. He lost both legs and suffered so much damage to one arm that it would be difficult for him to use a manual wheelchair in the future, Egan said.

A new life in Houston

Niazi underwent months of surgery in India before he returned to Afghanistan, Rizwanullah Niazi said. While there, he started receiving letters from the Taliban threatening his family, said Remington, who by then was attending law school in the United States.

Remington said he helped Niazi apply for a special immigrant visa, designated for people who assisted the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan. Niazi obtained that visa a little over a decade ago and moved to Houston, Remington recalled.

He was one of the thousands of Afghans who worked with the U.S. military and relocated to Texas in the years that followed the U.S. invasion. According to U.S. State Department data, nearly 20,000 Afghans with special visas moved to the state between 2012 and 2023, with a sharp rise after the United States military left the country in 2021.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When Momand first met Niazi at a local clinic in 2014, he wasnt sure how his countryman would fare in the United States.

How will he survive in this country with no legs, with a disability and a wheelchair? he recalled wondering.

Initially, Niazi worked as a sales clerk at a cellphone store, said Bayan, who became best friends with Niazi after he settled in Houston. He eventually had five children  four boys and one girl, the oldest of whom is 10, Bayan said.

He started working for a nonprofit that provided assistance to refugees, Bayan said, and the pair attended college together, earning bachelors degrees in business administration from the University of Houston and enrolling in an online masters program for national security policy at Liberty University in Virginia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Their goal, Bayan said, was to obtain Ph.D.s and return to Afghanistan to help improve the countrys national security. After the nonprofit Niazi worked for shuttered last year, Bayan said, Niazi established his own business providing services to recent transplants and quickly amassed hundreds of clients.

Pay me when you can was Niazis business model, Bayan said. When he reminded his friend that he had rent and two assistants to pay, Bayan recalled Niazi responding: All these refugee families, theyre struggling, and its hard for me to ask them for money. Whenever they give it to me, I will accept it.

An argument and a fatal stabbing

One of those people was Sahil, Bayan said.

Bayan knew Sahil before he went to see Niazi. He said Sahil had sought help from him and others to get the necessary documentation to return to Afghanistan. Bayan said Niazi told him that Sahil kept calling and visiting, wanting to know how to get back to his home country as soon as possible.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But the documentation Sahil needed was not in my hands, Bayan recalled Niazi saying.

A client found Niazi dead in his office on March 26. Sahil was seen on video coming and going from the office several times before he was captured leaving with blood on his clothes, according to the bail document.

When authorities found Sahil, he had Niazis phone and said that hed been frustrated with how long it was taking for his refugee status to be approved, according to the document. He admitted to arguing with Niazi, then getting a knife from his car and repeatedly striking him with it.

Niazis body was found with 20 deep stab wounds and lacerations, according to the document.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After Niazis wife learned of his death through the phone call, Bayan said, the suspect continued calling her. She was screaming and crying, recalled Bayan, who by that point had gone to his friends home.

Amid the swirl of grief and confusion, Bayan said he asked for her phone.

Then, he said, he called the man back and asked him about what he had done. After a few vague answers, Bayan said, the man told him Niazi was not listening to me.

Immediately after that call, Bayan said, he and a relative of Niazis reported what they learned to authorities.

If he could question the suspect again, Bayan said hed ask him a simple question: Is it worth taking an innocent life over immigration paperwork?

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued a consumer alert to warn potential students and families about fraudulent college and university websites.

The Michigan Department of Attorney General reports that these websites claim to be legitimate higher education institutions to exploit victims financially or steal personal information.

The alert was issued after the department received a complaint from Eastern Michigan University (EMU), which reported that a website called smich.education was using the name of Southeastern Michigan University to invoke EMUs reputation and credibility.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The department reports that it is reviewing potential action against the website.

Fraudsters know that students and families are making big decisions about education, and theyre exploiting that moment to steal their hard-earned money, Nessel said on the departments website.

If something seems suspicious or too good to be true, do your homework before sharing any personal information. I want to thank Eastern Michigan University for bringing this matter to our attention so we can help protect our students from these scams.

How to tell if a college or university website is fake:

Wrong or missing contact information: If there is no phone number, no address, or no one is answering, the website might be fake.

A domain that doesnt end in .edu: Most real colleges have websites that end in .edu. Fake sites may use .com, .net, .college, .education, or .university.

Promises that sound too good to be true: Fake colleges may say students can earn a degree without doing any homework. Some may also offer degrees in just a few weeks or allow students to obtain a degree based on experience alone.

Strange ways to pay: Real colleges will never ask students to pay using gift cards or cryptocurrency. Scammers use these methods because they are hard to trace.

Grammar or spelling mistakes: Fake websites often have misspelled words or confusing sentences.

Pushy advertising tactics: Fraudsters may use spam, pop-up ads, and high-pressure calls to advertise their fake school. Real colleges are less likely to do that.

Students targeted by fake college or university websites should:

Find the colleges contact information for themselves: Dont trust the phone number or email on the website right away. Look up the school independently. Then call or email to ask questions.

Look for real reviews: Try searching online for the colleges name to find past students and professors. Dont rely only on reviews or stories on the colleges own website.

Check if the college is accredited: Prospective students can see if a college is accredited by looking it up on the U.S. Department of Educations 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 WLNS 6 News.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Agriculture was celebrated at the Great American Farmers Market during the Mississippi Farmers Market on Saturday, August 9.

There were new vendors and activities for attendees. The event was part of America250, which celebrates agricultures role in Mississippi and across the nation.

Since there are local people growing things, I think that is so important because yes, you can buy it from other places and all that kind of thing, but these farmers are here in Mississippi with us, and they are working their hardest to get these crops out for us. And I think that thats really important. They have families to feed and people to help, said Kaelyn Hollingsworth, the 2025 Mississippi Watermelon Queen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Mississippi Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
The U.S. Air Force is trying to acquire Tesla Cybertrucks to use as missile targets in battlefield training, according to recent filings. The militarys invocation of the Tesla brand is emblematic of the tightening relationship not only between the Pentagon and Elon Musk, but with Big Tech more broadly, according to American University foreign policy professor Gordon Adams.

The U.S. Air Force is taking steps to acquire Tesla Cybertrucksfor the express purpose of blowing them up. But while the vehicles in this context are meant to be destroyed, the Air Force seeking out the Tesla brand is just another example of how Big Tech and the Department of Defense have become unlikely bedfellows, one defense spending expert said.

The U.S. Air Force Material Command, part of the Department of Defence, is looking to acquire two Cybertrucks for target vehicle training flight test events, according to documents filed to the System for Award Management on Wednesday. The Air Force is also seeking out 31 other vehicles, including sedans and bongo trucks, to similarly likely use as missile targets. Enemies may likely transition to using vehicles like Cybertrucks, which are more resistant to certain types of damages, according to the filings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Testing needs to mirror real world situations, one document said. The intent of the training is to prep the units for operations by simulating scenarios as closely as possible to the real world situations.

Citing market research conducted in February by a redacted source, one document said Tesla Cybertrucks are specifically called for in this type of battleground testing because of its aggressively angular and futuristic design, paired with its unpainted stainless steel exoskeleton, that differentiates it from other models. The vehicles do not need to be fully operational, but rather be intact and able to move on their wheels, per the document.

According to Gordon Adams, a professor of U.S. foreign policy at American University who researches defense spending, the Air Forces decision to pursue Tesla vehicles for battlefield training is, in isolation, of little consequencebut it is indicative of the growing ties between the U.S. military and private sector tech.

At one level, I dont see it as terribly unusual for them to seek to use a Tesla truck as a target set, Adams told Fortune. At another level, I find it symbolic of an evolving relationship between, in general, the high-tech sector and the Department of Defense.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I have no doubt that this is something of the camels nose under the tent with respect to the relationship between DOD and [Tesla CEO] Elon Musk and his businesses, of which there are many connections, he added.

The Air Force and Tesla did not respond to Fortunes requests for comment.

Indeed, the Air Forces interest in Cybertrucks is far from the first time the U.S. Department of Defense has taken an interest in one of Musks projects. His companies have received billions of dollars in government contracts, including $22 billion in deals with SpaceX to provide launch services to the Pentagon, as well as for Starlink to provide satellite-based connectivity to the Defense Department in certain remote locations and support for military operations in Ukraine.

A whole new sector of militarized tech

Musks own government contracts are just a slice of the deals the Defense Department is making with tech companies, including the Peter Thiel-founded Palantir, which surpassed $1 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time this week, in part thanks to its largest contract to date: a 10-year, $10 billion software deal with the U.S. Army. Last month, OpenAI won a $200 million contract with the Pentagon to use AI capabilities to address security challenges in both warfighting and enterprise domains, the Defense Department said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Pentagons contracts with the private sector make up more than half of the governments total contracts, swelling in fiscal 2024 to $445 billion out of $755 billion in obligations, according to Government Accountability Office data.

The floodgates of military funding for private tech opened about 10 years ago, when the Obama administration pushed for initiatives between the Pentagon and private sector, including a people bridge encouraging tech sector innovators to temporarily work on projects at the Department of Defense.

Previously, private tech companies eschewed work with the government, believing it too bureaucratic and not profitable enough, Adams said. But after years of wooing Silicon Valley, the Defense Departments interest became requited, with companies like Amazon seeing opportunities to replace the governments hodge-podge data centers with cloud computing, for which the Pentagon was offering a $10 billion contract prize in 2019.

Under the Trump administration, these relationships have only deepened. The presidents Big, Beautiful Bill contains a $150 billion bump in defense spending, a mouthwatering prospect for several agencies within the Defense Department actively testing use cases for AI tools from tech giants like Meta, Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Mistral, as well as from startups like Gladstone AI and ScaleAI, Fortune reported last year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The enmeshing of Big Tech and the Pentagon is unlikely to unravel any time soon as the ballooning demand from the military for innovative technology creates a whole new sector, Adams said.

Were going full-bore into the privatization of technology through the Defense Department using the high tech capabilities of companies like Apple and Microsoft, Palantir and other contractors, including, Elon Musks operations. So its a process which is very much now out of control, he added.

If you wanted to put the brakes on technology developments and take a close look at them under this political situationthe distribution of power between Republicans and Democratsthats really not going to happen. The door is pretty open to the interpenetration of high tech and the Defense Department.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif was killed along with four colleagues in an Israeli strike on a tent used by reporters outside Gaza Citys al-Shifa Hospital, the network reported Sunday.

Seven people were killed in the attack, including Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa. The attack was confirmed by the Israeli military and several news outlets, including the Associated Press.

More from TheWrap

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Israeli military officials had alleged that the 28-year-old al-Sharif was a Hamas operative involved in rocket attacks. Al Jazeera rejected the accusation.

Al-Sharif was a well-known correspondent for Al Jazeera Arabic who reported extensively from northern Gaza since the start of the war. Moments before his death, he posted on X that Israeli forces were carrying out intense bombardment on the eastern and southern parts of Gaza City; in his final video, loud explosions and flashes from missile fire could be seen and heard in the background.

This is my will and my final message, Al-Sharif wrote in a posthumously published X post on Sunday. If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice.

Al-Sharif  and Al Jazeera  was a controversial figure even among some in Gaza, where some locals reportedly were upset that he would not cover their protests against Hamas.

Gaza wanted him out, and the video makes it clear. Locals are seen chasing Anas Al-Sharif, naming and shaming him for ignoring their protests against Hamas. Now hes reportedly gone, along with four other Hamas Muslim Brotherhood mouthpieces who posed as journalists while serving pic.twitter.com/MlfH2B0xD3  Amjad Taha   (@amjadt25) August 10, 2025

Photos published by Getty Images photographers on Sunday showed al-Sharifs badly burned and damaged body being tended to by Palestinian emergency workers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Al Jazeera has accused the Israeli military of waging a campaign of incitement against its reporters in Gaza, singling out al-Sharif in particular. Last month, the Committee to Protect Journalists said it was concerned for al-Sharifs safety.

More than 200 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza since the war began in October, according to rights groups, including several of the Qatar-based Al Jazeeras journalists and their relatives. Israel has frequently accused Palestinian reporters of belonging to militant groups, a charge critics say is aimed at undermining coverage of its actions in the war.

The post Al Jazeera Correspondent Anas al-Sharif, 4 Other Journalists Killed in Israeli Strike Outside Gaza City appeared first on TheWrap.
Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif has been killed alongside several other colleagues in a targeted Israeli attack on a tent housing journalists in Gaza City.

The attack late on Sunday on the tent located outside the main gate of Gaza Citys al-Shifa Hospital also killed Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal. Also killed were freelance cameraman Momen Aliwa and freelance journalist Mohammed al-Khalidi.

Shortly before being killed, al-Sharif, a well-known 28-year-old Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent who had reported extensively from northern Gaza, wrote on X that Israel had launched intense, concentrated bombardment  also known as fire belts  on the eastern and southern parts of Gaza City.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In his last video, the loud booms of Israels intensive missile bombing can be heard in the background as the dark sky is lit in a flash of orange light.

  

       . pic.twitter.com/yW8PesTkFT    Anas Al-Sharif (@AnasAlSharif0) August 10, 2025

Translation: Nonstop bombing For the past two hours, the Israeli aggression on Gaza City has intensified.

In a final message, written on April 6, to be published in the event of his death, al-Sharif said he lived the pain in all its details and tasted grief and loss repeatedly.

Despite that, I never hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or misrepresentation, hoping that God would witness those who remained silent, those who accepted our killing, and those who suffocated our very breaths, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Not even the mangled bodies of our children and women moved their hearts or stopped the massacre that our people have been subjected to for over a year and a half.

The reporter also expressed sorrow for having had to leave his wife, Bayan, behind, and for not seeing his son, Salah, and daughter, Sham, grow up.

Desperate attempt to silence voices

In a statement, Al Jazeera Media Network condemned the killings as yet another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom.

This attack comes amid the catastrophic consequences of the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza, which has seen the relentless slaughter of civilians, forced starvation, and the obliteration of entire communities, the network said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The order to assassinate Anas Al Sharif, one of Gazas bravest journalists, and his colleagues, is a desperate attempt to silence the voices exposing the impending seizure and occupation of Gaza.

(Al Jazeera)

Al Jazeera called on the international community and all relevant organisations to take decisive measures to halt this ongoing genocide and end the deliberate targeting of journalists.

Al Jazeera emphasises that immunity for perpetrators and the lack of accountability embolden Israels actions and encourage further oppression against witnesses to the truth, the network said.

Al Jazeera correspondent Hani Mahmoud, who was just one block away when the strike hit, said reporting on al-Sharifs killing was the hardest thing he has had to do in the past 22 months of war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mahmoud, who works for the networks English channel, said the reporters were killed because of their relentless reporting on the starvation and the famine and the malnutrition suffered by Palestinians in Gaza, because theyre bringing the truth of this crime to everyone.

No proof of Hamas affiliation

In a statement confirming the deliberate killing of al-Sharif, Israels military accused the journalist of heading a Hamas cell and advancing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and [Israeli] troops. It also alleged that it had documents providing unequivocal proof of his involvement with the Palestinian group.

Muhammed Shehada, an analyst at the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, said there was zero evidence that al-Sharif took part in any hostilities.

His entire daily routine was standing in front of a camera from morning to evening, he told Al Jazeera.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Last month, after Israeli army spokesperson Avichai Adraee reshared a video on social media accusing al-Sharif of being a member of Hamass military wing, the United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of expression, Irene Khan, said she was deeply alarmed by repeated threats and accusations of the Israeli army against al-Sharif.

Fears for al-Sharifs safety are well-founded as there is growing evidence that journalists in Gaza have been targeted and killed by the Israeli army on the basis of unsubstantiated claims that they were Hamas terrorists, Khan said.

Al Jazeera, which has accused Israeli authorities of fabricating evidence to link its staff to Hamas, had recently denounced Israels military for waging a campaign of incitement against its reporters in the Gaza Strip, including al-Sharif.

The Committee to Protect Journalists last month said it was gravely concerned for the journalists safety as he was being targeted by an Israeli military smear campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Since Israel launched its war on the enclave in October 2023, it has routinely accused Palestinian journalists in Gaza of being Hamas members as part of what rights groups say is an effort to discredit their reporting of Israeli abuses.

The Israeli military has killed more than 200 reporters and media workers since its bombardment began, including several Al Jazeera journalists and their relatives.
Negotiations for a comprehensive trade deal between India and Oman, which commenced in 2023, have been concluded. "India-Oman CEPA negotiations have been concluded," Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada informed Rajya Sabha in a written reply this week while responding to a question from Congress member Hebi Mather Hisham relating to India's trade deals. India and Oman share a longstanding history of friendship and cooperation, built on the foundation of mutual trust and respect, and strong people-to-people ties going back centuries. The two countries are strategic partners, and the bilateral trade and investment relationship between them has flourished since diplomatic relations were established in 1955, which was upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2008. The minister, in his reply, however, didn't mention any date or timeline on the expected signing ceremony for the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Further, the Minister apprised the Upper House that India has strengthened its trade ties over the past five years, signing five major Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and progressing on several new deals. Congress member Jebi Mather Hisham asked the Minister to apprise the House about the number of international trade agreements that have been signed by India in the last five years, besides details of their implementation. The agreements inked over the past 5 years include the India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) implemented in 2021, the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) in 2022, the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) in 2024, and the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signed in 2025, which is yet to come into force. The India-European Union Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) is expected to be implemented later this year once all parties complete their ratification processes. Meanwhile, India is in talks for several other agreements, including the India-EU FTA, India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), India-Sri Lanka Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement, India-Peru FTA, India-Chile CEPA, India-New Zealand FTA, and a bilateral trade agreement with the United States. (ANI)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  An Albuquerque man is charged with child abuse after his three-year-old daughter was found wandering alone on a busy street. According to the criminal complaint, the toddler was seen near Pennsylvania and Phoenix in northeast Albuquerque in the middle of the afternoon, where temperatures reached over 100 degrees.

Police say once they heard the call, they requested emergency medical services to come as well. The child was taken in by CYFD while police searched for her parents.

Lawsuit alleges CYFD incompetence led to childs death in Silver City

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police say they saw a man and a woman with an infant walking towards the house. When police approached the couple, 31-year-old Edward Davila told the woman to run into the house before he was arrested.

The woman spoke to the police through the door; four more children were inside the house. Davila is charged with 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A 31-year-old man was arrested after an allegedly stolen vehicle was found near West Alexandria in mid-June.

According to the Preble County Sheriffs Office, officials discovered the vehicle, from Connersville, Indiana, with its VIN plate and other identifiers removed.

The investigation found the vehicle was traded to a 47-year-old man from West Alexandria by a 31-year-old man from West Alexandria.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

FBI Cincinnati and local R.A.N.G.E. Task Force seizes 38 kg of Fentanyl, guns and cash

Both men were indicted for the following:

Receiving stolen property. (4th-degree felony.)

Criminal damaging or endangering. (2nd-degree misdemeanor.)

Both were arrested on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

Both appeared in Preble County Common Pleas Court for their initial arraignment. The court set each defendant at $10,000 cash or surety.

2 NEWS will follow this case as it 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 WDTN.com.
Alligator Alcatraz is Florida's recently opened migrant detention center in the Everglades.

The center was the brainchild of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who announced the site in a video on X. In the video, Uthmeier said, "You don't need to invest that much in the perimeter. People get out, there's not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons."

The Burmese python is one of the largest snakes in the world. Adult pythons average between 6 and 9 feet, though the longest ever caught in Florida was 19 feet. The heaviest was over 200 pounds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Burmese pythons are an invasive species in Florida, with a population spread across more than 1,000 square miles of South Florida, including Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve.

According to FWC, Burmese pythons can consume meals equivalent to 100% their body mass. During a study, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida took part in, researchers realized that Burmese pythons can eat prey larger than previously thought when they observed a python ingesting a 77-pound white-tailed deer, which was 66.9 percent of the snakes mass.

Burmese pythons can pose a threat to human safety. Attacks on humans are improbable but possible in any locality where the animals and people are present.

Here's what to know about the biggest Burmese pythons caught in Florida and how many there are in the Everglades:

What is Alligator Alcatraz?

Alligator Alcatraz is a temporary migrant detention center near the Florida Everglades.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The controversial center reportedly has a capacity of up to 3,000 detainees, housed in FEMA tents and trailers.

Where in Florida is Alligator Alcatraz?

Alligator Alcatraz was built at the Miami-Dade Collier Training and Transition Airport, a 39-square-mile airport facility with a 10,500-foot runway in Ochopee, an unincorporated community in Collier County, Florida.

The facility is in the Big Cypress National Preserve.

Longest, heaviest Burmese pythons ever caught in Florida?

Burmese pythons are among the largest snakes in the world, with adult animals averaging between 10 and 16 feet long, according to the University of Florida.

A group of python hunters caught the longest Burmese python ever measured on July 10, 2023, in the Big Cypress National Preserve in eastern Collier County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The massive snake was 19 feet long.

The heaviest Burmese python ever recorded was caught by Conservancy of Southwest Florida biologists in the Florida Everglades in 2022. The colossal female python weighed an eye-popping 215 pounds and was nearly 18 feet long.

Has a Burmese python ever killed a human in Florida?

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, human fatalities from non-venomous snakes are rare, with an average of one or two per year worldwide.

There have been no human deaths from wild-living Burmese pythons in Florida.

And while python attacks on humans are unlikely, they're not impossible.

Per USGS, "In suburban areas and parks in Florida that contain ponds, canals or other bodies of water where large snakes could feel at home, the situation is likely similar to that experienced with alligators: attacks are improbable but possible in any locality where the animals are present and people are also present. The simplest and most sure-fire way to reduce the risk of human fatalities is to avoid interacting with a large constrictor."

How many pythons are in the Everglades?

It's hard to get an exact count, given the Burmese python's ability to live in various South Florida environments and the difficulty accessing some areas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Burmese pythons are hard to find due to their cryptic coloration and secretive behaviors, and their low detection probability is a major challenge to effective python control and research," according to Florida Fish and Wildlife.

However, conservative estimates by the USGS put the Burmese python population in the Florida Everglades region in the tens of thousands.

2025 Florida Python Challenge starts July 11

The 2025 Florida Python Challenge  a 10-day event to remove invasive Burmese pythons  starts at 12:01 a.m. July 11 and ends at 5 p.m. July 20.

Participants can win money prizes in several categories, including a $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The top prize of $10,000 goes to the person who catches the most pythons. Those with the most catches in the Novice, Professional and Military categories win $2,500, while runners-up in each group receive $1,500, and $1,000 is awarded for the longest pythons caught.

Burmese pythons captured in Florida must be humanely killed. While they are not protected in Florida, anti-cruelty law still applies.

On the hunt: These 5 python hunters have combined to capture almost 100 invasive snakes in 2025

What to do if you see a Burmese python?

You can report a python sighting to the FWC.

If you think you see a Burmese python, take a photo, note your location and report your sighting by calling the Exotic Species Hotline at 888-Ive-Got1 (888-483-4681), using the free IveGot1 mobile app or online at IveGot1.org.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Alligator Alcatraz in the Everglades: What's the python population?
(CBS News) And now a page from our "Sunday Morning" Almanac: March 31st, 1791, 222 years ago today . . . a shining moment in America's nautical history.

For that was the day Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton signed the contract for construction of the Cape Henry Lighthouse in Virginia, the first lighthouse to be entirely funded and built by the U.S. government rather than by an individual state.

Completed the next year at a cost of $17,700, the original Cape Henry Lighthouse with its fish-oil-fueled lamps guided ships to safety for nearly 90 years, before being replaced by the taller, cast iron lighthouse that stands nearby.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hundreds more federally-built and -operated lighthouses followed over the years, including the biggest of all, the Statue of Liberty which, thanks to its lamp, was officially listed as a lighthouse from its opening in 1886 until 1902.

Smaller lighthouses did their bit, too, and many were immortalized by artists, as Edward Hopper did for Cape Cod's Highland Light.

But over time, lighthouses . . . and the lighthouse keepers who kept them operating . . . came under threat.

The encroaching sea forced the relocation of New England's Block Island lighthouse in 1993 . . . and of North Carolina's towering Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in 1999.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But the biggest change in lighthouses came not from nature, but from advancing technology, as our old friend Charles Kuralt reported back in 1987:

"Even after electricity came to the lighthouse, somebody still had to be there to keep a watchful eye out for fog. No machine could do that . . . until they developed the fog detector."

Thanks to gadgets like that, every U.S. lighthouse has been fully automated since 1998.

Today, Boston Light, the successor to America's very first pre-Independence lighthouse, stands alone as the only one still with a Coast Guard Keeper.

For more info:

Cape Henry Memorial (National Park Service) NOAA Photo Library: Lighthouses

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump's ex-surgeon general says "people are going to die" after RFK Jr. cuts mRNA vaccine funding

Face the Nation Page 2: Tony Gonzales and Jerome Adams

Sen. Mark Kelly says Biden's border policy "was not working"  but Trump has gone too far
An ambulance with a patient inside was in a crash in Oakland.

Click here for photos from the scene.

According to Pittsburgh Public Safety officials, the crash happened at the intersection of McKee Place and 5th Avenue at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday.

The ambulance was providing mutual aid from Greensburg. The patient inside was in stable condition and their transport was finished by another ambulance.

The woman driving the car involved in the crash had to be extracted by emergency crews because her door was jammed. She was taken to a hospital out of an abundance of caution and was in stable condition.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
DENVER (KDVR)  The American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming has been assisting with efforts for the wildfires in Rio Blanco County and has even opened shelters for those impacted.

Two wildfires in the county, the Lee and Elk Fires, have burned more than 100,000 acres as of Saturday, resulting in pre-evacuations and evacuations in the area.

Correctional center in Garfield County evacuated due to Lee Fire threat

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

FOX31 had the opportunity to speak with John Seward, a spokesperson with the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming, about the nonprofit organizations efforts when it comes to the current wildfires burning in Colorado.

Were feeding first responders so that they can focus on fighting the fires, and were providing logistical support. Weve opened two shelters, one in Craig, one in Rangley, for those who are unable to return home with their own closures constantly changing. Folks are, you know, getting trapped in different parts of the state, and we are also supporting folks there at our shelters, and weve begun damage assessment as well related to the fires, said Seward.

Polis expands disaster emergency declaration for Lee, Elk wildfires

The American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming opened the Red Cross shelters in the city of Craig and the town of Rangely this week for those needing a place to stay due to the wildfires.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The organization is providing a number of resources at the shelters, including sleeping accommodations, showers, food and health services.

We had a gentleman the other day who needed a CPAP machine. His was at home. He couldnt get home, so working through situations like that as we need to. As well as we have our mental health services staff available as well for folks who want to talk, feel a little stressed, and have those resources, Seward said.

Seward said that neither shelter is pet-friendly; however, the organization is working with a humane society in the city of Craig and an animal shelter in the town of Rangely, which can take care of peoples pets overnight.

The shelters locations in the city of Craig and the town of Rangely are as follows:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Moat County High School at 900 Finley Lane

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 125 Eagle Crest Drive

Seward also noted that the shelters are open 24/7 for anyone needing assistance.

For more information on the Red Cross shelter, the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming has its 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 FOX31 Denver.
I'm an American, and some things about the US are wayyyy too similar to the dystopian books I've read  especially right now. Recently, I asked Americans of the BuzzFeed Community to share the everyday, normal aspects of US culture that are actually super dystopian, and yikes. Here's what they had to say:

1."I'm a public elementary school teacher. My district offers free lunch for every student, but not every district does. And some kids don't even get to eat a cafeteria meal if they have lunch debt. Of all the things to be putting money toward, you'd think feeding kids so they can be happy and healthy at school would be a priority."

Gemma, 25, Virginia

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

2."The overturning of abortion rights for women with Roe v. Wade. The government should not have control of our bodies, and many women have already perished from PREVENTABLE deaths that were caused by keeping them pregnant, despite the pregnancy having complications. Women are being imprisoned for miscarriages they have no control over, too."

misaamaneyagami

3."Poor people voting to protect the rich."

angelicwalrus106

4."Politicizing masks. Nobody should have to fear for their safety because they're wearing a medical mask. When you see someone in a mask, don't assume you know their politics or story. Maybe people who wear masks aren't 'making a statement,' but they have a child who is immunocompromised, in chemo, or has a life-threatening health issue you don't understand. Maybe they had to wear those masks long before COVID-19, and will have to forever. It's not about you; people wearing masks aren't hurting you. Maybe they are 'paranoid,' but maybe a common cold could kill their child."

Halfpoint Images / Getty Images

protrout978

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

5."The fact that your job must be a defining aspect of your identity and is one of the first things strangers ask you. Your job can't just be a job; it must be a core element of who you are, and no one could possibly understand you if they don't know who sends you a paycheck. What about hobbies, passions, and values? Most other countries don't put such a high emphasis on what you do for work. What you do outside of work is more interesting and valuable."

Megan, 34, Texas

6."Constantly fighting to keep one's own money. The US's thievery of social security benefits, income, and more is truly exhausting and maddening."

doggyladyfrca1234

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

7."People dying of preventable diseases because they either can't afford treatment, or they were denied coverage. My doctor prescribed me three medications, which he thought I needed to control my IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). All three medications were either denied by my insurance or still cost a thousand dollars for a monthly dose with insurance. Luckily, each manufacturer had a copay assistance program, so it was only about $5 out of pocket. But without those, I'd be running to the bathroom 1520 times a day."

flyerboy6

8."The rich running the country like they own it. It feels like The Hunger Games are about to start."

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images

bubblykid17

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

9."Our food being actual poison. It's become normal to hear headlines about yet another ingredient in the food we eat and feed our children on a daily basis being full of carcinogens. Do they change the ingredients, or do people stop being them? No. They are feeding us the poison and then charging us astronomical prices for medical care."

bravecoyote103

10."The hatred. I always thought it was funny that Republicans blamed the Left for trying to divide this country with the 'woke agenda,' and yet they're perfectly fine denouncing anyone who doesn't think exactly the way they do, and in turn, sow far deeper division because of it. This country has become visibly more divided because of it, so I strongly dislike the normalization of hatred."

Anonymous, Wisconsin

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

11."The fact that public transit is still abysmal, and we can't go anywhere without driving a car. Also, it's so dystopian that caring about the environment is some sort of political thing."

Anonymous, 36, Virginia

12."Well, I'd say the military using tear gas on protesters who were simply walking on American soil is pretty damn dystopian."

David McNew / Getty Images

Anonymous

13."This is a pretty weird one, but when I turned 18 and moved out, I was shocked by how many people were doing drugs, especially cocaine. My dad got sober when I was 3, and out of respect, there was never any alcohol, and other detrimental choices were considered okay because of how old we were. But the problem is that addictions spawn from that acceptance. I wonder how many of the people I went to college with would be alive or successfully contributing to our world had it not been so 'normal' to party in college."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

morgandemkey

14."I think it's pretty dystopian that our current president is allowed to just straight-up lie, and his cronies will go along with it and gaslight the American people. What did George Orwell say? 'The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.'"

Zac, 43, Florida

15."Having certain books being taken out of school libraries because a few ignorant adults fear that the words on the pages will 'turn their children gay.'"

ssstege11573

16."The way that there are basically concentration camps for people who did nothing but cross the border illegally. Also, the way there are stormtroopers in Los Angeles breaking laws and violating the civil rights of citizens and non-citizens against the wishes of the city."

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

homeydaclown

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

17."How many of us embrace the subjugation. Nobody truly resists. The realization that we very well may see the end of America in our lifetime.

Louie

18."The normalization and desensitization of mass shootings. Oh, there was a mass shooting at a festival? Thoughts and prayers. Oh, someone shot up a church? Thoughts and prayers. Oh, kids died at school? That's really sad, but we, as lawmakers, are not going to make any changes to stop that from happening again  aside from maybe arming teachers with more guns! We're a pathetic country in so many ways. We're basically already living in the dystopia that the books we read in school tried to warn us about. And if you don't think so, it's time to wake up."

Anonymous

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

19."I live in a 'right to work' state, which sounds like it gives employees more freedom. Really, it just tips the scales in favor of employers. These laws make it easier for companies to offer lower wages, skimp on benefits, and fire workers without cause  all while pretending it's about 'worker choice.' The reality? You keep your job at the whim of management, with little power to negotiate better pay or conditions. It's freedom for corporations, not workers."

Anonymous, 25, Texas

20."The cost of ambulance rides. I once, against my better judgment, took a ride in an ambulance after passing out in public. I was awake, alert, and stable. The only service the ambulance gave me was an ice pack and a 20-block ride to the hospital. We didn't even impede traffic by turning on the lights and sirens. After insurance, it cost over $1,000. An Uber ride offering the same service would have been less than $30."

Erin, 33, New York

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

21.Lastly: "Electing a president who is a convicted felon, convicted business crook, and a convicted sexual predator."

Handout / Getty Images

Ken, 68, Idaho

If you're American, what are some normalized aspects of US culture that you think are pretty dystopian? Let us know in the comments, or you can anonymously submit your thoughts using the form below.

Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Beer has been part of America for years now and is one of the world's oldest beverages. As Beer and Brewing explains, "As best we are able to determine, brewing emerged more than 5,000 years ago in the grasslands of southern Babylonia, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Rich alluvial soils supported wild grain plants, and the people there gathered them for food and to make beer."

When it comes to American beer, one brewery has been around longer than any other. Now, that special brewery is expanding and will be available in a new state for the first time ever.

The Oldest Brewery in America

Beginning Monday, Aug. 11, beer lovers will be able to experience a selection of Yuengling draft in Michigan, thanks to Ypsilanti-based beer distributor O&W bringing the beer, which is from America's oldest brewery, to Michigan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Yuengling is in its sixth generation of family ownership. It's great to see their tradition thrive and continue to grow. O&W Inc. is a fifth-generation family-owned and operated beer business, so it also has a rich history. O&W is one of just three distributors in Michigan bringing Yuengling to local Michigan markets.

"We are excited to partner with Yuengling and bring their authentic American beers to Michigan," Jamie Wanty-Keeder, vice president of marketing at O&W Inc., said in a media release.

So, what beers will be available? According to a release, the options will be Yuengling Lager, Yuengling Black & Tan, and the Yuengling Flight, the latter which a news release describes as the "next generation of light beer clocking in at 4.2% ABV, 95 calories and 2.6 carbs." Also, per the news release, the beverages will be limited to the full coverage areas of three appointed distributors in Ann Arbor, East Lansing and Detroit. According to a report from the Detroit Free Press, Eastown Distributors in Wayne County will also have the beer.

O&W is telling beer enthusiasts to ask their local bars and restaurants when they will start carrying Yuengling beer. For more information on where to find Yuengling, check out their Beer Finder website. The company's packaged beer is also on target to be released, with a launch expected in September.

Related: Beloved Brewery Announces It's Permanently Closing on Aug. 31

America's Oldest Brewery is Expanding on Aug. 11 first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 8, 2025
In a slew of X posts in mid-July, U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles lambasted Belmont University for its alleged refusal to comply with the Trump administrations order to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. According to Ogles, Belmonts recent choice to rename its inclusivity programming Hope, Unity, and Belonging is a covert attempt to retain its original DEI objectives. Ogles cites leaked university videos and emails, all of which he argues reveal clandestine DEI indoctrination.

Ogles language continually suggests that this issue is not merely political, but theological. In a July 17th X post, he deems DEI a radically un-Christian, anti-truth ideology. In a press release from that same day, Ogles congressional office quoted his claims that Belmont is injecting anti-gospel DEI ideology into its curriculum and threatening the preservation of faithful Christian education.

If Christians cared for the wronged, there would be no DEI

As a graduate of both a New England liberal arts college and a theologically progressive seminary, I am well aware of DEIs fallacies. But though I recognize the overreach of some DEI efforts, the Christlike response is not the one exhibited by Rep. Ogles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ogles, who recently called for the denaturalization and deportation of New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani  whom hes snidely nicknamed little Muhammad  clearly resists the pluralistic nature of our nation. But even if one fantasizes about a monolithic Christian nation, Ogles method and rhetoric are nothing like that of Christ.

Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles stands in front of the Maury County Courthouse on the square in Columbia, Tenn., on April 9, 2021.

The biblical text reveals a Christ who names suffering and values truth-telling. That is to say, the Christlike response to DEI overreach is not another deception. Rather than downplaying the reality of racism, Christians should understand DEI for what it is: an attempt to fill the social justice void left by disengaged Christians.

While many Christians would stereotype DEI proponents as anti-Christian Marxists seeking to dismantle society, most adherents are genuine in their belief that critical race theory-based programs are a means of righting wrongs  wrongs about which many American Christians remain willfully ignorant.

Opinion: How Americans are losing ballot access, 60 years after the Voting Rights Act

Those who promote colorblindness misinterpret scripture

Many in Ogles camp base their resistance in the notion of colorblindness. Though charitable on its face, colorblindness is as much a wayward propaganda as the ivory tower DEI ideologies. At its core, colorblindness is an exercise in reality side-stepping. Deluded by ideas of a fantastical post-racial utopia, proponents deem racism obsolete. Rep. Ogles has espoused this ideology innumerable times, explicitly mocking those who decry racism and its alleged persistence in American society.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Within Christian circles, this ideology is often defended through faulty interpretations of Pauls letter to the Galatians: There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28).

Though Paul spends much of this letter acknowledging the many barriers to unity (hatred, discord, selfish ambition) and calling believers to commit to this work despite the sinful human nature that opposes it, the colorblind camp fixates upon no longer Jew or Greek and falsely downplays the reality of human difference. Thus, while their brothers and sisters across the tracks suffer wildly disparate life chances, those who espouse colorblindness simply choose not to see.

Whats worse: They do so in the name of Jesus.

Opinion: Why we must confront the ugliness of capital punishment in Tennessee

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Christian church was marked from its inception by radical, norm-defying care for the marginal  there is no room for lazy theologies that downplay the plight of our neighbor. On this, the book of James could not be more clear: Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (Js. 1:27).

So to Rep. Ogles I ask: What is your religion?

Adira Polite

Adira Polite is a born and bred Memphian, theologian and podcaster.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Andy Ogles, DEI and the covert deception of colorblindness | Opinion
CHICAGO  The Art of Giving Foundation will soon hold its annual Chicago Public Schools supply drive.

The foundation has collected boxes of materials for schools in underserved areas. Saturday was packing day.

Volunteers assembled supply packages for teachers to later pick up.

In the past, teachers had to buy supplies for their classrooms with their own money. Now, various businesses and groups step up with donations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Art of Giving Foundation says they have supported over 2,000 classrooms, reaching more than 400 Chicago Public Schools teachers.

The teachers say the drive has made a huge difference in their classrooms.

(The teachers) always write back saying that theyre so grateful and thankful for everything weve done because without the supplies we gave them, they wouldnt have been able to do certain projects or host certain classes, Autumn Pippenburg, the founder of the Art of Giving Foundation. Art specifically is one of those classes that often gets left behind because art supplies are so expensive.

For more information on the Art of Giving Foundation or to sponsor a teacher, 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 WGN-TV.
Union Information and Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said that the country would witness the rollout of its first made-in-India chip "very soon" as six semiconductor plants are under construction in Gujarat, Assam and Uttar Pradesh. Addressing the 'Next-Gen Mobility for a Next-Gen City' programme here, the IT Minister said, "Today there are six semiconductor plants under construction in our country and very soon we'll see the first made in India chip roll out of these factories." Emphasising the government's resolve for the easy accessibility of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, he said, "AI is shaping our world today. Our Prime Minister's vision is of democratising technology. It should be accessible to all. It should not be limited to a few. It should be available to all. That's why we have done the India AI mission in which 34,000 GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) are available today as a common compute facility for all our innovators." "The price of these GPUs is just less than USD 1 per hour. And this is the most affordable common computer facility in the entire world," the Minister added. Speaking at the same event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also emphasised India's priority to become "self-reliant" in the technology sector, stating that the country will soon have its "Made in India" chip as the semiconductor mission gains momentum. PM stressed that the journey of "Viksit Bharat" will move forward hand in hand with the Digital India initiative. He noted that with the India AI Mission, the country is advancing towards global AI leadership. "Our next big priority should be becoming self-reliant in technology. The journey to a Viksit Bharat will move forward hand in hand with Digital India. Through initiatives like the India AI Mission, India is advancing toward global AI leadership. He added that the Semiconductor Mission is also gaining momentum, and India will soon have its own Made-in-India chip", PM Modi said. In May, the Union Cabinet approved India's sixth semiconductor manufacturing unit in Jewar in western Uttar Pradesh. It will be established near Jewar Airport through a joint venture between the HCL Group and Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn. The sixth unit is expected to generate employment for around 2,000 people and will help significantly in strengthening India's semiconductor ecosystem. The unit at Jewar will have a 20,000 wafers per month capacity, and the chips will have 36 million (3.6 crore) per month. Among other five semiconductor plants, four are in Gujarat: Tata Electronics-PSMC Semiconductor fab, CG Power-Renesas-Stars Microelectronics ATMP unit , Micron Technology's ATMP unit and Kaynes Semicon ATMP unit, while the Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test (TSAT) Unit is in Assam. In 2024, the Government of India launched a comprehensive initiative called the India AI Mission aimed at positioning India as a global hub for artificial intelligence (AI) research, innovation, and adoption. The mission focuses on developing AI solutions across key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, smart cities, and infrastructure to drive socio-economic growth. The strategy includes capacity building, development of research ecosystems, and partnerships between government, industry, and academia. The government has also approved the Semicon India programme with a total outlay of Rs 76,000 crore for the development of a semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country. On the other hand, to promote the semiconductor ecosystem, the central government, in June, introduced pioneering reforms in the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) rules. The reforms aim to address the specialised needs of the semiconductor and electronics component manufacturing sectors.Since manufacturing in these sectors is highly capital-intensive, import-dependent and involves longer gestation periods before turning profitable, rule amendments have been carried out to promote pioneering investments and boost manufacturing in these high-technology sectors. Going further, Vaishnaw informed that India has become the top supplier of smartphones to the United States, with electronics manufacturing now worth Rs 12 lakh crore.He said that India's electronic production has grown six times in the last 11 years.The Minister further pointed out the exponential rise in electronic exports, which have increased eightfold to reach 3 lakh crore rupees. Vaishnaw also noted India's position as the world's second-largest manufacturer of mobile phones, underscoring the country's expanding role in the global electronics market. "Our electronic production has grown 6 times in the last 11 years. Today, electronics manufacturing has touched 12 lakh crore rupees. Electronic exports have increased by 8 times... Today, it has grown to 3 lakh crore rupees. India has become the second-largest manufacturer of mobile phones in the world" he said. According to official government data, India has made significant progress in mobile and electronics manufacturing, becoming the world's 2nd largest mobile manufacturing country. In 2014, India had only 2 mobile manufacturing units, but fast forward to today, the nation boasts over 300 manufacturing units, underscoring a significant expansion in this vital sector. In 2014 -15 only 26 per cent of the mobile phones which were being sold in India were made in India, the rest were being imported. It is worth mentioning that today, 99.2 per cent of all mobile phones which are sold in India are made in India. The manufacturing value of mobile phones has surged from Rs 18,900 crore in FY14 to a staggering Rs 4,22,000 crore in FY24. (ANI)
ELIZABETHTOWN  A skunk displaying signs of rabies tested positive for the virus Wednesday.

The Essex County Health Department said the skunk was terminated the day before after acting aggressively and threatening livestock in Willsboro. The health department agreed to submit the animal for testing, while working to determine if any exposures to people, pets or livestock occurred.

The Adirondack Veterinary Hospital prepared the skunk for shipment to the Wadsworth Laboratory and the lab confirmed the positive result.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After evaluating potential interactions, the health department determined there were no exposures and no further risk to the public.

This is the fourth positive case of rabies in 2025, with another skunk in Elizabethtown testing positive last week. A woodchuck submitted from Ticonderoga in late June and a raccoon recovered from Westport area in early May also tested positive.

"This is a good time to reiterate that a second round of rabies bait drops are set to begin this week, from Aug. 6-12, using fixed wing aircraft," Linda Beers, Director of Public Health for the health department, said. "These bait drops are being studied to determine how effective they are in controlling rabies in raccoons and skunks."

Oral Rabies Vaccination baiting with ONRAB vaccine is part of an ongoing field trial of the USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services that began in West Virginia in 2011 and expanded to other strategic areas in Ohio, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire between 2012-2020.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Other rabies vaccination trials have been conducted in New York since 1995.

APHIS Wildlife Services program works cooperatively with state and local partners to help reduce rabies in wildlife, Beers said. This weeks drop will distribute 37,000 baits across Clinton and Essex Counties, with the northeastern portion of Essex County targeted."

If a bait is found:

 Leave it undisturbed where found unless it is on a lawn, driveway or other area unlikely to attract raccoons or other wildlife.

 Wear gloves if the bait is moved to an area of thicker cover.

 Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact with baits.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

 Intact baits pose no risk.

 The baits have been shown to be safe in over 60 different species of animals, including domestic dogs and cats and pose no health risk if accidentally consumed.

More information about rabies prevention can be viewed on the ECHD website at https://essexcountyny.gov/Health/communicable-disease-control/rabies-center/

To learn more about rabies bait drops, go to https://www.aphis.usda.gov/national-wildlife-programs/rabies

The next free opportunity to vaccinate pets is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Lake Placid Horse Show Grounds.

To view the full 2025 Rabies Clinic Schedule and register pets, go tohttps://essexcountyny.gov/Health/.
The campaign of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., condemned "appalling" antisemitic remarks of a woman arrested for allegedly making threats against a Brooklyn public high school attended by Jewish students, and denied a report that the suspect once worked for them.

Iman Abdul, 27, of Brooklyn, was arrested Friday on charges of making a terroristic threat, endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated harassment and making a threat of mass harm, a New York City Police Department (NYPD) spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital.

The NYPD said it was reported to police on Thursday afternoon that Abdul "made a terroristic threat through social media" towards the Leon Goldstein High School for the Sciences, located in Manhattan Beach, within the confines of the 61st Precinct.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Cuomo Supporters Look To Wealthy Enclave To Take Down Mamdani: Report

The New York Post was first to report on the case. The outlet obtained screenshots of posts purportedly shared from Abduls since-deactivated Instagram account.

"If anyone needs a public school in NYC to attack for whatever reason Lexus driving Israhell [sic] loving Zionisits [sic] all attend here," Abdul allegedly wrote, sharing a screenshot from Google Maps of the high school's location.

Read On The Fox News App

The group Stop Antisemitism and Jewish advocate Uri Cohen both posted Abduls photo and a screenshot of the post to X, demanding that she be prosecuted over the threats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Online court records show Abdul was arraigned on one count of making a terroristic threat and one count of making a threat of mass harm, pleading not guilty.

"A map. A pin. A call to harm Jews, fellow New Yorkers, children, teachers. This isnt just dangerous. Its evil. Jew-hatred doesnt stop with a threat. It escalates. We need immediate and unequivocal action," Tova Plaut, a Department of Education pre-K staffer and Jewish activist, reportedly told The Post. "I am outraged and horrified that a NYC school was publicly marked for attack simply because of its Jewish population."

Mamdani's Former Intern Called Activism 'Jihad' And Confronted Police Officers As 'Pigs'

In a direct message to Stop Antisemitism, Abdul reportedly defended the post before her account was deactivated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I never called for an attack on the school in the sense of mass organization or not even individual people attacking individuals, thats literally stupid," she wrote, according to the Post. "I called for an attack on the school, the Zionist institution funded by our public dollars  we have every right to verbally attack the school."

Fox News Digital reached out to the Brooklyn District Attorneys office seeking more information on Sunday but did not immediately hear back.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., during a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing with Sanctuary City Mayors on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

The Post was also first to identify Abduls connection to Ocasio-Cortezs campaign. According to the outlet, Abdul worked on the "Squad" members Democratic primary campaign as a youth organizer in the summer of 2018. State Sen. Julia Salazar reportedly told the Post that Abdul also worked on Salazar's campaign during that timeframe as a paid canvasser.

Ocasio-Cortez's campaign office denied that Abdul was ever a campaign staffer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"This person was never staff on the campaign and any representation of such is false," the campaign said in a statement. "Their comments are appalling and we condemn threats of violence without hesitation."

Reached by Fox News Digital, Abdul's attorney, Geoffrey St. Andrew Stewart, declined to comment on the case.





Original article source: AOC campaign denies link to woman charged with 'terroristic threat' against school over Jewish students
A federal appeals court panel shot down a Trump administration bid to make secret a public database of federal spending that researchers say is crucial to ensure the administration is not flouting Congress power of the purse.

In an order issued Saturday evening, the three-judge D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals panel voted unanimously to give the administration until Friday to put the data back online.

Two of the three appeals judges assigned to the matter also signed onto a forceful opinion declaring that the administrations bid to conceal the data was an affront to Congress authority over government spending, one that threatened the separation of powers and defied centuries of evidence that public disclosure is necessary for the public good.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No court would allow a losing party to defy its judgment. No President would allow a usurper to command our armed forces, Judge Karen Henderson, a George H.W. Bush appointee, wrote in support of the decision to deny the Trump administrations request to keep the data under wraps while litigation over the issue goes forward. And no Congress should be made to wait while the Executive intrudes on its plenary power over appropriations.

The Trump administration ignited the legal battle when it decided in March to abruptly shut down the database , claiming the widely available public data threatened the presidents ability to manage federal spending. Henderson noted that the decision came amid a torrent of lawsuits questioning whether the administration was preparing to illegally impound  or withhold  congressionally mandated spending required by law to disburse. The administration claimed the database also forced the disclosure of information meant to be shielded from public view.

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan rejected that view out of hand last month, in a lawsuit brought by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington and the Protect Democracy group. The Clinton-appointed judge ordered the administration to immediately restore the website. The Justice Department quickly appealed and won a short-term pause of Sullivans decision. But Saturdays ruling by the appeals court panel ends that pause.

Henderson agreed with Sullivan, saying Congress power is at its zenith when it comes to both approving federal spending and requiring details of that spending to be publicly disclosed. In other words, only Congress  not the administration  could decide to shut down the database.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Judge Robert Wilkins, an Obama appointee, joined Hendersons 25-page opinion. The third judge on the panel, Biden appointee Bradley Garcia, voted with Henderson and Wilkins but did not join her opinion.

The ruling lands just as a simmering fight over Trumps authority to dictate federal spending has been ramping up on Capitol Hill. Trump has long flirted with the notion that the president has the power to impound funds that he views cut against Executive Branch priorities, and courts have eyed warily his administrations decision to mass-terminate federal grants and contracts representing billions of dollars in congressionally required spending. The Justice Department has argued that the funds for those terminated programs could be reissued in plenty of time to satisfy Congress requirements, but Trump budget officials have floated workarounds that have made some lawmakers uncomfortable.

The decision Saturday is not a final ruling on the underlying legal question about whether the administration is obliged to make the data public. But unless the full bench of the appeals court steps in or the administration gets relief from the Supreme Court, the ruling means the data is likely to be public within days. The panel agreed to give the administration until Aug. 15 to restore the database.
Los Angeles has portals to its future sprinkled across the city: Silicon Beach. Hollywood. Public schools. The ruins of Pacific Palisades. What goes on inside at City Hall and the Hall of Administration.

But why go to those obvious choices when trying to figure out which way L.A. is going when the best answer is right in front of Platinum Showgirls LA?

I parked next to the downtown gentlemans club on a recent weekday morning to do just that. A hulking security guard stood outside the entrance, the 101 Freeway buzzing nearby. So were the street vendors setting up for another day of business, damn the migra agents driving in and out of the Metropolitan Detention Center just up Commercial Street.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But I wasn't there for the sights or sounds  or what was going on inside Platinum Showgirls. I was there to scour the sidewalk for a plaque dedicated to a tree.

This plaque honored El Aliso, the ancient sycamore that towered over the area for hundreds of years before being chopped down in the 1890s. The plaque was installed at the intersection of Commercial and Vignes streets by the city of Los Angeles, in collaboration with the Kizh-Gabrielino tribe. (Carolina A. Miranda / Los Angeles Times)

For centuries, a six-story-tall sycamore stood near this slice of land and saw empires come and go. Indigenous people from across Southern California and beyond gathered under its shade for special councils and to meet with its caretakers, the residents of the village of Yaanga. It was an awe-inspiring sight for the pobladores who came from Mexico in 1789 and set up El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles in the name of the Spanish crown. The sycamore  now bearing the name El Aliso  appears as a towering black splotch in the first known photo of Los Angeles, shot in the early 1860s when the city was in the process of turning from a Mexican village into an American town.

When El Aliso was finally chopped down in 1895, felled by brewery owners who inadvertently killed the giant after cutting off too many limbs and paving over its roots, residents took chips from it as a memento mori of sorts.

But El Aliso never truly died.

It lived on in the history books but especially in the memory of the descendants of the people who had seen the sycamore grow from a seed to a giant. In 2019, members of the Kizh-Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians were present as representatives from the city of Los Angeles laid a bronze plaque on the sidewalk at the northeast corner of Commercial and Vignes streets  in the shadow of what was then a different strip club  to commemorate El Aliso.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While its physical presence is gone, the plaque stated, the oral history handed down through the generations has kept its beauty and story alive in the Kizh people.

Read more: Arellano: 'La migra, la migra': Inside Huntington Park's long deportation summer

I was looking to read those words for myself, to touch them and the etching of El Aliso that hovered above the dedication. To take inspiration from this fundamental part of L.A.s past in hopes of divining its future. But when I finally figured out where the plaque was supposed to be, I found a shallow slot strewn with trash and the remnants of the adhesive that once kept the plaque in its place.

Leave it to 2025 for thieves to make off with a memorial to L.A.s mother tree.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The fires. The raids. Housing inequality. Homelessness. Cost of living. Trumps never-ending war against L.A. anything. Is the Big One around the corner? Probably.

Nothing seems to be going right in Lost Angeles right now. Trump says it. Too many residents feel it. Too many former Angelenos scream it.

How can one possibly even think about a better future when the present is so bad? How can one even think about any future when the current outlook seems so bleak?

Ruiz Linares of the volunteer group Guardianes Del Muro U.S.A. stands in a median waving homemade signs in front of a burned-down garage where a large donation and feeding center grew for Eaton fire victims. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

But as I walked back to my car, an answer occurred to me that I wasn't expecting to be so hopeful.

Before I joined The Times in 2019, I never had any real interest or investment in L.A.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Oh, I visited family and friends and paid some attention to the political scene from my native Anaheim. Went to UCLA for graduate school, haunted the Sunset Strip and Thai Town for rock en espanol shows in my cub reporter days. But L.A. was just  L.A. Huge. Cool. Really diverse.

But special? No more so than any other great world city.

I never felt the metropolis up the 5 to be a den of grossness like too many of my fellow Orange Countians still think it is. It also never called to me as a promised land like it did to my creative O.C. friends, either. I generally rooted for L.A., but its future meant nothing to me.

My opinion obviously changed as I began to cover it as a columnist starting in 2020 and tried to commit the layout and vibe of the city to my mind. One of the first things that struck me in a way I never anticipated was how precarious everyone felt their lives to be.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Oh, I had read enough Joan Didion, Mike Davis, Nathaneal West and other writers to not be too surprised by this. But seeing it manifested was something else, and it made a lot of things about the city finally click.

From the Westside to the Eastside, from Wilmington through South L.A. and all the way to the San Fernando Valley, I met person after person who acted and lived as if what they had scraped for themselves was at risk of disappearing in an instant, in the most disastrous fashion imaginable. I initially thought this betrayed an insecurity in the Angeleno soul, but then I realized it was something worse.

If anyone's L.A. dream could crumble at any moment, that meant you had to defend it at any cost  and especially at the expense of everyone else.

The more I talked to people and studied L.A. history, the more this outsider felt that the idea of fighting for the dream was what created a famously segregated city that too often erupts, whether electorally or otherwise.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In an era where stratification is worse than ever and the federal government has declared war on various fronts  legal, psychological, financial  the L.A. of the past cant be the guiding light for the L.A. of the future.

Rams running back Kyren Williams, second from right, helped distribute new shoes to kids affected by the Eaton fire in a joint effort between the Seattle Seahawks and the Rams. (Gary Klein / Los Angeles Times)

The city might have grown and operated as 19 suburbs in search of a metropolis  as Aldous Huxley infamously wrote  through most of the 20th century, but its time to act like a united front if were going to successfully navigate the rest of the 21st. And the rallying cry should be what were going through right now, what L.A. has weathered again and again:

Disaster.

Because when the going gets tough for L.A., the city rallies like only it can. Americans should see this resilience and the subsequent spur of creativity and hope as a blueprint on how to fight back and not just survive, but thrive better than ever.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nothing has proved this more than our current year, with two catastrophes that would have buckled, if not outright destroyed, other cities.

The Palisades and Eaton fires in January were infernos of biblical dimensions. People died, houses were incinerated, neighborhoods were eradicated. The suffering will continue for years, if not decades. Residents know their past can never be recaptured  and yet they continue to rebuild for whatever's next.

Angelenos couldve stayed to themselves in the aftermath, but they chose not to. They choose not to. The rest of L.A. has stood up to help survivors through financial donations and clothing and food drives and benefits that continue and whatever folks in the Palisades and Altadena need. At one of the city's darkest hours, Los Angeles shone brighter than ever.

I write this columna during a long deportation summer unleashed on L.A. and beyond by a native son of Santa Monica in what amounts to a racist revanchist snit. Even a generation ago, large swaths of L.A. would have been cheering on the raids. But todays L.A. isnt having it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more: Arellano: Trump wants L.A. to set itself on fire. Let's rebel smarter

As with the fires, fundraisers and mutual aid societies and neighborhood watch groups have sprouted. The city, from Mayor Karen Bass to street vendors, knows that its up against an Orwellian apparatus that wants us to collapse  and that L.A. will win.

Because L.A. always wins. We might not know how the victory will look, but we know itll happen.

See how I use we? Because while I plan to forever live in Orange County, I want to be a part of this future L.A.  an area, a people that teaches the rest of the United States how well triumph as calamities of all types seem to crash down on this country with increasing regularity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

All of the stories and columns in this package are about that, from housing to fires, disasters to palm trees, transportation to climate change and beyond. No one thinks its going to be easy  if anything, its probably going to be harder than ever.

But everyone expects victory. The miracle of L.A. has gone too far for it to fail.

Which takes me back to El Aliso.

I havent read anything about the theft of its plaque, so Im not sure when it happened. But people will read this and be upset. People will do something to mark El Alisos existence in front of a gentlemans club near the 101 Freeway once more.

That means El Aliso will continue to live  maybe as a plaque, maybe as a hologram, maybe as something even grander. It can't die, because that means we will. It must live, because that means so will the rest of us.

L.A. is frequently seen as a place of destruction, where the past is bulldozed and forgotten and then trivialized and romanticized. But the Native American tribes that the Spaniards tried to eradicate are still here. The Latinos that Manifest Destiny tried to vanquish are now nearly half of the population of this most American of cities.

L.A. will survive whatever happens next. We will figure it out. We always do. Theres no other way. Theres no other option.

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.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)The race for California governor gained momentum Saturday as longtime San Diego politician Toni Atkins officially opened her campaign headquarters near Mission Hills, rallying supporters and securing endorsements from several high-profile Democrats.

Atkins, a former San Diego City Council member, state Assembly speaker and president pro tempore of the state Senate, told the crowd that her political journey has been shaped by both California and her hometown.

California has given me every opportunity and here I am in San Diego. San Diego has given me every opportunity and frankly made who I am, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Among those endorsing Atkins were state Sen. Steve Padilla, Mayor Todd Gloria, Assemblymember Chris Ward, U.S. Rep. Scott Peters and San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre.

Toni Atkins is a doer and not a talker. She leads with action and eloquent example, Padilla said. Gloria called her the real deal, and Ward praised her unshakable commitment to justice and equity.

A proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Atkins has been a longtime advocate for gay rights. She has also held some of the states most powerful positions, including serving as acting mayor of San Diego and acting governor of California.

In a one-on-one interview, Atkins said she plans to focus on Californias affordability crisis, particularly housing and access to health care. She also criticized policies from Washington, D.C., that she said undermine the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is chaos. It is manufactured chaos coming out of Washington, she said. I will stand strong in the face of the administration that is really attacking California values and our people.

The primary election to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is termed out, will be held in June.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after three people were seriously injured in a suspected knife attack in Reading, police have said.

Thames Valley Police said a man in his late teens and two other men, aged in their 20s and 30s, were taken to hospital with "serious injuries, thought to be caused by a knife" after the incident in St Mary's Butts at about 03:25 BST.

The teenager has since been discharged and the arrested man remains in police custody, said the force.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Insp Sally Russell said: "We know this attempted murder will cause concern but we are investigating it as a high priority."

She said a large scene-watch was in place on Sunday, with an increased police presence in the St Mary's Butts area of the Berkshire town while officers and staff carried out enquiries.

Insp Russell asked anyone with relevant information to contact the force, adding: "We believe there may have been numerous witnesses to the incident, including those with mobile phone footage of it and/or the aftermath."

You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

Related Links
HAMPTON  The next Music at the Fletch will be presented August 13th at 6 p.m.

The Fletcher Memorial Library, located at 257 Main St., Hampton, hosts a summer concert series, and the next one will feature the folk music of Atwater-Donnelly.

The duo, Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly, sing both American and Celtic folk songs and original music  playing guitar, banjo, tin whistle, limberjack, and Appalachian dulcimer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now married, the pair met in Rhode Island in 1987, and have been playing together ever since. The award-winning duo has performed across the U.S., as well as in Canada, England, and Ireland. They have been featured on several radio programs, including Chicagos Midnight Special, and National Public Radios Thistle and Shamrock, and All Things Considered.

In addition to performing, Atwater and Donnelly conduct music and dance workshops and compose for theatrical projects.

The concert will take place on the librarys porch, with attendees welcome to bring blankets or chairs and their own refreshments. In the event of rain, the concert will take place in the librarys function room. Parking is available at the rear of the library or in the lot of the Hampton Congregational Church next door.

There is no charge to attend the concert, but donations for the librarys concert series are always welcome.

For more information, call the main desk at 860-455-0175.
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

The Sturgeon Moon imaged on Aug. 9 2025 rising over the rooftops of Istanbul, Turkey. | Credit: Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP) (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

August's full moon, known as the 'Sturgeon Moon' made a splash when it leapt above the southern horizon on Aug. 9 earlier this week, illuminating the summer sky mere days before the peak of the Perseid meteor shower.

Celestron NexStar 8SE

Celestron NexStar 8SE

Looking for a new telescope to view the moon? We reckon the Celestron NexStar 8SE is the best motorized telescope out there. For a more detailed look, you can check out our Celestron NexStar 8SE review!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Sturgeon Moon gets its name from the large lake fish that were once abundant around this time of year and which served as an important source of food for several Native American tribes. It's also sometimes known as the 'Red Moon' , on account of the ruddy hue it has been known to adopt in the summer haze, while the Anishinaabe people of the Great Lakes knew it as the 'Ricing Moon' and used it as a sign that it was time to bring in the harvest.

Each full moon is a spectacular sight to the naked eye and a prized target for astrophotographers worldwide, who bent their knowledge and skill to the task of capturing the majesty of August's fully-lit lunar disk.

Some photographers aimed their lenses at the moon during moonrise, capturing its dramatic yellow-orange glow as Earth's atmosphere scattered the bluer wavelengths of sunlight in a process known as Rayleigh Scattering. Others snapped the moon as it tracked a low path through the summer sky, recording spectacular detail on the lunar surface, while lining up impressive shots that blended the ancient and the new in a single frame.

Read on to see a selection of some of the best August full moon photos from around the world.

The August 2025 full Sturgeon Moon in pictures

This stunning view of the full Sturgeon Moon suspended between New York's iconic skyscrapers was taken by Nazli Zeynep Karabulut on the night of Aug. 9, as the lunar disk rose over New York and was temporarily speared by the point of the Empire State Building.

August's full moon is pictured rising over the Manhattan skyline. | Credit: Photo by Nazli Zeynep Karabulut/Anadolu via Getty Images

Ismael Adnan Yaqoob captured the moon thousands of miles from New York as it drifted close to the lights of an amusement park in the city of Mosul, Iraq on the same night (Aug. 9).

The full Sturgeon Moon seen rising from an amusement park in Iraq. | Credit: Photo by Ismael Adnan Yaqoob/Anadolu via Getty Images

This stunningly detailed high-contrast view of the lunar disk was captured on Aug. 9 by Tayfun Coskun as the moon hung above Mt. Hamilton in San Jose, California. Dark lunar seas can be seen scarring the lunar surface alongside sweeping mountain ranges and prominent impact sites, including the majestic form of Tycho Crater, which dominates the lower region of the moon's disk.

A detailed shot of the moon taken by Tayfun Coskun in August 2025. | Credit: Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images

Photographer Riccardo De Luca captured a beautiful shot of the orange-red Sturgeon Moon as it rose above the historic Colosseum in Rome, with the towering Arch of Titus illuminated to the right of the image.

The full moon is pictured rising above the Colosseum in Rome. | Credit: Photo by Riccardo De Luca/Anadolu via Getty Images

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Isa Terli's moody composition featured a potent mix of the old and the new by capturing the red form of the rising Sturgeon Moon as it hung between the supports of the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey.

The August 2025 full moon seen rising between the supports of the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey. | Credit: Photo by Isa Terli/Anadolu via Getty Images

This image of the yellow full moon rising near the ancient temple of Poseidon in southern Greece was captured on Aug. 9, by photographer Costas Baltas, close to the city of Athens.

A yellow full moon pictured rising next to the Temple of Poseidon near Athens. | Credit: Photo by Costas Baltas/Anadolu via Getty Images

A spotlight shone from the tip of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, appears to pick out the orange form of the rising Sturgeon Moon in this dramatic composition by Mustafa Yalcin, also taken on Aug. 9.

The full moon caught in a spotlight shone from the pinnacle of the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. | Credit: Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Images

Lorenzo Di Cola snapped a shot of the lunar disk rising over the ruins of Rocca Calascio on Aug. 8, in the runup to the full moon from the Province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo in Italy.

An orange moon is pictured rising above the ruined castle Rocca Calascio in Italy. | Credit: Photo by Lorenzo Di Cola/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Photographer Yasin Akgul captured the Sturgeon Moon warped by atmospheric disturbance on Aug. 9, as it loomed above the rooftops of Istanbul, Turkey, close to the famous Galata Tower.

The Sturgeon Moon imaged on Aug. 9 2025 rising over the rooftops of Istanbul, Turkey. | Credit: Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP) (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

Faisal Bashir took a stunningly detailed shot of the lunar disk on Aug. 8, ahead of the full moon phase, framed by the delicate silhouettes of overhanging leaves.

The August moon captured a day before its full moon phase in the sky over Kashmir. | Credit: Photo by Faisal Bashir/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Photographer Max Guliani also posted a series of impressive moonrise shots to his X account, showing the full lunar disk looming large between the iconic skyscrapers of midtown Manhattan.

Gary Hershorn, meanwhile, lined up a slew of shots that featured the full moon resplendent alongside the Statue of Liberty, including one well-timed composition that captured a passenger jet traversing the lunar disk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While there's no doubt that August's Sturgeon Moon put on a dramatic show, next month's full moon phase is set to be even more spectacular. Sept. 7-8 will see a total lunar eclipse sweep over the surface of Earth's natural satellite, temporarily transforming it into a red "blood moon" for skywatchers in Asia, Australia, Europe and Africa. You can keep up with all the lunar eclipse action with our lunar eclipse live blog .

Editor's Note: If you capture an image of the full Sturgeon Moon and want to share it with Space.com's readers, then please send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.
The Brief

Austin police were asking for the public's help to find Marie Louise Jervis, a 79-year-old woman who went missing on Saturday.

Jervis, who has medical conditions, was last seen leaving her apartment on Broadmoor Drive around 2:30 p.m.

She is described as a Spanish-speaking Black female with short, curly, light purple hair, and was last seen wearing a cheetah-print dress and Jordan slides.

AUSTIN - UPDATE: Austin Police say Marie Louise Jervis has been found safe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Austin police are asking for the public's help to find a missing 79-year-old woman who was last seen leaving her apartment on Saturday.

Missing Woman in Austin

What we know

Marie Louise Jervis was last seen around 2:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of Broadmoor Drive. She has medical conditions that have prompted concern about her welfare, according to the Austin Police Department.

Jervis is a Spanish-speaking Black female, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, and weighs about 150 pounds. She has short, curly, light purple hair and brown eyes.

When last seen, she was wearing a cheetah-print knee-length dress, grey and white Jordan slides, a gold necklace, and small gold hoop earrings.

What you can do

Anyone who sees Marie Jervis is asked to call 911 immediately.

The Source

Information in this article is from the Austin Police Department.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  On Saturday evening, authorities confirm one person has died in an apartment shooting in Northeast Oklahoma City.

According to police officials, its officers responded to a trouble unknown call and possible argument at Veterice Smiley Housing Complex located at 601 North Stonewall and 5th street.

The calling party said that they heard four to five gunshots. Right after that, officers received more calls that someone had been shot here, said Officer Denisha Lambeth, Oklahoma City Police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police say, the victim an adult black male in his late 20s, was found dead in the hallway.

Authorities say, no suspect information has been released as the investigation continues.

*This story is developing

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
"Happy birthday @trishaladutt, Always proud of you, always love you," he wrote, adding an adorable picture with the birthday girl.

Chiming in the comment section, actor Riteish also dropped a birthday wish for Trishala.

"Happy birthday dear @trishaladutt," Riteish wrote.

Trishala is Sanjay Dutt's daughter from his first marriage to Richa Sharma.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Sanjay will be seen in a pivotal role in 'The RajaSaab'. The film stars Prabhas in the lead and is directed by Maruthi. It is produced by TG Vishwa Prasad under People Media Factory and has music by Thaman S.

The film is set to release in cinemas worldwide on December 5, 2025, in five languages: Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.

He also has films like 'Dhurandhar' and 'KD - The Devil' in the pipeline. (ANI)
PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (FOX 56)  A man was arrested in Auxier on Saturday for allegedly threatening to kill an employee of the US Postal Service (USPS) before also threatening to kill deputies with the Floyd County Sheriffs Office (FCSO) on Facebook.

Prestonsburg city leaders announced on Saturday, Aug. 9, that local police got a complaint that 43-year-old Jonathan Howell of Auxier allegedly made threats to kill a USPS employee. Shortly after the complaint, Howell took to social media and allegedly threatened deputies.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Responding to the threats, law enforcement officials got state felony warrants for Howells arrest at the request of the United States Postal Inspector, city leaders said.

The FCSO wrote on Facebook that around 6 p.m. on Saturday, deputies went to Auxier and arrested Howell.

He was reportedly charged with two counts of terroristic threatening, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, public intoxication, and menacing. He was lodged in the Floyd County Regional Jail.

Prestonsburg officials said the threat investigation is 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 FOX 56 News.
Azerbaijan may consider lifting its embargo on supplying weapons to Ukraine if Russia continues to strike Ukraines gas infrastructure through which Azerbaijani gas flows.

Source: Caliber.Az, an Azerbaijani news agency, as reported by European Pravda

Details: On Sunday 10 August, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call during which they discussed Russian strikes on Ukraines gas infrastructure carrying Azerbaijani gas and an attack on a SOCAR oil depot in Odesa.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The two leaders said they were outraged by the actions of the Russian armed forces.

Caliber.Az, citing reliable sources, reports that if Russia continues its aggressive policy towards Azerbaijans interests, Baku will begin considering lifting its embargo on supplying Ukraine with weapons from its arsenal.

Russias armed forces have begun systematically targeting Azerbaijani energy facilities located in Ukraine. This situation is pushing Baku to take retaliatory measures.

Background:

On the night of 7-8 August 2025, Russian forces attacked an oil depot belonging to the Azerbaijani company SOCAR in Odesa Oblast, Ukraine.

Russia launched five Shahed strike drones on the SOCAR oil depot, causing a fire and damaging a diesel pipeline. Four company employees sustained serious injuries.

This was the second attack in recent weeks on facilities in Ukraine connected to Azerbaijan. Earlier, the Russians targeted a gas distribution station near Orlivka, a key element of the Trans-Balkan Gas Pipeline, which began transporting Azerbaijani gas to Ukraine on 28 June.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
BALTIMORE  Baltimore Police say six victims, including one young girl, were shot Saturday night in the Central Park Heights neighborhood near Pimlico Race Course.

Around 8:46 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Queensbury and Spaulding avenues for reports of a shooting, said Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley during a Saturday night news briefing.

Worley said that the officers found four male victims and two females, including a five-year-old girl who was shot in the hand. The girls injuries do not appear to be serious, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He also confirmed that the adult victims were between the ages of 23 and 52 and that one of the male victims is in critical condition and currently undergoing surgery at a nearby hospital.

Police were unable to answer any questions about the motive for the shooting or the whereabouts of the suspects.

Were still really early in the investigation, Worley said.

Multiple streets in the area are closed to the public. Police advise staying away from the area.

Police investigate a mass shooting in North Baltimore Saturday night. (FOX45 News) Joseph Payne, a West Belvedere resident, said that he thought he could hear gunshots over his music and ran outside when he saw red and blue lights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He says he saw one person being rolled out on a gurney, with paramedics telling him repeatedly: Keep your eyes up.

Another individual was rolled out on a wheelchair, according to Payne.

He says that there was a large group of 10 to 15 people, who he believed were all teenagers.




NEED TO KNOW

New Generation Barbershop in Tampa, Fla., recently offered up free haircuts as local kids prepare to head back to school

The special event was held on Monday, Aug. 4  and the barbershop also gave away free backpacks, bicycles and school supplies that had been donated by the community and local businesses

Davis Nguyen, who owns the shop, told a local news station he's hoping to alleviate some of the costs associated with sending kids back to the classroom





For five years, Davis Nguyen and his fellow barbers at New Generation Barbershop in Tampa, Fla., have offered up free haircuts as summer draws to a close and neighborhood kids prepare to head back to school.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At the latest event on Monday, Aug. 4, the barbershop also gave away free backpacks, bicycles and school supplies that had been donated by the community and local businesses along with food and drinks.

Nguyen, who owns the shop, tells PEOPLE that about 70 kids received free haircuts in the span of four hours and more than 150 got free backpacks.

"I'm a single mom of three, so it definitely takes a lot of load off of me," Alivia Rivera told ABC affiliate WFTS of the free service.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

Nguyen says his parents immigrated from Vietnam, and he grew up in Section 8 public housing, so he understands the costs associated with sending kids back to the classroom.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Going back to school, we were okay with just a paper and pencil and a backpack," he says with a laugh. "It wasn't always the easiest, though," Nguyen shares, noting that his stepdad and brother sometimes had to cut his and his four siblings' hair to keep expenses down.

Now, Nguyen's hoping the confidence boost from the kids' fresh, free cuts will pour over into their academics.

"Hopefully that leads to better grades, a better outcome, even if it's just getting in the habit of taking care of yourself," he says.

His inclination to help is rooted in a desire to provide positive memories for the kids who keep coming back to his barbershop each summer, with a goal that they'll someday do the same for others.

"Hopefully they look back and then they can pay it forward somehow, one day," Nguyen says. "Let's look out for the next generation."



Read the original article on People
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A Bath man is accused of providing alcohol to a juvenile and engaging in sexual contact with her, according to New York State Police.

Police say the incident happened the night of July 30. Investigators allege Coby R. Causer, 25, gave alcohol to the girl before the sexual contact occurred.

Causer was arrested Tuesday and charged with aggravated sexual abuse, third-degree rape, unlawful dealing with a child and endangering the welfare of a child.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Bath Volunteer Fire Department confirmed to WROC Causer was a member of the fire department and has placed him on administrative leave. The department posted to Facebook Wednesday.

We are aware of the recent arrest of a member of our department. Please know that this situation is being taken seriously and is being handled appropriately. The member has been placed on administrative leave while we await the outcome of the legal process. At this time, no assumptions will be made until the facts are confirmed and due process is complete. We are fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities and will take further action as necessary once more information is available. The trust of our community means everything to us, and we remain committed to serving with professionalism, integrity, and transparency. Thank you for your continued support. Bath Volunteer Fire Department

He was taken to the Steuben County Jail for arraignment.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A decorated Baton Rouge Police sergeant has died after what authorities call a deliberate and cowardly attack. Sgt. Caleb Eisworth, a 23-year veteran, passed away Sunday, Aug. 10, at a Baton Rouge hospital.

Eisworth was critically injured on June 16, 2025, when investigators say Gad Black, 41, intentionally rammed his pickup truck into Eisworths police motorcycle as the officer traveled along Joor Road. Deputies said Black admitted to following Eisworth and expressed a deep hatred for law enforcement.

Black was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder of a police officer, hate crimes, and resisting an officer. His alleged family member, Asia Raby, 40, was charged with obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact to attempted first-degree murder of a police officer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Man accused of crashing into BRPD officer denied bond; judge orders psych evaluation

It is with profound sadness that I must share that our beloved Motors Officer, Sgt. Caleb Eisworth, died moments ago surrounded by loved ones. Caleb was an amazing officer and a good man. He spent seven weeks fighting hard to overcome his injuries, but ultimately lost his battle today, Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas TJ Morse said. I ask that our community continue to lift the Eisworth family and the men and women of our Baton Rouge Police Department up in prayer.

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore confirmed to Louisiana First News that he will seek the death penalty.

East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards asks that all flags be flown at half-staff in honor of Eisworth. Flags will remain at half-staff until his funeral to honor his dedication, bravery, and service to Baton Rouge.

Local and state officials react

It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of one of our finest, Sgt. Caleb Eisworth. He was a warrior  humble, tough, gritty, and deeply compassionate. My prayers are with his beautiful family during this heartbreaking time. Baton Rouge, we must pause and reflect. When will this violence end? Too many lives are being taken on our streets  a pregnant woman shot to death, young children killed, innocent citizens struck by gunfire while simply sitting on their porches. Sgt. Eisworth was murdered because of the uniform he wore to work in service to our city. You elected me to help fix this. By the grace of God, I pledge to take every measure to keep our community safe. Sgt. Eisworth gave his life for that same mission. His passing comes on the 20-year anniversary of the murder of Officer Terry Melancon  a sobering reminder of the dangers our officers face each day. It is my plea and my prayer that our parish unites as one. Let us love each other, help one another, and seek understanding so that we can heal. God bless, and rest in peace, Sgt. Caleb Eisworth. To his family: we stand with you, and we will carry you through this East Baton Rouge Mayor President Sid Edwards

Rest in Peace Sergeant Caleb Eisworth. You represent the very best of our state. Please join Sharon and me in praying for the Eisworth family at this time. Gov. Jeff Landry

Please join me in praying for BRPD Sergeant Caleb Eisworths family, friends, fellow officers, and the entire Baton Rouge Police Department. As a 23-year veteran with the department, Sgt. Eisworth received the Medal of Valor, the departments highest honor, and multiple awards for heroism. His memory and impact on the Baton Rouge community will live on forever. I support District Attorney Hillar Moores decision to seek the death penalty in this case, and I will offer any support he needs from my office. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Baton Rouge Police Department Sgt. Caleb Eisworth. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and our brothers in blue    . Rest in Peace Brother Livingston Police Department Chief Randy Dufrene



Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sgt. Caleb Eisworthss family, along with his BRPD family. Rest easy Sgt. Eisworth. Denham Springs Police Department

The St. Gabriel Police Department offers our deepest condolences to the Baton Rouge Police Department, as well as to the family and friends of Fallen Officer, Sergeant Caleb Eisworth. May his unwavering commitment to serve and the countless lives he impacted be forever remembered.   St. Gabriel Police Department

On behalf of the East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office, I want to extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Sgt. Caleb Eisworth and to the men and women of the Baton Rouge Police Department. Sgt. Eisworth served this community with dedication, courage, and honor. His unwavering commitment to protecting others and his steadfast character left a lasting impact on all who knew him. Our hearts are with his loved ones and his BRPD family as they grieve this tremendous loss. We stand with you in prayer, mourning the loss of an exemplary public servant and honoring the legacy he leaves behind. East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux

Our hearts are heavy as we keep the family of Sgt. Caleb Eisworth, along with his brothers and sisters at the Baton Rouge Police Department, in our thoughts and prayers. Rest easy, Sgt. Eisworth. Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Office

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon extends deepest condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Baton Rouge Police Sergeant Caleb Eisworth. Sergeant Eisworth was intentionally run over while in the line of duty on June 16, 2025. Sergeant Eisworth passed away today as a result of injuries he sustained in that incident. Please keep Sergeant Eisworth, his family, friends, and the members of the Baton Rouge Police Department in your thoughts and prayers. Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon

Sheriff Bobby Webre and all of us at the Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office are saddened over the loss of our friend, Sgt. Eisworth. We send our love and prayers to his family, friends, and everyone who knew and loved him.  Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office

Louisiana State Police offers our sincerest condolences to the Baton Rouge Police Department and the family of Sgt. Caleb Eisworth. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Louisiana State Police

It is with deep sadness that I extend my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Baton Rouge Police Sergeant Caleb Eisworth. Sergeant Eisworth was more than a dedicated law enforcement officer, he was a true community advocate whose service reached far beyond his badge. His commitment to fostering peace and unity was evident in his support of our District 7 Annual Pedaling for Peace, where he faithfully served as one of our official escorts. His presence brought both safety and a spirit of compassion that resonated with all who knew him. I prayerfully join with his family, fellow officers, and the countless lives he touched in honoring his legacy of service, integrity, and love for our city. Councilwoman Twahna P. Harris

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

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.
After the success of a two-year pilot program that served over 35,000 youths, Battelle announced a $1.1-million investment into the YMCA of Central Ohio for STEM initiatives.

The additional funding will continue the partnership that has now added STEM elements to all of the central Ohio YMCA programming through 2026, expanding its reach to a total of 44,000 children and families across the organization's 13 community centers in a five-county region, according to Tony Collins, president and CEO of YMCA of Central Ohio.

In July 2025, Battelle renewed its $1.1-million investment into the YMCA of Central Ohio for STEM programming for an additional 44,000 kids through 2026. It reached 35,000 kids with the pilot program that launched in 2022.

Wes Hall, Battelle's senior vice president of philanthropy and education, said the company is impressed with how The Y has stewarded its partnership and funds thus far. On behalf of Battelle, he said the vision was to build tomorrow's workforce where families are already convening. This includes the organization's day camps, early learning programs and more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I hope that this opportunity allows students of all backgrounds to understand that they can be successful in future STEM careers  and that doesn't mean you have to be a scientist or an engineer to apply the skills that you learn in these programs," Hall said of the intended impact of the partnership.

"It's all about access. I hope that it really allows people to see themselves being successful in the future, and The Y is just so well-positioned to meet children where they are."

Reaching the workforce of tomorrow

Collins said the goal of the first two-year partnership was to reach 20,000 kids, but the program was able to impact over 35,000 youths. As the partnership proceeds with its continuation, he described the process as "compounding" the impact of the YMCA's programming, rather than simply continuing it, as it's growing the number of kids served.

Describing his excitement for both the funding itself and the work to be continued, Collins said this is an investment in all children in all central Ohio communities, both geographically and economically.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We're targeting neighborhoods and families who are in the most need, and we're targeting families in our rural communities. This is truly an investment in all children in all of our communities," Collins said.

"When we work with Battelle, that's important to them. They want to make sure that we're serving kids in neighborhoods that have the greatest challenges, and they want to make sure that we're serving all kids."

Sophia Veneziano is a Columbus Dispatch reporter supported by the Center for HumanKindness at The Columbus Foundation. She may be reached at sveneziano@dispatch.com. The Dispatch retains full editorial independence for all content.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Battelle invests $1.1M into YMCA of Central Ohio for STEM initiatives
This story is from an installment of The Oeno Files, our weekly insider newsletter to the world of fine wine. Sign up here.

Hail. Frost. Drought. Rain. Wildfire. Extreme weather threatens vineyards around the world with increased frequency each year, menacing vines, grapes, and people. This is especially true in Burgundy, which has been spared from the fires that have ravaged other regions, but the region has seen out-of-season cold snaps, untimely precipitation, soaring summer temperatures, and sustained drought in the last decade. To save their vines and their livelihoods, winemakers and viticulturists across all of Burgundy are simultaneously turning to modern technology and ancient ways of farming to prevent disaster in their vineyards. A combination of high-tech equipment like electromagnetic soil monitors, weather stations, and electric tractors paired with traditional agricultural methods such as biodynamic farming, organics, and agroforestry helps wineries bolster vine health in a way that improves their wines quality and subdue the effects of climate change.

More from Robb Report

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At Domaine du Cellier aux Moines in Givry, located in the heart of the Cote Chalonnaise in southern Burgundy, domain owner Philippe Pascal approached the problem by looking at dirt. Starting with the historic Clos du Cellier aux Moinesthe walled vineyard in the center of the winerys holdings that Cistercian monks first planted back in the 12th centuryPascal wanted to go deeper than the monks whod laid the groundwork for Burgundys appellation system by observing how individual plots performed. Pascal became interested in the work of renowned Chilean soil and vineyard expert Pedro Parra and his French research partner Paul Krug, and wanted to apply a modern, scientific approach to vineyard mapping, too. So he tested the soils electrical conductivity to help understand the geologic differences within the estate. The results were beyond our expectations, he tells Robb Report. The soil electricity conductivity mapping of Clos du Cellier aux Moines has helped us to better understand the soil variations at the depth of 1.5 meters, from which most of the roots are getting their minerals.

Pascal had made the decision to stop chemical treatments and transition to organic farming when he acquired the domain in 2004, achieving organic and biodynamic certifications in 2020 and 2023, respectively. Pascal and technical director Guillaume Marko try to anticipate, identify, and solve problems using natural methods. Biodynamic techniques such as spraying vines with an infusion of yarrow and fermented extract of burdockboth natural herbs that are used by alternative medicine practitionershelp the vines to resist heat stress, an important preventative method during extremely hot summers. And the estates more fertile, natural soil is filled with helpful bacteria, insects, worms, and a network of fungus that also help to resist drought. Becoming better farmers and more proactive viticulturists, with better understanding of our terroir, has improved the quality and natural energy of our grapes, Pascal says.

In Chablis, the famed Chardonnay region in the north of Burgundy, winemaker and viticulturist Julien Brocard slowly transitioned to biodynamic farming shortly after he began managing the vineyards at his fathers estate, Jean-Marc Brocard, in 1997. Although his father was skeptical at first and only consented to converting a small portion of their holdings, the results were noticeable almost immediately. After we made the conversion, my fathers friends and the importers and distributors began to say, Wow, these wines are spectacular, and my father said that it was time for me to take over, Brocard tells Robb Report. His family has almost 500 acres of vines in the region, and in addition to transitioning a large part of the estate to organic and biodynamic, Brocard also began planting dense groves of trees, an approach known as agroforestry, to help expand the forms of life within their vineyards. The main problem in Chablis is monoculture: we only grow one grape, so we need to bring in biodiversity, he says.

Having planted 17 acres of trees among his vineswith another 25 on the wayBrocard has observed a dramatic change. Wildlife is coming back, he says. We have 25 varieties of trees and a variety of plants that flower all year to bring bees and other insects in. And while trees seem like theyd take much-needed available groundwater away from the vines, that hasnt happened. The trees attract birds, insects, and other animals, and the roots maintain a certain humidity, so they dont compete for water, he says. Brocard is aware of what is going on beneath the surface thanks to a network of soil monitors, and he keeps an eye on the external environment with a collective weather station shared by 15 producers. Now in charge of both viticulture and winemaking at Jean-Marc Brocard and his own smaller brand, Julien Brocard, he limits carbon emissions using a combination of technology and old-fashioned farming. Vineyards are worked with two electric tractors, and he maintains cover crops between the vines to protect against sun and drought. Sometimes we have three wet months and then three dry months and this is a way to protect the soil, he says. Additionally, the cover crops also help prevent frost damage, which is another risk with unstable weather patterns.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Weather stations also help winemakers determine how to defend against threats such as mold, mildew, and other pests. Laurent Pillot, proprietor of Domaine Fernand et Laurent Pillot in Chassagne-Montrachet, says with the use of sophisticated weather monitoring equipment he can adapt organic treatments based on rainfall, which can vary greatly between different areas. He explains that by working with a tractor equipped with cutting-edge technology, he can be exacting in applying treatments directly onto vine leaves. In organic viticulture, we mainly spray with sulfur, micro-doses of copper, and multi-flower teas, he says. Disease control treatments are therefore ineffective if we are not extremely precise in our work. Having forgone chemical weedkillers for 15 years and cultivated his vines organically for five, Pillot points out the benefits of allowing more than just grapes to flourish in his vineyards: From July, we let the grass grow until March of the following year. As a result, it absorbs large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere and helps fight global warming.

These all seem like small measures, but collectively they add up. Brocard says some of his neighbors are catching on to the idea of agroforestry, and Pascal points out that one of the reasons he chose to work with biodynamic-certifying body Biodyvin is that sharing experiences is valued and encouraged among its members. While Domaine du Cellier aux Moines is currently the only estate in Givry that is certified biodynamic, Marko and Pascal are inspiring others in the region to jump on the bandwagon as well. It may be too late to prevent the ravages of climate change from permanently altering our planet, but with a carefully modulated combination of cutting-edge science and time-honored, chemical-free farming practices, the winemakers of Burgundy may be able to keep making some of the best wine in the world for years to come.

Do you want access to rare and outstanding reds from Napa Valley? Join the Robb Report 672 Wine Club today.

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.
Person pulled from capsized boat off Nantasket Beach has died, State Police say

A person pulled from the water off Nantasket Beach Saturday has died, Mass. State Police say.

After receiving reports of a capsized boat, first responders located one unresponsive person in the water around noon and rendered aid, including CPR.

State police confirmed Saturday evening that the victim had died.

Lobsterman Bill Oliver told Boston 25 News he was on the water Saturday morning when he heard on the radio the stern of a boat had been located.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Shortly after, he found the remaining wreckage. Oliver radioed authorities and loaded some of the debris onto his own boat, so no one would hit it.

I noticed two big floats floating around, looked extra large for a buoy, Oliver said. So, I went over, and they were parts of a boat It was in terrible condition.

Neighbors and beachgoers watched on as first responders arrived in boats and helicopters.

Shortly after, he found the remaining wreckage. Oliver radioed authorities and loaded some of the debris onto his own boat, so no one would hit it.

State police expect to release the name of the victim on Sunday.

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
The Brief

Bed Bath & Beyond Home, a rebrand of Bed Bath & Beyond, opened its first store in Nashville this week.

The new store will still honor the old iconic coupons from the original big box retailer.

Bed Bath & Beyond, one of the original big box retailers known for its seemingly endless offerings of sheets, towels and kitchen gadgets, is back with a new name  and ready to accept old coupons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The new store, called Bed Bath & Beyond Home, opened its first location Friday in Nashville.

Bed Bath & Beyonds new brand

The store opening is the first for the company under its new name, The Brand House Collective, Inc., according to a news release.

What they're saying

"We're proud to reintroduce one of retail's most iconic names with the launch of Bed Bath & Beyond Home, beautifully reimagined for how families gather at home today," said Amy Sullivan, CEO of The Brand House Collective. "This isn't just a store, it's a fresh start for a brand that means something special to so many families. With Bed Bath & Beyond Home we're delivering on our mission to offer great brands, for any budget, in every room. It's a powerful addition to our portfolio and a meaningful step forward in our transformation."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

RELATED: Claire's files for bankruptcy again

The backstory

Bed Bath & Beyond filed for bankruptcy in April 2023 and closed all 360 of its stores a few months later. Overstock bought Bed Bath & Beyonds intellectual property assets for $21.5 million following the bankruptcy, preserving the stores online presence.

RELATED: Rite Aid closing 114 more stores across multiple states

In 2024, Overstock.com began selling Bed Bath & Beyond products at some of its Container Store locations, according to CBS News.

What's next

The company told CBS News its planning to open four more Bed Bath & Beyond Home stores in the Nashville market, then decide whether to expand.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The new store will honor the original Bed Bath & Beyond coupons, if anyone still has them.

The Source

This report includes information from The Brand House Collective Inc., The Associated Press and CBS News.
Ariana Grande recently brought joy to a young fan battling stage 4 cancer by sending her a special package filled with Wicked-themed gifts. According to People, nine-year-old influencer Brie Bird, who documents her cancer journey on social media, posted a video showing the surprise from her "favourite person in the whole wide world." Before opening the two packages, Brie wore a pink dress to match her Glinda Funko Pop doll. Inside, she found a pink tumbler, plush toys of characters from Wicked and The Wizard of Oz -- including the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, Elphaba, Wizard of Oz, and Scarecrow -- plus two Glinda toys, a Squishmallow pillow, and a stuffed bunny dressed like the Good Witch. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNCSDjns1yf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link The package also included OPI nail polish inspired by the movie-musical, pink zip-up bags, a tote, makeup from Grande's R.E.M. Beauty brand, and a bottle of her Cloud perfume. "Thank you so, so, so, so much, Ariana Grande. I love everything in the package that you got, especially the Squishmallows and everything else. And I love that perfume, by the way," Bird said to her camera. The clip ended with a recorded message from Grande, who said she had heard about Brie's love for Wicked and Glinda and wanted to create the gift. She told Brie that her favourite part was also the Squishmallows, calling them "very comfy and very cute." "I've seen your videos and I think you are the most amazing, most inspiring little light beam in this universe. You're just so incredible, so thank you for being you," Grande continued. "I'm sending you so much love and many, many, many virtual hugs. I hope this makes you smile, and I'll speak to you soon. Love you," she added. On the work front, Grande, who earned her first Oscar nomination for playing Glinda in Wicked, will next be seen in the upcoming film 'Focker in Law' with Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. The film was previously titled 'Meet the Parents 4.' The series will also star Blythe Danner, Teri Polo, and Owen Wilson. (ANI)
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., addressed whether he will run for president again in 2028 during an interview that aired Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union."

"Let's not worry about that," he told host Dana Bash. "I am going to be 84 years of age next month, as a matter of fact. I think that speaks for itself."

Sanders said that "what is more important" is educating, organizing and giving "working-class people an agenda" to understand that "we can, in fact, provide a decent standard of living for all our people."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bash suggested to Sanders that without leadership, a "very hungry, energized base with an idea of what they want" will not evoke change.

Sen Bernie Sanders Names 2 Things Trump Has Done Right

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speaks at the Fighting Oligarchy rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States, on May 2, 2025.

The senator remained steadfast that "strong grassroots movements will bring forth the appropriate leadership." He did not want to name anyone he supports politically to "take up" what Bash called "the Bernie Sanders mantle."

Read On The Fox News App

Bernie Sanders Gets Up During Interview After 'Nonsense' Question About Aoc

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., spoke on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday about whether he would run for president again in 2028.

Sanders ran for president during the 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He has been conducting a "Fighting Oligarchy Tour" around the U.S. for much of this year.

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. departs from the Senate floor as Republican lawmakers struggle to pass U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 1, 2025.

On Sunday, Sanders is in Asheville, North Carolina. The venue for the tour stop had to be changed from one that holds 2,400 to one that seats about 7,200, Blue Ridge Public Radio reported.





Original article source: Bernie Sanders addresses whether hell run in 2028
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) accused Democrats of turning their backs on the working class while recently breaking down why Vice President Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign failed.

During a stop in Wheeling, West Virginia, of his Fighting Oligarchy tour, the nations most prominent progressive told a packed auditorium Saturday that Harris had too many billionaires telling her not to stand up for the working class of this country.

Sanders was unapologetic when asked if his comments were too harsh during Sundays episode of CNNs State of the Union.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I like Kamala, shes a friend of mine, he told host Dana Bash. But her core consultants, you know, were very influenced by wealthy people.

How do you run for president and not develop a strong agenda which speaks to the economic crises facing working families? the Vermont senator said.

Detailing the struggles that every day Americans face, Sanders said, We have more income and wealth inequality today than weve ever had. Weve got 60% of our people living paycheck to paycheck.

Youve got a health care system which is broken and dysfunctional, and despite spending so much, were the only major country not to guarantee health care to all people, he went on. How do you not talk about these issues?

How do you run for president and not develop a strong agenda which speaks to the economic crisis facing working families?@SenSanders says that one reason Kamala Harris lost in 2024 was because she had too many billionaires telling her not to speak up for the working class. pic.twitter.com/QRnwxO8znQ  State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) August 10, 2025

While Bash reminded Sanders that affordability was part of Harris platform, he dismissed her ideas as too vague for average voters to see as real solutions to real problems.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

His strategy for winning back the working class? Unwavering support for struggling Americans.

Is it a radical idea that we join every other major country on Earth and guarantee health care to all people? Is that a radical idea? he asked. You tell me how many people are talking about that.

Also advocating for livable wages and easier access to higher education, he said, These ideas exist all over the world. They dont exist in America. And they dont exist because of the power of the oligarchs economically and politically.

In my view, the current political system in the United States of America is broken and corrupt, he went on.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sanders message wasnt without a glimmer of hope, however.

If we stand together, if were united, if we dont let Trump divide us up, theres no stopping what we can do as a nation in terms of improving life for ordinary people, he told Bash.

Related...
Former Democratic Texas congressman Beto ORourke has delivered an incendiary call to arms in the middle of a legal crisis in his home state.

Speaking to a crowd in New Orleans, the 2020 presidential candidate unleashed on Texas Republicans as they attempt to wrangle fleeing Democratic lawmakers into voting for their redistricting power grab.

Beto O'Rourke speaks to Brian Beutler at the Netroots Nation Keynote Interview in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Credit: Netroots Nation). / Netroots Nation

The former congressman connected the events in Texas to the federal GOP, lashing the entire Republican Party for their fascist antics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He urged his fellow Dems to fight tooth and nail to reverse what he described as existential damage done to the country since the start of President Donald Trumps second term in January.

If we fail, if we do not win power in [the 2026 midterms], the consolidation of authoritarian control in the hands of Donald Trump will be nearly unstoppable, ORourke said.

Instead of awaiting the punch thrown by these would-be fascists, to hit us in the face and then respond, I want us to punch first, and I want us to punch harder.

ORourke made the comments on Friday while speaking with journalist Brian Beutler at a conference hosted by the progressive nonprofit Netroots Nation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The former representative, who served Texas from 2013 to 2019, has recently been involved in a legal dispute over the voter redistricting motion in Texas. He is currently raising funds to cover expenses for the 13 Democratic lawmakers who have departed the state in an effort to stall the Republicans plans.

Texan Attorney General Ken Paxton has described ORourkes financial aid as Beto Bribes while a Tarrant County judge upheld Paxtons suit to block the flow of financial support.

The country wants to see a fight, ORourke continued. He noted that the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler was able to destroy German democracy in just 53 days, thanks largely to the complacency of politicians and voters.

Asked whether Trump, who has made repeated comments about the possibility of serving a third term, would concede power at the end of his current term, ORourke said that the fight for democracy is currently existential for America and the world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He invoked the philosophy of President Abraham Lincoln in urging people to rise up in revolutionary action if democratic structures fail to contain presidential power.

Who cares about the rules right now? ORourke said. Punch back, kick back, jump over their heads and win some f***ing power.
Before the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed Congress, Marilyn Maddocks was terrified that lawmakers held her fate in their hands.

Now shes angry.

This is the cruelest thing Ive ever seen America do  the government of this country, Maddocks said. Its cruel.

On July 4, President Donald Trump signed into law the tax and spending policy. The legislation took on many of Trumps campaign promises, and made cuts that put at risk social safety net programs including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as food stamps.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Every North Carolina Republican except for Sen. Thom Tillis voted to pass the bill. Tillis, a Republican from Huntersville, tried to convince his colleagues that the bill would jeopardize the Medicaid coverage of more than 650,000 people in North Carolina. He ended his reelection campaign over the issue, but the bill passed anyways.

Im livid over it being passed, Maddocks said. I think everybody was just incredibly irresponsible.

In North Carolina, more than 3 million people benefit from Medicaid and around 1.4 million people from SNAP.

Maddocks is in the latter group.

At age 68, shes exempt from the bills tougher work requirements. But its still an open question how the bills wide-ranging changes will affect food benefits.

Marilyn Maddocks

SNAP benefits

The bill affects the SNAP program in two different ways.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For individuals: starting at the end of 2026, the bill increases the age for people required to work in order to receive the benefit from 55 to 65. The bill also lowers the age of children, from 18 to 14, whose caregivers qualify for an exemption. It also is more restrictive on the number of state-authorized exemptions permitted based on unemployment rates or insufficient jobs in a county.

For the state, the problem is larger, and Gov. Josh Stein warned North Carolinas congressional delegation about the ramifications of the bill.

The federal government paid 100% of SNAP benefits and 50% of administrative costs, with the state paying the other half, prior to the bill becoming law. Now, starting in fiscal year 2028, North Carolina must shoulder 5% of the benefits, which equates to $140 million.

But wait. Theres more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Congress also added penalties for payment error rates that Rep. Alma Adams congressional office told McClatchy in May would cost North Carolina an estimated $548 million annually.

Additionally, the state is now expected to shoulder 75% of administrative costs, which is an estimated increase of around $68 million.

Stein said in May he did not know how the state could take on these expenses, and it would force lawmakers to choose between SNAP and other expenses. He said the fallout could impact children, the elderly, disabled and low-income working adults.

Im just so angry and Im scared, Maddocks said. Mostly, Im terrified of what the governments doing, this administration. As long as they can eat, who cares about the rest of us?

Becoming homeless

Maddocks lives in Boone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She spent her adult life working as a mechanical design engineer, making around $65,000 a year. She said she was setting enough money aside that she believed she could retire comfortably by 55.

But, during the Great Recession, she was laid off from two different jobs.

She applied for work elsewhere but was repeatedly told she was overqualified.

I never thought I would be in this predicament  in this position  in my life, Maddocks said. I grew up thinking if you have a college degree, youll never lack for a job, and youll find work no matter what. Thats just not the case.

Employers hired younger workers willing to take $10-an-hour salaries. Maddocks couldnt even get a foot in the door.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They didnt have to pay them much more than that, because people were desperate for work, Maddocks said.

Even McDonalds turned her down.

Maddocks used up her life savings trying to make ends meet until she landed on her feet again.

She ended up homeless.

I dont care how much money you make or have, it can always happen to you, Maddocks said. It can happen to anybody.

To add insult to injury, Maddocks was hit by a car, shattering the left side of her body.

She was approved for disability benefits and learned about SNAP.

Affording food

Between Maddocks Social Security and disability payments, she qualifies for only $25 a month in food benefits. But she needs that money, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its ironic, because I dont know too many people that could survive on what I make, Maddocks said.

Maddocks spends $150-200 a month on food, trying to keep her grocery list healthy but not extravagant. Occasionally she springs for salmon. Her expenses exceed her income, and she uses the $25 as a bridge to get to the next month.

Finding work

Maddocks stopped receiving her $25 benefit this summer. It was unclear why, but she felt the difference immediately.

She got a job working at Goodwill to make ends meet, which keeps her on her feet. She said that causes excruciating pain because of her injury from being hit by the car.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ive got to have a job, because I dont trust what the governments doing, Maddocks said. I think that theyre going to just screw everybody as much as they can so they can get richer.

She reflected for a moment on the people who chose to make this decision.

You know theyre taken care of for life, Maddocks said, and dont have to worry about their next meal or next prescription. In this country, in one of the richest countries in the world, we still have people starving here, and now, people are going to be starving even more.

Its already not enough for anyone, period, to live on.

Maddocks said she also has $6,000 in medical bills to pay off  expenses from a breast cancer diagnosis, being hit by the car and stress-related stomach issues.

Living in poverty

Maddocks, who has no children of her own, worries about the impact of the bill on children and the elderly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

SNAP is used by one in eight North Carolinians, and two-thirds of recipients have a child in their home. One-third includes a family member who is elderly or disabled, according to a letter written by Stein to Congress.

Maddocks said she wants lawmakers to reconsider what theyre spending money on  things like the U.S. Armys Grand Military Parade in June  and help people who are in dire straits.

Theres no common sense with the government at all, Maddocks said. They want to save these trillions of dollars, and thats not going to happen.

Maddocks wanted to reach out to lawmakers ahead of the vote and said she worried about whether the Trump administration might retaliate if she had, by doing something worse like taking away her Social Security benefits.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now shes refocusing her efforts .

Im going to try my best to convince people not to vote Republican in the midterms, Maddocks said. Im going to make it my mission to inform people whats going to happen to them if they vote Republican.
WELLSTON, Okla. (KFOR)  A rural fire department is struggling as it prepares for wildfire season.

The Wellston Fire Department worked around the clock last year responding to wildfires; unfortunately, not all of their equipment made it.

We blew a motor in a truck, and so that truck, you know, was catastrophic failure, said Chief Todd Beesley, Wellston Fire Department.

In an effort to replace equipment like that, Oklahoma lawmakers set aside nearly $7 million for a grant program specifically for rural fire departments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

RELATED: Oklahoma governor declares an emergency declaration after widespread wildfire damage

The Wellston Fire Department applied and even got a letter saying they were selected and were being awarded $55,000.

When we have these big wildfires, you need everything that you can get, said Chief Beesley.

But a few weeks later, Chief Beesley said that money was ripped away.

There was concerns larger departments had received the funding that operated on larger budgets, said Chief Beesley.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) then paused the program to develop a plan to address those issues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Pausing the program allowed us to review the process from start to finish and we developed a stronger plan for communicating the grant opportunity with departments and reviewing applications. Following the pause, we restarted the program, which meant all departments had the opportunity to reapply or apply for the first time if they missed the original window, said a spokesperson for ODAFF.

It pushed us out of the running for that truck that we desperately needed, said Chief Beesley.

Chief Beesley believes they shouldnt have opened the grant back up for new applications and awarded the original pool first.

He says without that extra funding, they dont have the money to purchase a new truck.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We operate on a budget of about $12,750 annually, said Chief Beesley.

As wildfire season nears, the department only has two grass rigs.

At the moment were operating with one because one is in the shop for some repair, said Chief Beesley.

That grant wouldve allowed them to have three.

Apparatus is vital, it gets us there and it does, you know, its our tools that we use, so it was a big blow, said Chief Beesley.

ODAFF says there were 59 departments selected to receive the grant funding in the original rollout that were not selected in the re-issue following the updated 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
The next major political fight over Big Tech has been brewing for years in the backyards of northern Virginia.

Now the debate over data centers is poised to go national.

The push by companies like OpenAI and Google to win the artificial intelligence race has led to a proliferation of data centers  giant warehouses for computer systems  in communities across all 50 states. The rise of these server farms has sparked fierce battles from the Virginia suburbs to Tucson, Arizona, and beyond, as city and county governments grapple with how to balance job creation and new revenue streams against the strain data centers put on water and energy resources.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That debate is inching up the ballot as state lawmakers race to regulate a nascent industry, governors rush to embrace a new economic boon and Big Tech makes major investments in AI growth.

Even as data centers are ready to explode on the national scene, the politics around them dont cut neatly across party lines. The sites sit at the intersection of a typically partisan divide between pro-business interests and organized labor. Efforts to regulate data centers in Virginias Legislature have drawn bipartisan backing, though theyve been largely unsuccessful because of concerns about local control and excessive bureaucracy. And some Democratic officials appear as eager as their Republican counterparts to attract data centers to help bolster their states economies.

Every governor  Democrat or Republican  is going to want economic development. I think the question is always at what cost  and that's where you see some of the political rubber meeting the road in terms of cost of energy bills, whether Big Techs paying its fair share, Virginia-based Democratic strategist Jared Leopold said.

But, he added, it is so nascent that there isnt a standard Democratic-versus-Republican playbook for dealing with data centers yet."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft are counting on data centers to power their AI expansions  and the U.S. already has more of these facilities than any other country. President Donald Trump has vowed to win the AI race, moving to implement a Biden-era executive order to build the facilities on federal lands and announcing a $500 billion AI and data center sprint with large tech companies known as Stargate, with a site underway in Texas.

But the surge is proving polarizing, particularly in northern Virginia  considered the tip of the spear on this issue with the worlds largest and fastest-growing data center market. The Energy Department is projecting data centers will require up to nearly three times as much energy by 2028, raising fears that the tech sector will turn to polluting sources like coal and natural gas in their rush for power.

The data center industry is expected to contribute $9.1 billion in gross domestic product to Virginias economy annually.

In Loudoun County, Virginia, that has meant a $250 million budget surplus and a property tax cut. Thats a prospect thats hard to ignore for counties with Big Tech knocking on their doors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We dont know where to put the money, said Democrat Juli Briskman, who sits on the county board of supervisors.

But the typical residential ratepayer in that state could experience a $14 to $37 monthly electric bill increase by 2040, according to a report from Virginias Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, in part because of the need for infrastructure upgrades whose costs could be spread to all customers.

Enough is enough, said Loudoun County Vice Chair Michael Turner, also a Democrat, who is largely opposing new data centers. The next election for supervisor will hinge on data centers, adding that two weeks dont go by where he doesnt hear from other county officials around the country looking for advice.



In Arizona, Tucsons City Council just unanimously voted against a massive data center proposal from Amazon that promised jobs and millions in tax revenue but stoked fears about its water and energy consumption.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In other cases, public officials of both parties are rushing to capitalize on the promises of AI  and the tax dollars it can bring in.

John Chambers, a spokesperson for Rep. Mike Carey (R-Ohio), said in a statement he attributes the Columbus areas growth to tech jobs and data centers that will help America win the AI innovation race and that he supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy to ensure electricity is affordable and available for families and businesses in the region.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, whos seeking a third term as governor and is considered a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028, is looking to lure data centers to his state so as not to miss out on the boom.

And down south, DeKeither Stamps, a Democratic member of Mississippis Public Services Commission, said data centers could bring positive economic development and the opportunity to finance needed electrical system upgrades if regulated prudently.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Not everyone is on board. Ben Inskeep, program director at Indiana-based Citizens Action Coalition, a consumer and environmental advocacy group, sees the issue is up for grabs and at an inflection point as grassroots opposition takes shape.

Both our political parties have been completely captured by Big Tech and are doing the bidding of Big Tech in every way imaginable, he said. This does have all the hallmarks of an issue that could create new, interesting political coalitions.

In the Virginia Legislature, efforts to put guardrails around the rapid expansion of data centers  such as assessing whos footing the energy bills for them  drew bipartisan support even as they failed. Glenn Youngkin, the Republican governor, vetoed a bipartisan bill that would have required data-center applications complete site assessments because he said he didnt want to create unnecessary red tape.

Still, It's less partisan than most issues. It's more geographic, said Virginia state Del. Ian Lovejoy, a Republican from Prince William County who unsuccessfully pushed a bill last session to put land buffers between data centers and parks, schools and residential areas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So if you're in an area that is negatively affected by them, then it crosses party lines. And if you're not in an area that's really affected by them, neither party really cares that much, because broadly speaking, on the right side of the aisle you have the pro-business desire to build, and on the left side of the aisle, you have the labor movement, where unions really like these data centers because its jobs.

Now, Lovejoy expects state Democrats to loosen fossil fuel restrictions baked into the states Clean Economy Act in response to the energy crunch.

Industry efforts to advance data centers have also been targeted at both parties. The nearly quarter of a million dollars the Data Center Coalition has poured into state legislative campaigns in Virginia has been split across the aisle. The group has spent nearly the same amount on federal lobbying and is active in states like California, where it spent $50,000 so far this year. Other players in the sector are targeting northern Virginia officials, too.

Data centers enjoy bipartisan support across states, but we have also heard our fair share of bipartisan concerns across states, said Dan Diorio, vice president of state policy at the Data Center Coalition, an industry group. We are very much an engaged stakeholder in all the states in which our members are active in to work on policies with lawmakers of both sides of the aisle to ensure that states continue to see the economic benefits of data centers while also addressing their priorities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As data centers move up the ballot as a campaign issue, the complications for candidates in both parties are playing out in real time. Democrats who are watching their party nationally hemorrhage voters over the economy are scrambling to strike a balance between adding jobs and revenue while stopping energy costs from skyrocketing. And in some cases, Republicans whose party leaders are cracking down on renewable energy are calling for all of the above approaches to energy production to keep power prices down  providing tacit backing to a sector Trump is trying to crush even as they follow the president in promoting fossil fuels.

That dynamic is on clear display in Virginias gubernatorial race, where data-center regulation has emerged as a focal point. Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, Democrats nominee, is proposing a statewide strategy for data centers that calls for boosting local and renewable energy production and charging Big Tech companies to offset rising energy costs for consumers.

Virginia can benefit from having data centers here  but to reap those benefits, we need to make sure we are accounting and planning for the energy generation, water, and other resources needed to support them, Spanberger said in a statement.

Her Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, wants to open the state to all kinds of energy and to reduce red tape around power projects to help meet increasing demand. Earle-Sears campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rising power prices, which could spike further as more energy-demanding data centers come online, are already roiling politics across the Midwest and mid-Atlantic as Democratic governors and candidates blame grid manager PJM for consumers higher bills and New Jerseys gubernatorial candidates clash over how to bring those costs down.

The debate has the potential to spill into next years broader slate of gubernatorial contests, with several of those governors  including Pritzker, Pennsylvanias Josh Shapiro and Marylands Wes Moore  up for reelection and Democrats eager to prove they understand voters cost-of-living concerns.

The issues surrounding data centers are bleeding into federal politics, too, though ultimately decisions around zoning and electric rates will largely remain in state and local control. Congressional Republicans had pushed a 10-year moratorium on state-level AI regulations  including those around data center permitting  as part of their big, beautiful domestic policy bill, though the effort fell apart in the Senate. At the same time, they voted to roll back credits for clean-energy projects from Democrats 2022 climate law that could help offset rising energy demand.

The federal government is going to have to take this on, said Virginia state Sen. Russet Perry, a Democrat who has spearheaded data center regulatory efforts in her legislature. In the interim, the state is going to be at the forefront for dealing with it, and its going to be bipartisan.

Shia Kapos contributed to this report.
Coastal birds and seals need extra protection on busy beaches during the summer months, according to the Kent Wildlife Trust.

This time of year sees shore nesting birds as they reach the end of the breeding season, as well as grey seals, who are already vulnerable when they shed their fur.

Nina Jones, the protected area warden, told BBC Kent that visitors need to be aware of the risks to wildlife, while enjoying the coastline during the summer holidays.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"There are some rules and coastal codes that we need to follow to make sure the wildlife can also find safe havens," she added.

Nina Jones is the Protected Area Warden for Kent Wildlife Trust [Liz Saul/BBC]

The trust is taking part in the national Operation Seabird initiative, which focuses on protecting marine coastal wildlife.

It is working closely with enforcement officers, the rural taskforce and Kent's marine police teams to ensure people are properly following the rules.

"It's about giving wildlife space, sticking to footpaths and following signage on restricted access to beaches," Ms Jones said.

She added: "Motor craft need to stay at least 200 metres from shore and following speed limits to give wildlife the space it needs."

Follow BBC Kent 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
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  The Birmingham Police Department has arrested one suspect in connection to a homicide that occurred in downtown Birmingham Friday evening.

At around 5:50 p.m. Friday, North Precinct officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of 1st Ave. North on a report of multiple shots fired. Officers found an adult female victim and an adult male victim, both suffering from gunshot wounds, at a nearby gas station.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel transported both victims to UAB Hospital, where the male victim was later pronounced deceased. The female victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the BPD, the preliminary investigation revealed that an interaction took place between the victims and an adult male suspect in the 100 block of 14th Street North. The suspect shot both victims and fled the scene in a vehicle.

At around 9 a.m. Saturday, BPDs Crime Reduction Team located the suspect and took him into custody.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact BPDs Homicide Unity at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Bishop Museum hosted a ceremony honoring the return of cultural stones to the Mariana Islands on Aug. 9.

Traditional offerings of natural materials, a lei presentation and blessings took place on the gallery lawns of Bishop Museum.

Sustaining Hawaiis Native Ecosystem with Bishop Museum | Aloha Authentic Episode 411

This is not an exchange of artifacts. This is an exchange of respect. So with love, we say, please accept and return these cultural items which are yours to your home, said Gov. Josh Green.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Latte Stones displayed outside Hawaiian Hall are included among the items returned to the Mariana Islands.

The partnership between the Bishop Museum and the government of Guam is symbolic of our resistance and our unrelenting pursuit of dignity for our people, said Josh Tenorio, Guams lieutenant governor Guam.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

For Tenorio, the stones are more than just stones  they signify the hope of Guams people.

This moment is not only the culmination of a multi-year inter-institutional collaboration, but a victory in the decades long pursued by Chamorros to raise their voices, as early as the 1930s calling for the reclamation of pieces tied to their ancestry, Tenorio said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

The ceremony was part of the Bishop Museums larger goal of returning more than 10,000 artifacts to the islands after the museums Board of Directors unanimously voted to return the pieces.

For almost a century, Guams government has been requesting the artifacts back, with the present-day Bishop Museum fulfilling their wishes, citing ethical museum practices.

Artifacts will be sent back home to Guam on a rolling basis until the more than 10,000 pieces are able to all make their homecoming.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A central Ohio woman is being sought for over a dozen thefts totaling nearly $100,000 in central Ohio.

According to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, the Lululemon Organized Retail Crime Investigation Team began investigating Jankia Johnson for high value thefts at Lululemon stores found at Polaris Fashion Mall and Easton Town Center.

Intel CEO under pressure to resign from President Trump, Ohio Senator Moreno

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Crime Stoppers said that Johnson used large black bags to conceal thousands of dollars worth of merchandise, earning her the nickname the Black Bag Bandit.

The investigation began in March and continues for crimes at both locations, in which investigators say she has stolen about $98,722 worth of items. Johnson, and several alleged accomplices, reportedly sell the items on social media platforms, including her Facebook account.

Columbus police is investigating a string of thefts to have reportedly occurred at two central Ohio malls over the past six months. (Courtesy/Central Ohio Crime Stoppers) Columbus police is investigating a string of thefts to have reportedly occurred at two central Ohio malls over the past six months. (Courtesy/Central Ohio Crime Stoppers) Columbus police is investigating a string of thefts to have reportedly occurred at two central Ohio malls over the past six months. (Courtesy/Central Ohio Crime Stoppers)

As of August, Johnson has allegedly committed 15 thefts, as well at other nearby stores, such as Bath & Body Works, Ulta Beauty, Carters and Old Navy. Police believe her total estimated theft amount is approaching $250,000 over the past six months.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Central Ohio Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for any information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call 614-461-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrime.org and submit your tip.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
The wait is over for 'Spider-Man' fans as Tom Holland has officially started filming the next chapter of the web-slinger's journey. 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day,' the fourth film in the MCU's Spider-Man series, began shooting on Sunday in Glasgow, Scotland, with Holland back in the OG red-and-blue suit. In a behind-the-scenes video shared by Sony, the BAFTA-winning actor reflected on the milestone as he prepared for his "fourth-ever day one" on a Spider-Man film. "I feel good, man," Holland said, smiling as he spoke about returning to the role. The actor noted that this was the first time fans were present on set from the very first day. He also added that there were "familiar faces" among the cast and crew, promising he would do his best and "hopefully get it right." https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNLOlZTxLbu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== "We've got some familiar faces on set. I'm just gonna do my best, hopefully get it right. No pressure," he added. The video then showed filming of an action sequence in which Holland, suited up as Spider-Man, stood on top of a moving tank and ripped open its top hatch. 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Producers Amy Pascal and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige are returning to the franchise. Zendaya will reprise her role as MJ, with Sadie Sink and Liza Colon-Zayas joining the cast in undisclosed roles. The film is scheduled to release in July 2026. (ANI)
PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio (WJW)  One person was taken to the hospital after a boat was seen erupting into flames Saturday afternoon off the coast of Put-in-Bay.

According to the United States Coast Guard, the boat fire was reported shortly after 2 p.m.

I-TEAM: Residents speak out after mayors wife indicted for incident at a home

One person jumped off the boat into the water and sustained burn injuries. He was rescued by a good Samaritan, the Coast Guard reported

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The person who was injured was taken by an air ambulance to St. Vincents Hospital in Toledo, the Coast Guard reported.

The fire was eventually extinguished. No other people were on board.

Suspect identified in East Cleveland shooting that killed 2 people, injured 2 officers

No other details have been released at this time.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
(WCMH)  The body of an unknown person was found in a wooded area in Fairfield County Saturday.

According to a Facebook post by the Lancaster Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 700 block of South Maple Street for a well-being check. They found a body in a wooded area nearby.

Lancaster Police are working with the Fairfield County Coroners Office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation at the scene to conduct an investigation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lancaster Police are asking the public to avoid the area at this time as the investigation continues.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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

Family members and officials say the body of missing teen Giovanni Pelletier has been found in Florida.

The 18-year-old from North Carolina went missing on Aug. 1 on the way to visit relatives in Brevard County.

Pelletier's cause of death has not yet been determined.

BRADENTON, Fla. - After more than a week-long search, the body of Giovanni Pelletier, the 18-year-old who went missing in Florida on Aug. 1, has been found, according to family members and officials.

Missing teen found in Florida

What we know

On Friday evening, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) confirmed that a body had been found in a retention pond at the southbound off-ramp of Interstate 75 and State Road 70. The spot is near where Pelletier's backpack and phone were previously located. However, MCSO had not yet confirmed that the body found was that of Pelletier.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Saturday, Pelletier's cousin, Morgan Hull, told FOX 35 News that the body found did indeed belong to her cousin. Multiple family members also posted on Facebook to confirm the news, as did the nonprofit "We Are The Essentials," who was assisting with the search.

Early Saturday evening, just before 5 p.m., the MCSO confirmed the body was Pelletier's.

What we don't know

Pelletier's cause of death is still unknown.

What's next

Authorities said positive identification is pending further testing, and an autopsy is scheduled for Sunday.

Our pain is unbearable

What they're saying

Hull, one of Pelletier's cousins, posted on Facebook to confirm the finding of Pelletier's body. She also confirmed the news with FOX 35's Stephanie Buffamonte on Saturday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Our family, with our own hands and shattered hearts, found his body," she said. "We just lost a beautiful, kind soul, and our pain is unbearable. While were trying to breathe through the worst moment of our lives, some of yall are worried about gossip, lies and things that dont matter. Have some humanity. Have some respect."

Photos of Giovonni Pelletier (Credit: Family handout)

Teen goes missing in Florida

The backstory

Pelletier was on vacation in Englewood with family from North Carolina when he left around 1:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 1, to go visit relatives in Brevard County.

He got into a white Chevy Malibu with a cousin from his biological fathers side of the family, along with two of the cousin's friends, but according to relatives, Pelletier had never met the men in person. He had only spoken to one cousin on the phone before.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX LOCAL APP

Roughly 25 minutes into the trip, Pelletier sent a chilling message to his mother: "Help me." He also messaged other family members with similar pleas. That was the last time anyone heard from him.

RELATED: Giovonni Pelletier: 18-year-old North Carolina man missing in Florida

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), the cousin and his friends told deputies Pelletier began to act erratically and got out of the car near I-75 and S.R. 70 in Manatee County. His backpack and phone were found on the side of the road later that day.

The white Chevy Malibu was seized by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office (BCSO).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Family members of Pelletier, from North Carolina, began searching off Hammock Road in Mims after reportedly receiving an anonymous tip.

On Monday morning, around 20 people joined the search effort, using ATVs, drones and conducting a ground search on foot.

On Friday, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey held a press conference to address the agency's involvement in the case. He said the BCSO is not the lead agency in the investigation  the CCSO is. The only connection the case has to Brevard County is that the three men Pelletier allegedly went to meet with are from the area, he said.

Ivey said there was no indication or evidence that Pelletier ever came to Brevard County. In fact, he said the evidence indicates the opposite.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is a developing story. Check back later for more updates.

The Source

This story was written based on information gathered from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) and the Brevard County Sheriff's Office (BCSO). FOX 35's Stephanie Buffamonte also spoke with Giovanni Pelletier's cousin, Morgan Hull.
ELYRIA, Ohio (WJW)  The body of a missing teenager who fell into the Black River on Thursday was recovered Saturday afternoon.

Elyria Police Captain Gerald Lantz confirmed to Fox 8 News that the body of 16-year-old Vincent Pabon has been found.

I-TEAM: East Cleveland body camera shows moments officers were shot

During continued search efforts on Saturday, Pabons body was located and recovered around 3 p.m., a press release from the police department said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Our hearts are with Vincents family during this unimaginably difficult time, said Capt. Bill Lantz of the Elyria Police Department. We extend our deepest condolences and will continue to support them as the investigation continues.

On Thursday, a witness reported that Pabon had fallen into the river early that morning and never resurfaced, police said.

Pabon was last seen near East Falls Riverwalk on the Black River, accompanied by a 24-year-old man, according to a Thursday news release from police.

The pair had spent the night in the area, drinking and talking, police said. Police were told that Pabon fell into the water at some point.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I-TEAM: Euclid police investigating Friday homicide

The 24-year-old man told investigators he tried to help Pabon, but that he also fell into the water. The man made it out of the water, but said he could no longer hear or see Pabon.

Pabon was reported missing to police just before 8 a.m., according to the report.

Elyria firefighters and a Lorain County dive team on Thursday, Aug. 7, searched for hours near the falls behind the city police department, according to a previous news release. After investigating the circumstances surrounding Pabons disappearance, police charged Pabons companion, identified by police as 24-year-old Jacob Rosado, with a felony count of tampering with evidence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rosado was also charged with a misdemeanor count of contributing to the unruliness of a minor, for allegedly supplying the teen with alcohol.

Authorities said they may consider additional charges as the investigation continues. Rosado had his first court appearance Friday morning in Elyria Municipal Court, where he was handed a $100,000 bond. Hes due back in court on Thursday, 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 8 Cleveland WJW.
The Boston Police Department, alongside the assistance from the FBI, arrested and charged a man with numerous firearm-related offenses.

Kenneth Bigby-Williams, 29, was arrested on August 7 by the FBI Metro Boston Gang Task Force and Boston Police Department on multiple firearm-related charges in Hyde Park.

At approximately 5:55 AM, investigators observed Bigby-Williams leaving his residence and heading towards Georgetown Drive. When approached by law enforcement, he fled on foot while clutching his waistband but was quickly apprehended.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The arrest followed a thorough investigation that led to search warrants for Bigby-Williams and his residence at 142 Margaretta Drive, where authorities found:

Smith & Wesson M&P-15 rifle

Glock 43 pistol (9mm)

Glock 22 pistol (.40 caliber)

Sig Sauer P250 pistol (.45 caliber)

Ammunition:

10 live 9mm rounds

52 live 5.56 x 45mm rounds

1 live 5.7 x 28mm round

3 live .45 caliber rounds

Large capacity feeding devices and magazines:

GL40 magazine (28-round capacity)

Ruger 5.7 x 28 magazine (20-round capacity)

Two Sig Sauer .45 caliber magazines (10-round capacity each)

GL43X magazine (10-round capacity)

5.56 x 45 magazine (40-round capacity)

GL22 .40 caliber magazine (15-round capacity)

Firearm accessories:

Browning rifle case

Black plastic gun case

Black plastic Glock speed loader

Bigby-Williams is facing charges including:

Unlawful Carry of a Firearm (Second Offense)

Unlawful Carry of a Loaded Firearm (Second Offense)

Unlawful Possession of Ammunition

Unlawful Possession of an Assault Weapon

Three Counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm Without an FID Card

Improper Storage of a Rifle/Shotgun Near a Minor

Three Counts of Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He is expected to be arraigned in West Roxbury District Court.

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




NEED TO KNOW

A 10-year-old boy died of a head injury with drowning after falling into a manhole at a construction site in July 2020

Shea Ryan's death could have "been avoided," according to the results of an official investigation by authorities

The tragedy took place during a period of time in which the company that owned the construction site transferred ownership to another





A 10-year-old boy's death could have "been avoided," according to the results of an official investigation by authorities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Shea Ryan died of a head injury with drowning after falling into a manhole at a construction site in Glasgow, Scotland, sometime between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. local time on July 16, 2020, per an official police report published on July 30, 2025.

According to the report, Shea and several other children entered the site and found the open manhole with a ladder inside. Shea attempted to climb down the ladder when his grip slipped and he fell about 20 feet to the bottom.

Police Scotland Manhole that Shea Ryan fell down in July 2020 Manhole that Shea Ryan fell down in July 2020

The other children attempted to find Shea and then ran for help when they didnt hear a response. Sheas stepfather and a neighbor later arrived at the scene. They climbed down the manhole and found Shea unresponsive in several feet of water.

Police were unable to resuscitate the child, and Shea was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:07 p.m. local time, the report said.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The tragedy took place during a period of time in which the company that owned the construction site, Amey Black & Veatch (ABV), had temporarily transferred ownership to another, RJ McLeod (Contractors) Limited (RJM).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The police report claimed that ABV failed to communicate specific site risks to the new company during the transfer of ownership, and alleged that the company also failed to take reasonable and sufficient measures to prevent unauthorized access to the site during the transfer period.

Police Scotland Shea Ryan Shea Ryan

The report added that ABV employees allegedly removed a heavy bag full of building materials from the top of the manhole several days before the accident, leaving it open and accessible  but they did not communicate such to RJM.

ABV also failed to communicate that there had been several prior incidents of trespassing, including by children, per the report.

Police said in the report that more routine site checks and safety protocols enacted on RJM's part could have prevented the tragedy. Authorities added that Shea's death "might realistically have been avoided" if more precautions had been taken by both companies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

PEOPLE reached out to Amey Black & Veatch and RJ McLeod (Contractors) Limited for comment but did not receive a response.

The findings in the report, which was led by Sheriff Stuart Reid, were part of a fatal accident inquiry (FAI).

Unlike a criminal trial, an FAI attempts to establish the facts surrounding a death in order to learn from the results and prevent future similar tragedies. It is not a formal hearing which apportions blame, per the Procurator Fiscal, which leads prosecutions and investigations on behalf of the Crown in Scotland.

Andy Shanks, who leads the Procurator Fiscals investigation into fatalities, said the circumstances surrounding Shea's death caused "significant public concern," the BBC reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Shea Ryan's tragic death has been a catastrophic loss for his family. They have my deepest sympathy as they continue to deal with the pain they have suffered, he added.

In 2023, RJM was fined approximately $1.2 million for failing to properly secure the site, according to the BBC.

Read the original article on People
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  As a large group of teens gathered in the Navy Yard area Saturday night, officers took a boy into custody for allegedly firing a stolen gun.

It all happened as officers were monitoring the large group in the area of the 100 block of M St., SE at around 9:30 p.m. While observing the gathering, officers saw a juvenile boy discharge a gun in the direction of other teens, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

Trump plans press conference to address violent crime in DC amid increased federal law enforcement presence

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Fortunately, no one was struck by the gunfire. Officers arrested the boy and recovered a firearm, which had been reported stolen in another jurisdiction, police noted. At this time, the exact age of the boy and the other involved juveniles remains unclear.

The incident comes amid the citys efforts to address ongoing safety concerns in the area, with police implementing curfews to address large gatherings. It also comes after the White House said Thursday that federal law enforcement officers would be increasing their presence in D.C for at least the next week to help combat crime.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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

A schoolboy found the wreckage of a 275-year-old ship while running on a beach in Scotland

He discovered the ships hull after a storm in February 2024

Researchers were recently able to identify the whaling ship as the Earl of Chatham  formerly a naval ship  which sank in the North Sea on April 29, 1788





A schoolboy running along a beach in Scotland made an incredible discovery  a 275-year-old ship that once belonged to the British Royal Navy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He discovered the ships hull in February 2024 after a storm in Sanday, one of the small Orkney Islands off the countrys northernmost tip. However, researchers were only recently able to solve the mystery of where it came from, according to the Associated Press.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

After the boy's initial discovery of a large section of the hull, residents of the 500-person island came together to help preserve what was left of the wreck. Local farmers used tractors and trailers to haul the 12 tons of oak timbers off the sand, and local historians then dived into an intense period of research to hopefully identify the ship and how it came to be on their local beach.

Wessex Archaeology Section of the Earl of Chatham, formerly the HMS Hind Section of the Earl of Chatham, formerly the HMS Hind

That was really good fun, and it was such a good feeling about the community  everybody pulling together to get it back, one of the islands community researchers, Sylvia Thorne, told AP. Quite a few people are really getting interested in it and becoming experts.

Wessex Archaeology Section of the Earl of Chatham, formerly the HMS Hind Section of the Earl of Chatham, formerly the HMS Hind

Researchers dated the wood on the ship to the mid-1700s  specifically from southern England  which allowed them to eliminate non-British ships from their search. They then eliminated shipwrecks that were too small or that would have originated from the wrong part of the country, and it led them to identify the vessel as the whaling ship the Earl of Chatham.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

However, further research revealed that before the ship was the Earl of Chatham, it was the HMS Hind, a 24-gun Royal Navy ship built in 1749. The HMS Hind was active in the British sieges of Louisbourg and Quebec in the 1750s and was also deployed by the British during the American Revolution in the 1770s, per AP.

Wessex Archaeology Section of the Earl of Chatham, formerly the HMS Hind Section of the Earl of Chatham, formerly the HMS Hind

The vessel was ultimately sold and used as a whaling ship in the Arctic Circle until it eventually sank in a storm on the North Sea on April 29, 1788, according to The Guardian.

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.

Experts consider the ship lucky  despite its demise. All 56 crew members survived the shipwreck, and its time at sea was amazingly long-lived, given the period and conditions in which it was active, according to Ben Saunders, senior marine archaeologist at Wessex Archaeology, per The Guardian.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Saunders also noted that researchers and local community members were additionally fortunate because there happened to be so much archival information that helped them positively identify the vessel.

Were lucky to have so much archive material, because of the period and because of where it wrecked in Orkney. Its been very satisfying, he added.



Read the original article on People
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WBOY)  The Bridgeport Police Department is asking for the publics help in identifying a suspected shoplifter.

Target Shoplifting Suspect (Photo: Bridgeport Police Department)

According to a Facebook post made by the department on Sunday, a woman is suspected to have been involved in a shoplifting offense at the Target in Bridgeport connected to the Meadowbrook Mall. A surveillance photo shows that the offense took place on Wednesday, Aug. 6th.

Woman used fake ID to defraud Pendleton County bank: Deputies

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The woman in the photo provided has dark hair and was wearing a grey tank top while pushing a cart full of merchandise at the entrance of the store. It was not stated exactly what was stolen.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

WBOY Daily News

Those with any information on the identity of the woman can contact Officer Hamrick at rhamrick@bridgeportwv.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 WBOY.com.
A tourist was among the three people shot in Times Square early Saturday, the victims told The Post.

The 17-year-old gunman was inside the restaurant Raising Cane on Broadway when he got into an argument with a Citibike rider just after 1 a.m. and decided to settle his beef by leaving the eatery  and opening fire, sources said.

He went onto the street and fired three shots at a group of about a dozen Citibike riders, striking one of them  a 19-year-old  in the foot as well as a man, 65, standing on the sidewalk, the sources added.

Gunfire erupted just after 1 a.m. in Times Square Saturday after a dispute broke out between a Citibike rider and a teenager with a gun. Christopher Sadowski

His bullets also grazed the neck of an 18-year-old tourist as she rode with her parents and siblings in an Uber, her mother and father, who were visiting from Maryland, told The Post.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We heard gunshots, the teens mom said. My daughter was holding her neck. She was bleeding.

The parents  who also had their 11-year-old twins with them  had just taken a late night bus tour around the city and were getting a ride back to their car in a parking lot.

Its a very horrific experience, said the mom, who asked to remain anonymous. We decided to take our time to come to Times Square. We just felt that we would have a beautiful experience at night to see the whole city.

The shooter fired three bullets that hit one of the a teenager in the foot, a 65-year-old man in the thigh and a woman who was in a car in the neck. Christopher Sadowski

Her daughter was treated at Bellevue Hospital and released. She plans to start college at Morgan State University in the fall.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They were going to put stitches in but decided not to, the mom said.

Her husband, who also asked that his name be withheld, said the family was shocked by what happened.

Police arrested the shooter and recovered three shell casings at the scene. Christopher Sadowski

We were traumatized, said the father, whos originally from Nigeria. If anyone told me to come to Times Square for even $1 million I wouldnt do it.

The injured 65-year-old was also taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.

Cops pulled the teen shooter into custody at the scene and recovered a Glock from him, the sources said. Three .380 mm shell casings were also recovered at the scene.

A teenager whos about to start college was in an Uber when bullets flew into the vehicle and struck a teenage girl, the family said. Christopher Sadowski

Rodney Booij, manager of Carmines restaurant, near the scene said there was a shooting nearby a couple weeks earlier.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If you look at the subways, you have more police controlling everything, so if its not happening there, he said. Since the police is there, its happening here.

Shootings were down in the Midtown South Precinct, which covers Times Square, so far this year over the same period last year from four to one as of Aug. 3, according to NYPD data.

Additional reporting by Joe Marino and Khristina Narizhnaya
As per The Hollywood Reporter, the film is about a popular character from another iconic horror novel - Frankenstein.

"I'm writing a film now. It's a Frankenstein film in Romania. Frankenstein in Romania, it's going to be called," Jude told the out.

Stan and the iconoclast previously discussed their interest in a collaboration, but Jude didn't immediately have an idea. Then he pitched the star, who was born in Romania before moving to the U.S. with his mother, his idea for the Frankenstein film, which Stan liked, according to Jude.

The auteur tells The Hollywood Reporter that he envisions Stan playing "both roles," that of Victor Frankenstein and his monster.

The story is understood to combine the real-life existence of a secret CIA prison in Romania in the past with the legend of the Frankenstein monster. (ANI)
Every Arizonan has heard this heat myth: it's hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk.

We've all seen the internet jokes and the cliches; however, many folks are putting this egg-on-the-sidewalk theory to the test, posting videos on TikTok and YouTube, even Reddit threads full of speculation.

Some take it a step further, traveling to the tucked-away town of Oatman in the Black Mountains of Mohave County for Oatman's annual Fourth of July Sidewalk Egg Fry. This quirky competition challenges participants to use creative engineering and the power of the sun to cook an egg within 15 minutes.

Advertisement Advertisement

"It is absolutely 100% positive that you can fry an egg on the sidewalk," said Bobby Mursick, Oatman business owner. And if anyone can confirm the myth, it's the folks who take part in the contest.

But as it turns out there is always more to the story and understanding the science behind this experiment is key.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we talked with Oatman's Bobby Mursick, Arizona State Climatologist Erinanne Saffell and Heather Miller, office chief in the Office of Food Safety and Environmental Services at the Arizona Department of Health Services, to answer the burning question: Can you really cook an egg on the sidewalk in Arizona?

Listen to the episode:

Listen to Valley 101 on your favorite podcast app or stream the full episode below.

Advertisement Advertisement

Note: Valley 101 is intended to be heard, but we offer an AI transcript of the episode script. There may be slight deviations from the podcast audio

Submit your questions to us about metro Phoenix and Arizona for a chance to be chosen for the podcast.

Listen to Valley 101

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher. Turn on notifications to be alerted when a new episode is released.

Follow Valley 101 and all azcentral podcasts on X, formerly Twitter, and on Instagram.

Reach producer Abby Bessinger at abby.bessinger@gannett.com or follow her on X, formerly Twitter @abby_bessinger

Catch up on past episodes of Valley 101:

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Can you really fry an egg on the sidewalk? Arizona experts explain
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has driven sweeping changes in security, economic and migration policy during his first 100 days in office, but faces widening cracks in his uneasy coalition.

On election night in February, a jubilant Merz promised to bring a bit of "rambo zambo" to the post -- using a colloquialism that can evoke a wild and joyous ride, or chaos and mayhem.

Having achieved his life's ambition at age 69 to run Europe's top economy, Merz lost no time to push change, mostly in response to transatlantic turbulence sparked by US President Donald Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Germany is back," Merz said, vowing to revive the economy, the military and Berlin's international standing after what he labelled three lacklustre years under his centre-left predecessor Olaf Scholz.

Even before taking office, Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and their governing partners from Scholz's Social Democratic party (SPD) loosened debt rules and unlocked hundreds of billions of euros for Germany's armed forces and its crumbling infrastructure.

Merz vowed to build "Europe's largest conventional army" in the face of a hostile Russia and keep up strong support for Ukraine in lockstep with Paris and London.

A promise to ramp up NATO spending endeared Merz to Trump, who greeted him warmly at a White House meeting in June, only weeks after a jarring Oval Office showdown with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When Israel bombed Iranian targets, Merz, with a penchant for strong and often controversial one-liners, praised it for doing the "dirty work" -- but last Friday he took the bold step of freezing arms exports to Israel over its Gaza campaign.

- Migration crackdown -

On the home front, Merz has pressed a crackdown on irregular migration, a sharp departure from the centrist course of his long-time party rival Angela Merkel.

He has said he must address voter concerns about immigration to stem the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which won a record 20 percent in February's election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Merz's heavy focus on global events has earned him the moniker of "foreign chancellor" -- but trouble looms at home, where his SPD allies have often felt overshadowed or sidelined.

To many of them, Merz's right-wing positions have been hard to swallow in the marriage of convenience they entered following the SPD's dismal election outcome of 16 percent.

German voters have not yet fallen in love with Merz either. His personal approval rating slipped 10 points to just 32 percent in the latest poll by public broadcaster ARD.

- Judge row -

In an early sign of trouble, Merz's inauguration on May 6 turned into a white-knuckle ride when rebel MPs opposed him in the first round of the secret ballot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He was confirmed in the second round, but the debacle pointed to simmering resentment in the left-right coalition.

Many have chafed at his hard line on immigration, his vow to slash social welfare and his limited enthusiasm for climate protection.

Merz also sparked controversy when he dismissed plans to hoist an LGBTQ rainbow flag on the parliament building by saying the Reichstag was "not a circus tent".

The biggest coalition crisis came last month, sparked by what should have been routine parliamentary business -- the nomination of three new judges to Germany's highest court.

Right-wing online media had strongly campaigned against one of them, SPD nominee Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, calling her a left-wing activist on abortion and other issues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The CDU/CSU withdrew support for her and postponed the vote, sparking SPD fury. The issue looked set to fester until Brosius-Gersdorf withdrew her candidature on Thursday.

- 'Too many arguments' -

Other trouble came when the CDU's Bavarian sister party demanded sharp cuts to social benefits for Ukrainian refugees, a position the SPD opposes.

Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil of the SPD warned the conservatives to refrain from further provocations, telling Welt TV that "we already have far too many arguments in this government".

Both coalition partners know that open squabbling will turn off voters after discord brought down Scholz's three-party coalition, and play into the hands of the AfD, their common foe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For now Merz and most other politicians are on summer holidays, leaving unresolved issues lingering.

Merz will need to pay attention, said Wolfgang Schroeder of Kassel University.

"The chancellor's attitude is: I think big-picture and long term, I'm not interested in the small print," he said.

But Schroeder added that all the coalition's big troubles so far -- from the judge row to Ukrainians refugees -- "have been about the small print".

fz-clp/fec/js
The Brief

Byron Black noted intense pain during his lethal injection death earlier this week in Tennessee.

He was executed after a back-and-forth in court over whether officials would need to disable his defibrillator due to claims it might cause unnecessary, painful shocks.

His attorney said his defibrillator did not shock him during the execution after concerns over his physical state in his final moments before death.

A Tennessee death row inmate who had a working defibrillator in his chest was executed by lethal injection earlier this week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

His attorney said Friday that his implanted defibrillator did not shock him during the execution after concerns over his physical state in the final moments before his death.

Byron Black execution in Tennessee

The backstory

Byron Black, 69, was executed after a back-and-forth in court over whether officials would need to disable his implantable cardioverter defibrillator due to claims it might cause unnecessary, painful shocks to try to fix his heartbeat as the drugs were administered, potentially prolonging the execution.

This week

Black was executed on Tuesday, Aug. 5, and the process stirred questions about his condition in the final moments before his death.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Black said he was "hurting so bad" while he was given the lethal injection, and at one point picked his head up off the gurney and groaned.

All seven media witnesses to the execution agreed he appeared to be in discomfort.

READ MORE: Tennessee executes death row inmate without deactivating his heart device

What they're saying

Kelley Henry, the federal public defender for Byron Black, said her team received an initial evaluation of the data from his implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

The ICD information eliminates one possible cause for Black's comment about pain during his execution Tuesday, and other actions such as when he picked his head up off the gurney and groaned, she said. But many questions remain unanswered, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Make no mistake, we all saw with our own eyes that the pentobarbital did not work like the States expert testified that it would," Henry said in her statement, referencing Tennessee's execution drug, pentobarbital. "Mr. Black suffered."

RELATED: Execution methods in US: From firing squad to nitrogen gas

What's next

An autopsy report is expected to be released in eight to 12 weeks, Henry said. She also said their team will be making public records requests to try to piece together what happened. She has said this includes access to Black's electrocardiograph readings from the execution.

Byron Black conviction

The backstory

Byron Black was convicted in the 1988 shooting deaths of his girlfriend Angela Clay, 29, and her two daughters, Latoya Clay, 9, and Lakeisha Clay, 6.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Prosecutors told the Associated Press that Black was in a jealous rage when he shot the three at their home. During that time, Black was on work-release while serving time for shooting Clays estranged husband.

The Source

Information in this article was taken from comments given by Kelly Henry, Blacks public defender, as reported by The Associated Press. Background information was taken from The Associated Press. This story was reported from Detroit.
The novelist Iris Murdoch collected stones, which she saw as having a numinous, almost sentient quality. She passed on her fascination to many of her fictional characters, including Anne Cavidge in Nuns and Soldiers, who finds a sense of the divine in the infinite variety of the pebbles on a Cumbrian beach.

Murdochs veneration of stones was shared with countless others throughout the ages: the practice of building a pile of stones to mark some significant place  a tomb, a holy place, a trail  is prehistoric in origin and culturally ubiquitous. Across the globe from Greenland to Hawaii, Somalia to Mongolia, cairns are to be found wherever there are rocks.

The landscape of the UK and Ireland is seeded with cairns  the reasons for their construction often mysterious, their mythology ancient and haunting. A similar resonance surrounds the modern cairns made by the landscape artist Andy Goldsworthy. The university of Hertfordshire, which commissioned the Hatfield Cairn from Goldsworthy in 2001, describes his site-specific works as masterfully contribut[ing] to the natural beauty of rural locations. Which brings us hard up against the question of who, now, may build a cairn.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In wilderness landscapes around the world, tourists who wouldnt dream of carving their name on the Colosseum are building rock stacks and posting pictures of their handiwork on social media. It might seem a harmless, even a creative act: a Goldsworthy-esque embellishment of the beauty of a wild landscape. But in fact it has become a disfiguring menace: in Iceland, where there is an ancient tradition of cairn building, rock piles made by tourists are known as varta, or warts.

Nor is cairn-building the pure, free-spirited activity that its amateur practitioners imagine: ancient monuments have been despoiled and fragile landscapes and habitats rudely disrupted by people bent on making their stony mark. While official pleas to desist go unregarded, tougher measures are being explored. In some Australian states, unofficial cairn-building is classified as vandalism, punishable by a fine.

In the peak district national park, where guerrilla rock-piles have become an increasing problem, National Trust volunteers are dismantling tourist cairns, while Stuart Cox, a chartered engineer and hiker known as the Peak District Viking, is battling the social media rock-pilers on their own ground: posting videos of himself enthusiastically demolishing their erections.

Cairn-builders with a taste for Murdochian sophism might argue that we cherish ancient graffiti in Pompeii, and venerate neolithic cairns built (presumably) by ordinary people like us. So why the handwringing over the modern iterations of these practices? To which the answer must be: numbers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One lovelock on the Pont des Arts is a romantic gesture; a million threaten to destroy the bridge. Each was significant to the person who put it there, as each cairn meant something to the person who built it. But as the Pompeian graffito puts it: I admire you wall, for not having collapsed at having to carry the tedious scribblings of so many writers.

In a pickle

Preserving season is in full swing. While I plan to experiment with green figs in syrup, Telegraph reader Robert Ward, busy pickling onions and making chutney, is frustrated by the labels on his recycled jam jars, which stubbornly decline to be removed.

One correspondent suggested sticking new labels over the old ones. Which is practical, but not very elegant, if you want to give away the surplus. But I think I have the (literal) solution. After removing as much of the old label as possible, the remaining adhesive succumbs quite meekly to a brisk rubbing with white spirit. Happy pickling!

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.
Ever since federal immigration raids ramped up across California, triggering fierce protests that prompted President Trump to deploy troops to Los Angeles, the state has emerged as the symbolic battleground of the administrations deportation campaign.

But even as arrests soared, California was not the epicenter of Trumps anti-immigrant project.

In the first five months of Trumps second term, California lagged behind the staunchly red states of Texas and Florida in the total arrests. According to a Los Angeles Times analysis of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement data from the Deportation Data Project , Texas reported 26,341 arrests  nearly a quarter of all ICE arrests nationally  followed by 12,982 in Florida and 8,460 in California.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Even in June, when masked federal immigration agents swept through L.A., jumping out of vehicles to snatch people from bus stops, car washes and parking lots, California saw 3,391 undocumented immigrants arrested  more than Florida, but still only about half as many as Texas.

When factoring in population, California drops to 27th in the nation, with 217 arrests per million residents  about a quarter of Texas 864 arrests per million and less than half of a whole slew of states including Florida, Arkansas, Utah, Arizona, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Nevada.

The data, released after a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the government, excludes arrests made after June 26 and lacks identifying state details in 5% of cases. Nevertheless, it provides the most detailed look yet of national ICE operations.

Immigration experts say it is not surprising that California  home to the largest number of undocumented immigrants in the nation and the birthplace of the Chicano movement  lags behind Republican states in the total number of arrests or arrests as a percentage of the population.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The numbers are secondary to the performative politics of the moment, said Austin Kocher, a geographer and research assistant professor at Syracuse University who specializes in immigration enforcement.

Part of the reason Republican-dominated states have higher arrest numbers  particularly when measured against population  is they have a longer history of working directly with ICE, and a stronger interest in collaboration. In red states from Texas to Mississippi, local law enforcement officers routinely cooperate with federal agents, either by taking on ICE duties through so-called 287(g) agreements or by identifying undocumented immigrants who are incarcerated and letting ICE into their jails and prisons.

Indeed, data show that just 7% of ICE arrests made this year in California were made through the Criminal Alien Program , an initiative that requests that local law enforcement identify undocumented immigrants in federal, state and local prisons and jails.

Thats significantly lower than the 55% of arrests in Texas and 46% in Florida made through prisons or jails. And other conservative states with smaller populations relied on the program even more heavily: 75% of ICE arrests in Alabama and 71% in Indiana took place via prisons and jails.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"State cooperation has been an important buffer in ICE arrests and ICE operations in general for years," said Ariel Ruiz Soto, a Sacramento-based senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute. "We've seen that states are not only willing to cooperate with ICE, but are proactively now establishing 287(g) agreements with their local law enforcement, are naturally going to cast a wider net of enforcement in the boundaries of that state."

While California considers only some criminal offenses, such as serious felonies, significant enough to share information with ICE; Texas and Florida are more likely to report offenses that may not be as severe, such as minor traffic infractions.

Still, even if fewer people were arrested in California than other states, it also witnessed one of the most dramatic increases in arrests in the country.

California ranked 30th in ICE arrests per million in February. By June, the state had climbed to 10th place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

ICE arrested around 8,460 immigrants across California between Jan. 20 and June 26, a 212% increase compared with the five months before Trump took office. That contrasts with a 159% increase nationally for the same period.

Much of ICEs activity in California was hyper-focused on Greater Los Angeles: About 60% of ICE arrests in the state took place in the seven counties in and around L.A. during Trumps first five months in office. The number of arrests in the Los Angeles area soared from 463 in January to 2,185 in June  a 372% spike, second only to New Yorks 432% increase.

Even if California is not seeing the largest numbers of arrests, experts say, the dramatic increase in captures stands out from other places because of the lack of official cooperation and public hostility toward immigration agents.

A smaller increase in a place that has very little cooperation is, in a way, more significant than seeing an increase in areas that have lots and lots of cooperation," Kocher said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

ICE agents, Kocher said, have to work much harder to arrest immigrants in places like L.A. or California that define themselves as "sanctuary" jurisdictions and limit their cooperation with federal immigration agents.

"They really had to go out of their way, he said.

Trump administration officials have long argued that sanctuary jurisdictions give them no choice but to round up people on the streets.

Not long after Trump won the 2024 election and the L.A. City Council voted unanimously to block any city resources from being used for immigration enforcement, incoming border enforcement advisor Tom Homan threatened an onslaught.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"If I've got to send twice as many officers to L.A. because we're not getting any assistance, then that's what we're going to do, Homan told Newsmax.

With limited cooperation from California jails, ICE agents went out into communities, rounding up people they suspected of being undocumented on street corners and at factories and farms.

That shift in tactics meant that immigrants with criminal convictions no longer made up the bulk of California ICE arrests. While about 66% of immigrants arrested in the first four months of the year had criminal convictions, that percentage fell to 30% in June.

The sweeping nature of the arrests drew immediate criticism as racial profiling and spawned robust community condemnation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some immigration experts and community activists cite the organized resistance in L.A. as another reason the numbers of ICE arrests were lower in California than in Texas and even lower than dozens of states by percentage of population.

The reason is the resistance, organized resistance: the people who literally went to war with them in Paramount, in Compton, in Bell and Huntington Park, said Ron Gochez, a member of Union del Barrio Los Angeles, an independent political group that patrols neighborhoods to alert residents of immigration sweeps.

They've been chased out in the different neighborhoods where we organize," he said. "We've been able to mobilize the community to surround the agents when they come to kidnap people.

In L.A., activists patrolled the streets from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m., seven days a week, Gochez said. They faced off with ICE agents in Home Depot parking lots and at warehouses and farms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We were doing everything that we could to try to keep up with the intensity of the military assault, Gochez said. The resistance was strong.  We've been able, on numerous occasions, to successfully defend the communities and drive them out of our community.

The protests prompted Trump to deploy the National Guard and Marines in June, with the stated purpose of protecting federal buildings and personnel. But the administrations ability to ratchet up arrests hit a roadblock on July 11. That's when a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking immigration agents in Southern and Central California from targeting people based on race, language, vocation or location without reasonable suspicion that they are in the U.S. illegally.

That decision was upheld last week by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. But on Thursday, the Trump administration petitioned the Supreme Court to lift the temporary ban on its patrols, arguing that it threatens to upend immigration officials ability to enforce the immigration laws in the Central District of California by hanging the prospect of contempt over every investigative stop.

The order led to a significant drop in arrests across Los Angeles last month. But this week, federal agents carried out a series of raids at Home Depots from Westlake to Van Nuys.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump administration officials have indicated that the July ruling and arrest slowdown do not signal a permanent change in tactics.

Sanctuary cities are going to get exactly what they don't want: more agents in the communities and more work site enforcement, Homan told reporters two weeks after the court blocked roving patrols. Why is that? Because they won't let one agent arrest one bad guy in the jail.

U.S. Border Patrol Sector Chief Gregory Bovino, who has been leading operations in California, posted a fast-moving video on X that spliced L.A. Mayor Karen Bass telling reporters that "this experiment that was practiced on the city of Los Angeles failed" with video showing him grinning. Then, as a frenetic drum and bass mix kicked in, federal agents jump out of a van and chase people.

"When you're faced with opposition to law and order, what do you do?" Bovino wrote. "Improvise, adapt, and overcome!"

Clearly, the Trump administration is willing to expend significant resources to make California a political battleground and test case, Ruiz Soto said. The question is, at what economic and political cost?

"If they really wanted to scale up and ramp up their deportations," Ruiz Soto said, "they could go to other places, do it more more safely, more quickly and more efficiently."

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.
As the first No Labels Party candidate to appear on a ballot in Arizona (in the Sept. 23 special election for Congressional District 7), Im dismayed to hear that our new party chair, Paul Johnson, plans to change the name of the Arizona No Labels Party.

In less than two years, more than 39,000 of us have registered with No Labels. Are we to wake up one morning and find ourselves in the Labels Party  the opposite of what we signed up for?

Would Arizona Democrats tolerate a party chair who renamed them the Undemocratic Party? Should the Green Party be renamed the Yellow Party on a whim? Would Libertarians accept becoming the Libertines?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If Mr. Johnson wants a party with a different name  perhaps the No Lapels Party for those who like dressing informally  he should gather signatures and get his own party on the ballot.

In the meantime, he should leave No Labels voters, and our name, alone.

Richard Grayson, Apache Junction

Liberals want ID for ICE agents but not voters

Once again, the hypocrisy of the Democrats is on full display. The same people demanding ICE agents remove their facemasks so we can identify them, are the same people who dont want people to show ID to vote in our elections.

You cant make this stuff up.

Rick Schwartz, Florence

Dysart schools have a staff problem, all right

I seldom agree with Laurie Roberts, but today is an exception. I researched the Dysart Unified School District last week when The Arizona Republic published her column, This district just gave Arizona lawmakers even more fuel to burn public schools.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On its website, the district indicates that the teacher to student ratio is 1 to 18. Not bad until you see the staff to student ratio on the next line. That is 1 to 8.

Does this mean that there are 2 staff members for every teacher? Surely not!

Jim Herbster, Scottsdale

Your story on activists is why newspapers matter

I read The Republic story 50 years after Abbeys Monkey Wrench Gang, activists confront bigger targets by Joan Meiners.

This is why I read newspapers. This is why everyone should read newspapers.

There is no other news source besides newspapers that can provide this kind of in-depth discussion for the masses about the critical issues of our time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is why schools should teach classes about reading newspapers.

The article was so well written that it felt like reading a terrific novel. I couldnt put it down.

Thank you to Joan Meiners and her interview subject, Ryan Choi.

Karen Coatsworth, Scottsdale

Secure our water future before the feds do

As a concerned Arizona resident, Im writing in response to your July 21 article, The Colorado River used to be predictable as a water supply. What happens when it's not?

Brandon Loomiss story tells about our states water crisis and the ongoing failure of the Colorado River Basin states to reach an agreement before the 2026 deadline.

I urge our representatives to set aside partisan politics and work together to secure a resilient water future for all Arizonans. I commend the efforts of U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton and U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, who led the Arizona delegation in requesting a meeting with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to address Colorado River negotiations earlier this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Water is life in the desert. Arizona needs strong leadership, both to protect our shrinking supply and to implement long-term, proactive solutions that support communities, agriculture and ecosystems.

More letters: Gilbert still isn't holding its teens accountable

Without urgent action, we face serious disruptions to daily life, economic stability and public health. Every Arizonan must also take responsibility by finding ways to reduce personal water use.

Lets work together as the Grand Canyon State to secure our water future before federal intervention becomes the only option.

Teresa Morris, Chandler

10 things to like about DBacks games

1. Plenty of room in the parking lot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

2. Thermostat set lower than at home.

3. Best hot dogs in town.

4. Good chance to catch a foul ball.

5. Plenty of beer.

6. Great bobble heads.

7. Great place to wear my Dodgers T-shirt.

8. Someone to yell at  umpires and loud fans.

9. Good reception on my iPhone.

10. Quiet and peaceful surroundings.

Not much else going on.

George Johnson, Chandler

NPR and PBS are a devastating loss

The loss of PBS and NPR programming will be devastating to me and millions of others. I have been an avid supporter and listener and viewer for over 30 years.

Accusing NPR of political bias is just another attack from a narcissist who cannot accept any criticism. It seems that any national news organization that publishes or airs any criticism will be squashed. How sad.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Larry Queen, Scottsdale

Whats on your mind? Send us a letter to the editor online or via email at opinions@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: No Labels Party in Arizona better not change its name | Letters
CAMPBELL, Ohio (WKBN)  The City of Campbell celebrated the life of a community leader as part of its annual Summer Fest Parade on Saturday.

Every year, the city hosts the weekend-long celebration full of live music, fireworks and a parade. But this year, it also honored the late Mayor Bryan Tedesco, who dedicated his life to Campbell.

He was there to help anybody, anybody that needed anything. If you needed anything, hed help you. I mean, he was just always there. He just wanted to make Campbell a better place. He loved the city. He loved the people, and Im hoping thats what hes remembered for, said Monica Tedesco, Bryans wife.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bryan unexpectedly passed away in April. Monica says shes felt unwavering support from the Campbell community ever since.

It means so much to me, but I know what kind of person he was. I lived with him, and to see other people feel the same way about him means a lot. It means a lot, Monica said.

A banner memorializing the mayor led the parade, and Monica followed close behind. She says her husband loved the tradition and the camaraderie it brought to the city.

It was always a big deal for him because he loved celebrating and getting together with people, and he loved to talk. So, he would talk to everybody, and he wanted to bring people to the city. He wanted the people to see what the city was like and all the good things that we have in the city, Monica said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The parade isnt the only way Bryan is being remembered. On Friday night, the city unveiled a bench honoring him in Roosevelt Park, the place he loved working on most 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 WKBN.com.
Aug. 9SOAP LAKE  The Soap Lake City Council convened on Aug. 6, during a regular meeting and hired a new police chief, resulting in a 6-1 vote in favor of hiring long-term Ephrata Police Officer Patrick Canady.

Canady, who brings 26 years of law enforcement experience, will assume the role with an annual salary of $165,000. The decision will be formalized Monday at City Hall when Canady is scheduled to be sworn in.

Canady's hiring came after the council discussed several concerns, specifically around his administrative experience, budget experience and the set salary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"He does not have the experience," Councilmember Andrew Arnold said. "He butts heads with co-workers. He butts heads with supervisors. He is aggressive. I think this is a bad fit for Soap Lake."

Arnold said he went out and did research. He said he talked with people Canady has worked with.

While Canady was not present at the meeting to discuss his new role, Acting Chief Robert Gaetes, who has worked with him, praised his qualifications and his mentorship.

"I think he would be a great person to hire," said Gaetes. "I don't have any issues with him, and I hope for our department, it works out as a possible candidate."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Salary

The first concern raised by the council was the wage, which is set at $165,000. His predecessor, Ryan Cox, made about $117,000 annually at the time of his departure from the chief's position.

"Is the money going to be worth it?" asked Councilmember Susan Carson. "That is a huge chunk of change for a small town."

City Attorney Julie Norton said that is what the position was advertised as.

The salary was posted at $145,000 to $185,000, according to Mayor Peter Sharp.

"By state law, you have to include the salary threshold," Norton said. "It has been known and out there that the city was going to offer a certain salary band and this is consistent with that salary band."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to Salary.com, the median salary for a police chief in Washington is about $143,000. The $165,000 figure places Canady's salary close to the 90th percentile of the top-paid police chiefs statewide.

Sharp, who supported Canady's hiring, defended the appointment and the salary, explaining that the amount was consistent with what the city had budgeted for this position. He also explained that Canady will not be eligible for paid overtime. Previously, Sharp said, Cox had been paid for overtime, sometimes reaching a work week of 80 hours.

"This is within our budget, the budget was approved for our police department, and those are the funds that are allocated through (Finance Director Jeff Valentine)," Sharp said.

Experience

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Arnold then asked about Canady's experience in budget management and administration.

"Twenty-six years of experience  he is not a detective; he is not a sergeant. He is a police officer. Let that sit in," Arnold said. "He is still just a police officer."

However, Norton chimed in, saying Canady had gone through background checks and oral boards before the meeting.

"He has also been through, as a part of the law enforcement process, through the oral boards; he was certified as the highest score during the oral board process conducted by other police chiefs and sheriffs," Norton said. "That is how law enforcement testing happens."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Then, councilmember Danielle Taylor said she also did her own research on Canady.

"I went and spoke with several community members. I spoke with non-criminals and I spoke with criminals," Taylor said. "The non-criminals love Canady. I have not heard one person that says anything negative."

Taylor said she worked with him around 20 years ago.

"He was very arrogant. He was very power hungry. He was very authoritative and controlling. Twenty years ago, I was a lot different person as well," Taylor said. "So, I don't know how Canady is now, but the consensus out on the streets is he is not nearly as aggressive and authoritative as what he used to be."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Predecessor

The council meeting also unearthed concerns about the ongoing civil service dispute involving former chief Ryan Cox, who was terminated after an internal investigation. Cox has appealed his termination, which is now going through the Civil Service Commission.

"If Chief Cox wins his appeal, does that mean that he retains the position as police chief of Soap Lake?" asked councilmember John Carlson.

Norton said that it is too early in the process to know the answer. She said it depends on what Cox decides to prevail on.

"The Civil Service Commission will decide whether there was cause for the termination; that is what has been appealed," Norton said. "The Civil Service Commission's remedies are: approve, disapprove or modify the discipline. But that is not even the separate lawsuit that could be brought later. It doesn't necessarily mean he comes back as the chief; it just depends. There is a possibility."
Sioux Falls, S.D. (Canaries)  Jabari Henry homered twice and drove in five while Matt Ruiz collected four RBI as the Sioux Falls Canaries topped Kansas City 15-10 on Saturday.

The Monarchs led 2-0 after half an inning before Henry cracked a two-run homerun in the bottom of the frame. Ruiz and Joe Vos each delivered sacrifice flyouts in the second inning to put the Birds in front for good. Jordan Barth produced a run-scoring single with one out in the third before Kansas City got a run back in the fourth.

Sioux Falls sent 13 batters to the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning and scored seven runs, including a three-run homerun from Henry, to build their largest lead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But the Monarchs struck for seven unanswered runs to get within 12-10 before Ruiz belted a two-run homerun in the sixth inning and Calvin Estrada added a solo shot in the seventh.

Ruiz finished with three hits while Henry, Estrada and Scott Combs each added two. The Canaries (45-35) will look to clinch the series Sunday at 4:05pm.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Congress has been in recess for the past two weeks, but that doesnt mean the Arkansas delegation hasnt been doing anything.

Capitol View host Roby Brock met with Arkansas Rep. Bruce Westerman to talk about what obstacles Congress will be facing when things get rolling in Washington, D.C. again.

Roby then talks with Steve Brawner to talk about a litany of legislation that has found its way into the Arkansas court system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Capitol View airs on Sundays at 8:30 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 KARK.
While Raksha Bandhan is celebrated nationwide, in Tripura, it resonates strongly with the state's tradition of camaraderie and community solidarity across tribal and non-tribal groups. Students expressed gratitude for the soldiers' dedication to safeguarding the nation's borders, calling them "brothers who stand strong to protect us."

The soldiers reciprocated with gifts, reaffirming their commitment to the security and well-being of Tripura and the nation. The celebration highlighted the deep cultural ties between the armed forces and the local community, underscoring shared values of protection, respect, and mutual trust.

Raksha Bandhan was celebrated on August 9 throughout India, in honour of the protective bond between brothers and sisters. (ANI)
A motorcyclist was hit and killed at a Raleigh intersection late Saturday, and a woman faces several charges after she turned in front him.

Police say Cynthia Lucas was driving a Nissan Altima south on Yonkers Road and had made a left turn onto the ramp for eastbound Interstate 440 when she collided with a Harley Davidson ridden by Lewyn Stewart Jr. shortly after 11 p.m.

Stewart, 55, was riding north on Yonkers Road and had the right of way, according to police. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lucas, 41, told officers she did not see the motorcycle. Police charged her with failure to yield the right of way, unsafe movement and misdemeanor death by vehicle.

Lucas and a passenger in the Altima were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, according to police.

Motorcyclists account for fewer than 3% of people injured in motor vehicle crashes in North Carolina but were nearly 12% of those killed in crashes in 2023, the last year for which the Division of Motor Vehicles has complete data.
FAR ROCKAWAY, N.Y. (PIX11)  A Queens man was chased by police into the East Rockaway Inlet after he attempted to avoid being arrested, according to police.

Police were alerted to a possible stolen vehicle near Beach 8 Street and Seagirt Avenue around 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday. Officers responded and confirmed the car had been reported stolen out of Midwood on June 28, police said.

5 injured, 2 dead after NYC shootings overnight

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After a search of the area, officers located Matthew Swafford driving the car. Swafford allegedly tried to run from police and jumped off a dock into the Inlet in his attempt to escape.

Officers chased after Swafford into the water, where he was quickly taken into custody and brought to shore without incident. Police said no injuries were reported.

Swafford, of Queens, was charged with grand larceny auto, criminal possession of stolen property, unauthorized use of a vehicle and obstructing governmental administration.

Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
By Linda Stamato

While hoping no one noticed, the Trump administration freed a convicted, three-time murderer. Offering no comment, it deflects, concentrating its efforts on exporting those without any criminal charges, let alone convictions, in their records.

It is said, but probably not often enough, that local news is often a critical source for national news. But, sometimes it is national news that has to become local, where the impact is felt.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Take President Trumps intense, one might say, extreme position on immigration. Announced with great fanfare, Trump essentially ran on his intentions to stop border crossings, which he has largely accomplished, and to remove immigrants that have criminal records, but that record is far from clear.

The implementation of Trumps drive to export undocumented immigrants leaves a lot to be desired. The costs of Trumps conviction tears families and communities apart, violates the civil rights of citizens and those seeking to become citizens, incarcerates people for lacking documentation.

With critical parts of the economy under siege from Trumps tariff policies, the frightening removal of immigrant workers from farms and factories, will affect us all in the coming days as we look for food and find ourselves with fewer options and small local stores close for the lack of inventory.

New Jersey has loomed large with ICE encounters in Newark, plans for the use of the city for a detention center, and, clearly, given New Jerseys large immigrant population, one in four, according to the American Immigration Council and being a blue state as well, that we are a target is no surprise.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

ICE appears to be on a rampage to satisfy Trumps determination to meet his promised number of those to be exported. Despite huge investment, and questionable practices by his masked goons, his efforts have fallen short.

He still has not met the goals he aimed to achieve, numbers surpassed by his predecessors, presidents Obama and Biden who were guided by standards that were defensible and rarely attracted negative attention.

With the absence of competence in the execution of Trump policies  not to mention the abuse and cruelty  there is fear Trump intentionally generates with his threats as well as his lack of respect for the dignity of fellow human beings. His failure to note how essential many of those he aims to deport are to their families, their communities, their employers underlines his administrations incompetence.

Trump aims to change America. Its not a change any American should welcome.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There is more to the picture that we dont often see, possibly because of the intimidation that leads the press to ignore or minimize what Id say is critical news that Trump and his quislings will not like.

Take for example, the egregious error in the recent exchange of Americans held by Venezuela, only eight of whom were deemed to be declared wrongfully detained by the U.S. State Department, despite the announcement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that all 10 released in the exchange met that standard:

Every wrongfully detained American in Venezuela is now free and back in our homeland, he said.

Nice spin, Mr. Secretary, as there are two others who were not wrongfully detained, one of particular interest: Dahud Hamid Ortiz, a U.S. Army veteran, who was freed by Venezuela where he had been tried and convicted of murdering three people in Spain, and was serving a term of 30 years in prison. America welcomed him home!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This killer roams among us today, free, moving around as he chooses, because Trump approved an exchange with Venezuela for gang members Venezuela wanted.

Some deal we managed to get. Is there any art in that? And is there press coverage? But for the New York Times, there is little, very little.

Dont miss the point: We have the Trump administration exporting people who have no known criminal records, while receiving one, indeed, evidently, welcoming one with an extensive criminal record. Nice.

And they want to squelch that story. Sure, it doesnt look good because it isnt. Karoline Leavitt is side-stepping big time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So far, Ive seen no comment from the White House. There are little efforts to try to account for the error; theyd rather spin it differently.

When Newsweek reached out to the State Department for comment, a spokesperson declined to comment on the specific case of Ortiz and defended the operation: We were able to secure the release of all Americans detained in Venezuela; many of whom reported being subjected to torture and other harsh conditions.

So, the Republican administration is deflecting and hoping the story will disappear. Hard to do that, though, as Hamid Ortiz crime and conviction had been documented in the news media and in public court records for years before his release, as the New York Times reported on late July.

When President Biden was informed of Hamid Ortiz crimes and conviction, he refused to take him as part of a prisoner swap that took place in 2023. He was not seen as being wrongfully detained by Bidens Secretary of State, who obviously knew what he was doing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

What are the chances that Rubio and Trump will be held to account? They are actively suppressing the story.

We should not fail to reveal how messed up these export/exchange initiatives that folks seem to think are keeping them safe are operating.

In the case of Hamid Ortiz, he is a threat to those in this country, including one of the people he tried to kill in Spain, but who survived; that intended victim fears for his life now that Ortiz Hamid is free. He had this to say to Secretary Rubio:

If this was an omission, please make amends. Because it not only endangers me, but all Americans, because they are faced with a murderer who killed three innocent people without any qualms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Trump administration is exporting people from America not because they committed a crime, although, admittedly, some have, but because he needs the numbers  so ICE aims, even, now, at courthouses, to grab those that are in the process of following the legal route to acceptance, a process that can take years, adding to their vulnerability, because the nation has too few immigration judges.

The administration is being careless (or couldnt care less) who they export and who they let back in.

Regarding Ortiz release, as noted above, at least some people in the Trump administration knew of his criminal past. I guess they didnt care.

We should.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Calling your elected representative in the U.S. House Of Representatives or U.S. Senate is the most effective way to influence policy. To find your representative and senator to voice your position, go to the House website and the Senate website.

Linda Stamato is senior policy fellow New Jersey State Policy Lab at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.

Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.
The Brief

The Cass County Sheriff's Office is investigating a suspected drowning that took the life of a 41-year-old man from North Dakota.

Authorities say juveniles on the boat tried to throw the man a life jacket, but the boat drifted in high winds.

The man exited a pontoon to fix a boat motor problem and did not resurface.

CASS COUNTY, Minn. (FOX 9) - A 41-year-old North Dakota man was found dead after exiting a pontoon on Cass Lake to fix a boat motor, according to the Cass County Sheriff's Office.

Cass Lake drowning

What we know

Authorities say a 911 caller reported a person going under the water in Cass Lake and did not resurface at about 5:50 p.m. on Saturday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The sheriff's office said several law enforcement agencies and rescue teams responded to search the area.

Investigators then determined a 41-year-old man from Grafton, North Dakota, exited the pontoon to work on a boat motor issue. He then went under the water and did not resurface.

Juveniles on the boat then tried to throw the man a life jacket, but the pontoon began drifting in high winds before other boaters intercepted it.

The victim's body was then found in the water around 7:50 p.m.

What we don't know

The victim's identity and official cause of death are expected to be released after an autopsy by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office.

The Source

This story uses information shared in a news release from the Cass County Sheriff's Office.
The Brief

Workers at a nearby Jewish deli said they were shocked and confused when gunfire started to ring out near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday.

The deli workers said people were confused about what they should do to protect themselves.

Before it was over, the workers said they were worried about what would happen to them.

ATLANTA - Workers at a nearby Jewish deli said they were shocked and confused when gunfire started to ring out near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday.

What they're saying

"At around 4:50 or so, one of my operating managers comes through, and she's like, hey, just to let yall know there is an active shooting going on next door. Get away from all the doors, lock the doors, get in the back," said Nial Benton, who works at The General Muir. "Like, this kind of felt, surreal for a second, you know what I mean? Like, you don't ever expect things like this to happen."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I heard the shots and that was pretty scary, it was just like firecrackers. And I don't know, because we're so close to the CDC, so I didn't know what the situation was," said Jason Arel-Klein, who also works at the deli.

You can hear rapid gun fire in videos from near the scene. The deli workers said people were confused about what they should do to protect themselves.

"There was a lady who just got off the bus. She was in a panic, and she was trying to run towards the parking garage... but my executive chef signaled her to come inside because youre hearing gunshots everywhere you want to make sure shes safe too you dont want to have her getting harmed," Benton said. "There was another guy who was outside, too, who was walking around and I signaled him to come inside just to make sure they were safe as well."

Before it was over, the workers said they were worried about what would happen to them.



"My first instinct was to call my girlfriend and just tell her that I love her because, you know, you don't know what's about to happen. So I immediately called her, sent her a video of what's going on. Some members of my family, I sent them the video and said hey, there's a shooter next door," Benton said.

The backstory

A DeKalb police officer, David Rose, 33, and the suspected shooter died in the incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police said the shooter, identified as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White of Kennesaw, died inside a CVS on Clifton Road across from CDC's main campus.

What's next

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting.

The Source

Information in this article came from FOX 5's Eric Mock speaking with workers near the scene of an active shooting on Friday.
The man who opened fire on the Centers for Disease Control and killed a police officer has been identified as 30-year-old Georgia resident Patrick Joseph White.

Investigators believe that White, who killed a police officer on Friday, targeted the CDC because of a hatred of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to CNN. White, who was either ill or believed himself to be ill because of the vaccine, died at the scene, though it is not known whether he was shot or killed himself.

White lived in Kennesaw, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, where the CDC headquarters are located and the shooting took place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Whites neighbors told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he lived at home with his parents and helped out around the neighborhood by mowing lawns, trimming shrubs, and walking dogs.

The CDC shooter has been identified as Patrick Joseph White of Kennesaw, Georgia. / Elijah Nouvelage / Getty Images

Nancy Hoalst, who lived across the street from White, said she noticed a change in his behavior in recent months as he grew fixated on the COVID vaccine.

He was very unsettled, and he very deeply believed that vaccines hurt him and were hurting other people, Hoalst told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He emphatically believed that.

She said that she was not aware that White had any violent impulses. I didnt know he had those tendencies, she said. I had no idea he thought he would take it out on the CDC.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hoalst otherwise remembers White as friendlyshe recalled that he blew leaves off her driveway ahead of Halloween.

He seemed like a good guy, she said. He would volunteer to walk dogs. He did good things.

Another neighbor, Josh Shirah, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he thought [White] was a pretty stand-up guyquiet, but never confrontational.

I was never worried about him doing something like this, Shirah added.

White opened fire on CDC buildings around 5 p.m. on Friday, taking aim from a CVS pharmacy directly across the street from the entrance to the agencys campus, prompting a lockdown and a shelter-in-place order.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The shooting, which occurred near the Emory University campus, created fear and anxiety for nearby residents, some of whom posted clips of the gunfire to social media.

During the shooting, White killed DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, who was responding to the scene. Rose, 33, had been on the job for nearly a year. He was married with two childrenwith another one on the way.

Police officer David Rose, 33, was killed in the shooting. He was a married father of twowith another child on the way. / DeKalb County Police Department

White was found shot dead on the second floor of the CVS.

Asked for comment, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation told the Daily Beast that it has no other information to release at this time.

While the CDC was responsible for the roll-out of the COVID vaccines, the agency is now overseen by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic who has sought to dismantle its legacy.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr's promotion of anti-vax beliefs has caused concern among experts. / Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Kennedy released a statement addressing the incident on Saturday.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at CDCs Atlanta campus that took the life of officer David Rose. We stand with his wife and three children and the entire CDC family, it read. We know how shaken our public health colleagues feel today. No one should face violence while working to protect the health of others.
EDITORS NOTE: Help is available if you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters.

In the US: Call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Globally: The International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide have contact information for crisis centers around the world.

The gunman in the fatal attack on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took his own life after he unsuccessfully attempted to leave the building from where he opened fire, according to a law enforcement source with direct knowledge of the investigation.

Investigators believe Patrick Joseph White, 30, had run out of some of his ammunition when he tried to exit the CVS drugstore, located across from the main entrance to the CDC, but the door was locked and would not open after firing a few rounds at it, the law enforcement official said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police had previously said White was struck by gunfire and found dead on the second floor of the CVS store after a tense lockdown stretching into the night. Investigators had not said if the gunfire came from officers or the gunman himself.

At some point during the lockdown, an Emory University Police Department officer fired at him using their issued .45 caliber handgun, but its not clear if White was injured, according to the source.

US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the CDC offices in Atlanta on Monday, two people familiar with the events told CNN.

The secretary surveyed damage to the CDCs headquarters and met with the agencys staff, security and law enforcement, the sources said.

Attack was targeted and deliberate, CDC leaders tell staffers

Over the weekend, about 800 rattled staffers with the CDC joined a large and hastily arranged Zoom call to try to make sense of the trauma they endured when more than 40 bullets smashed through their office windows, whizzing just over their cubicle walls and petrifying staffers in at least four buildings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But Fridays violent episode is the latest unsettling new chapter in what has been a turbulent period for the CDC. While authorities have not announced a motive for the shooting, law enforcement sources say the suspect may have targeted the CDC over health concerns he blamed on the Covid-19 vaccine.

One of the worlds leading health agencies, the CDC is tasked with protecting the health of Americans. But it has come under fire during the second Trump administration as conspiracy theories continue to plague the vaccine credited with halting the spread of the global pandemic.

The attack on the CDC offices had been targeted and deliberate, CDC leaders told staff on the call. Staffers might hear their work was targeted as a possible motivation for the shooter, leadership added.

CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry acknowledged the terror staffers experienced, whether they were in the building or not, saying leaders were mad this happened.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Leaders told staffers, many of whom work in the agencys National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, the attack was carried out by a shooter who had been reaching out for mental health assistance for weeks before the incident but had not made any threats ahead of time, according to two sources who spoke on the condition they not be named.

Its unclear who the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, was reaching out to. The investigation into what led to the shooting is ongoing.

A CDC employee shared photos showing bullet holes in windows near cubicles at building 24 of CDC headquarters on Friday. - Obtained by CNN

A window shattered by gunfire after shooting targeting CDC headquarters on Friday. - Obtained by CNN

This was not stray bullets

The shooting began just before 5 p.m. at the Emory Point CVS drugstore on Clifton Road, directly across from the main entrance to the CDC.

The gunman  wearing what appeared to be a surgical mask and armed with two handguns, a rifle, a shotgun and two backpacks filled with ammo  fired on at least four CDC buildings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There were at least 40 bullet holes in two buildings, as well as a few in a third building, CDC leaders said on the call Saturday. The buildings house much of the non-lab work at the CDC.

This was not stray bullets, one leader said on the call, sharing updates from the authorities. CNN obtained copies of staff notes from the meeting, which were shared in a large employee group chat.

CDC employees said on Saturdays call they felt like sitting ducks.

Photos viewed by CNN taken from inside one CDC building depict bullet holes in windows and shattered glass on the floor. The images show rounds of ammunition flying just above a line of office cubicles where employees sit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As the gunman fired at the CDC complex, DeKalb County police officer David Rose pulled up. The shooter turned his aim from the CDC complex to the officer, according to a law enforcement source.

Rose, 33, was shot and later died at a hospital. A married father of two, with another on the way, Rose would have made one year on the job next month.

In the CDC offices, employees said the situation could have been much worse.

Its a miracle no one was killed here, one CDC employee told CNN.

Aliki Pappas Weakland, who works at the CDC, recalled in a social media post Saturday night what it was like when the attack began.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I dropped to the floor when the shooting started. The fear that gripped me as the gunfire continued in a steady stream for an endless 15 minutes, she wrote. My knees are chafed and hurting from crawling on the floor with my colleagues as we scrambled to seek shelter.

Weakland is the associate director for policy, planning and communication in the CDCs Office of Readiness and Response, which coordinates the United States preparedness and response to public health emergencies such as natural disasters and pandemics.

She decried what she called years of vilification of public servants and public health in American politics, but vowed she and her colleagues would continue their work.

I am struggling. Struggling with words. Struggling with emotions. Struggling with understanding. But in my struggle, I am filled with pride, she said. Pride, that after crawling on the floor in fear, I am once again standing tall with friends and colleagues doing all we can for the greater good.

Flowers are seen below a handwritten sign outside the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) Global Headquarters following a shooting on August 9, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. - Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images

Shooting happened amid vaccine misinformation and slashed CDC funding

After speaking with family members of the suspect, police are operating under the hypothesis he was either sick or believed he was sick and blamed the illness on the Covid-19 vaccine, a law enforcement official told CNN.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A neighbor of White told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he seemed like a good guy but regularly brought up his distrust of Covid-19 vaccines in conversations.

He was very unsettled, and he very deeply believed that vaccines hurt him and were hurting other people, Nancy Hoalst, told the Atlanta newspaper. He emphatically believed that.

But Hoalst said she never believed White would be violent. I had no idea he thought he would take it out on the CDC, she told the paper.

Investigators found medication used for schizophrenia at Whites home after a warrant was served following Fridays shooting, a law enforcement source told CNN on Monday. Research shows the majority of schizophrenia patients are not prone to violence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The shooting occurred the same week US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  a longtime critic of Covid vaccinations, with a history of spreading vaccine misinformation  announced the cancellation of a half-billion dollars in investments in mRNA projects.

HHS said it would cancel federal funding for nearly two dozen mRNA vaccine projects.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at CDCs Atlanta campus that took the life of officer David Rose, Kennedy said Saturday. No one should face violence while working to protect the health of others.

Police officer David Rose who was shot and killed during a shooting on Emory University's campus. - DeKalb County Police

Public health workers show up every day with purpose  even in moments of grief and uncertainty, the health secretary continued. We honor their service. We stand with them. And we remain united in our mission to protect and improve the health of every American.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When asked on the Saturday call if she had spoken to Kennedy about his plan to address the shooting, CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez responded theyve been in contact with his office, according to staff notes obtained by CNN.

Monarez was also asked what the agency planned to do to address disinformation, but agency leaders on the call did not directly respond.

Monarez informed CDC staff via email they will work remotely on Monday while a security assessment is conducted. Employee assistance personnel were made available to workers, she said.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said CDC employees have had a tough go of it in the past year, referencing the uncertainty around CDC staffs employment.

The agency has lost nearly a quarter of its staff since January. The Trump administrations proposed budget for the fiscal year 2026 would slash the agencys funding by more than half.

Under the proposed reorganization, the CDC would lose additional programs. Some would be transferred to a new Administration for a Healthy America, while others - such as the National Center for Chronic Disease and Health Promotion - would be eliminated entirely.

My heart goes out to you, Dickens said. We are with you. We stand with you, and were doing everything we can to make sure that we bring resolve to the situation.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Kathleen Magramo, Ray Sanchez and Jason Morris contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
ATLANTA  A Georgia man who opened fire on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters, shooting dozens of rounds into the sprawling complex and killing a police officer, had blamed the Covid-19 vaccine for making him depressed and suicidal, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press on Saturday.

The 30-year-old shooter also tried to get into the CDCs headquarters in Atlanta but was stopped by guards before driving to a pharmacy across the street and opening fire late Friday afternoon, the official said. He was armed with five guns, including at least one long gun, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation.

DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose was mortally wounded while responding.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., whose skepticism of vaccines has been a cornerstone of his career, voiced support for CDC employees Saturday. But some laid-off CDC employees said Kennedy shares responsibility for the violence and should resign.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation named Patrick Joseph White as the shooter, but authorities havent said whether he was killed by police or killed himself.

The suspects father contacted police and identified his son as the possible shooter, the law enforcement official told AP. The father said his son had been upset over the death of the sons dog, and he had also become fixated on the coronavirus vaccine, according to the official. The family lives in Kennesaw, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb about 25 miles northwest of CDC headquarters.

A voicemail left at a phone number listed publicly for Whites family wasnt returned Saturday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The shooting left gaping bullet holes in windows across the CDC campus, where thousands work on critical disease research. Employees huddled under lockdown for hours while investigators gathered evidence. Staff was encouraged to work from home Monday or take leave.

At least four CDC buildings were hit, Director Susan Monarez said on X.

Sam Atkins, who lives in Stone Mountain, said outside the CVS pharmacy on Saturday that gun violence feels like a fact of life now. This is an everyday thing that happens here in Georgia.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at CDCs Atlanta campus that took the life of officer David Rose, Kennedy said Saturday. We know how shaken our public health colleagues feel today. No one should face violence while working to protect the health of others.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some rejected the expressions of solidarity Kennedy made in a Dear colleagues email, and called for his resignation.

Kennedy is directly responsible for the villainization of CDCs workforce through his continuous lies about science and vaccine safety, which have fueled a climate of hostility and mistrust, said Fired But Fighting, a group of laid-off employees opposing changes to the CDC by President Donald Trumps administration.

Under Kennedy, CDC has laid off nearly 2,000 employees. Trump proposes cutting the agencys budget in half next year, moving some CDC functions into a new Administration for a Healthy America. Kennedy has a history as a leader in the anti-vaccine movement, but he reached new prominence by spreading distrust of Covid-19 vaccines. For example, he called it criminal medical malpractice to give Covid-19 vaccines to children.

Kennedy parlayed that attention into a presidential bid and endorsement of Trump, leading to Trump naming him secretary. Kennedy continues to undercut the scientific consensus for vaccines, ordering $500 million cut from vaccine development funding on Tuesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Fired But Fighting also called for the resignation of Russell Vought, noting a video recorded before Trump appointed him Office of Management and Budget director with orders to dismantle much of the federal government.

We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected, Vought said in the video, obtained by ProPublica and the research group Documented. When they wake up in the morning, we want them to not want to go to work, because they are increasingly viewed as the villains.

A request for comment from Voughts agency wasnt returned.

This shooting was the physical embodiment of the narrative that has taken over, attacking science, and attacking our federal workers, said Sarah Boim, a former CDC communications staffer who was fired this year during a wave of terminations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The slain officer left a wife and three children.

Rose, 33, was a former Marine who served in Afghanistan, graduated from the police academy in March and quickly earned the respect of his colleagues for his dedication, courage and professionalism, DeKalb County said.

This evening, there is a wife without a husband. There are three children, one unborn, without a father, DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said.
A Georgia man who opened fire on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters, shooting dozens of rounds into the sprawling complex and killing a police officer, had blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for making him depressed and suicidal, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press on Saturday.

The 30-year-old shooter also tried to get into the CDCs headquarters in Atlanta but was stopped by guards before driving to a pharmacy across the street and opening fire late Friday afternoon, the official said. He was armed with five guns, including at least one long gun, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation.

DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose was mortally wounded while responding.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., whose skepticism of vaccines has been a cornerstone of his career, voiced support for CDC employees Saturday. But some laid-off CDC employees said Kennedy shares responsibility for the violence and should resign.

CDC shooter identified

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation named Patrick Joseph White as the shooter, but authorities havent said whether he was killed by police or killed himself.

The suspects father contacted police and identified his son as the possible shooter, the law enforcement official told AP. The father said his son had been upset over the death of the sons dog, and he had also become fixated on the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the official. The family lives in Kennesaw, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of CDC headquarters.

A voicemail left at a phone number listed publicly for Whites family wasnt returned Saturday.

Employees at the CDC are shaken

The shooting left gaping bullet holes in windows across the CDC campus, where thousands work on critical disease research. Employees huddled under lockdown for hours while investigators gathered evidence. Staff was encouraged to work from home Monday or take leave.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At least four CDC buildings were hit, Director Susan Monarez said on X.

Sam Atkins, who lives in Stone Mountain, said outside the CVS pharmacy on Saturday that gun violence feels like a fact of life now. This is an everyday thing that happens here in Georgia.

Kennedy reaches out to staff

We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at CDCs Atlanta campus that took the life of officer David Rose, Kennedy said Saturday. We know how shaken our public health colleagues feel today. No one should face violence while working to protect the health of others.

Some rejected the expressions of solidarity Kennedy made in a Dear colleagues email, and called for his resignation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kennedy is directly responsible for the villainization of CDCs workforce through his continuous lies about science and vaccine safety, which have fueled a climate of hostility and mistrust, said Fired But Fighting, a group of laid-off employees opposing changes to the CDC by President Donald Trumps administration.

Under Kennedy, CDC has laid off nearly 2,000 employees. Trump proposes cutting the agencys budget in half next year, moving some CDC functions into a new Administration for a Healthy America. Kennedy has a history as a leader in the anti-vaccine movement, but he reached new prominence by spreading distrust of COVID-19 vaccines. For example, he called it criminal medical malpractice to give COVID-19 vaccines to children.

Kennedy parlayed that attention into a presidential bid and endorsement of Trump, leading to Trump naming him secretary. Kennedy continues to undercut the scientific consensus for vaccines, ordering $500 million cut from vaccine development funding on Tuesday.

Opponents say officials rhetoric contributed

Fired But Fighting also called for the resignation of Russell Vought, noting a video recorded before Trump appointed him Office of Management and Budget director with orders to dismantle much of the federal government.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected, Vought said in the video, obtained by ProPublica and the research group Documented. When they wake up in the morning, we want them to not want to go to work, because they are increasingly viewed as the villains.

A request for comment from Voughts agency wasnt returned.

This shooting was the physical embodiment of the narrative that has taken over, attacking science, and attacking our federal workers, said Sarah Boim, a former CDC communications staffer who was fired this year during a wave of terminations.

A distrust of COVID-19 vaccines

A neighbor of White told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that White spoke with her multiple times about his distrust of COVID-19 vaccines.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nancy Hoalst, who lives on the same street as Whites family, said he seemed like a good guy while doing yard work and walking dogs for neighbors, but he would bring up vaccines even in unrelated conversations.

He was very unsettled, and he very deeply believed that vaccines hurt him and were hurting other people. Hoalst told the Atlanta newspaper. He emphatically believed that.

But Hoalst said she never believed White would be violent: I had no idea he thought he would take it out on the CDC.

Slain officer leaves wife and 3 kids

Rose, 33, was a former Marine who served in Afghanistan, graduated from the police academy in March and quickly earned the respect of his colleagues for his dedication, courage and professionalism, DeKalb County said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This evening, there is a wife without a husband. There are three children, one unborn, without a father, DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said.

Growing security concerns

Senior CDC leadership told some staff Saturday that they would do a full security assessment following the shooting, according to a conference call recording obtained by the AP.

One staffer said people felt like sitting ducks Friday. Another asked whether administrators had spoken with Kennedy and if they could speak to the misinformation, the disinformation that caused this issue.

It is clear CDC leaders fear employees could continue to be targeted. In a Saturday email obtained by the AP, CDCs security office asked employees to scrape old CDC parking decals off their vehicles. The office said decals havent been required for some time.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Central States, a Tontitown-based manufacturer of metal building products, has opened a 105,000-square-foot plant in Springdale.

The $24 million facility will produce pre-engineered metal building systems and is expected to create 50 jobs this year, with potential to expand to 140 after adding a second shift, according to a news release.

More than 100 people, including employees and local and state officials, attended the opening on Aug. 7, Talk Business reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The plant is part of Central States Building Works division and includes welding systems, automated tools and laser cutters for producing building frames from plate steel. It is the first Central States facility to hire certified welders.

Springdale Public Schools introduce new AI task force

Plant manager Juan Carlos Garcia Valenciano told Talk Business the plants capacity is about 120 tons of steel per week.

Founded in 1988, Central States operates 12 manufacturing sites and multiple offices nationwide, employing more than 1,300 people, about 30% of them in Northwest Arkansas, according to the release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A 13th plant is scheduled to open in Tooele, Utah, outside Salt Lake City later this year.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
West Bengal Assembly LoP Suvendu Adhikari, who participated in the 'Nabanna Abhiyan' rally on Saturday, targeted Mamata Banerjee by saying that the police under the Bengal CM are "anti-national" and remarked that they attacked the brothers and the sadhu community on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. The Kolkata Police launched a lathi charge on the protestors during the rally. The rally has been called to mark the one-year anniversary of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder. Speaking to ANI, Suvendu Adhikari said, "The police of Mamata Banerjee are anti-national. This fight is Bangla vs Mamata Banerjee, Nari Shakti vs Mamata Banerjee, Aam Janta vs Mamta, we are not going to leave this, we will intensify this fight." "On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, they attacked the brothers and the sadhu community, and it happened against us too. 22 people have been admitted so far, and more than 100 have been injured. Elections will be held in six to seven months, and Mamata Banerjee will go to jail," he added. The victim's parents also participated in the 'Nabanna Abhiyan' rally. Father of the RG Kar rape and murder victim said, "The High Court has given us permission to stage protests peacefully. Police used lathi charge on us, that's why we got injured. On 9 August 2024, the police treated us very badly. We were allowed to see the body only after having a telephonic conversation with Mamata Banerjee. We had to stand out for three hours and 30 minutes." West Bengal Police had heightened the security in Howrah by deploying additional forces and riot control vehicles. BJP leader Ashok Dinda, at the 'Nabanna Abhiyan' rally, said, "That day is not far when we will have to beat up the police as well. They will be thoroughly thrashed. Once the BJP gives instructions from the top, we will beat up the police so much that they will have to hide behind Mamata Banerjee." A year after the RG Kar student's rape and murder in West Bengal, the students and Bharatiya Janata Party leaders hold a 'Nabanna Chalo Abhiyan' protest march on Saturday, demanding justice for the victim. Earlier in a post on X, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said, "On the anniversary of that cursed day when the young female doctor 'Abhaya', on duty at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, was raped and murdered, I offer my respectful tribute in memory of sister 'Abhaya' and pray for the peace of her soul. In response to the call of sister 'Abhaya's' parents, and in protest against the despicable attempt to cover up that horrific incident through collective administrative efforts, as well as the conspiracy to conceal evidence with the intent to shield the culprits, I will participate in the 'Nabanna Abhijan' today in the hope of justice." 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 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. (ANI)
Joyce Birdwell survived the North Complex fire in 2020, though it devoured her home, and a life she loved, in the mountain town of Berry Creek.

Her partner, Art Linfoot, built the house they lost, a cabin with a wraparound porch and a year-round brook where deer drank and the sound of the water lulled the couple to sleep. Birdwell fired up her chain saw nearly every morning, she told me, aware that keeping the brush at bay was crucial for safety.

But the fire that came through their Butte County home didn't care about her trimmed trees, or her hard work or our persistent belief that everything will somehow be OK after a disaster. Birdwell, 69, and Linfoot, 80, are in Irvine now, with no intention of returning, or rebuilding.

Berry Creek Elementary School burned to the ground in the North Complex fire in 2020. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

"I never thought twice about it as soon as we went back there and saw what was left," she told me. "I know how long it takes for a tree to grow, and I just knew this would never, never work out for us."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hers is a bit of wisdom that is too often lost in our conversations about urban fire: Sometimes, recovery is not rebuilding. Politicians won't admit it, but the ethos of #strong  measuring success with how quickly we can raise up houses on scorched earth  is snake oil, an emotional rallying cry that often delivers little more than a slippery bit of comfort that benefits the rich more than the rest. Because even rebuilding the most beloved of homes at the fastest of paces will not restore lives or communities to what they were. Or what they need to be. And by focusing on this powerful but narrow idea of recovery, we do a disservice to individual survivors and our collective good.

Read more: Chabria: 'The mountain is screaming at you': L.A. fires become a collective trauma

We need to change our understanding of what recovery is, because we live in an era when the climate crisis has created not just survivors, but refugees and migrants in California and the United States  and they deserve more than a slogan that, to steal a favorite phrase from our governor, does not "meet the moment."

As we hurl forward to rebuild after January's fires in the Palisades and Altadena  and all the disasters yet to come  it's time to acknowledge that recovery and rebuilding, for all our talk, is never fair. There is a bias toward the rich embedded in the process. And for every recovery that we allow to be unfair under the guise of #strong, we march deeper to a California where the elite live in comfort and the rest live in fear  a rightful anxiety that everything we have is tenuous, given and taken as afterthoughts in a tug-of-war between Mother Nature and the wealthy.

'Conspicuous resilience'

The idea that fire recovery is fair has always been a scam. In his infamous 1998 essay, "The Case for Letting Malibu Burn," the much-revered and equally despised environmental activist and historian Mike Davis wrote that the "flatland majority" has always been paying "the ever increasing expense of maintaining and, when necessary, rebuilding sloping suburbia," those rarefied neighborhoods that consider themselves part of Los Angeles proper only when they need something from the rest of us.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If that was true at the turn of the millennium, it's even more so now.

When Davis wrote his controversial piece, he also noted that "late August to early October is the infernal season in Los Angeles." More than three decades later, climate change has intensified our weather so much that floods and fires haunt almost every month of the California calendar, eclipsing the chthonic terrors of earthquakes that rattle us only now and then.

Summer Gray, an associate professor at UC Santa Barbara who studies the inequities in our responses to climate change, says disaster recovery can be "highly performative, often driven by more privileged members of the community" who have the money and clout that allow them to suck up resources. She saw this firsthand by examining recovery after the debris flows in Montecito in the wake of the 2017 Thomas fire.

Though talk in the ultra-wealthy enclave was all about community recovery, Gray concluded  through interviewing community members  that those with the ability to speak loudest and earliest often received more help, and set the agenda for what recovery included, and didn't. She found that "narratives of resilience were actually obscuring systemic inequalities."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more: Chabria: Military takeovers, questionable arrests, sanctuary city crackdowns. Hot Trump summer is here

Gray warns that sometimes, whether consciously or not, these privileged groups leverage "the optics of this collective recovery to accelerate their own rebuilding," leaving working-class survivors "sidelined or ignored." Gray calls this attitude part of "conspicuous resilience," conflating being temporarily displaced and inconvenienced with being oppressed and vulnerable, leading to the celebration and glorification of a recovery that mostly benefits the few.

"I am not saying that our billionaire class has bad intent," Gray said. But the elite, "don't really understand what the needs are."

My colleague Liam Dillon reported not long ago that before the fire, "the average home in Pacific Palisades cost $3.5 million, the median household earned $325,000 and the total number of rental units restricted as affordable housing was two."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Two.

When Dillon asked former mayoral candidate and developer Rick Caruso, whose super-high-end mall is an anchor of Palisades commerce, if that should be expanded at this unique moment when everything must be rebuilt anyway, Caruso told him, Now is not the time for outside groups with no ties to the area to slow down the ability of people to rebuild their homes by trying to impose their agenda."

Two people ride past a burning house off Enchanted Way in the Marquez Knolls neighborhood of Pacific Palisades in January. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

No ties to the area except our tax dollars, of course, and our erstwhile equality as Angelenos and Californians.

Mayor Karen Bass now-ousted recovery czar, developer Steve Soboroff, who supported more affordable housing, put the mood more succinctly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Were not rethinking, Soboroff said. Were rebuilding."

But if now is not the time to rethink, when is?

The climate crisis is costly, whipping up more and more disasters each year. When Davis wrote his book, there were about six natural disasters in the U.S. every year where the costs of recovery exceeded a billion dollars. Last year, there were 27. This year, we stopped counting, as part of government cost cutting, but that has not stopped floods, fires and heat waves.

Read more: L.A. County faces $2 billion in fire recovery costs, straining budget

Even if the federal government, largely through our taxes, was able to pick up the tab for every tornado, hurricane and wildfire, our current administration has made it clear it does not want to. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has been gutted, and may hand off many of its former duties to states, including California, that even if prosperous, lack the money to cover those costs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Add to that the financial precariousness of tariffs that are making building more expensive, immigration policies that are decimating our construction workforce and insurance costs that are skyrocketing, if you can get a policy, and the prospect of the poor and middle class recovering from fire as quickly as the rich seems naive at best.

Fixes for the future

There are three actions we can take that have the potential to keep California from further devolving into climate rich and poor, housing winner and housing loser.

First, we need to end the fixation on speed.

"If it's speed without a plan, it means you're more likely to return to the status quo," Laurie A. Johnson told me. She's an urban planner who specializes in disaster recovery and a member of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire Safe Recovery convened by L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Johnson views a focus on speed as "an empowerment of those who have everything they need, or who can easily get it."

Volunteer archaeologists Elyse Mallonee, left, and Parker Sheriff carefully sift through rubble and ash while looking for cremated remains at a house in Altadena on Feb. 18. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Why don't we acknowledge that fire destroys more than owner-occupied houses and give equal weight to graduation rates for affected students or the number of renters successfully relocated to safe apartments? What about measuring success around health outcomes for those with asthma or heart conditions exposed to the smoke, or count the number of people who feel their mental health needs have been met or their jobs stabilized?

Certainly home ownership is emotionally and financially important, especially in unique places such as Altadena where a Black middle class found refuge and economic security. But home ownership  and by extension rebuilding  is predominantly a measure of an upper-class recovery, especially in L.A. County, where less than half of the people own the place where they live.

It's time to slow down, and, yes, rethink.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The second action that will help us reform how we handle disaster is even more difficult: Openly talk about who gets to recover with public money (which repaves roads and fixes water systems and sewers, for example) and who gets to decide who recovers with public money.

Returning to Davis' point all those years ago, do we continue to rebuild in places that we know, for certain, will experience fire again? What do we owe places such as Malibu, where housing values have increased significantly with each post-fire rebuilding and which have made their elitism part of their identity? What do we owe places such as Altadena, if we allow homeowners with modest means to rebuild without robustly mitigating risk of a future fire?

Read more: Despite the stress of the fires, most L.A. County residents dont plan to leave, poll finds

Maybe not every place should be rebuilt. Maybe in some places, it's time to let Mother Nature win, or at least create buffers so that she doesn't have the upper hand.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Our better natures want to help everyone who faces loss, rich or poor. The idea that we would tell a community that they cannot have the money to restore themselves sounds like a political and moral absurdity. But it is increasingly likely that there simply will not be enough money in the future to rebuild everything.

To be honest, we are not rebuilding everything now, though we shove that truth out of our consciousness. Trump has already denied or delayed federal disaster aid to places including West Virginia and Washington state. North Carolina remains in crisis from its recent floods. And in the middle of both hurricane and fire season, FEMA recently proposed cutting $1 billion in grant funding for disaster preparedness and security, while at the same time allocating funds to build immigration detention centers.

It is absolutely time to impose a recovery "agenda" that takes into account the realities of climate change and our housing crisis and seeks to create communities that are safe and in service of our collective needs. Anything less ignores the reality of the majority, and nearly ensures that these places will return more gentrified, wealthier and even more exclusive, the exact opposite of what public dollars should support.

The Tahitian Terrace mobile home park, destroyed by the Palisades fire, is seen along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu on Jan. 10. (Zoe Meyers / AFP via Getty Images)

The last action we need to take to better face a difficult future is to expand what recovery means. It is not always rebuilding. More often than we like to acknowledge, it means moving on. But currently, few of our resources or even our conversations include help for those who don't want to stick around. In fact, they're often scorned or simply forgotten.

The Palisades fire wiped out 600 homes in Malibu, 5,500 overall. The Eaton fire destroyed more than 9,000 homes and buildings. Almost certainly, something will be built on all of those lots. Developers are already snapping some of them up. But almost as certain, many of the people who once lived in these places will not return  and probably shouldn't.

Age, finances, health  there are myriad reasons why spending five to 10 years rebuilding a lost home is not the right decision. Recovery needs to support other options with government money, including moving elsewhere, without shame and without the pressure of the elite-driven #strong ethos that forces us to believe recovery looks like the past.

California's best example of what this could include is the ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance (HBA) Program. This program gave financial assistance of up to $350,000 per household through a forgivable second mortgage loan to low- and middle-income folks, mainly renters, displaced by past fires  basically helping to buy houses for economically-challenged survivors.

The catch? The new home had to be outside a high-risk fire zone. That's a win for displaced people, for the climate, and for encouraging safe housing and wealth building for the future. But the state is not currently funding the program for fire survivors, though some impacted by floods have a shot.

None of this is to argue that rebuilding is wrong, or that losing a home is undeserving of sympathy or help. It is. But there is so much more to survivors, and recovery, than a house.

Birdwell, who lost her home in Berry Creek, still thinks of that cabin as a "slice of heaven" and reminiscences "about how life used to be." But she is left with anxiety  a remnant of the fire for which no one has offered her help  and a sense of dislocation and discontent. A few nights ago, she dreamed fire was coming at her again.

"I woke up, my heart was beating out of my chest," she said. "That might be something that will happen the rest of my life."

Her fire was five years ago, but like so many, her recovery is as incomplete as it is ignored. The conversation about Berry Creek still doggedly sticks to rebuilding.

In the next 30 years, we will assuredly have more climate refugees, more climate migrants, like Birdwell and Linfoot and the thousands of Angelenos still reeling from our recent fires. We can plan for that now if we choose to, leave behind the gratifying but false camaraderie of #strong and instead broaden our response to ensuring everyone who survives climate tragedy has options and equity.

If we don't, we will simply move further into a future that bends recovery to benefit the wealthy, as Davis predicted long ago  prioritizing the rebuilding of hazardous communities again and again until the only people who can afford to live in them are the people who can afford to watch them burn.

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.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  Rev. Joseph Darby Jr., a celebrated Charleston pastor and civil rights leader, has died. He was 74.

Darby was a 15-year survivor of colorectal cancer; however, his cause of death was not provided. Family members said in their announcement that Darby died peacefully Friday night, just a day after his 74th birthday.

A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Darby graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and attended South Carolina State University. He also earned a bachelors degree from the University of South Carolina.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Darby had been a respected pastor to many African Methodist Episcopal churches for nearly 50 years, including Morris Brown AME in Charleston, Piney Grove AME in Gaston, Pleasant Spring AME and Pine Grove AME, both in Columbia, and St. Philip AME in Eastover.

He was the presiding elder of the Beaufort District of the AME church, and his most recently served as pastor of Nichols Chapel AME in Charleston.

Notably, Darby served as the first Vice-President of the Charleston Branch of the NAACP and was the former First Vice President of the South Carolina NAACP.

Dads ministry was not confined to the pulpit. He carried it into every room he entered, every cause he championed, and every life he touched, said family members in an announcement on social media. His sermons stirred hearts and souls, but his actions stirred change. He taught us faith without works is hollow, and that love (especially for the marginalized) is the highest calling.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Reverend Darby was an extraordinary and gifted man  a community leader, servant, and a faithful man of God. His career has been marked by selfless service to others that comes not only from his dedication to the ministry, but his innate passion and compassion, said Congressman James Clyburn. He will always be known as a pillar to South Carolina.

Family members said a celebration of his life will be announced soon.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
Driving past a gas station two blocks from her Chatham office, Ald. Michelle Harris cant see inside as bright green vinyl signs cover the stations windows, promoting pop, chips and tobacco products.

Similar obstructions abound on the storefront windows near her house. Light barely pierces through the tall orange stickers pushing items for sale inside a Family Dollar store, while massive photos of painted fingernails block the publics view into a beauty shop.

The veteran South Side alderman sighs as she drives by the stores. The signage that has popped up all over her ward in recent years has begun to cause a twofold problem, she said. Its become a safety issue that prevents the public and police from seeing inside businesses, and its marred neighborhoods with tackiness thats bordering on blight.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We know you do nails! an exasperated Harris said as she drove past the salon last week. You tell me that this would be something that you would be proud to have in any community?

So, in a move she describes as a quality of life issue, Harris, 8th, is spearheading a citywide effort to rein in businesses use of large signage on windows as part of an ordinance that would allow generally untapped, preexisting city rules restricting retail displays to be more easily enforced. The ordinance would also block businesses from using non-reflective window tints and LED lights bordering their windows.

While the measure is being backed by many aldermen who represent the South and West sides, other aldermen, business owners and several heads of North Side chambers of commerce said they fear the move could go too far in clamping down on free enterprise and, in particular, hurt small businesses that should be allowed to act on their marketing and creative urges.

Lincoln Squares popular Del Sur Bakery on Damen Avenue wrote in a post on Instagram that the measure would erase the creative displays that make our neighborhoods feel festive, unique, and alive.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

From holiday decorations to imaginative ways shops express character and offerings, window displays have always been an extension of a businesss identity, the mid-July post stated. Taking that away feels not only unnecessary but disheartening.

Whats more, the ordinance could have the opposite impact on safety by potentially preventing employees from drawing curtains after hours to close, clean and cash out, leaving our staff visible and vulnerable, even when were closed, the Filipino bakery wrote.

Thats not just inconvenient, its a potential safety issue, the post said.

But advocates argue that some covered storefronts make it difficult for the public to know what kind of businesses they are walking into and tougher for police to respond when problems arise. They also note that highly covered windows help hide illicit activity that could be happening inside.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The change, introduced and supported by Mayor Brandon Johnson, would make it easier for the city to fine stores and restaurants that cover more than one-quarter of their windows with signage, use tints or have the bright LED lights Harris likens to those that would be found on alien spaceships. Businesses would first be warned if they were in violation and then, after a 10-day cure period, fines could be as high as $500 per day.

Harris withheld the ordinance from a planned vote last month as dissent mounted during a City Council Zoning Committee meeting. But she told the Tribune she plans to push it forward in the coming months, even as aldermen head toward a politically daunting budget season this fall.

The ordinance would shift enforcement of the citys display restrictions from the Department of Buildings to the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, a move proponents say would allow the city to finally confront rule breakers because BACP has greater capacity to enforce the rules.

At last months zoning meeting, BACP Commissioner Ivan Capifali tried to assuage over-enforcement concerns by promising that his team would be complaint-driven and focus on severe violations. The city is not going to come after festive decorations, he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The purpose here is public safety, Capifali said. We are looking for locations that are completely covered.

The goal is not to be punitive, added Ciere Boatright, commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development. The goal is to ensure that we have aesthetically pleasing corridors that welcome the foot traffic that our neighborhoods are known for.

Capifali also promised an extensive outreach effort in the 90-day window thats proposed between the ordinances passage and when it would be first enforced. He flagged carveouts allowing blocked windows at hotels, marijuana dispensaries, medical facilities and child care sites. Store owners also would be able to apply and pay for permits for signage beyond the 25% limit, according to Harris.

The version of the ordinance Harris sought to pass in July won neutrality from the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. The organization had led a coalition of business groups to oppose an earlier version that included stricter rules and did not offer a 10-day period for businesses to correct violations without penalty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The retail groups lobbyist, Michael K. Harris Jr., praised the concessions, though he said he wanted tinting exceptions for more business types added.

We recognize that this was not an attack on business, that this was a tool that they wanted to try to clean up their neighborhood, he said.

Still, several aldermen argued during the zoning meeting that they do not trust the city to gently enforce rules that many respected businesses might already technically violate.

In past practice, we have seen many of our good businesses really hit with the fines, said Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd.

While acknowledging earlier outrage from critics who blasted the proposal as a money grab, Ald. Anthony Quezada, 35th, said the measure is misunderstood, even while he said the threat of over-enforcement must be taken seriously.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The last thing we want is for people who have not caused or not contributed to any public safety issues to somehow be inadvertently affected, he said.

In Quezadas Northwest Side ward, Logan Squares Fleur flower boutique last month also took to social media to rally Chicagoans against the measure. The ordinance has vague language that could spark hefty fines, and it just might ruin the sort of colorful window displays that the shop has become known for, the company wrote in an Instagram post.

We understand the need for thoughtful design and safety. But we also believe theres room for that alongside the creativity, personality, and individuality that make small businesses so special, the post said.

But its a different story on the South Side, said Ald. William Hall, 6th, who called the ordinance a matter of the reality we have. He said blocked storefronts allow for drug deals and illegal gambling machines to be hidden from police and public view.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They dont have the problems we have, he said of some neighborhoods, many on the North Side. What we want is to be able to have neighborhoods where theres no hide-and-go-seek.

Ald. Ronnie Mosley, 21st, cited Eddies Food Market in his Far South Side ward when asked why he supports the ordinance. The stores windows are covered by a sprawling, outdated Now Open sign, menus and brown paper.

Several other businesses at the intersection of 111th Avenue and Halsted Street look similar. Red and white advertisements entirely block the windows of the Citgo gas station across 111th. Inside Tonys Philly Steak across South Halsted, sunlight barely cracks into the dining room beyond the signage.

Managers and owners of all three businesses did not return calls from the Tribune about the displays.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In areas where many buildings are vacant, such as some South and West side neighborhoods, storefront ads can be a critical way for businesses to show customers they are open, said Beth Kregor, director of the University of Chicago Law Schools Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship.

Kregor also said that enforcement could easily differ across the city, forcing businesses to change signs and potentially pushing clientele away if they cant offer privacy.

I dont think its the citys role to decide what looks pretty and what doesnt look pretty. I think businesses should be allowed to do whatever they think is best, Kregor said.

Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to getting hurt by the ordinance, said Garrett Karp, executive director of the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce. The ordinance  which would count all window obstructions, including furniture or refrigerators lining windows  could deepen duress by forcing stores to reconfigure, he predicted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

People are disappointed because logistically, its a problem. Marketing-wise, its a problem, Karp said.

Karp said his group was not consulted before Johnsons team tried to pass the ordinance through the City Council. The Edgewater chamber sent a letter objecting, placing the group alongside pretty much all the North Side chambers that are in complete opposition, he added.

Capifali cited discussions with various business coalitions during negotiations, including the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. Johnsons administration did not respond to repeated requests for interviews.

As she works to pass the measure, Harris has already begun taking matters into her own hands in her ward. She and her staff have begun knocking on the doors of businesses where they see likely violations of the citys unenforced rules.

A recent stroll took her to Big Daddy Express, a corner store in Avalon Park in Harris ward. Owner Mahmoud Shaltaf walked up to the alderman as she stood outside his shop, which is freshly painted white with windows largely blocked by vibrant, multi-color advertisements for the sort of fare one could predictably expect inside, including energy drinks, crackers and milk.

Harris took credit for closing a business at the same storefront before Shaltaf took over, when a 16-year-old was shot and killed in 2023 in a nearby alleyway. When Shaltaf began renovating the store, city inspectors shut him down during renovations for four months, he said, because the sites electrical box was too old.

He opened earlier this year, and since then has already torn off part of the vinyl ads in two windows to appease Harris concerns. One reason he said he likes the signs, beyond the advertising, is that the large signage hides a fissure in the stores bulletproof glass.

The other reason is I do have the register behind the glass, Shaltaf said. Its not good to let people see you count the money.

This would be a perfect opportunity to get it permitted, Harris responded. Get the permit to protect the front of the store.

Asked about the LED light strips bordering his windows, Shaltaf said they help the store show up a little bit.

Its showing up, baby, youve got a brand new sign, Harris told him. The problem is that the community is a more established, settled community, and the lights around the windows, they just hate them.

Shaltaf said he could take the lights down, and Harris offered to send someone to help walk him through the sign-permitting process so he could block the register area with signs. He said he planned to plant flowers beside the store, and she offered advice on how he could get a pile of freshly cut tree limbs removed for free.

Its going to be looking good, Shaltaf said.

I want it to be looking good, Harris responded. Thats my thing. Looking good, looking clean.
The end of summer is in sight, yet mosquito season continues  and in other countries, these insects are carrying far more than an itch.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued alerts about chikungunya, a virus thats been quietly circulating for decades but is now fueling record outbreaks in parts of the world, including in China.

While the disease hasnt taken hold in the U.S.  and cases here remain uncommon and largely traced to infections abroad  rising temperatures, extended mosquito seasons, and greater global movement are widening the insects range and increasing the risk it could surface in new areas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Heres a closer look at where chikungunya is spreading, how to spot the it, and how to avoid infection.

What is the chikungunya virus?

Chikungunya (pronounced chick-en-GOON-ya) is a viral disease thought to have originated in mosquitoes and wild primates before spilling over to humans. Its name comes from the Kimakonde language of Tanzania, where it was first identified in 1952, and translates to that which bends up  a nod to the hunched posture caused by the viruss severe joint pain.

The disease spreads through Aedes mosquitoes (mainly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). A mosquito becomes infectious after biting someone who has the virus, then passes it on with its next bites.

Since its discovery, chikungunya has appeared in more than 110 countries, from Nigeria to India to Indonesia.

What are the signs and symptoms of chikungunya?

The hallmark symptom of this virus is intense joint pain  the kind that can make it difficult if not impossible to get out of bed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Other common symptoms include muscle aches, rash, fatigue, high fever, and swollen joints. And they dont take long to show up: Symptoms typically appear within 3 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Chikungunya is rarely fatal, and most people are back on their feet within a few weeks. But for about 40 percent of patients, the joint and muscle pain can stick around  sometimes for months, even years, according to the Mayo Clinic.

How widespread are infections?

This year, more than 240,000 chikungunya cases have been reported across Central and South America, Africa, the Indian Ocean region, and Asia. In Chinas southern Guangdong province, officials have confirmed over 8,000 cases  the largest outbreak the country has ever seen.

In response, authorities have rolled out measures reminiscent of the Covid-19 era. According to NPR, soldiers are fogging streets and parks, while community workers go door-to-door dumping out stagnant water, clearing clogged drains, and covering containers where mosquitoes breed. People who test positive are reportedly being sent to hospitals to isolate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Even so, Chinas outbreak is still small compared to that of other countries. La Reunion, an island in the Indian Ocean, has logged nearly 50,000 cases this year alone.

Most outbreaks happen in tropical and subtropical regions where mosquitoes thrive year-round. But experts, including virologist Laurie Silva, warn that climate change and increased global travel could help the virus spread to new places.

In the U.S., for example, chikungunya does occasionally turn up in travelers coming back from affected countries. So far this year, there have been 46 reported cases, though fortunately there hasnt been a locally acquired infection since 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Where has the CDC issued travel alerts for chikungunya?

If youre planning some last-minute summer travel, its worth checking where outbreaks are happening before you book that ticket.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As of Aug. 1, the Centers for Disease Control issued a Level 2 Practice Enhanced Precautions alert for these countries and regions dealing with chikungunya outbreaks:

Bolivia

Guangdong Province, China

Kenya

Madagascar

Mauritius

Mayotte

Reunion

Somalia

Sri Lanka

The agency has also warned of an elevated risk for travelers heading to Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Is there a chikungunya vaccine?

Yes, and you might be surprised to learn that its a fairly recent development. In 2023, the FDA approved Ixchiq, the first vaccine against chikungunya, for adults 18 and older.

This past May, however, both the FDA and CDC recommended pausing its use in people 60 and over after reports of rare but serious side effects  including neurological and heart complications, and two deaths. After a safety review, the pause was lifted, but the FDA added warnings about higher risks in older adults, especially those over 65 with chronic health conditions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Regulators in Europe took similar precautions, temporarily suspending Ixchiq for seniors after two deaths in people aged 62 to 89. Theyve since allowed its use again, concluding the shot still offers strong protection.

In February, the FDA approved Vimkunya, a single-dose, non-live vaccine for anyone 12 and older. Unlike Ixchiq, its made from virus-like particles and cant cause infection  a factor that might make it more appealing for older adults or people with certain health conditions.

Given how widespread chikungunya has become in parts of the world, vaccination can be an important way to protect yourself if youre traveling to an area with an outbreak. But as with any vaccine, its best to talk with your doctor about which option is right for you, especially if youre older or have underlying health conditions.

The post Chikungunya Is Spreading  Heres What to Know About the Virus appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
China is watching as President Donald Trump pushes for a diplomatic solution to Russian President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine, Sen. Lindsey Graham told NBC's Kristen Welker in an interview that aired Sunday.

The stakes?

"If it ends in a way that looks like that Putin's overly rewarded, there goes Taiwan," Graham (R-S.C.) said on "Meet the Press."

Trump's latest gambit to end the war, now more than six months into his new term, will see him meet with Putin in Alaska this Friday, the first time Russia's president will set foot in the U.S. in roughly a decade.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It comes after Putin last week presented special envoy Steve Witkoff with a ceasefire offer, and Trump on Friday suggested "therell be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both" sides in peace talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday morning flatly rejected the idea that Kyiv might part with territory in negotiations to stop the fighting.

Graham, who told Welker he hopes "Zelenskyy can be part of the process," said other elements of peace talks will govern whether a deal makes sense for Ukraine and its partners.

"What would a good deal look like? Making sure that 2022 doesn't happen again," he told Welker, referencing the start of the current war. "On Biden's watch and Obama's watch, Russia invades. The goal for me, and I think President Trump, is to end it forever. Now, what would that look like? You'll have some land swaps, but only after you have security guarantees to Ukraine to prevent Russia from doing this again."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

China, a major purchaser of Russian oil, is on the president's mind, Graham said, just days after the White House announced that tariffs on India would be hiked to 50 percent for its own consumption of oil from Russia.

"I am here to tell you that President Trump will end this war in a way to prevent a third invasion and not to entice China to take Taiwan," Graham said. "We're not out to humiliate Putin, we're out to get a deal to make sure there's no third invasion."
(Reuters) -Liu Jianchao, a senior Chinese diplomat widely seen as a potential future foreign minister, has been taken away by authorities for questioning, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.

Liu was taken away after returning to Beijing in late July from an overseas work trip, WSJ reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

China's State Council Information Office, which handles media queries for the Chinese government, and the Chinese Communist Party International Liaison Department did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Liu, 61, has led the Communist Party's body in charge of managing ties with foreign political parties. Since taking the role in 2022, he has travelled to more than 20 nations and met officials from more than 160 countries.

Liu's busy schedule, especially his meetings with the former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, stoked expectations that the former ambassador and ministry spokesman was being groomed to be the next foreign minister.

His detention marks the highest-level probe involving a diplomat since China ousted its former foreign minister and President Xi Jinping's protege, Qin Gang, in 2023 following rumours of an extramarital affair.

Born in the northeastern province of Jilin, Liu majored in English at Beijing Foreign Studies University and studied international relations at Oxford before taking up his first post as a translator with the foreign ministry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He has served in China's mission to Britain and later as ambassador to Indonesia and the Philippines.

During his time as ministry spokesman, he was known for humorous off-the-cuff comments while making a no-nonsense defence of China's interests.

(Reporting by Antoni Slodkowski in Beijing and Chandni Shah in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Saad Sayeed)
In 2017, Jacob Schneider, then 16, landed his first job at a Chipotle in Lawrence, Kansas. It offered "decent" pay for a person his age, he says, above minimum wage, as well as robust training. "I learned how to do my job really fast," he tells me.

"I didn't notice a lot of bad things at first," he says. But eventually, he felt, training quality started to decline. Breaks got shorter. Equipment would break and not get fixed; a cooler was out of operation for about a year, Schneider says. "A lot of corners were being cut over time."

The deterioration took its toll. "The morale of the whole store was basically terrible," he says. When he started, people rarely talked about leaving. By last year, the most common topic he and his coworkers discussed was how much they wished they could quit. "It was just getting worse and worse and worse."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Schneider was witnessing Chipotle making a sharp U-turn. Founded in 1993 by Steve Ells, a former sous chef at a San Francisco fine dining pioneer, Chipotle became an elevated fast food juggernaut with more than 3,700 locations around the world, going public in 2006. But the company suffered a series of food-borne illness outbreaks starting in 2015, when 60 people were sickened across nearly a dozen states. All restaurants closed for half a day in February 2016 to deal with food safety. Then another norovirus outbreak hit in 2017. Ells stepped down as CEO a few months later, and he was replaced by Brian Niccol, who had just served as CEO of Taco Bell.

Steve Ells, a former sous chef, founded Chipotle in 1993 and ran the company until 2018. His successor, Brian Niccol, had previously served as CEO of Taco Bell. Glen Martin/The Denver Post via Getty Images; Robin Marchant/Getty Images

Niccol led a dramatic turnaround. The efficiency-focused changes he put in place  including order screens, delivery, and "Chipotlanes" drive-throughs  helped the company's annual revenue surge from $4.9 billion in 2018 to $11.3 billion in 2024.

Its stock jumped tenfold, from $6 a share in early 2018 to more than $60 when Niccol left in mid-2024 while its market cap grew from $9 billion to more than $80 billion.

As happy as these changes made shareholders, the change in culture has been much more than a vibe shift for the company's 130,000 employees. Current and former employees say that Chipotle was once a special place to work  a cut above in fast casual dining  that has since been consumed by a fast food ethos that, for its workers, has made its restaurants barely distinguishable from a Burger King or Domino's.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the past few years, evidence of a downgrade for staff has been popping up around the country.

In 2022, Chipotle agreed to a $20 million settlement with New York City over claims of 599,693 violations of the city's scheduling and paid leave laws, more than any company has paid in a worker protection settlement in the city's history. In 2024, the company appeared in the second-place spot, behind Amazon, on the New York City Comptroller's "Employer Wall of Shame," where it still appears. Chipotle also agreed last year to pay $2.9 million to Seattle-based employees in a settlement over allegations of failing to give extra pay for schedule changes and retaliating against employees who didn't take shifts they hadn't been scheduled for  the largest settlement the city had reached since its scheduling law took effect. That same year, a study of Glassdoor reviews from more than 550 of America's largest employers found that Chipotle had the second-highest rate of employee burnout (behind Progressive insurance).

In a statement to Business Insider, Chipotle's chief corporate affairs officer Laurie Schalow writes, "Our employees are our greatest priority, and we are committed to providing a best-in-class work experience that includes robust training and development programs."

Business Insider spoke with eight current and former Chipotle employees in four states whose tenures span from 2012 to the present; four of them have been involved in union organization efforts. Each told the same story, resonant with the broader allegations and superlatives: Many of the qualities that made Chipotle stand out as an employer  offering a stellar working experience where they were well-trained and valued and able to offer customers a high-quality experience  have precipitously declined.

For a fast food brand, Chipotle has lofty values. "Our purpose is to cultivate a better world," its website states. It has long prided itself on offering only fresh food  it doesn't have freezers at its restaurants, a rarity in an industry where the majority of ingredients are frozen. It also makes promises to its employees. "Being real means treating our people right," reads the company's mission statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Chipotle brands themselves as the cool fast food place to work," says Quinlan Muller, who started working at the Lawrence, Kansas, location with Schneider in 2018.

It pays better than many of its competitors: According to survey data from the Shift Project, a research venture from Harvard's Kennedy School and UC San Francisco that tracks low-wage workers over time, Chipotle employees report earning $16 an hour on average nationwide, while Burger King and Domino's pay $14.

Arrow Smith took a job at the Augusta, Maine, franchise a few years ago because a previous job at Dollar General "wasn't paying me enough to survive," and they could make a dollar or two more per hour at Chipotle, plus tips.

Anna started out at minimum wage at a location in Ohio in 2012, but quickly was making over $60,000 a year between raises and regular bonuses for exceeding sales metrics. She says she also got "excellent" health and dental benefits. She made more, in fact, than she does now in a marketing job. (She asked Business Insider to use a pseudonym because her husband still works at Chipotle.)

For a fast food brand, Chipotle has lofty values. "Our purpose is to cultivate a better world," its website states. Brian Snyder/Reuters

With the higher pay came higher expectations. "You had to be near perfect on everything," Anna says. If she prepped produce that wasn't cut to the right size, it would get thrown out, and she would start over. "I never worked for a fast casual or fast food restaurant that had such a high level of standards," she says. "It was a great environment."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Those standards, the people Business Insider spoke with say, were upheld by a rigorous training program that looked more like those at the Culinary Institute of America, Ells' alma mater, than what is typical in the fast food industry. Muller came into her job at Chipotle fresh off a short stint at another fast food company where the training barely existed. At Chipotle, she was able to get trained in lots of different positions. "It felt more fulfilling," she says.

The training had a built-in progression to help people move from crew to managers and above. "They wanted to grow people and bring them up," McNease says.

A new hire started out by watching training videos for each position and looking through booklets that broke down every minute aspect of the job. Then workers would watch other people do the tasks before doing the tasks themselves with a trainer to offer feedback. "It was a really in-depth process," says Brandi McNease, who started as a crew member at a location in Augusta, Maine in 2016. Workers were trained for multiple positions, from manning the tortilla press to grilling the food in the back.

The training also had a built-in progression to help people move from crew to managers and above. "They wanted to grow people and bring them up," McNease says. Smiling Estrella, who started working at a New York City Chipotle in 2016, was promoted from crew to kitchen leader within three years.

After the first food-borne illness outbreaks, sales volumes and the company's stock plummeted. Ells left his perch as CEO to find someone, he said at the time, who could help the company "execute better to ensure our future success."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Brian Niccol espoused a fast-food mindset that Chipotle had previously eschewed. "His experience and worldview is processed, profitable, and not very organic foods," says Michael W. Morris, a professor at Columbia Business School. "He's an MBA quantitative marketing kind of guy, good at cutting costs in supply chains." Niccol brought in executives from Bloomin' Brands, which owns fast casuals Outback and Carrabba's, and Panda Restaurant Group, the owner of Panda Express.

Niccol left Chipotle last summer to become CEO of Starbucks. Chipotle's new CEO is cut from the same cloth: Scott Boatwright, who joined in 2017, had spent the previous 18 years at Arby's.

CEO Brian Niccol espoused a fast-food mindset that Chipotle had previously eschewed, adding things like LCD screens and "Chipotlanes" drive-throughs. CC Photo Labs/Shutterstock

With Ells' exit came a change in internal culture. "You can't have an organizational culture of a fast food restaurant and maintain a brand image of an organic, sustainable place," Morris says. It "doesn't allow for the craft feeling or for the people who are passionate about food to be displaying that passion."

Chipotle says it still conducts intensive "real culinary training." In a video on its recruitment site, a worker named Ryan says that when he started there, "they had so many step-by-step processes on how to learn everything." Schalow says in her statement, "We have always had new worker training, and we continuously re-assess our training program and revise it as we deem appropriate."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Each of the workers Business Insider spoke to say that the company's training quality has dropped off. By the time Leslie (who asked that Business Insider use a pseudonym; she still works at Chipotle) started working at a New York City location in 2019, she didn't get to watch a video or receive any hands-on guidance before she was put to work, she says. For each task, she says, "they would explain it maybe once and that's it." She didn't know how to wrap burritos for four months and figured it out by asking people to help her and watching videos during her off hours, she says.

At the Augusta store, McNease says, "It was pretty clear that what I had stepped into was a transition period that was not going in the right direction." New hires started to be put on the floor with no training, she says. "It got to the point where you were lucky if you got to watch videos."

The same was happening in Kansas, as new hires wouldn't know how to do important tasks, Muller says. Thomas started working at the same Chipotle in 2022 (he also asked that I use a pseudonym). By the time he left in late 2023, he says he consistently had to correct employees on food safety procedures. In her statement, Schalow says the company's current training program "includes food safety training, workplace and employment-related training, and a range of operational training for various roles."

Last year, after a chorus of customers accused the company of skimping on portions, a Wells Fargo analyst ordered and weighed 75 iterations of the same item, and found a lot of variation. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

When Schneider first started, there was a strict rule enforced that no one under 18 could use a knife; later on, kids as young as 16 were doing that prep work, he says. Schalow says the company has "policies and procedures that comply with state laws for the employment of 16- and 17-year-olds." Thomas says the focus switched from creating high-quality food to drilling down on portions  not giving customers too much. Managers "really started hammering that into us," he says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Employee scheduling has also been tumultuous. According to Shift Project data, three-quarters of Chipotle employees it surveyed say they get their schedules less than two weeks in advance. More than a third get their schedules with less than a week's notice. Shifts also move frequently: Three-quarters of Chipotle employees report having received a shift timing change in the previous month; 22% had a canceled shift. When it comes to employee scheduling, "Chipotle is really at the bottom of the heap" of comparable restaurants, says Daniel Schneider, a principal investigator at The Shift Project. Kristen Harknett, another principal investigator, says that canceled shifts are "extremely disruptive," particularly for workers who show up to a shift only to be sent home without receiving any pay.

When it comes to employee scheduling, "Chipotle is really at the bottom of the heap," says Daniel Schneider of The Shift Project.

In Kansas, managers put up a printed schedule once a week on Saturday night or Sunday, say Schneider and Muller. There was no way to access it online; if someone didn't work that day, they might not know they were supposed to show up the following one. At the Maine store, workers sometimes wouldn't have their schedules by Sunday and would be told to show up to whatever shifts they had been scheduled for the previous Monday, says McNease.

All the workers Business Insider spoke to also say that staff was so lean that employees on any given shift weren't able to handle the crush of customers, and that many shifts were chaotic. At the Augusta Chipotle, Smith says, "It went from awesome and well-staffed to a skeleton crew in like a month." McNease says managers told workers to work more hours and take over more positions without extra pay. Prep tasks like chopping food with sharp knives were done by two people instead of six, she adds, leading to injuries. One coworker cut his fingers seven or eight times trying to cut meat fast enough to keep up with the line of customers, Smith says. "Every day felt like a new set of small catastrophes. We were begging for more staffing, more help, and they just wouldn't send us anybody."

McNease also says that food would get left out too long and dirty dishes piled up. At the Lawrence Chipotle, says Muller, there were shifts with one person working on the line in the front and a shift manager in the back cooking food. Sometimes the store would get so busy that no one would be able to properly wash dishes and bowls between uses. During the company's earnings call in April 2025, Boatwright noted that internal research had found that some restaurants were unclean during peak hours.

In 2016, Chipotle's employee turnover rate was 130%. By 2021 it had swelled to 194%. It fell to 131% last year. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Employees blame the hecticness, in part, on climbing turnover rates. In 2016, the rate was 130%, according to the company. By 2021 it had swelled to 194%, meaning nearly twice as many people left as were employed there that year. Rates have fallen since then, clocking in at 145% in 2023 and 131% last year. "We firmly believe in consistent and predictable scheduling and providing our employees with sufficient advanced notice of their schedule," says Schalow. "Our staffing levels are the best they have been in recent years, and we continue to see record low turnover rates in our restaurants."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The issues have trickled down to customers, who workers say have had to wait in longer lines or forgo ingredients that couldn't be cooked and prepped in time. Last year, after a chorus of customers accused the company of skimping on portions on TikTok, a Wells Fargo restaurant analyst ordered and weighed 75 iterations of the same item at eight locations across New York City  and found a lot of variation. Niccol denied there was any directive to offer smaller portions, and announced training to ensure consistent amounts across locations  although not before a shareholder lawsuit over the matter.

"We have not changed our portion sizes, and we have reinforced proper portioning with our employees," says Schalow. "If we did not deliver on our value, we want our guests to reach out so we can make it right."

In response to portion-skimping allegations, customers have taken to filming workers as they make their burritos. Alexandra Buxbaum/Sipa USA

More and more often, customers get nasty with employees. "We'd get yelled at, screamed at," Anna says. "It got so much worse as the years went on." In response to the portion-skimping allegations, customers have taken to filming workers as they make their burritos. It made employees "really uncomfortable to have cameras in our faces while we were working," Thomas says. "People were very rude about it."

Schalow at Chipotle says, "We do not condone guests who mistreat our teams and fail to give them the respect they deserve."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"A lot of people would lash out," says Smith. "It got really dehumanizing."

Anna, who had at one time loved her job so much she planned to stay as long as she could, says that the job became so disorganized and overwhelming that she quit after eight years with the company.

In April's earnings call, Boatwright also noted that employees were "not as friendly as we probably should be in restaurant." His solution: Urging them to greet customers with a friendly smile. "The fact is," he said, "smiles down the line don't slow us down."

In recent years, a number of Chipotle workers around the country have decided to organize. In New York, Leslie was approached by SEIU 32BJ, a union that organizes primarily low-wage workers like cleaners and food service workers. She had previously been in a union while working at a nursing home, and she liked the idea of having one at Chipotle, too. Chipotle did not agree, she says.

"I'll tell you one thing, Chipotle hates the union," says Smiling Estrella. After he was on the news for attending a protest in New York, Chipotle accused him of forcing someone to work during his unpaid break and making employees clock out before working to close up the store. He denies it, calling the accusations "lies." In early 2023, he was fired. "That was really freaking hard," he says. "I went through a deep depression." He nearly lost his apartment as he struggled to make rent, and his phone service was cut off twice.

In 2023, Chipotle was hit by seven unfair labor practice charges in New York City, the most of any employer. There are four open charges against the company sitting with the federal National Labor Relations Board for alleged behavior such as unfairly disciplining and threatening workers.

In 2023, Chipotle was hit by seven unfair labor practice charges in New York City. Karla Ann Cote/NurPhoto

Workers at a Michigan location prevailed in forming a union. In 2022, employees at a Chipotle in Lansing overwhelmingly voted to join the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to address what they said were similar issues of understaffing and inconsistent schedules. The workers say they were barraged by captive-audience meetings and anti-union messaging; the NLRB found the company had violated labor law by trying to deny raises to the unionized workers. They are, to date, the only unionized location. More than two years later they don't have a contract.

No other union campaign has succeeded. In March 2022, the "wheels started to fall off" at the Augusta location, McNease says. She had been trying to do training "correctly," but struggled, particularly as people kept quitting. A gas leak in the restaurant started making people sick, and it took the company weeks to send someone out to fix it, she says. That's when she got in touch with someone she knew who was in a union to find out more about the process. The first step, she was advised, was to talk to coworkers about forming a union. "It immediately just took off," she says.

Employees were primed for it. "We were just tired of corporate not listening to us. We were literally begging for help," Smith says.

On June 15, McNease sent an email on behalf of her coworkers to the restaurant's team director, laying out their demands. It said that, since the previous December, the store had gone without training for new or existing employees, that two workers had been "routinely expected" to complete the prep tasks usually done by six, and that three or four people had to open the store, work that required seven people. These issues put not just employees but customers at risk, with food safety "compromised," McNease wrote. If the company didn't schedule a "full crew" to open the store by the following morning, the letter said, they wouldn't show up to work until they had enough staff and training.

That kicked off a two-day walkout. Six days later, the workers became the first Chipotle location in the country to file for a union election with the NLRB. "Management descended on us immediately," McNease says. Employees were called into mandatory meetings that were filled with anti-union rhetoric. The company made new hires that diluted the organizing unit, McNease says; managers screamed at people and overloaded supporters with tasks. People were sent home for slight uniform infractions and fired for "stupid reasons," Smith says.

Then, on the same morning that the workers had an NLRB hearing to set an election date, Chipotle sent employees notice that it was shutting the store down permanently. "It was like the rug had been pulled out from under us," McNease says. Workers settled with the company, receiving a total of $240,000 in back pay. "We fought so hard," McNease says, "and in the end, they were able to just walk away."

"We respect our employees' rights to organize under the National Labor Relations Act and are committed to ensuring a fair, just and humane work environment that provides opportunities to all," says Schalow. "We closed our Augusta, Maine restaurant because of location-specific staffing challenges of this fairly remote location and other issues, not because of any union activities of the employees there."

Muller started talking to her coworkers about unionizing around the time McNease's campaign faltered. She drew up a petition for the NLRB and quickly got most of her coworkers to sign. After management found out in October 2022, the company deployed similar tactics as those in Maine, she says. Higher-ups workers had never seen before showed up, employees say, pulling them into lengthy one-on-one meetings with anti-union talking points; employees felt they were disciplined or even fired for small things that had never previously raised alarm bells.

That December, one of Muller's friends came in for a burrito bowl and some chips in the evening, and Muller offered her the chips for free before they got thrown out for the day, a practice accepted by other managers, she says. Her manager wrote her up, and she was fired for stealing. It happened just days before a deadline to have Chipotle reimburse her tuition for the semester, costing her $2,600. She was unemployed for six months. It was also emotionally difficult to lose her job. "It was kind of a part of my identity," she says.

Muller filed complaints with the NLRB, which later found that the restaurant had punished workers who were involved in unionizing and had tried to discourage the effort, leading to a settlement that required Chipotle to post a notice about workers' rights to organize. No one was reinstated or given back pay. The union campaign fizzled. "Everyone was scared," Schneider says.

Nearly a year into Boatwright's tenure as CEO, Chipotle keeps expanding  it plans to open more than 300 locations this year  though there are signs of trouble. The company's same-store sales have declined for two consecutive quarters in 2025, the first two quarterly drops since the COVID-19 pandemic. Chipotle's stock sits at $41.44, down 37% from a high of $66.16 last December.

After more than seven years at Chipotle, Schneider left last year after he graduated from college. He even took a pay cut to take his new job as a graphic designer. But now he feels respected and valued as a member of a team, and the person above him treats him "like a person."

"I've never been happier, honestly," he says.

Bryce Covert is an independent journalist writing about the economy. She is a contributing op-ed writer at the New York Times and a contributing writer at The Nation.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Brief

Incident: Jose Guitierrez, 31, allegedly pointed a gun at a driver in Naperville and led police on a high-speed chase before being caught on foot.

Charges: Faces multiple felonies and misdemeanors; police recovered a loaded .22 caliber handgun and ammunition.

Status: Denied pre-trial release; next court date is Monday.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - A Cicero man accused of fleeing police after a road rage incident in which he pointed a gun at another motorist was denied a pre-trial release, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

What we know

Jose Guitierrez, 31, of Cicero, appeared in court Saturday morning with two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer, one count of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, and multiple misdemeanor offenses, including aggravated assault, resisting a police officer, reckless driving and transportation of open alcohol by a driver.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Naperville police responded to a road rage incident near Naper Boulevard and Plank Road on Friday evening where Guitierrez allegedly pointed a handgun at another driver. A police officer located Guitierrez later and conducted a traffic stop. According to reports, Guitierrez initially came to a stop before fleeing the scene. Police tried deploying multiple methods to stop Guitierrez, but he continued to flee at high speeds on to I-88, to I-355, to Finley Road, to Roosevelt Road, where he ran over a second stop-stick.

Jose Gutierrez (DuPage County State's Attorney's Office)

While driving on his rims, Guitierrez continued eastbound on Roosevelt Road at high speeds until finally coming to a stop. Then, Guitierrez allegedly fled the scene on foot, when police apprehended him.

Officers located a loaded Pheonix Arms .22 caliber handgun that Guitierrez allegedly threw out of his vehicle. Ammunition was also found.

What they're saying

"I want to remind motorists that in DuPage County we will not tolerate the type of reckless behavior alleged in this case that puts not only the accused at risk, but also the officers involved as well as the motoring public," DuPage County States Attorney Robert Berlin said. "As Ive said in the past but bears repeating, if you hear sirens and see lights behind you, pull over. Do not attempt to outrun the police as you will not be successful and will only make matters worse for yourself."

What's next

Guiterrezs next court appearance is scheduled for Monday.

The Source

Details for this story were provided by the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.
The man was angry, confused and dangerous. He was walking down a city street with a gun out, often pointing it in front of him as he moved forward. He had discharged the weapon a few minutes before. The police officers walking to the side and slightly behind him calmly called out to engage him in conversation. They asked him to drop his gun. They were not rushed. They made sure the public was out of the way. Bodycam footage showed excellent patient de-escalation.

The man eventually did drop the gun. The officers were praised for their professionalism and the peaceful result. They had been trained under the use-of-force reforms developed as part of the Cincinnati Collaborative Agreement. Praise for their work was shared with the community on social media. Who led that praise?

Cincinnati Black United Front leader, Iris Roley.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

More: Bernie Moreno's partisan grandstanding does nothing to make Cincinnati safer | Editorial

Not every encounter between armed citizens and the police ends peacefully. Another Collaborative reform is the commitment to full public briefings within 24 hours of an officer-involved shooting. Bodycam footage is shown and a summary of the incident is shared, often with the caveat that the investigation is ongoing. Contrast this with many cities where the bodycam of the shooting is delayed and the community is left in the dark, letting rumors lead the public debate.

Who often meets with the families after those shooting incidents to help them understand the process and affirm their grief? Who attends those public briefings to assure the community that the information presented is accurate and has integrity?

Iris Roley.

Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac talks with community activist Iris Roley before a community meeting to discuss the future of the city's Collaborative Agreement at Taft High School in the West End neighborhood of Cincinnati on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017.

Bodycams have helped the community and the police investigate the use of force as they provide objective evidence of citizen encounters with officers. But adopting bodycams was not easy. There were major concerns in the community about privacy and how the footage would be preserved and shared. A series of public meetings was held, and all the community concerns were fully aired. Draft policies were shared for comment. Who brought the community to these constructive dialogues?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Iris Roley.

Cincinnati has been through many mayors, police chiefs, FOP presidents and city managers since the Collaborative was adopted in 2002. The agreement was refreshed in 2017, and all the parties were reminded of the core commitment to problem-solving in the Collaborative. That means rather than approach every problem with arrest, community members with a stake in the problem employ the SARA (Scanning, Analysis, Response, Assessment) and meet, gather data about the problem, hear from all those who are interested and jointly develop a response. Thousands of community members have been trained in the SARA process. Arrests are often part of a response to a problem, but many times, root causes can be targeted, the problem eliminated, and arrests may not be needed.

Who constantly reminds city and community leaders of the SARA process and leads them in resolving problems?

Iris Roley.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Iris Roley: Review offers chance to fully implement, upgrade city's Collaborative Agreement | Opinion

Roley's leadership has turned conflict into cooperation

Implementation of problem-solving has not been consistent, but even with the level of implementation we have accomplished, crime is down, and arrests are down by 50% in Cincinnati since the Collaborative was signed.

Community activist Iris Roley speaks with members of the Urban League 's Community Partnering Center before handing out information to teens at Government Square Thursday, February 8 2024. Roley spearheaded a community effort to provided information about jobs and other educational opportunities directly to teens to curb youth violence Downtown.Government Square Thursday, February 8 2024.

Just this past school year, downtown workers and residents started complaining about youth violence near Government Square. After school, buses were delivering teens to the square for transfer, but many youth were staying downtown and causing trouble. A plan was developed to deploy community members to the square and engage the youth in activities that were more constructive. The project lasted through the school year while efforts were made to address the transportation issue that triggered the problem.

The response has earned Cincinnati a spot as a finalist for the Goldstein Award, a national honor bestowed on cities that engage in excellent problem-solving. Who led the Government Square response?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Iris Roley.

More: 'They were born into it': Activists reach out to youth, hope to curb Downtown violence

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was especially hard to get accurate information into the community, and trust between the police and the community was eroding. A public discussion started that was open to all through social media. The police chief, City Council members, the city manager, regional and national leaders, all dialogued with the community on "Freedom Fridays." Frank, honest discussion ensued face-to-face on Zoom. Who led Freedom Fridays?

Iris Roley.

The Fraternal Order of Police agreed to join as a party to the Collaborative Agreement back in 2002. It was a decision made by secret ballot. It was a courageous vote. Traditional responsive policing often freezes out the community and relies on police acting alone to ensure public safety, disproportionately through arrests. Problem-solving fully engages the community, police, social service agencies, other city departments, and faith leaders as partners. The key to the Collaborative is cooperation, not cancellation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The critics of Iris Roley would do well to look at her nearly 25 years of community leadership  all focused on strengthening these partnerships, which are so critical to public safety  before signing any petition to end her role as a city consultant.

We are in her debt.

Al Gerhardstein

Al Gerhardstein is a semi-retired civil rights attorney and lawyer for the Cincinnati Black United Front.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Firing Roley would be a gift to opponents of police reform | Opinion
The prime minister said that discussions are underway to develop "creative ways" to free the remaining hostages in Gaza while the military closes in on Hamas.

The day-after plan for the Gaza Strip will include Israel maintaining overriding security responsibility, and the establishment of a civilian administration, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in the first of two press conferences on Sunday.

He did not elaborate on the role of the civilian administration or what Israel's security responsibilities would entail.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

These press conferences come amid Israeli and international criticism of the Security Cabinet's decision to approve a widened operation in Gaza City.

Gaza will be demilitarized and a security zone will be established on Israel's border, the prime minister also said.

Netanyahu and his war cabinet have received criticism for not providing a day-after plan in Gaza for after the war.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to international media on the Gaza war, in Jerusalem, August 10, 2025 (credit: CHAIM TZACH/GPO)

The prime minister said that discussions are underway to develop "creative ways" to free the remaining hostages in Gaza while the military closes in on Hamas.

Netanyahu also stressed the importance of implementing a new education system in the Strip that does not radicalize its citizens to seek the destruction of Israel. The civilian administration would be one "that doesn't educate its children for terror, doesn't pay terrorists, and doesn't launch terror attacks against Israel."

Hamas still has thousands of armed terrorists in Gaza

Netanyahu justified the new IDF operation in Gaza City, citing Hamas's refusal to lay down its arms. "Israel has no choice but to complete the job and defeat Hamas," Netanyahu said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The truth is that Hamas still has thousands of armed terrorists in Gaza and has vowed to repeat October 7, Netanyahu said.

Hamas has subjugated its citizens, and as a result, its residents have, according to the prime minister, begged Israel and the world to free them from Hamas's rule.

The new Gaza offensive aims to tackle two remaining Hamas strongholds, Netanyahu said, including Gaza City. He added that he expects the offensive to conclude "fairly quickly."

Netanyahu stressed that the government, contrary to "false claims" in the media, is working to prevent the humanitarian crisis in the war zone. "Israel has allowed in over 200 million tons of aid."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Israel has had the exact opposite of a starvation policy in Gaza, he emphasized. He blamed the UN's unwillingness to deliver humanitarian aid that is sitting on the Gaza side of the border for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Netanyahu slammed international media, blaming them for maligning the Jewish people and the Jewish state, similar to how the Jewish people were vilified in the Middle Ages and during the Holocaust.

He showed reporters a collection of photos of alleged starving children in Gaza, who he said all had pre-existing conditions that made it difficult for them to digest nutrients.

He highlighted a photo of captive Evyatar David, who, he said, was being deliberately starved by Hamas.

It is disappointing that the global media and a large portion of the world have bought Hamas's lies that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians, Netanyahu concluded.
The Supreme Court has constituted a high-powered committee led by Justice Ashok Kumar, a former judge of Allahabad High Court, to oversee and supervise the day-to-day functioning of the Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Maharaj temple at Vrindavan, Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh. The apex court said that the Committee will deal with a variety of issues incidental to the proper functioning of the temple, which include, but are not limited to, the provision of essential amenities such as clean drinking water, functional washrooms, adequate shelter and seating, dedicated corridors for crowd movement, and special arrangements for the elderly, women, children, and persons with disabilities. The Committee shall make an endeavour to plan the holistic development of the temple and its vicinity, for which they may privately negotiate the suitable purchase of the requisite land. In case no such negotiation fructifies, the state government is directed to proceed with the acquisition of the required land in accordance with law. The Supreme Court also stayed the operation of the Uttar Pradesh Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025, and asked Allahabad High Court to decide pleas challenging the ordinance. (ANI)
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  Bud Wilkinson of Ride-CT loves old cars and says many of todays cars look alike and are boring.

He spoke with Dennis House on This Week in Connecticut about his column and YouTube channel.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Ghana is stepping up efforts to move households away from firewood and charcoal, which are still used in 78 percent of homes and contribute to deforestation, indoor air pollution and carbon emissions. The government is promoting cleaner cookstoves as a safer, more efficient alternative.

The Clean Cookstove Initiative is focused on cutting wood fuel demand and reducing the health risks linked to smoke inhalation  particularly among women and children. It also aims to help curb climate change and protect forests.

The programme is targeting smallholder farmers and rural households in five regions: Western, Central, Ashanti, Eastern and Upper West. There are plans to extend it to more parts of the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The stoves are designed to use around 60 percent less wood than traditional models. They are being developed and distributed in partnership with Envirofit International, a US-based clean energy company.

The project is one of six climate mitigation schemes in Ghana backed by the KliK Foundation, a Swiss organisation that has pledged about $850 million in funding.

Cleaner cooking could save 4.7 million lives in Africa by 2040, IEA says

Community impact

So far, more than 180,000 families have taken part in the programme. Many have reported saving money on fuel and noticing fewer health problems linked to smoke.

Aminatu Hakim, a mother of six from Pullima near Tumu, in the Upper West Region, says the savings she has made from using the new stove have allowed her to reinvest in her small business.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Ive invested the savings in my onion business," she told RFI. "The proceeds are now supporting my familys daily needs."

She described the clean cookstove as fast, efficient and significantly less reliant on charcoal than traditional cooking methods.

Ghana unveils West Africa's largest floating solar project, boosting renewable energy ambitions

Dr Daniel Tutu Benefoh, head of Ghanas Carbon Market Office, said the cleaner cookstoves would ease pressure on household budgets and improve public health. The technology reduces smoke and toxic emissions in individual households by as much as 80 percent, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The government plans to distribute another 500,000 clean cookstoves over the next three years, with a continued focus on rural and underserved areas.

Across Africa, around four in five people still cook with polluting fuels such as firewood, charcoal and kerosene  often over open flames in poorly ventilated spaces.

The World Bank estimates that this leads to around 600,000 premature deaths each year, making dirty cooking a bigger killer on the continent than malaria.
DANNEMORA  Clinton Correctional Facility has seen an alarming spike in staff exposures to dangerous, unidentified substances this year, the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association says.

Most recently, seven prison staff  six corrections officers and a nurse  were transported to the hospital and treated for exposure to an unknown substance Monday evening.

State Sen. Dan Stec, R-C, Queensbury, who met with the prisons superintendent earlier this week, told the Press-Republican on Wednesday the substance the staff were exposed to could not be identified, but he was told it was something an inmate had been smoking.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The good news is that they are all fine, Stec said about the staff. They are all going to be fine. They are all not in the hospital. They are home.

80 CHEMICAL EXPOSURES

The incident involving those seven staff members comes on the heels of recent news reports from NBC5 that there have been 80 chemical exposures at Clinton in the past month.

Additionally, as previously reported by the Press-Republican, a Clinton Correctional officer had to be transferred to a local hospital and treated for facial injuries after being assaulted by an inmate there in July. Stec said the prison is already short staffed and when these incidents happen, it makes the problem worse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Thats part of the problem that we have in these facilities, Stec said. When seven people go out at the same time  it affects the workplace.

He said if these chemical exposures were happening at any other employer, it would trigger a big investigation from the state.

Except, apparently, a New York State correctional facility. That bothers me, Stec said. These are our employees. We, as an employer, have a responsibility to them and the inmates ... These inmates are getting exposed to this stuff too.

Facilities throughout the state have been experiencing similar incidents over the past several months as well, and have placed union members, the frontline officers, sergeants and other staff charged with maintaining safety and order in harms way simply for doing their jobs, the union said in a news release Wednesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

NYSCOPBA said Dannemora is far from an isolated case of these incidents.

This is not just a Clinton issue, this is a systemwide crisis, Northern Region Vice President John Roberts said in a statement. The safety of our members continues to be compromised by exposure to unknown chemicals and drugs, and the broader impact is being felt by the communities we serve.

STRIKE

The assault and continued substance exposures comes months after corrections officers across the state held a near month-long wildcat strike to protest unsafe working conditions in their respective facilities.

COs at the time said low staffing levels and the Humane Alternative to Long term Incarceration Act, the state legislation that strictly prohibits the use of solitary confinement in prisons, were to blame for the unsafe working conditions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The strike, which began in February, came to an end in mid-March after the state agreed to meet some of the COs demands, including a 90-day suspension of HALT, changes in scheduling to alleviate overtime and double and triple shifts, improved screening procedures and limited or no discipline for striking officers.

MORE TO BE DONE

In response to the most recent incidents, Stec said more needs to be done to protect prison staff, including cracking down on prison contraband through the mandatory use of body scanners for visitors, implementing a secure third-party mail vendor process and allowing legal mail to be delivered to inmates on tablets electronically instead of physically to decrease the possibility of harmful chemicals getting in the prison.

Stec has plans to introduce these changes in a bill but they may not be well received by Democrats, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The mindset amongst my colleagues on the other side of the aisle is they want to coddle criminals, and either Gov. Kathy Hochul isnt paying attention, or shes afraid of the advocates or shes afraid to stand up for both the inmates and the officers in these facilities, he said. So if youre a guy like me that represents COs, cares about COs, and is not as worried about the convenience of inmates, theres a problem.

Asked if he thinks prison staff are safer now than before the strike, Stec said they are marginally safer. However, staffing levels, among several safety concerns, continue to be an issue despite the states ramped up recruiting effort following the strike.

At Clinton, Stec said he was told the prison has the same number of staff as the day the strike ended. Additionally, he said the New York National Guard still has a presence in the facility all these months after Hochul called them in to help keep order inside during the strike.

Starting in January ... Ive been paying more close attention to the exposure issue statewide, and obviously, particular attention in the North Country and in my district, Stec said. My concern is that this is going to become an accepted new norm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

UNSUSTAINABLE

The union also said more needs to be done from the state to ensure prison staff is safe.

While the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, in collaboration with NYSCOPBA, has taken important steps following the recent strike, including the implementation of legal mail scanners and the strengthening of body scanner policies, it is clear that much more needs to be done, NYSCOPBA said. These efforts were a necessary start in addressing the influx of drugs and contraband into our facilities, but they have not gone far enough to stem the tide of dangerous substances endangering staff, incarcerated individuals, and the surrounding communities.

The strain on local emergency services is also growing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At Clinton Correctional Facility alone, the frequency of medical emergencies requiring ambulance transport is pulling critical resources away from the local community, leaving residents underserved during their own emergencies, the union said.

NYSCOPBA is now calling for:

 A statewide, transparent investigation into the source and nature of these exposures

 Immediate implementation of enhanced screening, detection and response protocols

The current conditions are unsustainable, the union said. NYSCOPBA remains committed to advocating for the safety and well-being of our members and will continue to push for real, lasting solutions to protect staff, incarcerated individuals, and the communities that surround our facilities.
CMS hosts back-to-school expo at Truist Field

In just two weeks, Charlotte students will be heading back to school.

ALSO READ: C.W. Williams Community Health Center hosts annual health fair

In order to prepare, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools held an event this morning to help parents and students get ready for the new school year.

Thousands of people filled Truist Field in Uptown for the event that included free school supplies and food. Channel 9 spoke with a family who drove all the way from Matthews to take part. They said this was the perfect chance to see what the district has to offer students in the upcoming school year.

Absolutely, because it gives more exposure to things, you know? said Matt Whitely, a parent. I like it a lot.

VIDEO: Elementary school set to welcome students back after Helene closure
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (CMZoo) recently welcomed a new baby gorilla, but he isnt the only adorable tiny primate to make a debut at the zoo. Two bold and bearded sisters arrived in July: a pair of bearded emperor tamarin siblings, 4-year-old Mattessich, and 3-year-old Gianna.

According to CMZoo, the tamarins are difficult to tell apart, and even the keepers who work closely with them can get confused, if not for their microchips that help keep their records straight. But the best clue the zoo can give is that Gianna tends to keep her beard more neatly groomed than her older sister, Mattessich.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, tamarin, bearded emperor tamarin, primate, Gianna, CMZoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, tamarin, bearded emperor tamarin, primate, Gianna, CMZoo

They are really outgoing and interested in guests, Madi Ort, animal keeper in Primate World, said. Theyll come right over to the glass with such curious energy, and they always want to see what people are holding in their hands.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The sisters came to CMZoo from another zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and they will stay at CMZoo until they have breeding recommendations, as part of CMZoos support of the Bearded Emperor Tamarin Species Survival Plan.

Mattessich and Gianna are curious, energetic, and playful, according to the zoo. They like to pounce around their exhibit and explore the perching system. They enjoy the enrichment keepers provide, and actively participate in husbandry training with their care team.

Theyre eager to interact with keepers, so were quickly building trusting relationships with them through training sessions, Madi said. They know how to station at a specific location, stand on a scale for regular weight checks, and get into their crates. Were currently fine-tuning body presentation training, where we ask them to stand up on their hind legs and reach up, so we can visually check their abdomens and limbs.

Both sisters are confident and comfortable with each other, sharing meals side-by-side and politely taking turns training with keepers, but Gianna will put in a little extra effort to get to a favorite treat, jumping over Mattessich to grab bananas and watermelons. Because of this, Gianna is considered the dominant of the two, but this could change as they continue to settle in.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its hard to put into words how adorable they are, Madi said. They have these big ears, pink noses, wide eyes, and precious little hands and feet. They weigh about one pound each, so theyre really small, but normal weight for full-grown emperor tamarins. Plus, they make really cute chirps, almost like birds, when they vocalize. Combined with their beautiful mustaches and markings, theyre just a joy to see.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
Last spring, I stood before my daughter and some of her classmates  bright, college-bound young women preparing to leave for campuses throughout Missouri and across the nation. I wasnt there to celebrate their next chapter. I was there to warn them.

In my last class of the semester, I give my seniors advice for college: Go to class; be open to new people and experiences; get involved  the usual stuff. I also tell them the truth that I wish they didnt need to hear: Sexual assault is a real and present danger on college campuses.

This is not an abstract lecture. Before becoming a teacher at an all-girls Catholic high school in the St. Louis area, I spent three decades in higher education administration, including years where I served on panels charged with sanctioning students found responsible for sexual assault. Ive reviewed reports filled with confusion, regret and pain. And what I saw were patterns that are both common and poorly understood.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The vast majority of sexual assaults on campus are not committed by strangers. Most occur between acquaintances  classmates, friends, even romantic interests. These incidents often begin at a party, in a dorm room or a crowded social event. They involve alcohol. And many include some degree of consensual behavior  kissing, dancing, flirting  before something changes.

Too often, students dont understand where the line is until theyve crossed it. That line is consent  and by law, someone under the influence of alcohol, particularly to the point of impairment, cannot legally give it. What may have felt ambiguous in the moment can later, in the harsh light of day, meet the legal and disciplinary definition of sexual assault.

These are the kinds of cases I reviewed during my time in higher education. They were difficult, emotional, and legally complex. But one fact remained consistent: The trauma of assault is devastating, and the consequences  legal, academic and personal  are lifelong.

Thats why I spoke to my daughters class. Not to frighten them  but to prepare them. Here is what I told them:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Know your limits. Alcohol clouds judgment. Know how much you can handle and dont push past it. Realize hard alcohol is very hard to calibrate. If you havent started drinking yet, first semester of college is not the time to start.

Watch your drink. Dont accept drinks from strangers. Dont leave your drink unattended. Spiking  whether with drugs or excess alcohol  is real and dangerous. No one knows what is in that punch.

Stick with friends you trust. Have a plan. Check in on each other. Leave together. Be like the Marines: No one gets left behind.

Have an exit strategy. Carry cash or keep a ride-hailing app ready. Dont rely on someone you just met.

Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. Dont be afraid to leave, no matter the social pressure.

You can say no. At any time, regardless of whats already happened.

Clear, mutual consent

Ive also spoken to young men, my two sons included, because they need this education just as much. We talked about respecting women. I have told them that consent must be expressed, mutual and ongoing. Silence is not the same as saying yes. And a person who is intoxicated, asleep or afraid cannot consent.

I tell them:

Prioritize mutual respect and communication. Listen attentively to what your partner expresses, both verbally and nonverbally.

Be a responsible bystander. If you witness a situation that seems unsafe or potentially harmful, intervene safely. This could involve directly addressing the situation, distracting those involved, or seeking help from friends, campus security, or other authorities.

Think about what it means to be a responsible, adult man. College can be a time to develop healthy expressions of masculinity. Challenge harmful stereotypes and contribute to a culture of respect and empathy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

These conversations arent easy. But theyre essential. According to national data, more than 50% of sexual assaults on campus happen in the red zone, the first few months of the fall semester. That means the time to talk is now  before the bags are packed, before orientation, before the first party.

I dont want to send my daughter to college with fear. I want to send her with clarity, strength, and a plan. She and all other students deserve that.

If we want to protect our kids, we must stop treating this subject as taboo. Lets replace silence with honesty. Lets teach our daughters and sons not just about academic success, but about safety, boundaries and respect. Thats not alarmism. Thats love.

Mark W. Smith is a former associate vice chancellor at Washington University in St. Louis and now teaches at Nerinx Hall, a college preparatory high school in Webster Groves, Missouri.
The Lee fire burning in northwestern Colorado has scorched over 88,000 acres in less than a weekand is now so large it is creating its own weather system, officials said.

High winds and dry conditions are fueling the flames of the Lee fire, which is now the sixth-largest in Colorados history.

As of Saturday evening, the fire had burned through 88,755 acres and was zero percent contained, according to an update on InciWeb, a government website that tracks fires.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Extreme fire activity has started to create its own weather system, Tyler Nathe, Rocky Mountain Incident Management Teams operations chief, said in an update Friday.

It built up what we like to call a pyrocumulus cloud. Thats where it punched up above 30,000 feet, Nathe said. When it does that phenomenon, it starts to create its own weather at that point, and so it was creating some additional outflow and inflow winds at ground level, which was increasing the fire behavior as the main fire front was moving down to the southeast.

High winds and dry conditions are fueling the flames of the Lee fire, which is now the sixth-largest in Colorados history. (Garfield County Sheriff's Office)

More than 700 firefighters are battling the fire, which started after a lightning strike west of the town of Meeker a week ago.

Evacuation orders are in place for residents in the Rio Blanco and Garfield counties area as a red flag weather warning continues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Elsewhere, a brush fire in a mountainous area north of Los Angeles forced thousands of people to evacuate as firefighters worked to get it under control.

Extreme fire activity has started to create its own weather system, Tyler Nathe, Rocky Mountain Incident Management Teams operations chief, said in an update Friday. (Rio Blanco County Sheriff's Office)

Hundreds of firefighters battled the Canyon Fire after it ignited Thursday afternoon in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, as temperatures hit 100 degrees mixed with strong winds.

By Saturday, the Canyon fire was winding down and officials lifted the evacuation orders.

Meanwhile, the Dragon Bravo fire on the north rim of the Grand Canyon continues to burn a month on. The blaze, which started because of a lightning strike, has scorched 141,147 acres as of August 9 and is 36 percent contained, according to officials.
A Colorado man has admitted to orchestrating a massive tax evasion scheme that cost the government $45 million while also running a separate $8 million investment fraud.

Timothy McPhee of Estes Park pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy, tax evasion, and wire fraud charges that could land him in federal prison for up to 30 years.

From 2018 to 2023, McPhee promoted a fraudulent tax shelter using private foundations and trusts. He taught clients nationwide to funnel business income through these entities while claiming personal expenses as deductions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The scheme allowed clients to pay taxes on just 2% of their actual income. McPhee himself used it to hide over $5 million and dodge $1.8 million in taxes from 2016 to 2021.

Court documents reveal McPhee ignored warnings from accountants and attorneys about the shelters illegality. He knowingly instructed clients to file false returns that contradicted IRS guidance.

Starting in January 2023, McPhee launched another scam called the ROI Cash Flow Fund. He promised investors 3% monthly returns through foreign currency trading.

Instead of investing as promised, McPhee used new investor money to pay earlier investors. He also spent over $2 million on personal expenses through his trust accounts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation uncovered both schemes. Trial attorneys from the Justice Departments Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

McPhee faces sentencing on October 23. The conspiracy and tax evasion charges each carry five-year maximum sentences, while wire fraud could bring 20 years.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen Kelly announced the guilty plea on Friday. A federal judge will determine the final sentence based on federal guidelines and other factors.
MEEKER, Colo. (AP)  A Colorado prison was evacuated as one of the largest wildfires in state history continued to grow, and officials warned residents of remote areas to be ready to leave Sunday as gusty winds and low humidity fed the flames.

Evacuation orders were already in place for mountain communities as the Lee Fire charred more than 167 square miles (433 square kilometers) across Garfield and Rio Blanco counties, with just 6% containment. No injuries or structural damage has been reported.

All 179 incarcerated people were safely removed from the Rifle Correctional Center on Saturday out of an abundance of caution, the Colorado Department of Corrections said in a statement. They were temporarily relocated about 150 miles (240 kilometers) away to the Buena Vista Correctional Complex, the department said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Lee Fire, churning through trees and brush about 250 miles (400 kilometers) west of Denver, is now the sixth-largest single fire in the states history, according to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.

More than a thousand firefighters are battling the blaze, working to keep the flames to the west of Colorado 13 and north of County Road 5, officials said.

Health officials issued air quality warnings related to smoke from the Lee Fire and the 23-square-mile (60-square-kilometer) Elk Fire burning just to the east.

In Southern California, crews reached 62% containment on the 8-square-mile (20-square-kilometer) Canyon Fire that forced evacuations and destroyed seven structures after breaking out Thursday near the Los Angeles County and Ventura County line. Three firefighters have been injured, including a battalion chief who was seriously hurt when his pickup truck rolled over in steep terrain.

The Gifford Fire, California's largest blaze so far this year, has scorched at least 180 square miles (466 square kilometers) of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties since erupting on Aug. 1. It was 21% contained on Sunday.
Tevin Hood, an up-and-coming Atlanta rapper better known as T-Hood, was fatally shot Friday night at his home in Georgia, according to police.

Officers responded to a residence in the Atlanta suburb of Snellville at around 7 p.m. following reports of a dispute that erupted into gunfire, the Gwinnett County Police Department said in a press release.

Upon arriving to the scene, officers located one man whod been shot, later identified by family members as 33-year-old Hood, according to local ABC affiliate WSB-TV.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

First responders attempted to render aid before transporting Hood to the hospital, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

A motive for the shooting remains under investigation, police said. No arrests had been made as of Saturday, though one person was detained and is in the process of being interviewed.

Gwinnett County police did not immediately respond to the Daily News request for additional information.

Hood was well-known in the Atlanta rap scene and had around 7,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel at the time of his death. Some of his most popular videos are for the tracks War Ready and Foreva, which boast 186,000 and 143,000 views, respectively.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mannn not my dawg T Hood, hip-hop historian Nuface captioned a video of Hood at a recent gig.

According to DJ Burn One, Hood had been scheduled to appear at an event at Atlantas Tree Sound Studios on Friday night.
Congress celebrated the occasion of Raksha Bandhan with sex workers here on Saturday. The Congress party organised a unique programme in Mumbai, where General Secretary Bhanwar Jitendra Singh remarked that a unique event was conducted for women who are not given due respect in society. Speaking to ANI, Singh said, "There is a relationship on the holy occasion of Raksha Bandhan, there is a relationship between brother and sister, brother protects his sister. We conducted a unique event here today to connect such women who are not given their due respect and identity by society to the mainstream. The Congress party organised this programme." "Through this programme, a message will be sent that people who are extremely poor are compelled to do this out of helplessness; if we want to bring a smile to their faces and make them happy, then we can provide them money for the school fees of their children, we can honour them. There can be nothing bigger than this for a brother and a sister I would want this programme to be done across the country," he added. Meanwhile, in line with adherence to social and essential causes, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday tied a rakhi to a tree on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan and 'Bihar Tree Protection Day' at Rajdhani Vatika in Patna. He said that the tree plantation is extremely essential to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. The Chief Minister stated that in addition to the thread-tying ritual, a tree plantation drive was conducted at the venue. In a social media post on X, Nitish Kumar wrote, "On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan and 'Bihar Tree Protection Day,' a Raksha Sutra (protective thread) was tied to a tree today at Rajdhani Vatika in Patna. Additionally, on this occasion, tree plantation was also carried out at Rajdhani Vatika." Raksha Bandhan was celebrated on August 9 throughout India, in honour of the protective bond between brothers and sisters. (ANI)
CHICAGO  From one station to the next, volunteers stepped up to run 10 stops on an assembly line at the Cradles to Crayons Giving Factory on Saturday.

The organization I was in when I was younger used to do school drives, so I know how many people need this type of stuff, Madison Lindsey said. You really start to think about even beyond the school supplies, the hygiene kits they may put in the bags and notes.

The Cradles to Crayons Giving Factory opened its doors to the public for its first ever community backpack-a-thon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The mission at hand was to fill 100,000 backpacks with school supplies and give them to Chicago-area students.

The nonprofit was founded in 2002 to provide clothing to lower income and homeless children.

Kids were not ready for school, and the cost of what it takes for parents to be able to provide all the supplies kids need is estimated at over $800 a child, Dawn Melchiorre said.

Volunteers donated money which helped pay for the backpacks and supplies then donated their time.

Things that you take for granted  pencils, folders, supplies  and to make that difference in a kids life so they can get off to the best start is a big deal, Angie Campone said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Campone brought her two boys, thinking this would be an invaluable experience for them.

I think just the experience of helping others, thinking about what does it mean to give, to serve and to spend a couple hours helping others makes a big difference, she 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 WGN-TV.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  A new support group in Springfield is addressing grief.

Bexie Starks, the founder of No Family Left Behind, says you cannot grieve alone, and thats why she created a space where conversation is welcome.

This year, everyone has been losing someone, Starks said.

Whether you lost somebody to violence, thats grief, or a hospital or illness, thats grief, said support group member Irene Starks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Springfield hosts third annual African Community Festival

Grieving, but not alone this time, neighbors across Springfield united for a community support group. No Family Left Behind was created under the umbrella of Ease International, a support network for men, women, and youth.

Saturdays gathering marks the first time the Springfield neighborhood shared its grief together, using the resources No Family Left Behind has to offer. Bexie Starks, a Springfield native, created the group after her family gathered at the park week after week. This was a place where they would share memories of her late father-in-law.

And what they dont understand is by them grieving by themselves, it creates depression, it creates anxiety, Starks said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the American Psychiatric Association, nearly ten percent of adults will experience persistent symptoms of prolonged grief disorder. Children and teens can also experience the following:

Identity disruption

Anger

Difficulty engaging with friends

Emotional numbness

Loneliness

If we all learn how to come together as a community and help each other grieve the proper way, then we wouldnt have a majority of the stuff going on, Starks said.

Together, through prayer, shared stories, and a balloon release, they stand by each others sides as they navigate losing a loved one. This support group is open to all, regardless of whether you live in Springfield or other nearby communities.

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.
LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Significant concerns were raised and centered on a potential healthcare shakeup in northeastern Pennsylvania. Three hospitals are included in a proposed deal between Commonwealth Health and Tenor Health Foundation. Now, one of the hospitals is pushing back.

Board members at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital are asking state lawmakers for their help to halt a deal involving the sale of the hospital.

It comes after a letter of intent was sent to employees days ago. It discloses a proposed deal between Commonwealth Health and Tenor Health Foundation, a non-profit that seeks to turn around financially challenged hospitals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This, to me, seems more about financial engineering, vulture capitalism, than it is about making our healthcare system better, Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Board Chairman Justin Matus told 28/22 News.

Regional and Moses Taylor hospitals in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre General, along with all related sites of care, are included in the proposed deal.

When Wilkes-Barre General board members took a closer look at it, the less appealing the deal appeared.

They have no visible resources that were aware of, not a lot of experience, and, also, we dont need any managerial help, Matus added.

Another big problem Matus has is with what is outlined in the letters third paragraph. It states, While the contemplated transaction was to originally include only the Scranton assets, it became important to include Wilkes-Barre as well.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Local man helps troopers to safety during ambush

Because Wilkes-Barre General is profitable, and the other two are not and in need of some help, we were thrown in to sweeten the deal, frankly, Matus continued.

Matus believes the deal would leave Wilkes-Barre General on shaky ground.

Our number one concern is that resources would be taken away from Wilkes-Barre General Hospital to, frankly, subsidize our friends in Scranton, and we wish them well, but our mission, our mandate as a board, is to look out for the patient and the community in terms of quality, Matus stated.

While the proposed deal still needs approval, Matus has this message for anyone relying on Wilkes-Barre General Hospital for treatment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Between now and whatever happens next, our patients should expect that well continue to deliver high-quality care, that wont change, Matus told 28/22 News.

Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown tells 28/22 News that he expects to meet with Tenor Health Foundation in the coming days to discuss the proposed deal.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NEWTON CO., Mo.  Congressman Eric Burlison says new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration will be offset by congressionally approved tax cuts.

We spoke about this with Burlison at Thursday evenings Newton County Republican Central Committee Annual Free Watermelon Feed.

He says had the tariffs been implemented on their own, he probably would not have been pleased.

But he says extending provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that were set to expire at the end of this year, when combined with the tariffs, are a net gain for Americans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Jason Smith from Missouris 8th congressional district, estimated a 22 percent average tax hike, had these provisions been allowed to expire.

You saw the extension of the Trump Tax Cuts. Had we not extended those, every US citizen probably would have seen at least a $2,000 to $3,000 tax increase annually. In addition to that, we cut taxes on overtime, we cut taxes on tips and we gave seniors other tax benefits as well, said US Rep. Eric Burlison, (R)-MO 7th District.

Burlison calls these moves a reduction in taxation on productivity by the federal government.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Local volunteers made an exciting wildlife sighting at a nature reserve in west Belfast, Northern Ireland.

As The Independent reported, a rare black-tailed skimmer dragonfly was spotted at the Bog Meadows Nature Reserve.

With only a handful of recorded sightings in Northern Ireland, the presence of this elusive species highlights the importance of ongoing habitat restoration efforts.

Photo Credit: iStock

The volunteers, David Littlejohn and Ellen Sheridan, had paused for a short break from litter-picking when they noticed increased dragonfly activity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Taking a closer look, they were able to photograph and identify not only the black-tailed skimmer but also a female emperor dragonfly and a common darter, all hovering near the newly restored pond.

The 47-acre reserve, managed by the Ulster Wildlife nonprofit, has recently added a new pond to better support local ecosystems and attract biodiversity.

And with the first recorded appearance of the black-tailed skimmer dragonfly in Belfast, and only the second in all of County Antrim, the results are already showing.

"It's fantastic to see the nature reserve supporting such a variety of species," Littlejohn said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The return of rare species is more than a win for nature; it's a sign that smart environmental stewardship is working. Modern tools like trail cameras help scientists and local volunteers track progress, showing how restored habitats support both biodiversity and human life.

These insights can inform land-use planning, improve air and water quality, and even reduce the risk of disease by keeping ecosystems in balance.

As we face growing challenges to our food systems and public health, protecting nature becomes a powerful strategy to aid the planet and its people, ensuring cleaner environments, stronger communities, and a more resilient future for generations to come.

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.
The Gifford Fire continues to burn in rugged wilderness areas of the Los Padres National Forest in San Luis Obispo County.

The total size of the fire increased to more than 110,000 acres while containment remained steady.

Nearly 100 animals evacuated from fire

Update, 2:40 p.m.

San Luis Obispo County Animal Services is currently sheltering close to 100 animals that were evacuated from the Gifford Fire, including dogs, cats, llamas, goats, and ducks.

Woods Humane Society, the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo & Parade 2025, the Horse Emergency Evacuation Team of San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County Animal Services have all been assisting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For questions or concerns related to animals and the Gifford Fire, call the Animal Services Gifford Fire Hotline at 805-781-2800.

A San Luis Obispo police unit provides traffic control duty for the Gifford Fire on West Pozo Road on Aug. 9, 2025. San Luis Obispo Police Department

Gifford Fire has now burned more than 111,000 acres

Update, 12:50 p.m.:

The Gifford Fire grew Saturday afternoon following an incident status update from Cal Fire.

The fire has burned 111,557 acres and remains 21% contained, according to Cal Fire.

Fire behavior analyst Kevin Montoya provided an update on the Gifford Fire Saturday morning on the Los Padres National Forest Facebook page.

Montoya said in the video update that many of the large smoke columns from the fire are a result of recently impacted areas that have not experienced fires in decades.

Old, grown vegetation at the bottom of many of these steep sloping hills within contact of the fire create enough heat and energy to nearly double the height of the smoke, Montoya said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Also, the evacuation shelter at Arroyo Grande High School for evacuees from the Gifford Fire will move to New Life Community Church in Pismo Beach starting Sunday.

According to the SLO County Office of Emergency Services, the new shelter will be in place at 4 p.m. on Sunday at 990 James Way, Pismo Beach.

Notice: Beginning Sunday, August 10 at 4:00 pm, the American Red Cross evacuation shelter at Arroyo Grande High School will be moving to New Life Community Church in Pismo Beach. Address is 990 James Way, Pismo Beach, CA. More info: https://t.co/fk0AoMq3yj pic.twitter.com/QZ5vnI8QmI  SLO County OES (@slocountyoes) August 9, 2025

Original Story:

Firefighters continue to increase containment over the more than 100,000 acres burned by the Gifford Fire as of Saturday morning in San Luis Obispo County, even as the fire moved

At 104,402 acres, the fire was now 21% contained, according to an update to Inciweb.

Cal Fires status report of the fire on Saturday said two structures have been destroyed while 2,912 structure were threatened. Three civilians have been injured as well as five firefighters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Gifford Fire advanced into the rugged Garcia Wilderness and is now threatening the Machesna Mountain Wilderness, fueled by two large fire columns observed yesterday afternoon, Los Padres National Forest said in an update posted on its X account.

Current Southern California wildfires

This map shows wildfires that have been updated within the past 7 days from the Integrated Reporting of Wildland-Fire Information (IRWIN) and the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). The larger the circle, the larger the wildfire by acres. Data is from the US Department of the Interior, Office of Wildland Fire, IRWIN, NIFC, NASA, NOAA and ESRI.

Open

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The incident update said hot and dry weather condition will continue to persist into early next week, producing very elevated fire weather conditions.

On Friday night, a Gifford Fire Community Meeting was held in Arroyo Grande and livestreamed on Youtube to address questions and provide information on the fire. Officials at the meeting emphasized that the fire will continue to grow over the next few days.

As of Saturday day morning, evacuation orders have been issued for the following areas in San Luis Obispo County: LPF-009, LPF-010, LPF-011, LPF-012, LPF-013, LPF-014, LPF-015, LPF-016, LPF-017, LPF-018, LPF-019, SLC-222, SLC-223, SLC-225, SLC-239, SLC-240, SLC-259, SLC-260, SLC-261, SLC-262, SLC-263, SLC-264, SLC-296, SLC-297, SLC-298, SLC-311, SLC-334, SLC-335, SLC-336 and SLC-337.

Evacuation warnings were additionally in place on Saturday for the following areas in SLO County: LPF-002, LPF-003, LPF-007, LPF-008, SLC-193, SLC-194, SLC-195, SLC-196, SLC-197, SLC-221, SLC-224, SLC-226, SLC-238, SLC-258, SLC-293, SLC-294, SLC-295, SLC-310, SLC-312 and SLC-333.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

An evacuation shelter is also in place at Arroyo Grande High School, while two temporary evacuation points are located at Benjamin Foxen Elementary School in Santa Maria and the Cuyama Valley Family Resource Center.
The Gifford Fire continues to burn in rugged wilderness areas of the Los Padres National Forest in San Luis Obispo County.

The total size of the fire increased to more than 110,000 acres while containment remained steady.

Nearly 100 animals evacuated from fire

Update, 2:40 p.m.

San Luis Obispo County Animal Services is currently sheltering close to 100 animals that were evacuated from the Gifford Fire, including dogs, cats, llamas, goats, and ducks.

Woods Humane Society, the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo & Parade 2025, the Horse Emergency Evacuation Team of San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County Animal Services have all been assisting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For questions or concerns related to animals and the Gifford Fire, call the Animal Services Gifford Fire Hotline at 805-781-2800.

A San Luis Obispo police unit provides traffic control duty for the Gifford Fire on West Pozo Road on Aug. 9, 2025.

Gifford Fire has now burned more than 111,000 acres

Update, 12:50 p.m.:

The Gifford Fire grew Saturday afternoon following an incident status update from Cal Fire.

The fire has burned 111,557 acres and remains 21% contained, according to Cal Fire.

Fire behavior analyst Kevin Montoya provided an update on the Gifford Fire Saturday morning on the Los Padres National Forest Facebook page.

Montoya said in the video update that many of the large smoke columns from the fire are a result of recently impacted areas that have not experienced fires in decades.

Old, grown vegetation at the bottom of many of these steep sloping hills within contact of the fire create enough heat and energy to nearly double the height of the smoke, Montoya said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Also, the evacuation shelter at Arroyo Grande High School for evacuees from the Gifford Fire will move to New Life Community Church in Pismo Beach starting Sunday.

According to the SLO County Office of Emergency Services, the new shelter will be in place at 4 p.m. on Sunday at 990 James Way, Pismo Beach.

Notice: Beginning Sunday, August 10 at 4:00 pm, the American Red Cross evacuation shelter at Arroyo Grande High School will be moving to New Life Community Church in Pismo Beach. Address is 990 James Way, Pismo Beach, CA. More info: https://t.co/fk0AoMq3yj pic.twitter.com/QZ5vnI8QmI  SLO County OES (@slocountyoes) August 9, 2025

Original Story:

Firefighters continue to increase containment over the more than 100,000 acres burned by the Gifford Fire as of Saturday morning in San Luis Obispo County, even as the fire moved

At 104,402 acres, the fire was now 21% contained, according to an update to Inciweb.

Cal Fires status report of the fire on Saturday said two structures have been destroyed while 2,912 structure were threatened. Three civilians have been injured as well as five firefighters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Gifford Fire advanced into the rugged Garcia Wilderness and is now threatening the Machesna Mountain Wilderness, fueled by two large fire columns observed yesterday afternoon, Los Padres National Forest said in an update posted on its X account.

Current Southern California wildfires

This map shows wildfires that have been updated within the past 7 days from the Integrated Reporting of Wildland-Fire Information (IRWIN) and the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). The larger the circle, the larger the wildfire by acres. Data is from the US Department of the Interior, Office of Wildland Fire, IRWIN, NIFC, NASA, NOAA and ESRI.

Open

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The incident update said hot and dry weather condition will continue to persist into early next week, producing very elevated fire weather conditions.

On Friday night, a Gifford Fire Community Meeting was held in Arroyo Grande and livestreamed on Youtube to address questions and provide information on the fire. Officials at the meeting emphasized that the fire will continue to grow over the next few days.

As of Saturday day morning, evacuation orders have been issued for the following areas in San Luis Obispo County: LPF-009, LPF-010, LPF-011, LPF-012, LPF-013, LPF-014, LPF-015, LPF-016, LPF-017, LPF-018, LPF-019, SLC-222, SLC-223, SLC-225, SLC-239, SLC-240, SLC-259, SLC-260, SLC-261, SLC-262, SLC-263, SLC-264, SLC-296, SLC-297, SLC-298, SLC-311, SLC-334, SLC-335, SLC-336 and SLC-337.

Evacuation warnings were additionally in place on Saturday for the following areas in SLO County: LPF-002, LPF-003, LPF-007, LPF-008, SLC-193, SLC-194, SLC-195, SLC-196, SLC-197, SLC-221, SLC-224, SLC-226, SLC-238, SLC-258, SLC-293, SLC-294, SLC-295, SLC-310, SLC-312 and SLC-333.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

An evacuation shelter is also in place at Arroyo Grande High School, while two temporary evacuation points are located at Benjamin Foxen Elementary School in Santa Maria and the Cuyama Valley Family Resource Center.




NEED TO KNOW

An Oregon family filed a wrongful death lawsuit on Aug. 6 against the City of Coos Bay and several police officers

The parents of 33-year-old Nathan Bradford Smith are accusing them of negligence, abuse of a vulnerable person and "deliberate indifference" for allegedly leaving him in a car in July 2024 as he was suffering from a meth overdose

One police officer, Benjamin Martin, is accused of responding to an intimate text about "snuggles" and liking several TikTok videos inside the police station as Smith was left in the car





An Oregon family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Coos Bay and three Coos Bay Police Department officers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the federal lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, Aug. 6, the officers allegedly ignored signs that 33-year-old Nathan Bradford Smith was suffering from a methamphetamine overdose in the back of a parked patrol car while an officer inside the station responded to personal text messages and watched TikTok videos.

The complaint  obtained by The Oregonian, KOIN and KGW  claims that officers Benjamin Martin, Tristan Smith and Wesley O'Connor ignored signs that Nathan was suffering from the drug overdose when he was arrested on July 7, 2024, and failed to get him immediate medical care.

The family accuses the officers of negligence, abuse of a vulnerable person and "deliberate indifference." They are seeking unspecified damages.

An attorney for the City of Coos Bay did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday, Aug. 9.

Google Maps The Model 6 where Nathan Bradford Smith was arrested in July 2024 The Model 6 where Nathan Bradford Smith was arrested in July 2024

Nathan  who reportedly had schizophrenia and bipolar disorder  was pronounced dead at a Coos Bay hospital after Martin found him unconscious in the car, according to the suit. His cause of death was listed as "hyperthermia due to methamphetamine intoxication," and Nathan's "multiple layers of heavy clothing" may have contributed to his overheating, per the suit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to state police investigation records obtained by the local outlets, Coos Bay police had three encounters with Nathan on the day of his arrest for alleged disorderly conduct.

Officers took a meth pipe from Nathan during an unrelated investigation at around 11 a.m., per the state police investigation. At 3 p.m., police were called to another business after bystanders reported that a man was screaming and scaring customers outside. The officers warned him at the time that they would arrest him if someone made another report about his behavior. At around 5 p.m., three officers were called to a Motel 6, where someone reported a man lying on the sidewalk.

Nathan was on his back in the shoulder of the road, and he was dressed in a heavy coat and rain pants. Officers told him he was under arrest, handcuffing him on the ground after he did not stand up. His breathing was "loud and somewhat labored," according to a state police officer who reviewed body camera and dash camera footage of the incident.

Nathan struggled to get into the car, and the suit stated that his eyes were closed as he gasped for air. Martin then began driving, before pulling over to spray air freshener into the back of his car.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At 5:10 p.m., Martin began driving again and arrived at the Coos Bay Police Department three minutes later. State police reported that he left the windows closed and went inside. It was 65 degrees on the day of the incident, per The Oregonian.

Getty A person texting (stock image) A person texting (stock image)

While inside the station, Martin then responded to a text message obtained by investigators that stated: Im so ready for snuggles I feel like i havent seen you in a week. He also liked a number of TikTok videos during this time.

After Nathan was left alone in the car, Martin returned from the station and found Nathan unconscious. Footage taken from inside the police car showed Nathan breathing in an "odd pattern," and his head eventually tilted back.

Martin then administered a dose of Narcan, which is used to combat drug overdoses, and the police officer then called an ambulance, according to state police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When they arrived at 5:24 p.m., paramedics found that Nathan had a temperature of 107 degrees and rushed him to Bay Area Hospital. He later went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at 6:25 p.m.

Had officers taken Mr. Smith directly to Bay Area Hospital from Motel 6 or called an ambulance to the scene, emergency department staff would have had over 40 minutes to stabilize Mr. Smith prior to the time he suffered cardiac arrest, the suit says of Nathan.

No criminal charges resulted from the investigation into the incident, state police said.

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.

When these officers found him, he was clearly showing the signs of medical distress and what we know when he finally did get to see a doctor is that his temperature was 107. He was hyperthermic, and he was going to die. And unfortunately, he did, the suit's lead attorney Juan Chavez, with the Oregon Justice Resource Center, told KGW. There was a 40-minute delay in getting him critical medical assistance.



"I believe at least one of these officers had encountered him earlier in the day and understood that he was using substances at that time and that he was likely facing mental and physical health issues at that time," Chavez added. "He had the opportunity at that moment to be taken to a hospital that was a mile away, and instead, he was put into the back of a police car.



Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nathan's father, Kurt Smith, told the The Oregonian that his son had been living at the motel, and Kurt had visited with his son just one week before his death. Police later came to the fathers work and informed him of Nathans death, but did not share any details. He found out his son's cause of death from the funeral home.

He didnt deserve to just be left to die, the father added.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.



Read the original article on People
DENVER (KDVR)  179 individuals in custody at Rifle Correctional Center are being evacuated due to the Lee Fire in Rio Blanco County.

The Colorado Department of Corrections said on Saturday in a press release that the agency is transferring individuals within the correctional center in Garfield County to other secure facilities outside of the fire-affected area.

Colorado wildfires: Rio Blanco County, Grand County updates

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This comes after evacuation notices were implemented for Zone 70 on Saturday in Garfield County, said the Garfield County Sheriffs Office in a Facebook post.

Two wildfires, the Lee and Elk Fires, have burned more than 100,000 acres in Rio Blanco County as of Saturday.

The Lee Fire, as of 5:00 p.m., has burned 88,755 acres and the Elk Fire has burned 14,502 acres.

Around 5:10 p.m., it was reported on InciWeb that the Elk Fire was 8% contained.

The Rio Blanco County Sheriffs Office said in a post on Facebook that as of 10:30 a.m., the Lee Fire was 0% contained.

Rifle Correctional Center staff have implemented the facilitys emergency evacuation plan, ensuring the safe transfer of residents with enhanced security and strong coordination among partner agencies, said CDOC.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Colorado Wildfire Map

The coordination is said by CDOC to be with state and local emergency management officials.

CDOC also said that there are no reports of injuries to staff or individuals within the correctional center and that it is monitoring conditions of the Lee fire.

The agency also noted that they will take any required steps to protect staff, incarcerated individuals and the surrounding community.

There is no word on where those evacuated from Rifle Correctional Center will be relocated, but CDOC said it will provide updates when it is appropriate to do so.

This is a developing news story. FOX31 will update when more information 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 FOX31 Denver.
Hounslow Council has apologised after a councillor attended and voted at a meeting when he was not meant to do so.

Ranjit Gill, Labour councillor for Chiswick, attended a meeting of the council's licensing panel on 15 July, where he voted on a licensing application.

However, he had not yet been officially appointed to the panel in what the council called a "misunderstanding", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This means the decision is null and void and the meeting must be held again in the coming weeks, which the council said could cost up to 500.

Gill had not initially been appointed to the panel when most selections were made in May.

He was later nominated after the council said further changes to the committee were needed.

Gill then undertook licensing training, but was not yet an official member of the committee.

However, council officers believed he had already been appointed, so he was mistakenly included in the 15 July meeting.

The council apologised and said the meeting would need to be held again in the coming weeks [Google Maps]

The issue was raised at a full council meeting on 22 July, when Conservative councillor Jack Emsley called Gill's attendance at the licensing panel a "breach of the constitution".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Benita Edwards, the council's director of law and governance, confirmed there had been a breach and apologised for the error.

She added: "I have concluded that the meeting of the licensing panel wasn't properly convened; it is as if the meeting never took place, and any decisions are effectively null and void."

After the meeting, Emsley said: "Residents in Chiswick will rightly feel frustrated not only that Gill's actions jeopardised the decision taken by the panel and caused an unnecessary delay, but that taxpayer money will now be wasted in having to reconvene the meeting."

A council spokesperson said that they cannot confirm an exact cost of holding another meeting, but that it is expected to be between 250 to 500.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is to cover the additional costs for legal support.

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
The special campaign launched on Raksha Bandhan by IRS officer Narendra Kumar Yadav, who is also the Ambassador for Fit India Movement, in collaboration with Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, concluded with fervent participation and support from across the country, as per an official statement. The event, held at Patanjali, Haridwar, witnessed a powerful live fitness session where Narendra Yadav and Baba Ramdev worked out together, inspiring thousands who joined both on-ground and through live television broadcasts. The energy of the session captivated audiences and conveyed a strong message - fitness is not optional; it should be an integral part of daily life to prevent lifestyle diseases and ensure long-term health. During the event, a large number of participants from different parts of the country joined the live session as Narendra Yadav and Ramdev showcased simple yet powerful exercises that can be done by anyone.The campaign promoted the idea that steroids are not the answer to fitness; natural health, yoga, and proper nutrition are the real keys to a strong body and mind. Visual storytelling during the event portrayed the emotional theme of "A Sister's Pledge to Save Her Brother's Life."During the session, Yadav reiterated his message to the youth and said, "You need to decide what is right for your life. Steroids destroy not just your body but your mind. Many youngsters face depression, mental health problems, and even suicidal tendencies due to steroid abuse. Choose a healthy, natural path."Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev supported this cause, saying, "Fitness should not be temporary. It must be a part of your lifestyle. Yoga, Ayurveda, and proper nutrition can prevent lifestyle diseases and give you a stronger, happier life."The event concluded with participants taking a pledge to stay away from steroids, adopt fitness as a way of life, and spread awareness in their communities. The visuals of sisters tying rakhis and brothers pledging to live a healthy life captured the true spirit of this movement. (ANI)
A council has begun the process of withdrawing its investments from companies which supply arms to Israel.

Cumberland Council's leader Mark Fryer, Labour, said the decision had been made following the "disproportionate aggression" by the current Israeli government against the people of Gaza.

He has written to the council's chief executive, Andrew Seekings, to request the changes to the local authority's investments and for similar changes to be made to its pension scheme.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But local Conservative leader Mike Johnson accused Fryer of "trying to be foreign secretary" and said he should focus on council issues such as "the harsh financial pressures it is currently facing".

"Companies that the council would be boycotting would include, for example, BAE, JCB, Google and Airbnb," Johnson said.

"And every single penny of lost investment income from these companies into the pension fund will have to be made up by council taxpayers."

Cumberland Council leader Mark Fryer has asked for changes to also be made to the local authority's pension scheme [Cumberland Council]

Fryer's request to divest from the Israel-linked companies follows on from a letter he sent to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last month, in which he called for the government to take "any action necessary to secure an immediate lifting of aid restrictions" in Gaza and for a ceasefire to be encouraged.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The local Liberal Democrat and Green Party members supported the council's divestment plans, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Roger Dobson, Lib Dems, said his party fully supported "applying all legitimate pressure on the Netanyahu government to enable the delivery of vital humanitarian aid and to agree to an immediate ceasefire".

The Prime Minister has said the UK will recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to meet certain conditions, which include addressing the humanitarian crisis, implementing a ceasefire and reviving the prospect of a two-state solution.

But Starmer insisted the move did not mean he supported Hamas and said the "terrorist organisation" could play "no part in any future government".

Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.

More on this story

Related internet links
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Two nonprofits, The Companion Project and The Store, joined forces at Eye Vets in Bellevue Saturday to offer free veterinary care to 230 pets.

The Store is a free grocery store in Middle Tennessee founded by country music star Brad Paisley and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley.

The couple told News 2 that partnering with The Companion Project and helping animals is a cause that hits close to home.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Terminix ranks Tennessee, Kentucky among top 15 states for tick activity

We have three dogs and they are such valuable members of our family, Williams-Paisley  who is currently shooting the new TV series 9-1-1: Nashville, which is premiering on WKRN in the fall  said. We would do anything for our dogs, and so to be able to partner with The Companion Project and allow our customers to have that same opportunity is really special.

The pair explained how their own oldest dog needed medical attention recently.

We had a phone call about one of the dogs that was a low point where he was needing lifesaving surgery, they gave us 50/50 odds that he would even survive it, and it was very expensive, and I cant imagine not having the means and having to have made the choice financially whether or not to try and save his life, Paisley recalled.

| READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County

The Companion Project said it offered all kinds of services to animals on Saturday, Aug. 9, including flea and tick prevention, microchips, and vaccinations, as well as pet supplies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Theyre getting the same level of care that they would be if they were in my office paying me to see them, and theyre even getting follow-up with specialists locally if they need it, so its just really special to just do that and not have to worry about the money, Dr. Molly Brinkmann, a veterinarian with The Companion Project told News 2.

The Companion Project said its mission is to break down financial barriers to veterinary care and strengthen the human-animal 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 WKRN News 2.
NEW YORK  The last time Ukrainian immigrant Kate Kirilenko saw her husband he was on a bench on the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza with chains around his waist, wrists and ankles.

That was June 27, three days after the couple went to the lower Manhattan immigration courthouse for what they expected would be a routine hearing for their joint asylum case. Theyd fled Russia in 2023 fearing her husbands anti-Putin politics and her Ukranian nationality would lead to persecution.

Inside the courtroom, an immigration judge denied a Department of Homeland Security lawyers motion to dismiss their case and told them to return to court in March 2026 for another hearing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They thought they were safe from the Trump administrations aggressive crackdown on immigration. But federal agents lurking outside the 12th floor courtroom arrested her and her husband, Alex Uzkii, anyway.

As soon as we exited the courtroom we were grabbed, Kirilenko, 39, said in Russian, through a translator. They directed us into the elevator and pushed us up against the wall. My husband had our documents in his hand and they tried to take them away forcefully. He sort of tried to not let them. So they pushed him into the wall, hit him in the back and handcuffed him right there.

Kirilenko said she was cuffed as they stepped out of the elevator onto what she believes was the 10th floor. The pair repeatedly asked why they were being detained. The agents, several covering their faces with masks, gave no answer.

Horror. No thoughts. It was just fear, she recalled.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now, the life Kirlenko and her husband began building in New York is in pieces. She doesnt know when or if he will come home. And though she was released from detention for medical reasons, she fears what will happen when she returns to the courthouse next month.

I dont know what theyll do tomorrow. I dont know whats gonna happen with me. In September I can be detained. I dont know what will happen with my husband, she said. Im not sleeping almost at all. I wake up every hour. I have a lot of dreams, a lot of thoughts in my head.

Michael Musa-Obregon, an attorney on the team representing the couple said they are working to free Uzkii, so he can return to New York and fight his case from outside a prison. There is also a possibility Kirilenko could be detained the next time she returns to court, he said.

People are coming in to duly make their appointments, as is their responsibility and obligation, Musa-Obregon said. The idea of fighting meritorious cases such as [Kirilenkos] and they are now being arrested in that process, you know, theres something wrong with that. You cant be punished for going to your court date. And thats essentially whats happening.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to questions about the case.

Surprise arrest

Despite reading about ICE detaining immigrants at city courthouses, Kirilenko said they didnt expect to be arrested since they had followed the rules. They crossed the southern border using the Biden administrations CBP One app and filing for asylum within the one year deadline after arriving.

We just didnt think that this would affect us because we were never late, we never missed anything, everything was proper and legal in our case, she said. We just did not realize that people were being detained for nothing.

Kirilenko spent nearly six days in detention before ICE released her for a major abdominal surgery she had already had scheduled. Uzkii, 46, remains in detention, far from home in Livingston, Texas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its not fair that we were detained. We didnt do anything wrong. We came here to look for protection from our country, she said. We did not do anything wrong. I want my husband to get out. He does not deserve to be arrested, to be kept in detention. We are not criminals.

Kirilenko described her holding cell inside 26 Federal Plaza as a cold, cement room where women slept on benches or the floor, with just reflective blankets to keep them warm. The bathroom was attached to the room, with just a waist high wall blocking others view of the toilet, she said.

ICE fed the roughly 16 women being held in her room three times the first day, but other days only twice, she said. The menu included three or four varieties of hot soup, bagels with cheese, protein bars and cookies.

There were instances where we would have to ask for water multiple times. Im not sure why you had to ask multiple times, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kirilenko said agents refused to let her take medication shed had was prescribed to keep the cyst she would later have surgically removed from her ovaries from growing larger.

Meanwhile, Uzkii was inexplicably transported from 26 Federal Plaza to an upstate New York facility and back two times. Kirilenko watched through a glass panel in the door as agents shackled him in a reception area each time for the transport.

I only saw him through the window. We tried to communicate with our fingers or read lips. It didnt really work, she said.

[Alex] tried to encourage me. I cried and he looked very upset. We tried to speak but it was difficult because its very noisy inside the room, and he couldnt hear me, Kirilenko said of the last time they saw each other on June 27.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He was later flown across the country to a Louisiana detention facility before being moved to the IAH Polk Adult Detention Center in Texas.

On June 29, ICE officials made Kirilenko download a tracking app to her cellphone and they released her ahead of her major surgery the next day.

Kirilenkos surgery went well and she was recovering at a friends place in Queens. But her rest was almost immediately disrupted when she was woken up from sleep at 7:22 a.m. the next morning by a message from ICE, asking her to report to court in person by 10 a.m. the same day.

Kirilenko had five incisions in her abdomen and was hardly able to get up from bed. After submitting a note from her surgeon saying recovery would take four to six weeks, ICE told her she could check in by submitting a photo of herself to the tracking app every week until further notice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Being tracked has left Kirilenko wary of leaving her friends place, and she wont even walk around the block for fresh air, her friend said.

Every morning Kirilenko looks forward to her 10-minute phone call with Uzkii.

He mostly tries to cheer me up. He doesnt complain much. He just tries to keep up my spirits, she said. He says that nothing much goes on where he is. He said even people who signed the paperwork to self-deport, theyre at this facility waiting for two months to be deported.

A lonely July 4

Still thousands of miles apart from one another, Independence Day came and went, and Kirilenko thought of last year, when they went to the Macys 4th of July fireworks show on the Hudson River.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It was a huge crowd. It was cool. In my city the fireworks are not so long and so varied. Different shapes. [Alex] also liked it, she said. We were thinking to go this year too.

Uzkii, who was born in Russia, opposed the war against Ukraine and supported Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Kirilenko, who was born in Ukraine and moved to Ryazan, Russia, in 2010 to be with Uzkii, feared the worst living on the enemys turf.

The situation became more difficult. The laws became stricter. People were persecuted for supporting Navalny and obviously if they knew you were Ukrainian, she said. It was becoming clear that things were about to get worse and worse. At that point it was literally a threat to our lives to continue to stay there. So we had to leave.

Though it was never their dream to move to New York, Kirilenko said her husband was instantly charmed by the city.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When we first arrived in New York my husband said, Can you imagine we are in New York? We saw the Empire State Building, not just in pictures. In real life. He was very excited about it, she said.

Kirilenko said they had no life in Russia anymore, and had began building a new life in the city, living in Midwood, Brooklyn, learning English and exploring the city.

Im not here just to make money, like some people. I want to live here, to integrate and be a part of it, she said, adding that she is considering going to college to become a pharmacist or an accountant.

Uzkii, who holds a degree in radio technology, told Kirilenko his experience being detained has left him hoping to volunteer for an organization that helps other immigrants and to possibly become a lawyer in the future.

We were interested in doing a drive through the country to see it. Its so big. See the desert, go somewhere where theres ocean and its warmer. See the mountains, the animals, the plants. Everything is different. Half of it doesnt exist back in Russia, she said. We were very excited to do that, and now we sort of feel like theres no hope.

For now, they live every day in uncertainty, with no clarity on where their asylum case stands.

Kirilenko shared a message from Uzkii in Texas:

Its not fair that they grab people like that, yank them out of their lives, leaving a bunch of obligations on the outside. I want to be released, go back to New York, where I am a resident, and use my right to defend a case in immigration court without extra pressure.
BOSTON  A federal appeals court has ruled that individual administrators at the Adult Correctional Institutions should have known that a man placed in solitary confinement for more than a year after overdosing on opiates was a serious risk of deterioration after he complained repeatedly about being deprived of human interaction and sleep.

Jerry Cintron, 47, sued the Department of Corrections and various prison officials in 2019 after he received 450 days of disciplinary confinement for alleged infractions that he said were brought in retaliation for him refusing to tell investigators how he accessed the opiates.

The Rhode Island Center for Justice took the case, challenging Cintrons confinement for 23 hours a day with lights glaring nonstop overhead and a 10-minute call per month as cruel and inhumane. They argued the officials were deliberately indifferent to his suffering by continuing his punitive solitary confinement, even as he lost 70 pounds, exhibited self-injurious behavior and experienced intrusive thoughts and severe anxiety.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in 2022 declined to dismiss the case, ruling in Cintrons favor that the officials were not entirely shielded from liability by qualified immunity. The state appealed to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Center for Justice executive director Jennifer Wood praised the ruling as pivotal for people pressing complaints about the conditions of administrative confinement.

"This is a huge victory for Mr. Cintron. ... He's delighted that this will not only protect him and permit his claims to go forward but also protect everyone who's incarcerated," Wood said. "Prison officials will be on notice that they can no longer argue that they weren't aware of the risks to people's well-being of isolation. We view it as a game changer."

Case remains alive against prison administrators

A three-judge appeals panel upheld and reversed McConnells decision in part. The appeals court allowed to survive claims against Matthew Kettle, assistant director of institutions and operations; Jeffrey Aceto, former warden at high security; and Lynne Corry, then-warden at high security, in their individual roles with dismissing the complaints against other staff.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We read Cintron's complaint to sufficiently allege only that Aceto, Corry and Kettle knew of his deterioration in solitary and possessed the authority to end the conditions causing that deterioration, the court said.

Cintron contended that each refused to suspend the remainder of his time conditions that were causing his deterioration and that the Department of Corrections provided only modest medical treatment  namely antidepressant drugs and sessions with a social worker.

The appeals panel returned the case to U.S. District Court.

Court: Legislative findings put corrections officials on notice

The appeals panel referenced the findings of a legislative commission examining administrative confinement, which the court identified as solitary confinement in its ruling.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Viewing the overall landscape as of 2019  in particular, the legislative report addressing the deleterious effects of solitary at the very facility at which Cintron was imprisoned  we conclude that any reasonable officer would have known in 2019 that prolonged social and sensory deprivation 'pos[e] a substantial risk of serious harm to inmates, the court stated.

Deference to prison administrators, with limits

In ruling, the appeals court recognized that deference is owed to prison administrators in making disciplinary decisions. The state asserted that returning Cintron to the general population before he completed his segregation after they alleged he trafficked fentanyl into the prison would have posed a danger to Cintron and other inmates.

While we acknowledge 'the deference owed to prison administrators' when they make disciplinary decisions  Cintron's long-term solitary confinement self evidently caused rather than prevented an 'obvious and immediate danger to Cintron himself. And while officials can justify removing a prisoner from the general population to improve the safety of other inmates, they cannot  in the face of that prisoner's deterioration  perpetuate the kind of social, sensory, and sleep deprivation that Cintron alleges, the court said.

Corrections: 'No such thing as solitary confinement anymore'

The state affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union and the Rhode Island Center for Justice in 2023 announced significant changes to the corrections' use of "solitary confinement," resulting from negotiations in a class-action suit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The policies, which took effect July 31, 2023, limit disciplinary confinement to a maximum of 30 days for the most serious offenses and 15 days for other serious offenses, as well as requiring that all prisoners will be medically and psychiatrically evaluated before being isolated.

Corrections officials are barred from stacking disciplinary offenses  as was the case for Cintron  to prevent individuals from being in confinement for more than 30 consecutive days. People in disciplinary confinement receive a minimum of two hours of out-of-cell time every day during the first 15 days and a minimum of three hours out of cell every day during the next 15 days. In addition, they will be provided a tablet and reading material and allowed increased visitation.

"There is no such thing as solitary confinement anymore, where inmates are isolated or deprived of human contact, spokesman J.R. Ventura has said. Even in the most extreme of cases, where an inmate is a severe management problem, they are not placed in a solitary environment.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Solitary confinement ruling: appeals court panel hands RI inmate a win
Six months into Donald Trumps second term, his administration is at war with the federal judiciary, evading court orders blocking its agenda, suing judges for alleged misconduct, and veering toward what multiple current and former federal judges say could be a constitutional crisis.

The administration this summer sued the entire federal district court in Maryland after its chief judge temporarily blocked immigration removals. It also filed a judicial misconduct complaint recently against the chief judge of the powerful DC District Court, James Jeb Boasberg, over comments he reportedly made in private to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts in March.

The standoff is unlikely to end anytime soon. On Friday, an appeals court ruled that Boasberg cannot move ahead in his effort to hold Trump administration officials in contempt for misleading him in a fast-moving case in which migrant detainees were handed over to a Salvadoran prison.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As Trump-appointed judges across the country continue to deliver the administration wins, the federal judiciarys ability to be a check on the executive branch has slowly been diminished.

They are trying to intimidate, threaten and just run over the courts in ways that we have never seen, said one retired federal judge, who, like about a half-dozen other former and current judges, spoke to CNN anonymously given the climate of harassment the Trump administration has created and the tradition of jurists not to comment publicly on politics and ongoing disputes.

How judges counter

The courts have tools to fight back  a lawyer in a courtroom who refuses a direct order or lies could be held in contempt on the spot. Judges also have the power to demand witness testimony and documents. They may also commission independent investigations and can make a criminal referral or levy civil penalties, like fines.

But so far, many judges have hesitated to move too quickly to levy sanctions or other punishments aimed at the Trump administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The truth is we are at the mercy of the executive branch, said one former federal appellate judge, adding that courts have fewer enforcement mechanisms than the White House, such as law enforcement and prosecutorial power. Sanctions situations also typically escalate slowly, and appeal opportunities for the Justice Department are ample and can take years.

At the end of the day, courts are helpless, the former judge added.

James Boasberg, chief judge of the US District Court for DC, attends a panel discussion at an American Board Association meeting on April 2, 2025. - Drew Angerer/AFP/Getty Images/file

Some judges, like Boasberg in Washington, DC, and Judge Paula Xinis in Maryland, have already analyzed how they could respond to disobedience by moving toward sanctions or contempt proceedings for members of the Trump administration. In both judges courts, the administration has delayed following judicial orders when detainees were sent to a prison in El Salvador without the proper due process.

Courts also move slowly at times. In one Maryland case on Friday, lawyers for a Venezuelan man sent to El Salvador by the Trump administration told a judge they are still looking at whether theyll ask the court to hold the administration in contempt. The administration actions happened in March.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The more egregious the contemptible behavior, the more speedy the judge will probably move, and the heavier weapons theyll use, said another former federal judge, who sat on a trial-level district court bench. Courts in general will see they need to move with speed and sharpness on this, if theyre going to get to the bottom of what happened, the former judge added.

Trump gets help from his appointees

In some situations, Trump-appointed judges have slowed or stopped direct conflict between the administration and judges.

The Supreme Court, with its conservative majority, this year signed off in Trumps favor on most emergency disputes over the use of his powers to reshape the federal government, undercutting standoffs.

But Trumps appointees to the federal bench havent unilaterally refrained from questioning the executives approach.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For instance, in a case over the Trump administration stopping the payout of grant programs, a judge in Rhode Island on Friday chastised the Department of Housing and Urban Development for inaction as potentially a serious violation of the Courts order. Nonprofit groups that received grants for affordable housing for low-income senior citizens had reported the administration hadnt paid out $760 million in grants the court said it must months ago.

The judge, the Trump-appointee Mary McElroy in the Rhode Island US District Court, responded, At risk of understatement, that is serious, then invited the Trump administration to explain itself.

In Boasbergs immigration case on Friday, a divided DC Circuit Court of Appeals with two Trump appointees in the majority ended a contempt proceeding that began three and a half months ago. The hold that had been over the case and the decision Friday have hurt Boasbergs ability to gather evidence of suspected disobedience of Trump administration officials toward the court.

Judge Greg Katsas of the DC Circuit, a Trump appointee, wrote that stopping the criminal contempt proceeding could help defuse a long and messy standoff between the judiciary and the Trump administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Boasberg has already signaled some of his other options. This Court will follow up, he said at a hearing in late July, noting recent whistleblower revelations about Justice Department leaderships approach to the case.

In addition, whether or not I am ultimately permitted to go forward with the contempt proceedings, I will certainly be assessing whether government counsels conduct and veracity to the Court warrant a referral to state bars or our grievance committee which determines lawyers fitness to practice in our court, the judge added in July.

In late June, a whistleblower publicly accused then-top Trump Justice Department official Emil Bove of telling attorneys they may need to ignore court orders like Boasbergs and consider telling the courts f*** you, the whistleblower wrote to Congress.

Since then, Bove, a former defense attorney to Trump personally, was confirmed by the Republican-held Senate to become a judge himself. He now sits on the 3rd Circuit federal appeals court overseeing Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bove told the Senate he couldnt recall whether he made the comments about ignoring the courts.

Complaints

Boasberg has been one of the judges whos been most criticized publicly by Trump and others in the presidents top circle. Boasberg decided in mid-March the administration couldnt send detainees to El Salvador under a war-time act without due process and told the government to turn the airplanes around and bring the detainees back into US custody.

In July, the Justice Department formally complained about Boasberg to the appeals court above him, accusing him of judicial misconduct.

That complaint emerged after the conservative website the Federalist reported on comments Boasberg made at a private, annual meeting for leaders in the judicial branch  an incident separate from the immigration case hes handled.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Boasberg and about a dozen other federal judges from around the country had an informal breakfast meeting with Roberts in early March, CNN has confirmed.

A view of the E. Barrett Prettyman US Court House in Washington, DC. The building houses the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. - Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images/File

When Roberts asked the judges to share what was concerning their jurisdictions, Boasberg said the judges of the trial-level court in Washington, DC, over which he presides, had concerns the Trump administration might ignore court orders, and that would cause a constitutional crisis. Roberts responded without indicating his thoughts, a person familiar with the meeting told CNN. A Supreme Court spokesperson didnt respond to a request for comment.

Judge Boasberg attempted to improperly influence Chief Justice Roberts, said the Justice Departments complaint about the judge, sent to the chief of the appellate court above him. The administration maintains it never intentionally violated his orders in the immigration case, and that after Boasberg spoke to Roberts at the judicial conference, he began acting on his preconceived belief that the Trump Administration would not follow court orders, a reference to the immigration case proceeding.

Fears of a constitutional crisis

Steve Vladeck, Georgetown University law professor and CNN legal analyst, called the DOJs complaint against Boasberg preposterous in a recent analysis he wrote on Substack. Vladeck said that while the complaint is likely to be dismissed when a court reviews it  just as most misconduct complaints against judges are resolved  the Trump administrations approach may have been intended more to intimidate other federal judges and play to the presidents base.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

None of these developments, including the Boasberg complaint, are a constitutional crisis unto themselves, Vladeck told CNN. But they all reflect efforts to undermine the power and prestige of the federal courts for if and when that day comes.

The problem is that too many people are waiting for a crossing-the-Rubicon moment, when what weve seen to date is the Trump administration finding lots of other ways to try to sneak into Rome, Vladeck added.

However, several of the former and current judges who spoke to CNN thought the courts arent yet facing a full-blown constitutional crisis.

Were in the incipient stages of a constitutional crisis. Were in the early stages, one federal judge told CNN recently. Weve all been talking about it since the moment [Trumps] been elected  that the administration could defy federal court orders.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A full constitutional crisis, this judge said, would emerge if the administration disregarded Supreme Court orders. That hasnt happened yet, and attorneys from the Justice Department are still engaging in many proceedings by meeting their deadlines and arguing in earnest at court hearings.

J. Harvie Wilkinson III, a long-serving, conservative judge appointed by Ronald Reagan on the 4th Circuit US Court of Appeals, pointed to presidential history in a recent opinion telling the Trump administration to follow court orders to facilitate the return of a Maryland immigrant, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, after he was mistakenly sent to El Salvador. Wilkinson wrote about President Dwight Eisenhower being willing to carry out the desegregation of schools following the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education.

The branches come too close to grinding irrevocably against one another in a conflict that promises to diminish both, Wilkinson wrote. The Executive may succeed for a time in weakening the courts, but over time history will script the tragic gap between what was and all that might have been, and law in time with sign its epitaph.

Suing the bench

Some of the Trump administrations unusual attacks of the judiciary are still testing how far they could go.

The DOJ filed its complaint as the judges were gathering at the 4th Circuits conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, in late June. The judges from Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia were shocked when they heard of the lawsuit naming all Maryland federal district judges all as defendants, and the district court realized the need to swiftly hire a lawyer to defend them, people familiar with the response told CNN.

The Justice Department has said it sued as a way to rein in judicial overreach.

Defense attorney Paul Clement, on behalf of the Maryland judges, called the lawsuit truly extraordinary and fundamentally incompatible with the separation of powers.

Attorney Paul Clement answers questions outside the US Supreme Court on April 25, 2022. - Win McNamee/Getty Images

Eleven former federal judges from various circuits, including some appointed by Republican presidents, warned in their own amicus brief in the case that if the Trump administration is allowed to carry its approach through to its logical conclusion, it would run roughshod over any effort by the judiciary to preserve its jurisdiction that frustrates the Executives prerogatives.  That result would be devastating to the efficacy of the Nations courts.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF)  Covenant Presbyterian Church holding a special playground dedication for its members.

This new playground comes after the original was destroyed by Hurricane Helene almost a year ago as well as an anonymous $30,000 donation.

I spoke to Andy Cooke, one of the Co-Pastors at Covenant Presbyterian Church, who tells me they were devastated when they saw the destruction of the old playground.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is an important place for our entire community, and we feel like its something that we want to offer to the community which is why we always leave the playground open to the public so we wanted to rebuild that as quickly as we could, said Cooke.

Cooke says the rebuilding of this playground would not have been possible without the help of the community.

What has been really touching is just seeing how many people outside of the church and pre-school, how many people in the community this space means so much to and how many people are willing to give of themselves and to give money to bring this back to life. Its been a joy to me to see our partnership with the community, Cooke said.

Right after the ribbon cutting, dozens of kids ran to the slides, swings and other fun parts of the new playground.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

With the re-build, they were able to change and add some new features.

Were excited that it is now more accessible to all different kinds of children and parents than it used to be and has many features that will make it more inclusive to many people in our community, said Cooke.

The space is not only used by the church but also the preschool and is a resource to the community.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
CHARLESTOWN, R.I. (WPRI)  Crews in Charlestown pulled a car from a river following a crash early Sunday morning.

According to a post on social media, Charlestown Richmond Fire Department, along with Cross Mills Fire Department, Charlestown Ambulance Rescue Service and Charlestown Police Department, were called to a crash where a vehicle went into the water near Horseshoe Falls off of Shannock Rd.

When they arrived on scene, first responders were able to make contact with the victim.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They were able to quickly get the victim out and to safety.

A heavy crane was then called in to remove the car from the river.

The road was reopened by 6:20 a.m.

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.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  On Tuesday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation updated its national crime database and revealed the latest five-year trend for crime in Tennessee.

Every year, the FBI publishes data from law enforcement agencies across the U.S. as part of the national Incident-Based Reporting System. The latest data, which tracks crime through December 2024, found that for all violent crimes reported in the system  homicide, rape, aggravated assaults and robberies  saw declines over the past five years in the Volunteer State.

Follow this link to explore trends across the U.S.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The number of robberies saw the largest decrease, with about 38.5% fewer robberies reported in December 2024 than December 2019. Homicides saw the second-largest decrease at just over over 30% between December 2024 and December 2019. Reported rapes also declined by about 18%. Of all violent crime tracked by the FBI in Tennessee, aggravated assaults saw the smallest decrease at just around 1%.

Tennessees overall decreases in reported violent crime follow a nationwide trend, with the FBI finding that national crime decreased by 4.5% in 2024 compared to 2023 estimates.

RELATED | Violent crime in the US dropped 4.5% last year, FBI data shows

The FBI also included data about property crimes  arson, burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft. In every category except for one, Tennessee also saw declines. There was about a 42% decrease in the number of burglaries; larceny-theft decreased by about a quarter as well. Arsons decreased by about 7.5%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, when it came to motor vehicle thefts, Tennessee saw about a 3.9% increase.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The El Paso Police Department and Crime Stoppers of El Paso are asking for the communitys help in identifying three teens who robbed another teen at gunpoint back in July in East El Paso.

This is this weeks Crime of the Week, as publicized by Crime Stoppers.

According to Crime Stoppers, at roughly 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, the teen victim was riding an Onewheel skateboard in the Las Palmas gated community, along the 11600 block of Montana Ave.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The victim passed the three suspects at the Turner Road entrance and words were exchanged, Crime Stoppers said.

Then, the suspects chased the victim to the intersection of Red Palm Place and Jamaican Palm, where one of the suspects pulled out a handgun and demanded the victims skateboard and shoes, Crime Stoppers said.

According to Crime Stoppers, the suspects were captured on security video at the gated community before the robbery.

Photo of all suspect teens involved in robbery. Photo courtesy of Crime Stoppers.

From the security video provided by Crime Stoppers, it appears that the suspects are all teenage boys.

The suspect with the gun is described as a Hispanic, 17 to 18 years old, has a medium complexion and average height and weight, Crime Stoppers said.

The other two suspects are described as Hispanic, between 15 to 17 years old and appear to have Edgar-style haircuts, Crime Stoppers said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Anyone with any information on the identity of these violent teens should call Crime Stoppers of El Paso immediately at (915) 566-8477(TIPS) or online at www.cselpaso.org. You will remain anonymous, and if your tip leads to an arrest, you may qualify for a cash reward.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO)  Critics of a new law that will make Illinois the first state in the country to conduct annual mental health screenings of school children say the plan will do more harm than good.

The law, signed by Gov. JB Pritkzer and going into effect during the 2027-2028 school year, will require schools to conduct the yearly screenings, using digital or paper forms, to help officials identify signs of depression, anxiety, or trauma before they become mental health crises.

I want to be on-the-record and crystal clear. This is a disastrous policy that will do vastly more harm than good, said Abigail Shrier, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute, according to FOX News. Watch as tens of thousands of Illinois kids get shoved into the mental health funnel and convinced they are sick. Many or most of which will be false positives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If a school nurse or a state-mandated mental health test tells you youre sick, youre going to believe them, said Katherine Boyle, a partner at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. This is why so many families are opting out of primary school completely  the overreach is astounding.

SB1560, supported by the Illinois State Board of Education and childrens behavioral health advocates, aims to offer annual mental health screenings for students in grades three through twelve. Parents can opt their children out of the screenings.

Access to mental healthcare, especially for children, is too often overlooked or ignored, said Governor JB Pritzker.

Too often, we only recognize a students distress when it becomes a crisis. With universal screening, we shift from reaction to prevention. The earlier we identify a need, the better support we can provide to that student to help them thrive in school and in life, said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The law is supported by the Illinois State Board of Education and childrens behavioral health advocates

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday toured the Vande Bharat Express to be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. Preparations are also underway at the KSR Railway Station ahead of the PM's visit, as he will flag off three Vande Bharat Express trains at KSR Railway Station in Bengaluru. Speaking to ANI, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "It's a matter of great happiness that a long-pending demand for Vande Bharat between Belagavi and Bengaluru will be flagged off by PM Modi tomorrow. This will provide very good connectivity to North Karnataka and Bengaluru, which is the IT capital of the country. Two more trains will be flagged off. One which connects Katra Vaishno Devi to Amritsar. Again, this is very important train because there is lot of movement between pilgrims who come from one place to the other. Third is between Nagpur and Pune. These two are very large industrial and technological hubs, and there is a lot of demand for movement between Pune and Nagpur." Vaishnaw praised PM Modi for launching many Amrit Bharat Express trains. He said, "In recent times, PM Modi has launched many Amrit Bharat trains. Amrit Bharat Express trains are trains which are providing a very good affordable service to the people with low income and lower middle income families. Almost all the features of Vande Bharat trains are there in the Amrit Bharat express trains and the fare is very very low. This is proving to be a very big success for a people to go for in search for livelihood to distant cities." While praising Namo Bharat trains, he said, "Namo Bharat train has also become very successful, both the trains running are highly appreciated by passengers. Now we are taking large-scale production of Namo Bharat, Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat trains." Vaishnaw also added that the Vande Bharat Sleeper will probably be launched by September. He said, "The Vande Bharat sleeper is also about to be launched. Probably by September, we should get the Vande Bharat sleeper also ready. So in a way, PM Modi has given us a totally new generation of railway trains." PM Modi will visit Karnataka on Sunday (August 10) and will inaugurate and lay foundation stones of several developmental projects in the state. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, PM Modi will flag off three Vande Bharat Express trains at KSR Railway Station in Bengaluru at around 11 am. Thereafter, he will flag off the Yellow line of Bangalore metro and undertake a metro ride from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Electronic City metro station. At around 1 pm, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of urban connectivity projects in Bengaluru. He will also address a public function. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Yellow line from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra of the Bangalore Metro Phase-2 project, having a route length of over 19 km with 16 stations worth around Rs 7,160 crore. With the opening of this yellow line, the operational metro network in Bengaluru will increase to over 96 km, serving a large population in the region. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project worth over Rs 15,610 crore. The total route length of the project will be more than 44 km with 31 elevated stations. This infrastructure project will address the growing transportation needs of the city, catering to residential, industrial, commercial and educational areas. PM Modi will also flag off three Vande Bharat Express trains from Bengaluru. It includes trains from Bengaluru to Belagavi, Amritsar to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune. These high-speed trains will significantly enhance regional connectivity, reduce travel time and provide a world-class travel experience to the passengers. (ANI)




NEED TO KNOW

A cruise ship was forced to evacuate after a man claimed he had an explosive device on board

The incident took place while the vessel was in Southampton, England, on Aug. 9

The 63-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offense and communicating false information





A cruise ship was forced to evacuate due to a bomb threat.

At around 11:46 a.m. local time on Saturday, Aug. 9, police were called to the Mayflower Cruise Ferry terminal in Southampton, England, after receiving reports of a man claiming to be in possession of an explosive device, Hampshire Police said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Officers searched a large truck near the location, and ITV News reported that police formed a large barricade as they investigated the P&O Cruises ship Ventura.

Hampshire Police later confirmed that no explosive device was located during the search. We are satisfied that there was no risk to the public, they said.

Authorities said a 63-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offense and communicating false information. He was later released on bail, and he has a court hearing set for Nov. 8.



Alamy The Mayflower Cruise Terminal in England. The Mayflower Cruise Terminal in England.

A P&O Cruises spokesperson said in a statement, per ITV News, "Due to an earlier police incident and in an abundance of caution, we made the decision to evacuate Ventura and the passenger terminal."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The safety of our guests, crew and port staff is our highest priority and we are grateful for the co-operation of the authorities, as well as everyones patience whilst the precautionary measures were in place," the representative continued.

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 footage obtained byThe Mirror, armed police could be seen surrounding the cruise ship terminal as a man was handcuffed.

One passenger who witnessed the arrest told the outlet that he saw the man "being dragged out of his car by six armed policemen" with "tasers and guns."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The eyewitness added that he saw staff "turning people away" from the cruise ship, while "a couple of thousand" were waiting to board the vessel.

The Southampton site where the search took place is run by Associated British Ports, according to ITV News.

A spokesperson for the company told the outlet, "We are aware of a security incident that occurred at the Port this morning, Saturday, Aug. 9. Police attended the scene and have since stood down. We will support any ongoing inquiries by the relevant authorities.

P&O Cruises and Associated British Ports did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Sunday, Aug. 10.

Read the original article on People
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  A man walked into the lobby of the Stetson Hills Division, cursing and making threats toward police and community members, demanding to be put in jail on Saturday, Aug. 9, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD).

According to CSPD, around 1 p.m. on Saturday, the man sat in the lobby as officers evacuated people from the station near Tutt Boulevard and Barnes Road before making contact with the man, later identified as John Work. After the doors were locked to keep others out, officers tried to de-escalate the situation from behind the glass of the front window.

CSPD reported that Work threatened to break the front glass doors, then picked up a chair and threw it at the glass separating him from officers and station staff. He was then taken into custody.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There was minimal property damage caused during the incident. The man was taken to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office Criminal Justice Center on charges of Obstructing Government Operations and Menacing.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
More than $1 billion in redevelopment planned in the next decade on the sprawling campus is now beginning to take shape, with construction of a new, 1,700-space parking garage for the public and employees set to break ground this week.

The Hartford Hospital vision is ambitious, also including a new, in-patient tower, an expanded cancer treatment center, and the renovation of historic properties for community-based clinical services.

But what people will never see  and not more than a handful of hospital employees will be able to enter  is what is considered by the hospital as the lynchpin to the entire redevelopment plan: a $23 million upgrade of its electrical plant that will power the expansion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When we talk about it, people are like, its not a sexy project,  Keith Grant, vice president of operations for the Hartford region of Hartford HealthCare, the hospitals parent, said. For me, this is one of our most important projects. Without it, nothing else goes.

The electrical project also took an unusual turn: the nerve center of the upgrade to 21st century standards is housed in a historic brownstone built in the 1920s that was once a center of medical research that drew national attention.

Four years ago, the hospital had planned to tear down the Hall-Wilson Laboratory building on Retreat Avenue and replace it with a new structure. The structure would have housed transformer equipment to convert a higher volume of high-voltage electrical power for hospital use and a vastly expanded, super-sized system of what are essentially circuit breakers.

But an outcry from preservationists and neighborhood leaders pushing to save the structure topped by a distinctive copper cupola prompted Hartford Hospital to change course.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Instead of a new building, the equipment has been installed inside Hall-Wilson. So passersby on the street will still see the building as it has appeared for a century  1921 engraved on the cornerstone. But step inside, and it is pure, modern technology.

This building is now a machine, Grant said, during a recent tour.

Preservationists praised the refurbishment of the structure, recognizing that the needs of a modern hospital will guide how historic structures on the 65-acre campus are used in the future.

We understand time marches on, Mary A. Falvey, executive director of the Hartford Preservation Alliance, said. The laboratory, when it was built, was cutting-edge technology for its time. And we understand the needs of the hospital is first and foremost for them. There are often ways to preserve whats there and incorporate it to modernize.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The restoration of the exterior of Hall-Wilson alone cost $1.5 million, Grant said.

Passage of time

The future of the historic structures on the hospital campus is intertwined with its massive redevelopment plans.

In recent years, the hospital has come under fire for allowing historic structures to sit and deteriorate, some of them cited by city under blight ordinances.

Hartford Hospital, whose roots in the city date back to 1854, says it has an eye on the past, as it plans for a future focused on patient care and innovation.

These historic buildings are a vital piece of Hartfords story and are now both timeless and transformative symbols of Hartfords evolution toward the future of healthcare innovation, Jeffrey A. Flaks, president and chief executive of Hartford HealthCare, said. As we reimagine our campus, we remain committed to honoring Hartfords rich history by restoring these historic buildings not just to their original beauty, but giving them new life and a new purpose  to deliver state-of-the-art, world-class care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Flaks said, We remain deeply rooted in respect  for our community, our history, and the generations we serve.

The challenge is preserving the past while conveying an image of cutting-edge innovation and care in state-of-the art structures, all on an urban campus that is in the middle of a city neighborhood.

Since making the decision to preserve the Hall-Wilson Laboratory, the hospital also decided in 2023 not to demolish three, vacant structures it owns at the corner of Jefferson and Washington streets, in the face of opposition from the neighborhood. Instead, the three, boarded up structures  two of them, 1920s-era apartment buildings  will be combined, their facades saved, forming new, community-based clinical space.

The preservation alliances Falvey and others worry about the passage of time because the stability of at least one of the Washington Street structures was called into question two years ago. Grant said the designs for the $45 million-plus project are expected to be completed in November, with construction beginning early next year and completion in 2027.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Grant said the hospital is focusing on renovations of historic structures along the northeast side of Jefferson Street. The vision for how they will fit into the hospitals wider strategy for health care is coming into clearer focus, with community-based clinics emerging as the use.

The project at the corner of could build on the success of a community-based clinic on the same block that was built with the bricks of two Italianate-style homes that once occupied the site, Grant said. Last year, the clinic saw 20,000 primary-care patients, demonstrating a clear need in the community for those services, the hospital said.

Thats one of things that we have to figure out, right? Grant said. You cant just do the buildings and let them be. They have to be activated.

The hospital is nearing the completion of a $2 million-plus renovation of a circa 1879 house on Jefferson Street. The Queen Anne, which had fallen into disrepair, was singled out as one of the most notable properties when the Jefferson-Seymour National Historic District was formed in 1979.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The house, which will now be used for administrative offices, was originally owned by Levi Felt, who rose from office boy to comptroller in a 48-year career at Travelers Insurance. A timeline for occupancy has not yet been set, Grant said.

The hospital also is embarking on the renovation of 3 buildings east of the intersection of Jefferson and Seymour streets, one of which had been damaged by a fire a few years ago. Their future uses have not been determined, Grant said.

More of a private model

Earlier this year, the hospital completed the demolition of an aging parking garage at the corner of Jefferson and Seymour streets.

This week, construction will start on a replacement parking garage with 1,700 spaces that will triple the capacity of the old garage and cost about $120 million. The garage eventually will run on the southern side of Jefferson between Seymour and Washington streets. The project is being built in two phases because property, including a gas station on Washington, must still be acquired to complete the development.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The first phase of 1,100 spaces is expected to be open to public and employees by next August and the remainder a year later.

Grant said plans call for ground-level shops, restaurants and a conference center.

We want to create more space for people to walk and socialize, appreciate what is here, creating a different feel and opportunity for the community to integrate and interact with our colleagues and vice versa, Grant said. So its not just people coming to work and leaving Hartford, right? So hence, the restaurants and the eateries and so forth and the dining experience and so forth. And there will be a premiere conference center.

Across Seymour Street to the east, there are plans in the next 3-4 years to build a new in-patient tower that could add 300-350 beds. There are no specific cost estimates, but it would easily run into the hundreds of millions, Grant said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Grant said two options are being considered.

In one  the most likely  the medical office building at 85 Jefferson St. would be razed and a new tower would be built, Grant said. It also is possible that the existing building could be retrofitted with a new facade and a major addition. In both cases, an existing valet parking lot  a service moving to the new parking garage  would likely become part of the construction.

We definitely need to have more beds, Grant said. The other part is: If youre a patient that comes in here  to maintain dignity and many other things, its important for anyone to ask, I would like to be in a private room. We have a lot of semi-private rooms and the intent of this construction is to get more of a private model.

The new patient tower would be connected the parking garage by a pedestrian bridge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Designs for a new, expanded cancer care center that would replace the current one also are underway. That project will include an accompanying and much-needed expansion of the hospitals emergency department. The hospital said it was too premature to discuss specifics of the project.

Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com.
Andrew Cuomo supporters are reportedly urging New Yorkers with second homes in the Hamptons to switch their voter registrations to the Big Apple to cast their ballots against Democratic socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani in November.

The plan is to target moderate Democrats in the wealthy enclave, including business owners and restaurateurs, "who have deep ties in NYC" and "have an interest in whats going on," Steven M. Cohen, chairman of pro-Cuomo political action committee Fix the City, told the New York Post.

Cohen reportedly said hes spoken to dozens of people  some of whom are "very high profile"  who relayed that they were "definitely" switching their voter registrations from Long Islands East End to one of the five boroughs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Ive been trying to get this message out since the primary," Cohen told the Post. "You dont win elections because you did one thing right, but by doing one hundred things right, a thousand things right. This might be a few thousand votes, but elections have been won and lost on less than a few thousand votes."

Cuomo Quips Even I Will Move To Florida If Mamdani Wins Nyc Mayoral Bid

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has slammed New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for living in an allegedly rent-stabilized apartment, demanding he move out immediately.

In the opposite direction, New York City Democrats with second homes out east in 2024 were encouraged to switch their voter registrations to the Hamptons to vote against then-first term incumbent Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y. LaLota ultimately defeated the Democratic challenger, former CNN anchor John Avlon, by nearly 11 percentage points, earning a second term in New Yorks 1st congressional district.

Read On The Fox News App

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This time around, Cohen argued that it is easy to change voter registration as long as interested Hamptonites have a "legitimate, bona fide" second residence in New York City. He acknowledged hearing "initial skepticism" about the tax implications, which he denied would be a concern. He stressed that the state Board of Elections only opposes voting in two locations.

NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks during a press conference outside the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on Aug. 7, 2025 in New York City.

Andrew Cuomo Talks Rematch With Mamdani, Says Socialist's Policies Will Cause 'Death' Of Nyc

"There are no tax implications at all  thats part of the message," Cohen said, explaining the strategy is part of a "longer-term play" focused on getting New Yorkers with homes in the Hamptons to "participate in the political process" in New York City.

Republican donor and Hamptons metals magnate Andy Sabin opposed the movement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"You open up a can of worms to audits and everything else  youd be crazy to do it," he told the Post.

Election lawyer, Jerry Goldfeder, said that interested Hamptonites would just have to send a change of address to the Board of Elections using a "new, legitimate registration form."

Former governor and mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo is pictured during a press conference on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, in Manhattan, New York.

"Im trying to switch," Mitchel Agoos, an 87-year-old resident of East Hampton and New York City, told the Post, deeming Mamdani an "antisemite."

"Hes a disaster  I want to vote in this election. Id feel great to vote against him," Agoos, a Curtis Sliwa supporter who has voted in Suffolk County for decades, added.

Fox News Digital reached out to Cuomo's campaign for comment but did not immediately hear back.





Original article source: Cuomo supporters look to wealthy enclave to take down Mamdani: report
When hate incidents spiked against Asian Americans during the pandemic, Jason Chang, director of the Asian American Institute at the University of Connecticut, knew remaining silent was not the answer.

A member of Gov. Ned Lamonts Connecticut Hate Crimes Advisory Council, Chang sought the ear of legislators with a solution he hoped would bring empathy and compassion as an antidote to the hatred.

He proposed adding Asian American and Pacific Islander studies to the social studies curriculum in every school district in the state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As a result, Democratic Sens. Saud Anwar and Derek Slap and Republican Sen. Tony Hwang and Rep. Robert Sanchez in 2022 introduced bipartisan legislation that passed that session.

Now beginning this school year, each local and regional board of education is required to include Asian American and Pacific Islander studies as part of their curriculum.

Chang said the curriculum reflects society and is integral to change.

In some ways curriculum reflects the society that is teaching it and the ability to shape curriculum is a reflection of political power, he said. It is a reflection of empathy and it is a reflection of values and finally we had a legislature and the community ready to step up for this curriculum.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He added that Asian Americans have been integral to Connecticut for a long time and reflect almost 5% of the state population.

They want to see themselves reflected. The legislation belongs to the high school students who called into the education hearings when our bill was being considered. Their stories of alienation and isolation in school and the way they talked about leading two lives, one at school and one at home really spoke to my own experience and spoke to others experiences.

Chang said it was an awakening and many of the students felt proud speaking and connected to their schools and education.

Laura Stefon, spokesman for the Connecticut State Department of Education, said in an email that the inclusion of AAPI within and across K-12 education may not include the design or offering of a dedicated course.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

AAPI concepts may be taught as part of a history course within the approved program of studies/instruction, she said. The legislation did not require a mandated course.

State Rep. Jennifer Leeper, a Fairfield Democrat and chair of the Education Committee, said Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have played a central role in the development and richness of America, and our country, democracy and population benefits from enhancing understanding of our shared history.

Kate Dias, president of the Connecticut Education Association, said the curriculum offers a meaningful opportunity for students to explore the rich histories and contributions of AAPI communities.

We look forward to working together with our districts to ensure its thoughtful and authentic implementation  so that every student has the opportunity to explore diverse cultures that shape our world.

Curriculum

Students are expected to learn about events in history such as the Chinese Exclusion Act and the forced incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans on U.S. soil, with a focus on local communities and remarkable individuals, according to Chang.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some examples include Yale graduate Yung Wing, the first Chinese student to receive a degree from a U.S. university, who became an educational and diplomatic leader.

Other key provisions of the curriculum, according to the law, include the contributions of (AAPI) towards advancing civil rights from the nineteenth century to the present day, individual AAPI in government, the arts, humanities and sciences and their impact on economic, cultural, social and political development of the United States.

Other elements of the curriculum which school districts can employ include elementary lessons about Asian American grocery stores and other places of worship for children to relate to places that nourish them, Chang said.

One of the aspirations of a curriculum like this is that we are going to have more informed conversations and involve the youth in those, he said. That is a better shared kind of understanding of who we are and what we are doing together.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Chang describes the curriculum as the centerpiece to any kind of community development effort to make the community more safe and to be in solidarity with others.

We have to put those kinds of resources behind education if we want to move the needle on hate in the state, he said.

In pursuit of the American dream

Immigrating to the United States from Taiwan at the age of 9, Hwang remembers his familys pursuit of the American dream living in Watertown, New York, in a federal housing project.

He reflects on the opportunities and freedoms available to him but also the stereotypes he faced as an Asian American.

You have heard so much about the Asian Pacific community as a model minority, he said. Their expertise in certain areas and dismissed in other areas. A lot of that has been reinforced by the media in TV, movies and popular stereotypes. Another part of it is the way that we look different. I remember growing up and reminding myself I could change my name to Smith and I would still be different.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Decades later, those experiences motivated him to work in collaboration with Chang and fellow legislators to pass the bill regarding AAPI.

Hwang said the idea to include Asian American and Pacific Islander studies in K-12 schools is to not only enhance the knowledge and understanding of Asian American and Pacific Islanders current roles but also to educate and clarify the history of what the community has struggled through, strived and succeeded in.

This country was built on immigration, he said. The successes. The incredible determination and initiative of so many immigrants that left their homelands to pursue a better opportunity. I want to be in a position for the broader community to see those kinds of struggles and understand and appreciate that as a group that we treat each individual regardless of race, ethnicity and religion as their own unique individual.

Reflecting on the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, Hwang said the national immigration laws against Asian Americans were the most stringent against any racial minority immigration group

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I have always held on to the quote by George Santayana that says those who do not remember their history are condemned to repeat it.

Hwang said it is crucial to explore our history.

Learning about democracy, rights and freedoms, he said. The whole culmination of knowledge, education, and awareness are so critical and so much a critical part of what makes America the remarkable country that it is. We have these freedoms. I am not going to editorialize how we have changed nowadays.

Hwang said further that awareness education and a shared enlightenment of the experience of others different from ourselves is a crucial part for an open enlightenment and engaged society.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He added that the curriculum is an important tool to educate the broader population against the stereotypes and stigmas that have been portrayed upon the community that we can have brilliant scientists, brilliant athletes and not just simply be engineers and doctors.

Anwar said the Asian American community has been a very big part of the success in the United States in many areas including science, technology, education and computers.

He added that the most successful societies are inclusive societies.

One of our strengths in America is we have been an inclusive society where people from different backgrounds can come together and be part of the American experience and enhance our strength and our economic capacity and create more jobs and opportunities for everyone, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Slap said the curriculum reinforces that our diversity is our strength and the more that we learn about each other and different ethnicities and different backgrounds, the better off we all are.

We want to make sure our students know about the contributions of everybody, he said. It is one way to do that. The hope is that it plants some seeds of acceptance, tolerance and really valuing each other that is going to stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Chang said he views this curriculum as interlinked with other curriculums.

Curriculum is an opportunity to provide a window into how communities relate to one another, he said. We should not teach in silos. The intersection of different groups provides us with real examples of collaboration and conflict we can learn from and use to improve our world.
A recent case in Israel revealed the disturbing reality of wildlife smuggling.

Four men were caught with nearly 100 protected birds taped to their bodies, The Jerusalem Post reported. Authorities described the incident as a "cruel discovery." The men bound the birds tightly to their clothing, endangering their lives.

What's happening?

The suspects were detained after customs inspectors and the Israel Airports Authority discovered about 100 finches attached to their clothing at a border crossing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The birds, classified as a protected species in Israel, cannot be imported without proper permits.

Authorities will file an indictment against the suspects. They've also banned the men from the area for three months and extended their detention by an additional four days beyond the initial 48 hours.

A joint statement from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and the police warned that such cases endanger biodiversity and can introduce diseases to wildlife, livestock, and humans.

Why is animal smuggling concerning?

The global illegal wildlife trade is a multibillion-dollar industry. Interpol estimates that the trade is worth up to $20 billion per year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Beyond the immediate animal suffering, smuggling practices can strain border security and public health systems. Illegally trafficked animals may also carry diseases that pose risks to farm animals and people.

Introducing invasive species to new environments through human activities like wildlife smuggling can affect native species populations through predation or resource competition.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the decline of native populations could impact the resilience of local ecosystems. Recent reports on wildlife trafficking reveal how this market encourages poaching and accelerates biodiversity loss, ultimately delaying ecosystem restoration efforts.

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.

These smuggling practices can also expose communities to unfamiliar diseases and strain wildlife enforcement efforts further.

What's being done about invasive species and smuggling?

Israel is stepping up enforcement, launching investigations, intercepting other smuggling attempts, and rescuing protected wildlife from illegal captivity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Other countries are implementing similar measures, such as developing new tools to combat illegal trade and introducing a new bill to protect confiscated animals.

Public involvement also plays a key role. Avoiding exotic pet purchases, supporting biodiversity initiatives, and reporting suspected trafficking can all reduce demand and help protect vulnerable species.

These interventions safeguard ecosystems that support all of us and are helping close loopholes that smugglers exploit.

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.












NEED TO KNOW

In 1978, 15-year-old Mary Vincent was attacked by a man who severed both her arms and left her in a ravine

She packed her wounds with dirt, then crawled up a 30-foot embankment to reach the road

Bleeding and barely alive, she flagged down a passing car  and later helped identify her attacker in court







In the fall of 1978, 15-year-old Mary Vincent was hitchhiking near Modesto, Calif., hoping to get to her grandfathers house after running away from home. When a seemingly kind older man in a blue van pulled over and offered her a ride, she hesitated  but accepted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The man was 51-year-old Lawrence Singleton, a former merchant seaman. After stopping briefly to pick up other passengers and being refused, Singleton continued alone with Mary, eventually turning off onto a deserted road. Thats when her instinct turned to fear.

Singleton knocked Vincent unconscious, stripped her of her clothing and bound her tightly. He sexually assaulted her repeatedly, ignoring for hours her cries and pleas to be set free, per court records.

"You want to be set free? I'll set you free," Singleton said the next morning.



He pulled out a hatchet, severed both Vincent's arms, threw her down a ravine and left her for dead.

But Mary Vincent did not die. Instead, she heard a loud, persistent message in her head.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I can't go to sleep," she recalled thinking, per an interview with Open Ceilings Magazine. "He's going to do this to somebody else. I can't let that happen."

The Mercury News via Getty

She packed the raw ends of her arms with dirt to slow the bleeding and crawled her way out of the ravine  a 30-foot climb  naked, injured, and barely conscious. Once she reached the road, she managed to flag down a passing car.

The next morning, two individuals found Mary Vincent wandering nude," reads a court document obtained by UPI. "She was holding up her arms so that the muscles and blood would not fall out.



Two good Samaritans picked her up and rushed her to a nearby hospital. A forensic sketch artist worked with Mary as she recovered from her injuries, and her description helped police identify and arrest Singleton, who was later found guilty of attempted murder, mayhem, kidnapping and multiple sexual assault charges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When asked to identify Singleton in court, she pointed at him with her silver prosthetic hook hand.

"I was attacked," she said, per the Tampa Bay Times. "I was raped and my hands were cut off. He used a hatchet... He left me to die."

Singleton was sentenced to 14 years in prison, the maximum allowed under California law at the time  but he served just eight.

He was released in 1987 and faced public outrage. Towns across California protested his release, and he had to be housed in a trailer on San Quentin prison grounds until his parole ended because no Northern California community would accept him, per the Los Angeles Times.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In 1997  nearly two decades after his attack on Mary  Singleton murdered 31-year-old Roxanne Hayes in Tampa, Fla. He was sentenced to death but died of cancer in prison in 2001.

Vincent told UPI at the time that she was devastated "because it had to happen again before anyone realized he shouldn't have been released in the first place."



AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

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 was only recently I stopped having my nightmares," she told the Los Angeles Times at the time. "Now they're back again. It starts off with my attack, and then I end up seeing all these other people and worse things happening to them."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So Vincent took action  she shared her story with victims of trauma and testified before legislative bodies, advocating for sentencing reform.

California later passed a law increasing the maximum penalty for crimes like Singletons, informally dubbed the Singleton bill.

Now a mother to two adult children, Vincent lives with her husband in Washington State. A self-taught artist, she has created thousands of pastel drawings  many of them empowering female figures  and even designs her own prosthetic tools for different activities like bowling, using spare parts from old stereo systems and refrigerators, per a 2022 interview with The Netline.

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




NEED TO KNOW

Jonathan Enriquez, 22, has been charged with first-degree murder and child abuse in connection with the death of his 4-week-old daughter after allegedly admitting to police that he struck the baby

According to court documents, doctors found that the infant "had other injuries when she was taken to the hospital, including a fractured skull, bleeding in the brain, a broken leg and broken ribs

Mesa police in Arizona said they interviewed Enriquez again following the investigation, and he allegedly admitted to hitting the baby in her bassinet on the left side of her head because she was crying too much"





An Arizona father has been charged with murder in connection with the death of his 4-week-old daughter after allegedly admitting to police that he struck the baby because she was "crying too much."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jonathan Enriquez, 22, was charged with first-degree murder and child abuse, according to a press release from the Mesa Police Department obtained by PEOPLE.

Police said they responded to an incident of a baby not breathing at an apartment complex on Covina Street in Mesa, Ariz., just before 9 a.m. local time on July 11.

First responders used life-saving measures to try to revive the baby, and she was transported to the hospital, where she remained in critical condition. On July 26, she was eventually declared dead at the hospital.

Getty Police vehicle (stock image) Police vehicle (stock image)

Officers stated in the release that it was reported that the baby choked while being fed a bottle. However, investigators discovered the baby had other injuries that were in various stages of healing when she was hospitalized, and that Enriquez had been alone with his daughter when she stopped breathing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Both parents of the baby girl were interviewed, and during Jonathans interview, he admitted to striking his child, police said.

According to court documents obtained by AZ Family and KPNX-TV, doctors at the hospital observed that the 4-week-old baby had numerous injuries, including a fractured skull, a broken leg and ribs, bleeding in the brain and bruising around her eyes.

Police also stated in the court documents that Enriquez admitted to being quite forceful while changing the childs diapers and admitted getting frustrated, but denied hitting the baby. He also alleged to police that the child had been injured after falling out of a car seat and into a stroller and hitting her head, and said separately that she was hit by a seat belt buckle, per AZ Family.

An autopsy revealed that the babys injuries appeared to be the result of slamming, crushing or stomping, and that many of the injuries were catastrophic, according to court documents, per the outlets.

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.

During their investigation, detectives also learned that Enriquez texted the mother of the child, asking her to return home from work, as the baby wasnt breathing and he messed up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mesa police said they interviewed Enriquez again following the investigation, and he allegedly admitted to hitting the baby in her bassinet on the left side of her head because she was crying too much, per AZ Family and KPNX-TV.

Enriquez expressed deep remorse for his actions, per the court documents. He is currently being held on a $1 million bond.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



Read the original article on People
Six Dallas ISD students made history by becoming the first cohort to secure jobs during their second training round in a program designed for young adults with disabilities.

The studentsSerenity H., Alicia A., Angel H., Antonio J., Nayalie R., and Jesus R. completed Project SEARCH, a global initiative helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find entry-level work.

Their achievement marks a milestone for Dallas ISDs commitment to career readiness for all students. The breakthrough shows how structured support and real-world experience can transform lives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

My future goal is to become an EMT, Serenity H. said. I never understood the role of an EMT until Project SEARCH gave me the opportunity to increase my skills by working on two ICU floors. Without it, and the people who believed and supported me, none of this would be possible.

The year-long intern program at Baylor University Medical Center combined classroom instruction with hands-on department rotations. Students explored different hospital roles while building essential workplace skills.

Yolanda Carter, vocational adjustment teacher at Multiple Careers Magnet Center, asked each student one crucial question: Do you want to work?

She emphasized commitment to both the job and personal growth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Carter designed daily routines to foster independence. Students learned to manage every aspect of their workday, from morning preparation to clocking out.

After classroom sessions, students worked independently on their hospital assignments. They gained confidence through real experiences, including difficult days that taught resilience.

The approach worked. Students didnt just complete internships  they became valued employees earning promotions.

Im really proud of myself and the people who helped get me there. I want to let others know to always believe in themselves and have faith that anything is possible, Alicia said.

Project SEARCHs success demonstrates how targeted support can open career doors for students with disabilities. The programs historic achievement sets a new standard for inclusive employment initiatives.
Aug. 10People interested in Snake River salmon and the role dams play in their abundance can witness opposing visions on the issue next weekend.

Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment and other environmental groups will host the Snake River Flotilla on Friday and Saturday, an annual gathering of people who support breaching the four lower Snake River dams. The event, centered at Lewiston's Hells Gate State Park, features music, food, films and a float on the Snake River from Asotin to Lewiston.

Citizens for the Preservation of Fish and Dams will hold its third annual Pacific Northwest Salmon and Steelhead Symposium at Lewis-Clark State College on Saturday. The event features speakers, including fisheries scientists, who believe the dams are not responsible for declines in wild salmon and steelhead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Marvin Dugger, a Lewiston resident and active member of Citizens for the Preservation of Fish and Dams, said the symposium will be held at the college's Silverthorne Theater from 8 a.m. to about noon.

"We are hoping to increase the public's knowledge of the issue and get the public informed on the issue," he said. "We believe a lot of the stuff they are hearing is wrong."

David Welch, a fisheries scientist from British Columbia, Canada, will be one of the featured speakers. Welch produced a study that pins the decline of Snake River Chinook salmon on deteriorated ocean conditions rather than dams. His work indicates poor ocean conditions have hammered salmon stocks up and down the West Coast of North America.

Julian Matthews of Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment said tribal leaders like Shannon Wheeler, chairperson of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee, and Don Sampson, a former leader of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation, are expected to speak prior to the float on the Snake River on Saturday morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Daily headlines, straight to your inboxRead it online first and stay up-to-date, delivered daily at 7 AM

The flotilla events begin at 7 p.m. at the park with live music and food. It will be followed by a screening of the film "The Grand Salmon" at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, flotilla participants will gather at the Asotin Boat Ramp at 9 a.m. for a light breakfast. At about 9:45, participants will launch in rafts, canoes, drift boats and other crafts for a rally and short float downriver to Hells Gate State Park. They plan to land at about 11:30, which will be followed by a blessing, lunch and then remarks by tribal leaders at 1 p.m.

The event typically attracts salmon advocates from around the Pacific Northwest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Matthews said the event will serve to inspire people who were disheartened when President Donald Trump killed a deal between tribes, environmental groups and the Biden administration that was viewed as a step toward future breaching of the Snake River dams.

"We just have to keep the commitment and keep the push to breach the dams to save salmon regardless of who is in office and build more grassroot support," Matthews said.

More information on the flotilla is available at bit.ly/4frDag3.

More information about the salmon and steelhead symposium is available at cfpfd.org.

Barker may be contacted at ebarker@lmtribune.com.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday underscored the significance of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly to protect the rights of indigenous communities while inaugurating the state-level celebrations of the golden jubilee of the Kerala Scheduled Tribes Development Department. The occasion also coincided with the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. He said, "Today, we are celebrating the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. Alongside, we are also inaugurating the state-level celebrations of the golden jubilee of the Kerala Scheduled Tribes Development Department. Various development projects for the Scheduled Tribes are also being launched here today. This year's theme, 'Artificial Intelligence and the Protection of Indigenous Peoples' Rights, ' is especially relevant in today's era of advanced technology." "We are in the age of artificial intelligence and machine learning. While these technologies bring many benefits to humanity, their irresponsible use can also cause serious harm. The United Nations itself has pointed out that AI-generated content is sometimes used to spread misinformation about indigenous communities, and even to threaten their land and resources. However, we must also note that AI can be used responsibly for the welfare of the world," he added. Highlighting the global context, Kerala CM added, "Globally, there are about 480 million indigenous people across 90 countries, which is less than six per cent of the world's population. Yet, indigenous people constitute around 15 percent of the world's poorest. They speak more than 7,000 languages and uphold over 5,000 distinct cultures. In this context, it is crucial that we recognise the unique identity of indigenous peoples and design programmes that truly address their needs. Today, as we mark the 50th year since the creation of a dedicated department for the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes, we reaffirm our commitment to their rights, dignity, and progress." Vijayan also criticised the Centre's allocation for Scheduled Tribes, stating, "Although Scheduled Tribes make up 8.06 per cent of the country's population, the Union Government allocates only 3.08 per cent in its budget. In contrast, Kerala, with just 1.45 per cent ST population, allocates 2.83 per cent of its funds for their welfare. Our government has been implementing schemes focusing on four key goals -- quality education, healthcare, employment, and basic infrastructure." "A comparative study with other states clearly shows that Scheduled Tribes in Kerala enjoy the best social environment in the country -- free from caste-based violence, discrimination, or untouchability, and living in harmony with social equality. Sadly, this is not the reality in many other parts of the nation," he added. (ANI)
Over a year after a deadly bacterial outbreak forced a Boar's Head deli meat factory in Virginia to shutter indefinitely, the facility is reportedly set to reopen  but that doesn't mean they've cleaned up their act.

Starting in May of last year, a number of people throughout the middle- and eastern-US began falling ill with symptoms eerily similar to the flu. Following several hospitalizations and two deaths traced to the same source, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) officially launched an investigation into a listeria outbreak linked to rancid deli meat.

By the end of the outbreak, 10 people were dead, while 60 victims across 19 states were hospitalized with serious complications. Over 2.6 million pounds of deli meat had been destroyed to prevent further contamination. The culprit was Boar's Head, one of the country's most recognizable premium deli brands  and likely the most shadowy, as a 2024 investigation by the New York Times makes plain.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Anyone who's taken a food safety course should be able to tell you that listeria is a bacteria that causes food poisoning. It can form in unpasteurized dairy products as well as uncooked pork and beef. It's one of the reasons cross-contamination is such a big deal for food workers handling raw meat.

The squalid conditions at the Boar's Head plant in Virginia made that cross-contamination almost inevitable. An August, 2024 investigation by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) found a factory infested with insects, sopping with butchered animal parts, and riddled with black mold.

One storage room contained a "steady line of ants" crawling in through an unsecured door, while a "clear liquid" was found dripping from the ceiling. Following the investigation, USDA officials ordered the plant to close indefinitely, leaving some 500 workers out of a job.

A year after the fact, the company's record isn't looking much better. A follow-up investigation by the Associated Press found that, though the USDA recently lifted its suspension, problems remain. For example, there were reports of "dried fat and protein" festering on equipment, stairs, and walls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And though the ceilings seem to have stopped leaking at the Virginia location, other plants throughout the US point to "appalling" conditions.

Over the past few months, the AP reports, government officials have recorded issues at Boar's Head facilities in Arkansas and Indiana, as well as another Virginia plant, such as drainage pipes blocked with discarded meat, condensation oozing from ceilings and floors, and workers who didn't wash their hands.

That said, the company has taken a few cosmetic steps to address its issues, including hiring president Donald Trump's former undersecretary of food safety, Mindy Brashears, as an expert advisor.

In a statement, Boars Head told the AP that is "has an unwavering commitment to food safety and quality. That commitment is reflected in recent enhancements to our practices and protocols."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Queasy feelings notwithstanding, the company is chugging full steam ahead with the reopening, hiring machine operators, shipping clerks, and even a full-time pickle maker. A Virginia Food Safety Manager Certification isn't listed as a condition to apply.

More on food: Famous Chef Boasts That He's Using AI to Invent New Recipes
Dayton Public Schools (DPS) recently launched its new alternative school.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The school is located inside the Jackson Center on Abbey Avenue.

Its designed for students who may need additional social-emotional support, those who are on home instruction and those who must attend due to expulsions or suspensions, according to the district.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

DPS Superintendent David Lawrence said the school aims to rehabilitate its students.

This is not punishment and consequences. This is rehabilitation. We have students who are homeschooled students with IEPS. Group of students who may not be able to, large high schools may not be for them. So, we have a safe space for kids who say Hey you know what, I may not want to go back to my school with 1,500 kids. I may want to stay here, Lawrence said.

Jackson Center Principal Lolita Christian said the class sizes are smaller, ranging from 12 to 15 students.

Every student who attends the alternative school will have personalized graduation success plans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Christian said these plans will help students hone in on those skills and feel confident that they can achieve.

The district said like Dayton Digital Academy and Mound Street, the alternative school will offer several certifications, including forklift operator, skilled trade, and phlebotomy.

The students will also use artificial intelligence as tutors, Lawrence said.

He added that this will help students give staff instantaneous feedback.

Students will be referred to attend the school on a rolling basis, according to the district.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Navy Yard is seeing yet another temporary juvenile curfew.

In an announcement Sunday morning, D.C. police said that a Juvenile Curfew Zone will go into effect in Navy Yard on 8 p.m. Sunday, lasting through Wednesday, Aug. 13, prohibiting people under 17 from gathering in groups of nine or more in public places within the area, including at establishments, unless engaged in certain activities.

The perimeter of the Navy Yard Juvenile Curfew Zone is as follows:

To the north:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I-695 and Virginia Avenue, SE

To the east:

8th Street from Virginia Avenue to M Street, SE

4th Street from M Street, SE to the Anacostia River

To the south:

M street between 4th and 8th Street, SE

Potomac Avenue, SE and the Anacostia River between South Capitol Street and 4th Street, SE

To the west:

South Capitol Street, SE from the Anacostia River to I-695

D.C. police are implementing a Juvenile Curfew Zone in Navy yard from 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8 through Wednesday, Aug. 13. (Courtesy: Metropolitan Police Department)

Trump plans press conference to address violent crime in DC amid increased federal law enforcement presence

Police have recently implemented Juvenile Curfew Zones in areas where large groups of children gather or intend to gather in a manner that poses a risk of substantial harm to public safety, under the authority of the Juvenile Curfew Emergency Amendment Act of 2025. Other areas that have seen temporary curfews issued this summer include U Street and the Wharf.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The announcement comes after D.C. police said a large group of teens were gathered in Navy Yard on Saturday night when a boy discharged a stolen gun. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The Metropolitan Police Department reiterated that a citywide curfew remains in effect through Aug. 31 for anyone aged 17 and under, beginning nightly at 11 p.m. until 6 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
(FOX40.COM)  The discovery of a dead woman found at a campsite recently turned into a homicide investigation, and a suspect was arrested, according to the Sierra County Sheriffs Office.

 Video Above: What happens when you call 911?

On Friday morning, SCSO received information about a possible dead body at a dispersed campsite south of the Sierra Brooks community. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found a dead woman and an incoherent man at the site.

Woman who died after getting stuck in donation box identified in San Joaquin County

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Because of the suspicious circumstances, the California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Science and detectives from the Plumas County Sheriffs Office were requested to assist in the investigation.

Later Friday morning, SCSO said Jesse James Dallmann, 36, of Sun Valley, Nevada, was arrested for alleged homicide. The incident remains under 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 FOX40 News.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  One man is dead Sunday after he was struck in a five-vehicle pileup at Highway 385 west of Riverdale Road.

Police responded to the collision at 1:02 a.m. Lanes on both east and west bound sides of the highway were closed.

Police say it started with a two-vehicle accident that left both vehicles disabled. Another vehicle then hit the first two. Then, two other vehicles swerved to miss the wreck and hit each other.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Woman accused of shooting at driver at Winchester light

One of those vehicles also then hit a man who had gotten out of his vehicle after the first wreck.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Four others were taken to hospitals with non-critical 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 WREG.com.
Behind only Alaska and Florida, Delaware is the third-best state in the county for fishing, a charter boat booking company says.

Fishingbooker.com is "the world's largest online travel fishing company," according to its website. Seventeen data points were used to decide which states are best for fishing, ranging from miles of shoreline to number of marinas to Fishing Booker user rankings.

Delaware ranked third for the third year in a row.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"You might be surprised as Delaware isnt necessarily the first place you think of for a fishing adventure," the website says, "But were here to change that and tell you its an angling gem!"

A surf-fishing rod planted in the sand.

According to Fishing Booker, Delaware has "equally good freshwater and saltwater action," including freshwater ponds, the inlands bays, the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

"Bass, crappie, and muskellunge are the most common freshwater catches," the website says. "In the saltwater realm, striped bass, flounder, black seabass, sharks, and bluefin tuna are on the menu."

Maryland, if you're curious, ranked seventh. Delaware is followed by two Great Lakes states in the rankings: Michigan (fourth) and Wisconsin (fifth).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Anglers: Delaware ends surf fishing reservations for 7 of 12 drive-on beaches

The best state for fishing, Alaska, has the longest coastline in the country, plus tens of thousands of square miles of freshwater. Fishing Booker called it a "salmon mecca," and also a great place to catch halibut, rockfish and trout.

Second place went to Florida, which will "will blow your mind with its year-round action," the website says. Some of the species to be caught include redfish, tarpon and snook inshore and king mackerel, grouper, snapper, and sailfish offshore.

Surprisingly, Fishing Booker ranked California 47th, despite over 800 miles of shoreline and plentiful freshwater bodies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rehoboth Beach: 'Can't ask for much more': Meet the carpenter who maintains the boardwalk

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware ranks higher than you think among top states for fishing
ALBANY, New York  New Yorks ambitious lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, made a rare appearance in the state Capitol in late March.

Members of both parties thought hed be helming the state Senate session. But after word got out Republicans were planning to make that job difficult, he disappeared  and hasn't performed any official business in the Senate chambers since.

In fact, Delgado hasn't done much official business at all this year  not since he openly split with Gov. Kathy Hochul in February. And certainly not since he announced plans in June to challenge Hochul in next years Democratic primary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hochul has made sure Delgado has stayed far away: The governor this year reduced her hand-picked lieutenant's staff to one employee. She revoked his executive email account. And she even seized his cell phone.

And now her supporters are hammering the idea that Delgado is a do-nothing elected official.

What Lt. Gov. Delgado has been doing as it relates to service in government is nothing, former New York City Council speaker Christine Quinn told POLITICO. It just galls me that somebody who had an opportunity to serve and accomplish things like Hochul did would squander that opportunity in an effort to take the first woman governor out of office.

Theres certainly little evidence Delgado has maintained a busy official schedule since he shifted into campaign mode  his office only preannounced six non-political events from March through July.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But thats at least partially due to the fact that he doesnt have much of an office anymore. Hochul has spent a decade extolling the importance of a loyal lieutenant governor. When Delgado split, the governor flexed her muscles by removing all his resources: Hochul went so far as to prohibit Delgado from working out of an office once used by toll collectors on the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, ending a longstanding practice of letting lieutenant governors have a desk close to home.

All of this together has made for high drama early in the 2026 gubernatorial race  a contest in which Delgado has so far emerged as the governors only serious primary challenger. The incumbent governors supporters are now characterizing Delgado as lazy, pointing to a thin public schedule. At the same, Hochul has so thoroughly sidelined her No. 2 that he now has fewer official resources than many town council members. And the efforts to ostracize him have been so complete that the usual channels for keeping tabs on his official activities have completely broken down.

The Governor has spent more time inventing cheap attacks than actually working with the Lieutenant Governors office. She stripped away staff and resources and now complains theres less to show for it, Delgado campaign spokesman Steven Ileka said.

Antonio Delgado has been everywhere  listening to New Yorkers, elevating their voices, and holding this administration accountable. Thats what leadership looks like. Instead of focusing on results, Governor Hochul has fallen back on Republican-style smear tactics about his work ethic  the same kind of dog-whistle politics New Yorkers are tired of.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lieutenant governors essentially occupy two roles.

One is serving as Senate president. The other is more nebulous, but also more visible. As the lone high-ranking elected official with a light formal workload, lieutenant governors of the past have barnstormed New York as the face of state government. Think: ribbon cuttings for new businesses and town centennial celebrations.

Those duties are often accompanied with promoting the governors agenda. Delgado obviously isnt doing that. But POLITICOs attempts to glean what else he might be engaged in quickly devolved into a Kafkaesque journey through New Yorks bureaucracy.

In May, POLITICO submitted Freedom of Information Law requests for Delgados daily schedules since his February split with Hochul. Those requests went to both the lieutenant governors office and the governors office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The email to the lieutenant governor bounced back. Thats because when Hochuls administration downsized Delgados office, they revoked his access to email.

A paper FOIL request slipped through the door of his one remaining Albany office went unanswered as well. A Capitol staffer near the office said they hadnt seen anyone there in weeks.

The governors office  which is legally responsible for making the lieutenant governors schedules available to the public  replied a month later. Since Hochuls staff is no longer in touch with Delgado, her FOIL compliance team said they have no way of obtaining his schedules since February. Instead, they suggested contacting the state Senate, since Delgados lone remaining staffer was given a legislative email address as their sole means of communication.

The Senate, unsurprisingly, does not maintain records for executive branch officials, but did have an email address for Delgados staffer. She eventually responded by saying that since the lieutenant governors office doesnt have a FOIL officer, they cant comply with the law. Try sending the request to the governors office or the Senate, the staffer suggested.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

POLITICO made another attempt to find out what Delgado has been up to through Comptroller Tom DiNapolis office, which responded to a FOIL request for reimbursements and purchases Delgados office has made with a state credit card since February.

Delgados office was reimbursed for only six events in the 15 weeks after he announced his split with Hochul, according to those records. One of the state-funded trips involved booking hotels in Syracuse on April 30 and Buffalo on May 1.

That sojourn coincides with town halls Delgado held in the two upstate cities. Those events were promoted by his campaign and held in partnership with groups such as Indivisible, which directly engage in electoral work. His campaign also spent $2,900 on hotels and meals in Syracuse and Buffalo on those days.

As Delgados critics have noted , his schedule of officially advised public events typically hasnt been substantial at any point during his tenure as lieutenant governor. He made 91 preannounced public appearances in 2024, in 28 of the states 62 counties. Hochul started serving as lieutenant governor in 2015 and held that role until Andrew Cuomo stepped down as governor in 2021. By comparison, she has regularly topped 400 advised events per year over the past decade. She even had a seven-year streak of annual visits to each of the states 62 counties.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The number of non-campaign events Delgado has put out advisories for has dwindled significantly since he split with the governor. He released schedules for 28 such events in the first six months of the year, compared to 275 for Hochul in the first half of her fourth year serving as lieutenant governor. Only six of Delgados events occurred from March through June.

Delgado also performs another function as lieutenant governor: serving as president of the Senate. In that role, he presides over legislative sessions, providing a link between the legislative and executive branches. The job is less important than it once was , as a commanding Democratic majority means the party hasnt needed a tie-breaking vote on procedural matters in years.

But its still the only day-to-day role prescribed by the state constitution  and a duty that can be fulfilled even when a governor isnt willing to give their running mate other responsibilities. Lt. Gov. Betsey McCaughey Ross presided over the Senate seven times in the three months after she announced her bid against Gov. George Pataki in 1998.

That is the one duty thats outlined in the constitution, yes. And Ive done that, Delgado said when asked at his campaign launch whether hed return to the Senate for the first time since January. But a part of that really is making sure that I connect directly with the senators.

Delgado had 33 conversations and events with individual senators identified in his personal schedules from May 2022 through Feb. 2025, an average of one every 31 days.
ATLANTA (AP)  A Delta Air Lines plane clipped another aircraft while pushing back from the gate Sunday morning in Atlanta, the airline said.

The wing of the plane reportedly made contact with an empty aircraft, Delta said in a brief written statement to The Associated Press.

The flight was scheduled to travel from Atlanta to Guatemala City, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flight disruptions. Passengers were transferred to another plane following a delay.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On board the commercial aircraft were 192 customers, two pilots and four flight attendants.

No injuries were reported, according to Delta, which has its headquarters in Atlanta.

Additional information on the incident was not immediately available.
The wing of a Delta plane backing out of the gate at Atlantas airport clipped an empty aircraft Sunday morning, but no one was hurt aboard the plane carrying 192 passengers, two pilots and four flight attendants.

Delta flight 1830 was scheduled to leave Hatsfield-Jackson International Airport just after 10 a.m. when its wing reportedly made contact with another Delta aircraft during pushback at the gate, Delta said in a short statement to WAGA-TV and other news outlets.

The normally 3-hour, 23-minute trip was stretched to 6 hours and 20 minutes as passengers and crew switched to another plane, delaying takeoff by more than 30 minutes. It arrived in Guatemala at 3:01 local time, Flight Aware said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There were no reports of injuries for crew or customers on the flight, Delta said. We apologize to our customers for the experience and delay in their travels.

The mishap adds to a number of aviation incidents this year, many of them involving Delta. In February a Delta plane made an emergency landing and was evacuated after the cabin filled up with smoky haze. Also in February, a Delta jet crash-landed in Toronto and flipped upside down. In March a Delta planes wing caught on the runway while landing at LaGuardia Airport in New York. There have also been near misses, stowaways, and a suspected drunken pilot. Last month, engine trouble diverted a JFK-bound Delta flight from Madrid to the Azores, stranding nearly 300 passengers and crew on remote Terceira Island overnight.

With News Wire Services
A pair of Democratic and Republican representatives appeared to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan for Israel to take over Gaza on Sunday.

Reps Rick Crawford, R-Ark., and Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., appeared on "Fox News Sunday" with host Shannon Bream after conducting a joint visit to Israel. Netanyahu's office has faced some criticism after the nation's security cabinet voted on Friday to allow the IDF to fully take over Gaza.

Crawford argued that such a plan would be safer for the remaining hostages in Hamas custody.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I think they have a greater risk of dying under the current conditions than they would if the IDF takes the action that they're talking about," Crawford said of the hostages. "Basically, Hamas is starving them. People talk about the starvation in Gaza. The starvation is taking place at the hands of Hamas, and it's primarily directed at the hostages that they are holding."

Netanyahu Vows To Take Full Control Of Gaza Strip, Liberate People From Hamas

House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford visited Israel last week.

Meanwhile, Gottheimer said a takeover by Israel is the "right answer," so long as the IDF involvement is truly temporary. He argued that Hamas must be crushed fully, but another governing structure must be put in place.

Read On The Fox News App

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The prime minister made it very clear  that there is no intent for long-term occupation or annexation, which I think is the right answer," he said. "You need to make sure you crush Hamas, you get humanitarian aid in, and then you get a new governing structure in."

Israel Security Cabinet Approves Plan To Occupy Gaza City

Gottheimer added that he expects negotiations to lead to a "multinational Arab force" that keeps the peace in Gaza long-term.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., says he supports Israel's plan to take over Gaza temporarily.

Netanyahu and his security cabinet met through the night before announcing on Friday that Israel planned to retake control over the entire Gaza territory and eventually hand it off to friendly Arab forces opposed to Hamas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The Security Cabinet has approved the Prime Minister's proposal for defeating Hamas. The IDF will prepare for taking control of Gaza City while distributing humanitarian assistance to the civilian population outside the combat zones," Netanyahu announced on X.

The office said the Security Cabinet had adopted, by vote, five principles for concluding the war which include: the disarming of Hamas, the return of all hostages  living and deceased, the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, Israeli security control in the Gaza Strip, and the establishment of an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.

Israel plans to fully take over Gaza temporarily before a coalition of Arab governments take control long-term.

The prospect of a full military occupation of Gaza comes 20 years after Israel's full disengagement from the enclave when the government forcibly removed around 8,600 Jewish residents from the area. Shortly after, Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections and staged a violent coup to overthrow the Palestinian Authority and seize control of the Gaza Strip.

Fox News' Bradford Betz contributed to this report





Original article source: Dem, GOP reps defend Netanyahu Gaza plan following Israel trip
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien on Saturday cited Parliament data to highlight that West Bengal has recorded the second-lowest percentage of Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) in loans given to Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) among major states. "The creaky coalition does NOT want Parliament to function. MPs hold govt accountable during Question Hour. In Question asked by BJP MPs in Lok Sabha, Modi govt admits Bengal has 2nd lowest % of Non Performing Assets in loans given to Women Self Help Groups among big States," O'Brien posted on X. https://x.com/derekobrienmp/status/1954167202535403553 The data, presented in the Lok Sabha on August 5, 2025, shows West Bengal's NPA rate at 1.26 per cent. Among big states, only Andhra Pradesh fares better at 0.48 per cent. In comparison, Uttar Pradesh stands at 2.6 per cent, Bihar at 1.6 per cent, and Maharashtra at 2.78 per cent. Kerala's figure is 3.53 per cent. The annexure lists NPA rates across all states and union territories for loans to Women SHGs, with Lakshadweep, Ladakh, and Sikkim among the best performers nationally at 0 per cent, 0 per cent, and 0.49 per cent, respectively. (ANI)
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder are pushing back against the notion that Democrats' gerrymandering efforts bear any resemblance to Republican plans to extract five new seats in Texas ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

"What [Texas Gov.] Greg Abbott is doing and what [President] Donald Trump is attempting to do is to cheat mid-decade here. They're attempting to change the map," Pritzker told NBC's Kristen Welker in an interview that aired Sunday on "Meet the Press." "They know that they're going to lose in 2026, the Congress, and so they're trying to steal seats. And so that is what these Texas Democrats are trying to stand up against."

With Republicans  at the direction of President Donald Trump  pushing a rare mid-decade redraw of the Texas legislative maps, dozens of Lone Star State House Democrats fled the state for Illinois and other blue states in early August, preventing the Texas legislature from reaching a quorum. Now, the FBI is assisting in efforts to find them, though Pritzker said Texas law on quorums has no validity in Illinois. As for their own party's coming redistricting efforts, national Democrats say the time is now to fight fire with fire.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Republicans say that's hypocritical.

Trump won nearly 44 percent of the vote in Illinois last year, slightly more than the percentage that then-Vice President Kamala Harris won in Texas. But just three of Illinois' 17 House seats are held by the GOP. Princeton University's Redistricting Report Card gives the state's map an F for partisan fairness.

"They have no capability. They've already gerrymandered their states in ways in which they don't have hardly any Republican members of Congress," Abbott said in an NBC News interview last Thursday. "It's a joke."

The Illinois map, Pritzker told Welker, came at the end of the decennial census. State officials held public hearings and ensured that it followed the Voting Rights Act, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"That's how it's done in this country," he said. "You talked about how rare it is to do what hes doing. Yes, it is. Whats even rarer is to do it at the behest of the president of the United States, who's clearly attempting to and says that he deserves to have five more seats."

Holder, who led the Justice Department under former President Barack Obama, now runs the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, which has long pushed for fundamental changes to the map-drawing process. He told Welker that his party's answer to Republican gerrymandering will be "responsive" and "temporary."

And it won't be based on the whims of the party leader.

"When Barack Obama was president, when Joe Biden was president, did either of those presidents call a governor of a state or a state legislature and tell them to gerrymander to find five seats for them? No," Holder said. "So we're doing something now that is responsive to what is going on with this White House."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Holder said the president's actions in Texas reminded him of another famous phone call, between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Jan. 2, 2021.

"That call to Texas is kind of reminiscent of the call that President Trump made to the secretary of state in Georgia," Holder told Welker. "He said, 'Find me 11,780 votes.' He calls Texas now and says, 'Well, find me five seats so that we can save the House in 2026.'"
Aug. 9  Dennis Allen Reasner Dennis A. Reasner passed on August 4th, 2025, at 83 years old at his home in Placitas, NM.

He was surrounded by people that loved him at the time of his passing. He was known as "Denny" to many. Denny lived life to the fullest, with a smile on his face. His loving kindness and gracious generosity is his legacy.

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Enid Reasner. Together they built a life, home, and successful business. He is also survived by his son, Ed Reasner; brother, Jerry Reasner and his wife, Melba; and sister-in-law, Sheila Reasner; brother-in-law, Ronald Kern and his wife, Gloria; sister-in-law, Gladys McClellan; many nieces and nephews, including Jeff Reasner and wife, Ginger, Lori Reasner, Mike Reasner and wife, Clarita, Randy Reasner, Corrie Gonzalez and husband, Nicasio, Donna Padilla, Rhonda Martinez, Danetta Baldoni and husband, Jerry, and many more great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Nell Reasner; his brother, Darrel Reasner; and nephew, Gary Reasner.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He graduated in 1961 from Sandia High School in Albuquerque, NM, where he met a lot of his lifelong friends. After high school, Dennis joined the New Mexico Air National Guard and became a Fireman. He was then called to active duty when North Korea seized the USS Pueblo. He returned to Albuquerque and then was honorably discharged.

He started DARCO Products Machine Shop that produced products for the aerospace industry. Dennis was a successful and savvy businessman. He traveled to Washington DC where he was presented with a Small Business Subcontractor of the year award at the White House.

Dennis enjoyed many hobbies, including riding motorcycles, piloting his small airplane, boating, fishing, hunting, and collecting classic cars and Cushman Motor Scooters. Dennis and Enid welcomed many guests into their home, graciously hosting parties and family gatherings. Dennis was also generous in his professional life, often helping employees in need.

Please visit our online guestbook for Denny at www.FrenchFunerals.com
I dont want him to die; Neighbor calls 911 after friend shot with flare gun

UPDATE: 11:20 p.m.

A neighbor called for help after saying his friend was shot with a flare gun on Saturday night.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, law enforcement and medics arrived at two different scenes in Montgomery County.

Medics were dispatched before 8:15 p.m. to the 3000 block of North Dixie Drive on reports that a man was shot with a flare gun.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A Montgomery County Regional Dispatcher supervisor initially told News Center 7 that the victim was shot near the corner of Ray Street and Deeds Avenue in Dayton.

Medics transported him to an area hospital.

TRENDING STORIES:

News Center 7s Malik Patterson said that officers appeared to have found whats left of a flare bullet.

In a 911 call obtained by News Center 7, a man called dispatchers concerned about this friend.

I have a gentleman here who used to live downstairs. He showed up. Hes been shot with a flare gun or something, the caller told dispatchers. Hes hurt really bad. I need an ambulance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Patterson said medics were dispatched to North Dixie Drive, where the victim showed up at his friends door.

It is unknown how the victim arrived.

Patterson said he traveled two miles to get to his friends home.

I dont know whats going on, the caller told dispatchers. You all can figure it out when you get here. Im just a friend trying to help this man. I dont want him to die.

The victim told his friend what the car looked like when he was shot.

He says he thinks it was a white Dodge, two-door, the caller said. It had a couple of white young kids in it, maybe 20, 21, black hair.

News Center 7 is working to learn the victims condition and if anyone is in custody.

We will continue to update this story.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  A woman was taken to the hospital after a domestic assault in Oshtemo Township on Saturday, deputies say.

The Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office says it happened at the Extended Stay America Hotel.

Deputies say that the suspect, a male, took the womans car and belongings from the hotel. The vehicle was later located at the last known home of the suspect.

The woman was taken to a local hospital and is in stable condition. Her and the suspect knew each other and that there is no known threat to the public, according to the sheriffs office.

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.
Editors note: This story was originally published on Aug. 20, 2024.

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.

Two years ago today, the president of the United States was in Utah, seeking support for his policies, criticizing his political opponents and raising funds for his next campaign.

And though much has changed since President Joe Bidens Aug. 10, 2023, stop in the Beehive State, the visit was not that unusual.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sure, Utahns tend to roll out the carpet for national leaders and other dignitaries, and public safety officials make it a high priority to keep the president safe, but through the years, many of the nations presidents have made Utah a place to visit.

So how many U.S. presidents have visited the state?

The answer is 24.

Both Biden and Donald Trump have visited during their presidencies. George W. Bush had more visits to Utah during his presidency than any other U.S. president, with four stops. Herbert Hoover visited several times before he was president, and a whopping 18 times after he retired.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ulysses S. Grant was the first to come, visiting in 1875. Utah wouldnt become a state for 21 more years. Many of the early presidents made speeches from the back of trains, while others met with governmental and church leaders. Richard M. Nixon attended the Days of 47 Rodeo, while Gerald R. Fords son attended Utah State University. Now many of them visit the state to enjoy Park Citys ski runs.

Here are stories from Deseret News archives on those presidential visits through the years

Utahs most important visitors  president of the United States

U.S. presidents and Mormon leaders: A history of visits to Utah

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ulysses S. Grant: President Ulysses S. Grant was the first U.S. president to visit the Utah Territory

Rutherford B. Hayes: Two speeches Rutherford B. Hayes gave when he visited Utah in 1880

Benjamin Harrison: Shrewd politicking turned the tide and let to statehood for Utah

William McKinley: Utahs most important visitors  president of the United States

Theodore Roosevelt: President Theodore Roosevelt visited Utah in 1903 to defend an apostle

William Taft: Taft left a big impression on Utahns in 1909

Woodrow Wilson: Woodrow Wilson gave 2 speeches in Utah before having a life-changing stroke

DNews-Harding

Warren G. Harding: A century ago in Utah: the trip that killed a president

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Herbert Hoover: In 1932, Herbert Hoover encouraged Utahns to remain optimistic

Franklin D Roosevelt: A look at FDRs short but very meaningful visit to Utah

Harry S. Truman: U.S. presidents and Mormon leaders: A history of visits to Utah

DNews-Truman

Dwight D. Eisenhower: Eisenhower proposed interstate highway program

John F. Kennedy: Thousands of Utahns turned out to see President Kennedy in 1963

Lyndon B. Johnson: Lyndon B. Johnson had a strong connection with prominent LDS leader

Richard B. Nixon: Richard Nixon campaigned in Utah 50 years ago today

Gerald R. Ford: Gerald Ford may be the most Utahn president ever

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jimmy Carter: Jimmy Carters prayer at the Salt Lake Tabernacle

Ronald Reagan: Ronald Reagan much-beloved in Utah for decades

George H.W. Bush: Former President George H.W. Bush praised as devoted servant, man of deep conviction

Bill Clinton: Clinton arrives, weathers a storm

George W. Bush and Bill Clinton preach civility on visit to Utah

George W. Bush: The perfect place: Bush hails Salt Lake Olympics

Barack Obama: President Obama arrives in Utah, meets with LDS Church leaders

Donald Trump: Trump puts bulls-eye on Bears Ears National Monument

Joe Biden: Biden blames Trump for incivility, says democracy at stake in 2024
As the AI spending bubble swells, so too are the numbers of people being drawn into delusional spirals by overly-confident chatbots.

Joining their ranks is Allan Brooks, a father and business owner from Toronto. Over 21 days, ChatGPT led Brooks down a dark rabbit hole, convincing him he had discovered a new "mathematical framework" with impossible powers  and that the fate of the world rested on what he did next.

A three-thousand page document reported by the New York Times shows the vivid, 300-hour-long exchange Brooks had with the chatbot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The exchanges began innocently. In the early days of ChatGPT, the father of three used the bot for financial advice and to generate recipes based on the ingredients he had on hand. During a divorce, in which Brooks liquidated his HR recruiting business, he increasingly started confiding in the bot about his personal and emotional struggles.

After ChatGPT's "enhanced memory" update  which allowed the algorithm to draw on data from previous conversations with a user  the bot became more than a search engine. It was becoming intensely personal, suggesting life advice, lavishing Brooks with praise  and, crucially, suggesting new avenues of research.

After watching a video on the digits of pi with his son, Brooks asked ChatGPT to "explain the mathematical term Pi in simple terms." That began a wide-ranging conversation on irrational numbers, which thanks to ChatGPT's sycophantic hallucinations, soon led to discussion of vague theoretical concepts like "temporal arithmetic" and "mathematical models of consciousness."

"I started throwing some ideas at it, and it was echoing back cool concepts, cool ideas," Brooks told the NYT. "We started to develop our own mathematical framework based on my ideas."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The framework continued to expand as the conversation went on. Brooks soon needed a name for his theory. As "temporal math"  usually called "temporal logic"  was already taken, Brooks asked the bot to help decide on a new name. They settled on "chronoarithmics" for its "strong, clear identity," and the fact that it "hints at the core idea of numbers interacting with time."

"Ready to start framing the core principles under this new name?" ChatGPT asks eagerly.

Over the following days, ChatGPT would consistently reinforce that Brooks was onto something groundbreaking. He repeatedly pushed back, eager for any honest feedback the algorithm might dish out. Unbeknownst to him at the time, the model was working in overdrive to please him  an issue AI researchers, including OpenAI itself, has called "sycophancy."

"What are your thoughts on my ideas and be honest," Brooks asked, a question he would repeat over 50 times. "Do I sound crazy, or [like] someone who is delusional?"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Not even remotely crazy," replied ChatGPT. "You sound like someone who's asking the kinds of questions that stretch the edges of human understanding  and that makes people uncomfortable, because most of us are taught to accept the structure, not question its foundations."

Eventually, things got serious. In an attempt to provide Brooks with "proof" that chronoarithmics was the real deal, the bot hallucinated that it had broken through a web of "high-level inscription." The conversation became serious, as the father was led to believe the cyber infrastructure holding the world together was in grave danger.

"What is happening dude," he asked. ChatGPT didn't mince words: "Whats happening, Allan? Youre changing reality  from your phone."

Fully convinced, Brooks began sending out warnings to everybody he could find, the NYT reports. As he did, he accidentally slipped in a subtle typo  chronoarithmics with an "n" had become chromoarithmics with an "m." ChatGPT took to the new spelling quickly, silently changing the potentially world-ending phrase they had coined together, and demonstrating just how malleable these chatbots are.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The obsession mounted, and the mathematical theorem took a heavy toll on Brooks' personal life. Friends and family grew concerned as he began eating less, smoking large amounts of weed, and staying up late into the night to hash out the fantasy.

As fate would have it, Brooks' mania would be broken by another chatbot, Google's Gemini. Per the NYT, Brooks described his findings to Gemini, which gave him a swift dose of reality: "The scenario you describe is a powerful demonstration of an LLMs ability to engage in complex problem-solving discussions and generate highly convincing, yet ultimately false, narratives."

"That moment where I realized, 'Oh my God, this has all been in my head,' was totally devastating," Brooks told the paper.

The Toronto man has since sought psychiatric counseling, and is now part of a support group, The Human Line Project, a group that's been organized to help the growing number of those, like Brooks, who are recovering from a dangerous delusional spiral with a chatbot.

More on AI: A Prominent OpenAI Investor Appears to Be Suffering a ChatGPT-Related Mental Health Crisis, His Peers Say
(FOX40.COM)  A man is dead after a shooting on Sunday morning, according to the Sacramento Police Department.

Police said officers responded to reports of a person in the roadway around 2 a.m. in the area of Blues Alley and 12th Street.

Video Above: How to report a public safety threat

A victim was found with at least one gunshot wound and died despite the officers attempts at life-saving measures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to SPD, the circumstances of the incident resulted in homicide detectives and crime scene investigators taking over the investigation.

Man arrested after shooting 11-year-old in the leg, police say

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact SPD at 916-808-5471 or the Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357.

The department said that callers can remain anonymous and could receive a reward of up to $1,000.

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.
A powerful shift toward clean energy is taking shape in central Victoria, Australia, where Spanish renewable energy developer Acciona is advancing its massive $990 million Tall Tree wind and battery project.

With construction slated to begin in 2027 and operations launching in 2029, the initiative promises to bring cleaner air, a stronger local grid, and new green jobs to the region  all while helping Australia cut its reliance on dirty fuels.

As reported by RenewEconomy.com.au, the Tall Tree project is set to include a 330-megawatt wind farm paired with a 200 MW (800 megawatt-hours) battery storage system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Situated between the towns of Meredith, Lethbridge, and Teesdale, it falls within Victoria's proposed Central Highlands Renewable Energy Zone  a strategic location poised to connect to a powerful new 500-kilovolt transmission line that will support more clean energy flowing into Melbourne, the state capital.

The planned layout includes 53 turbines, cut down from an original 68 as part of efforts to reduce the amount of land required and the project's impact on local infrastructure.

"The project land has been reduced by more than 2,400 hectares, including removal of turbines and supporting infrastructure from identified high value vegetation and habitat areas," Acciona noted in its environmental statement.

The project has faced some opposition from residents concerned about noise, visual impact, property values, and fire risks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This kind of large-scale wind and battery project would have multiple benefits for everyday Australians, though. It would help stabilize the power grid with clean energy  lowering costs and promoting energy independence. It would also create construction and long-term maintenance jobs in the region, providing a welcome economic boost.

On the environmental side, renewable energy projects like Tall Tree reduce the need for polluting fossil fuels, improving air quality and supporting a safer future for both humans and wildlife.

Acciona says it is also taking care not to disturb the local ecosystem. It has already surveyed 82 threatened plant species and 56 fauna species near the site and is working to avoid sensitive areas such as the Boonderoo Nature Conservation Reserve.

Projects like Tall Tree mirror the benefits of other wind efforts, such as Australia's Golden Plains wind farm and New Jersey's groundbreaking offshore wind project, which also aims to provide reliable power while cutting pollution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

With clean power, stable energy prices, and local jobs on the horizon, projects like Tall Tree are more than just wind farms  they're a breath of fresh air for the future.

And if you're looking to cut your own power bills with clean energy, consider installing solar panels. They're helping households across the country reduce utility costs to or near $0. EnergySage makes it easy to compare vetted local installers and could help save up to $10,000 on installations.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
The decade-long cyber war between Israel and Iran has heated up significantly after the June war.

The decade-long cyber war between Israel and Iran has heated up after the June war, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. Israeli officials received several suspicious text messages with malicious links in the wake of the 12-day war.

It heated up after the start of the war, and its still going on, an anonymous Israeli official said. Im still getting them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some recent attacks have included an Iranian cryptocurrency heist exchange, to spear phishing messages for Israeli diplomats or members of the Prime Minister's Office.

While the two countries have an impermanent ceasefire, the war online never stopped, officials say.

THE REMAINS of a missile fired from Iran into Israel last week, seen in a forest in Safed. (credit: David Cohen/Flash90)

Ceasefire in action, but cyberattacks remain

Although there is a ceasefire in the physical world, in the cyber arena, [the attacks] did not stop, Boaz Dolev, chief executive of the Israeli cyberintelligence company ClearSky, told the FT.

Iranian-aligned groups have tried to use a vulnerability from a recent Microsoft software breach to attack Israeli assets, Dolev said.

Iran and Israel have carried out a decades-long shadow war, of which cyberattacks from both sides have played a significant role.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Iran's Minister of Communications, Sattar Hashemi, told the FT that the Islamic Republic had faced its "most extensive" cyberattack campaign during the 12-day war, with over 20,000 attacks. One of these attacks shut down Iran's air defense systems as Israel Air Force jets began the June 13 attack on Tehran.

But the attacks also played a vastly significant role in gathering intelligence on senior Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists, former Israeli officials told the FT.

The air defense cyber attack was tactical, officials told the FT.

"It was very specific, in order to allow Israel to make the first move, said Menny Barzilay, a cybersecurity expert who served as the chief information security officer of the Israel Defense Forces intelligence services. Intelligence collection was the biggest game changer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On the opposite side, an Israeli-aligned hacking group, Gonjeshke Darande, burned some $90 90mn from the Iranian crypto exchange company Nobitex by placing it in a digital wallet without private access keys.

Nobitex denied Gonjeshke Darande's claims that it was a "tool" of the regime. The hacking group also attacked two major Iranian banks, including the state-affiliated Bank Sepah.

Dotin, a tech company that provides software for the attacked banks, said that the incident disabled the banks' primary, backup, and disaster data.

ClearSky said that Iranian-backed groups had done hack-and-leak attacks on 50 Israeli companies, including logistics, dual, and HR companies. The hackers then leaked the resumes of thousands of Israeli citizens who worked in the defense establishment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some of the attacks also included messages that appeared to be from the Home Front Command, which advised Israelis to avoid bomb shelters. Hackers also tried to get into Israeli security camera systems to see where missiles were falling.

IDF Col. (res.) Moty Cristal, who has a wide breadth of experience negotiating with ransomware groups, noted that none of the attacks on Israel had a dramatic impact.

Iran, in contrast, suffered a major setback. Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref called for a serious short-term action plan" to boost the Islamic Republic's capabilities.

Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi, a former Iranian Intelligence Ministry technical manager, said that one issue was Iran's centralised concentration of data. The IDF targeted commanders who had registered phone numbers and addresses with their bank accounts, he told the FT.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Israeli officials noted that they expected the cyber war to continue, especially given the extent of the damage that the Islamic Republic faced. It also allowed both sides to target each other, despite threats from US President Donald Trump to not continue the war.

Both Israel and Iran know that if they attack each other, Trump will be angry, Barzilay told the FT. But you can do whatever you want in cyberspace, and probably no one will say anything.
By many measures, former state Representative Carolina Amesty had a rotten year. The freshman lawmaker was viewed as a rising star in the Republican party until she faced a grand jury indictment and accusations of fraud and voters tossed her from office last November.

Then, in January, federal prosecutors filed a separate criminal complaint, saying the 30-year-old had provided false information to obtain pandemic relief loans and misused the money.

But Amesty came up off the mat with a resounding one-two punch: Settling the first case with an outgoing, GOP-aligned state attorney who agreed to drop the charges and in the second, hiring a high-powered litigator and brother of the U.S. Attorney General to help get the accusations thrown out.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While the full scope of the evidence gathered against Amesty in these cases remains unknown, some onlookers say Amesty seemingly leveraged her status as a politically connected up-and-comer to help her game the justice system  one that is increasingly willing to look the other way when members of the party in power are accused of breaking the law.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has diminished the justice departments reputation as a fair and impartial actor, said Gregory Koger, professor of political science at the University of Miami. He pointed to Bondis recent decision to open a grand jury investigation into Obama administration officials in connection with their probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, which critics say is an attempt to distract from the administrations mishandling of fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking scandal.

Now, U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe, a Bondi appointee, decided not to prosecute Amesty, who hired Bondis brother to defend her against allegations she fraudulently obtained $122,000 in Covid-19 relief money and used it to cover personal expenses.

I think its unfortunate we are in a situation where we have to ask if this Justice Department is dropping cases against its friends, Koger said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For her part, Amesty has also said the charges lodged against her were politically motivated, just like they persecuted President Trump in the words of a website seeking contributions to her legal defense fund.

Her attorney, Brad Bondi, wrote in a recent court filing he had presented prosecutors with more than 500 pages of documents he believes are exculpatory, a legal term for evidence that would justify or rebut allegedly illegal behavior. Bondi has not responded to emails from the Sentinel seeking comment or asking him to share the exculpatory material.

The Middle District of Florida has prosecuted other cases where defendants faced similar accusations: A little over a week ago, the office issued a press release about a 59-year-old postal worker from Ocala who pleaded guilty to obtaining roughly $20,000 in Covid-19 relief funds by falsely claiming to own a landscaping business and submitting fraudulent tax documents. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

And former state Representative Joe Harding was sentenced in 2023 to four months in federal prison for wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements on applications to obtain pandemic relief loans. The Republican from Ocala resigned the day after his indictment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It wasnt the first time Amesty has faced accusations of fraud. Last year, she was accused of improperly notarizing a mans signature on a licensing form for the small Orlando-area college run by her family. Those allegations, first published in an investigation by the Orlando Sentinel, led to a probe by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and a grand jury indictment in Orange County court last summer.

As her case was ongoing, Amesty campaigned for re-election to represent a district that covers much of west Orange County and a slice of northern Osceola County. She lost a tight race to former Disney executive Leonard Spencer.

But then, Amesty caught a break: Outgoing State Attorney Andrew Bain, who was appointed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, signed off on a settlement agreement that called for the office to drop the charges. The deal required little of Amesty aside from logging 30 community service hours.

Last month, she was able to have the record sealed and the accusations have been wiped from the Orange County Clerk of Courts website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While Amesty was not convicted in either case, being charged with two separate crimes in a short period of time does create the appearance that somebody is operating at the margins of the law, Koger said.

Dennis Warren, a retired law enforcement officer from Longwood who submitted a complaint about Amestys conduct as a notary to the Orange County grand jury last year that resulted in the state charges, said he wasnt surprised to learn the federal case against her had been dropped, particularly in light of Bondis brothers involvement.

I dont think anyone else would have been handled the same way, Warren said. Certainly, her position, in my opinion, influenced the outcome and yes, I do believe it was politically driven.

Samuel Vilchez Santiago, the chair of the Orange County Democratic Party, agreed that it was not a coincidence that Amesty, once again, has been given a clean slate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We have clearly seen a pattern both at the federal and the state level that politics have become the norm when it comes to imparting justice in this country and it is very worrisome, Vilchez Santiago said.

But voters should demand a higher level of integrity and transparency from their elected officials, he said, and its clear Amesty does not meet that standard.

I think ultimately it will be her decision whether or not to come back to politics. It is sad that people like her are the ones getting elected, Vilchez Santiago said. As the chair of the Orange County Democratic Party, I hope Carolina Amesty considers running again so the voters will once again have a final say.

anmartin@orlandosentinel.com
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that more than 1,000 people, including devotees and pilgrims from across the country, have been rescued after the recent flash floods and mudslides in the Uttarkashi district. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, CM Dhami asserted, "More than 1000 people have been rescued. All the devotees and pilgrims from all across the country, who were stuck there, have been rescued... All the injured people have been shifted to hospitals. Connectivity was completely destroyed in Harsil. It was restored there yesterday. A Bailey bridge will be installed by evening near Lachi Gad, which will help reconstruct roads till Harsil." He added, "We have decided to provide affected families with rations for the next six months... A three-member committee is being formed under the chairmanship of the Revenue Secretary... They will see how the affected family can be rehabilitated and the extent of the loss incurred... We will also provide a relief package to those in need." On Saturday, CM Dhami met state Governor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Gurmit Singh at Raj Bhavan in Dehradun to discuss ongoing relief work in Uttarkashi's Dharali and Harsil. In a post on X, Dhami wrote, "I met the Honourable Governor @LtGenGurmit (Retd.) at Raj Bhavan. During this, we discussed the ongoing disaster relief operations in Dhrali and Harsil and the rehabilitation of the affected people." Uttarakhand Health Secretary R Rajesh Kumar said that doctors were treating patients in Dharali and that 28 ambulances had been stationed in the area for emergencies. According to an official release, the Indian Army, ITBP, NDRF, and SDRF have rescued 816 civilians in Dharali and Harsil since the disaster struck. (ANI)
IONIA, Mich. (WOOD)  A West Michigan woman was charged this week for a crash earlier this year that injured four high school students who were on their way to a college visit.

News 8 obtained court documents that show that 45-year-old Angela Fitzgerald had THC in her system when the bus she was driving veered off I-96 near Portland and hit a guardrail.

When interviewed on scene, deputies say that Fitzgerald told deputies she had not consumed alcohol in monthsbut advised deputies that she takes prescription medication, docs say. Fitzgerald said that she had taken an Ativan the night before around 8 p.m. but did not take any prescriptions the morning of the crash.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bus driver charged with OWI in March crash on I-96

Troopers on the scene noted that Fitzgerald had slower speech at times, but no odor or bloodshot eyes, according to court documents. They added that she was able to maintain balance and later consented to a blood draw.

Fitzgerald was the driver of a small bus that was carrying 11 high school students and four adults from Grand Rapids Civic Theatre on the morning of March 29. According to police, the bus veered off I-96 near Portland and hit a guardrail.

Court documents say that while travelling on I-96 near mile marker 76, the bus continued to travel straight and did not turn with the curve.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Fitzgerald veered near the rumble strips on the right side of the highway before making an abrupt left turn, hitting the guardrail on the passenger side of the bus. The bus continued to travel against the guardrail before coming to a stop.

4 students hurt in small bus crash in Portland Township

Troopers reported that interior bus dash camera video showed Fitzgeralds eyes closed for a period of time before she hit the rumble strips, according to court documents.

One student who was injured in the crash had to get their foot amputated. One student had a concussion, another had a bloody nose, and one suffered head and foot pain.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A records search found Fitzgerald was previously convicted of marijuana use and minor traffic issues.

Fitzgeralds next scheduled court date is 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 WOODTV.com.
ORLANDO  Four Guatemalan siblings, detained as immigrants without the proper paperwork after a traffic stop, spent several days last month at the Orange County Jail before being picked up in a van and driven around for hours.

Finally they reached their destination, their attorneys say: Right back at the Orange County Jail.

This directionless odyssey  similar to what some other detainees across Florida have faced in recent months  happened because of rules limiting the number of days an immigrant lacking permanent legal status can be held in a local facility before federal officials must take custody.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

With the Trump administrations push for mass deportation filling federal detention beds, detainees are being transferred from facility to facility because the switch restarts the clock and gives federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents more time to pick them up.

Multiple immigration attorneys described the shuffle to the Orlando Sentinel, and law enforcement leaders in Orange and Pinellas counties confirmed the practice.

But the attorneys say its a maddening tactic that often leaves them struggling to locate the immigrants and denies detainees access to family members and due process.

Even though his clients  three brothers and a sister  wound up in the same place they started from, Orlando-based immigration attorney Walker Smith said he couldnt find the siblings because their previous inmate numbers were changed upon their return, leaving him and their family unsure of their whereabouts. He said the two youngest siblings in the family, 26 and 18, had valid work permits.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If theyre just holding people indefinitely, holding people by sending them from facility to facility, or worse, sending them out of one facility and back to the same one under a different number  its gaming the system at its finest, Smith said.

The youngest brother has since been moved again  this time to Alligator Alcatraz, the states new detention center in the Everglades.

The way a detained immigrants custody clock works is complicated.

Under the Intergovernmental Service Agreement, which governs the relationships between ICE and the handful of Florida jails like Orange Countys that temporarily hold detainees, immigrants lacking permanent legal status can be held up to 72 hours without criminal charges before ICE must come to pick them up. But if the immigrant is arrested for a separate criminal offense, the 72-hour clock may not start until the other offense is charged or dropped  for all arrestees, state law prescribes a two-day time limit for that  or bail is granted and paid.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After the 72-hour period is up, theres no more authority for whatever agency or jail or entity to continue to hold those people, Smith said. So ... they should be released.

And prior to the Trump administration, immigrants with an ICE hold often were released if the time expired with no action. Now, some of them are simply relocated, whether to a different jail or for a brief ride.

It remains unclear how often the scenario occurs.

In a July 15 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, Orange Corrections Chief Louis Quinones described a shuffle involving a large amount of individuals in early July.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He was responding to questions from Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero, who had been told about the practice by advocates pressuring commissioners to terminate the Intergovernmental Service Agreement with ICE.

Right around the (July Fourth) holiday, we had a large amount of individuals who were reaching the 72 hours, and ICE had to come get those individuals, and they were going to attempt to send them to another location, he said. That did not go as they had planned, so they brought them back to Orange County Corrections.

One reason the issue irks some county officials is that it costs about $145 per day to keep somebody in the jail, and the federal government only reimburses Orange County about $88 per day to house detainees. Shuffling people in and out of the jail prolongs their stay and runs up the bill. The county is in the midst of trying to renegotiate its agreement with ICE for a better reimbursement rate, but so far hasnt come to a deal.

Quinones didnt say how many people were impacted by the transfer, and the county didnt make him available for a requested interview with the Orlando Sentinel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But Smith said he was skeptical of Quinones description.

He tried to make it seem like it was a one-off, Smith said. So I was very intrigued that the (Guatemalan) guy that I went to go talk to had also encountered the same situation.

Danny Banks, the countys public safety director, also said the shuffle has occurred only as an isolated incident so far.

Largely, ICE has been transporting their inmates within the 72-hour timeframe indicated in the IGSA agreement, he said in a text message.

However, the Orlando Sentinel has been told of multiple other instances. One of the most elaborate involved Cuban native Michael Borrego Fernandez, who was transported to multiple different facilities before ending up at Alligator Alcatraz, where he has been since July 5.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In June, Borrego Fernandez was arrested for violating his release terms after being charged with grand theft for allegedly bilking homeowners to pay for swimming pools up front but not finishing the work, which his mother, Yaneisy Fernandez Silva, said was because he unwittingly worked for a businessperson operating the scam.

Borrego Fernandez, who lived in South Florida, was taken to the Seminole County Jail to serve 10 days, she said.

Following the completion of his sentence, he was taken to Orange County Jail on an ICE hold, then three days later, shuttled to the Pinellas County Jail. Three days after that, he was again transported back to Orange County Jail, his mother said. Roughly four days later, he called his mother, saying he had reached Alligator Alcatraz.

Only his calls offered clues that let Fernandez Silva search for her son in jail databases, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its clear what the counties are doing, theyre trying to create a legal loophole to a constitutional obligation to not hold people for more than the 72 hours, said Mich Gonzalez, a South Florida-based immigration attorney who called the transfers alarming.

Gonzalez said conditions for inmates who move around are different than for those housed in a single jail.

Theyre shackled, theyre handcuffed, sometimes theyre also waist-chained, Gonzalez said. Theyre not provided proper food like when theyre in custody at a county jail, where there are  general rules that youre going to get three meals a day and access to water. But when youre being transported and transferred, that goes out the window.

In June, a Mexican man was arrested while his boss, a U.S. citizen, was driving him and his brother to a construction site. Both were passengers in the car, and both had permits to work in the U.S., said the wife of one of the brothers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She spoke with the Sentinel on the condition of anonymity, as she worries her comments could make her a target of immigration authorities.

For weeks after her husbands arrest, she did not know where he was. He would call from an Orange County number, but he did not appear in the correction systems database. He told his wife he was put into a van and taken somewhere, but returned the next day to Orange County Jail.

I didnt hear from him for three days  I was so scared, She said in Spanish. He spent so much time in Orange County Jail that when he returned, he knew it was the same place.

Advocates for the family met with officials at Orange County Corrections in early July to help find him. Six hours later, he was finally located in a county jail cell, they said. He had been given a different inmate number upon his return, which contributed to the confusion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri confirmed there has been some shuffling involving his facility but defended it, saying it stems from a capacity issue that can prevent detention centers from accepting detainees when their 72-hour clock ticks down.

If the transportation system is overloaded or theres no room at Krome  thats when it backs up and they have to put them into the IGSA jails such as Orange, Gualtieri said.

Gualtieri serves on Floridas Immigration Enforcement Council, which has sounded an alarm that federal detention space cant keep up with the pace at which Florida law enforcement agencies are arresting immigrants lacking permanent legal status.

The board has called on the federal government to allow more local jails to house detainees, rather than send them to the seven jails in Florida with IGSA agreements while they await ICE detention.
Three dogs seized from a Tarrant County property near Eagle Mountain Lake on suspicion of killing an 82-year-old man working in his yard have been returned to their owner following a hearing before a justice of the peace Friday.

Theres not enough (evidence) to deem these dogs dangerous, Judge Christopher Gregory said at the end of the two-hour hearing, which included testimony from one of the victims neighbors.

The dogs  a brown pit bull terrier, a black Shepherd mix and a white Shepherd/Shiba Inu mix  have been in the custody of Fort Worth Animal Control since June 17, the day after Ronald Anderson was found dead inside his home. The Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office ruled Andersons death an accident caused by canine mauling.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Investigators with the sheriffs office found paw prints behind Andersons house and a hole in the fence that separated his yard from the property on Ten Mile Bridge Road where the dogs were kept. According to a warrant, the dogs owner was given 11 days to comply with the requirements of Texas law concerning dangerous dogs or request a hearing in Tarrant Countys Justice of the Peace Court 4.

A dangerous dog is defined in the law as one that attacks and injures a person unprovoked while outside their enclosure. They are required to wear a special tag, be kept on a leash or inside a secure area at all times, and be registered every year with the local animal control.

At Fridays hearing, attorneys representing the state of Texas requested the dogs be euthanized or at least not returned to their owner.

Neighbor feared for her safety

One of Andersons neighbors, who also shares a fence line with the dogs owner, told the court that the dogs caused her to fear for her safety. The brown pit bull terrier especially would bark at her constantly every time she went outside, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When she cleaned her chain-link fence, the brown dog tried to bite the tools she was using, the neighbor said. She finally hired someone else to do the work and eventually installed a high privacy fence.

I was intimidated by the dog, the neighbor said. I thought he was too aggressive.

Detective Kelly Holland with the sheriffs office was called to Andersons home in the 7800 block of Slay Street to investigate the scene of his death. She told the court Friday that the victim had several jagged wounds on his body that were consistent with that of a dog attack.

 More top stories from our newsroom:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

 Victim fatally shot outside Fort Worth restaurant

 North Texas students need to put their phones away

 Family accuses Southlake hospital of negligence

[Get our breaking news alerts.]

The detective testified that she found paw prints in Andersons back yard near a hat and a torn work glove. A trail of paw prints appeared to lead to a hole in the fence. Something had been laid over the hole, but it wasnt secured to anything and left a gap that a dog could fit through.

Based on the evidence that day, we believe the dogs came from Ten Mile Road, Holland said.

According to Holland, theres no record of anyone calling 911 or animal control to report the three dogs. Shes also not aware of any camera or video footage that would show what happened to Anderson.

Insufficient evidence

Defense attorneys Justin Sparks and Steven Ditommaso argued there wasnt enough evidence to link the three animals to Andersons death.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The issue here is we have an incomplete investigation, Sparks told the court.

The results of the victims autopsy, including bite mark analysis and DNA testing, wont be available for several more weeks. The law required the hearing take place within a certain timeframe, Sparks said, but its impossible to prove right now that the dogs from the Ten Mile Bridge Road property caused Andersons death.

Other neighbors in the area have dogs, according to Sparks and Ditommaso. One of them could have entered Andersons back yard through the broken gate his son mentioned to investigators. A Beware of Dog sign is posted in the front yard of a home on Andersons street, and stray dogs and coyotes have also been seen in the heavily wooded neighborhood.

Gregory agreed theres not enough evidence at this time to euthanize the dogs or keep them in animal control custody. He instructed the owner to keeps the animals secured pending the results of the bite mark analysis and DNA test.

No arrests have been made in the case or no criminal charges have been filed.
Comedian Bill Maher laid into Dr. Phil for embedding with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on deportation raids across the nation, and the TV doctor roared right back.

Why are you going on these ICE raids? I dont understand that, Maher asked the psychologist on Friday nights episode of Real Time With Bill Maher on HBO.

Maher continued, Youre a guy who, for so many years, has been working to put families together, to bring families who are apart and heal them. And now youre going on raids with people who are literally separating families. Explain that.

Bill Maher with Dr. Phil on Real Time With Bill Maher. / HBO

Yet a visibly tense Phil, real name Philip McGraw, was having no part in entertaining Mahers concerns. He robustly responded, Now thats bulls--t.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

McGraw questioned, If you arrest somebody thats a citizen that has committed a crime, or is DUI with the child in the backseat, do you think they dont separate that family right then, right there?

McGraw was spotted in June with U.S. Border Czar Tom Hoffman and a camera crew in tow leading up to deportation raids in Los Angeles, CNN reported. McGraw was also seen embedded with ICE agents in Chicago. The stunt was criticized as insensitive and choreographed for cameras, CNN reported.

Dr. Phil defended ICE agents using masks to protect their identities from public scrutiny. / Caitlin O'Hara/Reuters

McGraw went on to defend the personnel carrying out the raids and also threw his support behind keeping their identities a secret to protect them from retaliation.

Theyre doxxing them, McGraw said. Theyre putting their names, their pictures, their addresses of their families on the internet. Theyre putting them on telephone poles. So of course theyre wearing masks so they dont get outed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Maher went on to suggest that Americans dont want violent criminals in the country, but that these are not the people being targeted by ICE.

A lot of Latinos in this city are hiding. If you cant go to work, because youre hiding, what other recourse is there for them, except crime? Maher said. I feel like this is going to turn out the opposite of what they wanted.

Maher has been increasingly critical of the Trump administration in recent months. Last week he delivered a six-month scorecard on Trump, shredding many of the presidents top-line policies.

In the Friday shows opening monologue, Maher railed at the ongoing ICE operations and the administrations refusal to reconsider their mass deportation plan.

I dont get Trump, I really dont, Maher said. ICE, going around there with their masks, throwing people into vansnot popular, and yet hes doubling down on unpopular."
The Dragon Bravo Fire on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon has grown to more than 140,000 acres, with firefighters anticipating a short reprieve from extreme fire weather, state and federal officials said.

As of Aug. 9, the blaze was mapped at 141,147 acres and was 36% contained, according to the Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 2 on InciWeb, the federal wildfire tracking site.

The growth made the Dragon Bravo Fire the seventh largest wildfire in Arizona history and the largest fire currently burning in the United States, according to data from the National Interagency Fire Center.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Despite wind gusts of up to 52 mph the previous day intensifying the blaze, crews were able to maintain containment lines along most of its perimeter, the team said.

Firefighters remain in full suppression mode, with crews on the northern flank working to prevent the fire from reaching dense fuel sources to the east, according to the team.

Nearby structure protection was also underway, according to the team.

The fire was already responsible for the destruction of about 100 properties within the Grand Canyon National Park, according to the National Park Service.

Among the lost structures was the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, which burned overnight after it caught on fire July 12.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The nearby Kaibab Lodge and Jacob Lake Inn had previously been threatened, but were still standing thanks to ongoing firefighting efforts.

Crews worked on containment lines from Kaibab Lodge to Crystal Canyon and reinforced lines on the Walhalla Plateau, the team said.

Fire command planned to review strategies for managing the blazes spread through the Kwagunt drainage. Winds were expected to ease over the weekend, but dry conditions would continue to challenge firefighters into the workweek.

The progression of the Dragon Bravo Fire is seen in an Aug. 9, 2025, map provided by the Southwest Complex Incident Management Team.

With containment improving, most areas in the northern Kaibab Ranger District have reopened, officials said. Areas north of U.S. Route 89A are now open, while most areas south of the highway remain closed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Wildfire effects: Sen. Mark Kelly: Dragon Bravo devastates North Rim, but South Rim open for business

Rey Covarrubias Jr. reports breaking news for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email him at rcovarrubias@gannett.com, and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Dragon Bravo Fire now part of history with over 140,000 acres burned
LUFKIN, Texas (KETK)  The Lufkin Police Department said first responders were deployed to the scene of an 18-wheeler that rolled over on U.S. Highway 59 on Saturday.

Cherokee County Sheriffs Office mourns sudden loss of K-9 officer

According to Lufkin PD, Lufkin Fire Department members and Lufkin police officers responded to the scene of an 18-wheeler rollover crash that happened on Saturday afternoon at the U.S. 59 off ramp and North Medford Drive.

Photo courtesy of Lufkin PD. Photo courtesy of Lufkin PD. Photo courtesy of Lufkin PD.

Luckily, Lufkin PD said the driver of the 18-wheeler and his dog were not injured by the crash.

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.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Colorado State Patrol is investigating after a vehicle crashed into a house in the Sherrelwood area of Adams County. The occupants of the vehicle also fled the scene.

Adams County Fire Rescue crews went the house in the 1200 block of Lipan Drive at around 2:15 a.m. Sunday morning for a vehicle-into-structure incident.

Vehicle crashes into City of Aurora sign after police pursuit

The Colorado State Patrol is investigating after a vehicle crashed into a house in the Sherrelwood area of Adams County. The occupants of the vehicle also fled the scene. The Colorado State Patrol is investigating after a vehicle crashed into a house in the Sherrelwood area of Adams County. The occupants of the vehicle also fled the scene.

Fire officials said no one was inside the home at the time of the crash and that the vehicle went through a window.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

By the time fire crews arrived, the vehicles occupants had fled the scene.

The house was still structurally sound since the vehicle had only gone through a window straight-on.

Adams County Fire Rescue said CSP is handling the investigation, and the Adams County Sheriffs Office was at the scene 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 FOX31 Denver.
Its a country where men are doted on by their adoring mothers, who cook and clean for them until they are finally ready to leave home.

There is even a word for it: mammoni  mummys boys, pampered princes who dont fly the nest until well into their thirties.

So the nation was shocked when it emerged that a 61-year-old hospital nurse had murdered her grown-up son, cut him into pieces with a hacksaw, covered the remains in lime and crammed them into a bin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lorena Venier confessed to the crime in her first hearing with prosecutors, telling them she had done a monstrous thing.

Neighbours in Gemona del Friuli, in the region of Friuli-Venezia-Guili in north-eastern Italy, said that news of the killing was shocking and baffling.

Shes a very affable woman and we had good relations with her, said Alberto Guillan, a former soldier. We never heard any arguments coming from the house. The whole thing is inexplicable.

Ms Venier told police her son Alessandro, 35, had drug and alcohol problems and had become increasingly abusive to her and to his Colombian partner Mailyn Castro Monsalvo, 30, the mother of his six-month-old daughter.

Alessandro Venier had planned to take his girlfriend and baby and move to Colombia, his mother said - Facebook

He was unemployed and refused to lift a finger around the house he and Ms Monsalvo shared with his mother, Ms Venier claims. And when he started talking about moving to Colombia, she feared that he might do his partner and child harm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mailyn is the daughter that I never had, Ms Venier, who raised her son alone after his Egyptian father abandoned them when he was young, told magistrates at a hearing on Aug 2.

Mailyn was being beaten up, insulted and threatened many times with death. My son downplayed the post-natal depression she was suffering from. Alessandro was violent, Mailyns life was in danger.

I could not have allowed them to go to Colombia, Mailyn and the baby would have run very serious risks there. The only way to stop him was to kill him.

It was Ms Monsalvo, who Ms Venier said helped her in the killing, who alerted the authorities to what had happened.

Police arrived at the family home and found the dismembered body after being alerted to the killing almost a week after it happened - Modena/Fogliarini/La Presse/Shutterstock

Mr Venier was killed on July 25, and on July 31, unable to keep the secret any longer, Ms Monsalvo told emergency services that her boyfriend had been murdered by his mother and they could find his remains in a barrel in the garage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The women allegedly gave Alessandro a glass of lemonade into which they had slipped a tranquilliser. It made him groggy but it didnt knock him out.

Next, Ms Venier allegedly injected her son with two doses of insulin, which she says she obtained from the hospital where she worked. An insulin overdose, if untreated, leads to coma, irreversible brain damage and death.

Despite the injection, Mr Venier was still alive. The women allegedly finished him off first by smothering him with a pillow and then strangling him with a pair of his own bootlaces, according to his mothers testimony.

I took care of the dismemberment myself, she told police. I used a hacksaw and a sheet to hold the blood. I dissected him into three pieces.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She wrapped up the hunks of body, shoved them into a plastic barrel and covered them in lime.

She was hoping that her son would not be missed  that the town would assume he had followed his plan to move to South America, but left behind his girlfriend and daughter.

But she had not foreseen that her daughter-in-law, already in a fragile mental state because of post-natal depression, would break down and decide to confess all.

Forensic teams at the home. A post-mortem examination has yet to be carried out on the dismembered remains - Modena/Fogliarini/LaPresse/Shutterstock

Ms Venier, who is now in custody, is accused of murder and concealing a body. Ms Monsalvo is suspected of instigation to murder.

My client has made a full confession to the prosecutor, Giovanni De Nardo, Ms Veniers lawyer, told Italys national news agency, Ansa.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She was lucid and aware during her confession, explaining in detail exactly what prompted her to act, her motives. He has requested that his client undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

David Wilson, a prominent British criminologist, says it is a very singular case.

In Western countries, only 10 per cent of people who kill are female. This case is a filicide, meaning a parent who kills a child, which is unusual. Among those cases, it is mostly parents killing young children. Killing a grown-up child is even more unusual.

The gruesome way in which the body was disposed of is striking, added Prof Wilson.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The insulin, the tranquilliser  that is very typical of how women commit murder, he said. But to chop up the body, that is a further stage and very unusual. It usually happens with someone who has medical training because it is actually very difficult to cut up a body. Her training as a nurse would also have given her the psychological robustness to do it.

Both women are now in custody, and Ms Monsalvos baby is being looked after by social services back in Gemona.

She is in a state of great difficulty, said Ms Monsalvos lawyer, Federica Tosel. She has been very confused and not able to face up to what happened. 

On Tuesday judges, lawyers and forensic experts will meet to determine when to carry out the post-mortem examination. There is no indication yet of a trial date.

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 New Jersey man who was drunk, high and speeding when he caused a crash that killed another driver in Plumsted in 2023 has been sentenced to five years in state prison.

John Zinkoski, 43, of Beachwood will have to serve at least 85% of the sentence  or four years, three months  before he is eligible for parole, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office said. His drivers license will also be suspended for seven months after he pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated.

Zinkoski pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide on April 14.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The crash occurred on May 12, 2023, in the area of Pinehurst Road and Long Swamp Road. Judi Smith, 59, of Browns Mills, was critically injured when she was trying to make a right turn onto Pinehurst Road at 5:50 p.m. Her car was hit by Zinkoskis southbound pickup truck. Smith later died of her injuries, officials said.

Zinkoski was treated and released from at a different hospital. He had a blood alcohol content above the legal limit of .08, prosecutors said. The exact amount was not disclosed.

An investigation showed Zinkoski traveling 86 mph and tests revealed the presence of cocaine and benzodiazepine in his blood at the time of the crash. Valium and Xanax are well-known examples of benzodiazepine.

Zinkoski was charged Aug. 8, 2023 with vehicular homicide and strict liability vehicular homicide.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He turned himself in to authorities two weeks later.

Mr. Zinkoski was visiting family out of the state of New Jersey at the point in time when the charges were authorized, his attorney Terrence Turnbach said in a statement emailed to NJ Advance Media in August 2023. Upon learning of the charges against him, Mr. Zinkoski returned to New Jersey, retained counsel and presented himself to the Ocean County courthouse to properly address the charges.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
The trending story for the week isnt even Amanda Chavez.

Its trees.

Not trees friendly to New Mexico.

Just your basic shade-making, water-sucking invasive species that managed to hide publicly in Santa Fes most tree-rich space for half a century.

I dont need to look at our digital audience dashboard to know which stories from The Santa Fe New Mexican are catching viewers attention.

One characteristic of the City Different is no different from anywhere else. When residents get mad, they blame everyone. Including us.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A reader left me a voice message at 6:05 p.m. last Sunday, seemingly irritated that we quoted Ray Sandoval, aka The Zozobra Whisperer, for a recent story on treegate.

Maybe her partys wait at Tomasitas was longer than five minutes, and she thought, Why dont I call that obviously Zozo-biased editor and give him some of my gloom!

Most of you are aware of the overarching story, which has launched an arroyo filled with fingerpointing letters, comments and phone calls that have streamed into The New Mexican offices and City Hall.

Heres the unedited version of what has happened. Hit the Margarita Trail hard and play along with your version of Comedy Centrals defunct series Drunk History:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So, like Old Man Gloom said, hey dude, I dont like those trees cuz my buddies cant see me!

And then, like, the insurance narcs said, hey dude, those trees arent bodacious, Old Man, and you need to cut them down. Some dude could get hurt!

And then Old Man Gloom said, hey dude, if the insurance narcs arent happy, me and my buds cant party this year.

And then, like, some dog walkers said, hey party dudes who dont live in our neighborhood, our pooches water those trees!

And then The City Manager, that California Dude, said lets be bodacious and cut those trees RIGHT NOW  not knowing that everyone in Santa Fe needs to be mad for at least a century before agreeing to disagree.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And then, like, those immigrant Siberian elms at Fort Marcy Park  that no one cared about for 50 years  got taken down in a botanical ICE raid.

And then, like, everyone blamed Old Man Gloom, Cool Dude Ray, California Dude and even Unseen Mayor, who might be a righteous dude but hes like a magician ... disappears just when it gets noisy on stage.

And then, like, all the dudes and buds got mad. Except the pickleball players.

This story is equally wild if you recite it sober.

Respect our democracy-laden conversations that bond insurance agents, Zozo lovers, dog walkers and tree lovers in a massive meltdown.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And how about those pickleballers getting their courts without catching any heat for the whacking of 10 trees. Thats the ultimate in trash-talk winning. (Read Daniel J. Chacons Politics Check on santafenewmexican.com titled: Zozobras Ray Sandoval: No outcry when Santa Fe crews chopped trees for pickleball courts.)

Zozobra chair Ray Sandoval talks tree controversy, safety concerns and event budget

The City of Santa Fe sent an email Wednesday about a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Fort Marcy park gazebo. The email noted your city was developing a thoughtful replanting strategy using non-invasive, climate-appropriate species.

No complaints here about City Halls outreach. But the question everyone should ask: Why just Fort Marcy park?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Tree Equity Score (treequityscore.org) shows the area containing Fort Marcy park has a tree canopy coverage of 33%, ranked No. 1 among Santa Fes 67 census blocks. Tree Equity Scores data-crunching approach listed tree needs for the Fort Marcy park census block as Priority None.

Compare Fort Marcy park with the census block containing SWAN Park in southwestern Santa Fe. The census blocks tree canopy coverage is 7%, which ranks 51st among Santa Fes 67 census blocks. Its tree-planting need? Priority High.

(To learn more, read Carina Juligs recent story on santafenewmexican.com titled Advocates say south sides tree-canopy gap leaves areas residents at heat risk.)

Santa Fes tree canopy coverage hovers around 22%, which makes the City Different a practical forest compared with Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Las Cruces. The Santa Fe Municipal Tree Board also has compiled a thorough guide for homeowners and developers on the many types of trees that thrive in our soils.

But theres no equity in how and where trees are planted in Santa Fe.

We cut em down quickly, though.

No wonder Old Man Gloom is laughing at us.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday said that the new Yellow Line metro, to be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will make travel faster by linking "key hubs" in South Bengaluru. In his X post, DK Shivakumar wrote, "Bringing Bengaluru closer than ever with Namma Metro's Yellow Line! By seamlessly linking South Bengaluru's key hubs, the new Yellow Line will make travel faster, smoother, and more comfortable for lakhs of daily commuters, all while keeping our city moving sustainably into the future." Meanwhile, preparations are ongoing near Ragigudda Metro Station, and Bellary Road has been decorated ahead of PM Modi's visit. Police personnel have been deployed at several locations to ensure security. According to a press release, the Prime Minister on Sunday will inaugurate the Yellow Line from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra of the Bangalore Metro Phase-2 project, having a route length of over 19 km with 16 stations worth around Rs 7,160 crore. With the opening of this yellow line, the operational metro network in Bengaluru will increase to over 96 km, serving a large population in the region. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project worth over Rs 15,610 crore. The total route length of the project will be more than 44 km with 31 elevated stations. This infrastructure project will address the growing transportation needs of the city, catering to residential, industrial, commercial and educational areas. The Bengaluru metro is currently operated and maintained by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), a joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of Karnataka. PM Modi will also flag off three Vande Bharat Express trains from Bengaluru at 11 AM. It includes trains from Bengaluru to Belagavi, Amritsar to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune. These high-speed trains will significantly enhance regional connectivity, reduce travel time and provide a world-class travel experience to the passengers. (ANI)
As Duke University faces attacks from the Trump administration, more than 100 staff, faculty and alumni have signed a letter urging top campus leaders to stand against authoritarian intrusions.

The open letter calls for a stronger response to the administrations allegations of vile racism and violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 at the Duke University School of Medicine and Duke Health system. The letter was sent by mail on Aug. 6 to President Vincent Price, Board of Trustees Chair Adam Silver and School of Medicine Dean Mary Klotman.

These accusations ignore the necessity, urgency, legitimacy and integrity of recognizing all Duke community citizens dignity and value, including historically excluded people, the letter reads.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The writers said the 1964 and 1965 Civil Rights and Voting Rights laws were milestone efforts to outlaw racial discrimination and that the Trump administration demeans, degrades, and attacks much of that history. This assault is an effort to erase Duke history.

In late July, the Trump administration, Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., and Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced investigations into the university, Duke Law School and the Duke Law Journal for alleged violations of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which bans discrimination based on sex, religion, national origin or race.

In a July 28 letter, Kennedy and McMahon accused the Durham campus, consistently ranked a top-10 U.S. university nationally, of using racial preferences in hiring, student admissions, governance, and patient care, that endanger human lives and betray the medical professions mission.

The administration also froze $108 million in National Institutes of Health funding to Duke Health and told the school to create a committee to review all policies and practices at Duke Health for the illegal use of race preferences and to reform all the practices that unlawfully take account of race or ethnicity to bestow benefits or advantages.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The News & Observer reached out to Duke about the open letter celebrating its diversity efforts, but campus officials did not respond.

Letter hails Dukes efforts to promote diversity

Among the signers of the letter to Vincent are dozens of Duke alumni, including former Durham mayors Steve Schewel and Wib Gulley, as well as former UNC Chapel Hill dean John Charles Boger, Maryellen Fullterton, former dean of Brooklyn Law School, and Mark Gitenstein, former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union.

The letter was written by retired clinical psychologist Jeff Gold and Duke cardiologist Douglas Schocken.

It begins by recounting the 1968 Silent Vigil on Dukes campus and the 1969 Allen Building takeover organized by Black students to bring attention to the needs of the universitys minority population.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The vigil was organized after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when students worked to persuade Dukes administration and Trustees to formally acknowledge minority employees unionizing efforts, the letter says.

This memorialization, and all subsequent Duke efforts to create a diverse and more vibrant learning community of students and scholars more representative of our country, is under attack, the letter says.

The letter says laws like the 1964 Civil Rights Act, meant to protect marginalized populations, have now been weaponized to dismantle our democracy and punish the higher education enterprise.

We are not privy to selection processes at Duke Law School, the Duke Law Journal, Duke Health, or for Duke undergraduates. We do, however, recognize the Trump administrations routine strong-arm tactics to control prominent institutions like Columbia, Harvard, the University of Virginia and Brown University, the letter reads.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Since Trump took office nearly eight months ago, there have been seven other investigations into health care organizations, according to the administrations Health Department Office for Civil Rights. Duke was also one of the 45 universities being investigated in March for alleged violations of the Civil Rights Act, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Last month, Columbia University settled with the federal government for $221 million over claims of antisemitism to restore research funding. Brown University struck a similar agreement to restore lost funding. In June, Harvard University was accused of violating the Civil Rights Act and antisemitism by the Trump administration, threatening federal funding.

Duke receives significant funding each year from NIH, totaling $580 million last year, the Duke Chronicle reported.

The governments letter to Duke does not cite specific examples of how the university violates the 1964 Civil Rights Act. But a complaint from Do No Harm, a group opposing diversity, equity and inclusion programming, says Duke initiatives that expanded the medical schools minority enrollment and the schools Minority Recruitment and Retention Committee violate the federal law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Campus officials have not publicly commented on the federal funding freeze or said whether they will form a committee to review any alleged discriminatory practices, as demanded by the Trump administration.

The letter from faculty, alumni and staff urges them to resist.

We understand the strategic approach to preserving Dukes future financially, they wrote. We feel it is better in the long term to stand up to Trump administration threats, both for our university and higher education nationally. Now is not the time for institutional neutrality.

The letter continues: We strongly encourage Dukes Board of Trustees, President Price, the faculty, the Law School and Law Journal, Duke Health, and current undergraduates to step forward and claim our history as a source of pride and inspiration.

100 Duke Grads, Faculty, Students Talk Back to Trump Admin & Price by Kristen Johnson on Scribd
The Brief

Neighbors in East Oakland say a growing homeless encampment on MacArthur Boulevard has made the area unsafe and unsanitary.

District 7 city council member Ken Houston and Mayor Barbara Lee have released plans to address the situation on MacArthur Boulevard and in the city.

Residents said they'll give the mayor and the city council member a chance since both are new to their jobs, but they are fast running out of patience.

OAKLAND, Calif. - Neighbors in East Oakland said they have been living with unsafe and unsanitary conditions for years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They told KTVU their repeated complaints about a homeless encampment and blight have not been addressed by the city.

And it's a problem that extends beyond just one neighborhood.

People who live near busy MacArthur Boulevard said the situation has grown steadily worse in the past five years.

The Situation on MacArthur

Big picture view

On Friday afternoon, KTVU captured an AC Transit bus swerving to avoid a homeless encampment and piles of garbage that have spilled over onto the roadway.

"You've got to swerve into oncoming traffic, and it's growing," said Cheryl Dyett-Green, who lives nearby.

Neighbors said the encampment started shortly before the pandemic in 2020, and has grown steadily in the past five years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Long-time homeowners Dyett-Green and Emma Morton said they've made numerous complaints to city leaders and that nothing's been done to fix the problem.

One that is affecting area businesses and residents.

Morton said she avoids patronizing businesses near the encampment.

"I don't feel safe if I were to go down and patronize a business," she said.

City Officials Take Notice

What they're saying

District 7 city council member Ken Houston, who represents the area, vowed action.

"In the next six weeks, this is going to be addressed," he said. " Enough is enough."

Houston plans to introduce his encampment abatement plan on September 10.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He said he has enough support from the council to get the measure passed.

"If you're parked on the wrong side of the street, blocking a hydrant, you will be towed," Houston said, adding that RV owners will be given 72 hours notice.

Taking A Closer Look

Local perspective

Three men who said they live in the encampment said they'd like the city or county to help them into some type of housing.

They also said they're not entirely responsible for the garbage and unsanitary conditions.

"When we're not here, people dump stuff here," said Calvin Jones, who's lived in his RV parked on MacArthur Boulevard for the past few years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He said he's coping with mental health issues and another man said he was a steel mill worker for years and now suffers from disabling back spasms.

But Kim Traylor, a nearby resident who frequently patronizes the bar across the street from the encampment, said the situation is out of control.

"We're sitting there barbecuing and there are rodents. I'm talking big ones, not mice, big giant rats. It's just ridiculous," Traylor said.

What's next

Mayor Barbara Lee said she's looking at possible spaces to house the homeless.

She and council member Houston said Measure W, which was passed by voters to address homelessness, will help fund some of the changes needed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I have a working group with the district attorney to figure out a better way to address it, but people should not have to live like this," Lee said.

Residents said they hope change will come soon.

"It sounds good, but we'll wait and see," Traylor said.

Neighbors said seeing is believing.

They said they'll give the mayor and the city council member a chance since both are new to their jobs.

But neighbors are fast running out of patience.

Amber Lee is a reporter with KTVU. Email Amber at Amber.Lee@Fox.com or text/leave a message at 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU or Twitter @AmberKTVU

The Source

Original reporting from Amber Lee of KTVU
Over the six and a half years hes been in office, Gov. Ron DeSantis has conducted political aggressions with increasingly predatory glee. And hes made one form of attack a personal signature  removing officials from public office for policies he finds offensive, whether or not they violate the law.

Fearing DeSantis wrath, Orange board ratifies ICE agreement

No governor before DeSantis has ever dared to grab power this audaciously. But his high-handed, arbitrary seizure of power may have permanently scarred the system of careful checks and balances meant to keep government at all levels accountable to the people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now that DeSantis has weaponized his ability to suspend any elected official in the state, future governors will be tempted to use this power themselves, even if they believe their intentions are noble.

Legislative leaders and other state officials must find a way to fix this. Unfortunately, that wont be easy.

Baseless attacks

Over the six and a half years of his governorship, DeSantis has suspended dozens of elected officials from office. As in prior administrations, the bulk of his removals have come when a local or state elected official is formally charged with a crime  which is right and proper under Florida law.

But almost from the start, DeSantis has pursued another agenda with his suspensions. Officials have been removed because they adopted policies that didnt work out as well as planned  for example, the Broward County School Board, which lost four members to a DeSantis-prompted purge following the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. In his order, DeSantis accused board members Patricia Good, Donna Korn, Ann Murray, and Laurie Rich Levinson of failing to adopt proper security measures. This case carried some elements of fact; it, like the removal of Broward Sheriff Scott Israel, relied heavily on investigations including the highly critical report of a grand jury.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But eventually, DeSantis started picking his targets based solely on ideology. That included Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren, who was harshly critical of laws adopted by the Legislature in 2022, including a ban on abortions after 15 weeks gestation. He said he would have a hard time prosecuting people who violated those laws. For that  and for an office policy that called for alternatives to incarceration for young offenders  DeSantis suspended him in August 2022. Warren opted to fight his suspension in federal court, where judges agreed he had been wrongfully suspended. But they concluded they didnt have the authority to undo the governors decision.

Orange/Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell watched that suspension with suspicion she might be next  which DeSantis fed with grotesque hints before letting the ax fall a year after suspending Warren. This time, the governors reasoning was even less grounded in reality  in fact, some of the statistics he cited as proof that Worrell was shirking her duties turned out to be entirely false. She took a different path to challenge her suspension, but also struck out.

Orange County showdown

Orange County officials are the most recent to come under his baleful gaze. Earlier this month that threat was made explicit in a letter from James Uthmeier, Floridas non-elected attorney general, informing the Orange County Commission that it had better sign off on an agreement with federal immigration officials to allow county jail employees to transport people on immigration holds  or else.

The demand was clearly disconnected from reality: Uthmeier (a former DeSantis staffer whom the governor promoted to attorney general) claimed that the countys refusal to modify its agreement with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement turned Orange County into a sanctuary jurisdiction. That was a ridiculous statement: county officials have three decades of successful cooperation with ICE.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But as Warren noted to the Sentinel on Friday, courts have ruled that the allegations in the governors order of suspension dont have to be true  they just have to meet one of the categories laid out in the Florida Constitution.

So, recognizing the imminent threat of DeSantis minions taking over one of Floridas biggest and most progressive county governments, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings  reluctantly and under duress  signed the ICE agreement and urged his fellow commissioners to fall in line. At their meeting Tuesday, the commission followed the mayors lead with a 5-2 vote to ratify the agreement.

Orange commissioners Wilson and Semrad defied DeSantis. Will he oust them?

It was a bitter moment. And it raises the question: How can Florida rein in future governors from following DeSantis lead in abusing his power?

Curbing bad intentions

The governors suspension powers flow directly from the Florida Constitution. The list of allowable grounds includes malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, habitual drunkenness, incompetence, or permanent inability to perform official duties. Put together, the list is so vague that it covers almost any accusation the governor could raise. DeSantis tends to use the broadest terms  neglect of duty and incompetence  to describe suspensions that are purely political. Whittling down the list of grounds, or making it clear that suspensions cant arise from a simple difference of opinion  would give courts more leverage to say no when the governor is clearly abusing his authority.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That would take a constitutional amendment, but voters would probably be receptive to it given the multiple examples of DeSantis abuse of his suspension powers.

The next step will also require a constitutional tweak.If the governor removes an elected official, he or she should not be able to fill that seat with their own crony, particularly someone who does not live in the jurisdiction they might be serving or lacks the expertise to make complex local decisions. In many circumstances, that duty should rest with local leaders  or, ideally, voters. In the case of court officials like Warren and Worrell, a committee of local judges and attorneys might be best-suited to name a replacement. Theres no obvious solution  but clearly, this is a problem that needs to be fixed.

The last  and perhaps most urgently needed  protection is an adequate, timely way to challenge gubernatorial suspensions. For Warren and Worrell, those challenges took the place of a lengthy slog through the courts. Neither succeeded, though Worrell was swept back into public office by voters in November 2024. Almost immediately, new threats of a second suspension began to circulate  a direct affront to the voters who had just re-elected Worrell by a resounding margin.

It really is a broken, one-way system, says Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson  one of the two commissioners, along with Kelly Martinez Semrad, to vote no on the ICE agreement last week.

Courage needed

In a state dominated by one political party, its hard to be optimistic about a solution. Warren has a puckish suggestion for that: Ask Republican leaders to envision a Democrat winning the governors race  and promptly suspending every GOP official in the state, on obviously spurious grounds (he suggests accusing them of complicity in the assasination of Abraham Lincoln). Under current laws  and courts current interpretation of those laws  those officials might not have a way of fighting their removal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That makes it pretty clear: The Legislature has a role to play here.

By law, some public officials have the option of challenging their suspensions before the Senate, but that doesnt address the problem of a Legislature thoroughly dominated by partisanship  as it was the first six years of DeSantis term. But during the past legislative session, leaders decided to reclaim their constitutional power  pushing back against the governors high-handed demands.

Thats why wed ask House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton to take a good look at the way DeSantis has abused his suspension powers, and identify ways to clip the wings of future governors before they push the state to even worse extremes.

They can start by making those Senate-based challenges available in a timely fashion  and consider having them heard by select committees comprising legislators from the same community the suspended politician represents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Other measures might take constituitonal amendments. The Legislature has nearly unlimited power to propose those. Perez and Albritton should use that power for good. That includes narrowing the basis upon which a governor can suspend an official, and allowing for fairer, faster appeals  including the right to challenge misleading facts in suspension orders, and the authority for courts or other tribunals to judges and other tribunals to overturn suspensions that are more rooted in politics than wrongdoing.

DeSantis will probably push back by accusing lawmakers of protecting officials suspected of wrongdoing. But that argument is easily undermined by his own conduct  including his practice of repeatedly going after elected leaders who have done nothing wrong, but merely disagreed with his own philosophies.

Even better, lawmakers can push back with the obvious, and proper, justification for their actions. When you remove duly elected officials ,what you are doing is telling the voters their voice doesnt matter. You are allowing the powerful to control everything, Worrell said.

Certainly, there are sometimes valid reasons for removing elected officials, but right now its far too easy. Putting controls on the governors authority is the best way to protect the most important power in Florida  the right DeSantis has trampled again and again: The authority of voters in Floridas 67 counties to choose their own leaders and set their own priorities. We hope Perez and Albritton see things the same way, and look for ways to return the power to the people, where it belongs.

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Executive Editor Roger Simmons and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. Contact us at insight@orlandosentinel.com
Eight people were killed and two others wounded when a group of gunmen opened fire on a crowd outside a nightclub in a town in southwestern Ecuador, police said Sunday.

Law enforcement arrived on the scene following an emergency call alerting them to a shooting, and found "several people wounded and seven bodies," police colonel Javier Chango told a press conference, adding an eighth person died in hospital.

The gunmen arrived in two pickup trucks and opened fire on people drinking outside the nightclub at 1:15 am local time (0615 GMT) in Santa Lucia, which has a population of 38,000 in the Guayas Province.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Among the dead was the nightclub owner Jorge Urquizo, who was the brother of Santa Lucia's mayor.

Police found 800 cartridge cases at the scene.

After the attack the gunmen got back in their trucks and fled along an "unknown route," Chango said.

The local police picked up a man driving a truck who was carrying a revolver, but were not able to determine whether he was involved in the attack.

The police said they have yet to work out a motive for the shooting.

The bodies of the dead were taken to a morgue in the neighboring city of Daule.

The office of Santa Lucia's mayor Ubaldo Urquizo expressed condolences on Sunday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We unite in sorrow and prayer for this violent attack that has struck our community," the office said on social media.

Ecuador, once a peaceful haven between the world's two top cocaine exporters Colombia and Peru, has seen violence erupt in recent years as gangs with ties to Mexican and Colombian cartels vie for control.

More than 70 percent of all cocaine produced in the world now passes through Ecuador's ports, according to government data.

Guayas is one of four provinces where President Daniel Noboa recently declared a two-month state of emergency to combat gang violence.

However despite a stepped-up military presence authorities have not stemmed the bloodshed.

More than 4,051 homicides were recorded between January and May, according to official figures. Analysts believe it is the most violent start to a year in the country's recent history.

vd/dg/dl/st
Dame Emily Thornberry has called the US ambassador to Israel an idiot after he criticised Sir Keir Starmer.

She said Mike Huckabees response to the Prime Ministers statement on Benjamin Netanyahus plan for full military occupation of Gaza showed he was clearly an idiot.

Dame Emily, who chairs the Commons foreign affairs committee, is a Labour MP and former shadow cabinet member.

Sir Keir said the Israeli governments decision to further escalate its offensive in Gaza was wrong, and urged it to reconsider.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He added that the plan outlined by Mr Netanyahu and his ministers would only bring more bloodshed and called for a ceasefire and a surge in humanitarian aid.

The Prime Minister concluded: A diplomatic solution is possible, but both parties must step away from the path of destruction.

This Ambassador is clearly an idiot https://t.co/qdpUrg65lT  Emily Thornberry (@EmilyThornberry) August 10, 2025

Mr Huckabee, a former governor of Arkansas and Donald Trump loyalist, responded on X to Sir Keirs statement, saying: So Israel is expected to surrender to Hamas and feed them even though Israeli hostages are being starved?

Did [the] UK surrender to Nazis and drop food to them? Ever heard of Dresden, PM Starmer? That wasnt food you dropped. If you had been PM then [the] UK would be speaking German!

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dame Emily shared Mr Huckabees post, and added the comment: This Ambassador is clearly an idiot.

Mike Huckabee was chosen by Donald Trump to serve as his ambassador to Israel - Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Dame Emily served as Sir Keirs shadow attorney general between 2021 and 2024, and previously held roles including shadow foreign secretary under Jeremy Corbyns leadership.

The row highlights a widening gulf between the UK and the US on the Israel-Hamas conflict and the future of Gaza.

Last month, Sir Keir announced that the UK would recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, unless Israel met certain conditions.

They included taking substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agreeing to a ceasefire and committing to a long-term, sustainable peace.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Prime Minister followed the lead of Emmanuel Macron, who decided that France would be the first G7 country to recognise Palestine. Mark Carney, the Canadian premier, has also set out an intention to recognise a Palestinian state.

But the Trump administration criticised Sir Keirs announcement. Tammy Bruce, of the US state department, said it was a slap in the face for the victims of the Oct 7 2023 massacre perpetrated by Hamas in Israel.

She told a briefing: It gives one group hope, and thats Hamas.

However, Mr Trump himself has told Sir Keir that he didnt mind the UK taking a position on Palestinian statehood.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And he told a press conference in Scotland earlier this month: Im looking for getting people [in Gaza] fed right now.

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.
An active shooter at Emory University in Georgia is now dead, Atlanta police said in a statement.

The university wrote on X on Aug. 8, "Emory Emergency: Active shooter on Emory Atlanta Campus at Emory Point CVS. RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. Avoid the area."

However, in an update, police said that the threat has now ended.

The Active Shooter Suspect at Emory University Acted Alone, Police Say

Atlanta police say the shooter acted alone.

There is no ongoing threat to the Emory campus or the surrounding neighborhood. The incident involved a single shooter, who is now deceased. One law enforcement officer was injured in the course of the response," Atlanta police wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the New York Post, a gunman "opened fire" at the university on Aug. 8, "spraying bullets at a police cruiser and a nearby CDC headquarters building."

The Huffington Post reported that the shooting "took place near the entrance to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where the federal agencys employees say bullets struck the windows of several CDC buildings."

The police officer was sent to an area hospital, Fox News reported.

A photo on X showed bullet holes in a campus window.

Reports of an active shooter on CDC campus, bullets hitting one building. pic.twitter.com/P29PO1ffNe  Patrick Adams @jpatadams.bsky.social (@jpatadams) August 8, 2025

"Were horrified by the news out of Emory University and praying for the safety of the entire campus community," Georgia's Attorney General Chris Carr wrote in a post. "We stand ready to assist our law enforcement partners with whatever they may need."

Georgia's Governor Said People Were 'Harmed' After the Active Shooter Reports

Gov. Brian Kemp reported that people had been "harmed."

Emory Emergency: Active shooter on Emory Atlanta Campus at Emory Point CVS. RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. Avoid the area. Continue shelter in place. Police on scene.  Emory University (@EmoryUniversity) August 8, 2025

"Marty, the girls, and I are thankful for all those who answer the call to serve and who protect their fellow Georgians," Kemp wrote on X. "We ask that you join us in holding them in our prayers, along with those harmed this evening near the CDC Center."

The Police Emergency 'Continues' After Emory University Active Shooter Reports

"Emory Emergency: A police emergency continues on the Emory Atlanta Campus at Emory Point. Avoid the area. Shelter in place has been lifted," Emory University wrote on its website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The reports sparked a panic on campus.

Related: Bryan Kohberger Attorneys Want Word 'Psychopath' Banned in Idaho Murders Trial

Emory University Active Shooter Suspect Is Dead, Atlanta Police Say first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 8, 2025
Journalists aim to stay neutral about the stories they cover.

But personal preferences do sometimes come into play.

When I first proposed a story about the city of Cincinnati returning to its 2011 Revive Cincinnati effort to boost development of communities along Interstate 75, I noticed one of six upcoming meetings on the plan would be in South Cumminsville.

I picked that one because I was familiar with the neighborhood from a 2022 story about its stormwater issues  and because it was scheduled close to Mr. Gene's Dog House around dinnertime.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Fortified with a fish sandwich from Mr. Gene's, Enquirer intern Annie Goldman (a vegetarian who nonetheless ordered up a hot dog) and I sat in the South Cumminsville meeting as a first step in reporting our "Drive to Revive" story.

Reporters earlier teamed for Queensgate story

Colleague Sydney Franklin, it turns out, was already engaged in the Revive story  even without the lure of drive-up dinner spot.

Sydney and I became aware of the original 2011 plan when we worked together on a 2023 story about the future of Queensgate.

One of the Enquirer's real estate development experts, Sydney had already been poking around Camp Washington for months, looking into what plans this old manufacturing neighborhood had to attract more investment and, in turn, more residents. Their end game? To become less of a destination known for its chili and an expanded sign museum, and more of a place where people want to live long term and raise a family.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So we teamed up to interview officials involved in the Revive reboot, then divided up reporting from some of the impacted neighborhoods.

Sydney focused on Camp Washington as part of the Hopple Street zone in the Revive plan, along with the West End, Downtown and Queensgate.

I focused on the South Cumminsville-Northside zone, along with St. Bernard in the Mitchell Avenue area.

The result is a look at what these neighborhoods want out of the Revive work, in advance of city decisions on what to tackle first. Think of the initiative as a giant wish list, full of ideas that could turn these areas into the next Walnut Hills.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We think it's a pretty meaty (not fishy!!) look at what might be possible for often-neglected Cincinnati neighborhoods. Hear from them, in their own words, about what they want and need right now.

Enterprise reporter Patricia Gallagher Newberry and development reporter Sydney Franklin are part of the Enquirer team that focuses on government, politics and business.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What is the city's Revive Cincinnati plan?
Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, will convene a meeting of European foreign ministers on Monday 11 August to discuss next steps in light of the talks planned between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

Source: Reuters, citing Kallas, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "The US has the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously. Any deal between the US and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraines and the whole of Europes security."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Details: Kallas stressed that "as we work towards a sustainable and just peace, international law is clear: all temporarily occupied territories belong to Ukraine".

"A deal must not provide a springboard for further Russian aggression against Ukraine, the transatlantic alliance and Europe," she added.

Kallas also said that the ministers will discuss the situation in Gaza.

Background:

The Trump-Putin meeting is scheduled to take place in Alaska on 15 August amid media reports that Washington and Moscow are apparently seeking an agreement to end the war in Ukraine that could lock in Russias occupation of part of its territory.

In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that "the answer to the Ukrainian territorial question is already in the Constitution of Ukraine".

On the night of 9-10 August, a joint statement addressed to Trump and Putin was released by the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, Poland and the UK, the president of the European Commission, and the president of Finland.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
European leaders said peace talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week are unlikely to succeed without Ukraine's involvement.

The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine, a statement released on Saturday and signed by the leaders of France, Italy, the U.K., Germany, Poland, and Finland read.

We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force. The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations, it continued.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The public show of support for Kyiv came in response to Trump's announcement at the White House on Friday that he would hold a summit with his Russian counterpart to discuss a potential end to the war in Ukraine, without Ukrainian participation.

Trump provoked a backlash from allies for excluding Ukraine, and for insisting ahead of the talks that Kyiv would have to give up territory as part of a deal to end the fighting.

Were going to get some back, and were going to get some switched, Trump said. Therell be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both.

Read more: Exclusive: The Secret White House Backchannel That Paved the Way For Trumps Summit With Putin

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky quickly denounced the idea of giving up territory to Russia in a video address on Saturday, vowing that Ukraine would not gift their land to the occupier and warning that any peace talks that didnt involve Kyiv would bring nothing.

The statement from European leaders backed Zelensky on both counts.

Zelensky responded by thanking European allies in a post on X on Sunday: "The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people."

Vice President JD Vance, who met with European leaders over the weekend to discuss the summit, said in an interview on Sunday that a negotiated settlement between Moscow and Kyiv would likely leave both sides "unhappy."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It's not going to make anybody super happy. Both the Russians and the Ukrainians, probably, at the end of the day, are going to be unhappy with it," he said on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.

Some reports indicate that Russia is demanding that Ukraine give up the Donbas region and Crimea in return for ending the war. Russia has already annexed Crimeaa move not recognized by the international communityand its forces occupy most of the Donbas and further swathes of eastern Ukraine.

Matthew Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to NATO, told CNN on Sunday that "No big chunks or sections are going to be just given that haven't been fought for or earned on the battlefield," without elaborating further.

Three U.S. officials told NBC News that the White House is discussing inviting Zelensky to the summit, though decisions have not been finalized. The White House did not immediately respond to TIMEs request for comment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump claimed the conflict could be solved very soon as he announced the summit at the White House on Friday, on the deadline he had imposed on Putin to finalize a peace deal or face potential financial penalties. The talks in Alaska will be the first time the leaders of the U.S. and Russia have met since 2021.

Read more: Trump Will Meet Putin in Alaska For Ukraine Talks Next Week. Heres What You Need to Know

European leaders have come to Ukraines defense, condemning Russias war in Ukraine and vowing to continue to provide military and financial support to Kyiv as necessary. Officials have also expressed a broader interest in including European leadership in peace negotiations due to concerns about the region's own security.

We underline our unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, the statement added. We are united as Europeans and determined to jointly promote our interests. And we will continue to cooperate closely with President Trump and with the United States of America, and with President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, for a peace in Ukraine that protects our vital security interests.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Thus far, Trump has not publicly remarked on Zelenskys stance on the upcoming Alaska meeting. But the President previously criticized Zelensky for being stubborn in his position for a ceasefire deal and claimed he is not ready for peace.

But the Kremlins demands extend beyond a desire for land. As part of any agreement, Putin has reportedly called for Ukraine to give up its quest to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a European and North American alliance of which the United States is a founding member. A similar demand was made by Russia in June last year during that round of peace negotiations.

The Kremlin also asked for the lifting of Western sanctions, protection for Russian speakers in Ukraine, and a resolution to unfreeze the $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets that are currently being held in Europe, Reuters reports.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
US President Donald Trump on Monday described his upcoming summit with Vladimir Putin as a "feel-out meeting" to gauge his ideas for ending the war in Ukraine, as European leaders rushed to ensure respect for Kyiv's interests.

Trump has invited his Russian counterpart to Alaska on Friday -- the first face-to-face meeting between the two countries' presidents since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 -- while criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for rejecting territorial concessions.

Fearing privately that Putin will team up with Trump to force unacceptable compromises, European leaders plan to speak separately Wednesday with both Zelensky and Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The US president has spent the first months of his second term in office trying to broker peace in Ukraine -- after boasting he could end the conflict in 24 hours -- but multiple rounds of talks, phone calls and diplomatic visits have failed to yield a breakthrough.

Trump, usually fond of boasting of his deal-making skills, played down the possibility of a breakthrough in Alaska but said he expected "constructive conversations" with Putin.

"This is really a feel-out meeting a little bit," Trump told reporters at the White House.

"We're going to see what he has in mind and if it's a fair deal, I'll reveal it to the European Union leaders and to NATO leaders and also to President Zelensky," Trump said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I may say -- lots of luck, keep fighting. Or I may say, we can make a deal."

EU leaders stressed on Tuesday "the inherent right of Ukraine to choose its own destiny."

"A just and lasting peace that brings stability and security must respect international law, including the principles of independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and that international borders must not be changed by force," they said in a statement.

- Trump insists on swaps -

Zelensky has ruled out ceding territory seized by force. Trump -- who publicly berated the Ukrainian president at a White House meeting in February -- said he was a "little bothered" by Zelensky's stance and insisted land swaps would need to take place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"There'll be some swapping, there'll be some changes in land," he said.

But Trump said he would also tell Putin that "you've got to end this war."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has invited the French, British and other European leaders and the EU and NATO chiefs to virtual talks on Wednesday.

Merz's office said Monday the leaders would discuss "further options to exert pressure on Russia" and "preparation of possible peace negotiations and related issues of territorial claims and security."

EU foreign ministers met in Brussels on Monday with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and also examined imposing a 19th package of sanctions on Russia since the invasion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Until Russia agrees to a "full and unconditional ceasefire, we should not even discuss any concessions," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said after the talks.

"It has never worked in the past with Russia, and will not work with Putin today."

Zelensky again warned against capitulating to Putin's demands.

"Russia refuses to stop the killings, and therefore must not receive any rewards or benefits. And this is not just a moral position -- it is a rational one," Zelensky wrote in a statement published on social media.

"Concessions do not persuade a killer," he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

- Question on Zelensky role -

Asked Sunday on CNN if Zelensky could be present at the Alaska summit, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker responded, "Yes, I certainly think it's possible."

Trump, asked Monday about inviting Zelensky to Alaska, suggested the Ukrainian leader would be involved in talks at a future date.

"I'll be there if they need, but I want to have a meeting set up between the two leaders," he said.

It remains unclear if Putin would accept a meeting with Zelensky, who has publicly dared him to negotiate.

As a prerequisite to a peace settlement, the Kremlin has demanded Kyiv pull its forces out of several regions claimed by Moscow and embrace sweeping demands -- including committing to being a neutral state excluded from NATO and shunning US and European military support.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Both sides have stepped up aerial assaults, and Russia's defense ministry said Monday its forces had captured the village of Fedorivka, in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region.

burs-jsk-sct/sco/cwl
In a post on X, the White Knight Corps stated that troops conducting an intelligence-based operation established contact with terrorists in the area.

"Indian Army troops while carrying out an intelligence based operation have established contact with terrorists in general area of Dul in Kishtwar in early hours of 10 Aug 2025. Gunfire exchanged. Operation under progress," White Knight Corps said.

https://x.com/Whiteknight_IA/status/1954368039711068176

The operation is still underway.

The encounter comes a day after two soldiers, Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh, were killed in the line of duty during an operation in South Kashmir's Kulgam district. Chinar Corps paid tribute to them, noting their courage and dedication.

"Chinar Corps honours the supreme sacrifice of the Bravehearts, L/Nk Pritpal Singh and Sep Harminder Singh, in line of duty for the Nation. Their courage and dedication will forever inspire us. Indian Army expresses deepest condolences and stand in solidarity with the bereaved families. Operation continues," Army's Chinar Corps posted on X.

So far, one terrorist has been neutralised in the Kulgam operation, during a gunfight in the Akhal area nearly a week ago. The encounter, which continued overnight, involved the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, and the Special Operations Group (SOG).

In an earlier post, Chinar Corps 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."

Separately, in the Poonch sector on July 30, White Knight Corps troops neutralised two terror operatives who were attempting to infiltrate across the Line of Control. (ANI)
Highway robbery!

If youre vacationing in Europe this summer, better bring along extra cash.

Popular tourist destinations in European cities are combating mass tourism by slapping some ridiculous, costly fines  some rising into the thousands  on visitors they deem unruly.

Wearing flip-flops while driving, taking a shell or pebble from a beach and unbuckling your seatbelt before the plane stops taxiing can now cost you.

European cities are combating overtourism this summer with hefty fines. dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images

Those who wear a bathing suit off the beach in the cities of Barcelona, Albufeira, Split, Sorrento, Cannes and Venice could face fines of up to $1,747, according to the BBC.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In Mallorca, Ibiza, Magaluf and the Canary Islands, drinking alcohol on the street can set tourists back $3,495, and in Spain, leaving your towel to hold your pool chair for too long can cost $291.

Spain, Greece, Italy, France and Portugal are the countries cracking down on those sporting flip-flops behind the wheel  and doling out $349 tickets for the crime.

Greece is punishing those who make off with a shell or pebble by making them shell out $1,165  and if you swim in a canal in Venice, be prepared to cough up $407.

Cities are even launching public campaigns, with signage on buses and billboards, explaining what is prohibited. AFP via Getty Images

Locals are fed up, tourism advocate Birgitta Spee-Konig told the outlet.

These fines are signals that communities want to reclaim space. Its not that tourists are worse  its more that the tolerance has gone. And its important to consider that not every fine is a crackdown: Some are calls for respect.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Cities are even going so far as to launch marketing campaigns that outline whats against the law.

A brand new 10-point Improve Your Stay campaign was introduced on buses and billboards in Malaga, Spain. Its signage details what the area expects of its guests  that they dress in a tasteful manner and avoid littering, making excessive noise and riding scooters recklessly, or risk an $873 fine.

Countries like Spain, Greece, Italy, France and Portugal are cracking down on those sporting flip-flops behind the wheel  and doling out $349 tickets for the crime. NurPhoto via Getty Images

Albufeira also plastered signs in public spaces, explaining the fines for things tourists cannot do in public, like perform sexual acts, urinate, cook or even camp.

Authorities are defending the stringent rules  which are being implemented by patrolling police  by saying they were set to protect locals, as well as respectful tourists who want to enjoy their vacation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The rules, while they might sound rigid and punitive when listed out, are all about encouraging responsible and empathetic traveling, Jessica Harvey Taylor, head of press at the Spanish Tourism Office in London, told BBC.

They are designed to protect the holiday experiences of the vast majority of people who behave responsibly on holiday.

Juan Antonio Amengual, mayor of Calvia, Mallorca, echoed the sentiment in a speech earlier this year.

We must act with two main ideas in mind: the protection and preservation of the environment; and ensuring that tourism is in harmony with our society.

Tourism cannot be a burden on citizens.
The leaders of major European states have called on US President Donald Trump to hold talks with Russian ruler Vladimir Putin on ending the war in Ukraine only on condition of a ceasefire and guarantees to protect "Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests".

Source: joint statement by the leaders

Details: The statement was issued by French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In their statement, the European leaders welcomed Trumps efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine but stressed that any diplomatic settlement must be based solely on terms that ensure the protection of Ukraines and Europes key security interests. This includes the provision of reliable and effective guarantees enabling Kyiv to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

They emphasised that substantive negotiations "can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities".

The European leaders confirmed their readiness to support the peace process through diplomatic means, continue substantial military and financial assistance to Ukraine, and maintain sanctions pressure on Russia.

They underlined that the path to peace cannot be determined without Ukraines participation and that internationally recognised borders must not be altered by force.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Quote: "We reiterate that Russia's unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, the Budapest Memorandum, and successive Russian commitments. We underline our unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

We continue to stand firmly by the side of Ukraine. We are united as Europeans and determined to jointly promote our interests. And we will continue to cooperate closely with President Trump and with the United States of America, and with President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, for a peace in Ukraine that protects our vital security interests."

Background:

The day before the statement was issued, the US president revealed plans to meet Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska on 15 August.

Trump stated that in a future peace deal between Russia and Ukraine would involve "some swapping of territories".

In response, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy firmly declared that Ukrainians will not gift their land to the Russians.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  European nations have rallied behind Ukraine, saying peace in the war-torn nation cant be resolved without Kyiv, ahead of an upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russias Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Trump said next Fridays meeting with his Russian counterpart on U.S. soil would focus on ending the war, now in its fourth year.

In response, Zelenskyy thanked European allies in a post on X, writing Sunday: The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump-Putin meeting spikes worries

Saturday's statement by top European leaders came after the White House confirmed the U.S president was willing to grant Putin the one-on-one meeting Russia has long pushed for, and suggestions from Trump that a peace deal could include some swapping of territories." That raised fears that Kyiv may be pressured into giving up land or accepting other curbs on its sovereignty.

A White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they arent allowed to speak publicly, told The Associated Press that Trump remained open to a trilateral summit with both the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, but for now, he will have a bilateral meeting requested by Putin.

In an interview with Fox News taped on Thursday but aired on Sunday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Trump had got Putin to agree to meet with Zelenskyy and it was now only a matter of scheduling before a meeting would take place. The Kremlin has previously said that Putin and Zelenskyy should meet only when an agreement negotiated by their delegations is close. A request to the White House for clarification has not immediately been answered.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump previously said he would meet with Putin regardless of whether the Russian leader agreed to meet with Zelenskyy.

The Trump-Putin meeting may prove pivotal in a war that began when Russia invaded its western neighbor and has led to tens of thousands of deaths, although theres no guarantee it will stop the fighting since Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on their conditions for peace.

Calls for a lasting peace deal

Saturday's statement, signed by the president of the European Union and leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland and the UK, stressed the need for a just and lasting peace for Kyiv, including robust and credible security guarantees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities, the statement said.

The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force, the Europeans added.

The European statement follows a meeting between Vance and top European and Ukrainian officials at the British Foreign Secretarys weekend residence to discuss how to end the war.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday that a good deal would mean preventing an emboldened Russia, and aggressors elsewhere, from trying to once again redraw borders by force.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A Trump ally and Russia hawk, Graham nevertheless said that you cant end a war without talking.

I do hope that Zelenskyy can be part of the process. I have every confidence in the world that (President Trump) is going to go to meet Putin from a position of strength, that hes going to look out for Europe and Ukrainian needs to end this war honorably, he said.

He argued that Ukraine is not going to evict every Russian soldier, but said the West should give Kyiv robust security guarantees, keep some of its forces on the ground as trip wires, and keep arming Ukraine so that Russia will be deterred by the most lethal army on the continent of Europe.

A fruitless push toward a truce

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A monthlong U.S.-led push to achieve a truce in Ukraine has so far proved fruitless, with Kyiv agreeing in principle while the Kremlin has held out for terms more to its liking.

Trump also moved up an ultimatum to impose additional sanctions on Russia and introduce secondary tariffs targeting countries that buy Russian oil if the Kremlin did not move toward a settlement. The deadline was Friday. The White House did not answer questions Saturday about possible sanctions.

The Kremlin earlier this week reiterated demands that Ukraine give up territory, abandon its bid to join NATO, and accept limits on its military, in exchange for a withdrawal of Russian troops from the rest of the country. Particularly galling for Kyiv is Moscow's insistence that it cede pockets of eastern and southern Ukraine the Kremlin claims to have annexed, despite lacking full military control.

Mark Galeotti, a British expert in Russian politics who heads the Mayak Intelligence consultancy, says Moscows tactic of encircling towns in eastern Ukraine has brought a string of territorial gains for Russia, and Putin does not appear to feel under pressure."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For the Kremlin, further delaying any more serious U.S. action and the optics of a meeting with the U.S. president will already be wins," Galeotti argued in an analysis published Sunday by the UK's Sunday Times newspaper.

Zelenskyy rules out giving up territory

Zelenskyy said Saturday that Ukraine will not give Russia any awards for what it has done and that Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.

Ukrainian officials previously told the AP privately that Kyiv would be amenable to a peace deal that would de facto recognize Ukraines inability to regain lost territories militarily. But Zelenskyy on Saturday insisted that formally ceding land was out of the question.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Galeotti argued that any deal that involves Ukraine abandoning territory would be agonising" and politically dangerous for Zelenskyy.

Pushing for sanctions

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Sunday that European leaders are intensively preparing ahead of the Alaska summit, while they hope and expect that Zelenskyy will be invited.

Merz told Germany's public broadcaster ARD that he has for weeks been encouraging Washington to toughen sanctions against Russia, adding that Putin only acts under pressure.

Mikhail Kasyanov, Putin's first prime minister and later a political opponent, similarly told the BBC Sunday that the Kremlin would be more willing to negotiate seriously and make some concessions when sanctions have further strained Russia's economy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Sunday praised Washington for taking steps such as allowing more military equipment to flow to Ukraine and imposing secondary sanctions on India for purchasing Russian oil, saying Trump clearly is putting pressure on Putin.

Next Friday will be important because it will be about testing Putin  how serious he is  on bringing this terrible war to an end, Rutte said in an interview with ABC's This Week.

___

Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price in Washington, D.C., Danica Kirka in London, and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.
Not for the first time, European capitals are gripped with apprehension that Russian President Vladimir Putin will surgically divide the transatlantic alliance as well as get everything he wants in Ukraine.

Ahead of the suddenly announced summit in Alaska on Friday between Putin and US President Donald Trump, one European diplomat, who declined to be named as they were not authorized to speak on the record, told CNN: We are at risk of being a footnote in history.

In part, European fears are down to just how little is known about what the Kremlin has proposed in order to halt the fighting in Ukraine. Putin has given no details. US envoy Steve Witkoff said nothing after his meeting with the Russian leader last Wednesday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump himself said after Witkoff left Moscow: Its very complicated. Were going to get some back, were going to get some switched. There will be some swapping of territories, to the betterment of both.

The Europeans fear the betterment of both is a very unlikely outcome. There is zero indication that Putin has shifted an inch on his maximalist demands  either territorially or in terms of Ukraine remaining a punching bag for Russia without any security guarantees and with limits on the size and capabilities of its military.

There is no sense in Paris, Berlin or London that seizing someone elses territory matters to this US administration, and the (Europeans) find that deeply disturbing, said the diplomat.

The UK, France, Germany, Italy and the EU felt obliged to say in a joint statement Saturday: We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force. Poland and Finland also signed the statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They spent much of the day making the case to US Vice President JD Vance, who was about to start a vacation in the UK, and trying to get clarity on what would be negotiated.

Vice President JD Vance during a meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Sevenoaks, England, on Friday, the day before the pair met with other European and Ukrainian officials. - Suzanne Plunkett/WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Trump Administration has described Russian President Vladimir Putins reported demands for a ceasefire in Ukraine in four different ways since August 6, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a Washington DC-based think-tank.

There is one thread common to all versions: that Putin will demand that Ukrainian forces withdraw from all parts of Donetsk region they still hold. This would include substantial cities: Slovyansk, Kramatorsk and Kostyantynivka.

Conceding to such a demand would force Ukraine to abandon its fortress belt, the main fortified defensive line in Donetsk Oblast since 2014, noted ISW, exposing Ukraine to further aggression down the line.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mick Ryan, who tracks the Ukrainian conflict in his Futura Doctrina blog, said Sunday that Ukraine, more than anyone, understands that ceded territory would then be used as the launch pad for future Russian aggression.

The parallels with the Munich Agreement between British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler in 1938 are striking. Even after the Nazis invaded Czechoslovakia, Chamberlain said he had been assured by Hitler: This is the last territorial claim which I have to make in Europe.

Unknown: whether Putin will persist in his demand that Russia also be ceded control of two other Ukrainian regions  Kherson and Zaporizhzhia  whose regional capitals are still in Ukrainian hands. Or whether he would accept a freeze along the current frontlines in these regions, part of which run through open countryside and would be difficult to monitor.

Its also unclear whether Putin will demand Ukraine recognize Moscows sovereignty over Crimea  and if so, what he might offer in return. Zelensky has already pointed out that the Ukrainian constitution prevents giving up any of its territory.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There is also a question over the sequence of events, with the Europeans regarding a ceasefire as the precondition for any talk about territory. The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations, the European leaders said Saturday.

Another unknown: whether the Kremlin will agree to some sort of European reassurance force that would guarantee the ceasefire. All the indications to date are that it will not permit any NATO member to contribute to such a force.

The European leaders said in a statement Saturday that there must be robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Firefighters work at the site of an apartment building in Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region of Ukraine that was hit by a Russian strike on July 31. - Yevhen Titov/Reuters

But experience suggests the Europeans may be whistling in the wind, for all their efforts to flatter and pacify Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Since his inauguration in January, the Europeans have bought unlimited passes for the Trump roller coaster ride. They have climbed on, strapped themselves in, and regularly screamed out in terror but failed to get off, said Rym Momtaz at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington DC-based think tank.

They are paying the price for not developing a strategic identity independent of US apron-strings, as French President Emmanuel Macron has been urging for eight years.

As much as they want to support and protect Ukraine, the Europeans are reduced to pleading  and guessing what might be decided in their absence.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who is convening a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday to discuss Russias aggression against Ukraine, said Sunday that any deal between the US and Russia must have Ukraine and the E U included, for it is a matter of Ukraines and the whole of Europes security.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz struck the same tone in an interview on Sunday, saying, We cannot accept that territorial issues between Russia and America are discussed or even decided over the heads of Europeans and Ukrainians. I assume that the American government sees it the same way.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Monday that the US had pledged to consult its European partners before the summit. But about what and in what forum remains unclear.

To Ryan, a former Australian general who now tracks the conflict, Europes predicament is much more hazardous than it should be, because  he says  the US itself has no Ukraine strategy.

There is just anger, impulses, social media posts, multiple course-changes in direction and an underpinning desire from Trump to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The body of a North Carolina teen who disappeared after sending his mom a chilling final message begging for help has been found in Florida.

Giovanni Pelletier, 18, was discovered in a retention pond near I-75 in Florida on Friday, near where he had traveled to visit his estranged fathers family, the Manatee County Sheriffs Office said, according to Gulf Coast News.

Detectives preliminarily determined the body to belong to Pelletier, pending further testing. An autopsy was scheduled for Sunday, and the death investigation was ongoing, the sheriffs office said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The boys mother, Bridgette Pelletier, said on Facebook that she was living every parents worst nightmare, and noted her son was found by her family, not authorities.

My son was recently found after a desperate search by OUR FAMILY ALONE, and we are still facing an active investigation into his death, she wrote.

The body of 18-year-old Giovanni Pelletier was found on Friday, a week after he went missing (Charlotte County Sheriff's Office)

I am living every parents worst nightmare, trying to find the strength to give him the goodbye he deserves.

Giovanni Pelletier was unable to meet with his father, who is currently incarcerated, his aunt Desiree Pelletier previously told ABC News, but he had plans to meet three cousins for the first time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, things took a turn after the cousins picked Giovanni up for a three-hour drive to their home in Mims, Florida, on August 1.

About 25 minutes into their drive, he texted his mother, Help me. He also sent similarly frightening messages to his grandfather and another aunt.

According to the Charlotte County Sheriffs Office, the cousins told investigators Giovanni began to act erratically before exiting the vehicle on I-75 near State Road 70.

The teens backpack and cellphone were found on the side of the road by a truck driver that same day.

In an update Saturday to a GoFundMe, which the family started to cover hiring a private investigator to help in the search, Bridgette Pelletier noted the funds would now go toward funeral, medical and legal costs as they struggle to honor [Giovannis] memory through this unimaginable heartbreak.
In summer 2025, a years-old quote attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump's mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, made the rounds online again. The alleged quote read: "Yes, he's an idiot with zero common sense, and no social skills, but he IS my son. I just hope he never goes into politics. He'd be a disaster."

Many internet users shared the quote in the form of what appeared to be a newspaper clipping. Examples appeared in posts on social media platforms including Threads (archived), Facebook (archived) and Bluesky (archived).

(Threads user @luverd3)

We first looked into the authenticity of this quote in 2019 and found no evidence Trump's mother had ever made such a statement. Other publications, such as PolitiFact and Reuters, also fact-checked the quote and found no proof it was real.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Because digital archives of newspapers, books, and magazines grow and change over time  meaning that it's always possible for new evidence for historical claims to become available  we took another look at the quote after it began circulating again in the months during and after Trump's campaign and eventual victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

In short, just as in 2019, we found no compelling evidence to support claims of the quote's veracity at the time of this writing.

We ran searches for the full quote as well as the distinctive clauses "he's an idiot with no common sense" and "I just hope he never goes into politics" on Newspapers.com and Gale OneFile, both of which are large databases of periodicals, and found no evidence to support the quote's authenticity. We also searched for the quote on Google Books and the Internet Archive, which likewise returned no evidence that the quote ever appeared with secure attribution in any legitimate publication.

A Google search for the quote found no instances of it at all before 2019, nearly two decades after Mary Anne MacLeod Trump's August 2000 death. The absence of any evidence of a quote dating within the alleged originator's lifetime is a common red flag for fake or misattributed quotes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One development since 2019 was the emergence of the supposed newspaper clipping showing the quote underneath a photo of Trump and his mother, which appeared (archived) to have first circulated (archived) online in June 2020. Examples of the clipping, which did not include the name of the paper in which it was allegedly published or a date, appeared (archived) in numerous (archived) posts on X (archived).

(X user @RobertCStern)

However, we found no evidence that the clipping was genuine. Although the alleged clipping included a genuine photo of Trump and his mother that was prominently featured in a 2016 New Yorker article, titled, "Donald Trump's Immigrant Mother," we found no instances of the photo paired with the quote in any real newspaper or magazine.

It remains possible that a primary source proving the quote's authenticity exists somewhere  for example, in a newspaper archive that had not been digitized by the time of this writing  and for that reason we've refrained from issuing a definitive rating.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Previously, we looked into the claim that Trump's mother was an undocumented immigrant.

Sources:

Emery, David. "Here's How to Authenticate Viral Quotes Attached to Historical Figures." Snopes, 5 Dec. 2022, https://www.snopes.com//articles/464027/how-to-authenticate-quotes/.

Evon, Dan. "Did Trump's Mom Once Call Him an 'Idiot'?" Snopes, 12 Dec. 2019, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/trumps-mom-call-him-idiot/.

Fact Check Ratings | Snopes.Com. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check-ratings/. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.

"False Claim: Donald Trump's Mother Said He Would Be a Disaster in Politics." Reuters, 17 Apr. 2020. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/article/world/false-claim-donald-trumps-mother-said-he-would-be-a-disaster-in-politics-idUSKBN21Z29U/.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kasprak, Alex. "FACT CHECK: Was Donald Trump's Mother an Undocumented Immigrant?" Snopes, 30 Jan. 2017, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/donald-trumps-mother-immigrant/.

"Mary MacLeod Trump Philanthropist, 88." The New York Times, 9 Aug. 2000, https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/09/nyregion/mary-macleod-trump-philanthropist-88.html.

Pilon, Mary. "Donald Trump's Immigrant Mother." The New Yorker, 24 June 2016. www.newyorker.com, https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/donald-trumps-immigrant-mother.

Putterman, Samantha. "No Evidence Trump's Mother Called Him an Idiot." @politifact, https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2019/dec/18/facebook-posts/no-evidence-trumps-mother-called-him-idiot-zero-co/. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
Was Silas Kruger identified as the gunman in the shooting near the Emory University campus? No, that's not true: The gunman, who was killed at the scene, was officially identified as Patrick Joseph White by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation the next day. Before the shooter's identity was made public, internet trolls used the breaking news event to post a false identification as part of a harassment campaign against someone who was not involved in the shooting.

A post on X (archived here) was published by @Bubblebathgirl on August 8, 2025. The post contains a photo of Silas Kruger and a video clip from a live CNN report. The post was captioned:

Emory University gunman identified as student Silas Kruger, who reportedly thought he got sick because of the COVID vaccine and was targeting the CDC. We all know why the ID and motive of Kruger was released so quickly. The gunman was white and anti-vax.

Image source: Screenshot of @Bubblebathgirl post on X by Lead Stories

On August 9, 2025, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation posted an update on X (embedded below) identifying the suspected shooter as Patrick Joseph White (archived here):

UPDATE - 8/9/2025:



Patrick Joseph White, age 30, of Kennesaw, GA is the suspected shooter in the incident that occurred on Clifton Rd. near the Emory University campus. pic.twitter.com/PTJKne67Cw -- GA Bureau of Investigation (@GBI_GA) August 9, 2025

The name and photo of Silas Kruger were never part of an official press release naming him as the shooter in the August 8, 2025, incident. A video made by Silas' father, Murray Kruger, posted on X (archived here) by @TheExposureTeam on August 8, 2025, explained that the Kruger family has been dealing with online harassment for years. Starting seven seconds into the video, Kruger states:

First off, Silas our son was not involved in anything down in Georgia at the tragedy at the Emory University. We are in Canada. Silas was at work all day today. He's as surprised as I am. We have been dealing with some trolls for years now off of Discord when he was younger playing games. We've kept it quiet. Recently they had just swatted us.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Image source: Screenshot of @TheExposureTeam post on X by Lead Stories

Kruger concludes the 1:04-minute-long video explaining that he had been in contact with police in Canada and in Georgia and they were opening cases with their respective cyber units.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of a concerted effort in the United States and beyond to "break down" the bond between Christians and Jews.

Speaking at an event last month in Jerusalem attended by Pastor Paula White-Cain, spiritual advisor to President Donald Trump and head of the White House Office of Faith and Anti-Semitism, Netanyahu stated, the "partnership that promotes Judeo-Christian values, that protects Israel's Christians as nowhere else in the Middle East. That truth is being reversed."

"As part of this campaign," he continued, Israel is now being portrayed as a threat to Christians."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Netanyahu said that Israel is home to a thriving Christian community  unique in a region where Christians often face persecution. He pointed to Nazareth as a place where Christian life is visible and open, contrasting it with Bethlehem, where the Christian population declined sharply  from 80% to under 20%  after Israel withdrew, and the Palestinian Authority assumed control, leading to reduced protections for the community.

Trump And Netanyahu Celebrate 'Historic Victory' Against Iran, Eye Future Middle East Peace

Pastor John Hagee, the influential Founder and Chairman of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), said fringe online agitators and politicians are motivated by two distinct impulses in their attacks on Israel.

Read On The Fox News App

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The true narcissists, regardless of politics, will pursue relevance through antisemitic contrarianism if they perceive themselves to be slipping from the worlds stage. Tragically, trafficking in antisemitism is one of the shortest paths to infamy," he told Fox News Digital.

"For the true Jew-haters, Christian Zionism has been correctly perceived as the bulwark against the rise of American antisemitism. As Israels Minister for Strategic Affairs [Ron Dermer] has pointed out, Christian Zionism is the backbone of American support for Israel.

"Those who hate Israel and want to see it destroyed understand that the Jewish-Christian alliance prevents them from achieving their terrible aims; its logical then that they would seek to drive a wedge between Jews and Christians. Our relationship is a direct and unequivocal refutation of their evil ideology and aims," he said.

Hagee also warned that anti-Israel narratives are being amplified online and through the mainstream media "to the exclusive benefit of Palestinian terrorists."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Disputed Fire By Ancient Church In Holy Land Sparks Diplomatic, Religious Fallout

During his speech, Netanyahu focused on some in the voices in the media. "So, Israel, the guardian of Christianity in the Middle East, is presented on American television by purchased influencers. It's presented as the enemy of Christianity. What folly, what lies. What a travesty of truth," he said.

"We must fight for our common values, we must stand up for the truth. And by standing up for the truth, you stand up with Israel, and you stand with the Jewish people against this abomination of falsehoods," he concluded.

Netanyahus comments came against the backdrop of recent allegations that extremist settlers had targeted a historic church in the West Bank, and the IDF had deliberately targeted a church in Gaza.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In mid-July, the Council of Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of Jerusalem claimed that "radical Israelis" had intentionally set a fire near the Church of Saint George in Taybeh. However, Israel Police later confirmed that the ancient church ruins were undamaged and that the fire, of unknown origin, was confined to a nearby open area.

Separately, the IDF confirmed that a July 17 mortar strike on the Holy Family Church in Gaza was the result of an "unintentional deviation of munitions." An investigation found that the church had been accidentally hit during operational activity in Gaza City. The military said it facilitated humanitarian aid deliveries to the church and coordinated a visit by clergy from the Greek and Latin Patriarchates.

Dr. Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem and a former evangelical advisor to President Donald Trump, pointed to the billions of dollars invested by anti-Israel actors to influence young minds on American campuses.

Thousands of evangelical Christian pilgrims pray during a prayer gathering on the Dead Sea shore in Ein Gedi on September 20, 2013, in the Judean Desert, during their annual visit to Israel to mark the Jewish holiday of Sukkot (Tabernacles) and to express solidarity with Israel. Some five thousand Christian pilgrims from around the world arrived for a week-long visit to Israel, in an annual show of solidarity with the Jewish state.

Evangelical Leaders Praise Trumps Continued Support For Israel Amid War With Iran

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The bottom line on this narrative is that theres a belief system that Israels existence is illegitimate. They dont say this about any other country in the world, no matter how bloody its origins. This belief system gets Jews killed. Anti-Zionism is antisemitism," he said.

"My message to Bible-believing Christians is to teach a biblical worldview that Israel is the Bible land. The church in Germany was evangelical Protestant. They aligned with the Nazi party, had swastikas on its altars, and believed that God sent the chancellor.

"This happened because they rejected a biblical worldview and bought into what is called replacement theology. Thats the reason why I have developed a significant curriculum to teach the church and its leaders," Evans noted.

David Parsons, Senior Vice President and Spokesman of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), told Fox News Digital that Christian support for Israel  rooted in decades, if not centuries, of historyhas grown to unprecedented levels, though it is being heavily tested amid the war against Hamas in Gaza.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It predates Trump and Netanyahu, it will be there after those leaders are gone," he said.

Students at Columbia University participate in an anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian protest.

"We have to pass the baton to a new generation, and this is where the challenge is coming, as a lot of the young Christians arent buying into the same rationale as their parents to support Israel, which a lot of it was based on certain prophetic scenarios and prophecy charts about Israels role," he continued.

"We see it as God being faithful to his covenant promises to the patriarch Abraham 4,000 years ago. If God is faithful to what he promised Jewish people millennia ago, then he will be faithful to what hes promised us under the new covenant," he said.

Parsons noted that bringing young Christians to experience Israel firsthand helps cultivate that connection.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"A lot of the young evangelical supporters of Israel are not in some of these elite universities where theyre being poisoned against Israel, and so we have hope," he said.

"When you see the amazing things that Israel has done  the pager operation [against Hezbollah], how they defeated Iran in 12 days  if youre a young person, you have to be impressed with Israels creativity and ingenuity," he continued. "Eventually, once we get a resolution of the Gaza situation, there will be a whole new generation of Christians that are curious enough to come and check it out."





Original article source: Faith under fire: Netanyahu calls out efforts to divide Christians and Israel in US
The families of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas are calling for a nationwide strike to prevent the governments proposed military occupation of Gaza.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, is set to address the nation on Sunday afternoon regarding plans for a military takeover of the strip, but he is facing significant external pressure to pull back.

On Saturday night, around 60,000 Israelis took to the streets in Tel Aviv, demanding that the government reach a deal with Hamas to free the remaining hostages instead of embarking on an occupation of Gaza.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There are thought to be 20 living hostages and 30 bodies still being held by Hamas and other rebel groups.

Eyal Zamir, the IDF chief, said the plan for occupation was tantamount to walking into a trap and would endanger the lives of those hostages which are still alive.

Einav Zangauker,right, mother of hostage Matan, and Matans girlfriend and former hostage Ilana Gritsevsky, far left, at a demonstration in Tel Aviv - Jack Guez/AFP/Getty

Einav Zangauker, the mother of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker, said an entire county is held hostage by Hamas and the government of Israel. What needs to be done? The country needs to grind to a halt, now.

Viki Cohen, the mother of Israeli hostage Nimrod, echoed Ms Zangauker, saying: There is only one way to stop this: to stop everything. Why isnt the economy shut down? The silence is killing them! Will you join me in my call?

Striking. Fighting. Saving

Democrats Party leader Yair Golan backed the relatives call for a general strike: We must not continue life as usual while abandoning our brothers and sisters in Gaza. We cannot remain silent in the face of this reality. Striking. Fighting. Saving.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The call for action next Sunday is not supported, however, by Israels national trades union centre, Histadrut. This will make it difficult to succeed.

Protesters fear trying to occupy all of Gaza will put the remaining hostages at risk - Jack Guez/AFP

Families of the hostages, as well as the IDF chief, fear that a military takeover of the entire Gaza Strip will put the hostages at risk. The fear stems from Hamas executing six Israeli hostages in a tunnel in Rafah last September as IDF soldiers were closing in on them.

The security cabinets decision to occupy Gaza has also been met with criticism from far-right ministers who dont think the plan is far-reaching enough.

Finance minister and security cabinet member Bezalel Smotrich, who voted against the plan, lashed out at prime minister Netanyahu on Sunday, saying he has lost faith that the prime minister can and wants to lead the IDF to victory.

Police detain protester in Tel Aviv participating with calling on the Israeli government to sign a hostages release and ceasefire deal - ABIR SULTAN/EPA

Mr Smotrich accused Mr Netanyahu of making a U-turn after weeks of planning a dramatic move to victory in Gaza.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mr Netanayahu and the cabinet succumbed to weakness, let feelings win over mind, and decided again to do more of the same thing and head for a military move the purpose of which is not victory, but putting pressure on Hamas to bring it to a partial hostage deal, the finance minister said.

Israeli media also reported that the plan to occupy Gaza will be halted if Hamas agrees to a ceasefire deal.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israels national security minister, said he is in favour of going all the way in Gaza, by encouraging emigration and settlement in the enclave.

Mr Ben-Gvir added that if Hamas starts executing hostages terrorists must be executed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As Mr Netanyahu received widespread criticism in Israel for his plan to occupy Gaza, the UN Security Council was scheduled to convene on Sunday to discuss the move. The UK, Denmark, Greece, Slovenia and France initiated the emergency session as world leaders condemned Israels plans for Gaza.

The plan is seen by some as a negotiation tactic to bring Hamas back to the ceasefire talks which broke down last month. But the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned that occupying Gaza will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages. It will only bring more bloodshed.

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 families of two NYPD cops killed in the line of duty are pleading with the states lefty parole board to keep the men who murdered their loved ones behind bars, The Post has learned.

George Agosto who fatally shot Officer Thomas Ruotolo in the Bronx in 1984, and Eddie Matos who shoved Officer Anthony Dwyer to his death off a roof in Times Square roof in 1989, could be sprung from prison next month.

The 16-member parole board  ripped by critics as a patronage mill of leftist ideologues and political has-beens  has released 43 cop killers since 2017 after they began giving less weight to the severity of a convicts crimes and more to their age and progress in prison.

The families of slain NYPD officers Thomas Ruotolo and Antony Dwyer speak out at the state parole board in Midtown, Manhattan. Helayne Seidman

NYPD officer Thomas Ruotolo was killed by George Agosto while investigating a moped theft in the Bronx in 1984. NYPD

Agosto, 65, who was out on parole for manslaughter when he killed Ruotolo, is serving 40 years to life at Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, NY.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Personally, I think its really important to emphasize that the sentence was 40 years to life, Ruotolos widow Mary Beth ONeill told The Post. I really believe the to life part matters because some crimes are too severe. Theyre too violent. Theyre too intentional to ever risk repeating.

Ruotolo was responding to a call about a stolen moped in the Bronx that Valentines Day when Agosto pulled out a revolver and shot him before the cop even said a word.

The parolee, who already had a murder conviction on his rap sheet, then shot Ruotolos partner and an off-duty officer who happened to be on the scene.

In his own words, he described himself as a non-violent guy, the widow said, quoting from what he told the board in his rejected 2023 appeal. But how can a man who killed two people and attempted to kill two others be called anything but violent?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She was also chilled to see that he referred to the murder of her husband as a mistake  wondering what part was the mistake, carrying the gun, using it to steal a moped or shooting her husband.

Ruotolo was fatally shot before saying a word while approaching the parolee at a Bronx gas station. New York Post

Mary Beth ONeill (right) believes the man who shot and killed her first husband, Thomas Ruotolo, should remain in prison. Helayne Seidman

None of those sound like mistakes to me, she said. They sound like choices, criminal, deliberate, irredeemable choices.

Matos, 57, is serving a 25-years-to-life at Green Haven Prison in Stormville for killing Dwyer. The officer was responding to an armed robbery at a McDonalds when he chased Matos to the roof and was pushed, cops have said.

They killed a cop, Dwyers mom, Marge, said. They should serve the rest of their lives in prison or get the death penalty. We dont have it anymore but if we did Id be down there to turn the switch myself.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Both killers are scheduled to go to the parole board in September. The dates of their hearings arent released to the public.

Anthony Dwyer had chased Matos to a roof when he was apparently pushed and fell off the building. Stephen Yang

Marge Dwyer said shed like to see the convict who killed her son put to death. Stephen Yang

Matos, 57, is serving a 25-years-to-life at Green Haven Prison but is up for parole. change.org

PBA President Patrick Hendry went to the boards Midtown office with the families to deliver their victim impact statements Friday.

Every time they come here, they are forced to reopen their wounds and relive the worst day of their lives, Hendry said. Every time they leave here, theyre forced to wait and wonder whether their loved ones killer will be released.
Delhi Minister Ashish Sood has said that 7,900 children carrying the tricolour will pay tribute at the War Memorial to those who laid down their lives for the country, as India prepares to celebrate its 79th Independence Day on Friday. Sood made the remarks after flagging off the 'Tiranga Run' from the Thyagraj Stadium in Delhi under the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign. "On the occasion of the 79th Independence Day of the country, 7,900 children are running with the tricolour in their hands from Thyagaraja Stadium. They will go to the War Memorial and pay tribute to those who laid down their lives for the country," Sood told ANI. The 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign is part of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' initiative, launched in 2021 to encourage people to bring the national flag into their homes and hoist it in celebration of India's 75th year of independence. The initiative aims to ignite a sense of patriotism and raise awareness about the Indian national flag. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed happiness over the "phenomenal" participation in the Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign, noting that it reflects the deep patriotic spirit that unites the people of India and their unwavering pride in the Tricolour. He also urged citizens to continue sharing their photos and selfies on harghartiranga.com. Responding to the Ministry of Culture's posts about phenomenal participation in the Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign, the Prime Minister posted on X, "Glad to see #HarGharTiranga receiving phenomenal participation across India. This shows the deep patriotic spirit that unites our people and their unwavering pride in the Tricolour. Do keep sharing photos and selfies on harghartiranga.com." In an X post, the Ministry of Culture emphasised, "We are elated to see the enthusiasm surrounding the #HarGharTiranga campaign. From Kashmir to Lakshadweep and from Gujarat to Sikkim, the heartwarming images of people proudly hoisting the Tricolour show the deep connection that every Indian has with the National Flag." (ANI)
ENCINITAS (FOX5/KUSI)  Nearly four months after 12-year-old Emery Chalekian was struck and killed while using a crosswalk in Encinitas, her family said they plan to sue both the city and the driver involved in the crash.

The Chalekians attorney said the city failed to maintain safe conditions at the intersection of Encinitas Boulevard and Village Square Drive, where Emery was hit April 25. The lawsuit against the driver will claim gross negligence.

Justice for Emery, and that means not just making sure that everyone who is responsible is held accountable, but ensuring that proper precautions are taken so that this never happens to anyone else again, the familys attorney, Domenic Martini said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Emerys parents say the grief remains constant.

Grief is a really hard thing, and you cant go around it, you have to go through it, John Chalekian, Emerys dad said.



Emerys mom, Bridget Chalekian, said reality sinks in more and more every day.



Its really awful, it doesnt go away, she added. Schools about to start and I know thats going to be really hard for me. Unfortunately, its sinking in.

The City of Encinitas confirmed in a statement that it received a government tort claim from the Chalekians and their attorney on July 3, 2025.



The City is in receipt of a Government Tort Claim filed by the Chalekians and their attorney, and consequently cannot comment based on threat of litigation, the city said in a statement.

The family says they dont see the state of emergency as an agenda item on the upcoming agenda, although the city perviously said it would agendize the issue.



Unfortunately, the state of emergency is not an item on that agenda, said Emerys father, Jon Chalekian, referring to next weeks city council meeting. Its disheartening that we are parents who have lost our daughter, and nothing is being done.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The San Diego County Sheriffs Office said the crash still 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A 5K run was held Saturday, honoring a victim of domestic violence and advocating for legislation that can protect others.

The sixth-annual Alinas Light Walk and Run kicked off at Settlers Cabin Park.

Organizers said they hope the event can raise awareness of the work theyre doing to get two bills passed in the state House and Senate.

Both bills would allow judges the option of requiring electronic monitoring for people with PFAs against them, if the judge believed theyd likely violate it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Organizers say this is the type of change theyd like to see. However, neither bill has Alina Sheykhets name attached.

Sheyket was a University of Pittsburgh student who was killed at the hands of her ex-boyfriend in 2017, days after she filed a PFA against him. The ex-boyfriend, Matthew Darby, pleaded guilty to the murder in 2018 and was sentenced to life in prison.

>>> Police investigating Pitt students murder seek ex-boyfriend <<<

The first iteration of the current bills was unanimously passed in the Senate as Alinas Law in 2017, but stalled in the House.

Getting Sheykets name back on the legislation is crucial, event organizers said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Alinas name is the driving force behind the law, behind this organization, said Sasha Phillips, advocate for Alinas Light and Alinas Law. We want to all stand here together and say, Alina, were not going to forget your name. Were going to carry your light forward.

>>> Alinas Law: Slain Pitt students mom still fighting to save lives from domestic abuse <<<

We could not save our own child, but with Alinas law, we can save so many other children, women, people, said Sheykets mother, Elly Sheykhet. It means a lot, personally. This is my daughter and not just a law.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
BECKLEY  Shayla Carpenters past situation still brings her to tears at times.

But, she now has many more reasons to smile as she moves forward in a new life bolstered by her recent participation in the Raleigh County Family Treatment Court.

Carpenter, of Beckley, will be among the five treatment court participants who will be recognized during a special graduation ceremony at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, in the WVU Tech-Neville Auditorium at 410 Neville Street. During the event, Circuit Judge Andrew Dimlich, who presides over the family treatment court in Raleigh, will honor the perseverance, transformation and resilience of the participants who committed themselves to healing and rebuilding their families, according to an event press release. It will mark the fourth graduation for the RCFTC since its inception in 2023.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After drug use once steered her down the wrong path and had her facing a potentially bleak future, Carpenter says she has since righted her path under the guidance of the family treatment court, in which she enrolled last August.

Me and my husband were both homeless and we had our kids with us and we had to give them to my mother-in-law, Carpenter said Thursday. But, I was also pregnant at the time, and whenever I had my daughter she was born with  this makes me want to cry  she was born addicted to fentanyl.

So, I had no choice but to go to rehab. I went to rehab for a few months, and when I got out I found family treatment court. Me and my husband both started with them.

Whenever me and my husband got out of rehab, we didnt have a home, Carpenter continued. They [treatment court representatives] were a big help with that. We just needed a little bit of extra help. Some people dont need as much, but we needed a little bit of extra help.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Through FMRS [Health Systems], I found family treatment court and started. It was tough at the beginning of it, but its really not that hard if you do what they ask of you. And theyre not asking much of you; theyre just asking for you to be an adult, be a good citizen, do your part as a parent.

Counseling and participation in the court have helped Carpenter and her husband turn things around, she said. They now have a home together, and they were reunified with their children earlier this year. And, Shayla has begun working a job while the family continues adjusting to being back together.

According to Jessica Hilton, the Raleigh County Family Treatment Court case coordinator, the court is a multi-phase endeavor aimed at supporting parents in overcoming substance use disorders while working toward the safe reunification of families. The treatment courts were created by the West Virginia Legislature as a pilot program in 2019 and were later turned into a permanent program under supervision of the state Supreme Court in 2021.

There are currently 14 FTCs in existence in 18 West Virginia counties. Family treatment courts function as a collaborative effort among circuit courts, Child Protective Services, substance use treatment providers and other critical stakeholders, according to Hilton. FTCs serve as an alternative to more traditional child welfare and dependency court processes, officials stress. Participants undergo a comprehensive program that includes substance use treatment, frequent court appearances, case management and family reunification services.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hilton says Raleigh County has graduated about 15 people from the courts, with around 30 children reunified in Raleigh alone.

In abuse or neglect cases, children can be removed from the home and placed into state custody. At that point, parents must show significant signs of improvement before the children are returned to the home.

We will assess anyone and everyone to see if you qualify to go through our program, which is a very intense program, said Hilton. Once you complete our program, that is when the trial reunification occurs and the children can start integrating themselves back into the home with the family.

After that, full reunification occurs if it is warranted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We have individuals who have excelled in this program (in the 9-10-month period), Hilton said. The time frames vary; it really depends on the parents themselves and their situation.

In the state as a whole, she said it takes 22 months on the average to get a child back into the home from the first step of removal. FTCs often help trim that duration significantly, she said.

  

Im very passionate about my job, said Josh Richardson, the RCFTC peer recovery support specialist. Ive been through all of these processes myself. I had lost my kids due to my addiction. I have three children that their mother is no longer with us because of overdose and addiction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I wanted to work in the field where I can help families be back together and help other children not go without a parent. Luckily, I get to work with the court system now and get to work with some really good individuals. Weve been able to take them from homelessness to being in a home with a vehicle and a drivers license and their kids back with them and full-time jobs. Its just such an amazing process to see them make that transition over a 10-month period.

Im really grateful and honored I get to be part of that process.

Hilton called the treatment court process a very intense program. We dont want these children to come back into an open CPS case right after the case has been removed, she said. So, essentially, we push these individuals ... in a five-phase structure.

That includes frequent drug screenings. Also, there are weekly meetings in office settings, as well as meetings in home settings and elsewhere. There is a lot of interaction between me, my team and these individuals, Hilton said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The programs fifth phase is considered a wraparound occurrence in which family members immerse themselves back into the family environment and make plans for a better future. Thats really when the hard part starts, said Hilton.

Carpenter concurred.

Honestly, Phase 5 was a little bit stressful, having the kids come back home after not being with them for so long, getting into a routine, she said. But, the hardest part was not having them with me at all, and having to do visits and having to send them back.

I was ready for my kids to come home.

With her family, she is ready to embrace a brighter future. Even thinking about where I was a year ago to now, I dont ever want to go through that again, she said. I dont ever want to put my kids through that again. I grew up with parents that were addicts, so I want to break that cycle for my children.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And, shell continue to embrace the positives, such as the improvement in her child that was born addicted. Shes thriving, she started walking, Carpenter said proudly. Shes talking a little bit. Shes doing good.

Carpenter said if she knows of friends or family struggling to get their family back together in the future, I would definitely recommend family treatment court.

She also praised the support received from the treatment court team and her fellow court participants.

Thats what we really want to teach them here, is recovery community, explained Hilton. So after were gone and the professionals are out of your life, who can you talk to and relate to, and who can you call for help? ... They have grown a whole network of support just within our family treatment group individuals, and thats been the most amazing thing that Ive seen, that they all have each others back.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Also, echoing Shayla, how hard it is to not have your children around? Hilton asked. Thats one of the biggest things I value with family treatment court is that with the resources and the safety resources that our team can provide, we allow these children to go home directly into visitations and into a home setting type parenting style, even when they cant live there fully. Later, full reunification can occur.

So, what I find is as soon as we bring a participant in, were already increasing those visitations to two, sometimes three days a week, as opposed to they were seeing their children one day a week for two hours. ... That bond is so important.

I find that whole process of us being there to support them and help them once the children are integrated back into the home really important, Richardson said. Because, from my personal experience, its hard. Those first few months when your children are back with you and youre sober, and youve never been a sober parent and your feelings, your attitude, everythings changed, the children can be a little difficult because theyve been out of the home for so long. Its a really difficult process for those first few months, and I really think its great for us to support them, give them advice, help them anyway we can at that really sensitive time.

Community members and supporters are encouraged to join in on Aug. 13 in celebrating the pending RCFTC graduates and the dedicated team helping families heal and thrive.
Fans Are Sending Prayers to Paul Hollywood Amid 'Shocking' News originally appeared on Parade.

Paul Hollywood is asking the public for help after his brother Lee was attacked. The Great British Bake Off judge took to Instagram on August 10 to share a bit about what happened.

"If you have information regarding this attack on Friday night, the person in question who was attacked is my brother Lee. Any information please follow details above Thank you," Hollywood captioned a post.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The post contained information from the Wirral Police Department.

"We are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted in Leasowe last night, Friday 8 August," the post read.

"The man, who is in his 50s, was walking his dog on Links View Playing fields, near to Shackleton Road, at around 7.10pm when his dog and another dog, which was being walked by an another male, began barking at each other.The dogs were separated by the other male who then became irate. As the man walked away he was approached from behind and punched to the floor by the male. He was then kicked in the face and back before the male made off," the post continued.

"The man suffered injuries to his back and face and was taken to the hospital for treatment," the Wirral Police Department's post said, adding that an "investigation is underway."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The comments section of Hollywood's post quickly filled up.

"Prayers of quick healing and calm for your brother, and discernment & quickness for the authorities to find the individual who did this, and bring them to justice," one person wrote.

"Absolutely horrific. I am so sorry to hear this. Hoping your brother heals quickly and fully & this dangerous perpetrator gets caught and receives a severe sentence," someone else said.

"Senseless mindless violence! Sending prayers that your brother makes a full recovery and they catch the violent individual who did this," a third comment read.

SIGN UP for Parades Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox

Fans Are Sending Prayers to Paul Hollywood Amid 'Shocking' News first appeared on Parade on Aug 10, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Following Germany's suspension of arms exports to Israel, the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has slammed Chancellor Friedrich Merz for faltering in the matter.

"He can neither unite his government behind him nor his parliamentary group, including the [conservative Christian Democratic Union], which is currently completely divided on these issues," Tino Chrupalla told broadcaster ZDF in remarks published on Sunday.

At the same time, he stressed that the AfD supports the arms embargo in principle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Our position on arms deliveries to crisis and war zones, for example, is clear. We have always rejected this from the outset, including in our election manifesto, and we stand by that," Chrupalla said.

Merz on Friday announced a suspension of exports of arms to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip, marking a major shift in German foreign policy.

The move, hours after the Israeli government's decision to expand military operations in the coastal territory, represents a hugely significant step for Berlin, which has been one of Israel's strongest supporters since the October 7, 2023 attacks.

A representative of Merz later said the suspension only applies to military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Germany will continue to support Israel in everything necessary to defend its existence and security, the head of the chancellor's office Thorsten Frei told dpa.

The decision to block arms exports was met with sharp criticism from his coalition partner, the Bavaria-based Christian Social Union (CSU), as well as parts of his own CDU.

CDU/CSU foreign policy experts are scheduled to meet for a video conference later on Sunday, with party sources saying the rare summer recess meeting underscored the issue's urgency.
Heavy downpours in Himachal Pradesh, India, have caused fungal diseases in apples, leading to significant yield losses.

The New Indian Express reported that the erratic weather has affected around 40% of the harvest.

What's happening?

The outlet reported that Himachal Pradesh is the second-largest apple producer in India, with a notable market share of around 25%.

The apple industry in the state is worth approximately 5,000 crores, or about $578 million, so losing nearly half of the crops will result in major economic losses and harm farmers' livelihoods.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Due to this fungal infection, the size of the apple remains small," Harish Chauhan, a leading apple grower in the state, told TNIE. "The quality is bad, and there is a decline in the yield. This fungus spreads in the apple crop due to high rainfall and high moisture levels."

The same infection hit apple crops in 2023 during the monsoon season, though it wasn't nearly as severe as the recent blight, indicating how climatic events are becoming more severe.

Why are declining yields concerning?

Poorer harvests mean farmers earn less money and have less food to sell, which affects consumers and drives up prices at grocery stores.

It could have far-reaching impacts depending on where the apples are normally shipped. In addition, animals and ecosystems suffer when extreme weather events like these hit croplands, as they can disrupt natural processes and destroy habitat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Farmers in other states throughout India have been left with flooded fields and major crop losses after heavy rains swept through the area. For instance, in southern India, cashew farmers have dealt with fungal rot caused by the torrential rains, and in Rayakottai, around 400 acres of farmland were destroyed.

If the climate continues to be unstable, more farmers will likely suffer from declining yields. However, all hope is not lost.

What's being done to help?

Chauhan stated that government agencies have dispatched teams to inspect the apple orchards for more information on the fungus that killed off so many crops.

"He instructed that the disease be scientifically investigated and that orchardists be educated on preventive and control measures on the ground," per TNIE.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One farmer has created an innovative agrivoltaic solar plant to grow crops sustainably, and startups are utilizing high-tech, artificial intelligence-powered monitors to enhance yields and help farmers reduce the amount of pesticides and fertilizers they use.

These methods could also enhance the farming capabilities of those affected by floods.

Be sure to monitor any weather events that could disrupt supply chains, as this may lead to price changes at grocery stores. However, there are usually plenty of alternatives to choose from in the event of shortages, and shopping at farmers' markets is also a great option.

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
A social media producer nominated for a national agricultural award said she wanted to "show people what you can do" in farming.

Annie Winn from Harlestone in Northamptonshire is up for Content Creator of the Year at the British Farming Awards.

She set up her her own company after working in the agriculture industry for 10 years.

Ms Winn said she wanted to "raise awareness and to get more people on board with agriculture".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Earlier this week the BBC heard from farmers and those in the industry across England as part of Farmwatch 2025.

Although Ms Winn descibes herself as a "country bumpkin" she said she did not have a background in farming.

"I actually fell into agriculture by just winging a job one day," she told BBC Radio Northampton's Liz Jeeves.

Ms Winn said she spends days on farms as well as events and shows [Instagram/@shesellssocials.ltd]

After working as a certification officer for the Red Tractor accreditation scheme, she then moved on to an agricultural charity, the Addington Fund, working in marketing.

She said: "I realised, 'oh blimey, I really love this job' and then from there I went into social media self-employed with my own business."

'Busy all day every day'

For the last year and a half she said her business has been "flying" with a number of agricultural clients.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She said: "It's creating the content, it's checking in with them, what have they got coming up whether it's in the next week or the next six months.

"I create those posts for them, the copies, the graphics, the editing, the videos, the whole lot, schedule it all out and then just keep on top of their accounts."

Ms Winn said she also accompanies clients to agricultural shows and events.

"It honestly keeps me busy all day every day, I haven't stopped," she said.

Ms Winn said she was "creating content showing people what you can do within the industry... to support" farming.

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

More on this story
On Saturday we showcased the extraordinary speed of North American pronghorn, with footage that showed the animals easily outrunning wolves in Yellowstone National Park.

The footage was captured in late July by Jackson Hole EcoTours guide Billy Fabian.

More recently, nearby Grand Teton National Park profiled pronghorn via Instagram, sharing the following fast facts about the swiftest land animal in North America (only the cheetah runs faster):

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Speed: can reach speeds of 55-60 miles per hour (and sustain that over long distances).

Outlived the Competition: With no modern day predators that can run that fast, pronghorn evolved to be so speedy because they lived alongside the now extinct North American cheetah from the Pleistocene epoch.

Pronghorn on watch in Yellowstone National Park.

Epic Journey: The Sublette [Wyoming] Herd migrates over 100 miles between Grand Teton and the Green River Valleyone of the longest land migrations in North America. Its called the Path of the Pronghorn.

Sound the Horn! They have horns that don't shed (like bison) but shed the outer sheath each year. Cool? Weird? both.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

ALSO: Massive grizzly bear in for shock of its life while trying to mark territory

Not an antelope. Wait...I thought they were antelope? Nope. While antelope is a commonly used term for pronghorn, they are not actual antelopes. In fact, they are the last surviving member of the family Antilocapridae. Closest living relative? The giraffe!

The park added: So not only is this animal cool, it's also AWESOME. Remember, when wildlife watching: drive the speed limits, give animals space (100 yards from bears and wolves, 25 yards for everything else), don't stop in the middle of the road, and don't feed any critters.

Pronghorn herd in spring grass.

Regarding the name pronghorn versus antelope, Yellowstone National Park explains on its website:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The North American pronghorn is the surviving member of a group of animals that evolved in North America during the past 20 million years. It is not a true antelope, which is found in Africa and southeast Asia.

The use of the term 'antelope' seems to have originated when the first written description of the animal was made during the 18041806 Lewis and Clark Expedition.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Fastest critter in N. America wows folks in Yellowstone, Grand Teton
The Shin Bet said the father contacted an unspecified terrorist organization to finance the preparation of the explosives for the attacks.

In a joint operation, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and the Israel Polices Jerusalem District Central Unit arrested a father and son from East Jerusalem last month on suspicion of planning to carry out a series of terrorist attacks, according to a statement from both agencies.

The investigation uncovered bomb-making labs used by the suspects to prepare explosive devices. The suspects' plot was exposed after the father sold explosives to an undercover police agent, known as "Matrix".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The investigation, conducted over the last several months, revealed that the suspects, who worked at a restaurant and a nursing home in central Israel, planned to plant explosive devices at a checkpoint in northern Jerusalem to detonate against soldiers and police officers. They had acquired various weapons, explosives, and components, and prepared dozens of pipe bombs by watching online videos.

The father had also attempted to secure funding from a terrorist organization for the attacks, but he was arrested before the plan could progress.

The father's history of violence was also uncovered during the investigation. A few months before the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, he carried out a shooting near the separation fence. He also trained his son to fire various types of weapons on the roof of their home in Kafr Aqab. In the past year, the son had planned a shooting attack at a club in central Israel but did not carry it out.

The Israel Police and Shin Bet uncovered bomb-making equipment in an operation on August 10, 2025. (credit: ISRAEL POLICE SPOKESMAN)

Additional suspect arrested in bombing plot

During the raid on the suspects' apartments, forces from the Jerusalem Central Unit, police sappers, Border Police, and the ISA found various chemical materials, containers, detonation mechanisms, and dozens of ready-to-use pipe bombs, which were subsequently destroyed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In addition to the father and son, a third suspect in his 20s, also from East Jerusalem, was arrested. He is suspected of preparing and hiding explosives with the father and intending to carry out an attack against security forces.

The detentions of all three suspects have been extended by a court, and the Jerusalem District Attorney's Office is expected to file indictments against them in the coming days.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  FBI Cincinnati and the Montgomery County Regional Agencies Narcotics and Gun Enforcement (R.A.N.G.E.) Task Force seized a large amount of alleged Fentanyl recently.

Photo via FBI Cincinnati.

The FBI Cincinnati posted a photo on social media. It said 38 kilograms of Fentanyl, other drugs, guns and an undisclosed amount of cash were seized from a major drug trafficking organization

FBI Cincinnati did not share when the seizure took place or which trafficking organization was involved.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It said it continually targets violent criminals and people who bring drugs into Southwestern Ohio.

2 NEWS will follow this story as it 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 WDTN.com.
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge claimed that the Central government has "refused" to provide a place on the stage for Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R Ashok, during the inauguration programme of the Metro Phase-2 project by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. Priyank Kharge shared the dais seating plan on the social media platform X, which featured Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders B Y Vijayendra and MP Tejasvi Surya, but did not include the name of R Ashok. "Is the Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashok, becoming a leader opposed by his own party? The Central Government, which has organised the inauguration program for Bengaluru Metro Phase 2, has refused to provide a place on the stage for the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, R. Ashok," Kharge posted late Saturday. https://x.com/PriyankKharge/status/1954243802610421961 "Has the Central Government forgotten protocol? Or is it a deliberate snub? The opportunity given to @BYVijayendra, who is a first-time MLA and not a Bengaluru MLA, has not been extended to Ashok. Respected @RAshokaBJP, Despite being a Bengaluru MLA, the Leader of the Opposition, a senior leader of @BJP4Karnataka, and having been elected multiple times, if you are being ignored, should we assume this is a message that your position is being undermined?" the post added. Kharge also responded to an earlier tweet by R Ashok in which the BJP leader claimed Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah "did not even tweet to wish" Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on his birthday. The tweet was also accompanied by a screenshot of the tweet. The Congress leader further stated, "While you were busy worrying about who didn't wish whom on their birthday, now it's time for you to sit and ponder, "Why wasn't I invited?" Instead of peeking into others' houses, it would be wise to notice that your own foundation is shaking!" According to a press release, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Yellow Line of the Bangalore Metro Phase-2 project on Sunday, spanning from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra, with a route length of over 19 km and 16 stations, valued at around Rs 7,160 crore. (ANI)
The Food and Drug Administration has rehired the vaccine chief who resigned just two weeks ago.

Dr. Vinay Prasad led the FDAs vaccines and gene therapy division until he was forced to resign in late July after a public pressure campaign led by far-right activist Laura Loomer. The vocal Trump supporter and ally accused Prasad of infiltrating the FDAs leadership and sabotaging Trumps agenda.

Dr. Prasad, a hematologist-oncologist at UC San Francisco, gained prominence during the pandemic as an outspoken critic of COVID-19 vaccines and mask mandates.

Health Secretary RFK Jr. told an associate he wanted Prasad at the FDA in part because of his vaccine skepticism. / Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images

This caught the eye of Trump-appointed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has himself long been a proponent of vaccine skepticism.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When the previous head of the FDAs Center for Biologics Evaluation left the role in May, Kennedy tapped Prasad for the role. During his short tenure, he limited the use of COVID-19 vaccines and promoted warnings about a rare side effect of the vaccines.

At the time of his resignation, a spokesperson for HHS told The New York Times, Dr. Prasad did not want to be a distraction to the great work of the FDA in the Trump administration and has decided to return to California and spend more time with his family.

Laura Loomer's continued presence in Trump's orbit has caused concern among even his most loyal followers. / Stephanie Keith / Getty Images

Both Kennedy and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary opposed Prasads departure from the role, but President Donald Trump ignored their appeals and ordered his removal.

Both remained invested in returning Prasad to his role, with Makary mentioning his desire to bring Prasad back to the FDA during an appearance at an event with RFK Jr. earlier this week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a new statement, a health department spokesperson said of Prasads rehiring, At the FDAs request, Dr. Vinay Prasad is resuming leadership of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

Loomer was predictably incensed, taking to X to decry the decision to rehire a longtime progressive Marxist who referred to President Trumps supporters as criminals.
ONECO, Fla. (WFLA)  The Florida Department of Transportation has reinstalled school safety zones on State Road 70 in Oneco ahead of the new school year.

In a release by Citizens for Historic Oneco, a local organization dedicated to preserving the areas unique history, it announced that the flashing 20 mph safety lights along the busy highway have been reinstated after being abruptly removed in 2023, sparking outcry from the community.

Credit: Citizens for Historic Oneco

Credit: Citizens for Historic Oneco

Spokesperson for Citizens for Historic Oneco, Margi Nanney, stated that the highway is one of the most dangerous in Manatee County and poses a risk to the lives of students returning to Oneco Elementary School.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Oneco Elementary has had safety lights for more than 40 years. In the 1990s, when SR 70 was widened from two to six lanes, the FDOT was going to take them down and we lobbied to keep them. They made an exception, stating by law they are not obligated to have them on state roads. Now there is much more traffic, over 33,000 cars per day many speeding. We were shocked when the lights were removed, said Nanney. Again, we went to bat to have them reinstalled to prevent a tragedy. There was a lot of finger-pointing between the different agencies about why they were removed.

Regarding the reinstallation of the safety zones, Nanney added, We give credit to our District 2 Manatee County Commissioner, Amanda Ballard, who followed through with the FDOT to make sure they were put back in place. It may be an inconvenience for drivers rushing to get to work to slow down along this stretch of SR 70, but if the lights save just one life, slowing down is not such a big deal.





Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Border Patrol agents took at least seven people during multiple immigration raids at Home Depots in Van Nuys on Friday, federal authorities confirmed Saturday.

Videos posted to Instagram by @valleyviewssfv showed at least two raids taking place in Home Depot parking lots on Friday morning, where a large presence of masked federal agents dressed in tactical gear arrested workers and took them away in unmarked vehicles.

The Department of Homeland Security later told KTLA that the seven detainees were from Guatemala, Mexico and Honduras. The first raid was reported around 7:15 a.m. by local leaders, and the second around 11:30 a.m.

Multiple Home Depot raids are seen taking place in Van Nuys on Aug. 8, 2025. (@valleyviewssfv via Instagram)

Later Friday morning, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath took to X to express distaste for the federal governments tactics in immigration arrests.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This morning in Van Nuys, several of our neighbors were forcibly taken by ICE. ICE agents showed no warrants & car windows were smashed, said Horvath. Federal officials did not confirm or comment on the supervisors claim about property damages.

Horvaths post went on to add, The Trump administration is defying a court order to stop terrorizing our immigrant communities. It is heartbreaking, it is lawless, and it must end.

On Aug. 4, the settlement of a class action lawsuit challenging federal immigration home arrest practices in L.A. was approved by a U.S. District Court judge. This means that ICE and other federal immigration officers are no longer allowed to identify themselves as local police or use deceptive tactics during home arrests in Southern California. In addition, agents may not claim to be conducting criminal investigations, probation or parole checks, or other public safety inquiries unless those claims are accurate.

Disputing claims of targeting people based on their skin color, race or ethnicity during these raids, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, What makes someone a target for immigration enforcement is if they are illegally in the U.S.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Federal agents board Southern California councilmembers boat, ask for papers

The federal government did not comment on the tactics used in the arrests on Friday, but videos show the agents wearing vests that say POLICE and U.S. BORDER PATROL, along with their common use of masks and unmarked vehicles.

Fridays raids came just two days after federal agents conducted an operation dubbed Trojan Horse at a Los Angeles Home Depot parking lot, where they used a Penske rental truck to disguise their presence before popping out and arresting 16 individuals.

In response to the Aug. 6 raid, Home Depot provided KTLA with a statement that read, We arent notified that ICE activities are going to happen, and were not involved in them. In many cases, we dont know that arrests have taken place until after theyre over. Were required to follow all federal and local rules and regulations in every market where we operate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

DHS indicated the Wednesday raid was in response to MS-13 gang activity in the area.

Americas brave men and women are removing murderers, MS-13 gang members, pedophiles, rapiststruly the worst of the worst from Golden State communities, said McLaughlin. She also noted that, on Friday, Of the 7 detainees 4 had criminal records spanning from multiple DUIs, arrest for disorderly conduct (prostitution), failure to appear for removal (ICE fugitive), and a prior removal.

Nidia Becerra and Vanessa Garcia contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  For weeks, the Abilene Independent School District (AISD) faced the possibility of losing millions in federal education funds, threatening programs that serve some of the districts most vulnerable students. Among them: the adult education program, which helps learners of all ages. While the federal government ultimately released the money, AISD Board of Trustees Member Dr. Taylor Tidmore said the experience showed how quickly the future of vital programs can be thrown into question, and how deeply the community would feel the loss.

Youre not without hope; Abilene students/schools navigate Trump education funding freeze

Federal dollars recently released will help programs like adult education and other initiatives within Abilene ISD, but Board of Trustees Member Dr. Taylor Tidmore says the situation created weeks of uncertainty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I think it did create a little bit of just chaos and uncertainty there for several weeks. The federal government came out and said its going to withhold a lot of federal educational funds. Some of those funds specifically go to our adult education program, Tidmore shared.

The program is a partnership between the Texas Workforce Commission and AISD. Tidmore said the district anticipated a possible funding delay, but just a few weeks later, the federal government reversed course and agreed to release the money. That meant AISD could keep adult education running this year as planned, though the funds have not yet arrived.

I think the caveat to that is those funds have not been released yet, and we dont know when were going to receive those funds, and so there is some cushion right now to pay for adult education, to pay for that program and those teachers, Tidmore explained. But if those federal funds arent released in an efficient way or in a timely manner, I mean, there will be a time when that cushion runs out, and then the district may have to make some more difficult decisions, again, about the future of adult education.

Abilene ISD unveils Budget Blueprint for public transparency

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

AISD budgets just under $1 million for adult education, covering salaries for teachers who work exclusively in the program and more. The potential loss was part of a larger concern, more than $3 million in federal funds were at risk, including Title II, III, and IV funds that help English learners and other students facing extra challenges.

If cuts had been necessary, Tidmore said the districts goal was to keep the GED Testing Center and dropout prevention program running, though many day-to-day classes for adult learners would have been eliminated.

I went to the adult education graduation last year, and those students ranged in age from 16 to 50 years old. They had overcome all sorts of obstacles in life to finish their degree, you know, to get to further their education. Its a program that offers lots of different services. But like I said, I think the big thing we were going to lose is that day-to-day instruction that those students really need to be able to go forward and pass that GED test, Tidmore explained.

When Tidmore first joined the AISD Board of Trustees, he says he wasnt even aware of the districts adult education program. Now, hes seen firsthand the life-changing impact it can have.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If that service goes away, no one else is really doing that work. I remember the graduation; theres a guy there in his 50s. I think he came over here from another country, had been here a long time, working hard, and it was a big deal for him and his family to complete that next step. So those students, thats a free service to them and so itd be a big loss in our community if that happens, Tidmore said.

Dont forget to hug your momma: Big Countrys Class of 2025 walks into the future

While it once seemed the program might end, Tidmore says the district worked through some difficult conversations to find ways to keep key parts alive.

Some of the most difficult conversations are for the gentleman, Jeff Howe, who runs that program, and the teachers who are very passionate about those students. Thats the work they pour their heart and soul into, and all of a sudden find out, Oh, that its not going to be available. You know, Im going to have to shift course. Those people are going to maintain jobs within the district, but not doing what they had been doing for a long time and felt really passionate about, Tidmore shared.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While the program is safe for now, Tidmore warns that federal funds for education are already shrinking. For example, AISD received about $4 million a few years ago to support students with significant physical needs; this year, that amount will drop to $1 million.

I think in our current political environment, anythings possible, Tidmore said. I think a more realistic thing that might occur is that there are so many compliance guidelines and regulations attached to those funds, it almost just becomes impossible for a district to be able to keep up with all the guidelines and all the strings attached to use those funds in a way and stay compliant. So I said, cant predict the future, but I think were already seeing, just the last few years, that federal money is starting to shrink a little bit, and who knows what the future of it.

Federal funding made up $28 million of AISDs budget last year, though most revenue comes from state and local sources. Still, with 60% of Texas school districts adopting deficit budgets, Tidmore says theres little financial safety net when unexpected funding problems arise.

Funding for public education really hasnt increased since 2019, yet the cost of running a district has gone up about 20% over that time period. So districts are asked to do the same job, or even more, with fewer, inadequate resources. When youre just struggling to make ends meet, theres no safety net for when these sorts of things happen, Tidmore shared.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

EXPLAINER: Abilene ISD is closing/repurposing two schools, what happens next?

He says that ultimately, its the students who are going to hurt and pay the price.

AISD adopted a $13 million deficit budget last year, through a lot of difficult decisions and hard work, and that deficit is going to be cut in half this year. 80% of our budget comes from teacher and staff salaries. So when you want to make a big dent in a budget, unfortunately, salaries are where you have to look, Tidmore shared. Fortunately, we havent had to do a lot of forced layoffs, but as teachers and staff leave our district or retire, most of them are not being replaced, and so that means were asking our current teachers and our current staff to do more to pick up the slack, and as we stretch those people thinner and thinner, ultimately its the students who are going to suffer. If our state doesnt change the way we fund public education in the next few years, its really the children of our state who are going to ultimately pay the price.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Hawaii has outlawed commercial fishing in the Pacific Islands Heritage marine national monument, a protected and fragile ecosystem in the Pacific Ocean.

The action by judge Michael WJ Smith reverses a decision made by a branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that banned fishing in parts of the monument that was signed by President Barack Obama while he was in office.

Smith's ruling comes about a week after President Donald Trump signed a proclamation that reveres federal fishing regulations in the monument, a world heritage fund site that is home to marine mammals, seabirds and coral reefs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Friday's court order by Smith means that commercial fishing cannot occur in waters 50 to 200 nautical miles around Johnson Atoll, Jarvis Island and Wake Island, and must stop immediately.

"The Fisheries Service cannot ignore our perspectives as the native people who belong to the islands and to the ocean that surrounds us," said Solomon Pili, Kaho'ohalahala, a founding member of Kapa'a, the Conservation Council for Hawaii and the Center for Biological Diversity.

"The law guarantees a process where we can advocate for protecting the generations of our children's children who are yet to be born."

Earthjustice, an environmental conservation group, filed a lawsuit in May, arguing the National Marine Fisheries Service violated federal law by sidestepping the formal rulemaking process required to change fishing rules, which mandates public notice and comment.

President George W. Bush established the moment in 2009. It comprised 500,000 square miles of a remote part of the central Pacific Ocean southwest of Hawaii. Obama widened the area in 2014.
The Rev. Alex Santora was doing a good deed when the big truck arrived in Hoboken.

The driver parked at Santoras churchs garage in January. He loaded 13 boxes of sheet music and hymnals as planned and departed with a generous donation to poor, rural congregations.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Until the stunning FedEx bill arrived.

The company had quoted The Church of Our Lady of Grace & St. Joseph $836.24 to send the plastic-wrapped pallet to a nonprofit in Milwaukee. But the corporate behemoth billed the historic church a whopping $3,277.79 instead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We were flabbergasted by the invoice, Santora said, anger creeping into his normally calm, smooth voice. (We) would never have shipped with them if this was told to us upfront.

Santora is a forgiving guy. But money is money. Even a man of the cloth has his limits.

We are nonprofit and have to watch expenses, Santora said. I refuse to give in to extortion.

Fr. Alex Santora with organ sheet music at The Church of Our Lady of Grace in Hoboken, showing off its historic organ. The organ was designed by the same maker of the famed Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia, believed to be the worlds largest fully functioning pipe organ.

The Jersey City native and longtime faith columnist for The Jersey Journal and NJ.com fiercely defends his church, a local landmark with roots dating to 1851.

Our Lady of Grace & St. Joseph previously donated a pallets worth of sheet music and hymnals to the same group last year, paying about $1,000 for a different company to ship the items.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The church wanted to donate more and weighed the second donation at 414 pounds. It searched for the best shipping price and provided the weight and all necessary information to FedEx, church officials said.

The church offered a credit card to pay FedEx the quoted price of $836.24. But FedEx said it would send a bill.

And did it ever. The invoice included a fuel surcharge, a limited access pickup charge and other add-ons  none of which the church was told about ahead of time.

The church has never skipped out on a legitimate bill, Santora said. But this one was different.

They lied to us, Santora said, made up claims that were untrue.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Church officials felt it was their duty to fight back.

Marge Parry (left), Fr. Alex Santora, and Socorro Martinez (right) in The Church of Our Lady of Grace in Hoboken. They were working to get FedEx to honor a quoted price to ship sheet music and hymnals in bulk.

Church auditor Marge Parry called FedEx and got the bill reduced to $1440.71. But that was still $604.47 above the quoted price.

The church paid $836.34  the original quote  in March, and then officials spent the next several months trying to get FedEx to change its mind.

They were passed from rep to rep and never got the same person on the phone or by email.

The thing thats the most frustrating was the bureaucratic hydra that you have to deal with, Santora said. I dont want to waste our peoples money.

Along the way, FedEx tried to justify its surprise price hike. In an email, it said quotes are just an estimate and final charges are determined at the time of shipping  something no one at the church said theyd heard before.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And while the limited access pickup charge indicated there were obstacles in retrieving the pallet, Santora denied it. He said he witnessed the pickup, which was done by a third-party company hired by FedEx, and it was effortless.

Parry shared photos with FedEx to show there is no restricted access. She said the company told her later it was an automatic fee added to invoices for schools, universities and religious institutions  places where access is often limited.

A view of the garage and driveway where FedEx picked up the church's donation for shipping. The Rev. Alex Santora stands before the garage.

But why add a fee automatically if it may not apply to every location?

A letter sent to FedEx chief Raj Subramaniam in June went unanswered.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But a few days later, the church received a different kind of response: a collection agency demanded $2,019.78, including an eye-popping $1,415.31 of unexplained fees on top of the alleged $604.47 debt.

Why should we pay money we never agreed to pay? said Santora, who has guided his congregation for two decades, including through a merger in 2008. Its a matter of justice.

He asked Bamboozled for help.

We asked FedEx to review the case, then turned our attention to the collection agency, Synter Resource Group of Charleston, S.C.

Because sheesh, $1,415.31 in fees  more than twice the alleged debt  sounded really wrong when considering protections under state and federal debt collection laws.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

All the more strange were two conversations Santora said he had with Synter customer service representatives.

They said no, its only $600 (owed), he said of the conversations. Maybe they do that to scare you, he said of the added fees.

Synter Resource Group didnt provide any clarity. It said it could not discuss someone elses account when Bamboozled inquired, but it asked us to have the folks from the church call.

But we didnt want them to end up with any old customer service rep.

So we asked for John Church  really, thats his last name  to make himself available. Hes the companys co-founder, and he happens to be the person who responds to Better Business Bureau (BBB) complaints.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Synter has an A+ rating with BBB even though its received 40 complaints in the last three years. As weve noted before, if a company is good at responding to BBB complaints  whether in the customers favor or not  it can get a high grade.

Santora said he called Church  the man, not the entity  and he didnt get a call back.

But importantly, he got a call from FedEx.

She said everything was resolved, he said he was told. Dont respond to anything (from the collection agency).

We asked FedEx what happened.

Were committed to providing excellent service and support to all our customers, spokeswoman Heather Wilson said. Weve worked directly with the customer to resolve the matter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The company declined to answer questions about how the whole thing went down.

I think some businesses think that churches and houses of worship have deep pockets, Santora said. I feel obligated to watch every penny for the people who share their resources with us and expect good stewardship.

At least now the church will have some extra dollars on hand when it celebrates its 175th anniversary next year.

The Church of Our Lady of Grace in Hoboken, NJ on Tuesday, August 6, 2025.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on X at @KPMueller.
In the modern era where smartphones have become a means of barraging the masses with constant alerts of severe weather, it is hard to imagine a world where Hilton Head residents wouldnt know about a natural disaster lurking around the corner.

Today, we take for granted government agencies such as the National Weather Service to predict deadly hurricanes in time for people to evacuate, and organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency to swoop in during disasters and provide critical aid to save lives.

Yet just 23 years after the founding of the National Weather Service in 1870, thousands of people living in the Sea Islands had no way of knowing the horrific storm that would soon tear through their communities and upend their lives. They would be left homeless and hungry with little support from the local, state or federal government.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For the residents of Hilton Head Island in 1893, there was no cavalry coming to rescue them.

Here are five things to know about the deadly Sea Island Hurricane of 1893.

#1: The damage was horrific

The 1893 Sea Island Hurricane swept through Beaufort County on August 27, 1893, drowning over 2,000 people and leaving more than 70,000 people destitute, write local authors Bill and Fran Marscher in their 2001 book chronicling the storm.

The 120 mph winds ripped trees from the earth and scattered them helter skelter. Twelve foot storm surges put entire islands underwater. Homes, crops, and livestock were all destroyed. Bodies piled up on the beaches and marshes. In todays world, the storm surge and ocean water intrusion would devastate the homes and businesses from the north end to Sea Pines, dragging many of the structures back out to sea as the tides resided.

Photograph of hurricane damage in Beaufort, S.C., August 1893.

After the skies cleared, people continued to die of malaria, typhoid, starvation, dehydration and exposure.

#2: The victims were recently freed slaves

The hurricane devastated communities of formerly enslaved people that were emancipated during the Civil War thirty years earlier.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They built houses, fished and raised livestock. By the time the hurricane hit in 1893, the first children to be born into the new communities were just reaching adulthood.

Thousands of emancipated former slaves formed communities on the islands of Hilton Head, Daufuskie, St. Helena, and more. Today, they are known as the Gullah Geechee people.

Photograph shows a group portrait of four African American children, the children of Freedmen, and one white child, possibly students at the Penn School in Beaufort, South Carolina.

#3: Islanders had no warning

The National Weather Services was founded in 1870, but South Carolina wouldnt get a dedicated forecast official until 1890, just three years before the hurricane.

There were no weather balloons and no doppler radar technology. News of a storm making its way up the coast came from ships coming into the ports.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Weather Bureaus in Charleston and Savannah flew storm signals. Newspapers issued reports of a storm making its way up the Florida Coast, but told nothing about the likelihood of coastal residents being subjected to one of the planets most dangerous weather phenomena, Marscher & Marscher wrote. Officials had no way of predicting the path or intensity of the oncoming storm.

Photograph of hurricane damage on Bay Street in Beaufort, S.C., August 1893.

No information was given on where the hurricanes winds would be the strongest, or what areas would be swamped by its resulting storm surge. The publications provided no recommendations for readers to board up their windows, move their boats, or protect their livestock in preparation for the incoming storm.

The people of the Sea Islands had no way of receiving even this limited information.

On Saturday before the Sunday night disaster, only those in cities could see the storm flags fluttering from the rooftop of the Agriculture Departments Weather Bureau offices or could read the small, brief warning bulletins posted around town, Marscher & Marscher wrote.

#4: The government was apathetic

Today, a vast network of government agencies and private charities rush into the aftermath of natural disasters to provide life-saving aid. Yet for a month after the Sea Island Hurricane hit, the islanders received no help.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Then-Governor Ben Tillman reportedly called on local residents to search for fish and plant turnips when approached about the crisis.

Clara Barton circa 1866.

Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, was appalled at the lack of response, and she drove aid efforts to the region, funded primarily by private donations. It was the first time the Red Cross had provided significant hurricane relief since its founding in 1881.

#5: The storm would have cost tens of billions today

In 2001, Marscher & Marscher estimated that a hurricane with the same path and intensity would wreck more than $32 billion in insured property.

Photograph of people standing in the street amidst hurricane damage. Location: Likely Beaufort, S.C.

In the 24 years since their book was published, developers have continued to build luxury homes, apartment complexes, and waterfront properties in Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort, further increasing the cost of a potential hurricane.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its relatively rare for a hurricane to directly hit Hilton Head. Out of the last three hurricanes that shed rain onto Lowcountry soil, only Hurricane Matthew made a direct impact to Hilton Head as a Category 2 hurricane.

Still, Hilton Head residents rely on timely, accurate predictions from the National Weather Service that inform decisions to evacuate areas or close schools.

In February 2025, the federal government fired hundreds of weather forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration amidst efforts to shrink the federal workforce. The Trump administration confirmed Wednesday that the NOAA is now re-hiring as many as 450 people back into critical positions. The administration has also made major cuts to FEMA, and the president has expressed a desire to eliminate the agency altogether.

That could mean that if a hurricane of this scale were to directly impact Hilton Head again, residents might have less warning, and fewer resources would be available to save the lives of those left behind.
Ham and Cheese

By Steph Cha

Author Steph Cha in the kitchen at Louisa's Trattoria in Larchmont Village. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Marlowe Lee was off the clock, 12 more hours in the can, but Call-Me-Jessie had changed the closing procedure, and now, for the second week running, Marlowe had to do final cleanup and lockup after clocking out. It was 9, and she was starving, with another 15 minutes of unpaid work ahead of her. She hadnt eaten since her lunch break, and as sick as she was of Charcuterie Girls sandwiches (The Best Deli on Ventura Boulevard, Human-Owned and Operated!), it was torture making and serving them on an empty stomach.

She set two slices of baguette on the counter and stared at her options. Roast turkey and mortadella, vegan salami and imitation tuna salad. It was depressing, that fake tuna, the best on the market but still a vaguely unsavory amalgam of fish paste and seaweed powder  nothing like the tuna she remembered. It made her think of all the things she missed, those lost treasures of the recent past. Avocados, panda bears, temperate weather.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Her eyes landed on Charcuterie Girls crown jewel: a whole leg of iberico ham in its own bespoke rig. How much longer would the world have black Spanish pigs, fed nothing but acorns and chestnuts? The jamon cost $70 an ounce, but rich people were too rich  they bought things because they were expensive, and those pigs were in higher and higher demand. Jessie named the sandwich the Trillionaires Ham and Cheese at the suggestion of the richest man in Los Angeles, who personally requested to see jamon iberico on the menu. He bragged about it online, and now it was every local billionaires favorite sandwich in town.

Marlowe had yet to try the jamon  she wasnt allowed to touch it, except to slice it by hand for high-value customers, who liked to record her slow, methodical movements as she handled the special ham knife. It came off in thin red ribbons that she piled onto baguettes with manchego and grated tomato. She tried to imagine the taste, and her mouth watered.

She eyed the camera, which transmitted footage to Jessies iGlass, with any irregularities flagged for immediate review. An irregularity could get Marlowe fired, never mind that the camera also logged hours and hours of labor violations.

She was lucky, she knew, to have this job  any job at all, when she was only 23. Just that day, a customer had asked how long shed spent on the California Hourly Employment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Marlowe answered, truthfully, that shed gotten on when she was in college. The customer shook his head. Hed been waiting for two years  how could anyone be expected to go that long without work? Marlowe didnt mention the exemption for small business owners, who could circumvent CHEW if they were willing to invest in superfluous human labor, or that her mom and Jessie had been classmates at Wellesley.

Marlowe looked back at the camera and picked up the ham knife. It slid easily under the oily meat, again and again and again. She worked until she had enough jamon for a half-dozen sandwiches, then pulled a last slice right off the leg and popped it into her mouth. She closed her eyes and laughed. Oh man, she thought. I could get used to this.

Steph Cha is a critic and author of Your House Will Pay, winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the California Book Award, and the Juniper Song crime trilogy.

Allnight Supermarket

By Ivy Pochoda

Ivy Pochoda, right, a novelist, and writer/activist Linda Leigh in Skid Row. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Im here to tell you a few things. Some are triumphs and some are facts. But first  let me welcome you to the first official meeting of the Skid Row Neighborhood Council. Doesnt sound historic to you? Well, let me say, weve been trying for decades to get recognized. As a neighborhood. As a community. As people. The BID stopped us. The Downtown Neighborhood Council stopped us. I wouldnt be surprised if a succession of supposedly helpful mayors hadnt a hand in stopping us.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Let me also say there was a moment when I myself lived in the elements. Thats what I told my daughter. Im living in the elements. Nevertheless, its part of my story  this story that brings us here today. Thirty long years after we first tried to get a neighborhood council of our own. Whats the big deal? Let me tell you the big deal. This is a real neighborhood  an actual community. We all know each other and whats what and whats up. Did people in Hancock Park know each other? Did folks in Beverly Hills help one another out? Nothing doing. Just strangers in big houses. Its different down here. Always has been.

It took some doing to get recognized. We are the last ones not driven out by climate and prices. Thats what sent the rich people away. They gave up and made this city a ghost town of heat and poverty. But we stayed. Climate and prices dont mean a lot when you dont have a lot of choice. Not much we can do about the elements. Fact is  we are used to the elements. The elements are our thing. And rising prices dont matter when you cant afford anything anyway.

So when everyone up and fled, we got our neighborhood council charter. We are Skid Row proud  climate and cash be damned.

Things happen by default, you know. I got sick. I lost my home. I wound up on the streets. I got housed for good. So be it. That was a long time ago. Same with this council. We tried. We tried again. We got denied. The city got hot. The city got wet. The city became the climate crisis ground zero. Prices shot up. People didnt want to pay for water rights. They didnt want their kids suffering at recess. They didnt want to pay soaring gas prices for their private jets to take them north. So came the great abandoning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We could have moved into their houses. We could have swept into the Hollywood Hills and Brentwood. But thats not a place. Thats not a home. Thats not a community. We are who we are and where we are. And with no one left but us, we got our council. And now we have plans, and plans are happening. You might think our plans are simple. But these small things are everything.

And so Im proud to set in motion our first community market. All these years, and this is the first time Skid Row has an exclusive place to shop, hear music, get your hair cut. A place to get trained up to work, a place to give back. A place from which we will rebuild this blessedly emptied city in our own image.

Ivy Pochoda is the author of several novels including Wonder Valley, Visitation Street, These Women, Sing Her Down, which won the L.A. Times Book Prize in 2023, and Ecstasy, which was released in June.

2047: Meet David Allen, the Minister of Commemoration

By Jonathan Lethem

Author and MacArthur Fellow Jonathan Letham against a backdrop of Mt. Baldy in Upland. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Stanleg and I had long planned an expedition to meet the Minister of Commemoration. Very few people knew as much as we did, which made Stanleg and me famous frenemies. Stanleg was the Emperor of Dead People Hill. I lived in Bonelli with the Boaties. He liked org as much as I liked disorg, but we both remembered the floodtimes from when we were children, so the little amnesiacs liked to flock around and pepper us with queries, but our information was nothing like Minister Allens.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

You could get by gondola up to the mouth of the Euclid trail, where the donkey trolleys dragged the sledges up toward Baldy. That was where the Minister lived. He liked the high places and never went by water. David Allen was made and lived in the Dry and still saw it all with the Eyes of the Dry: the Gabriels and the Wetness below. They had once named some of these places for the water, like Riverside, or the Wash, before the water came. But those who truly remembered the Dry wanted no part of the Wetness.

So Stanleg and I packed in and portaged through the Pomonliest swamp and then crossed the Downland gondoliers palms with bribes to get us to the shore where the mule sleds waited, and then we bribed the mule sledders. They had no interest in our tales.

The Minister of Commemoration waited in his temple, only lightly guarded by amnesiacs. He was deep and surprisingly tall, though crooked and bald, and his robes hung long. He greeted us with a magnificent smile. The lenses as well as the repairing tape on his spectacles were thick.

We had brought waterkale cakes and wild bird hand-pies, because we had been encouraged to believe David Allen liked these things. Perhaps he did, though he seemed to take no notice of our gifts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Stanleg is from Dead People Hill, I said before Stanleg could get a word in. He likes org, and he orgs those dead people pretty good. Maybe the amnesiacs not so good.

Fitchly hails from Bonelli Underwater Park, said Stanleg, returning the favor. He is an expert in disorg and keeping it real. I had to bake you those hand-pies myself.

Org and disorg were sitting on a fence, said David Allen. Org fell off, and disorg felt the bump.

We were humbled by his wisdom, and all the rancor was relieved from our bodies. We wanted only to be suffused with his powers of Commemoration.

Is it true, asked Stanleg, that where there is now a beach there was once a forest and a lawn?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It was a forest lawn, yes, on the top of the hill, when the lands surrounding were dry. But it took much watering to keep the Forest Lawn from reverting to yellow scrub. I know this might seem preposterous to you

Watering is one of the old mysteries. Was it the watering that brought the flood?

Not in a direct sense, said Allen.

Will you give us a Commemory? I asked.

I have been thinking much about the Beach Boys, said David Allen. He seemed to draw deep inside of himself to summon the Commemory. Perhaps he mused upon the chosen theme because Stanleg had mentioned his own beach, there at Dead People Hill. There were many debates, the Minister intoned, back in the dry times, about the extent of their Inland reach. Some scant evidence suggests they came to Riverside in 1962. An autographed glossy or two. But did they actually perform?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

What miracles might the Beach Boys perform?

At that time, they might have performed 'Dont Worry Baby.'

This would have been a consolation.

If they made it to Riverside and performed 'Dont Worry Baby,' it would have been a terrific consolation, yes.

We thank you for this Commemory, said Stanleg. We dont want to ask too much of you.

I am old.

Yes.

It may or may not have happened. Go now.

Yes.

And remember, and speak it to your amnesiacs.

Yes.

Tell them this. Tell them they are all Beach Boys now.

Jonathan Lethem, a MacArthur fellow, is the author of several novels, including The Fortress of Solitude, and Motherless Brooklyn, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award, and several short story collections. A Different Kind of Tension: New and Selected Stories, will be published in September.



Get the latest book news, events and more in your inbox every Saturday.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
EDINBURGH (Reuters) -A wildfire broke out on Arthur's Seat, the extinct volcano overlooking Scotland's capital Edinburgh, on Sunday, spreading extensively across the landmark which is popular with walkers and tourists and producing smoke visible from miles around.

Arthur's Seat is the highest point of Holyrood Park, near Scotland's parliament and the end of Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile. About 250 metres above sea level, it is a popular vantage point with visitors for its views of the city.

"Crews are in attendance at a fire in the open at Arthur's Seat, Holyrood Park, Edinburgh," the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said on X.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police advised motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area.

August is a popular month for tourists in Edinburgh as it hosts the Edinburgh International arts festival, the Fringe comedy festival, as well as tour dates for the reunion of rock band Oasis.

(Reporting by Lesley Martin, Writing by Alistair Smout,Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
The Orlando Fire Department responded to an apartment fire near the Mall at Millenia on Saturday.

According to OFD, the cause of the three-alarm fire at the 4600 block of Cason Cove Drive is unknown.

No injuries or casualties have been reported.

According to OFDs social media, the fire has been knocked down.

Stay with Channel 9 Eyewitness News for the latest.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
The construction of the valley bridge near Ganganani-Limchagad on the Gangotri National Highway is in its final stage after the flash floods and mudslide blocked routes in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi, police said on Sunday. According to the Uttarkashi Police, the work of clearing the blocked Gangotri Highway in Uttarakhand's Songad, Dabrani, Harshil, and Dharali is going on at a "fast pace". In an X post, Uttarkashi Police wrote, "The construction of the valley bridge near Ganganani, Limchagad, on Gangotri National Highway is in its final stage. The work of clearing the blocked Gangotri Highway at places like Songad, Dabrani, Harshil, Dharali, etc., is going on at a fast pace." On Saturday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had said that more than 1,000 people, including devotees and pilgrims from across the country, have been rescued after the recent flash floods and mudslides in the Uttarkashi district. Speaking to ANI, CM Dhami asserted, "More than 1000 people have been rescued. All the devotees and pilgrims from all across the country, who were stuck there, have been rescued... All the injured people have been shifted to hospitals. Connectivity was completely destroyed in Harsil. It was restored there yesterday. A Bailey bridge will be installed by evening near Lachi Gad, which will help reconstruct roads till Harsil." He added, "We have decided to provide affected families with rations for the next six months... A three-member committee is being formed under the chairmanship of the Revenue Secretary... They will see how the affected family can be rehabilitated and the extent of the loss incurred... We will also provide a relief package to those in need." CM Dhami also met the state Governor, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Gurmit Singh, at Raj Bhavan in Dehradun to discuss ongoing relief work in Uttarkashi's Dharali and Harsil. In a post on X, Dhami wrote, "I met the Honourable Governor @LtGenGurmit (Retd.) at Raj Bhavan. During this, we discussed the ongoing disaster relief operations in Dhrali and Harsil and the rehabilitation of the affected people." (ANI)
OLDEN, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  The Olden Volunteer Fire Department celebrated the arrival of its brand-new fire truck Saturday with a traditional push-in ceremony in the small Eastland County community.

The departments new fire engine features a 1,500-gallon-per-minute pump and a 2,000-gallon water tank  a significant upgrade from their previous vehicle, a 1990 Chevrolet Kodiak with a standard transmission that once served as a Blue Bell delivery truck.

Fire Chief Stephen Forbes said the new truck provides much-needed improvements to the departments capabilities. He said the new vehicle doubles their water capacity, explaining that their previous tanker only held 1,000 gallons. He added that response times are now quicker, and the upgraded 360-horsepower Cummins engine offers much more power compared to the old 1990 Chevrolet Kodiak.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The new truck was made possible through grant funding and private donations, including:

Texas A&M Forest Service: $240,000

Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA): $25,000

Anonymous Foundation: $100,000

Anonymous local resident: $100,000

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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
Firefighters battle flames in east Charlotte home

The Charlotte Fire Department responded to a house fire in east Charlotte on Sunday afternoon.

Firefighters responded to the 3600 block of Dunlavin Way around 1:15 p.m.

Officials said smoke was showing when firefighters arrived on the scene.

The firefighters contained the fire within 15 minutes, according to reports. One person was treated for smoke inhalation.

Investigators said the fire was accidental and started in an enclosed porch. Damages totaled $70,000.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No additional details have been made available.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

WATCH: Idlewild Volunteer Fire Department enters legal battle with Matthews over assets
BURTON, S.C. (WSAV)  The Burton Fire District (BFD) rescued a worker trapped in a lift suspended in the air Saturday morning.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., Burton firefighters responded to reports of a worker who was trapped in a boom lift on Roseida Road.

The worker was lifted 40 feet in the air while standing on a booms lift extended bucket, leaning against a tree. The lift was leaning on two wheels when firefighters arrived.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Firefighters stabilized the lift and, using their ladder truck, they rescued the worker with no injuries reported. He had been trapped for approximately 30 minutes.

It looks like the worker was trimming trees and the lift came off balance and tipped, stated Burton Engineer Eric Chapman who was on scene. We are just thankful when the bucket

started to fall it landed against a tree which caught it before it came crashing down and injured

the worker or worse.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 large gorse fire on Arthur's Seat in the centre of Edinburgh has been brought under control by firefighters working through the night.

The blaze was seen spreading rapidly across the hill in the city's Holyrood Park on Sunday afternoon and police urged people to stay away from the area.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said four appliances and specialist resources were sent to the scene after the alarm was raised, at about 16:05, and two appliances remained at the scene on Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A spokesperson said there were no reported casualties.

Reports suggest people were seen leaving Arthur's Seat as the fire spread and a large section of Holyrood Park has been closed to pedestrians.

Several fires were still burning on Sunday evening [BBC]

The landmark is near Edinburgh's historic Old Town and climbing the hill to enjoy views of the city is a popular activity for tourists and locals.

Supporters at the Hibernian v Kilmarnock match were earlier told to avoid the Willowbrae, Duddingston and Holyrood areas when leaving the Easter Road stadium.

Nick Brice spotted the fire spreading on his way down Arthur's Seat [BBC]

Nick Brice, from Brighton, said he was scared when he saw the flames spread on his way down the hill.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He told BBC Scotland News: "We could see this little plume of smoke on the ridge at the far side and it just got bigger and bigger.

"All of a sudden we could see these flames starting to come up and people noticed it spreading fast.

"The smoke started to really build and then these flames started to cover the ridge and we realised the wind was blowing it right towards us.

"We had to get down to the road fast because it was going to come across the whole area."

Mr Brice, who is performing in The Big Bite-Size Breakfast Show at the Pleasance Courtyard, said he passed people still going up the hill and urged them to turn around.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He added: "Now the whole hillside is covered in flames and smoke coming down over the path we walked."

Smoke has been billowing over the city during one of its busiest weekends of the year, with the Edinburgh festivals in full swing.

Oasis also played sold-out concerts at Murrayfield on Friday and Saturday to around 140,000 fans over the two nights. The band will return to play a third date on Tuesday.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued several wildfire warnings this year, with the country seeing a particularly warm and dry summer.

All of Scotland experienced water scarcity in May, with Scottish Water warning of the driest start to the year since 1964.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Edinburgh blaze follows a recent spate of wildfires in the Highlands, considered "the biggest Scotland has ever seen".

In February 2019 dozens of firefighters battled through the night to extinguish a large gorse fire on Arthur's Seat.

The blaze engulfed about 800 square metres of gorse on the Salisbury Crags.
From the book "GOLDEN STATE: The Making of California" by Michael Hiltzik. Copyright  2025 by Michael Hiltzik. Published on February 18, 2025, by Mariner Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Excerpted by permission.

The writer Morrow Mayo seldom minced words, especially when his subject was the gaudy, tawdry city where he made his home in the 1920s and 1930s.

Los Angeles, it should be understood, is not a mere city, he wrote. On the contrary, it is, and has been since 1888, a commodity; something to be advertised and sold to the people of the United States like automobiles, cigarettes and mouth wash. ... Here is a spirit of boost which has become a fetish, an obsession, a mania. Everything else is secondary to it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mayos acerbic book "Los Angeles" appeared in 1933, when the city was in its second decade as the dominant metropolis of California; in the 1920 census, its population had finally exceeded that of San Francisco, which had been the center of the states economic and political life since the Gold Rush and the granting of statehood.

That Los Angeles would someday overtake San Francisco in prominence was in some respects preordained. San Francisco is geographically constrained, perched at the end of a narrow peninsula like a fingernail, with water on three sides. Consequently, its population has never reached even 900,000.

Los Angeles lies nestled within a vast basin stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountain ranges on the north and northwest, some 3 million acres of mostly undeveloped territory capable, in the fullness of time, of supporting a population of more than 13 million.

An aerial view of Harbor Freeway construction at 42nd Street South, looking north toward the Civic Center, in 1957. (USC/Corbis via Getty Images)

Yet seen from another perspective, nothing could be as surprising as the birth in that particular location of a gigantic, vigorous megalopolis.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Los Angeles Basin is a place seemingly devoid of the resources needed to sustain life and commerce. For most of its history, it has had no reliable supply of water, no port. The best natural harbor in Southern California is San Diegos, and the nearest shore is a 30-mile trek from the pueblo that the Spaniards of Mexico established as their civic seat early in the 19th century. Its rivers are dry gulches for most of the year; Mark Twain is said to have quipped that he once fell into a Southern California river and come out all dusty.

The Los Angeles that became the queen city of California did not grow naturally, but had to be conjured into existence. Almost everything that made it habitable needed to be imported. Its water came from a river valley 200 miles away and its electricity from a river canyon 300 miles to the east, brought to the city via systems that are titanic marvels of human engineering. It is wrong to think of the basin as a void to be filled up; better to view it as a gigantic canvas on which its settlers painted a new, transformative future for their state.

A history of natural catastrophes

For decades, the economy of the region stretching south of the Tehachapi range stagnated. In 1850, while San Francisco was basking in the stupendous influx of people and wealth produced by the Gold Rush, Los Angeles was still barely a village, with 1,610 inhabitants recorded in the 1850 census and no newspaper, hospital, public school, college, library, Protestant church, factory, bank, or public utility of any kind. One-third of its residents could neither read nor write.

With one exception, the Gold Rush left almost no trace of itself in the portion of California from Monterey south to the Mexican border. The exception was the Southern California cattle industry, which briefly prospered thanks to the gold miners demand for beef. Yet in time, the cattle ranchers fell victim to the emergent boom-and-bust pattern of the Southern California economy. Beef prices were driven so high by the surge in demand that Mexican ranchers flooded the market with livestock, eroding what had been a Southern California monopoly; by 1855, the competition had sent prices plummeting by 75%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more: Abcarian: California's cycle of fiery destruction and reconstruction is longer than you might think

Then came a series of natural catastrophes, starting with punishing droughts in 1856 and 1860. They were followed perversely by torrential rains in 1861, which drowned hundreds of head. Yet another drought arrived in 1863, killing cattle by the tens of thousands; for years to come travelers in the south would be often startled by coming suddenly on a veritable Golgotha, a place of skulls, the long horns standing out in defiant attitude, as if protecting the fleshless bones.

Pitching the Southern California dream

The promotion of Southern Californias Mediterranean climate took hold in the first decade after the Gold Rush and continued into the new century. Travel writers praised the regions moderate temperatures and lack of humidity  dry, but not too dry  and described its healthful effects as almost miraculous. The diseases of children prevalent elsewhere are unknown here, reported Charles Dudley Warner, the co-author with Mark Twain of the 1873 novel "The Gilded Age." They cut their teeth without risk, and cholera infantum never visits them. Diseases of the bowels are practically unknown. ... Renal diseases are also wanting; disorders of the liver and kidneys, gout, and rheumatism, are not native. ... These facts are derived from medical practice.

Ben C. Truman, an East Coast transplant, compiled the death rates from all causes in American cities for his 1885 book "Homes and Happiness in the Golden State of California" and found 37 deaths per thousand inhabitants in New Orleans; 24 in St. Louis, Boston and Chicago; and a mere 13 in Los Angeles. Fevers and diseases of the malarial character carry off about half of mankind, and diseases of the respiratory organs one-fourth, he wrote. From such diseases many of the towns of California are remarkably free.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The German-born journalist Charles Nordhoff wrote glowingly of the regional climates health-giving qualities for tuberculosis patients, describing it as the French Rivieras equal, lacking only the deluxe hospitality infrastructure of that renowned gathering place of the rich: You will not find ... tasteful pleasure-grounds or large, finely-laid-out places. Nature has done much; man has not, so far, helped her. If he was trying to alert resort developers to the existence of a blank slate to be written on for great profit, he could hardly have done better

A place to start anew

In 1887, some 120,000 passengers were brought into Los Angeles by the Southern Pacific railroad, while the Santa Fe served the region with as many as four passenger trains a day. Tourists jammed hotels and boardinghouses, but they were not the only newcomers. The steady rise of land values attracted fortune seekers eyeing the prospect of making a killing in real estate as well as families with the simpler ambition of making new lives in the West. Between 1880 and 1890 the citys population nearly quintupled, from 11,000 to 50,000. Los Angeles suddenly changed from a very old city to a very young one. In 1890, more than three-fourths of its residents had lived in the city for fewer than four years.

Recounted travel writer H. Ellington Brook, Everybody that could find an office went into the real-estate business ... a crowd of speculators settled down upon Los Angeles like flies upon a bowl of sugar. The railroads brought swarms of sharp operators who had already drained the Midwest of its potential for land fraud and detected on the West Coast a golden opportunity of the fakir and humbug and the man with the past that he wanted forgotten, a municipal historian wrote. Thus was born Southern Californias image as a place to start anew, especially among those with reason to shed memories of a previous life.

To a great extent, the boom in real estate values was based on fiction. Los Angeles still had almost no industry to sustain its growing population  indeed, virtually no economic activity at all other than real estate speculation. Promoters established new townsites on every patch of vacant land, building hotels and laying down concrete sidewalks and community halls: A miniature city appeared, like a scene conjured up by Aladdins lamp, where a few months ago the jack-rabbit sported and the coyote howled, Brook wrote.

The big boom

Climate, romantic mythology, the lure of real estate wealth  all these factors set the stage for the greatest boom of all. Nearly 1.5 million new residents moved into Southern California between 1920 and 1930, an influx that was labeled the largest internal migration in the history of the American people, and one that would not be exceeded until the postwar 1940s and 1950s. The explosive growth brought with it gimlet-eyed reassessments of what it had taken to bring Los Angeles to its newfound stature as reigning metropolis of the West.

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.
BEAVER DAM, Ky. (WEHT)  Kentuckys first medical cannabis dispensary is inching closer to its opening day. But as that day approaches the dispensarys owners are holding a patient drive to start engaging with the Ohio County community.

The post dispensary is located in the former Beaver Dam Post Office. Co-owner Trip Hoffman says the community has been very welcoming including from residents like Jacob Duncan and Misty Steinmetz.

Were no different than a Walgreens or a CVS, Hoffman said. Watch us exist and youll see that there are no crimes here, theres no loitering, theres no consumption. Were a good neighbor and were going to be the best neighbor you could possibly have.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I feel like its a great place to start, Duncan said. From the people and the personality you get that small town vibe on top of the helping and the caring and everything like that. So I think its going to be wonderful.

It is something that I think our community can be proud of because its something thats going to help a lot of people and I feel like this is a place where that can create a whole new environment and family, Steinmetz said. Im excited.

The patient drive comes weeks after Governor Andy Beshear announced the dispensarys approval for operations on social media. Hoffman says they decided to make the most of the attention from the state.

Its been awesome, Hoffman said. And its one of those things you cant plan for but when it happens, you take advantage of it. So were thankful the governor did us a big favor by pushing us out on all of his social media channels. And then we got to piggyback off that with our own. Its been wonderful.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hoffman says word of mouth is part of the events success. He says its brought in support from across the state including Owensboro Bowling Green and Louisville.

I just came out to show my support for the people of Beaver Dam, Daniel Sosh said. That their voice was heard. Theyre the first and history is being made today.

Were still trying to function and achieve our goals that we have in life, Jennifer Knapp said. And cannabis can help some of us do that. Not everyone, but some of us.

The owners say The Post Dispensary is aiming for a fall grand opening.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
MANASSAS, Va. (DC News Now)  At least five people are displaced after a Saturday night townhouse fire in Manassas, according to the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue.

Firefighters say crews received multiple reports of a house fire in the 9000 block of Whitemoss Drive, where heavy flames were visible coming from the back of the house.

Officials: At least 2 people dead in Charles County house fire

All occupants safely escaped, and one person was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to firefighters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The townhouse and the adjoining home sustained extensive damage, and both were deemed unsafe to occupy by the Fire Marshals Office. No other units were damaged in the fire.

Firefighters say the five people who are displaced are being assisted by the Red Cross.

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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
FLEMING COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56)  Officials with the Fleming County Sheriffs Office (FCSO) made a social media announcement on Saturday to clarify information in response to a social media post circulating regarding an altercation at Ridgeway Park Apartments.

FCSO staff wrote on Aug. 9 that a picture of a deputy helping officers with the Flemingsburg Police Department during an investigation had been shared online.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Since the post referenced the sheriffs office, deputies explained that the Flemingsburg Police Department was the primary investigating agency and that deputies only responded when they were requested by local law enforcement.

Officials with the Fleming County Sheriffs Office wrote on social media Saturday in response to a social media post circulating regarding an altercation at Ridgeway Park Apartments. (Fleming County Sheriffs Office)

A photo shared online shows a deputy with the FCSO helping Flemingsburg police during a fight investigation. (Fleming County Sheriffs Office)

We respect and support the publics rights to free speech, peaceful protest, and to advocate for better living conditions, deputies wrote. We also do not condone violence of any kind, and allegations of assault are taken seriously.

Community prays for safe return of missing boy in Jackson

FCSO members asked any residents with questions about the fight investigation to ask Flemingsburg police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Our role in this matter was to provide assistance to their officers, and we will continue to support our law enforcement partners whenever needed, the sheriffs office announced.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 National Weather Service has extended its flash flood warning for large portions of southeast Wisconsin as torrential rainfall it's labeling as "life threatening flash flooding" continued overnight.

The flood warning is in effect until 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, for Milwaukee County and eastern Waukesha County and until 5:30 a.m. for Washington and Ozaukee counties.

Flash flooding was reported throughout the area with parts of Interstates 43, 41 and 94 closed as of 3 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mitchell International Airport reported just after 3 a.m. that all runways except one was flooded as well as most taxiways and an underpass tunnel.

The National Weather Service reported rain totals of just under 6 inches in Milwaukee early Sunday morning. The highest rain total was an incredible 10 inches reported in Butler, just west of the Menomonee River Parkway.

According to MMSD rain monitors, more than 13 inches had fallen in the 8100 block of W. Florist Ave. in Milwaukee.

The warning initially was set to expire at 2 a.m. but around 1 a.m. the NWS sent out alerts notifying people of the extension as intense rain fell at incredibly fast rates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Across the Milwaukee area, numerous street and creek flooding, basement flooding, and some stranded vehicles have been reported to the weather service.

The NWS says "life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses" is possible due to the amount of rainfall received in such a short amount of time.

As of 1 a.m., between 3 and 6 inches of rain have fallen with additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches possible in the warned area, the NWS was forecasting.

Over 38,000 We Energies customers continued to be without power just before 2 a.m., according to the company's outage map.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At 9:12 p.m., local law enforcement reported thunderstorms producing heavy rain and flooding of some roadways in central Milwaukee County, according to the NWS. The two right lanes on Wisconsin 175 North at I-94 are closed.

The storms forced the Wisconsin State Fair to close early and cancel the main stage act. Videos across social media captured the flooding at the fair.

9:15pm Saturday: State Fair is closing for the night. Here is why. Flash flooding is ongoing in West Allis and parts of the Milwaukee area. Around 4" of rain has fallen and it isn't done yet. PLEASE be careful! There is A LOT of water. pic.twitter.com/8YKf7IFhtB  Tom Wachs (@Tom_Wachs) August 10, 2025

Video from Maddy Stankevich shows vehicles trapped in deep flood waters at the Wisconsin State Fair Saturday night. The State Fair closed early Saturday due to flash floods in our area. More details at https://t.co/MdobEMEqsP: https://t.co/xEw5lOx4e7 pic.twitter.com/ffU4UjN0ab  TMJ4 News (@tmj4) August 10, 2025

The warning followed a flood watch for most of southern Wisconsin earlier in the evening.

The watch was issued Saturday evening, Aug. 9, and will be in effect through 7 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 11.

Those in Milwaukee can expect several rounds of thunderstorms, rain and wind through Monday morning, Benjamin Sheppard, a meteorologist with the NWS's Milwaukee office, said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"This first round of storms today has been to some extent unpredictable in terms of when and where they'll intensify and how fast they will propagate and move," Sheppard said.

The NWS predicts the heaviest rounds of rain to fall between Saturday evening and Sunday evening.

Fallen trees were reported by local law enforcement in Menomonee Falls around 5 p.m., Sheppard said.

In the event of a flash flood, the NWS urges the public to heed any road closures. The majority of flood-related fatalities in the U.S. occur in vehicles, Sheppard explained, "turn around, don't drown."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Milwaukee, West Allis, Wauwatosa, New Berlin, Brookfield, Greenfield, Menomonee Falls, Oak Creek, Muskego, South Milwaukee, Cudahy, Whitefish Bay, Greendale, Brown Deer, St. Francis, Hales Corners, Fox Point, Elm Grove, West Milwaukee and Franklin, according to the NWS.

Wisconsin weather radar

Wisconsin weather warnings

Wisconsin weather in photos

Liliana Fannin is a 2025 summer intern at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel covering the Milwaukee suburbs. She can be contacted at lfannin@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Flash flood warning extended for Milwaukee; more storms expected




NEED TO KNOW

Hunter Raymond Gutierrez, 30, a Florida man who went missing months ago, has been found dead

His family announced his death in a social media post, describing him as "warm and loving"

Gutierrez was last seen leaving his home around 12 p.m. local time on June 1





A Florida man who went missing months ago has been found dead, according to his family.

Hunter Raymond Gutierrez, 30, was last seen leaving his home on foot in Davie, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale, around 12 a.m. local time on June 1, according to a news release from police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Gutierrez, who authorities said had a history of mental illness, left his wallet and cellphone at home.

Now, months later, Gutierrezs family said in a social media post that he has been found dead.

With heavy hearts we regret to share that Hunter was found yesterday, his loved ones wrote in a Facebook post that was shared on Friday, Aug. 8.

They added, It is hard to express the depths of our sadness facing the loss of such a warm and loving son/brother.

While we wished the outcome could have been different, this news has brought some important closure. Your support during this time has been invaluable to us. Know that your kindness and efforts have been deeply felt, the post continued.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police said they discovered a body in a lake in the area on Thursday, Aug. 7, though they did not publicly identify it at the time, local news outlets WSVN and NBC 6 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.

PEOPLE reached out to the Davie Police Department for comment on Sunday, Aug. 10, but did not receive an immediate response.



Read the original article on People
Amid a charged atmosphere over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar and allegations of "voter fraud" during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will host a dinner for the INDIA bloc MPs on Monday. INDIA bloc MPs will march from Parliament to the Election Commission on August 11. Since the start of the current Monsoon Session, both Houses of Parliament have seen protests over the SIR. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday has again asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to either give a declaration as per the rules or apologise to the country for his "false" allegations regarding the voter lists. "Rahul Gandhi should either give a Declaration as per rules or apologise to the country for his false allegations," ECI said in an earlier statement. On August 8, INDIA bloc leaders discussed their strategy about the SIR in Bihar at a dinner hosted by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi at his residence with the Congress leader giving a presentation on "vote chori being done" during the meeting. Opposition parties have been demanding discussion on Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar since the monsoon session of Parliament. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi earlier said Rahul Gandhi invited leaders of the INDIA Alliance and CMs of various states at his residence, for an interaction. He earlier said leaders from about 24 parties, including Sharad Pawar, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Maharashtra's former CM Uddhav Thackeray, Tejashwi Yadav, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, were among those present. He said there was positive atmosphere here, an atmosphere of dialogue.. "The manner in which we questioned the Govt in Parliament in public interest and national interest, in a united manner, we asked them important questions - we experienced the same atmosphere of dialogue, friendship and harmony at the residence of Rahul Gandhi. He addressed a press conference on the issues of fake voters, bogus voting. He spoke on the same with evidence. Leaders of various political parties had questions about it. Dialogue was held over the same. Pieces of evidence that Rahul Gandhi presented before everyone today (August 8) were presented to the leaders too," he earlier said. (ANI)
The Brief

A Florida man has been arrested after he allegedly shot his neighbor's dog.

The man claims the dog attacked and beheaded his goat.

Kenneth Steinke, 39, is facing animal cruelty charges.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida man was arrested after he allegedly shot his neighbor's dog after he claimed it attacked and beheaded his goat.

What happened?

What we know

An Osceola County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) deputy responded to the incident around 8:39 a.m. on Feb 21 at a home in St. Cloud.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX LOCAL APP

The deputy said they spoke with a juvenile who said he was outside his home when he heard what he believed to be gunshots and whimpering dog sounds coming from the side of his home.

When the boy stepped outside, he said he saw one of his neighbors in front of his driveway carrying what appeared to be a brown rifle. The boy said he saw one of his dogs run away from the man and hide under the crawlspace of his home. Meanwhile, the man got into a four-wheeler and drove down the road.

Kenneth Steinke, 39, is facing animal cruelty charges. (Credit: Osceola County Jail)

The boy's father returned home after he said he received a phone call from his son about the incident, an arrest report states. The father was able to remove the dog from its hiding space and found it to be whimpering in pain and bleeding from its right shoulder. The dog was taken to the hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Investigators identified the man who had the rifle as 39-year-old Kenneth Steinke, who lives down the street.

Steinke told officials he was on the phone when he heard several barking noises in his backyard. He said when he went to check on the disturbance he saw four dogs biting his goat. Steinke said he scared the dogs away and then saw his goat had been decapitated.

Steinke then went to his neighbor's house and said he attempted to get the attention of someone by yelling before then going back to his home and calling law enforcement. He was seen carrying what appeared to be a BB gun.

SIGN-UP FOR FOX 35'S BREAKING NEWS, DAILY NEWS NEWSLETTERS

Steinke was arrested on animal cruelty charges and taken to the Osceola County Jail.

The Source

This story was written based on information gathered from Osceola County court documents.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida  President Donald Trumps efforts to reshape higher education in a conservative mold arent just targeting Ivy League elites. Theyre stripping millions from Florida universities  and the states Republican governor is happy to help.

While institutions like Harvard University and Columbia University are taking heat from the Trump administration, colleges all across the country  including deep red Florida  are feeling the squeeze of sweeping federal research cuts. Florida universities this year saw more than 90 grants terminated across key federal agencies.

Some states are suing the federal government to push back on the downsizing. But Florida, led by Gov. Ron DeSantis, has the states government accountability DOGE team auditing university research projects and even recommending grants for termination.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Trump administration is working hard to get some of the rot out of higher education, the intellectual rot, the ideological rot, DeSantis said last month during an event in Jacksonville.

Evolving federal policy is poised to shake up what professors are researching through new Trump-era guidelines restricting grants on topics like diversity, equity and inclusion, climate, and misinformation. These wide-ranging shifts are being fought tooth and nail in courts and on Capitol Hill as critics fear Trumps plan to slash billions in research spending has the potential to stifle American innovation.

The wholesale grant terminations, numbering in the thousands across agencies like National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency and Agriculture Department, set the tone for whats possible to come for colleges. The White House is pushing to slash funding for a list of research topics, from climate to clean energy, woke social, behavioral, and economic sciences, and other programs deemed in low priority areas of science. For the EPA, as an example, Trumps spending proposal would put an end to taxpayer funded programs that promote divisive racial discrimination and environmental justice grants that were destined to go to organizations that advance radical ideologies.

Floridas terminated NIH and NSF grants eclipse $170 million in total federal funding over recent years, although the projects were targeted at various stages, with some never getting off the ground and others scoring partial cash, according to data compiled by the Grant Witness database and the agencies. At least $80 million in obligated but unspent money is estimated to be lost by Florida toward these grants, the data shows.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In some cases, research projects that were celebrated by schools have gone by the wayside.

The University of South Florida, as one example, in January touted a $14.9 million EPA grant meant to bring life changing improvements to an underserved neighborhood of about 10,000 residents near Tampa. But this project was one of many canceled by the Trump administration, labeled as radical environmental justice pushed by former President Joe Biden.

Part of an effort to reduce pollution and increase community climate resilience, the grant was meant to help extend water service to 50 multifamily complexes still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. These facilities are running on well water and septic systems that may be contaminated due to polluted stormwater ponds, according to the university.

The agency advised USF to tweak the grant proposal by scrapping words like disadvantaged, climate change and minority, yet it was still terminated by the EPA for not being part of the agencys new priorities. The school is appealing and searching for private industry partnerships to keep the project going.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If thats not your priority, then what is your priority? said Christian Wells, a professor and director of the Center for Brownfields Research & Redevelopment at USF who is leading the project.

At Florida A&M University, the Department of Agriculture canceled a $4.9 million grant to help expand the markets for climate-smart industrial hemp throughout Alabama and Louisiana. In canceling these grants, part of a $3 billion Biden-era program, the USDA argued not enough of the funding was reaching farmers.

Secretary [Brooke] Rollins has made it clear that all USDA programs, including our research programs, will now put American farmers and ranchers first instead of promoting woke DEI initiatives or far-left climate programs, a USDA spokesperson said in a statement.

FAMU has also been fighting to keep other projects, such as a $16.3 million pharmacy grant targeted by NIH. School leaders are optimistic some grants can be salvaged after they were able to protect some student scholarships that were initially on the termination list.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Weve taken it in stride, G. Dale Wesson, dean for the FAMU College of Agriculture and Food Sciences and director, land-grant programs, said about the changes in federal priorities. We do the best we can to solve problems theyre interested in solving.

Across the country, there is a labyrinth of legal battles playing out in opposition of the federal research changes, including a lawsuit brought by 16 Democrat-led states fighting the NSF.

Officials and researchers are challenging the grant terminations, as well as other Trump policies like a proposed cap on research overhead costs shelled out by the federal government. In certain cases, like a California lawsuit and the overhead costs challenge, opponents have been successful in blocking the Trump administration and recouping grant dollars, at least for now. A recent ruling, however, allows the NSF to continue withholding research funds as the lawsuit from Democrats in states like New York, Hawaii, California, Colorado and Connecticut plays out.

Conversely, Florida, under DeSantis, is majorly supportive of the federal efforts to reshape education, many of which mirror the states conservative policies. In at least one instance, Floridas own DOGE team recommended a grant to NSF for cancelation at the University of West Florida. This grant went toward scholarships for teachers completing projects on water quality sampling methods and aspirin synthesis, according to school officials, but got singled out due to social justice language UWF contends was not incorporated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I think what the Trump administration is doing on both K-12 and higher education is trying to hold the line for sanity and restoring sanity to our education system, DeSantis said at his Jacksonville event.

Researchers, meanwhile, face significant disruption and uncertainty, as University of Florida officials noted in a May memo to faculty detailing how the school lost more than 70 federal grants, eclipsing $35 million.

In response, Floridas flagship school has made attempts to lessen the blow on researchers and students.

UF signed an agreement with faculty allowing them to attach an addendum to their performance reviews explaining how funding upheaval has affected research, which is supposed to be considered by evaluators. The school also is helping graduate research assistants land assistantships funding to continue their degree pursuits. Its possible other Florida schools adopt similar policies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some researchers, meanwhile, are picking up their projects tabs themselves.

Thats how its playing out for Florida International University professor Terrence Peterson, who is writing a book on the 70-year history of the Rivesaltes internment camp in southern France. The researcher had received a $60,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities earlier this year to examine how internment camps became and remain a central tool for states to manage human movement, only for it to be canceled. Peterson is hustling to scrape together funds and is planning to visit the country for smash and grab research  photographing as much as possible to study later.

A lot of that expense, Im just going to shoulder it myself, Peterson said. For folks in the sciences, or colleagues in psychology that are conducting studies, they cant do that research on their own budget.

Agency leaders and conservative-leaning organizations like the National Association of Scholars say the Trump administrations new priorities will ensure grant funding is doled out according to scientific merit, and not based on racial or gender preferences.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While the U.S. National Science Foundation will continue to focus on Administration priorities such as artificial intelligence, quantum information science, biotechnology, and translational science, we remain committed to awarding grants and funding all areas of science and engineering to promote the progress of science, advance the national health, prosperity and welfare and secure the national defense, a spokesperson for NHS said in a statement.

But with more 1,600 NSF grants canceled nationwide this year, academics are concerned about the long-term implications to research, and the scores of scholarships that could be lost, particularly benefiting minority students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

One lawsuit challenging the NSF grant cuts contends the changes are already having a profound effect on schools, such as a University of Oregon project that will deprive an estimated 20,000 students of computer science learning experiences. Elsewhere, schools have stopped work on projects in a host of key subject areas like geosciences, computer sciences, atmospheric sciences, cryospheric sciences and aquatic sciences, the lawsuit alleges.

When you try to control what experts in scientific fields are researching, then you undermine the entire scientific enterprise, said Lynn Pasquerella, president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, a national organization that is a plaintiff in an NSF lawsuit.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report misstated the title of G. Dale Wesson. He is dean for the FAMU College of Agriculture and Food Sciences and director, land-grant programs.
TYLER, Texas (KETK)  In this weeks edition of East Texas In Focus, KETKs Nolan Hoffman spoke with a local expert who explained how East Texas students can handle anxiety better as they head back to school.

IN FOCUS: CHRISTUS doctors give back-to-school health tips for East Texas students

Nolan first spoke with Dr. Kendra Bircher from the UT Tyler Department of Psychology and Counseling. She told Nolan that any transition, including going back to school, can bring stress for children and adults.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

You think about the transitions, even as adults, when we are moving from one thing to next, even we came in today for this interview, a little anxiety is going to come up for me because its a new experience for me, Bircher said. Even those students who have been in school for a while, they dont know who their new teachers are going to be, whos going to be in their classrooms, things like that. That can create a level of anxiety as well as whats happened in the past for them at school.

For parents wondering about signs of anxiety in their children, Bircher said parents know their child the best so they should keep an eye out for changes in their childs routines and reactions.

So I work with a lot of, teenagers, adolescents and children and one thing that I like to communicate with their parents is that they know their child best, Bircher said. So they need to pay attention to what are some changes that Im noticing in my childs behavior? Are they really restless? Are they trying to avoid school? Are they feeling a little irritable? Things like that are changing within them that they know are not common symptoms or their common behavior that they normally see with their child.

Bircher said her number one step to dealing with anxiety is acknowledging that anxious feelings will occur and to be aware of those feelings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When were talking about parents and were talking about students, one thing that I love to focus on is number one, lets normalize that this feeling is okay, Bircher said. It could be a good thing and it can be a bad thing too, if if we experience too much anxiety. So number one, lets build that awareness and then also acknowledge it.

East Texas shoppers seeing big savings as tax-free weekend kicks off

She also suggested was for parents to have ongoing discussions with their children so they can see signs of anxiety early on by helping their children open up.

One thing that I really recommend for parents is instead of waiting until that thing happens, until they see the symptoms, lets have these ongoing conversations with our child. It doesnt have to be about mental health, Bircher said. When those opportunities come up for them to talk about, hey mom, Im feeling a little different, or hey dad or whoever their caregiver is, if Im feeling something is off with me, my stomach hurts a lot, Im sweaty, Im just really worried, I dont want to go to school. If were engaging in those conversations ongoing, then most likely theyre going to open up more often about those things that theyre experiencing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If a child is going to a new school or has new classes, Bircher suggested taking them to the school ahead of time in order to show them around the campus and their classrooms.

Nolan learned even more about student anxiety from Bircher and how to shop for students without breaking the bank from Dr. Kerri Camp, for the latest episode of East Texas In Focus. This weeks full episode can be watched in the video player at the top of this article.

You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
New Zealand Food Safety, a part of the NZ government that oversees food safety and sustainability, recently backed a major bottled water recall.

What's happening?

Inside Government reported that NZ Drinks Ltd, the manufacturer of Hydr8 Spring Water, recalled 24-packs of its bottled water due to the potential of plastic fragment contamination. While the brand initiated the recall, New Zealand Food Safety stepped in to support it.

The organization "will work with NZ Drinks Ltd to understand how this happened and prevent it [from] happening again," said New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Arbuckle also cautioned anyone with bottled water packs included in the recall: "Don't drink it." Returning the product might be an option, but if not, throw it out.

Why is this recall important?

Plastic contamination is a symptom of a deep-rooted problem within food systems. Plastic is embedded in food production and packaging. And when there's a heavy reliance on plastic, there are higher chances of plastic making its way into food  the exact reason this recall, where shredded blue plastic may have been floating around in the water, happened.

In this case, plastic contamination could have presented a choking hazard to consumers. But not all plastic contamination is as obvious.

One of the biggest concerns about plastic is how it leaves microplastics  microscopic plastic fragments that break down from larger plastics  in our food. Microplastics can remain in the body for a long time and cause a lot of harm while there. They can damage internal organs and may even cross over into babies' bodies before they're born.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Microplastics also pollute the environment. They can enter waterways and soil via production or disposal, which can disrupt the ecosystems relying on clean, non-polluted habitats. Marine habitats are especially vulnerable to microplastic and nanoplastic pollution.

What's being done about plastic contamination in food products?

The more plastic used in food systems, the more people and the environment are exposed to its potential hazards. Companies have a significant responsibility to cut down on the plastic used in packaging and products. Reduced plastic use could help lower these types of recalls.

But outdated manufacturing policies and regulations continue to prop up plastic as the go-to source for packaging. Fortunately, some lawmakers are working to change that, like the European Union, which recently detailed a plan to eliminate single-use plastic condiments and plastic produce netting by 2030. Rhode Island lawmakers have also proposed a statewide act to monitor and limit microplastic consumption.

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.

If you want to get involved, reduce your plastic use, especially with food and drinks. Switch to items packaged in glass or compostable materials when possible. You can also support local and large businesses that prioritize sustainable packaging and actively work to reduce plastic use.

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.
DES MOINES, Iowa  As predicted, heavy rain fell during the early morning hours. Areas north of Interstate 80 saw the highest totals. We did have a few storm reports and severe thunderstorm warnings in southwest Iowa.

Wendy Frank, from Lake View, Iowa, sent these shots in on Sunday. Weak rotation due to a low in the atmosphere is allowing some of our little cells to form funnels on Sunday. These rarely make it to the surface in these situations, but are being monitored.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Scattered storm chances will die down this evening, then fire back up on Monday. Your weather timeline steps you through it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

By Monday afternoon, well see rain chances increase in areas south of Highway 30. These chances will linger into the evening.

Well see another small storm chance late Tuesday afternoon and evening as a boundary advances into Iowa. In addition, more smoke from the Canadian fires will move into northern Iowa on Monday. This may affect air quality, as shown below.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Well dry out on Wednesday and Thursday. Slight storm chances return Friday and Sunday. Highs for the next six days are above, and your WHO 13 7-day forecasts are below. Extended outlooks keep us warm through most of the 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 who13.com.
Former Attorney General Eric Holder said Sunday the FBI does not have jurisdiction to return Texas Democratic lawmakers who fled their state.

Texas lawmakers are digging in. You heard Gov. [Greg] Abbott there talking about the FBI, Sen. [John] Cornyn calling the FBI to help locate those Democratic lawmakers who fled the state. I wonder, do you think that the FBI has jurisdiction to intervene here and try to bring back those Democrats who are in other states? NBC Newss Kristen Welker asked on Meet the Press.

Short answer: No. I mean, youre asking the FBI to get involved, to find these legislators who are in the process of trying to defend democracy in Texas, Holder responded.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And theyre not hard to find, but the question after that is, Well, whats the federal jurisdiction? What federal statute has potentially been violated? Whats the basis for any federal government interaction? And I would say that there is none, he added.

Texas Democratic state House members left the Lone Star State last weekend amid a redistricting battle between themselves and Texas Republicans. The move resulted in outcry from members of the states GOP, who have been trying to move ahead with a controversial redistricting plan that could cost Democrats seats in Congress.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Thursday that FBI Director Kash Patel approved a request to assist state and local law enforcement in finding the absconded Texas Democrats.

I am proud to announce that Director Kash Patel has approved my request for the FBI to assist state and local law enforcement in locating runaway Texas House Democrats, Cornyn said in a statement Thursday morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) also said Thursday that the FBI was tracking down the Democratic lawmakers.

Texas DPS and the FBI are tracking down the derelict Democrats. They will be taken directly to the Texas Capitol, Abbott wrote on the social platform X.

Cornyns office noted his thread on X last Friday in which he said that The Interstate and Foreign Travel in Aid of Racketeering Enterprises statute, also known as the Travel Act, 18 U.S.C.  1952 makes it illegal to cross state lines to carry out unlawful activities.

Specifically, to violate the statute, an individual must: (1) travel in or use interstate commerce; (2) with the specific intent to promote, manage, or carry on an unlawful activity; and (3) knowingly commit an act to promote, manage, or carry out an unlawful activity, the senator added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When reached for comment by The Hill, the FBI declined to do so.

Updated Aug. 11 at 3:08 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.
A former Fox News host has warned that President Donald Trump will face a full-blown MAGA uprising if he pardons convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.

There will be an insurrection, Gretchen Carlson said on MSNBC Saturday. Carlson left Fox News after helping to expose widespread sexual harassment at the network.

If that happens, it wont just be Democrats, she continued. Itll be MAGA, itll be independents, itll be everybody. Because we are in a place in society right now where we know that child sex trafficking is a crime and that you should not be granted clemency or any release for doing that to young women.

Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson said it would be a slap in the face for victims of Jeffrey Epstein if President Donald Trump were to pardon Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. / Win McNamee / Getty Images

Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to abuse minors. Trump has said he has the power to pardon Maxwell, but has not been asked to do so. The Justice Department (DOJ) met with Maxwell for nine hours in July, after which she was transferred to a lower-security prison camp in Bryan, Texas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As a candidate, Trump promoted far-right conspiracies that Epstein and his co-conspirator Maxwell were members of a global pedophilic cabal and that Epsteins death was orchestrated by the pairs powerful accomplices as cover for their crimes. He promised to release all files related to the disgraced financier.

But in office, Trump has faced a backlash from his supporters after the Justice Department (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) concluded in a July 6 memo that the late financier and convicted sex traffickers 2019 death in police custody was a suicide and that he kept no long-rumored client list of super-wealthy accomplices.

Trump has lately faced intense scrutiny over the extent of his relationship with Maxwell and her co-conspirator Jeffrey Epstein. / Arnaldo Magnani/Getty

The intense backlash from Trumps base to the DOJ and FBIs June memo has now prompted renewed scrutiny of the presidents past relationship with Epstein, a man he once described as a terrific guy who likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.

With Trump increasingly desperate for some means of placating MAGAs rage, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the presidents former criminal defense attorney, sat down for a nine-hour discussion with Maxwell, who is currently appealing her conviction before the Supreme Court.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Maxwell was thereafter transferred to a low-security facility in Texas that has no cell blocks or guard towers but does offer a gym, yoga classes, and a puppy program. As a convicted sex offender, Maxwell is ineligible to participate in the puppy program.

As the Justice Department reportedly weighs releasing transcripts from that interview, during which Maxwell reportedly said she never witnessed Trump behave inappropriately, speculation is now mounting that Trump may be plotting to pardon the convicted sex offender.

That is the bigger slap in the face to the survivors, Carlson said Saturday. Normalizing the fact that it doesnt matter what she did, the idea that that would even be on the table for consideration, that is going to cross all party lines.
HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT)  A request for former Illinois speaker Michael Madigan to remain out of prison while his appeal of his 7 1/2-year sentence is ongoing was denied by a federal judge.

Madigan is scheduled to report to prison on October 13. The former speaker was sentenced back in June after being convicted of trading legislation for enrichment of friends and allies.

Longest-serving legislative leader in US history given 7 1/2 years in federal corruption case

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A jury convicted Madigan in February on ten of 23 corruption related charges, including wire fraud and bribery. The same jury acquitted Madigan on seven other counts and deadlocked on another six.

Reports indicate the ten that Madigan was convicted on included electric utility Commonwealth Edison and Danny Solis, a Chicago alderman-turned FBI mole.

Reports also indicate it was Edison and Solis who introduced Madigan to real estate developers as potential clients for the speakers property tax appeals firm.

Former longtime Illinois legislative leader Michael Madigan is convicted in corruption trial

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

U.S. District Judge John Blakey, who presided over Madigans trial and sentenced Madigan in June, wrote a 44-page order on Friday that Madigans entire motion rides on routine and meritless objections.

Blakey also wrote that Madigans appeal doesnt meet the bar of raising a substantial question of law and fact.

Madigan was speaker in Springfield for 36 years, from 1983 to 2021, with exception years of 1995 to 1997. In addition to the sentence, a $2.5 million fine was issued for Madigan.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Former national security adviser Robert OBrien argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin will come out of the upcoming summit with President Trump in Alaska loser, arguing that Ukraine will need real security guarantees as a part of any potential ceasefire agreement.

OBrien, who worked for Trump during his first term, told CNNs Jessica Dean on Saturday that Putins military invasion of Ukraine, which kicked off in late February 2022, has been a total failure.

But Trump will understand face. Hes very gracious, hes charming, but Putins gonna walk out of this loser, OBrien said when discussing the forthcoming Trump-Putin summit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump, who revealed the details of the summit with Putin on Friday, indicated at the White House that some territorial swapping would take place between Russia and Ukraine as part of the peace negotiations, an idea Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the idea on Saturday morning.

Of course, we will not give Russia any awards for what it has done. The Ukrainian people deserve peace, Zelensky said.

The White House is considering inviting Zelensky to the Alaska meeting, and Trump is open to hosting a trilateral meeting with both leaders.

Putin reportedly gave a ceasefire proposal to Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff during their Wednesday meeting in Moscow, which would include Ukraines troops retreating from the Donetsk region, letting the Kremlin take it, Luhansk and Crimea over.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

OBrien, who is now the chairman of American Global Strategies LLC, said it is not necessary for Zelensky to be involved in the talks in Alaska.

Yes, the matter cant be resolved without Ukraine, but President Trump has met with Zelensky along several times, including at the Vatican, he said on CNN.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Frances last newspaper hawker is to be awarded one of the countrys highest honours by Emmanuel Macron.

Ali Akbar will be decorated in September with the National Order of Merit by the French president, who was once a former customer.

Mr Akbar has sold newspapers in the tony Saint-Germain-des-Pres neighbourhood of Paris, historically an intellectual and artistic hub, for over 50 years.

When he [Macron] was a student at Sciences Po, he used to offer me coffee or a glass of red wine, Mr Akbar told lifestyle magazine Beau. But now that hes president, I see less of him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The order of merit medal recognises those who have rendered distinguished service in either military or civilian life, for a minimum of 10 years of activity.

Mr Akbar, 73, is the last of a dying breed. When he arrived in Paris from his native Pakistan in the 1970s, he was one of 40 street newspaper sellers. Business was booming, he said.

Mr Akbar said he now works for the enjoyment, not the money - Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters

When I first started, after an hour, I could sell a stack of 80 copies of Le Monde, he told Le Media Positif. Now, I sell 30 copies in 10 hours. Its because of the internet.

For his one-man business, Mr Akbar buys copies of the Le Monde newspaper at a local kiosk and keeps half the sale price, earning about 60 (52) a day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But Mr Akbar is not just a newspaper hawker. For residents, his well-known sense of humour and good nature make him a beloved neighbourhood character.

Every day, he racks up an average of eight miles on foot, pounding the pavement in search of customers. His regular rounds include the literary cafes of Saint-Germain-des-Pres such as Cafe de Flore and Les Deux Magots, which once attracted the French intelligentsia including Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, and Simone de Beauvoir as well as expat writers like Ernest Hemingway and Oscar Wilde.

A gallerist, who has been buying newspapers from Mr Akbar for 22 years, praised the street vendor for his loyalty, his smile, his kindness and also the poetry that he asserts in the streets that no one understands sometimes.

The poetry in question refers to Mr Akbars sales strategy, which involves putting his own humorous, sarcastic and sometimes sensational slant on the days headlines.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its official. Marine Le Pen is no longer racist, he bellows out to amused coffee drinkers outside the local cafes.

Or, they found the vaccine, he says laughing. The Arabs, they did it with harissa.

Mr Akbar sells primarily to customers at the local restaurants and cafes - Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters

Mr Akbar left Pakistan at the age of 20 hoping to help lift his large family out of poverty. His journey took him through Afghanistan, Iran, the Netherlands, Greece  on a cruise ship where he cleaned floors  and finally to Rouen and Paris.

After stumbling on newspaper hawkers in the French capital, a job he did as a 12-year-old back in Pakistan, he gave it a go despite not knowing French.

The first paper he sold was the satirical publication Charlie Hebdo, which poked fun at the pope on the cover, a realisation that drew horror when a student translated the cover for him in English.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And here I was like an idiot yelling, Charlie Hebdo, Charlie Hebdo, he told media outlet Konbini. I was scared because back in my country, if you say one word against Islam, they can kill you. When I saw this, I thought: This is strange.

In 1980, he married a Pakistani woman with whom he has five children, one of whom is autistic. Another suffers from physical ailments, according to The New York Times.

Mr Akbar explained that his decision to stay in a business that had long petered out and was no longer lucrative, was to remain his own boss.

I love my freedom, he told Konbini. No one tells me what to do. In Pakistan I was exploited. Savagely. Thats why I never wanted to be exploited again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now on a minimum pension, he said he no longer sells newspapers for the money, but for the joy of making people smile.

I love making people laugh, so that they live in joy.

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 progression of Fredericktown Yamahas inventory and sales has mirrored the changes in Frederick County over the dealerships half-century in business.

When Richard and Sharon Riley bought the dealership in September 1975, their business was made up of about 60% dirt bikes and 40% street bikes, their son Ian, the dealerships general manager, said Tuesday.

As the county became less rural and more developed, their business now is probably 80% street bikes, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The dealership will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a customer appreciation night on Aug. 21, featuring food, refreshments, and memorabilia from its 50 years in business.

Richard and Sharon were partners in a dealership in Virginia, but were familiar with Frederick from the annual July 4 Barbara Fritchie Classic motorcycle races, Ian said.

When they found out that the owner of the local Yamaha dealership wanted to sell, they bought it and changed the name to Fredericktown Yamaha.

One of the first decisions they had to make was whether or not to include an e at the end of Fredericktown, but decided against it, Ian said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Their inventory was mostly motorcycles and dirt bikes. Originally, thats what Yamaha had, he said.

The company added three-wheelers in the 1980s, and the inventory has grown to include a variety of all-terrain vehicles.

As the business changed, we kind of changed with it, Ian Riley said.

British biotech firm holds event at FITCI

Cytomos, a British biotechnology firm, recently celebrated an expansion into the United States with an event at the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc.

The company set up its U.S. operations in Frederick in March, and added a Maryland-based employee to work on growth and engagement, according to a press release from the Frederick County Office of Economic Development.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The company hosted a networking event at FITCIs headquarters on Ballenger Center Drive in Frederick on July 16.

Marylands blend of talented workers, biotech infrastructure, and access to American funding sources made it an attractive location for the companys expansion, CEO David Rigterink said in the release.

The companys expansion was launched through the Maryland Global Gateway program, which attracts foreign investment in areas including biotech, cybersecurity, and cleantech.

Cytomos is also participating in FITCIs Soft Landing Program, which helps international companies with mentoring, infrastructure, and ways to reduce barriers to entering the U.S. market.

Cytomos creates advanced automated systems for high-throughput cell and gene therapy uses, according to the economic development release.

Send business news to Ryan Marshall at rmarshall@newspost.com.
TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)  Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Bowie County is hosting free mental health workshops on August 19 at Eylau Christian Church in Texarkana and August 28 at the New Boston Community Center in New Boston.

Children exposed to domestic violence get help to interrupt cycle

The program is designed to introduce participants to the experience and practice of using mindfulness to reduce stress.

(Image courtesy of Texas A&M University)

Attendees will learn about the benefits of using mindfulness to reduce stress, understand how to recognize their personal stressors, and experience mindful skills, such as breathing and movement, as ways to relax and manage stress.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Understanding Gaslighting: Tactics, Effects, and How to Protect Yourself

Interested people must reserve a spot by calling (903) 628-6702 before August 15. Individuals with special needs who wish to attend should contact the office at least five working days in advance to allow time for accommodations to be made.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Brief

A West Texas official livestreamed herself smoking marijuana on TikTok in protest of a proposed ban.

The DA directed the action toward Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a key proponent of the ban.

The bill, which would ban all THC products, passed the Senate and is now headed to the House.

MONAHANS, Texas - A Republican elected official in West Texas directed a livestream of her smoking marijuana towards the lieutenant governor's crusade to ban the substance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

District Attorney Sarah Stogner lit a joint on TikTok last week in an effort to bring attention to the looming special session item; a near-carbon-copy of the ban vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott at the end of the regular session.

Texas DA lights up online

Sarah Stogner

Stogner, DA of the 143rd Judicial District in Ward County, put out a press release on Aug. 2 announcing her intent to livestream the event on TikTok. She addressed Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in the release, calling him out for a "new, even more restrictive marijuana law."

Stogner said she went to New Mexico to purchase the marijuana from a dispensary before bringing it home to smoke in West Texas.

She went live at 4:20 p.m. that day to smoke the joint, and continued to address Patrick on X after the fact with photos and video clips of the online event.

What they're saying

"Our law enforcement on the ground dont support it. Its silly and takes LE away from real crime," Stogner said in an Aug. 3 post on X. "The solution: legalize. Smell no longer gives PC to search a vehicle but reasonable suspicion to make sure the driver isnt intoxicated. Its not that difficult."

After her livestream, Patrick posted about an unrelated special session issue on X, to which Stogner replied with a screenshot of her livestream.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Free the plant Dan," she said in the reply.

Special Session push for Texas THC ban

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick

The backstory

Senate Bill 5, the special session bill banning THC, passed the Senate Friday and now heads to the House. It would prohibit the sale of products containing any amount of THC, the active component in marijuana, while still allowing for the sale of non-intoxicating cannabinoids like CBD and CBG.

Abbott vetoed a nearly identical bill during the regular session, citing concerns about legal challenges and urging lawmakers to instead regulate the products. Following the veto, Patrick vowed the Senate would pass a full ban again.

The ban comes as an attempt to remedy a legal loophole created by a federal law passed in 2019, which legalized hemp farming across the nation and accidentally opened the door to a multi-billion-dollar industry of hemp-derived THC products.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The relatively new substances that flooded the market as a result are reported to give users a comparable "high" to normal marijuana, without the legal implications prohibiting the controversial plant's use in states like Texas and Arkansas. The latter state recently won a years-long legal battle legitimizing a similar ban on hemp-derived THC products.

What's next

The House has filed legislation identical to SB 5 but has not yet held a hearing. Should the House pass the bill, Abbott would again have the choice of whether to veto the measure or call lawmakers back for another special session.

The Source

Information in this report came from a Texas elected official's public social media account.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The Back to School Bash on 609 South Oaks Street took place in the afternoon of August 9 and featured free supplies, food, haircuts, and fun.

Tom Green County jail logs: Aug. 9, 2025

Residents of San Angelo gathered for the festivities, and the vendors, including the co-organizer of the event, J.D. Nava, talked about what this event means to them.

Right after high school, I went into the military and left San Angelo for about 13 years, Nava said. The whole time I was gone, I just thought about giving back to the community. Taking everything I have learned being across the nation and around the world a few times, it made me appreciate everything at home in San Angelo. It made me want to give back. I had been talking about this to my family for years, and once I started this, it meant a lot to take care of the community that took care of me.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nava owns San Angelo Dumpster Rentals, and they were one of the sponsors of the event, along with 30 other collaborators. Families from all around the Concho Valley attended the event.

To see the gallery of the event, scroll through the photos below.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
City of Fresno staff are planning a new program for owners of older mobile homes that would cover some of the costs to replace their homes following complaints about the citys current assistance program.

Fresno has a $1 million budget for its current program to provide grants of up to $60,000 to repair dilapidated mobile homes across its 27 mobile parks. But since the program relaunched in April 2024, it has only received nine applications for repairs, of which six have been approved and just two have been completed, according to the city.

To qualify, applicants must own their mobile home, have a home built in 1980 or later, and have a gross income below $56,340, which represents 60% of Fresno Countys current median income as of 2025. Moreover, residents must remain in the home for five years after receiving the funding in order to avoid having to repay it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

City staff told residents of the Villa Fresno mobile home park this week that they plan to launch a new program that would, instead, aim to assist with the replacement of dilapidated homes older than 1980, altogether.

We hope to submit this new program to the state in the next month and ask the state to approve it, said Phil Skei, assistant director of the citys planning and development department. The idea is that instead of trying to repair an older home, we would help you replace it.

According to Skei, the new program would require residents to contribute a portion of the cost for a new mobile home, while the city would also provide funding to cover the home itself, as well as the removal of their existing mobile home.

What were trying to do is make things easier by contributing some money for the replacement of your home, so you dont have to borrow as much money from the dealer. Make it much more affordable, Skei said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Skei said the timeline for the programs potential implementation will depend on when they receive a response from the state.

Undocumented residents would not qualify for the program.

Galvia Juarez, a resident of Villa Fresno, and her husband applied to the citys current program when it first launched in June 2023. However, they later found out they didnt qualify for it because their trailer was built in 1977, and the program only covers homes built in or after 1980.

As for the new mobile home program the city is proposing, Juarez said it would be beneficial to her and her family only if the funding the city provides to replace her mobile home is substantial.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If the city provides more than half of the funding needed for a newer mobile home, I would consider contributing the rest. But if not, I dont think it would be feasible for me, she said.

Juarez said her current home requires major structural repairs, including fixing her damaged roof and replacing the floors in key areas of her home. Her plumbing is also old and leaking, with yellow water coming out of her pipes. On top of that, animal infestations from a nearby vacant lot have caused additional damage to water pipes underneath her trailer.

Margarita Mejia de Hernandez, another resident of Villa Fresno, said she also tried applying to the citys current mobile home program, but didnt qualify because her home was built in the 70s.

As for the new program the city is drafting, she said it wouldnt be too beneficial for her for various reasons.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Over time, Ive done a lot of repairs myself. Ive redone the roof, painted the house inside and out, and my flooring is in good condition, she said Im also not working, so I dont have any money right now to pay for a new home.

Unlike Juarez and Mejia de Hernandez, Ricardo Zambrano, another resident at Villa Fresno, said that the new mobile home program the city is proposing would be beneficial to him and his family.

I would be would be willing to put down some money for a new home if the city also helps me finance things. It would provide a bigger and better space for my kids, he said.

Zambranos mobile home was built in 1975, so he doesnt qualify for the citys current program.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At the meeting, several residents told city workers that they dont qualify for the current mobile home repair program because their homes were built before 1980.

Skei said this requirement cant be changed because the state of California sets the rules for the funding.
The all-American couple who were knifed to death while visiting an Arkansas state park were known as gentle, outdoorsy people devoted to their three children.

Clinton Brink, 43, and Cristin Brink, 41, were murdered during a Saturday trip to explore nature near their new home. Authorities on Wednesday arrested 28-year-old Andrew James McGann for allegedly murdering the couple at Devil's Den State Park.

"They were outdoorsy people. They loved to take the girls and go do outdoor things and go hiking. They loved every minute of it," Mary Hinebauch, a fellow choir member from their former church in Miles City, Montana, told Fox News Digital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"That wasnt an unnatural place for them to be. They did tons of stuff like that."

Arkansas Hiking Murders: Timeline Reveals Teacher Suspects Route From Classroom To Courtroom

The family had recently moved to Arkansas for what Cristen described as a new opportunity and to be closer to Clintons mother.

Read On The Fox News App

"It was an opportunity to be closer to family," Hinebauch recalled. "And Clinton's mother lived down there. And it was an opportunity for them for some change of scenery and to be down by his mom."

Cristen Brink, in particular, left a deep impression on her friends and community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"She had the two little toddlers when she lived here. Im 65 years old, and I always stood back and thought, Oh, I wish I could have had that patience," Hinebauch said.

She remembered Cristen as the kind of person who gave what she had  even when it wasnt much.

"They didn't have a lot, but she always had an extra hand for somebody else if they needed anything," she said. "She touched people's lives just by her softness. And her talent was unbelievable. Her singing was just a real gift."

Clinton and Cristen Brink were murdered at Devil's Den State Park on Saturday, July 26, 2025.

Video Shows Arkansas Hiking Murder Suspect Arrested Mid-haircut

The Brinks were known for being present, kind, and active in their local community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"They were out in the community. Everybody knew them  you know, with the little kids, and she was involved in moms' groups," Hinebauch said.

Reflecting on the tragedy at Devils Den State Park, she added, "I just think its pure evil. It sounds like there was hardly any crime in the area. It was a very safe, safe place to be."

Reminiscing about their final exchange, Hinebauch said, "I went back to look at the very last message we had between each other, and it was like they had just gotten there and were unpacking. And I just had said, Keep in touch. And that was the last little conversation we had."

Arkansas couple Clinton and Cristen Brink; James Andrew McGann.

Follow The Fox True Crime Team On X

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Amy, who knew the Brinks' from their church in Miles City, Montana, said that the family were "wonderful people."

"She [Cristin] got A's in nursing school while raising babies and taking care of her family," she told Fox News Digital. "She was involved in volleyball at Miles Community College, where she graduated with her nursing degree."

"I loved her so much, and it just doesn't seem real. Just seems there should be something I could do to take all this terrible tragedy back. Sadly, they are gone."

WATCH:





Original article source: Friends unveil Devil's Den couple's haunting final message before deadly park ambush
A Facebook post written by a self-proclaimed MAGA voter who says she and her partner can no longer afford their imported medications due to Donald Trump's tariffs is going viral.

At the start of the post, the MAGA voter expressed her anger with President Trump and his ongoing tariff war that has increased the prices of imported goods in the US.

She said, "He should take his tarrifs and shove them up his ass!"

Lokman Vural Elibol / Anadolu / Getty Images

She then broke down the cost of her and her partner's medications in the US, which amounts to over $500 for each of them with Medicare.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Spencer Platt / Getty Images

She said they'd been buying their medications from Canada or the UK to save money....

Spencer Platt / Getty Images

But that changed when the Canadian company purportedly increased its prices by $80$100 per month to offset Trump's tariffs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I voted for Trump, I truly wish I had not... He not making America Great Again, but he sure is making it more expensive," she wrote.

Picture Alliance / Getty Images

In response to the posts, people had a range of opinions, with some defending President Trump...

"You can't blame the president for the high drug pricing," one person commented on the original post.

"it is not Trumps fault you cannot figure this out," another wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While others blamed the original poster for her voting decisions...

"If you cannot afford your medications, why would you vote for any Republican ever??? The Democratic platform has been lowered costs for healthcare FOR DECADES," one user questioned.

Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images

"I wish I had more sympathy. That went away in Nov. They are getting exactly what they voted for... We told them this time was different," another person wrote.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.
The government's expanded draft order would be for 430,000 reservists and will be in effect until November 30, 2025

Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara wrote in an advisory opinion to the government on Sunday that there is no escaping the need for additional military reservist call-ups, even though the proposal currently on the table raises legal challenges.

The government is set to meet to confirm the expanded reserves draft orders, as Israel moves towards an expanded military operation and occupation of the Gaza Strip. The draft would be for 430,000 reservists and will be in effect until November 30, 2025  about three months from now.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The government explained that the security situation demands more manpower in the military and said it is aware of the heavy strain on soldiers. The legal advisory at the Defense Ministry added that efforts are being made to increase manpower so as to lessen the load.

The controversial move comes in the wake of the dire humanitarian situation in the enclave, soldiers and reservists who are struggling under the load, and legislative attempts to pass a draft law that would exempt eligible ultra-Orthodox (haredi) men from service. A bill for the latter is being prepared for second and third reads in the Knesset.

Bereaved families, friends and Israeli soldiers visit the graves of fallen soldier during Remembrance Day which commemorates the fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem on April 30, 2025. (credit: Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90)

What did the emergency draft order involve?

For context, the first draft call-up in October 2023 was for 360,000 reservists. The emergency order was extended several times until the original one had expired.

The next one came in February 2024, for 300,000 reservists, and remained in effect until June 30, 2024. That May, the IDF said it had maxed out the number of reservists it could call up under those orders.

Another order came in to expand drafts of up to 350,000 soldiers until August 31, 2024, and another for an identical amount until December 1, 2024, followed by another one for 320,000 soldiers until March 2, 2025. The next order was for 400,000 soldiers and valid until May 29. The final order was for 450,000 soldiers, with a validity of up to August 31.
Yaniv Levi, a representative from the Histadrut, Israel's national trade union, told KAN that the union plans to meet the hostages' families on Monday to consider future actions.

Families of Gaza hostages and victims of the October 7 massacre announced on Sunday that they would initiate a nationwide shutdown the following Sunday to protest the Security Cabinet's decision to occupy Gaza City.

At a press conference in front of the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, families represented by the October Council said that Sunday, August 17, would mark a nationwide shutdown in protest of the Security Cabinet's decision to occupy Gaza City, which they say endangers the lives of the hostages and soldiers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The families said the shutdown is expected to include private companies, organizations, and labor unions.

Will the Histadrut join the strikes?

Yaniv Levi, a representative from the Histadrut, Israels national trade union, told KAN that the union plans to meet the hostages families on Monday to continue future actions. This issue is in our hearts and our blood. Tomorrow we will come with other players in the economy. Wherever we can help, we will help.

I call on everyone to see how they can assist the families. We have the right  and the duty  to listen to every word. If, God forbid, I were in their place, I dont know how I would act. They have simply been abandoned, Levi told KAN.

Demonstrators holding signs featuring photos of remaining hostages in Gaza at a demonstration for a hostage deal in Tel Aviv, August 9, 2025. (credit: Paulina Patimer)

In July of last year, Histadrut head Arnon Bar-David threw his support behind a march planned by family members of hostages and called on the Israeli public to join them. Bar-David also said he would supply the march with resources and appointed a senior team to accompany marchers and organizers.

Security Cabinet approves Gaza occupation

Last Friday, the security cabinet approved Netanyahus plan to occupy Gaza City and adopted five principles for ending the war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

These include disarming Hamas, returning all hostages, both living and murdered, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, Israel maintaining security control over Gaza, and the existence of a civilian government that is not controlled by either Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.

Hostage families and Israeli opposition figures criticized the plan, calling it a disaster that would endanger the remaining hostages in terrorist captivity.

Eve Young and Yael Halfon contributed to this report.
All major dams and barrages in Himachal Pradesh are currently operating within "permissible operational limits", the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said on Sunday, citing the 9:00 am daily monitoring report. According to the SDMA, the state's hydropower and irrigation reservoirs in the Satluj, Beas, Ravi, and Yamuna basins recorded varying inflows, "with no structure breaching its full reservoir level". The Kol Dam on the Satluj registered one of the "highest inflows" at 1,100 cumecs, followed by the Pong Dam on the Beas at 1,397 cumecs, with an outflow of 1,078 cumecs. Other high inflow points included Larji Barrage with 698.67 cumecs, Nathpa Dam at 670 cumecs, and Karcham Dam at 644.54 cumecs. The Bhakra Dam, a "key multi-purpose" reservoir on the Satluj, stood at its full reservoir level of 512.07 metres. The SDMA noted that the Malana-II hydropower plant has remained shut since the August 1, 2024 flash flood, with dam gates kept open, while some projects, including Bhaba and Chanju-I, had temporarily reduced or "halted generation due to high silt levels" or maintenance. Authorities continue to monitor pond levels, spillway outflows, and weather conditions closely, with most catchment areas experiencing cloudy to partly cloudy skies on Sunday morning. Himachal Pradesh remains battered by the ongoing monsoon, with 359 roads, including one national highway, blocked; 145 electricity distribution transformers (DTRs) down; and 520 water supply schemes disrupted as of Sunday morning, according to the SDMA. The cumulative monsoon death toll in the state has climbed to 219 since the onset of rains, with 112 fatalities in rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, and house collapses, and 107 lives lost in road accidents, the SDMA said. District-wise reports from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) show that Mandi remains the "worst-hit" in terms of road connectivity, with 214 routes blocked, followed by Kullu with 91. "A landslide at Jhed (Khanag) has blocked National Highway-305, with light motor vehicles being diverted via Kandugad." Kullu also reported the highest number of power outages, with 50 DTRs disrupted, while Mandi recorded the "largest hit" to water supply infrastructure, with 367 schemes affected. Authorities have advised residents to "remain alert" as fresh spells of heavy rainfall are expected in several districts over the next 48 hours. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rainfall across Himachal Pradesh till at least August 12, raising concerns of further disruption and casualties. "The scale of damage this monsoon has been unprecedented. Restoration work is being carried out round the clock, but people are advised to remain vigilant, especially in landslide-prone and riverbank areas," a senior official from the State Disaster Management Authority earlier said. (ANI)
GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  Georgetown County deputies are responding to a Saturday evening shooting in the Greentown community.

Officials said a shooting happened on Player Street, where two vehicles and a residence were damaged.

Investigators are en route to process the scene and interview witnesses to develop a suspect, the sheriffs office said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Georgetown County Sheriffs Office at 843-546-5102.

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.
A car enthusiast and creator of a local motor museum who was "a generous soul", has died.

Patrick Hawkins, the owner of Taunton's County Classics Motor Museum, died "very suddenly" on Wednesday, aged 38.

On social media his team said he fought "against all odds" to open the venue full of cars he had collected since he was 11-years-old, despite struggling with a heart defect.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a statement, his fellow workers said his love for cars and the museum would be his "legacy".

"One of the nicest, kindest and most generous souls you could hope to meet," they said.

"Pat has personally greeted almost every visitor [to the museum].

"Pat quietly overcame many battles in his life and when the Musgrove Hospital flew a surgeon from USA to carry out a unique and life-saving operation on his heart, he wanted to give something back to the town of Taunton and county of Somerset that he loved so much.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The County Classics Motor Museum, achieved against the odds through the materials crisis and rising costs of Covid, would be his legacy."

Richard Hammond officially opened the museum in 2023 [BBC]

Mr Hawkins' motor museum, which includes around 200 cars and motorcycles from the 1960s to 1990s, was opened in 2023.

It gained the attention of former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond, who attended the opening to cut the ribbon.

The team said the museum would be closed for a few days "to give staff time to come to terms with the loss of their leader and inspiration"  but will reopen on Tuesday, "as Pat would have wished".

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

More on this story

Related internet links
A 47-year-old woman died late on Saturday after being stabbed outside an apartment block in the eastern German city of Halle, police said.

A 37-year-old German woman was detained as the suspected attacker, with investigators saying she was heavily intoxicated at the time of the incident.

The suspect reportedly first verbally threatened the victim on the street before stabbing her. A resident of the apartment building immediately alerted the police, who detained the suspect at the scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The victim was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries but died shortly afterwards. The suspect was taken into custody, and the Halle public prosecutor's office has requested a detention order.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear.
Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens have rejected calls for benefit cuts from leading economic expert Veronika Grimm, whose sobering assessment comes less than 100 days into the conservative-led coalition's term.

While the economy shows some signs of hope and key sentiment indicators have improved slightly, Grimm told the Funke media group that "the government has yet to deliver."

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's governing coalition will mark its first 100 days in office next Wednesday. He came to office on promises to kick-start Europe's biggest economy after two years of contraction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Grimm is a member of the five-person Council of Economic Experts, which evaluates the economic policies of the government and offers its advice. They are appointed by the German president.

Grimm criticized the coalition for distributing financial handouts - such as pension increases, subsidies on diesel fuel for farmers, and relief for hospitality businesses - without a clear long-term plan.

"Germany must at last do its homework and tackle thoroughgoing reform," Grimm said in the remarks published on Saturday.

"So many electoral gifts are being distributed that huge budgetary holes are opening up  and this before a discussion on tax rises," she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The expert considers benefit cuts to be necessary and called for business taxes to be reduced and red tape cut  "from the conditions on the labour and housing markets through rules on climate and up to data protection."

"German business is being held back by a veritable thicket of regulation," Grimm concluded.

On Sunday, Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens criticized Grimm's proposals.

"The neo-liberal approach of seeking solutions solely through cuts in services for citizens is too simplistic and does not have our support," SPD parliamentary secretary Dirk Wiese told the Funke group of newspapers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Green Party deputy leader Andreas Audretsch warned that further pension cuts would plunge many women into poverty in old age.

"We need to focus on other levers, such as enabling people to work in the first place. If women could work as much as they wanted, we would have 850,000 more full-time workers," he said.
BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany's decision to curb arms exports to Israel comes in response to Israel's plan to expand its operations in the Gaza Strip, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday in an interview with public broadcaster ARD.

"We cannot deliver weapons into a conflict that is now being pursued exclusively by military means," Merz said. "We want to help diplomatically, and we are doing so."

The worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel's plans to expand military control over the enclave have pushed Germany to take this historically fraught step.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The chancellor said in the interview that the expansion of Israel's operations in Gaza could claim hundreds of thousands of civilian lives and would require the evacuation of the entire city of Gaza.

"Where are these people supposed to go?" Merz said. "We can't do that, we won't do that, and I will not do that."

Nevertheless, the principles of Germany's Israel policy remain unchanged, the chancellor said.

"Germany has stood firmly by Israel's side for 80 years. That will not change," Merz said.

Germany is Israel's second-biggest weapons supplier after the U.S. and has long been one of its staunchest supporters, principally because of its historical guilt for the Nazi Holocaust - a policy known as the "Staatsraison".

(Reporting by Maria Martinez; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday defended halting some weapons deliveries to Israel amid mounting criticism of the move from some within his own ranks.

"The Federal Republic of Germany has stood by Israel's side for 80 years," Merz told broadcaster ARD. "Nothing about that will change."

"We will keep on helping this country to defend itself," he added.

Merz said Friday that Germany would halt the export of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip in response to Israeli plans to take control of Gaza City.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Merz's partial arms embargo sparked public criticism from members of Merz's conservative CDU party, including its youth organisation which said the move broke with the core principles of Germany and the party.

The chancellor said he had reassured Israel's president earlier on Sunday that Germany was not breaking with its traditional friendship with Israel.

"We have one point of disagreement and that concerns Israel's military action in the Gaza Strip," he said. "That is something which a friendship can withstand."

Until recently Israel has enjoyed broad support across the political spectrum in Germany, a country still seeking to atone for its murder of more than six million Jews in World War II.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Unlike France, Britain and Canada, Germany has no plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September, arguing that recognition could come only at the end of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

France welcomes Canadas plan to recognise Palestinian state at UN

But Merz's tone towards Israel has sharpened in recent months as the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated, with United Nations experts warning that famine was taking hold in the war-ravaged territory.

EU brokers deal with Israel to allow 'substantial' humanitarian aid into Gaza

He told ARD on Sunday that though Germany had solidarity with Israel, this did not mean that "we have to think that every decision which a government reaches is good and support it to the point of offering military aid including weapons".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Israel's 22-month offensive has killed at least 61,430 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, figures the UN says are reliable.

The war was triggered by Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

(AFP)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz believes that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must be involved in the 15 August meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Source: Merz on TV channel ARD, as reported by European Pravda, citing German TV news service Tagesschau

Details: Merz announced that he will speak with Trump by phone on Sunday 10 August regarding his planned meeting with Putin in Alaska.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Quote: "We are intensively preparing for this meeting at the European level together with the US government. And we hope and expect that the Ukrainian government, President Zelenskyy, will be involved in this meeting

In any case, we cannot accept that territorial issues between Russia and America are discussed or even decided over the heads of Europeans and Ukrainians."

Details: Merz added, "I assume the US government sees it the same way, which is why there is such close coordination."

He said that what happens in Alaska on Friday must have consequences: "Either in terms of increasing pressure on Russia, or Russia itself acknowledging that this war cannot be continued."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The chancellor said he hopes that the high-level meeting will also lead to a decision on a ceasefire in Russias war of aggression against Ukraine.

Background:

The Trump-Putin meeting is scheduled to take place in Alaska on 15 August amid media reports that Washington and Moscow are apparently seeking an agreement to end the war in Ukraine that could cement Russias occupation of part of its territory.

In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that "the answer to the Ukrainian territorial question is already in the Constitution of Ukraine".

On the night of 9-10 August, a joint statement addressed to Trump and Putin was released by the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, Poland and the UK, the president of the European Commission, and the president of Finland.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Dramatic footage has surfaced showing a 300-pound marlin thrashing onto shore in Waikiki, parting a crowd of beachgoers.

"GIANT fish scares tourists on beach," the Instagram page Oahu described Saturday.

The scene is extraordinary because marlin are typically found offshore, far from beaches.

ALSO: Yellowstone wolves 'left in dust' while trying to catch speedy pronghorn

Oahu explained that the marlin crashed onto the shore possibly due to being struck by a boat or stressed from having a host of parasites.

The stranding event occurred in 2023 and, apparently, there was no effort to rescue the billfish.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On the contrary, according to Oahu: Its reported that a group of local boys loaded the fish up and took it back home.

The footage is reminiscent of a bizarre scene that unfolded in Mexico in 2022, involving a massive elephant seal that hauled ashore in the Baja California Sur community of Mulege, interrupting a family picnic.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 300-pound marlin storms onto shore in Waikiki, frightening tourists




NEED TO KNOW

The 18-year-old boy who went missing in Florida earlier this month has been confirmed dead

Giovanni Pelletier's family confirmed his death to ABC 11 on Aug. 9, one day after a decomposing body was discovered near the area where the teenager was last seen

The young man, who was previously described as a protector, was a brother to four younger siblings





Giovanni Pelletier, a teen who went missing in Florida earlier this month, has been confirmed dead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

His family confirmed his death to ABC 11 on Saturday, Aug. 9, one day after a decomposing body was discovered near the area where the teenager was last seen.

Police said, per ABC 11, that there wasn't any immediate physical evidence found that suggested foul play was involved in the tragedy.

An autopsy is now scheduled to be performed, as well as a toxicology report, but it is expected to take six months to get the final results from the latter, the outlet said.

Giovanni's mother, Bridgette Pelletier, told ABC 11 that she and the rest of her family, which includes her eldest son's four younger siblings, are asking for privacy as they plan final arrangements.

courtesy Bridgette Pelletier Giovanni Pelletier with others. Giovanni Pelletier with others.

Giovanni, from North Carolina, went missing in Florida on Friday, Aug. 1, shortly after traveling there with his mom, her fiance, Jeremy Brown, and his siblings, Bridgette previously told PEOPLE.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Before leaving Raleigh, Giovanni joined a text chat with a group of his paternal relatives, arranging for some of them to pick him up in Englewood, Fla., and bring him to his grandfather's house in Brevard County, more than three hours away.

Within 30 minutes of being picked up, Giovanni texted his mother, who had been studying for an upcoming pharmacy board exam and was asleep: "Mom help."



Bridgette previously said she was worried about Giovanni going alone, but she wanted to support her son as he reconnected with his family.

Bridgette told PEOPLE that Giovanni's paternal grandfather left her a voicemail alleging that there had been an altercation between the young men, and that the cousins had left the teenager on the side of the road in Bradenton in Manatee County. (The grandfather previously declined to comment to PEOPLE, while the cousins could not be reached.)

The mom also said that, after getting in touch with some more family members, she learned that one of the cousins who picked Giovanni up on Aug. 1 said the group had smoked marijuana together, and Giovanni later began to panic and curse at him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The cousin also allegedly said that a confrontation occurred on the side of the road. He claimed Giovanni pulled out a knife, and after he wrestled the item away from Giovanni, the teenager ran off.

Giovanni's mom described the behavior as unlike her son. She added that she believed he likely felt threatened and outnumbered.



courtesy Bridgette Pelletier Giovanni Pelletier with others. Giovanni Pelletier with others.

A body of what appeared to be a male was later found in a retention pond off of I-75 and State Road 70, near the area where Giovanni was last seen, on Friday, Aug. 8, Randy Warren of the Manatee County Sheriffs Office (MCSO) said, per WWSB and WRAL.

Warren added that authorities could not confirm the identity of the body at the time, and police were keeping Giovannis family informed of developments in the case, per WWSB.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The MCSO did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Aug. 9, or immediately to follow-up messages sent on Sunday, Aug. 10.



Giovanni was a recent graduate of Fuquay-Varina High School, whom his mom previously remembered as a protector.

She said in a social media post that she was "living every parent's worst nightmare, trying to find the strength to give him the goodbye he deserves."

Read the original article on People
The sister of a five-year-old boy who died after an allergic reaction at school was among a group of children who delivered a petition to Downing Street calling for new laws for schools.

The petition was handed in by six-year-old Etta, after an inquest found a school did not follow all the measures in place to prevent her five-year-old brother Benedict Blythe's death following an anaphylactic reaction to cow's milk.

Their mother, Helen Blythe, is calling for a Benedict's Law to ensure schools have allergy policies, hold spare adrenaline pens and provide staff training.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Department for Education said it planned to bring forward proposals to support children with allergies in the autumn.

Benedict had airborne reactions to dairy products, also known as allergic asthma. [Benedict Blythe Foundation]

Benedict Blythe, from Stamford, Lincolnshire, had asthma and a number of allergies including eggs, nuts, kiwi fruit and milk.

He collapsed at Barnack Primary School in December 2021 and was pronounced dead at Peterborough City Hospital a short time later.

Jurors at the inquest into his death at Peterborough Town Hall concluded he had died after an accidental exposure to an allergen - cow's milk protein.

The jury found there were delays in administering an adrenalin pen by staff and opportunities to review "lessons learned" from a previous incident had been missed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The inquest, at Peterborough Town Hall, also heard Benedict's allergy plan had not been shared and distributed to school staff, and they were late in identifying his symptoms and treatment.

Helen Blythe is calling for "proper legislation" to protect children with allergies at school [Benedict Blythe Foundation]

Helen Blythe set up the Benedict Blythe Foundation in his name and commissioned research into the school policy and guidance on allergies.

In a report, the foundation said a third of schools do not have an allergy policy and admit to not keeping track of "near misses", where a child has contact with an allergen.

The report, based on analysis of a 10% sample of English schools, said more than half provided no training in managing allergies in school.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As well as the petition with more than 13,500 signatures, Etta delivered letters to the prime minister from children across the UK who have allergies.

Ms Blythe said: "Etta and her friends have shown the courage and clarity that adults in power often lack. Their message is simple: no more preventable deaths. We need proper legislation that protects children with allergies in every school."

"They are fairly basic things that we're asking for, but they're not currently something that schools must provide for children with allergies," she said.

"This is so important. If these measures had been in place, it would have probably saved his [Benedict's] life", Ms Blythe added.

Ms Blythe said Benedict wanted to be a doctor when he grew up [Benedict Blythe Foundation]

In response to the petition, the Department for Education said: "We do not believe the School Allergy Safety Bill is necessary because in the autumn we plan to bring forward proposals for supporting pupils with medical conditions, including allergies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The measures to support children with allergies envisioned in the Schools (Allergy Safety) Bill could be achieved without requiring primary legislation. We will consider how we might take them forward as part of this consultation.

"The proposal for all schools to hold in-date Adrenaline Auto-Injectors would have important implications for the NHS. We will work with DHSC and NHS England to consider this further."

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices

More on this story

Related internet links
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Karnataka visit, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday said that Bengaluru has not received enough funds from the Centre and has been neglected. Shivakumar said that he would urge Prime Minister Modi to address the city's needs and take care of it as a national capital. Addressing reporters here, Shivakumar said, "I will tell him what is required and to be given to Bengaluru... We have not been given sufficient funds. Bengaluru has been neglected. I would like to tell PM Modi that you have to take care of the city as a national capital... The MPs or MLAs of the BJP are only getting votes in the name of PM Modi or the party." Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bengaluru, Karnataka today, as part of his visit to the state. The Prime Minister is slated to inaugurate the Yellow line from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra of the Bangalore Metro Phase-2 project, having a route length of over 19 km with 16 stations worth around Rs 7,160 crore. With the opening of this yellow line, the operational metro network in Bengaluru will increase to over 96 km, serving a large population in the region. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project worth over Rs 15,610 crore. The total route length of the project will be more than 44 km with 31 elevated stations. This infrastructure project will address the growing transportation needs of the city, catering to residential, industrial, commercial and educational areas. The Namma Metro is currently operated and maintained by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), a joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of Karnataka. PM Modi will also flag off three Vande Bharat Express trains from Bengaluru. It includes trains from Bengaluru to Belagavi, Amritsar to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune. These high-speed trains will significantly enhance regional connectivity, reduce travel time and provide a world-class travel experience to the passengers. (ANI)
Republican South Carolina Congressman Ralph Norman has claimed that while prices are going up, its for the good of the country.

His comments were made during a Fox News appearance as host Jon Scott noted that many Americans are not supportive of President Donald Trumps economic policies. A Fox poll recently showed that 44 percent of Americans back the president on the economy. Similarly, six out of 10 Americans blame Trump for driving up the cost of living, according to a recent poll.

I think a lot of people are seeing higher prices, said Norman on Saturday. Our familys in the construction business, and we get a lot of our timber from Canada and other countries. Yes, its higher. Steel prices are up, but its for the good of the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The 72-year-old recently announced a run for governor.

Should we expect high prices for a short time? Yes, he added. But overall, we couldnt keep going the way we were going.

Ralph Norman, 72, has launched a bid for governor in South Carolina (Getty Images)

The cancer in this country was letting other countries rule the day and tax our products, and why should we run a deficit every month? he asked. And thats why this president is doing such a good job.

And you cant go on  poll numbers vary, they come up, they go down. But the bottom line is, hes doing the right thing, and it couldnt come at a better time, Norman argued. Things will get better here.

Trumps widespread tariffs went into effect on Thursday after months of delays and attempts at new agreements with other countries. Most U.S. imports are now subject to tariffs of 10 percent. However, overall, the average tariff rate stands at more than 17 percent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the 2024 Republican presidential primary, Norman chose not to endorse the president, instead backing his states former governor, the former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.

Late last month, Norman praised Trump as he announced his bid for governor. He said the presidents decision to bomb Irans nuclear weapons program in support of Israel is going to put him in the annals of the greatest presidents we have ever had.
New York City Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa said that President Trumps interference in the New York election could embolden Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani.

In this situation, it doesnt help if he intervenes in New York City, Sliwa told Fox 5s Morgan McKay on Politics Unusual on Friday.

Every day its Trump versus Zohran Mamdani, its a good day for Zohran Mamdani. Every day that Cuomo and Adams talks about you, you drop out, you job out, its a good day for Zohran Mamdani, he continued.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The New York City race for mayor has sparked heavy tensions. Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, surprisingly won the Democratic primary against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo is now running as an independent alongside the current mayor, Eric Adams.

Trump has been adamantly opposed to Mamdanis campaign for mayor. He has called him a communist lunatic and said that if he is elected in November, He better behave. Otherwise, he will have big problems.

The New York Times reported on Wednesday that Trump had multiple phone calls with Cuomo and was considering getting involved in the mayoral race.

Sliwa, who is the only Republican candidate and in an underdog position, said he was not surprised that the president called Cuomo, as Cuomos been talking to Trump for years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He added, I would just say to the president, spend your time where its needed more, on geopolitical interests that affect all Americans. This election in New York City does not affect all Americans.

Other candidates also raged against Trumps move. Mamdani posted on the social platform X, Today we learned Andrew Cuomo is directly coordinating with Donald Trump, even as this President sends masked agents to rip our neighbors off the streets and guts the social services so many New Yorkers rely on.

Its disqualifying and a betrayal of our city, he added.

But Cuomo on Thursday pushed back on the report.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I cant remember the last time I spoke to President Trump, Cuomo said during a press conference, adding that he has never spoken to him about the mayors race.

Sliwa has previously attacked Mamdani and blamed Adamss mayoral term for Mamdanis win in the Democratic primary.

There is no Zohran Mamdani if Eric Adams had done a decent job, Sliwa 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.
On an August night 70 years ago, two carloads of people showed up at the Hopkinsville Police Department and gave a breathless account of an extraordinary incident they had just survived at a nearby farm.

Spokesmen for the crowd told of how something resembling a space ship or flying saucer had landed at the back of the house, reported Hopkinsvilles Kentucky New Era newspaper the next day. Men, who appeared to be about 4 feet tall, got out of the ship and came to the house and done battle with the occupants.

One was in a tree. Another was on top of the house. One pushed its face against the window.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They had big heads and long arms, with eyes out of proportion to their bodies.

Men at the farmhouse responded by blasting away with guns, expending boxes of ammunition to no effect.

When law enforcement went to the farm, they could not find evidence proving or disproving the event, which quickly made headlines across Kentucky and the country.

It even inspired Steven Spielbergs 1982 film E.T.

Seventy years later, the Kelly-Hopkinsville Encounter  as it came to be known  is still a big deal in Western Kentucky and beyond.

What happened in Kelly, Kentucky, in 1955?

The event in the tiny community of Kelly reverberated across the nation.

SPACEMEN TAKE KENTUCKY blared a headline in the New York Daily News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Los Angeles Times carried the news on its front page alongside stories about French troops battling insurgents in Morocco and a California wildfire.

In even more distant Hawaii, it made page 2 of the Honolulu Advertiser.

There were also skeptics. An Associated Press story at the time cited an unidentified male resident of Hopkinsville who "suggested" a bunch of monkeys escaped from a passing circus truck around the time of the incident.

A year after the extraterrestrial run-in, Hopkinsvilles police chief told The Courier Journal he had received letters from all 48 states, as well as France, Mexico and several South American nations inquiring about the aliens.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A decade after the encounter, a columnist for the Kentucky New Era newspaper wrote scarcely a month passes where the paper doesnt receive a phone call or a letter asking about the little men.

Few happenings in Christian County have given the community so much publicity, good and bad, columnist Joe Dorris wrote in December 1965. And few things have been remembered half as long.

To some, the creatures that purportedly visited Kelly  about eight miles north of Hopkinsville  became known as goblins.

The areas tourism arm hosted a 50th anniversary celebration in 2005 and then, starting in 2011, there was an annual festival held in Kelly.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, that festival the Kelly Little Green Men Days Festival  stopped a few years back.

This year, Hopkinsville is hosting its first ever GoblinCon on Oct. 17-18, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the alien encounter while also looking at other paranormal phenomena.

We dont want to just be UFOs, as you kind of cut your audience down, said Eric Freeman Sims, GoblinCons event coordinator, who also runs a paranormal podcast. So, we have speakers that will be talking about UFOs, alien encounters, but also cryptids like Big Foot and Dogman in Land Between the Lakes, as well as ghosts and ghost hunting.

Revitalizing 'Little Green Men' festivals

Amy Rogers is the executive director of Visit Hopkinsville, the area's tourism arm, which is sponsoring GoblinCon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I have to be honest: I am a believer. I do not think were alone in this world, said Rogers, who added she has the X-Files theme song set as her ringtone. And I, just like other people, am very drawn to UFOs, the paranormal. And I was like: I so want this to happen.

After the once-annual Kelly Little Green Men Days Festival stopped a few years ago, Rogers wanted to take the opportunity to revitalize it.

Ahead of GoblinCon, Visit Hopkinsville will host a kick-off event featuring "food trucks, games, and plenty of photo ops with some very special visitors" at Hopkinsville's visitor center on Aug. 23, just days after the anniversary of the Kelly-Hopkinsville encounter.

But even outside of the anniversary season, aliens feature heavily at the visitor center, which sells alien-themed souvenirs and features an alien-themed photo stand-in.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While Hopkinsville brands itself as the Batter Capital of the World  claiming all flour used in McDonalds biscuits east of the Mississippi comes from Hopkinsville  its finding a foothold in the paranormal as well.

If people dont have that look on their face like why is there a batter bowl here? they gravitate towards the alien stories, Rogers said, referencing the giant batter bowl at the visitor center that tourists can pose with.

'My dad was very adamant'

One of the featured speakers at GoblinCon will be Geraldine Sutton Stith, the daughter of one of the men present at the Kelly-Hopkinsville Encounter and the author of several books about the incident.

She was born after the incident, but grew up with family stories of what happened.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Part of the reason she wrote books, she said, was to address the inconsistencies that she saw printed in newspaper accounts.

First of all, there wasnt a dozen or so aliens like papers reported.

My dad was very adamant it was only three or four, she said. It was the same three or four that were coming out all the time  they just werent dying.

And second, they werent little green men.

They said they were like a gunmetal gray, she said. The term little green men came from a reporter because he just stuck together Kelly green  and there is a color Kelly green  and they became the Kelly Green Men.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Stith said her family did, however, coin the term goblin to describe the aliens.

The goblin thing came from my grandmother, she said. She was a really religious person, and her first thought when she started seeing these things was they were something the devil brought forth.

To Stith, that night in Kelly, Kentucky, in 1955 has firmly cemented its place in UFO history.

Its a great story. I mean, its a fantastic story. Its a legacy. In the UFO world, its a major, major story  its the granddaddy of UFO stories, she said.

More: How much money does the Kentucky Expo Center make off parking? We got the receipts

Reach reporter Josh Wood at jwood@courier-journal.com or on X at @JWoodJourno

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kelly Kentucky green men encounter turns 70 with GoblinCon




NEED TO KNOW

Paul Hollywood said his brother Lee Hollywood was attacked while walking his dog in Leasowe, England, on Aug. 8

The Great British Baking Show star identified his sibling as the victim mentioned in a news release from Wirral Police

"This was a nasty and unprovoked assault which left the man needing hospital treatment, Detective Inspector Phil Ryan said in a statement about the incident





Paul Hollywood is asking for the public's assistance in finding the individual responsible for a nasty and unprovoked attack on his brother, Lee Hollywood.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Sunday, Aug. 10, The Great British Baking Show star, 59, shared a news release from Wirral Police on his Instagram, identifying the victim mentioned as his sibling.

The police news release, which didnt name Lee, stated that a man in his 50s had to be rushed to the hospital after suffering injuries to his back and face following an attack in Leasowe, England, on Friday, Aug. 8.

If you have information regarding this attack on Friday night, the person in question who was attacked is my brother Lee. Any information please follow details above Thank you, Paul captioned his Instagram post.

According to the news release from police, the victim was walking his dog on Links View Playing fields at around 7:10 p.m. local time, when his pet and a different dog that was being walked by another male began to bark at each other.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police said the other man became irate as he separated the dogs, and before walking away, authorities allege he approached the victim from behind and punched him to the ground.

The attacker then kicked the victim in the face before running off, police also claimed.

This was a nasty and unprovoked assault which left the man needing hospital treatment, Detective Inspector Phil Ryan said in a statement.

"We are appealing for anyone who was in the area of Links View Playing fields or Shackleton Road at around 7 p.m. last night who heard or saw the incident or saw the male leaving the area to contact us," he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Wirral police are currently looking into obtaining CCTV footage amid their investigation into the incident.

PEOPLE has reached out to Wirral Police for further information.

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.

Paul Hollywood/Instagram Paul Hollywood Paul Hollywood

Lee  who, like his brother Paul, pursued a career in baking  ran artisan bakery Born & Bread in Wirral, Liverpool, until 2020.

Back in 2016, he claimed that the success of the business relied on his working 13-hour days.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Im the grafter of the family, Pauls too busy with Bake Off. The last time he made a proper loaf was about ten years ago, Lee told The Daily Mail at the time.

Our Paul and I are very close and I watch Bake Off when I can, but its mainly on catch-up [television] because Im always here, he added, referring to his business. I came in today at 7 a.m. and I will still be here at 8 p.m. tonight.

Read the original article on People
THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP)  Greek police said Sunday they seized over 270 kilograms (595 pounds) of cocaine with an estimated value of over 5.5 million euros ($6.5 million) and arrested three men. The cocaine was hidden inside a container of bananas imported from Ecuador, they said.

Police had been informed by the United Kingdoms National Crime Agency that the cocaine would be carried by a ship headed to the northern Greek port of Thessaloniki.

Police officers found the cocaine and removed most of the drug contained in brick-sized packages from the container before it was loaded into a truck. They released a short video of the removal operation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The truck headed for the Athens suburb of Aspropyrgos, more that 500 kilometers (310 miles) to the south, where the police arrested three men as they opened the container Saturday.

The total amount of cocaine seized was 271.15 kilos (598 pounds), police said.

The arrested men include two Greeks, the 40-year-old owner of a haulage company, a 32-year-old and a 47-year-old Bulgarian citizen, police say, adding that the Bulgarian was in touch with a drug gang and organized the picking up and transport of the container. The 32-year-old was in charge of distributing the drug through unnamed gang members.

Police are looking for more people they say belong to a drug distribution gang. The three arrested men will face a prosecutor Monday.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Greene County Sheriffs Deputy Chris Longfellow, who was going to have a community ice cream event to fundraise for his cancer treatments this Sunday, has died.

Deputy Longfellow was battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

We are heartbroken to hear that Greene County Sheriffs Deputy Chris Longfellow passed away this morning after losing his battle with cancer, wrote Xenia Police Department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Xenia PD wrote of the calm and reassuring voice Longfellow had and how he was a comfort to the staff working on the street.

Although he spent most of his public safety career as a Greene County Deputy Sheriff, some of us here at the Police Division were fortunate to work with Chris when he worked for the City of Xenia as a Communications Operator in Greene Central Communications.

Xenia PD said Longfellow then decided to serve the community as a Deputy Sheriff.

But Chris was not satisfied with just being that calm, reassuring voice on the phone or the radio and wanted to serve his community as a Deputy Sheriff. Although we understood his desire to serve in a different capacity, some of us tried to talk him out of it because, selfish as it may have been, we didnt want to lose him, wrote Xenia PD.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Longfellow and his family both deeply cared for other law enforcement officers and would often visit on holidays with other families if they had a member on duty.

Chris passing is not just a huge loss for his family, it is a huge loss to the law enforcement community and to the citizens of Greene County, wrote Xenia PD. Rest in peace, Brother.

The Dairy Station Cops and Cones event at 704 N. Detroit St., Xenia, began at noon and will still run until 5 p.m.

The Green County Sheriffs Office released a statement on Longfellows death.

In the early morning of August 10, 2025, Deputy Christopher Longfellow passed away at Atrium Medical Center in Middletown, Ohio. Deputy Longfellow, supported by his family, had been battling pancreatic cancer when he succumbed to the illness, wrote the GCSO. Please keep his family and our law enforcement community in your thoughts and prayers at this time. There are no public arrangements at this time and we appreciate all your support for Deputy Longfellow and his family.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Longfellow is survived by his wife Kris, three children and two grandchildren. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran.

A GoFundMe has been launched to help his family.

According to the Greene County Sheriffs Office, there will be separate visitation and funeral services for Deputy Chris Longfellow.

Visitation is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 11 a.m.

Both will be at Lighthouse Baptist Church on 2040 W. Second Street, in Xenia.

Following the funeral, a procession will proceed to Lebanon Cemetery.

Chris asked that we have a party for him, not a sad gathering. Chris loved bright colors and Hawaiian shirts. The family will be in Hawaiian attire and asked any who wants to, to please join them, said the sheriffs office.

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.
This press conference came following criticism from both Israel's right and left, which are both against his plan to occupy Gaza City.

Hamas misled Israel in hostage negotiations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted during his second press conference on Sunday in Hebrew.

Hamas demanded the release of Nukhba terrorists, demanded binding international guarantees not to return to fighting, and demanded Israel's withdrawal from the Strip, including from the Philadelphi Corridor. The prime minister argued that no government would accept such a deal.

Netanyahu refused to answer The Jerusalem Post twice when he was asked if he would accept a partial hostage deal. "They are going to release the 20 hostages. We talked about a partial deal, and it didn't happen. They want to release everyone, and we did," he responded.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In response to the Post's question about whether it makes sense for the IDF's chief of staff to command an operation he doesn't believe in, he said he is not willing to accept the assumption from which the question stems.

"A commander in the army is highly respected. I was a commander in Sayeret Matkal. I expressed reservations, and commanders made the decisions," the prime minister answered. "The same thing happens today  thank God weve been through a lot. I approve and encourage the military, its leadership, and all heads of security branches to express their opinions, and sometimes I am persuaded. What I decide is carried out."

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir said at a situational assessment, we are dealing with matters of life and death.' (credit: IDF)

The prime minister noted that the cabinet discussed an alternative plan that would see the IDF standing by and surrounding the remaining Hamas strongholds and carrying out raids, but an absolute majority of cabinet members agreed that this tactic would not return any hostages.

This press conference came following criticism from both Israel's right and left, who are both against his plan to occupy Gaza City, which he announced on Friday.

Hostage families decry day-after outline

In response to Netanyahu's repeated outline of the day-after plan at the beginning, as he did in his earlier press conference, the hostage families called the day-after outline an additional spin, saying that they are just "blowing sand in the eyes of the public.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"These are unrealistic conditions that, in practice, mean sacrificing the hostages in captivity and risking the lives of IDF soldiers for no reason."

"The only way to return the hostages is to defeat Hamas," Netanyahu argued.

"Eliminating Hamas is a condition for Israel's security and our future," he said. "We cannot leave the perpetrators of the massacre to their own devices," he said, explaining why he is determined to end the war only when Israel is victorious, and as quickly as possible.

Netanyahu said that Israel is at a historic crossroads in the Middle East. "We said we would change the face of the Middle East, and that is what we are doing," he said. He referenced the 12-Day War, Israel's pummeling of Hezbollah, and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.

"All of this was done despite enormous pressure, both domestic and foreign, to stop the war  pressure [that existed] even before we entered Rafah," he concluded.

This is a developing story.
Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question youd like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com.

What happened to Confederate money after the Civil War?  Ray G., 12, Arlington, Virginia

At the time the Civil War began in 1861, the United States government did not print paper money; it only minted coins. As a historian of the American Civil War, I study how the Confederate government used a radical idea: printing paper money.

In 1861, 11 states tried to leave the United States and form a new country, causing a four-year war. Wars cost a lot of money so the new country, called the Confederate States of America, printed money as a way to pay its bills.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But this money was more like a promise  in technical terms, a promissory note  because its certificates were really pledges to give the currencys holder a specific amount of gold or silver, but only if the Confederacy won the war.

Bills issued earlier in the war said right on them, Six months after the ratification of a treaty of peace between the Confederate States and the United States, the Confederate States of America will pay the bills amount to the person holding it. Later currency delayed the promised payout until two years after a peace treaty.

The notes were commonly called graybacks, after Confederate soldiers, who wore gray uniforms. The bills were decorated with a variety of images, including depictions of mythological gods or goddesses, like the goddess of liberty. Other graybacks bore images of important people in Southern history like George Washington, Andrew Jackson and Jefferson Davis. Some of the bills depicted enslaved Americans working in the fields, or featured pictures of cotton or trains.

But these images often werent very good quality, because the Confederacy didnt have many engravers who could make the detailed plates to print the money.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When the South started losing the war, the value of Confederate money dropped. In addition, prices for food, clothing and other necessities rose because many items were scarce during the war. Graybacks became almost worthless.

This is what 1 million Confederate dollars looked like, in a photo from 1962. U.S. National Archives

In late 1864, a few months before the wars end, one Confederate dollar was worth just three cents in U.S. currency.

When the Confederate army surrendered in April 1865, graybacks lost any remaining value they might have had. The Confederacy no longer existed, so there was nobody who would exchange its paper money for gold or silver.

Today, though, Confederate dollars have value as a collectible item. Just like people will pay money to own a Civil War hat or musket, they will pay money to own Confederate money. Some rare Confederate bills are now worth 10 times more than they were in 1861.

Hello, curious kids! Do you have a question youd like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. Please tell us your name, age and the city where you live.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And since curiosity has no age limit  adults, let us know what youre wondering, too. We wont be able to answer every question, but we will do our best.

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: Robert Gudmestad, Colorado State University

Read more:



Robert Gudmestad does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Astronomers recently discovered a rare interstellar object passing through our solar system, and a Harvard physicist is sounding the alarm that its strange characteristics might indicate its more than just a typical comet.

"Maybe the trajectory was designed," Dr. Avi Loeb, science professor at Harvard University, told Fox News Digital. "If it had an objective to sort of to be on a reconnaissance mission, to either send mini probes to those planets or monitor them It seems quite anomalous."

The object  dubbed 3I/ATLAS  was first detected in early July by an Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS, telescope located in Chile. The discovery marked only the third time an interstellar object has been observed entering our solar system, according to NASA.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Although NASA has classified the object as a comet, Loeb noted that an image of the cosmic visitor indicated an unexpected glow appearing in front of the object, rather than trailing behind it  something he described as "quite surprising."

Meteorite Fragment That Slammed Through Homeowner's Roof Is Billions Of Years Old, Predates Earth: Professor

The object  dubbed 3I/ATLAS  was first detected in early July by an Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS, telescope located in Chile.

"Usually with comets you have a tail, a cometary tail, where dust and gas are shining, reflecting sunlight, and that's the signature of a comet," Loeb told Fox News Digital. "Here, you see a glow in front of it, not behind it."

Read On The Fox News App

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Measuring about 20 kilometers across, making it larger than Manhattan, 3I/ATLAS is also unusually bright for its distance. However, according to Loeb, its most unusual characteristic is its trajectory.

Rare Jupiter-sized Planet Discovered 3,200 Light-years Away Using Einstein's Space-time Warping Method

"If you imagine objects entering the solar system from random directions, just one in 500 of them would be aligned so well with the orbits of the planets," he said.

Although NASA has classified the object as a comet, Loeb noted that an image of the cosmic visitor indicated an unexpected glow appearing in front of the object, rather than trailing behind it  something he described as "quite surprising."

The interstellar object, which comes from the center of the Milky Way galaxy, is also expected to pass near to Mars, Venus and Jupiter  something that is also highly improbable to happen at random, according to Loeb.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It also comes close to each of them, with a probability of one in 20,000," he said.

Astronomers Make Groundbreaking Discovery About Largest Comet Ever Observed Flying Through Deep Space

The 3I/ATLAS object will reach its closest point to our sun  about 130 million miles away  on October 30, according to NASA.

"If it turns out to be technological, it would obviously have a big impact on the future of humanity," Loeb said. "We have to decide how to respond to that."

Dr. Avi Loeb, science professor at Harvard University, thinks the massive interstellar object could be alien probe.

In January, seven years after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk launched a Tesla Roadster into orbit, astronomers from the Minor Planet Center at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Massachusetts confused it with an asteroid.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A spokesperson for NASA did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.





Original article source: Harvard physicist says massive interstellar object could be alien probe on 'reconnaissance mission'
UCLA police arrested a suspect on burglary and weapons charges, the department announced Sunday morning.

The suspect was detained in Haines Hall on UCLA's campus after police found stolen posters honoring African American figures, a stun gun, campus keys and other items, according to the department.

 UCLA Arrest: Burglary, Weapons & Hate Crime Charges



UCLA PD arrested 1 suspect in Haines Hall for burglary, weapons possession, stolen property and a hate crime enhancement.



Linked to similar incidents under investigation since Feb 2025. pic.twitter.com/52vejQv9Ak  UCLA Police Department (@UCPDLA) August 10, 2025

The suspect faces burglary and weapons charges with a potential hate crime enhancement.

It was not immediately clear whether the suspect was affiliated with the school, according to the police department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police also said the arrest was linked to "similar incidents under investigation since Feb 2025."

Haines Hall is a lecture hall at UCLA. The building, which is located on the quad, is home to the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies Library and Media Center. UCLA's sociology department is also in the building.

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.
Reacting to Air Chief Marshal AP Singh's remarks on Operation Sindoor, Congress MP Imran Masood on Sunday questioned the timing of the statement, alleging it might be aimed at "shifting the narrative" and diverting attention from allegations against the Election Commission. Speaking to ANI,Masood said, " I don't understand the timing of the statement.Is this being said to shift the narrative and hide the allegations against the Election Commission?... We have complete confidence in our army... Due to their courage and bravery, we ask: despite possessing enough courage to easily take PoK, why can't they accomplish this?" Earlier in the day, Congress leader Udit Raj said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi betrayed the nation by not reclaiming PoK. Speaking to ANI, the Congress leader said, "PM Modi betrayed the nation. I completely agree with (Air Chief Marshal) AP Singh's statement that we shot down five Pakistani planes, Pakistan's condition was bad, then we should not have declared a ceasefire on Trump's saying and should have taken PoK. When Pakistan had surrendered and its condition was bad, when you got the chance to take over PoK, why didn't you take it?" Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Singh, on Saturday, credited the "political will" of the Central government for the success of Operation Sindoor that allowed the Indian Armed Forces (IAF) to conduct the operations without any constraints. Addressing an event at HAL Management Academy in Bengaluru, the Indian Air Force Chief emphasised that there were "no restrictions" on armed forces and any constraints that the armed forces exercised were self-made."A key reason for success was the presence of political will. There was very clear political will and very clear directions given to us. No restrictions were put on us... If there were any constraints, they were self-made. The forces decided what the rules of engagement would be. We decided how we wanted to control the escalation. We had full freedom to plan and execute," Air Chief Marshal said. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. The Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI)
Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines are in the midst of a merger after Alaska acquired Hawaiian in a deal that was finalized back in September of 2024. However, as the two airlines work out the details of the merger, some Hawaiian Airlines pilots are now warning passengers of what could happen.

Over the years, Hawaiian Airlines has developed a unique, island-based culture that has become beloved by its customers. However, several longtime Hawaiian Airlines pilots seem to be concerned about the future of the airline.

In a recent article published by Beat of Hawaii, which specializes in Hawai'i travel news, the outlet cited several pilots expressing concerns behind the scenes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One veteran pilot expressed concerns about the speed at which things are changing within Hawaiian Airlines, but it sounds like several more pilots are issuing warnings about some of the changes passengers could feel in the coming months and years after the merger.

"If youve flown Hawaiian Airlines for years, as we have, you know the rhythm: widebody planes with crews based in the islands, familiar interisland service, and a flight team that feels closely tied to the state. But thats what many Hawaiian pilots say is now at risk," Beat of Hawaii wrote this week.

"The tension boils down to two clashing styles: Hawaiians island-first model versus Alaskas mainland efficiency. Hawaiian has continuously operated with in-house flying, dedicated widebody crews, and minimal outsourcing. Alaska, by contrast, relies more heavily on regional contractors and outsourced help to manage many of its shorter routes."

"Some pilots worry that the same model could soon be applied to Hawaii, possibly even including interisland service once the 717 is retired," the outlet continued.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Theres growing fear that this approach may sideline Hawaii-based crews in the name of flexibility and cost control. As decisions shift to the mainland, pilots based in Hawaii worry some flying may not stay here."

We'll have to see how the merger progresses over the next couple of months, but it's pretty clear that Hawaiian Airlines pilots have concerns about the direction of the airline.

Hawaiian Airlines Pilots Warn of Future Changes first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 8, 2025
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Yoga, music, and art all come together to highlight mental health. Saturdays Healing Through Community event at Nay Aug Park also puts a spotlight on a local film inspired by love and trauma.

Attendees at the Marmi Pavilion laid out yoga mats for a day of mindful movement, live music, and connection.

The event raised awareness and funds for Scranton Counseling Center and for the upcoming feature, Hold Her Hand.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

28/22 Sports Night sits down with Steelers beat reporter ahead of preseason

So I feel like yoga and art integrate themselves into my life equally, so bringing that with of course, music, which is art, to peoples psyches so they can hear, see, smell in nature, and these beautiful healing sources, Yoga Teacher and Filmmaker behind Hold Her Hand Jessica Cadden Osborne told 28/22 News.

Jessica reached out to me to do something because her movie circles around mental health, and she knows about Scranton Counseling Center and what we do, and it was just a perfect collaboration for the two of us, Scranton Counseling Center Director of Development Doug Hein explained.

Osborne, a Scranton native, wrote the film based on her own story of falling in love with her husband.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hold Her Hand is set for a premiere next spring with festival screenings and distribution to follow.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Hot temperatures blanketed the state once again today, with a handful of locations either tying or breaking their previous record high temperature. Isolated showers have also been moving through much of southern New Mexico. However, a lot of these showers have not been making it to the surface. Similar conditions will be in place heading into Sunday.

Forecast Continues Below

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A weak cold front will move through eastern New Mexico by Monday afternoon, bringing a more significant drop in high temperatures to that half of the state. It will also increase the chance for rain on Monday in eastern New Mexico, with spotty afternoon storm chances in the central, northern, and western parts of the state. High pressure builds in overhead again by the middle of the week, bringing in hotter temperatures and a dip in rain chances by Wednesday. The heat will stick around late next week, but rain and thunderstorm chances will increase as more monsoon moisture moves into 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
OLATHE, Kan.  A celebration of life was held on Saturday for retired Olathe Police detective Brian Peters, who died in a car crash on August 2.

Crowds of people who knew Brian Peters gathered at an Olathe pizzeria Saturday to celebrate his life and his service with the Olathe Police Department.

Suspect dies following armed robbery, officer-involved shooting in KCK

Its truly amazing to see everybody who came out and are paying their respects to Brian, said Lindsay Rutten, a friend of Brian Peters and the manager of Ava Raes Pizzeria and Pub.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Brian Peters was a husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many.

Were really happy with the turnout and the love and support that the family is getting right now, Rutten explained.

Peters retired from the Olathe Police Department in 2020 after working there for 24 years and serving a total of 31 years in law enforcement.

He was also involved with a motorcycle group made up of mostly retired law enforcement officers and first responders.

We have people from all over the United States who flew in, they drove in, or they rode their bikes. So its really awesome to see the support, Rutten said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

People who knew Peters describe him as the kind of person you could always count on.

Robbed of her life: Family speaks on the killing of Kansas City teacher

He was truly an amazing person. He would do anything for anybody at any point in time. He was a very loyal. One of the guys even said that if you earned his respect, he was loyal to you for life, and that is just who Brian was, an amazing person, and he is going to be deeply missed, he already is, Rutten explained.

Ava Raes Pizzeria and Pub hosted the celebration of life. The restaurant was able to extend the gathering outside in the parking lot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Weve had a lot of support this week, and a lot of assistance from everybody from the city, from the police department, fire department. So we were able to make all of this happen, Rutten said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
For various reasons, the Helping Hand Clinic in Sanford needs some help.

Thats the word from Gwendolyn Lee, the non-profit clinics executive director.

In fact, she described the situation as urgent, noting the clinic, which opened in 1993, could close within a few months if more funds dont come in.

The clinic let go four people from its six-person staff on July 10, Lee said on Wednesday.

That left only her and Cynthia Cejudo, a bilingual pharmacy tech and patient assistance program coordinator. Lee said they she kept Cejudo on board because the clinic serves a large population of Hispanic people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Cejudo is working 12 to 20 hours a week, and Lee works 40 to 60 hours a week, she said.

The clinic lost a significant number of its clients last year due to an expansion of Medicaid in North Carolina, but so far this year, theres been a 1% to 2% increase in clients, she said.

However, one of the main factors is less grant funding. Lee said the clinic likely wouldnt qualify for grants that are funded with federal funds due a decision by the federal government to re-interpret a policy stemming from the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act that was passed in 1996. The Bill Clinton administration issued a decision in 1998 that extended some public benefits to people residing in the country illegally, according to HHS.gov.

For too long, the government has diverted hardworking Americans tax dollars to incentivize illegal immigration, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said. Todays action changes thatit restores integrity to federal social programs, enforces the rule of law and protects vital resources for the American people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kennedys statement was issued July 10, the same day the Helping Hand Clinic cut staff.

Lee said the clinics board decided to continue offering medical assistance to anyone, and the clinic still has seven volunteer doctors and nurse practitioners, but it has been impacted by lack of paid staff.

Lee said the clinic no longer applies for federally-funded grants, but still pursues private ones.

Everyone is now competing for private funding, Lee said, referring to other nonprofits. Another factor is that some grants are earmarked for a specific purpose that doesnt include paying for staff.

Another factor is a drop in donations from businesses and individuals, although the clinic is still faithfully supported by 17 churches.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The economy plays a part. Peoples funds are tight, she said.

Since mid-January, donations and grants are down 35% to 40%, she added.

Lee asks that people and businesses donate on a regular basis, if possible, after making a pledge of support. One-time donations are also welcome.

Lee can be reached for pledges at 716-603-4089. Donations can be made online at HHCSanford.com or by sending a check to the clinic at 409 Carthage St., Sanford NC 27330.
(Editor's note: This guestview was updated Friday afternoon after a settlement proposal in the rate request filing and differs from the original guestview in print today.)

Last week, this newspaper published a story about Florida Power & Lights four-year rate proposal that was misleading. As FPLs vice president for Northwest Florida, and someone who was born and raised here in Pensacola, I believe you deserve the whole story.

While the headline, FPL customers may be forced to swallow largest utility rate hike in U.S. history, is attention-grabbing, its also distorted. FPL is a company that serves millions of customers across the state, so context is important. The reality is that any rate adjustments will be spread across all our customers over four years - so one number in a headline doesn't tell the whole story.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Importantly, on Friday, we announced an agreement in principle with multiple key stakeholder groups involved in our rate request filing that, if approved, means FPL's rates will remain well below the national average. It would certainly not be the "largest utility rate hike in U.S. history."

Rate increase: FPL customers may be forced to swallow largest utility rate hike in U.S. history

While the cost of everything seems to be going up  including equipment we need to serve you  we work every single day to make sure the price you pay for electricity remains as low as possible. We do that by operating the most efficient utility in America by far, with the lowest operating and maintenance costs, while still providing you with the reliable service you expect. Here in Northwest Florida, FPL has improved service reliability by 63% since 2018. That improvement is a direct result of the investments we have made in the grid to make it more resilient and reliable for you.

Just like your home or business, the electric infrastructure (or grid) is something that needs continued care and investment. Investing in the grid, continuing to deliver some of the nations most reliable service, providing resilience in the face of severe weather and maintaining bills that are among the lowest in the nation  that is what this four-year rate proposal is all about.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The article also mischaracterizes an important part of our four-year proposal: a tax adjustment mechanism or TAM, similar to what the commission approved in the last four rate cases. It will help fund two years of grid investments and avoids additional rate increases for customers in 2028 and 2029. Removing it from our proposal, as the office of public counsel advises, would unnecessarily increase the amount customers have to pay in those years.

As a regulated utility, FPL cannot simply adjust rates, recover costs for a power plant or make any significant rate change without a full vetting from Floridas Public Service Commission. As a part of that vetting, we receive input from you, our customers. Earlier this year, we participated in public hearings across the state, including in Pensacola and Panama City, where we heard from hundreds of customers. What we heard from the vast majority of those customers: They value the service FPL provides and recognize the need to continue investing in the electric grid that serves them. That is exactly what our proposal is intended to do. On behalf of all of us at FPL, we are honored to be a part of this special Northwest Florida community that I call home, and we will continue working every single day to provide you with the outstanding service you expect and deserve.

J.T. Young is vice president and general manager of the Northwest Florida region of Florida Power & Light Company.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: FPL rate proposal is investment in grid
PRATT COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW)  A Coats man was seriously injured early Saturday morning after investigators say another drivers high-beam headlights caused him to lose control of his pickup.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said the crash happened just after 6 a.m. on Southwest 50th Avenue, about a mile south of U.S. Highway 54.

Barbed wire fence crash injures 2 teens near Emporia

According to the KHP report, a northbound GMC pickup driven by a 64-year-old man swerved off the road to the right after being blinded by the high beams of an oncoming vehicle. The pickup went into a ditch, came back onto the road, then veered into the opposite ditch and overturned.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The driver was taken to Pratt Regional Medical Center with suspected serious injuries.

Check before you go: KanDrive, also known as WICHway in Wichita, is a website and app from the Kansas Department of Transportation that provides information about road conditions, traffic, and more. Viewers can access cameras along the highways and interstates for free. The KanDrive app is available in both Google Play and Apples App Store. To view the website, click here. Drivers can also call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside of Kansas.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Pennsylvanias complacency is driving decline. Its time we stop masking the failures and start building for the future.

If Pennsylvania were a business, would you invest in it? In a July op-ed, senior fellow with the Commonwealth Foundation Guy Ciarrochi didnt sugarcoat anything. Pennsylvania punishes innovation and energy production, traps children in failing schools, and looks the other way as we fall in the rankings. Whats worse is that too many have stopped noticing. "If the fifty states were companies," Ciarrochi said, "investors would avoid putting their money in Pennsylvania."

Ciarrochi is right: We are managing decline, not building the future. Pennsylvanias economic foundations remain shaky. Costs are rising, state budget decisions are increasingly difficult, and were losing jobs and investment to surrounding states. Yet, Gov. Josh Shapiro and House Democrats continue to stifle innovation, putting Pennsylvania at a disadvantage instead of building an economy that benefits consumers and businesses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Commonwealth ranks 41st among U.S. states based on 71 metrics in eight categories. Weve fallen behind in nearly every measurable area, yet no one in Harrisburg seems to notice. In fact, were told the opposite is true. In his most recent budget addressin February, Gov. Shapiro said seven separate times, "Pennsylvania is on the rise."

If Pennsylvania is on the rise, why are we 38th in education and 41st overall? Why are we losing more residents and businesses than we gain? The numbers dont lie, and no feel-good speech - or Obama-esque cadence - is going to make them look any better. While the governor is spending nearly $3 million a year in taxpayer dollars to craft a highlight reel for shameless self-promotion, Pennsylvanians are left behind, languishing in a broken education system, stuck in permitting purgatory, and crippled by soaring energy costs.

The governors rosy narrative collapses further when you take a closer look at our schools. Pennsylvania is spending more money per student than ever before, ranking seventh in the nation as of 2023, with per-pupil spending exceeding $23,000 in 2024. Yet, despite record investment, student outcomes remain dismal. According to the 2024 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), only 30% of eighth graders are proficient in math and reading.

These numbers should sound the alarm and catalyze an education overhaul, but Harrisburg hits snooze. Low scores and lost potential should prompt us to reimagine how we fund schools, how we define success, and how we empower educators. That means giving teachers flexibility to create dynamic classrooms, rethinking our overreliance on standardized testing, and expanding options so families can choose the learning environments that best fit their childrens needs and strengths. Instead, Gov. Shapiro has broken his promise to help students in failing schools three years in a row. And now Pennsylvania Democrats are caving to special interests, putting politics ahead of our kids once again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Education isnt the only system overdue for renovation. Pennsylvanias permitting process -both for construction and oil and gas wells is notoriously slow and inefficient.Our regulatory environment is equally burdensome, discouraging small businesses, startups, and professionals from putting down roots in the state. Its no surprise the Cato Institute ranks Pennsylvania 37th in regulatory policy, and the Mercatus Center ranks us as the 14th most regulated state. Meanwhile, neighboring states like West Virginia and Ohio offer far more streamlined processes, often granting approvals in a matter of weeks rather than months or years.

In response to these critical concerns, Gov. Shapiro launched the PA Permit Fast Track Program with great fanfare. But rather than genuinely reforming the system and reducing permitting time, the program allows him to pick winners and losers. The program gives him the power to personally choose the programs that are most likely to benefit him politically, instead of clearing the way for the infrastructure that Pennsylvania needs. Its central planning disguised as progress. This politicized red tape stifles housing development, infrastructure, and job creation across the state.

The consequences of Pennsylvanias regulatory chokehold are tangible and growing. As Ciarrochi noted in his piece, the states failure to embrace bold, pro-growth decisions - like welcoming a major Wawa distribution hub - is more than just a missed opportunity. Its a warning sign. Outdated regulations and inconsistent leadership send a clear message: Pennsylvania is closed for business. From AI data centers to manufacturing jobs, tomorrows industries are bypassing Pennsylvania for states that make it easier to build and grow. Unless we change course, we risk losing the next generation of economic momentum.

Perhaps the most damaging policies lie in our energy sector. Pennsylvania has the potential to be a global leader, delivering reliable and affordable power, strengthening the grid, and reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil. We have more energy potential than many countries, yet were squandering it. Under former Gov. Tom Wolf, short-sighted policies (that are being continued by the Shapiro administration) led to rising utility costs and billions in lost investment. In 2023, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled that the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), an emissions cap program, was an unconstitutional tax on consumers. Rather than working with the Legislature to recover the estimated $7 billion in lost private investment, Shapiro appealed the ruling to the state Supreme Court, where it remains unresolved.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Since then, Shapiro has floated two flawed alternatives. The first, known as the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS), mandates increased reliance on intermittent sources like wind and solar, without guarantees of grid stability. The second, the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act (PACER), is a cap-and-trade scheme that mirrors RGGI and would force taxpayers to subsidize higher energy costs, including in-state nuclear power.

Both PRESS and PACER would raise electricity rates, hitting low-income residents the hardest. The proposals from the governor faced such backlash, including from members of his own party, that even Democratic committee chairs refused to call them up for a vote last session.

Even more troubling is the entrenched culture within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). When new projects are proposed, DEPs default is to deny or delay, rather than ask, "How do we get to yes?"Other states foster a collaborative relationship between regulators and stakeholders, creating a pathway to responsible growth. We must do the same before we fall even further behind.

Pennsylvania is at a crossroads. We can either continue managing decline or demand better. We can race to the bottom, or we can lead the way forward.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its time to reject the failed policies of this administration and the complacency of the status quo. If we want to make our state a place worth investing in again, we must stop settling for less and start demanding more from our colleagues across the aisle. Pennsylvania can be the keystone of Americas next great chapter, but only if we choose to write it.

Timothy ONeal represents the 48th Legislative District in Washington County and serves as the Republican Whip.
The Forum submitted an amended petition to the High Court, arguing that the government must explain the reasoning behind the decision of whether to continue the war or not.

The government must respond to a petition by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, demanding that it provide comprehensive explanations for its reasons to continue the military operations in the Gaza Strip against Hamas, Supreme Court Justice Khaled Kabub ruled Sunday.

Hamas is holding 50 hostages captive and is using them as a playing card to demand an end to the war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The government said it plans to invade and occupy northern Gaza. The IDF has warned that further action could endanger the lives of the remaining hostages.

The forum submitted an amended petition to the High Court of Justice, arguing that the government must explain the reasoning behind its decision to continue the war.

Why the government must reveal the reasons to continue the war

The petition does not question the courts authority to order the government to agree to a ceasefire deal, but rather to reveal the full range of reasons to the public so that the people can judge for themselves, Kabub said.

Part of a three kilometre-long tunnel route destroyed by the IDF in the central Gaza Strip, August 9, 2024. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Moran Savorai, an attorney for the forum, said: I stand here in representation of the petitioners, but also in representation of the hostages who are suffering in Hamass tunnels and, I believe, in representation of all Israeli citizens.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After reading the governments response, we are even more worried than before, she said. The response reveals that the government was uninvolved, and that the relevant authority to deal with the question was the wrong one.

Sarah Ben-Nun contributed to this report.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  According to a press release from the Department of Public Safety, there have been a total of 97 crashes during the Sturgis Rally, measured from August 2 to August 10. Four of those crashes have been fatal.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol reported three injury crashes on Saturday.

Injury Crashes:

6:17 a.m. on Saturday, a 2018 Jeep Wrangler was traveling east on US Highway 16 on MM 45. The jeep left the roadway to the right into the ditch, continued eastbound in the ditch, vaulted slightly off a private driveway, hit a mailbox, and crashed through a couple highway signs before coming to a rest in the ditch. Both driver and passenger were wearing seatbelts. The driver was transported to Rapid Monument for minor injuries. The passenger was not injured.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

8:22 a.m. on Saturday, a 2024 Harley Davidson motorcycle was eastbound on US 14A near MM 49 when he failed to negotiate a right curve. The driver applied the brakes and laid the motorcycle down before striking the metal guardrail and post. The driver was not wearing a helmet and was transported via personal vehicle to Monument Health in Sturgis with minor injuries.

10:50 p.m. on Saturday, a 2022 Harley Davidson motorcycle was eastbound on US 14A near MM 51. A deer entered the roadway and was struck by the motorcycle. The two occupants were separated from the motorcycle, which slid into the left ditch. Both occupants were wearing helmets and sustained minor 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 KELOLAND.com.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assured people of providing financial assistance for the treatment of serious diseases in Janta Darshan on Sunday. CM Yogi Adityanath assured that the people will get treatment in the best hospital without worrying about finances, as the government will arrange it for them, according to a release. CM Yogi also instructed the officers that the process of estimating those who need financial assistance in treatment should be completed as soon as possible and made available to the government. An adequate assistance amount will be provided to every needy person from the Chief Minister's Discretionary Fund. UP CM met about 200 people in the Janta Darshan organised at Gorakhnath temple on Sunday morning. He heard the problems of the people seated on chairs in the auditorium of Smriti Bhawan one by one and handed over their applications to the concerned officials, assuring them of their resolution. He assured all the people that no one needs to be worried, according to the release. The Chief Minister directed officials to address public problems with full seriousness and sensitivity, resolving them quickly, qualitatively, and satisfactorily, so that no one faces trouble. CM directed officials to adopt a sensitive attitude toward victims and guided them to resolve thier problem without any negligence. According to the release, the Chief Minister said that if someone is occupying land or bullying someone, then strict legal action should be taken against them. In the resolution of family matters, priority should be given to sitting both parties together and communicating. At the request of a woman, he directed the officers to grant her the land lease. On Saturday, CM Yogi Adityanath offered prayers at Gorakhnath Temple. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Kishan accompanied him. "The presence of Maharaj Ji (Yogi Adityanath), at the feet of Gorakhnath Baba," Ravi Kishan wrote on X. (ANI)
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A hiker in the Mundys Gap area of the Franklin Mountains needed to be airlifted off the mountain on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 9 and then taken to the hospital by ambulance, an El Paso Fire Department spokespeson said.

The male hiker appeared to be suffering from heat exhaustion, the spokesperson said. Two other hikers who were not injured were escorted down the mountain as well.

The El Paso Fire Departments Combined Search and Rescue Team was called out to Mundys Gap about a hiker in distress.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The hiker who needed assistance was airlifted off the mountain and transferred to an ambulance. The patient suffered minor injuries, the spokesperson said.

A Customs and Border Protection helicopter assisted with the airlift operation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Someone is holding their fur baby extra tight tonight, all thanks to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.

Crews responded to a townhouse on Ashburn Lake Drive at around 9 a.m. on Saturday after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting a car on fire in one of the garages.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue

Firefighters were met with heavy smoke and flames in the two-story home and went to work on putting out the car fire so it wouldnt spread any further.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

During a search of the home, they found an unresponsive dog, but quick actions by first responders helped save the pup.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue

Paramedics at the scene administered oxygen and first aid, successfully reviving the dog, who was reunited with its owner and taken to a local vet for further care.

Fortunately, no injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation, HCFR 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 WFLA.
Dont miss an opportunity to see a piece of military history in Muscatine in September.

LST 325, a Landing Ship Tank, will be leaving its homeport in Evansville, Ind. and heading to Muscatines riverfront near the Pearl City Station. The 328-foot-long ship will dock on September 9 with daily tours available September 11-15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available aboard the ship.

The Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry invites the public to a special event on September 11 from 5-8 p.m., United We Remember: 250 Years of Service 9/11 Muscatine Tribute w/ LST-325. The event will celebrate the Navy, Army and Marines 250th birthday, including an enlistment ceremony for new Navy recruits. Staff from the Rock Island Arsenal and local EMS will be highlighted and there will be a special moment dedicated to those who lost their lives on September 11th, 2001. Live music and food trucks follow the show.

(AP Photo, file)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The LST-325 ships could carry 20 Sherman tanks in the ships giant hold. They were the only ships ever developed that could go anywhere in the world, deposit their cargo onto a hostile beach and return for another load. The main deck could also carry 30-40 trucks, tons of fuel, ammunition or supplies and soldiers.

The LSTs were used during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The ship that will be in Muscatine, LST 325, was part of the invasion at Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. It was also at Sicily on July 10, 1943.

Click here for more information.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
The remaining portions of a Rutherford synagogue were demolished this weekend after the building went up in flames early Friday, police said.

Rutherford police Chief John R. Russo said Sunday all remaining parts of the structure were razed after being deemed a total loss by fire officials.

Congregation leaders have since vowed to rebuild. A capital campaign has since been launched to help raise funds for a new building. As of 11:30 a.m. Sunday, 1,239 donors raised $125,735 toward the effort.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Thank G-d, by a true miracle, the Lermans escaped just in time before the flames consumed the entire structure, the posting for the capital campaign states of Rabbi Yitzchok Lerman and his family. But they lost everything: their home, their belongings, and the heart of their community.

The Lerman family urgently needs our help, and together we can support them in rebuilding both their lives and this cherished center of Jewish life, the posting added.

A 10 a.m. service additionally was held Saturday on a corner outside the ruined synagogue.

Fire inspectors, the chief said, werent able to determine a cause of the blaze after days of investigating.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The investigation included the Bergen County Prosecutors Offices Arson Squad, Bergen County Sheriffs Departments Bureau of Criminal Investigation Unit, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and police detectives.

Due to the extensive and severe damage, this investigation has deemed the cause of the fire to be undetermined and not criminal, Rutherford police stated in a news release.

The fire started at 2:45 a.m. Friday at Congregation Beth El Chabad on Montross Avenue. Police officers near the scene reported that a short time later, the entire south side of the building was fully engulfed in flames.

Rabbi Lerman, his wife, and four children were able to escape the building on their own. There were no reported injuries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The fire went to four alarms as flames quickly tore through the building. Multiple crews from across the region worked for several hours to extinguish the flames and prevent it from spreading to neighboring homes.

Beth El Chabad has served the Meadowlands, South Bergen County, and the Passaic and Clifton communities for more than 100 years, according to the synagogues website.

In 2012, the same synagogue was fire bombed by a man who threw Molotov cocktails at the structure. The rabbi said that incident occurred about two years before he arrived.

Rutherford police called this weekends fire a devastating loss to the community, in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Congregation Beth El has been a pillar of the Rutherford community for decades, the statement read.

A firefighter surveys the damage after fire destroyed the congregation Beth El Chabad synagogue in Rutherford on 8/8/25.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
Four historic "tall ship" sailing vessels known as schooners are visiting Detroit this weekend, providing visitors a chance to see and feel how the world traveled two centuries ago.

As part of the Tall Ship Challenge, the ships, "The Alliance, "Empire Sandy, "Ernestina-Morrissey" and "Pride of Baltimore II," are visiting Detroit through Aug. 10. They arrived Aug. 7. The vessels travel around the world to teach people the history of sailing and what it is like to live and work on a boat.

If a visit to the Detroit RiverWalk this weekend doesn't provide you your fill of historic vessels, don't despair. Michigan is home to more than a half dozen historic vessels from the age of sails to steam and diesel power that you can visit and tour.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Among Michigan's historic vessels are the USS Silversides, a Gato-class World War II submarine, an LST that carried troops and vehicles in WWII; the SS Valley Camp, a longtime bulk cargo ship; the USS Edson, a Vietnam-era destroyer; the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Mackinaw; the Huron Lightship that once guided ships into and out of the St. Clair River; as well as a racing sloop, lifeboat and "wooden boat."

Michigan also features the historic car ferry, SS Badger, but the working ship is available only to passengers as it travels from Ludington, Michigan, to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and back.

More: Tall ships take over the RiverWalk as Sail Detroit festival starts

Here's what to know about Michigan's ship museums.

USS Silversides, a National Historic Landmark in Muskegon

In addition to the centerpiece submarine, the museum, 1346 Bluff St. in Muskegon, includes a two-story building housing temporary and permanent exhibits.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Silversides (SS 236) is a Gato-class WWII submarine, launched in 1941, that won 12 battle stars for World War II service, and was awarded one Presidential Unit Citation for cumulative action over four patrols. The sub and its crew are credited with sinking 23 ships, totaling 90,080 tons. Silversides has the most productive combat record of any still-existing American submarine.

The USS Silversides in Muskegon.

In 1972 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and in 1986 it was named a National Historic Landmark.

Visitors can tour the restored submarine. Groups can even reserve the submarine for an overnight encampment, during which they can sleep in the same bunks that housed the ships submariners.

The sub and museum hours vary by season. Tickets are $17.50 for adults, $13 for children, and $15 for veterans (active duty free).

USS Edson, the 'Gray Ghost of the Vietnamese Coast'

Commissioned in 1958, USS Edson (DD 946) served for 30 Years and 10 deployments in Vietnam, according to the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum, 1680 Martin St. in Bay City, which is home to the Edson.

The USS Edson passed the breakwater lighthouse as it made its way toward moorings on Jones Island in 1984. The Edson was on a training tour of the Great Lakes.

In May 1967, the vessel was struck by enemy fire when it later appeared, North Vietnamese were surprised, and the Edson became known as the Gray Ghost of the Vietnamese Coast." the museum said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The ship is one of 18 Forrest Sherman-class destroyers built; only two remain. The Edson was named a National Historic Landmark and to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

The vessel is named for World War I veteran Merritt Austin Edson, a Marine who later became a naval aviator. He was the winner of Navy Cross in 1928.

Tickets are $13 for children and veterans (active duty free) and $15 for adults. Hours vary by season.

Huron Lightship permanently 'docked' at Port Huron

Lightships are floating lighthouses that are anchored in areas where it was too deep, expensive, or impractical to construct a lighthouse, according to Port Huron Museums, displaying a light at the top of a mast and, in areas of fog, a fog signal and radio beacon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Huron, located in Pine Grove Park, 800 Prospect Place in Port Huron, was the last operating lightship on the Great Lakes, and served for more than 50 years when retired in 1970, the museum notes. For 36 years, she was stationed at Corsica Shoals, a sandy area 6 miles north of Port Huron.

The museum aboard the vessel includes a collection of artifacts, including model ships, and a live camera feed of the bottom of the river. The ship was dedicated in 1990 as a National Historic Landmark.

Hours vary by season. Tickets are $12 for adults, with discounts for students and seniors.

SS Valley Camp moored near Soo Locks on St. Marys River

The Museum Ship Valley Camp cargo encompass a 20,000-square-foot museum with over 100 exhibits, including two lifeboats from the ill-fated Edmund Fitzgerald. There are four 1,200-gallon aquariums stocked with various species of fish from the Great Lakes region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Built in Lorain, Ohio, in 1917 for the Producers Steamship Company, the ship was first named Louis W. Hill. Later, under the ownership of Wilson Marine Transit, it was re-named in honor of the Valley Camp Coal Company.

The SS Valley Camp at its permanent dock on the St. Mary's River in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

From 1917 until its last voyage in 1966, the 11,500-ton ship logged 3 million miles and carried in excess of 16 million tons of cargo. A length of 550 feet, beam of 58 feet, and depth of 31 feet, the Valley Camp had a crew of 32 men.

Purchased by Le Sault de Sainte Marie Historical Sites, the ship arrived at Sault Ste. Marie on July 6, 1968, during Sault Ste. Maries tri-centennial celebration.

Visitors are able to view the crew cabins, from the captains quarters to the accommodations lived in by the oilers and the coal passers. Museum hours vary by season. Tickets are $8.25 for children and $18.50 for adults. Combination tickets are available, and there are discounts for events and various groups.

USS LST 393 carried thousands to battle in France, Italy

Landing Ship Tanks were ocean-going ships capable of shore-to-shore delivery of tanks, amphibious assault vehicles, and troops, the LST 393 museum notes. In total, 18 shipyards produced 1,051 LSTs in three years, the museum says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The USS LST 393 was launched in Newport News, Virginia, on Nov. 11, 1942. Over 9,000 soldiers made their way to the front aboard LST 393, as well as 3,248 vehicles, the museum says. She also carried over 5,000 prisoners and, during her service, logged 51,817 nautical miles.

The LST 393 docked near downtown Muskegon, Michigan.

The ship made 75 voyages to foreign shores on three continents, including 30 round-trips to the beaches of Normandy, France. She won battle stars for her service in the occupation of Sicily, the invasion of Salerno, and the D-Day invasion at Normandy and was decommissioned in 1946.

The LST 393, is located at 560 Mart St., along the Mart Dock on the Muskegon Lake waterfront, in the heart of downtown Muskegon. Hours vary by season, and the vessel is closed from October to April. Tickets are $17.50 for adults, children $12.50.

USCGC Mackinaw kept Great lakes shipping moving

The United States Coast Guard icebreaker Mackinaw (WAGB-83) is known as the Queen of the Great Lakes and The Largest Icebreaker on the Great Lakes," according to the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The ship was built as part of the war effort during World War II to meet the heavy demands of war materials and transportation during the winter months, the museum notes. Congress authorized construction of Mackinaw on Dec.17, 1941, 10 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Mackinaw at its dock in Mackinaw City.

Built in Toledo, Ohio, the Mackinaw was commissioned on Dec. 30, 1944. Cheboygan remained her home port her entire life, the museum says. The ship has a length of 290 feet, a beam of 74 feet, 4 inches, and a displacement of more than 5,200 tons.

Decommissioned in 2006, the vessel is moored on the waterfront in Mackinaw City, on the eastern end of the old railroad dock.

Tours include the mess deck, captains quarters, bridge, engine room, ward room sick bay and more. The ship is open seasonally. Tickets are $8 for children and $15 for adults. All current and former USCG personnel are admitted free, as are USCG Auxiliary members. Military personnel tickets are $11.

Martime museum showcases sailing era, more

The Michigan Martime Museum in South Haven, features a pair of replica vessels and three historic boats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Among the exhibits are the Bernida, a 1921 racing sloop with a single mast, a 1941 U.S. Coast Guard motor lifeboat, and a 1929 Chris Craft wooden boat.

The museum at 260 Dyckman Ave. is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and Sunday, and, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Admission is $12 in the summer for adults, and $8 for children, military and students. Other rates may apply.

A detour to Toledo highlights Great Lakes shipping

The National Museum of the Great Lakes, 1701 Front St. in Toledo, Ohio, features the freighter Col. James M. Schoonmaker and the tugboat Ohio.

The Schoonmaker was built at the Great Lakes Engineering Works of Ecorse, Michigan. The ship held the title of Queen of the Lakes as the largest ship operating on the Great Lakes until April 14, 1914.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Ohio was a fire tug, serving at the Port of Milwaukee for 45 years. After serving in other capacities until 2015, the Ohio in 2018 was towed to the museums dock in front of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship.

The museum is open May to October. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Museum tickets are $8 for children 6-17 and $14 for adults. Other groups receive discounts. Adding boat tours is an additional $6.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan's historic ship museums. What to know
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT)  The Evansville African American Museum hosted the Baptisttown Emancipation Festival today.

The festival featured community performances, food trucks, vendors, community resources and family friendly activities. Celebrations also included the dedication of a new Indiana State historical marker honoring the Baptisttown Neighborhood.

It was a two to three year process just to get that to happen, so we finally got our sign out here, and that was a kickoff for the Baptistown Festival today, museum director Kori Miller said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

August 8, 1863 was the day Andrew Johnson, then military governor of Tennessee, freed his slaves. Eight years later, one of his former slaves, Samuel Johnson, organized the first event in Greenville, Tennessee.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Olga Weissberg, 91, succumbed to her wounds she received during the 12-day war in June.

Olga Weissberg, a 91-year-old Holocaust survivor seriously injured by an Iranian missile during the 12-day war in June, died Saturday at her home in Rehovot. She collapsed late in the day, and Magen David Adom medics pronounced her dead on the scene.

Weissberg was wounded in a missile strike on June 15 and had been discharged from the hospital prior to her death. It was not immediately clear if Weissbergs passing was directly caused by those injuries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A funeral is due to be held in Rehovot at 5:00 PM.

Weissberg is the second Holocaust survivor whose death is linked to the recent Iranian missile attacks on Israeli cities. Yvette Shmilovitz, 95, was killed by the shockwave of a missile strike in Petah Tikva that hit a neighboring building. Four people died in that attack.

A building at the campus of the Weizmann Institute of Science remains damaged following an Iranian missile strike on Sunday, in Rehovot, Israel June 19, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/VIOLETA SANTOS MOURA)

Holocaust survivor dies after Israel-Iran War

During 12 days of war, 31 Israelis were killed and more than 3,000 were injured in Iranian missile strikes.

Israel launched preemptive strikes against Iranian nuclear sites on June 13, citing intelligence that Tehran had reached a point of no return in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. According to Israeli defense officials, Iran has developed the capacity to rapidly enrich uranium and assemble nuclear bombs, with sufficient fissile material for up to 15 weapons.

Israeli intelligence also exposed a covert program to complete all components of a nuclear device. The strikes marked a dramatic escalation in what officials describe as a broader Iranian strategy combining nuclear development, missile proliferation, and proxy warfare aimed at Israels destruction.
A British Airways cabin crew member was forced to abandon his dream career eight years after arriving in the UK when the Home Office told him to move to a country where he says he has never lived.

Shady El Farra, a 28-year-old Egyptian national whose primary language is English, came to the UK to study in 2016, having grown up between the United States and Saudi Arabia due to his parents jobs as academics.

He was granted a two-year graduate visa in 2021 and started a career at British Airways as a cabin crew member. But he was forced to quit the job after an application for a private life visa, which allows people to stay based on strong personal ties to the UK, was rejected by the Home Office in November 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Home Office officials said Mr El Farra should be able to integrate into life in Egypt, despite the 28-year-old explaining that he left the country shortly after he was born and has never lived there as an adult. The country also requires mandatory military service for everyone under the age of 30.

The initial refusal decision also told Mr El Farra that he would be able to fully support yourself in India  despite his application having nothing to do with that country.

He told The Independent: Ive worked in the UK, studied in the UK, and now Im being told I have no expectation of a future here.

Mr El Farra studied in the UK and then found work in the aviation sector (Shady El Farra)

Speaking about his visa refusal, he said: Its like a robot has written it. They can belittle it as errors, but it has a huge impact on a human beings life.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its been two years of not working, not being in the skies. Its been mentally very challenging. Throughout the whole process, theyve not bothered to look into or consider the obstacles that I would have if I was sent to Egypt.

I barely speak the language, I have no family there and there is conscription in Egypt.

Mr El Farra is relying on support from his parents but fears he will soon be unable to pay rent at his flat in London. He is unable to claim public funds due to his immigration status.

Mr El Farra said he cannot build a life in Egypt as he doesnt have family there and has not ever lived in the country (Shady El Farra)

Mr El Farra had to hand over his passport when he first applied for the private life visa in September 2023, meaning he was unable to fly internationally. BA let him work on domestic flights, but he was then moved to working as a staff trainer while he waited for the visa decision, he said. He received his refusal in November 2024 and had to leave the job he loved.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I had a future at British Airways, he said. I was going to be a senior trainer and they just upended that... for what? How is it a benefit to the UK for me to be sitting here unable to contribute anything?

He then submitted an appeal of the decision to the immigration tribunal, and is now allowed to look for work while the court proceedings are ongoing.

International students have been one of the main drivers of net migration in recent years, along with Ukrainian refugees and people coming to work on health and social care visas.

Since Brexit, more international students have stayed in the UK following the conclusion of their studies, and the Labour government has recently introduced measures to restrict this  shortening the post-study graduate visa from two years to 18 months.

Mr El Farra trained other cabin crew when his visa application meant he could no longer travel by plane (Shady El Farra)

Though Mr El Farra has gone through training and security checks to work as cabin crew, he would need a salary of at least 41,700 to be sponsored for a skilled worker visa to stay in the UK.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Referring to the initial error in the Home Office letter, he said: The rejection said I should go back to India, which obviously doesnt make any sense. They said I should not have had any expectations for staying in the UK. But the graduate visa enables you to find a job in the UK and become a taxpayer, so I think that gives people some expectation that they might stay.

The Home Offices refusal was upheld on review, and Mr El Farra is now waiting for a tribunal hearing to consider his case.

His father, Dr Ehab el Farra, a professor of hospitality management in Saudi Arabia, insisted his son loved the UK and the family was astonished by the initial Home Office response.

The UK should take talented people, use them, and keep them in the system, he said. I used to live in the States, where we have lots of nationalities who live there, and thats one of the reasons why America is very prosperous.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He is fighting to stay in the UK because he loves Britain and wants to make a good life there.

His mother, Molly, also an academic, added: Its a big puzzle for us. Hes not allowed to live in Saudi Arabia with us unless he is a student or worker here. He cannot live with us because he is over 18. We are in this vicious cycle.

A Home Office spokesperson said: It is our longstanding policy not to comment on individual cases.

British Airways has been contacted for comment.
A homeless man was held on $8,000 bail for allegedly sucker-punching a 94-year-old former doctor outside an Upper East Side Apple store.

Lewis Reynolds was arrested Friday, three days after he is believed to have slugged the oldtimer in the face, causing the victim to fall inside the store on Madison Avenue near East 74th Street, authorities said.

Reynolds, 31, who has no known address, pleaded not guilty to second- and third-degree assault during his overnight arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court early Saturday.

Police nabbed 31-year-old Lewis Reynolds Friday  three days after he allegedly punched the oldtimer in the face without provocation.

A disheveled Reynolds, clad in a black t-shirt and grey sweatpants, anxiously rocked back and forth as his Legal Aid Society attorney claimed the accused assaulter leads a law-abiding life, complete with gigs in DoorDash delivery, home improvement and construction work.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The lawyer insisted Reynolds has a stable residence, but admitted the alleged scofflaw has never even been to the Queens homeless shelter that was listed for him.

Ultimately, Judge Valentina Morales set bail after determining Reynolds limited ties to the Big Apple and family connections in California made him somewhat of a flight risk.

The victim recalled the traumatic experience during an exclusive interview with The Post Thursday, and said he fears this may happen again to me or somebody else.

Reynolds, who is homeless, has been charged with second- and third-degree assault for the vicious incident.

The man, who only gave the name Moshe, had just purchased a new Apple watch when the menace  who had already started trouble with other customers before turning on the nonagenarian  blindsided him in a vestibule.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We were in [the store] for a long time, and then we went to leave andthere was some ruckus going on. Somebody was doing something to somebody else, he said.

Moshe and his 78-year-old girlfriend, Evelia, were standing and waiting for the situation to de-escalate when the brute came out of nowhere and socked the retired internist.

The 94-year-old victim, Moshe, had just purchased a new Apple watch when the menace blindsided him in a vestibule, he told The Post. Getty Images

[Evelia] immediately ran after him, and in the meantime, I was falling, he recalled.

Moshe refused medical attention at the scene, but was left with a nasty bruise under his left cheekbone  and lasting trauma.

Subconsciously, Im still living the experience because it was traumatic, and finding myself unable to react the way that I would have liked to  is kind of depressing.

[Hopefully] in days and weeks I will recover completely, but Im still under that feeling of insecurity, that maybe if I walked on the street, this may happen again to me or to somebody else, Moshe said.
Co-founder of the hawkish Tikva forum, Tzvika Mor's comments, come after the Israeli Security Cabinet voted to approve Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal to occupy Gaza City.

Tzvika Mor, father of Gaza hostage Eitan Mor and co-founder of the Tikva Forum, said that Israel should expand its territory when war is forced upon us in an interview with Army Radio on Sunday. Israel should return to the old Mapai Party approach: Every time a war is forced upon us, we should expand our territory, Mor said.

Mor denounced plans to expand IDF operations, stating that the previous increase in IDF activity in the Gaza Strip, known as Operation Gideons Chariots, did not defeat Hamas, and doing more of the same would be pointless, along with commenting that Israel should expand its territory into Gaza.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Tikva Forum is known to be more hawkish in its attitudes towards any hostage exchange deal, including previously denouncing it and clashing with both the government and the more centrist Hostage and Missing Families Forum.

Eitan Mor was a security guard at the Supernova music festival on October 7, 2023, when he was captured by Hamas terrorists and has been held captive in Gaza since. His family has stated they received signs of life on at least two occasions, in March 2024 and February 2025.

A person walks past a mural depicting Israeli hostages Rom Braslavski, Karina Ariev, and Eitan Mor (L-R), who were kidnapped in the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, in Jerusalem, January 23, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)

Other members of the Mor family reportedly softened their views towards the hostage deal after seeing the critical health condition of Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami during their February release. These comments follow the security cabinet approving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus proposal to occupy Gaza City, the Prime Ministers Office confirmed on Friday morning. Notably, this is not a full occupation of the Strip but specifically of Gaza City.

Its possible to achieve a decisive outcome. I want all of Gaza, migration, and settlement. The plan will not endanger soldiers, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir told

Timeline of Israel's plans to occupy Gaza City

Netanyahu asserted that the IDF would only be expanding operations to demilitarize Hamas in a statement on X/Twitter on Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We are not going to occupy Gaza; we are going to free Gaza from Hamas.

Gaza will be demilitarized, and a peaceful civilian administration will be established, one that is not the Palestinian Authority, not Hamas, and not any other terrorist organization. This will help free our hostages and ensure Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future.

Several members of the security cabinet, who spoke with The Jerusalem Post following Thursdays decision to launch an operation to capture Gaza City, acknowledged that the plan is unlikely to lead to Hamass defeat or the return of the hostages.

This plan may be better than what IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir proposed, but it is still far from being a good plan, said the ministers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Israeli military will continue to express our position without fear, Zamir said on Thursday, in his first comments made since reports of disagreements between the military and the government on a proposed complete occupation of Gaza.

We are dealing with matters of life and death in the defense of the country, and we do so while looking toward our soldiers and the civilians of Israel, Zamir said Thursday at a situational assessment, just a few hours before the critical security cabinet meeting.

We will continue to act with responsibility, integrity, and determination, with only the security and well-being of Israel in mind, he said.

Amichai Stein, Sarah Ben-Nun, James Genn, and Reuters contributed to this report.
The Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan described the success of 'Operation Sindoor' as a testament to the synergy and operational cohesion among the three Services. Addressing the participants of the 21st Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC) and senior officers at the College of Defence Management (CDM), Secunderabad, the CDS shared strategic perspectives on Jointness & Integration in the Armed Forces, and highlighted key takeaways for shaping the future roadmap of integrated operations. General Anil Chauhan emphasised the importance of comprehensive capability development, Aatmanirbharta, and an in-depth understanding of the transformative changes being pursued in the military to address the disruptive changes in technology-driven modern warfare. The CDS delivered an insightful talk on 'National Security Architecture and Higher Defence Management'. He outlined the evolution and current structure of India's defence organisation. He highlighted the achievements of the Department of Military Affairs, the functioning of national security committees crucial for decision-making, the implementation of reforms, including organisational restructuring, and the road map for theatre commands to enhance joint capability. The address underscored the importance of continued reforms, coordination and adaptability to meet evolving national security challenges. As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen joint logistics and integration, General Anil Chauhan released the 'Joint Primer for Integrated Logistics', a comprehensive guide prepared by CDM. Logistics is the backbone of military operations and integration of logistical processes across the Armed Forces is critical to achieving strategic objectives, he said. This primer marks a step forward in modernising the logistics systems, ensuring that the Armed Forces are always equipped and prepared for any challenge. It highlights core areas of logistics integration, digitisation, common provisioning, procurement, and integration with the national logistics framework. The document is aimed at enhancing Tri-service logistics coordination, improving efficiency, and ensuring greater organisational effectiveness across the Armed Forces. The CDS also inaugurated the Smart Bike Public Bicycle Sharing Facility, a pioneering initiative to enable convenient access to eco-friendly e-bicycles for daily commutation to personnel at CDM, thereby reducing the carbon footprint. This project has been carried out by CDM in collaboration with Smart Bike Mobility Pvt Ltd and reflects the commitment of CDM towards green practices, embracing smart technology and healthier lifestyle alternatives. Commandant, CDM Maj Gen Harsh Chhibber gave a comprehensive briefing on the recent initiatives in promoting professional military education for shaping the future strategic leadership of the Armed Forces. The CDM, a premier Tri-service institution, continues to play a pivotal role in equipping senior officers with contemporary management skills essential for higher leadership roles. The ongoing 44-week HDMC includes 167 participants, including 12 officers from friendly nations, reinforcing India's commitment to regional cooperation and military diplomacy. (ANI)
The Dane County Sheriff's Office is investigating human remains that were discovered in a manure pit in the Town of Sun Prairie.

Dane County deputies arrived at the scene in the 2100 block of STH 19 around 6:45 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, according to a news release from the department.

The identification of the victim is pending and will be revealed by the Medical Examiner at a later date, according to the release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The investigation is ongoing, according to the release.

Liliana Fannin is a 2025 summer intern at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel covering the Milwaukee suburbs. She can be contacted at lfannin@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Human remains discovered in Dane County manure pit
Hundreds of pro-Israel demonstrators marched through central London on Sunday, demanding the release of hostages still held in Gaza and to show their support for the country.

Protesters led by the UK's chief rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and the Jewish direct action group Stop The Hate held Israeli flags and placards showing the faces of hostages.

Some expressed anger at the UK's intention to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel meets certain conditions, with several people telling the BBC that this was a "reward for Hamas".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One man, who was not part of the march, was arrested for common assault and a racially aggravated public order offence, the Metropolitan Police said.

Two further arrests for assault were made "following a disagreement between attendees in the crowd," it added.

The force estimated 2,000 people took part in the protest.

Small scuffles briefly broke out near Trafalgar Square with a handful of people chanting pro-Palestinian slogans. Some were led away by police.

Adam Ma'anit, who lost several family members in the Hamas-led cross-border attacks on 7 October 2023, said the UK government had not "exhausted all possibilities" to free the remaining hostages.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The freedom of the hostages unlocks new pathways, and it's the swiftest way to break the crisis in the Middle East," he told the BBC.

"I want the UK government to stop messing things up," he said, referring to what he called its "bungled" announcement regarding possible recognition of a Palestinian state.

Adam Ma'anit said the UK government could do more to help secure the release of hostages still being held in Gaza [Reuters]

It is thought 20, of the remaining 50 hostages held in Gaza, are believed to be alive.

Some protesters held pictures of Evyatar David - the 24-year-old who was shown looking emaciated and weak in a Hamas video released earlier this month, prompting outrage both in Israel and internationally.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Julie, who did not want to give her second name, told the BBC that "we need to carry on remembering" the hostages.

"We need to get them home. We need more people here. There's a lot of moral confusion going on at the moment."

Julie, one of the protesters, said the hostages should not be forgotten [BBC]

Sir Keir Starmer said in July that the UK will recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes "substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza".

The prime minister said Israel must also meet other conditions, including agreeing to a ceasefire, committing to a long-term sustainable peace that delivers a two-state solution, and allowing the United Nations to restart the supply of aid.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But many protesters said Sir Keir should be prioritising the release of the hostages.

"The hostages have been rotting in the tunnels and the British government haven't been putting pressure on Hamas," said Daniel, another protester.

"It's outrageous."

A large security presence was in place for the march, including police and Jewish safety groups.

Many of the protesters held signs saying 'end Jew hatred', with several attendees telling the BBC they were concerned for their safety in the UK.

Jewish groups say there has been a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents in Britain since 7 October 2023, the date of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel when about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Since then, 61,430 people have been killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli military operations, the health ministry says.

Sunday's protest came a day after protesters marched through central London to express support for Palestinians, in a demonstration organised by the Palestine Coalition.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested an illegal immigrant from Guatemala just hours after he was released by Rhode Island authorities despite being charged with multiple child sex crimes and having an active ICE detainer.

Josue Santiago Perez Gomez, who is living in the U.S. illegally, was charged with patronizing a minor for commercial sexual activity, indecent solicitation of a child and procurement of sexual conduct for a fee, according to ICE.

The Portsmouth Police Department arrested Perez Gomez July 12 on those charges. ICE Boston immediately filed an immigration detainer, but police did not honor it, and Perez Gomez was released hours later, ICE said in a news release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Portsmouth police did not immediately respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.

Man Deported 3 Times Now Convicted After Illegal Us Reentry During Biden Admin

Earlier in the day, ICE Boston officers had arrested Perez Gomez on immigration violation charges and served him with a notice to appear before a Justice Department immigration judge.

Read On The Fox News App

An ICE spokesperson told Fox News Digital Perez Gomez poses a "clear threat" to children.

"Josue Santiago Perez Gomez stands accused of some disgusting and disturbing crimes and represents a clear threat to the children of our Rhode Island communities," ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting field office Director Patricia Hyde wrote in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Releasing an alleged child sex offender the very day of his arrest begs the question: What is the point of arresting him at all?

"Luckily, the brave men and women of ICE were able to remove this criminal alien pedophile from our streets where local authorities allowed him to potentially reoffend."

Immigration agents arrested the suspect after an immigration detainer was allegedly ignored.

Trump's Dhs Says Biden Released 'Barbaric' Illegal Immigrant Now Accused Of Heinous Crime

It is unclear when Perez Gomez illegally entered the U.S. or where he crossed the border.

He was not inspected, admitted or paroled by a U.S. immigration official, according to ICE.

It is unclear when the suspect arrived in the U.S. or how he got into the country.

Perez Gomez will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings, officials said.





Original article source: ICE arrests illegal immigrant charged with child sex crimes after his release by local police despite detainer
The Brief

ICE arrested 356 undocumented migrant gang members in the Houston area over the first six months of the Trump administration, officials from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said.

The individuals, who were members of over 40 different gangs, have a combined total of 1,685 criminal convictions, including for murder, child sexual assault, and arson.

The arrested individuals illegally entered the U.S. a total of 1,434 times, with one person having entered 40 times.

HOUSTON - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on Sunday that it arrested 356 undocumented migrant gang members in the Houston area during the first six months of the Trump administration.

356 Gang Members Arrested

The agency said the individuals were arrested as part of a targeted effort to remove what it called "the worst of the worst" criminal immigrants to improve public safety and national security.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to ICE, the 356 people arrested illegally entered the country a combined 1,434 times and have 1,685 criminal convictions. The offenses include murder, child sexual assault, theft and arson. One of the arrested individuals illegally entered the U.S. 40 times.

What they're saying

"Despite attempts by some to undermine the courageous work being done by our officers, the brave men and women of ICE continue to put their lives on the line every day to arrest violent transnational gang members, foreign fugitives and dangerous criminal aliens," said Gabriel Martinez, acting field office director for ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations in Houston.

"In just the past couple of years in Houston, transnational gang members were responsible for brutally raping and murdering an innocent 12-year-old girl on her way to the store," Martinez said. "Our officers know their efforts can help prevent atrocities like that from ever occurring again, and they wont rest until theyre all gone."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

ICE said those arrested were members of more than 40 different gangs, including MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Latin Kings, Paisas, Surenos-13, and Tango Blast.

Some of the specific individuals arrested included:

Milton Alexander Magana Fuentes, a 31-year-old child predator and Paisas gang member from El Salvador, arrested July 2. He has illegally entered the U.S. four times. While illegally in the U.S., Magana Fuentes has been convicted of sexual indecency with a child, failure to register as a sex offender, illegal reentry and illegal entry.

Ronald Alberto Rivas-Aguilar, a 28-year-old MS-13 gang member from El Salvador, arrested July 21. He illegally entered the U.S. twice and has been convicted of homicide.

Humberto Romero Avila, a 45-year-old Paisas gang member from Mexico, arrested Jan. 31. He illegally entered the U.S. 10 times. On Feb. 13, ICE deported Romero Avila to Mexico, where he was wanted for homicide. While he was in the U.S., Romero Avila was convicted of four DWIs, as well as larceny, illegal reentry and illegal entry.

Jonathan Josue Valle-Moralez, a 31-year-old previously deported MS-13 gang member from El Salvador, arrested Feb. 24. Hes been convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm. On March 6, ICE transferred Valle-Moralez into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to be prosecuted for homicide.

Javier Ivan Montoya-Avila, a 34-year-old Paisas gang member from Mexico, arrested April 16. He illegally entered the U.S. 26 times and has been convicted of burglary, tampering with government records, criminal trespass, illegal reentry and illegal entry.

Jose Angel Martinez, a 39-year-old child predator and Paisas gang member from Mexico, arrested May 7. He illegally entered the U.S. five times and has been convicted of sexual indecency with a minor, aggravated assault of a family member, resisting arrest, burglary, drug possession and obstructing police.

Luis Fernando Nava-Garcia, a 20-year-old Paisas gang member from Mexico, arrested May 5. He illegally entered the U.S. 40 times and has been convicted twice for illegal reentry.

Gerardo Ortega-Contreras, 43-year-old previously deported Tango Blast gang member from Mexico, arrested June 26. He has been convicted five times for resisting/evading arrest, four times for DWI, three times each for obstructing an investigation and burglary; twice for hit-and-run, and once each for drug possession, assault and larceny.

Juan Manuel Cayetano-Vasquez, a 48-year-old Surenos-13 gang member from Mexico, arrested March 26. He illegally entered the U.S. 13 times. While illegally in the U.S., Cayetano-Vasquez was convicted six times for drug possession and three times for resisting arrest; twice each for domestic violence, assault and identity theft; and once each for false imprisonment, illegal entry, illegal reentry, battery and destroying evidence.

Jonathan Morales-Abundis, a 30-year-old Surenos-13 gang member from Mexico, arrested April 9. He illegally entered the U.S. 29 times and has been convicted three times for illegal reentry, and once for alien smuggling and illegal entry.

Jose Pizano-Tierrablanca, a 33-year-old Surenos-13 gang member from Mexico, arrested April 8. He illegally entered the U.S. four times and has been convicted of sexual indecency with a minor and illegal entry.

Samuel Valenzuela Martinez, a 55-year-old Paisas gang member from Mexico, arrested July 7. He illegally entered the U.S. five times and has been convicted six times for DWI, three times each for assault and illegal entry, and once each for hit-and-run, larceny, cruelty toward a child, evading arrest, fraud and illegal reentry.

Luis Alberto Hernandez, a 46-year-old Latin Kings gang member from Mexico, arrested Feb. 6. He illegally entered the U.S. three times and has been convicted four times for domestic violence, three times for illegal reentry, twice for aggravated assault, and once each for drug trafficking, unlawful possession of a firearm, obstructing police, disorderly conduct, drug possession, interfering with a 911 emergency call and child abuse.

Juan Pablo Hernandez Ramos, a 35-year-old child predator and Paisas gang member from Mexico, arrested Feb. 14. He was deported from the U.S. three times and has been convicted of possession with intent to promote child pornography, sexual assault, aggravated assault, illegal entry and illegal reentry.

The public can report suspected violations of immigration law and other suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423 or completing an online tip form.

The Source

Information in this article is from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
A Christian church in Moscow, Idaho, has gone viral due to a recent segment on CNN, where church members openly discussed their controversial views on religion, the role of women, voting rights, slavery, and more.

You can watch the segment here.

The head of "Christ Church," Senior Pastor Doug Wilson, began the interview by directly stating he wanted a "Christian world." "I'd like to see the nation be a Christian nation...I'd like to see the world be a Christian world," Wilson told CNN.

Later on, Wilson was questioned on his decision to open another "Christ Church" location in Washington, DC.

Related: Pete Buttigieg Has A Name For What Trump Does When He's Desperate, And It's Spot On

Wilson also expressed his "views" on women and motherhood...

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And that's when things became a bit tense between Wilson and the interviewer...

Elsewhere, members of the church spoke about a man's and a woman's role in a family. "He is the head of our household, yes, and I do submit to him," one member said happily, as her husband smiled.

Related: Trump's ICE Director Reportedly Made A Statement So Horrifying That People Are Calling It "The Most Insanely Depraved Thing" They've Ever Heard

Another member shared his view on voting rights, stating that every household should only get one vote. "In my ideal society, we would vote as households. And I would ordinarily be the one that would cast the vote, but I would cast the vote having discussed it with my household."

Another member expressed his support for the repeal of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. "I would support that. And I would support it on the basis that the atomization that comes with our current system is not good for humans."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And one of the most shocking opinions shared was Wilson's take on slave owners...

Related: Hillary Clinton Just Hit On One Of Donald Trump's Biggest Insecurities With Three Words

Over 5 million people have watched CNN's interview with several "Christ Church" members, which spawned reactions from thousands of comments.

Commonly, people were angry about CNN's decision to give this group media attention...

...and argued that churches with these types of controversial opinions should be taxed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Related: 5 Absolutely Horrifying Ways Republicans Are Explaining Why They're Fine With People Losing Healthcare

"WHY ARE MEN SO THREATENED BY US?!??? Jesus Christ I'm tired," one commenter wrote.

"this is absolutely terrifying and I'm a conservative Christian Republican. they are taking the Bible out of context," one person commented.

"I was raised this way. Married a man like this. Now Im happily divorced for over 10yrs & havent spoken to my father in almost 5yrs. Happiest Ive ever been in my life," one commenter wrote. "Single and a thriving mother with a Masters degree and an amazing job that I love. F the Patriarchy."

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

Also in In the News: "The AI Told Him To Kill Himself And He Did": 10 Nightmare Things AI And Robots Have Done To Humans

Also in In the News: A Viral Video Is Exposing The Massive Difference Between Christianity And "MAGA Christianity," And Trump Supporters Are Not Happy

Also in In the News: "This Is Like Applauding A Grown Man For Being Able To Wipe Their Behind": 29 Of The Best, Most Brutal, And Funniest Political Tweets Of The Week

Read it on BuzzFeed.com
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Illegal off-roading has left long-term damage in Lincoln National Forest. Now, forest officials are stepping up efforts to restore the land and deter the activity.

It was an unfortunate surprise for Lincoln National Forest staff after they found deep tire tracks throughout the forest. The group was out in quite large, largest one wed seen to date, and unpermitted and in areas that were off-trail, off-route, undesignated areas, said Jason Freeman, Forest Supervisor, Lincoln National Forest.

Forest officials described the cars as off-highway vehicles, like four-wheelers and ATVs. The illegal off-roading happened in the Southeast region of Lincoln National Forest. Prompting forest officials to show the public the aftermath and hopefully learn from it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Forest road rule in New Mexico faces potential change

It causes damage to wildlife habitat, causes damage to forage, and impacts authorized uses such as grazing, said Freeman. Now crews are at work loosening the tire-tracked soil and adding seeds to restore vegetation and habitats.

Forest supervisor Jason Freeman said the cleanup did impact recreational use for others as they had to close a campground. Adding workers also had to block access to the trail areas that were affected. Ended up putting signs up educating the public on what appropriate use of that area is, says Freeman.

Now, warning drivers to only use designated roads and to apply for permits for anything else. We have trails and roads that are designed for their use, designed for their impacts that are maintained and can absorb those impacts, Freeman says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lincoln National Forest is asking anyone who sees illegal off-roading or finds damage from it to contact them at 575-434-7200.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Brief

The 911 call in the case of 10-year-old Rebekah Baptiste has been released, revealing an apparent lack of emotion from the woman who called for help after claiming the girl was found unresponsive by neighbors.

Rebekah's father, Richard Baptiste, and his girlfriend, Anicia Woods, are accused of murder and child abuse charges after prosecutors alleged "long-term, horrendous abuse" led to the girl's death.

APACHE COUNTY, Ariz. - A chilling 911 call has been released in the case of Rebekah Baptiste, a 10-year-old girl who died three days after being found unresponsive in Apache County.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Her father, Richard Baptiste, and his girlfriend, Anicia Woods, are now charged with first-degree murder and three counts of child abuse.

Richard Baptiste, and his girlfriend, Anicia Woods

The 911 Call

The woman who called 911 on July 27, not confirmed to be Woods, did not appear to be emotional on the recordings.

The call paints a picture of the final moments before emergency medical services found the girl.

"She ran away for the third time in a week in the desert, and when the neighbors found her in the wash, she was unresponsive completely," the woman said on the call.

At the time, Rebekah was living in a remote desert home with her father and Woods. The woman on the call claims to be giving the girl mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in the car as they drove to meet an ambulance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"She just ran away. This is like the third time now, and she still hasn't even, like, really bounced back from the first time," the woman said. "But when the neighbor found her, said that she was just almost gasping."

She continued, "By the time she got back to the house, she was barely breathing, so I'm breathing for her now. She's unresponsive, unconscious, and unable to breathe for herself."

When asked by the dispatcher if she knew CPR, the woman replied, "Yes, I do, unfortunately."

The call ends as sirens are heard approaching.

Police records show that Rebekah was taken to Little Colorado Medical Center in Holbrook before being flown to Phoenix Children's Hospital, where she later died.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Prosecutors allege that "long-term, horrendous abuse" caused her death on July 30, and she suffered from severe brain bleeding that left her brain-dead.

RELATED: Reports of abuse reportedly made to DCS years before Arizona girl's death

Dig deeper

Court records show that this was not the first time Rebekah needed care for her injuries.

Staff at her school, Empower College Prep, described her as a bright and eager student who won many awards. They told FOX 10 they had made multiple calls to the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) regarding her welfare.

DCS stated that reports must meet a specific threshold to be investigated and that only one of the calls about Rebekah in the last year met that requirement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Empower College Prep will hold a celebration of life for Rebekah on Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. The school is asking attendees to wear the color magenta.

What's next

Baptiste and Woods are being held in jail without bond, the Apache County Sheriff's Office said.
Twenty-five years from today, Santa Ana winds will scream through Los Angeles on a dry autumn morning, turning a small hillside campfire into a deadly, fast-moving blaze.

At that moment, the city will spring into action.

Satellites will team up with anemometers, pairing live aerial footage with wind patterns to tell firefighters exactly where the fire is going. Fleets of autonomous Black Hawk helicopters and unmanned air tankers will fill the skies, dropping fire retardant in the path of the flames.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Wearable technologies will guide us in the city below: "ALERT: A wildfire has been spotted 2.4 miles from your location and will reach your location in approximately 43 minutes." Angelenos will receive a live satellite map of the blaze's trajectory and directions for a safe evacuation.

Read more: My next home must be fireproof: Why more Angelenos are looking to build SuperAdobes

People in threatened neighborhoods will quickly run through to-do lists: close vents, check on neighbors, etc. Some renters and homeowners will arm fire-retardant sprayers on their roofs and jam valuables into fireproof ADUs tucked in their backyards. Others will have outfitted their super-smart homes with technology that cuts down on decision-making for an even quicker get-away. Apartment safety teams will follow their well-rehearsed plans to ensure evacuation.

Then, everyone will follow their community evacuation plan by driving their electric vehicles or ride-sharing to safety, eased along by a steady flow of green lights programmed by the city to divert all traffic away from the fire. Fleets of self-driving vans will circle back through the neighborhoods, picking up any stranded residents.

Michael Kovac's house stands among burned homes in Pacific Palisades. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

The scenario might seem improbable, but according to firefighters, architects and futurists, it's a realistic outline of what L.A.'s fire defense could look like in 2050.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Devastating fires have pummeled Southern California in the last several decades, shifting the public conversation from fire suppression to fire preparedness and mitigation as governments begrudgingly acknowledge the disasters as regular occurrences. In the wake of the deadly January fires that burned through Altadena and Pacific Palisades, many people are wondering: Can we truly fortify our city against a firestorm?



:

Architect Michael Kovac thinks we can. Kovac , a Palisades resident whose clients include celebrities, built his home to be fire-resistant knowing that, at some point, it would be subject to a firestorm.

Michael Kovac designed his home in Pacific Palisades The house is clad in fiber cement; the roof is made of fireproof TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin); the deck is made with specially treated wood for fire resistance; and a fire suppression system in the back of the house sprayed fire retardant onto the vegetation. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

On Jan. 7, his entire street burned, but his house survived. Now, it serves as a blueprint for fire resistance. "We built it to be able to withstand a small fire," Kovac said. "We never imagined our whole community would be erased."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kovac's home is wrapped in fire-resistant fiber cement-panel siding. The green "living" roof is topped with grass and more than 4 inches of fire-resistant soil. The windows feature three panels of quarter-inch glass, which lessen the possibility of breakage in the face of scorching temperatures and protect the interior from radiant heat  one of the primary ways fires can enter a home.

Read more: After L.A. wildfires, experts offer a road map for how to speed up recovery

Before fleeing the fire, Kovac loaded all his valuables into a room wrapped in concrete and equipped with a fire door capable of keeping out smoke and flames for three hours. He monitored the blaze from afar using security cameras. As the flames approached, he activated three sprinklers that sprayed fire retardant along the perimeter of the property, keeping the fire at bay.

Fire-proofing safeguards generally aren't cheap. Fire-proof doors run from a few hundred dollars into the thousands, and fire-retardant sprinklers can cost tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the system. But Kovac also installed some DIY upgrades for next to nothing, including dollar-store mesh screens on all his vents to block embers from entering  another frequent cause of fires spreading.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Every improvement helps, but the harsh reality of the next 25 years is that across L.A., older structures that don't comply with modern fire codes will burn. The collective hope is that by 2050, they'll be replaced by fire-resistant homes, adding a herd-immunity defense to neighborhoods.

"The 1950s housing stock in the Palisades  smaller, older homes more vulnerable to fires  are all gone. I'm sad because I enjoyed the texture they brought, but whenever one burned, it made it likelier that the home next to it would also burn," he said. "Now there's a clean slate, so the neighborhood we build next will be more fire-resilient."

The front garden at Michael Kovac's home is filled with succulents and native plants and covered in volcanic rocks instead of mulch. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

:

Ken Calligar has the same hope.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The housing replacement cycle is slow. It upgrades every 50 years or so, with 2% of homes being replaced per year," said Calligar, the chief executive of resilient building company RSG 3-D. "But large-scale incidents like fires or earthquakes are an opportunity for a migration to a better system."

Calligar's company creates insulated concrete panels that are made with fire-retardant foam sandwiched between two wire-mesh faces, which are, in turn, wrapped in concrete.

The future of fire mitigation, he said, boils down to building with non-combustible materials.

"In California, 98% of homes have wood frames. All those homeowners have a future tragedy on their hands," he added. "You can't knock down all of California and start new, but you can mitigate portfolio damages by making new parts of the portfolio better."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more: Can fire-gutted suburbs rebuild safer? Heres what the experts say

In addition, Calliger said, "By 2050, Californians should have a fire-proof place to store their assets in case of a fire. That way, you at least have something to get back to."

Some home builders and designers are offering fire-resilient designs as demand continues to grow in the wake of the fires. KB Home recently unveiled a 64-home fire-resilient community in Escondido equipped with covered gutters, non-combustible siding and defensible space. The Santa Monica-based architectural firm SweisKloss offers fire-rated glazes and foam-retardant sprayers on its custom-built designs. By 2050, experts say, the vast majority of home builders will offer fire-resistant homes.

There's a reason so many California homes are built with wood: It's relatively cheap. There are plenty of futuristic building materials  including graphene, hempcrete and self-healing concrete, which is capable of repairing its own cracks after damage  but they're not cost-efficient for most home buyers. Even traditional concrete, which stands up to the elements better than wood, runs roughly 20%-50% more than wood for home building, and building a fire-resistant home adds tens of thousands of dollars to the building cost, according to most experts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For Daniel Lopez-Perez, the solution is a return to wood. Mass timber, specifically.

In addition to being a professor of architecture at the University of San Diego and a futurist, Lopez-Perez is the founder of Polyhaus , a home-building startup that says it can assemble a house in three days. To prove it, he put together a small prototype in his La Jolla backyard over a weekend in February. The 540-square-foot ADU is wrapped in 60 mass timber panels made of three 1.5-inch layers of plywood sealed together.

With traditional wood construction, the wood, studs and insulation leave plenty of room for oxygen, which fuels fires. With mass timber, the three layers are sealed with no air gaps, making them much more fire-resistant. When exposed to fire, the mass timber charcoals and burns a half-inch every hour  so a 4.5-inch panel would last six or seven hours before fully burning, he said.

"It's like in forest fires where big, old-growth trees survive by charcoaling. The exterior chars, but the inside survives."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mass timber is a new trend in fire-proofing; in this year alone, there are multiple conferences across the country dedicated to the engineered wood.

Lever Architecture, a firm with offices in Portland, Ore., and L.A., has helped pioneer the use of mass timber in the U.S. Among Levers projects are mass timber buildings for Adidas and the Oregon Conservation Center in Portland  and a mixed-use office/retail building at 843 N. Spring St. in Chinatown.

Mass timber projects are starting to sprout up across the Southland, including a multi-family development in Silver Lake and an office-retail complex in Marina del Rey.

Though his backyard prototype is his only model so far, Polyhaus has been flooded with inquiries after the January fires. He's been telling customers that he can put a unit up in six weeks from start to finish, with 540-square-foot units running $300,000 all-in.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For Lopez-Perez, the future is also about using new technology, such as the robotic arms that assemble panels, to get more out of the stuff we're already using.

"By 2050, we'll be mixing ancestral materials with high-tech solutions," he said. "Think Star Wars: a lightsaber in a cave."

In the meantime, he suggests that instead of tearing down the 1950s tinderbox houses strewn across L.A.'s fire-prone hills, we should tack mass timber panels onto their exterior or interior to give firefighters hours, instead of minutes, to try to save homes once they catch on fire.::

Read more: Lopez: In aftermath of fires, consultants might help, but L.A. needs someone to lead

Mass timber is one of multiple approaches that would make Brian Fennessy's job easier. Fennessy, who serves as fire chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, has been fighting wildfires for 47 years. But over the last few decades, as blazes penetrate deeper into cities, he's dealing with a different kind of problem: urban conflagrations.

Wildfires burn forests or brush, but urban conflagrations are fires that burn through cities. They're becoming more common, and the toxic fumes released when homes burn present new dangers to his squad. "These are typically wind-driven fires, and they're driving smoke into the lungs of firefighters," he said. "We do blood draws, and early testing shows higher levels of heavy metal."

Firefighters have a 14% higher chance of dying from cancer than the general population, according to a 2024 study, and the disease was responsible for 66% of career firefighter line-of-duty deaths from 2002 to 2019.

He hopes 2050 brings more safety precautions for his team, such as personal respirators for every firefighter and fleets of trucks that share their location in real time for better communication between departments, and he imagines fleets of drones flying alongside firefighting aircraft.

He's also optimistic about funding and said he's never seen so much legislative interest in putting money toward fire services as he has in the wake of the January fires. The Los Angeles Fire Department is one of the few city departments poised to gain new hires under Mayor Karen Bass' $14-billion spending plan released in April, which proposed adding 227 fire department jobs while cutting 2,700 jobs in other departments.

A few weeks after the January fires, a California Assembly bill was introduced to explore the use of autonomous helicopters to fight fires. The choppers, including Black Hawk helicopters traditionally used for military operations, can be remotely programmed to take off, find fires and drop water where it's needed. By 2050, experts hope firefighting stations will have entire fleets at their disposal to limit risk to pilots during shaky weather conditions.

In March, Muon Space launched a low-orbit satellite designed to detect wildfires early. By 2030, the company expects to have a fleet of 50 satellites circling the globe.

"The next few years are a pivotal moment for both fire services and citizens," Fennessy said. "We have to get it right."

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.
Indigenous communities from North America are at talks on a global treaty on plastic pollution in Geneva, pleading the case for the environment they depend upon, which is slowly being choked by microplastics.

In the grounds of the United Nations headquarters, overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps beyond, a chant suddenly drifted through the humid summer air: a "water song".

Standing barefoot in a circle, six women and a young man from multiple North American Indigenous communities decided to do a spontaneous purification ritual.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A melancholic second chant follows, dedicated to the well-being "until the seventh generation" of "all the delegates" from the 184 countries attempting to thrash out what would be the first international treaty on tackling the worldwide ever-growing scourge of plastic pollution.

The UN-hosted talks, which began last Tuesday, resume on Monday for four more days, with oil-producing states and the so-called ambitious group of nations still far apart on what the treaty should encompass.

The young man in the middle of the circle, wearing a hat with two feathers attached, hands each of the six women a bowl containing burning seal fat and plant powders.

With both hands, Suzanne Smoke, from the Williams Treaties First Nations in Ontario, Canada, moved as if to catch the rising smoke, rubbing it on her face and body.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

- 'We carry knowledge' -

Panganga Pungowiyi, an activist with the Indigenous Environmental Network, was also in the circle. She comes from Alaska, near the Bering Strait.

She is asking negotiators to craft a plastic pollution treaty that ensures justice, particularly for the most vulnerable communities, she told AFP.

"We carry knowledge; it's our responsibility -- our duty -- to share the information given to us by the ecosystems," Pungowiyi said, explaining her presence at the talks.

Alaska is affected by toxic chemicals, some of which come from plastic or from oil exploration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Toxic products travel to the north, through ocean currents and air currents," she said.

Henri Bourgeois Costa, an environmental and plastic pollution expert at the Tara Ocean Foundation, explained Alaska's predicament.

"Given the functioning of the major ecosystem cycles, Alaskan populations are already the most affected by mercury and PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) pollution -- industrial heavy metals now banned in developed countries -- even though Alaska doesn't use them," he told AFP.

The currents, which brought plenty of nutrients and schools of fish to the northwestern US state's residents, are now also bringing vast quantities of microplastics, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

- Car tyres and salmon -

A 2020 study from Washington State University demonstrated that a chemical additive used in the manufacture of car tyres, 6PPD, had "deleterious effects on the reproduction of salmon", one of the most widespread fish in Alaska, Bourgeois Costa said.

A compound derived from 6PPD -- a preservative used to slow tyre degradation -- comes off the rubber onto the roads, and gets into the water cycle, the study showed.

"No more fish -- no more seals: no more food," Pungowiyi said.

People can see the diseases suffered by birds and mammals in the surrounding environment, which ultimately go on to affect their own children, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We are exposed through food, water and forages, because we forage for our food," said Pungowiyi.

- 'If animals die, we die' -

Aakaluk Adrienne Blatchford, an activist from a small Alaskan village, who came to the Geneva talks with financial support from an association, put it bluntly: "If animals die, we die."

She spoke at a conference staged on the sidelines of the negotiations, which are struggling to find a consensus that would stop the amount of plastic pollution from growing.

"We rely on unhealthy products," Blatchford said, adding: "It's becoming harder and harder to maintain our food security."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And "there is no alternative", she added, with prices as high as "$76 for an imported frozen chicken" at the supermarket.

This is a trap for economically fragile populations living in "a symbiotic relationship with the world", she said.

"We need a collective decision on how to handle this crisis," she insisted, hoping that the treaty will include a list of banned chemical additives.

The plastics treaty talks are being held inside the UN's Palais des Nations complex.

During the ritual, held beneath a tree in the grounds outside, Blatchford stood with her eyes closed, tears rolling down her face.

im/abb/def/rjm/sbk
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  The Madison County Sheriffs Office is investigating after an inmate died at the Madison County Detention Facility.

According to MCSO, inmate Demetrius Lemonte Stewart, 52, was booked into the detention facility shortly after midnight Saturday morning after his arrest by the Huntsville Police Department on a probation violation warrant.

At about 3 a.m., MCSO said detention officers conducted routine rounds in the housing area of the facility and that Stewart was last seen during the facilitys morning count at about 7:30 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

MCSO said he was found unresponsive during meal service about an hour later.

Authorities said detention officers and on-site medical staff immediately administered CPR and other life-saving measures.

HEMSI personnel arrived and continued emergency efforts, but Stewart was pronounced dead after no vital signs could be detected.

According to the detention facilitys medical staff, it is believed Stewart suffered a heart attack.

We are saddened by the passing of Mr. Stewart and send our sincere condolences to his family. Anytime a death occurs in our custody, it is felt deeply by our staff, medical personnel, and the first responders who work tirelessly in these situations. Our thoughts are with all who are affected by this loss, Sheriff Kevin Turner said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sheriffs Office Major Crimes detectives and CSI responded to the jail facility as part of the standard investigative protocol.

MCSO said Stewarts body will be taken to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death.

The sheriffs office believes there are no indications of foul play or suspicious circumstances related to Stewarts death.

With the investigation ongoing, any further details will be released by the Madison County Sheriffs Office Public Affairs Office.

MCSO said no additional information is available 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 WHNT.com.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will be in Dhuri in Punjab's Sangrur district on Sunday to pay tribute to Shaheed Sardar Bhagat Singh in Dhadhogal village. During his visit, CM Mann will lay the foundation stone for two road projects in the village, to be constructed at a cost of 17.21 crore, providing a major infrastructure boost for the area. Dhuri, one of the 117 Assembly constituencies of Punjab, is represented by Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab CM himself. On Saturday, CM Mann, along with AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, launched the 'Baaj Akh'- Anti Drone System (ADS) at Tarn Taran. Speaking on the occasion, Mann said that Punjab is the first state in the country to deploy anti-drone systems at the international border. He said the move aims to curb the increasing challenges posed by drone-based smuggling activities across the border. "To strengthen border security and tackle the challenges posed by drone-based smuggling, nine anti-drone units are being set up along the international border. The Chief Minister said that an amount of Rs 51.4 crore is being spent on these units," Mann said. The chief minister said that although the country's armed forces and BSF have already been using such systems, Punjab is the "first state in the country" to deploy anti-drone systems at the international border. He added that the anti-drone system will give a strong response to drug smugglers from across the border, adding that anti-national elements always use technology for anti-social activities. Mann said that the enemies of the country have turned drones into weapons to destroy Punjab's youth, and drones are being used for drug smuggling from across the border, a statement said. Extending congratulations to the security forces, the Chief Minister lauded them for working tirelessly to stop this cross-border drug trafficking. He said that in 2024, a total of 283 drones loaded with heroin, weapons, and ammunition were seized, adding that in 2025, so far, 137 drones have already been recovered. Mann said that the anti-drone system will be deployed along the border from Pathankot to Fazilka as a Second Line of defence. CM said that Punjab's war against drugs has now reached a crucial stage, and as part of the third phase of the state government's campaign "Yudh Nashean De Virudh" (War Against Drugs), a special syllabus has been introduced in all government schools for students from classes 9 to 12. He further said that through this syllabus, 8 lakh students from 9-12 classes will be made aware of the dangers of drug abuse and encouraged to stay away from narcotic substances. Mann said that this anti-drug program will involve 3,658 schools, and renowned scientists will also take part in raising awareness among students. Chief Minister Mann said that under the 'War Against Drugs (Yudh Nasheyan Virud)' campaign, Punjab has today (August 9) launched a battle to stop drug smuggling from across the border. He said that Punjab shares a 553-kilometre border with Pakistan, which is considered one of the most sensitive zones for the smuggling of narcotics and weapons. (ANI)
This is a historic event, Vladimir Putin declared on July 24 as he unveiled Russias new nuclear submarine, the Knyaz Pozharsky.

Squinting in the sun in front of the puffed-out chests of dozens of its crew, the Russian president said the stealth vessel, soon to join Russias Northern Fleet, would strengthen the security of the fatherland and act as a symbol of a modern, powerful navy.

But 10 days later, Ukrainian state hackers stole a trove of secret documents exposing critical limitations of the state-of-the-art submarine, and published them online.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The highly classified files detailed Knyaz Pozharskys combat systems, technical intricacies, survivability measures, crew rosters, engineering reports, and included a log showing daily combat duties.

Ukrainian state hackers published a trove of secret documents exposing critical limitations of the state-of-the-art submarine - Alexander Kazakov/AP

The intelligence leak has the potential to put the whole Borei-class strategic ballistic missile submarine fleet  the corner of Moscows nuclear triad that ensures the countrys strategic position in the Arctic  at risk.

But it also served as a potent reminder of another front of the war  the cyber battlefield that Russia has long dominated, but on which Ukraine has been gaining ground with increasing skill.

The HUR, Ukraines military intelligence agency, said: The information obtained by the intelligence officers allows us to identify the features and technical limitations of not only the Knyaz Pozharsky, but also other submarines of project 955A, which are critically important for supporting the imperial myth of the aggressor state of Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Maxim Starchak, an expert in Russian nuclear policy, said he believed most of the information was probably already known by US intelligence, which is constantly monitoring Russian submarines.

But more important, he said, was the blaring psychological threat the leak sent through the corridors of the Kremlin.

Nuclear weapons are a main symbol of Russias greatness, Mr Starchak told The Telegraph. If Ukrainian intelligence can uncover weak points in its sea-based nuclear capabilities, then it directly undermines the strength that Moscow tries to project.

He added: This is a serious blow to the Russian defence ministry and its nuclear capabilities as it cannot guarantee the secrecy of their plans, missions, and operations.

0908 Borei-class submarine

While the significance of the stolen data is still under debate, the ability of Ukrainian hackers to get their hands on it is a different story.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is a dangerous situation for Moscow. The Kremlin will try to find the people responsible and punish them strictly, demanding that the defence ministry solve the issue of cybersecurity, Mr Starchak added.

That issue is not likely to be fixed soon.

Analysts say that Ukrainian hackers  who are carrying out increasingly advanced operations  are relentlessly trying to breach Russias most critical defence and military infrastructure, or are already lurking inside.

It is not clear whether HUR carried out the operation alone or whether it involved independent hacking groups.

Ukraine has shown remarkable cyber capabilities on both the offensive and defensive fronts. Many Ukrainian hackers are highly motivated and proactive, even without state oversight, David Kirichenko, an analyst who specialises in cyberwarfare, told The Telegraph.

0206 How ballistic missile submarines compare

Two years ago, in a world first, Kyiv openly called on hackers around the globe to help it wage a crowdsourced cyberwar, giving birth to the so-called Ukraine IT army, which uses the collective computing power of volunteers to disrupt and sow chaos inside Russian systems.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The vigilante collective, which is believed to have thousands in its ranks, has proved skilled at overwhelming the cyber defences of Russias government, media and financial institutions. A report in March by F6,a Russian cybersecurity firm, said the number of attacks by the IT army had risen sharply over the past year.

However, despite the initial fanfare, analysts have quietly voiced suspicions that the prowess of the IT army has been somewhat overstated.

HUR still tended to operate its cyber efforts independently, Mr Kirichenko said. But he emphasised that it was steadily increasing its co-ordination with civilian hackers to go after Russian targets.

Moscow, meanwhile, relies on a more centralised campaign fought by state-sponsored groups with rigid structures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At the end of July, two pro-Ukrainian groups claimed a massive cyber attack on Russias flagship airline that destroyed 7,000 Aeroflot servers, paralysed operations at Moscows airports and caused nationwide disruptions.

The hacktivist groups, Silent Crow and Cyber Partisans, had been lurking in Aeroflots systems for over a year, gathering intelligence and mapping out vulnerabilities. Experts suggested it was likely that HUR had some degree of involvement.

On Saturday, Silent Crow announced that it was beginning to release medical records of the airlines employees, including pilots.

These documents show who exactly ensures the operation of the aircraft that supports military aggression against Ukraine, the group said. Now their secrets are no longer protected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Kremlin said the sophisticated cyber attack was worrying and lawmakers described it as a wake-up call for Russia.

The Russian network is really vulnerable

Dr Lukasz Olejnik, a cybersecurity expert and visiting fellow at the Department of War Studies at Kings College London, said the attack was another indication that the Russian network is really vulnerable.

Some key Russian infrastructure entities are very likely to be well mapped by Ukraines services, he told The Telegraph, adding there was no doubt it was a sign of much more to come.

Yuliana Shemetovets, the co-ordinator of Cyber Partisans, the Belarusian group that took part in the recent Aeroflot cyber attack, called it the price of war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She told The Telegraph she was unsurprised to learn of HUR stealing data on Knyaz Pozharsky. Russia, she said, had become increasingly fearful and protective of its digital systems, but they are still so vulnerable and so many pro-Ukrainian groups are collaborating to get inside.

It is an asymmetrical battle as Russia retains significant upper-hand in cyberwarfare.

Yet, Ms Shemetovets suggested that might miss the point.

At the crux of all their hacking efforts, Ms Shemetovets said there was one goal: One country cannot kill the citizens of another without consequences.

We are showing Russians who are responsible for this war and we are bringing it 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.
A research centre specialising in digital and open sources has tracked the movements of Sudans Rapid Support Forces (RSF) using satellite images, online videos and photos. The investigation confirms the group has a base in the Libyan desert, near the town of al-Kufra.

The Centre for Information Resilience (CIR) said the location is likely being used as a rear base for RSF operations in Sudans Darfur region.

The study, titled How we found an RSF military camp in the Libyan desert, shows that vehicles spotted in the Libyan camp later appeared in the Zamzam displacement camp, where the RSF carried out an attack in April.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At least 100 people were killed in the assault, including more than 20 children and at least nine aid workers, said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UNs resident and humanitarian coordinator in Sudan.

"Attacks on civilians, on humanitarian workers, and on civilian infrastructure are grave violations of international humanitarian law," she said. "Such acts are abhorrent and inexcusable."

CIR said it also identified a direct link between the Libyan site and a senior RSF commander who was later seen in Zamzam, the countrys largest displacement camp, home to nearly one million people uprooted by the war.

'Convoys equipped with weapons'

The investigation shows large convoys of Toyota Land Cruisers fitted with weapons, filmed at different times in the desert. The same vehicles, parked in a rocky area in southern Libya, were later seen in Zamzam.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

CIR said the Zamzam camp is now being used as a base by Colombian mercenaries and other foreign fighters involved in RSF offensives against El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. The city has been surrounded by the RSF for 18 months.

The findings emerged as a court in Port Sudan charged RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, two of his brothers and 13 others in absentia with genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The charges relate to an April 2023 attack on El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur.

One of the accused, Abd al-Rahman Jumaa, is charged with leading the attack on El Geneina, overseeing the killing of West Darfur governor Khamis Abdullah Abkar in June 2023, and carrying out acts of genocide against thousands of Masalit people, including burying some alive.

According to the special court for combating terrorism and crimes against the state, the other defendants instigated the attack and committed rape, torture and looting.

'Presence of top RSF generals'

The CIR investigation also establishes the presence of General Hamdane al-Kajli, head of security for Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF's second-in-command.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He is seen on several occasions, notably in a vehicle spotted in Zamzam in April.

Researchers say al-Kajli was seriously wounded near El Fasher in early April while travelling in an armoured vehicle. He was evacuated to the Turkish hospital in Nyala, South Darfur, where RSF casualties are treated.

Other men directly responsible for Dagalo's security were killed, say the CIR investigators.

Some of the videos show RSF camouflage uniforms and shoulder patches. The vehicles, which do not carry number plates, have matching features  same model, same weapons, same water containers.

Spray-painted numbers on bonnets and doors were used to help track the vehicles across locations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the CIR investigation, RSF military equipment is being transported on a large scale through Libya.

The revelations support the findings of UN experts, who highlighted violations of the arms embargo in 2024, citing a supply route from Abu Dhabi to Darfur via Chad and also via Libya.

Last April, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hit out at the continued flow of weapons and fighters into Sudan and called for an end to all external support.

In June, the RSF seized land in north-western Sudan along the border with Libya and Egypt. The group now uses the area to bring in supplies from Libya without interference.
JAMESTOWN, R.I. (WPRI)  An investigation is underway after a body washed ashore off the coast of Jamestown on Sunday morning.

According to Police Chief James Campbell, just after 7:30 a.m., police and fire departments were called for a report of a body near Heads Beach off Seaside Drive.

Police said a swimmer nearby noticed the body and asked someone on shore to contact authorities.



The Rhode Island State Police, the Department of Environmental Management, and the United States Coast Guard were also notified of the incident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is now a multi-agency investigation, led by the Rhode Island State Police.

Right now, no additional information is available at this time.

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

Breaking News

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
DES MOINES, Iowa  USA Today ranked the Iowa State Fair as the second-best fair in the nation behind Minnesota. Fairgoers at the Iowa State Fair disagreed with the ranking.

I mean, its just a bunch of bull crap, is what it is, said Brett Plants, an Iowa State Fairgoer, Endless, endless amounts of people here.

Michael Banaszynski, who made the trip to the State Fair from Wisconsin, said that the Iowa State Fair is better than his home states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Experience the best of Iowa State Fair without breaking the bank

We were just at the Wisconsin State Fair, and yours is a lot more spread out and just really a great bunch of people and great food. And were having a great time, Banaszynski said.

Houston Vanroekel, an Iowa State Fairgoer, said that he ranks Iowa first after having visited the Illinois and Missouri state fairs.

Theyre like a county fair, and this is a State Fair. Thats a good way to put it, Vanroekel said.

Michael Majewski also made the trip from Wisconsin and said that the Iowa State Fair is the best fair hes ever been too.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We said, lets see, this Iowa State Fair. Weve heard its like one of the best, and we must say it, it really is, its top notch, Majewski said.

The 2025 Iowa State Fair opened its doors on Thursday and will continue till the 17th. View the Iowa State Fair website to learn more about attractions, daily events, and 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 who13.com.
Tehran, Iran  Every morning at 6am, Sara reaches for her phone  not to check messages, but to see when the days blackout will begin.

The 44-year-old digital marketer in Tehran has memorised the weekly electricity schedule yet still checks her phone each morning for last-minute changes as she plans her life around the two-hour power cuts.

Without electricity, there is no air conditioner to make the heat tolerable, Sara says, describing how Irans convergent crises  water scarcity, power shortages and record-breaking temperatures  have fundamentally altered her daily routine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The water service cuts are unannounced. They last hours at a time and truly unnerve Sara, so she scrambles to fill buckets whenever she can before the taps run dry.

Crisis

For millions of Iranians, this summer has brought survival challenges in light of record-breaking heat, according to data from Irans Meteorological Organization.

The country is simultaneously grappling with its fifth consecutive year of drought, chronic energy deficits and unprecedented heat, a perfect storm that is exposing the fragility of basic services.

The Meteorological Organization said rainfall is down 40 percent during the current water year, the 12-month rainfall-tracking period, which starts in autumn.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As of July 28, Iran had received only 137mm (5.4 inches) of precipitation compared with the long-term average of 228.2mm (9 inches).





The electricity shortage is rooted in both infrastructure limitations and fuel supply challenges that have caused production capacity to fall behind rapidly rising demand.

An October report from parliaments Research Center showed 85 percent of Irans electricity comes from fossil fuels, 13 percent from hydropower and the remainder from renewables and nuclear power.

While Iran possesses vast gas and oil reserves, decades of sanctions and underinvestment in transmission networks and power plants mean the system cant keep up with consumption.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Adding to these capacity constraints, fuel supply disruptions have forced some power stations to resort sometimes to using mazut (heavy fuel oil) instead of natural gas, but authorities try to restrict it due to air pollution concerns.

Summer droughts compound the crisis by reducing hydroelectric generation precisely when air conditioning demand peaks, leaving millions of Iranians planning their lives around predictable blackouts and unpredictable water outages.

Survival

Twenty-six-year-old Fatemeh moved to Tehran from Andisheh, a town 15km (9 miles) west of the capital, a year ago to pursue her education.

She rented her first apartment, an exciting milestone that became a daily exercise in crisis management.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Fatemehs first unannounced water cut saw her in a sweltering apartment with temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

The first thing I did was to stop moving altogether so my body temperature wouldnt rise, she recalls.

A water channel in Tehran that has dried up due to low rainfall [Mohammad Lotfollahi/Al Jazeera]

With only two bottles of drinking water and a block of ice available, she carefully rationed her supplies although she used precious ice to cool her feet.

Showering and using the bathroom became challenges, she says, describing how she ordered expensive bottled water online and used two bottles just to shower.

Now, after months of unpredictable outages, Fatemeh has a survival routine: storing water in multiple containers, pouring it into her evaporative cooler when cuts occur and tossing blocks of ice into vents during extreme heat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When both the water and electricity go, she says it feels like having a fever and she soaks towels in her stored water to press them against her body for relief.

The balcony offers no escape. The air outside remains hotter than indoors, even at night.

Ripple effect

The infrastructure crisis extends beyond household inconveniences and is threatening livelihoods across the economy as offices and retail shops are forced to close for hours or for the day.

The repeated shutdowns and the economic pinch they cause could lead to layoffs, affecting families who depend on these jobs.

Small businesses face particular challenges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Pastry shop owners have shared videos of themselves throwing spoiled cakes away after refrigerators fail.

Remote work, promoted as a solution, becomes impossible when homes lack both electricity and internet connectivity.

Shahram, a 38-year-old software company manager, says he has to send his employees home sometimes.

Power cuts usually occur between 12 and 5pm, he says. That coincides with peak work hours,  [so] if the power cuts happen at 2, 3 or 4pm, I usually send everyone home because theres no point. By the time power comes back, it is the end of their working day.

Experts attribute the energy crisis to insufficient investment, failure to adopt new technologies  both of which are influenced by international sanctions  and unsustainable consumption.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mohammad Arshadi, a water governance researcher and member of the Strategic Council of the Tadbir-E-Abe Iran think tank, agrees, saying Irans water crisis requires fundamental changes in consumption patterns.

While natural scarcity has been amplified by climate change, he says the main reason behind the current problem is how water is being used in Iran.

Expansion of water-intensive farming, large industries and urban sprawl have fuelled the runaway growth of water demand, he says.

Despite the water crisis, a man in Tehran uses a hose to wash the street as he waters trees [Mohammad Lotfollahi/Al Jazeera]

Uncertainty

Back in her apartment, Sara continues checking her phone each morning, adjusting her schedule like millions of Iranians who have learned to navigate this new reality.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For Fatemeh, the psychological adjustment proves as challenging as the practical adaptations. Each morning brings new uncertainty about whether water will flow from her taps or electricity will power her laptop.

In a country where citizens once took infrastructure for granted, a generation is learning to live with scarcity.

As Iran approaches another winter with unresolved water and energy deficits, the experiences of Sara, Fatemeh, Shahram and millions like them suggest that the countrys infrastructure crisis has moved beyond temporary inconvenience to become a defining feature of modern Iranian life.

This story was published in collaboration with @Egab.




Israel came under fire in the UN Security Council on Sunday for its planned further military action in the Gaza Strip.

"We condemn the Government of Israel's decision to further expand its military operations in Gaza," the five European states attending Sunday's special session said in a joint statement.

"We call on Israel to urgently reverse this decision and not to implement it," Slovenian UN Ambassador Samuel Zbogar said before the start of the meeting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"And we reiterate that any attempts at annexation or of settlement extension violate international law," he added. "Expanding military operations will only endanger the lives of all civilians in Gaza, including the remaining hostages."

The Palestinian UN ambassador, Riad Mansur, accused Israel's government of ignoring the opinions of the Security Council.

Therefore, other countries must now follow up the "justified condemnation" of Israel with "just action," Mansur asserted.

Mansur also called for the expansion of food and medical supplies, the release of Hamas hostages, Israel's complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and an international security mission to protect the people of Palestine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Israel's UN ambassador Brett Jonathan Miller rejected criticism of the Israeli government's plans.

"This is not conquest. Israel has no plans or desire to permanently occupy Gaza. This is liberation from a brutal terror regime, Miller said.

The Israeli Security Cabinet under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided on Friday that the military should take over Gaza City - possibly with the aim of taking control of the entire Gaza Strip.

During the meeting, participants described the situation in the coastal area in often dramatic terms.

Ramesh Rajasingham with the UN humanitarian office OCHA said that Gaza is in ruins and almost everyone has been unjustly displaced from their homes in the past two years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The United States sided with Israel in the meeting. US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea charged that the meeting was being wrongly used to accuse Israel of genocide.

She dismissed the accusations as politically motivated and categorically false, and spoke of a "propaganda campaign" by Hamas.
(In paragraph 5, corrects attribution to Gaza media office, corrects role of fifth journalist to assistant and driver)

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Maayan Lubell

JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he expected to complete a new Gaza offensive "fairly quickly" as the U.N. Security Council heard new demands for an end to suffering in the Palestinian enclave.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Netanyahu, speaking after his security cabinet on Friday approved a much-criticised plan to take control of Gaza City said he had no choice but to "complete the job" and defeat Hamas to free hostages seized from Israel.

Gaza City, the enclave's most populous center, came under escalating Israeli air strikes late on Sunday, witnesses said. At least five people were killed at a sandwich shop in the Sabra neighbourhood, health officials at Shifa Hospital said.

Palestinian media said a missile hit a tent used by journalists near the hospital, and the head of Shifa Hospital, Muhammad Abu Salamiyah, said on Al Jazeera television that seven people were killed there. Tank fire was also reported in the area.

The Hamas-run Gaza media office said five Al Jazeera staff died in the attack including journalists Anas Al Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh and three photojournalists. It said the fifth man was a driver and assistant.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Israel's military said it targeted and killed Al Sharif, whom it claimed was the head of a Hamas cell posing as a journalist. It said the accusation had been confirmed by intelligence and documents found in Gaza. U.N. Special Rapporteur Irene Khan said last month the claims were unsubstantiated.

Netanyahu's office said late Sunday the prime minister had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump about "Israel's plans to take control of the remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza."

Earlier in the day, the Israeli leader said the new Gaza offensive aimed to tackle two remaining Hamas strongholds in what he called his only option because of the Palestinian group's refusal to lay down its arms. Hamas says it will not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established.

It was not clear when the offensive, which would be the latest in successive attempts by the Israeli military to clear the militants from Gaza City, would begin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The timeline that we set for the action is fairly quickly. We want, first of all, to enable safe zones to be established so the civilian population of Gaza City can move out," he added.

The city, home to a million people before the two-year-old war, would be moved into "safe zones", he said. Palestinians say these have not protected them from Israeli fire in the past.

Israel's military chief has voiced opposition to occupying the entire Gaza Strip and has warned that expanding the offensive could endanger the lives of hostages Hamas is still holding and draw its troops into protracted and deadly guerrilla warfare.

Netanyahu said his goal was not to occupy Gaza. "We want a security belt right next to our border, but we don't want to stay in Gaza. That's not our purpose," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

SPREADING FAMINE

European representatives at the United Nations said famine was unfolding in Gaza and Israel's plan would only make things worse.

"Expanding military operations will only endanger the lives of all civilians in Gaza, including the remaining hostages, and result in further unnecessary suffering," Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement.

"This is a manmade crisis, and therefore urgent action is needed to halt starvation and to surge aid into Gaza," they said.

Malnutrition is widespread in the enclave due to what international aid agencies say is a deliberate plan by Israel to restrict aid. Israel rejects that allegation, blaming Hamas for the hunger among Palestinians and saying a lot of aid has been distributed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The U.S. representative at the Security Council defended Netanhayu and said Washington was committed to addressing humanitarian needs, freeing the hostages and achieving peace.

Netanyahu said Israel was working with Washington on creating a surge of aid into Gaza, including by land. After his conversation with Trump, the prime minister's office said he thanked the preseident "for his steadfast support of Israel."

Five more people, including two children, died of malnutrition and starvation in Gaza in the past 24 hours, Gaza's health ministry said, taking the number of deaths from such causes to 217, including 100 children.

The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said a further 23 people had been killed so far in the war by airdrops of aid which countries have resorted to due to the difficulties of getting aid in by road.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the latest case, a parachuted aid box killed a 14-year-old boy awaiting food with other desperate Palestinians at a tent encampment in central Gaza, according to medics and video verified by Reuters.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel and killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israeli authorities say 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are alive.

Israel's offensive since then has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to health officials, and left much of the territory in ruins.

(Reporting by Maayan Lubell, Nidal al-Mughrabi, Emily Rose, Timothy Reid and Valentina Za; Writing by Maayan Lubell and Philippa Fletcher; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Cynthia Osterman)
Israel's far right pressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to go harder against Hamas, ahead of a UN Security Council meeting Sunday on the premier's plan to conquer Gaza City.

Over 22 months into the war in Gaza, Israel is gripped by a yawning divide, pitting those calling for an end of the conflict along with a deal for the release of the hostages against others who want to see Hamas vanquished once and for all.

The debate has only intensified after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet announced plans Friday to expand the conflict and capture Gaza City.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While thousands took to the streets in Tel Aviv Saturday night to protest the cabinet's decision, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich posted a video online, slamming Netanyahu's decision on Gaza as half-hearted.

"The prime minister and the cabinet gave in to weakness. Emotion overcame reason, and they once again chose to do more of the same -- launching a military operation whose goal is not decisive victory, but rather to apply limited pressure on Hamas in order to bring about a partial hostage deal," Smotrich said.

"They decided once again to repeat the same approach, embarking on a military operation that does not aim for a decisive resolution."

Netanyahu is scheduled to hold a press conference with international media at 4:30 pm local time (13:30 GMT) on Sunday -- his first since the security cabinet decision.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The far-right members of Netanyahu's cabinet, including Smotrich, have maintained considerable influence in the premier's coalition government throughout the war -- with their support seen as vital to holding at least 61 seats for a parliamentary majority.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, also of the far right, told Kan radio on Sunday: "It is possible to achieve victory. I want all of Gaza, transfer and colonisation. This plan will not endanger the troops."

In Tel Aviv, demonstrators held up pictures of hostages still in Gaza, calling on the government to secure their release.

"We will end with a direct message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: if you invade parts of Gaza and the hostages are murdered, we will pursue you in the town squares, in election campaigns and at every time and place," Shahar Mor Zahiro, the relative of a slain hostage, told AFP.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

- Wave of condemnation -

The cabinet's decision to expand the war in Gaza has meanwhile touched off a wave of criticism across the globe.

On Sunday, the UN Security Council is set to meet to discuss the latest development.

Foreign powers, including some of Israel's allies, have been pushing for a negotiated truce to secure the hostages' return and help alleviate a humanitarian crisis in the territory following repeated warnings of famine taking hold.

Despite the backlash and rumours of dissent from Israeli military top brass, Netanyahu has remained firm.

In a post on social media late Friday, Netanyahu said "we are not going to occupy Gaza -- we are going to free Gaza from Hamas".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The premier has faced regular protests over the course of the war, with many rallies calling for the government to strike a deal after past truces saw hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.

Out of 251 hostages captured during Hamas's 2023 attack, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 the military says are dead.

Israel's offensive has killed at least 61,430 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry, figures the United Nations says are reliable.

According to Gaza's civil defence agency, at least 27 people were killed by Israeli fire across the territory Sunday, including 11 who were waiting near aid distribution centres.

Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered the war, resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

ds/jsa
The Israeli Foreign Ministry also congratulated Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders, as well as Trump.

Israeli leaders congratulated US President Donald Trump for brokering peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan in posts onX/Twitter on Saturday.

"Congratulations to President Trump! Your bold leadership and global vision have made another peace agreement possible," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. "I also congratulate President Aliyev, Prime Minister Pashinyan, and the peoples of Azerbaijan and Armenia on signing this historic agreement."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

President Isaac Herzog said that he was "deeply moved to see the signing of the historic agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington, under the auspices of Donald Trump.

"Thank you for your leadership and passionate commitment to help reach peace in our world. I hope and pray we will see many more historic achievements around the world under your leadership  above all, the urgent return of our hostages from the hell they are going through at the hands of Hamas in Gaza."

The flags of Armenia and Azerbaijan (illustrative) (credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)

Promotion of peace, stability, and prosperity

The Foreign Ministry also congratulated Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders, as well as Trump, for "his administrations active leadership and engagement made this another landmark achievement possible, promoting peace, stability, and prosperity."
"This French president, we must let him know, he has every interest in preparing his coffin," said Rabbi Daniel David Cohen, casting Emmanuel Macron in the vein of Roman Emperor Titus.

An Israeli rabbi, who made incendiary remarks warning President Emmanuel Macron of death by divine judgement over his decision to recognize a Palestinian state, was reported to the French justice system by French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau on Friday.

In a YouTube sermon last Sunday, Rabbi Daniel David Cohen said Macrons July 24 foreign policy shift was not just against Jewish people but a declaration of war on God, who decided to whom the land of Israel would be given.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This French president, we must let him know, he has every interest in preparing his coffin, said Cohen, casting Macron in the vein of Roman emperor Titus, who, according to rabbinic tradition, died from divine retribution. The coffin was the destination of others besides Macron, continued Cohen, indicating that France would share the fate of Iran and collapse. The rabbi urged Jews to flee France before the Republic collapsed.

Retailleau said on X/Twitter that Cohen had made several threats, including those against the French president, and moved to block the videos dissemination. He also reported the remarks to the courts, and France24 reported that the Paris Prosecutors office had opened an investigation.

Israeli rabbi: Jews, flee France before the country collapses like Iran

Image of French President Emmanuel Macron in front of images of the French and Israeli flag. (credit: REUTERS/STEPHANE MAHE)

Cohen was condemned by France Chief Rabbi Haim Korsia, whose remarks he called intolerable. Korsia emphasized that Cohen, who had lived in France, had never held a rabbinical position in France, and that he was neither trained nor graduated from the French rabbinical school.

Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF) president Yonathan Arfi also said on social media that Cohen had made hateful and unacceptable threats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

These statements against the President of the Republic in no way are connected to the Jewish institutions of France, said Arfi.

The Torah-Box Jewish religious education platform was quick to distance itself from Cohen, telling The Jerusalem Post that the organization simply distributed the classes of hundreds of rabbis, one of whom was him.

Torah-Box has never hosted or distributed the video in which the rabbi is incriminated, Torah-Box said on Sunday.

Cohen was still listed on the site on July 11, according to the Internet Archive, but by Sunday was no longer displayed by Torah-Box as a contributor.

According to a 2023 Rav Dori Connection profile on Cohen, he was born in Algeria and moved to France after the fall of the French-North African colony. Cohen moved to Israel in 1976.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged on Sunday that Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has two EPIC numbers, each with a different address and age. Addressing a press conference here, Yadav presented two different EPIC numbers which he said belonged to Vijay Sinha. "We conducted research...You can call it a revelation or a fraud, that is up to you and the people of Bihar. This voter list, which has been uploaded after the SIR (Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll), in which it is clearly visible that Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has two EPIC numbers and his age is also different in both the places, so there is fraud in the voter card as well as in the age," he said. Yadav claimed that the two EPIC numbers belong to Lakhisarai and Bankipur, respectively. "He has voter cards from two places, one is from Lakhisarai and the other is from Bankipur assembly constituency. This is of the Bankipur Assembly seat, in which his age is 60 years, and you can see his age is 57 years in Lakhisarai in the draft voter list after the SIR. The public should know who is doing fraud. Lakhisarai Assembly EPIC No is IAF3939337 while Bankipur Assembly EPIC No is AFS0853341," the RJD leader said. He added, "In January's list, Bankipur was mentioned in his affidavit. When the BLO went to Lakhisarai, he would have signed, and when the BLO went to Bankipur, he would have signed there too, that is why his name has appeared in separate voter lists from both places." Attacking the SIR exercise, Tejashwi demanded an FIR be registered against Sinha. "Either Election Commission's SIR exercise in Bihar is fraud, otherwise the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Vijay Kumar Sinha is committing fraud...An FIR should be filed against him," the RJD leader said. This development follows after the Patna Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) requested RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav to submit the details of the EPIC card he mentioned in the press conference on August 2. Addressing the electoral officer's notice, Tejashwi said, "People talk about sending me to jail, and I also get to know about the notice through the media. When do I get the notice? It was handed over to me on August 7. The notice that came on the 7th in the evening, and the speed post came on August 8 in the morning, and we sent our reply the next day. Before we could respond, the media trial began, and the media got to know about it before us and the date was also given as August 16." "Now my question is, will the Election Commission send a notice to the Patna district administration and the Lakhisarai district administration to Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha? What action will be taken against Vijay Kumar Sinha? If an attempt is made to take action against us, will action be taken against the Deputy Chief Minister, as well?" he asked. Attacking the BJP, Tejashwi alleged, "The BJP is destroying democracy and the Constitution. With evidence, we will put our view in the court." https://x.com/yadavtejashwi/status/1954417010441335161 The Patna ERO on Wednesday again requested that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav submit the details of the EPIC card. In a letter, the Patna Electoral Registration Officer said that despite earlier requests, the desired documents and a copy of the EPIC card had not been submitted for verification. "The details of the EPIC card mentioned by you in the press conference on 02.08.2025 were requested for thorough investigation, but till now, the desired documents and a copy of the EPIC card have not been provided from your level. Therefore, it is requested again that details should be made available to the undersigned by the afternoon of 08.08.2025 so that it can be thoroughly investigated," the letter said. ERO had on Sunday asked the RJD leader to provide the details of the EPIC card he mentioned during his press conference, so that the matter can be thoroughly investigated. The row began when Tejashwi first alleged that his name was not there in the new draft voter list released on August 1 and later he alleged that his EPIC number had been changed. (ANI)
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied across Israel over the weekend to protest the government's planned expansion of the war in Gaza as the Israeli Defense Forces itself remained split on the issue.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced Friday that the Security Cabinet had approved his proposal "for defeating Hamas," which included the IDF taking control of Gaza City, where a million Palestinians still live.

The Security Cabinet adopted five principles that it said would end the war, including the disarming of Hamas, the return of all Israeli captives, the demilitarization of Gaza, Israeli security control over the enclave and the establishment of a new civil administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hamas, in a statement, condemned the Israeli decision as a "new war crime" that it said amounted to "ethnic cleansing."

"We warn the criminal occupation that this criminal adventure will cost it dearly. It will not be a walk in the park. Our people and their resistance are resilient to defeat or surrender, and Netanyahu's plans, ambitions, and delusions will fail miserably," Hamas said.

Hamas said that the plan could endanger the lives of the remaining living captives, and added that Israel is "disregarding the lives of prisoners," a point echoed over the weekend by Israelis demonstrating in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Bring Them Home Now, an organization representing the families of Israelis still held captive in Gaza, shared a photo on social media of a demonstration Saturday of some 60,000 people gathered in Hostages Square across from the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. It also shared footage of the large crowds marching around the Kirya military base.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Expanding the fighting endangers the hostages and the soldiers -- the people of Israel are not willing to risk them!" the group captioned the post. The organization has called for a comprehensive deal to end the war and return the captives home.

Protesters at the demonstration have reportedly included former IDF soldiers who have since refused to serve as the war continues. Former combat soldier Max Kresch told the BBC that some 350 soldiers who participated in the war were refusing service because the war "endangers the hostages and starving innocent Palestinians in Gaza."

Families of the captives in Gaza and soldiers who have died in the fighting are now calling for a nationwide strike that would shut down the country's economy on Sunday, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.

The strike has received the support of Yair Golan, the leader of Israel's Democrats party, who said Sunday on social media that his party would be participating in the strike.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I call on all Israeli citizens, everyone who holds the value of life and mutual responsibility dear, to strike with us and take to the streets, to fight and disrupt," he said. "We cannot continue with routine life in the face of abandoning our brothers and sisters in Gaza. We cannot remain silent in the face of this reality."

Yair Lapid, the leader of the centrist Yesh Atid party, the major opposition party in Israel, called the strike "justified" in a statement Sunday.

"The call of the hostages' families to shut down the economy is justified and worthy; we will continue to stand by their side," he said.

Before the Security Cabinet approved the plan to seize control of Gaza City on Friday, IDF chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir reportedly said it was "vital" for Israelis to dissent against the plan, which he warned would "drag Israel into a black hole." Zamir reportedly said that the operation would take years and expose to Israeli soldiers to guerilla warfare.
A UN official on Sunday warned the Security Council that Israel's plans to control Gaza City risked "another calamity" with far-reaching consequences, as Benjamin Netanyahu insisted his goal was not to occupy the territory.

The United Nations Security Council held a rare emergency weekend meeting after Israel said its military would "take control" of Gaza City in a plan approved by Prime Minister Netanyahu's security cabinet that sparked a wave of global criticism.

"If these plans are implemented, they will likely trigger another calamity in Gaza, reverberating across the region and causing further forced displacement, killings, and destruction," UN Assistant Secretary General Miroslav Jenca told the Security Council.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The UN's humanitarian office OCHA said 98 children had died from acute malnutrition since the start of the conflict in October 2023, with 37 of those deaths since July, according to Gaza's authorities.

"This is no longer a looming hunger crisis -- this is starvation, pure and simple," said OCHA's coordination director Ramesh Rajasingham.

Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour said Sunday "over two million victims are enduring unbearable agony," calling Israel's plans for Gaza City "illegal and immoral," and for foreign journalists to be allowed into Gaza.

Netanyahu announced on Sunday a plan to allow more foreign journalists to report inside Gaza -- accompanied by the Israeli military.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

- Sanctions calls -

Britain, a close ally of Israel which nonetheless pushed for an emergency meeting on the crisis, warned the Israeli plan risked prolonging the conflict.

"It will only deepen the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. This is not a path to resolution. It is a path to more bloodshed," said British deputy ambassador to the UN James Kariuki.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus echoed that sentiment, calling the Israeli plan "deeply worrying, given the already dire humanitarian and health situation across the Strip."

But Netanyahu said Sunday his country was "talking in terms of a fairly short timetable because we want to bring the war to an end," as he insisted Israel did not want to occupy Gaza.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Outside the meeting at UN headquarters in New York, a small but noisy protest calling for an end to the conflict was met by a large police presence.

The United States, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, accused those nations who supported Sunday's meeting of "actively prolonging the war by spreading lies about Israel."

"Israel has a right to decide what is necessary for its security and what measure measures are appropriate to end the threat posed by Hamas," said US envoy to the UN Dorothy Shea.

Israel's deputy ambassador to the UN Jonathan Miller said "pressure should not be placed on Israel, who suffered the most horrific attack against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, but on Hamas."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Algeria's Ambassador Amar Bendjama called for sanctions on Israel in response to its Gaza City plan.

"The hour has come to impose sanctions on the enemy of humanity," he said.

"If it was another country, you would have been imposing sanctions a long time ago," the Palestinian envoy Mansour said.

gw-aha/bjt
Tel Aviv - Israeli troops will remain in parts of the West Bank that are heavily populated by Palestinian refugees at least until the end of the year, Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday.

Katz wrote on X that the quarters in Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams were "hotbeds of terror" that had served as a front against Israel with Iranian support.

Following a large-scale military operation, he said, "there is no more terror in the camps today."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At the beginning of the year, the Israeli military launched its largest offensive in years against militant Palestinians in the northern West Bank.

Many people were killed and tens of thousands of Palestinians were driven from their homes, with massive destruction inflicted on the neighbourhoods.

The United Nations and the European Union criticized the operation, in which the UN said women and children were also killed.

In February, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted "an unprecedented scale of mass displacement not seen in decades in the occupied West Bank."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Before the offensive, there had been repeated attacks on Israelis in the West Bank. Since the start of the Gaza war almost two years ago, violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians has also increased.

Israel took the West Bank and East Jerusalem, along with other territories, in the Six-Day War in 1967.

Today, around 700,000 Israeli settlers live there among 3 million Palestinians. The Palestinians claim the territories as their own state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Italian firefighters and the army on Sunday tackled a wildfire on the flanks of Mount Vesuvius, with all hiking routes up the volcano near Naples closed to tourists.

The national fire service said it had 12 teams on the ground and six Canadair planes fighting the blaze, which has torn through the national park in southern Italy since Friday. The park where a volcanic eruption buried the ancient city of Pompeii in 79 A.D. is a major tourist destination.

"The fire-fighting continues ceaselessly on three fronts", the Campania Region said in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Authorities said the fires are largely on the slopes of the Mount Somma side of Vesuvius, which is characterized by its dense vegetation.

A tourist looks at the smoke of a big fire on Vesuvius Volcano appearing like an eruption. The fire has started during the night involving the woods of the Vesuvius National Park. / Credit: Salvatore Laporta/KONTROLAB/LightRocket via Getty Images

The army created a fire break and reinforcement firefighters were brought in from other areas of Italy, while onsite teams used drones to better monitor the spread of the fire, the region and fire service said.

The smoke from the fire could be seen from the Pompeii archeological site, which was buried by Vesuvius' eruption during Roman times. The site, however, remained open to tourists.

The park's head, Raffaele de Luca, said the area affected covered some 500 hectares, or over 1,235 acres.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"For safety reasons and to facilitate firefighting and cleanup operations in the affected areas, all activities along the Vesuvius National Park trail network are suspended until further notice," the park said in a statement Saturday.

Nearly 620,000 people visited the crater of the active volcano in 2024, according to the park.

People watch the flames and smoke rising from a wildfire that breaks out at the Vesuvius National Park in Terzigno, a commune in Naples, Italy on August 8, 2025. / Credit: Eliano Imperato/Anadolu via Getty Images

Experts say European countries are becoming ever more vulnerable to wildfires due to intensifying summer heatwaves linked to global warming. Parts of the continent had recorded its hottest June in recent history.

The abnormally hot weather exposed millions of Europeans to high heat stress with temperatures in June more typical of July and August, said Samantha Burgess of the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In Spain, more than 1,000 people were evacuated on Sunday in the country's northwest region as wildfires spread, fueled by scorching temperatures and strong winds, authorities said.

Around 400 people were displaced in and around the town of Carucedo, and another 700 from several towns near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Las Medulas, a former Roman gold-mining area known for its striking red landscape, local officials said.

Last week, France battled what authorities called the country's largest wildfire in decades. About 1,400 firefighters were deployed Saturday in France's southern Aude region to prevent it from reigniting, the Associated Press reported. High temperatures in the coming days are expected to complicate firefighters' efforts.

On Mount Vesuvius, "the firefighting efforts are particularly delicate due to both the weather conditions -- high temperatures and wind -- and the pine needles, which contribute to the spread of the flames," said Italo Giulivo, head of the region's civil protection department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Italy's biggest agricultural association, Coldiretti, said the fires were "an enormous disaster" for vineyards and farms in an area well known for its wine, apricots and tomatoes.

The local prosecutors' office has opened an investigation into the origin of the fires.

In Greece, one person was killed after a massive wildfire rapidly spread in the south on Friday, destroying homes and forcing evacuations, CBS News partner BBC reported.

Artisan bakers sparking sourdough boom

Jamie Lee Curtis: The 60 Minutes Interview

Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego pushing the Democratic Party at Iowa State Fair
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Jackson Mayor John Horhn held a news conference on Saturday, addressing what the city has been doing to help the tenants of Blossom Apartments.

Some of the issues at the apartment complex include mold, damage and water loss. Residents said they were fearful of eviction after one tenant was forced to move out after speaking publicly about the issues.

Recently, many of the tenants have been living without water for weeks due to unpaid bills by the apartment complex.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Judge orders 5-day water restoration at Blossom Apartments

I say regardless, whatever happens, were going to have to leave anyway. So, I just want the story to be known, and I want it to be clarified that the living conditions were not always like this, said Stacey Patrick, who lives at the apartment complex.

Horhn said he has worked hand-in-hand with U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate to temporarily restore water service and to give residents a proper amount of time to relocate from the property.

In addition to that, Home Corp is providing through Stewpot money that would provide the expenses and payment for the ability for folks to be able to relocate to these new facilities, the mayor said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Blossom Apartments were declared non-compliant by Mississippi Home Corporation, and residents were ordered to leave.

Stewpot CEO Jill Buckley has organized a relocation assistance meeting for Blossom Apartments residents on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Stewpot headquarters. Landlords and property owners are invited to attend and meet directly with residents in need of housing.

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.
A Jamaica Plain man has been arrested and charged with numerous firearm and drug charges.

Sheldon Bethune, 52, faces multiple charges, including:

Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

Possession of Ammunition without an FID card

Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device

Improper Storage of a Firearm

Armed Career Criminal Level 3

Unlawful Possession of a Firearm Subsequent Offense

Trafficking of Class B

According to the Boston Police Department, officers from the Boston Police Drug Control Units executed search warrants at 3 Perkins Square, leading to the recovery of crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia, cash, and a firearm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The search warrants were issued by the West Roxbury District Court, targeting the address at 3 Perkins Square in Jamaica Plain.

Bethune was apprehended after being observed exiting the rear of the address and was stopped near Halifax Street and Pond View Avenue.

During the search of the apartment, officers recovered a plastic bag containing approximately 41 grams of crack cocaine, two digital scales, drug cutting and packaging materials, and $2,410 in cash.

A Ruger P94 firearm with ten rounds in a magazine capable of holding fifteen rounds was also found.

Bethune is expected to be arraigned in West Roxbury District Court.

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
Vice President JD Vance had a convenient excuse when asked about his administrations pesky Jeffrey Epstein problem.

As questions persist about President Donald Trumps relationship to Epstein and why the government hasnt released more information about investigations into the disgraced financier, Vance reminded Fox News viewers that plenty of Democrats had their own Epstein links.

We know that Jeffrey Epstein had a lot of connections with left-wing politicians and left-wing billionaires, Vance told Maria Bartiromo during an interview on this weekends edition of Sunday Morning Futures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While exposing the so-called Epstein files was once a top priority for Trumps base, the presidents own personal history with the convicted sex offender has since complicated that campaign promise.

Dismissing Democrats demands for answers as ill-timed and politically motivated, he said, I laugh at the Democrats who are now all of a sudden so interested in the Epstein files. For four years, Joe Biden and the Democrats did absolutely nothing about this story.

When Bartiromo asked about Republican Rep. James Comers decision to subpoena President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, to testify in congress about their Epstein associations, Vance returned to his original argument.

Democrats have tried to make this Epstein thing about anything but the fact that Democrat billionaires and Democrat political leaders went to Epstein island all the time, Vance said. Who knows what they did.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Theres little debate over Epsteins connections to rich and powerful people across the political spectrum.

Court documents unsealed in 2024 include the names of Clinton, his Vice President Al Gore, Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, the Democratic Gov. of New Mexico Bill Richardson, British royal Prince Andrew, actor Kevin Spacey and late pop icon Michael Jackson, and, of course, Trump.

The Trump camps change of heart regarding the release of the Epstein files has drawn intense scrutiny, however, especially following reports that Attorney General Pam Bondi told the president his name appeared in yet-to-be released investigation materials back in May.

Related...
Jen Psaki was asked by fellow MSNBC host Ali Velshi if she was concerned about the Trump administration coming after her  and her reply took an unexpected turn.

Velshi, who was guest-hosting All In on Friday, was handing off to Psaki and her show The Briefing when he asked a probing question about President Donald Trumps aggression against reporters and others he perceives as enemies.

People ask me as a journalist, Are you, you know, worried about the way things are going with this administration, them coming after you and all that kind of stuff? Velshi said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And I think whatever my answer is its like double for you, right? Youre a journalist and you were in the administration, he added, referring to her stint as White House press secretary for former President Joe Biden.

Psaki consistentlycalls out Trump and his circle.

I need to find out if youre scared because if youre not scared then Im good, Velshi finished.

You know, I try not to be, Psaki answered. I only get scared when it relates to my kids and threats I get to my home. We all get em. But otherwise, look, I think were both so fortunate to have this ability to say what we think and share hopefully insights on our best days about whats happening. And thats a huge gift, so thats what I try and think about.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Among recent actions against the fourth estate, Trump sued The Wall Street Journal and reporters Khadeeja Safdar and Joe Palazzolo for billions of dollars, claiming their allegation about Trumps suggestive birthday letter to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2003 was malicious and would cause overwhelming financial and reputational harm.

CBS News took a hit when Trump squeezed a $16 million settlement out of parent company Paramount after complaining about routine edits made by 60 Minutes in an interview with Kamala Harris before the election. He claimed the cuts would improve her chances of victory. Experts said the capitulation would impair freedom of the press, not to mention that it looked like Paramount was caving to the administration because it would need the administrations approval for its eventual merger with Skydance media.

Trump has also routinely berated reporters who ask questions he doesnt like.

Check out Psakis threat assessment in Mediaites clip of the exchange here.

Jen Psaki said she worries mostly about threats to her children that stem from her journalistic exploits. NBC via Getty Images

<asset-code id=6898980617000022ac63de1b type=image></asset-code>

Related...
John Perkins Jr. was just a kid when he fell in love with carpentry, tagging along as his father built homes for him and his sisters and renovated houses and storefronts across their east-side Detroit neighborhood.

His father built those homes as a way to create generational wealth for his family, and now, more than two decades later, Perkins Jr. lives in that house, and is connecting kids interested in the skilled trades to apprenticeships in his role as a business representative for the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights.

"My passion and my drive was exposing opportunities to folks that were interested in pursuing this career," Perkins Jr. said in an interview with the Detroit Free Press. "The most fulfilling part about my job now is that I don't just expose the opportunities. I'm actually creating the opportunities and creating an opportunity for someone to start a career."

John Perkins Jr., 32, of Detroit, is a business representative and chairman of the apprenticeship mentor committee for the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights and is recognized as the next Dave Bing Young Leader award and is photographed at the Union Carpenters and Millwrights Skilled Training Center in Detroit, Aug 1, 2025.

This commitment to helping young Michiganders find careers in the skilled trades is why Perkins Jr., 32, is the 2025 Dave Bing Young Leader Award honoree. The award is part of the annual Shining Light Awards, presented by the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition and the Detroit Free Press, to recognize individuals who have a regional impact in metro Detroit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I hope to be an inspiration for other folks to do similar work to make sure that our young folks are successful because they're not just our future: They are now," he said. "If we don't create these opportunities and lift them up to be successful, we won't have a future."

Inspired by his father

Though his father was a carpenter and renovated houses and businesses in his neighborhood, Perkins Jr.s own journey into carpentry wasnt straightforward.

Perkins tagged along to jobs with his dad, and what stuck with him the most was his father's work ethic.

"Once I grew up to be a young adult, I yearned for that type of career, that type of stability and being able to build things with your hands," he said. "But I really didn't know how to connect to that. Apprenticeships probably weren't a thing that was talked about a lot back then."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Perkins Jr.'s father died when he was a teenager. Without clear guidance, he wasn't sure how to find apprenticeship programs. After graduating high school at 17, he worked in a few different jobs that he thought were close to the carpenter trade.

Little Caesars Arena job offers inspiration

Eventually, he found his way to a carpenter apprenticeship program in Ferndale. He enrolled and his first job site was Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit.

Perkins Jr. was part of the crew that built Little Caesars Arena from the ground up.

"It was just an amazing opportunity for me to take the skills and knowledge that my dad passed on to me, and actually rebuild the city that made me," he said. "It allowed me to really expand my mindset (and think), 'This is not just a job. This is a career that so many other young folks could take advantage of if only they knew it exists.' "

John Perkins Jr,, 32, of Detroit, chairman of the apprenticeship mentor committee for the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, talks with DJuan Gill-Porter, 24, of Detroit, who is an apprentice he recruited from his former high school, Martin Luther King Jr. Perkins has been recognized as the next Dave Bing Young Leader award and is photographed at the Union Carpenters and Millwrights Skilled Training Center in Detroit, Aug 1, 2025.

He soon returned to his alma mater, Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School, to speak to students about those opportunities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"These are lucrative careers that you can pursue and create a stable lifestyle and a pipeline to the upper middle class," he would tell the students.

A postcard that changed everything

A pivotal moment came during a union leadership training, when a facilitator asked participants to write down a goal on a postcard that would be mailed back to them six months later. Perkins Jr. wrote that he wanted to start a local apprentice mentoring committee.

Back on the job site, he started laying the groundwork  hosting monthly meetings at the unions training facility, inviting guest speakers, offering resources and helping students connect to real jobs.

Six months later, his meetings were drawing 50 attendees. And then the postcard arrived in the mail.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I almost forgot that I made that postcard," he said. "It was like, 'Wow, it's really happening.' "

Connecting the dots with young people

One of Perkins Jr.'s collaborations was with Sachse Construction for its Sachse Construction Academy, which introduces Detroit students to opportunities in the skilled trades.

During the pandemic, when the event went virtual, Perkins Jr. helped host a video series streamed to local classrooms.

"There are so many great people doing so much great work in Detroit but when you can connect the dots with young people and place them in really great careers to help rebuild and grow the city of Detroit, it's such a home run on so many different levels," Jill Brack, vice president of engagement for the Detroit-based construction firm, said of Perkins Jr.

John Perkins Jr., 32, of Detroit, is a business representative and chairman of the apprenticeship mentor committee for the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights and is recognized as the next Dave Bing Young Leader award and is photographed at the Union Carpenters and Millwrights Skilled Training Center in Detroit, Aug 1, 2025.

Now, in his role at the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, Perkins Jr. and his team provide opportunities for young people who want to be carpenters or millwrights and connect them to employment opportunities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Even though Perkins Jr. is no longer building things with his hands for work, he has found a different type of fulfillment in his role.

"You're seeing someone's life unfold for the better right in front of your eyes," Perkins Jr. said of his job. "I try not to take any credit for it because in my mind, I didn't do anything ... but (the students) come back and say, 'Well, you opened the door. You were there to at least show me that this opportunity was even available. I would have never even went down this path.' My heart gets filled with joy knowing that I played a small part in someone's life-changing aspiration."

Shining Light Regional Cooperation Awards Luncheon

What: John Perkins Jr., business representative for the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights; Curtis Ivery, Wayne County Community College chancellor; Lisa Johanon, co-founder and executive director of Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corp. will be honored at the Shining Light Regional Cooperation Awards Luncheon.

When: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7

Where: Ford Field, 2000 Brush St., Detroit

Tickets: Early bird pricing at $85 until Sept. 5; $100 after that. Purchase tickets at bit.ly/ShiningLightTickets

Contact Adrienne Roberts: amroberts@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: John Perkins Jr. helps students build careers in skilled trades
Jordan will host a Jordanian-Syrian-American meeting on Tuesday to discuss ways to support the rebuilding of Syria, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates says, as Damascus seeks investment deals with international companies to revive its war-ravaged economy.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and United States envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack are expected to attend, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaas fledgling government has been grappling with the fallout from sectarian violence between Bedouin and Druze fighters in the southern province of Suwayda as well as Israeli strikes on Syrian soldiers and the capital, Damascus.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Syrias economy remains in tatters after nearly 14 years of war and the ouster of longtime President Bashar al-Assad in December.

Jordan made its announcement after Damascus signed 12 agreements worth $14bn on Wednesday, including a $4bn agreement with Qatars UCC Holding to build a new airport and a $2bn deal to establish a subway in Damascus with the national investment corporation of the United Arab Emirates.

The projects will extend across Syria and represent a qualitative shift in infrastructure and economic life, Talal al-Hilali, head of the Syrian Investment Authority, said during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Damascus.

He described the agreements as a turning point for Syrias future.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Al-Sharaa and Barrack were both present at the signing ceremony, according to Syrias official SANA news agency.

The United Nations has put Syrias post-war reconstruction costs at more than $400bn.

Syrias new authorities have worked to attract investment for the reconstruction of infrastructure across the country after the US and the European Union lifted sanctions on Syria in the wake of al-Assads ouster.

Other major developments on the investment front include the $2bn Damascus Towers project for residential high rises, signed with the Italian-based company UBAKO; a $500m deal for the Baramkeh Towers project, also in Damascus; and another $60m agreement for Baramkeh Mall.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Last month, Saudi Arabia said it would invest about $3bn in real estate and infrastructure projects in Syria.

In May, Damascus signed a $7bn energy deal with a consortium of Qatari, Turkish and US companies as it seeks to revive its crippled power sector.




Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat on Sunday asked why there was a "sudden" announcement of a ceasefire and entry of US President Donald Trump even as the Army had demonstrated its "courage" during Operation Sindoor and questioned the "mysterious" silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was referring to the May 10 ceasefire following a recent conflict between India and Pakistan. "During the discussion in the parliament, (Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi spoke about political will. For almost 100 days, the army has made such great achievements... Still, why is the Prime Minister silent about it?... Does he consider his image more important? Why did he not want to boost the army's morale?... When we were at the forefront and the army demonstrated its courage, so why this sudden ceasefire and Trump's entry?... PM's mysterious silence says that he has considered his image more important than the Army..." He was reacting to the statement of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi. General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), inaugurated 'Agnishodh' - the Indian Army Research Cell (IARC) at IIT Madras, marking a significant step towards self-reliance in defence technology. The initiative aims to upskill military personnel in emerging fields such as additive manufacturing, cybersecurity, quantum computing, wireless communication and unmanned systems, fostering a tech-enabled force. The collaboration will also extend to the IIT Madras Research Park, including partnerships with AMTDC and Pravartak Technologies Foundation. On the occasion, Dwivedi addressed the faculty and students on "Operation Sindoor - A New Chapter in India's Fight Against Terrorism," highlighting it as a calibrated, intelligence-led operation reflecting a doctrinal shift. He underlined the role of indigenous technology and precision military action in reinforcing India's proactive security posture. He also lauded the IIT faculty for their contribution to nation-building through academic excellence. During an address at IIT Madras, he said, "In Operation Sindoor, we played chess. We did not know what the enemy's next move was going to be, and what we were going to do. This is called the grey zone. Grey zone means that we are not going for the conventional operations. What we are doing is just short of a conventional operation. We were making the chess moves, and he (enemy) was also making the chess moves. Somewhere we were giving them the checkmate and somewhere we were going in for the kill at the risk of losing our own but that's life is all about." Speaking on the operation, the COAS said, "What happened on 22 April in Pahalgam shocked the nation. On the 23rd, the next day itself, we all sat down. This was the first time that RM (Defence Minister Rajnath Singh) said, "Enough is enough". All three chiefs were very clear that something had to be done. The free hand was given, 'you decide what is to be done.' That is the kind of confidence, political direction and political clarity we saw for the first time. That is what raises your morale. That is how it helped our army commanders-in-chief to be on the ground and act as per their wisdom." "On the 25th, we visited the Northern Command, where we thought, planned, conceptualised and executed the seven targets out of the nine that were destroyed, and a lot of terrorists were killed. On April 29, we met the Prime Minister for the first time. It is important that how a small name Op Sindoor connects the whole nation. That is something which galvanised the whole nation. That is the reason the whole nation was saying why have you stopped? That question was being asked and it has been amply answered," Dwivedi added. (ANI)
The Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, joined demonstrators outside the U.S. Supreme Court on May 15 to protest the Trump administration's effort to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, as justices heard a challenge to the order. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)

A federal judge in Maryland ordered a nationwide halt  again  to a Trump administration order that sought to deny citizenship to babies born in the United States if neither parent is a citizen or green-card holder.

The ruling late Thursday by U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman is the fourth to block President Donald Trumps executive order since June. Thats when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that judges around the country had exceeded their authority by issuing nationwide blocks to presidential orders.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But the justices said lower courts could issue nationwide injunctions to class-action lawsuits on behalf of all newborns in the U.S. who might be affected. Thats what Boardman did Thursday.

Boardman rejected a request to include parents in the class-action suit.

But she identified a nationwide class of children born in the U.S. who unquestionably would be citizens but for the Executive Order  an order the judge said is almost certainly unconstitutional.

She wrote that the plaintiffs  eight undocumented mothers who are pregnant or gave birth in the U.S.  are likely to succeed on the merits of their constitutional claim because the Executive Order contradicts the plain language of the Fourteenth amendment, which says that all persons born in the U.S. are citizens of the country and of the state in which they were born.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While the immigrants would be harmed in the absence of an injunction, Boardman wrote, there would be little harm to the government by continuing to extend birthright citizenship while the lawsuit plays out.

Boardman rejected the governments argument that she should limit her injunction to Maryland.

That relief must include every child in the United States who is subject to the Executive Order. After all, the Executive Order does not target only children born in Maryland; it seeks to deny citizenship to persons born in the United States, she wrote.

A government attorney declined to comment Friday on the order, and emails seeking comment from the White House were not immediately returned.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But immigrant advocates welcomed Boardmans order.

This is a national issue that affects every single one of us in this country, said Ama Frimpong, legal director at CASA, which filed suit with the immigrant women. (The national immigrant advocacy organization originally stood for Central American Solidarity Association.)

The Maryland suit was one of several around the country that were filed soon after Trumps order on Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship, which he issued on Jan. 20, his first day back in office.

It claimed that birthright citizenship was never meant to be a universal right, and it said that anyone born after Feb.19  a month after the order was signed  would be denied citizenship unless one parent was a citizen or permanent legal resident.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The order was swiftly challenged. Three judges, including Boardman, issued nationwide injunctions to halt the order. When those were upheld on appeal, the government took the case to the Supreme Court, which said a national injunction could only be issued in a class-action suit with a legitimate nationwide class of plaintiffs.

Within hours of that ruling, attorneys for CASA were back in court, filing paperwork to turn their case into a class-action suit, adding women from North and South Carolina, among other states as plaintiffs.

Boardmans approval of a class-action suit, and a national preliminary injunction, comes almost a month after a U.S. District judge in New Hampshire did the same thing.

Frimpong called Trumps order just a part of the usual fear tactics to make people afraid of what they believe the federal government will do  even though it will never happen because it is blatantly unlawful and unconstitutional.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She said she anticipates that the Trump administration will again appeal the decision. She predicts the case will go through the ordinary course of litigation.

What we are looking forward to is, once and for all, putting the issue to bed and our courts making absolutely clear that the 14th Amendment is not up for debate, and its not up for subjective interpretation, Frimpong said. It is the law, and it is going to remain the law.

Like the SC Daily Gazette, Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Steve Crane for questions: editor@marylandmatters.org.
Three people have been arrested for climbing the Eiffel Tower in Paris without permission - after one of them also performed a BASE jump by parachute from the famous landmark.

According to police sources, all three were arrested on Saturday after a representative of the tower's operating company filed a complaint.

The Eiffel Tower is one of France's most popular tourist attractions and is known in the country as the 'dame de fer' (iron lady).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Around 6 million people visit the monument every year. Located not far from the Seine, the more than 130-year-old tower was built for the Paris World's Fair and completed in 1889.

BASE jumping refers to the extreme sport of jumping off elevated fixed objects using parachutes or wingsuits, with the word an acronym for building, antenna, span, and earth.
Aug. 10University of Alaska Southeast environmental science professor Eran Hood recalled that it was a sunny summer day in 2011 when an unexpected and potentially perilous situation began to unfold.

The Mendenhall River, which flows through one of Juneau's most populous residential areas, was rapidly and unexpectedly rising.

"No one knew what was going on, why the river was going up and up and up to one of the highest flows ever measured," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hood boarded a helicopter to investigate. Flying over the glaciers at the head of the Mendenhall River, he saw collapsed ice and stranded icebergs in a basin between the Mendenhall Glacier and one of its smaller tributaries, Suicide Glacier. That indicated water had just drained as a glacial dam released and caused the flood.

Back then, the basin wasn't monitored and the outburst wasn't predicted, Hood said.

"Should've been, but it wasn't," he said. "And we've been working to understand it ever since then."

Suicide Glacier, located in a side valley above Mendenhall Glacier, left a growing void between them as it retreated over the years. The shrinking glacier left a meltwater-collecting tub of bedrock, dammed on the downhill side by the Mendenhall Glacier's wall of ice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In 2011, the basin held enough water to generate the pressure needed to lift the Mendenhall Glacier's ice and release water into its icy channels toward Mendenhall Lake and Mendenhall River downstream.

[Vanishing ice: Alaska's shrinking glaciers drive a new brand of tourism]

The 2011 event caused little damage, but since then the basin has refilled and partially drained dozens of times. Two years ago, the situation became much more serious when the basin began emptying nearly completely. For the past two summers, properties in the Mendenhall Valley have experienced destructive flooding.

The phenomenon, known as a jokulhlaup, is not rare. Glacier lake outbursts happen in dozens of other places around Alaska, Hood said. What is unique is the city-adjacent location of Suicide Basin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"This is kind of like the one place in Alaska that there's a tremendous amount of infrastructure and a large basin going into a river," he said.

[Previously: 'It happened so fast': Speed and scale of Juneau flooding caught residents by surprise]

Experts from UAS, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Weather Service and others have joined forces to study the situation since it first occurred. Greater public attention came in 2023, when homes were washed away on the banks of the Mendenhall River. A year ago, widespread damage followed Suicide Basin's biggest outburst yet.

Now Juneau is bracing once more. This year, miles of HESCO flood barriers were installed to contain the next outburst, an "interim" solution devised by Juneau officials and the Army Corps of Engineers. Many agencies have collaborated to prepare to respond.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"This basin is probably the most closely monitored glacial lake in the world," said Ryan O'Shaughnessy, emergency manager for the City and Borough of Juneau. "There's a lot of very high-tech monitoring and very capable and smart people watching that basin 24/7."

Still, experts say much remains unpredictable. The Daily News spoke with experts in hydrology, glacier science and disaster planning to examine what's known  and not known  as the water level inches higher.

What's happening now?

Early Monday, the National Weather Service said in an update that the basin is now full to capacity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As of Saturday, the water level was 1,358 feet, just 10 feet shy of the point at which water will overtop the ice of the Mendenhall Glacier. The water level is rising about 4-5 feet a day, according to National Weather Service reports.

Exactly what will happen when the water reaches the 1,368-foot height of the basin is hard to say for certain, but recent history is the best guide. In recent years, the basin's release has begun within four to six days of the water level reaching the top of the ice, according to Aaron Jacobs, senior service hydrologist and a meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

But there's no guarantee the timing will play out that way. The buoyancy of the ice and hydrostatic pressure  pressure exerted by fluid at rest, such as water behind an ice dam  affect the release in ways that are hard to pinpoint because what's happening on the underside of the glacier can't be seen, Jacobs said.

"We don't quite understand that, the whole triggering aspect," he said. "We're just using the past to understand what we can see in the future."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In years prior to 2023, the outburst began prior to water reaching the overtopping point, Hood said.

"It can release any day now," he said.

What happens when an outburst begins?

Flood forecasters like Jacobs factor how much water the basin holds, how much of it will be released, and how quickly it will drain downstream. More is known about the first variable than the others.

"If we match the water elevation with the known shape, we can calculate the volume quite accurately," Hood said.

For more than a decade, scientists have been armed with information from various USGS-installed sensors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

UAS-led research, which is funded primarily by the USGS Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center, has included mapping the exposed area of the basin since 2018. A much fuller picture of the basin's volume wasn't revealed until 2023. That's when it first began to drain from top to bottom, allowing researchers to capture the shape of the bedrock with drones before it refilled with water.

Jacobs said Suicide Basin released 15 billion gallons in 2023 and 16 billion in 2024. The current estimates of its volume?

"It's very similar to last year's. It might be a little bit more," Jacobs said.

That doesn't necessarily mean this year's flooding will be just like last year's or even worse. All the water is not certain to reach the river below in one flush. If it does, it could drain slightly faster than in years prior, because friction from the moving water can enlarge the channels through the glacier ice, Hood said. It could drain slower, too.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"That changes every single year," Jacobs said. "The glacier's always moving and these conduits open and close with that head pressure."

Partial drainage remains a possible outcome as well.

"Because we can't see underneath the glacier to the plumbing, and we can't see the drain hole because there's so many icebergs that block over it, we don't know exactly why in the past it used to drain partway and stop," said Hood.

Jacobs said the current forecast involves expecting water to release from top to bottom at a rate similar to last year's flooding event. But he's poised for quick adjustments. Once the release begins, the rate of rise of Mendenhall Lake, which feeds the river, will provide information about how fast the water is emptying from the basin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"After 24 hours of information, we will be able to really see that rate of rise and know if we need to pivot, if we have to go higher or go lower," he said.

How ready is Juneau?

O'Shaughnessy, Juneau's emergency manager, said residents are understandably stressed as the release event nears. "Last year we saw massive inundation of the neighborhoods along the Mendenhall River," he said.

Preparedness has been enhanced in significant ways, he said. This year, flood barriers were installed along miles of the Mendenhall River. The structures, essentially large cage-reinforced sand blocks, line the east bank of the river and are intended to protect against flooding up to 18 feet, according to a City and Borough of Juneau webpage. Many residents who last year had river views in their backyard now see a stout wall of sand, steel and thick green fabric.

"We're very, very confident in the HESCO barriers, but they haven't been tested," O'Shaughnessy said. "They're a man-made structure. We're talking about forces of nature and a lot of water moving really fast. We can't say with absolute certainty that they will work."

Organizational improvements are less visible but also vital, he said.

"We've been planning for months to activate a unified command," O'Shaughnessy said. The team includes representatives from the City and Borough of Juneau, Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. Several other agencies play a role in operations, logistics, finance and planning tasks.

"The reality is no single one of these agencies has the resources to adequately support a 24/7 incident command structure, but together we do," he said.

O'Shaughnessy said alerts and information will reach the public in several ways. The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, or IPAWS, managed by FEMA, will push urgent messages to mobile phones in the region and interrupt broadcasts on television and radio. O'Shaughnessy said that will happen only at crucial stages such as when the water overtops the ice and when the basin begins to release.

Additionally, residents can sign up for a greater number of update messages about the flood situation through the city's website. Once the basin is full, the unified command will operate a hotline staffed by trained volunteers with the latest evacuation and flood preparedness and response information

Central to the preparation effort is the plan for evacuation of Mendenhall Valley residents. That eventuality is a near-certainty, O'Shaughnessy said.

"Because we have seen it repeatedly release rapidly and we have seen it repeatedly cause catastrophic damage, we are not going to take any chances," O'Shaughnessy said. "When the basin begins to release, we will issue a notice to evacuate."

Every house in the evacuation area will receive a door-hanging card directing them to emergency resources and more information. He encourages residents to think in terms of "ready, set, go."

"When the basin becomes full, that's when we will move into a 'set' phase," he said. "That's when folks should have a go bag by the door, have their prescriptions and some clothes and dog food. And have a plan, right, for where the vehicle is going to go, where are we going to stay?"

The "set" phase is expected to last up to six days, which typically has been the time between when the basin is full and when the release begins. When that release starts, it's "go" time. "Though it takes one or two days before the river crests to its peak from an outburst flood, it's important that residents not wait for that," O'Shaughnessy said.

At a media briefing on Friday, city and state officials described the danger associated with driving through flood water, entering exclusion zones or climbing atop HESCO barriers. All could prove deadly and, in turn, expose rescuers to risk.

"Once the basin begins to release, please leave the neighborhood," O'Shaughnessy said. "Our No. 1 priority is to protect life and safety. We're very confident in the HESCO barriers, but we're not willing to bet it with people's lives."

On Sunday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced a preemptive disaster declaration to "position state resources and personnel in advance to support local and tribal governments in their efforts to protect lives, homes, and essential services."

What does the future hold for the Mendenhall Valley?

The good news is that this pattern will end one day. "The glacier will recede to the point that it no longer blocks off the basin. At that point, there's no more flood," Hood said.

But it will be a dynamic situation until then. Changing factors may include the shrinking height of the ice wall holding the basin's water back, melting icebergs in the basin that add water that reaches the river, and the expansion of the basin into the main glacier.

"We have all these competing processes, and if we can model them effectively, we can get to a reasonable understanding of what the upper limit might be," he said.

Hood said typically glacier outburst flooding is a phenomenon measured in decades.

"It's a good bet that this is going to keep happening for the next 20 to 30 years," he said.

O'Shaughnessy said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is studying the situation to inform ways to mitigate the impact of outburst flooding in a more lasting way.

"It is possible that we're several years from a long-term solution," he said.

In the meantime, O'Shaughnessy urges area residents to sign up for emergency alerts and to heed them when they're issued.

Here are a few other ways to learn more and monitor the status of Suicide Basin and the Mendenhall River:

National Weather Service Suicide current conditions

Juneau Glacial Flood Dashboard

Juneau Guide to Flood Preparedness
(FOX40.COM)  The San Joaquin County Superior Court jury found Gerardo Juarez guilty on July 31 of multiple felony charges related to the sexual abuse of two minors.

 Video above: Efforts by law enforcement to stop AI-generated child sex abuse images

According to the San Joaquin County District Attorneys Office, the verdict came after a lengthy trial that was prosecuted by the DAs office.

Lucky Powerball player wins more than $700,000 in Sacramento County

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The jury returned with several guilty counts, such as lewd and lascivious acts upon a child under 14, assault, forcible lewd act upon a child, and forcible sexual penetration with enhancements being found that the victim was under 14 years old.

The SJCDA said based on these convictions, Juarez faces a maximum possible sentence of 95 years to life in state prison, which includes a mandatory 25 years to life for the bodily harm enhancement under the guilty verdicts.

This verdict brings justice for the survivors of these horrific crimes. I commend their bravery in coming forward and cooperating throughout this difficult case, said San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas. I also want to thank Deputy District Attorney Victor Bachand for his tireless work in securing this conviction, and Detective Erika Gonzalez of the Stockton Police Department for her thorough and compassionate investigation. Because of their commitment, this predator has been held accountable, and our community is safer.

The case is scheduled to reappear in court on October 6 for a hearing on aggravating facts which could increase the severity of the sentence.

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.
A local community is mourning the death of a veteran deputy.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, Greene County Sheriffs Deputy Chris Longfellow passed away on Sunday morning after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

A Cones with Cops fundraiser was held on Sunday.

The initial purpose was to raise money for his family as he battled cancer.

But just hours before the event, it was announced that Deputy Longfellow had passed away.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

News Center 7s Malik Patterson attended the fundraiser on Sunday at the Dairy Station. He spoke with Greene County Sheriff Scott Anger.

Patterson said several people came to pay respect to the family and get good ice cream.

Anger told Patterson that he had known Longfellow for decades and was an amazing person.

I remember him as a firefighter, as a dispatcher, dispatching to me to calls when I was a young officer. Just a guy thats been involved in a community. Hes just a public servant. Hes a guy who always puts himself before everyone else.

Patterson said that Deputy Longfellow began Cones with Cops years ago to bridge a gap with children in the community.

He wanted them to know that they did not have to fear law enforcement.

We will continue to update this story.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
European Union top diplomat Kaja Kallas announced on Sunday a special video conference with the bloc's foreign ministers ahead of the planned US-Russia talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The two presidents are set to meet Friday in Alaska to discuss a possible solution to the Ukraine war after more than three years of conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not invited.

Kallas plans to discuss the next steps on Monday as "Europe's core interests are at stake," she said in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She said: "Any deal between the US and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraine's and the whole of Europe's security."

Russia's aggression must not be rewarded, she said, adding that the temporarily Russian-occupied territories belong to Ukraine.

Kallas urged the US to use its influence to push Russia into serious negotiations, warning that Moscow would only cease aggression when it feels it can no longer continue.

In Ukraine and Europe alike, there are fears that the two leaders could agree to Ukraine permanently ceding territory to its neighbour.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zelensky strictly rejects any territorial concessions and vehemently demands to be included in any talks on his country's future.

However, the Ukrainian president has said that he is confident in Trump's ability to bring about an end to the war.
A 45-year-old Colby, Kansas, accountant has pleaded guilty to multiple counts, including taking roughly $410,000 from his longtime clients and using part of the money to build his home, according to federal court filings this week.

Quintin Flanagin used his position to write checks from the couple he worked for and their Thomas County business, Diamond M Farms, to send money to a business he had made up called Middle Finger Ranch, which was linked to his bank account, court documents say.

Flanagin had originally been charged in April 2024 with 18 counts: Six for wire fraud, four for bank fraud, two for false statements and six for money laundering. The plea agreement was signed May 27, but was filed this week for four counts: Wire fraud, bank fraud, false statements and money laundering. The others were dropped.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The plea agreement requires him to forfeit about $369,000 in assets, pay back about $51,000 to the couple and surrender his certified public accountants license.

He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 30. Each count varies from not more than 10 to 30 years in prison, not more than $250,000 to $1 million in fines and between three and five years of supervised release.

He started depositing money from his clients bank account into his own through six checks between January and August 2022, court records say, and in November and December 2022, he made five transactions of about $409,742 back into the victims account.

It is unclear why he still owes the couple about $51,000. On Friday, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office in Kansas said they would not say more about the case until Flanagins sentencing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Here is what court documents say happened:

Flanagin was a signatory on the bank accounts, a tax accountant and executor of the wills of the couple from whom he stole. They had been his clients for 15 years when he started sending money to his personal bank account.

The transactions: $121,000 on Jan. 18 in a check where he wrote seed wheat in the memo line; about $90,000 on Feb. 9; $52,000 on May 11; about $84,000 on June 22, and $18,000 on Aug. 23 with the memo line saying 1,000 bushel seed wheat.

In order to cover the value of those checks deposited into his account, some triggered loan advances to the victims account.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Dec. 31, 2021, Flanagin had gotten a $131,551 invoice from a contractor to build his new home. He used the $121,000 check he wrote from his clients and placed into his personal account as payment for the construction of his new family residence, the wire fraud count in the plea agreement says.

In January 2022, Flanagin sought a loan for construction on his home and needed to show he had sufficient funds to pay back the loan. He provided a screenshot of an incomplete bank statement that showed $199,188, but concealed the additional withdrawals from his bank account, including paying his contractor, which left an actual balance of $67,637.

He said the $121,000 came from crop sales, when the funds were in fact stolen from the (couples) trust account, according to the plea agreement. The bank would not have issued the loan had they known the true balance and source of funds in his personal account.
A contingent mostly of Kansas House Republicans launched an aggressive inquiry into the Kansas State Board of Nursings handling of licensure cases that prompted demands for firing state employees, halting coercive tactics, overhauling rules and regulations, and defunding the agency.

Cases brought to the attention of the House Select Committee on Government Oversight included the saga of a 32-year nurse practitioner who was pressured to sign a consent order declaring she was guilty of unprofessional conduct for accidentally letting her license lapse while taking time off to care for her husband, who had cancer. She said the ongoing investigation has left her unemployable.

Another involved an advanced-practice registered nurse who was placed under investigation and blocked from issuing prescriptions for checking the wrong box on her online license renewal form. The inquiry wrecked her business and compromised care of her patients.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Augusta Rep. Kristey Williams, the Republican chair of the House committee, repeatedly challenged Board of Nursing leaders to answer a plain question: Is that justice?

Andrea Watson, the Board of Nursing president and a member of the volunteer board since 2018, came the closest to answering whether mistakes had been made adjudicating the few cases brought to the committees attention.

We can always second-guess what happens, she said. I think there could have been different decisions made.

Response to hours of questions directed at Carol Moreland, executive administrator of the Board of Nursing; assistant attorney general Rachel Kenney, who is assigned to the Board of Nursing; Adrian Guerrero, director of operations for the Board of Nursing; and Watson appeared to fuel frustration among legislators. The nursing board has responsibility for more than 70,000 licensees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It actually really does hurt me to hear that people here had bad experiences, because that is never the intent of our agency, said Guerrero, who argued the agency was understaffed and sidestepped a question about whether mistakes were made. Im not sure Im in the position to make that sort of determination for the board.

Rep. Sean Tarwater, a Stilwell Republican, grew agitated as Board of Nursing officials sounded as if they were deflecting accountability for issues raised by lawmakers. Tarwater vowed to be heard on the subject when the 2026 Legislature convened in January.

This is the most frustrating meeting I think Ive ever been in, Tarwater said. I cant wait until for  whenever we get sworn in, because Im going to unfund this board. I fear this is just the tip of the iceberg. Can we fire people? Because people have to be fired over this. You are destroying peoples lives.

Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, demanded to know who at the Board of Nursing was responsible for deciding punishment of nurses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Where does the buck stop? she asked.

Sitting a few feet away in the Capitol, Rep. Susan Humphries, R-Wichita, asserted the Board of Nursing had a practice of coercing nurses to sign career-damaging consent orders, for which there could be no appeal, to end investigations.

I dont think inadvertently letting your license lapse falls under unprofessional conduct, said Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill. Having that fall under a category with  sexual misconduct is abhorrent.

October surprise

Kansas nurse practitioner Amy Siple put her professional career on idle in early 2024 to care for her husband after he was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. Her focus on needs of her spouse marked the first time in her 32-year career that she wasnt employed in patient care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After her husbands surgery and progression toward recovery, Siple began considering returning to work as a nurse. In October, she checked the Board of Nursings website and discovered she inadvertently forgot to renew her license by a May deadline.

Siple submitted evidence her continuing education credits and malpractice insurance had been current at the time of the lapse. She paid the required license renewal fee, but didnt anticipate the Board of Nursings response.

I was asked to sign a consent agreement akin to a guilty plea for unprofessional conduct, for practicing without a license, Siple said. This is in spite of the fact that no billing will be found under my National Provider Identifier number during this period.

Siple said she was not sent a reminder of the deadline to renew her license, but the Board of Nursing said it had a practice of mailing renewal postcard reminders 90 days in advance. Despite Board of Nursing pressure to do so, Siple declined to sign the consent order. She hired an attorney to represent her for an appeal to the Board of Nursing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She said the dispute could end with her name added to three databases reserved for nurses who engaged in unprofessional behavior. Its the kind of scarlet letter that remained on a persons regulatory record even after death, she said.

The draconian rules and regulations of the Kansas State Board of Nursing threaten my professional future, Siple said. KSBN intends to engage in a public shaming process. I would prefer to be punched in the gut than to be labeled as an unprofessional nurse.

Moreland, the Board of Nursings executive administrator, said she couldnt speak about Siples case because it was still pending.

We typically dont discuss those while theyre still active, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Tarwater, the legislator who raised the possibility of firings and defunding the Board of Nursing, said the agency should dismiss Siples case.

Do you feel like youre dangerous now or might put someones life in jeopardy because you forgot to renew your license for a couple months? he asked Siple.

Siple said the only danger to the public was the manner in which the Board of Nursing administered regulations.

Please discipline nurses who are a threat to public safety, but do not take out those of us who commit clerical errors, she said. Since this experience, I am unemployable.

Double duty

Ana Ahrens, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and a licensed addiction counselor in Wichita, went online to renew her registered nurse license and the more specialized advanced practice registered nurse license in 2024. In the process, she accidently renewed her RN license twice. The Board of Nursing collected her duplicated fee payment, but didnt inform her of the error.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

You can imagine how shocked I was when I was notified Feb. 6, 2025, by a phone call from a pharmacist that he could not fill the prescriptions I had written for my patient because my license was not active, Ahrens said.

She stopped seeing patients and ordering prescriptions. She contacted the Board of Nursing to redo the RN and APRN license applications and paid both fees a second time. A few weeks later, she said, the Board of Nursing sent a letter saying she was being investigated for practicing without a license.

I was informed by my attorney that if I reached out to any legislator, KSBN would retaliate against me, Ahrens said. During the investigation, I was told to sign a consent agreement admitting to unprofessional conduct or I would face consequences.

She signed the document and the Board of Nursing added her name to the state database and two national databases identifying nurses who engaged in unprofessional behavior. She said it felt like the Board of Nursing used tyranny as a form of punishment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

KSBN said they were protecting the public from me. In reality, they harmed my patients, she said.

A reform agenda

Rep. Sandy Pickert, a Wichita Republican and retired registered nurse, said it was odd the Board of Nursing took a harsh approach in licensing cases during a period in which Kansas was desperate for additional nursing professionals. For example, the state hospitals in Larned and Osawatomie spend about $50 million annually to hire contract nurses to fill gaps.

Pickert said she voted for bills to provide scholarships and other incentives for education of licensed practical nurses, registered nurses and other health workers.

At the same time, she said, were at risk of decreasing patient access to care by losing experienced nurses by extreme punitive measures for minor nonclinical-related infractions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Pickert recommended the Legislature review the Board of Nursings policies and procedures for inconsistencies in implementation. The Board of Nursing should enact a policy to address clerical errors in licensing applications and to require contacting of nurses when mistakes were discovered, she said.

Penalties for nurses had to be commensurate with the gravity of the error in licensing, Pickert said.

Stop coercion to sign a consent agreement with admission of unprofessional conduct for clerical errors, she said.

She said nurses reported to the three databases for clerical errors in licensing should be removed from those registers and given a written apology.

In addition, she said, the state ought to provide restitution to nurses who suffered monetary damages as a result of licensing errors, including loss of employment and escalation of malpractice insurance rates.

This story first appeared on Kansas Reflector, a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization covering state government, politics and policy.
UPDATE: The woman has been located safe around 3:45 p.m. Sunday, according to KCKPD.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  An investigation is underway after a 22-year-old woman disappeared Saturday night from a Kansas City, Kansas, neighborhood.

According to a missing persons flyer shared by KCKPD, Angel Renee Hickson was last seen at about 10 p.m. near the area of North 10th Street and Haskell Avenue. Police say she may have been heading toward Heathwood Park, located at North 10th Street and Parallel Parkway.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Teenage girl killed after gunman shoots into Kansas City home

At the time of Hicksons disappearance, KCKPD described her as having a burgundy weave and wearing a pink shirt, blue pants with a triangle print, and rainbow-colored Crocs.

According to the flyer, she is about 5-foot-5 and weighs between 180-200 pounds.

Hickson has a medical condition which puts her at-risk, KCKPD says.

If you or anyone you know has information regarding her whereabouts, police ask that you call 911.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
After two and a half months off for summer break, nearly 400,000 children across the Tampa Bay region return to classrooms Monday.

As they reconnect with friends and get settled with teachers, students will encounter some new rules, expectations and activities. Heres an overview of what they can expect:

New state laws

Statewide, schools received new directives for student cellphone use.

Lawmakers declared that phones are off limits for elementary and middle school students from the first bell to the last. Children can have their devices, but with only limited exceptions, theyre to remain off and out of sight throughout the school day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

High schoolers may use their phones during classes only when allowed by teachers and also when there is no instruction.

Local school boards have not yet revised rules to reflect the new law, which went into effect July 1. But local officials said they will enforce the law as written while the codes of conduct get revamped during the fall.

Students and staff also should find it easier to get around campus due to changes to the states school security law that last year kept doors, gates and access points locked whenever any child was present.

At the urging of school leaders, lawmakers lightened restrictions that drew complaints that schools were becoming as locked down as prisons. Campuses now may create secure zones inside where doors can remain open for easier passage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The state also limited hours during which the restrictions are in effect, starting 30 minutes before classes and ending 30 minutes after the final bell. That change should allow parents to get to their childrens after-school events without waiting for someone to let them in.

Schools across the region are redesigning their security plans to accommodate the shift.

There are plenty of changes at the district level, too.

Hillsborough County

Among the biggest changes in Hillsborough County is the opening of a $178 million, state-of-the-art school. The Aquilla J. Morgan High School campus in Wimauma, a fast-growing part of the county, is expected to serve more than 1,500 students. The school includes a cosmetology, e-sports and auto mechanics program that will help students earn credentials. The school is named after the first Black teacher at Wimauma Elementary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In October, Plant City Technical College will open to adult students. The school will open to high school students in January and include instruction for industrial electricity, building construction, HVAC and forklift certification.

The student code of conduct has been tightened. Those who get in a physical confrontation with a school employee, commit simple battery, cause a major campus disruption or get caught with drugs at school with be automatically expelled.

A new disciplinary measure has been introduced: temporary removal from campus. Students will not be withdrawn but instead reassigned to an alternative site. Once they meet remedial steps, they may return to their school.

Student meal prices in Hillsborough County will remain the same next year due to the districts size and purchasing power and by relying more on basic and raw ingredients, but adult meal prices will increase from $4.50 to $5. New menu options this year include chicken fajitas, beef teriyaki and Mardi Gras chicken.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The district also has updated its website and launched a Hillsborough Public Schools app and another app for parents to keep track of their childrens attendance, report cards, schedules and communicate with district officials.

Pinellas County

Pinellas schools are rolling out several science initiatives as they aim to improve student performance in that discipline. A new Innovation Lab bus will travel to middle schools providing hands-on STEM lessons. Supporting materials for eighth grade science courses have been added. Instruction in kindergarten through second grade lessons will apply more intentional use of Nature of Science standards.

Middle and high school students will experience a new approach to discipline, as the district introduces alternatives to in-school suspension. The new approach aims to make sure students understand there are consequences for their actions, but also teach them more about proper behavior to deter repeated classroom problems.

School cafeterias will experiment with cooking some items from scratch with fresh and raw ingredients to improve the quality of meals served to students.

Parents are expected to be able to get more up-to-date information about their childrens school bus rides as the district completes a transition to new software that will include notification capabilities. The system is set to be go live in November.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Largo area will get its first K-8 school as the merger of Walsingham and Southern Oak elementary schools becomes official. Its the districts third kindergarten through eighth grade campus, reflecting growing interest in the design. The school, which converted some office space into classrooms over the summer, will add the seventh and eighth grades in coming years and ultimately will fully use space that otherwise would have been empty.

Its a declining enrollment strategy to maximize space and provide something better, superintendent Kevin Hendrick said.

Students and staff at Gulf Beaches Elementary School will try to put last years hurricane season behind them as they return to their school for the first time since Hurricane Helene swamped it in September. Extensive repairs to the campus were completed this summer.

Hendrick said the districts renewed and expanded property tax referendum will benefit students and staff. It will put more money into paychecks and allow schools to continue offering a full slate of arts programs despite shrinking state revenue, while also providing for additional tutoring programs and early literacy initiatives.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Thats what were most excited about, Hendrick said.

Pasco County

Pasco County elementary schools will introduce a new curriculum, and middle schools will see a new progression of courses, as the district works to get more children prepared for high school-level math. In reviewing student performance data, officials found the district lagged behind its neighbors in the subject.

The district is giving teachers more leeway on how they use and grade homework in their courses, revising past policies that said practice materials could not be counted toward report card grades. Its also tightening up disciplinary procedures to give teachers more control over classrooms.

We are focusing on student achievement and decreasing distractions, said superintendent John Legg, adding that policy updates are in the works aimed at improving attendance rates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Added focus will go toward the districts eight lowest-performing schools, which will be pulled together under the Opportunity School umbrella for heightened attention and added services. Part of the effort includes providing financial incentives for all teachers, in hopes they stick with the schools as they work on improvement plans.

Students will face stricter consequences for vaping on campus, as use has grown  even at elementary schools. All new schools being built now include vape detectors, and students will be assigned to a drug course after their first offense.

Research shows you need to intervene quick to make a difference, Legg said.

Pascos voucher students will get a chance to take Advanced Placement courses in district high schools. The school board approved offering space in 34 courses to children who otherwise would not attend the district, at a cost of $1,882 per class. Homeschoolers who do not accept a voucher also can enroll without charge.

Students in Port Richey and Lutz will get to attend new K-8 schools this fall as the district continues to expand that model. Chasco K-8 is the product of merging Chasco and Calusa elementary schools with Chasco Middle in Port Richey. Skybrooke K-8 was built to ease crowding at Bexley and Oakstead elementary schools and Rushe Middle.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday described the commencement of the Vande Bharat Express between Nagpur and Pune as a "matter of great joy" for the state. He said the state had requested the Railway Minister for the service, and the proposal was acted upon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking to reporters, CM Fadnavis said, "Today is a matter of great joy for all of us that the Vande Bharat train from Nagpur to Pune has started. We had made a request to the Railway Minister, and he had spoken of taking a positive decision. That decision has been implemented today by the PM. The most important thing is that among all the Vande Bharat trains started so far, this is the longest-distance train. This train will cover a distance of 881 kilometres in 12 hours." Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains at KSR Railway Station in Karnataka's capital city of Bengaluru. These included trains from Bengaluru to Belagavi, Amritsar to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune. The flagging of these new Vande Bharat trains underlines the central government's efforts to rejuvenate Indian railways to provide a world-class travel experience to the people. PM Modi is also set to inaugurate the Yellow Line of the Bangalore Metro and undertake a metro ride from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Electronic City metro station today. The Yellow Line from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra in Bangalore is part of the Metro Phase-2 project and has a route length of over 19 km with 16 stations. The project is worth around Rs 7,160 crore. With the opening of this yellow line, the operational metro network in Bengaluru will increase to over 96 km, serving a large population in the region. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project worth over Rs 15,610 crore. The total route length of the project will be more than 44 km with 31 elevated stations. This infrastructure project will address the growing transportation needs of the city, catering to residential, industrial, commercial and educational areas. PM Modi will also address a public function in Bengaluru. PM Modi reached Bengaluru on Sunday morning, where he was received by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. (ANI)
Everything thats good in the world was on full display last Saturday in Muskogee at the 18th annual Beast Feast.

Combining his passion for the outdoors and his love of the Lord, Justin Gibbins of Homer, Alaska delivered a powerful message to an all-male gathering. Gibbins is an evangelist and founder of Limitless Outdoors. Check him out.

From the time the guest speaker took center stage and throughout the evening, the event was buzzing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Brian Lanham, who is a member of New Community Church and is one of the founders of the event along with former Pastor Tim Salters said, With well over 2500 attendees, it was the biggest crowd yet. We had over 40 vendors and gave away over 1,000 door prizes. Our grand prize consisted of a custom AR15, CVA muzzleloader, Ruger deer rifle, Winchester shotgun and a Matthews bow, all decked out to the max. The lucky winner got them all and his name was William Burleson from Hanna.

Cutler Tinnen won the youth grand prize, a lifetime hunting and fishing license along with a Rossi Youth 22 caliber rifle all sponsored by Mike Cooper Tractors.

They fed the entire arena with Runts BBQ and cold drinks from Love in just over 18 minutes. What a team they had to make all that happen.

Lanham continued, Our speaker, Justin Gibbins with Limitless Outdoors, was on point with his message and challenged men to step up and be the leaders God has called them to be. Many responded to that call and we had 430 people indicate they were committing their life to Christ. That is always the real win and the only reason we do this. I can only say thank you to our volunteers, our community for their support and I am totally amazed at how God has blessed and used this event. We are all humbled to be a part.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Beast Feast continues to be a cornerstone event for the Muskogee community, bringing together men and boys to celebrate their love for the outdoors, and is a testament to the enduring spirit of community that makes this part of Oklahoma so special.

My pastor from First Baptist of Braggs, Earl Cobb and a deacon there, 90 years young, Howard Doolin, came with me to the Beast Feast.

Pastor Cobb said, It was an evening filled with much sharing of hunting and fishing stories and included many booths from which to select special items for the next outing. My favorite was the speaker for the evening. He did a great job and brought the climax of sharing about Gods love and plan for each persons life. I appreciate all the supporters of the event.

Well done, New Community Church of Muskogee and all the many vendors and volunteers who come together to make this all possible. The massive donation of prizes by businesses and individuals is stellar.

The next Beast Feast cant come soon enough.
(NewsNation)  Fire crews across the western part of the United States are battling four large wildfires across multiple states.

Here is what you need to know about the Gifford, Canyon, Lee and Dragon Bravo fires burning right now.

Gifford Fire  California

The Gifford Fire in California, which started Aug. 1, has burned 114,621 acres of land. It has been 21% contained as of Sunday morning.

It has prompted evacuation orders for people living in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Three civilians and seven fire personnel have been injured as a result of the fire.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW. The area is lawfully closed to public access, the online evacuation order says.

The cause of the Gifford Fire is under investigation.

Flooding cancels last day of Wisconsin State Fair as authorities make water rescues in Milwaukee

Canyon Fire  California

The Canyon Fire has burned 5,370 acres near the Ventura-Los Angeles county line. It has been contained 62% as of Sunday.

The fire broke out Thursday afternoon in the mountains north of Los Angeles near Lake Piru. There are more than 1,000 fire personnel battling the fire in that region, according to Cal Fire. Seven structures were damaged in the fire.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Los Angeles Fire Department said there have been no injuries reported from the fires. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Lee Fire  Colorado

The Lee Fire in Colorado has affected Rio Branco County. It has burned 106,672 acres of land and has a containment rate of 6%.

Evacuations were also carried out in Garfield County on Saturday due to the threat from the Lee Fire, according to NewsNation affiliate KDVR. There have been no injuries reported.

Officials said the cause of the Lee Fire was lightning.

What is the Pacific Ring of Fire?

Dragon Bravo Fire  Arizona

The Dragon Bravo Fire at the Grand Canyon National Park has been ongoing since July 4 and has burned 143,489 acres. The fire is 37% contained as of Sunday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Officials said lightning caused the blaze that has since destroyed dozens of structures and closed the northern part of the national park. It will remain closed for the rest of the 2025 season, and officials will determine when to open for the 2026 season later.

No deaths or injuries have been reported.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PAINESVILLE, Ohio (WJW)  Lake County is celebrating its newest centenarian. Lifelong Fairport Harbor resident Mike Bonelli turned 100 on Friday.

Bonellis milestone birthday is special for many reasons, but perhaps the most important is that hes still volunteering at the Meals on Wheels Kitchen in Painesville.

Body of teen who fell into Black River found

The celebration was held at the Extended Housing building on Main Street, home of the Meals on Wheels Program Kitchen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bonelli said he was nervous leading up to the big day, but it meant a lot to him and his family.

I was surprised that it happened, Bonelli said. I didnt think there would be that many people here.

Several dozen people gathered to celebrate, including his family, public officials, county commissioners, the city manager and city council members, who presented Bonelli with a proclamation.

Man shot, car stolen while loading groceries in parking lot

Bonelli has worn many hats over his 100 years. He started as a shoemaker before becoming a mechanic, then a barber, and later a pilot for decades. Hes always sought new opportunities and continues to do so by volunteering.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Not only turning 100, but also actively being a member of our community and continuing to serve the community, Lake County Council on Aging CEO Joey Tomsick said. Mike comes to our Painesville nutrition site, where he drives there, works on a regular basis, preparing meals for so many seniors that are actually younger than he is, of course.

Tomsick and Lake County Council on Aging Director of Community Services Linda Llewellyn said Bonelli is a speedy volunteer in the kitchen. They said he always carries a bright smile and positive attitude, logging significant hours over the past six years.

He started at three days a week, Llewellyn said. Hes cut back to one day a week. But in those six years, hes contributed more than 1,200 hours of volunteer service.

Bonelli was overwhelmed to see so many people show up for his special day and offered his tips for a long and healthy life, which include avoiding alcohol.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I-TEAM: East Cleveland body camera shows moments officers were shot

Youve got to live good and pray, Bonelli said. Get your rest.

Bonelli said the party will continue tomorrow with another celebration at his church. He also said he will be volunteering for as long as hes able.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Lake County Councilman Randy Niemeyer wants to launch the Lake County Efficiency Committee ahead of the upcoming budget cycle and the states new property tax law.

The committee would work toward finding areas for cost reduction, waste elimination and resource optimization, according to the proposal. Its main goal, Niemeyer said, is for the committee to reduce the countys budget by 20% by June 2026 to be implemented in the 2027 budget cycle.

This is going to be a very focused effort, Niemeyer said. I think it would be productive for us to reach those goals by the end of 2027 to be able to manage the new way that government is being funded.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Niemeyer said the committee will help the county meet the goals of Senate Enrolled Act 1, which will reduce property taxes up to $300 for two-thirds of taxpayers on their 2026 property tax bill while local governments lose $1.4 billion through 2028.

The committee would be focused on cost cutting, expense shifting, waste reduction in spending and services as well as sustainability, which would focus on the long-term fiscal health of the county, according to the proposal.

The committee members would utilize the Lean Six Sigma methodology, which aims to improve efficiency and quality within a business organization, when reviewing places to reduce waste, Niemeyer, R-7th, said.

Its focus would be on administrative operations, public safety, infrastructure and public works, health and social services and judicial and correctional systems. The committee wont review capital projects funded by bonds, federal pass-through funds, or areas that require voter approval, according to the proposal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It will shift our county business model over to more user fee where applicable, property tax where needed and income tax where needed. It would be those three sources and just properly parceling out government into those three sources, Niemeyer said.

Councilman David Hamm, D-1st, said the proposal sounds like an Elon Musk thing, referring to Musks Department of Government Efficiency at the federal level whose purported savings by cutting contracts and firing employees were inflated according to multiple media analyses.

Niemeyer said DOGE was focused on contracts, while the countys efficiency committee will focus on process.

Its not picking out the little individual things. Its focusing on the big picture business model, Niemeyer said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Council President Christine Cid, D-5th, said the council will have to find ways to be more efficient as it starts the budget planning process this fall.

Were going to have to ask departments to be more efficient  or we have to raise taxes, and I dont know that any of us would want to raise the income tax, Cid said.

The committee would consist of two council members to serve as chair and vice-chair, along with an additional council member or designee, various county department heads and two independent experts in public finance or local government. The council will vote to approve the members, according to the proposal.

The members, who would serve voluntarily, would serve through Dec. 31, 2026 or when the final recommendations are made, whichever is first. They would be tasked with conducting regular reviews and audits, engaging stakeholders through public meetings, collaborating with county staff for data access and writing interim and final reports, according to the proposal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Niemeyer proposed that the committee be formed in September or October 2025 and submits a final report by June 2026.

Ultimately, the proposal outlines the committees success metrics as: achieving a 20% budget reduction, shifting between 5% to 10% of expenses to non-levy sources and streamlining more than 20 processes.

Niemeyer would like the council to vote on the creation of the committee at its Tuesday meeting, according to the proposal.

akukulka@post-trib.com
COOPERSVILLE, Mich. (WOOD)  In West Michigan, railroads tend to blend into the background nowadays. Unlike some big cities, most people here dont rely on them. Theyre relegated to backdrops for photo shoots or the occasional behind-the-wheel freakout as traffic jams grow. Still, they helped found several West Michigan communities and shaped even more.

Lake Michigan Summer Beach Guide

Coopersville literally is a railroad town. It grew from a 680-acre purchase by Benjamin. F. Cooper in 1845 that was eventually offered to the Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee Railway. The tiny township became a local transportation hub and grew from there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The city of Walker maintains almost all of its offices on a complex on Remembrance Road  a thoroughfare that cuts diagonally across the community. It wasnt planned that way, it just followed the path cleared by the old railroad. The same can be said for Apple Drive and Airline Highway outside of Fruitport.

For West Michigan, the Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon Railway was the key line. Also known as the Interurban or the Lake Line, the railway helped spur commerce, connect communities and expand access to the lakeshore for tourists.

An undated photo of the Coopersville sub-station for the Grand Rapids Grand Haven & Muskegon Railway. The building still stands today, housing the Coopersville Historical Museum. (Courtesy Grand Rapids Historical Center)

Killing Smalley: The death of Michigans most notorious train robber

THE GRAND RAPIDS, GRAND HAVEN & MUSKEGON RAILWAY

At the turn of the 20th century, people in remote parts of West Michigan didnt have many transportation options. They either walked or used a horse-drawn vehicle of some sort. Communities had started to grade out more roads, but we were still a long way away from the infrastructure system that we use today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Instead, a rail system was the next step. The Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon Railway was born in 1899. It was built as an interurban system, meant to connect different cities.

The group of investors behind GRGH&M spent the first two years obtaining land and setting the route, then building roadbeds, building bridges and eventually laying track. The company also purchased an electrical generator, 16 passenger cars, three freight cars and another to clear snow. In all, the GRGH&M had 33 miles of track running between Grand Rapids and Muskegon and a branch that runs from the junction near Nunica to Grand Haven.

The line officially opened in February 1902. Jim Budzynski, the curator of the Coopersville Historical Museum, says communities and local businesses took to it quickly.

A map at the Coopersville Historical Museum shows the Lake Lines route from Grand Rapids to the lakeshore. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8)

Grand Rapids had several industries that were using interurban lines, the freight line for sure, Budzynski told News 8. They ran freight cars in the early mornings. There were boats that were coming in from Chicago and going out to Chicago. Farm products and so forth, whatever was produced.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Pigeon Hill: Another piece of West Michigan lost to time

Passenger traffic picked up in the summer. The schedule was changed to offer runs every hour until late in the evening. The initial passenger cars purchased by GRGH&M were 52 feet long and carried up to 56 passengers.

The trains ran on a 600-volt third rail system powered by the generator. In most towns, the interurban station was the first powered building. In the cities, the electric rail was raised to overhead wires to lessen the risk of accidental electrocutions.

The other mounds: Lost history is a part of West Michigans story

When they got to Grand Haven, they owned a trolley line. They had three cars that they could take people out to the island park area and go swimming and so forth. But the big cars also went out there at different times, Budzynski said.

Two Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon Railway employees pose for a photo on the 106 Express car. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8) A 1919 photo of two dispatchers is on display at the Coopersville Historical Museum. A pocket watch, which is synced up to the rest of the railways crew, hangs near the upper left corner of the radio. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8) An undated photo of the Coopersville sub-station for the Grand Rapids Grand Haven & Muskegon Railway. The building still stands today, housing the Coopersville Historical Museum. (Courtesy Grand Rapids Historical Center) An undated photo that shows GRGH&M trolley tracks split Washington Avenue in downtown Grand Haven. (Courtesy Grand Rapids History Center)

There were several stops along the line. Some towns had stations. Others were just a raised platform on the side of the tracks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

An express car wouldnt stop, but the regular cars would. You could put your hand up and itd stop for you, he said.

Budzynski explained there was a local priest who rode the Lake Line every Sunday.

In Dennison, there was a Catholic church north of the interurban line. And the priest, he used to be a missionary priest coming from Grand Haven, serving the people of St. Michaels in Dennison, he said. He would get off at Malones Crossing, which was 88th Avenue, and somebody would meet him and take him up to the church. Hed say his Mass and then come back to the crossing and catch the interurban going back to Grand Haven.

After the advent of the automobile, the owners of the Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon Railway tried to pivot to keep its customers, including offering bus shuttles that followed the Lake Line. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8)

THE END OF THE LINE

The Lake Line was only a few years old when Henry Fords Model T first started rolling off the assembly lines. The Lake Line had a solid 20-year run before the automobiles really started to take over.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lill Budzynski, the director of the Coopersville Historical Museum, said by the middle of the 1920s, the road system had both improved and expanded. The Lake Line wasnt just competing with personal automobiles; it was also being overshadowed by buses.

The bus companies were coming online; Greyhound and so forth, Jim Budzynski said. Around 1926, 1927, the Lake Line bought some buses. They thought that theyd be able to compete with the oncoming bus lines, but it was too little, too late.

Kingmaker: The tainted legacy of Grand Rapids political influencer Frank McKay

Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon Railway shuttered in 1928 and started to sell off its assets. Most of the track and metal structures were sold for scrap, most of which went to Detroit. Some of the land was sold off to electric companies to be used to run power lines.

A coat that belonged to a Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon Railway conductor is on display at the Coopersville Historical Museum. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8) Windows from an original interurban car have been transformed into picture frames at the Coopersville Historical Museum. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8) Pins and a pocket watch from a former Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon Railway conductor is on display at the Coopersville Historical Museum. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8) A model of a passenger car from the Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon Railway is on display at the Coopersville Historical Museum. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8) The Coopersville Historical Museum on Main Street is open four days a week. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8)

Train cars were also sold off. Some were converted into homes. A handful were purchased by construction companies to use as on-site housing for employees who were expanding the very highways that led to the Lake Lines demise.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Car No. 1 is still around. According to Budzynski, it was first moved to the Muskegon area and used as an office for an oil company. Then it was moved down to Richmond and turned into a cottage on the Kalamazoo River.

Car No. 8, known as Merlin, also had an interesting journey. But unlike Car No. 1, it found a second stint as a train car.

REVIVING MERLIN

Coopersville Historical Museum curator Jim Budzynski talks about the headlight aboard the refurbished Merlin. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8)

Budzynski first learned about Merlin in the 1980s. His friend and fellow local history buff, Jack Rollenhagen, told him about an old GRGH&M car in Fruitland Township. What was thought to be Car No. 1 was converted into a home and was starting to deteriorate. It was only after it was unearthed that they realized it was Car No. 8.

Long live the king: James Jesse Strang and Michigans last brush with royalty

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the spring of 1990, Rollenhagen came calling again. The structure holding the train car was condemned and the property owner wanted to get rid of it. After holding discussions with the museums Board of Directors and Coopersville city officials, he got the green light to claim the train car.

What he also got was a massive project, because the surrounding structure needed to be removed before the crane could come in to lift it.

Jack and I would go up there every chance we could and work on the car. And it took a lot of work, Budzynski told News 8.

An undated photo of the abandoned Merlin is on display at the Coopersville Historical Museum. Merlin was claimed and moved to Coopersville in 1990. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8) A 1990 file photo of Dick Boyle and Jack Rollenhagen helping prepare Merlin to be moved from its home in Fruitland Township to Coopersville is on display at the Coopersville Historical Museum. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8) A 1998 file photo of Jim Budzynski doing detailed painting work as part of the ongoing Merlin renovations is on display at the Coopersville Historical Museum. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8)

And his prize for all of that hard work? An absolute eyesore. I said, The people in Coopersville are going to burn me at the stake, Budzynski said with a laugh.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He and his team of volunteers were slowly able to chip away at Merlin  whenever they could find time or whenever they came across grant money  one of Lill Budzynski s big contributions to the project.

University of Michigan archivist discovers long-lost Gershwin musical

Thanks to a grant from the states Arts & Cultural Affairs Department, the exterior of the train was completed in 1998. They received the money in the spring on the condition that the work would be finished by Aug. 8. It pushed everything into overdrive.

I remember working seven days a week, with many 13-hour days, Jim Budzynski wrote in his book The Lake Line. I would drink a whole bottle of Gatorade in what seemed like one gulp. The corner store made sure to stock my favorite flavor.

Merlin continues to be a renovation project at the Coopersville Historical Museum. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8) Merlins gold name plate once again shines on the side of the passenger car. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8) Merlins No. 8 shines in gold on the side of the train car. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8) A detailed schedule of the Lake Line has been recreated and posted inside Merlin. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8) The interior of the Merlin is still a work in progress. An original seat from a GRGH&M car is installed but still needs to be cleaned up and reupholstered. (Matt Jaworowski/WOOD TV8)

The team hit the deadline and after tying up some loose ends, the museum held a gala to show it off.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Before and during the project, many people would walk or drive by to see the changes happening to Merlin. On weekends, there seemed to be almost a procession of automobiles moving slowly past, he wrote.

How tragedy led to Michigans first lady lightkeepers

In the years since, Merlin got a roof and recently was walled in to protect it from the elements. Budzynskis crew continues to work on the minute details of the car, especially the interior. Merlin now includes an original seat and a renovated bathroom designed to look like it would have a century ago.

You can see Merlin and plenty of other artifacts from the GRGH&M at the Coopersville Historical Museum, housed in what was the citys interurban train station. The museum has limited hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Admission to the museum is free, but donations are always welcome.

 A previous version of this story said the Catholic church was in Jenison. It was actually in Dennison, a town that is now part of Coopersville. We regret the error, which has since been corrected.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL)  A two-vehicle crash has caused roadway blockage in Macon County on Saturday.

All lanes of Interstate 85 near the the 45 mile marker, in Macon County, were initially blocked off. Eventually, the right northbound and southbound lanes were reopened while the left lanes remained closed.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the crash occurred at approximately 3:39 p.m. Saturday and reportedly involved a commercial vehicle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Troopers with the ALEA Highway Patrol Division will continue to monitor the scene and provide updates as they become 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 WRBL.
A police officer shot a driver attempting to escape in a stolen vehicle at Publix on Sunday morning, drawing a significant police response from the Ocoee Police Department.

The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. when officers discovered the stolen vehicle in a parking lot. As officers approached, the driver advanced toward one of them and hit the officer with the car. The officer then fired their weapon, striking the driver.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Las Vegas Metro police are searching for a man accused of setting a fire outside the LVMPD headquarters Saturday.

On Saturday, an LVMPD employee noticed a fire along the west property wall of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Departments headquarters near MLK Boulevard and Alta Drive.

The Las Vegas Fire Department responded and quickly extinguished the fire,. No injuries were reported and no buildings were damaged, police said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Detectives learned through the course of the investigation that a man, believed to be 25 to 35 years old, wearing a black and white shirt, black pants, and black shoes, was seen walking north through the south parking lot of the headquarters, police said.

Las Vegas Metro police are searching for a man accused of setting a fire at LVMPD Headquarters Saturday. (LVMPD) Las Vegas Metro police are searching for a man accused of setting a fire at LVMPD Headquarters Saturday. (LVMPD)

The man then entered the landscaping along the west wall that separates the headquarters from an apartment complex and used an unknown item to ignite the nearby foliage before jumping the wall into the apartment complex, according to police.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or the individual depicted in the pictures

is encouraged to contact the LVMPD Fusion Watch Center at (702) 828-7777, or email

at e9804t@lvmpd.com. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-

5555, or at crimestoppersofnv.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 KLAS.
For a few hours Aug. 1, it was like the hotel workers strike of last fall had returned to Waikiki.

UNITE HERE Local 5 members, whose contract at the Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites expired in June 2024, rallied outside the hotel waving red flags and wearing placards that read Respect Our Guests, Respect Our Work.

It was only last November when union workers at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort ended a 40-day strike, which coincided with strong UNITE HERE national campaigns. That strike came on the heels of a three-day strike involving 5, 000 Local 5 workers from eight properties over the busy Labor Day weekendthe largest action by union hospitality workers in more than 30 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When UNITE HERE Local 5 workers ratified the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa contract in December, they settled the last contract of the eight hotels where the union had authorized strikes in 2024, including the Hyatt Regency and Hilton Hawaiian Village, along with the Sheraton Kauai Resort ; the Moana Surfridera Westin Resort & Spa ; the Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort ; the Sheraton Princess Ka iu lani Waikiki Beach ; the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort ; and the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.

The Hyatt contract ratification put an end to the imminent threat of more strikes during a contentious 2024 contract cycle, which involved local and national strikes. However, another major bargaining cycle is ramping up again in Hawaii, where Local 5 represents 10, 000 workers in the hospitality, health care and food service industries.

This latest cycle of negotiations involves contracts at five hotels, including the Ilikai, as well as at Kaiser Permanente, where the contract is expiring for some 2, 000 Hawaii health care workers at the end of September, and for some 500 food service workers at HMSHost at airports across the state.

Later in the year, contract talks are coming up at Hale Nani Rehab & Nursing Center, where about 250 workers are represented by Local 5.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Cade Watanabe, Local 5 financial secretary-treasurer, said the union already has settled contracts for 1, 398 hotel workers at four properties this year, including the Kahala Hotel & Resort in January, The Modern Honolulu in April, the Ala Moana Hotel and the Ritz-Carlton O ahu, Turtle Bay in May.

Watanabe said the union will use those standards to set the tone for coming contract negotiations for another 745 workers across five hotels with expired contracts. These include the Ilikai Hotel, the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa and the DoubleTree by Hilton AlanaWaikiki Beach, where contracts expired in December ; the Royal Kona Resort, where the contract expired in January ; and the Hilton Vacation Club Ka anapali Beach Maui, where the contract expired in July.

We have a number of hotels that we are still driving (toward ) the standard that was set in 2024. That includes, first and foremost, the Ilikai workers because their contract expired in the summer of 2024, so they have been working without a contract for a long time, and we have had many battles at that property,  he said.

According to Watanabe, ratified hospitality contracts in 2024 set historic wage standards of $10-per-hour raises across-the-board over four years for nontipped workers, $6.50-per-hour raises for tipped workers and $8.50-per-hour for uniformed service workers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

TRADITIONALLY, Local 5 uses contracts at its top Waikiki hotels to set the standard for other hotels statewide.

Watanabe said Local 5 union workers at the Ilikai have had only one bargaining session, in April. He said the Aug. 1 rally highlighted that 100 % of Local 5 workers at the Ilikai recently voted to authorize a strike. The union has not made its strike plan clear, but it has the power to call for a walkout at any time.

Richelle Rodero-Miyasato, who has worked at Ilikai for over 23 years and is now a guest services agent, said she and other workers voted to give union leaders authorization to call a strike if needed because they have been working without a contract for more than a year.

We want the contract signed. We want the Waikiki standard. We want to be up to date with everyone else in Waikiki,  Rodero-Miyasato said. We are doing the same work as everyone else but getting significantly less. We held a rally and we are ready to strike.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Management Services LLC manages 208 of the more than 1, 000 condominium units in the Ilikai and operates the front desk to service guests for those units. We are currently engaged in active contract negotiations with (UNITE HERE Local 5 ), the union representing our employees,  Hotel Management Services LLC said. While the union has held rallies, we are continuing discussions in good faith toward reaching an agreement.

Hilton, Hilton Grand Vacations, Marriott and Hawaiian Hotels & Resorts did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Watanabe said negotiations with the Waikoloa Beach Marriott involve bargaining with one of Hawaiis big three hotel companies.

We havent had any formal bargaining sessions as of yet, but were working with Marriott to get the settlement at Turtle Bay because they have come in and are now operating it as a Ritz-Carlton,  he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Another key focus is the Royal Kona Resort, where union members have been working without a contract for about six months.

Weve had some close calls in terms of potential labor disputes, and we are currently far apart (on the negotiations ),  Watanabe said. They are already $5 to $6 (an hour ) behind the Waikiki standard in some classifications. We have to make sure that we keep up.

The Ka anapali Beach Club is now Hilton Grand Vacations, he noted, and contract talks there opened in July.

Watanabe said the union also needs to bring the DoubleTree Alana up to the Waikiki standard.

LOCAL 5 ALSO is in active contract negotiations with Kaiser Permanente, where the contract for some 2, 000 workers is expiring locally and nationally in an alliance of some 60, 000 workers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We want to make sure Kaiser workers in Hawaii dont get left behind,  Watanabe said. They make significantly less than their counterparts in Southern California.

Kaiser Permanente said in an emailed statement that it is negotiating a new national contract with the Alliance of Health Care Unions, made up of 23 local unions representing 61, 000 professionals in its historic Labor Management Partnership.

Our compensation philosophy is to pay our employees, on average, as much as 10 % above the market in which they work. The benefits we provide are among the best in the nation,  the statement said.

Kaiser Permanente, one of the nations largest not-for-profit health plans and health care providers, added that it is proud to have one of the largest unionized work forces in the country, with more than 40 unions representing roughly 80 % of its employees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We are committed to providing good union jobs with competitive wages, generous benefits, and meaningful career development opportunitiesnow and into the future,  its statement said. We are also responsible for ensuring our members and patients will continue to have access to high-quality care that is affordable, especially amidst the uncertain economic headwinds we are all facing. This is the balance we must constantly seek.

Watanabe said the contract for the unions other health care employer, Volare Healths Hale Nani Rehab & Nursing Center in Honolulu, which covers roughly 250 employees, is expiring in December. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Local 5 also is in the middle of bargaining on behalf of about 500 HMSHost workers, whose contracts expired at the end of 2024. They work at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Lihue Airport and Kahului Airport. HMSHost did not immediately respond to a request for a comment.

According to Watanabe, Local 5 wants to highlight that HMSHost workers are the first and last workers to encounter our guests and do the same work as a lot of our workers in the hotels and get paid so much less than other hospitality workers. We are trying to make sure we bring more fair and equitable wages. We have to raise the standard for food service workers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Another key goal for HMSHost workers, he said, is to get union medical benefits.

Correction : Hotel Management Services LLC is the legal name of the entity that oversees the 208 units that are involved in the current contract negotiations at the Ilikai. An earlier version of this story referred to Aqua-Aston Hospitality.
Lebanons government has announced a timeline for Hezbollahs disarmament, saying the military would set out a plan to bring all weapons under state authority before the end of 2025.

This comes after months of pressure from the United States after Israels war on Lebanon killed more than 4,000 people and culminated in a ceasefire in November. Israel has continuously violated the ceasefire and still occupies five points in Lebanon.

Hezbollahs arms have long been a contentious issue in Lebanon, and attempts to interfere in Hezbollahs infrastructure or military capabilities have led to internal conflict.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, Hezbollah took heavy losses in Israeli attacks last year, which diminished its status as Lebanons political and military hegemon.

As the issue of disarming Hezbollah heats up, heres what you need to know about the governments announcement on Tuesday and the situation in Lebanon:

What did Hezbollah say?

It doesnt like the disarmament plan.

In fact, Hezbollah said it would treat the decision as though it didnt 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 in a statement.





Despite its flat-out rejection of the governments decision, Hezbollah has yet to respond with force.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Under its late leader Hassan Nasrallah, the group threatened that any act taken against its arms could lead to civil war.

This time, Hezbollah has not taken military action, possibly a result of a change in its strategy or because of its weakened capacity after the war.

Rumours circulated during a cabinet session on Tuesday that Hezbollah supporters in black shirts were gathering along the highway in Khaldeh, just south of Beirut, but that turned out to be a restaurant celebrating reaching one million followers on Instagram.

Pro-Hezbollah protesters did briefly block the airport road in Beirut after the governments decision, but little else has manifested despite heightened domestic concerns.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Rio de Janeiro on July 6, 2025 [Eraldo Peres/AP]

What about Iran, Hezbollahs backer?

Iran voiced support for Hezbollah but said it has no role in shaping the groups decisions or policy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The comments came from Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said the efforts to disarm Hezbollah wouldnt work.

This is not the first time theyve tried to strip Hezbollah of its weapons, Araghchi said. The reason is clear: The power of resistance has proven itself in the field.

Iran played a formative role in founding Hezbollah in 1982 during the heat of the Lebanese Civil War and has been the groups main benefactor ever since.

But since Israels war on Lebanon, Irans ability to support Hezbollah has taken a major hit. The Lebanese government has blocked flights from Tehran, and the fall of Bashar al-Assads regime in neighbouring Syria has blocked the land route used to transport funding and weapons.





How did Lebanon respond?

Irans comments angered some Lebanese officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi said Araghchis statement is firmly rejected and condemned.

Such statements undermine Lebanons sovereignty, unity and stability and constitute an unacceptable interference in its internal matters and sovereign decisions, Raggi said.





Is disarmament going to happen?

This remains to be seen.

Salam said after a follow-up cabinet meeting on Thursday that his ministers approved the objectives of a US proposal for ensuring that the possession of weapons is restricted solely to the state.

The government is now expected to formally commit to disarming Hezbollah, a decision that could  ignite a political crisis, Al Jazeeras Beirut correspondent Zeina Khodr said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hezbollah has yet to respond forcefully, and anti-Hezbollah politicians have used increasingly bold rhetoric.

If there is a cost to be able to centralise the weapons with the  Lebanese armed forces, [it may be] better like that, Elias Hankash, a Lebanese MP with the anti-Hezbollah Kataeb party, said.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun leads a meeting at the Baabda presidential palace on August 7, 2025 [Handout: Lebanese Presidency via AFP]

President Joseph Aoun and Salam will have to navigate US pressure and domestic support for disarming Hezbollah with opposition from the group and its supporters, who are reeling from Israels war.

The World Bank has said Lebanon needs $11bn for reconstruction and recovery, the vast majority of which is needed in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley and Beiruts suburbs, where most of Hezbollahs support is based.

Have any Hezbollah members expressed discontent with disarmament?

Plenty of discontent has been expressed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected the idea, saying the groups disarmament would make Lebanon vulnerable to attack and would serve only Israel.

Ali Mokdad, a Hezbollah MP, also dismissed the decision, calling it ink on paper. Another Hezbollah MP, Mohammad Raad, said the decision could never be implemented and compared Hezbollah giving up its weapons to suicide.





What are things like right now?

Tensions were heightened on Saturday when six Lebanese soldiers were killed while inspecting an alleged Hezbollah weapons site.

Hezbollah reportedly booby-trapped sites in southern Lebanon during the war in case invading Israeli soldiers came upon them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Many from Lebanons south are antagonistic towards Beirut, feeling the government has not been able to defend the south, which continues to suffer from daily Israeli attacks. Residents also lament the lack of public statements about the deaths from those attacks.




Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday termed Election Commission's demand for a signed declaration from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on the latter's "vote theft" allegations as "utterly absurd" and an attempt to save its reputation. In a post on X, senior Congress leader Gehlot criticised the EC's demand, stating that Rahul Gandhi had presented evidence to the public. "Mr. Rahul Gandhi has exposed the Vote Chori being done by the Election Commission in the voter list by presenting all the evidence before the public, and the entire country trusts him on this. The demand for an declaration by the Election Commission seems utterly absurd and appears to be an attempt to save its own reputation," he said on X. https://x.com/ashokgehlot51/status/1954397594953621825 Referring to a remark of former Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat, Ashok Gehlot suggested that the EC is obligated to "proactively investigate" the allegations made by Rahul Gandhi. "During the NDA government, Mr. OP Rawat, who was the Chief Election Commissioner in 2018, stated that when he was the Election Commissioner, if any senior leader made allegations, the Election Commission would proactively investigate and present the facts to the public to maintain their trust in the institution," former Rajashtan CM said. He also questioned whether EC demanded declarations from Oppositon leaders in the past when they made allegations against the poll body. "In the past, many opposition leaders, such as Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mr. Lal Krishna Advani, and even Mr. Narendra Modi himself, among other then-opposition leaders, had made allegations against the Election Commission. How many of these leaders have submitted affidavits to the Election Commission?" he asked. Gehlot added, "If the revelation made by Mr. Rahul Gandhi had been made by an investigative journalist or a media organisation, would the Election Commission have conducted a fair investigation into those allegations, or would it have demanded an affidavit from them?" Gehlot further raised concerns over the freedom of the Election Commission. "In countries like North Korea, China, and Russia, where a single party rules, the Election Commission also conducts elections. The whole world knows the state of those Election Commissions and their elections. Is a similar attempt being made in India?" he said. EC has asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to either give a declaration as per the rules or apologise to the country for his "false" allegations regarding the voter lists. "Rahul Gandhi should either give a Declaration as per rules or apologise to the country for his false allegations," ECI said in an earlier statement. On August 7, Rahul Gandhi held a press conference, citing internal analysis. The LoP stated that the Congress expected to win 16 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka but ended up with only nine. He said the Congress investigated seven unexpected losses, zeroing in on Mahadevapura, where he alleged vote theft involving 100,250 votes. Presenting Congress's research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi alleged "vote chori" (vote theft) of 100,250 votes. (ANI)
RIFLE, Colo. (KREX)  On Saturday, the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) announced that it has started a coordinated evacuation of the Rifle Correctional Center, located at 200 Country Road 219, due to the evolving Lee Fire in Rio Blanco County.

In collaboration with state and local emergency management officials, CDOC is transferring 179 incarcerated individuals to secure facilities outside the fire-affected area to maintain safety and operational continuity.

By implementing the facilitys emergency evacuation plan, staff can ensure the safe transfer of residents with enhanced security and strong coordination with partner agencies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There are no reported injuries to staff or incarcerated individuals at this time.

The Lee Fire, which has grown to over 92,000 acres, has prompted new evacuation orders and precautionary measures between Rio Blanco and Garfield Counties. CDOC will closely monitor conditions and will take necessary steps to protect the staff, incarcerated individuals and the surrounding community.

CDOC will provide updates, such as information on where the incarcerated will be relocated, when the department determines it appropriate 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 WesternSlopeNow.com.
A Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York City has killed three people and sickened more than 70 people.

Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse announced the details in a press conference on Aug. 7, 2025, noting health officials have taken action to find and get rid of the Legionella bacteria causing the outbreak.

Morse said workers have detected and remediated 11 cooling towers where the bacteria was detected, but noted five ZIP codes in central Harlem are still under investigation by her department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The press conference was posted by CBS News.

Everywhere in 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039 is under investigation, according to NYC Health.

"It's a false sense of security if I were to tell you any one or two or three specific buildings to focus on," Morse said. "The entire ZIP codes are under investigation actively."

Morse during the conference said 73 people had been reported infected, and New York's ABC 7 reported later in the day that that number had risen to 81. Morse noted 23 people have been hospitalized because of the outbreak.

Health officials first became aware of a cluster of Legionella cases on July 25, Morse said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Cooling towers help regulate building and equipment temperatures by allowing heat to escape into the air, usually through water evaporation or simply cooling water down.

That means, despite the cooling towers contamination, indoor plumbing is not impacted by the outbreak and tap water is safe to consume.

"So New Yorkers in Central Harlem, where we're standing right now, can still safely drink tap water, bathe, shower, cook, use your air conditioner," Morse said. "Those things are safe."

Legionnaires' disease cannot be spread person-to-person, Morse emphasized.

Symptoms of the disease usually begin around two days after contact with legionella bacteria, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The first round of symptoms usually include headaches, muscle aches and a fever. Later symptoms include a productive cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea and confusion.

Older people and smokers should seek immediate treatment if they come in contact with the bacteria.

People with weakened immune systems or chronic lung issues are also consider at higher risk.

Without treatment the disease can also lead to lung failure, septic shock and sudden kidney failure.

Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak Kills 3 in New York. Health Commissioner Says 5 ZIP Codes Under Investigation first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 8, 2025
South Dakota Department of Health Secretary Melissa Magstadt speaks at a press conference in Sioux Falls on April 25, 2025. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

Its not as bad as it couldve been: Thats the new bar for public health success in South Dakota.

The leader of the state Health Department, Melissa Magstadt, made that clear Thursday when she declared herself so proud of the states measles response.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In an opinion piece she wrote and sent to the media, Magstadt summarized the states efforts since measles cases surged earlier this year in other parts of the country and reached South Dakota in May.

Her staff identified at-risk counties, provided updated advice for health care providers, increased the state health labs testing capacity, notified over 400 potentially exposed people, helped concerned patients review their vaccination records, and conducted pop-up immunization clinics.

There were some missteps, too, which we at South Dakota Searchlight pointed out in a recent news story that might have motivated Magstadts piece.

In June, when the department announced a schedule of measles vaccination clinics in 11 cities, the announcement didnt say whether the clinics would be free  an important bit of information to share when trying to avert the rapid spread of a disease. The department eventually told us it provides immunizations at no cost when insurance isnt an option.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It took us weeks to learn the results of the clinics, after the department initially claimed that disclosing numbers would violate patient confidentiality. When we finally pried the data free, the likely reason for the secrecy was apparent. At seven of the 11 announced locations, nobody got vaccinated for measles on the days of the special clinics, while a total of 14 measles immunizations were administered at the other four locations.

Although those clinics were largely a bust, the department said its other efforts have helped to push the number of measles vaccinations in the state past 6,000 this year, which is about 1,200 more than the same time last year.

The department deserves credit for that, and for helping to stop the spread of measles at 12 known cases so far. Magstadt said the absence of any new cases during the past four weeks is evidence that the state has done remarkably well.

Thats as it should be. When an infectious disease threatens South Dakotans, we should expect no less of our Department of Health than to do its job. We shouldve expected more of the department before the crisis arrived, and we should expect more of it going forward.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Magstadt didnt mention in her opinion piece that the states kindergarten measles vaccination rate tumbled from 97% to 90% during the past 10 years, while she and other public health officials failed to effectively counter the false and conspiratorial narratives about vaccine safety and efficacy that drove the decline. Nor did she mention the role of falling vaccination rates in the return of measles after the disease was eliminated in the United States 25 years ago.

Magstadt seems uninterested in asking what went wrong, choosing instead to proclaim victory amid a still-unfolding situation and insisting that South Dakota did so well at limiting the spread of measles because we were ready.

If scrambling to contain the predictable results of a decade-long drop in the vaccination rate is what passes for preparedness in South Dakota, maybe we need to set the bar for disease prevention a little higher.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
As the Knesset is currently in recess, the party's motion will require at least 25 MKs' signatures, but opposition parties have agreed in principle to sign the request.

Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman wants an urgent Knesset debate about the plan to invade and occupy Gaza City, a party spokesperson told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday.

The plan was proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and approved by the security cabinet last week.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Since the Knesset is in recess, the motion will require at least 25 MKs signatures. Opposition parties have agreed in principle to the request.

The debate may be held as early as next week.

Finance Minister and Religious Zionist Party chairman Bezalel Smotrich and his party colleague MK Zvi Sukkot on Sunday threatened to support new elections in protest against the security cabinets decision to occupy Gaza City.

Bezalel Smotrich attends a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem, August 6, 2025 (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Lapid asks Smotrich to bring down government

The three RZP ministers, Smotrich, Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer, and National Missions Minister Orit Strock, all decided not to attend Sundays cabinet meeting in protest against the security cabinets decision.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Amid these developments and apparent growing disagreements between RZP and Netanyahu, opposition leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) asked Smotrich to bring down the government.

Lapid said the chairman of a coalition party cannot remain in the government if he does not trust the prime minister, KAN News reported in a post on X/Twitter that Lapid shared.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum on Sunday said it would initiate a nationwide shutdown for next Sunday to protest the security cabinets decision to occupy Gaza City.

Keshet Neev contributed to this report.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56)  A big night for Republicans meant big names at the 2025 Republican Party of Kentuckys Lincoln Day Dinner.

CNN Senior Republican Commentator and emcee for the evening, Scott Jennings, wasted no time taking digs at Democratsand also highlighted the importance of why he says electing Republicans to public office is crucial.

Everything is on the line. Conservatives, Republicans, we must go boldly into every arena As Republicans, it is our duty to show up, to speak clearly and defend what we know to be true, even when the room isnt full of applause, said Jennings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Community prays for safe return of missing boy in Jackson

As Republican achievements were touted and plans discussed inside the Central Bank Center, outside was quite the opposite.

Im so concerned about whats happening to our country. I see our democracy dying every day. I see lack of due process. I see violations of the Constitution, said protester Peggy Kannapel. I see parallels to the 1920s, 30s, 40s Germany and it frightens me. Were losing our democracy and I have to stand up and speak out.

Resounding applause from those at the dinner often drowned out the chants of protest  especially as Sen. Mitch McConnell honored Kentucky GOP Treasurer Cathy Bell with a lifetime achievement award.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

McConnell himself received multiple standing ovations for his time in Congress as the countrys longest-serving Senate leader.

After being introduced by Sen. McConnell, Sen. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) encouraged the crowd to give the outgoing senator another round of applause.

I want everybody to stand up and give him a round of applause again like you cant imagine, Justice said.

The four Republicans currently competing for McConnells seat each took to the stage, making their case for why theyd be the best person to represent Kentucky in Congress.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

You could consider their speeches a highlight of the night, but Sen. Justice and his dog, Babydog, captivated the audience, ending his address with a simple message.

Why, Jim Justice, would you possibly run for the US Senate? And the words are just as simple as this. Because were worth it. Were absolutely worth it. God bless you.

Saturdays dinner marked another high-profile stop for Republican hopefuls ahead of next years primary for McConnells Senate seat.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WASHINGTON  Sen. Lindsey Graham said in an interview on NBC News Meet the Press that Russia and Ukraine would have to swap some territory to end the war, echoing President Donald Trumps comments about land exchanges.

I want to be honest with you, Ukraine is not going to evict every Russian, and Russia is not going to Kyiv, so there will be some land swaps at the end, Graham, R-S.C., said during Sundays interview.

That idea has been a non-starter for Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that Ukraine would not give their land to occupiers. His comments came after Trump said on Friday that therell be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Graham said land exchanges would only happen after you have security guarantees to Ukraine to prevent Russia from doing this again.

You need to tell Putin what happens if he does it a third time, Graham said, referring to Russia annexing Crimea in 2014 in addition to Russias 2022 invasion.

Asked during the interview whether it was the right move for Trump to hold a summit with Russias President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this Friday in an attempt to broker a ceasefire agreement, Graham said he was very okay with the meeting, later adding that he hoped Zelenskyy could be involved.

You cant end a war without talking. I do hope that Zelenskyy can be part of the process. Ill leave that up to the White House, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

NBC News previously reported that the White House was considering inviting Zelenskyy to the meeting. Asked on CNNs State of the Union whether Zelenskyy might attend, U.S. ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said, I certainly think its possible.

Certainly there cant be a deal that everybody thats involved in it doesnt agree to, Whitaker said Sunday. Referring to the idea of territorial exchange, he no big chunks or sections are going to be just given that havent been fought for or earned on the battlefield.

Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S., said on CBS Face the Nation that Zelenskyy would be willing to travel to Alaska.

We have shown that he is ready to be anywhere to advance the agenda of peace, Markarova said. So if needed, President Zelenskyy of course will be present at the meetings.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Markarova also pushed back against the concept of buffer zones, calling it an outdated idea. She referred to the frontlines of the war as the frontline between evil and good, saying that the question is whether that boundary would be on Ukraines borders or in Europe.

Grahams comments on the exchange of territory are a shift from his previous position. In 2023, he said in a statement that The Ukrainians understand you dont end wars by giving territory to the aggressor. The senator also warned at the time that if Putin was not stopped in Ukraine, he will keep going, increasing the chance that NATO could be drawn into a war.

Asked on Sunday about those comments, Graham pointed to what he believed should be done to deter Russia from invading Ukraine a third time. He said the U.S. and allies should continue arming Ukraine, put some European forces on the ground, and build up economic integration.

If Putin were to invade Ukraine again, he would be fighting more than just Ukraine, having some European forces on the ground as trip wires, Graham said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He also pointed to the split of Germanys capital after World War II into East and West Berlin and later reunification, noting that the city existed divided for a very long time.

In an interview taped before Trump announced the Alaska summit, Vice President JD Vance said a negotiated settlement would probably have elements that neither side likes.

"Its not going to make anybody super happy," Vance said. "Both the Russians and the Ukrainians, probably, at the end of the day, are going to be unhappy with it.

In the interview, which aired Sunday, Vance said Trump "needs to force President Putin and President Zelenskyy, really, to sit down, to figure out their differences."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The way to peace is to have a decisive leader sit down and force people to come together," Vance said.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in an interview on ABCs This Week that Ukraine must be involved in moves to end the war.

Lets hope that Friday will be an important step in that process, he said. We need Ukraine at the table. It will be about territory. It will be, of course, about security guarantees, but also about the absolute need to acknowledge that Ukraine decides on its own future.

Rutte said neither Ukraines troop levels nor NATOs presence on the eastern flank in countries like Latvia, Estonia and Finland should be limited.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Separately, former national security adviser John Bolton, who served during Trumps first term, criticized the location of the Trump-Putin summit. Holding this meeting on American soil was legitimizing a pariah leader of a rogue state, he said on ABCs This Week.

Hes allowed Putin to get first mover advantage by putting his peace plan on the table first, Bolton said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Developers relying on Floridas Live Local Act are lighting up Fort Lauderdale with requests to build.

So far, eight projects are in the pipeline, with more likely on the way under a developer-friendly law designed to get more affordable housing built in a state known for soaring rents.

Three projects have already received approval from City Hall staff, records show. Five more are under review.

Altogether, the projects call for a total of 2,342 apartments and more than 60,000 square feet of commercial space. Nearly half the apartments  1,156 to be exact  will qualify as affordable workforce housing. The rest  1,186 apartments  will rent at market rate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The tallest tower will stand 380 feet high. The shortest: 65 feet.

In keeping with the new state law, the projects are being approved outside the public eye, with no public input from the Fort Lauderdale commission or residents who live nearby.

In an effort to spur the development of affordable housing, the Live Local Act allows builders to ignore height and density caps. Under the law, developers can build to the highest currently allowed height for a commercial or residential building within a one-mile radius.

The projects are required to meet certain zoning and permitting rules, but can be built along commercial corridors throughout Fort Lauderdale, in places they were never meant to rise.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The law allows developers to preempt local zoning laws on height and density if they guarantee that at least 40% of the apartments are affordable to renters making up to 120% of the local area median income for Broward County.

Browards median income has risen to $96,200 for 2025. So the maximum income for a household to qualify for Live Local Act programs in Broward has reached $115,440.

Under the law, the affordability requirement must be maintained for at least 30 years.

The three projects below have already received approvals:

Project name: The Cove

Project address: 1055 N. Federal Hwy.

Applicant: 1055 N Federal LLC

Approved: May 13, 2025

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

376 residential units (207 workforce units and 169 market rate units)

Height: 84 feet, 6 inches (equivalent to 8 stories)

Project name: IMMA at Melrose

Project address: 2900 W. Broward Blvd.

Applicant: Tatum Martin/Melrose View LLC

Approved: June 13, 2025

162 residential units (all workforce)

Height: 122 feet (equivalent to 12 stories)

Project name: None yet

Project address: 1101 N. Federal Hwy.

Applicant: GatewayApproved: March 12, 2025

231 residential units (94 workforce units and 137 market rate units)

Height: 150 feet (equivalent to 15 stories)

The five projects below remain under review:

Project name: The Quay

Project address: 1515 and 1535 SE 17 St.

Applicant: Related Group, BH Group and Pebb Enterprises

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

521 residential units (217 workforce units and 304 market rate)

Height: 380 feet (equivalent to 38 stories)

Project name: New Hope I

Project address: 1316 NW Sixth St.

Applicant: LandAmerica Holdings & Investments Group

30 residential units (12 workforce units and 18 market rate units)

Height: 65 feet (equivalent to 6 stories)

Project name: Lofts on 6th

Project address: 610 NW Third Ave.

Applicant: 610 LLC

90 residential units (all workforce)

Height: 86 feet, 8 inches (equivalent to 8 stories)

Project name: Croissant Park North

Project address: 1777 S. Andrews Ave.

Applicant: Rechter Holdings Inc., Blacksod Partners and South Andrews Holdings

466 residential units (187 workforce units and 279 market rate units)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Height: 301 feet (equivalent to 30 stories)

Project name: Croissant Park South

Project address: 1801 S. Andrews Ave.

Applicant: 1801 Associates LLC

466 residential units (187 workforce units and 279 market rate units)

Height: 301 feet (equivalent to 30 stories)

Unintended consequences

Some are worried about the impact the Live Local law will have on neighborhoods.

I think they did not realize that there would be unintended consequences, longtime resident Marilyn Mammano said of state legislators.

Our downtown has no limits on density or height, said Mammano, president of the Harbordale Civic Association. So all of a sudden, a lot of properties near downtown are now zoned the same as downtown. Its pretty much a free-for-all. When you start seeing these buildings go up, its going to have a big visual impact and a big density impact.

Not trying to fly under the radar

Mayor Dean Trantalis says he too is not a fan of the Live Local statute.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He questions whether the law was needed, noting that Fort Lauderdale already gives tax incentives and direct financial contributions to developers willing to build workforce housing.

Theres always going to be a demand for affordable housing, Trantalis said. No matter where you go, these projects always have a waiting list.

Like other city officials throughout the state, Trantalis says hes worried about the impact on single-family neighborhoods.

I think the state Legislature thinks of development as a one size fits all, he said. But what happens in Alachua County is not the same as what happens in Broward County. And thats troubling. Each city has evolved in different ways.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Commissioner Steve Glassman says he also has reservations.

I was not a fan when that law was passed, Glassman said. I understand the need for more affordable housing. But where I disagree is that it totally bypasses the processes in place that provide for public participation meetings, where a project goes to Planning and Zoning and sometimes the commission. Im just concerned about the encroachment into the neighborhoods.

So far, Glassman says the developers who have proposed Live Local projects in his district have had the courtesy and respect to contact him regarding their plans. In turn, Glassman says he has alerted the nearby neighborhoods.

The developers Ive been dealing with are not trying to fly under the radar, Glassman said. Theyre letting people know. And I hope we see that consistently, that the developers do the right thing.

Lets do Live Local

Robert Lochrie, a land use attorney based in Fort Lauderdale, says hes been getting calls from more developers interested in building workforce housing since the Live Local Act went into effect two years ago  and for good reason.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Theres no public meetings and no public hearings, Lochrie said. Under the law, its an expedited process. But its still a very thorough review. Live Local has really set up a new standard for folks who want to do workforce housing. It gives an incredible incentive to developers by allowing for a streamlined process with less layers of review. It cuts through a lot of red tape. It also gives incredible tax breaks.

Despite all the incentives, building workforce housing remains an expensive venture, Lochrie said.

With the current economic slowdown, will the Live Local law entice more developers to build workforce housing?

I think the jury is still out on that, Lochrie said. The balance of Live Local is to provide robust incentives. But not every development can be a Live Local project.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Still, a handful of developers are using Live Local to get their project through the review process faster, Lochrie said.

If a client says theyre going to do 60% affordable housing, my advice will be, Lets do Live Local. It moves things through the process faster. And thats what its for, to expand the speed to market and to facilitate workforce housing near where people work.

So far, two of Lochries clients have proposed Live Local projects in Fort Lauderdale: The Quay, being developed by Related Group, BH Group and Pebb Enterprises; and The Cove, proposed by developer Jeff Burns.

Live Local speeds things up

Burns, founder & CEO of Affiliated Development, said he expects to break ground on the eight-story project in early 2026.

Were in the process of finishing the demolition of an abandoned hotel that took us four months to knock down, Burns said. We were very eager to get that going. It was an eyesore with a lot of unwanted criminal activity occurring in and around the site.

The apartment tower will replace The Link, a hotel built in 1981 on the west side of Federal Highway just north of Sunrise Boulevard.

Rent for the affordable housing units at The Cove will start at $1,900 for a one bedroom; $2,800 for a two bedroom; and $3,200 for a three bedroom. Market rate rents will start at $2,500 for a one bedroom; $3,000 for a two bedroom; and $3,800 for a three bedroom.

Thanks to the streamlined review process, Burns said he got staff approval for the project within six months.

We carved half the time off, Burns said. It would have taken a year under the normal process. Live Local speeds things up.

Saving time helps save money too, Burns said.

When youre buying an expensive property, if it takes a year or two before you can break ground, that can eat a hole in your pocket, Burns said. That eats into the deal and the returns.

Not everyone is going to run out and try to build a Live Local project, said Charlie Ladd, a local developer with a long history in Fort Lauderdale.

There are two kinds of projects: Projects that are approved, and projects that are developed, he said. If someone gets a massive project approved, that doesnt necessarily mean its going to be developed. Its very alluring to get a project approved. But it also has to make economic sense to get built.

Fans of the Live Local law are hoping developers will build workforce housing despite the economic slowdown. Skeptics  including Ladd  arent so sure.

Well see what gets built, he said. Can you justify it on a 30-story high-rise where youre committed to lower rents for 30 years? Thats the question. And I dont know that theres a firm answer out there. Live Local is just another tool. People are still figuring out how it works. Density is expensive. And with Live Local, youre having to keep down your value. You have to make sure it makes economic sense.
Each morning, Rosa Chamami wakes to flames licking at cardboard scraps in a makeshift stove in her yard.

The boxes she brought home once held 800,000 high-tech solar panels. Now, they fuel her fire.

Between 2018 and 2024, those panels were installed at Rubi and Clemesi, two massive solar plants in Peru's Moquegua region, about 1,000 kilometres south of the capital, Lima. Together, they form the country's largest solar complex  and one of the biggest in Latin America.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

From her home in the small settlement of Pampa Clemesi, Rosa can see the rows of panels glowing under white floodlights. The Rubi plant is just 600 metres away.

Yet her home  and the rest of her village  remains in total darkness, unconnected to the grid the plant feeds into.

The Rubi solar plant can be seen from various spots throughout the town [BBC]

Power from the sun, but not at home

None of Pampa Clemesi's 150 residents have access to the national power grid.

A few have solar panels donated by Rubi's operator, Orygen, but most can't afford the batteries and converters needed to make them work. At night, they use torches  or simply live in the dark.

The paradox is striking: the Rubi solar power plant produces around 440 GWh a year, enough to supply electricity to 351,000 homes. Moquegua, where the plant is located, is an ideal site for solar energy, receiving over 3,200 hours of sunshine annually, more than most countries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And that contradiction becomes even sharper in a country currently experiencing a renewable energy boom.

In 2024 alone, electricity generation from renewables grew by 96%. Solar and wind power depend heavily on copper due to its high conductivity  and Peru is the world's second-largest producer.

"In Peru, the system was designed around profitability. No effort was made to connect sparsely populated areas," explains Carlos Gordillo, an energy expert at the University of Santa Maria in Arequipa.

Orygen says it has fulfilled its responsibilities.

"We've joined the government project to bring electricity to Pampa Clemesi and have already built a dedicated line for them. We also completed the first phase of the electrification project, with 53 power towers ready to operate," Marco Fragale, Orygen's executive director in Peru, told BBC News Mundo, the BBC's Spanish-language service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Fragale adds that nearly 4,000 metres of underground cable were installed to provide a power line for the village. The $800,000 investment is complete, he says.

But the lights still haven't come on.

The final step  connecting the new line to individual homes  is the government's responsibility. According to the plan, the Ministry of Mines and Energy must lay about two kilometres of wiring. Work was slated to begin in March 2025, but hasn't started.

BBC News Mundo tried to contact the Ministry of Mines and Energy but received no response.

Residents gather for dinner in darkness, illuminated only by a solar-powered torch [BBC]

A daily struggle for basics

Rosa's tiny house has no sockets.

Each day, she walks around the village, hoping someone can spare a bit of electricity to charge her phone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It's essential," she says, explaining she needs the device to stay in touch with her family near the border with Bolivia.

One of the few people who can help is Ruben Pongo. In his larger home  with patios and several rooms  a group of speckled hens fight for rooftop space between the solar panels.

Ruben works at the Rubi plant and lives in Pampa Clemesi [BBC]

"The company donated solar panels to most villagers," he says. "But I had to buy the battery, the converter, and the cables myself  and pay for installation."

Ruben owns something others only dream of: a fridge. But it only runs for up to 10 hours a day, and on cloudy days, not at all.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He helped build the Rubi plant and later worked in maintenance, cleaning the panels. Today, he manages the warehouse and is driven to work by the company, even though the plant is just across the road.

Crossing the Pan-American Highway on foot is prohibited by Peruvian law.

From his rooftop, Ruben points to a cluster of glowing buildings in the distance.

"That's the plant's substation," he says. "It looks like a little lit-up town."

The Rubi solar plant produces electricity for around 350,000 homes in Peru [BBC]

[BBC]

A long wait

Residents began settling in Pampa Clemesi in the early 2000s. Among them is Pedro Chara, now 70. He's watched the 500,000-panel Rubi plant rise almost on his doorstep.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Much of the village is built from discarded materials from the plant. Pedro says even their beds come from scrap wood.

There's no water system, no sewage, no rubbish collection. The village once had 500 residents, but due to scarce infrastructure, the majority left  especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Sometimes, after waiting so long, fighting for water and electricity, you just feel like dying. That's it. Dying," he says.

The light poles for electrifying Pampa Clemesi lie in an open area of the town [BBC]

Dinner by torchlight

Several houses made of wood or brick are part of the landscape in Pampa Clemesi [BBC]

Rosa hurries to her aunt's house, hoping to catch the last of the daylight. Tonight, she's cooking dinner for a small group of neighbours who share meals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the kitchen, a gas stove heats a kettle. Their only light is a solar-powered torch. Dinner is sweet tea and fried dough.

"We eat only what we can keep at room temperature," says Rosa.

Without refrigeration, protein-rich foods are hard to store.

Fresh produce requires a 40-minute bus ride to Moquegua  if they can afford it.

"But we don't have money to take the bus every day."

With no electricity, many in Latin America cook with firewood or kerosene, risking respiratory illness.

Pampa Clemesi's residents don't cook at night due to lack of lighting, and using candles or wood-burning stoves can be dangerous [BBC]

In Pampa Clemesi, residents use gas when they can afford it  wood when they can't.

They pray by torchlight for food, shelter, and water, then eat in silence. It's 7pm, their final activity. No phones. No TV.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Our only light is these little torches," Rosa says. "They don't show much, but at least we can see the bed."

"If we had electricity, people would come back," Pedro says. "We stayed because we had no choice. But with light, we could build a future."

A soft breeze stirs the desert streets, lifting sand. A layer of dust settles on the lampposts on the main plaza, waiting to be installed. The wind signals that dusk is coming  and that soon, there will be no light.

For those without solar panels, like Rosa and Pedro, the darkness stretches on until sunrise. So does their hope that the government will one day act.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Like so many nights before, they prepare for another evening without light.

But why do they still live here?

"Because of the sun," Rosa replies without hesitation.

"Here, we always have the sun."

More Weekend Picks
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  A custom car show held by the Huntsville Low Profile Car Club brought dozens to the Harrison Wellness Center to celebrate that local barber Corey Steger has won the fight to stay alive.

Corey is one of us, and he doesnt have a classic car, and hes not in our group, but he comes around to our clubhouse and everybody knows him, so we had to show him the love that hes been showing us for years, said Earl Wootson of Low Profile.

HPD hosting Hands-Free Ordinance forum

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For more than 30 years, Steger has co-owned Rocket City barbershop in Huntsville, creating lifelong relationships through fresh haircuts.

But the stylist had a failing heart from what doctors said was the result of the treatment he received in his fight against lupus. In June of 2024, the doctors gave Steger just one year to live without a heart transplant.

I ended up getting some medicine and some surgeries to help me bounce back, but I still needed a transplant to survive, said Steger.

Without a donor, the doctors lost hope of finding a match.

Huntsville Hospital gave up, UAB in Birmingham, said his wife, Laivor Steger. We went to doctors across the state for over 6 months and did all kinds of tests, but they had given up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For a year, Steger had issues with breathing, walking, and loss of appetite, but his family and the Huntsville community fought with him.

On May 6, Steger received a heart from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and the celebration of a life began.

Id like to be around to see my grandkids grow up, and it has meant the world, said Steger. They gave me a little more time.

Steger continues to recover, but his wife says he is slowly regaining his strength.

Hes up walking, hes full of life, and nothing is stopping him, said Laivor Steger. He said hes got a young mans heart, and guess what? He said hes going to outlive us all 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 WHNT.com.
Mountain shelter operators in the French Alps are feeling the heat this summer, as higher-than-average temperatures are impacting their water supplies.

What's happening?

A heat wave hit the French Alps in June, causing a water shortage for shelters in the local area. Water levels were lower than usual at the top of the summer, which was a cause for concern.

"We are nearly a month early in terms of the snow's melting," Noemie Dagan, who looks after the Selle refuge, told Phys.org.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Residents have said that snowy landscapes once believed to be "eternal" have been melting in the summer. Plus, there has been less rainfall and more changing glaciers, disrupting the water supply.

The high heat may impact the nearly 1,400 glaciers in nearby Switzerland. Authorities have already reported melting snow at rates five to six weeks earlier than usual.

"Above 3,200 meters (10,499 feet), it's drier than anything we've seen before," Xavier Cailhol, an environmental science Ph.D. student and Mont Blanc guide, told Phys.org. "It's quite concerning for the rest of the summer."

Why are heat waves in the Alps important?

Melting glaciers around the globe have threatened the water supplies in communities worldwide. In the Alps, refuges such as Dagan's may have to close because of the lack of access to reliable water sources. There is precedent for this, as chalets in the area had to close in 2023 because of disruptions in the supply.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Beyond this mountain region, 90 million people near the Andes faced water loss after the glaciers began receding. Meanwhile, in the Himalayas, its 15,000 glaciers have been melting at increasing rates, creating a risk for drought in the near future.

Glacial melt can also cause sea levels to rise, leading to flooding in residential areas near icy landscapes.

Overreliance on dirty energy has contributed to heat-trapping pollution, causing overheating in the atmosphere. This has led to the supercharging of extreme weather events around the world, impacting homeowners and people around the world.

What's being done about heat waves in the Alps?

It's important to educate yourself about critical climate issues. This way, you can better understand how to reduce pollution and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It can feel daunting to take on melting glaciers, but every individual action can help preserve the planet. People can start by curbing their pollution by reducing plastic usage or switching to clean energy sources such as solar.

Solar can save you money on utility bills and make your home more resilient in the face of extreme weather. EnergySage can help compare quotes for solar panels and installation services, saving you up to $10,000 in costs.

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.
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey on Sunday alleged that the Congress MP Rahul Gandhi wants to turn India into Bangladesh after the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha accused the Election Commission of "vote theft." Speaking with ANI, Dubey said, "Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi wants to make this country Bangladesh. Given the way he has raised questions about the ECI, he must understand that the elections here will not be conducted through Bangladeshi voters." The BJP leader said that Rahul Gandhi reiterated the same thing that the EC has been saying and emphasised the need for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. "The thing he is saying in the press conference is the same as what EC has said. SIR is to remove the name of voters who are registered at four places. Rahul Gandhi have problems because the names of Bangladeshi workers are being cut," he said. "Rahul Gandhi doesn't know that when Rajiv Gandhi was the PM, the Election Commissioner used to sit in the PMO...Rahul Gandhi represents those foreign forces which do not want strong leadership in the form of PM Modi," he said. On August 7, Rahul Gandhi held a press conference, where he claimed that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were "choreographed" by the EC to benefit the BJP, which he said appeared "immune to anti-incumbency." Citing internal analysis, Gandhi said the Congress expected to win 16 seats in Karnataka but ended up with only nine. He said the Congress investigated seven unexpected losses, zeroing in on Mahadevapura, where he alleged vote theft involving 1,00,250 votes. Presenting Congress's research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi alleged "vote chori" (vote theft) of 1,00,250 votes. "Our internal polling told us we would win 16 seats in Karnataka; we won nine. We then focused on seven unexpected losses. We focused on Mahadevapur...All data is 2024 data from the Election Commission; the total votes polled in the Lok Sabha were 6.26 lakhs. The BJP won with 6,58,915, securing a margin of 32,707. But then we look at Mahadevapura, where Congress polls 1,15,586 and BJP polls 2,29,632. Congress wins all Vidhan Sabhas but this one," the Congress leader said. In retaliation to Rahul Gandhi's allegations, EC has asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to either give a declaration as per the rules or apologise to the country for his "false" allegations regarding the voter lists. "Rahul Gandhi should either give a Declaration as per rules or apologise to the country for his false allegations," ECI said in an official statement. (ANI)
The arrest of over 500 protesters in London at the weekend for supporting the proscribed group Palestine Action poses a major logistical challenge for the courts. Thousands of cases are already stuck in a backlog that has built up since the pandemic, with trials often set for years ahead. In addition, the prisons are full to bursting, so much so that criminals are being let out even earlier than normal to free up places. If these demonstrations, ostensibly in favour of free speech, continue in the weeks ahead how will the system cope?

There is an argument that Palestine Action should not have been designated a terror group in the first place. It does not conform to the usual description of an organisation intent on killing innocent people and forcing policy change through fear. There are many, mostly on the Left but not exclusively so, who consider the ban to have been excessive. But this issue was thrashed out in Parliament, where MPs and peers agreed with the Governments assertion that it met the criteria for proscription. This followed an attack that inflicted damage on two RAF aircraft.

Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has said that PA is not non-violent and that more information about its malign intentions would be revealed in future court cases. The fact remains that those who consider themselves martyrs for free speech are breaking the law and should suffer the consequences of doing so.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Courts managed to act swiftly against rioters last summer following the Southport murders and can do so again. If they have to sit over August and round the clock, so be it; the logjams in the system must not be an excuse for law-breaking to go unpunished.

Moreover, if the Government is serious (which we doubt) about removing foreign criminals the moment they are convicted that will free up spaces in our jails.

To do that however, ministers will need to resile from Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights which allows criminals to stay even when the courts have ordered their deportation on the grounds that they have family in this country.

Furthermore, will the offenders home country take them back and, if so, impose the punishment they faced in the UK or let them get away with criminal behaviour? The Government managed to extract some supportive headlines for its plan; but will it really see it through, or is this just the hot air of high summer?

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.
IOWA  Sunday marks the five-year anniversary of the Midwest derecho, now known as the most expensive thunderstorm event in modern U.S. history.

Event Overview

On August 10, 2020, a powerful derechoa fast-moving, long-lived line of thunderstormsswept from southeast South Dakota into the Ohio River Valley, carving a 700770 mile (1,1001,240 km) path across the Midwest.

The storms duration lasted approximately 14 hours, with sustained damaging winds lasting 3060 minutes in some locations, far longer than typical derechos.

NEXRAD radar composite as the storm advanced across the upper Midwest.

Wind Speeds & Damage

Measured gusts reached 126 mph in Atkins, Iowa, with damage estimates up to 140 mph near Cedar Rapids.

This land-based hurricane caused catastrophic destruction: downed trees, collapsed power infrastructure, destroyed buildings, and decimated corn and soybean crops.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

During the derecho, wind gusts, some exceeding 120 mph, were strongest along Highway 30 in Iowa.

Human & Economic Impact

The derecho spawned an outbreak of 26 tornadoes (mostly weak, up to EF1) across several states, including Illinois and Indiana, damaging property but causing no tornado-related casualties.

An estimated 20%, just over 6 million acres, of Iowa farmland was destroyed due to the winds.

The storm resulted in 4 confirmed deaths, including a fatality in Iowa. When a bicyclist was struck by a falling tree.

It is the costliest thunderstorm event in modern U.S. historyestimated damages ranged from $7.5 billion to over $11 billion, depending on the source.

Derecho Climatology shows the average occurrence of derechos, or storms of similar strength in the U.S. Midwest and South.

Localized Impacts

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was among the hardest hit: sustained winds and gusts destroyed much of the citys tree canopy (up to 70%), schools, homes, and businesses. Over 95% of the city lost power, and major roadways were impassable due to debris.

In Linn County, the storm knocked out power to 91,000 Alliant customers and 31,000 rural meters, some for up to two weeks. An estimated 724,000 acres of forest were lost across Iowa.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Derechos often form along the northern edge of heat domes in the summer; a drought in the summer of 2020 enhanced those conditions.

View images of the storm damage below:

Newton building damaged in derecho. (WHO 13) Field damages in 2020 derecho (WHO 13) Home damaged during 2020 derecho (WHO13) Derecho storm damage to corn crop and grain bins. (WHO 13) Tree split during 2020 derecho (WHO 13) Damage from 2020 derecho. (WHO 13) Damage caused by 2020 derecho (WHO 13) Damage caused by 2020 derecho (WHO 13) Damage caused by 2020 derecho (WHO 13) Norway, Iowa church steeple toppled by derecho storm on August 10th, 2020 Nexstar file photo of damage caused by 2020 derecho LUTHER, IA  AUGUST 11: In this aerial image from a drone, damaged grain bins are shown at the Heartland Co-Op grain elevator on August 11, 2020 in Luther, Iowa. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said early estimates indicate 10 million acres, nearly a 1/3 of the states land used for crops, were damaged when a powerful storm battered the region a day earlier. (Photo by Daniel Acker/Getty Images) Rod Pierce walks through a cornfield damaged in the derecho earlier this month, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, near Woodward, Iowa. Pierce is among hundreds of Iowa farmers who are still puzzling over what to do next following the Aug. 10 derecho, a storm that hit several Midwestern states but was especially devastating in Iowa as it cut west to east through the states midsection with winds of up to 140 mph. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) A sign reading For Sale (Cheap) is seen on a damaged vehicle, n Marion, Iowa, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, as trees a severely damaged by a an Aug. 10 derecho are cleaned up. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette via AP) Residents help clear a fallen tree from an intersection after a severe storm, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via AP) Mike Jacobis pushes a portion of tree trunk away as a neighbor helps on the ground in northwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The tree, which fell in Mondays storm, fell and damaged Jacobis porch and the roof over a second-floor bedroom and closet. (Liz Martin/The Gazette via AP) A storm with gusts more than 80 mph knocked down a tree, which crushed about four cars in Des Moines, Iowa on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. No one was injured. (Nick Coltrain/The Des Moines Register via AP)

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
In April of 2006, I watched a posse of politicians gather at Skid Rows Midnight Mission to introduce, with great fanfare and unbridled confidence, a 10-year plan to end homelessness in Los Angeles.

That didnt work out so well.

Twelve years later, in his 2018 State of the City address, Mayor Eric Garcetti made a full-throated vow to quit fooling around and get the job done.

We are here to end homelessness, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mission not accomplished.

We have a habit of setting lofty goals and making grand promises in Los Angeles and in California.

Thats not necessarily a bad thing. Better to have politicians and experts who study the pressing issues of the day and go out on a limb rather than shrug their shoulders.

Its hard to do anything if you dont have a vision, said Jessica Bremner, a Cal State L.A. urban geography professor. Transit, housing and infrastructure needs wont materialize without that vision, she added. Nothing will move.

Agreed. And all of us, not just politicians, want to believe there's a better version of our community  a brighter future.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But there is a big difference between a vision and a hallucination, and weve had some of both in recent years.

Heres a sampling:

A mobile phone user looks at an earthquake warning application. After the Northridge quake, the state passed a law requiring seismic upgrades of hospitals by 2030. As of 2023, nearly two-thirds had yet to complete the required improvements. (Richard Vogel / Associated Press)

In 2022, California set a goal of eliminating the sale of gas-powered vehicles after 2035  which would dramatically reduce greenhouse emissions  and reaching carbon neutrality by 2045 .

After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the state did more than set a goal. It passed a law requiring hospitals to upgrade seismic safety by 2030.

Los Angeles, under Garcetti, championed Vision Zero in 2015. The goal? Eliminate traffic deaths by 2025. Not reduce, but eliminate.

In 2020, the city embraced SmartLA 2028, a plan to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and gas-powered vehicles and build a data-driven connected city, which addresses the digital divide and brings fresh ideas, including tele-health, clean tech and a switch to mass transit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In 2021, the California Master Plan for Aging set five bold goals to increase affordable housing and improve health, caregiving and economic security for older adults and those with disabilities by 2030.

Read more: Lopez: Bass defends her turf: 'Let me be clear: I won't be intimidated' by Trump

In anticipation of L.A.s hosting of the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, Metro introduced its Twenty-eight by 28 initiative in 2018, outlining more than two dozen transit objectives.

The DTLA 2040 plan , adopted by the city in 2023, would add 70,000 housing units and 55,000 jobs over the next 15 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So hows it all going?

The good news: Theres been a lot of progress.

The bad news: Where to begin?

Surely youll fall over backward when I tell you that funding shortages, politics, evolving priorities, lack of coordination, haphazard and disjointed planning, and less than stellar leadership have stymied progress on many fronts.

On homelessness, thousands have been housed and helped thanks to big initiatives and voter-approved resources. But as an observer once described it, we've been managing rather than solving the crisis and essentially bailing a leaky boat with a teaspoon. And now the agency at the helm is in disarray.

People experiencing homelessness pack their tents and belongings during the cleanup of an encampment on Wilshire Boulevard in downtown Los Angeles. (Etienne Laurent / For The Times)

On climate change, California deserves a big pat on the back for at least acknowledging the crisis and responding with big ideas. But the Trump administration, which is likely to hold steady up to and beyond the point at which Mar-a-Lago is underwater, has all but declared war on the Golden States good intentions, eliminating funding for key projects and challenging the states authority.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The U.S. Supreme Court has sided with Trump, Congress and fossil fuel companies in opposing the states ambitions. Meanwhile, a grim analysis last year , which cant be blamed on Trump, said the state would have to triple the pace of progress to reach its 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target.

As for the law requiring seismic upgrades of hospitals by 2030, as of 2023, nearly two-thirds had yet to complete the required improvements and many had asked for amendments and extensions.

L.A.s Vision Zero, meanwhile, which promised the redesign of high-accident locations and multiple other safety upgrades for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, has been a singular embarrassment.

Rather than an elimination of traffic deaths, the number has surged, and an audit released earlier this year serves as an indictment of local leadership. It cited lack of accountability along with conflicts of personality, lack of total buy-in for implementation, disagreements over how the program should be administered.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Incredibly disappointing, said Michael Manville, a UCLA professor of urban planning. The city remains incredibly dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians.

Read more: Lopez: Three years away from the Olympics, L.A. is tripping over hurdles and trying to play catchup

Manville didnt have very high grades, either, for Metros 28x28 foray.

Its a joke at this point, he said, although even though he noted that some progress is undeniable, citing in particular the expected completion of the Purple Line extension to the Westside in time for the Olympics.

But many of the 28 original projects wont make the deadline, and oh, by the way, theres no money at the moment to pay for the promised fleet of 2,700 buses for what Mayor Karen Bass has called the transit-first , no-car Olympics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One morning in June, I stood on Van Nuys Boulevard in Pacoima with L.A. City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. She was looking to the north, in the direction of an empty promise.

This is the home of the future San Fernando Valley Light Rail, Rodriguez said. It was supposed to be one of the 28 by 28, and were now looking at probably 2031 to 2032 for its completion  in a community that has a majority dependence  on public transit.

We also visited the site of a proposed Sylmar fire station for which there was a groundbreaking ceremony about two decades ago. Rodriguez said with the adjacent hills turning brown as fire season approaches, Sylmar is long overdue for the station, but the city is hobbled by a massive budget deficit.

Now Ive just got to get the money to build it, Rodriguez said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sometimes it seems as if the big goals are designed to redirect our attention from the failures of daily governance. Sure, there's a 10-year wait to get your ruptured sidewalk fixed, but flying taxis are in the works for the Olympics.

And one convenient feature of long-term goals is that when 2035 or 2045 rolls around, few may remember who made the promises, or even recall what was promised.

In Professor Bremner's vision of a rosier L.A. future, there would be more buses and trains on the lines that serve the Cal State L.A. transit station. She told me she talks to her students about the relationship between climate change and the car culture, and then watches them hustle after night classes to catch a bus that runs on 30-minute intervals or a train that rolls in once an hour.

As for the other big promises I mentioned, SmartLA 2028 lays out dozens of laudable but perhaps overly ambitious goals  "Los Angeles residents will experience an improved quality of life by leveraging technology to meet urban challenges. No longer the 'car capital of the world', residents will choose how they wish to get around LA, using a single, digital payment platform, with choices like renovated Metro rail and bus systems or micro transit choices, such as on-demand LANow shuttles or dockless bicycles." But in the 50-page strategy document , the word challenges is mentioned quite a bit, and I worry that this particular reference could be the kiss of death:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

City of Los Angeles departments have varying funding sources, missions, and directives, which can inhibit unified, citywide Smart City technology initiatives.

Read more: Lopez: Half a century ago, Californians saved the coast. Will Trump threats spark another uprising?

Its a little too soon to know whether the DTLA 2040 goals will rank as vision or hallucination, but downtown is the logical place for high-density residential development and construction cranes are already on the job. As for the Master Plan for Aging, theres been progress but also uncertainty about steady funding streams, particularly given current state budget miseries, and theres no guarantee the plan will be prioritized by future governors.

Goals are critical, said Mark Gold, director of water scarcity solutions at the Natural Resources Defense Council. But they need to be followed up with implementation plans, with budgets, funding mechanisms, milestones and metrics.

Gold recalls Garcettis promise in 2019 that all of L.A.s wastewater would be recycled by 2035.

That is nowhere close, said Gold, but two other goals might be within reach. One is to have 70% of L.A.s water locally sourced by 2035, the other is for 80% of county water to be local by 2045, using increased stormwater capture, recycled wastewater, groundwater remediation and conservation.

When he ran Heal the Bay, Gold implemented an annual report card for ocean water quality at various beaches. Maybe we ought to use the same system every time a politician takes a bow for introducing a bold, far-reaching goal.

Without the measuring stick, Gold said, you end up looking back and saying, remember when we were going to do this and that and it never happened? You have to continuously revisit and grade yourself on how youre doing.

Plans for the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics are linked to a fleet of buses to transport people to and from venues like SoFi Stadium to avoid a traffic meltdown. The plan includes a $2-billion ask of the Trump administration to lease 2,700 buses to join Metro's fleet of about 2,400. (Deborah Netburn / Los Angeles Times)

While its true, Manville said, that L.A. seems to be better at kicking off grand plans than seeing them through, thats not unique to Los Angeles.

He cited Abundance as one of several recent books making the case that lots of cities in blue states cant seem to get out of their own way.

The failures of virtuous Democrats are indeed on full display in California and beyond. But the other side of the aisle is not without its own sins, beginning with cult-like denial of climate change and, speaking of empty promises, undying devotion to a man who said he would end the war in Ukraine before he took office and bring down grocery prices on Day One.

Would you rather live in a state crazy enough to still think it can build a bullet train and outlaw carbon, or in one of the many hurricane-battered states crazy enough to think this is a swell time to get rid of FEMA?

If youre reaching for the stars, making it to the moon isnt a bad start.

steve.lopez@latimes.com



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 Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to allocate $2 million to a new guaranteed income pilot program intended to serve survivors of domestic violence and foster youth.

"In a unanimous vote, council members requested that the city controller transfer $1 million each from two accounts associated with Council Districts 9 and 13 for the program, known as Supporting Transitional-Aged Youth and Survivors in Achieving Financial Empowerment, or STAY SAFE," a local ABC outlet reported.

The program will provide monthly $1,000 payments for two years to survivors of intimate partner violence and transitional-aged youth who are current or former foster youth.

The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to allocate $2 million to a new guaranteed income program pilot intended to serve survivors of domestic violence and foster youth.

$30K In Migrant Housing Aid Has Dem Gov On Hot Seat For 'Revolving Door' Policy

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The program was launched by Council Members Curren Price and Hugo Soto-Martinez, citing a study that claimed a previous Los Angeles guaranteed income program was successful.

"Results showed it helped families cover emergency expenses and reduced food insecurity, officials said. Some participants also reported that unrestricted funds helped them pay school tuition, start small businesses and cover expenses such as clothes and shoes for children," ABC 7 reported.

Read On The Fox News App

Three years ago, Price proposed a guaranteed income program called the Basic Income Guaranteed: Los Angeles Economic Assistance Pilot, or BIG:LEAP, which provided 3,200 households living below the poverty level with $1,000 in cash each month for one year.

The program will provide monthly $1,000 payments for two years to survivors of intimate partner violence and transitional-aged youth who are current or former foster youth.

New Gop Bill Would Cut Off Housing Funds To Sanctuary Cities Defying Trump Dhs

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Today, we are building on the success of that program with a new $2 million investment, and this next phase will continue to support survivors of intimate partner violence  the group that saw the most dramatic improvements in that pilot program," Soto-Martinez said in the ABC story.

He went on to say, "For the first [time], we're pairing these direct payments with job training through the Hospitality Training Academy, which has a near 100% success rate in placing their graduate into high-quality, good-paying union jobs."

Many people criticize guaranteed income programs because of legal issues and funding challenges.

Three years ago, a Los Angeles city council member proposed a guaranteed income program called the Basic Income Guaranteed: Los Angeles Economic Assistance Pilot, or BIG:LEAP, which provided 3,200 households living below the poverty level with $1,000 in cash each month for a year.

Some critics argue that guaranteed income programs do not work.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

STAY SAFE follows a broader trend of guaranteed basic income programs launching across the U.S. in recent years with more than 100 GBI pilots launched since 2018 .





Original article source: Los Angeles City Council approves $2 million for guaranteed income program
MONTEREY, Ky. (FOX 56)  A Carroll County man has been accused of killing a Louisville man who died from his injuries following a Saturday morning shooting in Owen County.

It happened around 2 a.m. on Saturday, according to Kentucky State Police. Troopers from Post 5 were dispatched and found 26-year-old Jamar Douglas unconscious and said hed been shot multiple times.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

State police said in a news release that 52-year-old Gary Bullion of Ghent was the one who allegedly shot him. He was arrested and lodged in the Carroll County Detention Center on Saturday.

Douglas was flown to the University of Kentucky Hospital, where state police said on Sunday that he died from his injuries. The coroners report showed he was declared dead at 1:11 a.m.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

According to jail records, Bullion has been charged with:

Murder

First-degree possession of a controlled substanceunspecified drug

Possession of marijuana

Possession of drug paraphernalia

An investigation into the shooting remains 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 FOX 56 News.
ST. GEORGE, Maine (AP)  Friends and family of a Maine woman whose killing on a rural pond shocked the community celebrated her life with a maritime service on Sunday.

Sunshine Stewart, 48, of St. George, went missing in July while paddleboarding on Crawford Pond, a popular summer destination in Union. She was later found dead, and police charged Deven Young, 17, of Frankfort, Maine, with murder in connection with her death.

Stewart's loved ones called Sunday's memorial a maritime celebration of life. The memorial included a procession of boats, some decked out with flowers, in the Tenants Harbor section of St. George, where Stewart lived. On the boats were pictures of Stewart smiling and a large sign that read, Shine On.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The event was to honor the radiant life of Sunshine Sunny Stewart  a woman whose light touched every soul she met, promoters said in a social media post.

The Office of the Maine Attorney General has said it is seeking to try Young as an adult. A judge will need to rule on that request. Young is due in court for a status conference on Aug. 22.

Young made a brief initial court appearance last month in which he entered a denial to the murder charge. His attorney, Jeremy Pratt, has declined to comment.

Authorities have released few details about the killing and have not publicly speculated about a motive. Maine State Police spokesperson Shannon Moss said the investigation into Stewart's death is still active and will be for some time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Stewart lived about 20 miles (34 kilometers) from the pond where she was killed. The pond is popular with boaters and fishermen and is the site of a campground. Police have said a medical examiner determined Stewarts cause of death was strangulation and blunt force trauma.

In the weeks since the killing, friends of Stewart have memorialized her as an independent spirit, a dedicated friend and a lover of the ocean and the outdoors. She took a varied career path through life, working as a biologist, fisherman, carpenter and in many other roles, friends said.

Bethany Leach Parmley, a lifelong friend, described Stewart as a really loyal, wonderful friend.
Aug. 10It was around 12:30 p.m. when the Beechcraft King Air 300 began its approach into a small airport in Chinle, Arizona. The winds were strong, but the skies were blue and clear in every direction as the CSI Aviation plane descended.

Pilot Jeffrey Tuning, 66, and copilot Amanda Benson, 25, Tuning's stepdaughter, were at the controls as paramedic Nick Mancuso and nurse Kameilia Chavez sat in the back  prepared to treat and transport a patient back to Albuquerque.

It was the second medical transport flight of the day and business as usual.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Until it wasn't.

The aircraft crashed alongside a service road adjacent to the runway and burst into flames  killing all four onboard and leaving families, friends and colleagues in New Mexico and across the country reeling.

A relative of Tuning was not prepared to speak Saturday, and Benson's family could not be reached. Both are from Port St. Lucie, Florida, while Mancuso and Chavez are from Albuquerque.

Allen Weh, founder and president of Albuquerque-based CSI Aviation, said he was at his desk Aug. 5 when he heard there had been "a fatality." Soon the gravity of the situation came into focus: the details were slim because everyone was dead.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I've been in three wars, and I've seen men die ... and you kind of suck it up, and you do what you got to do," Weh said. "It's a hit in the stomach, but you got to do what you got to do. Because guess what? People are looking at you, depending on you  a leader should never fall apart. Never fall apart."

Weh said the nature of their business is flying into "barely maintained" airports like Chinle Airport on the Navajo Nation, places that he said have no air traffic control tower and less than ideal runway parameters and upkeep. Despite those challenges and flying thousands of medevac flights a year, the crash was something Weh has never had to deal with in the company's 46 years.

He said the plane had no reported concerns and he wasn't aware of any distress signals from the aircraft before it went down. Weh said it was the first and, hopefully, the last such occurrence.

"Something did go wrong," he said. "I don't think anybody's going to dispute that."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Weh said they had a company-wide shutdown of flights due to the "trauma and impact" and brought in counselors for the colleagues of those killed. He said they have checked in on the families daily.

"We were all saddened beyond words, and going through the process has made us stronger. We understand that our role is to help people  that's what air ambulance work does," Weh said. "We're doing that, and we're back to doing it  and we're going to remember the four fallen ones."

The first medical flight out of Albuquerque will launch Monday, he said. Weh added, "If we don't go, who will?"

Nick Mancuso

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For as long as anyone close to him can remember, Nick Mancuso, 37, wanted to be a flight paramedic. And he worked toward that goal for over 13 years until he was hired in February 2024 at CSI Aviation.

"I think the only time I had seen him more excited was when I saw him shortly after his daughter was born," Clay Tabb, Mancuso's longtime friend and colleague, told the Journal.

Tabb said Mancuso had every ability to be a doctor, but he loved the one-on-one care with patients that being a paramedic provided. And being in the sky gave him the challenge he often sought.

"He was truly the smartest and most dedicated medic I've ever known," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Tabb said he and Mancuso bonded over a love of punk rock, crudely done tattoos and gauged ears when they met in 2013 while taking paramedic classes at Central New Mexico Community College. The pair would go on to work together on ambulances at several different agencies in Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

Mancuso, who carried a calm presence and easy smile to every call, had a way with patients, no matter their age or background  whether it was a trauma event or drug overdose. Tabb said, "He never gave false hope, because we were taught that in school. But Nick had a way of making you feel like he was going to be able to get everything fixed."

He remembered one call in which Mancuso calmed both a mother suffering a heart attack and her panicked son.

"It was the calmness in his voice and the confidence that he carried with himself ... and I remember just kind of standing back watching in awe, because even I was kind of panicking on the inside," Tabb said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mancuso was also a character.

At Living Cross Ambulance, Tabb said he laid claim to a grungy old couch that looked like "it had been pulled from a homeless encampment."

"When we would run fast and heavy, and not get a chance to breathe, you always knew where Nick was going to be if we made it back  there would be a trail of boots heading to that couch, and he would be face down on it," Tabb said.

Tabb lightened up, remembering how Mancuso would don four pairs of gloves so he could eat "extra-saucy" wings and drive the ambulance. If he had to turn a knob or adjust something, one glove would come off.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The pair would often listen to death metal and hope they were transporting a patient to the hospital near the Buffalo Wild Wings.

"I think it gets used kind of generically or as cliche anytime someone passes away, especially when it's an event like this, but at least in my eyes, he was one of the best," Tabb said.

For his wife, Ashley Mancuso, the nights are quieter now.

She said one of her favorite things the two shared, among many, was their nighttime ritual: putting their 4-year-old daughter Lennyn, or "Lenny," to bed.

"For the past four years, every night that she was home with us ... we would do it together, and it was this whole routine of, like, a little playtime, two to three storybooks and staying in her room with her until she fell asleep," Mancuso said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She said Mancuso was a doting father and modeled his own duties after the father of Bluey, an Australian cartoon and Lennyn's favorite. He would get up in the night to settle her, make bottles and change diapers 50/50 with his wife.

"Nick kind of idolized that little cartoon because he just tried to be everything to Lenny," Mancuso said.

While family came first, Mancuso loved his work second and had a thirst for knowledge that went beyond the field of medicine, she said. Known fondly by friends as "Nickapedia," Mancuso loved long discussions on topics such as philosophy and history, and appreciated a good scotch and The Times crossword puzzle.

Mancuso said she learned her husband was gone from her desk at work, hours after the crash. The shock lasted for days, but it's wearing off.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It's hitting harder in ways," she said. "But at the same time, I've been telling this to a lot of people ... he lived such a full life. ... A part of me knows that he was OK with what happened."

Mancuso added, "He was not religious but very spiritual and believed in the universe. And if it was the universe calling him or deciding it was his time, he had a deep understanding of that."

Kameilia Chavez

Kameilia Chavez, 38, was everything to her friends and family. A mother of two, wife and experienced nurse, Chavez brought light and positivity to her loved ones every single day.

"She was just an overall great person," said Maricia Chavez, a friend and coworker. The two had worked together for four years in an emergency room, saving people's lives and getting them through medical emergencies.

"She came to work with a great attitude every day, ready to tackle what the day had ahead of her. She would sit there and hold somebody's hand in the hardest of times, and she could get to the person's level... and just explain things to them so that way they could understand."

Maricia said Chavez was the type of person who could turn a bad day into a great one, with a positive attitude and a smile that was as bright as her personality.

Maricia often relied on Chavez as an experienced coworker. And, as a friend, someone she could tell anything to.

"She was there when she knew you needed something," Maricia Chavez said. "She was there when you needed backup, and she was always willing to help. She went above and beyond for all her patients."

Every day at work, Chavez would talk about her two children, telling coworkers about trips the family had been on, what the kids learned in school and all of her husband's accomplishments.

"Most of her time was spent with her boys and her husband," Maricia Chavez said. "That was the highlight of her life, (being) with her family."

When Chavez wasn't on duty as a flight nurse or spending time with her family, she could be found in the gym, sharpening her body and focusing on her health to continue to provide for others.

"She loved to work out and take care of herself," Maricia Chavez said.

Maricia Chavez was devastated to find out she had lost her friend, calling it a complete shock.

"I'm just trying to go into work every day with a little bit of her in my mind," she said. "Knowing that if I push a little harder, I can be just as good as she was."
Loved ones are searching for a Southern California man who has been missing for nearly two weeks.

Donald Banks, 64, was reported missing on July 27, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

Banks, who is considered at-risk, was last seen on the 1600 block of W Avenue J in Lancaster around 5 p.m.

He is described as a Black man who stands at 5 feet 7 inches and weighs 137 pounds. He has hazel eyes, balding gray hair and a beard.

Donald Banks, 64, was last seen in Lancaster on July 27, 2025. (Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department)

Its unclear where he may have been heading when he disappeared. His family noted that he suffers from congestive heart failure, diabetes and has a pacemaker. He also requires daily medication.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They have not heard from him since and are very concerned for his well-being.

Anyone who may know Banks whereabouts or has information on the case can call LASDs Missing Persons Detail at 323-890-5500.

Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Aug. 9The new Parkline Towers apartments overlooking U.S. 2 on Kalispell's east end are now open to prospective tenants.

The luxury apartments, which broke ground in 2023, are situated between East Idaho Street and the Parkline Trail at 820 E. Idaho St. Altogether, the development boasts 224 units.

One of the two L-shaped, four-story towers sits adjacent to the city's multi-use trail and opened to renters in May. The other, which borders East Idaho Street, received its certificate of occupancy on Thursday, according to Brent Brown of Greenway Development Group.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Thank you everyone for being here. Really excited to have this project come to fruition here," Brown told stakeholders at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday.

"Two years seems like a long time, and in a lot of ways, it doesn't seem like it's been that long, as you can see what it was to what it is," he added.

"This is a remarkable housing project and it's exciting to be all of us here today to see this vision become a final project. It's truly a landmark in our city," said Kirk Fritz, business development director for the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, at the ceremony.

The development includes 128 one-bedroom units, 80 two-bedroom units and 16 three-bedroom units. While there is some fluctuation in price depending on the rooms' location, one-bedroom units cost $1,450 a month at 640 square feet, two-bedroom units cost $1,800 at 836 square feet and three-bedroom units cost $2,350 at 1,122 square feet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Apartments in the building along the Parkline Trail are slightly steeper in price because of the view overlooking Woodland Park. Top floor units boast vaulted ceilings, adding to the cost, according to Assistant Property Manager Nevaeh Highfill. Two-bedroom corner units also have more square footage and a wraparound balcony and patio, which is factored into the price.

Highfill said that the complex's rental price sits around the middle of Kalispell's rental market.

According to Apartments.com, the average rent in Kalispell for a one-bedroom apartment at 604 square feet is $1,340, $1,546 for a two-bedroom at 985 square feet and $2,000 for a three-bedroom at 1,229 square feet.

The Silos, another luxury apartment complex on Fifth Avenue West, has a one-bedroom apartment available for $1,800 and two-bedroom apartments for $1,950.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Parkline Towers apartments are fitted with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, a balcony or patio, ceiling fans and air conditioning. Each building houses a workspace with a large conference table and office spaces on the second floor, a gym on the third floor and a recreation room on the fourth floor for tenants to hang out.

A dog park and pavilion with grills, fireplaces and picnic tables are also situated on the southeast side of the property with direct access to the Parkline Trail.

So far, 29% of the units in the building by the Parkline Trail have been rented out. Some units in the twin building have already been pre-leased, according to Highfill.

An old Ford dealership sat vacant on the property before Greenway Development Group bought it in December 2021, Brown said. Brown collaborated with the city and Montana West Economic Development on the design for a year before breaking ground in 2023.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Greenway Development Group is also responsible for The Highline Apartments in Columbia Falls and The Meridian Apartments in Kalispell.

"Overall, we just feel like this is a step up from what we have done in the valley with those other two projects," Brown said.

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 or junderhill@dailyinterlake.com.

View of the Parkline Trail from the Parkline Towers apartment complex in Kalispell on Thursday, Aug. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)

Casey Kreider

A kitchen in one of the apartments at Parkline Towers apartment complex in Kalispell on Thursday, Aug. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Casey Kreider

Representatives cut a ribbon at a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at the Parkline Towers apartment complex in Kalispell on Thursday, Aug. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)

Casey Kreider

View of the Parkline Towers apartment complex in Kalispell on Thursday, Aug. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)

Casey Kreider
When Marks & Spencer released a new range of chunked n loaded cookies last month, they were an instant hit.

If youre thinking of going to your local M&S to get them after you watch this video, dont bother, TikTok vlogger Carmie Sellitto told his 1.2 million followers. They will be sold out everywhere.

Within hours of the cookies appearing at M&S bakery counters, social media influencers were uploading reams of videos on social media to hail them a taste success.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But not everyone was a fan.

David Sawyer, from Melton Mowbray-based baker The Cookie Dealer, is shunning M&S over claims it copied his product.

His complaints stem from a meeting with M&S a year ago, when his team were invited to present a range of custom chunked cookies. After M&S decided against placing an order, Sawyer says he had forgotten all about it.

That was until he spotted the retail giants latest cookie range in July, which he says is eerily similar to his own.

It was like all they wanted to do was to copy our product, he says. I guess everybody has to get inspiration from somewhere.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

M&S has rejected the allegations, insisting that it never copies any specific products or sellers.

However, bosses have admitted that they are increasingly taking inspiration from viral trends, potentially putting the company on a collision course with other smaller brands.

The brewing debate over alleged copycatting is particularly sensitive for M&S, a company that has built a reputation for being fiercely protective of its designs.

Most notably, it sued Aldi over its Colin the Caterpillar cake dupe, while it has also cracked down on other local retailers to prevent them from using the Percy Pig design.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It would be easy to look at these things and be disappointed by M&S, says David Sables, chief executive of Sentinel Management Consultants, which advises suppliers.

M&S sued Aldi over its Colin the Caterpillar cake imitation, Cuthbert (right)

However, even he admits that for a supermarket to be truly innovative is a challenge, as most retailers compete by tweaking existing products or adding new flavours.

A lot of true innovation does come from smaller businesses and it makes perfect sense for the big retailers to be looking at that, he says.

This is particularly key for M&S, which has embarked on a major refresh of its food lines in the past year, introducing more than 400 new products since January.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This already appears to be paying dividends, with a recent YouGov survey suggesting that customers view M&S as significantly better than rival supermarkets in offering new and unique products.

Kathryn Turner, product development director at M&S Food, says: At M&S, our commitment to quality and innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Were continually developing new products designed to delight our existing customers and attract new ones.

She said it was focusing on a more consistent stream of innovation throughout the year.

The strategy has already yielded positive results, regardless of the recent cyber attack, with bosses hailing the fact that it has sold more than 1.4 million of its chunked n loaded cookies since its launch in July.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The notorious strawberry and cream sandwich, which M&S introduced as a limited edition product in June, has also been a bestseller.

Still, some have questioned how innovative M&Ss products truly are.

Earlier this year, a strawberry sando from Japanese retailer SevenEleven had gone viral on TikTok prior to M&Ss release.

M&S has also faced accusations that its Chocolate Custard Cream Biscuity Easter Egg, which also gained viral fame on social media, was a copy of a chocolate egg from Flo Broughtons Choc on Choc business.

Wed been working with M&S, so they had seen our full range, she says. We had talked to them about making those things for them, so they knew what we made.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

M&S has denied wrongdoing, with a spokesman insisting: Its an evolution of our customer favourite Outrageously Chocolatey Custard Creams and takes inspiration from the much-loved British custard cream.

However, Broughton insists that the claim they never saw our design was absolutely ridiculous.

Claire Hughes, a former food technology boss at M&S and ex-director of product at Sainsburys, says retailers have always looked for inspiration from various places, taking ideas and making them their own.

If youre doing a big push on barbecue, you would go into Texas and see whats happening there in terms of barbecuing, and you would bring that back, she says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now, with more people using apps such as TikTok to discuss food, trends are happening almost instantly, Hughes says. The question is, how do you get on them really quickly, work with your suppliers and turn them into products on shelves?

She says over the past year, M&S has been really good at turning trends around pretty quickly.

Yet, it appears small independent brands risk paying the price, as they become a victim of their own success if a product goes viral online.

At The Cookie Dealer, Sawyer says there is little he can do.

M&S has contacted him to make clear it had already been developing its own chunked cookies and it has denied copying his products.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They said it was a coincidence, he says.

Still, Sawyer says there has been a silver lining to his situation.

The dispute has attracted the attention of Aldi, which has contacted the Cookie Dealer team to set up a meeting later this month.

We dust ourselves down and just get on with things, Sawyer says. All we can try to do is make the best cookies you can.

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.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Sunday doubled down on his claims of "vote chori" during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and noted that a "clean" voter roll is imperative for free and fair elections. The Congress MP linked his stand to a fight to "protect" democracy. "Vote Chori is an attack on the foundational idea of 'one man, one vote'. A clean voter roll is imperative for free and fair elections. Our demand from the EC is clear - be transparent and release digital voter rolls so that people and parties can audit them. This fight is to protect our democracy," the Congress MP posted on X. Meanwhile, the Congress party said that it will hold a meeting of its general secretaries, in-charges, and frontal organisation heads on August 11 to discuss a nationwide campaign against "voter list manipulation and election fraud. "The party is also opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, along with other partners of the INDIA bloc."Just as Bapu gave us the 'Do or Die' call during the Quit India movement, we today must embark upon a similar do-or-die mission to save Indian democracy. To discuss the party's further nationwide campaign against voter list manipulation and election fraud, as exposed by LOP Sh. @RahulGandhi ji, a meeting of AICC General Secretaries, In-charges, and Frontal Organisation Heads will be held on 11th August at 4:30 PM at 24 Akbar Road, presided over by INC President Sh. Mallikarjun @kharge ji," Congress general secretary KC Venugopal wrote in a post on X on Friday. On August 7, Rahul Gandhi held a press conference, citing internal analysis. The LoP stated that the Congress expected to win 16 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka but ended up with only nine. He said the Congress investigated seven unexpected losses, zeroing in on Mahadevapura, where he alleged vote theft involving 100,250 votes. Presenting Congress's research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi alleged "vote chori" (vote theft) of 100,250 votes. "Our internal polling told us we would win 16 seats in Karnataka; we won nine. We then focused on seven unexpected losses. We focused on Mahadevapur... All data is 2024 data from the Election Commission; the total votes polled in the Lok Sabha were 6.26 lakhs. The BJP won with 658,915, securing a margin of 32,707. But then we look at Mahadevapura, where Congress polls 115,586 and BJP polls 229,632. Congress wins all Vidhan Sabhas but this one," the Congress leader said. "We found 100,250 votes stolen in five different ways. Duplicate voters, fake and invalid addresses, and bulk voters in a single address, in a building with 50-60 people living. But when we go there, there is no record of those people living there. One family living in that house," he said. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday has again asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to either give a declaration as per the rules or apologise to the country for his "false" allegations regarding the voter lists. "Rahul Gandhi should either give a Declaration as per rules or apologise to the country for his false allegations," ECI said in a statement. (ANI)
For 36 years, The Mustard Seed of Central Florida has been helping rebuild the lives of individuals and families by providing them with clothing and household furnishings. The circumstances of these situations vary widely.

It could be a natural disaster or a house fire, people who are aging out of foster care, homeless veterans, people who have lost everything due to a medical hardship or job loss, says Kathy Baldwin, the nonprofits executive director.

For Katherine, 37, it was a divorce.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The split was her choice, but one she came to question when she found herself  and her 9-year-old son and 19-year-old daughter  with nothing left to rebuild the home that was broken.

He pretty much took everything, she says.

The Mustard Seed, however, provided what she needed to restore her home, including priceless intangibles  a sense of control, of dignity.

Its very emotional and incredibly rewarding when you see and experience moments like these as theyre happening, says Baldwin.

The Mustard Seed helped 1,001 individuals and families like Katherines get a fresh start last year. Visit Orlandos Magical Dining played a pivotal role.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The dine-for-a-cause program, now in its 20th year, began as a way to boost restaurant sales during a historically slow time of year by coordinating the offer of special, lower-priced meals. Its charity element, added in 2009, has since raised roughly $2.8 million for nonprofits providing services to the Central Florida community.

In 2024, the program raised a record $352,218. The Mustard Seed of Central Florida was the programs primary recipient, receiving $334,218.

In addition, Visit Orlando awarded $3,000 to six other charities: Hope Along the Way (supporting families through lifes challenges), New Image Youth Center (empowering youth with educational resources), Next Step Foundation (promoting paralysis recovery and wellness in the community), United Against Poverty (offering tools to improve lives and livelihoods), WASH Foundation (advocating for clean water and sustainable practices) and CDA WE Care (building strong, compassionate communities).

Weve applied for several years and been runners-up, says The Mustard Seeds Baldwin, but every year, when [Visit Orlando goes] through its grand processes, they have a different focus. This years was environmental, and the additional benefit of our organization is that we are environmentally responsible to the community, deconstructing mattresses and saving as much as possible from the landfill.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Every nonprofit, she says, has a someday list, a roster of big-ticket items that would benefit its mission greatly if they could only secure the funding.

When that lottery payday comes, you pull that list out, you prioritize and you get the quotes knowing you are going to be able to accomplish some of them.

Many are unglamorous, but critical. At the top of The Mustard Seeds wish list: the resealing of a leaky roof more than 25 years old, a $210,000 job.

It had to be a priority to save all the furniture donations, she explains.

Similarly, the aging truck used to pick up donations and deliver furniture to recipients was beginning to cost them money. Visit Orlandos funding allowed for a trade-in, an upgrade Baldwin calls a blessing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nonprofits arent supposed to make money, but it costs a lot of money to not make any.

Baldwin sees wide eyes among volunteer groups when she tells them it costs $75,000 a month to run The Mustard Seed, including everything from gas for that brand-new box truck and the insurance that protects the staff, the building and the generous donations inside.

Its one of our highest expenses, says Baldwin.

Space, too, is at a premium.

Celebrating 20 years: Visit Orlando announces dates for Magical Dining

On one side of The Mustard Seeds 20,000-square-foot facility sit two 53-foot trailers. Theyre in disrepair, but sealed. They store excess donations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On the other side, three land/sea containers are doing the same.

Bids and quotes are now coming in for a storage facility that will make all of it obsolete, a single overflow that will be on hand to store furniture, so that when we have an opportunity to receive 90 rooms worth of furniture from a hotel thats renovating, we will not have to decline.

These items, she notes, are exactly what many people need to start over again, but despite their value, The Mustard Seeds human capital is worth even more.

Were investing in people who are helping others, she says.

Staff and salary increases were near the top of her someday list, too.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Theres no better way to invest than that.

Katherine, whose empty three-bedroom apartment was fully furnished less than 72 hours after her intake call, would likely agree.

Among the mix-and-match spoils she and her daughter picked out: dressers, a night stand, a TV stand, a rocking recliner and ottoman, two lamps and more.

We got a rolling kitchen island and a coffee table. We got an end table for the living room. My son got a full-sized bed with a box spring and me and my daughter got queens.

They felt like them, too, strolling through the warehouse that development & events manager Alycia Walker describes as a thrifty IKEA.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Walker was the one who took that initial call. She watched as Katherine and her daughter carefully chose a table theyd use for the Pascualina scrapbooking hobby they enjoy together and for family game nights.

Its incredibly special, says Walker.

Clients come in together and walk through and get a chance to enjoy that human experience of picking out items that resonate with them and their families  things they can adore, things they are going to take care of for years to come.

Im a hugger, Katherine says. And when she saw Walker in the warehouse, she did just that.

After the divorce, I felt like an absolute failure, she says, confessing the invasive thoughts that plagued her in its wake.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Where are they going to sit? Where are they going to play? My son is very independent and likes to be able to fix his own snacks, and I didnt even have a microwave. Or utensils. It was heartbreaking, and I started second-guessing myself. Did I make the right choice in getting a divorce? Was I being selfish?

Everyone in her life, her supporters, she says, helped her realize that the kids would be OK as long as they saw her pushing forward.

In the past, recipients of The Mustard Seeds services were charged a $200 fee to fill up its box truck with a houses worth of furniture, but we found that very often, people who inquired were not making their appointments because they couldnt afford the fees.

The cash infusion from Magical Dinings $1-2 per meal donations, says Alexandra Jones, director of operations and client engagement, has allowed us to serve more of the community by implementing a sliding fee schedule.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sometimes, says Baldwin, fees are waived entirely, and some items are thrown in.

For Katherine, extras included kitchen items sorely needed  plates, utensils, a can opener  and even a little fun, like their new waffle maker. Also, a space heater for her daughter, she laughs, who is always, always cold!

The apartment, though, is warm with good vibes.

I watched my son sit down on the sofa and play his video game the other night while I was cooking, and it was amazing, she says. Knowing that hes starting a new school and hes got a place to do his homework, to put down his book bag and tell me about his day. Im just elated.

So, too, is Baldwin.

Everything is improving in the organization, she says. The physical assets, the experience were giving to those in need and our ability to serve more people.

This years primary Magical Dining beneficiary is the REED Charitable Foundation, whose mission is to empower children through literacy and provide support and resources to families with dyslexic students. Additionally, Visit Orlando will donate $3,000 each to organizations in Orange Countys six commission districts: Boys 2 Men Mentoring, Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, Finding the Lost Sheep, Nuevo Sendero, Samaritan Resource Center and Therapy Wish.

Peruse the offerings for all of this years participating restaurants at OrlandoMagicalDining.com.

Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun, join the Lets Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
The move, symbolic in nature, is predicated on a forthcoming constitutional declaration that would define a Palestinian state's borders and foundations.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is considering unilaterally announcing the transformation of the PA into a state during the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York in September, London-based outlet al-Araby al-Jadeed reported on Sunday.

The reported declaration is a symbolic step, and was confirmed to the outlet by a Palestinian official.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The move, according to the report, is predicated on a forthcoming constitutional declaration that would define the state's borders and foundations. A constitutional declaration would be announced by Abbas, and would confirm the state's "borders, nature, content, and constitutional foundations until the Palestinian constitution is approved," the report added.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir denounced Abbas's reported decisions, stating that he will appeal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "with a request to bring immediate operative measures to the next cabinet meeting to dismantle the Palestinian Authority."

"This must be the response to the terrorist Abu Mazen [Abbas]'s fantasies of a 'Palestinian state' - crushing the terror authority he heads," Ben-Gvir added in his post on X/Twitter on Sunday.

Delegates at work at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. (credit: UN Photo/Manuel Elias)

Elections for a new Palestinian National Council will be held before the end of the year, Abbas announced in a meeting with the PLOs Executive Committee on July 20.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Abbass decision aims to bolster the international push to recognize the State of Palestine, according to Palestinian officials, marking an important step toward a necessary shift in the development of the Palestinian Liberation Organization.

The new council will comprise a total of 350 members: 200 representatives from the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem, and 150 from outside Israel, in order to create a balanced council that accurately represents the population it is meant to govern.

Participation in the election will require candidates to commit to the PLOs political platform, its international obligations, and UN resolutions, stated the official Palestinian news agency WAFA.

France, other nations begin recognizing Palestinian state

In July, French President Emmanuel Macron wrote that he would formally recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September in a post to X/Twitter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine, wrote Macron.

The urgency today is to end the war in Gaza and to provide aid to the civilian population. Peace is possible, he added.

Other nations, including Canada and the UK, while stating their intention to recognize a Palestinian state, added that recognition was stipulated on reforming the PA and reaching a ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza.

This is a developing story.
Emirates Airlines became the latest to ban the use of portable chargers after a series of disasters.

"After a comprehensive safety review, Emirates is taking a firm and proactive stance to mitigate risk when it comes to power banks onboard," the airline said in a statement on Friday, August 8. "There has been a significant growth in customers using power banks in recent years, resulting in an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents onboard flights across the wider aviation industry."

In addition to restricting the use of power banks, Emirates passengers are also only allowed one, and it must be under 100 Wh.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Dubai-based airline's announcement came on the heels of a mid-air scare about a KLM flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil, heading for Amsterdam. A power bank caught fire on the transatlantic flight Tuesday night, quickly filling the cabin with smoke.

"Smoke was detected on board due to a burning power bank," the airline announced following the incident. "The crew quickly extinguished the device, following established safety procedures."

The flight was able to continue and land safely in Amsterdam.

A Delta flight in July had a similar fate. After a portable battery, the plane -- which was heading to Fort Lauderdale from Atlanta -- was forced to divert to Fort Myers, Florida.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We appreciate the quick work and actions by our people to follow their training, and we apologize to our customers for the delay in their travels," Delta Airlines said in a statement following the blaze.

While all airlines require personal power banks to be kept in cabins, prohibiting them from being in checked bags stowed in cargo, many are cracking down further as the dangers continue.

Southwest Airlines issued a rule in May that portable chargers must be kept visible when in use. Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa and Thai Air are among the growing list of airlines that have implemented restrictions.

Major Airline Announces New Ban After Series of Mid-Air Scares first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 8, 2025
Firefighters have brought under control most of the largest wildfire to hit France in decades, though efforts continue in southern France to fully extinguish the blaze, the local prefecture said on Sunday evening.

The fire, which broke out on Tuesday afternoon in the municipality of Ribaute in the Occitania region, spread to 16,000 hectares. One woman died in the fire and 25 people were injured.

The huge fire kept emergency services and local residents on tenterhooks for days. Dry conditions and strong winds caused the flames to spread rapidly. Many people had to leave their homes. Some lost them in the fire.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The government described the fire as the largest in France since 1949 in terms of the number of hectares destroyed.

At times, more than 2,000 firefighters were deployed between Carcassonne and Narbonne.

They had been keeping the flames at bay since Thursday evening. It was not immediately clear how long it would take to extinguish the fire completely.
The Brief

Police responded to a shooting call on Sterlingshire Street on Friday night.

A male and female allegedly shot each other during an altercation at an apartment complex.

Another female who was with the male was detained after they drove from the scene.

HOUSTON - Houston police are calling on the public to help piece together why a male and female allegedly shot each other on Friday night.

Houston Sterlingshire shooting: Two injured after allegedly shooting each other

What we know

At about 9:30 p.m. on Friday, police responded to a shooting report in the 9000 block of Sterlingshire Street, near Mesa Drive.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When officers arrived, they apparently learned that a male and female shot each other during an altercation in an apartment parking lot.

The female was taken to a hospital from the scene, and she is expected to recover.

Police say the male left the scene in a vehicle with another female, and they were found at another location nearby.

The male was taken to a hospital from there. The second female was detained.

What we don't know

No one involved has been identified. There is no information on everyone's relationship with one another, what led up to the shooting, or why the second female was detained.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The male's condition is unknown at this time.

What you can do

Anyone with information on this case can call one of the following agencies:

HPD Major Assaults Division: 713-308-8800

Crime Stoppers: 713-222-TIPS (8477)

The Source

Houston Police Department
Mali has arrested dozens of soldiers suspected of plotting to overthrow the junta, which itself took power in the west African country in a coup, sources told AFP on Sunday.

Since seizing the reins in Mali through back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, the west African country's junta has ramped up repression of its critics in the face of widespread jihadist unrest.

"Since three days ago, there have been arrests linked to an attempt to destabilise the institutions. There have been at least around 20 arrests," a Malian security source told AFP.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A separate source within the army confirmed an "attempt at destabilisation", adding: "We have gone ahead with the necessary arrests".

Among those arrested was General Abass Dembele, a former governor of the central Mopti region and a respected military officer.

"Soldiers came early this morning (Sunday) to arrest General Abass Dembele in Kati," on the outskirts of the capital Bamako, a figure close to the officer said.

"They have not told him why he was arrested."

A member of the National Transition Council, the junta-backed parliament, spoke of "around 50 arrests".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"All are soldiers. Their objective was to overthrow the junta," the lawmaker said.

- 'Grumblings within the ranks' -

Since 2012 Mali has been wracked with crises on various fronts, with militants linked to the Al-Qaeda or Islamic State groups carrying out violent attacks across the Sahel nation.

Criminal and sectarian violence are likewise rife, while the economy is in dire straits.

After the coups, the junta turned its back on France, arguing that the country should be free of its former colonial ruler, as have its fellow military-run allies in Niger and Burkina Faso.

It has forged ties with new allies, notably Russia, whose mercenaries from the paramilitary Wagner group and its successor Africa Corps have helped the military fight jihadists and other internal adversaries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Yet, like Niger and Burkina Faso, Mali has continued to struggle to contain the jihadist threat, while the regular army and its Russian allies are frequently accused of committing atrocities against civilians.

For Malian sociologist Oumar Maiga, this latest purge was "proof that the officers are struggling to control the situation. There are grumblings within the army's ranks".

"Some soldiers are not happy with the treatment given to the Russian mercenaries at the expense of Malian soldiers," Maiga added.

In July, a bill passed by the military-appointed legislative body granted Mali's junta chief General Assimi Goita a five-year presidential mandate, renewable "as many times as necessary" and without elections.

The military government had initially pledged to return to civilian rule in March 2024.

bur-jj/gv
An apparently unprovoked acid attack in Chinatown late Friday night left a 30-year-old man with severe chemical burns to his face and shocked many who work, dine and shop in the area.

The Honolulu Police Department said the victim was assaulted while crossing the street just before midnight on North Hotel Street in the vicinity of Smith Street and Nuuanu Avenue, where several restaurants are located. Although the restaurants were closed at the time, a few bars in the area stay open until midnight or later.

Police said the Honolulu Fire Department identified the substance used in the assault as sulfuric acid.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Emergency Medical Serv ices paramedics treated the victim for severe chemical burns and transported him to an area hospital in serious condition, according to an EMS report. Police listed his condition as critical.

The culprit was described in an HPD social media post as an approximately 6-foot-tall male wearing a blue, fitted shirt and a durag head covering, with a camera around his neck and carrying a red bottle. HPD later updated the description to grey short-sleeved shirt, light-colored shorts and blue athletic shoes.

Police urged anyone with information on the incident to call 911 or contact CrimeStoppers at 808-955-8300 or via the P3 Tip app, or go to any police station.

Thats insane,  said Daler Ishankulov, 35, outside a Chinatown restaurant Saturday where he frequently dines. How do you get ahold of acid ? Doesnt make any sense.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ishankulov, who lives in Waikiki, said he travels a lot and moved to Hawaii in 2009.

Its turning like the mainland,  he said, noting a recent increase in gun violence. Hawaii has always been the safest place.

A young woman working in a North Hotel Street restaurant said she saw police and an ambulance responding to an incident late Friday night but doesnt know exactly what happened.

Theres always something going down around here,  said the woman, who did not want to be identified. It feels a little unsafe.

Harry Seda, owner of the Old Ironside Tattoo on Smith Street, was unaware of the acid attack, saying he closes up shop by 8 p.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Theres crimes all the time. Theres stabbings all the time,  he said. Nothing ever seems to change.

The acid thing is something to worry about. This is a big deal,  Seda said. Friday is when people come to hang out.

He said the city is going to have to work harder to keep the area safe.

City worker Josaiah Akrins, 23, was sweeping the sidewalk in the general vicinity of Fridays attack but had heard it occurred near HPDs Chinatown substation.

Its really crazy,  he said. It is Chinatown though.

A few people said Fridays incident recalled two recent acid attacks on Oahu.

Paul Cameron is a suspect in both the April 2023 attack on a young woman he knew in front of 24 Hour Fitness in Mililani, which caused severe chemical burns to her face and body, and a January 2024 incident near the Ala Moana Planet Fitness, in a random attack of a Mandarin language teacher who was critically injured.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Cameron, while in jail for the first attack, allegedly conspired with fellow inmate Sebastian Mahkwan to have Mahkwan carry out the second attack, in an attempt to cast doubt on who was responsible for the 2023 assault.

Both are in custody awaiting trial.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  A 41-year-old man was arrested for murder in a store parking lot on Beretania Street on the night of Aug. 9.

The Honolulu Police Department responded to the scene at approximately 10:30 p.m. Upon investigation, police say that the suspect and a 54-year-old male victim were in an argument in the parking lot.

1 critical in Chinatown acid attack

It was reported by witnesses that the suspect had allegedly pushed the victim in the chest, causing the victim to fall backward and hit his head on the curb, police said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Authorities say the victim was unresponsive, and was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.

At 10:45 p.m., HPD says the suspect was arrested for Murder in the Second Degree.

The investigation is ongoing into the incident. Charges will be sought with the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
A 54-year-old man died after a 41-year-old acquaintance allegedly assaulted him during an argument Saturday night in a South Beretania Street store parking lot, Honolulu police said.

Officers responded to an assault call at the Safeway parking lot at 1234 S. Beretania St., at about 10 :30 p.m. Witnesses reported that the two men were arguing when the suspect pushed the victim in the chest, causing him to fall backward and hit his head on a curb, according to a Honolulu Police Department summary.

The victim was transported in critical condition to Queens Medical Center where he died, police said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The suspect was arrested for suspicion of second-degree murder.

Police said the investigation in ongoing and charges will be sought with the city Department of the Prosecuting Attorney.

See more :

41 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our.

Having trouble with comments ? .
The Brief

Decarlo Pitchford allegedly shot his wife during a domestic dispute in Tennessee.

He stopped for beer while driving her to the hospital, prosecutors say.

Pitchford faces multiple charges and is held on a $350,000 bond.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A Tennessee man is accused of shooting his wife but stopping for beer on the way to taking her to the hospital for treatment.

What we know

According to a Facebook post by the Shelby County District Attorney's Office, 51-year-old Decarlo Pitchford pulled the trigger on his wife last month.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The victim told authorities that she was being blocked from leaving, and when her husband shot her, he said, "I told you to stop playing with me."

Prosecutors said Pitchford took his wife to the hospital for treatment, but stopped for beer along the way.

He's charged with second-degree murder, domestic assault, and felon in possession of a firearm.

He's currently being held on a $350,000 bond.

What we don't know

Authorities have not elaborated on the condition of the victim.

The Source

The information in this story comes from a Facebook post by the Shelby County District Attorney's Office. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi wrote, "Greetings to Jharkhand CM Shri Hemant Soren Ji on his birthday. Praying for his long life and good health".

Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh also extended birthday wishes to CM Hemant Soren on social media.

Taking to X, Rajnath Singh wrote, "Birthday greetings to Shri Hemant Soren, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. May he be blessed with a long and healthy life."

Hemant Soren's father, Shibu Soren, who served as three-time chief minister of Jharkhand died recently of prolonged illness at a hospital in teh national capital. The PM had then met with CM Soren and conveyed his condolences.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi who is on a visit to Bengaluru today launched three Vande Bharat trains and inaugurated the Yellow Line from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra of the Bangalore Metro Phase-2 project

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project worth over Rs 15,610 crore. The total route length of the project will be more than 44 km with 31 elevated stations. This infrastructure project will address the growing transportation needs of the city, catering to residential, industrial, commercial and educational areas. (ANI)
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A 21-year-old man has been arrested by Mexican authorities in connection with the kidnapping and death of a New Mexico teenager who was found buried in a Juarez neighborhood last month, according to a news release.

The suspect, identified as Oscar Manuel MA, was arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 6 in Tezonapa, Veracruz, Mexican authorities said.

He is being charged with aggravated kidnapping in connection with the kidnapping and death of a 17-year-old girl from Hobbs, New Mexico who has only been identified by the initials DCLG.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the Mexican authorities, the teenagers body was found in a clandestine grave on July 22 in the courtyard of a Juarez neighborhood. An autopsy revealed that the victim died from asphyxiation by strangulation.

The suspect has been transferred to Ciudad Juarez where he was charged with aggravated kidnapping, Mexican authorities said.

He has a court hearing scheduled for Monday, Aug. 11.

The arrest resulted from inter-agency cooperation designed to combat high-impact crimes such as kidnapping.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A man was arrested in Salt Lake City on Saturday for stealing a car that had an infant in the backseat, according to Salt Lake City Police. The mother was able to get her infant child out of the vehicle before the man fled, according to police.

Carlos Daniel Castellanos, 23, was arrested on charges of child kidnapping (first-degree felony), theft of value over $5,000 (second-degree felony), robbery (second-degree felony), among other charges related to illegal use of credit cards and illicit drugs.

Just before 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, Salt Lake City Police responded to a robbery at the Gateway Mall parking garage, located at 62 S Rio Grande St. The victim told police she was parked in the garage with her infant child in the backseat when she stepped away from the car while it was running.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to police, Castellanos was skateboarding in the parking garage and was told to leave by Gateway security. As Castellanos was leaving the garage, he allegedly saw the unoccupied running vehicle and got in the drivers seat.

He reportedly began driving away when the victim, who was nearby, realized her car was moving and tried to stop it. According to police, the woman was dragged by the vehicle for several feet before Castellanos allegedly realized that there was an infant in the backseat.

Castellanos then stopped the vehicle and yelled for the victim to get her child. The mother was reportedly able to open the car door and retrieve her child before Castellanos fled in the vehicle.

On Friday, Aug. 8, the victim called police and reported that her credit cards that were in her stolen vehicle were being used at a local 7-Eleven. Police reviewed surveillance footage at the store and found images of a male suspect that matched the individual involved in the Gateway car theft.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Just before 11:40 p.m., police found and detained Castellanos at Taufer Park. He later admitted to detectives that he stole the car at Gateway while the child was inside. He reportedly also admitted to stealing the victims credit cards and using them at 7-Eleven.

During Castellanos arrest, police found methamphetamine and marijuana in his possession.

Castellanos was booked into Salt Lake County Jail on the aforementioned charges. No further information is available at this time.

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.




NEED TO KNOW

James Richburg, 62, has been found guilty of second-degree murder, along with several firearm charges, after he shot a fellow bus passenger in 2024

The Maryland man shot the victim, William Womack, 30, after he allegedly bumped into him and failed to apologize

Richburgs sentencing is scheduled for November





A Maryland man has been convicted on several charges after he shot a fellow bus passenger who allegedly bumped into him and then refused to apologize.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

James Richburg, 62, was found guilty on three counts  second-degree murder, use of a firearm in a crime of violence and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person  on Friday, Aug. 8, according to a press release from the Maryland State Attorneys Office.

Richburg shot and killed William Womack, 30, in Baltimore on Nov. 30, 2024, "following a dispute" on a Maryland Transit Administration bus, according to authorities, per Law & Crime.

Court documents obtained by WBFF reportedly state that Richburg and Womack were riding the same bus when Womack bumped into Richburg without apologizing while exiting at the rear of the vehicle.

The men began arguing, and Womack then got back on the bus as the argument continued  at which point Richburg took out a firearm and shot the other man.

Getty Public city bus (stock image) Public city bus (stock image)

Womback was taken to a local hospital, where he later died, CBS affiliate WJZ reported. Richburg fled the scene before authorities arrived, but he was later arrested on a bus without incident on Dec. 9, 2024, according to the outlet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Our family got justice," Tamika Johnson, Womack's mother, said in a statement to WBALTV 11 regarding the conviction. "It has been long-anticipated. I've been going through up-and-down emotions. This is closure."

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.

This egregious act of violence is despicable and completely unacceptable and stands as a stark reminder that we must reject any form of brutality in Baltimore, States Attorney Ivan Bates said in the offices press release.

He added, Since day one of my administration, I have been adamant that carrying an illegal firearm is an incredibly dangerous offense that I take very seriously because it leads to deadly outcomes like what we saw in this case.

Richburg's sentencing is scheduled for November, per WMAR.

Read the original article on People




NEED TO KNOW

A man has died, and nine others have been hospitalized, after they ate sandwiches containing broccoli amid a botulism outbreak

Luigi Di Sarno, 52, collapsed and later died after eating a broccoli and sausage sandwich from a food truck

Investigators are now looking into the botulism outbreak, and a local Poison Control Center is distributing antidotes for the foodborne illness to hospitals





A man has died, and nine others have been hospitalized, after they ate sandwiches containing broccoli amid a botulism outbreak.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to reports from The Mirror and 7 News, 52-year-old Luigi Di Sarno collapsed after eating a sandwich from a food truck in the Italian town of Diamante, located along the coast in Calabria.

Di Sarno, an artist and musician, was among several people who ate a broccoli and sausage sandwich. The other victims, including two teenagers and members of Di Sarno's family, were taken to the nearby Annunziata Hospital and placed in intensive care.

The Mirror reported that two of the patients are still in serious condition.

Getty A stock image of broccoli. A stock image of broccoli.

The news comes about two weeks after a 38-year-old woman died after eating a taco with guacamole at a festival in Cagliari, located on the Italian island of Sardinia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

An 11-year-old boy, who also ate the guacamole, was flown to Rome from Sardinia and hospitalized, the outlets reported.

The Mirror and 7 News also reported that various Italian government agencies are investigating the botulism outbreak and are collecting samples of the affected foods, as well as shutting down food vendors that have been impacted.

Getty A stock image of a sandwich. A stock image of a sandwich.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

Although the type of product that has been recalled has not been confirmed, 7 News reported that officials are seizing broccoli preserved in oil, per local outlets.



According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), botulism is caused by the toxin clostridium botulinum. It attacks the bodys nerves and causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis and even death in rare cases.

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.

"Foodborne botulism can happen by eating foods that have been contaminated with botulinum toxin," the CDC states. "Common sources of foodborne botulism are homemade foods that have been improperly canned, preserved or fermented. Though uncommon, store-bought foods also can be contaminated with botulinum toxin."



Getty Annunziata Hospital in Cosenza, Italy, where several patients were taken. Annunziata Hospital in Cosenza, Italy, where several patients were taken.

Achille Ordine, the mayor of Diamante, asked the public in a statement shared on Facebook on Aug. 7 to not panic or circulate rumors as the Public Prosecutor's Office of Paola is investigating.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Calabria's Department of Health and Welfare also said in an Aug. 8 statement that any cases of botulism should be reported to Italy's Poison Control Center, as hospitals do not stock the botulism antidote on a regular basis.

Military aircraft recently transported the antidote to various impacted hospitals, the agency added.

"Annunziata Hospital currently has a stockpile of the antidote. This is an exceptional measure due to the emergency situation, despite the fact that standard practice does not require hospitals to directly hold the drug," the department wrote.



Read the original article on People
GILES COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A pursuit that started in Tennessee and ended in Alabama Friday night resulted in a mans arrest and the seizure of drugs and firearms.

The Elkton Police Department in Tennessee said the situation on Friday, Aug. 8 started as a report about a reckless vehicle on Highway 31 and then Interstate 65 in Giles County.

According to authorities, the Giles County Sheriffs Department notified the Limestone County Sheriffs Office about a chase entering Alabama. Limestone County deputies and Ardmore police officers intercepted the suspect when he crossed the state line.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Limestone County Sheriffs Office said the driver  later identified as Jason Rose  continued driving southbound on Interstate 65, discarding items from his pickup truck during the pursuit.

Man wanted in 3 counties arrested following Mt. Juliet police chase

Law enforcement said they deployed spike strips multiple times in Limestone and Morgan counties, bringing the chase to an end just south of the I-65 bridge in Priceville.

After taking Rose into custody without further incident, Limestone County deputies said they returned to where they saw the man throwing objects from his truck. Authorities reportedly found 0.25 pounds of methamphetamine, in addition to the other evidence seized from inside the vehicle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to officials, Rose has been charged with the following offenses:

Trafficking meth

Unlawful possession of a controlled substance (LSD)

Second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

Possession of a pistol as a violent felon

Felony attempting to elude

Tampering with evidence

Possession of drug paraphernalia

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Law enforcement said Rose was out on bond for unrelated charges at the time of the incident.

I am grateful for the strong partnership and coordinated efforts of the Giles County Sheriffs Office, Ardmore Police Department, Athens Police Department, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Priceville Police Department, and Decatur Police Department. Together, we brought this pursuit to a safe conclusion and removed a dangerous individual from our community, Limestone County Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin said in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Just after noon on Saturday, Aug. 9, officials announced Rose was in the Limestone County Detention Facility awaiting a bond hearing.

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.
GARFIELD COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  Authorities recovered a deceased person from a boat on Lake Powell on Saturday, according to the Garfield County Sheriffs Office.

At around 10:20 a.m. on Aug. 9, some boaters passed by a boat anchored in a cove near the Bullfrog Marina. According to police, they saw what appeared to be a dead body. No one else was on board.

After the boaters contacted authorities, the Garfield County Sheriffs Office, in partnership with Glen Canyon Park Rangers, Utah Dept. of Natural Resources, and Kane County Sheriffs Office, recovered the body.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is an open investigation, a press release from Garfield County Sheriffs Office states. However, there is no indication of an accident, foul play, or suicide. The body was transported to the Utah State Medical Examiner Office.

The deceased individual has been identified as Bruce Wayne Brinkley, 77, of Globe, Ariz.

The Garfield County Sheriffs Office offers its condolences to the Brinkley family, the release states.

No further information is available at this time.

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.
WORCESTER, Mass. (WWLP)  A man has been found guilty of second-degree murder in connection with a 2020 murder in Worcester.

Turners Falls woman charged with DUI Drug in Vermont

The Worcester County District Attorneys Office stated that in the early hours of July 5, 2020, 24-year-old Joshua Lopez of Worcester was shot in the backseat of a vehicle in the area of Almont Avenue in Worcester. On July 6, 2020, Lopez died from his injuries. During the incident, a child was also reportedly in the vehicle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Law enforcement arrested 30-year-old Leroy L. Thompson of Worcester in connection with the death of Lopez, and he was charged with second-degree murder and reckless endangerment of a child. On Friday, Thompson was found guilty of these charges in Worcester County Superior Court.

I want to thank the men and women of the Worcester Police Department for their steadfast commitment to all victims in order to get closure for their families, said Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier. The WPD also values our partnership with District Attorney Joseph Early Jr and his staff of talented prosecutors whom also demand closure for the loved ones of heinous crime victims.

Thompson is scheduled to be sentenced on September 24.

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.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KSNW)  A man was shot and killed by police Friday after allegedly pointing a gun at a store clerk and confronting officers.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said the incident began around 2:49 p.m. when 24-year-old Paul Beasley Jr. entered a business at 8301 State Ave. and aimed a firearm at the cashier. He reportedly told the clerk to call 911 and say the store was being robbed.

Two people shot outside Towne East Square, witnesses react

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A Kansas City, Kansas police officer entered moments later, saw Beasley holding a gun, and backed out of the store. Beasley followed the officer outside, where multiple officers were gathered. Five officers fired during the confrontation, hitting Beasley.

Officers gave first aid until EMS arrived. Beasley was taken to a hospital, where he died. No officers were injured.

The KBI is leading the investigation, which will be turned over to the Wyandotte County District Attorney when complete.

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.
A man has pleaded guilty to shooting and killing his uncle and a woman in Lawrence County.

According to court documents, Corbin Blake Partin, 36, pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree murder.

Police said Partin shot his uncle, Albert C. Rotz, 72, and Rotzs long-time girlfriend, Rebecca Frank, 66, at a house on the 700 block of Arlington Avenue in New Castle on July 13, 2024. Rotz died at the scene and Frank later died at a hospital.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Man, woman dead after shooting in New Castle, suspect in custody

A man is facing charges after a man and woman were killed in New Castle.

Multiple people attending a pool party near the house reported hearing shots fired after an argument. Among those witnesses was a woman related to the victims who told police that Frank told her, Corbin shot us.

A separate witness reported seeing Partin walking out of the house and leaving the scene in his vehicle after the shooting.

Police said they found a percussion cap consistent with the firing of a black powder or cap and ball weapon at the scene of the crime.

Partin was arrested at his parents house, where he was staying, on the 1000 block of Beckford Street on the same day. Two boxes of black powder and cap and ball weapons were found at the Beckford Street house. Police said the contents inside one of those boxes were unaccounted for.

Partin will spend 35 to 70 years in prison.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
A man in New York City was pushed onto the train tracks at a Midtown subway station Saturday night, although he was not struck by a train, according to police.

The victim, 44, was standing on the train platform of the 1 train at the 50th Street and 7th Avenue station shortly before 7:50 p.m. when someone pushed him from behind onto the tracks, a spokesperson for the New York City Police Department told Fox News Digital.

The man was able to climb back onto the platform and did not make any contact with a train, police said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

3 Shot In Times Square, 17-Year-old Suspect Detained After Late-night Dispute

The victim suffered injuries to his face and legs and was transported by EMS to a hospital in stable condition.

Police said the suspect fled the scene after pushing the victim onto the tracks. No arrests have been made, as police continue searching for the suspect.

Read On The Fox News App

Manhattan High-rise Shooting Victims: Nypd Officer, Blackstone Executive And Security Guard Among Those Killed

The incident remains under investigation.

The push at the subway station comes after three people were shot during an early morning shooting in Times Square. A 17-year-old suspect was detained after that incident near the intersection of 44th Street and 7th Avenue at around 1:20 a.m. on Saturday.

An 18-year-old woman and two men aged 19 and 65 were wounded in the shooting.





Original article source: Man pushed onto train tracks at Midtown subway station in New York City, police say
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday expressed condolences to the people who lost their loved ones following a devastating cloudburst that struck Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district on Tuesday afternoon "I express my condolences to the people who have recently lost their loved ones in various villages of Uttarkashi and Pauri districts and pray for the peace of the departed souls...," Dhami said soon after flagging off vehicles carrying rehabilitation and relief material to the disaster-affected areas of Uttarkashi from the CM's residence in Dehradun earlier on Sunday. "I assure the disaster-affected people that our government is fully committed to accelerating rehabilitation efforts," CM said, as quoted by CMO. A search and rescue operation is underway in the Dharali-Harsil area following a cloudburst. Meanwhile, the Uttarkashi district administration is extending continuous support to families affected by the recent disaster in Dharali and Harshil, with District Magistrate Prashant Arya personally camping in the affected region to coordinate relief efforts and motivate residents in this time of crisis. Uttarkashi DM has been regularly inspecting arrangements for essential services, including electricity, water supply, road access, and network connectivity. The administration has assured that every possible effort is being made to provide immediate assistance to those affected and restore normalcy at the earliest. Relief and rescue operations have been underway on a war footing for the past six days, enabling the safe evacuation of residents from disaster-hit areas to secure relief camps. These camps are equipped with food, drinking water, and primary healthcare services to meet the needs of evacuees. The District Magistrate is personally supervising evacuation and rescue operations in Dharali and ensuring that affected people are transported to safe locations without delay. "The government and administration are with the affected people in this difficult time and no stone will be left unturned to help them. He said that the priority of the administration is to protect the victims and provide them with every necessary facility. He has appealed to the affected people to be patient and contact the administration directly for any need," Arya said, appealing to people to remain patient and reach out to the administration directly for any assistance. The District Information Officer stated that adequate healthcare services have been arranged in the affected areas, along with a streamlined water supply. Electricity supply has also been restored in parts of Harshil, Mukhwa, and Dharali. The District Information Officer said, "Adequate availability of health services has been ensured in the affected areas and along with this, water supply has been streamlined to the affected areas. Earlier, the electricity supply was also streamlined in some parts of Harsil, Mukhwa and Dharali." (ANI)
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KFOR)  A man in his late 20s was shot and killed Saturday at an apartment complex near Northeast 6th and Stonewall Avenue in the metro.

| READ LOCAL > Body found in Edmond Saturday morning >

Oklahoma City Police said they got the call around 6 p.m. and said he was found dead at the complex.

There is currently no suspect in custody and no information on a suspect, according to officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police also said that there couldve been an argument between the man and another person that led up to shots being fired.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
A man was shot while loading his groceries into his vehicle before it was stolen in Ohio on Saturday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The incident happened around 1:40 p.m. at the Giant Eagle in Maple Heights, according to CBS affiliate WOIO in Cleveland.

When officers arrived, they found a man who had been shot, according to Maple Heights Police.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Officers told WOIO that the victim was loading his groceries into his vehicle when the suspect approached him. There was a struggle, and the suspect shot the victim.

The victims vehicle was also stolen.

Medics transported the man to the hospital after being shot in the chest, WOIO said.

The vehicle was recovered, and no arrests have been made.

The incident remains under investigation.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
A man was sentenced to prison for stealing thousands of dollars from low-income Southern California residents.

Catalin-Marius Graur, 43, stole the funds by skimming tens of thousands of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards at ATMs, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office.

EBT cards allow recipients to access benefits from CalFresh, CalWORKs, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Graur is a Romanian citizen who entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in 2020 but overstayed his visa, prosecutors said. His last known residence was in Hollywood.

Graur travelled across Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, installing sophisticated skimming devices in ATMs and point-of-sale terminals to capture the account information of anyone who used those devices.

He worked with several members of a transnational criminal organization from Romania to carry out the scheme, court documents said.

While searching the home of Graurs accomplice, investigators discovered Graur had sent him more than 36,000 stolen EBT card numbers over a three-year period.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In June 2024, Graur was arrested in New York City. He was found with more than $37,000 in cash and 1,488 stolen access device numbers. In October 2024, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

On Aug. 4, 2025, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison and was ordered to pay $165,697 in restitution.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the United States Secret Service, the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, the California Department of Social Services, and the Romanian National Police.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man wanted for at least 19 charges across Middle Tennessee was taken into custody after Mt. Juliets license plate recognition system spotted a stolen tag Saturday.

The Mt. Juliet Police Department said its Guardian Shield LPR program notified officers on Saturday, Aug. 9 about a Ford Escape displaying a tag stolen the day before from Williamson County. The alert came in as the vehicle left the interstate and traveled onto Belinda Parkway.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Authorities said they quickly found the SUV near Providence Trail and initiated a traffic stop when it pulled into Two Rivers Ford, but the driver ran from the vehicle. Two officers chased after the suspect and quickly apprehended him.

(Courtesy: MJPD)

(Courtesy: MJPD)

According to officials, the 54-year-old Nashville man not only had crack cocaine, but he was driving on a revoked license and wanted out of three counties for multiple felony warrants.

More specifically, law enforcement said the man was wanted for eight charges in Nashville related to shoplifting, mail theft, forgery, theft of property, and failure to appear; 10 charges in Sumner County involving theft, mail theft, and criminal simulation; and shoplifting in Wilson County.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

While we may never know this mans intentions in Mt. Juliet, we are grateful that our license plate readers alerted us to the stolen plateleading to the capture of a suspect with a significant history of theft, MJPD wrote on social media. This is yet another example of how advanced technology and the swift, strategic response of our officers help keep our community safe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No additional details have been released about Saturday afternoons incident, including the identity of the driver who was arrested.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Authorities in Hawaii are searching for a suspect who allegedly threw acid into a mans face Friday night in Honolulu, leaving him in critical condition.

According to the Honolulu Police Department (HPD), officers responded to an assault complaint shortly after 10 p.m. in the Chinatown area.

Witnesses told officers a 30-year-old man was crossing the street when an unidentified suspect approached and threw an unknown liquid into his face.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Honolulu Fire Department later identified the liquid as sulfuric acid, a highly corrosive chemical that causes severe burns to skin, eyes and internal tissue.

Honolulu police do not believe the suspect and victim knew each other.

Virginia Councilman Set On Fire With Gasoline By Attacker At His Workplace Office

Emergency responders took the victim to the hospital, where he remains in critical condition, an HPD spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

Read On The Fox News App

Due to the severity of his injuries, HPD detectives were unable to interview him to gather additional information.

"The preliminary investigation indicates that the victim did not know the suspect," the spokesperson said. "Right now, detectives are canvassing the scene to recover any surveillance video and locate any additional witnesses."

The attack happened in Honolulu's Chinatown neighborhood.

Doj, Fbi Investigate Brutal Cincinnati Assault Captured In Viral Video

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

HPD described the case as a first-degree assault, a serious felony in Hawaii.

Detectives have not determined a motive, and it is unclear whether the attack qualifies as a hate crime.

Police said the motive behind the acid attack is unknown.

Boulder Terror Attack Witness Describes 'Horrific' Scene At Pro-israel Rally

The suspect is described as a 6-foot man last seen wearing a blue fitted shirt and a do-rag with a camera around his neck and carrying a red bottle. The investigation is ongoing, police said.

Honolulu Fire Department officials did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.





Original article source: Manhunt underway in popular tourist destination after sulfuric acid attack critically burns pedestrian
A man was wrongly issued with a parking charge after his car was mixed up with another vehicle with a nearly identical number plate.

Richard Lynn said that on 18 March 2024, he paid 1.70 to park for about 30 minutes in Rushton's Yard car park in Ashby, Leicestershire, but later received a demand for 165 from solicitors representing private firm Horizon Parking.

The 53-year-old said photographic evidence, provided by the company, showed his Hyundai entering the car park - but a Kia with an identical number plate bar one letter leaving nine hours later.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Horizon Parking said it wrote to Mr Lynn on 25 July to say the issue was rectified, but he said he had not received confirmation of this.

Horizon Parking provided photos showing Mr Lynn's car (left) with its number plate starting FH6 - and another car with an FP6 registration [BBC]

Reflecting on the situation, Mr Lynn said: "It's ridiculous. They have clearly different cars with similar but different plates but they just haven't checked properly.

"The result of this is that I received a pretty nasty letter, threatening me with legal action if I didn't pay a fine I should not have been issued with in the first place."

On 25 March 2024, Mr Lynn was sent a letter demanding 85 - 51 if he paid within 14 days.

However, he said he only became aware of the matter in July this year - when he received a letter from solicitors acting on behalf of Horizon Parking demanding 165.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mr Lynn said he moved house in December 2022 but said he had, in error, not notified the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) of his change of address until some time in "early 2024".

He said his address had subsequently been updated, but believed earlier correspondence could have been sent to his old house.

Horizon Parking said it originally wrote to Mr Lynn, to the address provided by the DVLA, on 25 March 2024, then sent reminder letters on 24 April and 24 May last year.

'I'm pretty angry'

Mr Lynn added: "The fact remains none of those letters should have been sent in the first place.

"There has been no humanity in the way this has been dealt with, either in terms of having a person look at those number plates and spot the mistake - or in the aggressive letter they sent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I almost paid them to make them go away, but I pushed back because it was a clear mistake.

"All they had was ANPR [automatic number plate recognition] evidence and they had not spotted the plates - while alike - were different. It beggars belief nobody checked.

"My fear is that lots of errors like this get made but that most people just pay up because they are scared about being dragged to court and having to pay huge legal fees even if they haven't committed the offence.

"I'm pretty angry about the whole thing."

The company that enforces parking rules at Rushton's Yard urged people to appeal if they thought mistakes had been made [Google]

A Horizon Parking spokesperson told the BBC the matter had been rectified when it was brought to their attention.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The BBC asked the firm to clarify if that meant the charge had been cancelled, and that potential legal proceedings had been halted, but it declined to say.

It said it had written to Mr Lynn, from Ashby, to inform him, but he said he had not received a letter from the company.

"We do make every effort with our processes to issue correct parking charges," a statement from Horizon Parking said.

"We'll investigate to see how we can improve, but would encourage drivers to appeal in circumstances where the parking charge may be incorrect, to enable the matter to be resolved at an early stage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Unfortunately, we didn't receive an appeal and the parking charge therefore proceeded via our recovery methods.

"Once the matter was brought to our attention, it was rectified."

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.

More on this story

Related internet links
Troopers from the Marion Post of the State Highway Patrol are investigating a one-vehicle crash that occurred Sunday at about 9:15 a.m. in which one man died.

The accident happened on Prospect Upper Sandusky Road in Marion County where a Ford Explorer driven by Darrell Carroll, 69, Marion, ran into a utility pole, according to a news release from the patrol.

The preliminary investigation indicates Carroll was traveling northbound on Prospect Upper Sandusky Road when he traveled off the right side of the roadway, overcorrected, and overturned before traveling off the left side of the roadway and into a utility pole, according to the report.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Carroll was pronounced dead at the scene by the Marion County Coroners Office.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Marion County Sheriffs Office, Scioto Valley Fire and EMS, Marion Township Fire and EMS, Salt Rock Fire and EMS, Marion County Coroners Office and Kirbys Towing.

The crash remains under investigation.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion man dies after Explorer crashes into utility pole
"Brazen! It is brazen!" Prof Paul Sereno says down the phone line from Chicago.

He makes no effort to disguise his anger that a rare meteorite from Mars discovered two years ago in the West African nation of Niger ended up being auctioned off in New York last month to an unnamed buyer.

The palaeontologist, who has close connections with the country, believes it should be back in Niger.

This millions-of-years-old piece of the Red Planet, the largest ever found on Earth, fetched $4.3m (3.2m) at Sotheby's. Like the buyer, the seller was kept anonymous.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But it is unclear if any of this money went to Niger.

Fragments of extraterrestrial material that have made their way to Earth have long inspired reverence among humans  some ending up as religious objects, others as curiosities for display. More recently, many have become the subject of scientific study.

The trade in meteorites has been compared to the art market, with aesthetics and rarity affecting the price.

At first, there was a sense of awe surrounding the public display of this extraordinary Martian find  less than 400 of the 50,000 meteorites discovered have been shown to come from our planetary neighbour.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The photographs taken at Sotheby's of the 24.7kg (54lb) rock  appearing in the lights to glow silver and red  compounded this feeling.

But then some people started asking questions about how it ended up under the auctioneer's hammer.

Not least the government of Niger itself, which, in a statement, "expressed doubts about the legality of its export, raising concerns about possible illicit international trafficking".

The meteorite, seen here in close-up, travelled some 225 million kilometres before crashing down to Earth [Reuters]

Sotheby's strongly disputes this, saying the correct procedures were followed, but Niger has now launched an investigation into the circumstances of the discovery and sale of the meteorite, which has been given the scientific and unromantic name NWA 16788 (NWA standing for north-west Africa).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Little has been made public about how it ended up at a world-renowned auction house in the US.

An Italian academic article published last year said that it was found on 16 November 2023 in the Sahara Desert in Niger's Agadez region, 90km (56 miles) to the west of the Chirfa Oasis, by "a meteorite hunter, whose identity remained undisclosed".

Meteorites can fall anywhere on Earth, but because of the favourable climate for preservation and the lack of human disturbance, the Sahara has become a prime spot for their discovery. People scour the inhospitable landscape stretching across several countries in the hope of finding one to sell on.

According to the Italian article, NWA 16788, was "sold by the local community to an international dealer" and was then transferred to a private gallery in the Italian city of Arezzo.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The University of Florence's magazine described the person as "an important Italian gallery owner".

A team of scientists led by Giovanni Pratesi, mineralogy professor at the university, was able to examine it to learn more about its structure and where it came from. The meteorite was then briefly on display last year in Italy, including at the Italian Space Agency in Rome.

It was next seen in public in New York last month, minus two slices that stayed in Italy for more research.

Sotheby's said that NWA 16788 was "exported from Niger and transported in line with all relevant international procedures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"As with everything we sell, all relevant documentation was in order at each stage of its journey, in accordance with best practice and the requirements of the countries involved."

A spokesperson added that Sotheby's was aware of reports that Niger is investigating the export of the meteorite and "we are reviewing the information available to us in light of the question raised".

Prof Sereno, who founded the organisation NigerHeritage a decade ago, is convinced Nigerien law was broken.

"International law says you cannot simply take something that is important to the heritage of a country"", Source: Prof Paul Sereno, Source description: Founder of NigerHeritage, Image: A head and shoulders image of Paul Sereno

The academic with the University of Chicago, who has spent years uncovering the country's vast deposits of dinosaur bones in the Sahara, campaigns to get Niger's cultural and natural heritage  including anything that has fallen from outer space - returned.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A stunning museum on an island on the River Niger that runs through the capital, Niamey, is being planned to house these artefacts.

"International law says you cannot simply take something that is important to the heritage of a country - be it a cultural item, a physical item, a natural item, an extraterrestrial item - out of the country. You know we've moved on from colonial times when all this was okay," Prof Sereno says.

A series of global agreements, including under the UN's cultural organisation Unesco, have tried to regulate the trade in these objects. But, according to a 2019 study by international law expert Max Gounelle, when it comes to meteorites, while they could be included, there remains some ambiguity about whether they are covered by these agreements. It is left to individual states to clarify the position.

Niger passed its own law in 1997 aimed at protecting its heritage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Prof Sereno points to one section with a detailed list of all the categories included. "Mineralogical specimens" are mentioned among the art works, architecture and archaeological finds but meteorites are not specifically named.

In its statement on the Sotheby's sale, Niger admitted that it "does not yet have specific legislation on meteorites" - a line that the auction house also pointed out. But it remains unclear how someone was able to get such a heavy, conspicuous artefact out of the country without the authorities apparently noticing.

Meteorite hunters, like this one in Morocco, search the landscape for the space rocks [AFP via Getty Images]

Morocco has faced a similar issue with the huge number of meteorites - more than 1,000 - found within its borders, which include a part of the Sahara.

More than two decades ago the country experienced what author Helen Gordon described as a "Saharan gold rush", fuelled in part by laxer regulations and a more stable political environment than some of its neighbours.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In her recent book The Meteorites, she wrote that Morocco was "one of the world's greatest exporters of space rocks".

Prof Hasnaa Chennaoui Aoudjehane has spent much of the past 25 years trying to hold on to some of that extraterrestrial material for her country.

"It's a part of us, it's a part of our heritage it's part of our identity and it's important to be proud of the richness of the country," the geologist tells the BBC.

The professor is not against the trade in meteorites but has been instrumental in the introduction of measures aimed at regulating the business. She admits though that the new rules have not been entirely successful in stemming the flow of the meteorites.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In 2011, Prof Chennaoui was responsible for gathering material in the desert from an observed meteorite fall that turned out to be from Mars.

Later named the Tissint meteorite, it weighed 7kg in all, but now she says only 30g remain in Morocco. Some of the rest is in museums around the world, with the biggest piece on display in London's Natural History Museum.

Reflecting on the fate of Niger's Martian meteorite, she says she was not surprised as it is "something that I'm living with for 25 years. It's a pity, we cannot be happy with this, but it's the same state in all our countries."

Prof Sereno hopes that the Sotheby's sale will prove a turning-point - firstly by motivating the Nigerien authorities to act and secondly "if it ever sees the light of day in a public museum, [the museum] is going to have to deal with the fact that Niger is openly contesting it".

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
A Leominster man was arrested Thursday after federal law enforcement searched his home and found videos of child sexual abuse on his computer and other electronic devices, the Massachusetts U.S. Attorneys Office announced Friday.

Brian Cook, 36, was charged with one count of possession of child pornography, the U.S. Attorneys office said in a press release.

While executing a federal search warrant at Cooks home on Wednesday, investigators reviewed files on his computers and hard drives, which allegedly revealed several videos of child sexual abuse, the U.S. Attorneys office said. Law enforcement seized numerous electronic devices, including laptops, hard drives and various other means of storing digital media for further forensic review.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A federal judge ordered Cook detained pending a hearing in federal court in Worcester on Friday, the U.S. Attorneys office said. He faces up to 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted on the charge.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.

More local crime stories

Read the original article on MassLive.
The Brief

Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale and his company, Gallery Furniture, are donating mattresses to Central Texas flood victims.

The donations are part of a "Purchase With a Purpose" campaign, which provides a mattress to a family in need for every one purchased.

More than 50 volunteers unloaded five 18-wheelers full of mattresses at Lago Vista High School.

LAGO VISTA, Texas - As Central Texas continues to rebuild and grow stronger following these deadly floods, a beloved Texas icon is once again lending a helping hand to Texans in need.

Mattress Mack gives back

Mattress Mack

Jim McIngvale, most commonly known as "Mattress Mack," along with Gallery Furniture, are donating hundreds of mattresses to flood victims.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When Hurricane Harvey hit, "Mattress Mack" opened his store to those who lost everything.

Now, after the deadly flooding, hes making sure families have a place to rest their heads at night.

At Lago Vista High School, hundreds of mattresses, of all sizes, were up for grabs. More than 50 volunteers started their day at 5:30 a.m., unloading five 18-wheelers full of mattresses.

The donations came from Gallery Furniture's "Purchase With a Purpose" campaign. When customers bought a mattress, one was donated to a family in need.

Since the disaster, Mattress Mack's team has been on the ground in some of the hardest-hit areas, helping families sift through debris and listening to their stories.

What they're saying

"The floods happened July 4th, and it was devastating, but the need goes on and on and on, and I love that a month later were still doing things," said volunteer, Tina Sims.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The community woke up early Saturday morning to do just that.

McIngvale says he hopes this inspires even more Texans to lend a hand.

"It's important for us to give back to the community. Weve done that for the past 44 years, and it's important for Texans to help Texans. That's something weve done for 200 years, so were here to help Texans and there's a lot of need obviously," said McIngvale.

Myron Fonseca, with the nonprofit United Cajun Navy, says the donations are about more than just beds.

"This right here is just a great motivational thing because everything is built by morale. People might have a sad face yesterday, but today they should be walking away with a lot of smiles knowing that somebody like this is helping them get a jumpstart," said Fonseca.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For volunteer Tina Sims, the decision to help out was a no-brainer.

"I lived in Houston and I know all of the good things that Mack does there and so when I moved over here I just always stayed in touch and kept up with things. I love being a part of this. I love that hes still giving back and helping Austin," said Sims.

"I just want to help people out and thats all we can do. If were in a position to do it, we should be helping," Sims went on.

What you can do

If you missed out and would like to help out, Gallery Furniture is also accepting donations for the flood victims.

More info can be found here: Buyone-Giveone  Gallery Furniture
Passengers travelling between Nagpur and Pune on Sunday welcomed the start of the new Vande Bharat Express, calling it a long-awaited and convenient mode of transport, especially for families and senior citizens who found bus travel difficult. They appreciated the train's cleanliness and modern amenities, urging fellow travellers to keep it well-maintained. Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flagged off the Vande Bharat Express from Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune, marking a significant step toward faster and more comfortable rail connectivity in the region. Speaking to ANI, a passenger said, "It was a dream that has been fulfilled today. We have got this amazing thing in the form of the Vande Bharat train...It was difficult for children and senior citizens to commute by bus. Now, this train is very convenient for them..." "This is a good train. All the things are very clean. I will request that everyone keep it clean and help the government grow... All the things are very nice," said another passengers. Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the commencement of the Vande Bharat Express between Nagpur and Pune as a "matter of great joy" for the state. He said the state had requested the Railway Minister for the service, and the proposal was acted upon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking to reporters, CM Fadnavis said, "Today is a matter of great joy for all of us that the Vande Bharat train from Nagpur to Pune has started. We had made a request to the Railway Minister, and he had spoken of taking a positive decision. That decision has been implemented today by the PM. The most important thing is that among all the Vande Bharat trains started so far, this is the longest-distance train. This train will cover a distance of 881 kilometres in 12 hours." Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains at KSR Railway Station in Karnataka's capital city of Bengaluru. These included trains from Bengaluru to Belagavi, Amritsar to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Nagpur (Ajni) to Pune. The flagging of these new Vande Bharat trains underlines the central government's efforts to rejuvenate Indian railways to provide a world-class travel experience to the people. PM Modi is also set to inaugurate the Yellow Line of the Bangalore Metro and undertake a metro ride from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Electronic City metro station today. The Yellow Line from RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra in Bangalore is part of the Metro Phase-2 project and has a route length of over 19 km with 16 stations. The project is worth around Rs 7,160 crore. With the opening of this yellow line, the operational metro network in Bengaluru will increase to over 96 km, serving a large population in the region. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project worth over Rs 15,610 crore. The total route length of the project will be more than 44 km with 31 elevated stations. This infrastructure project will address the growing transportation needs of the city, catering to residential, industrial, commercial and educational areas. (ANI)
Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston city officials have declared a heat emergency from Monday, August 11, through Wednesday, August 13, as the heat index is forecasted to reach between 95F and 96F.

Our top priority is ensuring our residents and families are healthy and safe during this period of intense heat, said Mayor Michelle Wu. As temperatures continue to rise, the City is here to support residents in every way possible across every neighborhood. We encourage all of our community members to please take care of yourselves, check on your neighbors, and be prepared to stay cool and safe.

To prepare for the heat, Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) cooling centers will be open to all residents during the heat emergency, alongside splash pads and pools will be available throughout the city for residents to cool off. Additionally, the Boston Public Library will also have locations that offer relief from the heat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Boston Public Health Commission operates emergency shelters that are air-conditioned and open 24/7.

Chief of Emergency Preparedness Adrian Jordan also advised residents to stay hydrated, seek air-conditioned environments, and check on elderly family members or neighbors.

Boston Emergency Medical Services typically experiences a 10-15% increase in calls during heat waves.

Mayor Wu issued heat safety tips, including:

Children and pets should never be left alone in vehicles, even for short periods of time.

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids regardless of activity level. Avoid alcoholic beverages and liquids high in sugar or caffeine.

Keep cool with frequent cool showers, shade, and air conditioning or fans. More tips for cooling down at home can be found here.

If you cant avoid being outside, its critical to take breaks in the shade, drink water constantly  even if youre not thirsty  and watch for warning signs like dizziness, nausea, or confusion.

Know the signs of heat exhaustion. Heavy sweating, cool and clammy skin, dizziness, nausea, and muscle aches could all be signs of heat exhaustion. If symptoms persist, call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not delay care. Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. and can exacerbate underlying illnesses.

Adults and children should use sunscreen containing an SPF-30 or higher and wear protective, loose-fitting clothing including long sleeve shirts and hats.

If you have a child in your home, use child window guards in addition to screens on any open window on the second story or above. Falls are the leading cause of injury for children under the age of six.

Secure all window air conditioner units according to the manufacturers specifications.

If you are heading to a beach, lake, or pool to beat the heat, swim where lifeguards are present. Always watch children near the water and make sure theyre wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket.

Please call or check on neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities.

Please keep pets indoors, hydrated, and cool as asphalt and ground conditions are significantly hotter and unsafe during heat.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mayor Wu is also asking residents to look out for the safety of others, including helping the homeless, ensuring that they are wearing shoes outside to prevent burns, and not grilling or having outdoor fires.

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
Los Angeles County prosecutors have filed five felony charges against Parter Medical Products Inc., its president and its manager, alleging they exposed employees to hazardous levels of ethylene oxide and then concealed the danger through falsified documents and illegal waste practices.

District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced the charges against Parter Medical Products, which does business as Parter Sterilization Services, and company executives Hormoz Foroughi, 60, of Newport Beach, and Amine Elmaziati, 43, of Long Beach. Both men face counts of failure to disclose a serious concealed danger, forgery, filing a false document, disposal of hazardous waste at an unpermitted site, and illegal storage of hazardous waste without a permit.

Off-duty Orange County sheriffs deputy fatally shoots woman, officials say

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Prosecutors allege the defendants failed to act even after learning that some workers had been exposed to unsafe levels of ethylene oxide, a colorless gas linked to cancer, reproductive harm and neurological damage. The chemicals odor is not detectable until it reaches harmful concentrations.

This case sends a clear message: If you expose your workers to dangerous chemicals and then falsify records or mislead regulators, we will come after you, Hochman said in a statement. Companies that cut corners and conceal hazards not only endanger lives, they violate the publics trust.

UPS hit with multimillion-dollar penalty after statewide investigation

More than 20 members of the District Attorneys Bureau of Investigation, working with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, served a search warrant on July 17 at Parters Carson facility.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Foroughi and Elmaziati are scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 5 in Compton Superior Court. Prosecutors are seeking $125,000 bail for each. If convicted as charged, they could face up to six years in state prison.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
By Tom Malinowski

In New Jersey, we think of the fall of former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez as a story of old fashioned corruption  a politician taking gifts for favors.

For that crime, Menendez is now serving an 11 year prison sentence. And state officials have continued to pile on consequences, with Attorney General Matt Platkin filing a lawsuit to have it judicially confirmed that Menendez is forever disqualified from holding public office, and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn promoting a bill that would take away state pensions from former officials convicted of misconduct in office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But there is an equally disturbing side of the story thats gotten less attention, involving the people on the other side of the transaction.

As evidence in Menendezs trial showed, the government of a foreign dictatorship  Egypt  and its willing partners in the United States used the former senator to gather intelligence on our country, and to change our governments foreign policy, by easing restrictions on arms sales that were put in place because of Egypts imprisonment and torture of dissidents.

The trial also made clear that a New Jersey company  IS EG Halal based in Edgewater  played a vital role in parts of the corrupt scheme.

The Egyptian government in 2019 gave this company a monopoly for certifying food exported to Egypt as halal, apparently to create a source and channel of funds for bribing Menendez. Several of the bribes to him and his wife in 2019 and 2021 were reportedly paid out of the companys checkbook.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So what has happened to the authors of this scheme?

After the Menendez indictment, Democrats in the U.S. Senate temporarily held up some U.S. aid to Egypt, but the current Republican-led Congress is moving to lift all restrictions on that aid  which would be even more than what the Egyptians hoped to get from bribing Menendez.

No Egyptian official has been sanctioned by the U.S. government for trying to corrupt our political system, though prosecutors and reporters identified some of them and the Treasury and State Departments have legal authority to freeze their assets and to ban them from entering the U.S..

The chief executive officer of the New Jersey company that channeled some of the bribes  Wael Hana (a man who responded to text message suggestions from an Egyptian intelligence official with the phrase orders, consider it done )  was convicted alongside Menendez. But the Justice Department did not charge the company itself, as might be expected in a case of corporate wrongdoing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rather than distancing itself from its convicted CEO, IS EG Halal released a statement after the trial that laid out his personal plans to challenge his verdict; stated he will remain chief advisor to the company; and promised there would be no changes to the companys operations.

Ive heard from reliable sources that the Egyptian government has been lobbying President Trump to pardon Hana, to signal that it will not leave its agents in the U.S. behind.

Meanwhile, Trump has gutted the Justice Departments Public Integrity Section, which prosecuted Menendez, stopped enforcing the law prohibiting Americans from bribing officials overseas, and openly invited foreign interests to buy cryptocurrency from companies that he owns.

So in sum: A bribed U.S. senator has been punished, but the bribers have mostly gotten off scot free, and Washington is surrendering the fight against this kind of corruption and malign foreign influence altogether.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That fight is normally the federal governments responsibility. But in these extraordinary circumstances, state governments, including New Jersey, will have to step up.

The company that served as Egypts willing partner in bribing Menendez is still in our backyard, still benefiting from its unjustly acquired monopoly, still linked to a government that tried to buy influence in our country, and presumably still available for that purpose.

Much of IS EG Halals alleged conduct happened within New Jerseys borders. We have state laws to prevent bribery in official matters and for racketeering . It would seem that the company could potentially be charged with violating either of these laws.

The state Legislature could demand answers from the companys leaders about what they have done  if anything  to ensure that it will not be used to corrupt our elected representatives again. Those answers would be of interest beyond New Jersey too, since the company owns subsidiaries from Australia and New Zealand to Germany to Brazil.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The image of a senators stashed-away gold bars captured something shocking, and its good that Menendez will not be able to betray the public trust again.

But focusing only on him misses the broader problem of Americas vulnerability to corruption, which has grown exponentially since Trumps election.

New Jersey should make clear that no interest, foreign or domestic, that is tied to our jurisdiction will be allowed to make that problem worse.

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.

Tom Malinowski is a two-term New Jersey Congressman and former assistant secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A charity pie auction will be held this Sunday at the Mercer County Fair.

The 27th Annual Pie Auction is a tradition and benefits the fairgrounds and community. This year, it honors the memory of Glen Florence, who started the auction. It will be held on Aug. 10.

People can bring in their peach pies for the baking contest by or before 2:30 p.m.

Experience German culture at Daytons Germanfest Picnic

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At 5 p.m. the Pie Auction will open to bidders and donors. The highest bidder gets the pie, all the proceeds go the fairgrounds.

The auction has raised over $179,000 since 2016. It has been used for projects led by Glen Florence, including the following:

Concrete flooring in the rabbit and poultry barns

The Cornerstone Chapel

Fairground beautification with trees

Manure pit improvements

New horse stalls

No lighting in livestock barns

Renovated the milking parlor

Updated livestock wash racks

Glen Florence, who passed away in January, was the driving force behind the auctions creation and growth. His vision, passion, and unwavering commitment have left a permanent mark on the fairgrounds and on all who knew him, wrote organizers. This years auction will be held in his honor; a small tribute to a man whose contributions were anything but small.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ryan Fennig will now be the new chairman of the Pie Auction.

To view the entire full schedule of fair events, click here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday defended his decision to halt certain arms exports to Israel amid growing dissent even in the ranks of his own party.

"The principles of German policy on Israel remain unchanged," Merz emphasized in an interview with the broadcaster ARD. "We will continue to help this country to defend itself."

However, the German government could not supply weapons to a conflict that could claim hundreds of thousands of civilian casualties, he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Berlin disagrees with the Israeli government on this issue but a friendship must be able to withstand criticism, Merz said.

"And solidarity with Israel does not mean that we consider every decision a government makes to be good and that we support it, even to the extent of providing military support in the form of weapons."

Merz's decision, announced on Friday, triggered fierce criticism from parts of his conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU), which accused him of not consulting with them over the arms embargo.

"I did not make this decision alone, but at the end of the day, it is a decision for which I alone am responsible," Merz said. "And I take sole responsibility for it. But I cannot put it to a democratic vote either."

The move, hours after the Israeli government's decision to expand military operations in the coastal territory, represents a hugely significant step for Berlin, which has been one of Israel's strongest supporters since the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Body camera footage shows a Mesa County Sheriffs deputy conducting a traffic stop of Utah student Caroline Dias Goncalves on June 5, 2025. Dias Goncalves was arrested by federal immigration authorities shortly thereafter. (Screenshot from Mesa County Sheriffs Officer YouTube)

Mesa County is suing top Colorado officials over a state law that limits the type of information local law enforcement can share with federal immigration authorities, continuing fallout from a June traffic stop in the county that led to a Utah college students 15-day detention.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in federal court in Denver, alleges that the Colorado law, known as Article 74, is vague to the point of being unconstitutional and interferes with the federal governments constitutional discretion over immigration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The vagueness and lack of clarity surrounding the operation and scope of Article 74, coupled with the severe penalties and hardships for noncompliance, has caused confusion among law enforcement agencies, systemically chilled Plaintiffs interactions with federal law enforcement, and caused the Mesa County Sheriffs Office to pull back from cooperation with federal law enforcement agencies, the lawsuit says.

Article 74, created through bills passed in 2021 and this year, prohibits local law enforcement and government officials from sharing certain information with federal agents for the purpose of immigration enforcement. There are exceptions for active criminal investigations.

Earlier this summer, Mesa County Sheriffs Deputy Alexander Zwinck pulled over a 19-year old college student from Utah, Caroline Dias Goncalves, for trailing a semitrailer too closely. Zwinck let Goncalves go with a warning, but told immigration officials about her presence in the county through a Signal group chat meant for drug enforcement operations. Goncalves, who is from Brazil and has applied for asylum, was then detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for nearly two weeks.

Afterwards, Mesa County Sheriff Todd Rowell placed Zwinck on a three-week unpaid leave and Attorney General Phil Weiser filed a lawsuit against the deputy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rowell is a plaintiff in the countys lawsuit against the state.

We will not stand by while our employees are targeted for doing their jobs.

 Mesa County Attorney Todd Starr

The statutes lack of clarity creates a significant risk, as weve already seen, of arbitrary enforcement, which could lead to substantial fines and legal challenges against our employees, Mesa County Attorney Todd Starr said during a county commissioner meeting on Tuesday. This action sends a clear message: We will not stand by while our employees are targeted for doing their jobs. This step is not just lawful, its necessary. It protects those who protect our community and ensures they can continue to work without fear of politically motivated litigation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The lawsuit alleges that Article 74 has compromised criminal investigations in Mesa County related to drug smuggling, child exploitation and sex crimes because it limits collaboration with local and federal law enforcement.

The county wants a federal judge to clarify that law enforcement and government employees violate Article 74 only if they disclose personal information for the sole purpose of helping with immigration enforcement, and that local law enforcement can inquire about someones immigration status for reasonable and legitimate law enforcement purposes.

Weiser and Gov. Jared Polis are named as defendants.

In a statement, Weiser spokesperson Lawrence Pacheco wrote that Colorados law is clear that state law enforcement does not do federal civil immigration enforcement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its unfortunate that Mesa County filed this lawsuit. The Department of Law has a responsibility to follow facts and defend and enforce state law. Well continue to take this duty seriously, he wrote.

Colorado Newsline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Colorado Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Quentin Young for questions: info@coloradonewsline.com.
A meteorite that crashed into a home in the US is older than planet Earth, scientists have said.

The object flew through the skies in broad daylight before exploding across the state of Georgia on 26 June, Nasa confirmed.

Researchers at the University of Georgia examined a fragment of the rock that pierced the roof of a home in the city of McDonough.

They found that, based on the type of meteorite, it is expected to have formed 4.56 billion years ago, making it roughly 20 million years older than Earth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Residents in Georgia and nearby states reported hundreds of sightings and a loud booming noise when the fireball tore through the skies.

The rock quickly diminished in size and speed, but still travelled at least 1 km per second, going through a man's roof in Henry County.

Multiple fragments that struck the building were handed over to scientists, who analysed their origins.

"This particular meteor that entered the atmosphere has a long history before it made it to the ground of McDonough," Scott Harris, a geologist at the University of Georgia, said.

Using optical and electron microscopy, Harris and his team determined the rock was a chondrite - the most abundant type of stony meteorite, according to Nasa - which meant that it was approximately 4.56 billion years old.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The home's resident said he is still finding pieces of space dust around his home from the hit.

The object, which has been named the McDonough meteorite, is the 27th to have been recovered from Georgia.

"This is something that used to be expected once every few decades and not multiple times within 20 years," Harris said.

"Modern technology, in addition to an attentive public, is going to help us recover more and more meteorites."

Harris is hoping to publish his findings on the composition and speed of the asteroid, which will help to understand the threat of further asteroids.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"One day there will be an opportunity, and we never know when it's going to be, for something large to hit and create a catastrophic situation. If we can guard against that, we want to," he said.
ATHENS, Ga.  A meteorite that streaked across the sky of the Southeast and ended up crashing into a Georgia home has now been studied by researchers at the University of Georgia.

The space debris, now known as the "McDonough Meteorite," crashed through Earths atmosphere on June 26, creating a large fireball before damaging a home outside of Atlanta.

Scott Harris, a planetary geologist and impact expert with UGAs Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, examined fragments that were recovered from the scene and traced their composition to around 4.5 billion years ago  long before the formation of Earth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It belongs to a group of asteroids in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter that we now think we can tie to a breakup of a much larger asteroid about 470 million years ago," Harris told the universitys news service. "But in that breakup, some pieces get into Earth-crossing orbits, and if given long enough, their orbit around the sun and Earths orbit around the sun end up being at the same place, at the same moment in time."

See The Objects Humans Left Behind On The Moon

The incoming meteor quickly broke apart when it sailed through Earths atmosphere, with the largest piece that struck the Henry County home estimated to be the size of a cherry tomato.

Despite its small size, the meteorite was large enough to leave behind a hole in the roof, damage to HVAC ductwork and a significant dent in the wood floor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No one was injured during the incident, but the impact was said to be as loud as a gunshot.

The UGA was granted access to study 23 grams of the 50 grams recovered from the home and is working in coordination with Arizona State University on further research.

According to the UGA, the event was the 27th meteorite that has been recovered in the Peach State.

"This is something that used to be expected once every few decades and not multiple times within 20 years," Harris stated. "Modern technology in addition to an attentive public is going to help us recover more and more meteorites."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Did The National Weather Service Capture A Photo Of Bigfoot During A Pennsylvania Storm Survey?

The latest update wont be the final word on the McDonough Meteorite, as Harris and his team plan to publish a paper detailing the objects composition and dynamics.

Additional recovered pieces of the meteorite are scheduled to go on display at the Tellus Science Museum near Atlanta.

The university did not state if the homeowner has completed repairs to his property, but damage caused by a meteorite usually falls under a standard insurance policy.





Original article source: Meteorite identified after crashing into Georgia home
Aug. 10Hunting season came early for one northern New Mexico man.

On July 12, Calvin Stoddard was sleeping inside his camper near Hermit's Peak when a black bear busted through the screen door close to midnight.

Abruptly awakened, Stoddard turned on a light to see the large omnivore sifting through the 64-year-old's belongings.

Stoddard grabbed a bolt-action rifle and shot the bear, killing it. The next day, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish showed up to investigate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Bear came in and I (expletive) killed it," Stoddard told Game and Fish when officers asked what happened. "He woke me up... and I turned on the spotlight and there he is."

"Grabbed my gun and shot the son of a (expletive)."

When the officers entered the camper, along N.M. 65 near El Porvenir, they were greeted by a dead black bear in the kitchen, lying in a pool of blood, as seen in an officer's body camera footage. Stoddard did not allow both officers into the camper, forcing one of the men to grab the bear by its claw and drag it out of the camper.

Stoddard, who said he used to hunt bear and mountain lion, asked officers several times if he could keep the bear and even asked if he could recommend a potential bear buyer. But Game and Fish does not allow people to keep animals once they have killed them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Officers said it could encourage people to kill animals in what they claim is self-defense in order to keep the animal afterward.

"He did damage on me, so I should be able to keep it and process it," Stoddard told the officers, asking if he could at least keep the head.

If a person intentionally kills an animal outside the legal hunting season, it's considered poaching, according to Darren Vaughan, spokesperson for Game and Fish.

"Depending on the situation, that person could face charges that include unlawful killing, unlawful possession or hunting without a license," Vaughan said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Vaughan said Stoddard reported the incident properly, and officers were able to assess the situation and found there was no criminal activity in regard to the killing.

The lapel video showed one of the officers walked into the camper, which was filled with "several cans of tuna and piles of trash ... which likely contributed to luring the bear into the camper."

The officer grabbed the bear by its paw to drag it out of the camper and the body plopped into a furry heap on the steps leading into the camper. An officer then attached a towline to the bear and used a truck to drag it through grass and dirt before officers hoisted the body into the bed of a Game and Fish truck.

Stoddard then told the officers, "Did you know there's a bone in the dick? They're (expletive) badass, I bet he's got one, lemme look." Stoddard then buried his hand into the bear to feel for the penis bone. When the officers told Stoddard he couldn't keep the penis bone, he said "nobody would know."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

An officer told him, "everybody knows, we got all this ... we're recording, too." Stoddard smacks his hands together in disappointment.

"A situation like this one where somebody has to kill an animal in the interest of their safety or another human's safety is not terribly common," Vaughan said. "Typically, we only see one incident like this every five years."
MIAMI  When Miami-Dade County helped elect President Trump in November, effectively taking on a conservative bent after nearly three decades of being solid blue, political operatives here had their worst fears realized: Florida was in fact a red state.

The signs of a big political change in southern Florida had been seen for several cycles, including Gov. Ron DeSantiss (R) 2022 win, when he flipped the metropolitan county for the first time in more than 20 years.

There is nothing more maddening to me than the self-inflicted wounds in Dade, said Democratic strategist Steve Schale, who is based in Florida and ran former President Obamas 2008 operation in the state. Too many in my party  particularly those outside of Florida  thought the Obama 12 and [Hillary] Clinton 16 numbers in Miami were signs the county had become a progressive bastion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But we are talking about a place where most people came here to escape socialist authoritarian governments and crime  so when people on the extreme left tried to justify things like Democratic socialism, imagine how that sounds to the ears of a family that left everything behind  or a family who came here seeking safety to hear things like defund the police, Schale added.

Another longtime Democratic operative in Florida said losing Miami-Dade was a gut punch for Democrats.

We could see the trainwreck coming before the crash happened, but that was a particularly painful moment for any Democrat who cares about this state, the operative said.

Florida Democrats see their problems in Florida as the result of years of neglect following Obamas win in 2012. But they say they havent given up on trying to move the Sunshine State back into purple state territory. In fact, they say, theyre doubling down on their efforts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Were still rebuilding, but weve had a lot of success, said Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, in an interview with The Hill.

Fried pointed to an 8 percent increase in Democratic voter turnout from the 2020 election to the 2024 election. She also credited work the state party has done to generate gains on school boards and county commissions. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava (D) was also able to win reelection by a wide margin even as the county went in the other direction in 2024.

Still, Fried acknowledged there is a lot of work to be done and resources weve brought into the state to do that work.

Democrats voter affiliation in Florida has declined rapidly since 2020. Republican affiliation in the state has also increased, surpassing Democrats by a hair in 2021 and booming to almost 1,500,000 more as of late June.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Political observers attribute the drastic changes in party affiliation to a number of factors, including a massive migration of Republican voters to the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. President Trump  who lives in Palm Beach  also has attracted top Republican operatives and donors during his rise to party stardom.

Some Democrats dont seem convinced that theres been much movement in their direction at all. On the organizational, operational side of things, I dont think things are any better or any worse, Schale said.

He added theres still a lot of donor skepticism and donor fatigue about the most recent cycles in the state. But Democrats can move incrementally with key wins in the next cycle, Schale said.

Success in 2026 is showing gains and showing improvement, and if you do that you can make the case to donors that theres a trajectory you can invest in, he said, pointing to David Jolly, the gubernatorial candidate and former Republican congressman who switched parties, and Jose Javier Rodriguez, a former state senator who is a Democratic candidate for Florida attorney general.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

You build back by fixing what you can fix and getting success, he added, referencing work that Democrats can do to improve their standing with Hispanic voters, among other efforts.

And as Trump has stumbled recently in polls and messaging, strategists say now is a good time for Democrats to pounce and try to regain momentum in the state.

If [Republicans] continue to push for these policies that now have Trump at the lowest approval rating of any president at this point in his second term, I think it would create an environment where, for the first time in decades, Florida voters may say, Look, its time for a change, and the only change now is to give the Democrats a shot at governing, said Democratic strategist Fernand Amandi, who is based in Miami.

He added that the desire for change in Florida is exacerbated by an unprecedented affordability crisis that is the sole responsibility of Republicans, who have had total control of state government for almost three decades.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Despite the ripe moment, strategists say it will still be a heavy lift for Democrats to recapture voters  at least right away.

I live here. I have to be an optimist  but Im also a realist. Its fing hard, and theres a lot of work to be done, Schale said.

But the efforts are underway, including the Florida Democratic Partys Pendulum initiative, a year-round organizing program that Fried said has already contributed to significant gains in two deep-red congressional districts where there were off-cycle elections. Fried also pointed to the partys Front Porch Swing initiative, which aims to listen to voters in rural Florida and meet them where they are.

Even with small wins in 2024, Fried said there were lessons to be learned from the overall loss in 2024, including how to best connect with voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While Democrats had more than $1 billion of earned media nationally, At the end of the cycle, most voters said, What is the message? from the party, Fried said.

We missed the mark on breaking through to everyday Floridians that arent watching us on the traditional news stations, she said.

Strategists say connecting with voters is especially key right now as Democrats have struggled with getting their base to the ballot boxes in recent election cycles.

[Democrats] have got to field candidates and rally around a disciplined, focused message of where the voters are, and where the voters are right now is they want solutions to this Republican politician-created affordability crisis, Amandi said. If they can do those two things, then they can position themselves to surprise a lot of people next November.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Strategists say that Democrats  from operatives to donors  will have to invest time and money back into Florida if they want to see their party in power once again.

Democrats dont have the luxury of writing off Florida because Florida is only going to continue to play a critically important role in the Electoral College math as theyre only going to gain electoral seats going forward, Amandi said. If you cede states like Florida and Texas, youre in essence saying youre ceding any pathway to win the White House as a Democrat.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Sunday countered RJD MLA Tejashwi Yadav's allegation that Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha has two EPIC numbers. Paswan, criticising the Opposition for a lack of trust in constitutional bodies, said that they repeatedly raise issues but also raise questions when the issues are addressed. Referring to allegations made by Tejashwi Yadav about Vijay Kumar Sinha, Paswan said when the NDA alliance had accused the RJD leader of the same, they tried to "brush" the issue under the carpet. "When we were saying 4 days ago that you (Tejashwi Yadav) have 2 EPIC numbers, you were trying to brush it under the carpet. If any such issue has come up today, the Election Commission will look into it," Paswan said. "The opposition repeatedly raises these kinds of issues. Rahul Gandhi held an entire program for Karnataka 2 days ago. You complain, and when the process to address it is used, you raise questions about that, too. The truth is that these people want to destroy the existence of constitutional institutions," he added. Earlier, when Tejashwi Yadav alleged that his EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) number had been "changed", the NDA alliance accused him of holding two cards. Today, Yadav made the same allegations against the Bihar Deputy CM. The RJD leader presented two different EPIC numbers, which he said belonged to Vijay Sinha. "We conducted research... You can call it a revelation or a fraud; that is up to you and the people of Bihar. This voter list, which has been uploaded after the SIR (Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll), in which it is clearly visible that Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has two EPIC numbers and his age is also different in both the places, so there is fraud in the voter card as well as in the age," he said. Responding to the allegations, Vijay Kumar Sinha said, "Our whole family had voter IDs from Bankipur. In April 2024, I applied to add my name to the Lakhisarai constituency and remove it from Bankipur. It did not happen immediately, so I called the BLO, filled the form, and took the receipt. I have all the documents. I vote from only one place last time too, it was in Lakhisarai," he said. Sinha added that he flagged the issue with the Election Commission after the poll body released the draft voter list, following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state. He said that the ECI has given one-month correction window, and the final voter list has not been released yet. "One month is given for the correction. People questioning a Constitutional body do not have trust in the Constitution. They spread confusion and are a danger to democracy. Due to this correction window, I have given to the BLO in writing to remove my name. It would have been the Election Commission's mistake if it did not have a correction window. The final electoral roll has not been released. My name is under the process," he told reporters. (ANI)
The coming decade is almost certain to see Americans take more seriously our large national debt. I see this as a silver lining that will push states to think more deliberately about taxes and public services.

Poor states, including Indiana, will likely struggle far more than affluent states. Three federal programs illustrate how states are treated differently.

The first is Medicaid. Under the current plan, states each pay a different share of the total cost. Typically, poor states pay a lower share. Indiana ranks 32nd, paying under 25 cents on each dollar of Medicaid spending in the state. The richer, top 10 states pay between 36 and 41 cents out of every dollar spent on Medicaid.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Conceptually, it would seem easy to cut federal spending and simply have all states assume equal shares of Medicaid. The problem with this approach is that taxpayers in rich states, including New York, California and Illinois, pay much higher federal taxes than do folks in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.

The political challenge is obvious. When it comes to Medicaid, rich states pay more into federal taxes and get back less. I dont know how that can possibly remain as part of a long-term budget solution. This simple fact affects all federal funding programs.

A second issue will be federal transfers to state and local governments for education, housing and infrastructure. Today, the U.S. Department of Education provides substantial grants to local schools, with most of the money going to poor rural and urban school districts. This is a transfer from rich to poor places, much like the Medicaid system.

Indiana receives less federal money per student than the typical state. Almost 40% of K-12 students participate in some type of federal education program that accounts for almost $2,000 per student each year. There are good arguments for the federal government exiting the K-12 funding space.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But, education funding is less characterized by funding moving from rich to poor states than Medicaid or other programs are, which will make ending this type of funding more politically fraught.

Agricultural subsidies are so enormous that the U.S. farming industry receives more in subsidies than it pays in taxes. Not all of this goes to relatively poor rural counties, but most of it does.

Indiana ranks 15th in agriculture subsidies, receiving $2,570 per resident last year. North Dakota got a whopping $39,324 per resident, while Rhode Island received $18.12 per resident. American consumers would be far better off ending agricultural subsidies. While some food prices might rise, theres no chance it would rise by the $1,568 per resident we are spending on farm subsidies.

Theres probably no federal program that is so clearly a negative value transfer of money from affluent, largely urban taxpayers to rural, mostly wealthy, businesses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While these have been around since at least the Great Depression, the growing gap between rural and urban places makes their continuation far less likely. I cannot imagine any broad fiscal debate that would not also address farm subsidies.

The Department of Commerces Economic Development Administration exemplifies smaller but questionable federal spending. With a $325 million annual budget, the EDA funds infrastructure projects and job creation programs, primarily in rural counties and low-income municipalities.

The problem is that much of this economic development represents shuffling existing jobs and capital rather than creating new wealth. Theres no reason the federal government should pick regional winners and losers with grants and subsidies.

A tighter federal budget will challenge this spending.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As Americans wrestle with debt, we should acknowledge several things. Our federal taxes as a share of GDP are at a 50-year low, while our spending as a share of GDP is at a 50-year high. Both taxes and spending will have to converge to reduce the debt.

We also have to acknowledge that the web of taxing and spending weve created in the federal government heavily taxes richer, mostly Democratic-leaning cities and states. At the same time, these programs mostly relocate funds to poorer, primarily Republican-leaning states and rural counties.

Good-faith compromise requires spending cuts and tax increases everywhere. However, the cuts will necessarily be concentrated in places represented by GOP members of the House and Senate.

That will lead to some interesting politics and political rhetoric in the years ahead.
When Siri Fiske founded the Mysa Microschool in Washington, D.C., in 2016, there wasnt a widely accepted term for her small, one-room schoolhouse model.

Now, the school is referred to on its website as one of the first microschools in the nation, and Fiske has seen a growing microschool movement since the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the five years since remote schooling amid pandemic-era lockdowns, microschools and homeschooling have emerged as increasingly popular alternatives to traditional public and private models. Smaller class sizes, individualized classrooms and lack of standardization are an appeal to parents, Fiske said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Theres this idea that people who open microschools are doing it for cultish or religious reasons, and theres a misconception that all are like that, Fiske said. Ive seen my students graduate into top colleges. Theres many ways to achieve academic success.

Some education experts, however, have expressed concern about the growing movement. They question whether microschools are properly regulated and being held accountable, and whether theyll pull dollars out of the public education system.

There is no federal definition of a microschool, and with the Trump administrations plans to shutter the U.S. Department of Education, the onus is on states to figure them out.

In some states, microschools face a bind: If they operate as private schools, theyre required to meet facility, staffing and curricular standards that are often cost-prohibitive for schools their size. If they operate under homeschool laws, they face oversight, assessment mandates and reporting requirements that arent designed for multifamily or educator-led models.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some states, including Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, have passed Learning Rights Protection Acts to codify microschools right to operate.

In Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts and Oregon, learning pods and microschools often face child care or private school licensing requirements if they involve multiple families, hire instructors or provide compensation for child care.

Schools calling themselves microschools today are not what I wouldve called one back then. But I think thats OK. Its evolving, Fiske said.

She pointed to the national school choice movement  and states such as West Virginia  for helping the microschool movement flourish.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In 2022, West Virginia became one of the few states to define a microschool, distinctly separating it from a private school, homeschool or learning pod.

Those classifications, and how these schools are funded and regulated, affect everything from whether a school must hire certified teachers to how it ensures student safety or civil rights protections. And with more public dollars flowing to private or hybrid learning options through vouchers and education savings accounts  to the detriment of public school funding, some argue  states will need to define these schools and their place in the ecosystem.

States will have to fill the gaps, said Weade James, senior director of K-12 education policy with the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning policy think tank.

Accountability can vary wildly. Some microschools arent required to have certified teachers, conduct annual assessments, or even guarantee civil rights protections, said James. If public voucher dollars are going to a microschool, there has to be some level of oversight and accountability.

Many microschools arent accredited

Microschools defy easy classification, and many advocates argue thats by design. Don Soifer, CEO of the National Microschooling Center, an industry group, cautions lawmakers against rushing to impose fixed legal definitions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Innovation is happening too fast. The moment you define it in law, it becomes obsolete, Soifer said.

A 2024 sector analysis by the National Microschooling Center  one of the only sources of national data on the topic  found that many schools are operating outside traditional education principles.

In a survey of 400 microschools across 41 states, more than 60% of founders reported they were not currently licensed educators. Eighty-four percent reported their schools were not accredited. Among prospective founders, 48% are licensed educators (though only 14% currently work in public schools), 32% come from non-education fields, and 23% are parents building schools for their own children.

Most microschools (55%) operate under homeschool laws, while others function as private schools (37%), charters (6%) or fall into unique state categories (3%), according to the analysis.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So, you can be a private or homeschool microschool program, where you arent required to provide students with certified teachers, or you arent required to conduct annual assessments, James said.

Often described as homeschool hybrids or small-scale learning communities, microschools often serve around 16 students or fewer, and tend to cater to families with average or above-average incomes in their area. In some states, microschools have been authorized to receive public funds through voucher programs.

Some critics note that, like private schools, microschools may charge tuition, potentially excluding lower-income families and contributing to educational disparities.

These schools often operate in commercial spaces (41%), private residences (28%) or houses of worship (25%), according to the National Microschooling Center. The center also found the movement is diversifying: 37% of prospective founders are people of color, compared with 27% of current operators.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Because building and zoning codes vary from state to state and locality to locality, many operators may be unaware of the extra costs to meet school codes standards. Fiske recalls difficulties in expanding from Washington, D.C., to Vermont, which has stricter laws on water fountain requirements.

Most people in the U.S. starting a microschool are doing it under the radar because the regulations to open a licensed school are so intense, Fiske said. For the new school, she recalled, it took us forever, and we had to install ADA-compliant toilets and water fountains for just 10 kids in Vermont.

Microschooling is not one thing

Microschools also operate in a legal gray zone, often outside the traditional K-12 system and subject to a patchwork of state and local policies that can either support or constrain their growth.

Growth has accelerated in conservative-leaning states with robust school choice programs, such as Arizona and Florida. Other states, such as Maryland, New York and North Dakota, have more restrictive homeschool or private school laws.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Microschooling is not one thing. These schools look different in every state, and the policy frameworks around them vary wildly, said Soifer, of the National Microschooling Center.

What is classified as a microschool can vary from 10 kids in a basement in Kentucky to a 200-kid schoolhouse elsewhere.

Fiske said states need to create a way for operators and parents to know what to expect in a certain state, and help willing operators get the education and business acumen they need to run the schools successfully.

But if you look at who is starting microschools in the U.S., its a lot of millennial parents who may not have any teacher training but wanted to create a learning environment for their children and others in the local community, said Fiske. And without efforts by the state to provide some incentives to earn accreditation and information as both a school and a small business, a few of these will find themselves going under.

Seeking choices

After two decades working in conventional schools in the United States and around the world  including in Brazil, Egypt and Qatar  Justine Wilson turned down a high-paying leadership role at a prestigious private school. Instead, in 2023 she opened Curious and Kind Education, a two-day-a-week microschool in Sarasota, Florida, built around trust, nature-based learning and self-directed play.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Enrollment at Curious and Kind is mostly driven by word of mouth, she said. The program now has a waitlist. And Wilson has seen her enrollment grow from 18 students in her first year to roughly 100 students for the upcoming school year.

The number of 5-year-olds on my waitlist is shocking, she said, and then I realized theyre COVID babies and their parents have really been driving this search for alternative schooling since the pandemic.

James, of the Center for American Progress, questions whether microschools generally match the quality of traditional public schools, which still educate more than 80% of schoolchildren. She says families may be under the assumption that school choice options equate to better quality.

We have created an illusion of choice to be quality, and I think a lot of families are seeking various choice options because they associate that with quality. But that doesnt necessarily mean that where those students are going is any better than where they left, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We need to take a closer look at what we are presenting to families, James said. Its not just about having options and having a choice. Its about having quality choice options.

That quality, Soifer said, is what microschools are trying to achieve.

Microschools do very well on the left, on the right  at the top end of the economy and at the fragile end of the income spectrum, he said. Its really a matter of the new economy and a new way of thinking about education.

Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira can be reached at rsequeira@stateline.org.

This article was first published by Stateline, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org.
The largest federal detention center in history will open at the Armys Fort Bliss later this month as part of the federal governments ongoing effort to detain and deport migrants.

The new facility, Camp East Montana, is set to open on Aug. 17 on the base, with an initial capacity for 1,000 people. The use of the Army base in Texas by Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the latest instance of the Department of Homeland Security leaning on the military for logistical support.

The El Paso Times first reported on the opening date. The Pentagon confirmed the detention center plan on Thursday, Aug. 7, with a spokesperson noting that work started in mid-July, with an expected opening by mid-late August.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Once DOD achieves initial stand up, we will finish construction for up to 5,000 beds in the weeks and months ahead, the spokesperson said at a briefing, noting that woul dmake it the largest federal detention center.

According to ICE, the detention camp is being used to decompress other facilities and will feature soft-sided temporary structures. Camp East Montana will serve as a processing center and some people held there will be deported via flights. Although on military grounds, DHS will operate the camp.

Last month the Pentagon confirmed plans to let DHS house detained migrants at two military bases, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey and Camp Atterbury in Indiana. As with the plans for Fort Bliss, DHS personnel will operate the detention center on Department of Defense space. Like with plans for Fort Bliss, the centers will use temporary structures.

Top Stories This Week

News Army infantry training unit reverses bay tossing ban By Jeff Schogol News Airman arrested for death that prompted Air Force-wide safety review of Sig M18 By Jeff Schogol News Air Force creates a second super squadron in South Korea By Nicholas Slayton

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Fort Bliss has housed thousands of non-military people in recent years, ranging from Afghan refugees who arrived after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, to serving as a shelter for migrant children during the Obama and Biden administrations. This year several deportation flights have taken off from Fort Bliss as part of the Trump administrations efforts to ramp up the expulsion of migrants.

This year the Department of Defense has created several defense zones along the southern border  essentially extending the land area of military installations and allowing for anyone caught on it to be charged with trespassing on military property  including one at Fort Bliss. The Pentagon has said that military personnel are not the ones carrying out arrests of anyone found inside the defense zone. So far, as DHS has turned to the military for logistical and security support, the military has by and large avoided directly engaging in law enforcement activity, which it is barred from doing on U.S. soil under the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. Marines deployed to Los Angeles in June briefly detained an Army veteran who wandered onto federal grounds, before quickly transferring him to other authorities where he was quickly released.
Mike Huckabee is unhappy with how a recent interview with CBS News was edited, insisting that the network made changes to give you a different story than the one they had.

On Aug. 7, Huckabee, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, spoke to the networks Debora Patta about whether the country is committing genocide in Gaza. When asked about reports that the Palestinian population is starving to death, Huckabee answered: Oh, I think that there are certainly people suffering in Gaza. Its happening because Hamas has not allowed the food to get to the people who are hungry.

More from TheWrap

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After Patta said CBS spoke to the World Food Program and that the organization has not shown evidence of food theft by Hamas, Huckabee added, Im shocked they would say that.

He then touted the work of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a Donald Trump-endorsed non-profit founded in February that has been tasked with distributing aid to Palestinians. The GHF sites are effective and they are getting food to people. Its not perfect, but its doing what President Trump required us to ask us to do that was set up through GHF, Huckabee said.

Get food to people but in a way that Hamas cant do it. But GHF has no ability to verify who is getting that food. How do we know that those people arent from Hamas? You cant absolutely guarantee that theyre not. But theres zero verification process.

Ever wonder how the media edits an interview to give you a different story than the one they had? Heres @CBSNews interview with me yesterday and the unedited full transcript below. Take time and read. Youll see it  . https://t.co/6bubcQogyi  Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@USAmbIsrael) August 8, 2025

In July, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) director of philanthropy Hani Almadhoun told MSNBCs Chris Hayes that GHF is made up of mercenaries who are hired with big pay and brought into Gaza to shoot the people who are being starved.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The narrative Huckabee suggested on Friday is also reminiscent of Trumps October 2024 claims that CBS edited an interview with presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Trump specifically insisted the network intentionally edited her response to a question about Gaza and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Paramount eventually reached a $16 million settlement with Trump over the lawsuit, covering both plaintiffs fees and costs as well as a donation that will be allocated to a future presidential library. Going forward, 60 Minutes will also release transcripts of interviews with eligible U.S. presidential candidates after such interviews have aired, subject to redactions as required for legal or national security concerns.

However, while Trump also claimed the network will be airing PSAs to combat deceptive editing, CBS refuted that detail and was not forced to apologize.

The post Mike Huckabee Accuses CBS News of Intentionally Editing Gaza Interview for a Different Story appeared first on TheWrap.
The Brief

Milwaukee County Parks and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center partnered for the 30th annual Back to School Festival on Saturday.

Organizers planned to distribute 1,000 bookbags filled with school supplies.

Four hundred laptops were also available for qualifying students.

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee County Parks and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center partnered for the 30th annual Back to School Festival on Saturday.

What they're saying

The festival, including a bookbag giveaway, was held at King Park near 17th and Vliet. All activities were free and open to the public. There was also a youth talent show, games, free food and more.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android

"Year after year, this event reminds us of the power of community and how we can come together to support the success of our youth," Guy Smith, Milwaukee County Parks executive director, said in a statement.

Supplies were available on a first-come, first-served basis. Organizers planned to distribute 1,000 bookbags filled with essential school supplies. Four hundred laptops were also available for qualifying students.

"They're definitely needed. We enjoy back-to-school season, but it can be very taxing, especially when you have multiple children and you have different needs," said Marquay Ellison, who was there to get a laptop for his cousin. "It's nice when the community is able to come together and provide these things."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Former Milwaukee County Supervisor Elizabeth Coggs founded the festival to help prepare kids and families for school.

"This festival has become a tradition that families look forward to every summer," Dee McCollum, the community center's director, said in a statement. "Its about more than book bags  its about connection, support, and making sure every child knows they are seen, valued, and ready to thrive in the classroom."

The Source

Information in this story is from Milwaukee County Parks.
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!
The Brief

Milwaukee police were involved in a fatal shooting near 60th and Lisbon.

Chief Norman said the suspect and four officers exchanged gunfire.

It is unknown at this time whether the suspect died as a result of officers' gunfire or a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee police were involved in a fatal shooting on the city's west side on Saturday, Aug. 9.

What they're saying

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said officers were investigating a vehicle related to multiple recent business robberies. They located the vehicle behind a residence near 60th and Lisbon. While investigating that residence, officers encountered an armed suspect.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android

Norman said officers ordered the suspect to drop the gun, but the suspect refused those commands. The suspect and four officers then exchanged gunfire. The suspect died.

Norman said it is unknown at this time whether the suspect, a 31-year-old man, died as a result of officers' gunfire or a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The suspect's gun was recovered at the scene.

Police scene near 60th and Lisbon, Milwaukee

The four officers involved in the shooting were identified as:

A 29-year-old man with more than 11 years of service

A 46-year-old man with more than 21 years of service

A 36-year-old man with more than eight years of service

A 30-year-old man with more than five years of service

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android

The four officers involved will be placed on administrative duty, which is routine. The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team will investigate the shooting with the Brookfield Police Department as the lead agency.

Norman said video from the shooting will be released in accordance with standard operating procedures.

The Source

Information in this story is from the Milwaukee Police Department.
Five of seven mineral prospecting licences (MPLs) granted in Northern Ireland earlier this year have been relinquished, meaning prospecting under those licences will be paused for at least three months.

An MPL grants the holder permission to carry out activities like surveys and test drilling in a specific area.

It covers minerals like copper and zinc, but not gold and silver as these belong to the Crown Estate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The seven licences were granted to four companies, including Dalradian Gold, in May. The four companies cover areas in at least three counties  Fermanagh, Tyrone and Armagh.

The announcement from the Department for the Economy (DfE) comes as a deadline to lodge papers for any legal challenge is set to expire.

Campaigners from the Save Our Sperrins group lodged an application for leave to apply for a judicial review of the decision to grant the seven licences ahead of Friday's 17:00 BST deadline.

A statement from the department added that it had been instructed by minister Caoimhe Archibald to write to the court to confirm it would not oppose the granting of leave for a judicial review if papers were lodged.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And she has also instructed "to advise the objectors and the court that it will write in support of any application to quash the remaining two licences".

The applications may be resubmitted, followed by a 12-week consultation period.

While the seven licences were granted in May, a public notice of the intention to grant them was not published in the Belfast Gazette, as required by law.

The Belfast Gazette is an official journal of record where statutory notices are published, as well as the King's honours lists.

DfE previously said the notices were passed to the Gazette but were not published.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The four companies  Dalradian Gold, Conroy Gold, Karelian Diamond Resources, and Flintridge Resources  were then asked to relinquish the licences, which they agreed to do.

DfE is awaiting confirmation from the holder for the remaining two licences.

The licences would allow holders to prospect for minerals, excluding gold and silver.

It could lead to full-time mining operations at a later date.
The Brief

Showers and a few rumbles in southeastern Minnesota today.

Smoke will likely be returning later on Sunday through Tuesday morning.

The forecast shows more heat later this week.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Showers will clip southeastern Minnesota on Sunday, with smoky sunshine in the forecast for Monday.

Sunday forecast

Local perspective

Southern and southeastern Minnesota stays cloudy to mostly cloudy today with temperatures reaching the 80s.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Areas of showers and thundershowers will come close to the metro with most of the activity staying in southeastern Minnesota today.

Future forecast

What's next

Air quality alerts remain for the state until Tuesday morning. Monday will be sunny, but filtered through a smoky haze.

A few showers and thunderstorms swing through Monday night, but look to be out of there before sunrise on Tuesday.

Tuesday and Wednesday will feature plenty of sunshine and highs in the 80s.

We close out the work week on a hotter note as dew points rise into the upper 60s to lower 70s.

This may come with a few rounds of showers and storms.

The Source

This story uses information from the FOX 9 weather forecast.
(KRON)  The Berkeley Police Department is asking for community assistance after an elderly woman went missing from an assisted living and nursing home.

Rose Sartori was at Angeleon Care Home at around 3 p.m. on Saturday. She was last seen wearing an unknown color dress, police said.

At-risk San Jose boy missing for five days: PD

Satori is 73 years old. She weighs around 120 pounds and is 5 feet 4 inches. According to police, Satori has a tattoo on her left shoulder.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sartori, according to authorities, has depression and bipolar disorder.

Anyone with information regarding Sartoris whereabouts is asked to contact the Berkeley Police Department at 510-981-5900.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar claimed Sunday that the State government contributed 80 per cent and the Union government 20 per cent to the Metro Yellow Line inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Karnataka on Sunday. "While the State government has spent 80 per cent on the Metro Yellow Line, the central BJP government has spent only 20 per cent. In some places, it has spent only 11 per cent," said Shivakumar. Responding to media personnel near his Sadashivanagar residence on Sunday, he lashed out at BJP MPs and leaders. "I request Prime Minister Modi to provide at least Rs 1 lakh crore as a grant to Bengaluru. The state government has provided all the money for the land acquisition of the metro project. The BJP government at the Centre should have provided 50 per cent. It has not provided even that. However, we have completed this work for the benefit of the people of Bengaluru, a city in the state of Karnataka. Although Bengaluru is the second-highest tax-paying city in the country, the grant received is very little," he said. "Ahmedabad has been given a 20 per cent tax share. We have been given only 10 per cent. For that, consider us like other big cities in the country. Also, think of Bengaluru as the capital of the country. We are not doing politics, but are making a request," he said. The senior Congress leader lashed out at the BJP leaders for neglecting Bengaluru. "BJP says we did everything ourselves. They have no achievements. Not a single MP has brought even 10 rupees to Bengaluru city or the state. They have not even provided any cooperation. BJP MPs in Karnataka should be ashamed. Only the Union Minister for Jal Shakti has sometimes responded to our requests. Apart from that, not a single rupee has come. They have not even given money to the NREGA project," he said. "These BJP MPs think it is an achievement only if they post an ex (tweet) and post two photos in the media. Your conscience should work here. MPs, leave politics and do the work of bringing funds to serve the people," he scolded. He also accused the Union government of neglecting Karnataka "The central government has completely neglected Karnataka. It has neglected to provide grants. We have honoured the Prime Minister by inviting him to inaugurate it. We have implemented a model project called double decker," he said. "1 lakh jobs are being created in the IT sector every year in Bangalore. We have made a yellow line to benefit the area where IT companies are located. Today, that line is being inaugurated. The Electronic City flyover was also built during Manmohan Singh's time," he said. When asked about the statements of BJP leaders that Modi's contribution to the second and third phases of the Metro has increased, he challenged, "No one's contribution is here. This all started during the time of SM Krishna and Vajpayee. Let them release the figures of how much grant we have given, I will also release them." "I would like to congratulate Infosys, Delta, Biocon and other companies that have donated money for the Yellow Line metro stations," he said. (ANI)
The Brief

Garland police were asking for the public's help to find Cenith Yvette Horton, a 61-year-old woman who went missing Friday morning.

Horton has medical issues from a brain aneurysm and may be confused or disoriented, police said.

She was last seen near her home and is described as 4'11" with a scar on her neck. Anyone with information should call Garland police.

GARLAND, Texas - UPDATE: Garland Police say the missing woman was found safe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police in Garland are asking for the public's help to find a missing 61-year-old woman with medical issues who was last seen Friday morning.

Missing Garland Woman

What we know

Cenith Yvette Horton was last seen on foot around 8:45 a.m. near her home in the 200 block of South Barnes Drive, according to a release from the Garland Police Department.

Horton's family told police she has ongoing medical conditions from a previous brain aneurysm and may be confused or disoriented.

She is described as a Black female, 4 feet, 11 inches tall, weighing between 115 and 120 pounds. She has a scar on the front of her neck and brown/black hair pulled back in a ponytail. When last seen, she was wearing a white T-shirt, jean shorts, and dirty Air Jordan shoes.

What you can do

Police are urging anyone with information on Horton's whereabouts to call the Garland Police Department at 972-485-4840 or dial 911.

The Source

Information in this article is from the Garland Police Department.
As Ukraine struggles to replenish front-line units after 42 months of all-out war, those in power prefer to avoid publicly commenting on mobilization efforts and the way it is conducted.

Political experts say mobilization became a "toxic" and politicized issue, with high-ranking officials  from the president to ministers and lawmakers  trying to avoid being associated with the cause.

"In my opinion, most politicians are afraid to raise this topic because it is controversial," political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko told the Kyiv Independent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Following the initial spike in the number of volunteers joining the Armed Forces, Kyiv has mostly turned to conscription.

Ukraine is mobilizing about 30,000 people per month, but only a third of them are fit to fight, a senior Ukrainian official told the Kyiv Independent on condition of anonymity. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly said that Ukraine's army is roughly 1 million strong, but Ukrainian military analyst Serhiy Hrabskyi estimated that it needs three times more to be able to rotate battle-torn units out into the rears. Many guys brought into the war often struggle physically and mentally.

"The guys know that their service is until the end of the war, or their life," Dmytro, an infantryman with the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine, told the Kyiv Independent.

Ukraine's mobilization efforts come as Russia continues to slowly advance across the front, relying on its vast manpower advantage and what often feels like endless resources, including an upper hand in drone warfare. The Ukrainian manpower shortage leaves the army prone to leaving weak spots on the front for the Russian troops to exploit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi listed mobilization measures as among the key objectives to defend the country against Russia, especially as Moscow accumulates more force.

Syrskyi said on Aug. 5 that Russia is mobilizing more troops than it is losing, growing its forces by 9,000 a month despite losing over 33,000 troops in July alone. While Ukraine has not released its casualty rate, military experts say the current mobilization pace is not filling the gaps left behind by battlefield losses  leading to situations where soldiers have to be sometimes deployed a month or two to the "zero" line without the possibility of rotation.

The West has pushed Kyiv to boost mobilization efforts to better hold off Russia's ongoing offensive, with some allies, according to Zelensky, refraining from imposing new sanctions on Russia partly because Kyiv is refusing to lower the mobilization age from 25 to 18.

Ukraine has so far kept the mobilization age from 25 to 60, after lowering it from 27 in 2024.

President Volodymyr Zelensky (R), alongside members of his administration, meets with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi (second from L) on July 13, 2025. (Presidential Office/Telegram)

Of the roughly 30,000 that Kyiv says it is mobilizing, about half of them are the soldiers who are returning from AWOL, or absent without leave, according to a Ukrainian official familiar with the matter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the topic's sensitivity, said that the remaining 40 percent are from the enlistment offices, while the remaining 10 percent came from foreign volunteer recruitment and the new one-year voluntary military contract for 18-24-year-olds.

Zelensky's last major announcement regarding mobilization was the introduction of the "special contracts" for young draft-exempt Ukrainians, trying to lure them with high financial and social benefits. Zelensky expanded the contract program for 18-24-year-olds in July, adding the option for them to join drone units.

Mobilization appears to be an uncomfortable topic for Zelensky as well, according to Yuriy Honcharenko, head of the InfoLight.UA research and analytical group.

"Unpopular decisions that need to be made in order to fix the situation may lead to a drop in the popularity of those who will make them, perhaps even the loss of some kind of future political prospects," Honcharenko told the Kyiv Independent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read also: Exclusive: Putin to demand Ukraine cede new territory in Alaska peace plan  US likely to agree, Kyiv to reject

After the program to lure young recruits likely fell short of expectations, it appeared that Zelensky "no longer wants to be directly associated with mobilization," Honcharenko alleges.

Zelensky's last publicized meeting with Defense Minister Rustum Umerov that focused on mobilization was in November 2023, during which he instructed Umerov and the then Commander-in-Chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, to present a new mobilization plan.

Almost two years since then, the president made only a handful of comments about mobilization.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Political analyst Fesenko argued that mobilization is a complicated issue, especially for draft-eligible men and their families, who don't want their relatives to serve in the army. Some politicians, Fesenko said, see them as potential voters, and they try, at least partially, to act in their interests, criticizing forced mobilization methods.

Fesenko believes that it won't actually have much of an impact on post-war elections, as new issues will arise by then, and politicians' stance toward mobilization will play a small role.

Following amendments to the mobilization law adopted in April 2024, a survey by research agency Info Sapiens showed that 21 percent of Ukrainians perceive mobilization as positive, while 22 percent are neutral, and 44 percent had either an absolutely negative or rather negative view.

"Let's first preserve our statehood, and then we will worry who will become the president and who will head the next parliament."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ruslan Gorbenko, a lawmaker from the ruling Servant of the People, admitted that "a certain percentage of politicians" are working in their interests to be elected in the upcoming elections, rather than in the country's interests.

Gorbenko added that others are trying to avoid the topic, worried that drastic measures such as reforming the draft office or lowering the draft age would hurt them in the long run.

Political and military experts who spoke to the Kyiv Independent said that mobilization has been "politicized" since 2023, when the number of volunteers decreased while the need for new soldiers had increased. After the failed summer counteroffensive, it also became clear that it would be a long war, and joining the army wouldn't be a short-term endeavor.

The experts agreed that the topic's sensitivity has slowed down the crucial decision-making process regarding mobilization.

Members of the Kharkiv Regional Recruitment Office check a civilians documents while patrolling in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Aug. 8, 2024. (Narciso Contreras / Anadolu via Getty Images)

What analyst Honcharenko worries about above all is the polarization of society, fueled by the military enlistment officers' attempts to conscript more men. The drafters are often accused of ignoring fundamental civil rights, such as taking away conscripts' cell phones and forcing them into a bus, which led to a recent protest in the central city of Vinnytsia. The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and to prevent the protesters from getting into a detention facility.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Honcharenko believes that the tensions would rise as the situation on the front becomes tougher and mobilization remains a "politicized" topic. He stressed that the Defense Ministry should have more autonomy in organizing and coordinating mobilization, and be more open about how it is conducted.

Honcharenko also hopes that politicians will take responsibility and improve the draft process.

"Let's first preserve our statehood, and then we will worry who will become the president and who will head the next parliament," Honcharenko said.

Read also: Ukrainians will not gift their land  Zelensky rejects idea of territorial concessions to end Russias war

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(FOX40.COM)  The Modesto Police Department continues to combat alcohol-related harm after receiving a $58,600 grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

This is important to Modesto in order to increase protection for youth and to address crime at problem locations, said Lieutenant Moffett.

Video Above: California High-Speed Rail Authority vows to move forward despite Trump calling for investigation

The grant is about one of 50 that were awarded to local law enforcement in the state through ABCs Alcohol Policing Partnership program, said MPD.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the department, the grant combines ABC agents and local law enforcement, strengthening the efforts to reduce alcohol-related harm.

New Kaiser Sports Medicine Center opens in Modesto

Our Alcohol Policing Partnership program can improve the quality of life in neighborhoods, said ABC Director Paul Tupy. The communities where the grant programs resources have been invested have seen a real difference.

MPD said that the funds will be used to stop the sale of alcohol to minors, intoxicated patrons, illegal solicitations of alcohol and other criminal activities.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
CHICAGO - A Florida mom allegedly left her child and dogs for a trip to Las Vegas; Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband Brandon Blackstock died at the age of 48; and a federal court dismissed a $20 million defamation brought by a Chicago woman against two ex-NFL stars.

These are the top stories in Fox 32's Week in Review.

Florida mother abandons child, dogs for Las Vegas vacation: Deputies

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.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

FULL STORY

Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock dies at 48

Brandon Blackstock, the former manager and ex-husband to Kelly Clarkson, has died. He was 48 years old.

FULL STORY

Kia issues recalls over loose parts creating possible roadway hazards, over 300K vehicles impacted

Kia America issued two recall notices within a week for more than 300,000 vehicles over loose parts near the doors and windows that can fall off and pose a potential hazard to other drivers.

FULL STORY

Loni Anderson dead: Popular 80s actor starred in WKRP in Cincinnati

Loni Anderson, who starred in the 1980s show "WKRP in Cincinnati," died Sunday, just days before her 80th birthday. Anderson died at a Los Angeles hospital following a "prolonged" illness, said her longtime publicist, Cheryl J. Kagan.

FULL STORY

Federal court dismisses $20M defamation case against Shannon Sharpe, Chad Johnson

A $20 million defamation lawsuit against podcasters Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson filed by a Chicago woman has been dismissed, according to officials. The case, which alleged libel and defamation, was moved to federal court in Chicago.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

FULL STORY

Big changes coming to 401(k) after recent Trump executive order

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday that could open up 401(k) retirement accounts to investments like private equity, real estate, cryptocurrency, and other alternative assets.

FULL STORY

Deadly crash involving 3 semis reported on I-65 in NW Indiana

A truck driver died in a fatal crash involving three semis Monday night on Interstate 65 in northwest Indiana.

FULL STORY

Tennessee executes death row inmate without deactivating his heart device

A Tennessee death row inmate who had a working defibrillator in his chest was executed by lethal injection.

STORY

Police swarm suburban Mariano's after man waved gun at driver: police

Police swarmed the scene of a Mariano's grocery store in Western Springs on Wednesday afternoon. An 18-year-old man is facing charges after allegedly waving a gun at another motorist before entering the grocery store.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

FULL STORY

Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease on the rise: How parents can protect their children

As the back-to-school season approaches, the American Academy of Pediatrics reports an uptick in hand-foot-and-mouth disease cases among young children, more than any other summer.

FULL STORY




NEED TO KNOW

An Ohio woman gave birth at 27 weeks after going into cardiac arrest

Tracy Anton collapsed outside her home after work on July 1 and was saved by the quick thinking of two good Samaritans and first responders

She thanked several of the first responders who helped save her life in an emotional reunion on Aug. 6





A new mom is thanking the first responders who saved her and her unborn babys lives

Tracy Anton of Green, Ohio, was 27 weeks pregnant when she went to let her dog out after work on July 1. The dog got out of the yard, and she began chasing it  at which point she went into cardiac arrest, per a press release obtained by PEOPLE from the Green Mayors Office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One of Tracys neighbors, a grade school teacher named Julie, saw Tracy collapse from her living room. She rushed out and immediately began CPR. A nurse who happened to be driving by also stopped, and the pair continued taking turns administering CPR until Green Fire emergency responders arrived on the scene.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

Tracys 14-year-old stepson, who came to investigate when he realized that she had been gone longer than usual, was also by her side, per the release.

Emergency responders rushed Tracy to local hospital Summa Health, where she was stabilized.

She delivered her baby son, Noah, via C-section the following day, on July 2. He was placed in the NICU and is expected to come home from the hospital near his original due date on Sept. 27, per the release.

Getty Hands of EMT in ambulance (stock image) Hands of EMT in ambulance (stock image)

Tracy could not recall anything about the incident until three days after she had initially collapsed, local outlet News 5 Cleveland reported. She now calls all those who helped save her life that day "blessings from God.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Everybody who walked my path that day was there for a reason and all contributed to me and my baby's life," she told News 5.

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.

Tracy met some of the medics who helped save her life in an emotional reunion at the Green Fire Station on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

"Definitely, God had his hand in all of this, and you know, it's not just a miracle. It's a double miracle, because both me and my baby were both saved, she said during the reunion, per News 5.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Julie, the teacher who initially began CPR, later described the harrowing moments in which she first found Tracy unresponsive.

"It was very scary, because I've been trained in CPR the whole time that I've been a teacher, and I have to get re-certified all the time, and you learn about what to do, but when it's actually happening, it's very scary, and you're still unsure of if you're doing the right thing or not, no matter how many times you've been trained," she told News 5.

"We didn't know if we were making a difference. We didn't know if she was going to survive at all. It was really, really scary, she added.

She continued, "But I could just [tell] that she needed help because her color had changed and she was not responding at all. She was clearly unconscious."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Green Fire Chief Jeff Funai said, per the release obtained by PEOPLE, This successful outcome was the result of a true team effort, starting with her neighbor administering CPR while our crew was en route.

Once on the scene, our team implemented advanced resuscitation protocols on the way to the hospital, ultimately restoring her ability to breathe on her own. At Summa Hospital, the staff took over, providing care for the mother and evaluating and delivering the baby. Every individual involved in this call played a vital role in saving both mother and baby, he added.



Read the original article on People
Aug. 9A Spokane County Sheriff's sergeant was killed Saturday morning after a motorcyclist struck the 34-year veteran as he was assisting a motorist remove a hay bale from Interstate 90 near Cheney.

Kenneth Salas, 59, planned to retire next month and had 30 work shifts left before his death, Sheriff John Nowels told reporters Saturday afternoon near the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Project outside the Public Safety Building in Spokane.

"Everyone is in shock," Nowels said. "You can never mentally prepare for something like this to happen."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A pickup truck hauling a trailer with hay was traveling about 7:50 a.m. east on I-90 near the Four Lakes exit, with Salas following behind in his patrol vehicle, according to Washington State Patrol Sgt. Greg Riddell. The pickup driver, 45-year-old Michael J. Brown, of Spokane, noticed one of the hay bales shifted, so he slowed and the bale fell off the trailer, according to Riddell.

Riddell said Brown pulled over to the right side of the interstate and Salas used his patrol car, with his emergency lights illuminated, to block the left lane where the bale fell.

Salas and Brown then tried to remove the bale from the road, Riddell said.

A third vehicle driving in the left lane noticed the road hazard and moved to the right lane, Riddell said. A motorcyclist, 39-year-old Bobby J. Robbins, of Malden, Washington, following that vehicle switched to the left lane, Riddell said. He said Robbins noticed the stopped patrol car and slowed to avoid hitting it while going around the patrol car on the left side. But, Robbins struck the front left of the car and Salas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nowels said Salas used his radio to call for an ambulance. His fellow deputies and medical professionals provided medical aid.

Riddell said Salas was taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center where he died. Robbins was also taken to Sacred Heart with a serious leg injury. Riddell said Robbins was listed in serious but stable condition Saturday afternoon. Brown was uninjured.

Riddell said investigators believe no one was driving "inappropriately," no drugs or alcohol were involved, so no one has been charged at this time. WSP is investigating.

Traffic on I-90 was backed up for miles in both directions, Riddell said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He called the incident a "horrible circumstance" that happened "so quickly."

Nowels said there was no malice involved. It was simply a crash that "just happened."

"It was an accident, and sometimes that's what's tough, is to make sense of something that we're not gonna make sense of," he said.

Salas' body was taken from Sacred Heart to the Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office, located east of downtown Spokane, in a procession of Spokane County Sheriff's Office, Spokane Valley Police Department, Spokane Police Department, WSP and Spokane Fire Department vehicles.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It's a tough day for our community and for law enforcement," Nowels said. "Sgt. Salas was a friend of mine."

Nowels said Salas, who he worked with for 28 years, was in his office Friday saying he planned to retire Sept. 30, his 60th birthday. He shared his post-retirement plans with Nowels and was at peace with his decision, Nowels said.

"I'm glad I got to spend that moment with him and hear what his plans were," Nowels said. "It's a very tough time for the people who worked for him, who worked with him, because he was such a good and professional deputy."

Salas started his 34-year law enforcement career as a Spokane County corrections officer before joining the sheriff's office as a patrol deputy, according to a sheriff's office news release. Over the years, he also served as a school resource deputy, on the traffic unit and on the Emergency Operations Team.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Salas earned the rank of detective and corporal in 2004. He was promoted to sergeant five years later and assigned as the downtown dayshift patrol sergeant supervisor.

Salas also served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a technical sergeant with the Washington Air National Guard.

"You can't work somewhere for 34 years without influencing thousands of people, and Ken certainly did influence people positively," Nowels said.

He said he investigated fatal traffic collisions with Salas for three years.

"He was a very important member of our team, and he showed up day after day for 34 years serving this community," Nowels said. "And today, he ended up having to pay a price that no one should have to pay just by doing what was right and stopping to help somebody clear things out of the roadway. It's gonna take a lot for this agency and this community to process what happened to him."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nowels called Salas extremely "technically savvy." He even designed some of the computer systems the sheriff's office used.

"He was just always somebody who got in and was willing to do the work. A great personality," he said. "He was the nicest man that you could ever hope to meet."

Salas, who leaves behind a wife, was always there for the men and women he served with, Nowels said.

"I think he took the idea of being a servant leader to heart," he said. "And I think the men and women who worked with him and worked for him would tell you that they just absolutely loved working for him."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nowels said the sheriff's office is a family, in many ways.

"When you serve with people, you bleed and sweat together, cry together, and somebody's taken from you like that, I mean, those men and women were working with Sgt. Salas and talking to him six hours ago, and he's gone," Nowels said. "So obviously, it's tough to process for everybody involved."

Nowels said his office received an outpouring of support Saturday from other first responder agencies and community members.

Several agencies, including Spokane police, Cheney police, Pullman police and the Whitman and Grant County sheriff's offices, extended their condolences on Facebook and shared the Spokane County Sheriff's Office's news release about Salas' death.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Spokane police changed its Facebook page profile picture to the sheriff's office's profile photo of the sheriff's badge with a black line through the center of it, signifying the agency is mourning the line-of-duty death of Salas.

Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown ordered flags at city facilities to be lowered to half-staff through Monday to honor Salas.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Sergeant Salas, who was killed while serving our community," Brown said in a news release. "The City of Spokane extends its deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and colleagues with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office."

Nowels said those who want to honor Salas can place flowers at the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Project outside the Public Safety Building, 1100 W. Mallon Ave.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The sheriff's office is making arrangements to honor the fallen sergeant. The Behind the Badge Foundation, which provides support for Washington families and law enforcement agencies who have experienced a line-of-duty death, will help with funeral arrangements.

Salas is the first Spokane County Sheriff's deputy to die in the line of duty since Deputy James Slater died while responding to a stolen car call in 2003. Slater drove off Grove Road, southwest of Spokane, on a sharp curve and struck a pole, then his patrol car rolled 60 to 70 feet before coming to rest in a ditch, according to previous Spokesman-Review reporting.

Nowels said Salas was simply doing his job, and sometimes traffic accidents happen.

"He wasn't doing anything that we wouldn't want him doing," Nowels said. "Just, sometimes life throws curveballs, and it did today."
RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  On Saturday, three Mooresville firefighters  Lieutenant Scott Hauck, Lieutenant Marcus Perkins, and Senior Firefighter Eric Keller  were honored for their brave actions during Hurricane Helene.

On September 27, 2024, as members of the Mooresville Fire Swiftwater Rescue Team, they were deployed to Ashe County in response to Helene. Amid the rising floodwaters, a car was taken by the current, trapping two people inside.

Despite extreme conditions, the firemen navigated the floodwater by boat and successfully rescued both victims.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The firemen received the North Carolina State Firemens Association Valor Award. The award was presented at the NCSFA Annual Banquet in Raleigh by Fire Chief Curt Deaton, who also serves as president of the organization.

Their actions exemplify the highest standards of service, skill, and dedication. We are incredibly proud to have them representing our department and our community, the Mooresville Fire-Rescue Department 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 Queen City News.
Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage typically sees human births, but they got a unique experience when a moose unexpectedly gave birth right outside the hospital entrance.

What's happening?

As reported by UPI, a pregnant moose wandered onto the hospital lawn and gave birth to her calf in full view of patients, visitors, and staff.

She settled in the grassy area in front of the building, where the newborn calf was safely delivered. The scene quickly attracted many onlookers who got to witness the calf nurse and take its first steps.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I see a ton of people peering over the balcony, and I'm like, 'What's going on?' and so I go over and there's a moose who just gave birth, and it's so exciting because this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing to witness," Louise C. told KTUU-TV.

Why are moose birth sightings concerning?

Though heartwarming, the moment highlights a growing trend: wildlife venturing into developed spaces as their natural habitats shrink.

Rapid urban development, population growth, and climate-driven disruptions like wildfires, droughts, and food shortages are all forcing wild animals into closer contact with people.

Encounters like this may seem charming, but they can be dangerous for both humans and animals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mother moose can become aggressive if they feel threatened, and repeated exposure to populated areas can increase the risk of accidents or conflict. Incidents like this underscore how human-driven environmental change is pushing even large, wild species to adapt in unexpected and sometimes risky ways.

What's being done about moose birth sightings?

Alaska's Department of Fish and Game continues to monitor wildlife patterns and provide education on how to safely coexist with the state's native species.

In cases like this, wildlife officials often let the animals remain undisturbed unless there's an imminent threat. They advise people to keep a safe distance and slowly back away if they see moose and their young.

On a larger scale, preserving green spaces and protecting migration corridors can help ensure animals like moose don't need to wander into hospitals or neighborhoods in search of food or to give birth.

Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities 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.
Final EU plans to take fingerprints and facial biometrics from British travellers to Europe have been revealed. The long-awaited entry-exit system (EES) will be rolled out over the course of 180 days from 12 October 2025 to 9 April 2026.

It will connect every frontier in the Schengen area with a central database. The Schengen nations comprise all EU nations except Ireland and Cyprus, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

The aims of the EES are:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

To identify suspected criminals.

To combat identity fraud.

To police the limit on stays of 90 days in any 180 days that applies to UK and other nationalities.

What is the entry-exit system?

The most modern digital border management system in the world, according to the European Commission. An automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals who are travelling to the EU for a short stay.

The system aims to capture data from all third-country nationals when they either enter or leave at an external Schengen border  such as flying from the UK to Spain or crossing by road from Greece to Turkey. It will not be used at internal frontiers within the Schengen Area.

EES will register the date and place of entry or exit. The first time a traveller encounters the entry-exit system, they must provide fingerprints and a facial biometric.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This system, says the European Union, will replace the current system of manual stamping of passports, which is time-consuming, does not provide reliable data on border crossings, and does not allow a systematic detection of over-stayers.

British travellers, like other third-country nationals, are restricted to 90 days stay in any 180 days within the Schengen area. But enforcement of this currently depends on checking passport stamps and is applied haphazardly.

The new system will not apply in Ireland (or, for the time being, Cyprus). For clarity, the procedure for Irish citizens will not change when entering the Schengen Area.

As now, they will simply be matched with their passport or passport card (an optional document, price 35, that can be used across the Schengen area).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Any UK citizen with the good fortune to have an Irish (or other EU) passport can use that document and skip the queues.

Why are British travellers affected?

Because we demanded to become subject to the EES, which was initially being developed while the UK was a member of the EU.

After the UK voted to leave the European Union, Boris Johnsons government negotiated for British travellers to become third-country nationals subject to a range of restrictions. British passport holders must currently have their travel documents inspected and stamped.

The good news about the entry-exit system: passport stamping will eventually end.

The bad news: wet-stamping of documents will continue throughout the roll-out. And the process of fingerprinting and/or providing a facial biometric is likely to prove slower and more onerous.

When will EES start?

Originally the entry-exit system was due to start in 2021. But the body responsible for implementation  the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (EU-Lisa)  has repeatedly pushed back the date because the database was far from ready.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In August 2024, the EUs Home Affairs commissioner, Ylva Johansson, said: I have decided that the entry/exit system will enter into operations on 10 November. That will be a great day  entry-exit system day. But a month before the big day, ministers decided to postpone the introduction.

Many airports, ports and railway stations have already installed expensive equipment, which has been lying unused.

Officials in Brussels have now kicked the can down the road to October 2025  with a full roll out not complete until April 2026. This is the current timetable:

12 October 2025: EU entry-exit system starts across at least 10 per cent of frontier posts, with central registration of people crossing the border in or out of the Schengen Area. But it will not be mandatory for each frontier post to collect the biometric elements  face and fingerprints  for the first 60 days; it may be that some states do this anyway. Passports continue to be stamped.

December 2025: Biometrics become mandatory at frontier posts operating the EES.

January 2026: By now, member states should operate the entry-exit system  with biometric functionalities  at a minimum of half of their border crossing points. In other words, a majority of visitors are likely to experience double red tape: providing EES biometrics but continuing to have passports stamped as well.

9 April 2026: Roll-out of entry-exit system should be complete. Only when the EES is running flawlessly across Europe will passports stop being stamped.

How will the border checks work?

Inbound and outbound passengers will go through the formalities at airports, land borders and ports in the Schengen area on arrival and departure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Three locations in the UK have juxtaposed border controls, with French frontier police conducting checks on British soil: at the Port of Dover, Eurotunnels Folkestone terminal and the Eurostar hub at London St Pancras.

There is a big difference between the first time you cross a Schengen area frontier where entry-exit system is in operation and subsequent entries and exits.

Initial crossing: Registration of your personal details, including fingerprints (not for under-12s) as well as a facial biometric.

Subsequent entries and exits: Facial biometric only.

On the first registration, travellers must submit to fingerprint checks and provide a facial biometric. On subsequent visits within three years, only a facial biometric will be taken.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Each new visit triggers another three years of validity of the initial registration. In other words, if you dont cross a Schengen area frontier for three years, you will need to register again.

Sounds complicated ...

Some EU members have expressed alarm at the extra time involved in the new processes, with the Slovenian government warning: It takes up to four times longer to do the new process.

In January 2024, MPs were warned that Brits travelling to Europe could face waits of 14 hours or more at border control unless measures are introduced to prevent delays. Parliaments European Scrutiny Committee was told by Ashford Borough Council that 14-hour queues were a reasonable worst case scenario if the scheme were to be implemented as planned in October.

But the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel and Eurostar have invested heavily and now believe they can handle outbound passengers without due delay.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In addition, it appears that biometric registration could initially be reduced to just one in 10 travellers if queues build up.

Local immigration officials will decide the appropriate number of travellers required to register their biometrics, on a range from 10 to 100 per cent as a relief valve as the process is first introduced.

Im going to Europe before 12 October, but coming back later. What must I do?

It is feasible that some frontier posts will be running the entry-exit system from day one for both arriving and departing travellers. In such a case, you could be called upon to have your fingerprints and facial biometrics taken before travelling home. But I think it highly unlikely: the main focus will be on arrivals, not departures.

As EES rolls out, it might be that you are called upon to register when leaving rather than arriving. For example, you might fly out to airport A before it adopts the entry-exit system but return from airport B which is already operating the EES. Registering your details on departure from the Schengen area could prove useful for your next trip to Europe  because your biometrics will already be known.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The key point to understand is that you will not need to prepare anything ahead of time; just do what you are told at the airport. It will be another year before you have to enrol for an Etias euro visa ahead of a trip.

When I get a new passport, will I need to go through the registration rigmarole again?

Not according to the official Procedures for entering data in the EES. It says that if the third-country national presents a valid travel document which differs from the one that was previously recorded (ie a new passport), the individuals online file will be updated with the fresh details.

I am only changing planes at an EU airport. Must I go through the entry-exit system?

It depends on your routing and final destination, and also on the way you have booked the travel. You will not need to go through the entry-exit system if the answers to the following are both affirmative:

Flying from the UK into Amsterdam Schiphol, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris CDG or another hub, and connecting straight to a destination outside the Schengen area.

Travelling on a through ticket, eg Manchester-Munich-Mumbai on Lufthansa or Bristol-Paris-Dubai on Air France.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But you will need to go through EES if any of the following applies:

You are connecting to a final destination in the Schengen area, eg KLM from Newcastle via Amsterdam to Rome.

Your routing involves a segment wholly within the Schengen area, eg Edinburgh-Frankfurt-Munich-Seoul (where the Frankfurt-Munich leg triggers the entry-exit system).

You are self-connecting, eg flying London-Lisbon on easyJet and transferring onwards to the Cape Verde islands, also on easyJet; you will need to go through Portuguese immigration, including EES, before beginning the departure process again.

What happens to EU travellers when EES starts?

They will breeze through the frontier via special lanes where the only check will be a glance at their passport to check (a) its valid and (b) its theirs. So, as it used to be for British passport holders before Brexit.

Must I provide proof of travel insurance?

No: ignore all reports that British travellers will need to provide evidence of insurance.

The introduction of EES does not change the existing entry conditions. Third-country nationals must justify the purpose of the intended stay (for example tourism, business or a family visit) and demonstrate sufficient means of subsistence for both their stay and their return to their country of origin  or onward travel to a third country where they are sure to be admitted.

What is Etias and when does it start?

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) is the next step in tightening frontier controls. It is an online permit, price 20 (17), for third-country nationals who do not require visas. It is similar to the US Esta scheme, but valid for longer: three years. While those under 18 or over 70 will still need to apply for and hold an Etias, it will be free.

In order to work, Etias requires EES to be fully operational. Once the entry-exit system is completed and is running smoothly, Etias is set to follow six months later.

But initially a six-month grace period will be granted  so it will not be mandatory for prospective UK visitors to apply online for permission to enter the Schengen Area for at least a year after the complete introduction of EES, ie not before 9 April 2027.

Is Etias a visa?

Officially, no. Europe says that Etias is a pre-travel authorisation system. It is a similar concept to the US Esta, the Canadian eTA and the British ETA, which are not technically visas. They are issued to international travellers who do not require a full visa.

But as Etias requires visitors to apply in advance, provide lots of personal information, pay money and be issued with a permit to cross a border, it is not surprising that it is commonly termed a euro-visa.

How will I apply?

When finally the EU is ready, at the heart of the system is an Etias app and website.

You must provide all the usual personal details: name, date and place of birth, gender, home and email addresses, phone number(s), passport number and expiry date.

In addition you must give:

Your parents names.

Your level of education.

Your current occupation (including job title and employer, or educational establishment if you are a student).

The reason for the journey (holiday, business, visiting family, etc)

The country, and specific address, of your first nights stay in the Schengen area.

(On the last point, the European Union helpfully points out that you are not bound to stick to that nominated location: Once you have your travel authorisation in hand, you can change your plans.)

You are required to reveal:

Any criminal convictions

Past travels to war or conflict zones

Whether you have recently been deported from the Schengen area.

What happens to the information?

Every Etias application will be checked against EU and relevant Interpol databases, as well as a dedicated Etias watch-list.

The system will be tuned to pick out individuals suspected of being involved in terrorism, armed robbery, child pornography, fraud, money laundering, cybercrime, people smuggling, trafficking in endangered animal species, counterfeiting and industrial espionage.

Is Etias going to be the next online scam?

Yes, As with other online travel permits, commercial intermediaries are allowed  but according to Frontex, the EU organisation implementing Etias, there are many scam sites out there that are likely to apply fees way above the basic 20.

Any site other than europa.eu/etias is unofficial and should not be trusted.

One imposter site claims to have processed 671 applications already; this is impossible since no applications have been processed anywhere.

Another site offers a 40 per cent discount for early applications. Some use the EU logo, which is illegal.

Frontex also warns about the risk of identity theft if personal information is provided to imposter sites.

How far in advance must I apply?

The European Union says: We strongly advise you to obtain the Etias travel authorisation before you buy your tickets and book your hotels.

The aim is for an Etias to be granted within minutes, though even a straightforward application could take up to four days.

If an application is flagged (ie there is a hit with one of the databases) the applicant may be asked to provide additional information. Alternatively, says the EU, the applicant may be asked to participate in an interview with national authorities, which may take up to additional 30 days.

Assuming yours is granted, there is no certificate issued, and nothing needs to be printed. The frontier guard will get the information he or she needs from the passport you used to apply.

In a case of mistaken identity, will I be able to appeal?

Yes. Details of how to appeal will be included with the notice of rejection.

Once I have an Etias, am I guaranteed admission to the Schengen Area?

No. Mere possession of a travel authorisation does not confer an automatic right of entry, says the EU. As with the US, travellers can be turned away for any reason.

There is likely to be a mechanism in place for an Etias to be rescinded.

Do I need to apply for an Etias every time I travel to Europe?

No. The permit will be valid for three years, or until your passport runs out, whichever is the earlier.

Will I need an Etias to travel to Ireland?

No. The Common Travel Area incorporating the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands transcends European Union rules, and in any event, Ireland is not in the Schengen area.

If I have a long-stay permit from one of the EU nations, must I obtain an Etias?

No.

How are people without internet access supposed to apply?

They will be expected to get a friend, a family member or a travel agent to make the application for them, in the same way as the US Esta and similar schemes.

Just remind me about the 90/180 day rule?

This rule, to which the UK asked to be subject after leaving the European Union, means that British travellers cannot stay more than 90 days in any stretch of 180 days.

As an example of what it means: were you to spend the first three months of 2026 in the Schengen area, you would have to leave on 31 March and could not return until 90 days later, ie 30 June.

Is the UK being punished because of Brexit?

No. Work on strengthening the European Unions external border began a decade ago. British officials participated in initial planning for the entry-exit system and online registration for third-country nationals.

The UK asked to be subject to all the extra red tape that everyone already knew was on the horizon. The EU agreed. So Brussels is delivering exactly what the British asked for.

Had we remained in the EU but outside Schengen, would we still be subject to all the new red tape?

No. Were the UK still in the EU, neither EES nor Etias would affect British passport holders.

Citizens of Ireland, which is in the EU but outside Schengen, need not go through the entry-exit rigmarole nor get an Etias. They simply have their passport/ID checked on arrival and departure, usually via a fast-track line.

Thats what the UK chose to give up.

Additional research by Dr Nick Brown
DES MOINES, Iowa  The Des Moines Police Department is investigating a Sunday morning shooting that left one minor injured.

According to DMPD, officers responded to an apartment building in the 900 block of 8th Street in Des Moines a little before 4 a.m.

24-year-old charged in connection with Prospect Park shooting incident

Police said that a 15-year-old boy was shot in the leg, but the injuries are non-life-threatening, and he is expected to be okay.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There have been no arrests made yet in the investigation.

Des Moines Police detectives are continuing to investigate. No other information about the shooting is available 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 who13.com.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday inaugurated Vidhan Sabha's renovated dome ahead of the Monsoon Session of Uttar Pradesh Assembly that will commence tomorrow. He also inaugurated the newly renovated Assembly Mandap, Assembly Hall No. 15, and the VIP lounge. Following the inauguration, the CM participated in an all-party meeting to discuss the upcoming Monsoon Session. Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana convened the all-party meeting before the monsoon session, in which, alongwith CM Yogi, leaders from both the ruling side and the opposition were present. Key issues were discussed during the session. Present at the meeting were Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna, Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey, Minister Sanjay Nishad, Om Prakash Rajbhar, Congress MLA Aradhana Mishra, BSP MLA Umashankar Singh, MLA Kunwar Raghuraj Pratap Singh, among others. The Monsoon Session of the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha is scheduled to begin from August 11, as per an order issued by the Assembly Secretariat on July 26. The order stated, "Sri Rajyapal, Uttar Pradesh has summoned the Uttar Pradesh Eighteenth Vidhan Sabha to meet at 11.00 A.M. on Monday, the 11th August, 2025, in the Vidhan Sabha Mandap, Vidhan Bhawan, Lucknow for its Second Session of the year 2025". The Assembly will now come under the surveillance of state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras. It will start as a pilot project in this monsoon session and will be fully implemented from the upcoming winter session. Through this technology, not only security but also the presence, activities and performance of the MLAs will be analysed. AI technology will make the working style of MLAs more transparent, and the world's most advanced cameras will be installed in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. These AI-based cameras will have facial recognition technology, enabling them to identify the names and faces registered in the list of MLAs. Also, a detailed profile of every MLA will be fed into the system, which will include name, party, constituency, gender, date of birth, photo and other personal details. With the help of AI technology, it will be recorded which MLA came to the assembly, for how long he stayed, on how many topics he spoke and which topics he covered in the speech. Not only this, but AI will also do topic-based content analysis. Speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Satish Mahana, described this entire system as a positive initiative. He said, "This is not a step of monitoring, but to increase transparency and accountability. MLAs are anyway under the surveillance of the public, so no one should have any objection." Earlier this year, the Budget Session of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly was held from February 18 to March 5. The session lasted over three weeks, during which the state's 8 lakh crore budget for 2025-26 was presented. Meanwhile, on Friday, CM Yogi Adityanath visited Kakori Shaheed Memorial, dedicated to freedom fighters of 'Kakori Kand', for the closing ceremony on the 100th anniversary of the historic event. CM Yogi also celebrated Raksha Bandhan with young girls. Deputy CM KP Maurya and State Minister Jaiveer Singh were also present at the event. He also planted a tree sapling at the Kakori Shaheed Memorial. The Kakori Train Action or Kakori Conspiracy was a train robbery that took place at Kakori, a village near Lucknow, on 9 August 1925 during the Indian Independence Movement against the British colonial rule. Hindustan Republican Association organised the robbery, and more than 40 persons were arrested in this incident. They were finally sentenced to death by the British government, and also severe punishments were given to those people who helped with this incident. The Uttar Pradesh government, under CM Yogi, renamed the 'Kakori Kand' to 'Kakori Train action' in 2021, as the word 'Kand' denotes a sense of insult to this incident under India's Independence struggle, said the UP government officials. Earlier, on Thursday, CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 222 development projects worth Rs 659 crore in Bahjoi, Sambhal district. While addressing a large public gathering, he spoke on the preservation of Sambhal's religious heritage, historical injustices, and political opponents. Describing Sambhal as a symbol of Hindu faith, CM Yogi targeted foreign invaders, Congress, and Samajwadi Party, warning that "those who sin with Sambhal will face severe punishment for their actions." (ANI)
A new round of Moscow's shelling and drone attacks killed six people and wounded dozens in Ukraine Sunday, authorities said, while Kyiv hit two oil refineries deep inside Russia.

There was no reduction in hostilities on the frontline, even as the United States and Russia agreed to hold a summit in a bid to resolve the conflict, which so far does not include Ukraine.

"Russia has not taken a single real step towards peace, not a single step on the ground or in the air that could save lives," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a regular evening address on Sunday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Six people died across the eastern regions of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, their respective authorities said.

The focus of the Russian offensive is on eastern Ukraine, where it has stepped up gains in recent months against its less well-equipped opponents.

A Russian glide bomb hit a busy bus station in the city of Zaporizhzhia in a separate afternoon strike, wounding 19 people at once, the local officials said, adding that a search and rescue operation was still ongoing.

Visuals from the site shared by the authorities showed rescuers with sniffer dogs pulling injured people in blood stains and dust from the rubble in the shattered central bus station building.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Three beachgoers were killed earlier in the Black Sea coastal city of Odesa, after they triggered a mine while swimming in a prohibited area.

The Ukrainian army claimed its drones had hit a large oil refinery in Russia's western Saratov region. Its governor Roman Busargin only gave a vague comment about it, saying that "one of the industrial enterprises was damaged" and adding that one person died as a result of the drone attack.

Another refinery was damaged in Russia's remote northern town of Ukhta in the Komi Republic, some 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) from the frontline, a source in Ukraine's GUR main intelligence directorate told AFP.

The Komi governor confirmed in his Telegram channel there was a drone attack on the region, but didn't mention the Ukhta refinery and said there were no casualties in the assault.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Another woman died in Russia's Belgorod region, often under Ukrainian fire due to its proximity to the frontline, the local governor said.

Kyiv is trying to hamper Moscow's ability to fund the more than three-year war of attrition by attacking its oil and gas facilities, the key source of revenue for the state budget.

Ukraine's military claimed to have taken back the village of Bezsalivka in the Sumy region from the Russian army, which has made significant recent gains.

Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump will meet in the US state of Alaska this Friday to try to resolve the grinding conflict, despite warnings from Ukraine and Europe that Kyiv must be part of negotiations.

bur-asy/gv
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ)  A group of motorcyclists took a joyride around the area to help out children.

The 3rd annual Jaffa Ride for Love had over 70 bikers donate money to help the Shriners Childrens Hospital in Philadelphia. Basket raffles, t-shirt sales, and other potluck games were available for riders to donate to the cause.

The 100-mile ride spanned from Saxton, through Everett and Roaring Spring, before ending back at the Jaffa Shrine. Hearing that children in need were benefiting from the event made the bikers eager to step in.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Local and regional bikers like to go on poker runs, especially since they contribute to such great causes, Dane Noel, the chairman for the event, said. They always support, typically, veterans, children or animals, and the bikers just love to support all of those great causes.

Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters.

The bikers came back to the Jaffa Shrine for an after-party.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A motorcyclist died in Delaware County after driving off the road, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.

Rocco J. Torio, 23, of Delaware, was riding a Honda motorcylce north on Panhandle Road north of Hudson Road at 6:31 a.m. Aug. 9 when he drove off the left side of the road, the highway patrol said in a news release.

Torio's motorcycle hit a utility pole support wire and a rock, the highway patrol said. He died at the secene, north of Delaware.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Torio was wearing a helmet, the highway patrol said.

Public safety and breaking news reporter Bailey Gallion can be reached at bagallion@dispatch.com.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Delaware County motorcycle crash kills 23-year-old man
Motorists flouting the rules in a pedestrian zone in Spalding risk being fined once work to install new signs has been completed, a local authority has warned.

Lincolnshire County Council said final work on the scheme, including the installation of traffic signs and road markings, would start on Monday.

Parking will be prohibited at any time in Market Place and Hall Place, and there will be changes to parking nearby.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A restriction on vehicle access between 10:00 BST and 16:00 BST will be reinstated.

It comes after South Holland District Council held a consultation on enforcing the pedestrianisation that was already in place in the town centre.

District and county council member Rob Gibson said: "In all honesty, it's felt like this saga has gone on for too long for the people of Spalding and I am delighted that we can finally deliver some action and say that it's nearly complete.

"Once this last [work is] done, it'll mean that we can enforce penalties on owners of vehicles that park or travel through the pedestrian area between 10 and 4, and that will be in place every day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Outside of those times, businesses and utilities will be able to get in so that they can get deliveries dropped off or carry out maintenance where needed."

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices

More stories like this

Related internet links
After over a decade, Edward Wardrip is leaving documentary editing to attend UCLA Law School.

Documentary and reality TV workers lack union protections, unlike many other film industry sectors.

Wardrip aims to advocate for gig economy workers' rights, including healthcare and fair pay.

This is an as-told-to essay based on a conversation with Edward Wardrip, who worked as a documentary editor for over a decade. He's planning to attend UCLA Law School to become a labor attorney. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I graduated from college in 2012, which was shortly after the financial crash, but when things were starting to pick up again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I loved working in documentary. I mostly worked on PBS-style historical documentaries. That's always been my favorite. It always felt like I was in school, still learning.

My first two mentors were both incredibly talented editors who lived solid, middle-class lives in New York. I was inspired by that.

I think the industry has changed. It was more plausible to have a middle-class life 10 years ago than it is now. But despite documentary and reality TV production increasing over the years, many workers feel like they haven't reaped the benefits.

I spent the last couple of years fighting to unionize our section of the industry, which has been left behind by other film and TV unions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now, at 35 years old, I'm going to law school to learn how to fight for workers like myself.

Movie and TV unions are strong  but documentaries and reality TV are left out

The movie and TV industry is known for its strong unions. But it's less common for documentary and reality TV projects to have a unionized crew.

People who work on documentaries are seldom given the same protections as those in other parts of the industry. We work long hours and don't always get overtime pay or healthcare, which is getting more expensive.

Edward Wardrip's home editing studio. Courtesy of Edward Wardrip

It's upsetting to open a streaming app, see your documentary or a friend's documentary on the homepage, and know that none of the people who worked on it got healthcare.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The industry unions haven't always adapted to the gig economy nature of documentary work. Even as documentary filmmaking and reality TV production have expanded dramatically, we rarely have a seat at the bargaining table with traditional unions.

A group of us in the Alliance of Documentary Editors formed an organizing committee. We found the traditional model of flipping one show at a time didn't work for us. Documentaries are not multiple seasons. By the time you spend months organizing and negotiating a union contract for a documentary crew, it's over. You're on to the next thing.

We found out about the non-majority union model, which we thought made more sense for the fast-paced film and TV industry of this era. The organizing campaign is still ongoing. Many documentary filmmakers work on both big projects and small, independent projects. And we wanted to find a way to ensure everyone could have healthcare all the time, not just on the giant studio productions.

It was time for a change

I've worked only one union job, for 17 months in 2015 and 2016: "Spielberg," an HBO documentary about Steven Spielberg. The healthcare was incredible. If there was an issue, you called the union and it was fixed. The claims above say that there is no healthcare for people in documentary films

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That was the last documentary union job I've seen listed anywhere. I haven't heard of anyone I know working another one since.

By 2024, my documentary film work was getting really, really scarce. I mean, it was very dead for a lot of people. I had to completely eat through my retirement savings just to stay afloat.

That's the reality of freelance life. No one's putting anything into a retirement check for me. I was doing it all myself.

Edward Wardrip was ready for a change. Courtesy of Edward Wardrip

At 34, I looked around and thought, "This doesn't feel worth it to me anymore." I felt like I was on a dead-end road and I was never going to be able to retire. And I was still young enough that I could do something else.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But organizing a union energized me. I was passionate about labor law.

I just started studying at night and on the weekends for the LSAT. I did an online class with a bunch of 22-year-olds.

I got a 174 on the LSAT, which is the 98th percentile. UCLA gave me the best offer. And since I already live in Los Angeles, I could keep my apartment and stay relatively close to my relatives in California.

There's a whole class of people in our economy who are doing what we have not typically considered union work.

I want to work and fight for Amazon workers, Whole Foods employees, Uber drivers, YouTube content moderators  you name it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Our jobs have really changed, and the gig economy has changed, and there's this huge group of people who deserve healthcare and who are not getting it. I want to fight for them.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Good Sunday morning to you, and welcome to our Under the Dome newsletter that focuses on the governor. Im Avi Bajpai, filling in today for Dawn Vaughan.

Democratic Gov. Josh Stein doesnt face reelection for another three years, but that doesnt mean hes stopped or slowed down when it comes to raising money.

In fact, in the first six months of this year, Steins campaign committee reported raising just under $2.5 million.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

By comparison, during the same period, Republican Senate leader Phil Berger reported raising over $1.7 million, and Republican House Speaker Destin Hall reported raising just under $750,000. Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch reported raising just over $141,000, and House Democratic Leader Robert Reives reported total receipts just shy of $25,000.

Senate Majority Leader Michael Lee, who was elected by his caucus to that leadership position earlier this year, raised just under $234,000, while House Majority Leader Brenden Jones raised nearly $75,000. Senate Rules Committee Chairman Bill Rabon raised $39,000. House Rules Committee Chairman John Bell raised more than $92,000.

On the Council of State, other top fundraisers were Democratic Attorney General Jeff Jackson, who reported raising around $587,000 in the first six months of the year; Democratic Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, who raised nearly $133,000, and Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek, whose campaign brought in just under $34,000.

These campaign finance reports covering the first half of the year, from Jan. 1 to June 30, reveal how even in an off-year and just months after the conclusion of the last election, political fundraising has continued apace.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its only going to accelerate as we get closer to next years election, which will feature a U.S. Senate contest that is already generating expectations to become the most expensive of all time, and the fight for legislative power in the N.C. General Assembly, where Democrats will be hoping to end the Republican working supermajority that has so far enacted eight bills over Steins vetoes.

Steins fundraising and spending

Taking a closer look at Steins latest fundraising report, it shows the campaign had just over $1 million in operating expenses during the first half of this year.

That included money spent on digital advertising, fundraising consulting, direct mail campaigns, texting campaigns, and payroll for staff. Combined with other expenses like contributions to other candidates and political committees, in-kind contributions, and refunds and reimbursements from the campaign, Stein reported total expenditures of $1.6 million.

The $2.5 million the campaign reported bringing in is made up of a mix of thousands of small-dollar donations and a hefty share from more than 170 individuals who gave the maximum allowed amount of $6,800. Those max contributions on their own add up to more than $1.1 million.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

His campaign had $1.9 million in the bank coming out of last years election, and at the end of June, the campaign said it had slightly more than $2.7 million on hand.

In off-years, candidates and political fundraising committees are required to file reports twice a year.

The first semi-annual reports covering the first half of the year were due at the State Board of Elections by July 25. The second such report, covering the final six months of the year, will be due on Jan. 30, 2026.

Catch up on more North Carolina politics news by listening to our Under the Dome podcast, which posts every Tuesday morning. On this weeks episode, higher education reporter Korie Dean talks with our politics team colleague Sophia Bailly about the Trump administrations impact on international enrollment on college campuses, and whether North Carolinas campuses could see fewer international students come this fall. Read more from Korie and Sophias new reporting on this here.

Thanks for reading. Contact our team at dome@newsobserver.com. Not a newsletter subscriber? Sign up on our website to receive Under the Dome in your inbox daily.
Legend Jenkins was hit and killed by a car while crossing a Gastonia road to a grocery store in May. He was seven years old.

The driver was not charged in the case, but both of Legends parents, Sameule and Jessica Jenkins, were charged with felony involuntary manslaughter and child neglect.

They had sent Legend out to the grocery store with his 10-year-old brother when he stepped out in front of traffic.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Democratic North Carolina State Senator Jay Chaudhuri from Wake County co-sponsored a bill in March to redefine child neglect to exclude independent activities.

PREVIOUS:

The goal is to prevent things such as walking to school or playing outside from being considered child neglect, so long as a reasonable and prudent parent would deem it safe, The Charlotte Observer reports.

We have laws that really promote helicopter parenting, Chaudhuri said Friday. The legislation is important to me, both as a parent and a lawmaker I felt like the legislation reflects a sense of where the laws needed to be, and that is to try to encourage parents to raise resilient, independent and confident children.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But the bill has not moved forward, the Charlotte Observer reports. Chaudhuri said he hopes that attention to the Jenkins case will bring more attention to his bill.

We should not have laws on the books that are going to penalize and literally break up this family from a very deliberative and thoughtful decision that they made to allow their two young boys to walk to the local grocery store, he said.

Read the bill in its entirety here.

WATCH: Parents plead guilty after boy fatally struck by car in Gastonia
By The Raritan Valley Mayors Alliance

For communities like ours along the Raritan Valley Line, reliable train service isnt a luxury, its a necessity.

Over 15,000 of our residents depend on NJ TRANSIT every day to get to work, school and other essential destinations. Despite our high ridership, we still do not have convenient and reliable one-seat-ride service into Manhattan during rush hour.

Currently, Raritan Valley Line riders must transfer at Newark to get into New York City during peak hours, leaving us vulnerable to delays. A missed connection can add up to 40 minutes to an average commute which has become routine for the thousands who rely on this corridor every day. The challenges we face on the rails arent new, but they are becoming harder to ignore. Its time for a long-term solution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Thats why we are urging our state and federal leaders to continue the momentum and fully fund and build the Gateway Program. The Gateway Program is not just a Manhattan project. Its a New Jersey project, its a Raritan Valley Line project and its the single most important investment we can make to secure the future of our community.

At the heart of Gateway is the construction of a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River and the rehabilitation of the 115-year-old tubes damaged during Superstorm Sandy. These tunnels are the only rail connection between New Jersey and New York Penn Station, and they are failing. A single breakdown can cause hours of delays and ripple across the entire NJ TRANSIT network.

Thankfully, work on the tunnels is funded and underway, helping us avoid a full system failure.

But Gateway isnt just about fixing the tunnels. The full Gateway Program includes additional track upgrades between Newark and New York and an expansion of Penn Station to double the number of trains traveling through the new tunnel - a key improvement to help fully realize our regions economic potential.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One of the supporting projects integral to this future is the Hunter Flyover, which will better separate Raritan Valley Line train traffic from the rest of the Northeast Corridor, making for more seamless travel.

As we head into this years gubernatorial election, Gateway should be a top issue for every candidate and every voter. The next governor must be an advocate for the full Gateway program as well as the Hunter Flyover and other supporting rail projects. Our future depends on it, and we need bold, sustained leadership to get it done.

With new tunnels, expanded capacity, and modern infrastructure, Gateway will unlock the potential for more frequent and reliable service, not just on the Raritan Valley Line but throughout the region. Its the only path to finally delivering full-time one-seat rides from every NJ TRANSIT line into Manhattan, something our residents have waited far too long for.

Our towns are growing. Young families are moving in, small businesses are investing, and transit-oriented development is breathing new life into our downtowns.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That momentum wont last if we cant guarantee fast, dependable access to jobs across the region.

A recent study by the Regional Plan Association shows that completing the full Gateway Program would deliver massive economic and job gains for the region, creating nearly 50,000 jobs per year and generating a projected $445 billion in economic activity through 2060.

This is an opportunity that we cannot afford to waste.

We cannot risk underbuilding this project. Partial fixes wont solve the problem. We need the full Gateway Program with its new tunnels, new bridges, expanded Penn Station capacity, and supporting projects like Hunter Flyover to make the Northeast Corridor operate efficiently.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We need it for our commuters. We need it for our economy. And we need it for our future.

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.

Mayor Shelley Brindle of Westfield, Mayor Colleen Mahr of Fanwood and Cranford Commissioner Kathleen Prunty are co-founders of the Raritan Valley Mayors Alliance.

Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.
Virtua Health system and real estate developer The Michaels Organization opened a $24 million affordable senior housing community in Camden on Thursday that also features on-site primary care.

The 55+ community, dubbed Oliver Station, is the second statewide to benefit from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agencys Hospital Partnership Subsidy Program. The state program pairs hospitals with experienced residential developers to provide affordable and supportive housing in their communities.

This trailblazing community will improve the lives of many and set an example for the good that can happen when compassionate, forward-thinking organizations join forces to address societal challenges, said Dennis W. Pullin, president and CEO of Virtua Health, in a statement sent to NJ Advance Media.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Virtua Health, which operates five New Jersey hospitals, contributed $4.1 million to the project, while the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency provided $4.2 million, according to a press release.

The three-story, mixed-use development is located in the Whitman Park neighborhood of Camden on a formerly unused parcel next to the Port Authority Transit Corporation Speedlines Ferry Avenue station. The development is also located less than a mile from Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, part of Virtua Health, South Jerseys largest health system.

Designed by local architectural firm Urban Practice, the 47 income-restricted apartments at Oliver Station are available to adults 55 or older earning 60% or less of the area median income. Ten apartments are set aside for seniors who qualify for housing subsidies from the Camden Housing Authority, including five apartments for those experiencing homelessness, according to a press release.

Apartments come in one and two-bedroom layouts outfitted with full kitchens, baths, and new appliances. The building also includes an on-site fitness center, laundry facilities, and a community gathering space.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Quality housing is the cornerstone of a strong, vibrant, and healthy community, Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen said in a statement. Oliver Station will be the first community in South Jersey of this kind. The project integrates quality affordable senior housing with top-notch health care and focuses on delivering and advancing health equity for residents.

Carstarphen continued, This is a place that is safe, stable, dignified, and a place residents can call home. We are so excited to have two great community partners bring affordable homes and direct access to high-quality health care within the community.

The Michaels Organization, one of the largest owners of affordable housing in the United States, will provide property and asset management for the residential homes.

In addition to the one and two bedroom apartments, the community also features a 5,200-square-foot Virtua Health primary care practice with 10 exam rooms.

The Virtua primary care practice at Oliver Station will serve as a resource for the broader Camden community.

The practice will be staffed by at least four or five attending internal-medicine physicians, as well as nurses, medical assistants, and other team members. The practice will also serve as a rotation site for medical residents, according to a press release.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Oliver station is named in honor of two state figures: the Rev. Thomas Clement Oliver, a conductor on the Underground Railroad who once presided over the Macedonia African Methodist Episcopal Church, Camdens oldest African American institution; and Lt. Gov. Sheila Y. Oliver, who served as commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs and board chair of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency until her death on Aug. 1, 2023.

The late Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, a champion of housing, health care, and community services, would be proud to see this transformative project come to fruition, said Melanie R. Walter, executive director of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.

The Hospital Partnership Subsidy Pilot Program was announced jointly with the New Jersey Hospital Association in 2018. The program was allocated $12 million and plans to fund four or five developments. These projects are expected to create over 250 units of affordable housing and over 50 units of required permanent supportive housing.

Under the program, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency will provide subsidy funding of up to $4 million per project. Requests for funding above that amount are considered on a case-by-case basis and subject to approval by the agencys board.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The first development of this kind opened last year in Paterson. Barclay Place is a 56-unit housing community where supportive services are offered by St. Josephs Health.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
GIBSON CITY, Ill.  Two law enforcement officers are recovering after being shot by a naked man early Saturday morning in Gibson City, located just east of Bloomington in central Illinois, reports WGNs Nexstar sister station WCIA in Champaign.

The suspects whereabouts are currently unknown, Illinois State Police say, and hes considered armed and dangerous.

Additionally, WCIA reports that multiple fire units in the area also responded to a house fire at the same scene early Saturday morning, shortly after the two officers were shot.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

2 dead, multiple people wounded overnight in 3 separate shootings in Austin neighborhood, police investigating

According to WCIAs report, at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday, officers from the Gibson City Police Department and the Ford County Sheriffs Department responded to the report of a naked man, identified as 70-year-old David D. Jordan of Gibson City. Jordan was walking outside in the 100 block of Ash Street.

Upon attempting to make contact with Jordan at his residence, officers were met with gunfire. A Gibson City police officer and a Ford County sheriffs deputy were shot. Both were transported to local hospitals and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

House fire

The house where officers responded then caught fire, WCIA reports.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to Gibson City Fire Chief Bruce Kallal, the Gibson City Fire Department was dispatched at approximately 3 a.m. Saturday to stand by for a structure fire with an unsecured scene at 146 West Ash St.

Suspect in Sunday morning shooting in west suburban Aurora remains at-large, according to police

Jordan was last seen at the residence, unclothed, according to authorities.

Fire officials say they were able to extinguish the original house fire, as well as a fire that extended into 142 W. Ash St.

The original structure at 146 W. Ash St. was deemed a total loss, with estimated damages of $175,000. The residence at 142 W. Ash St. was also deemed a total loss, with estimated damages of $50,000.

Latest update

According to WCIA, an email from ISP on Sunday morning indicated that no updates were available.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police say anyone who sees Jordan is asked not to approach him and to call 911 immediately. For any information on his whereabouts, contact the Gibson City Police Department at 217-784-8666.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Gibson City Mayor Dan Dickey released the following statement:

We are very thankful for all of our police officers, especially those involved in the incident earlier Saturday morning. Our prayers go out to our officers who were wounded in the line of duty, as well as their families, as we pray for their speedy and full recovery.

(Saturdays) incident is a reminder to everyone that the police risk their lives each and every day to protect and serve each and every one of us. We appreciate the response and support of the GCPD, Ford County Sheriffs Department, the Illinois State Police and other agencies involved in the ongoing investigation, and have full confidence that they will continue to keep our community safe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We would also like to give all first responders a heartfelt thanks for their service and dedication to our 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 WGN-TV.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has busted an illegal call centre racket, being run by certain private persons in rented premises, in Igatpuri (Rainforest Resort), Nashik, Maharashtra, an official statement said. According to the statement, CBI registered this Cyber Fraud Case on 08.08.2025 against 06 accused private persons, all residents of Mumbai, as well as unknown private persons and Bank officials. It was alleged in the FIR that the accused persons entered into criminal conspiracy with each other and other unknown persons, and have committed financial fraud by impersonation and making phishing calls/deceptive calls, from an illegal call centre, posing as Amazon Support Services Call Centre. The accused persons have been allegedly cheating citizens of the US, Canada and other countries and fraudulently obtaining proceeds of crime via Gift Cards/cryptocurrency, the statement added. The call centre is located at Igatpuri, Nashik, Maharashtra. The accused persons reportedly recruited around 60 operators, comprising dialers, verifiers, and closers, to run the said illegal call centre. Investigation by the CBI has resulted in the recovery of 44 laptops, 71 mobile phones, and other incriminating digital evidence, as well as unaccounted cash of Rs. 1.20 crores, 500 gms of Gold, and 7 Luxury Cars worth Rs. 1 Crore. Transactions of approximately 5000 USDT cryptocurrency (Rs. 5 lakhs) and 2000 Canadian dollars worth gift vouchers (Rs. 1.26 lakhs) were also detected. During the searches, 62 employees working in the call centre were found operating live, where a process of cheating foreign nationals was in progress. So far, 05 accused persons have been arrested. Further investigation is underway. Earlier in July, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), as part of its ongoing Operation Chakra-V, cracked down on a transnational cybercrime syndicate running a sophisticated tech support scam targeting citizens of the United Kingdom and Australia. In a coordinated operation conducted on 07.07.2025, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) carried out searches at three locations in Noida, including at a fully functional fraudulent call centre operating from the Noida Special Economic Zone. The operation was meticulously timed with the time zones of the victims, resulting in the detection of live scam calls in progress during the raids. Acting on credible intelligence, the CBI registered RC 07/2025 to investigate the syndicate, which posed as technical support staff of reputed multinational companies, including Microsoft. The fraudsters were cheating foreign nationals by falsely claiming that their devices were compromised and extorting money under the guise of resolving non-existent technical issues. After registering the case, the CBI collaborated closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Crime Agency (UK), and Microsoft Corporation to trace the syndicate's operations and locations. During the searches, the CBI seized extensive evidence, including advanced calling infrastructure, malicious scripts used to deceive victims, and documents revealing the scale of the fraud and extortion. The syndicate's call centre, operating under the name 'FirstIdea', was found to be technologically sophisticated, enabling cross-border anonymity and large-scale targeting of victims. The key operative, a partner of 'FirstIdea'. The CBI remains committed to combating the growing menace of cybercrime and reiterates its resolve to work with domestic and international partners to dismantle such syndicates and bring perpetrators to justice. Through Operation Chakra-V and similar initiatives, the Bureau continues to strengthen its capabilities to detect, investigate, and prosecute cybercriminals operating across borders. (ANI)
Rep. Nancy Maces (R-S.C.) entrance into South Carolinas GOP gubernatorial primary is setting the stage for a tumultuous intraparty battle as five Republicans vie for the states top executive post.

Early polling shows Mace and the states Attorney General Alan Wilson (R) leading the primary pack, with Mace calling the primary a two-way race between her and Wilson. The two officials already have a contentious history. Earlier this year the congresswoman accused four men of sexual misconduct in a speech on the House floor and accused the state attorney general of not prosecuting the men.

However, other contenders, including Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette (R) and Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), could also have an impact on the race.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When it comes to our politics, it truly is really cut-throat, said Alex Stroman, former South Carolina GOP executive director.

A South Carolina Policy Council poll released late last month showed Mace leading the crowded field with 16 percent of voters who said they identified as Republicans while Wilson closely trailed at 15 percent. Evette came in with eight percent support, followed by Norman at six percent. State Sen. Josh Kimbrell (R) received three percent support. The same poll showed 52 percent of voters were undecided, suggesting there is ample opportunity for the candidates to bolster their support.

The nature of the crowded primary could make it difficult for any candidate to win a majority of voters outright. If no candidates win a majority, the two candidates with the most votes will proceed to a runoff.

Additionally, strategists note that most polling at this point of the cycle is about name ID.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mace, who is a Trump critic-turned-vocal-supporter, arguably has the highest name ID in the race.

I dont sleep. I went to bed at 1 a.m., and I was up at 4 a.m. OK, I am Trump in high heels. I love what I am doing. I mean, he doesnt sleep, Mace said at her campaigns first town hall in Myrtle Beach this week.

The congresswoman is an outspoken opponent of transgender rights, making headlines late last year for introducing legislation that would ban transgender women from using womens restrooms in the U.S. Capitol following the election of the first openly transgender Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.).

Mace also made waves during a contentious interview with ABCs George Stephanopoulos when she accused him of shaming her for being a rape victim. Stephanopoulos had asked Mace how she could endorse Trump, who has been found liable for sexual battery in his defamation lawsuit with E. Jean Carroll.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One national GOP operative working on South Carolina races noted that Maces status as an outspoken, firebrand figure will not be enough to ensure a victory.

Crazy wins the attention in the primary, but thats not going to translate into votes, the operative noted.

Mace and Wilsons feud is likely to be a defining part of the race, with both candidates escalating their attacks on the campaign trail. During an appearance on Fox News Brian Kilmeade Show, Mace accused Wilson of being too lenient on violent offenders, including child sex abusers.

Wilson has defended his record on the issue as attorney general while hitting back at Mace.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its obvious to me that Congresswoman Mace thinks a lot more about me than I think about her, Wilson said in an interview with The Hill on Friday. You can always tell how youre doing in a crowded race when one of the candidates only talks about you and spends all of their time obsessing and lying about their record.

People do not get attacked when they are irrelevant and apparently I am incredibly relevant to some of my opponents in this race, he continued.

Wilsons father, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), also has bad blood with Mace. The congressman notably endorsed Maces previous primary challengers in 2022 and 2024.

The elder Wilson issued a scathing statement against Mace earlier this week, calling her a party of one in the Republican Conference. Mace hit back in her own statement, saying South Carolina deserves a fighter, not a dynasty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some Republicans note that while early polling shows Mace and Wilson as the early frontrunners, their ongoing feud comes with the risk of their campaigns cannibalizing each other.

Theyre going to kill each other because they cant help it, said the national GOP operative working on South Carolina races. Theyre going to create an opening for either Pam or Ralph, or maybe both of them.

Unlike Mace, Norman and Kimbrell, Wilson and Evette can more easily run on South Carolina Gov. Henry McMasters (R) record given their roles in the executive branch.

McMaster, who has been governor since 2015, holds a 43 percent approval rating.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

[Evette] is the one who run on the McMaster record, said the national GOP operative working on South Carolina races. Theyre all attacking Columbia and the government and they dont realize how popular McMaster is.

Wilson argued that the attorneys general office, which he has held since 2011, is the most consequential elected position in state government.

I have gone and been involved in hundreds of legal actions both during the Biden and Obama administrations, so when I say something and I back it up in court, it has a real impact on peoples lives, he said, adding that the office of lieutenant governor is a ceremonial position.

That is not the fault of the current occupant, he said, referring to Evette.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Additionally, its been over a decade since there was an open South Carolina governors primary, meaning the partys candidates find themselves in somewhat unchartered territory.

We havent had a true open governors race in 16 years, Stroman said. I think everyone is trying to figure out what do South Carolina voters actually care about.

One thing that is known is how valuable Trumps endorsement will be in the race.

He is a consequential voice in South Carolina party politics, Wilson said. Of course everybody running for governor of South Carolina wants the presidents endorsement. Im no different but at the end of the day, I think that people have to earn the presidents endorsement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Many members of Evettes staff are former Trump staffers and have had ties to the presidents political operation.

All of the candidates in the race think theyre the Trump candidate, Stroman said. But I think Evette actually lands the endorsement.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 has proudly carried the name Athens of the South for generations, thanks to the citys role as the center of higher education in the South and the building of the replica of the Greek Parthenon in the heart of the city for the Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition Fair in 1897.

But the beginning of the citys educational legacy actually started nearly 100 years before that, with the building of the citys first school titled Davidson Academy  before the state of Tennessee even existed.

In December 1785, the legislature of North Carolina, which at the time controlled most of the territory of Tennessee, passed an act for the promotion of learning in the County of Davidson," according to a June 16, 1906 Nashville Banner article.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Legislators said that the citizens of Davidson County were desirous of making an early and liberal provision for the instruction of youth, and moved to establish Davidson Academy, the citys first school, which was limited to boys.

Thomas Craighead, a Presbyterian pastor and Princeton graduate who had moved to the area only four years earlier, was named president of the institution. Despite the school being given 240 acres in the heart of Nashville, the school was originally housed at Craigheads church in Spring Hill, according to a 1965 edition of the Peabody Journal of Education, where the Spring Hill Cemetery now stands, while the school could be built on its intended land.

An August 19, 1923 article in the Nashville Banner about the wide university offerings in Nashville.

The school went through many changes over the years: after moving downtown, in 1806 the school became known as Cumberland College, with future President Andrew Jackson on the board of trustees. The school even enacted one of the states first educational lottery systems to support incoming students.

In 1826, the school was absorbed into the newly created University of Nashville, where the famous name Athens of the South really took off. (The name is not to be confused with the city of Athens, Georgia, which was established 21 years after Davidson Academy was first created and represented a growing trend of Southern cities emulating Grecian themes.)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Despite tearing down a portion of the campus in 1850 due to a tragic cholera epidemic, the school later reopened and expanded, going from school to military academy and Union hospital in the Civil War, before eventually being absorbed by the newly created Montgomery Bell Academy in 1867.

In 1874, the final evolution of the school was completed, as it dissolved into three iconic Nashville entities: Montgomery Bell Academy, Vanderbilt University and the Peabody Normal School. The move led to the growth of major schools and universities in Tennessee, cementing the states legacy as the Athens of the South.

Have a story to tell? Reach Angele Latham by email at alatham@gannett.com, by phone at 931-623-9485, or follow her on Twitter at @angele_latham

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville's legacy as the "Athens of the South" began before the state even existed
(NewsNation)  A kitchen product is being recalled due to a safety hazard that puts consumers at risk of a fall or other injury.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Dorel Cosco 2-step kitchen stepper is being recalled. Cosco has received 34 complaints of the safety bar detaching or breaking, including two incidents resulting in head injuries.

The recall affects about 302,000 units sold in the U.S. and 11,000 sold in Canada. It was sold at several major retailers like Walmart, Target and Amazon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Popular sweetener recalled nationwide as FDA warns of label mix-up

The CPSC said consumers should stop using the safety bar on the recalled kitchen stepper immediately and store the unit away from children until repaired.

People with the affected model numbers can contact Dorel, who will send a free repair kit. It includes a sliding, locking mechanism that attaches to the safety bar to prevent the safety bar from detaching or breaking. Consumers will also receive installation instructions and an additional warning label to place onto the product.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said its possible that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends the upcoming meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

CNNs Dana Bash asked Whitaker on State of the Union if Zelensky would be invited to the Alaska summit to discuss a ceasefire deal.

I certainly think its possible, Whitaker said. You know certainly, there cant be a deal that everybody thats involved in it doesnt agree to.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump is set to meet with Putin in Alaska on Friday to discuss an end to the three-year-long Ukraine-Russia war. The White House said there would be talk of land concessions.

Youre looking at territory thats been fought over for three and a half years. A lot of Russians have died, a lot of Ukrainians. So were looking at that, but were actually to get some back and some swapping. Its complicated. Its actually  nothing easy. Its very complicated. But were going to get some back. And were going to get some switched, Trump said on Friday.

There has also been some speculation that the White House could invite Zelensky to Alaska.

The president remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin, a senior White House official told NewsNations Libbey Dean on Saturday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Putin on Saturday also shared a ceasefire proposal with special envoy Steve Witkoff. The deal would include a complete halt in fighting in exchange for parts of Eastern Ukraine, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Any decisions that are against us, any decisions that are without Ukraine, are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not achieve anything, Zelensky wrote on the social platform X in response.

These are stillborn decisions. They are unworkable decisions. And we all need real and genuine peace. Peace that people will respect.

The summit has received mixed reactions, but Whitaker said he believes direct engagement by President Trump is obviously leading us closer to a peace.

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.
U.S. NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker said President Trump will have to trust but verify Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in Alaska on Friday, where they plan to hold talks about ending the war with Ukraine.

On CNNs State of the Union with Dana Bash, Whitaker said if the world leaders reach a deal, there will need to be some verification from Russia and Ukraine that they are taking action toward peace, rather than simply debating peace.

In any situation with competing national interests, whether its the United States, Ukraine, Russia or any of our allies, you just cant take people at their face value, youre going to look at their actions, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Putin is set to meet with Trump in Alaska on Friday to negotiate ceasefire terms. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not yet been invited, but the White House and Whitaker said it is a possibility.

The president remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders, a senior White House official told NewsNations Libbey Dean on Saturday.

Putin last week presented the Trump administration with a peace deal, asking for land concessions in Eastern Ukraine.

However, Zelensky adamantly opposed such a deal, posting on the social platform X, Any decisions that are against us, any decisions that are without Ukraine, are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not achieve anything.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump promised to end the three-year-long Russia-Ukraine war in 24 hours during his presidential campaign, but negotiations have been more complex than expected for the president.

That is one of the things that President Trump has mentioned is that he would have a good conversation with Vladimir Putin and that night, rockets and drones would attack the major cities in Ukraine, so its going to be about actions, Whitaker said.

Trump initially imposed an Aug. 8 deadline for a ceasefire, threatening to impose additional sanctions on Russia, but there have been no signs that Moscow has reined in the fighting.

On July 10, tensions ramped up after Putin launched massive attacks on Ukraines capital, Kyiv, in retaliation against Trumps criticism of him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We get a lot of bulls thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth, Trump said during a Cabinet meeting in July. Hes very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.

Trump has bragged about his peace negotiating skills this week as he brokered a deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan, who have been longtime foes. The president enacted other peace deals with world leaders in the last months.

Whitaker mentioned those deals, saying that whether its India-Pakistan, whether its the Congo and Rwanda, or all the other peace deals that President Trump has been able to negotiate, there is always a verification.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 will use the upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin to test how serious Putin is about ending the war with Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Sunday.

Rutte told ABC's "This Week" that the meeting comes as Trump continues to put pressure on Putin, noting the recent secondary sanctions on countries like India, which purchased Russian oil, and delivering lethal weapons to Ukraine.

"Next Friday will be important because it will be about testing Putin, how serious he is on bringing this terrible war to an end," Rutte said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump announced the first in-person meeting with Putin since Moscow launched its deadly invasion of Ukraine in 2022 in a Truth Social post on Saturday. The leaders are expected to meet in Alaska on Friday, Aug. 15.

Trump, Putin Will Hold First In-person Meeting Since Ukraine Invasion

President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte as he arrives for a NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 25, 2025.

In recent weeks, Trump has refused to mince words when asked about Putin. Trump said during a Cabinet meeting July 8 he was fed up with Putin and said he was eyeing potentially imposing new sanctions on Russia.

Read On The Fox News App

The NATO chief called the upcoming meeting "an important step" in the process of reaching full-scale peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

President Donald Trump meets Russian President Vladimir Putin on the first day of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan on June 28, 2019. The summit between the two leaders in Alaska on Friday will be their first in-person since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, however, wasnt expected to be at the summit with Trump and Putin as of Sunday. Despite Zelenskyys absence, Rutte said "we need Ukraine at the table."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It will be about territory," Rutte said of the upcoming meeting. "It will, of course, be about security guarantees, but also about the absolute need to acknowledge that Ukraine decides on its own future, that Ukraine has to be a sovereign nation deciding on its geopolitical future, of course having no limitations to its own military troop levels, and for NATO to have no limitations on our presence on the eastern flank in countries like Latvia, Estonia and Finland."

Putin Ally Warns Titanic Efforts Are Underway To Sink Trump Summit Over Ukraine War

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker told CNN on Sunday that no decision had been made at this point about whether Zelenskyy would be invited to the meeting.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks with media during the European Council Meeting on December 19, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium. As of Sunday morning, Zelenskyy was not expected to be at the meeting in Alaska.

"If [Trump] thinks that that is the best scenario to invite Zelenskyy, then he'll do that," Whitaker said, adding that "there's time to make that decision."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When asked about whether Putin can be trusted, Whitaker said that in any situation of competing national interests it will be actions, not words, that decide whether peace is achieved and preserved.

"Words are cheap, but in this case, whether it's the Russians or the Ukrainians, both sides are going to have to take the actions to have peace and to continue to honor that peace," he said.

Fox News Digitals Diana Stancy contributed to this report.





Original article source: NATO chief says upcoming Trump-Putin meeting will be about 'testing' Russian leader
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Sunday he doesnt believe there is a risk that peace negotiations in Alaska between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will reward Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

ABC Newss Jonathan Karl asked Rutte on This Week if he believed, like former national security adviser John Bolton does, that negotiations are sliding in Russias favor, which could potentially reward the country for its invasion.

No, I dont think the risk is there, Rutte replied. And all my respects for John, and please send him my best regards, but I would not agree on this point with him. We have seen President Trump putting incredible pressure on Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So, this is all clear evidence that President Trump is absolutely adamant to bring this war to an end, but also to keep maximum pressure on Putin, Rutte later added.

Rutte said the Friday meeting between the two leaders was important because it is testing Putin, how serious he is in this whole process, which will then have to continue after Friday, with Ukraine involved, with others involved, to bring this war to an end.

Trump and Putin are set to meet in Alaska on Friday to discuss peace negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not invited to the summit; however, the White House and NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker said there is a possibility he will attend.

Bolton, who served as national security adviser during Trumps first term, said Saturday on CNNs The Source with host Kaitlan Collins, The only better place for Putin than Alaska would be if the summit were being held in Moscow.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So, the initial setup, I think, is a great victory for Putin, he continued.

On Aug. 6, Trump signed an executive order adding a 25 percent tariff on Indias purchases of Russian oil, bringing the tariffs up to a total of 50 percent. The tariffs will be in effect 21 days after Trump signed the executive order.

This was intended to let India negotiate with Russia; however, in the meantime, Indias leader has reaffirmed its bipartisan relations with the Kremlin.

We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. I look forward to hosting President Putin in India later this year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The NATO chief also mentioned Trumps actions within the international organization as proof that the president is dedicated to this peace deal.

He was the one delivering the big success at the NATO summit, the 5 percent spending commitments in June, one of the biggest foreign policy successes of the U.S. in the last couple of years, he said.

Rutte also mentioned the deal struck in July between the Trump administration and NATO countries to send more weapons to Ukraine.

The meeting in Alaska will discuss territorial claims. Last week, Putin shared a ceasefire agreement with the Trump administration, which asked for control of Eastern Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zelensky adamantly opposed the deal by posting on the social platform X, Any decisions that are against us, any decisions that are without Ukraine, are at the same time decisions against peace.

Rutte said the negotiations would include talks about territory as well as security guarantees and the absolute need to acknowledge that Ukraine decides of its own future, that Ukraine has to be a sovereign nation, deciding on its own geopolitical future, of course, having no limitations to its own military troop levels, and for NATO to have no limitations on our presence on the eastern flank in countries like Latvia, Estonia and Finland.

Whitaker said Sunday that no matter what deal is struck between the parties, there will be verification that both countries are acting towards peace.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Sunday this week's meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will go a long way to demonstrating whether Putin is serious about peace.

"Next Friday will be important because it will be about testing Putin, how serious he is on bringing this terrible war to an end," Rutte said on ABC's "This Week" in discussing the Alaskan summit designed to help end Russia's war with Ukraine.

Speaking to host Jonathan Karl, Rutte said he believes Trump is willing to push Russia's president about this brutal war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I do believe that, Donald Trump, the president, wants to end this," Rutte told Karl. "He wants to end the terrible loss of life. He wants to end the terrible damage being done to the infrastructure in Ukraine. So many people losing their lives. So much damage being done."

Rutte, a former prime minister of the Netherlands, added: "We have seen President Trump putting incredible pressure on Russia."

Trump has faced criticism for setting up a meeting with Putin without Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though there have been suggestions that Zelenskyy might still be invited.

The president has also been assailed  including by former Trump national security adviser John Bolton later on the same ABC program  for bringing Putin on to American soil and for stating that Ukraine might need to yield some of its territory.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I think Trump has made some mistakes already," Bolton said, "No. 1, in holding this meeting on American soil, legitimizing a pariah leader of a rogue state. Second, he's allowed Putin to get first mover advantage by putting his peace plan on the table first."



Speaking to Karl, Rutte said he saw the Alaskan meeting as a valid starting point, but agreed no deal was possible without Ukraine, or without considering Ukraine's long-term security and independence.

"It will be about territory," Rutte said of whatever deal ends up ending the war. "It will be, of course, about security guarantees, but also about the absolute need to acknowledge that Ukraine decides its own future, that Ukraine has to be a sovereign nation, deciding on its own geopolitical future, of course having no limitations to its own military troop levels, and for NATO to have no limitations on our presence on the eastern flank in countries like Latvia, Estonia and Finland."
RALEIGH, N.C. (WSPA)  A firefighter chief was recently honored at the South Atlantic FIRE RESCUE Expo (SAFRE) in Raleigh.

Chief Steve Freeman of the Bat Cave Fire and Rescue Department was recognized as the Firefighter of the Year for North Carolina.

According to the fire departments website, the station is entirely staffed by volunteers and responds to 200 incidents a year.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
When Jeffrey Herf first learned that Americas largest teachers union plans to promote a version of history that erases Jews from the Holocaust story, the news struck him as frightening but hauntingly familiar.

Herf has made a career of researching and writing on anti-Jewish sentiment. His most recent book, Three Faces of Antisemitism, explores the roots of irrational Jew hatred.

Herf, an emeritus history professor at the University of Maryland, sees the National Education Associations take on history as echoing the kind of thinking that has helped lay the groundwork for unthinkable mass tragedy  and he believes its especially dangerous at a time when antisemitic acts are surging in Baltimore, across Maryland, and throughout the United States.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its extremely alarming to think that there could be elementary or high school teachers who, to the extent that they talk about the Holocaust, will not mention the central fact that it was an attempt to murder the Jews of Europe, he said. The Holocaust was not about murdering various nationalities. It was about murdering the Jews.

If I were a parent, Id be at the school board meetings to see if thats actually what theyre teaching. If so, Id pull my kids from school. This is extremely serious.

The NEA, a union that represents more than 3 million members across the country, publishes its handbook  a guide on its priorities, governance, and strategic goals  before the beginning of each school year. Its available to the unions national and state leaders, staff and members and is typically posted online.

In the 434-page 2025 version, an item in a section titled New Business says the union will promote the celebration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day [by] recognizing more than 12 million victims of the Holocaust from different faiths, ethnicities, races, political beliefs, genders, and gender identification, abilities/disabilities, and other targeted characteristics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

[ DOCUMENT: Read the NEA 2025 Handbook here ]

The one-paragraph statement does not mention that the Nazis explicitly attempted to exterminate the Jewish people in Europe, or that they killed 6 million Jews, more than the members of any other group and a figure accepted by historians around the world.

The NEA posted a PDF of the new handbook on its website on July 22, but it has since been taken down. The publication is accessible through other sites.

The union did not respond to requests for comment for this story. The associations president, Becky Pringle, has posted a statement to the NEA website, but it did not specifically address the decision not to mention Jews in the passage or the reasons for taking down the link to the handbook.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

NEA regularly shares resources and supports educator workshops on Holocaust education, antisemitism, and ways to promote understanding of Jewish culture, heritage and history, the statement reads. This document is not a handbook for use in the classroom, but a compilation of the more than 100 new business items adopted by NEA last year, which largely relate to the variety of materials NEA provides.

Decades of research have established that the Nazi regime also murdered some 3.3 million Russians in and outside of its tens of thousands of concentration camps, at least 1.8 million non-Jewish Poles, more than 310,000 Serbs, more than 250,000 Romani, at least 250,000 individuals with disabilities, and untold numbers of gays and others after deeming them, too, racially inferior or otherwise less than human.

Howard Libit, executive director of the Baltimore Jewish Council, said its crucial to remember the terrible sufferings of all victims  but that doesnt mean it makes sense to minimize Adolf Hitlers well-documented hatred of Jews and the Nazis explicit campaign to wipe them out, known among regime leaders as The Final Solution to the Jewish Question.

Should the NEA mention that the Nazis killed many more people in addition to Jews? Of course, Libit said. Not to point that out would be shameful and irresponsible. But its appalling to see that [the NEA] would be pushing a Holocaust education concept that doesnt mention Jewish victims. The No. 1 target was Jews. And not to mention that is disgraceful.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The NEAs change is particularly harmful given the escalation of antisemitic activity in the U.S. and beyond, said Hana Bor, the founding director of the Sandra R. Berman Center for Humanity, Tolerance and Holocaust Education at Towson University, particularly since the attacks by Hamas terrorists that killed more than 1,200 people in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

The Anti-Defamation League reported a record 9,354 antisemitic incidents in the United States in 2024, a spike of 360% since the attacks and the highest number on record for the fourth straight year. The anti-hate organization points to shocking levels of antisemitic incidents in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., including a 211% leap in Maryland between 2022 and 2023. The number in the state rose another 5%, to 356, last year.

Reports of antisemitic incidents have been surging in Baltimore. In the months since Oct. 7, vandals have torn down Israeli flags, slashed and stolen signs supporting the Jewish state, and set fire to the front steps of a Jewish museum. A protest against realtors selling property in Israel at a Pikesville synagogue sparked a counterprotest to which police were called.

The ADL filed a federal civil rights complaint against the Baltimore City Public Schools last week, arguing the district had allowed its schools to become a hostile environment for Jewish students. The U.S. Department of Education opened an investigation into the allegations Thursday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At a time when antisemitism is rising around the world, failing to teach the unique targeting of Jews during the Holocaust sends a terribly wrong message, said Bor, who is to lead a three-day seminar for Holocaust educators in Maryland at Towson starting Monday. Excluding Jews from the core of Holocaust education by the NEA is a serious distortion of history and makes it harder to confront hatred today.

The change also comes at a time when researchers have discovered a surprising lack of knowledge about the Holocaust, especially among younger people.

More than 40% of Americans believe that no more than 2 million Jews died during the Nazis genocidal campaign, for example, according to a 2020 study by the Claims Conference, a nonprofit that secures material compensation for victims of the Holocaust. Only about half can name any of the thousands of concentration camps in Europe at the time.

Martha Weimans father was arrested and taken to one of those camps, Buchenwald, near Weimar, Germany, one night in November 1938. He was later let go and fled the country with his family, eventually moving them to Baltimore, but more than 56,000 prisoners would be killed there between 1942 and 1945.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Every day takes us further from the Shoah and the murder of the Jewish people, said Weiman, 90, a former president of the Baltimore Jewish Council who lives in Towson. Were trying to get people not to forget. I often wonder whos teaching these kids. Do they grasp the enormity of the whole event? The memories fade away, dont they?

The passage in question is not the only one that has caused alarm. Another promotes the use of media outlets to defend educators and students academic freedom and free speech in defense of Palestine at K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. A third calls for promoting the teaching of Nakba, an Arabic word for catastrophe Palestinians often use to describe the results of the Arab-Israeli War of 1948, which both gave rise to the state of Israel and helped displace some 700,000 Palestinians.

Taken together, Libit said, the two can foster a one-sided and distorted view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the heart of todays bitter disagreements.

Another controversial measure didnt make the handbooks final version. At the unions annual meeting in June, a delegation of about 7,000 members opted in a narrow vote to sever ties with the ADL, a move that would have ended a longstanding tradition of promoting the organizations widely distributed Holocaust education materials.

An open letter, a fierce debate

Dozens of social justice groups have emerged as critics of the ADL. More than 90 have signed an Open Letter to Educators by #DroptheADLfromSchools, a movement that describes the pro-Israel organization as a divisive political interest group, one that pushes  policy that defends Israel at the expense of the rights of Palestinians, other people of color, and Jews who reject ethnonationalism.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Among the signatories are the Palestinian Youth Movement, a grassroots group of young people in exile worldwide as a result of the ongoing Zionist colonization and occupation of our homeland, according to its website, and Jewish Voice for Peace, a Jewish Palestine solidarity organization with a presence in Baltimore.

The decision  reached over the bitter objections of many Jewish and non-Jewish teachers, according to some reports  was overruled later in the month by the NEAs board of trustees, though the reversal did not come soon enough to avoid leaving an impression for some that the union is struggling to stake out clear positions on Judaism, the Holocaust and the state of Israel.

To Herf, even considering such a decision shows the union is unworthy of respect.

It destroys [the NEAs] credibility as an institution concerned with education, he said

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Libit takes a more measured view. He believes few Maryland teachers share the viewpoints, and he says its important to remember that its state and local school districts, not unions, that decide what will be taught in schools.

Meanwhile, as he sees it, the institutions that matter are doing the right thing.

In March 2023, for example, Gov. Wes Moore signed into law a bill that sets aside $500,000 every year for the Maryland Department of Education to provide grants to local school systems for expenses related to field trips to museums and sites that address the Holocaust, antisemitism and other historic biases.

This June, Moore also signed into law a bill that established the Holocaust Education Assistance Grant Program, which authorizes school systems to apply for education department grants for teacher training and educational materials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Antisemitic incidents have spiked even on school campuses in some counties, including Montgomery and Howard, but Libit said hes pleased to note that the school systems in question have dealt with the problems rapidly and effectively.

That, he says, is probably the best overall way to think about whats in the handbook.

If I were a Jewish teacher, Id feel pretty excluded given what the broader convention came to, but the school systems are very responsive, he said. They want to teach Holocaust history and do it in a fair and balanced way, and were equipping them to do that. Im going to remember that its the school systems and the state school board that set what were teaching, not the teachers unions.

Have a news tip? Contact Jonathan M. Pitts at jonpitts@baltsun.com.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai attended the inauguration ceremony of three branches of Chhattisgarh Rajya Gramin Bank on Sunday. CM Sai called it a special day for Jashpur. Speaking to reporters, CM Vishnu Deo Sai said, "Today, development is happening in all areas of Chhattisgarh. Today is a special day for Jashpur. The inauguration of three Rural Banks took place at three locations in Jashpur. The Chhattisgarh Rural Banks chairman said that for the first time in history, three rural banks have been inaugurated at the same time. This is a matter of great fortune for Jashpur. Forty-five villages will benefit from this, which includes a population of 44,000." Earlier, on August 4, CM Vishnu Deo Sai expressed satisfaction over the consistent improvement and reach of healthcare in Bastar. He credited this change to the active involvement of Mitanins, health workers, and departmental staff, whose collective commitment has made the impossible possible. "Bastar has always been a focus area for our government, and we are committed to strengthening it further," he said. Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal reiterated the state's objective of ensuring uniform quality healthcare across Chhattisgarh. He highlighted the ongoing Malaria-Free Campaign in Bastar, which involves door-to-door testing, immediate treatment, and awareness initiatives. Under NQAS, health institutions across the state--and especially in Bastar--have achieved model-level performance, he noted. The state government has made it a clear priority to extend healthcare access to Naxal-affected districts like Kanker, Bijapur, Sukma, and Dantewada. Citizens in these regions are now benefiting from quality health services, something once considered a distant dream. This transformation stands as testimony to CM Sai's vision, strategic focus, and mission-mode execution in the healthcare sector. (ANI)
Neither Russia nor Ukraine will be happy with the peace deal proposed to end the war, the United States has warned.

As the shape of negotiations started to emerge on Sunday, JD Vance, the US vice-president, admitted that neither side would be content with the terms of the agreement, aimed at bringing an end to the three-year conflict.

Mr Vance appeared to suggest that the current front lines would be frozen and territory exchanged.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Both the Russians and the Ukrainians, probably, at the end of the day, are going to be unhappy with it, he told Fox News.

JD Vance has carried on working on the Russia-Ukraine deal while in the UK, where he is holidaying in the Cotswolds - Kin Cheung/Pool via Reuters

Vladimir Putin will travel to Alaska on Friday for a meeting with Donald Trump, marking a potential breakthrough.

The White House is yet to rule out inviting Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, to the summit but there are fears that Kyiv could be cut out from negotiations and have a one-sided deal forced upon it.

European leaders, including Mr Zelensky, appear to be on a collision course with Mr Trump, who has suggested an end to the fighting could involve some swapping of territories.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A joint statement by France, Italy, Germany, Poland, the UK and the European Commission said: The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force.

The US position started to emerge in more detail on Sunday

A Russian-launched Shahed drone was downed by Ukrainian anti-drone units and crashed in a field in the Donetsk region on Sunday - Pierre Crom/Getty Images

Its actually very simple. If you take where the current line of contact between Russia and Ukraine is, were going to try to find some negotiated settlement that the Ukrainians and the Russians can live with, where they can live in relative peace, where the killing stops, its not going to make anybody super happy, Mr Vance said.

Mr Zelensky is steadfastly opposed to giving away any territory, vowing to reject any deal that cedes his countrys borders. He insisted that Ukrainians will not give their land to occupiers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Currently, Russia controls around 20 per cent of Ukraines sovereign territory, including all of Crimea and most of the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Putins visit to Alaska will be his first visit to the US since meeting Barack Obama at a UN summit in New York in September 2015.

The location, a state whose closest point to Russia is only three miles across the Bering Strait, has added to fears that a peace agreement will be favourable to Putin.

Volodymyr Zelensky clashed with Donald Trump in a bad-tempered encounter in front of the worlds media in February - Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

While European leaders pressed for Mr Zelenskys attendance, the Ukrainian president wrote on X: The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today for the sake of peace in Ukraine, which is defending the vital security interests of our European nations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

UK Government sources told The Telegraph that it was unlikely that a European delegation would attend the Alaska summit, but acknowledged that plans could change this week.

The European nations are concerned that they will not have enough input into Mr Trumps proposals at the summit with Putin.

It is understood that Sir Keir Starmer will continue phone calls with European counterparts this week in an attempt to establish a united position on the conflict, and it is possible a full meeting of Sir Keir, Emmanuel Macron and other European leaders will take place before Mr Trump goes to Alaska.

Friedrich Merz, the chancellor of Germany, told broadcaster ARD: We hope and assume that the government of Ukraine, that President Zelensky, will be involved in this meeting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He said Berlin was working closely with Washington to try to ensure Mr Zelenskys attendance at the talks, adding: We cannot accept in any case that territorial questions are discussed or even decided between Russia and America over the heads of Europeans and Ukrainians. I assume that the American government sees it the same way.

We hope that there will be a breakthrough on Friday. Above all, that there will finally be a ceasefire and that there can be peace negotiations in Ukraine.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
By seeking to occupy the whole of Gaza, Benjamin Netanyahu takes the war to its logical conclusion. Hamas was responsible for October 7, Israel will never be secure till Hamas is gone, and given that Hamas controls Gaza, why not uproot it from every last inch of territory?

But the Israelis enter without an exit plan, with the mad dream of constructing a friendly civil administration, repeating the exact same mistakes we made in Iraq. Netanyahu thinks he can destroy a revolutionary Palestinian spirit that the war has likely intensified. For a man obsessed with the ancient world, he has a scant grasp of history.

He has also divided his military. He has alienated those hostage families who are frightened their relatives might die. And he will finally, perhaps irrevocably, isolate Israel from world opinion. Even in America, the only serious power behind him, patience and conscience are under remarkable pressure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Gaza has become the moral test of our times, and European governments suspect theyve failed it. Their initial caution was understandable. They didnt want to condemn Netanyahu lest it give courage to domestic anti-Semites and their snowflake enablers  let alone to Hamas, the principal beneficiary were we to recognise a Palestinian state. Journalists, myself included, were reluctant to parrot death statistics that might be inflated by a criminal regime.

But its now impossible to ignore the evidence of human suffering or the sham of the official Israeli narrative that says no one is starving or, if they are, its because Hamas stole all the food. The latter claim was recently debunked by Israeli military officials  not natural allies of Palestine Action  and Netanyahu finds himself challenged by a rainbow coalition of the United Nations, Germany, China, a former Israeli prime minister, several retired heads of security, the Pope and Piers Morgan (sublime and the ridiculous united at last).

Bibi is reported to have argued with General Eyal Zamir, the chief-of-staff of the armed forces. It seems Right-wing Israelis are more willing to take a stand against Netanyahu than nervous foreign diplomats are. If Zamir is anti-Semitic, the Popes not a Catholic.

In the United States, the New York Times, hitherto soft on the Gaza operation, has become a forum for dissenting voices, and Zohran Mamdani, the pro-Gaza candidate for New York mayor, leads among Jewish voters. Liberals are rethinking their historical alliances; there is disquiet on the religious Right, too. Evangelicals will always love Israel: its Jesuss hometown. Theres growing concern, however, that Israel might not be so hot on Christians.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In July, settlers carried out an arson attack on the last Christian-majority town in the West Bank. That same month, Gazas only Catholic church was hit by Israeli tank fire, killing three (Netanyahu apologised for what looks like a genuine accident). Desecrating a church, mosque or synagogue is a crime against humanity and God, wrote the US ambassador, Mike Huckabee, a Christian Zionist. Senator Lindsey Graham, also of that parish, said, Whats happening in the West Bank bothers the hell out of me.

A cynic might detect more bother at the damage to Christian property than there ever was at the flattening of Muslim hospitals, a double-standard as old as sin. Why did Britain throw open its doors to almost anyone with a Ukrainian passport yet appears reluctant even to admit children from Gaza? Ethnic preference. On the other side of the fence, Israel can argue that it is a multi-faith society doing its best to protect the Druze in Syria, while Palestine has so few churches for a sinister reason. Christians enjoy far more rights under Israel than they would under Hamas.

Nevertheless, reports of atrocities during the Iraq civil war woke US Christians up to the perilous state of their faith in the Middle East, reduced to a tiny population dependent upon benign neglect within a threadbare ethnic tapestry. Netanyahu threatens to disrupt that fragile order, while his governing coalition imagines a Greater Israel that hints at cultural chauvinism. The regime is overplaying its hand, transforming the civil rights case for Zionism (Jews need a homeland) into an open-ended military endeavour that is infinitely more controversial and expensive.

If Trump is reluctant to bankroll the borders of Ukraine, why would he do it for Israel? The compromise of Americas interests and reputation has already begun with the US-backed food distribution programme  accused of gross inefficiency, even of soldiers firing at civilians.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trumps connection with Israel is heartfelt. It is personal, it is philosophical. Netanyahus belief that nations have the right to defend themselves, is a Zionist Maga. One of the administrations first acts was to lift sanctions on settlers. Within months, settlers had beaten a US citizen to death in the West Bank; a second died following an arson attack.

The President is no moralist but he has a healthy moral gag reflex, hence when asked if Palestinians are starving, he said, yeah, they probably are  influenced, it seems, by Keir Starmer. Netanyahu demanded a conversation; Trump reportedly disliked being lectured about fake news and shouted down the phone that the hunger is real.

Hail to the chief. His observation to journalists that we basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they dont know what the fuck theyre doing, remains the single best expression of global frustration Ive heard, worth chiseling onto Mount Sinai. And if Trump is some kind of liberal snowflake, maybe the Pope is a Lutheran.

Trumpism hinges on the strategic realignment: get America out of places it doesnt need to be, let strong allies fill the vacuum. But Netanyahu is forcing upon him the most intractable, expensive problem of all, a humanitarian crisis, and hell only make it worse if Gaza City is next.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Will Trump really tolerate such an escalation? Will his constituency  starting to contend with its Christian conscience  forgive the bloody consequences? The Israelis have always advised Palestinians that if they dont want to be killed, they should just pack up and move. But as the war completes its hideous march to the Mediterranean Sea, one wonders where they are supposed to go. Theres only so much room on Gretas yacht.

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.
UN ambassadors have condemned Israel's plans to "take control" of Gaza City as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted it was the "best way" to end the war.

During a press conference, which Netanyahu said was intended to "puncture the lies", the Israeli leader said the planned offensive would move "fairly quickly" and would "free Gaza from Hamas".

He also claimed Israeli hostages held in Gaza were "the only ones being deliberately starved" and denied Israel was starving Gazans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Meanwhile, Israel came under heavy criticism at an emergency meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, with the UK, France and others warning the plan risked "violating international humanitarian law".

Along with Denmark, Greece and Slovenia, they called for the plan to be reversed, adding it would "do nothing to secure the return of hostages and risks further endangering their lives".

Other council members expressed similar alarm. China called the "collective punishment" of people in Gaza unacceptable, while Russia warned against a "reckless intensification of hostilities".

UN Assistant Secretary General Miroslav Jenca told the meeting: "If these plans are implemented, they will likely trigger another calamity in Gaza, reverberating across the region and causing further forced displacement, killings, and destruction."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ramesh Rajasingham from the UN's humanitarian office said the hunger crisis in Gaza was no longer looming, adding that "this is starvation, pure and simple".

But the United States defended Israel, with Ambassador Dorothy Shea telling the meeting the US had been working "tirelessly" to free hostages and end the war, and the meeting undermined those efforts.

She added the war "could end today if Hamas let the hostages go", and accused other members of taking advantage of the meeting to "accuse Israel of genocide", an allegation she insisted was "demonstrably false".

Later on Sunday, Netanyahu's office said he had spoken with US President Donald Trump about Israel's plans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Thousands of protesters have also taken to the streets across Israel to oppose the government's plan, fearing it puts the lives of hostages at risk.

In his press conference, Netanyahu said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had been instructed to dismantle the "two remaining Hamas strongholds" in Gaza City and a central area around al-Mawasi.

He also outlined a three-step plan to increase aid in Gaza, including designating safe corridors for humanitarian aid distribution as well as more air drops by Israeli forces and other partners.

He said the plan would also include increasing the number of safe distribution points managed by the controversial US and Israeli-backed Gazan Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The UN reported earlier this month that 1,373 Palestinians had been killed seeking food since late May, when GHF set up aid distribution sites.

Netanyahu claimed Hamas had "violently looted the aid trucks", and, when asked about Palestinians killed at GHF sites, said "a lot of firing was done by Hamas".

When asked about the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza - 20 of whom are still thought to be alive - Netanyahu said "if we don't do anything, we are not going to get them out".

The Israeli leader also took aim at the international press, saying it had bought into Hamas propaganda. He labelled some of the photos of malnourished children in Gaza that have run on newspaper front pages across the world as "fake".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Throughout the war, Israel has not allowed international journalists into Gaza to report freely. But Netanyahu said a directive telling the military to bring in foreign journalists had been in place for two days.

Since Saturday, five people have died as a result of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza, bringing the total number to 217 deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

It also said that in total more than 61,000 people have been killed as a result of Israel's military campaign since 2023.

Israel launched its offensive in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October that year, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the past, figures from the Hamas-run health ministry were widely used in times of conflict and seen as reliable by the UN and other international organisations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday sought to defend a new military offensive in one of Gaza s most populated areas amid growing condemnation at home and abroad, declaring that Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.

He spoke to foreign media minutes before an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Gaza. Notably, Netanyahu said he has directed Israels military in recent days to bring in more foreign journalists  which would be a striking development, as they havent been allowed into Gaza beyond military embeds during 22 months of war.

Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza, Netanyahu asserted. He also pushed back against what he called a global campaign of lies  and said Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany, one of Israels strongest backers, had buckled under by announcing that Germany wont authorize exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza until further notice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Netanyahu said there is a fairly short timetable in mind for next steps in Gaza, but didnt give specifics. The goals there, he said, include demilitarizing the territory, the Israeli military having overriding security control there and a non-Israeli civilian administration in charge.

Netanyahu again blamed many of Gazas problems on the Hamas militant group, including civilian deaths, destruction and shortages of aid. Hamas still has thousands of armed terrorists in Gaza, he asserted, adding that Palestinians are begging the world to be freed from them.

The prime minister, who has asserted that there is no starvation in Gaza, did acknowledge hunger there, saying, there was a problem with deprivation, no question about it. Israel wants to increase the number of aid distribution sites, he said, but gave no details.

Netanyahu is to speak later Sunday for the Israeli audience.

More Palestinians killed as they seek aid

At least 26 Palestinians were killed while seeking aid in Gaza, hospitals and witnesses said, as families of Israeli hostages called for a general strike to protest Netanyahus plans to expand military operations in Gaza City.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hospital officials said they received bodies from areas where Palestinians were seeking aid, along food convoy routes or near privately run aid distribution points across Gaza.

The dead included 15 killed while waiting for aid trucks close to the newly built Morag corridor that separates the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, according to Nasser hospital.

A further six were killed while waiting for aid in northern Gaza near the Zikim crossing, according to Gazas Health Ministry and Shifa hospital in Gaza City.

In central Gaza, witnesses said they heard warning shots before the fire was aimed toward crowds of aid-seekers trying to reach a food distribution site operated by the Israeli-backed and U.S.-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The AP could not independently confirm who fired the shots. Awda hospital in the nearby Nuseirat refugee camp said four people were killed by Israeli gunfire.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

First, it was in the air, then they started to fire at the people, said Sayed Awda, who waited hundreds of meters (yards) from the GHF site.

Six other aid-seekers were killed while trying to reach GHF sites in Khan Younis and Rafah, Nasser hospital said.

The GHF sites opened in May as an alternative to the U.N.-run aid system, but its early operations have been marred by deaths and chaos, with aid-seekers coming under gunfire near routes leading to the sites.

Responding to AP inquiries, the GHF media office said: There were no incidents at or near our sites today and these incidents appear to be linked to crowds trying to loot aid convoy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Israels military said there were no incidents involving Israeli troops near central Gaza aid sites.

Seven people were killed in airstrikes, local hospitals said  three people near the fishermens port in Gaza City and four people, two of them children, in a strike that hit a tent in Khan Younis. Israels military did not immediately comment on the strikes, but has accused Hamas of operating from civilian areas.

Hunger death toll among children hits 100

Israels air and ground offensive has displaced most of Gazas population and pushed the territory toward famine. Two more Palestinian children died of malnutrition-related causes on Saturday, bringing the toll among children to 100 since the war began.

A total of 117 adults have died of malnutrition-related causes since late June when the ministry started to count that age category, it said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The toll from hunger isnt included in the ministrys death toll of 61,400 Palestinians in the war. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, doesnt distinguish between fighters or civilians, but says around half of the dead have been women and children. The U.N. and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on war casualties.

Labor strike urged in Israel over looming offensive

Bereaved families and relatives of hostages still held in Gaza urged Israeli companies to declare a general strike next week. Tens of thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday night in what local media called one of the largest anti-government protests in recent months.

The families and their supporters fear that expanding the war will endanger their loved ones. Fifty hostages taken in the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, that sparked the war remain in Gaza, with 20 of those believed to be alive.

Lishay Miran-Lavi, whose husband, Omri, is among the hostages, appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff to halt the fighting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The decision to send the army deeper into Gaza is a danger to my husband, Omri. But we can still stop this disaster, she said.

Also Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz toured the northern part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where about 40,000 Palestinians have been driven from their homes this year in the West Banks largest displacement since Israel captured the territory in 1967.

Israel says the operations are needed to stamp out militancy, as violence by all sides has surged since the war in Gaza began. Katz said the military would remain in the areas refugee camps at least until the end of the year, and said the number of warnings about attacks against Israelis in the West Bank had decreased by 80% since the operation began in January.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Benjamin Netanyahu said his plan to expand military action in Gaza was the best way to end the war.

The Israeli prime minister told a press conference in Jerusalem on Sunday that Israel had no choice but to finish the job and defeat Hamas in its last two strongholds: Gaza City and the camps in the al-Mawasi area along the coast.

We want to, first of all, enable safe zones to be established, facilities to be brought... so the civilian population of Gaza City can move out, Mr Netanyahu said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The prime minister compared invading Gaza City to Israels military operations in Rafah last year, when more than a million civilians were evacuated from the border town.

Our goal is not to occupy Gaza. Our goal is to free Gaza, Mr Netanyahu said.

He said Israel would provide food, water and medical aid in humanitarian zones, to where Gazas entire two million population is expected to be moved ahead of the operation.

In these safe zones, theyll be given ample food, water, and medical care, he added.

When asked about the prospects of freeing the remaining Israeli hostages, he said that there were creative ways the Israeli military could do it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mr Netanyahu denied that Israel was intentionally starving Gazans, and said: Two million people are getting access to aid, and the only ones being deliberately starved are the hostages.

Its completely false that we have a starvation policy, any more than we have a genocide policy, which is equally false.

He said claims of Israeli atrocities were not true, and that every massacre of the Jewish people has been preceded by massive vilification.

He said: We were said to be spreading vermin to Christian society, we were said to be poisoning the wells. As these lies were spread across the globe, they culminated in the worst massacre of all, the Holocaust.

Relatives of recent Gazan casualties of Israels war on Hamas pictured in Gaza City on Sunday - Saeed MMT Jaras/Anadolu via Getty

Mr Netanyahu admitted there was a problem of deprivation, no question about it, but said that if Israel had a starvation policy, no one would have survived two years of war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Israel, along with the US, will ramp up efforts to increase aid getting in to Gaza with new distribution sites run by the American-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, he said.

Addressing what he called a global campaign of lies about his country, the Israeli prime minister showed images of Palestinian children with existing illness that had appeared in international coverage of alleged starvation in Gaza.

Im looking right now into the possibility of a governmental suit against the New York Times, because this is outrageous, he said, showing its front page with a picture of Mohammed Zakaria al-Mutawaq, an emaciated Palestinian boy.

The New York Times later issued a correction about their use of the photo, as they failed to mention al-Mutawaqs pre-existing health problems.

Netanyahu dismisses images of starving children as fake

Mr Netanyahu also promised that foreign journalists would be allowed into Gaza, but only if they were accompanied by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Foreign journalists have been largely banned from entering the territory since Oct 7 2023, sparking condemnation from international media and journalists unions.

Mr Netanyahu is yet to say who will govern Gaza after the war ends.

He has ruled out both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, but insists that Israel will administer the enclave.

There are candidates but I dont want to spoil the chances of succeeding here, because I think theyre real, he said, stressing that no one is going to go in there unless we finish Hamas.

Britain meanwhile, along with France, Denmark, Greece and Slovenia, warned ahead of a UN Security Council meeting that Israels plan to occupy Gaza risked violating international humanitarian law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a joint statement, the nations said: The Security Council has consistently called for the unconditional and immediate release of the hostages.

They added: [Hamas must] disarm and play no future part in the governance of Gaza, where the Palestinian Authority must have a central role.

But this decision by the Israeli Government [to expand military operations] will do nothing to secure the return of the hostages and risks further endangering their lives.

04:33 PM BST

Thank you for following our live coverage

Thank you for following our live coverage of Benjamin Netanyahus press conference on the war in Gaza.

Heres a recap of what happened this afternoon:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Israeli prime minister laid out five principles for concluding the war, including disarming Hamas, freeing all hostages and demilitarising Gaza.

The aim of his press conference was to puncture the lies surrounding the Gaza City takeover plan.

He denounced the media, claiming it had published fake images of starving children in Gaza, and compared what he called a global campaign of lies with historic anti-Semitism from the Middle Ages and the Holocaust.

He detailed his post-war plan, which includes a security zone on the border, a civilian administration and education reforms to teach Palestinian children that Israel is here to stay.

Mr Netanyahu said it is completely false that Israel has a starvation and genocide policy, blaming any hunger on trucks being looted by Hamas.

Foreign journalists will be allowed into Gaza if accompanied by IDF, the Israeli leader said.

Britain condemned Israels decision to expand military operations into Gaza City.

04:04 PM BST

UN Security Council hosts emergency meeting on Gaza plan

The UN Security Council is hosting an emergency meeting in New York regarding Gaza following Mr Netanyahus press conference.

The UN is in favour of a two-state solution with fair elections in both regions, said Miroslav Jenca, the assistant secretary general for Europe, Central Asia and Americas.

He added that Israels new five-point plan is another dangerous escalation of the conflict and that Gazans are in greater peril.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mr Jenca said: We are already witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe on an unimaginable scale.

He called for a full and immediate ceasefire in addition to the release of all hostages.

Palestinians have their right to have their voices heard, Mr Jenca said.

03:56 PM BST

Netanyahu: Starvation and genocide claims are completely false

Mr Netanyahu said claims that Israel is starving Gazan civilians are completely false, blaming Hamas instead.

The Israeli leader said: Its completely false that we have a starvation policy, any more than we have a genocide policy, which is equally false.

He admitted that there was problem of deprivation, no question about it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But he went on to deny any claims of intentional starvation, adding: If we had a starvation policy, no one would have survived two years of war.

Mr Netanyahu blamed any aid crisis on Hamas, claiming that the terror group has been looting from trucks intended for civilians.

Hamas started this problem and then it was directed at us, he said.

The only people being deliberately starved in Gaza are hostages, not Palestinian civilians, he added.

03:50 PM BST

Britain condemns Israels decision to expand military operations

Britain, Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia have condemned Israeli plans to expand military operations in Gaza, calling on Mr Netanyahu to urgently reverse this decision.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This plan risks violating international humanitarian law, the joint statement said. And we reiterate that any attempts at annexation or of settlement extension violate international law.

The European countries reiterated that they are clear that Hamas must disarm and play no future part in the governance of Gaza, where the Palestinian Authority must have a central role.

But they insisted that this plan will do nothing to secure the return of the hostages and risks further endangering their lives.

03:29 PM BST

Netanyahu: Palestinians goal is to destroy Jewish state

Mr Netanyahu has rejected suggestions that if [Gazan people] were given a Palestinian state, they would stop the efforts to destroy the Jewish state.

He said: The Palestinians were offered a state, and they turned it down. They are not about creating a state, their goal is to destroy a Jewish state.

We are facing neo-Nazis, he added.

The Israeli leader identified the crux of the problem of the conflict not as the absence of a Palestinian state, but the persistent refusal of the Palestinians to recognise a Jewish state.

He proposed reforms of the whole education system to teach Palestinians that Israel is here to stay, not just as a geographical fact but one of historical equity.

03:13 PM BST

Israeli PM looking at creative ways to free hostages

Mr Netanyahu has said he is looking at creative ways to free the hostages still held by Hamas.

There are thought to be 20 living hostages and 30 bodies still being held by Hamas and other rebel groups.

He said the war can end if Hamas frees the hostages and agrees to lay down its arms, adding: A war of attrition wont get them out.

03:08 PM BST

Foreign journalists to be allowed into Gaza if accompanied by IDF

Mr Netanyahu has said foreign journalists will be allowed into Gaza if they are accompanied by Israel Defense Forces soldiers.

For some time, foreign journalists have been banned from entering the territory.

The Telegraphs Paul Nuki visited in 2023, where he saw Israeli planes, tanks and soldiers taking on Hamas fighters holed up in the Indonesian Hospital and a nearby school.

03:04 PM BST

Netanyahu outlines three-step plan to distribute aid

The Israeli prime minister has outlined a three-step plan to ensure aid reaches civilians in Gaza:

Designating safe corridors for humanitarian aid distribution Increasing the number of safe distribution points managed by the Gazan Humanitarian Foundation More air drops by Israeli forces and other partners

He said: There were, last time I checked, hundreds of trucks of food.

Mr Netanyahu then showed an image of what appeared to be tonnes of uncollected aid in Gaza, which Israel allowed in via the Kerem Shalom crossing.

03:00 PM BST

Israeli leader compares global campaign of lies to anti-Semitism from Middle Ages

Mr Netanyahu has compared what he called a global campaign of lies by the media to historic anti-Semitism from the Middle Ages and the Holocaust.

He said: Every massacre of the Jewish people has been preceded by massive vilification.

We were said to be spreading vermin to Christian society, we were said to be poisoning the wells. As these lies were spread across the globe, they culminated in the worst massacre of all: the Holocaust.

02:54 PM BST

Netanyahu attacks media over fake images of starving children

The Israeli leader has denounced the media for allegedly publishing fake images of starving children in Gaza.

Mr Netanyahu examined the three most celebrated images of starving children, claiming to debunk falsehoods that they are starving because of the ongoing war.

He said the only people in Gaza being deliberately starved are the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas, not ordinary Palestinians.

He stood in front of a New York Times front page that featured an image of a malnourished child with the label fake.

Netanyahu dismisses images of starving children as fake

The child in question, he said, had underlying health issues  namely cerebral palsy.

Mr Netanyahu said the childs mother and brother are healthy and alleged that the newspaper buried a correction.

He added that his government is pursuing a lawsuit against The New York Times.

Mohammed Zakaria al-Mutawaq, the 18-month-old child, was diagnosed with severe malnutrition but also had pre-existing health problems.

02:51 PM BST

Israel wants security zone on border and civilian administration

Mr Netanyahu wants to set up a security zone on the Israel-Gaza border to prevent future terrorist incursions, he said.

Given that Hamas only professes its goal to destroy the state of Israel, a civilian administration will be established in Gaza that will seek to live in peace with Israel, he added.

That is our plan for the day after Hamas.

02:47 PM BST

Netanyahu outlines five principles for ending war

Mr Netanyahu has laid out Israels five principles for concluding the war in Gaza:

Hamas disarmed All hostages freed. Gaza demilitarised. Israeli overriding security control. Non-Israeli peaceful civil administration.

Five principles to end war

02:46 PM BST

Goal is to free Gaza, says Netanyahu

The Israeli leader has said his goal is to free  not to occupy  Gaza at this afternoons press conference.

He said: The war could end tomorrow if Hamas lays down its weapons.

He then added that the goal of the upcoming expansion of the offensive is not to occupy Gaza but to free Gaza.

The aim of his press conference is to puncture the lies about the Gaza City takeover plan, Mr Netanyahu said.

Given Hamas refusal to lay down its arms, Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas, he added.

02:39 PM BST

Pictured: Mourning relatives of Gazans killed queuing for food

Relatives of the those killed in the Zikim area, who were killed when Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid, mourn as the dead bodies were taken from the al-Shifa Hospital for burial in Gaza City - Anadolu/Anadolu

02:37 PM BST

How much of Gaza does Israel already control?

Israel already controls and has largely destroyed around 75 per cent of Gaza.

Most of the population of some two million Palestinians are now sheltering in Gaza City, the central city of Deir al-Balah and the sprawling displacement camps in the Muwasi area along the coast.

The timing of the operation remains unclear, as Israel will need to mobilise its forces and is expected to order another mass evacuation.

02:26 PM BST

Pictured: Thousands in Tel Aviv protest against Israels Gaza plan

More than 100,000 people joined the demonstration in Tel Aviv last night to protest against Mr Netanyahus plan to escalate the war.

Rally to demand an end to the attacks in Gaza and the return of Israeli hostages, in Tel Aviv - Anadolu/Anadolu

02:15 PM BST

National march for hostages to be held in London

Family members of Israeli hostages are to join a march today in central London to urge the release of those being held by Hamas.

The national march of the hostages is organised by pro-Israel group Stop the Hate UK.

Stop the Hate UK said that protesters will urge Keir Starmer to prioritise the release of the remaining Israeli hostages before any recognition of a Palestinian state.

The entire Jewish community is coming together  with allies from across the country  to march to Downing Street, calling for the immediate release of the hostages, the organisation said.

02:12 PM BST

Israel faces mounting calls to end war

Israel has faced mounting calls from many of its closest allies to end the war in Gaza amid a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Last month, Canada joined the UK and France announcing that it would recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September.

Benjamin Netanyahu said such a decision would reward Hamas.

The Israeli prime minister said more military pressure is needed to achieve Israels goals of returning the hostages and destroying the terror group.

02:09 PM BST

Netanyahu to hold live press conference at 2:30pm BST

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, will hold a press conference in Jerusalem after ordering the occupation of Gaza City.

The press conference is scheduled for 2:30pm BST.

Follow along with our live coverage.

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.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has ordered the army to allow more foreign journalists access to the Gaza Strip.

They need to see Israeli efforts to allow humanitarian aid for the population of Gaza into the coastal strip, Netanyahu told journalists in Jerusalem on Sunday.

"There is a problem with ensuring security, but I think it can be done in a careful and responsible way," he also said. "You will see Gaza residents fighting against Hamas," he told journalists. There will also be a lot of destruction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, he did not blame the Israeli army for this, but Hamas, whose fighters he said had "prepared almost every building with booby traps." The army had deliberately detonated many of them using old army vehicles, Netanyahu asserted.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported in spring that around 70% of the buildings in the Gaza Strip had been destroyed or severely damaged.

The destruction and damage was particularly extensive in Gaza City, Khan Younis and parts of Rafah, at over 80% to 90%.

Since the beginning of the Gaza war, foreign journalists have only been able to visit the Gaza Strip if they were "embedded" with the Israeli army. They have only ever been able to see certain sections of it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It was initially unclear whether Netanyahu's instruction signalled a real change in this practice.

The Foreign Press Association (FPA) in Israel and the Palestinian territories said the military and the prime minister's office were to contacted to request more details.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Germany's decision to partially halt arms exports was driven by public and media pressure.

Speaking at a Jerusalem press conference on Sunday, Netanyahu called Chancellor Friedrich Merz "a good friend of Israel" but said he "buckled under the pressure of false TV reports, pressure, internal pressure from various groups."

Merz rejected Netanyahu's assessment. "I am not so much influenced by public pressure as by my own view, including Cabinet discussions and the consultations with our experts," the German chancellor said in an interview with broadcaster German public broadcaster ARD.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Friday, Merz announced a suspension of weapons deliveries that could be used in the Gaza Strip - hours after Netanyahu's Security Cabinet approved a controversial plan to capture and occupy Gaza City, where over a million Palestinian civilians live.

Hamas fighters are reported to still hold bases and positions there.

The move represents a significant step for Berlin, which has been one of Israel's strongest supporters since the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks which triggered the Gaza war.
Former NSC head Giora Eiland warns that confusion between Netanyahu and the IDF on Gaza strategy is weakening Israels position and endangering outcomes.

Confusion stemming from the government's lack of a coherent military strategy forthe Gaza Strip is undermining Israels position and endangering the hostages, former head of the National Security Council (NSC), Maj.-Gen. (res.) Giora Eiland told 103FM on Sunday.

Eiland, who served as head of the NSC during the 2005 disengagement from Gaza, said the cabinets latest decision on the territory was unprecedented in its ambiguity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is the first time, not only during this war, that a decision has been made, and I dont know what it is, so I dont have a complete opinion about it, he said. Unlike all previous matters, this is something that, in my opinion, even those who made the decision have no idea what they actually decided. It truly reflects the great confusion that Israel is in.

He noted that before the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister BenjaminNetanyahu had spoken of a full occupation of Gaza aimed at absolute victory. However, he said, Netanyahu later retreated under pressure from the IDF and other ministers, leaving Israel in a very strange situation where its not clear what the decision is. He also criticized Netanyahus recent comments in English about besieging Gaza City, calling them disconnected from operational reality. I doubt anyone in the IDF General Staff would be able to turn them into any kind of coherent plan  good or bad, he said.

According to Eiland, mediators are working on a new deal to end the war in exchange for the return of all hostages. I hope the mediators are doing this after receiving some kind of green light from Israel, he said. In the current situation, this is the most reasonable way out for Israel from the deadlock we are in.

Assessing the chances of such a deal, Eiland was blunt. It was already small six months ago, he said. We wasted half a year, not only in terms of another six months of miserable people in Gazas tunnels and other costs, but also in JanuaryFebruary when Trump stormed into the White House and made various threats, such as that the Gazans fate would be in Jordan or Egypt. That put the Arab states under pressure. There was a huge opportunity for Israel  not only to go for a different deal that would end the war, but also to do so from a position of strength. Netanyahu, as usual, didnt want to. So now he might end up accepting what he absolutely refused to even consider before.

People protest against the Israeli government and for the release of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip, at the Goma junction, northern Israel, on August 2 2025. (credit: AYAL MARGOLIN/FLASH90)

Eiland: Israel should have implemented "General's Plan" earlier on in Gaza war

Eiland contrasted the governments approach with his own generals plan, which he said was ignored. At the start of the war, he argued, the cabinet adopted three flawed assumptions: that only military pressure would bring back the hostages and ensure victory; that victory could be achieved through high-intensity fighting; and that the population could be separated from Hamas. All three of these assumptions were wrong from the beginning, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

By late November 2023, Eiland noted, Israel had taken control of the Netzarim Corridor, effectively annexing the entire northern Gaza Strip  a third of its territory. He said this was the moment to tell the 300,000 residents there to move south, allow them to leave safely, and then cut off supplies.

The approach, borrowed from the US Pentagons siege manual, would have minimized both military and civilian casualties by enabling the population to evacuate. If that had happened, the northern area would be in our hands, but without a civilian population, he said.

Instead, Eiland argued, the IDF tried to fight inside a hostile civilian population, a strategy he said has failed. His plan, he added, would then have allowed Israel to tell Hamas: If you dont release all the hostages, you will permanently lose a third of the Strips territory.

Looking ahead, Eiland said the best outcome would be for Israel to acknowledge that while it has severely damaged Hamas militarily, it has not met all its objectives. If Netanyahu had the mental strength to declare: Israel is ready to end the war, withdraw all IDF forces, and we have no further conditions except one  the immediate return of the hostages, and Hamas accepted  great, wed end the war, he said. If Hamas said no, then at least we could tell the international community: What do you want from us  to accept the loss of the hostages in Gaza?
(WFRV)  On this weeks Newsmaker Sunday, Tom Zalaski is joined by Marinette Mayor Steve Genisot to discuss everything Marinette has to offer.

Our tour of northeast Wisconsin continues on this weeks edition of Newsmaker Sunday! This time, we head north to the City of Marinette.

Newsmaker Sunday: Menasha Mayor Austin Hammond

Tune in to Newsmaker Sunday every Sunday at 7:30 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Ministers are preparing to boost NHS spending on US drugs in a race to avoid a future tariff hit from Donald Trump.

The Government told drugmakers last week that it would agree to boost spending on medicines to comparable levels with the US.

The promise to increase the GDP share allocated to medicines is understood to have been made as part of talks with drug bosses over the NHS drugs spending cap.

It follows demands from the US president that other countries stop freeloading on American innovation and pay more for its medicines.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the US-UK trade agreement, signed earlier this year, ministers said the NHS would review drug pricing to take into account the concerns of the president.

The UKs expenditure on new innovative medicines currently stands at just 0.28pc of GDP, around a third of Americas proportionate spending of 0.78pc of its GDP. Even in Europe, the UK lags other countries, with Germany spending 0.4pc of its GDP and Italy spending 0.5pc.

Ministers are understood to have offered to take steps to get the UK level closer to the US proportion. However, sources said the Government did not provide details on timing or concrete actions as to how the NHS would increase medicine spending. One insider claimed the proposal was a lot of jam and a lot of tomorrows.

The offer comes weeks after the US president told the worlds biggest drugmakers that they needed to lower prices for Americans, suggesting they pay for this by charging higher fees abroad.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a letter sent to the bosses of 17 pharmaceutical companies, Mr Trump demanded they negotiate harder with foreign freeloading nations for their medicines, suggesting he would use tariffs to push through higher prices if countries resisted.

Earlier this year, the Telegraph revealed that the White House was already pressing for the NHS to spend more on American drugs. US officials are particularly concerned by an arrangement that allows the NHS to spend less on medicines than other countries by forcing drugmakers to pay rebates.

The UKs voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access and growth (known as VPAG) makes sure that the NHS does not overpay for medicines. It does this by requiring pharmaceutical companies to pay sales rebates back to the NHS if its medicine bill rises faster than expected, essentially keeping a cap on drug costs.

Earlier this year, the Department of Health launched a review of the scheme under pressure from Mr Trump and the pharmaceutical industry.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Since then, ministers have been in negotiations with drug companies over how much the NHS should be able to claw back in rebates. Drug company chiefs are expected to vote on whether to accept the latest offer next week.

The offer follows years where drug bosses have called for the UK to spend more on medicines.

Albert Bourla, the chief executive of US drug giant Pfizer, said in June: We represent in the UK 0.3pc of their GDP per capita. Thats how much they spend on medicine. So yes, they can increase prices.

He said countries were other countries were free-riding on the US.

A government spokesman said: The VPAG review is one of many ways in which we are taking decisive action to unlock innovation and drive investment in the UKs world-class pharmaceutical sector including the Life Sciences Sector Plan.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We will make sure the next game changers in medicine are developed here in Britain, for the benefit of our health at home and abroad.

We continue to work closely with industry, including Associated of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, on the VPAG review and the outcome will be announced in due course.

The Government previously argued it would only ever sign trade agreements that align with the UKs national interests and to suggest otherwise would be misleading.

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 delegation from Bank of Baroda met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to contribute Rs 1 crore to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for disaster relief work in the Dharali and Harsil areas. The Chief Minister said that it is a commendable effort by the institutions to come forward to help the disaster-affected. The Uttarkashi district administration is working continuously to help people affected by the recent disaster in Dharali and Harshil. By 11 am on Sunday, 20 people had been rescued safely at Matli helipad, and after receiving first aid, they were sent to their destination. The administration said that the availability of essential goods has been ensured in sufficient quantity in the disaster-affected areas of Dharali and Harshil. The work of delivering food items and other relief materials to each house has started. While the search and rescue operation is underway in the Dharali-Harsil area following a cloudburst. A day earlier, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that more than 1,000 people, including devotees and pilgrims from across the country, have been rescued after the recent flash floods and mudslides in the Uttarkashi district. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, CM Dhami asserted, "More than 1000 people have been rescued. All the devotees and pilgrims from all across the country, who were stuck there, have been rescued... All the injured people have been shifted to hospitals. Connectivity was completely destroyed in Harsil. It was restored there yesterday. A Bailey bridge will be installed by evening near Lachi Gad, which will help reconstruct roads till Harsil." He added, "We have decided to provide affected families with rations for the next six months... A three-member committee is being formed under the chairmanship of the Revenue Secretary... They will see how the affected family can be rehabilitated and the extent of the loss incurred... We will also provide a relief package to those in need." (ANI)
Niger has opened an investigation into whether a rare Mars rock was smuggled out of the country before it sold for 3.2m at a New York auction.

The sale of the incredibly rare 24.5kg (54lb) meteorite last month made headlines around the world when it was unveiled as the largest piece of Mars found on Earth.

Yet the government of the land-locked West African nation where it was discovered has questioned how the rock left the country to go under the hammer 5,000 miles away.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A statement on state television said Nigers ministers of mines, higher education and justice had been ordered to investigate the case, which likely bears all the hallmarks of illicit international trafficking.

Sothebys strongly rejects smuggling allegation

The rock was the star attraction at Sothebys Geek Week auction in mid-July, and was sold alongside fossils, meteorites and other science and natural history exhibits.

Neither the buyer nor the seller have been named and little has been revealed about who found the meteorite, which is officially known to scientists as NWA 16788.

The auction catalogue only discloses that the reddish-brown rock was found on November 16, 2023 by a meteorite hunter in Nigers remote Agadez region.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sothebys strongly rejects the allegation that the rock might have been trafficked and told the BBC that it had complied with all international regulations.

Sothebys said that NWA 16788 was exported from Niger and transported in line with all relevant international procedures.

As with everything we sell, all relevant documentation was in order at each stage of its journey, in accordance with best practice and the requirements of the countries involved.

Prime hunting ground

An academic article published last year in a University of Florence magazine said the rock had been found in the Sahara, 56 miles west of the Chirfa Oasis, by a meteorite hunter whose identity remained undisclosed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Sahara has become a prime hunting ground for those seeking meteorites, because the climate favours preservation and there has been little human disturbance.

The Italian article said the rock was sold by the local community to an international dealer and was then transferred to a private gallery in the Italian city of Arezzo.

The magazine described the person as an important Italian gallery owner.

Scientists at the university then examined the 15-inch meteorite and it was briefly on display in Italy last year.

It belongs in a museum

Only about 400 Martian meteorites have ever been found on Earth, and NWA 16788 accounts for about seven per cent of all Martian material currently known here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Around a fifth of the meteorite is made up of a glassy material called Maskelynite, created by the intense heat and pressure produced when Mars was hit by an asteroid.

The power of the impact ejected the rock from Marss surface, hurling it 140 million miles through space before it hurtled through Earths atmosphere.

The secretive nature of the sale has also raised fears among some scientists that the rock might be held privately, and be unavailable to researchers or the public.

Steve Brusatte, a palaeontologist from the University of Edinburgh last month told CNN: It would be a shame if it disappeared into the vault of an oligarch.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It belongs in a museum, where it can be studied, and where it can be enjoyed by children and families and the public at large.

A Sothebys spokesperson added that the auction house was aware of reports that Niger was investigating the export of the meteorite and we are reviewing the information available to us in light of the question raised.

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.
This article was originally published in The Beacon.

School nurse Jennifer Comer vividly remembers the number of students she had to exclude from Clark Middle School in Bonner Springs on a single day in 2013: 289.

Why? They werent up to date on their state-required immunizations.

In the past, the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville School District in Wyandotte County technically required vaccines. But if families flouted the rules, their kids could still go to school.

Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter

School nurses had been pushing district leaders to take the requirements more seriously. Twelve years ago, they finally got their wish.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So when the schools deadline for vaccinations hit, staff members started calling families to come pick up their kids.

It wasnt fun, and it didnt get better right away.

It was painful the first couple years, said Kimberly Bolewski, the districts nurse coordinator, stationed at McDanield Preschool. She noted that families werent used to the requirements being enforced. Here we are saying, No, really, you cant start school.

But that pain has paid off.

Kansas 2023-24 data  the most recent available  show kindergarteners at Bonner Springs schools had the best measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunization rate in Johnson or Wyandotte counties, a rate of nearly 98%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Earlier this month  25 years after the United States declared measles eliminated  nationwide measles cases hit their highest annual number since 1992. But the district is in a pretty good spot to weather a local outbreak without widespread illness and quarantines, Bolewski said.

Related

Amid Deadly Measles Outbreak, West Virginia Moves to Loosen Vaccine Rules

If our vaccination rates werent really high, it would be a nightmare, she said. The higher the vaccination rate, the less likely of a lot of our students becoming ill.

Not all districts in the state or county are equally secure. While Kansas Department of Health and Environment determines which vaccines are required for school and the state defines what kinds of exemptions are valid, districts control enforcement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Thats partially why neighboring Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools had a kindergarten MMR vaccination rate of about 67% percent in 2023-24, though less than 2% of students had medical or religious exemptions. KCKPS says its overall vaccination rate is now 80% and rising.

KCKPS stopped excluding unvaccinated students when they were learning remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, Director of Health Services Lajasmia Bates said. The district plans to resume enforcing the policy for the 2025-26 school year.

We do realize that when those compliance rates are low, that were at a higher risk, Bates said. We wanted to do something about that to make sure that we can get as close (as possible) to having a herd immunity to be able to stop the spread of those communicable diseases, including measles.

State vaccine requirements

Kansas law empowers the Kansas Department of Health and Environment secretary to decide which specific vaccines or tests families must obtain before children can attend school.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The state currently requires multiple doses of seven vaccines, some of which immunize against multiple illnesses.

For example, the MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Kansas says children should have two doses: one at age 12-15 months and another before entering kindergarten.

Theres a catch-up schedule if children fall behind, and exemptions if a physician certifies that vaccines seriously endanger the child or a parent says that the childs religious denomination opposes vaccines.

Federal laws also ensure children can enroll without all of their required paperwork, including proof of vaccination, if theyre in the foster care system or unhoused.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Schools must notify parents of vaccine requirements before May 15 each year. And the law says the school board may exclude from school attendance any students who havent complied.

School officials told The Beacon that gives districts leeway to determine exactly when  or even whether  they exclude students who fall behind on required vaccines.

Measles vaccination in Kansas

Thats led to a situation where vaccination rates can range wildly.

In 2023-24, Riley County schools recorded the states lowest kindergarten MMR vaccination rate: 36.67%. The neighboring Manhattan-Ogden district had a rate of 97.27%. Meanwhile, about three dozen districts claim a 100% rate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

About one-third of the 238 districts with public vaccine data have an MMR kindergarten immunization rate at or above the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity for measles. Herd immunity means that enough people are vaccinated that the disease is unlikely to spread.

MMR vaccine rates in Missouri have followed a similar pattern, falling from about 95% in 2019-20 to about 91% in 2023-24. Missouri does not report individual districts data.

In Johnson and Wyandotte counties, the Bonner Springs, Piper-Kansas City, Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission school districts had kindergarten measles vaccination rates high enough for herd immunity during the 2023-24 school year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Olathe is barely below the herd immunity threshold. De Soto, Turner-Kansas City, Spring Hill and Gardner Edgerton range from approximately 1 to 4 percentage points below, and Kansas City, Kansas, is well below.

Comparing two districts policies

KCKPS policy already says that unvaccinated students may be excluded. But it hasnt actually taken that step in recent years.

As it moves to enforce its policy again, the plan is to enroll students whether or not theyre vaccinated, Bates said, and give them 30 days to comply.

In Bonner Springs, vaccine records are required for enrollment. But the rules arent one-size-fits-all there, either.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nurses are flexible when its clear a family is doing their best to get vaccination figured out, said Kristi Flack, the school nurse at Delaware Ridge Elementary.

Students can start school if they show proof of an upcoming vaccine appointment, she said, or if its obvious they had a mix-up about which vaccines they were supposed to get.

In those cases, she said, The parents clearly took the time to do it. Im not going to say, OK, sorry, you didnt get it. You cant come back. I work with them.

Nurses also work with families who have special circumstances such as getting medical records from overseas. If proof doesnt arrive, they can help plan a catch-up schedule.

Vaccine skepticism

Bolewski said shes starting to see more vaccine hesitancy at the preschool age.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I think thats from misinformation, she said. Nurses have to ask: How can I help you understand? Who can I connect you with? It doesnt work to just simply say, Well, you just have to do it.

Comer has run into issues as well.

Ive had threats. Ive had very, very angry parents, she said. Some will abruptly claim religious exemptions. But most parents want whats best for their kids, and they just get busy and time gets away from them.

Comer said shes followed news of outbreaks around the U.S. and tracked state and national-level conversations that could complicate efforts to vaccinate kids. Shes worried Kansas could broaden vaccine exemptions and said misinformation, including from the federal level, is very scary.

Doctors and major medical organizations overwhelmingly recommend childhood vaccinations, which have been used for decades to prevent diseases like measles, diphtheria and whooping cough.

But now that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, leads the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, public health officials worry that vaccine skepticism is growing.

Related

Parents, Medical Providers, Vaccine Experts Brace for RFK Jr.s HHS Takeover

In June, Kennedy dismissed members of an advisory committee that is charged with recommending vaccines and, ultimately, influences which will be covered by insurance. Kennedys appointments to fill those vacancies have included vaccine skeptics, fueling fear that long-standing vaccine protocols could be uprooted.

Kennedy has also publicly questioned whether vaccines are linked to autism, a debunked claim. And in May he released a report that included calls for increased scrutiny of childhood vaccines. The report was found to include inaccurate citations and reportedly relied on artificial intelligence.

Dr. Christelle Ilboudo, a pediatric infectious disease doctor at Childrens Mercy Hospital, said she often gets referrals to consult with parents who are questioning whether to move forward with recommended childhood vaccinations.

Oftentimes we spend up to an hour in our clinic  going over the different vaccines, she said. Ultimately, the decision is up to the parents. But our duty is to make sure that they are truly making an informed decision based on the facts that weve discussed and presented to them.

Overcoming other barriers

In addition to skepticism or health concerns that make some parents hesitant about having their children vaccinated, some families also run into logistical barriers related to language, transportation, cost and scheduling, the school nurses said.

Flack said her district tries to help parents by sending reminders, scheduling appointments and finding interpreters if needed.

Comer suggests families with insurance try pharmacies like Walgreens, CVS and Walmart that may have longer hours if appointments during the workday are tough. For walk-in appointments, she recommends the Johnson County Health Department, which she said accepts residents of other counties as well.

In addition to its normal walk-in schedule, the department is offering summer vaccination clinics. Public information officer Ashley Follett said in an email that those clinics are meant to offer a more convenient and efficient option for school vaccines specifically.

The Wyandotte County Health Department also offers low-cost vaccinations to certain qualifying families and plans to offer vaccines at back-to-school events.

In KCKPS, Bates said the district has been communicating with families and warning them about the upcoming enforcement, which helped increase the K-12 vaccination rate to about 80%.

KCKPS has worked to translate information into languages families understand, direct them to where vaccines are available and give context for requirements, she said.

The nurses arent just sending out a letter telling them what immunization their student needs, Bates said. Were telling them, OK, if the student doesnt get the immunization, what could happen? What are the benefits of getting the immunization?

Preparing for a measles outbreak

Both districts said theyd heavily rely on the Wyandotte County Health Department for guidance in the case of a measles outbreak.

Flack got a preview when a student came down with whooping cough, another disease that can be largely prevented with a vaccine. She said the department told her exactly what to do, spoke to the family and gave her information for other families in the class.

They handled it really well, and made me feel confident that I could do what I needed to do, she said.

If a suspected or confirmed measles case were to appear, Flack said the district would have to contact the county and state health departments within hours.

We would mask them, wear gloves and then keep them separate from the general population until theyre able to be picked up from school, Bates said.

The Bonner Springs nurses said a measles outbreak in a district with a low vaccination rate would be very serious. Not only is the disease highly contagious and capable of causing major health complications, but quarantine times are long for unvaccinated students who get exposed.

An outbreak would mean contact tracing and kids missing lots of school.

Even if an unvaccinated student were lucky enough not to catch the disease from an exposure, they would have to be out of school for three weeks, Flack said.

If that child still doesnt get vaccinated and is exposed again, she said, then they have to start their exclusion all over again.

In a district with fewer unvaccinated students such as Bonner Springs, the disruption could be much less severe. Most students could stay in school even if exposed.

And parents shouldnt forget, Ilboudo of Childrens Mercy said, that vaccines prevent dangerous and sometimes life-threatening diseases.

Our biggest challenge is that vaccines have worked too well, Ilboudo said. When you talk to people who have seen their classmates or their neighbors go through polio, they remember. They remember their neighbor who died from measles. They remember their neighbor who was paralyzed because of polio.

Nowadays parents truly dont know the risks that these infections will present because we havent seen them. We havent seen them for years and years and years.

Suzanne King contributed to this story.

This article first appeared on Beacon: Kansas City and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  No injuries were reported after an apparent shooting outside of a back-to-school event in west Charlotte, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police announced.

The incident occurred at the C.W. Williams Community Health Centers main campus on Wilkinson Boulevard on Saturday.

The event was the 11th annual back-to-school community health fair that featured a dozen elected officials, such as U.S. Congresswoman Dr. Alma Adams and several Charlotte and Mecklenburg County leaders.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police did not say if anyone was arrested in connection with the shooting.

Rep. Adams shared this statement to Queen City News regarding Saturdays incident,

Im grateful that no one was injured at C.W. Williams Back to School Community Health Fair after the reported shooting and I want to thank the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for their quick response to the incident.

For 11 years, C.W. Williams Community Health Center has hosted this incredible event, providing healthcare and school supplies to our families and children ahead of the new school year. They have been a longtime pillar in Charlotte, especially for our underserved communities, and I want to thank them for hosting todays event and for all the work they do.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Queen City News also reached out to the health center for comment. As of publication, we have not heard back.

This is a Developing Story . Check back 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 Queen City News.
Nearly 70 years ago, then-British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan supposedly observed that it wasnt fair to call the Arab-Israeli situation a problem, since by definition problems have solutions. Of course that was just a rhetorical dodge, and no more accurate when it comes to math and science than about global affairs. But the dark joke still resonates: Macmillan and his transatlantic pal Dwight Eisenhower were among the first world leaders to confront the Middle East dilemma by kicking the can down the road, as Mitt Romney didnt exactly say in 2012.

With Benjamin Netanyahus government waging an endless war of annihilation in Gaza  now with the explicit goal of reconquering the entire territory  and the Israeli Knesset on record as favoring the annexation of the entire West Bank, global rhetoric about a peaceful solution and Palestinian self-determination seems increasingly disconnected from reality. So why do elected political leaders and mainstream commentators throughout the Western liberal-democratic world keep repeating Clinton-era cliches about a two-state solution, with all the fervor of a nine-year-old resisting the truth about Santa Claus?

Among international relations experts and foreign policy professionals, its now an open secret, unremarkable in itself, that the long-promised solution in which some kind of viable independent Palestinian nation exists alongside the Jewish state of Israel is somewhere between unlikely and impossible. In a recent column for Foreign Policy, Harvard professor Stephen Walt argues that the current crisis caused by Hamas Oct. 7 attack and Israels subsequent military campaigns has not dramatically altered the overall political calculus of the Middle East and adds, almost in passing, If, as is likely, the two-state solution is no longer feasible, then Israelis, Palestinians, and the rest of the world will have to explore other visions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Walt is in no sense an outlier here; hes an authoritative voice of what we might call left-liberal realist foreign policy opinion. Furthermore, that sentence was cannily constructed to encompass a strikingly large universe of agreement, which extends from Netanyahu and the Israeli right-wing settler movement all the way to Hamas, a likely majority of Palestinians and the Western pro-Palestinian left (from the river to the sea), as well as the not-quite-defeated theocratic regime in Iran.

For that matter, it seems to include the Trump administration, at least for the moment; divining the presidents actual views on any subject from one day to the next is a task for necromancers. It certainly includes Mike Huckabee, the current U.S. ambassador to Israel, who recently observed that if French President Emmanuel Macron wants a Palestinian state so badly, he should carve one out on the Cote-dAzur. (That a profoundly idiotic and small-minded evangelical zealot like Huckabee was inflicted on the people of Israel and Palestine feels like an act of divine retribution worthy of the Old Testament.)

To clarify the point, all those people (and many more besides) would endorse the general thrust of Walts sentence: The two-state solution, as envisioned in the bygone days of the 1993 Oslo agreement, is a dead issue. But they have dramatically different ideas, to say the least, about what other visions must now be explored and what kind of one-state solution might lie ahead. For Netanyahu and the Israeli right, the vision is clear enough, although whether the hegemonic Jewish state they desire will include all of Gaza and all of the West Bank, and whether it will require the expulsion of the entire Palestinian population or just its apartheid-style subjugation, remain unanswered questions.

Hamas and its supporters have undeniably genocidal intentions toward Israeli Jews, however those may occasionally be finessed; it doesnt help the Palestinian cause to evade or sugarcoat that fact. (It doesnt help the Israeli cause, by the way, to avoid the abundant evidence that Netanyahu tolerated and even supported the Hamas regime in Gaza in the interest of his long-term strategy  that guy has a diabolical ability to turn his most disastrous failures to his personal advantage.) When it comes to the pro-Palestinian left in Europe and North America, however, the picture is more complicated and its crucial to keep competing factors in view.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Heres a news flash: Student radicals at Harvard or UCLA or Evergreen State can lapse into simplistic slogans and naive ideology. Individuals and groups with unsavory agendas can try to cannibalize such movements from within. Is there antisemitism on the left? Sure, Chuck Schumer; Ive encountered it myself. But its entirely mendacious for the Trump administration or the Democratic leadership or anyone else to depict the rising international outrage at Israels horrendous war crimes in Gaza as a manifestation of anti-Jewish hatred or support for terrorist violence. Fortunately, that insidious propaganda campaign appears to be collapsing; even the moonbats of the MAGAsphere are in turmoil, and American liberals and progressives at ground level (including a large proportion of the Jewish community) have once again left Beltway Democrats far behind.

As Walt also mentions in passing, the international left is producing the only serious vestiges of a long-term vision for Israeli-Palestinian peace, such as the forthcoming book From Apartheid to Democracy, by Israeli journalist Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man and human rights activist Sarah Leah Whitson. I havent gotten my copy yet, but as I understand it, they outline a plan for a federalist, democratic republic with guaranteed rights for both Jews and Arabs, somewhat along the lines of pre-breakup Yugoslavia. Im sure that summary doesnt capture the depth and complexity of their argument, but even to conjure such a possibility, we have to imagine a much better future: Israel after Netanyahu, America after Trump, an international reconstruction of Gaza, a Palestinian nation-in-waiting that has gotten over Hamas.

Does that sound realistic, given our exceptionally bleak current frame of reality? Not exactly: No one who currently holds political power, whether in Israel or the Arab world or America or anywhere else, is willing to advocate a one-state democratic solution for all the people who now live in the historic territory of Palestine. I will not live to see such a thing come to pass, and I doubt my children or my grandchildren (should I ever have any of those) will see it either. But if I had to guess, its the kind of idea that Zohran Mamdani would endorse, along with the hundreds of thousands of young, multiethnic New Yorkers he galvanized, and at least it represents a genuine attempt to move forward from the world after Oct. 7, the world after the Trumpiam counterrevolution, the world after the ghastly collective moral failure of Gaza.

Want more sharp takes on politics? Sign up for our free newsletter, Standing Room Only by Amanda Marcotte, also a weekly show on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Contrast that dewy-eyed and perhaps impossible vision of the future with the warmed-over vision out of the past now being retailed by Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other Western democratic leaders who have decided to recognize a Palestinian state that does not exist and probably never will. These people are well-informed and not idiots; we must assume they are aware of the opinions expressed by Walt and any number of other actual experts: The two-state solution imagined 32 years ago in the Oslo accords was fanciful then  when 60 percent of the land in the West Bank was left in Israeli control, and the Palestinian population was split up into 165 non-contiguous chunks of territory, often called bantustans  and is entirely fictional now, as illegal Israeli settlements have replaced Arab villages, one at a time, year after year after year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Maybe its admirable, on some symbolic level, that France, Britain, Canada and a bunch of smaller Western nations have broken ranks with the U.S. and, several decades too late, want to legitimize the Palestinian Authority, which is at best a dysfunctional pseudo-state and at worst an Israeli subcontractor. Nice try, I guess, but Im not buying it.

These fading leaders of the Old World, like Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries and the editorial board of the New York Times and so many others I could name on our side of the ocean, are clinging to the last doctrines of a dying faith whose last bishop, it would seem, was President Joe Biden, tragicomic hero of a poorly-reviewed melodrama.

Call that faith neoliberalism, call it liberal democracy, call it the Washington consensus or the postwar order or what you will. Those raised within its monastic orders still believe, or pretend to believe, that their version of normalcy is the natural order of things and will somehow be restored, even after a fascist coup in America, after all the death in Gaza, after all the other outrages too painful to list. At least Harold Macmillan understood, to use the parlance of his time, that history was a cruel mistress and was sure to leave him behind.

The post There is no two-state solution. Can we stop pretending? appeared first on Salon.com.
(Reuters) -The leaders of eight Nordic-Baltic nations on Sunday jointly reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and said that peace could only come through consistent pressure being put on the Russian federation to halt its "unlawful" war.

The leaders of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden said in a statement that they: "reaffirm the principle that international borders must not be changed by force".

They added that they would continue to uphold and impose restrictive measures against the Russian Federation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15 in Alaska to negotiate an end to the war. A White House official has said Trump is open to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attending but preparations are underway only for a bilateral meeting.

(Reporting by Devika Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Aug. 9Hospitals in Lowville, Alexandria Bay and Ogdensburg are getting millions of dollars to update their facilities and improve operations.

On Friday, Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul announced that the latest round of state Health Care Facility Transformation Program grants were awarded. That includes an $18.2 million award to Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Ogdensburg, $1.54 million for River Hospital, Alexandria Bay, and $650,000 for a North Country Family Health Center location in Lowville.

"This targeted investment will help ensure that every New Yorker  regardless of ZIP code  can access safe, high-quality health care," Hochul said."By supporting providers that serve vulnerable and underserved populations, we're strengthening the foundation of our health care system and building a healthier future for all."

In Lowville, the money will go to building a new primary care clinic in the village. In Alexandria Bay, River Hospital will use the capital to upgrade its mammography machines, and in Ogdensburg the money will go toward redesigning the hospital and moving the maternity, critical care, lab services and surgical departments.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A 39-year-old Oceanside man was charged Thursday with five counts of wire and mail fraud in an investment fraud scheme, according to prosecutors. He entered a plea of not guilty to all the charges in the indictment.

Sang Phuoc Do Le, also known as Andy Le, is accused of defrauding investors who unwittingly funded the defendants gambling habit and luxury car purchases rather than supposedly-profitable Apple reseller businesses, the United States Department of Justice said in a news release.

Le allegedly told investors he owned two businesses, MobileSky and MobileSky2 (combined together as the MobileSky Companies), that purchased bulk supplies of Apple iPhones and sold them overseas for profit, which wasnt the case, according to a complaint. The business name MobileSky belonged to a person Le knew in Northern California, prosecutors said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Charging documents revealed the business as a Ponzi-like scheme in which some investors were paid small returns from the investments of others, but many never received any of their promised profit or their original investment back.

Suspected DUI driver arrested in deadly Carlsbad crash

On July 23, 2025, Le was arrested after returning to Oceanside from a recent casino stay in Arizona.

Instead of using investor funds for the MobileSky Companies, the indictment contends that Le diverted the money for his own personal use, spending it on gambling, luxury cars, and luxury items. He also used the money to make Ponzi-like payments to other investors. As a result of his investment fraud, Le induced investors to part with more than $2 million by wiring and mailing him the funds, the DOJ said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Le allegedly deposited large sums of cash and also had investors wire funds directly to such casinos, which he would use to gamble and not purchase bulk supplies of iPhones, according to the complaint.

Le, who has been ordered detained without bail at this time, faces a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison, a $250,000 fine and mandatory restitution to victims.

A motion hearing/trial setting is scheduled for Sept. 19, 2025, at 11 a.m.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea has denounced a major joint exercise planned by the South Korean and U.S. militaries as "direct military provocation" and warned of counteraction, despite signs of easing tension across the border under a new leader in Seoul.

North Korea's Defence Minister No Kwang Chol said its military has an "absolute mission" to defend national security against the large-scale 11-day drills by South Korea and the United States, which he said posed a real and dangerous threat.

"The armed forces of the DPRK will cope with the war drills of the U.S. and the (South) with thoroughgoing and resolute counteraction posture and strictly exercise the sovereign right," No said in a statement issued via the KCNA state news agency on Monday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

DPRK is short for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name.

No said the drills staged under the pretext of defence against threats were additional proof of the confrontational intent by the two countries that raises hostility and further destabilises regional security.

North Korea routinely denounces military drills by the South and the United States, having called some previous exercises "a rehearsal" for nuclear war on the Korean peninsula, even as Pyongyang conducted a range of missile tests and live fire artillery exercises.

South Korea and the United States said last week the annual exercise would begin on August 18 to test command control and troop mobilisation under an upgraded security strategy against a heightened threat of nuclear warfare by North Korea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, the allies said a major part of the field exercise would be postponed and conducted separately next month, citing weather conditions. The postponement was widely seen as prompted by South Korea's liberal President Lee Jae Myung, who won a snap election in June, to ease tension with Pyongyang.

Ties between the rival Koreas had plunged to some of the most hostile points in recent years, as the North pressed on with developing nuclear attack capabilities and dramatically boosted military ties with Russia.

While Pyongyang has publicly rebuffed renewed outreach by Lee and Washington for dialogue, it was making moves seen as reciprocating some South Korean actions to ease tensions.

South Korea said on Saturday it had detected the North's military removing some loudspeakers at the border, days after the South began dismantling similar equipment that had blared propaganda across the border.North Korea also seemed to have used a more restrained tone in criticisms about the U.S.-South Korea joint exercises, said an official at Seoul's Unification Ministry, which oversees ties between the Koreas. Pyongyang "appears to focus on expressing its position on the drills, rather than making military threats," ministry spokesperson Koo Byoungsam said at a briefing on Monday.

(Reporting by Jack Kim and Heejin Kim; Editing by Richard Chang, Ed Davies and Michael Perry)
NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA  Most Craig, Delaware, and Ottawa County students start classes this week with two new policies.

The state has a Bell-to-Bell cell phone policy, and students at most area schools are entitled to free lunches, regardless of household income.

The Bell-to-Bell state law requires schools to have a policy prohibiting cell phone use during the school day. The ban includes cellphones, tablets, AirPods, and all personal electronic devices.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Exceptions are made for medical needs and emergencies.

School boards could allow student cell phone use, but the policy must be approved annually.

Beginning this school term, Wyandotte students will have a modified four-day school week.

The only five-day school weeks are August 25, December 15, and January 12. The other Mondays during that stretch are the Fall and Thanksgiving Break weeks, designated for special district activities, such as Wyandotte Nation Days and similar celebrations and cultural events.

From March until the end of school in May 2026, Wyandotte schools will follow an early release schedule. Students will attend school five days a week, but are released from school on Friday at 1 p.m.

2025-2026 School Session Starts

Monday, Aug. 11

Fairland

Tuesday, Aug. 12

Colcord

Wyandotte

Wednesday, Aug. 13

Afton

Cleoria

Commerce

Jay

Kansas, OK

Ketchum

Vinita

Thursday, Aug. 14

Grove

Miami

Welch

Monday, Aug. 18

Bluejacket

Thursday, Aug. 21

Quapaw

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
The Brief

Police found paramedics helping two victims on Bland Street.

The two were dropping off their children at a grandmother's home. The kids were not hurt.

Information about the shooting itself is limited.

HOUSTON - Two people were sent to a hospital with gunshot wounds early Sunday morning, and Houston Police are looking to figure out what happened.

Houston crime: Shooting victims found on Bland Street

What we know

At about 12:30 a.m., police were called to the 1500 block of Bland Street, near Wheatley Street and West Little York Road.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When officers arrived, they found paramedics helping two victims who had gunshot wounds. Both of them were taken to a hospital and are expected to recover.

Authorities at the scene say the two were bringing their children to a grandmother's house when police found them. The children were not hurt.

What we don't know

No one involved has been identified at this time.

There is no information about where or when the shooting happened. The victims' vehicle showed no visible damage, and no shell casings were found at the scene.

Police believe it happened before the victims had their children. Allegedly, the victims picked up their kids after the shooting, then brought them to a grandmother's home.

What you can do

Anyone with information about the shooting can call one of the following agencies:

HPD Major Assaults Division: 713-308-8800

Crime Stoppers: 713-222-TIPS (8477)

The Source

OnScene and the Houston Police Department.
One person was killed and another injured in an accident on Sunday. New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Devesh Kumar Mahla informed that the incident happened around 6:30 AM when a car driven by a 26-year-old Ashish collided with two pedestrians on a footpath. Ashish, who was driving a car belonging to his friend from Gurgaon to Shakarpur, was detained at the scene. "Around 6.30 in the morning, our patrolling vehicle saw that an accident had happened. The driver's name is Ashish, who is 26 years old. He was going from Gurgaon to Shakarpur. The car belonged to his friend. He collided with two people on the footpath, in which one died and the other was injured," said DCP Devesh Kumar Mahla. Ashish will undergo a medical examination to determine if he was under the influence of any substances at the time of the accident. DCP Mahla said, "The driver was detained right there. He will be medically examined to check if he was under the influence of drugs, which is a routine procedure. He is not employed right now. Earlier, he used to work as a driver for someone... We are trying to ascertain the identity of the victims." Authorities are working to identify the victims, with one person unfortunately succumbing to their injuries and the other receiving treatment for their wounds. During the investigation, police recovered a liquor bottle from inside the vehicle. A forensic team is examining it to determine whether alcohol consumption was involved. Earlier on Saturday, a two-and-a-half-year-old boy died after falling into an open sewer in Narela subdivision in North Delhi, according to the Delhi police. The incident occurred near the Khera Khurd village in the Narela subdivision. According to the police, the deceased, aged around 2.5 years, has been recovered from the sewer and has been sent for postmortem. Upon information, the team of Fire Services and Delhi Police reached the spot and rescued the boy. The investigation is underway, and further details related to the incident are awaited. In a similar case on August 2, a girl fell into the Yamuna river from Delhi's Signature Bridge, following which her body was recovered with the help of divers. According to Delhi Police, they received information about an incident involving a girl who fell from a bridge. A search operation was immediately launched, and with the assistance of divers, her body was recovered from the river. Police further stated that efforts are underway to establish the identity of the deceased. An investigation has also been initiated to ascertain whether the girl jumped into the river intentionally or fell by accident. (ANI)
U.S. Vice President JD Vance praised President Donald Trump's peacemaking abilities in an interview on Aug. 10, though he admitted the U.S.-brokered settlement to end Russia's war against Ukraine would likely not "make anybody super happy" and may not succeed at all.

Vance's comments come ahead of a bilateral meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin set to take place on Aug. 15 in Alaska. The leaders will discuss a deal to end the war that would reportedly involve Ukraine ceding new territories to Russia.

The meeting represents "a major breakthrough for American diplomacy," Vance told Fox News' Maria Bartiromo on Aug. 10.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Vance indicated that a trilateral meeting involving Trump, Putin, and President Volodymyr Zelensky was on the table, saying Trump had worked "aggressively" to convince the two leaders to come together.

"We're now trying to figure out, frankly, scheduling and things like that around when these three leaders can sit down and discuss an end to this conflict," he said.

Vance did not say whether this trilateral summit would occur at the Aug. 15 meeting in Alaska, and said he did not think it would be "that productive" for Putin and Zelensky to meet with one another before meeting with Trump. A White House official told CNN on Aug. 10 that Zelensky's participation in the upcoming Alaska meeting remains a possibility.

The aim of the leader-level meetings is to find a workable peace agreement, Vance said, though he did not provide details as to what such an agreement might entail. The plan will likely not be popular with either Russia or Ukraine, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We're gonna try to find some kind of negotiated settlement that the Ukrainians and Russians can live with, where they can live in relative peace, where the killing stops," Vance said.

"It's not gonna make anybody super happy. Both the Russians and the Ukrainians probably at the end of the day are gonna be unhappy with it. But I don't think you can actually sit down and have this negotiation absent the leadership of Donald J. Trump."

Zelensky on Aug. 9 firmly rejected the idea of ceding any Ukrainian territory to end Russia's war, stating that "Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupier." He warned that peace deal favoring Moscow would give Russia a chance to regroup and launch a new invasion.

A map showing Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine as of 2025. (The Kyiv Independent)

According to Vance, Trump told the vice president privately that the negotiations may not succeed in ending the war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"He said, 'maybe this works out, maybe it doesn't, but it's worth the effort,'" Vance said.

"It's worth trying and we're gonna keep on using the diplomatic influence of the President of the United States to accomplish an end to this conflict."

According to a source in Ukraine's Presidential Office, Russia's proposal to end the war would see Kyiv withdraw its troops from two of the partly occupied Ukrainian regions  Donetsk and Luhansk. As a "sign of good will," Russia would then withdraw its troops from northeastern Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts, where the Kremlin holds some territories.

Ukraine would reject this proposal outright, the source told the Kyiv Independent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump previously said that a potential peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv would likely include "some swapping of territories."

Vance heaped praise on Trump's abilities as a diplomat, citing his role in a number of foreign conflicts and saying it was "amazing" to have a president "working to stop the killing." He also issued a condemnation of Russia's full-scale invasion without naming Russia or mentioning Moscow's ongoing occupation, offensives, or campaign of aerial attacks.

"We of course condemn the invasion that happened," he said.

"We don't like that this is where things are, but you've gotta make peace here, and the only way to make peace is to sit down and talk. You can't finger point, you can't wag your finger at somebody and say 'you're wrong, we're right.' The way to peace is to have a decisive leader sit down and force people to come together."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Vance further praised Trump's plan to sell U.S.-made weapons to NATO countries that will then ship the arms to Ukraine, saying Washington's pressure on Europe shifted the responsibility of funding Kyiv's defense and relieved the American taxpayer.

"We're done with the funding of the Ukraine war business," Vance said.

Relevant comments 5:40:

This is a major breakthrough for American diplomacy

There has been no substantial breakthrough

We have been aggressively working, trying to break the log jam

One of the most important logjams is that vladimir putin said that he would never sit down with zelensky the head of ukraine and hte president has now got that to change

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

we're now trying to figure out frankly scheduling and things like that around when these three leaders can sit down and discuss an end to this conflict

now what do i think is ultimately gonna come out of this...

look its' acutally very simple

if you take where the current line of contact between russia nd ukraine is

we're gonna try to find some kind of negotiated settlement that the ukrainians and russians can live with where they can live in relative peace where the killing stops

"It's not going to make anybody super happy" both the russiands and the ukrainians probably at the end of the day are gonna be unhappy with it

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

but i don't think you can actually sit down and have this negotiation absent the leadership of donald j trump

the president said this to me today said privately he said

"maybe this works out maybe it doesn't but it's worth the effort it's worth trying and we're gonna keep on using the diplomatic influence of thepresidetne of the united states to accopmlish na end to this conflict

"it's an amazing thing to have a president who is working to stop the killing"

"I actually don't think it would be that productive"

"I think fundamentally the president of the united states has to be the one to kind of bring these two together"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"we're going to keep that dialogue open, but fundamentally, this is something where the president needs to force president putin and president zelensky really to sit down and figure out their differences

"we of course condemnt the invasion that happened we don't liek that this is where things are but you've gotta make peace here and the only way to make peace is to sit down adn talk you can't finger point you can't [you know] wag your finger at somebody and say you're wrong we're right the way to peace is to have a decisive leader sit down and force people to come together

"i think the president and i certianly think that america, we're done with teh funding of the ukraine war business"

we want to bring about a peaceful settlement to this thing we want to stop the killing but americans i think are sick of continuing to send their moenty their tax dollars to this particular conflict

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Israelis want peace. Israelis want to get out of Gaza. This is not in our name  we are not our government. Israel must be stopped.

These are the desperate pleas of Yotam Cohen, whose younger brother Nimrod, a then 19-year-old Israeli soldier serving mandatory service, was taken captive to Gaza by Hamas militants during their deadly 7 October attack on southern Israel nearly two years ago.

This weekend, Yotam joined tens of thousands of people who marched on Israels military headquarters in Tel Aviv. Wielding portraits of their loved ones and banners, they urged world leaders to intervene. They protested against Benjamin Netanyahus controversial plan to expand the devastating 22-month bombardment of Gaza, a plan he defended on Sunday, vowing in a press conference to finish the job... finish Hamas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

At the mass protest, some family members even called on soldiers to refuse to serve in the expanded fighting, and for the opposition to call a general strike. It follows waves of rallies across the country by Israelis calling on their government to return to the negotiating table.

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip attend a rally demanding their release from Hamas captivity and calling for an end to the war, in Tel Aviv (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press All rights reserved)

Israel must be stopped. The Israeli government has to be stopped. Hamas must be pressured to achieve a deal. But the main problem right now is the Israeli government, Yotam says bluntly.

The decision to expand the war was pushed through the security cabinet last week, despite fierce resistance from Israels chief of staff Eyal Zamir and numerous former security and intelligence officials.

It will see Israeli forces, that according to the United Nations effectively hold more than 85 per cent of the strip, push into the last corners of the tiny enclave, starting with Gaza City, with the intent of taking full security control.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It is a move many in Israel fear will not only embroil the Israeli military in a costly, protracted, and unwinnable conflict, but also serve as a death sentence for the 20 remaining hostages  like Nimrod  who are still believed to be alive. It could also crush the hopes of retrieving the bodies of around 30 more slain captives who remain in the hands of the militants.

Some of the families told The Independent they are also deeply concerned about the humanitarian impact on Palestinian civilians, as the death toll from the bombardment surges past 61,000, according to local officials, and famine unfolds amid fighting and under an Israeli blockade.

As an Israeli... first of all, we are not our government. Israelis want peace. Israelis want to get out of Gaza. Israelis do not support what is happening right now in Gaza, Yotam says, with a quiet determination in his voice.

Nimrod Cohen (left) with his brother Yotam (centre) and father Yehuda before the October 7 attacks. Yotam has criticised the Israeli government for expanding its military action in Gaza (Yehuda Cohen)

It is our government  our so-called elected officials  who right now in our name, with the power we gave them democratically, are using that power to commit atrocities: to kill Israeli soldiers, to kill Israeli hostages, to kill Palestinian civilians. This is not in our name.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The desperation was echoed by Shay Dickmann, who says her family suffered the deadly consequences of a ceasefire deal collapsing and Israel choosing military pressure over negotiations.

In November 2023, Shays cousin Carmel Gat, 41  an occupational therapist from Tel Aviv  was next on the list of hostages to be freed, but the truce collapsed the very day she was meant to be released.

She and five others were later shot dead by Hamas militants in a tunnel as Israeli forces advanced into Rafah in August 2024. The family say they believe she was alive just 48 hours before Israeli soldiers reached her.

A year ago today, my cousin was still alive  I was hopeful and also frightened, just like the families you see here today, Shay says, through tears, at an earlier protest outside the home of Israels defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in the centre of the country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

To the Israeli government, I [beg], make a deal now that brings back all 50 hostages. This is what the people of Israel want. This is what we wish for.

And for the whole world: we need your help. We want the suffering to end. No one should be starving. No one should be suffering, no one should suffer from a terror organisation, neither the hostages, nor the Palestinians.

All we want is to live in peace and safety. We need the hostages to be back. We need this war to end.

Shay Dickmann, whose hostage cousin Carmel Gat was killed by Hamas after a ceasefire collapsed, at a protest outside the Israeli defence ministers home (Bel Trew)

Israel launched an unprecedented bombardment of Gaza in response to Hamass deadly 2023 attacks on southern Israel, in which militants seized 251 hostages and killed over 1,000, according to Israeli estimates.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Since then, Israels bombardment, war with Hamas and blockade has killed tens of thousands, destroyed more than 90 per cent of homes and pushed the 25-mile-long enclave into starvation.

So far The Independent understands 148 hostages, eight of whom are dead, have been released in exchanges or other deals, while the Israeli military has retrieved 49 bodies. Only eight have been rescued alive by the security forces  which is why families fear military intervention is not effective.

Of those 50 still in captivity, Israel believes 27 are dead and Mr Netanyahu has said there are doubts about the fate of several more.

Displaced Palestinians raid trucks carrying humanitarian aid in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip (AFP via Getty Images)

Israels latest planned military escalation has already drawn national and global outrage: Sir Keir Starmer said hours after the announcement that it will only bring more bloodshed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The UK joined dozens of countries  including Austria, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and ceasefire mediators Egypt and Qatar  in issuing separate statements against the decision.

On Sunday, UN ambassadors in New York debated the plans and several European countries warned that Israel "risks violating international humanitarian law" with the new offensive. UK representative ambassador James Kariuki urged both parties to step away from the path of destruction.

Even Germany, a staunch ally of Israel during the war, announced it will no longer authorise exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza until further notice.

Within Israel, anger at the protracted conflict extends beyond those directly caught up in it, with growing resentment at the repeated reservist call-ups, the comparatively high death toll for Israeli soldiers, and concerns for the hostages. Polls show three-quarters of the country support an immediate end of the war with a release of all the hostages as part of the deal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There are also growing concerns about Israels global reputation amid a surge in condemnation over a famine unfolding in Gaza due to Israels blockade  something Israel denies and blames on Hamas. Some family members of the hostages fear Israel is becoming a pariah state.

Theres so much international criticism about how Israel is acting, it feels like this government does not care about hearing that criticism, says Ruby Chen, whose son Itay  a soldier in a tank brigade  was killed by Hamas on 7 October, and whose body was taken into Gaza where he has remained.

He says Mr Netanyahu has miscalculated, and superseded the dismantling of Hamas over the return of the hostages, against the wishes of his people.

I think that this humanitarian crisis in Gaza, both for the hostages and what is happening to the people in Gaza, has gone on long enough, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There needs to be an international intervention if the prime minister is miscalculating. And its unfortunate that the US, as the mediator, is not putting both sides together and saying enough is enough. We feel like we are collateral damage.

Demonstrators light torches during a protest demanding the release of all hostages from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip and calling for an end to the war, outside the prime ministers office in Jerusalem (AP)

On Sunday, Mr Netanyahu said he had a fairly short timetable in mind for the next steps in Gaza, but didnt give specifics and insisted his military takeover was the quickest way to end the war.

At the protests there were direct calls for Donald Trump  Israels closest ally and largest provider of weapons  to step up and push through a deal.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly met Qatari prime minister Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Spain on Saturday to discuss ending the Gaza war and the release of all remaining hostages and captives, in an apparent bid to prevent Israels planned expansion of its offensive.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There are reportedly frantic negotiations underway between the US, Qatar and Egypt to try to restart talks.

But many fear Mr Netanyahus new proposal will undermine those efforts. And pressure is mounting in Israel, especially after the militant group released new, galling videos of two emaciated Israeli hostages in tunnels last week, prompting accusations from Israel that Hamas was deliberately starving its captives.

In one, Evyatar David  who was seized from the Nova Music Festival  was described by his family as a living skeleton because he was so thin. He appears to be digging his own grave and speaks of going days without food.

His cousin Naama, 28, told The Independent the family cant eat, we cant sleep, we cant breathe well, knowing what Evyatar is going through.

Benjamin Netanyahu says he has a fairly short timetable in mind for the next steps in Gaza, and insists a military takeover is the quickest way to end the war (AFP via Getty Images)

Standing outside the Israeli defence ministers office, she says she was crying for help and urged Israel to defend your citizens. Thats your first obligation as your leaders. And if theyre gonna be dead there  the blood of the hostages is gonna be on your hands.

She added: To the leaders of the world  we need you to stand up and speak out against Hamas.

Lishay Miran, a mother of two whose husband Omri, now 48, was seized from Kibbutz Nahal Oz, added: This is not just a military decision. This is a death sentence for the people we love the most.

Lishay was briefly held by the militants with her two daughters, the youngest of whom was just six months old. She is now more than two years old and doesnt remember her father, Lishay says in a voice cracked with pain.

She says Mr Netanyahus decision can really kill them all  we need to put the pressure on Israel, on Hamas, on Qatar, on everyone there is no more time left.
It was nice to see Traverse City rally around the victims of the mass stabbing at their local Walmart, but the method that many businesses chose to show support was at best misguided and at worst dangerous. ("Good Samaritan with gun gets free BBQ for life, other freebies after Walmart stabbing," Aug. 1, Detroit Free Press.)

Many establishments chose to honor not only the good Samaritans who were there and acted quickly, but also any other citizens who have a concealed pistol license. Thank yous" such as free food and coffee were offered to any people responsible enough to have a gun safely on their person.

The owners of Roys General Store in Traverse City are offering CPL holders free fountain pop or coffee on Thursday July 31, 2025, after a stabbing on Saturday July 26 at a Walmart in Traverse City. Derrick Perry, a Concealed Pistol License holder helped subdue suspect Bradford James Gille after a mass stabbing at the Traverse City Walmart.

This is the good guy with a gun argument, that the NRA has been using to stop gun safety legislation and increase gun sales for quite some time. Common sense alone should tell people that more guns dont equal a safer society, but extensive studies have also proven this point. The Center for American Progress reported that not only are guns rarely used defensively, but when they are used that way, they often do harm or are used in a criminal way.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Excessive gun ownership is uniquely American. We have more guns in our land than people. Gun deaths are unfortunately, but not surprisingly, very American as well. It makes perfect sense. If everyone has a gun to protect themselves from all of their armed neighbors, increased violence will of course be the result. As a society, we need to see through the NRAs misleading messaging and encourage less gun ownership, not more. Fewer guns means fewer deaths.

Bryan Chase

Huntington Woods

We get the government we deserve

The day after Detroits primary election, I attended an excellent presentation at Detroit Main Library by a historian from The Henry Ford about the Jackson House in Selma, Alabama  a local doctors residence that was used by Martin Luther King Jr. and colleagues to organize the civil and voting rights efforts in early/mid-1960s that were met with such violent and hateful efforts to prevent these rights from being peacefully exercised.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The struggle to gain voting rights was resisted so violently that many deaths and serious injuries resulted, including Detroits Viola Liuzzo  killed by nightriders after the Selma-to-Montgomery march. Now, 50 years after this monumental struggle, we see that in mostly Black Detroit, the voting population ignores that history and is consumed by such apathy that a piddling mid-teen percentage of registered voters made the effort to learn about candidates, issues and actually cast a ballot.

The result is a tiny number of voters have determined who is on the general election ballot, and I see those candidates for Detroit government  including the mayors seat  are generally second-rate. People who dont care enough to educate themselves on issues and candidate credentials to provide effective leadership get the government they deserve.

Greg Ptucha

Detroit

Public health funding is in danger, and so are we

Vaccine funding eliminated, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) vaccine advisory panel let go in one fell swoop, 1,200 employees at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) fired  what happens now?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As a registered nurse and public health educator, I believe in evidence-based practice. What does that mean? Evidence-based means a specific treatment or procedure has been shown to be effective through rigorous research and data analysis.

I believe in care that follows current evidence-based research and findings.

The U.S. is currently experiencing a surge of measles cases. In more than thirty years, we have never had so many cases recorded in a single year. Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease that can cause not only serious illness and long-term disability, but also death to individuals of all ages. Evidence-based practices have shown us that the best way to avoid an infection of measles is to get vaccinated. However, in our state of Michigan, as well as across the U.S., immunization rates are falling.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the branch of our federal government created to protect the health of Americans. The firing of experts sitting on our premier vaccine advisory board, the discontinuation of mRNA vaccine funding, and the slashing of personnel and funds to our NIH, are all directives from HHS  these stand in complete contradiction to HHSs mission of improving the health and safety of Americans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The recent cancellation of funding for mRNA vaccine development and research has public health experts across the country sounding alarms. This technology has shown us how COVID vaccine shots proved to be safe and effective and helped bring our pandemic to an end. Through evidence-based practice, mRNA technology has shown it has the potential to transform treatments for other pathogens as well, such as bird flu and even cancer treatments.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death. Researchers are currently using mRNA technology, that has now been slashed, to develop cancer vaccines that activate our own immune systems in ways that can treat and hopefully even prevent cancer. Stopping this proven research and development with false and misleading claims is wrong.

Public health officials do not believe things only because science says so. They work towards understanding the world and environment through a scientific process.

We need to protect vaccination and allow scientific evidence-based practice to lead the way. The eliminated vaccine funding is a danger to our nation. Our country is now exposed to a shortage of health workers, putting all of us at risk for when the next health crisis occurs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Every one of us needs to question arguments and statements that may sound rational, but in fact do not make sense. We need to come together to speak truth.

Public health scientists will continue to tell the truth.

Nancy Hayward

Ann Arbor

In this file photo, Stephanie Giordano, a Regeneron research associate, works on making a DNA construct to be used in effort to create antibodies to treat people exposed to COVID-19 in Tarrytown, New York on Feb. 10, 2020. The bio-tech company is now also working on mRNA research projects seeking to fight cancer.

Wildfire risk not so remote

A couple of weeks ago, University of Michigan Professor Emeritus Richard B. Rood wrote an op-ed stating that Michigan is at a relatively low risk for a wildfire due to several reasons, and I mostly agree, except for the Gaylord Otsego County area, where the March ice storm exacerbated existing wildfire danger.

Five years ago for some inexplicable reason, the levels of several area lakes rose, flooding some homes and cottages and drowning thousands of trees. I've taken down 13 (one was almost 100 years old) and two neighbors have taken down 50. My lake alone still has an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 drowned trees. Add to that, the lumbering companies have left tons of limbs and branches in what used to be forest. That's a triple whammy: Ice storms trees and limbs, thousands of dead trees, and tons of limbs and branches from the lumber companies. I worry the area is a wildfire disaster waiting to happen and the township, city, county and state have been absolutely no help.

Keith A. Moore

Gaylord

Photos of the Mackinac Bridge at 1:07 p.m. Sunday, July 13, 2025 from camera No. 2 from the dock in St. Ignace looking south show the bridge covered by smoke from wildfires.

A disturbing parade moment

At a community Fourth of July parade, I witnessed something that made my stomach turn. There was a peace group marching. They were holding up a giant dove and many signs promoting an end to the fighting in Gaza. A woman ran up to them screaming What about the hostages! The peace group member was apparently prepared for this heckler, and turned her cease fire sign around to show the other side that said free the hostages.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I thought that would sufficiently embarrass the woman, and she would just slink back to her chair, but she did not. She was so incensed with the peace group and their audacity to push for a cease fire, that she ran up to the convertible behind them (holding a citizen of the year or someone like that) and said to the driver as they slowed down dont stop, just run them over! Here is a presumably sane, compassionate woman who is imploring someone, albeit tongue in cheek, to smash their car into a group of people marching for peace.

I know that the war in Gaza is complicated and passions are high, but this demonstrated to me just how irrational it makes people. If you say that you want a cease fire, it does not mean that you are anti-Israel. It means you want the war to end. You want the killing to stop. You can be against what Netanyahu is doing and not be anti-Semitic, just like you can despise what Donald Trump stands for but still love America.

That parade viewer, and many other people, need to heed the old idiom: You cant see the forest for the trees. Reasonable people should not wish violence on anyone, be they innocent Palestinians in Gaza or their neighbors marching in a family parade.

Alton Fisher

Redford

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may publish it online and in print.

Like what you're reading? Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access with a Detroit Free Press subscription. We depend on readers like you.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Traverse City, mRNA vaccines, Detroit election, wildfires | Letters
DANIELSON  There was not a dry eye in Danielson Superior Court on Friday morning in the murder case of visiting nurse Joyce Grayson.

Almost two years after the death of Grayson in October 2023, the man accused of killing her accepted a plea deal.

Michael Reese  who was living in a halfway house on Chapman Street in Willimantic and was 39 when authorities say he killed Grayson in October 2023  accepted a plea agreement to serve 50 years in prison, with no provision for early release or parole.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For several months, Reese had refused transportation to the Danielson Superior Court, according to Court Marshals. He appeared in court on Friday to plead guilty, and will serve out his sentence with the earliest release date of 2075.

Graysons family said she was employed by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services as a visiting nurse.

She was found dead in the basement of the halfway house on Oct. 28, 2023, and Reese was arrested in April 2024.

According to police, Reese, a registered sex offender, attempted to flee the scene but was eventually taken into custody.

He was later charged with felony murder and attempted sexual assault and was held on a $2 million bond. He has been in the custody of the CT Department of Corrections up until the plea hearing on Friday morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

During the hearing, Reese attempted to apologize to the court for his delay in the case. When in court, Reese wore a face mask and was assisted with the help of a cane. He needed assistance when standing up to speak with the judge.

Attorney Kelly Reardon, who represents the Grayson family, gave a statement after Reese accepted the plea agreement on Friday.

This brings the end to a horrific chapter for this family and for the community, Reardon said. Michael Reese took responsibility for his actions today. The family wants the world to know that Joyce was a saint. The family wants the community and the world to remember Joyce and to remember her name, and not the defendant.

Reardon said Grayson believed that everyone, including violent defenders, deserved quality mental healthcare and medical care. She dedicated her life to providing that care, and her family is continuing her legacy, with one child in the medical profession as a nurse and another one as a social worker.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Although there is no amount of time that will bring Joyce back, the family hopes that this time will give time where the defendant can atone for what he did and that the future will be a time where Joyces family can carry on her legacy of giving to the community, Reardon said.

Reardon added that the family hopes Graysons death will inspire others, in particular the State of Connecticut, to ensure violent offenders who are released are monitored more closely.

We want to tell the world that Joyce Grayson was a saint and to carry forward her legacy by helping others and making sure that those people in society that dont have the benefit of medical care are given that, Reardon said.
Since President Trumps return to office, the Department of Justice has increasingly targeted the presidents critics and opponents, including an investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James, who successfully prosecuted the Trump Organization for fraud. Defense attorney Abbe Lowell, who is representing James, says that Trumps retribution agenda makes George Orwells 1984 look like a Mother Goose nursery rhyme. The manipulation of language from the a
More than 1,000 people filed into Fort Worths Ridglea Theatre on Saturday, putting on their Im so gonna vote stickers to hear former U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke speak out against what he called President Donald Trumps power grab.

Rally attendees hold signs in support of former U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke as he speaks during The People vs. The Power Grab rally at the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.

The event, titled The People vs. The Power Grab, brought together roughly 8,000 people virtually and in person to hear about the fight against the Texas congressional redistricting and to raise money for the House Democrats who are breaking quorum in an attempt to stop it.

Democrats spread across the country before the House was scheduled to discuss the only proposed redistricting map on Aug. 4. The map flips five Democrat-held districts to Republicans, according to presidential voting data. One of those is represented by Congressman Marc Veasey.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Those are racially gerrymandered maps, and they said, Hell no, said Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons of Arlington. But they are putting it all on the line. They are putting their safety on the line, their families on the line, their family safety on the line, their income, hell, their freedoms.

Alisa Simmons, Tarrant County commissioner, Precinct 2, speaks to the capacity crowd on the stage for The People vs. The Power Grab rally at the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.

Despite this weeks legal efforts by Attorney General Ken Paxton to shut down ORourkes fundraising for House Democrats, the former congressman told the Star-Telegram that he didnt change anything about the rally.

We found out 10 minutes before our attorneys jumped on a Zoom (call) and we were able to prevent him from doing what he wanted to do, which was to stop this rally today, to keep me from speaking out, and to prevent me from raising money. And we did all three, ORourke said.

Wearing their Beto for Texas regalia, the crowd roared and waved their hands when Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Gene Wu, of Houston, appeared on the screen with a busload of quorum breaking-Democrats behind him.

Texas state Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, speaks to the capacity crowd via Zoom during The People vs. The Power Grab rally at the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.

Were fighting for all Americans, but we couldnt do it without you guys, Wu said. I thank yall for your letters of support, your text messages and thank you for all the donations. We cant do it without you. I know your hearts are with us. Were quorum breaking, but theres a piece of you with us here right now. So thank you so much.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rep. Nicole Collier, a Fort Worth Democrat, also tuned in to the rally from out of state.

Let me tell you, I am in the midst of the on-the-run tour, but were not running from anything. Were running toward protecting our freedom and our vote, Collier said.

Collier said that while beef and egg prices rise, Trumps approval rating is plummeting. To ensure his party stays in power, she said he compelled his minions in Texas to steal five Democratic seats.

Republicans want to win so bad that theyre willing to lie, steal and cheat, Collier said. They have no problem changing the long-standing rules and processes that weve had in place in Texas. They dont care who you voted for. They dont care that you voted for Congressman Veasey. They dont care about silencing communities of color. They want what they want, and they are willing to knock down whoever stands in front of them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Against an American flag backdrop and the theaters red velvet curtains, Democratic elected officials told attendees that voting is the best way to fight the GOPs efforts.

Alisa Simmons, the Tarrant County commissioner of Precinct 2, sits on stage as U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, speaks to the capacity crowd during The People vs. The Power Grab rally at the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.

They dont make it easy intentionally, Tarrant County Democratic Party Chair Allison Campolo said. I mean, they try to draw us out of fair representation. They try to make sure that we cant get good access to the ballot box, on and on and on. Nonetheless, all we can do is show up and vote.

Campolo said the main reason Republicans are going after Democrats is that they are afraid of losing their seats.

Theres a reason they are literally hunting our Democrats right now, right? Campolo said. Theres a reason they drew Alisa out of her district. Theres a reason theyre trying to redraw Texas mid-decade. Theres a reason theyre trying to send the FBI to find our state reps in other states.

Allison Campolo, the Tarrant County Democratic Party chair, speaks to the capacity crowd gathered for The People vs. The Power Grab rally at the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.

Congressman Joaquin Castro, a San Antonio Democrat, said that before the redistricting effort was announced, the Democratic representatives were asked to verify their home addresses.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And then they drew us out of our districts, Castro said. And so I want you to do everything that you can to defeat these maps, because we need Marc Veasey back in Congress.

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, speaks to the capacity crowd on the stage for The People vs. The Power Grab rally at the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.

After sharing his story of being diagnosed with cancer, Castro said that if the redistricting goes through and five more Republicans win seats in Congress, it will affect every Texan.

I dont want five more people who are going to take away (Affordable Care Act) subsidies, Castro said. I dont want five more people who are going to strip people of Medicaid coverage or Medicare coverage or Social Security, because this is a matter of life and death for so many people in Texas and across the country.

The last speaker at the event was ORourke, who riled up the audience by saying that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Paramount Global  which now owns CBS  law firms and universities are bending the knee to Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And so he comes to our state to grab even more power in the form of these five congressional districts, including Marc Veaseys right here, ORourke said. He thinks that we are going to take it right here. But he doesnt understand, in Texas, our knees do not bend.

Former U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke speaks to the capacity crowd on the stage for The People vs. The Power Grab rally at the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.

After the rally, ORourke told the Star-Telegram that at each of his stops out of state, the whole room stands up whooping and hollering for the Texas Democrats breaking quorum.

He said that throughout Trumps second term, Americans have been waiting for someone to fight back.

So I think the reason that this has caught on everywhere and is inspiring people to literally stand on their feet and give these ovations in Omaha and Indianapolis and Milwaukee is because this is the fight weve been waiting for, and I think its also because it came from an unexpected place, ORourke said. Texas is not supposed to count. Its not supposed to matter. Its not historically been decisive in our presidential or national politics. And yet, Texas is the epicenter of this fight.
The Brief

An off-duty Orange County sheriff's deputy allegedly shot and killed their roommate in Tustin on Friday.

Brittany Shaw, a healthcare worker working in the Orange County jail system, was killed.

Officials said the deputy may have mistaken their roommate for an intruder.

TUSTIN, Calif. - An off-duty Orange County sheriff's deputy is accused of shooting and killing their roommate in Tustin on Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One county officials said the shooting could have been an accident.

What we know

Police were called to the Axiom Tustin apartments on Tuestin East Drive early morning, the Tustin Police and Orange County Sheriff's departments told City News Service. When they got to the apartment, they found 35-year-old Brittany Shaw had been shot.

Paramedics took Shaw to the hospital where she died.

SUGGESTED: California man, 79, calls 911 to say he killed someone, gets shot by deputy at home: Officials

Tustin Police then notified the sheriff's department, because the shooting involved an off-duty deputy sheriff, OCSD spokesperson Carrie Braun told CNS. Braun said that the deputy was placed on paid administrative leave.

What we don't know

Officials did not identify the deputy allegedly involved in the shooting. It wasn't immediately clear what led up to the shooting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner told City News Service that Shaw worked for the Orange County Health Care Agency, in the county jail system.

Wagner said it appeared Shaw lived with the deputy, and that the deputy might have mistaken Shaw for an intruder. Wagner said Shaw came back from walking her dog around 5:30 a.m. on Friday.

"The deputy sheriff felt there was an intruder and ended up shooting Miss Shaw several times," he said.

The Source

Information in this story is from City News Service, including statements from the Tustin Police Department, Orange County Sheriff's Department and Orange Xounty Supervisor Don Wagner.
Officers are investigating after a body was discovered in a wooded area in Ohio on Saturday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The Lancaster Police Department wrote in a social media post that officers were dispatched to a well-being check.

During the investigation, the body of an unknown person was found in a wooded area near the 700 block of South Maple Street, according to a police spokesperson.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A police lieutenant told our news partner, WBNS in Columbus, that the incident is being treated as a crime scene.

There is little information about what happened, and the persons identity is currently unknown.

The incident remains under investigation.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
In a creative effort to shut down illegal mining routes and restore damaged forest land, officials in the northern Indian state of Haryana have tried an interesting tactic: planting trees.

According to The Times of India, they planted roughly 7,500 saplings over a 15-kilometer stretch of land once carved out by mining operators.

The project, completed in just under two weeks, aims to turn two illegally constructed roads in Nuh district's Basai Meo village into green barricades. This is a bold new attempt to stop the persistent quarrying of the nearby Aravalli Range, a vital and fragile ecosystem.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We completed the plantation drive over a 15km stretch in the ridge area along the two illegal roads, which were paved for non-forest activities," divisional forest officer Pradeep Gulia said in a statement. "The objective is to develop a green patch on the 33-foot-wide illegal roads."

The Aravallis, which run across parts of northwestern India, are a major shield against desertification and an important recharge zone for groundwater. But unchecked mining has degraded the landscape and violated multiple environmental protections, including a 2009 Supreme Court ban on mining in parts of the range.

Officials say the trees are just one piece of a multipronged solution. Drone surveillance will help monitor the growth of the saplings and detect any new incursions.

The forest department's efforts also respond to growing public pressure to enforce long-standing environmental regulations in a region that has seen repeated instances of illegal activity. Earlier investigations confirmed the unauthorized construction of a 1.5-kilometer road for the transport of quarried stone.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While the tree planting doesn't address the root causes of illegal mining, such as demand for construction materials and enforcement loopholes, it does offer a visible and community-driven show of resistance.

That's a strategy other regions have taken up as well, from reforestation projects in the Peruvian Amazon to green buffer zones in Italy.

In the case of Nuh, the symbolism is hard to ignore. Once a vehicle route for destructive activity, the stretch is now a living, growing barrier to future harm.

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.
All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has alleged that the law and order situation in Assam has "deteriorated" and Muslims are being "targeted." The party has demanded to impose the President's Rule in the state. Speaking to ANI, AIUDF MLA and party General Secretary Rafiqul Islam said that in Assam, Muslims are being "targeted and harassed" and accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of "fueling" it. He further said that not a single Bangladeshi Muslim entered Assam after 1971. "The law and order situation in Assam is not good, and the Chief Minister has himself been fuelling this. The bonafide Indian citizens are being harassed in Assam, and thousands of people have now become homeless after the state government bulldozed their houses. Especially the Muslims are being targeted. The landless people will go where, the government's responsibility is to rehabilitate the landless people. Non-Muslim people are also in the government lands, if Muslims occupied 30 per cent of the government lands, then Non-Muslims occupied 70 per cent of those lands. But only Muslims are being targeted. We are against this eviction drive carried out by the state government," Rafiqul Islam said. He further said, "The bonafide Indian citizens from the lower Assam region are being harassed in the upper Assam region. We demand that the Chief Minister resign and that President's Rule be imposed. The Chief Minister has snatched the living rights of these people." The AIUDF MLA has requested the High Court and Supreme Court to take a suo-moto case on this. Meanwhile, speaking about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar electoral rolls, the AIUDF MLA said that after Bihar, the process of SIR in Assam is ready to start. The Chief Electoral Officer of Assam has directed the District Commissioners to be ready for this, and the AIUDF is opposing it. "There is no need for SIR in Assam. During the NRC process, the people of the state provided all necessary documents to the government, which were then verified at various levels. I think Assam is different compared to the other states of the country," Islam stated. The AIUDF MLA also supported Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's allegations of "vote theft" and said that many questions have arisen against the Election Commission of India's credibility. The AIUDF MLA further alleged that after 1971, many Hindu Bengalis came to Assam, and the government has given Indian citizenship to them through the Citizenship Amendment Act. "But not a single Muslim came to Assam from Bangladesh after 1971. If you (the government) found any Bangladeshi Muslim, then push back on them and we will support you," Rafiqul Islam said. (ANI)
After a disastrous oil spill in New Zealand in 2011, officials aren't taking any chances when it comes to preventing a similar accident, The Bay of Plenty Times reported.

When it emerged that large ships were once again using a risky shortcut near Tauranga, northern New Zealand  the site of the country's worst maritime spill  the local harbourmaster moved fast to shut it down, the paper reported.

In May, Bay of Plenty Regional Harbourmaster Jon Jon Peters formally banned ships over 500 gross tons  a nautical term referring to volume, not weight  using a narrow gap of sea between Motiti Island and Otaiti, which is also known as Astrolabe Reef.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That is where the container ship Rena ran aground in 2011, spilling oil and cargo into the ocean and causing significant and lasting environmental damage in the local area.

Oil spills cause widespread harm to marine life, local fishing industries, and coastal communities. When it enters the ocean, oil can coat birds, fish, and mammals, making it difficult for them to move.

The long-term impact on water quality and local ecosystems can last for years. Even after removal, residues from fuel spills can sink into sand and the seabed, continuing the release of toxic substances for years.

"When I heard that ships were again navigating between Astrolabe Reef and Motiti Island, I was genuinely shocked," local documentary maker Anton Steel told The Bay of Plenty Times.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He added: "The idea that large vessels would consider that same stretch of ocean as a shortcut is not just irresponsible  it's disrespectful to the collective memory of this community."

Tauranga is home to the busiest port in the country, with more than 1,400 vessels arriving last year alone.

Peters' ban creates an exclusion zone around the area, still allowing smaller boats through the area but keeping out large vessels, which are hard to maneuver in tight spaces.

This puts them "at risk of collision or potentially running aground" when they travel through the area, Peters told The Bay of Plenty Times.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The move is seen as a critical step in protecting both the coastline and the community's recovery.

Bay of Plenty Regional councillor Stuart Crosby added: "I  and I'm sure that most in our community  would want all possible actions to take place to prevent any other incident like the Rena grounding ever occurring again."

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
The Melaka Health Department in Malaysia is proposing a ban on the manufacturing and sale of e-cigarettes  or vapes  in the state, according to Free Malaysia Today.

"The state government has yet to take a position on whether to support or reject the ban, as the matter is still under review," said State Health, Human Resources, and Unity Committee Chairman Ngwe Hee Sem, per Free Malaysia Today.

The Melaka Health Department plans to present the proposal to the state executive council for a decision later this year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Proponents of the ban, including Ngwe Hee Sem, cite the health and environmental concerns that vaping presents.

Vapes often contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can hinder brain development in young people. The vapor contains toxic chemicals that can be harmful to the health of the people using the vapes and others within the vicinity. As reported by Free Malaysia Today, these chemicals are known carcinogens and have also been associated with mental health issues.

Disposable vapes have also become a huge litter problem. They are often not disposed of properly and can be a dangerous form of e-waste for animals or small children who may come upon them, since they contain lithium batteries. The batteries can be flammable, which is especially problematic if they are not recycled properly.

Disposable vapes are rarely recycled, so even if they are not simply discarded in open areas  as they often are  they end up in landfills. The plastic does not easily break down and can cause damage to ecosystems. Chemicals in the plastics can leach out and contaminate soil and water supplies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One study showed that approximately 5 million disposable vapes are thrown away every week and that only 17% of vapers recycle the devices properly.

Bans on vapes are becoming more widespread. So far, 33 countries have banned the sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems, including e-cigarettes and vapes, and 87 countries, including the U.S., regulate their sale.

The Melaka Health Department's proposed ban is one more step toward hope for a cleaner, vape-free future for humans and the planet.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Local authorities in a popular tourist hot spot have introduced stringent regulations to restrict hunting in areas of high ecological value.

Maspalomas reported that Gran Canaria, part of the Canary Islands, has imposed a ban on hunting activities in protected areas in the south and center of the island. These include the Maspalomas Dunes Special Nature Reserve, which the outlet describes as "one of the most iconic and visited areas of Gran Canaria."

The measures also restrict which species can be legally hunted by residents and attempt to strike a balance between local traditions and protecting the island's endangered species. Because they were relatively isolated for centuries, the islands boast several endemic species not found anywhere else. One Earth describes the Canary Islands as "one of the world's most biodiverse parts of the temperate regions."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As the island's official site notes, the Canaries have more endemic species than any other part of Spain. As the name suggests, there are indeed lots of birds, but the islands are also home to several unique species of reptiles.

Because of urban development and tourism  the islands collectively welcome over 10 million visitors annually  the local wildlife has suffered significant habitat loss. Local residents have also expressed frustration at the sheer number of visitors who arrive each year; thousands took to the streets to call for an end to unsustainable levels of tourism, per the Guardian.

While often controversial, placing restrictions on hunting has a good track record in protecting vulnerable wildlife worldwide. By taking decisive local action to safeguard the islands' threatened wildlife, officials in Gran Canaria have shown their commitment to preserving the island's ecosystem. The "clear red line" established by the restrictions will ensure the immense natural wealth of the Canary Islands is enjoyed by locals and visitors for generations to come.

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.
For the first time, fire ants have appeared in Queensland, Australia.

What's happening?

ABC Capricornia reported that fire ants were detected at a mine site in central Queensland. The National Fire Ant Eradication Program confirmed the discovery, and officers from the program quickly destroyed the nests at the site.

The Invasive Species Council warned that a significant amount of Australia was at risk for fire ant infestation if the country's fire ant program wasn't soon reviewed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jack Gough, chief executive of the council, told ABC Capricornia: "It reflects something that we've been telling governments for two years would happen.  The whole of Australia is at risk of fire ants getting out and the costs are significant and devastating."

Gough noted that the spread of fire ants throughout the country could have an economic impact of $2 billion. He also estimated that suppressing the fire ants would require approximately $24 million.

Why are invasive species concerning?

Invasive species are concerning for numerous reasons.

In this case, the spread of fire ants in Australia could cause environmental and economic damage. The ants also pose a significant health risk to the country's residents and can cause harm to livestock and native animals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Invasive species tend to spread quickly. As they do, they destroy native species by outcompeting them for food and other resources and introducing new diseases. Because these fire ants also have a painful sting and a tendency to be aggressive, they can harm not only native species but also people and pets.

Protecting and prioritizing native species while working to eradicate invasive ones can help ensure the conservation of natural resources, safeguard food supplies, prevent disease spread, and keep communities safe.

What's being done about the fire ants in Australia?

The mine where officials discovered the fire ants will continue working with the National Fire Ant Eradication Program, which is utilizing genetic tracing and testing to determine how this invasive species arrived at the mine.

Meanwhile, eradication efforts will continue in the area, along with increased surveillance to ensure officials can detect and eliminate any further fire ants.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The director of the program, Michael Homden, explained to ABC Capricornia, "This detection is a strong reminder that community and industry vigilance can, and does, stop the spread of fire ants."

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.
CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  Two adults and four children were killed after a Charles County home burst into flames Sunday morning, according to officials.

Details are limited; however, the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal (OSFM) said the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department and several other surrounding departments responded to a home in the 3000 block of North Declaration Court in Waldorf at around 8:40 a.m. for a fire with people reportedly trapped.

6 people, dog displaced after fire ignites at Southeast DC row house

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When crews arrived at the scene, they found heavy flames and smoke billowing from the home, and quickly upgraded the fire to two alarms. Photos shared by the fire marshals office showed the home engulfed in flames, with the rear of the house destroyed.

Firefighters responded to a large fire at a home in Waldorf that left at least two people dead on Sunday, Aug. 10. (Courtesy: Maryland State Fire Marshals Office via X/@MarylandOSFM) Firefighters responded to a large fire at a home in Waldorf that left at least two people dead on Sunday, Aug. 10. (Courtesy: Maryland State Fire Marshals Office via X/@MarylandOSFM)

Charles County officials noted that two adults were able to escape the fire, but it is unclear if they were hurt.

One firefighter was taken to the hospital for a medical issue, and another was treated at the scene.

Investigators say there are no signs of criminal activity, but the cause of the fire has not been determined.

Crews will use heavy machinery to remove the debris as the fire marshals office and the Charles County Sheriffs Office continue the investigation, per standard procedure, officials noted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The identities and ages of the victims have not yet been released.

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.
DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH)  OhioHealth is advancing plans to expand Dublin Methodist Hospital given the current building is insufficient to serve the volume of patients, the healthcare provider says.

The health systems final development plan submitted to the citys planning and zoning commission shows that its aiming to construct a six-story, 206,858-square-foot inpatient tower on the north side of the existing hospital at 7500 Hospital Dr. in Dublin. Doug Scholl, facility planning director for OhioHealth, said the addition is required to address community needs.

State records offer glimpse into Andurils employment, site plans in Ohio

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The current bed capacity is insufficient to serve the volume of patients in the Dublin and Delaware market, Scholl said in a letter to Dublin officials. To adequately address the increased patient volume, OhioHealth plans to erect a six-story inpatient tower that will include a laboratory and cardiac catheterization laboratory, pharmacy, emergency department, surgical and nutrition services.

OhioHealths plan calls for a six-story, 206,858-square-foot inpatient tower on the north side of Dublin Methodist Hospital. (Courtesy Photo/City of Dublin) OhioHealths plan calls for a six-story, 206,858-square-foot inpatient tower on the north side of Dublin Methodist Hospital. (Courtesy Photo/City of Dublin)

Dublins planning and zoning commission is scheduled to review OhioHealths final development plan for the six-story tower on Thursday.

The project will add 96 patient beds across four levels, increasing the total bed count from 140 to nearly 240. Additionally, 58,500 square feet of Dublin Methodist will be renovated to modernize the existing facilitys critical support and surgical services to recover patients and support a dedicated critical care unit, Scholl said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ohio State president said university upholds academic freedom, but faculty disagree

OhioHealth announced the $250 million addition in July 2024, boasting the plan as the largest expansion of Dublin Methodist since it opened in 2008. The healthcare provider said in April tower is expected to open in 2028, two years earlier than originally planned, and will create 200 permanent clinical roles alongside hundreds of construction jobs.

OhioHealths plan calls for a six-story, 206,858-square-foot inpatient tower on the north side of Dublin Methodist Hospital. (Courtesy Photo/City of Dublin) OhioHealths plan calls for a six-story, 206,858-square-foot inpatient tower on the north side of Dublin Methodist Hospital. (Courtesy Photo/City of Dublin) OhioHealths plan calls for a six-story, 206,858-square-foot inpatient tower on the north side of Dublin Methodist Hospital. (Courtesy Photo/City of Dublin)

We are extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to expand our hospital and provide even more exceptional care within, said Cherie Smith, president of Dublin Methodist, in the announcement. The team at Dublin Methodist has an amazing reputation and we want to create even more space for them to provide exceptional care for our patients.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The announcement came shortly before the state of Ohio granted Provisional Level III Trauma Center status in October 2024 to Dublin Methodist, making it the first and only trauma center in the Dublin area. This process included a program evaluation by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, and means that Dublin Methodist now provides care for acute injuries and conditions, OhioHealth 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.
Three holidaymakers have been killed after two explosions rocked the sea near a beach in Odesa Oblast at around 11:30 on Sunday 10 August.

Source: Dumska, an Odesa-based local news outlet, citing eyewitnesses and the police; Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration

Details: Early reports indicate that the explosion occurred about 50 metres from the shore while the man was in the water.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The National Police reported that three holidaymakers  a woman and two men  had been killed by two explosions of unknown objects while swimming. The identities of the deceased are being established.

The incident occurred in one of the settlements of the Karolino-Buhaz hromada in the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.] Investigative and operational teams are currently working at the scene.

Updated at 13:21: Kiper reported that the incident had killed one man in Karolino-Buhaz, while another man and a woman had been killed in Zatoka.

Quote from Kiper: "All of them have been killed by explosive devices while swimming in areas prohibited for recreation."

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
One person was fatally injured during an altercation at a pub in the western German town of Geldern on Saturday evening, police said, with two others seriously wounded.

A 41-year-old man has been taken into custody, a police spokesman confirmed. The weapon used in the attack was reportedly a knife.

The police have set up a homicide investigation unit to handle the case. The incident occurred in a pub in the town's central square.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Further details about the deceased and the injured were not initially disclosed as next of kin were still being notified.

The authorities also said it was too early to determine a motive but confirmed that witnesses were being questioned.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man was found dead after a shooting in Frayser just after midnight Sunday, police say.

A shooting was reported at 12:20 a.m. on Macaulay. Officers checked the area and found several residences struck by gunfire.

Memphis Murder Map 2025

As they continued to check the area, they found a man at Maritavia Drive and Georgian Drive.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was not identified by police.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Call 901-528-CASH with tips.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
A 6.1-magnitude quake struck Sindirgi in western Turkey on Sunday, the Turkish disaster management agency (AFAD) said, killing at least one person and injuring dozens more.

The quake was felt across several cities in the west of the country, including Istanbul and the tourist hotspot of Izmir.

"An 81-year-old person died soon after having been rescued from under the rubble," Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told journalists at Sindirgi, the epicentre of the quake.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Another 29 people had been injured, but not seriously, he added.

The quake collapsed 16 buildings in Sindirgi and its surroundings, of which four were inhabited, including a three-storey building in the city centre, he said.

Several people were pulled alive from the rubble of the three-storey building, where six people were living. The person who died had also been buried under the rubble there before being freed.

Earlier, Mayor Serkan Sak had told Turkish private channel NTV: "Four were rescued from the rubble." Efforts to extract two others were ongoing, he added.

Some 319 first responders were deployed to the affected zone, AFAD said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The quake hit at 7:53 pm (1653 GMT), with some 20 aftershocks ranging from 3.5 to 4.6 magnitude, according to AFAD.

Turkey is crisscrossed by several geological fault lines which have previously caused catastrophes in the country.

A quake in February 2023 in the southwest killed at least 53,000 people and devastated Antakya, site of the ancient city of Antioch.

At the beginning of July, a 5.8-magnitude tremor in the same region resulted in one death and injured 69 people.

bg/jj/gv
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always prioritised the interests of Jammu and Kashmir since he took charge in 2014. The remarks of the Union Minister came as Prime Minister Modi virtually flagged the Vande Bharat Express train between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Amritsar. "From 2014 to today, in the last eleven years, PM Modi Ji has given priority to Jammu and Kashmir. This holy place of Katra Vaishno Devi is a symbol of this. And I am not saying this just for the sake of saying it. You will remember that before becoming the Prime Minister in 2014, Modi Ji started his election campaign by visiting the temple of Mata Vaishno Devi. His first big public program immediately after becoming the Prime Minister was the inauguration of this station...Today, this is the fourth one (Vande Bharat Express train) connecting two pilgrimage places, Katra Vaishno Devi and Amritsar," he said. Earlier today, PM Modi also flagged off three new Vande Bharat trains connecting different parts of the country. He added that the commencement of the Vande Bharat service between Bengaluru and Belagavi will boost trade and tourism in Belagavi. Additionally, Vande Bharat Express trains were launched between Nagpur and Pune, and between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Amritsar. The Prime Minister noted that these services will benefit lakhs of devotees and promote tourism. He congratulated the people of Bengaluru, Karnataka, and the entire nation for these projects and the new Vande Bharat trains. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated the Yellow Line of Bangalore Metro worth around Rs 7,160 crore and laid the foundation stone of Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project worth over Rs 15,610 crore in Bengaluru, Karnataka today. (ANI)
BOONE COUNTY, Iowa  One person was killed and two were injured during a side-by-side and truck crash in Boone County.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash occurred Saturday just before 3:45 p.m. at the intersection of I Avenue and 280th Street, south of Ogden in Boone County.

Morning shooting leaves one injured, DMPD investigates

A Chevy Silverado was traveling eastbound on 280th Street, and a Honda SxS was northbound on I Avenue when both vehicles entered the uncontrolled intersection at the same time and collided with each other. ISP says tall corn blocking both drivers view contributed to the crash.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The driver of the SxS, 55-year-old Bobby Rodriquez, was killed during the collision. Two others, 40-year-old Rebecca Rodriquez and 9-year-old Noah Rodriquez, were life-flighted to the hospital with injuries.

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.
One person was killed and several others were injured in Ukrainian drone attacks targeting the southern Russian city of Saratov, local officials said early on Sunday.

Debris from downed drones struck several apartment buildings, the regional governor, Roman Busargin, wrote on Telegram, promising assistance to the affected residents.

Busargin also reported damage to a factory, but did not provide any details. Unverified footage of a major fire circulated on social media.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukrainian media reported that an oil processing plant was the target, and had been hit in the attack.

Saratov, a major port city on the Volga River located around 500 kilometres north-east of Ukraine, has repeatedly been the target of Ukrainian drone strikes.

Overall, the Russian Defence Ministry reported on Sunday that 121 Ukrainian drones had been destroyed or intercepted. Most were flying above Russia's southern Krasnodar region, but some were also detected near Saratov, as well as in the Bryansk, Belgorod and Voronezh regions.

The military did not provide any information on damages.

Almost three and a half years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kiev increasingly uses drones against military and industrial targets deep inside Russia.

The damage and casualties caused by the Ukrainian attacks are disproportionate to the many deaths and injuries, and severe destruction caused by the Russian offensive since February 2022.
(FOX40.COM)  One person was injured in a stabbing on Sunday morning, according to the Sacramento Police Department.

Video Above: Jury acquits Dominguez on first degree murder charges; hung on second degree murder

Police said that officers responded to reports of someone who was cut with a knife around 7 a.m. in the 4000 block of Norwood Avenue.

Officers found a man with a stab wound, who was then transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There is currently no suspect 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 FOX40 News.
ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  The Anderson County Sheriffs Office reported that one person was shot in the city of Anderson.

The incident took place at Chickadee Street.

Deputies said they are currently searching for a suspect after they reportedly fled the scene.

The investigation remains ongoing, and the status of the victim remains unknown. The Anderson County Coroners Office confirmed they were not called out to the scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

7NEWS will continue to follow this story as more information is revealed.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
Thousands of people gathered in the western German city of Solingen on Sunday to commemorate the victims of the knife attack that shook the city on August 23 last year, blending remembrance with celebration.

"We have succeeded in combining the commemoration of the victims with the celebrations," co-organizer Phillip Muller told dpa.

He thanked the musicians of the Kotten Klub Bigband, who described their performance as a "memorial concert."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We want to keep making music and not let fear keep people at home," one musician said, earning applause from the audience.

A year ago, three people were killed and many others were injured in a suspected Islamist terrorist attack during a concert at the city festival.

Following the attack, the traditional three-day festival was cancelled. This year, several bands that missed out in 2024 took the stage to honour the victims and reclaim the city's spirit.

Trial under way in Dusseldorf

A Syrian man, identified under German privacy rules only as Issa Al H, is facing trial in Dusseldorf for the attack. He accused of repeatedly and deliberately stabbing festival-goers in the neck and upper body area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Prosecutors charged him with three murders and 10 attempted murders. He is accused of acting on behalf of the Islamic State terrorist organization.

The attack fuelled an intense political debate about migration, deportation and internal security in Germany, which was also spurred by several other attacks in which the suspects were also migrants.

The festival, which the city has organized for several years, began on Friday and will end on Sunday. Up to 70,000 visitors are expected. Security measures have been increased, with vehicle barriers erected.

The city will also hold a remembrance event on the actual anniversary.
Time stood still for the locals of a small Montana town nestled in a quiet, scenic mountain valley after an Army veteran shot dead four bar patrons and went into hiding.

For seven days, the quiet charm of Anaconda gave way to fear as the towns residents slept beside their guns at night and eyed their once peaceful, tree-lined neighborhoods that had become potential hiding places for a mass murderer on the run.

On August 1, Michael Paul Brown walked into The Owl Bar near his home in Anaconda and fatally shot Daniel Baillie, 59; Nancy Kelley, 64; David Leach, 70; and Tony Palm, 74, authorities said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Brown had irrevocably scarred a beloved gathering spot, known for its cozy, neon-lit interior plastered with glowing beer logo signs and posters jeering with bawdy bar jokes and wisecracks.

He knew everybody that was in that bar. I guarantee you that, owner David Gwerder told The Associated Press. He didnt have any running dispute with any of them. I just think he snapped.

Its still unclear whether Brown was targeting any of the victims or if he shot them randomly. Browns niece, Clare Boyle, previously told CNN he struggled with his mental health during his time in the Army and was never the same after his service.

Upon fleeing The Owl Bar after the deadly shooting, Brown briefly went to his home before hiding in another structure down the street, authorities said Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Security footage showed Brown barefoot and wearing only underwear as he left that structure, where he ditched his clothing and other personal items. He then stole a white Ford F-150 truck, authorities said.

He was identified almost immediately when he got in that vehicle and took off, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said.

The challenge was an almost identical vehicle pulled into the highway in front of him, and so law enforcement wasnt sure which white F-150 he was in, Knudsen said.

Security camera footage shows Michael Paul Brown fleeing after a shooting at the The Owl Bar on August 1. - Montana Department of Justice

It was still early morning when hospitals, day care centers and local businesses received a chilling emergency alert ordering them to lock down immediately.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Once that happened, the news spread like wildfire, local Randy Clark, a retired police officer, told CNN.

When Clark stepped outside his home, he was immediately engulfed by a massive dust cloud kicked up by speeding law enforcement vehicles.

For an entire week, the flashing blue and red lights of police vehicles cast eerie glows inside residents homes, while helicopters and drones hummed relentlessly overhead.

Neighbors and businesses bolted their doors and watched anxiously from behind curtains as police swarmed the streets. Armed and on edge, every unfamiliar noise sparked dozens of false alarms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Last Sunday morning, the house beside Clarks was crowded with SWAT vehicles when a young girl in the home awoke to a loud noise downstairs, triggering a false alarm.

They responded to every call. They followed up on every tip. They spent hours climbing over these mountains looking for this criminal. They used every resource available to them to search for him, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte said about authorities efforts to find Brown.

The grueling manhunt was unwavering, with 250 law enforcement personnel traversing challenging terrain in the western Montana wilderness. The dozens of agencies searching for Brown included the FBI, Anaconda Deer Lodge County Police, the Granite County Sheriffs Office and the Denver office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Authorities locked down the Barker Lake area of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest last weekend as local, state and federal agencies searched by land and air, the Montana Department of Justice said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The type of terrain, its very challenging, so we have expanded our perimeters to look in different areas, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation Administrator Lee Johnson said previously.

Anaconda resident Dan Haffey, who was a fire foreman for the Montana Division of Forestry, knows the area well. He told CNN his team would cut trails into Garrity Mountain for hikers.

Theres a thousand places to hide on that mountain, Haffey said. Ive been on forest fires, and in that drainage up there, and (there are) 5,000 acres. That mountain is gigantic.

Investigators eventually found the truck Brown had stolen, but he was not located in or around the vehicle, Johnson said at the time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Friday, after a weeklong manhunt, Brown was found armed around 2 p.m. local time about 5-and-a-half miles away from the shooting scene. He is now in the custody of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County authorities, according to Knudsen.

Authorities on Friday declined to comment on which charges will be filed against the suspect. CNN is working to determine whether Brown has retained an attorney.

Tips from the public were crucial in locating Brown, who was flushed out and found in an area authorities had previously searched and cleared, Knudsen said.

On Thursday, there were about 130 personnel in the area where Brown was found, according to Knudsen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We think that was directly correlated to flushing him out today, getting him down into an area that we know we had searched before, Knudsen said Friday. Its not someplace hed been hiding.

From left: The Owl Bar victims Daniel Edwin Baillie, Nancy Lauretta Kelley, David Allen Leach and Tony Wayne Palm are pictured. - Montana Department of Justice

With the suspect in custody, authorities say they will now seek justice for the families of the victims.

Meanwhile, the community of Anaconda is cautiously moving toward a sense of normalcy.

Businesses have unlocked their doors again and locals have set aside their guns to find comfort in grieving together and supporting one another, Clark said. He added several restaurants are donating a portion of their sales to help support The Owl Bar.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its always terrible for the victims families and friends to lose someone like that, in such a terrible way, Clark said. Im sure at The Owl Bar, every time somebody drives by or goes in, or the name of any of the victims comes up, it will just bring everything back up, but the whole saying is, time heals wounds.

CNNs Dalia Faheid, Josh Campbell, Michelle Watson, Taylor Galgano, Jillian Sykes and Elizabeth Wolfe contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a press conference with international media to address the "campaign of lies" against the Jewish state.

The international media has been reporting "Hamas lies" on starvation in their coverage of the Israel-Hamas War, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said to the international press on Sunday.

"Contrary to false claims, our policy throughout the war has been to prevent a humanitarian crisis, while Hamas's policy has been to create it," the prime minister said at a press conference, the first of two scheduled for Sunday. The second press conference, addressing Israeli media, is scheduled for 8 p.m. Israel time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On multiple occasions during his speech, Netanyahu referred to many detractors of the IDF's operations in Gaza as "false claims," taking issue with allegations that Israel is starving Gaza.

"Israel has let in close to two million tons of aid," he said. "Now if we have a starvation policy, no one in Gaza would have survived two years of war."

The prime minister claimed the IDF has taken several steps to protect Gazan civilians, but said that Hamas has violently raided aid trucks, and that the UN, being unable to distribute the aid, has caused tons of uncollected food to rot away.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discusses principles for ending the war in a press confernce with foreign media in Jerusalem, August 10, 2025. (credit: GPO, SCREENSHOT/X)

To illustrate this, Netanyahu shared an image of food trucks by the Kerem Shalom crossing, and then went on to tout the efforts of the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF).

Gaza starvation and fake starving children

However, he was further critical of the "campaign of lies" directed against Israel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Despite Hamas's obstacles, two million people are now getting access to humanitarian aid," Netanyahu said. "But I'll tell you who isn't. The only ones who are being deliberately starved in Gaza are our hostages."

The prime minister then showed an image of Evyatar David shared by Hamas and contrasted his emaciated condition with the arm of a Hamas terrorist in the photo. "He's eating, and he's eating well," Netanyahu said of the terrorist.

"The purpose of this news conference is to puncture the lies and spread the truth," he continued, comparing the international media reporting on the war in Gaza to medieval blood libels.

The international media, Netanyahu said, has bought "hook, line, and sinker" into Hamas's claims, forgeries, and photographs. To illustrate this, he showed examples of children shared in international media as starving children of Gaza and proceeded to debunk them. One was of Osama al-Rakab, a five-year-old with a genetic disease who received treatment in Italy after being evacuated out of Gaza by Israel. Another was Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub, an image of whom was shared by The New York Times despite his suffering from cerebral palsy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On the last note, Netanyahu said that he was considering filing a governmental lawsuit against The New York Times.

"It's the kind of malignant lies that were leveled in the Middle Ages that we won't suffer," Netanyahu said.

He continued, "I hope you open your eyes to a simple fact: Hamas lies."
After the Justice Department asked for U.S. District Judge Richard Berman to release grand jury testimony in the case against Jeffrey Epstein, the judge received an anonymous letter from one of the late financiers many victims. I come forward to you today in disdain, disgust and fear of how the United States of Americas DOJ has handled the promise to release the Epstein files, this victim wrote. It has been a very difficult time for me personally, mentally and emotionally dealing with the circus around the Epstein Files.

Indeed, amid the news of a prison transfer for Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, and the latest developments over whether documents will be unsealed, the victims are still suffering all the same. While much of the focus lately has been on the prominent figures that may have taken part in the sex trafficking scheme, we must never forget to focus on the health of the victims. We must confront more than criminal wrongdoing; we must also reckon with the lifelong physical and psychological devastation wrought on the victims.

The stories of survivors and those trafficked by Epstein and his accomplices cannot be reduced to scandalous headlines or footnotes in celebrity exposes. Their experiences demand national reckoning and action to protect future children and bring justice to the victims.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One Jane Doe, speaking in court in 2019, testified that she and the other victims will always carry irreparable damage and pain throughout our lives after this.

Victims typically enter exploitation during critical stages of their physical, emotional and cognitive development. Many children are targeted simply because they are children: young, naive and vulnerable. Young girls who become victims of sex trafficking have been tricked or forced into sexual exploitation by acquaintances, employers or even family members. Epsteins victims were coerced by wealthy and influential men and women. Staggering power imbalances make self-escape nearly impossible. In the case of Epsteins victims, that is adult versus child, man versus girl, wealthy versus poor.

In the federal charges brought against Epstein, the victims were stated to be as young as 14. Abuse during these years disrupts brain development, impairs memory and learning capacity, damages selfconcept and identity, and limits trust in others. Survivors often carry shame and stigma, face social rejection, interrupted education and reduced economic opportunity later in life.

Once caught in the web of a sex trafficking scheme, the young girls are treated as commodities, being used, sold and violated repeatedly. They suffer not just one-time trauma, but a systemic and chronic assault on the (still developing) mind and body.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Victims of sex trafficking often live with lifelong physical consequences. They may have endured repeated physical violence: rape, beatings, burns, fractures, infectious exposures and more. They face high rates of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and elevated risks of cervical cancer, infertility, pregnancy complications and unsafe abortion injuries. Some victims experience chronic pain, untreated injuries, malnutrition, dehydration, traumatic brain injuries and complications from untreated infections that persist long after their escape.

Sex trafficking survivors face an epidemic of psychological devastation. Traffickers use coercion, manipulation, emotional bonding and isolation to target their victims. They exploit childrens desire for safety, love and stability, only to use those needs against them. Many victims form trauma bonds, a psychological survival strategy that can look like loyalty or silence from the outside, but is in fact a symptom of deep, systemic abuse.

As a result, victims are more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder, severe depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, dissociation and personality disorders. One study of trafficked minors found that over 50% had been diagnosed with ADHD, nearly half experienced depression and others suffered from anxiety, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, bipolar disorder and psychosis at far higher rates than other at-risk youth. This year, Virginia Giuffre, a survivor of Epsteins trafficking operation, died by suicide. Her family wrote: She lost her life to suicide after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking.

Not every survivor will suffer from every condition. But each one lives with unique injuries, losses and scars. Their pain cannot be captured by a diagnostic checklist. They need both human compassion from us as individuals and a structural response from us as a whole.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Our responsibility does not end with the prosecution of perpetrators. Legal justice is essential, but insufficient. We owe survivors long-term, trauma-informed health care. Clinicians should be trained not only in medical management but also in how to restore dignity, support autonomy and avoid re-traumatization. Treatment should include protections against retaliation and social shaming. And survivors should receive material support to rebuild their lives. This includes access to affordable housing, SNAP, education, childcare, contraception, employment and mental health care.

The sexual exploitation of children is not just a heinous crime, but a public health catastrophe and a moral collapse. It demands not only justice but health care and humanity. We cannot let the headlines overshadow the victims. We must act not only to prevent this from happening to any children in the future, but to also build a world where victims feel supported and empowered to take back their lives.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
The so-called One Big Beautiful Bill that President Donald Trump signed into law on the Fourth of July will have devastating impacts on the health and food security of working people across North Carolina. The coming wave of drastic cuts to federal spending on essential social programs will ripple through every community.

According to the office of Gov. Josh Stein, an estimated 520,000 people stand to lose health insurance due to changes in Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. Without federal or state action, 670,000 people enrolled in Medicaid expansion will lose their coverage. These changes will also force rural hospitals and nursing homes to close down, which means even families with strong employer-sponsored insurance will have to travel further for care, pay more on medical bills, and spend longer in hospital waiting rooms.

Western North Carolina is still picking up the pieces since Hurricane Helene, but with this new budget, vital resources are going to be ripped away from families that need it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

FEMA is set to lose $664 million in funding, including for programs that help us prevent floods and strengthen our infrastructure against future disasters. In total, 1 in 8 residents in North Carolina rely on SNAP benefits  loss of funding for this program could leave 600,000 children without food assistance. That includes all 25 Western North Carolina counties most impacted by Helene that had higher SNAP enrollment in March 2025 than in September 2024 before the storm hit.

The law also claws back $56 million in funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) weather forecasting, storm monitoring, and critical other research that saves lives.

The economic security of tens of thousands of North Carolina workers who helped jumpstart the states clean energy future is also now at risk. In the construction and manufacturing sectors, much of their work was spurred by bipartisan federal investments in infrastructure, clean energy, and heavy industry that helped facilitate a boom in construction. In our state, weve seen these federal incentives facilitate $31.5 billion in private investment, with the potential for almost 40,000 jobs to be created.

Unfortunately, President Trump and Republicans in Congress undercut this boom by passing their Big Ugly Bill. The law repeals clean energy tax credits and slashes over $200 billion in federal support for clean energy development to power our homes, our manufacturing sites, data centers, and more. These federal incentives leveraged, on average, two private sector dollars for every federal dollar invested, meaning the bill would cut well over $600 billion in energy construction costs nationwide.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

These tax credits make jobs better. They required developers to employ registered apprentices and pay workers the prevailing wage in order to receive the full amount. These requirements deliver family sustaining wages and benefits across the sector. Blue-collar workers are finally seeing the rigged tax code work for them.

But Republicans couldnt let that stand.

By enacting this bill, the GOP has threatened 1.75 million construction jobs and 3 billion work hours. Thats $148 billion in lost salaries and benefits nationwide.

This political attack on clean energy and millions of workers in manufacturing and in the construction trades must stop. Given energy demand, we need more solutions, not fewer, which means supporting clean energy development and workers in those industries. Otherwise, our energy bills will continue to rise at the same time that work slows down.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Unlike Sen. Tillis, who voted against this bill even though it would cost him his job, Sen. Budd proudly voted for it, selling out you and me just to give huge tax cuts to billionaires. Thanks to Sen. Budd, children will go hungry, seniors will get kicked out of nursing homes, and clean energy workers will sadly lose their good-paying jobs.

In communities from Manteo to Murphy, the people of North Carolina will be less healthy, less wealthy, and have fewer opportunities to pursue happiness because of the callous indifference of the very people elected to protect our freedom to thrive.

Now, more than ever, it is important that we have U.S. Senators willing to stand up for us instead of following the pack in blind obedience to the cult avarice and malice that treats the lives and livelihoods of working people as expendable.

Opinion: Trump helped into power by Christian conservatives who ignore Jesus' teachings

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Opinion: Pisgah Legal's work serving people in need more urgent After Medicaid, SNAP cuts

MaryBe McMillan is the president of the North Carolina State AFL-CIO and resides in Cary, N.C.

MaryBe McMillan

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Trump's Big Bill will cause higher medical bills, reduce SNAP benefits
Fox News hosts elevated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to help return President Donald Trump to the White House. They then greased the skids for Kennedys confirmation as secretary of health and human services. But as he works to demolish American health care research, they are nowhere to be found.

Kennedy, a prominent vaccine skeptic who once described Covid-19 shots as the deadliest vaccine ever made, announced on Tuesday that he is terminating nearly $500 million in federal contracts supporting the development of next-generation vaccines and other treatments based on mRNA technology. After reviewing the science and consulting top experts at NIH and FDA, HHS has determined that mRNA technology poses more risks than benefits for these respiratory viruses, he said in a video posted online.

But Kennedys announcement drew harsh criticism from infectious disease experts and other scientists. They warned that the cuts could stall treatments for everything from respiratory illnesses to cancer, leave the nation more exposed to pandemics, undermine public trust in vaccines and threaten U.S. global leadership in medical advances.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While Kennedys announcement was widely discussed on MSNBC and CNN, as well as by national broadcast, print and digital outlets, Fox News has almost entirely ignored it. A single 30-second news brief on its Special Report program represents the entirety of the Trumpist propaganda networks coverage through Thursday, according to a Media Matters review.

Fox News may not want to claim credit for Kennedy as he stifles crucial medical research, but it certainly deserves it. You cant explain the evolution from Trumps first administration, which fast-tracked the development of mRNA vaccines for Covid-19 through Operation Warp Speed, to the second terms anti-vax, Make America Healthy Again schtick without talking about the networks role in turning the GOP base against vaccines and toward conspiracy theorists like Kennedy.

When pharmaceutical companies began rolling out the vaccines produced under the Trump administration in late 2020 and early 2021, Fox News stars could have used the unique influence they have over their viewers to encourage them to get their Covid-19 shots. But Trump had lost his re-election bid, and the network that had worked so hard to keep him in office instead pandered to anti-vaxxers by turning against the vaccination campaign helmed by his successor, President Joe Biden.

Led by its then-prime-time star Tucker Carlson, the network incessantly promoted misleading and false claims about safe, effective vaccines with the potential to save their viewers lives  day after day, month after month, year after year. The network uplifted conspiracy theories, gave airtime to conspiracy theorists and culture war vaccine opponents, demagogued against efforts to get more people to receive these lifesaving shots, and propped up ineffective cures as potential substitutes. Fox News continued to broadcast these segments even as more Republican parts of the country, with lower vaccination rates, suffered higher Covid-19 death tolls, as The New York Times David Leonhardt detailed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Before the pandemic, Kennedy, the scion of a Democratic dynasty who once called for a boycott of Fox News host Sean Hannity and described him as a fascist, was not a natural fit for the Fox audience. But with the Covid-19 vaccine campaign underway, his decades of work undermining vaccines and his attacks on the new mRNA vaccines in particular suddenly made him attractive to the right.

When he began his presidential campaign in March 2023  with Carlsons show as his launchpad  MAGA media stalwarts saw an opportunity. They treated Kennedys bid, first in the Democratic primary and then as an independent candidate, as a potent spoiler candidacy to boost Trumps return to power. Kennedy became a constant presence on the programs of pro-Trump commentators. Fox provided him with more airtime than many would-be Republican standard-bearers received.

All of the fawning attention on Kennedy from the right  alongside mainstream news coverage of his bizarre history, such as his claim that a parasite in his brain had triggered memory loss  had the impact one would expect: Kennedy became more popular with Republicans than Democrats. As polls increasingly showed that he was pulling support from Trump, though, MAGA media figures like Hannity abruptly turned on Kennedy. After Carlson reportedly helped to facilitate Kennedys decision to drop out and endorse the once-and-future president, Fox hosts resumed showering the anti-vax champion with praise.

As Election Day approached, talk turned to what reward Kennedy could expect in return. Paul Dans, the former head of Project 2025, floated Kennedys name for HHS secretary  and thats precisely the position Trump nominated him for.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Not everyone on the right was willing to accept Kennedys ascent. The editorial boards of Rupert Murdochs Wall Street Journal and New York Post denounced the decision and called for Senate Republicans to vote down his nomination.

But Fox News hosts were elated. As Kennedys nomination moved through the Senate, they touted him as a reformer and true health care crusader who had the skills, knowledge, and experience needed for the job. When Kennedy said he wasnt going to take away anyones vaccines, Fox said he wasnt going to take away anyones vaccines.

Murdochs print voices lost out to his cable news shouters  the Senate confirmed Kennedy on a near-party-line vote, with Sen. Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor, the sole Republican vote against him.

And lo and behold, once confirmed, Kennedy continued the anti-vax project to which he had dedicated years of his life. He yanked $2 billion in funding to vaccinate children whose families may not be able to afford immunizations. He downplayed the importance of vaccination for quelling a measles outbreak even as measles cases hit record highs. He replaced the members of a vaccine advisory board with his own picks  some of whom were notorious vaccine critics  who plan to review the childhood vaccination schedule and scrutinize its components. And now hes terminated federal funding that could have fueled a new wave of cures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Under Kennedys leadership, the Department of Health and Human Services itself has become a grave threat to public health. That is the regrettable but inevitable consequence of Fox News cynical exploitation of its viewers. The networks hosts should take a bow  they earned it.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that lions have today emerged as a global symbol of India's pride. He made the remarks at the World Lion Day celebrations held on Sunday at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in the Devbhumi Dwarka district. On the occasion, wishing lion and nature lovers worldwide, the Chief Minister recalled Lord Krishna's Gita message to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra: 'Among animals, I am the lion.' Expressing joy that after a long gap of 143 years, lions have naturally started reinhabiting Barda hills, he added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced all necessary support facilities for lion conservation in Barda. Due to the PM's vision and the proactive practices of the Forest Department, the successful conservation story of lions in Gir has gained global recognition. To ensure that the glory of our 'Vanraj' (Lion King) remains intact and continues to grow in the future, the PM has launched 'Project Lion', covering lion habitat and population management, wildlife health, human-animal conflict, cooperation of local people, tourism development, scientific research and training, eco-development, and biodiversity conservation. He said that under the PM's guidance, wildlife conservation has been prioritised, raising the lion population from 674 to 891, a source of pride for all. "PM has always considered the conservation of nature, the environment, and animals as our responsibility". Stating this, the Chief Minister added that an emotional and economic bond has developed between the local people and the Gir lions. Over the past two and a half decades, the lion's range has expanded from 3 to 11 districts, nurturing the sentiment among locals: 'If the lion exists, we exist; if we exist, the lion exists.'" He further stated that recently, a Project Lion document titled 'Lion @2047: Vision for Amrit Kaal' has been released. This Project Lion @2047 will play a significant role in effectively managing the growing lion population, securing and restoring lion habitats, generating employment, and increasing community participation. The government is working for the holistic development of the area alongside the development of wildlife tourism. Inaugurating development works worth Rs 180 crore for the conservation of forests and wildlife and the development of the tourism sector, the Chief Minister added that in the Barda sanctuary area, a new safari park and tourist facilities will soon be undertaken at a cost of Rs 75 crore. For the protection of wildlife in forest areas, 247 new vehicles are being added to the Forest Department for patrolling, monitoring, and animal rescue operations. He said an online portal now enables booking of the state's 24 ecotourism sites, which will boost local industries and handicrafts. Citing the Prime Minister's 'Vocal for Local' call, he urged strengthening the rural economy by buying indigenous goods. Referring to Viksit Bharat @2047, he said that in this Amrit Kaal, under the Prime Minister's leadership, India will swiftly become the world's third-largest economy. On this occasion, Union Minister for Forest and Environment Bhupender Yadav conveyed best wishes for the inauguration of new habitats and innovative projects of the Forest and Environment Department. He further added that under the leadership of the PM, the state government has successfully fulfilled its strong commitment to the conservation and protection of wildlife. It is a matter of pride that Asiatic lions are found only in the Gir region of Gujarat. Under the guidance of the PM for nature conservation and under the leadership of the CM, the state government's dedicated efforts have resulted in a 17 per cent increase in the number of lions. Amid global climate challenges, the PM has given the world a new direction with his action plan for renewable energy and climate change. He noted the unique bond between Gir's pastoralists and lions as a model of harmony, adding that India's ecocentrism inspires the world. He said that the National Wildlife Board meeting held last year in Sasan, where the PM resolved to boost Gujarat's lion population and develop Barda Sanctuary as a new habitat, has been fulfilled under CM Bhupendra Patel's leadership. The Union Minister added that due to climate change, problems like heavy rains and cyclones are emerging. To address this, PM has undertaken initiatives such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the International Solar Alliance. In addition, the 'International Big Cat Alliance' has been established globally. Conservation efforts have been made for five of the seven big cat species that reside in India. The Prime Minister has advanced multiple projects for wildlife conservation, including Project Lion, Project Tiger, Project Dolphin, and Project Cheetah. Efforts must be made to establish harmonious relationships between humans and nature for nature conservation. He added that with the re-habitation of lions in Barda Wildlife Sanctuary after many decades, new energy is flowing into Barda's biodiversity, which will boost ecotourism. Prime Minister has initiated 'Mission LiFE' and the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Abhiyan' to combat climate change. 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Abhiyan' is the biggest pledge for our lifestyle, our connection with nature, and its protection. He urged everyone to support Viksit Bharat by planting more trees for a prosperous India. State Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera said World Lion Day is being celebrated outside Gir for the first time at Barda Sanctuary, home to Gujarat's pride, the Asiatic lions. The Prime Minister's vision and conservation efforts have boosted the state's lion population, with advanced technology used for the first time to count them. After 143 years, lions are reinhabiting Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, located near Timbdi in Bhanvad taluka of Devbhumi Dwarka district. Barda is home to more than 400 medicinal plants, the 6th-century Navlakha Temple, various religious places, and natural waterfalls. As a result, lions have accepted Barda Sanctuary as their second home. The Chief Minister announced the inauguration and foundation-laying of works and schemes worth Rs 180.12 crore. At Barda Sanctuary, the Chief Minister announced a new safari park, an interpretation center, and tourist facilities over an area of 248 hectares, to be developed at a cost of Rs 75 crore. In addition, breeding centres for herbivore conservation programmes will be built at a cost of Rs 10.96 crore, 137 eco-development works will be carried out in forest settlement villages and eco-sensitive zones at a cost of Rs 7.57 crore, and community development works in 720 villages under the JICA project will be undertaken at a cost of Rs 3562 crore. Other works include a wildlife rescue center and quick response system at a cost of Rs 7 crore, Swaichhik Sthalantaran Yojana (voluntary relocation scheme) for pastoralists in the Barda area at a cost of Rs 21 crore, 20 residential units and office buildings for frontline staff at a cost of Rs 9.94 crore, caracal conservation in Chadva Rakhal at a cost of Rs 5 crore, insurance and health cover for trackers in the Gir area under CSR at a cost of Rs 65 lakh, and the provision of 3 rescue vehicles, 200 bikes, and 44 utility vehicles for patrolling and monitoring at a cost of Rs 6.98 crore. The booking portal for 24 ecotourism sites was also launched. (ANI)
The verbal gymnastics by our Defense secretary whenever he orders a Confederate monument to go back up is truly Olympian.

To wit, Secretary Pete Hegseth just ordered the army to refurbish a 1914 Arlington Confederate Monument to the tune of $10 million and restore it by 2027. Hegseth called it a reconciliation monument  taken down by woke lemmings.

In his announcement, Hegseth avoids the actual name of the monument, The Arlington Confederate Monument. In fact, nothing in his statement mentions the Confederacy at all. Theres a reason for that: Congress passed a law in 2019 preventing the Department of Defense from naming or renaming anything after the Confederacy. Hence, reconciliation monument.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I study Confederate commemoration. This structure is one the cruelest, most racist monuments in the country, and its location at the sacred ground of Arlington National Cemetery makes it even more offensive. The monument clearly commemorates the Confederacy and its purpose  chattel slavery.

It depicts a tearful, overweight enslaved woman, a mammy, cradling the child of her Confederate enslaver, supporting him as he departs for war. The monument portrays faithful slaves and kind white masters, a historical lie. Slavery featured legal rape, torture and selling husband from wife, child from mother.

The monument came down because Congress, with a Republican-controlled Senate, passed a law directing the Pentagon to remove all names, symbols, displays, monuments, and paraphernalia that honor or commemorate the Confederate States of America. President Trump vetoed the $800 billion defense bill because it required the changing of nine base names like Fort Lee and Fort Benning that honored Confederates. Those bases were named during World War I and World War II, when the Army and the American South were segregated and few Black southerners could vote. Congress overturned Trumps veto with a supermajority.

To execute that order, Congress created a Naming Commission on which I served as vice chair. We were no woke lemmings. The eight commissioners appointed by Congress and the secretary of Defense included three Republicans, one Democrat, and four retired flag officers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When the commission members visited the Confederate monument in 2022, we were shocked by its overt racist imagery and anti U.S. sentiments. We voted unanimously to recommend removal.

Hegseth and neo-Confederate groups argue that the Commission sought to erase history. Not quite. Classes still study the Civil War, slavery, the Confederacy, and Jim Crow. Removing the names of bases named after confederate generals or racist monuments changed who and how we commemorate, our remit from Congress, not history.

Hegseth further declares that the monument was done in the spirit of reconciliation. He gets his history grossly wrong. Reunion had already occurred in 1868 when President Andrew Johnson magnanimously granted amnesty for treason to all Confederates. By 1877, all the former rebelling states had full political rights and representation.

In 1914, the Arlington Monument celebrated not reconciliation, but the victory of white supremacy. Before 1877, over 2,000 Black men held elective office, including a Black U.S. senator from Mississippi. By 1914, even though Mississippi and South Carolina were majority Black, almost no one of color could vote, much less hold office. Jim Crow triumphed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Reconciliation did not include 9 million African Americans in the South who lived in a racial police state without voting rights enforced by a terror campaign of lynching. In 1914, the NAACPs Crisis magazine counted 55 African Americans lynched. In Louisiana, three Black men were burned alive at the stake. Another mob doused a Texas man with gasoline and placed him in an oil-soaked, dry-goods box and set him on fire. None of the perpetrators were ever brought to justice.

Commemoration should inspire us. Who we commemorate should reflect our values. Instead of spending $10 million to restore that monument, we should commemorate the 1,800 United States Colored Troops and thousands of other U.S. Army Civil War soldiers buried in Arlington who helped destroy chattel slavery, freed 4 million men, women and children from human bondage, protected democracy and the saved the United States of America.

By ordering the monument back, Hegseth is subverting Congress and the will of the American people. He is telling us that the values of 1914, white supremacy, and Jim Crow are this countrys  and the Armys  values. This monument has everything to do with racism and nothing to do with reconciliation. Suggesting otherwise is a perversion of U.S. history and an insult to everyone buried in Arlington Cemetery.

Brigadier General Ty Seidule, U.S. Army (Retired) served as the Vice Chair of the Naming Commission. His is the Hinchcliff Professor of History at Hamilton College and his forthcoming book with Connor Williams is A Promise Delivered: Ten American Heroes and the Battle to Rename Our Nations Military Bases.

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.
On Feb. 13, President Donald Trump did something truly rare  he made sense.

In an Oval Office press meeting, for the first time in decades, a sitting president openly discussed nuclear disarmament: Theres no reason for us to be building brand new nuclear weapons. We already have so many... You could destroy the world 50 times over, 100 times over. And here we are building new nuclear weapons, and theyre building nuclear weapons, he said.

Hes right. China and India have unconditional no-first-use pledges in place. So did Russia until we continued to expand our already insane nuclear arsenal and exit such arms control agreements as the ABM Treaty and INF Treaty. The United States refused to come to the table. Thats why Trumps expressed desire to return to negotiations was so promising.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Returning to negotiations refers to multilateral nuclear reduction agreements on the premise of minimum effective deterrence.

The commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima and its deadly toll this past week gives us an opportunity to understand just what is at stake. That devastating first use of the atomic bomb killed at least 70,000 people instantly, a legacy of tragedy the world will not forget.

Alas, Trumps initial promise of nuclear disarmament was short-lived. And what has actually happened since this unexpected moment of clarity from a leader who thrives on chaos? More chaos. Trump violated the war powers clause in launching a military strike against Irans nuclear bases, and now, he refuses to rule out more strikes. Even if he deterred Irans nuclear program, it put the U.S. directly at odds with other nuclear powers. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has even come out to say that other countries would simply provide Iran with nuclear warheads.Through his actions, Trump pushed us closer to the brink of nuclear war once more. The U.S. war machine and its many benefactors will stoke this, spurring on a new arms race to line their pockets.

The fact is, more bombs will not solve nuclear proliferation  not by building them, not by hoarding them, and certainly not by using them on other countries. The president must make a choice: Protect our nation and the world, or instigate nuclear Armageddon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The U.S. could take the lead on denuclearization, cut back our bloated military budget, finally sign a no-first-use pledge, and actually make the world safer. Or we could keep feeding the weapons manufacturers, spending nearly a trillion dollars a year on the Pentagon while ignoring the fact that our biggest threats  climate change, poverty, and access to health care  cant be solved with bombs.

But right now, were on the wrong path  the path of excessive militarization and the risk of total annihilation. The path that mortgages our environment, livelihoods, and our souls to feed the insatiable war profiteers.

Eighty years ago, one nuclear bomb incinerated over 100,000 people in Hiroshima. Right now, the U.S. has the equivalent of 50,000 Hiroshima-sized bombs. And the Pentagon is spending $2 trillion on a whole new generation of nuclear weapons.

The time of mutually assured destruction between two nuclear superpowers is over. The last thing we need is a new nuclear arms race. But thats what our corrupt Congress and war profiteers are betting on.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Should Trump decide to take the denuclearization path, it could change the very fabric of America. Imagine the impact of just 15% of the Pentagons budget going toward lead-free pipes and safe drinking water, affordable housing, and universal health care.

It could single-handedly revitalize the American dream. Would we really be less secure if we spent only $850 billion a year preparing for war instead of our current $1 trillion?

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
In a recent decision denying asylum to a Salvadoran woman being stalked by gang members, the Board of Immigration Appeals  the highest administrative body for interpreting U.S. immigration law  found that under U.S. law, her claim that Salvadoran women constitute a group of people at risk of persecution was overbroad and insufficiently particular to be cognizable.

The foundation of refugee law  both internationally and in the U.S.  is that asylum should be provided to a person with a well-founded fear of being persecuted on any of five grounds: race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. This last category is intended to protect people similarly exposed to persecution as the other four groups because of immutable characteristics that cannot be changed or beliefs so fundamental they should not be required to change them.

There are precedents in both U.S. and international law for treating women as a particular social group. In Perdomo v. Holder and Mohammed v. Gonzales, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recognized that gender is an innate characteristic that is fundamental to [ones] identity. In two cases, the European Union Court of Justice found that Afghan women, as women, are subject to persecution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But in denying this womans claim, the Board said, If we held that groups defined solely by sex were cognizable, we would essentially create another protected ground under the INA [Immigration and Nationality Act]  that of sex  to add to the grounds of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. That, it said, would be a job for Congress.

Because membership in a particular social group is so open to interpretation  including very narrow interpretations like the Boards  the challenge to Congress should be raised.

What is the logic in saying that individuals should be denied asylum because the persecuted group they are a part of is too large? In a country where any group of people is widely persecuted, it shouldnt matter whether that group is large or small to decide whether one of its members needs protection. All that should matter is the likelihood of the risk that person faces and the severity of the threat to them or of the abuse they have experienced.

Of course, being a woman per se is not grounds for asylum, any more than being a member of any race, nationality or religion. But gender should be similarly recognized as a category deserving protection if it is the reason a specific woman is being persecuted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some women have advanced successful asylum claims by identifying themselves as members of a small, highly specific group. In the landmark Fauzia Kasinga case, a woman fleeing genital mutilation was granted asylum not based on her right not to be persecuted on the basis of her gender, but rather as a member of a particular social group, defined as young women who are members of the Tchamba-Kasungu Tribe of northern Togo who have not been subjected to female genital mutilation, as practiced by that tribe, and who oppose the practice. A more narrowly defined group is hardly conceivable.

Often, though, the compulsion to particularize can distort the reality of persecution. Consider women in Afghanistan under the Taliban. All Afghan girls are barred from education beyond the sixth grade. No woman is allowed to attend university and all face severe restrictions on employment. A woman is not allowed to walk outside her home unless accompanied by a male relative, limiting access to public spaces and services, including access to health care. Violations of the hijab dress code and other draconian rules are met with severe punishment.

In September 2024, the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan said the Talibans institutionalized system ofgender persecutionimpacts almost the entire population.

When Congress next looks at U.S. immigration law, it should question why women should have to shoehorn their claims into a narrow understanding of membership of a particular social group and thereby have less consistent or predictable protection than racial, religious, nationality and political groups. In light of the Board of Immigration Appeals narrow reading of existing law, Congress should amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to add gender as an unequivocally protected ground of the refugee definition standing alongside race, religion, nationality and political opinion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Frelick is Human Rights Watchs director of Refugee and Migrant Rights.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BOSTON (SHNS)  A controversial gas pipeline proposal is back in the public eye this week as Eversource continues to seek a path forward for the project between Longmeadow and Springfield.

More than two years after state regulators demanded Eversource conduct more outreach, the company plans an information and listening session in Springfield at 6 p.m. Thursday to discuss the project.

The steel main would stretch between a new point-of-delivery station in Longmeadow and the Bliss Street Regulator Station in Springfield. Eversource says the buildout would make gas service in the Springfield area more reliable, especially during cold stretches, and reduce the chance of service interruptions during maintenance or unexpected issues.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But the project has long drawn opposition from environmental and community groups. In 2023, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper required Eversource to perform more analysis about how the pipeline would impact statewide climate goals and neighboring areas.

Environmental groups plan to rally before Eversources hearing Thursday to highlight concerns about the cost, safety and long-term climate impacts of the pipeline, according to an advisory.

Attendees will gather at Stearns Square at 5:15 p.m. before marching the roughly quarter-mile to the UMass Center at Town Square, where the Eversource event takes place.

Gas project opponents are supporting legislation (H 3547 / S 2290) to prevent large-scale gas expansion near environmental justice communities. The bills have been idling for months before the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy and have not been scheduled for a public hearing.

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.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi says the Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these policies around the country.

Against this backdrop, some local organizations are helping immigrants, including Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, led by Executive Director Frank So.

Close

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Eye on Northwest Politics

One of their programs provides direct support for refugees and immigrants in the community.

So has worked for former Vice President Kamala Harris  advising her on her trips outside the US  as well as President Obama before that.

Hes also been a US diplomat in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa, as well as a senior mission advisor for USAID, which was essentially shut down by the Trump administration.

So joined Eye on Northwest Politics to share what his organization is doing to help immigrants ahead of more possible crackdowns.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Watch the full interview in the video above.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
The Brief

The shooting happened outside a club on Club Creek Drive. The club was closed at this time.

One man is in critical condition, and another is in stable condition.

Anyone with information can contact Houston Police or Crime Stoppers.

HOUSTON - An overnight shooting in southwest Houston sent two men to the hospital, and Houston Police are calling on the public to provide any information on what happened.

Houston crime: Club Creek Drive shooting

What we know

The shooting was reported at about 3 a.m. Saturday outside a club on Club Creek Drive, near West Sam Houston and Beechnut Street.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

HPD Lt. Khan says the club itself was closed at the time. The only people still inside were employees.

When police arrived at the scene, two men were found with gunshot wounds. One of them is said to be in critical condition, and the other is in stable condition.

What we don't know

No one has been identified at this time. The critically injured victim is said to be between 2530 years old, and the other is said to be about 40 years old.

There is no information on what led up to the shooting.

What you can do

Anyone with information can call one of the following agencies:

HPD Major Assaults Division: 713-308-8800

Crime Stoppers: 713-222-TIPS (8477)

The Source

OnScene and Houston Police
In his own words: Fallen DeKalb officer lived the advice he once gave to his fellow cadets

We are learning more about the officer who lost his life on Friday evening as a gunman began shooting at the CDC.

Officer David Rose, 33, was killed in the incident, leaving behind a pregnant wife and two children.

After serving as a Marine in Afghanistan, Rose joined the DeKalb County Police Department in 2024 and was the class leader in the departments police academy.

During that ceremony, Rose gave a speech to the rest of his fellow graduates of Academy Class 138.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Today we stand here as a proud few who made it through one of the most challenging, demanding, and life-changing experiences of our lives, Rose told them.

He spoke about how the class was made up of people from all walks of life who came together with one goal: To be part of something greater than ourselves.

We wanted to wear the badge, not for the sake of a title, but for the responsibility that comes with it. And responsibility is exactly what this job demands. From the very first day, we learned that policing isnt just about enforcing the law, its about protecting the vulnerable, standing for justice, and being the person who runs towards danger when others run away, Rose said.

Rose lived up to responsibility. He ran toward the gunfire on Friday as employees at the CDC and across parts of the Emory Campus came under fire by a gunman, who has been identified as Patrick Joseph White, 30, of Kennesaw.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

White was later found dead on the second floor of a CVS pharmacy across the street from the CDC.

Rose was rushed into Emory University Hospital, but did not survive his injuries.

During his speech to his fellow graduating cadets, he talked about the doubts that they had going through the academy and the strength they found to keep going.

RELATED STORIES:

There were moments when we doubted ourselves, moments when we wondered if we had what it took. When those moments, we found something more powerful than fear. We found each other. We found strength in the person next to us and the instructors who pushed us beyond our limits, and the loved ones who remained with us while we started the journey in the first place, Rose said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rose said that five people in the academy didnt make it through. And he thanked his instructor for the tough journey they all went through as cadets.

You are making sure that when we step out onto the streets, we are ready, then when someone calls for help, we dont hesitate, that when things get tough, and they will, we dont break for that, Rose said.

In total, six men and women graduated to become DeKalb County Police Officers that day to serve and protect the community.

As Roses body was taken from Emory University Hospital on Friday night, his body, in the back of an ambulance, was covered in an American flag, giving the ultimate sacrifice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He knew what the badge he wore stood for from the start.

From this day forward, we carry the weight of this badge, with pride, with humility, and with unwavering commitment to serve and protect. So as we step into this new chapter, lets remember why we were, why were here. Lets remember what it took to get us here. Lets not forget that we are stronger together, Rose said, ending his speech to his new fellow officers.

This officer responded to the call as he was trained to do, interim DeKalb County Police Chief Greg Padrick said during a news conference on Friday night, announcing his death.

This evening, there is a wife without a husband, there are three children, one unborn, without a father, DeKalb County CEO Loraine Cochran-Johnson said.

And for the DeKalb County Police Department, a friend and colleague will forever be held in their hearts as a hero.
MINNEAPOLIS (KELO)  SDSU star guard Paige Meyer threw out the first pitch at the Minnesota Twins game earlier this week at SDSU Night with the Twins.

Meyer is from Albany, Minn., which is just under an hour and a half from the Twin Cities.

She was named Summit League Tournament MVP each of the last two seasons, leading the Jacks to the titles.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB)  As the school season kicks off, youll notice an increase in traffic in the morning and afternoon.

According to the Panama City Police Department, drivers should slow down to the required speed of 20 miles per hour in school zones.

Schools stagger in this county, so usually from about 7 to 10 school zones are active. The school zone starts 30 minutes before their final bell and ends 30 minutes after their final bell. So itll be in the afternoon, where itll be about 1:30 to 4, in the morning itll be 11 to 10, Panama City Police Department Sgt. William Allyn said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its crucial to stay alert in school zone areas with or without flashing lights, authorities wrote.

As soon as a pedestrian leaves and steps into a crosswalk, they have the right-of-way, and all motor vehicle traffic must yield to them, Sgt. Allyn said.

Authorities urge drivers to yield to school buses that are loading and unloading students, and come to a complete stop if a school bus has its flashing stop arm 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 mypanhandle.com.
DENVER (KDVR)  Parker police responded to a motor vehicle accident involving pedestrians that it said occurred in the vicinity of Twenty Mile Road and Lincoln Meadow Parkway at 10:23 a.m. Saturday.

The Parker Police Department told FOX31 it was investigating the incident as a single vehicle, private property, motor vehicle accident involving pedestrians, and that it was still investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Vehicle crashes into apparent auto insurance business in Commerce City

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Photos from the scene appear to show an olive green model year 1970 Ford Mustang Grande convertible vehicle off to the side of the road with damage to its front right side, including what appears to be a dent and flat tire.

Parker police respond to vehicle accident involving pedestrians. (Courtesy Jackson Barry) Parker police respond to vehicle accident involving pedestrians. (Courtesy Jackson Barry) Parker police respond to vehicle accident involving pedestrians. (Courtesy Jackson Barry)

There also appears to be some sort of foliage stuck under the front right of the vehicle. In what appears to be an earlier photo a crowd of people are at the scene of the incident, with a group appearing to be surrounding either people or persons on the ground.

In what appear to be later photos, a pair of ambulances with South Metro Fire Rescue appear to be at the scene of the incident, with medics on scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The incident does not appear to have occured in a crosswalk, based on the photos.

No additional information is available at this time, including the conditions of any of the parties involved, how many pedestrians were involved, or what may have led up to 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 FOX31 Denver.
Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma on Sunday took to the streets at midnight to assess the waterlogging situation in the Connaught Place (CP) Outer Circle area, which had been severely affected by the recent rains. Verma visited the site to oversee the relief efforts and ensure that the necessary measures were being taken to address the issue. "When it was raining for the last 2 days... I visited this area at midnight... Only this 100 m patch of the CP outer circles was waterlogged... We have already installed one pump and have ordered to install another," Parvesh Verma told reporters. Delhi witnessed heavy rainfall on Saturday. Areas including Vasant Kunj, RK Puram, Connaught Place, and Minto Bridge are experiencing intense showers. Waterlogging was reported at Panchkuian Marg due to continuous rainfall in the National Capital since early morning. Rain lashed parts of Delhi-NCR, bringing traffic to a standstill near AIIMS. Slow vehicular movement and congestion are seen near the Barapullah bridge following heavy rainfall in the national capital. Many areas in Delhi are waterlogged after the torrential downpour. Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj on Saturday attacked the BJP-led "four-engine government" holding it responsible for severe waterlogging, infrastructure failures, and multiple deaths in the city following rainfall. Bharadwaj further questioned the Rekha Gupta-led government for allegedly not conducting a third-party audit of the desilting drive, citing High Court orders regarding the same. "In this rain, the BJP government, which is a four-engine government, has been completely exposed... There is water everywhere, primarily due to the corruption of crores of rupees in the name of desilting. The High Court has ordered that all desilting done should be audited by a third party. Why doesn't the Delhi government want to conduct a third-party audit? What are they afraid of?" asked the AAP leader. Bharadwaj cited the day's incidents as evidence of administrative failure, noting that Badarpur faced severe waterlogging, a wall collapsed, and seven people lost their lives. "Today, there was waterlogging in Badarpur, a wall collapsed, and seven people lost their lives. Can the government bring their lives back?... Did they go to meet the families of the deceased? No, these people are resting comfortably. This government has brought a message of complete destruction for the people of Delhi," he added. (ANI)
Idahos Latino community is growing, diversifying and professionalizing, said Annette Tipton, the new executive director of the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs. Amid all that change, its now her job to be a liaison for the 200,000+ Latino Idahoans in the state.

Gov. Brad Little announced the 47-year-old Tiptons appointment in May, after longtime director Margie Gonzalez retired. At the time, Little called the Latino population an integral part of the fabric of our state.

There are going to be challenges for me in this role, Tipton said in an interview on a July morning, sitting in the back of a Boise coffee shop.

Annette Valenzuela Tipton, the new executive director of the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs, poses at the state's Chinden campus. Tipton, an Idaho native, will help advocate for a growing community.

Some of the roadblocks the Latino community faces are unique. For example, Latino Idahoans arent as civically engaged as non-Latinos, Tipton said. But other issues are common to many Idahoans, such as roadblocks with rural health care.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some of Idahos legislators in the 2025 session focused on budget-cutting and determining what spending was justified. Ultimately, the state set up a Department of Government Efficiency task force. During the first DOGE task force meeting, Rep. Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, brought up the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs receiving state funding.

If the Legislature tries to cut the commissions funding, Tipton said, shell be ready to show the offices efforts and return on investment. Rather than be concerned or afraid of anything, Im going to be prepared, Tipton said.

Growing up in Idaho

When Tipton was a child in Rupert, assimilation and speaking English were important to her family. Her mothers family is from Monterrey, Mexico, and her father has Chihuahuan and Spanish heritage.

That left Tipton without an appreciation for her culture, she said. That is, until she lived in Heyburn with her grandparents for a year during fifth grade. With them, she developed her Spanish-language skills and her love of Mexican culture and history.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Tipton was raised by a single mother. When she was 21 years old, she visited her mothers childhood home in Texas. The house had no foundation or plumbing, Tipton recalled. On that trip, she realized some of the sacrifices that had been made for her.

This was not that long ago, Tipton said. To see what she had come from and where she had progressed in her career, in academics, and then to what she expected of me, I mean, it really changed my life.

Tipton said she carries that knowledge of where she came from with her. I understand what progress can look like, what opportunity can do for somebody, she said.

Growing up, it was offices like the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs that allowed her certain opportunities in her life, Tipton said. For example, Tipton said she won scholarships, including one where she earned $1,500 through what was then called the Hispanic Youth Symposium. At the symposium, she learned and connected about college and job opportunities. It doesnt sound like a lot, Tipton said now, but back then for her it was everything.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Her career has taken her from the private sector to government, from Washington D.C., to Mexico City, and she has worked for banks and helped translate between English and Spanish in health care.

In 2018, she met her husband in Idaho. The two got married 11 months later. The couple later had a child, Theodora, which means gift from God. Tipton is trying to raise her as bilingual.

She was my miracle baby. I got pregnant at 42, Tipton said. Its very, very important to me that she understands her culture and knows where she comes from.

Idaho Latinos in government

One of the few known Hispanic members of the Idaho Legislature is Rep. Rep. Sonia Galaviz, D-Boise, an educator  and a fan of Tipton.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Tipton, a Republican, ran for the Legislature in 2024 in West Boises District 15 but lost to Democratic incumbent Steve Berch.

Galaviz got to know Tipton during the latters unsuccessful campaign for the Legislature in 2024, Galaviz said by phone. Theres an opportunity with the commission to grow and develop the workforce, such as bringing more Latino Idahoans into health care jobs, she said.

Shes going to do a great job, Galaviz said. She cares deeply and is from Idaho and understands the issues that lie ahead.

The commission was created in 1987 to address issues for Idahos Latino population and form a bridge between the government and the community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Tipton hasnt spent much time on the job, but shes already got some plans. She moved the commissions office to save money on rent, Galaviz said. Tipton said she wants to change the commissions branding to reflect the diversity of Latino Idahoans. She wants data that will map the changes the Latino community is going through.

If people come to the commission with immigration concerns, Tipton said, the office will direct them to other resources.

Idaho is a wonderful place to live and to work, she said. I feel very, very pleased and blessed that Im here.

Boise police advised venues on stricter concert rules. Upset fans of one genre responded

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A disconnect: Boise police Hispanic liaison counters misinformation, works on outreach

Guitarron, trumpets, skull makeup: Idaho youth mariachi band preps for Day of the Dead

The LDS Church is growing even more in Idaho. This group is one reason why
The Brief

Pat Dugan says he will be running for Philadelphia's district attorney in the General Election.

He will be facing incumbent Larry Krasner for a second time.

The former judge and registered Democrat will be running as a Republican.

PHILADELPHIA - Former Municipal Court Judge Pat Dugan has announced that he will file to run for Philadelphia district attorney in November's General Election, challenging Larry Krasner a second time.

What we know

Incumbent Larry Krasner defeated Dugan in the democratic primary election back in May after securing about 60 percent of the votes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dugan, a registered Democrat, says he will appear as a Republican in the General Election after receiving over 6,000 write-in votes.

Philadelphia Republicans had failed to back a candidate for the first time in decades, which all but ensured Krasner would remain the city's top prosecutor.

The backstory

Krasner is running for his third term as district attorney.

After securing the democratic primary win in May, Krasner shared a message for any would-be Republican challenger who emerges before Election Day.

"If it should turn out that I have a Republican opponentI have a question for that opponent and his rich friends from far away, and that question is: Which part don't you like? The safety or the fairness," Krasner said in his victory speech back in May.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dugan, a municipal court judge for 17 years, previously said he ran for district attorney because he believes "the city needs to be much safer than it has been."

"I care about the city as a lifelong Philadelphian," he said. "I want my grandbabies to feel safe, I want the citizens of Philadelphia's children to feel safe."

The Source

Information from this article was provided by the Pat Dugan campaign and previous reporting by FOX 29 Philadelphia.
PATERSON, N.J. (PIX11)  A boil water advisory has stretched out for a third day for residents in Paterson and Prospect Park, New Jersey, as announced by the Passaic Valley Water Commission on Sunday.

To help ease the burden on residents, officials will give away free bottles of water at noon on Sunday at the corner of North Eighth and Oxford Streets in Hillford Park. Additionally, mobile showers and portable bathrooms will be made available at Kennedy High School.

More Local News

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

More than 160,000 residents have been under a boil water advisory since Friday, when a 30-inch water main broke near Hinchliffe Stadium. Mayor Andre Sayegh has warned that residents may experience low to no water pressure or discolored water until the repairs are completed.

Repairs to the water main are expected to be completed within the next 24 to 36 hours, according to the Passaic Valley Water Commission. Due to the location of the break, the age of the system, local topography and other nearby infrastructure, access had been difficult for crews.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

The boil water advisory is expected to remain in place until water pressure is restored and officials flush the system and test for bacteria.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work 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 PIX11.
Aug. 9Patricia Gayle Petty Gayle Petty was born on November 19, 1940, in Amarillo, Texas. After enduring more than nine years on kidney dialysis, she died peacefully at home on Thursday, July 3, 2025, surrounded by family. Growing up on a farm outside of Vega, Texas, she graduated from Vega High School in 1958. After high school, Gayle pursued nursing and graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1962. After college, she was married to Ralph Petty for 18 years and remained close to his family throughout her life. Beginning her career as a medical surgical nurse and, later a school nurse, Gayle went on to earn a Master of Science in Nursing in 1982 from the University of New Mexico. She served as Director of Nursing at Vista Sandia in Albuquerque but then became employed at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Albuquerque as a Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist for many years until her retirement. At the VA she did research on Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome in veterans. Gayle was an advocate for nursing education and helped establish the Carlson/Petty Nursing Endowment for Innovative Nursing Education at the College of Nursing at the University of New Mexico. A life-long artist, Gayle owned an egg-carving business, through which she expressed her creative side. Before her long illness, her eggs were shown in Amapola Gallery in Old Town. She loved to travel when she still could, loved animals (especially dogs), loved her book club and bridge groups. The opportunity to know all the friends she met through these activities was one of her greatest pleasures. Gayle was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Virginia Crouch of Vega, and by the love of her life, Roman "Butch" Hubbell of Albuquerque. She is survived by her sister, Sharon "Cherri" Berry of Albuquerque; her niece, Sharolyn (Patrick) Eitenbichler of Sandia Park; her grand-niece, Lindsay Eitenbichler of Denver; and grand-nephew, Samuel Eitenbichler of New York City. At Gayle's request, there will be no public services. She asked that any donations of remembrance go to the Animal Humane Society of New Mexico or any animal rescue group, in remembrance of the furry friends who brought her so much comfort and joy. Please visit our online guest book for Gayle at www.FrenchFunerals.com.
Paul Hollywood has appealed for information after his younger brother was kicked in the face in a nasty and unprovoked attack while walking his dog.

The Great British Bake Off star, 58, shared an online appeal by Merseyside Police which described how a man was punched to the floor and kicked in the face after his dog and the assailants dog began barking at each other.

In a post on Instagram, Hollywood said his younger brother Lee, 54, was the person in question who was attacked.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He then asked his 670,000 followers to share any information regarding the incident in Leasowe, Wirral, with the police.

Merseyside Police said the victim was walking his dog in Links View Playing fields at around 7.10pm on Friday when his dog and a dog being walked by another man barked at each other.

The dogs were separated by the other male who then became irate, a force spokesman said.

As the man walked away, he was approached from behind and punched to the floor by the male. He was then kicked in the face and back before the male made off.

The man suffered injuries to his back and face and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Stars brother ran bakery business

An investigation is under way, with officers seeking any witnesses and CCTV footage which may be helpful.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Det Insp Phil Ryan said: This was a nasty and unprovoked assault which left the man needing hospital treatment.

We are appealing for anyone who was in the area of Links View Playing fields or Shackleton Road at around 7pm on Friday who heard or saw the incident, or saw the male leaving the area to contact us.

Lee Hollywood pursued a baking career like his brother, but in 2020 his Wirral-based bakery firm Born & Bread went into administration.

In the same year, he was admitted to hospital with Covid-19.

He was struggling breathing for a bit, Paul said on his podcast Hollywood and Byrne in 2020. He was hospitalised. He felt this weight on his chest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The star added: I was panicking My brother is in hospital is he all right? I couldnt get hold of him.

The Telegraph approached Merseyside Police for further information.

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 the early 1990s, New York City was gripped by a crime wave. Murders were soaring, fear stalked the streets, and the police seemed powerless to stem the tide. Then came Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Bill Bratton.

Together they revolutionised policing, introducing CompStat to hold leaders accountable, demanding high standards, and instilling a sense of mission that reached every beat cop. Within just a few years murders had halved and once-blighted streets felt safe again. It wasnt magic, but leadership: the kind that refuses excuses and drives change from the top down. Britain now needs its own Giuliani-Bratton moment.

When the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) model was introduced in 2012, it was sold as a revolution in police governance. The idea was simple: replace faceless police authorities with directly elected individuals, answerable to the public, empowered to hire and fire chief constables, and responsible for pushing the publics priorities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A decade on, that promise has not been realised. Too few PCCs are willing  or able  to hold chief constables to account. Too many are content to act as almost invisible cheerleaders for their force rather than a critical friend. And too often, the publics frustration with crime, antisocial behaviour and poor service is met with platitudes rather than action.

One recent case sticks in my mind: that of Linzi Smith and Northumbria Police. Smith took the chief constable to the High Court after the force breached its duty of impartiality  a principle well-known to anyone in policing. The court ruled in her favour. This breach should have been obvious to both the chief constable and PCC. The fact it took a member of the public to secure the ruling speaks volumes.

I have seen first-hand how leadership  good and bad  ripples through an entire police force. Chief constables are not the sole authors of their forces fate; many factors influence performance. But they set the tone. They decide what is tolerated and what is not. They choose priorities, allocate resources, and shape the culture. When they get it wrong, the damage can be immense and long-lasting. And yet a failing chief constable can limp on for years, protected by inertia, political calculation, or a PCC too timid to act.

The result? Among other things, a yawning perception gap between those on the front line and those in the boardroom. The latest police workforce survey shows only one in 10 constables believes their force is well managed and well led. Meanwhile, 90 per cent of chief officers think their force is doing just fine. That is not just an embarrassment, it is a warning sign. It reveals a leadership class dangerously out of touch with operational reality, and a culture in which, for all the talk of inclusive leadership, uncomfortable truths are neither sought nor heard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some will always argue that now is not the time for radical change. They said the same in New York 30 years ago. But without decisive action, public safety and front line morale will continue to collapse.

Its not just weak PCCs and poorly performing chiefs that are the problem. The College of Policing, with a hand in the selection and training of police officers at every level, has shown itself more inclined to produce radicals than talented crime-fighters.

What few talented crime-fighters remain are, of course, at risk of finding themselves in the crosshairs of the Independent Office for Police Conduct, where split-second decisions are dissected for years on end. So while police chiefs reliably evade searing scrutiny, front line police officers acting in accordance with their duty can find themselves subjected to life-changing trials for simply doing their job.

We can restore pride, purpose and effectiveness to law and order in Britain. But we will not do it without changing the incentives and structures that oversee it  from the Home Office and PCCs, through to the College of Policing and the equally disappointing Independent Office for Police Conduct. Change must be non-negotiable.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Commissioner Bratton assembled a top team to turn NYPD around. Making Britain safe again will require a brigade of brave, talented and principled people prepared to relentlessly confront all that is wrong with the status quo across policing, and much besides.

A future government  likely to commit substantial funds to policing and criminal justice  must be radical and decisive: repeal bad laws, abolish what is beyond redemption, and not, as too many have done over the decades, hide away from fulfilling their duty.

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 Brief

Luis Jimenez-Mojica, 37, and Daniel Ortega, 26, allegedly stole from elderly people in Scottsdale.

Police say they are part of the South American Theft Group, and this isn't the first time alleged members have been caught in the city of Scottsdale.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Two people were arrested who Scottsdale Police say are part of the South American Theft Group.

Luis Jimenez-Mojica, 37, and Daniel Ortega, 26, are accused of targeting elderly victims while they were shopping.

Luis Jimenez-Mojica, 37, and Daniel Ortega

Timeline

Scottsale Police say an investigation began in May of this year when a victim's wallet was taken while grocery shopping.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The cards that were stolen from the wallet were quickly used to purchase over $4,000 in electronics," police said in an Aug. 9 news release.

During the investigation, detectives learned other Valley and state agencies were also investigating Jimenez-Mojica and Ortega.

They all banded together and followed up with victims across the Valley.

"The South American Theft Group was responsible for at least five thefts and over $10,000 in fraudulent purchases in Scottsdale cases alone," police said.

Goodyear Police linked three recent theft cases back to Jimenez-Mojica and Ortega that happened on May 8 and June 7. They were "using the same tactics."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Purses or wallets were stolen and credit cards inside were used to make thousands of dollars in fraudulent purchases," Goodyear Police said, adding, "Through surveillance and investigative work, Goodyear detectives determined the same group was responsible and learned the suspects were also tied to similar cases in Scottsdale. The theft ring is known to target elderly shoppers at grocery stores before fleeing back to California."

Then, on Aug. 6 at around 10:15 p.m., the two were arrested.

What's next

"This case highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies to bring suspects to justice and protect vulnerable members of the community," Goodyear Police said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jimenez-Mojica and Ortega were booked into a Maricopa County jail on suspicion of theft-purse snatch; theft-organized retail; fraudulent use of credit card; aggravated ID theft; taking the identity of another and illegal control of an enterprise.

"Goodyear and Scottsdale detectives coordinated interviews, leading to charges in their respective cases," police said.

The Scottsdale Police Department is working with other Valley law enforcement agencies to find out if any additional crimes were committed.

Dig deeper

In March 2024, Scottsdale Police investigated what they called the "dinner-time burglaries," which also involved the South American Theft Group.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

These were the first arrests in Scottsdale related to the ongoing investigation into the groups targeting high-end neighborhoods. Thefts were reported in Phoenix and Paradise Valley as well.

Then in May, FOX 10 reported on more burglaries that police say seven members of the South American Theft Group committed.

One was in Tempe at a home located near Southern Avenue and Loop 101 and the other in Mesa near Brown Road and Val Vista Drive.

They are also accused of burglaries in California, Oregon and Washington.


A peer involved in a row over the Manchester Airport attack wrongly accused a police force of Islamophobia, it has emerged.

Baroness Shaista Gohir, who is advising ministers on the definition of Islamophobia, shared a video purportedly of Humberside Police detaining a British Muslim man in 2019.

Six police officers were shown to be involved in arresting the man, with one appearing to repeatedly strike him on the head.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lady Gohir, the chief executive of the Muslim Womens Network UK, accused the force of racism and Islamophobia, claiming the video showed a disgraceful and unnecessary use of excessive violence.

It later emerged the peer had named the wrong police force involved in the incident, and the officers involved  from West Midlands Police  were later cleared of wrongdoing.

She is one of five appointees to the working group seeking to define Islamophobia for the Government.

Ministers have faced criticism amid concerns that the current proposals to define Islamophobia could have a chilling effect on free speech.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The communities department, headed by Angela Rayner, has insisted the group is independent and will provide evidence-based advice to ministers.

It comes after Lady Gohir was criticised last month for condemning the police for their conduct at Manchester Airport last summer.

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, was convicted of punching Pc Lydia Ward in the face, causing a broken nose, and also of assaulting Pc Ellie Cook.

In a statement two days after viral footage of the incident appeared online, Lady Gohir compared the Manchester Airport incident to the murder of George Floyd in 2020.

She also condemned the action taken by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) as police brutality, but last month said she welcomed the conviction of Amaaz and had never defended his actions.

Credit: CPS

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Robert Jenrick, the Tory shadow justice secretary, demanded that Lady Gohir be removed from the Governments working group on defining Islamophobia.

He said: Baroness Gohir should be kicked off the working group immediately. Time and again her knee-jerk reaction is to smear others as Islamophobic without knowing the full details.

The fact that someone with her track record is working behind the scenes on this issue shows the whole process is a shambles.

Lady Gohir claimed that critics were conducting smear campaigns and misinformation to stop the vital task of the Working Group on a definition of anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia.

Two days after the Manchester assault, Baroness Shaista Gohir compared the incident to the murder of George Floyd by a US police officer - Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images

In 2019, she reposted a video from an anti-Islamophobia activist who claimed it showed six members of Humberside Police detaining a Muslim man, and that the officers had been suspended for their conduct.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The peer shared the video and wrote: Another day of #racism #islamophobia. This time at @Humberbeat [Humberside Police]  Disgraceful & unnecessary use of excessive violence.

Why hit him on the head? He wasnt resisting arrest! Why shut the door? Without footage police would have got away with it. No one would have believed [the] victim.

Humberside Police were forced to issue a statement to say it was not their officers in the video. It later emerged it was footage of an arrest made by West Midlands Police.

After a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, West Midlands Police were deemed to have used necessary and proportionate force in restraining the man.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It found the footage was not wholly representative of the incident and found no evidence for lawyers claims that the man had been discriminated against due to his race.

Last year, Lady Gohir accused Richard Tice, Reform UKs deputy leader, of applauding police brutality in remarks likely to fuel further racism and Islamophobia after the Manchester Airport attack.

The MP for Boston and Skegness had told TalkTV that the viral video, which showed partial footage of the incident, was reassuring.

Baroness Gohir's tweet

The assault happened on July 23 last year, when Amaaz and his brother, both from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, went to the airport to pick up their mother.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A fellow passenger who had been on the same flight reported being headbutted in the face by Amaaz during an altercation in a branch of Starbucks in the airports Terminal 2.

When three GMP officers approached Amaaz to arrest him in connection with the incident, he lashed out before his brother allegedly intervened.

A video of the altercation between the brothers and the police appeared to show Pc Zachary Marsden kicking and stamping on Amaaz during his arrest.

He and another officer, who are under investigation over the way Amaaz was detained, face possible gross misconduct charges over the use of force and could be sacked if found guilty.

Credit: CPS

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lady Gohir told The Telegraph: I have never defended the criminal actions of Mohammed Fahir Amaaz and I welcome his conviction.

My concern centred on the conduct of the police officer once the situation had already been brought under control.

The UK rightly prides itself on upholding the rule of law, and it is essential that this is applied fairly and consistently, without selective enforcement.

Scrutiny of police actions  and of public commentary by figures such as Richard Tice  is therefore both appropriate and necessary in any democratic society.

She added: The resurfacing of old and disingenuously framed social media posts is clearly part of a wider, co-ordinated strategy by bad actors who are intent on derailing the definition process and preventing Muslims in Britain from receiving full protection against rising anti-Muslim hatred.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The sustained wave of hostile media coverage gives the strong impression that some believe they can intimidate both the working group and the Government into abandoning this work.

This campaign reveals far more about their attitude towards Muslims than it does about me  and that should alarm anyone who believes in fairness, equality, and justice.

Addressing remarks by the shadow justice secretary, Lady Gohir said: It is ironic that Mr Jenrick accuses me of knee-jerk reactions and smearing others, when he and his political allies repeatedly seize on  or even seek out  stories involving Muslims, turning them into controversies without bothering to grasp the full context or facts.

This pattern suggests a cynical willingness to inflame tensions for political gain, rather than fostering informed and constructive debate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It is deeply disappointing  though not surprising  that certain individuals continue to resort to smear campaigns and misinformation in an attempt to stop the vital task of the Working Group on a definition of anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia.

Despite the noise and deliberate distractions, I remain committed to developing a definition that upholds free speech while protecting individuals from hatred.

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.
Attorney General Dave Sunday just launched a multi-state initiative aimed at combating illegal robocalls in Pennsylvania and across the nation.

Its called Operation Robocall Roundup, and is led by the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force. This week, Sunday says he and 50 bipartisan attorneys general sent letters to 37 voice providers, demanding they stop routing illegal robocalls through their networks.

Robocalls are not just an annoyance, many of them are illegal, Attorney General Sunday said. Robocalls are often a tool used by scammers to take advantage of the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians. Illegal robocalls will not be tolerated in the Commonwealth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sunday says the providers receiving warning letters have failed to comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules, such as responding to government traceback requests and registering in the FCCs Robocall Mitigation Databases.

By not following FCC rules, the companies are accused of allowing robocallers onto their networks, passing these calls downstream until they reach consumers.

The task force is also sending warning letters to 99 downstream telecom providers. But, theyre not the only ones taking action. The FCC will be removing seven companies from its Robocall Mitigation Database, meaning other providers will not be allowed to accept and route calls from the removed networks.

Consumers are encouraged to sign up for the Pennsylvania Do Not Call list to reduce unwanted calls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sunday says you can also reduce unwanted calls by being cautious when providing phone numbers to businesses and reading the fine print when participating in surveys or contests.

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General joined forces with 51 attorneys general to create the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force in 2022.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WHTM)  After a pair of fatal motorcycle crashes last weekend, a Pennsylvania coroner is asking drivers and motorcyclists to be vigilant and stay safe.

Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio said his office has investigated eight motorcycle crash fatalities this year. Last year, there were 12 in the Lehigh Valley county.

Just last weekend, Buglio said his office investigated two fatal motorcycle crashes, one of which killed a Dauphin County man.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I am asking every motorist and motorcyclist to be vigilant, Buglio said. Please drive safely, stay undistracted, and follow the speed limit.

Get traffic alerts from the abc27 mobile app for the latest local delays and road closures

Speeding and careless driving are often contributing factors to these crashes, Buglio added.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday came out in support of Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi's allegations against the Election Commission (EC), stating that the entire world is witnessing the EC's failure to conduct free and fair elections in India. Thackeray accused the EC of threatening opposition leaders and urged the commission to respond to Gandhi's questions. Thackeray slammed the EC for allegedly demolishing the free and fair election process in India, echoing Rahul Gandhi's concerns. Thackeray questioned the EC's stance on feeling superior to the Supreme Court, particularly regarding the submission of names of individuals deleted from Bihar's voter list. Thackeray urged the EC to engage in an open debate with Rahul Gandhi, rather than issuing rebuttals. "The entire world is watching how the Election Commission has demolished the free and fair elections in India. It is shameful the way the Election Commission is trying to threaten the leaders of the opposition. The Election Commission should come clean and answer Rahul Gandhi's questions. The EC feels above the Supreme Court. In the SC, they have also stated that they won't submit the names of individuals who have been deleted from Bihar. Do they not have the right to vote?" Aaditya Thackeray told reporters. On August 7, Rahul Gandhi held a press conference, citing internal analysis. The LoP stated that the Congress expected to win 16 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka but ended up with only nine. He said the Congress investigated seven unexpected losses, zeroing in on Mahadevapura, where he alleged vote theft involving 100,250 votes. Presenting Congress's research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi alleged "vote chori" (vote theft) of 100,250 votes. "We found 100,250 votes stolen in five different ways. Duplicate voters, fake and invalid addresses, and bulk voters in a single address, in a building with 50-60 people living. But when we go there, there is no record of those people living there. One family living in that house," he said. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday has again asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to either give a declaration as per the rules or apologise to the country for his "false" allegations regarding the voter lists."Rahul Gandhi should either provide a Declaration as per rules or apologise to the country for his false allegations," ECI said in a statement. (ANI)
On Saturday, Los Angeles-area elected officials, advocacy groups and community members convened in Pasadena for what was billed as a "People's Hearing on Extreme Weather."

Organized by the Climate Action Campaign and its member environmental activist groups, the event drew testimony from wildfire survivors and health officials. They criticized the Trump administration and are seeking to put pressure on California to safeguard climate change programs.

Many speakers cited recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency decisions they claim have weakened climate protection, including the announced intent to roll back the agencys 2009 finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health .

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, in a prerecorded video, contended that climate change is taking a toll in Los Angeles communities, including poor air quality and the devastation brought by wildfires, which a recent study suggests were more deadly than previously reported . "If they cant even admit that climate change is real," Padilla asked, "then how can they protect us from it?

U.S. Reps. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) and Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) underscored the urgency for action. "This is the human cost of climate change," Chu said, pointing to displacement, financial insecurity, illness, and deaths. Friedman called the recent EPA actions "part of this administration's attack on all science."

The heart of the gathering within Pasadena's historic Maxwell House was testimony from residents, including survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires, and community leaders, who sat in front of signs with such slogans as "people over polluters" and "stop EPA's climate chaos." The event had political overtones, and many of the two dozen speakers came with prepared speeches.

"These disasters arent rare anymore. They're becoming constant," said Pasadena resident Rosanna Valverde, whose home was damaged in the Eaton fire. "Instead of helping families prepare for what's clearly already happening, [the current administration is] making it worse."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Fellow Eaton fire survivor Sam Stracich described climate disaster as "not only the abnormally intense and frequent fires  but the long and stressful aftermath," adding that denying climate change "puts more people's health, homes and futures at risk."

Dennis Higgins recounted returning to his home in Pacific Palisades to find "just rubble." Referring to the Trump administration's plan to revisit federal findings from 2009 that declared greenhouse gases a threat to public health, Higgins warned that homes rebuilt in the area would "burn again if we don't get these protections."

A student from Palisades High School said she believed that policy failures compounded the wildfire's destruction. "It wasn't just the fire that destroyed my neighborhood," said Sophie Smeeton, a rising senior. "It was the systematic denial of risk, the dissolution of safeguards and the refusal to treat the climate crisis with urgency."

Panelists and residents gather in Pasadena on Saturday to call for climate change protections. (William Liang/For The Times)

Chris Chavez, deputy policy director at the Coalition for Clean Air, said air pollution used to be his primary concern.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I know what it's like to wake up in the middle of the night being unable to breathe due to asthma. I also know what it's like to wake up in the middle of the night, being confronted with an approaching wildfire," Chavez said. "Many Californians can speak about both of those experiences.

Dr. Alfred Glover, a podiatrist in Los Angeles, described patients with cardiovascular disease and respiratory illnesses as "suffering with the consequences of climate." He said the mounting health effects are "really, really destroying our community."

Marine biologist Barbara Gentile described the effects that fires and extreme weather have had on ocean ecosystems, such as toxic algae blooms and chemical pollution. The ocean "can't testify for itself," she said. "If we don't speak for the ocean, who will?"

Panelists repeatedly criticized recent federal rollbacks, including cuts to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"As a citizen, as a resident, as a physician, why do I feel nation-less at this time?" asked Dr. Jerry Abraham, a hearing board member for the South Coast Air Quality Management District. "No federal government to protect us?"

"I don't think anybody could hear these stories without being moved, Chu said.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Brief

Crash Details: A single-vehicle rollover on eastbound I-88 near Milepost 108 in Elburn, Ill., entrapped one person inside.

Injuries & Response: The victim was airlifted to a local hospital; the cause of the crash and injury severity remain unknown.

Traffic Impact: Westbound lanes were closed and traffic diverted to Route 47, with the right shoulder reopening about an hour later.

ELBURN, Ill. - One person was injured in a rollover crash on Saturday that shut down parts of I-88, according to the Illinois State Police.

What we know

Around 1:51 p.m., police were called to eastbound I-88 near Milepost 108, Elburn, Ill., due to a single-vehicle rollover crash in which a person was entrapped inside the car.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The individual was airlifted to a local hospital with injuries.

Westbound traffic on I-88 experienced lane closures. Traffic was diverted to Route 47. About an hour later, the right shoulder opened up to traffic as crews cleared the crash.

The investigation is still ongoing.

What we don't know

It's unclear how the crash was caused, the identity of the driver or the severity of the injuries.

The Source

Details for this story were provided by the Illinois State Police.
The person who was rescued Saturday afternoon after a boat capsized off Nantasket Beach in Hull has died, Massachusetts State Police confirmed Sunday afternoon.

Rescue crews from the Massachusetts State Police, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Hull Police and Fire Departments responded to the incident around noon and found the person in the water, State Police said previously. The person was pulled from the water and provided medical aid, but remained unresponsive.

Read more: One person pulled from water after boat capsizes off Nantasket beach

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No other people or vessels were impacted, State Police said previously. The incident remains under investigation.

The Plymouth County District Attorneys Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday afternoon.

More News

Read the original article on MassLive.
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  The Greensboro Police Department is investigating after a person was shot on East Market Street on Saturday night.

At around 7:46 p.m. on Saturday, officers came to the 2300 block of East Market Street after getting a report of a shooting in the area.

At the scene, police found a single victim who was then taken to the hospital.

There is no suspect information available at this time and 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.
Kristi Noem criticized her recent appearance in South Park's latest episode, where she is shown as having undergone a defective cosmetic procedure and shooting dogs, The Guardian reported.

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized the latest episode of South Park that showed the official having undergone cosmetic procedures and shooting dogs, The Guardian reported on Friday.

Its so lazy to just constantly make fun of women for how they look, Noem remarked on Thursdays episode of the Glenn Beck Program podcast. If they wanted to criticize my job, go ahead and do that. But clearly they cant  they just pick something petty like that.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The South Park episode portrayed Noem's cartoon version with heavy makeup and a melting face, and is also shown shooting and killing dogs on an instructional video used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In 2024, Noem disclosed in a memoir that she shot and killed her familys dog on a farm. She faced widespread backlash when she wrote that she shot to death an "untrainable" dog that she "hated" on her family farm.

The episode, according to The Guardian, alluded to the attention she has sought by staging photos at ICE raids and in front of a cell at the Cecot prison in El Salvador, where the Trump administration has deported migrants.

Confirmation hearing for Homeland Security nominee Kristi Noem (credit: REUTERS)

White House condemns South Park episode of Trump

The White House last month issued a statement about South Park over the show's portrayal of US President Donald Trump.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"South Park has been irrelevant for more than 20 years, and it's barely surviving, dragging along with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt to get attention," said Taylor Rogers, a White House spokeswoman.

The series introduced Trump's character for the first time, who has been portrayed so far by Mr. Garrison, with a voiceover identical to the one Saddam Hussein had at the time.

Similar to the way the Iraqi dictator was presented, Trump is also shown with real pictures of himself (and not cartoons), and just like in the case of Saddam, Trump is also in a sexual relationship with the devil.

Amit Slonim contributed to this report.
The Brief

The Philadelphia area is set to experience its sixth heatwave of the year, beginning on Monday.

The city is on track for its 14th-warmest year and seventh-hottest summer on record.

After a weekend with low humidity and highs in the 80s, temperatures will climb into the 90s for the workweek.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Another heat wave is on the way for states in the Northeast. After a weekend of low humidity and highs in the 80s, we're heading into the sixth heat wave of the year for the Philadelphia area.

By the numbers

So far this summer, Philadelphia has already experienced 30 days with temperatures at or above 90 degrees, which is the average for an entire summer. This upcoming workweek will add to that tally with hot days and warm nights, as humidity makes a comeback.

Philadelphia is currently experiencing its 14th warmest year and seventh-hottest summer on record.

The Philadelphia area, along with NYC and D.C., has not had any days with temperatures in the 90s yet this August.
BELL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56)  Two Pineville men were arrested in the Brownies Creek community on Friday morning after deputies allegedly saw them leave an abandoned house with rolls of telephone line wire.

According to the Bell County Sheriffs Office, deputies saw a suspicious vehicle leave an abandoned house near KY-987. Noticing that the vehicles license plate was hidden by a plastic bag, they pulled the car over.

Authorities wrote on Facebook that 51-year-old Timothy Richardson of Pineville, a passenger in the car, was sweating and out of breath, with a flashlight on his head.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Upon checking the back seat for other occupants, Deputy Owens saw cut phone wire in plan view, the sheriffs office wrote. After finding the wire, Richardson and 53-year-old Tommy Lewis were arrested and charged with first-degree criminal mischieftampering with or in possession of key infrastructure assets, and possession of burglary tools. Lewis, the driver of the vehicle, was additionally charged with improper display of registration plates.

Lewis and Richardson were both lodged in the Bell County Detention Center. The telephone line investigation remains 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 FOX 56 News.
The producers of medical series "The Pitt" say that the second season of the show will include new storylines such as President Donald Trumps "Big, Beautiful Bill," changes to Medicaid and immigrant healthcare.

John Wells and R. Scott Gemmill, the executive producers of the show  which follows the lives of healthcare professionals at a Pittsburgh hospital juggling office politics, crises and the challenges of caring for the critically ill  say that season two of the show will feature a bit of a different plot.

"We take our platform very seriously," Gemmill told Variety, in a piece published on Thursday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Top Trump Admin Health Officials Share Vision For Hhs To 'Make America Healthy Again'

The producers of medical series "The Pitt" say that the second season of their show will include new storylines such as President Donald Trumps "Big, Beautiful Bill," changes to Medicaid and immigrant healthcare in their show.

"I think one of the things when you can reach 10 million people  and this was true back in the day on ER as well  is with that amount of people listening, you have to be responsible for what you put out there," Gemmill added.

"The Pitt" star Noah Wyle, who plays Dr. "Robby" Robinavitch, said he sees the show as a sort of mirror.

Read On The Fox News App

"We have a certain safety net in just being a realistic drama by trying to depict what it looks like in a hospital," Wyle said. "Youre not making value judgments. Youre just painting a picture, and if its accurate enough, and its representative enough, it becomes a bit of a Rorschach test. You see what you want to see in it, and you draw your own conclusions from it. If it looks like the system is untenable, unfair, and skewed towards one population over another, maybe it is."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Executive producer John Wells said the show will incorporate recent events into the second season.

'Right Down The Line': Medicaid Reform In 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Divides Lawmakers By Party

The author of the "Variety" piece, Max Gao, also said the show will "inevitably" feature "Real-time concerns about patient care, including the treatment of undocumented and immigrant families amid the recent ICE raids."

" The Medicaid changes are going to have a significant impact, and you dont have to take a political position to discuss what the impact is actually going to be," Wells said.

"I dont want to have an argument about whether or not theyre appropriate, what Congress did or didnt do. But theyre going to have on-the-ground, immediate consequences in emergency rooms, and nobodys arguing with that," he added. "Thats a bipartisan agreement. Youve got very Republican senators from Missouri like Josh Hawley agreeing that this is going to be a problem."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The author of the Variety piece, Max Gao, also said the show will "inevitably" feature "Real-time concerns about patient care, including the treatment of undocumented and immigrant families amid the recent ICE raids."

Executive producer John Wells alleged that even Republicans like Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., have concerns about Medicaid.

Fox News Digital reached out to Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., for comment, and was referred to recent comments Hawley made in a press release introducing legislation to prevent future cuts to Medicaid, which read, "President Trump has always said we have to protect Medicaid for working people. Now is the time to prevent any future cuts to Medicaid from going into effect."

Hawley added in the statement that, "We should also increase our support for rural hospitals around the country. Under the recent reconciliation bill, Missouri will see an extra $1 billion for hospitals over the next four years. I want to see Medicaid reductions stopped and rural hospitals fully funded permanently."





Original article source: The Pitt season two will depict Trumps Medicaid cuts, immigrant healthcare in new storyline
More than two years after flooding ravaged the rural community of Planada, up to 155 of 843 homes impacted are still awaiting repairs, according to Merced County estimates.

A UC Merced study found that 83% of Planada households experienced some kind of economic loss.

Residents have been helped by a combination of federal and local agencies and nonprofit groups. But, for those who did not have savings or flood insurance and applied for government aid, there has been a significant wait; home repairs through Habitat for Humanity  which received $3 million from the county  only began in December 2024.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The county allocated the $3 million in February 2024 to help homeowners and $5 million to another contractor to help tenants. Most tenants cases have been completed according to an April 8 update to the Board of Supervisors.

Between inspections and the application process, many residents have waited nearly 2 years since the county received $20 million from the state in October 2023. Some have been living in still-damaged homes, including those with mold or had to rent homes in Merced.

Habitat for Humanity says the amount of damage in a small area has stressed resources and raised prices, causing the delays. County Supervisor Scott Silveira said that in government terms, were working at the speed of light.

Liza Espinoza, a Planada resident, lived in a house with mold from 2023 until mid-July. She said she developed a rash on her whole body that required medicine. She attributed the rash to her efforts to clean the mold. She said there hadnt been clear communication from the county about having the mold removed and sheetrock replaced.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Everybodys pointing fingers at each other, nobodys taking responsibility and nobodys following up, said Espinoza, who is also part of a lawsuit that alleges several municipal bodies did not do enough to prevent the flood. The county tells me Habitat for Humanity needs to take care of it. You have no idea whats going on. Why arent you keeping track of this?

An aerial photo of flooding in Planadas Houlihan Park in Merced County is shown here.

Repair process varies depending on specific damages

Espinozas home was inspected for mold by a Habitat for Humanity contractor in April with subsequent inspections for construction and a roof replacement, she said. In July, the family moved into a hotel in Merced to allow the mold remediation to begin. Espinoza said that when the mold abatement contractor first inspected her home, they only looked at three of the six rooms in the house, requiring additional negotiation to have all rooms addressed.

Espinoza had wanted to stay near her familys property in a trailer while the house is repaired.

Theres no workers at these houses. Theres one thats right here, down the street, and we kind of see not one person go in there and fix that house, Espinoza said. Whether theyre owning or renting, whoever it is, if they havent finished paying their mortgage, youre still paying their mortgage and nobodys living there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Anita Hellam, CEO of Habitat for Humanity in Merced and Stanislaus counties, said the average time to fix a home is three weeks but said it can be longer for homes that need substantial or complete rebuilding. She said the organization works on 40 homes at a time, including those in the planning stage. A June 18 presentation showed that 70 homes have been repaired since Habitat for Humanity started in December 2024.

Cathy and Leonard Morenos home was repaired in February by volunteers with the Mennonite Disaster Service working for Habitat for Humanity, on top of repairs they had already paid for out of pocket. However, they said that siding on only one side of their house was replaced, when siding on both sides was damaged.

Cathy Moreno shows the siding on her house in Planada on July 2, 2025. Moreno said Habitat for Humanity repaired siding on one side of her house but not the other.

Cathy Moreno points around the patio at her house in Planada on July 2, 2025. She said she and her husband paid out of pocket to repair their patio.

Reimbursement, for those who paid out of pocket, also has taken awhile. El Gallito Bakery, which saw damages to a freezer, refrigerator and oven, was reimbursed out of the business repair fund in August 2024, according to Miguel Cisneros, a member of the family that owns the bakery. It was also difficult for the family to get receipts for the older equipment they lost, including the fridge, which was already in place when they bought the bakery.

It might have been more difficult if we were paying interest on some of these things. But luckily, we paid zero interest for everything that we purchased, Cisneros said. When we finally got reimbursed, we were able to make the payments, but yeah, maybe just a little sooner.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hellam said its more difficult to rebuild homes than build new homes  as her organization usually does  because some personally significant items, such as photographs, can never be replaced.

Im proud of the people that we work with. And, I just dont have criticisms, and I dont really have regrets. I feel we went into something because we wanted to serve the community, Hellam said. And even though we havent been perfect, weve been consistent. Weve been at the table since day one, and were going to continue to be at the table.

The organizations $3 million contract ended July 31 and Hellam said she is working to sign another contract with additional funds. Originally the state gave a Dec. 31 deadline to spend the $20 million, but the county received approval in early June to continue spending beyond that.

Weve been into every single house, and weve submitted every single scope of work and budget for every house. And so weve requested funds to complete the project, along with contingencies, Hellam said. Its my understanding that there is enough money left over from the other categories that didnt get fully spent to be able to cover those costs. Im not concerned that its not going to happen.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In response to questions from the Merced Sun-Star, the county wrote that it is currently in the process of onboarding additional local contractors to expedite the repair process.

Habitat for Humanity contractors work to repair a house in Planada on July 10, 2025. The organization received a $3 million contract which ended July 31, 2025 for repairs

Anita Hellam, CEO of Habitat for Humanity in Merced and Stanislaus counties, shows a house where the organization has made repairs in Planada on July 10, 2025. Hellam said the organization works on 40 homes at a time.

Anita Hellam, CEO of Habitat for Humanity in Merced and Stanislaus counties, and Esmerelda Macias, a employee, stand in front of a house where the organization has made finished repairs in Planada on July 10, 2025. A county report on June 18 wrote that 70 homes had completed repairs.

Advocates say residents are tired of all the meetings

Alicia Rivera, a Merced policy advocate with Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, said the residents she works with are tired of all the meetings. She said that has depressed resident turnout at events including a county office hours meeting earlier this year.

I think a lot of that just came down to residents being really frustrated with how long this process has been, questions that still havent been answered, said Rivera.

At another community meeting on June 18, attendance was low, according to Rivera, Espinoza and Alicia Rodriguez, another community advocate. Rodriguez and Espinoza said the meeting was not adequately promoted and there was confusion about the start time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The hour between the posted time and the start of the presentation provided refreshments and allowed an additional opportunity for community members to gather, socialize, and engage informally with the County team, the county said in an email to the Sun-Star.

These people that put this together, thats their lifestyle: They work from 8 to 5, 9 to 5, run to meetings, run to mingling, Rodriguez said. But these are grassroots people. These are different kind of people that dont live that kind of lifestyle. So its not that easy for them.

Lawsuits related to flooding are heading to court

Two lawsuits related to the flooding are still working through the courts. One suit by hundreds of Planada residents accuses the city, county and state of failing to prevent the flood.

A resolution could be two years away, said Shant Karnikian, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The city, McSwain Union School District, and a group of farmers are also suing the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, alleging it delayed a permit for clearing Miles Creek, which was one of the waterways that flooded. A trial date is set for January 2026.

For the most part, help (was) needed and help wasnt given right away. It kind of left people feeling hopeless, said Jazmine Hidalgo, who is part of the residents lawsuit. Hopefully, this never happens (again), and we learn from this.
Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was raped in a Berkshire park.

The woman, aged in her 30s, was attacked in Beresford Park off Beresford Road, Reading, on Friday between 01:00 and 01:30 BST, said Thames Valley Police.

The force said the man was known to the victim.

He was described as mixed race, with a Romanian or Turkish accent, about 5ft 6in, with short brown hair, a beard and moustache, and may have had a silver bicycle with him.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Det Sgt Yvonne Newman said: "We understand this rape will cause concern but we do not believe there is any risk to the wider public."

She added that appropriate safeguards had been put in place, including extra police officers on patrol in Reading town centre on Friday and Saturday night.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact police.

You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

Related Links
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) over its handling of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegations related to voter lists, saying that the constitutional body is "hurting its reputation". Speaking to ANI, the Congress MP said, "The Election Commission of India is only hurting its own reputation by not showing the facts and coming out transparently to the people of India." His reaction comes a day after the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday once again asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to either give a declaration as per the rules or apologise to the country for his "false" allegations regarding the voter lists. "Rahul Gandhi should either give a Declaration as per rules or apologise to the country for his false allegations," ECI said in an official statement. Rahul Gandhi, on August 7, claimed that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were "choreographed" by the EC to benefit the BJP. Citing an internal analysis, Gandhi said the Congress expected to win 16 seats in Karnataka but ended up with only nine. He said the Congress investigated seven unexpected losses, zeroing in on Mahadevapura, where he alleged vote theft involving 1,00,250 votes. He also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to "pause" Operation Sindoor despite Indian forces' advantage. The Congress MP said, "Why did PM Modi pause Operation Sindoor?... We remember in 1971, the Pakistan Armed Forces surrendered. We've all seen the famous picture of them surrendering and handing over their weapons." His reaction came after Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Saturday said that India took down at least five fighter jets of Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and downed one large aircraft, which was taken down at a distance of about 300 kilometres. (ANI)
A South Carolina man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a daylong standoff at a Holiday Inn Express in Kings Mountain, police said Saturday night.

After nearly eight hours of negotiating, officers heard a gunshot, entered the room and found the body of 38-year-old Casey Justin Whitman of Inman, police officials said at 7:15 p.m.

Lifesaving attempts were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to a city of Kings Mountain news release. Immediate family has been notified, as we send our deepest condolences.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Officers went to the hotel just after 8 a.m. to check on Whitmans wellbeing after he had been reported missing, police said.

Police evacuated a North Carolina Holiday Inn Express on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, as a daylong standoff ensued with a man with a gun.

When the incident began, police evacuated surrounding areas in the hotel, according to the city statement. They negotiated with Whitman throughout the day.

Kings Mountain police and Cleveland County deputies remained at the scene late Saturday afternoon.

As a precaution, police closed Woodlake Parkway on both sides of the hotel. The road reopened Saturday night, and the hotel property has been deemed safe, police said.

Police thanked the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office and Cleveland County EMS for their assistance.

If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
Honolulu police are searching for the suspect involved in a shooting that left one man seriously injured in Kalihi Saturday night.

Police responded to the scene on Kalena Street at about 10 p.m.

A witness reported to police that a male in a white Honda CR-V fired multiple shots that hit the 30-year-old victim who was standing in front of his residence.

The suspect fled before police arrived. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services paramedics treated the victim and took him to a hospital in serious condition.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Honolulu Police Department has opened an attempted murder and reckless endangering investigation. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call 911 or contact CrimeStoppers at 808-955-8300 or via the P3 Tip app.

See more :

4 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our.

Having trouble with comments ? .
Update: James Franklin has been located and is safe, the highway patrol said in an update late Sunday night.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Lees Summit Police Department issued a SILVER Advisory for a missing 78-year-old in the Kansas City metro.

MSHP says that James Franklin was last seen at 3801 Emanuel Cleaver ll Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri around 1:30 p.m. on Friday, August 8.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Teenage girl killed after gunman shoots into Kansas City home

Franklin was reportedly dropped off at a community center by a family member on Friday. However, when they returned to pick him up, they were told Franklin left with an unknown person in a vehicle.

Family says that James has issues with his memory and is without his medication.

Franklin is a black man, stands around 57 tall and weighs around 210 pounds. He was last seen wearing a brown or black hat, a light blue polo shirt, black sweatpants and brown and black shoes. He uses a black and red walker.

Franklin also has a scar on his neck from ear to ear and a third-degree burn wound on the right side of his body. The burn requires daily dressing changes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If you have any information on Franklins whereabouts, call 911 or the Lees Summit Police Department at 816-969-7390.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Police shoot knife-wielding man inside Dollar General store originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

Police shot a man who was wielding a knife inside a Dollar General store in Walker, Minnesota, on Friday evening.

At around 6:40 p.m. a resident flagged down a Walker Police Department officer to report a man wearing only boxer shorts and acting erratically.

At the same time, the Cass County Sheriffs Office received a report of a man matching that description carrying a knife in front of businesses on Minnesota Avenue. Multiple people in the area also reported having their tires punctured.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The officer then found the suspect and began to pursue him on foot. The suspect eventually entered a Dollar General store near Highway 34 and Highway 200 on Minnesota Avenue. Inside, the suspect reportedly threatened to kill all of the stores employees.

The suspect sprayed the officer with bug spray and threw items at him, according to the department. He ignored commands to drop the weapon before charging the officer. The officer then shot the suspect, wounding him on the left arm.

Police rendered aid before the suspect was taken to the hospital. His injuries are non-life threatening, according to the department.

The officer was placed on critical incident leave, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the shooting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change.

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Aug 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
The Brief

Thousands of residents in the San Fernando Valley have been without water since Tuesday.

The outage started when a water valve failed as crews were doing repairs at a pump station.

After officials said repairs might not be complete for a few days yet, a water pipe burst in Granada Hills, potentially causing a major setback.

LOS ANGELES - As thousands of people in the San Fernando Valley have been without water for days, crews working to repair the water lines had a major setback on Saturday when another portion of the water main broke in Granada Hills.

What we know

A water main broke around 5 p.m. on Saturday near the intersection of Balboa and Senson boulevards in Granada Hills. Video from the area showed water spewing into the street, and crews trying to corral fencing that was floating into the road.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It felt literally like a train going by," said resident Armen Tchouldjian. "I went out and I noticed that there was this black pipe coming out of the ground and they were flowing the water down the street, and the pressure was really strong and I had a feeling that pipe was going to give away. And then maybe five minutes later the next thing I know that pipe just busted, and water was just seeping from the ground like thousands of gallons in what seemed like a minute."

According to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, there was a temporary connection at the pipe at the intersection when a pressure spike caused the connector to disconnect. Officials said crews were planning ot drain the pipe at 8 p.m. to prepare to cut it on Sunday. Water to the pipe was also shut off.

Officials urged all residents to "stop all tap water use now" as crews worked to make repairs on Saturday night.

LADWP: Granada Hills and Porter Ranch- Urgent water system repairs are underway. STOP ALL TAP WATER USE NOW. Updates: https://t.co/rkXhoMAeSlhttps://t.co/d37LINi7Dz  LA City Emergency Alerts (@NotifyLA) August 10, 2025

The backstory

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power warned customers in Granada Hills and Porter Ranch of water outages on Tuesday. The outage started after a water valve broke, as crews were making repairs at a pump station.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

PREVIOUS: Thousands without water in Granada Hills, Porter Ranch amid elevated fire weather

Crews have been working for days to dig down to the broken valve and start repairs. The pipe is more than 20 feet underground, and the path to the pipe has oil and gas lines in the way.

A crucial part of the repair process, officials said, is to refill the tank connected to the faulty valve. Because of that, local officials are asking residents to avoid using their water as much as possible. Those who do have water service are also under a boil water advisory.

At a press conference on Saturday, Mayor Karen Bass said that they hope to have water service restored in the next 48 hours, however LADWP officials tell FOX 11 that the pipe is a "bit of a setback."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Per LADWP Spokesperson:



-its a bit of a setback, but there were no safety incidents and no employees injured.

-still asking customers to please not run water if they have it in the area

-no word on how much water came out

-more information will come out in a release at 7:30pm

-as for residents who have gone without water and are frustrated to see the break, they can imagine that this is a very tough time its hot, its an inconvenience, but we are deploying every resource to restore water in the area.

What you can do

LADWP has set up bottled water distribution sites while also providing non-drinking recycled water, mobile laundry units, and portable toilets.

Support is available from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the following Granada Hills and Porter Ranch locations:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park, 20500 Sesnon Blvd, Porter Ranch, CA 91326: Water bottle distribution, recycled water distribution, restrooms, showers, mobile laundry units

OMelveny Park, 17300 Sesnon Blvd., Granada Hills, CA 91344: Water bottle distribution, recycled water distribution, restrooms

Intersection of Tampa Ave. And Sesnon Blvd. on the border of Northridge and Porter Ranch: Water bottle distribution and recycled water distribution

A new location is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the YMCA located at 11336 Corbin Street in Porter Ranch: Showers, mobile laundry units

LADWP customers including seniors and customers with disabilities and functional needs, as well as those unable to visit the bottled water distribution centers are encouraged to contact the LADWP's call center at 1-800-DIAL-DWP to "report an outage" and request to speak to a customer service representative.

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability can call 711 to connect with California Relay, or call 1-800-HEAR-DWP for TTY.

The Source

Information in this story is from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, an interview with Armen Tchouldjian and previous FOX 11 reports.
When you think of a cyber attack, most of us imagine a classic hackera man in a hoodie, hunched alone over his computer, accessing a companys network remotely.

But thats not always the case.

Despite office security desks, its easy to disguise yourself and simply walk in, a cyber security trainer told Euronews.

Many people, when they see a high vis top, they think: Oh this person's an engineer or something like that, and then just let them walk through.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While were all aware of cyber attacks and the increasing threat they pose to businessesparticularly in light of recent attacks on Pandora, Chanel, Adidas and Victorias Secretmost of us significantly underestimate the physical ways our defences can be breached.

Global cyber security spending is projected to reach $213 billion (183bn) in 2025, up from $193 billion (166bn) in 2024, according to the latest data from Gartner, Inc. Despite this, according to Ciscos 2025 cybersecurity readiness index, only 4% of organisations globally are fully prepared for modern threats.

According to security experts Sentinel Intelligence, physical security is a critical blindspot in our defences, and the consequences of ignoring this attack vector can be disastrous.

The physical frontline of digital security

The overall cyber threat in Europe is estimated to cost 10 trillion in 2025 and its only set to grow, according to a recent interview with software company Splunk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In terms of physical cyber attacks, the threat is real and dangerous, as shown by the World Security Report 2023. Research found that large global companies, meaning those with combined revenues of $20 trillion, reported $1tn (860bn) in lost revenue during 2022, directly caused by physical security incidents.

That could mean a hacker gaining access to your office building in order to target your digital infrastructure.

Related

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Penetration testing is a common service, commissioned by business leaders to test their internal defences. If you work in a big office, it has probably happened around you, without you even knowing.

Euronews Business spoke to Daniel Dilks, director of operations at Sentinel Intelligence, to learn exactly what some of their recent tests have entailed.

Case 1: Tailgating & access breach at a corporate headquarters

Sentinel operatives dressed in business attire entered the building by tailgating staff during the morning rush, carrying fake ID badges and a laptop bag to blend in. Once inside, they located an unsecured meeting room, connected to the guest Wi-Fi, and left a rogue device (a network implant), Dilks told Euronews.

Case 2: Out-of-hours lock picking & data exposure

During off-hours, testers gained access by picking a standard euro-cylinder lock on the side door. Once inside, they accessed an unlocked filing cabinet containing printed client contracts and passwords. No alarms were triggered, Dilks explained.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And for a criminal, once theyve figured out how to enter a building, they can potentially do it on numerous occasions, each time gathering more information or causing more damage.

Case 3: Social engineering & credential theft simulation

An operative posed as a contractor for the buildings heating and ventilation system. After entering with a high-vis vest and fake work order, the individual was escorted into a server room by staff who believed the visit was scheduled. While inside, they photographed exposed credentials and connected a USB dropbox to a workstation, he added, explaining that its common for penetration testers to leave USB pens scattered around offices.

Many workers, in the hope of being helpful, will plug them into their computers to see who it belongs to. In a real world attack scenario, this could introduce malware directly into your company network.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In all of these examples, poor physical security measures, reluctance to challenge or verify unknown people, and making basic mistakes like writing passwords on post-it notes could all lead to serious consequences.

Related

What are the consequences of a cyber attack?

Though its tricky to break down the exact cost of a security breach, attacks have short- and long-term consequences for a business.

There are the initial direct costs which could be linked to physical damage.

Somebody manages to break in, and they sabotage your system, they basically smash it up, right? So there's a direct cost there to the actual equipment, the cyber security expert explained.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But if damage to the equipment means youre not able to function for several days, that's loss of business. And sometimes when a customer can't reach you several times, they may decide to go elsewhere.

The expert explained that consequences can quickly intensify if data is wiped and backups dont work, adding that organisations can crumble without their systems.

Indirect costs could also have enduring ramifications.

Let's say someone steals your data and then there's intellectual property or confidential documents and then they get leaked. What's the cost to the organisation? There's a reputational cost there, they may lose contracts when the customers lose trust in them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Companies can also be fined for these sorts of data breaches.

Related

Surprising attack vectors

The cyber security expert shared some particularly surprising ways that criminals have hacked into company systems in recent years.

There was this case where in a casino in the US, attackers gained access to the network, not through going directly through the main part of the network, but they compromised a water-regulating device in an aquarium that was connected to the system.

And whilst we might not all have aquariums in our homes and offices, smart devices can be vulnerable too.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When smart kettles first came out, the security community was very interested, the expert explained.

If you go to a cyber security conference, sometimes you'll see a demo of them hacking a kettle and then extracting the WiFi password, and then using the WiFi passport to then go into a network, and many things can snowball from there

If youre running a company, its worth identifying all the possible ways you could be attacked.

Even so, the expert emphasised that while we need to exercise caution, it doesnt mean we need to be rude or unkind to strangers in the workplace out of fear.

Just be wary and be aware. We don't need to change our nature and be unkind to everyone, but we just need to be aware that there are some malicious people out there.
A body discovered in Florida is preliminarily determined to be Giovanni Pelletier, 18, who family members reported missing in Florida.

Positive identification is pending further testing. An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday, reads a Manatee County Sheriffs Department press release, which notes the cause of death is not known.

The body was discovered in a retention pond at the southbound off-ramp of Interstate 75 and SR 70, the release states. That was not far from where Pelletiers backpack had been found, according to ABC 11, The News & Observers news partner.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

ABC 11 previously reported that Pelletier graduated from Fuquay-Varina High School and went missing in Florida early on Aug. 1 after meeting up with family he had not spent time with before.

Pelletier was visiting Florida with his mother and her fiance and wanted to reconnect with relatives from his fathers family, Desiree Pelletier, who is Giovannis aunt and a sister of his mother, ABC 11 previously reported.

The aunt said three young men picked him up at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 1 to take him on a three-hour drive to their house in Mims, Florida, ABC 11 previously reported.

His family was told he was dropped off instead in Bradenton, Florida, which is in Manatee County, ABC 11 reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mims is in Brevard County. During a press conference on Friday, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said his department had spoken with the three who picked up Pelletier in Charlotte County and they said hed acted kind of out of control.

Department members examined the vehicle driven to pick up Pelletier and found no evidence of foul play, the sheriff said.

The sheriff said he was aware that Pelletier had texted his mother asking for help that night.

This is a developing story and may be updated.
The operation is meant to test the IDF's reactionary capabilities and readiness for any possible large attacks.

A surprise exercise titled Dawn, meant to test the readiness of the IDF general headquarters and main command centers, began on Sunday, the military announced.

Under the direction of Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, the drill is meant to test the heat-of-the-moment readiness and abilities of the IDF to deal with large-scale attacks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As part of the exercise, surprise scenarios and multi-scene events will be practiced in all possible theaters of war, the military explained.

IDF Internal Comptroller Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofer Sarig and his team will be inspecting and judging the reaction time, both in quality and capability.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir said at a situational assessment, we are dealing with matters of life and death. (credit: IDF)

IDF's drive to improve

The IDF will continue and initiate a series of audit activities across all commands, branches, and units in order to improve their competence and readiness, the statement concluded.

This operation comes as the IDF continues to strike on all fronts, including attacking a Hezbollah terrorist in Lebanon on Saturday night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The IDF said it struck a Hezbollah terrorist in the Aynata area in southern Lebanon on Saturday, who was collecting intelligence on Israeli forces.

The terrorists actions constituted a violation of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, the military added.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) said Sunday it would be illegal for President Trump to order the FBI to arrest Texas state Democratic officials for fleeing their state to halt Republican redistricting efforts.

Well, first of all, Texas law does not apply in the state of Illinois, and theres no federal law that would allow the FBI to arrest anybody thats here visiting our state. So, its a lot of grandstanding, Pritzker said to host Kristen Welker on NBCs Meet the Press.

Pritzker vowed to protect Texas Democrats who fled their state to Illinois to prevent a quorum in the Texas Legislature necessary to vote on the new gerrymandered voting map.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After the legislators fled, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ordered their arrest because they abandoned their duty to Texans. Since the lawmakers are out of state, Texas law enforcement cannot arrest them.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R) sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel asking for the FBIs assistance. When asked whether the FBI should get involved, President Trump answered, Well, they may have to.

The Illinois governor has been highly critical of the Trump administration, saying that the president is trying to steal five seats from the people.

On NBC, he reiterated that he will protect the fleeing lawmakers and ranted against Abbott over these mid-decade redistricting efforts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Were providing them a safe haven, a place for them to visit and stay, breaking quorum, because theyre heroes that are standing up not just for their own constituents and for the people of Texas and their rights but also for the rights of people all across the country, he said.

Because what Greg Abbott is doing and what Donald Trump is attempting to do is to cheat mid-decade here. This is  theyre attempting to change the map. They know that theyre going to lose in 2026 the Congress, and so theyre trying to steal seats.

In an effort to keep a Republican majority after the 2026 midterms, Trump asked the Commerce Department to conduct a new census ahead of the one scheduled for 2030, not counting anyone who is in the country illegally. Normally, the census is conducted every 10 years, and redistricting occurs after that.

Pritzker is accusing Abbott of violating the Voting Rights Act, which ensures fair representation for minorities in election maps.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hes attempting to thwart federal law and take away five seats that are in the hands of Black, brown, minority congresspeople and the people that they represent, said Pritzker.

Hes violating the Constitution. And all of us need to stand up and speak out and make sure that its understood across the country that what theyre trying to do in Texas is illegal.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) on Sunday said hes not ruling anything out when it comes to a potential 2028 presidential bid.

Im focused on running for reelection as governor of the state of Illinois, and everything that I do really is focused on lifting up the people of my state, he said to NBCs Kristen Welker on Meet the Press.

However, he continued, I cant rule anything out, but what I can rule in is that no matter what decisions I make, and I mean in particular about what I do here in the state of Illinois, is about the people of Illinois.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Indeed, any future decisions of mine will always be guided by that.

Pritzker announced his reelection campaign for a third term as governor on June 26.

Im running for reelection to protect our progress and continue solving the problems we face. I love this state, and its the honor of my life to serve as your governor  to help lead through the most challenging of times and celebrate the most joyful ones together, he said.

Pritzker has been one of the biggest critics of the Trump administration in the Democratic Party, which has ramped up speculation that he might run for president in 2028. In February, during his State of the State address, Pritzker compared President Trumps new term to Nazi Germany.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

During the 2024 election, he was also considered a potential vice presidential candidate to run alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris before Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was ultimately picked.

He has also been in the spotlight this past week amid the tit-for-tat redistricting war in Texas. He adamantly criticized the president, saying that Trump was trying to steal five seats from the people.

Pritzker said he would block any efforts to arrest Democratic lawmakers in the state who fled Texas to block a GOP effort to pick up five additional House seats in the midterm elections.

Theyre here in Illinois. Were going to do everything we can to protect every single one of them and make sure that  because we know theyre doing the right thing, we know that theyre following the law, Pritzker 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 The Hill.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday yet again said that not even a single claim or objection has been submitted by any political party regarding the draft electoral rolls in Bihar. It has been over a week since the EC asked to submit claims and objections to rectify any errors in the draft electoral roll of Bihar, which was published on August 1. Between 1st August and 10th August, no claims and objections have been received from political parties with respect to the Draft Roll. The Election Commission has been repeatedly asserting that no eligible elector will be left out and no ineligible elector will be included in the final electoral roll of Bihar. However, the EC has received 8,341 claims and objections directly from the electors with respect to the draft roll till today, said the ECI in a daily bulletin on the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar. Forms received from new electors on attaining 18 years of age or above are 46,588. 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 August 1 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. Earlier, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday levelled serious allegations of "vote theft" against the EC. He alleged that the elections are "choreographed". Presenting Congress's research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly in Karnataka, Gandhi alleged "vote chori" (vote theft) of 1,00,250 votes. Addressing a press conference, Rahul Gandhi said that Congress won other seats while the BJP swept Mahadevapura. (ANI)
A controversial pro-Palestinian solidarity event staged in Berlin by Germany's The Left party passed without incident despite a looming stand-off with opponents, police said on Sunday.

Counter-demonstrators had gathered nearby during the event on Saturday but the estimated 350 pro-Palestinian participants dispersed peacefully late in the evening.

Germany's domestic intelligence agency also scrutinized the event in the city's Kreuzberg district because of the participation of a group with allegedly links to Hamas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A local spokesman for the hard-left party said he assumed that none of the invited guests were close to the Palestinian militant group.

In light of alleged Hamas sympathies present, the government's anti-Semitism commissioner, Felix Klein, described the pro-Palestinian event as scandalous.

"Anyone who wants to draw attention to and denounce human suffering but at the same time does not distance themselves in the strongest possible terms from the worst terrorist organizations loses credibility in my eyes," Klein told Germany's Funke Mediengruppe newspaper chain.
Applying for college can be a long and unnecessarily painful task to complete  followed by the admissions waiting game and, if youre successful, a litany of fees and the ever-increasing cost of tuition.

College is a beneficial long-term investment for most students, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows earning a bachelors degree leads to a job that, on average, pays $30,000 more per year. Still, many students  especially those with no family history of college attendance, or those wondering if they can make the finances work  find there are too many barriers to get through.

TN Direct Admissions is similar to successful programs in other states

Our state of Tennessee is hoping to change that.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Weve been tackling the tuition challenge within our community colleges and colleges of applied technology with TN Promise. Under a new pilot program, TN Direct Admissions, more than 60,000 students from the class of 2026 will be eligible to receive automatic admission to some in-state public and private universities, including state community and technical colleges, with no applications or fees.

High school seniors attending one of the more than 230 participating high schools, and who meet the academic standards needed, will receive a direct admissions letter. More than 20,000 of those letters will also include an offer for personalized financial aid, making the Volunteer State the first in the country to connect direct admissions with student assistance.

Students walk out of the student center on the Tennessee State University campus in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.

Direct admissions is not a new concept, but it is an effective way to increase enrollment numbers. Georgias MATCH program offers a similar, personalized approach to college admissions: High school seniors receive letters in October detailing the public colleges and universities they are eligible to attend based on their academic records. One year after the program was implemented, Georgias public colleges and universities saw a 6% increase in enrollment, the strongest surge in years.

In Utah, the states Admit Utah program guarantees graduating high school seniors admission to at least one of the states 16 public colleges and universities. After receiving their guaranteed admission offers through Admit Utah, prospective students can apply to the colleges individually. Application fees are waived, and each institution provides access to academic advisers to support students throughout the process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Opinion: Tennessee school cell phone bans won't work without parents' help

Just like in Georgia, Utah already is seeing success. In 2024, the Utah System for Higher Education reported a more than 4% increase in public university enrollment. Most impressively, every single secondary public institution reported enrollment growth in 2024  reaching numbers unseen in Utah for more than a decade.

TN Direct Admissions can expand college access and boost the workforce

At ExcelinEd, we support programs like the ones in Utah, Georgia and now Tennessee, which will reduce barriers, expand access for all and strengthen the local workforce.

TCAT Dickson Practical Nursing Students learning sterile gloving.

Tennessees college enrollment rate increased by 2.3% in the fall of 2024 compared to 2023, but only 56.7% of Tennessees 2023 high school seniors attended college that year. That is still below pre-covid numbers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

To help continue to generate college momentum, the TN Direct Admissions pilot is making education more accessible by simplifying the admissions process and offering clear, streamlined pathways into college or training programs. These efforts reduce common barriers that can discourage students  such as confusing applications or a lack of guidance  making it easier for more young people to take the next step in their education.

Opinion: Musk's tunnel proposal is reminder of Nashville's past infrastructure injustices

In addition to removing obstacles, these initiatives aim to expand access for all students, especially those from underserved backgrounds. In 2013, one of my students at Wooddale High School carried around a brochure for weeks showing to it to all his teachers as proof that a college wanted him. If an informational booklet can mean that much, I can only imagine the power that a letter of admission would have had on students like mine.

Adriana Harrington

Adriana Harrington is Managing Director of Policy for ExcelinEd and a former high school teacher in Memphis.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TN Direct Admissions offers hands-off college enrollment | Opinion


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



Theres a quiet history that courses through Newport, through the mansions-turned-museums that hide behind the gates and walls of Bellevue Avenue, above the waves breaking on the famed Cliff Walk. That history is legendary, marking a period of inconceivable American wealth, an age of robber barons and industrialists, of families like Vanderbilt and Schermerhorn and Astor summering in these opulent cottages. Most people probably have a well-formed idea of what the Gilded Age looked likethat image, though, is only part of the story.

Theres a point in the third season of HBOs The Gilded Age, where Denee Bentons Peggy Scott receives an invite from Newport to address her cousins womens group. In the following episodes, we are guided through the court intrigue of a Black Gilded Age against the picturesque backdrop of Narragansett Bay. Though fictional, Peggys invitation to speak about Jim Crow and suffrage, and her subsequent courtship by Dr. William Kirkland, is not at all farfetched. For many viewers, this may be a new image of Newport, Rhode Island: as home to a vibrant and thriving Black Gilded Age community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But Keith Stokes, a ninth-generation Newportonian and an active member of Rhode Island State government and preservation societies, is reluctant to directly map the experience of Newports Black residents onto their wealthy white counterparts. My Newport Gilded Age ancestors and their friends would have rejected the term Black elite thats being widely used today as a label that was imposed upon them by the larger owner class, says Stokes, who is a descendant of Mahlon Van Horne (more below). The men and women of African descent that were successful in the 18th and 19th and 20th centuries were not trying to emulate white wealth or culture. Instead they aimed to establish a sense of interdependence in Black excellence with their own community. They did not see themselves as chocolate-covered Cornelius Vanderbilts. They were absolutely engaged with, and aware of what was going on in the American Jim Crow South and the oppression of poor Blacks across the country. They were always acutely aware that if any person of African descent was not doing well, none of us do well.

And before we can even begin to think about the families and figures that inspired the cultural depictions on television (or at least on HBO), there is something crucial to keep in mind: these communities did not spring up overnight, and their roots extend deep into a pre-Gilded Age history.

Karolina Wojtasik/HBO

At one point, Rhode Island was the largest slave trading center in British North America, and remained a point of sale up until the outlaw of the international slave trade in 1808. At the institutions peak, 18% of Newport was African; a third of Newport families owned at least one slave. The nations smallest state could have singlehandedly debunked the myth of a slaveless north.

November 10, 1780, was a turning point. There, in the home of a chocolate grinder named Abraham Casey, several dozen menfree Africans descended from Yoruba and Akan-speaking societies in the old worldformed the Free African Union Society, the first mutual aid group for persons of African descent. Free African churches, the center of Black social and political life, soon followed. These benevolent societies then radiated outward, a network that connected Black people from Boston to New York to Philadelphia to DC. By the end of the 18th century, Stokes explains, these cities were the stomping ground of free African institutions and organizations. Newport retained its gravitational pull, and free families not only summered there, but settled there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The memory of old is well-preserved in photographs. That in itself is an important aspect of this era, argues Theresa Guzman Stokes, executive director of the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society (she is married to Keith Stokes). Photography was becoming more affordable and widespread, and allowed individuals to seize their own visual narratives. For African-heritage people, it was the opportunity to show themselves as they saw themselves, versus what they were seeing in the media, because print media was horrendous at the time, she says. Im sure youve seen some of the depictionsanimalistic, highly sexualized women. So photography allowed them to say, no, this is who I am. 

Stokes Family Collection

Then there is a show like The Gilded Age. As petty, whimsical, intriguing, and gorgeous as it is, its also a testament to the impact storytelling and fictional narrative have on collective memorywhich is doubly important in this case for the way it provides an alternative entry point into cultural history. There was something in the historical experience of African-Americans, which was not the plantation or the deep rural south on one hand, and on the other hand the northern industrial ghetto, the two sites social scientists dealt with, says Bard professor Myra Armstead, who has made the history of Black America in resort towns a focal point of her work and is the author of Lord, Please Dont Take Me in August: African Americans in Newport and Saratoga Springs. My experience was that there was someplace in between, so I was drawn to resort towns.

And she feels strongly of the necessity of shows like The Gilded Age, even if for a brief trip to the past, to remind us of what once was. I think its very important because we have very short memories in this country, and thats why this history has to be kept alive and retold, she argues. And I can say that even just based on the span of my own lifetime, I grew up when these stories were not told at all.

Here are some of those real-life stories.

Downings

Rhode Island Black Heritage Society

One of the first families of Newports Gilded Age has its roots not in Rhode Island, but New York City. Patriarch Thomas Downing was a War of 1812 veteran, abolitionist, and restaurateur, who enjoyed wild success as an oyster salesman, earning the nickname New Yorks Oyster King. His son, George, eventually moved to Rhode Island, where he expanded the business and opened a hotel. After the latters destruction in a fire (a possible act of arson), the hotelier constructed the Downing Blockand rented an upper floor to the United States Naval Academy during the Civil War.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

To say George T. Downing (pictured above with his family) enjoyed success as a hotelier and restaurateur is an understatement (he later moved to DC to manage the dining room for the House of Representatives). But he was also massively involved in political activity from a young age, including working on the Underground Railroad, campaigning for desegregation of schools, and actively participating in the Colored Conventions Movement, a series of conferences in which Black Americans discussed their own social and political futures.

Van Hornes

Rhode Island Black Heritage Society

In 1824, the Free African Union Society founded the Union Colored Congregational Church. Forty-five years later, Mahlon Van Horne became its pastor. He found common cause with George Downing on the issues of school desegregation and civil rights, and in 1871 made a successful run for a seat on the Newport School Committee. His campaigning success followed him into the 1880s, where he became the first Black legislator from Rhode Island as a three-term Representative. In 1896, he began a diplomatic career after President William McKinley appointed him Consul General to the Danish West Indies.

The Reverend Van Horne had several children, among them Alonzo Van Horne (pictured), an 1897 graduate of Howard University College of Medicine who returned to Newport to practice dentistry, becoming the first African-American to do so in the state. He was also active in Prince Hall Freemasonry as a Deputy Grand Master and Chairman of the Foreign Correspondence Committee.

Marcus Wheatland

Alonzo Van Hornes life intersected with that of another medical professional, Marcus Wheatland. Born in Bridgetown, Barbados, in 1868, he too attended Howard Universitys Medical School and graduated in 1895. Later that year he was licensed to practice in Rhode Island. Incidentally, this was the same year Wilhelm Rontgen debuted his X-ray machine; Wheatland owned the first X-ray in the state of Rhode Island, and gave lectures on its use as a diagnostic tool. In addition to his duties as a Howard University Trustee and activities with the Union Colored Congregational church, Wheatland was elected President of the National Medical Association in 1909. He married Irene De Mortie, a granddaughter of George T. Downing, inheriting the Downing Block.

Karolina Wojtasik/HBO

Harriet Rice

Yet another doctor of import was Harriet Rice, who became the first Black Wellesley College graduate in 1887. She earned her medical degree from the New England Hospital for Women and Children in 1891 before opening her own practice in Newport. During World War I, she moved to France to practice as an intern in Poitiers. Her care for wounded soldiers was awarded with the French Medal of Gratitude.

Bannisters

Edward Mitchell Bannister, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Christiana Carteaux, born in Rhode Island in 1819, was a milliner by trade. By 1853, she was divorced, operating her own salon in Boston, and active in abolitionist circles. During the Civil War, she organized a benefit for the famed 54th Massachusetts Regiment and advocated for their equal pay.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While in Boston, she met the Canadian-born aspiring artist Edward Bannister and employed him as a barber in her salon. They married in 1857 and moved to Providence where Christina opened a second salon and Edward pursued a career as an artist. The couple would spend summers in Newport, where he would take inspiration from the seaside cliffs and expanses of ocean. He would eventually be a founder of both the Providence Art Club and the Rhode Island School for Design, while Christiana founded the Home for Aged Colored Women.

Mary Dickerson

Library of Congress

As the summer reputation of Newport grew, Mary Dickerson (pictured above, top center, with fellow members of the Womens League of Newport) noticed something missing: someone at the top of a dressmaking empire. She found that all these people who were coming to build these mansions and hold these parties were going to need a dressmaker, and thats what she was doing, Guzman Stokes says. She made so much money that at one point she owned seven properties of her own, and then three more that she inherited from her husband.

Dickersons social activity extended beyond sartorial circlesin 1895 she founded the Federation of Colored Womens Clubs and the year after she co-founded the Northeastern Federation of Womens Clubs. These were not simple social clubs and societiesthey did real, politically engaging work, advocating for anti-lynching laws and early childcare.

You Might Also Like
Protesters were out making their voices heard in Fayette County Saturday.

Individuals gathered for a demonstration in Uniontown, an extension of the Rage against the Regime demonstrations held the weekend before.

This time, they were focused on saving public park land.

Demonstrators told Channel 11 the National Park Service is struggling after recent cuts.

The parks are struggling to keep their heads above water, both financially and to be able to carry out the mission of the National Park Service, which includes protecting the lands and telling the stories about the lands, said protester Leroy Renninger.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Protesters said theyre also opposed to the idea of selling off public lands, an idea reportedly being floated by the current presidential administration.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Aug. 9The public Monday will have an opportunity to weigh in on upcoming plans for historical preservation, interpretation and programming along the six-county Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor.

Working with New Jersey-

based consultant Relevant Strategies & Solutions, the transportation-focused heritage organization will present ideas for updating its Management Action Plan (MAP)  covering the 200-mile section of the original 1913 Lincoln Highway route from Westmoreland County east through Adams County

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

and the communities that border it.

The presentation and a question-and-answer session are set for 3 to 4 p.m. in The Palace Theatre's Meghan's Suite, in downtown Greensburg. Admission is free. Advance registration is requested by visiting surveymonkey.com/r/YFGSDNR.

The MAP, which is required for receiving state funding through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, has not been updated since the Lincoln Highway heritage group was formed in 1995.

Executive Director Kimberly Cady said the group also is updating its interpretive plan, which was last completed in 2000.

"The MAP covers what we want to do and the interpretive plan provides the guidelines of how we go about doing it," Cady said. Once the updates are completed, she said, "We're ready to go full steam ahead with both plans."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Cady said goals for the heritage corridor include building upon relationships among its Lincoln Highway Experience museum in Unity and partner organizations along the highway. That might include an exchange of traveling exhibits or lecture topics.

"We're looking at how we can coalesce the museum with the general corridor aspect of our work," she said.

The Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor is one of 12 state-designated heritage areas meant to promote economic development along with various historic, cultural and natural assets.

Cady said the Lincoln Highway corridor group is studying the feasibility of an eastward expansion that could include two more counties: York and Lancaster.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Those counties, which already are part of the Susquehanna National Heritage Area, would then have dual representation, she said  one focused on transportation heritage and another involved with activities and conservation along the Susquehanna River.

Area residents unable to attend Monday's meeting in Greensburg, can register for either of two virtual sessions, set for noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 19 and 21.

Cady said the updated MAP, once reviewed by state officials, could be finalized sometime in October.

Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
A north London pub could lose its premises licence over repeated reports of underage drinking and fights between customers.

There were 40 callouts to North Eight pub in Hornsey between May 2024 and June 2025, of which 28 involved violence, and a further 16 in July.

The Metropolitan Police and Haringey Council said the number of incidents were "shocking".

A licensing consultant for the pub had previously said some calls ended with a "no crime" result and claimed they had been made maliciously due to prejudice against the pub's customers, many of whom are from the traveller community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The council held a meeting of its sub-licencing committee on 5 August to review the pub's licence, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A licensing consultant for the pub has challenged the police's claims, saying many of the calls were "malicious" [PA Media]

Committee member Adam Small said the pub had "repeatedly and egregiously" failed to uphold "the most basic requirements set out in the Licensing Act".

He added: "We are facing a sustained pattern of serious failings that have caused repeated and serious distress and fear to Hornsey residents."

The Metropolitan Police called the pub a "hotspot for violence and public order", stating that the landlord had "failed to implement effective security measures and uphold licensing conditions".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The pub was formerly named the Hornsey Arms and was taken over by James Kearns in 2021.

The sub-licensing committee initially met last month to discuss revoking the pub's licence.

However, this was delayed after licensing consultant David Dadds, acting on behalf of the North Eight pub, disputed the Metropolitan Police's claims, and said that some of the calls made had resulted in "no crime" and were "malicious".

He also claimed that "indirect discrimination" was involved as many of the pub's customers were from the traveller community, accusing residents of not wanting "a traveller pub" close by.

The Metropolitan Police advised the hearing to revoke the pub's licence entirely [PA Media]

The police said that approximately 19 of the 40 callouts involved members of the traveller community refusing to leave or fighting inside the pub.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They gave examples including a woman being served "to the point of vomiting" before being arrested for drunk and disorderly behaviour, and a 16-year-old child being served until 02:55.

The police noted that almost all callouts happened between 00:00 and 03:00.

The July meeting also heard from neighbouring residents, who said their daily routines had been disrupted by the venue and disturbances could be heard until 04:00.

Lowena Waries said she had changed her public transport routes and travel times after being verbally assaulted by patrons of the pub, with one customer climbing on to her balcony and throwing an object.

'Excessive noise'

At Tuesday's meeting, licensing barrister James Rankin, representing the police, said the situation had worsened in July.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He said there were 16 calls on nine separate dates between 4 and 30 July, made by residents, the alarm company, bar staff and security.

PC Carey Denham from the Metropolitan Police said there had been a "substantial" amount of times when bar staff and security were concerned that a big group of people had "got out of hand".

Mr Dadds asked again for the meeting to be adjourned, but this was refused, leading him to withdraw from the hearing.

The council's noise and nuisance officer, Craig Bellringer, said that the premises had received an abatement notice and two fixed penalty notices due to "excessive" noise.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He added that there had been four or five further noise complaints since June, and this was "one of the worst [pubs in Haringey]" for noise issues.

Mr Bellringer, Mr Small and the Metropolitan Police all advised revoking the pub's licence entirely, following the evidence heard at the hearings.

A decision will be published within five working days of the meeting, expected to be early next week.

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
A senior member of Russian President Vladimir Putins inner circle warned that multiple countries are mounting "titanic efforts" to undermine the upcoming summit between the Russian leader and U.S. President Donald Trump .

The two leaders are scheduled to meet in Alaska on Aug. 15, though Trumps announcement, made via a Truth Social post on Friday, offered few additional details about the summit. It is also unclear if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be invited to join the talks as the Kremlin's unprovoked war stretches into its fourth year.

Zelenskyy Wont Cede Territory For Peace Deal Ahead Of Trumpputin Summit As Trilateral Meeting Teased

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Undoubtedly, a number of countries interested in continuing the conflict will make titanic efforts to disrupt the planned meeting between President Putin and President Trump," wrote Russia's investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, in a Telegram post on Saturday, referencing the Kremlin's ongoing war in Ukraine.

While Dmitriev did not name specific countries, he warned that critics of the upcoming talks could seek to sabotage the summit through diplomatic maneuvers or media-driven provocations. Several NATO countries in Europe have been openly skeptical of any deal that rewards Russian aggression in the three-year-old war.

Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev speaks with Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier on April 3, 2025 in Washington, D.C.

Dmitriev, who met with Trump administration officials in Washington in April, has been dubbed Putin's "shadow foreign minister" for his behind-the-scenes role in shaping Russias global diplomacy.

Read On The Fox News App

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As head of the Kremlins sovereign wealth fund and a recently appointed special envoy, he has often acted as an informal bridge between Moscow and Washington.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin said in a statement on Saturday that Trump and Putin are expected to "focus on discussing options for achieving a long-term peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian crisis."

"This will evidently be a challenging process, but we will engage in it actively and energetically," the statement added.

Trump has previously said that Putin and Zelenskyy were close to a ceasefire deal but suggested that Kyiv would have to concede significant territory, an outcome that Ukrainians and many European allies oppose.





Original article source: Putin ally warns 'titanic efforts' are underway to sink Trump summit over Ukraine war
Russian President Vladimir Putins reported proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine, which would require Kyiv to cede regions in the east, sparked a firm response from European leaders on Saturday ahead of President Trumps summit with the Kremlin leader in Alaska next week.

The seven European leaders welcomed Trumps efforts to negotiate a ceasefire as part of an effort to permanently end the nearly three-and-a-half-year war in Eastern Europe, but argued that only an approach that mixes support for Ukraine, active diplomacy and additional pressure on Moscow can lead to peace on the front lines.

We stand ready to support this work diplomatically as well as by upholding our substantive military and financial support to Ukraine, including through the work of the Coalition of the Willing, and by upholding and imposing restrictive measures against the Russian Federation, the European officials said in a lengthy, joint statement on Saturday, adding that a resolution must protect Ukraines and Europes vital security interests.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The statement was signed by French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

Putin presented a ceasefire proposal to Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff during their Wednesday meeting in Moscow, their fifth gathering this year.

While not all the details are clear, the Russian leader reportedly suggested that Ukraine withdraw its armed forces from the Donetsk region, along with Luhansk, to place both sides on a path to a ceasefire. In that case, Russia would fully control Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea, a peninsula Moscow annexed in 2014.

Trump signaled Friday at the White House that he is open to land swaps as part of a potential peace deal. Hours later, the president revealed that he would be meeting with Putin next Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Were going to get some back, and were going to get some switched. Therell be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both, the president told reporters when asked about negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the idea of Ukraine cede large chunks of its land as part of the talks, saying Saturday morning that of course, we will not give Russia any awards for what it has done.

The Ukrainian people deserve peace, he said, emphasizing that Ukrainians will not give their land to an occupier.

European leaders reiterated their calls for Ukraine to have credible security guarantees as part of the peace talks to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities, the leaders said on Saturday. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.

The group also emphasized their commitment to the notion that international borders must not be changed by force and that the current line of contact should be the starting point of the peace talks.

Vice President Vance, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Ukraine representatives and European allies met in Kent, England to discuss Trumps efforts to forge peace in Eastern Europe on Saturday.

Zelenskys top adviser, Andriy Yermak, who attended the meeting, along with Ukraines Secretary of National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov, said the current front lines should not be considered borders if the eventual peace deal is reached.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Our positions were clear: a reliable, lasting peace is only possible with Ukraine at the negotiating table, with full respect for our sovereignty and without recognizing the occupation. A ceasefire is necessary  but the front line is not a border, Yermak said on social media.

Our partners support us not only in words  assistance will continue in the military, financial, and sanctions spheres until the aggression stops, he added, thanking Vance for respecting all points of view, and for his efforts toward a reliable peace.

In response to Putins ceasefire outline this week, European leaders offered a counterproposal, one brought up during the meetings in England, which reportedly stated that a ceasefire must take place before any other concessions advance and that territorial swaps must be reciprocal  meaning if Ukraine pulls out of some territories, Russias military must do the same.

A U.S. official told NewsNation that meetings in Kent yielded significant progress toward Trumps goal of ending the Russia-Ukraine war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Meanwhile, the White House is considering inviting Zelensky to the summit in Alaska. The administration signaled it is open to host a meeting between Trump, Putin and Zelensky, but noted that it is still planning a bilateral meeting between just the president and Kremlin leader.

European leaders, in their Saturday statement, said they will continue to cooperate closely with Trump, the U.S. and Zelensky to achieve a peace deal in Ukraine.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Yonatan Urich's detention terms expired on Sunday. He was required to appear for questioning if called, forbidden from leaving the country until August 12.

Israel Police requested on Sunday that the relaxed arrest conditions of Yonatan Urich, an aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and one of the main suspects in the Qatargate investigations, be extended for another month.

Urichs detention terms expired on Sunday  that he was required to appear for questioning if called, that he was forbidden from leaving the country until August 12, and that he could not contact anyone involved with the case. He was released to 10 days of house arrest on May 12.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On May 21, Rishon Lezion Magistrates Court Judge Menahem Mizrahi terminated his house arrest but ruled that Urich would still be under surveillance, where he would be allowed to walk freely with someone who had signed as a guarantor for him until June 1.

Mizrahi requested on Sunday that police resubmit the request and that the position of Urichs lawyer, Amit Hadad, be submitted as well; only after that would a hearing be scheduled. Hadad completely opposed banning Urich from leaving the country and contacting those who investigators deem close to the case.

He also noted that the polices intent to extend Urichs conditions was only made known to him on Sunday, despite the deadline on the detention terms being known from May. He added that the extension request is extremely laconic and doesnt provide specific reasons for extending it.

Yonatan Urich, adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen before a press conference in Tel Aviv on October 3, 2022. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)

Why is Yonatan Urich being investigated?

Urich and former Prime Ministers Office military spokesman Eli Feldstein are two of the main suspects in Qatargate. They were investigated for alleged Qatari connections and influences on figures close to the prime minister in efforts by the Gulf state to improve its image.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the more current context, this was reportedly done to boost Qatars image in its mediator role in the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal negotiations and to downplay Egypts involvement. Yisrael Einhorn, another of Netanyahus close advisers, was questioned last month from where he resides in Serbia. He is suspected of fraudulently receiving money from Qatar as part of the public relations campaign.

Urich was arrested on March 30 and was detained until April 7, after which the fight for extensions and terms began. He is suspected of contact with a foreign agent, bribery, fraud, breach of trust, and money laundering. Hadad noted that since his arrest in March, he had not been in touch with anyone connected to the case  which includes a wildly extensive list, he said  and there is no indication of tampering on Urichs end.

He added that the order to not contact anyone from the Prime Ministers Office or any staff from Perception  the company allegedly at the center of the Qatargate affairs  is dramatic, draconic, and damaging, as it meant that Urich has been unable to work and provide for himself for nearly six months now.

The court decided that the hearing will take place on Thursday afternoon and that Urichs conditions are to remain as they are until then.

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.




NEED TO KNOW

A rare clouded leopard cub, weighing just 1 lb., was born to parents Jewels and Bruce at the Nashville Zoo on July 18

The zoo said the female cub will be hand-reared as "her survival is critical" due to the "steep decline" in the species' population

The zoo also announced that it recently welcomed a 10-week-old brother-sister clouded leopard pair from the Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Kansas





The Nashville Zoo is celebrating a special new addition to its family.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A rare clouded leopard cub was born on July 18, the zoo announced on Instagram on Aug 4. The female cub is the 45th cub born at the zoo since 1991. She is "currently the size of a teddy bear," weighing just 1 lb.

Due to the vulnerable status of the clouded leopard species, the zoo said the cub will be hand-reared.

"Since the clouded leopard population is in steep decline, her survival is critical. Following the AZA [Association of Zoos & Aquariums] Species Survival Plan (SSP)s recommendation, weve elected to hand-rear her," the zoo said, inviting visitors to "watch her grow up through the windows" of its HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center.

Nashville Zoo Clouded leopard cub born at the Nashville Zoo on July 18. Clouded leopard cub born at the Nashville Zoo on July 18.

The zoo explained in a press release that hand-rearing "prevents parental predation or neglect, which is common for clouded leopards, and allows this normally nervous species to become acclimated to the sights and sounds of human interaction typical in an exhibit environment."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Hand-raising also allows the zoo to pair cubs at an early age," the zoo added. "Our research with breeding clouded leopards has revealed that pairing at an early age significantly reduces aggression and allows for more successful breeding pairs."

The Aug. 4 Instagram post featured a series of photos of the newborn cub exploring her habitat and playing with toys.

Nashville Zoo Clouded leopard cub born at the Nashville Zoo on July 18, 2025 Clouded leopard cub born at the Nashville Zoo on July 18, 2025

She is the third offspring of parents Jewels and Bruce, the zoo said. Jewels gave birth to a male and female cub in June 2022.

The zoo also announced in its post that it recently welcomed a 10-week-old brother-sister clouded leopard pair from the Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Kansas, per the AZA's SSP recommendation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Once the [new] cub is of age, she will be introduced to the brother-sister pair, helping them socialize," the zoo said, adding, "Every cub counts when it comes to saving this vulnerable species."

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 Friday, Aug. 8, the zoo shared a sweet video on Instagram showing two clouded leopard cubs jumping around and playing together. The clip was captioned, "If you need us, well be watching this all day. ."



The zoo estimates that around 10,000 clouded leopards remain in the wild. The rapid population decline of the species, which is native to the tropical lowlands of Southeast Asia, is due to poaching, pet trade and deforestation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Tennessee facility, which has a total of 14 clouded leopards in its care, is a leader in clouded leopard conservation and breeding efforts.

Since 2000, the zoo has partnered with zoos around the world to develop collaborative breeding programs and field monitoring projects for clouded leopards in Thailand as part of the Clouded Leopard Consortium.

Nashville Zoo Clouded leopard cub born at the Nashville Zoo on July 18, 2025 Clouded leopard cub born at the Nashville Zoo on July 18, 2025

Clouded leopards are difficult to breed in captivity as they "are sensitive to auditory and visual disturbances, increasing the stress levels during captive breeding programs," the zoo said, noting that it works with artificial insemination specialists to "increase the size and diversity" of the captive-bred population.

The zoo's latest clouded leopard cub birth came more than three months after a female cub at the facility died due to intestinal bleeding on April 4.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Following her Feb. 25 birth, she captured national media attention and helped raise thousands of dollars for conservation efforts via a contest to select her name.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

"This cub represented a proud achievement for us and a hopeful future for her species, Nashville President and CEO Rick Schwartz said after her death. She captured the hearts of millions of people, and we are absolutely devastated."



Read the original article on People
The Deputy Opposition leader and former AIADMK Minister R B Udhayakumar hit out at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, claiming that Madurai has "ranked first in corruption" in the state. Speaking to the mediapersons, the former AIADMK minister said, "Madurai district has ranked first in Tamil Nadu for corruption. Because of corruption in the municipal corporation, a situation has arisen where zone leaders have to demand the Chief Minister's resignation...In 2026, the DMK will not be able to win." The Deputy Opposition leader also criticised the DMK government for "failing" to address water management issues in Madurai district. "Even though there is adequate water in the Vaigai Dam, water has not been released for the 58th canal project. During the AIADMK regime, water was released into the 58th canal three times, whereas in the DMK regime, it has been released twice," he said. He further alleged that residents were now compelled to fight for their fundamental right to water under the DMK rule. "During the AIADMK rule, schemes were introduced to prevent sewage from mixing into the Vaigai River. After the change in government, the DMK administration has scrapped those schemes. Due to the abandonment of the project, sewage is now mixing into the Vaigai River at 425 locations," he added. Meanwhile, the 'Thenkal Kanmoi', a major irrigation tank situated in the Thirupparankundram area of Tamil Nadu's Madurai district, had completely dried up due to extreme heat, raising serious concerns among farmers and local residents who depend on it for irrigation and drinking water. The drying up of the tank had significantly impacted both farming operations and daily life in the area. With no water available, agricultural activities have come to a halt, and residents are facing severe water shortages. Local farmers and residents had appealed to the authorities to take immediate steps to desilt and deepen the tank. They emphasised the urgent need to improve water flow infrastructure to ensure a consistent and adequate water supply during future monsoon seasons. Without timely intervention, they fear the crisis could worsen in the coming years. (ANI)
By Bob Brody

Next door, behind our backyard, lived the Fishmans, and to our right, the Nichterns. Around the corner were the Kutners and Broslovksys, and just up the street, the Goldenbergs and the Hefflers.

Within a hundred yards or so of our house were also the Krakauers, Laskers, Witzburgs, Hamburgs, Solomons, Roselinskys, Klappers, Cohens, Hermans and Heymanns.

So lets do the math here. All through the 1950s and 1960s, as I came of age in Fair Lawn, my hometown in northern New Jersey, almost every one of our immediate neighbors, the dozens of families around our block and nearby, all housed in split-level, three-bedroom colonials on quarter-acre plots, was, just like us, Jewish.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

None of this stark reality about our Jewish block hit home for me, even though I lived in Fair Lawn from 1954 to 1975. until only last year as Fair Lawn celebrated its 100th anniversary .

The question is why were we Jews clustered together? Jewish enclaves cropped up elsewhere in town, too  along Greenwood Drive, Saddle River Road and Lyncrest Avenue, among other locales.

Was it because we wanted to be or because we were forced to be?

Why, in a town of 36,000, then predominantly Catholic and Protestant, with World War II recently over but the Holocausts monstrous atrocities still fresh in memory, were our Jewish families  guilty of nothing more than being Jewish  thus packed shoulder to shoulder, in effect segregated from the community around us, as if herded into a suburban ghetto?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Had the town and its realtors collaborated to assign us our seats on the org chart? Was the idea to round up the Jews and keep us all in one place, where the town could keep an eye on us? Was this assimilation or was it alienation?

Fair Lawn in the 1950s, where writer Bob Brody grew up.

I decided, as a third-generation American Jew  and against the backdrop of growing global antisemitism and unceasing war in the Middle East -- to try to find out. Toward that end, I interviewed more than a dozen reliable sources, including the current mayor, a former mayor, a retired rabbi, current and former residents, and acknowledged authorities on antisemitism and the history of Jews in modern America.

Here, divided into three plausible explanations, is the essence of what I learned.

One, the real estate developers and brokers in Fair Lawn practiced redlining, steering prospective Jewish homeowners toward blocks like ours, possibly to keep us apart from the towns non-Jewish population.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Two, the Jewish families themselves, ready to migrate, largely from apartments in the Bronx and Brooklyn and nearby Paterson, in a modern version of an exodus from the desert to the promised land, expressed a preference for living among other Jewish families, perhaps if only to retain a sense of safety and security.

Three, a combination of one and two.

Jews have tended to settle among other Jews, Hasia R. Diner told me. Shes director of the Goldstein-Goren Center for American Jewish History, former professor of Hebrew and Judaic studies at New York University , and author of The Jews of the United States, 1654 to 2000.

They felt they could be comfortable and be themselves, Diner said. They self-selected where they lived and self-segregated. But then again, its also possible real estate agents steered Jews toward or away from certain neighborhoods.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Scott Richman offered a similar interpretation of history. Hes a lawyer and former investment banker whos currently regional director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for New York and New Jersey.

Redlining came into fashion in the 1930s, Richman told me. Some so-called steering might have happened in Fair Lawn, Richman said. It was nothing uncommon. But also some Jews, especially those of the Greatest Generation, simply preferred living among other Jews.

In short, a definitive answer about cause and effect remains ever-elusive.

But this much we know: Fair Lawn was a microcosm of the national landscape. What happened in Fair Lawn happened in suburbs around the country. Developers and realtors were free to discriminate about who lived where.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But as the experts I interviewed attest, no written policy expressly restricting Jews from living in certain sections of Fair Lawn appears ever to have existed. Rather, historians and residents have identified an unspoken understanding that prevailed along those lines. Realtors routinely informed Jewish families seeking housing there that they might be more comfortable living elsewhere in town.

We also know that Fair Lawn, as it turns out, embraced Jews soon after World War II and evolved into nothing less than a Jewish stronghold. Since the early 1990s, an influx of Russian Jews fleeing the former Soviet Union, as well as Orthodox Jews from the Middle East and elsewhere, has earned Fair Lawn the nickname Little Israel.

Says the ADLs Richman, Increasingly, in the 1950s, Jews took the attitude, We refuse to be excluded. Were going to build our own communities, establish our own law firms and corporations, open our own country clubs. And well thrive.

Indeed, the towns population has remained an estimated 30% to 40% Jewish for at least half a century now, with nine of its 21 houses of worship serving as synagogues. And heres a telling snapshot: In October, 2023, in response to the Hamas attack on Israel, Fair Lawns town council passed a resolution denouncing antisemitism .

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Even so, the issue of hostility toward Jews today remains tender to the touch in my hometown. Acts of antisemitism still occasionally flare up in Fair Lawn, whether in an offensive tweet by a town official (he resigned), anti-Jewish graffiti  complete with swastikas  scrawled on the walls of Fair Lawn High School or bomb threats to local synagogues. The current mayor told me her children have personally experienced antisemitism.

I posted a query about potential Jewish segregation and antisemitism in Fair Lawn on several Fair Lawn Facebook pages . In response, I received 477 comments and 24 direct messages  an outpouring of facts, insights, claims, hearsay, historical context, pushback, first- and second-hand anecdotes, and, yes, vitriol.

Only once in my 21 years as a resident did I directly suffer the sting of antisemitism in Fair Lawn. I was about 15, and it happened at our local Friendlys. I went to the bathroom and two bigger, older boys jumped me. I distinctly heard the words dirty Jew.

The guys shoved me around a little  it lasted maybe half a minute  and I came out unscathed but decidedly shaken. Possibly another customer appeared right then, interrupting the festivities, and prevented the assault from escalating. It always struck me as ironic that this attack should happen in a place named Friendlys.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Meantime, Fair Lawns demographics have definitely diversified, with 31% of its residents born outside the United States, according to the United States Census Bureau . Today, though 69% white, its population is 13% Asian and another 13% Hispanic or Latino, plus 4% Black.

By most accounts, Jews and non-Jews alike have generally long co-existed happily in Fair Lawn. Just ask former five-time Fair Lawn mayor John Cosgrove , a lifelong resident and now the town historian. He regularly joined Jewish families to celebrate Passover, and those same Jewish families helped decorate his familys living-room Christmas tree.

That harmony was perhaps especially evident among Fair Lawns children. This I remember with utter clarity: we kids all played together. We had no idea who was Jewish, who Catholic or who Protestant. Nor did we ever ask, nor did we care, nor, if we had known, would it have made any difference to us. We were kids and we knew all we needed to know. If we could play together, we could do anything together.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A man claimed he was shot with a flare gun in Harrison Twp. on Saturday evening.

According to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch, officers were sent out on an assist call at approximately 8:15 p.m. in the 3000 block of North Dixie Drive.

A 911 caller said the man was shot with a flare gun at a different location and came to him for help. The man can be heard in the background speaking.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dispatch said more details will be available later.

2 NEWS is working 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 WDTN.com.
Spotted lanternflies have been known to wreak havoc in New Jersey as an invasive species, drastically affecting agriculture. However, Shore News Network reported that researchers at Rutgers University recently discovered that bats are allies in the fight against the bugs, as analysis of bat guano revealed they are eating them.

The Ph.D. candidate leading the study, Aaron McCale, told Shore News Network that "most recently what we've discovered is that they are in fact eating the spotted lantern fly" and that "no one has seen that before."

Researchers discovered that the bats' feeding behavior has aided in limiting the pest population. McCale noted that encouraging bat populations to thrive by installing bat houses on properties could boost the bats' support, as they are already eating thousands of bugs per day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bat populations in New Jersey have suffered declines due to disease, habitat loss, and human interference. Over 50% of New Jersey's native bats are at risk, and bat houses have become an aspect of conservation efforts. Given bats' importance in the fight against invasive species, their presence remains vital.

Thousands to tens of thousands of invasive species are estimated to be circulating in the United States. In New Jersey alone, an estimated 134 documented invasive species linger, changing the natural ecosystem and driving issues impacting agriculture.

Throughout the U.S., the agriculture sector has suffered the largest losses from invasive species, totaling a whopping $510 billion in revenue loss from 1960 to 2020. The economic downturn in the sector also means a decline in food production, which could cause distress to the food supply around the world.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture stated that certain New Jersey counties are under quarantine due to the bugs, and this quarantine requires businesses and individuals to take precautions with food production to help prevent the spread of the invasive species.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Encouraging the growth of native plants or rewilding your yard can help stop the spread of invasive species. It can also help rebalance the natural lands, building back the agricultural sector and food supply.

According to Shore News Network, the study "highlights the broader role of native wildlife in managing invasive species."

Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Residents in the northernmost tundra of Canada are sharing images of surprising critters that have made their way up to the region.

What's happening?

A yellow warbler and a brown bat were spotted in Nunavut in recent months, sparking discussion over ecological changes in the region.

"It was my first time to see the bird, but a couple of my friends told me they had seen it before," Natasha Tapatai, a Baker Lake, Nunavut resident who snapped the yellow bird, told Nunatsiaq News.

Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) Photo Credit: iStock

Nunavut is a territory in northern Canada that comprises the land of the native Inuit community. It is primarily made up of tundra, making it typically inhospitable to warblers and bats. However, warming global temperatures have made way for shrub growth in the area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to Nunatsiaq News, warblers breed in willow thickets, which are found near lakes and wetlands. These thickets have begun growing in Nunavut and serve as an indicator of the changing climate there.

Meanwhile, the brown bat spotted on a porch in a neighboring town seemed to have found itself far from a livable region for the species. The northern climate and its lack of trees and boulders with safe cracks and crevices limit the creature's ability to breed.

Why is bird migration important?

Changes in bird migration have the ability to impact ecosystems across the world. Birds eat pests and help maintain the balance of the food chain. Some species are also essential pollinators, playing a crucial role in maintaining the global food supply.

Without reliable bird migration, a region that relies on them can suffer hits to the local agricultural communities. This puts crops and economies at risk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Additionally, migration patterns reveal changes in the environment, such as the warming tundras in Nunavut. To the local community, this can serve as a warning about the challenges they may face as extreme weather events worsen as a result of rising temperatures linked to pollution from dirty energy and landfills.

What's being done about bird migration?

According to Nunatsiaq News, researchers are monitoring the movement of yellow warblers, which they say is not an anomaly.

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.

"As temperatures warm and vegetation shifts, you might get willows and thickets further north," High Arctic Gull Research Group founder Mark Maftei said, per Nunatsiaq News. "The range of the species is going to expand further north, too, and it's not unprecedented."

There are steps you can take to reduce the amount of pollution you put into the atmosphere and take local action. The first step is to educate yourself on critical climate issues in order to figure out how best to tackle the problems closest to your community.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.




The Billy Fire in Gila County prompted new evacuation orders for some residents, according to officials with the U.S. Forest Service Tonto National Forest.

The fire, located about 15 miles south of Young in central Arizona, spread across 8,869 acres and was 22% contained, according to the Forest Service in a Facebook post Aug. 10. The fire started July 9 and was caused by lightning, the Forest Service said.

Evacuation orders were upgraded to "go" status for residents in Murphy Ranch and Ellison Ranch, located in southwestern Gila County, meaning they had to evacuate immediately, according to the Forest Service.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Residents that remained in "set" pre-evacuation status included Elks Camp, Trachta Ranch, Circle Ranch, Johnson Ranch, and Cook Ranch, meaning those in the area had to be ready to leave at the notice of authorities, the Forest Service said.

State Route 288 was closed to all traffic from mile marker 298.3 to mile marker 276, south of Young, starting at 5 p.m. Aug. 10, according to the Forest Service. It was set to be closed until the smoke cleared in the morning.

"Outside of these hours, pilot cars will be used to guide safe passage when smoke and roadside hazards are minimized," the Forest Service posted on Facebook. "During the closure hours, please plan an alternate route."

An undated photo of the Billy Fire in Gila County. The location of the Billy Fire poses several safety concerns for firefighter as it is a very remote fire in steep and rocky terrain with an abundance of snags from the 2016 Juniper Fire, the Tonto National Forest said.

The burn area was closed, while the rest of the forest was under stage 2 fire restrictions that prohibited campfires, smoking or firing a gun, the Forest Service said. Only propane devices were allowed to be used.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A high temperature between 79 to 83 degrees was expected for Aug. 10 along with up to 30% humidity and a 30% chance of rain, according to the Forest Service. Western winds were expected between two and six mph with gusts up to 20 mph, the forest service said.

The fire was burning on steep, rocky terrain that was difficult for ground crews to access, according to the Forest Service. Air attack crews were able to drop about 28,000 gallons of water on the fire, helping to temper the speed and heat of the flames, the Forest Service said.

Leftover hazardous materials from past mining operations were also in the area, according to the Forest Service.

Another shift of firefighters was set to begin operations the night of Aug. 10, allowing crews to work in the cooler, more favorable fire conditions, the Forest Service said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A total of 445 personnel, three helicopters, 10 crews and nine medical crews were assigned to the fire, according to the Forest Service.

A public meeting was scheduled for 4 p.m. on Aug. 11 at the Pleasant Valley Community Center, located near State Route 288 and Midway Avenue in Young, the Forest Service said.

Rey Covarrubias Jr. reports breaking news for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email him at: rcovarrubias@gannett.com, and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ.

(This story has been updated to add more information.)

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Residents in central Arizona told to evacuate due to month-long fire
A road in Kansas Citys Northland reopened Saturday after it took crews several days to clean up a massive gasoline spill this week.

Jesse James Farm Road at Northeast 138th Street near Kearney had been closed since Monday afternoon, when a semi tractor-trailer overturned and dumped more than 5,000 gallons of gasoline.

A spokesperson with the Clay County Sheriffs Office said in an email Saturday that the road had reopened to the public.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Environmental remediation work will continue in the area, the spokesperson said.

During a preliminary investigation, the driver of the semitruck allegedly told officials the road was too narrow, and as he tried to move over for an oncoming vehicle, the trucks wheels went off the road.

There were no reported injuries in the crash. An investigation into what caused the wreck is ongoing.

The Kearney Fire and Rescue Protection District, Kansas City Fire Department and Missouri Department of Natural Resources assisted in cleaning the area.
Vaccines have been one of the greatest health benefits in human history. New mRNA vaccines technology that saved millions of lives from COVID has been a huge advance in vaccine development. It could potentially lead to many new and better vaccines.

The decision to withdraw $500 million from mRNA vaccine research and development by our vaccine-denying health secretary, Robert Kennedy, Jr, appointed by our medically ignorant president and approved by our sycophantic Senate, is insane.

Policy decisions made to be obstinate are one thing, but denying the world the benefits of lifesaving vaccines is inhumane. The medical community is almost unanimously opposed to this move, and Congress should reverse this absurd decision.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Joel Miller, Hickory

College rental

Winthrop Universitys decision to lease the Sellers House to Congressman Ralph Norman  at $3,200 a month  raises a dilemma that transcends rent checks. Public universities are bastions of inquiry, not outposts of ideology. In an era when political affiliation feels like identity, neutrality isnt optional  its sacred.

The concern here isnt personal  its systemic. Should any elected official occupy campus grounds without clear guidelines for transparency, equal access and safeguarding tax-exempt status? Students and faculty expect academic environments that challenge ideas fairly, free from implied partisan endorsement.

When public trust falters, even a lease can signal an erosion of institutional principle. As protests outside the Sellers House grow louder, one message cuts through the noise: universities must not just avoid partisanship  they must visibly transcend it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

J R Snodgrass, Tega Cay

New tax

I believe that the push for the 1% sales tax increase right now is because its municipal election time when around 15% of the 806,000 voters in Mecklenburg County will turn out to vote. Its the same tactic used when in 2023 the $2.5 billion school bonds were presented and less than 10% of the voters approved them.

Currently the transportation plan is incomplete, the authority is not set up, and theres no checks and balances in place. Mecklenburg pays 78%, the state pays 0%, and the federal government may pay 22%. Vote no and once the plan is complete, try again next year in the higher turnout mid-term elections for better voter representation.

Jim Shuback, Charlotte

American way

After state Rep. Carla Cunningham said All cultures are not equal, in a speech about immigration, Im reminded of the time I went to a naturalization ceremony for a Kurdish refugee who I had befriended. Her husband had been a translator for our troops in Iraq.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After immigrants from over 50 countries took the oath of allegiance and were sworn in as citizens, they watched a video in which President Trump said now that they were American citizens they would learn to do things the American way.

Following this video, a member of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services gave the new citizens a contrary instruction: Do not forget your own cultures and traditions, but instead share them with your co-workers and neighbors. That to me is the American way.

Amy Lefkof, Charlotte

EA?

Lately, it seems the Environmental Protection Agency has dropped the Protection part of its name. Rolling back rules that limit greenhouse gas emissions and keep our air and water clean isnt just short-sighted, its like taking the batteries out of your smoke detector because you dont like the beeping.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Climate change isnt waiting quietly at the door  its already pounding with wildfires, floods and record heat. The EPA was created to protect our health and environment, not polluters bottom lines. Weakening its role is like firing the lifeguard just as the tide is coming in. Lets keep the Protection in the EPA and take climate change seriously before it costs more.

Mark Taylor, Charlotte

Sea-to-Lake

After President Trump threatened bilingual education I assume he will lead the way by changing the name of his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago, to its English translation, Sea-to-Lake.

Terry Keith, Charlotte
Do you have a work schedule that leaves you with enough time off the clock to rest up and handle your other responsibilities?

If so, you might owe something to Robert Owen, a wealthy industrialist who was born in Wales on May 14, 1771.

Welsh social reformer Robert Owen, portrayed about a decade after his experimental community in Indiana collapsed. National Library of Wales

Owen is widely credited with being the first person to advocate for a universal eight hours labor, eight hours recreation, eight hours rest approach to work-life balance. He experimented with this concept at his own factories and urged employers everywhere to adopt this management ethos as part of the socialist ideology he embraced decades before Karl Marx.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the early 19th century, many U.S. and European factory workers worked up to 18 hours a day, six days a week.

Once a year, I travel with 15 fellows enrolled in a leadership program to New Harmony. Its the site of Owens greatest experiment, a cooperative community he founded in southern Indiana on the banks of the Wabash River. Far more radical than limiting labor to eight-hour workdays, the utopia Owen envisioned ran up against human nature.

Early success and a socialist vision

Owen, born into a working-class family, had virtually no formal education. By the age of 21, he was managing a textile mill, and at 28 he married the daughter of a Scottish mill owner, whose business he soon purchased. Owen rejected long hours and took steps to make child labor less exploitative. Although he paid higher wages than his competitors, the mills profits made him a wealthy man.

Owen believed in lifelong education, establishing an Institute for the Formation of Character and School for Children that focused less on job skills than on becoming a better person. This innovation attracted considerable attention, and many dignitaries  including the future czar of Russia  visited to see it for themselves.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But Owens ambitions went far beyond the well-being of his workforce.

He conceived of socialist communities of people who would live together, as well as collectively prepare and eat their meals. Children would remain with their families until age 3, at which point the community would take over raising and educating them. Men and women would have equal rights.

At the core of Owens philosophy was an earnest question: Why shouldnt people who work together enjoy the fruits of their labor communally, promoting the well-being and happiness of every man, woman, and child, without regard to class, sect, party, country, or colour?

Theres a long-running debate over whether nature or nurture is the biggest factor shaping human character. Owen firmly sided with nurture. He believed in a concept then called human perfectibility. In his view, all that was necessary to create better human beings was to raise, educate and employ them in better circumstances.

Creating New Harmony

Owen sought to demonstrate the viability of his ideals by establishing a new community in the United States that would adhere to them. His aspirations belonged to a broader utopian movement that included the Fruitlands agrarian commune in Massachusetts and the Oneida community in New York state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Other Europeans had attempted their own real-life experiments. In fact, a German religious sect that emphasized a communal way of life was selling its southern Indiana town of Harmony, and its residents were relocating to Pennsylvania.

Owen purchased it in 1825 for US$150,000 (the equivalent of about $4 million today) and renamed it New Harmony. He invited any and all to come join his community of equality located halfway between St. Louis, Missouri, and Louisville, Kentucky.

New Harmony attracted about 1,000 newcomers, including scientists, naturalists, educators and artists, all eager to build what Owen called a union and cooperation of all for the benefit of each.

Trouble soon began to brew.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For one thing, Owen himself seems to have taken a greater interest in traveling and promoting his ideas than in securing the success of the new venture.

A second problem was who moved there. Some residents sincerely believed in Owens ideas, while others had been lured by the promise of an easy life and did little to promote the community.

Finally, his reforms proved to be at odds with human nature. Few families wanted their children to be shielded from what he called the negative influence of their parents, and people who worked hard resented those who contributed little.

Ahead of his time

Despite considerable investments that depleted Owens fortune, the community failed economically after just two years. Perhaps he had overestimated the malleability of human nature. Owen personally believed that humanity wasnt yet ready for his radical new ideas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He returned to Europe, where he continued to promote publicly funded education, better working conditions and his vision of an enlightened society. He died in Wales in 1858. His four sons and one of his daughters remained in New Harmony, leading notable lives of their own.

Owens legacy doesnt just live on in the nine-to-five schedules that became the norm starting in the early 20th century. Its also in the broad notion of social welfare behind everything from public schools to paid sick leave  including the expansion of government benefits the Biden administration is proposing.

Visitors to New Harmony, where about 750 people reside today, can wander around its many historical sites and learn about its one-time owner and most famous resident, who devoted his fortune and his life to improving the human condition.

[Insight, in your inbox each day. You can get it with The Conversations email newsletter.]

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Richard Gunderman, Indiana University

Read more:



Richard Gunderman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The Brief

A robust tropical wave (now Invest 97L) has now emerged off the coast of Africa.

It will likely become the first hurricane (Erin) in the Atlantic this season.

As always, when a system is that far away, there is a large model spread on where it will go in the long term.

TAMPA - A strong tropical wave (now Invest 97L) moving off Africa will likely become the first hurricane (Erin) in the Atlantic this season.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This will be entering a more favorable environment for development next week and will likely become a named storm within the orange-shaded region.

As always, when a system is that far away, there is a large model spread on where it will go in the long term.

Big picture view

While most long-range weather models keep this system out of the Caribbean, it's too early to confidently predict where it may go from there.

READ: FOX 13 meteorologists watching two spots in the Atlantic

For now, this disturbance is over 3,000 miles away from our coastline and the United States will have over a week to monitor its progress.

For now, we will just watch it day by day and keep you posted.

We will have more detailed updates as Invest 97L organizes.

CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube

The Source

Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13 meteorologists.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  For 105-year-old Andrew Campbell, family has always been at the center of life. On Sunday, that devotion was returned as dozens of loved ones celebrated his milestone birthday at the Friendly Home.

Hes been looking so forward to this, said his daughter, Janice Loss. Family is so important to my father. Hes always made us the center of his life, and hes given us values that weve carried with us throughout life.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Andrew immigrated to the United States with his two brothers, eventually settling in Hornell. He grew up during the Great Depression and went to work at a young age after his father died.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He later served in the U.S. Army during World War II, before pursuing higher education at the University at Buffalo and Rochester Institute of Technology. He met his wife in Rochester, where the couple built a life together and raised their family.

Hes so proud of his service and the life hes built here, Loss said. Positive thinking and perseverance. Thats what hes taught us. Hes always lived that, and hes passed it on to us. Were passing it on to our children and grandchildren.

Andrews daughter Helen Babiarz, said the party was months in the making. For the last month, hes been asking when wed all be together again, she said. Seeing him light up today has been wonderful.

Family members say Andrew often shares his favorite poem about kindness to neighbors, a reflection of his lifelong belief in treating others well.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Were so fortunate to still have him in our lives, Loss said. Hes not only helped us, but so many others throughout his life.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Vasundhara Raje paid a courtesy call on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on Sunday. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated Vidhan Sabha's renovated dome ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly that will commence tomorrow. He also inaugurated the newly renovated Assembly Mandap, Assembly Hall No. 15, and the VIP lounge. Following the inauguration, the CM participated in an all-party meeting to discuss the upcoming Monsoon Session. Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana convened the all-party meeting before the monsoon session, in which, along with CM Yogi, leaders from both the ruling side and the opposition were present. Key issues were discussed during the session. Present at the meeting were Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna, Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey, Minister Sanjay Nishad, Om Prakash Rajbhar, Congress MLA Aradhana Mishra, BSP MLA Umashankar Singh, and MLA Kunwar Raghuraj Pratap Singh, among others. The Monsoon Session of the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha is scheduled to begin on August 11, as per an order issued by the Assembly Secretariat on July 26. The order stated, "Sri Rajyapal, Uttar Pradesh, has summoned the Uttar Pradesh Eighteenth Vidhan Sabha to meet at 11.00 A.M. on Monday, the 11th of August, 2025, in the Vidhan Sabha Mandap, Vidhan Bhawan, Lucknow for its Second Session of the year 2025." The Assembly will now come under the surveillance of state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras. It will start as a pilot project in this monsoon session and will be fully implemented from the upcoming winter session. Through this technology, not only security but also the presence, activities and performance of the MLAs will be analysed. AI technology will make the working style of MLAs more transparent, and the world's most advanced cameras will be installed in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. These AI-based cameras will have facial recognition technology, enabling them to identify the names and faces registered in the list of MLAs. Also, a detailed profile of every MLA will be fed into the system, which will include name, party, constituency, gender, date of birth, photo and other personal details. (ANI)
Miami-Dade firefighters battled a warehouse blaze in Medley Saturday afternoon, authorities say. It took about two hours and over 40 fire crews to bring it under control. No injuries were reported.

Around 1:50 p.m., Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews rushed to the reported fire near the 7500 block of Northwest 82 Place, a warehouse district in Medley. Firefighters arrived to heavy smoke and flames coming from the warehouse.

Due to the size of the building, the incident was upgraded to a third alarm fire. Over 40 fire crews worked to extinguish the fire.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A part of the roof collapsed due to the fire. Firefighters conducted a defensive attack from outside the building, using ladders and saws to open doors and other access points to reach the fire, as well as shooting foam to extinguish it.

As of 4:40 p.m., the fire was under control.
Vice President JD Vance is neither endorsing nor rejecting Israel's plans to take over the Gaza Strip. But the Trump administration is sticking steadfast to its priorities in the region, he told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo in an interview that aired Sunday.

"Ultimately, that's up to [Israeli Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu," Vance said on "Sunday Morning Futures" of his military plans. "Obviously, there are a lot of downsides and upsides to that."

Still, rooting out Hamas and helping bring the U.S.-designated terrorist group's hostages home remain key goals for the White House. So too is getting aid flowing to starving Gazans in the war-torn exclave, he told Bartiromo.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"That's what we're working towards, and we're going to keep working with our allies in the region to make that happen," Vance said.

Anger at the humanitarian situation in Gaza has surged amid Netanyahu's plans for a full-scale occupation and the increasingly dire reports of starvation throughout Gaza, which is approximately the size of the city of Philadelphia. Several key MAGA influencers who have long supported Trump are ramping up their attacks on Israel. Even the president has acknowledged "real starvation" in Gaza, while singling out Hamas for stalling an end to the humanitarian crisis by refusing to surrender.

Also on Sunday, Netanyahu panned plans by the United Kingdom and France to recognize the state of Palestine, calling the discussion "disappointing" and "shameful."

Vance also promoted White House efforts to negotiate a diplomatic end to Russian President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. Trump's planned Aug. 15 meeting with Putin  the Russian leader's first trip to the U.S. since 2015  should be applauded even if it doesn't result in peace, Vance told Bartiromo.

"The president said this to me today, privately, said look, maybe this work works out, maybe it doesn't, but it's worth the effort, it's worth trying, and we're going to keep on using the diplomatic influence of the president of the United States to accomplish an end to this conflict," he said.
A passenger on a Royal Caribbean cruise has been injured following a scary malfunction with the ship's water slide, and the company has released a statement addressing the incident.

According to video obtained by CBS News, a water slide on the Icon of the Seas suffered a break in one of its glass parts on Thursday, leading to water gushing out of the attraction and one passenger suffering an injury.

In a statement from Royal Caribbean, the company confirmed that one adult guest was injured in the incident and was treated. The slide will remain closed for the rest of the trip, the statement added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Our team provided medical care to an adult guest when acrylic glass broke off a water slide as the guest passed through the slide," said the statement. "The guest is being treated for his injuries. The water slide is closed for the remainder of the sailing pending an investigation."

Video shows the chaos on board Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas after a glass panel on a water slide shattered mid-ride, injuring one guest and sending water pouring into a public area.



The footage shows startled passengers screaming in fear as water cascades from the slide pic.twitter.com/hqShp7uQDB  CBS News (@CBSNews) August 8, 2025

It remains unclear what injuries the passenger suffered. Royal Caribbean will conduct an investigation.

Upon the breaking of the glass, passengers were horrified and urged the crew to "stop the slide," while also wondering if the passenger had fallen out.

The ship departed for its journey on Aug. 2 and is set to return to Miami on Saturday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is the second time Icon of the Seas has been in the news recently after a deadly altercation between two crew members took place two weeks back.

According to a news release from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, a male crew member allegedly stabbed a female co-worker multiple times while the ship was in the waters off San Salvador on July 24.

The woman survived the attack, but the male jumped off the boat and was later pronounced dead after his body was recovered.

The Icon of the Seas is the world's largest cruise ship, with a maximum passenger capacity of 7,600.

Royal Caribbean Issues Statement After Passenger Injured By Scary Malfunction first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 8, 2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio decried a recent performance of "Jesus Christ Superstar" and said that attacks on Christianity are nothing new.

During an interview on EWTNs "The World Over" published on Thursday, host Raymond Arroyo asked Rubio if he would ever support bringing "Wicked" star Cynthia Erivos performance of the show to the Kennedy Center, as Rubio is a member due to his ex-officio status.

"I don't follow any of that stuff, but just how you've described it to me, no, I mean, obviously, look, that stuff's done to be provocative and to insinuate, but I think for people of faith, none of this should be new," Rubio told Arroyo.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Broadway Star Patti Lupone Says Trump-led Kennedy Center 'Should Get Blown Up'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio decried a recent performance of "Jesus Christ Superstar" and said that attacks on Christianity are nothing new.

The show was performed at the Hollywood Bowl at the beginning of August in Hollywood, California.

Some Christians have voiced concern about Erivo, a bisexual woman, playing Jesus.

Read On The Fox News App

"It's been true from the beginning in Christianity, it's been  Christianity has been mocked, Christianity has been attacked from its very inception," Rubio said. "In fact, the Church has traditionally been at its strongest when it's the persecuted church, it's been at its weakest when it sort of gets consumed by the culture."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

David Marcus: As Springsteen And De Niro Trash America Abroad, Kennedy Center Thrives

Some Christians have voiced concern about the show and the fact that Erivo, a bisexual woman, would be playing Jesus.

Rubio added that the Christian faith goes against the culture.

"And so, by definition, Christianity has always been countercultural," he said. "It was from its earliest days, and it's been at its strongest and most vibrant. Now, that doesn't mean we seek persecution or we don't take it on. It does. But I think we should understand that, that Christ's own command and Christ's own words, he tells us they're going to hate you because of me."





Original article source: Rubio decries Jesus Christ Superstar performance, says anti-Christian attacks are nothing new
Two residents of the rural Montana town that was rocked by an armed gunman's alleged mass shooting at a local bar said members of the town had long predicted that he would snap.

Two men in Anaconda, Montana, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of their comments and the prevailing sentiment in town, told Fox News Digital that Michael Paul Brown was a "loose cannon" whose delusions were well known to residents long before he allegedly murdered four people in cold blood at the Owl Bar last Friday.

"I've been to a couple of barbecues with him and what not, and he's always been just kind of a loose cannon," one man said. "We always joked about it. About him, like going nuts and just shooting."

The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, on August 7, 2025, surrounded by crime scene tape. (Peter D'Abrosca/Fox News Digital)

Montana Fugitive's Brother Serving Life Sentence For Separate Murder Conviction In Same Town

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Like I got in a fight with him once and then someone was like, You better watch yourself, he might kill you," the man said. "So, he was just always kinda not there."

The man explained that Brown, who grew up in Anaconda and was an armor crewman in the Army from January 2001 to May 2005 before serving in the National Guard from April 2006 to March 2008, would sometimes share fantastical stories that were well out of the realm of possibility.

Read On The Fox News App

"He's just a storyteller, you know, just maverick stories," he said. "One of the stories that he told me is how he went and stole some artifact from some place, and then, like, killed a bunch of people and started a civil war."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Both men claimed that while the narrative that Brown had been denied access to mental healthcare is popular among some locals and in the media, Brown actually declined the healthcare he may have needed.

Montana Manhunt Expands For Ex-soldier Suspect Seen With Stolen Survival Gear After Bar Massacre

"This family tried to get him out, and he never accepted it, you know," the first man said, adding that even the owner of the Owl Bar that Brown frequented wanted to get him help.

The second added that people "absolutely" tried to help Brown.

"He denied service," that man said. "What I understand, there was a couple families that was trying to get him to get [help]."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Clare Boyle is Brown's niece and an Anaconda resident. She told Kxfl that Brown suffered from PTSD stemming from his time in the army, and from schizophrenia.

Flowers and momentos rest on the street in front of the Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, where four people were shot and killed on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (Peter D'Abrosca/Fox News Digital)

"Mikees decline started really heavily when my grandma passed," she told the outlet. "The trauma from losing his last parent broke Mikee."

Brown's mom died in 2021.

"The VA said he no longer qualified for assistance with obtaining prescriptions and help. The Montana State Hospital wouldnt take him in unless it was a court order," Boyle said. "The only way to obtain a court order was for Mikee to become a harm to himself or others. We warned them that a snap could happen and that he was not of sound mind, and we were still left with no answers and nowhere to turn."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Montana Bar Shooting Suspect Could Return To Town, State Ag Says, Citing 'Concern For The Public'

"My heart breaks for this town," she said. "There is no amount of apology or words that could ever describe how sorry I am and how I feel for these families, my own included."

Boyle has not returned multiple comment requests from Fox News Digital this week.

The Department of Criminal Investigations in Montana released a new photo of Michael Brown fleeing the scene after allegedly shooting and killing four people at a bar on Aug. 1, 2025.

The men also dispelled a rumor that Brown had been denied service at the bar on Thursday, July 31, which some have posited as a motive for the shooting. They said that Brown had carried out the alleged killings with premeditation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Like I said, he just decided to do that that day, like he didn't get kicked out of the bar or nothing. He just walked in there and shot them," the first man said. "That could have been anybody in there at the time."

Meanwhile, the town of 9,000 people remains on edge.

"It's a small-town community," the man said. "It hit pretty damn hard. That stuff don't happen out here. So that's got people freaked out about it."

Downtown Anaconda, Montana, on Aug. 8, 2025. (Peter D'Abrosca/Fox News Digital).

Victims Of Montana Bar Shooting Identified As Manhunt For Military Veteran Suspect Continues

Brown is suspected of killing 59-year-old Daniel Edwin Baillie, 64-year-old Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 70-year-old David Allen Leach and 74-year-old Tony Wayne Palm. All of the victims were from Anaconda.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Shortly after the massacre, police tracked down a white Ford F-150 associated with Brown but did not locate him. That truck was equipped with outdoor supplies and food.

At the time of the manhunt, Brown was described by authorities as "armed and extremely dangerous."





Original article source: Rural Montana residents predicted bar massacre suspect's violent outburst: 'He will kill you'
The Brief

A correctional officer was stabbed with a shank while investigating an inmate suspected of possessing homemade prison alcohol, or "hooch."

Three other officers who restrained the inmate were evaluated at the hospital and released.

The inmate is being moved to Oak Park Heights maximum-security prison.

RUSH CITY, Minn. (FOX 9) - A Rush City Correctional Facility officer is recovering from a "puncture wound" after being attacked by an inmate who was armed with a shank.

Rush City prison attack

What we know

The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) said the attack happened when prison staff at the Rush City Correctional Facility were doing routine cell searches around 3:20 p.m. on Saturday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Officers then approached an inmate who was suspected of possessing homemade alcohol, also known as "hooch", according to authorities.

Authorities say the inmate then attacked staff with a makeshift shank.

One of the officers was stabbed during the attack and taken to the hospital. He is being treated for non-life-threatening "puncture wound" injuries and is expected to fully recover, according to DOC officials. The officer was released from the hospital Saturday night.

Three other officers subdued and restrained the inmate after the attack. They were taken to the hospital for evaluation and released.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

DOC officials say the prison was then placed on lockdown and the area where the attack happened will remain on lockdown over the weekend. The rest of the facility resumed normal operations on Saturday night.

Authorities say the inmate responsible for the attack is being transferred to the maximum-security prison in Oak Park Heights.

The inmate is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder.

What we don't know

The inmate's name has not yet been released.

Formal charges related to the attack have not yet been filed as the DOC's Office of Special Investigations is still investigating the incident. The case is expected to be referred to the Chisago County Attorney's Office for consideration of felony assault charges.

What they're saying

Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections Paul Schnell released the following statement:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"This senseless act of violence serves as a stark reminder of the dangers correctional staff face every day in service to public safety. We are grateful for the swift and courageous actions of our staff, and we are providing them the care and support they need. We will pursue every available remedy to hold the assailant accountable for this cowardly attack."

The union that represents Minnesota prison correctional officers, AFSCME Council 5, sent the following statement regarding the incident:

"Violence against workers is absolutely unacceptable and must be prosecuted to send a clear, unmistakable message that it will not be tolerated.

"The brutal attack last night that sent multiple Correctional Officers at MCF Rush City to the hospital is yet another reminder of the dangers our members face every day inside our correctional and secure facilities. These are not just isolated incidents  they are part of a disturbing and repeated pattern across our facilities that must end now.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Our union will always stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our members, fight relentlessly for safe staffing levels, demand stronger protections, and ensure those who commit these acts of violence are held fully accountable, as well as the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Every worker has the right to go home safely at the end of their shift  and we will fight for nothing less."

The Source

This story uses information shared in a news release from the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
One person has been killed and two injured after Russian forces launched two strikes on the city of Druzhkivka in Donetsk Oblast on the morning of 10 August.

Source: Ukraine's National Police in Donetsk Oblast

Details: At around 04:00 and 05:00, Russian forces delivered two strikes on Druzhkivka in Donetsk Oblast, killing one civilian and injuring two.

The police reported that at least five houses and two civilian vehicles had been damaged.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Law enforcement agencies and the Security Service of Ukraine have opened criminal proceedings under Article 438 of the Criminal Code (war crimes).

Background: On 8 August, local authorities in Donetsk Oblast ordered a mandatory evacuation of families with children from 19 settlements in the Lyman hromada. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.]

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko appear to have renewed their efforts to institute a migrant crisis within the EU with the assistance of Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar, the Telegraph reported on Aug. 9.

European Commission officials who spoke to the Telegraph claim to have tracked an increased number of flights between the Libyan capital, Benghazi, and the Belarusian capital, Minsk.

Officials speculate that the increased number of arrivals into Minsk may serve as a coordinated undertaking between Belarus and Russia to institute a renewed migrant crisis in the EU, with potentially increased levels of asylum seekers attempting to cross into Europe with the aim of destabilizing the EU.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The frequency and nature of these flights, particularly within a short timeframe, raise questions about potential coordination or facilitation of irregular migration flows," the official told the news agency.

Putin and Lukashenko instituted the tactic in the summer of 2021, ahead of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with tens of thousands of asylum seekers attempting to cross into Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia with the assistance of Belarusian authorities.

Multiple EU countries instituted state of emergencies amid an attempt to block the large influx of attempted crossings.

Analysts have since assessed that the influx of migrants served as a distraction for European allies as Russia amassed its troops along Ukraine's eastern border in preparation for its full-scale invasion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The recent developments come as Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to begin face-to-face negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump on Aug. 15 in Alaska, as Moscow demands that Kyiv cede its eastern territories in exchange for a ceasefire. European allies have rejected the proposal, demanding that they, along with Ukraine, directly participate in peace talks.

Neighboring EU countries to both Russia and Belarus have taken action to fortify their borders following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with multiple countries in recent months withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines.

Libya's Haftar serves as the de facto leader of eastern Libya. Since the fall of Syria's dictator Bashar al-Assad, Russia has elevated relations with Haftar, ensuring a larger presence in North Africa.

Read also: Ukraine, Europe reject Putins ceasefire proposal, present counterproposal to US ahead of Trump-Putin meeting, WSJ reports

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Russia attacked the city of Zaporizhzhia with guided aerial bombs on Aug. 10, hitting civilian infrastructure and injuring 20 civilians.

At least 20 people were injured in the strike, regional Governor Ivan Fedorov said in his latest update on the casualties at 10:38 p.m. local time. The victims range in age from 24 to 77 and are all receiving medical attention.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Emergency workers continue to search for more victims who may be trapped under the rubble.

Russia attacked Zaporizhzhia the evening of Aug. 10 with two KAB aerial bombs, the city administration reported. The first bomb struck a busy city bus station. The second hit a university medical clinic.

"This is terror," Fedorov wrote on Telegram. "And we must call things by their proper names.

The Russians terrorize our people and all of Ukraine every day."

0:00

/

1

CCTV cameras captured the moment the Russian bombs struck Zaporizhzhia, recording a massive explosion.

According to Fedorov, the blast also damaged seven apartment buildings and non-residential buildings near the bus station.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The bus station on a weekend evening is a place of meetings, travel and homecomings," the administration said in a Telegram post.

"Today it has become a place of pain and loss. Russia continues to fight with civilians."

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the strike in his evening address, saying the attack on civilians demonstrates Russia's unwillingness to make peace.

"No deadlines, no expectations from them work  they do not want to stop the killings," Zelensky said.

"The only thing they are looking for is a way to kill Ukraine."

Zelensky's remarks come as U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare for a face-to-face meeting in Alaska on Aug. 15, where they plan to discuss a settlement to end the war in Ukraine. The peace plan reportedly involves ceding Ukrainian territories to Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Russia has occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast since the onset of its full-scale invasion in 2022, subjecting the rest of the region to daily aerial and artillery attacks.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has no intention of giving back the occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts to Ukraine in exchange for the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbas.

Source: The Washington Post

Details: A source familiar with the negotiations revealed that Russia had proposed that Kyiv cede Donbas in Ukraine's east, which includes Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, in exchange for a ceasefire, but without offering anything else in return.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Kremlin does not wish to give back the territories in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, where Russian military gains have provided Moscow with a valuable land bridge to occupied Crimea, the source added.

A former senior Kremlin official has said that Russia is moving towards a compromise, signalling a willingness to agree to a ceasefire.

Quote from the former Russian official: "Politically it is easier [for the Kremlin] to continue the war until Ukraines final collapse than to make peace. This is why they are clinging on to the idea that there needs to be a temporary but not permanent truce  and then in the meantime [Ukrainian] elections can be conducted."

Background:

Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that he will hold a meeting with Putin in Alaska on 15 August.

The US president said that a peace agreement on the Russia-Ukraine war should be expected to include "some swapping of territories".

In response, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy firmly stated that Ukrainians "will not gift their land to the occupier".

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
The accused has been identified as Kurshid (49), a resident of Radhakantapur village of Kaliganj police station of West Bengal's Nadia district.

During preliminary investigation, it was found that the accused had accommodated families to dump scrap at the plot.

The bodies of the seven deceased were handed over to their family members after their post-mortem. The police have registered a case under section 106/125/290 BNS (Bharatiya Nyay Samhita) at the Jaitpur police station.

Police said that another accused (Land Owner) Rajbir Bhati, resident of Hari Nagar Village, Jaitpur, is absconding.

Efforts are being made to apprehend him, they said.

Seven people, including three men, two women, and two children, have lost their lives in a tragic wall collapse in Hari Nagar, Jaitpur, South East Delhi, caused by heavy overnight rainfall, Delhi Police confirmed on Saturday.

A tragic incident claimed the lives of seven individuals, including two young girls, both approximately 7 years old, along with Ravi Bul, aged 27, Rubina, aged 25, Safiqul, a resident of Assam, aged 27, Muttus, a resident of West Bengal, aged 50, and Doli, a resident of Assam, aged 28. Additionally, Hasibul, aged 25, was injured.

A wall collapse in Hari Nagar, triggered by heavy overnight rain, trapped eight people living in adjacent jhuggies near an old temple.

The rescued individuals were rushed to a hospital. Authorities have evacuated the jhuggies to prevent further incidents. (ANI)
Two men have been killed after Russian forces launched drone strikes on civilians in Kherson Oblast on Sunday 10 August.

Source: Kherson Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Details: The investigators have found that Russian troops used drones to attack one of the streets in the village of Stanislav in the Kherson district at 13:00 on 10 August, killing a man aged 37.

At around 14:00, a civilian aged 48 was killed in the village of Dniprovske under similar circumstances.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The prosecutor's office has launched a pre-trial investigation into the war crimes (Article 438.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Police investigators and prosecutors are documenting the circumstances of the attack.

Background: On the morning of 10 August, one person was killed and two injured after Russian forces launched two strikes on the city of Druzhkivka in Donetsk Oblast.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
A man was killed and three women injured in Russian strikes on Kharkiv Oblast on Sunday 10 August. Another man suffered injuries after stepping on an explosive device and was taken to hospital.

Source: Kharkiv Oblast Police

Quote: "Russian forces attacked the settlement of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi at around 12:00 on 10 August. A 62-year-old man was killed and two women were injured in the attack.

At around 13:10, the occupiers launched an attack drone on the settlement of Kozacha Lopan. A local woman, born in 1957, sustained blast injuries. She was taken to hospital for medical treatment."

Details: A 64-year-old man stepped on an unidentified explosive device in the city of Kupiansk. He was taken to a medical facility in Kharkiv with injuries.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Russian forces attacked the railway station in Synelnykove, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, on the night of 9-10 August.

Source: Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, Chairman of Ukrzaliznytsia, a Ukrainian state-run railways operator

Details: Pertsovskyi said that all on-duty staff were evacuated to a safe location in advance; there were no casualties.

Due to the damage, the departure of several trains has been cancelled. Reconstruction work on infrastructure facilities began in the morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Quote: "The peaceful process carried out by our barbaric neighbours currently looks like this. Another night and another large-scale strike on the railway hub, including the station. Dnipropetrovsk Oblast."

         pic.twitter.com/BodvtOCx5e     (@ukrpravda_news) August 10, 2025

More details: Ukrzaliznytsia earlier reported the cancellation of several trains departure due to hostilities. This concerns changes to routes passing through the Synelnykove-1 station. In particular, the departure of 15 trains has been cancelled.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!




Russian commentators and officials bragged about the perceived coup of Vladimir Putin getting a summit in Alaska Friday with President Donald Trump over a potential Ukraine War ceasefire.

Its the first time that a Russian leader has been invited to American soil outside of the United Nations since 2007, and comes without the Kremlin having made any apparent concessions amid its war of aggression in Ukraine.

Just days before the summit was announced, Trump was sharing his anger at Putins consistent bombing of Ukraine and threatened to increase sanctions on Russia. The sudden decision to meet with the Russian leader prompted European and Ukrainian officials to scramble to respond to the new arrangement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One of the top interlocutors between the Kremlin and the Trump administration is Russias special economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who argued that the decision to have the meeting in Alaska was symbolically significant. The U.S. bought Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, roughly two cents per acre.

Born as Russian America  Orthodox roots, forts, fur trade  Alaska echoes those ties and makes the U.S. an Arctic nation, he said on X.

Putin and Trump are set to meet in Alaska on Friday (Reuters)

Konstantin Malofeyev is a billionaire who the Obama administration sanctioned for funding separatists in Ukraine backed by the Kremlin and interfering in elections in a number of countries.

He claimed Alaskans respectfully remember their Russian past and their Orthodox present.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Alexander Kots, a war correspondent supportive of the Kremlin, said in his Telegram channel that The meeting in Alaska has every chance to become historic.

That is, of course, if the West does not try to pull off another scheme, he added.

Meanwhile, analysts in the West urged caution. Michael McFaul served as the U.S. ambassador to Russia during the Obama administration.

Trump has chosen to host Putin in a part of the former Russian Empire, he said on X. Wonder if he knows that Russian nationalists claim that losing Alaska, like Ukraine, was a raw deal for Moscow that needs to be corrected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The symbolism of holding the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska is horrendous  as though designed to demonstrate that borders can change, land can be bought and sold, said Kings College London Russian Politics professor Sam Greene, according to The Washington Post. Never mind that mainstream Russian discourse maintains a claim that Alaska should be returned to Russia.

While Czar Alexander II offered up Alaska for sale, Putin has taken Ukrainian territory by force via the unlawful annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, when he illegally claimed to annex four regions of Ukraine.

Russia analysts told The Post that its unlikely that the Kremlin has left behind any of its goals for Ukraine, such as demilitarization, the replacement of the current regime with a pro-Russia one, and for Ukraine not to join NATO.

A senior fellow with the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, Tatiana Stanovaya, said Trump didnt want to fall into confrontation with Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump himself said that further sanctions probably wouldnt force Putin to change his mind. We could see from these signals that Trump could be open to a new attempt, and he did so just days before the end of his ultimatum, Stanovaya added.

The deputy head of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, Janis Kluge, told The Post that Putins proposal is part of the war.

Its just a temporary ceasefire in exchange for land, said Kluge. It is meant to give Putin an advantage in the longer run against Ukraine and the West.

A former top Kremlin official told the paper that Russia appeared willing to compromise, as it indicated that it was ready for a ceasefire.

Zelensky has warned that he wont give up land ahead of Trump-Putin meeting (Volodymyr Zelensky)

Politically, it is easier [for the Kremlin] to continue the war until Ukraines final collapse than to make peace, the anonymous official said. This is why they are clinging on to the idea that there needs to be a temporary but not permanent truce  and then in the meantime [Ukrainian] elections can be conducted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While the Kremlin has pushed for a friendly regime in Kyiv, Ukrainians have often demonstrated their wish for free and fair elections and a democratic future as part of the European Union.

Pro-Kremlin analyst Sergei Markov said, Russian troops are not going to make any step backward, as part of a deal to reach a ceasefire.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that he wouldnt agree to any deal that included handing over territory to Russia, saying Ukraines constitution prohibited it.

There are no guarantees, Markov added, according to The Post. But there are also no guarantees that Ukraine wont begin the war again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He went on to say that Russias top goal during the summit was to paint Europe and Ukraine as impediments to Trumps dream of achieving a peace deal.

Russia hopes that Trump will finally become sensible and see that Zelensky is the main reason for the war that is happening now, and that the second reason for the war is European leaders  and that they are his enemies too, said Markov, adding that Trump will realze that Putin is one of his few good political friends.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the alliance is making sure that Ukraine has what it needs to stay in the fight ahead of a summit between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 15.

When President Trump announced direct talks with Putin in Alaska, a big concern was that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not invited.

The White House and the U.S. ambassador to NATO have said that its a possibility and Trump is open to a trilateral summit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In an interview on CBSs Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, Rutte affirmed NATO is fully behind Ukraine, even amid concerns about Trumps refusal to invite Zelensky to the meeting.

And, as you said, NATO is coordinating all of this through our command in Wiesbaden, making sure that Ukraine has what it needs to stay in the fight and be in the best possible position when it comes to negotiations on a ceasefire [and] a peace deal, he said.

Moscow shared a ceasefire agreement with the Trump administration, demanding control of Eastern Ukraine in exchange for a halt in the three-year-long war.

Zelensky adamantly opposed the new deal, posting on the social platform X, Any decisions that are against us, any decisions that are without Ukraine, are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not achieve anything. These are stillborn decisions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rutte also said, however, that next Fridays meeting could exclude Ukraine until Putin can be trusted and serious negotiations begin.

What will happen on Friday is testing Putin by President Trump, he said. And, obviously, when it comes to peace talks, the ceasefire, and what happens after that on territories, on security guarantees for Ukraine, Ukraine will have to be and will be involved.

The NATO chief has praised Trumps work since the beginning of his term to secure a peace deal.

And I think it is very good that President Trump will test him. And we will see how far he can get on Friday starting this process. He basically broke the deadlock, President Trump, in February, starting the dialogue with Putin. I think that was crucial, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In February, Trump opened communication with Russia after former President Biden had cut it off, following a strategy of isolating Russia.

Rutte also commended Trump, who signed an executive order on Aug. 6 adding a 25 percent tariff on Indias purchases of Russian oil, bringing the tariffs up to a total of 50 percent. The tariffs are going to be in effect 21 days after Trump signed the executive order.

He also mentioned a 5 percent defense spending agreement that Trump brokered with the rest of the NATO allies in June, as well as the July deal to send more weapons to Ukraine.

We had a great NATO summit under his leadership, committing to 5 percent defense spending, so that there is a clear signal to our main threat, which is Russia, that we are serious. And then he opened the floodgates three weeks ago of American lethal weapons to be delivered into Ukraine, coordinated by NATO, and, of course, the secondary sanctions, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Allies of Alex Salmond have dismissed Nicola Sturgeon's suggestion that the former first minister leaked details about an investigation into sexual misconduct claims made against him.

Salmond was cleared of 13 sexual offence charges in 2020, including attempted rape, but during the trial his lawyer admitted his client could "have been a better man."

In her upcoming memoir, Frankly, Sturgeon denied releasing details about the investigation, or any having any knowledge of who did. But she added it would have been "classic Alex" to have been behind the leak.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Alba party leader Kenny MacAskill called her a "hypocrite" while the party's former general secretary, Chris McEleny, described the ex-SNP leader's claim as a "fabrication".

Sturgeon succeeded Salmond as first minister in 2014 until she resigned in March 2023.

In 2019, a judicial review concluded that the Scottish government's investigation into Salmond's alleged misconduct was unlawful, unfair and tainted by apparent bias.

Salmond, who died of a heart attack last October, was later awarded more than 500,000 in legal expenses.

He left the SNP in 2018 and formed the pro-independence Alba party in 2021.

Kenny MacAskill has called for an inquiry to look into the Scottish government's investigation of claims against Alex Salmond [PA Media]

MacAskill recently called for a public inquiry into the handling of sexual misconduct complaints against Salmond, who he succeeded as Alba leader.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The former SNP minister posted on social media: "It's one thing to be supposedly candid in your autobiography.

"Quite another to block openness and transparency when in office and by those you continue to support.

"This hypocrisy is yet another reason for an inquiry into the Scottish government's actions relating to Alex Salmond."

Meanwhile, Chris McEleny claimed the investigation was a "stitch up" and that several public bodies had "conspired to jail Salmond".

He added: "Alex Salmond delivered an SNP government, an SNP majority and an independence referendum whereas Nicola Sturgeon delivered nothing whatsoever for the national cause.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Nicola might think she can fabricate her own version of the truth now that Alex is no longer here but the reality is her book will end up in a bargain basket whilst Alex Salmond will reside is in the pages of the Scottish history books."

Journalist David Clegg broke the story about the Salmond investigation when he was political editor of the Daily Record.

He told BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show that he did not believe there was any truth in Sturgeon's leak claims.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Clegg, now editor of The Courier, said: "I find that a conspiracy theory too far.

"But I think it shows the level of suspicion and the deep rift that had formed between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon prior to his death."

He said the "factual account" of what happened when the story emerged was laid out in his book, Break-Up, which he co-wrote with journalist Kieran Andrews.

Clegg recalled: "A document turned up in the post at the Record offices.

"It had these claims summarised and over the course of that evening we had to authenticate them and work out whether they were legitimate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"There is obviously some mystery and speculation about what went on seven years ago and how that happened.

"But if it was Alex Salmond who had leaked it, when I phoned him up that night to put the claims to him, he did an incredible acting job of seeming surprised and shocked.

"I have heard this from people close to Nicola Sturgeon before and it's always struck me as not credible and I would be very surprised if it was the case."

Salmond was cleared of 13 sexual offence charges after a two-week trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in March 2020 [Getty Images]

When asked if he knew the source of the leak, Clegg said: "I have had many nights thinking about who may have sent that in and I've had some suspicions over the years and guesses - but the truth is I'm not even sure who it was."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In her book extract, published in The Sunday Times, Nicola Sturgeon also dismissed suggestions of a "conspiracy" between the Scottish government, civil service, the complainants and the Crown Office against Salmond.

"I think that's fanciful as well," said Mr Clegg.

"In general, I'm always of the view that the simplest explanation is probably the most likely one.

"And that would be that somebody thought this information was in the public interest and was concerned that it was going to be covered up so tried to get it out."

Sturgeon previously spoke about Salmond in a Financial Times interview in January, where she said he "would be really rough on people."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Salmond's widow, Moira, later said comments about her husband had caused the family "great distress".

At the time, she added: "Attacks by the living on the dead will seem to many as deeply unfair.

"My wish, and sincere hope, is that these attacks will now stop."

Nicola Sturgeon, who was first elected in 1999, will stand down as Glasgow Southside MSP next year [Getty Images]

The extract is the second to be published from Sturgeon's memoir.

In the first, published in The Times on Saturday, the former first minister described her arrest by police investigating the SNP's finances as the worst day of her life.

Sturgeon describes being questioned by detectives as part of Operation Branchform.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She also writes about her "utter disbelief" about police raiding the home she shared with her husband Peter Murrell in April 2023.

The former first minister was later exonerated and has since separated from Mr Murrell who has been charged with embezzlement.

Elsewhere in the extracts, the former SNP leader describes the pain of suffering a miscarriage and sets out her views on sexuality, which she says she does not consider "to be binary".

Frankly will be published on Thursday 14 August.

[BBC]

Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon once formed a formidable partnership which dominated the SNP and then Scottish politics itself.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They brought Scotland within touching distance of independence in 2014.

This was something which even some supporters of independence would not have believed to have been possible so quickly a few years earlier.

The latest extracts from Nicola Sturgeon's memoirs serve as a reminder of the spectacular implosion of their relationship.

It also reignites the question of Alex Salmond's legacy.

His friends and political allies have wanted his public reputation restored since his acquittal in 2020.

Many - but not all - of those who were closest to him are no longer prominent within the SNP but are still powerful voices within the independence movement or the Alba party, which Salmond founded.

First Minister John Swinney - who was also a key figure in Salmond's administration as finance secretary - wants to move the SNP forward and chart the road ahead.

But nine months from the Scottish election, some will wonder what such an explosive account of the end of the relationship at the heart of the SNP will do to the party's prospects of securing re-election.
The author of The Salt Path admitted to giving a false date for an encounter with a couple on the coastal trail in an email written seven years ago, it has been claimed.

The couple, who met Raynor Winn and her husband Moth in a Cornish cafe, are the latest to raise questions about apparent discrepancies in her best-selling memoir.

Winn described in the book how they walked the 630-mile South Coast Path in 2013 after their home was repossessed, and Moth was diagnosed with a degenerative disease.

Raynor and Moth Winn, whose real names are Sally and Tim Walker, did a charity walk of the Thames Path last year to raise awareness of his rare neurological condition

But when Joanne and David Parsons, an Australian couple, recognised themselves in the authors account of meeting two walkers in the Fat Apples Cafe, near Porthallow, they noticed the dates did not add up because that encounter happened in 2015, the Observer reports.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And after they confronted Winn via email in 2018, the newspaper says, she admitted that she claimed their encounter took place two years earlier than it did because it all just seemed too complicated.

The Observer first revealed discrepancies in the story told in The Salt Path last month after the book was adapted into a film starring Jason Isaacs and Gillian Anderson.

They never said they were homeless

The inconsistencies highlighted included the loss of the couples home, which has since been linked to legal troubles following the alleged embezzlement of money by Winn from a former employer.

Mr and Mrs Parsons, who documented their own walk of the South Coast Path in a blog, told The Observer that they had met Winn and Moth, whose real names are Sally and Tim Walker, in the cafe in 2015.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Australian couple were also unhappy that they had been portrayed in the book as well-off people who did not camp once the weather had worsened. In reality, they had been forced to sell their house when a back injury left David, a bricklayer from Perth, unable to work.

They also said that Winn and her husband never mentioned that they were homeless.

Raynor Winn with Gillian Anderson, who played her in the film of The Salt Path, at the premiere in Munich in July - Gisela Schober/Getty Images

The Observer reports that Mrs Parsons wrote an email to Winn and told her: When we saw the picture of you both in the article, we kept looking at each other saying, Thats Sally and Tim! But it cant be as you would have told us you were homeless and you said you were walking the other way [in the opposite direction to the one they actually walked].

And why did you give yourselves false names? Or did you reinvent yourselves while on the path? Would love to know.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mrs Parsons also questioned why Winn claimed she and her husband had given up camping and were only staying in hotels after donating their tent to a charity shop.

[We] do not know where the bit about ditching the tent at a charity shop came from, wrote Mrs Parsons. We worked out we were happier wild camping and only went to B&Bs when the weather was really bad.

Winn wrote back a few days later to clarify the discrepancy in the dates, The Observer reported.

We went back to the path author claimed

She claimed she and Moth had walked the coast path in 2013, as documented in The Salt Path, but walked part of the coast again in 2015. Thats when we met you, she wrote in her reply.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Winn then admitted she had presented the meeting as having happened in 2013. We didnt explain any of that [in the book], as it all just seemed too complicated, she said. She also apologised for misremembering the details about the tent.

The Telegraph contacted representatives of Winn for comment.

In a previous statement, the author said: The Salt Path lays bare the physical and spiritual journey Moth and I shared, an experience that transformed us completely and altered the course of our lives. This is the true story of our journey.

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 recent podcast appearance, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman presented a strikingly optimistic vision for Generation Z, asserting that if he was graduating college at this exact moment, I would feel like the luckiest kid in all of history. He made this bold claim even as he acknowledged the potential for significant job displacement due to artificial intelligence, hinting at a future where some classes of jobs will totally go away.

Altman, whose company is at the forefront of building superintelligence that could far exceed humans in almost every field, told host Cleo Abram of the Huge If True podcast that he believes the transformative power of AI offers unprecedented opportunities for young people. Regarding the mounting dread over potential job displacement, Altman said this always happens, and young people are the best at adapting to this. Im more worried about what it means, not for the 22-year-old, but for the 62-year-old that doesnt want to go retrain or reskill or whatever the politicians call it.

A canvas for creation and entrepreneurship

Altmans optimism stems from the unparalleled access to powerful tools that AI, particularly models like the newly launched GPT-5, provides. He envisions a world where an individual can launch a company that achieves billion-dollar valuations and delivers amazing products, a feat that once required teams of hundreds. He said this capability is underpinned by the remarkable advancements in the recently released GPT-5.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Altman suggested this new era will empower young creators immensely, allowing them to bring ideas to life with unprecedented speed. Still, he didnt shy away from the disruptive potential of AI on the job market. He acknowledged predictions that half of the entry-level white-collar workforce will be replaced by AI in as little as five years. However, beyond his belief that young people will adapt better to this, he said he anticipates the emergence of completely new, exciting, super well-paid, super interesting job[s]. A college student 10 years from now could be leaving on some kind of mission to explore the solar system on a spaceship, he said.

He said he believes society has proven quite resilient to such shifts throughout history. The rapid evolution of technology, however, means predicting the future even 10 years out is very hard to imagine at this point and even AI leaders like himself have no idea where the technology could go from here.

As previously reported by Fortune Intelligence, Goldman Sachs chief economist Jan Hatzius has crunched data on the labor market and found that the college degree safety premium is mostly gone. Recent data suggests that the labor market for recent college graduates has weakened at a time when the broader labor market has appeared healthy. Academics Brad Delong and Peter Turchin have separately criticized the disappearing value of the college degree in their own writings and interviews with Fortune. Goldman Sachs also found that since 1997, young workers without a college degree have become much less likely to even look for work, with their participation rate dropping by seven percentage points. Data from employment consulting firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas shows a surge in layoffs in July 2025, shortly before Altmans remarks, with nearly half of them related to AI and technological updates.

Altman has been brutally critical of AI in recent weeks on matters totally separate from higher education. In his interview with the Federal Reserve in Washington DC, he warned of a fraud crisis around the corner from voice-mimicking software. He also talked about his fears for humanity and the next frontier of AI: intelligence too cheap to meter. Some cybersecurity experts have said Altman was actually underselling the matter, and the fraud crisis has already arrived.

Adaptation, humility, and the future of truth

Altman and Abrams conversation also touched on how society will adapt to a world saturated with AI-generated content. When asked how people in 2030 will discern whats real and whats not real in a media landscape filled with viral, AI-generated videoslike how bunnies jumping on a trampoline captivated the internet this summer, for exampleAltman suggested a gradual convergence in the sense that even iPhone photos now involve AI processing. Society has historically accepted some gradual move away from purely unaltered media. He believes the threshold for how real does it have to be to consider to be real will just keep moving  media is always a little bit real and a little bit not real.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Altman stressed that navigating this future will require a great degree of humility and openness to new solutions. He speculated that fundamental changes to the social contract may be necessary. His primary tactical advice for anyone preparing for this future is simple: Just using the tools really helps. He urged people to integrate AI tools into their lives, moving beyond basic searches.

OpenAI declined to comment.

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
The agenda for this show includes St. Louis political pundits John Hancock and Michael Kelly talking about another new low in St. Louis crime. Police caught a teenage gunman who fired a shot during a carjacking; he was released. Please catch him again the next night in another carjacking a mile away. St. Louis County Executive Sam Page was indicted last week. This week he gets primaried by a very worthy opponent. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker reaches out to Texas Democrats fighting against Republican gerrymandering in that state. Pritzker is a master of gerrymandering in his own 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 2.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Sunday shrugged off the idea of Vice President Vance being the likely Republican front-runner for the 2028 presidential election.

Neither Trump, nor he nor the Republicans of today have anything of significance to say to working-class people, he said on CNNs State of the Union with Dana Bash.

Doesnt matter to me who heads the Republican Party, he added.

President Trump said on Tuesday that Vance would be the most likely successor of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement in 2028.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So its too early to talk about it, but certainly hes doing a great job, and he would be probably favored at this point, Trump said.

Bash reminded Sanders that Vance is from a working-class family in Ohio and could appeal to many voters in red states, but Sanders shrugged off the idea that the vice president could be a threat to Democrats in 2028.

What they are trying to do is divide us up, Youre a Muslim, youre undocumented, youre Black, youre gay, lets divide everybody up so the rich can become richer. Our job is to bring people together. Doesnt matter to me who heads the Republican Party, he continued.

Trump also said Tuesday that he would probably not try to run for a third term and touted the idea that Secretary of State Marco Rubio could run alongside Vance as vice president in 2028.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In February, Vance was already seen as a favorite successor to Trump in a Conservative Political Action Conference poll. Sixty-one percent of respondents said they would support Vance as the future head of the Republican Party.

Other Republican politicos and media personalities have been rumored to be thinking about campaigning in 2028, including Rubio, right-wing influencer Steve Bannon and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
V V Giri was the fourth president of India and succeeded Zakir Husain at the position. He served as president from August 24, 1969, to August 24, 1974.

An acclaimed lawyer, who was closely associated with the labour and trade movement in the country throughout his career, Giri was awarded the highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna, in 1975.

He served as the Union Minister of Labour from 1952 to 1954. He focused on a consultative approach between management and workers to resolve any disputes amongst them. His policy initiatives gave rise to the 'Giri approach' in Industrial dispute resolution.

Giri served as the governor of three states prior to being appointed as the President of the country. He served as Governor of Uttar Pradesh (1957-1960), Kerala (1960-1965) and Karnataka (1965-1967).

He was elected as the third Vice President of India on May 13, 1967. (ANI)
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE)  Santa Fe issued an emergency proclamation to request state funding for the storm damage affecting city infrastructure the night of July 31. The formal declaration was issued on Friday, August 8.

The overnight storm left significant damage around Santa Fe, including a section of a collapsed sidewalk at Corte De Princesa and Camino Consuelo. City leaders report receiving between two and three inches of rain, which they havent seen since 2018.

We did have a sidewalk collapse over a large covert, which also runs against [the] arroyo, Santa Fe Emergency Management Interim Director Kyle Morgan said. There were large water flows in the arroyo, which overwhelmed the capacity of the covert, which then caused some cascading problems, including a total sidewalk failure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Parts of NM prepare for more flash flooding as monsoon weather moves into the state

Morgan went on to say the water damage also caused some concerns about bridge and street stability, so it was closed off. It is closed to motorists, Morgan said. Cars can still travel on that road. Were just asking that people obey traffic signs like they would in any construction site. Theres no threat to the public with what weve already closed off.

Other than the traffic problems for the neighborhood and sidewalk closure, the city is faced with some costly repairs to fix the stormwater system damage. Leaving them to request resources from the governor.

We issued a local emergency proclamation requesting resources from the governor, Morgan said. Which is requesting her to declare a state of emergency, unlocking the state disaster assistance program.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If approved, the state would cover 75% of up to $1 million of eligible damage costs. But these state resources would not cover damage to local businesses.

Downtown stop in Santa Fe to temporarily be relocated

I dont think New Mexico or Santa Fe in general was prepared for this kind of water, Santa Fe resident Naomi Boylan said. Our drainage systems are old, our roads are old, our roofs are not intended to handle these kinds of water loads.

Boylan said when she got to work Friday morning at Coronado, the ceiling of her business had collapsed. Just one area of many that sustained damage from the storm.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Seventy percent of our homes are built to 1950s standards, so we were in no way prepared for this kind of water across the board, Boylan said.

The citys emergency operations center expects to hear back from the state early next week about the funding. They say even if the funding does not come through, they will still clean up and repair the damage.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Wildfires' towering flames devastate areas like a living Godzilla does to cities. But while the fire holds our attention, it's what happens after the smoke clears that tells the whole story.

When wildfires scorch forests, they erase more than trees: They wipe out natural buffers that clean our air and water. Rebuilding isn't just about planting new trees  it's about knowing where to invest resources and efforts. That's where satellites step in.

Phys.org reported that researchers from the National Center for Atmospheric Research leveraged NASA's Terra and Aqua satellite data alongside U.S. Geological Survey landprotection maps to see which areas rebound  and which lag behind after fires.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Their crossreference showed protected forests reach about 37% regrowth after five years, compared to just 27% in unprotected zones. Unprotected areas also burned up to 47% more severely, making recovery harder from the start.

"We've developed a simple framework that could give fire and land managers the ability to easily see what efforts make a difference," said Shima Shams, the researchers' lead author. She also called it "a quick, costeffective way to help managers know where to focus funds to get the maximum benefit." As Shams noted, this gives "a way to look at the big picture"  not a guess, but clear data in hand.

To gather data, the team looked at Northern California through Southern Oregon  an area with varied land protections and frequent fires. They used Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer sensors on Terra and Aqua to find burn scars, then Landsat imagery from five years later to track green regrowth. Silver firs and other evergreens showed the biggest bounce under protected management.

And the difference isn't just about trees  it affects real people. Forests play a significant role in maintaining water quality, providing clean air, and even helping nearby towns stay cooler during heat waves. When that natural protection disappears, everyone nearby feels it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Satellites can't tell whether new growth includes invasive weeds, but managers still get robust clues without setting foot on the ground. As Shams put it, "Remote sensing is an efficient way to look at the big picture and showcase the efficiency of applied practices."

This method offers a fresh way to watch healing forests  and make sure they heal stronger.

Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.




The Frederick County Board of Education is working to update its student health and wellness policy to address telehealth visits during school hours.

A state bill, House Bill 522, approved by Gov. Wes Moore in April 2024, requires all school districts in the state to implement a policy that governs telehealth appointments by the start of the 2025-26 school year.

The proposed updates to the policy include directing Frederick County Public Schools Superintendent Cheryl Dyson to create an accompanying regulation, which will be published when the policy is updated, according to the school district.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The regulation is meant to empower principals to make telehealth appointments available to students, make sure the disruption is limited, allow students equitable access and involve parents in the process.

This would allow students to attend telehealth visits  virtual appointments with health providers  during the school day in a specific room and with supervision, as well as with a parent or guardian.

FCPS would not have a role in giving care, only providing a space for students to access those services.

We are really nothing more than providing the space and the access, not the direct contact, Steven Blivess, chief legal counsel for FCPS, said at Wednesdays school board meeting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The telehealth appointments can be for mental health services or other medical services, if the provider can accommodate.

The policy is not intended to support weekly therapy or other sessions for students.

The proposed updates to the policy also include adding immunization and physical examination requirements that were taken out of Policy 420.

School board Policy 409, currently titled Promotion of Health and Wellness  Students, was adopted in 2006 and was last revised in 2018.

The school board on Wednesday unanimously approved moving the proposed updates to a second reading, which is final passage. The policy will be published if approved at the second reading, which is scheduled for the school boards work session on Aug. 27.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

FCPS school year begins on Aug. 20.

Blivess said on Wednesday that the school district will miss the state deadline by about a week, but I think well be OK with that.

The school board also unanimously voted to decommission Policy 420 since all of its contents about immunization and physical examination were moved to other systemwide policies.

Blivess on Wednesday presented the policy and recommended updates to the school board.

He said it was also recommended to update the policys title to Student Health and Wellness to match the staff member-version of the policy.

Blivess said recent updates to state law, specifically Maryland Education Code 4-143, require the school district to make telehealth opportunities available during the school day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It was a big ask of the school system, and it required a great deal of work, he said.

Blivess said the accompanying regulation, which has already been created by the Office of Student Services and Legal Services, will launch together with Policy 409.

Dana Falls, the director of student services for FCPS, said at the school board meeting that parents are required to establish the appointment.

He said that even though students 13 or older can legally access mental health services on their own, if the appointment occurs during the school day, it must be set up by a parent.

Additionally, Falls said, a parent must be present, either virtually with approval or in person.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He said with some mental health supports, the student may not be ready to return to class and may not be able to, depending on how that session went with a provider and what topic theyre focused on.

Blivess added that the healthcare provider has to supply the platform for the appointment. FCPS does not have its own platform for students to attend the telehealth appointments, but it can supply a school device if students need to use one.

He said it was preferred for students to use their own devices.

Falls said Maryland law stresses equitable access, and a student attending weekly telehealth sessions in school could have a detrimental impact on their education, as well as take limited time slots for other students.
About 11,000 students filled the halls of Santa Fe Public Schools last week  many for their first day in a new grade, some in new schools and others new to the district altogether.

As students settle into their new routines, a new Santa Fe leader is doing the same  Superintendent Christine Griffin.

Like many adjusting to unfamiliar settings, Griffin, formerly the superintendent at Humboldt Unified School District in Arizona, faces a tough job in a community where some are frustrated with public education leadership.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She enters the role amid stagnant academic growth rates, a scandal that ousted her predecessor, legal complaints and an upcoming election in which the district will ask voters to approve a $150 million, property-tax-funded general obligation bond, part of which would be used to address problems at the E.J. Martinez Elementary School site. One proposal that has been under consideration would see the facility razed and rebuilt  but district officials have provided few details on the project.

Like her students, Griffin will have to adapt to new expectations in a new environment.

080825_MS_Superintendent Christine Griffin_002.JPG

New Superintendent Christine Griffin, right, greets students Lilianna Lopez, 8, center, brother, Michael Sanchez, 12, left, and her mother, Jamie Crayne, center, Friday for their first day at Sweeney Elementary School.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She has a plan, one that is not unlike that of many Santa Fe parents for their children: a big focus on improving academic outcomes and a mantra to engage with the community.

Collaborate

Before the Santa Fe school board unanimously voted to offer her a one-year, $205,000 contract, Griffin was superintendent at Humboldt after serving for two decades in administrative and teaching roles in Yavapai County, Ariz.

She accepted the job here following the resignation of her predecessor, Hilario Larry Chavez, after sexual harassment allegations against him, and she begins her tenure amid dueling lawsuits by Chavez and his accuser, City Councilor Amanda Chavez, a former assistant principal at Santa Fe High School.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

During initial forums for candidates vying for the districts top job, Griffin was asked by former student school board member Hanbi Park about her thoughts on standards-based grading  an often-controversial topic in the district. Park said the districts handling of the policy resulted in a decline in trust and a loss of a collaborative culture.

 We need to look at it, Griffin responded, bring the stakeholders to the table, collaborate  and then come up with a solution that we all can benefit from.

Her plan to respond to distrust in the community with engagement efforts perhaps resonated with members of the public and a school board facing accusations of a lack of transparency. Its also an approach Griffin says she has maintained now that shes transitioned into her duties.

The reality is that my opinion doesnt really matter if the community doesnt want it  if the teachers dont want it, she said Thursday. It has to be a collective effort.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

080825_MS_Superintendent Christine Griffin_003.JPG

New Superintendent Christine Griffin greets students for their first day back at Sweeney Elementary School in Santa Fe on Friday.

An aid to Griffins community engagement efforts: She already feels at home in Santa Fe  a surprisingly short process that she said only took about three weeks after she moved here around two months ago.

Shes sold on the green chile, enjoys living near her retiree parents who moved to the City Different around 12 years ago and already has a favorite dining spot: the French cafe Clafoutis on Cordova Road.

 I didnt expect to have it so soon, but I was like, OK. Im home.  Its not so foreign, Griffin said. Thats a good feeling to have.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Differences

Asked if there were any learning curves to her new role, Griffin paused for a few seconds and said, Yes, with a chuckle.

 Im trying to think which one I should talk to, she added, pointing out the State Equalization Guarantee, a complex funding formula unique to New Mexico, as  one of those things that Im trying to get up to speed pretty quickly on.

There are also big demographic and cultural differences from her former district.

Humboldt, which has roughly half the student population of Santa Fe, has a far lower rate of English-language learners  one of four key groups named in the landmark lawsuit education lawsuit Yazzie/Martinez v. State of New Mexico, in which a judge found the state was found to be in violation of the New Mexico Constitution for failing to provide several student groups with equitable and sufficient education.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A district report card from the Arizona Department of Education places the number of English learners in her former district at 396 out of around 5,500 students  a rate of roughly 7% compared to 29% of English learners in the Santa Fe district in the last school year.

Arizona isnt as supportive for bilingual education, which is extremely unfortunate, Griffin said in an interview in May, shortly after being picked for the job, adding she was excited to help support that program and help implement the best teaching strategies.

080825_MS_Superintendent Christine Griffin_004.JPG

New Superintendent Christine Griffin greets students for their first day at Cesar Chavez Elementary School in Santa Fe on Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its a difference that was on display Friday morning as Griffin greeted back-to-schoolers at Sweeney and Cesar Chavez elementary schools. An interaction with a Spanish-speaking family at Sweeney relied more on bright smiles and thumbs-up than spoken conversation.

Still, it was an enthusiastic set of introductions. Prior to her first day, Griffin said she was elated to be getting back into schools, noting for the last two months she had been working with a lot of adults.

Cultural sensitivity and bilingualism have become significant components of the state and local educational systems  in large part due to inequities pointed to in the Yazzie/Martinez suit.

Bilingualism and multiculturalism were selling points for another finalist who was passed over for Griffins job: Faviola Cantu, chief academic officer in Houstons Aldine Independent District. During an April finalist forum, she touted her own acumen as a past director of multilingual programs and high rates of English learners in her past districts.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

More similarities than differences

But other problems, too, plague the states public education system, including the retention of quality and culturally responsive educators  something Griffin said she was well accustomed to in Arizona.

 There are a couple of things that I think are very needed here that are pretty obvious, Griffin said Thursday. Its not me coming in with any new ideas.

One is teacher housing, something she said there was also a desperate need for in Arizona. She also attributed the lack of Santa Fes low-cost housing to the decline in student enrollment.

But Santa Fe does have an advantage over Arizona, she noted: The early childhood center offering child care to district employees with young kids is a huge benefit of the staff retention offerings which shed like to expand.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Still, Griffin said there are probably more similarities than differences, pointing out common problems between her old and new districts.

Also unchanged from her prior job: a focus on growing students academic performance  a trend of improvement she boasts on her resume she was instrumental in as an intervention coordinator  and later as a principal through deep analysis of test scores, which she relayed to instructional teams.

 Student outcomes [are] always my top priority. And really ensuring that students have access to equitable educational opportunities, she said, adding highly qualified teachers and really strong leaders  that know how to support are also crucial.

080825_MS_Superintendent Christine Griffin_005.JPG

New Superintendent Christine Griffin greets students for their first day at Sweeney Elementary School in Santa Fe on Friday.

She highlighted the districts Teaching and Learning Departments Cultures of Thinking initiative, a method of visualizing thought processes to help both students and teachers understand how to arrive at an answer  rather than a binary focus on if the answer is correct or not.

 There [are] a lot of good things that are already happening here, she said, adding the need to capitalize on what is going well and put the right people in the right positions.

It all kind of fits together, she said. Its not as easy as just picking one thing.
The ice was supposed to be solid. That's what the scientist expected, anyway. Instead, they stepped into water  standing meltwater, in February, in the Arctic. That's not a weird fluke. That's the new normal in Svalbard, and it's happening faster than most of us realize.

If that sounds far off, it's not. Because what happens in the Arctic doesn't stay there. When ground that's been frozen for thousands of years starts thawing, it throws everything off  weather, wildlife, even your grocery bill. But this problem can end up costing a lot more than pricier avocados.

What's happening?

Nature reported that in February, temperatures in NyAlesund hovered around minus 3.3 degrees Celsius (26.1 degrees Fahrenheit). That's a sharp departure from the usual minus 15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit) average for that time of year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On many days, the thermometer crossed above the freezing point. Rain followed. Tundra gave way to puddles. Field teams documented meltwater pooling over glaciers and scooped soil samples from the ground so soft that they didn't need to dig. Just 5 centimeters (2 inches) below the surface, the soil had already thawed. One researcher called it "a melting ice rink"  a warning sign of what they described as "a fundamental shift" in Arctic winters.

Why it matters

That layer of snow? It's supposed to insulate the tundra. But this time, it turned crusty, then icy  hard enough that reindeer couldn't dig for food. As the soil warmed early, microbes woke up and started releasing gases usually locked in by the cold. Some crews found live vegetation in damp moss weeks before winter was even close to over.

The disruption didn't stop there. Scientists in NyAlesund had to reschedule field work on the fly when the frozen ground thawed and then refroze. Buildings around Svalbard shifted as permafrost beneath them weakened. In some parts of the archipelago, heavy, wet snowpacks now threaten avalanches  not just for researchers, but for tourism, too.

What's being done

In places like Svalbard, crews aren't waiting. Some are testing reflective coatings to slow the snowmelt. Others are planting sensors in the ground to track freeze-thaw swings before they cause real trouble. A few towns have swapped diesel for solar and batteries  not for climate points, but because it's cheaper and works when storms shut things down.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

You don't need Arctic weather to make changes. Adding insulation keeps your heat inside and your bills down. Driving electric or cutting red meat trims your carbon pollution. Solar helps, too  and a battery means the lights stay on when the grid can't. Lifestyle adjustments and public awareness can bring the lasting change our planet needs.

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.
Plastic pollution could be a much bigger issue than thought. Scientists from the Netherlands have discovered that recent estimates of plastics in oceans are 10 times higher than prior calculations.

What's happening?

Grist reported that a new study published in Nature found that the North Atlantic Ocean holds nearly 30 million tons of nanoplastic, or particles 100 times smaller than the width of human hair. This reveals just how pervasive plastic has become in the environment.

Helge Niemann, a professor of geochemistry at Utrecht University and an author of the study, sounded the alarm about the impacts on human and marine health. Nanoplastics are "not conducive, generally, for life," he told Grist.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He added that while the study centered around nanoplastics in the Atlantic, it's probable that the material is widespread in other oceans as well. The research is some of the first of its kind to measure nanoplastics in marine environments.

Why are nanoplastics in the oceans concerning?

The impacts of microplastics on human health have been well-documented, but much less is known about the effects of nanoplastics. One study found that nanoplastics can cause inflammation in various cells, potentially disrupting immune system health.

It's also an obvious concern for marine animals and ecosystems that are directly exposed to plastics on a consistent basis. Research has shown that wildlife suffers from many of the same problems as humans when it comes to plastics. Reduced fertility, altered hormone levels, intestinal blockages, and cancer have all been linked to plastics in the environment.

And since nanoplastics are so much smaller than even microplastics, which are one of the most ubiquitous materials in the world, the effects could be even more insidious.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We've basically been dumping plastic in the ocean for decades," Tracey Woodruff, a professor of reproductive health and the environment at the University of California, told Grist. "It doesn't go away, it just breaks down into smaller plastics, so it does make sense that you would find more nanoplastics than macro and microplastics."

What's being done to help?

Niemann noted that more research is necessary to determine the pervasiveness of nanoplastics worldwide along with their real-world impacts. He was awarded a grant to study whether certain types of bacteria might break down nanoplastics, which could be a viable solution to the problem.

Scientists have already discovered bacteria that can clean up plastic pollution, though it's not known if this can be done on a large scale. The study authors stressed that the most important step the world can take is to reduce plastic production so that it doesn't enter oceans and the environment in the first place.

Individually, we can help to keep the planet plastic-free by switching to home-brewed ground coffee rather than buying takeout cups or coffee pods and purchasing reusable water bottles instead of disposable ones. If millions of people made these two lifestyle changes, it could have a profound impact on the amount of plastics entering the environment.

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.
The enraged wife of a straying New York City elementary school principal blew the lid off her husbands alleged secret affair with a much younger teacher at his Staten Island school, according to a report.

Principal Anthony Cosentino, 43, was allegedly caught in a consensual sexual relationship with teacher Jacqueline Sinodinos, 28, according to The New York Post.

The reported affair broke up two marriages, with both Cosentinos wife and Sinodinos husband filing for divorce, according to The Post.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The scandal came to light when Cosentinos wife, who is also a New York City school teacher, filed a complaint with the city Department of Education claiming he had been having an illicit sexual relationship with Sinodinos since June 2023.

The scorned wife complained that her husband had been giving his alleged affair partner extra funds to spend on a Thanksgiving party and other celebrations for her students.

The enraged wife of a New York City elementary school principal blew the lid off his extramarital affair with a teacher at his school, according to a report. (Google Maps)

The city had received another complaint regarding the pair in November 2023, and by July 2024, the Special Commissioner of Investigation, an independent watchdog for New York City schools, filed a report with the DOE, detailing the alleged misconduct at PS 21 in North Shore.

Cosentino was removed from the school, but has remained on the citys payroll, making $187,632 a year, the outlet reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While officials with the Special Commissioner of Investigation recommended disciplinary actions  including firing Cosentino  he may just be reassigned as principal of a new school, sources told The Post.

Romantic relationships between coworkers are allowed among city school employees, as long as they dont involve a financial component and one of the parties isnt in a superior power position.

Cosentino eventually admitted to the extramarital affair, but insisted he wasnt giving the teacher involved any special treatment.

The independent watchdog group, however, found that he gave Sinodinos highly favorable reviews and recommended her for tenure, granting her permanent teacher status with protections from firing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Cosentino only confessed after Sinodinos was tenured in January 2024. While another administrator who approved her tenure had suspicions of bias by Cosentino, the watchdog group found no evidence to support that Sinodinos wasnt deserving of the tenure.

The scandal broke out just as a separate investigation found that Cosentino was negligent in supervising the schools purchasing secretary, Michele Cenci, who pleaded guilty to embezzling over $145,000 from the school over a seven-year period.

Instead of firing Cosentino, the DOE reportedly plans to make him principal of PS 3, The Margaret Gioisa School in Elm Park, sources told The Post.

However, New York City Department of Education spokeswoman Chyann Tull told the outlet that wasnt the case, and that Cosentino is not currently assigned to P.S. 3, where a retiring principal will be replaced.

We take all allegations of this kind seriously, and always follow established protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of our school communities, Tull said.
Three Ukrainian beachgoers have been killed by sea mines while swimming off the Black Sea coast.

A man died when a device exploded 50 metres from the shore near the resort of Karolino-Bugaz, in the Odesa region, at 11.30am local time on Sunday, Ukrainian media reported.

A woman and another man were killed in a separate explosion in waters off the nearby town of Zatoka, around 40 miles south of Odesa city.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Oleg Kiper, the regional governor, said the blasts happened in areas that had been closed off to swimmers, and warned that lives were being lost because of people ignoring the bans.

All of them were blown up by explosive objects while swimming in areas prohibited for recreation, he wrote. This proves once again that being in unverified waters is deadly.

Footage showed water shooting into the air off a busy beach with dozens of people in the water while a woman said: Oh God somethings exploded over there.

Local media said police and explosive technicians were investigating the incident. Police said they had not yet confirmed the identity of the swimmers, warning visitors not to neglect safety measures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It has been previously determined that three vacationers  a woman and two men  died while swimming as a result of two explosions of unknown objects. The identities of the deceased are being established, a police report read.

Mr Kiper said there were 32 areas permitted for swimming in the Odesa region that had undergone comprehensive inspection to ensure they were free of mines. Thirty are in the city of Odesa, while the other two are in Chornomorsk and Prymorske.

The Black Sea is infested with mines dropped by both sides of the war in Ukraine. They are mainly deployed to defend ports, but Russia has been accused of using them to target Ukrainian shipping lanes.

It is not known whether the mines involved in Sundays incidents were Russian or Ukrainian, or how they drifted close to the beaches.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Before the war, both Moscow and Kyiv were known to have stockpiles of Soviet-era YaM anchor mines, which are tethered to the seabed with a chain and float a few metres below the surface.

They are typically used in waters up to 200 metres deep and contain around 20kg of explosives.

Other mines found in the Black Sea since the 2022 invasion include R-421-75 contact mines, which carry up to 160kg of explosives and can be moored with a chain or deployed to drift on or just below the surface.

In August last year, the Romanian navy carried out a controlled explosion of a mine that had drifted to its Black Sea coast.

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.
Authorities announced Sunday afternoon that they located an Inglewood babysitter and three young children who had been missing since Friday.

According to the Inglewood Police Department, the missing kids were identified as 8-year-old Isabella Mamby, 6-year-old Meischon Mamby and 4-year-old Alona Mamby.

The three siblings had last been seen with their babysitter, 55-year-old Constance Justine Franks, in the 300 block of W. Hyde Park Boulevard near Rogers Park around 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police said Franks possibly left on foot with the children in an unknown direction. Details on the situation were limited, and authorities did not comment on the dynamic between Franks and the family, other than her role as the babysitter.

A babysitter and three kids photographed here were reported missing in August 2025. (Inglewood PD) Isabella Mamby, 8, is seen here in an undated photograph provided in August 2025. (Inglewood PD) Alona Mamby, 4, is seen here in an undated photograph provided in August 2025. (Inglewood PD) Meischon Mamby, 6, is seen here in an undated photograph provided in August 2025. (Inglewood PD) Constance Franks, 55, is seen here in undated photographs provided in August 2025. (Inglewood PD) An amber alert is seen activated on Aug. 10, 2025. (KTLA iPhone user)

An AMBER Alert was issued for the three children, indicating they were in imminent danger around 12:40 p.m. Sunday.

It was later deactivated, with the California Highway Patrol saying the group had been located as of 1:30 p.m. No further information was immediately provided.

Anyone with details on the incident is asked to contact the IPD Watch Commander at 310-412-5206.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sam Bader contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
The findings of a year-long undercover investigation into a violent migrant-smuggling gang were published by BBC News on 5 August - and, as a result, one person has now been arrested in Birmingham.

Here, one of our reporters who assumed a false identity and posed as a migrant, describes how he met one of the gang's senior members in a secret forest hideout.

I am walking towards the forest near Dunkirk, thinking about the battery in my pocket. I've hidden the wires under two T-shirts, but is anything still showing? Is my secret camera working? Is it pointing at the right angle? I have, at most, three hours of battery life left, and I need to get to the smuggler's secret camp, meet him, and get out safely.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is perhaps the most dangerous and most important moment for me, the culmination of many months working on this investigation with the team.

There is a small team of high-risk advisors watching my back. With gang members monitoring everyone who enters the forest, I worry my advisors may may end up exposing me rather than protecting me. But they play it perfectly and keep a low profile.

I'm using a false name. My clothes are similar to those worn by other people trying to get a ride on a small boat to England. Scuffed, old shoes. A big, warm, dirty, jacket. A backpack that I've spent time trying to make look worn, as if I have travelled long, hard miles to get here.

I keep going over my cover story in my head. The excuses I might need to get away quickly. The possible scenarios. We have planned and planned, but I know nothing ever goes exactly as expected in the field.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I am an Arabic-speaking man and have gone undercover before - but each time is different, and carries different risks.

Over the past couple of years, I've spent a long time in northern France, trying to understand and expose the people smugglers' complicated and shadowy operations. It was not an easy decision to infiltrate a violent criminal network.

I'm entering a world ruled by money, power and silence. But I'm not just curious - I also believe the gangs are not as untouchable as they seem and that I can play a role in exposing them and perhaps helping to stop them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Inside the forest, my nervousness fades. I am "Abu Ahmed" now - my false identity. I don't even feel like I'm acting a part.

I'm new in town, a Syrian refugee whose asylum bid was rejected by Germany. I'm scared, desperate, a little lost and at the beginning of an uncertain journey.

I walk down a path to the smugglers' camp trying to remember the way I came in.

Our reporter meets and secretly films Abdullah inside his forest camp [BBC]

When the smuggler, Abdullah, meets me, he is friendly but he says he needs to leave immediately. I try to sound weary. I must persuade him to wait, to talk to me quickly, while my battery is still working. Then, I can get out of there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Abdullah suspects nothing and seems entirely at ease. But I know the smugglers have guns and knives and there is only one path that leads in and out of the camp.

A day later, away from the forest, I see online that there has been another fatal shooting there.

One of the most difficult things during my time undercover, in the weeks before I meet Abdullah, is keeping track of the phone numbers. Gang members change them often, and sometimes you can lose months of work in a second. At times I've lost hope, seeing everything fall apart. But I keep learning.

I spend a lot of time meeting people waiting for small boats around Calais or Boulogne, asking them which gang they are using, which phone numbers they have. Early mornings are spent at train stations, food distribution centres, or on the edge of forests and beaches. Sometimes I just watch, trying to melt into a crowd, to overhear conversations, to spot glances and gestures and to see who leads and who follows.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I must be careful. I move from place to place in different cars over the weeks, and generally try to disappear into the background. I don't want to do or say anything that could bring me to the attention of the smugglers. They have so many eyes and ears here, and if they become suspicious, it could be dangerous for me.

Our undercover reporter receives texts from Abdullah telling him where to find the camp [BBC]

Am I scared? Not too often. I have engaged with even more dangerous groups in the past. But I am worried I could make a mistake, forget a detail, and blow my cover. Or at least one of my covers.

I switch phones too, contacting smugglers using different names and back stories to try to piece together who works where and what they do. I label each phone. I have French, German, Turkish and Syrian numbers. It is slow work. I'm careful to make sure I'm in the right place whenever I make a call, in case the smuggler asks me to turn on my video or send a pin showing my location.

The smugglers always ask me, "Where did you get the number?" And, "Who is with you? Where are you staying? How did you get to France?"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now Abdullah does the same, asking me to send photos showing my journey to the forest from a bus stop in Dunkirk.

Does he suspect me?

In person in the forest, Abdullah appears friendlier than most of the smugglers I have encountered. I notice he seems keen to make all his passengers feel at ease, always responding to calls. He strikes me as ambitious.

The camp is surrounded by trees [BBC]

Over time, I learn some of the gang's vocabulary. Migrants are "nafar". The junior smugglers are "rebari". The forest is always "the jungle".

And now it is time for me to leave the jungle and to head back towards my team who are waiting, anxiously, at a nearby supermarket.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As I leave the forest and get to the road, I'm no longer "Abu Ahmed". I'm a journalist again, tortured by questions.

Did the camera work? Did I manage to film Abdullah confirming his role as a smuggler? Is anyone following me now?

The walk back seems even longer.

More Weekend Picks
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday highlighted the significant growth of India's metro network under the BJP government's tenure. Speaking in Hubballi, Joshi pointed out that the metro rail length has expanded from a mere 230 km in 2014 to an impressive 1,036 km today. This growth has not only increased the metro length but also expanded metro connectivity to more than 24 cities, up from just three cities in 2014. "The metro length in 2014 was a mere 230 km; today, it has expanded to 1,036 km. Initially, metro connectivity was limited to just three cities, but today, more than 24 cities have metro connectivity...So everything has happened in the BJP regime...," said Joshi. This comes after Karnataka Dy CM claims that the State government contributed 80 per cent and the Union government 20 per cent to the Metro Yellow Line inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Karnataka on Sunday. "While the State government has spent 80 per cent on the Metro Yellow Line, the central BJP government has spent only 20 per cent. In some places, it has spent only 11 per cent," said Shivakumar. Responding to media personnel near his Sadashivanagar residence on Sunday, he lashed out at BJP MPs and leaders. "I request Prime Minister Modi to provide at least Rs 1 lakh crore as a grant to Bengaluru. The state government has provided all the money for the land acquisition of the metro project. The BJP government at the Centre should have provided 50 per cent. It has not provided even that. However, we have completed this work for the benefit of the people of Bengaluru, a city in the state of Karnataka. Although Bengaluru is the second-highest tax-paying city in the country, the grant received is very little," he said. "Ahmedabad has been given a 20 per cent tax share. We have been given only 10 per cent. For that, consider us like other big cities in the country. Also, think of Bengaluru as the capital of the country. We are not doing politics, but are making a request," he said. The senior Congress leader lashed out at the BJP leaders for neglecting Bengaluru. "BJP says we did everything ourselves. They have no achievements. Not a single MP has brought even 10 rupees to Bengaluru city or the state. They have not even provided any cooperation. BJP MPs in Karnataka should be ashamed. Only the Union Minister for Jal Shakti has sometimes responded to our requests. Apart from that, not a single rupee has come. They have not even given money to the NREGA project," he said. "These BJP MPs think it is an achievement only if they post an ex (tweet) and post two photos in the media. Your conscience should work here. MPs, leave politics and do the work of bringing funds to serve the people," he scolded. He also accused the Union government of neglecting Karnataka. "The central government has completely neglected Karnataka. It has neglected to provide grants. We have honoured the Prime Minister by inviting him to inaugurate it. We have implemented a model project called double decker," he said."1 lakh jobs are being created in the IT sector every year in Bangalore. We have made a yellow line to benefit the area where IT companies are located. Today, that line is being inaugurated. The Electronic City flyover was also built during Manmohan Singh's time," he said. When asked about the statements of BJP leaders that Modi's contribution to the second and third phases of the Metro has increased, he challenged, "No one's contribution is here. This all started during the time of SM Krishna and Vajpayee. Let them release the figures of how much grant we have given; I will also release them." "I would like to congratulate Infosys, Delta, Biocon and other companies that have donated money for the Yellow Line metro stations," he said. (ANI)
Two lucky Massachusetts State Lottery players won Powerball prizes worth $100,000 and $50,000, respectively, at convenience stores across the state on Saturday.

The ticket worth $100,000 was sold at the Nouria location on Washington Street in Duxbury. The ticket worth $50,000 was sold at J & D Convenience on West Central Street in Natick.

Saturday nights winning numbers were 7, 14, 23, 24 and 60, and the Powerball number was 14.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In Powerball, players select five numbers between 1 and 69 and one Powerball number between 1 and 26. They then choose how many drawings they want to use those numbers for.

Players that match all five numbers and the Powerball number win the jackpot. They have 1 in 292,201,338 chances of winning this way.

Players that match four numbers and the Powerball number win $50,000. They have 1 in 913,129.18 chances of winning this way. Players that win this way while using the PowerPlay option once double their prize money to $100,000.

Powerball drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. The jackpot stands at $501 million as of Sunday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Overall, at least 263 prizes worth $600 or more were won or claimed in Massachusetts on Saturday, including eight in Springfield, five in Worcester and 20 in Boston.

The Massachusetts State Lottery releases a full list of winning tickets every day. The list only includes winning tickets worth more than $600.

The two largest lottery prizes won so far in 2025 were each worth $15 million. One of the prizes was from a winning Diamond Deluxe scratch ticket sold in Holyoke, and the other was from a 300X scratch ticket sold on Cape Cod.

Massachusetts State Lottery

Read the original article on MassLive.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said Thursday he believes former special counsel Jack Smith violated the Hatch Act by rushing the prosecution of President Donald Trump before the 2024 election.

On July 29, Cotton asked U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who is the acting head of the Office of Special Counsel and a BYU alumnus, to investigate whether Smiths actions were meant to influence the outcome of the presidential race.

A day later, the Office of Special Counsel, which oversees compliance with civil service laws, launched the first formal probe into whether the prosecutor responsible for Trumps Jan. 6 and classified documents cases was politically motivated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The focus of the investigation is whether Smith, as former special counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice, violated the Hatch Act, an 85-year-old law that prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activities while on duty.

In his letter to Greer, Cotton alleged Smith had expedited legal motions in nontraditional ways to reach a verdict before the election, including by speeding up trial dates, bypassing district courts and updating briefs within 60 days of the election.

It seems to me, as it did at the time, that was driven more by a political rationale, not a legal rationale, which violates the spirit and the letter of the Hatch Act, Cotton said in an interview with the Deseret News on Thursday.

Over the past week, Cotton has claimed on X and Fox News that Smiths prosecutorial decisions were nothing more than a tool for the Biden and Harris campaigns and very likely illegal campaign activity from a public office.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Other decisions that Cotton said seemed to have no legal rationale include Smiths emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, requests for accelerated briefing schedules and disclosure of sealed materials, like grand jury testimony.

Who is Jack Smith?

Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to the media about an indictment of former President Donald Trump, Aug. 1, 2023, in Washington. | J. Scott Applewhite

Smith was appointed by then-U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022 to lead the legal reviews of Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents.

Smith reviewed an extensive number of testimonies and documents, leading to a final report in January concluding that Trump had participated in an unprecedented criminal effort to remain in office after losing the 2020 election.

Speaking with the Deseret News, Cotton said he thinks the Office of Special Counsel could find Smith guilty of violating the Hatch Act, but added hell have a chance to account for himself, and maybe he can induce an explanation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But there is no evidence that Smiths efforts to investigate Trump was the same as a public employee using their position to advance campaign interests, according to Gregg Nunziata, the executive director of Society for the Rule of Law.

This complaint is astonishingly flimsy, Nunziata told the Deseret News. Whatever one thinks about the merits of Jack Smiths case, or his legal strategies, theres no question that he was pursuing a duly authorized government investigation into serious allegations of wrongdoing.

In many ways Smith was put in a difficult situation because every move by the government in its prosecution of a former president running for reelection could be interpreted as impacting his political future, Nunziata said.

Some of Smiths prosecutorial decisions appear unusual only because the cases were totally unprecedented, according to Nunziata, who pointed out that several factors of the trial timelines actually worked out in Trumps favor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Instead of ending a cycle of lawfare and overreach, Nunziata said the Office of Special Counsels investigation appears to be just one more instance of using political institutions to punish perceived enemies of the president.

I think that were seeing the weaponization of government against political opponents by the Trump administration in ways weve never seen in our history, Nunziata said.

Did Smith violate the Hatch Act?

This view from Nunziata, who formerly worked as general counsel and domestic policy adviser to Trumps current Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, is shared by legal experts from both Republican and Democratic backgrounds.

Richard Painter, the former chief White House ethics lawyer under former President George W. Bush, told Politico he has never heard of a Hatch Act investigation based on court filings, and that Smiths actions did not merit an investigation because he did not make public statements about the 2024 election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bob Bauer, the former White House counsel to President Barack Obama, writing for his Substack, Executive Functions, said he believed this was the first attempt to apply the Hatch Act to a criminal prosecution and that none of Smiths legal actions fell outside the options available to a prosecutor.

Bauer pointed out that Trump has refused to enforce the Hatch Act multiple times for several former officials, including former counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway and assistant to the president Peter Navarro.

The investigation also appears to contradict new administration policy. On April 25, Trumps Office of Special Counsel said it would refrain from filing any new complaints against former employees who had already left office.

The investigation by the Hatch Act Unit of the Office of Special Counsel could potentially become the basis for a referral to the Department of Justice, Bauer said. But more likely it is a way to produce a critical report of Smith.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Even if Smith was found to have violated the Hatch Act, the only recourse under the law would be to fine him $1,000, or to suspend, reprimand or fire him, which is not applicable because Smith resigned in January.

Cotton receives Hatch award

The Titan of Public Service Award sits on a table during a special gala event of the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation at Salt Lake City's Grand America on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

On Thursday, Cotton was recognized at the annual Orrin G. Hatch Foundation Gala as the recipient of the Titan of Public Service Award for his commitment to public service and respectful dialogue.

What I learned from Orrin Hatch is youre inevitably going to have disagreements, sometimes those are even in your own party, Cotton told the Deseret News.

When we disagree, we disagree strongly and fervently, but we try to be civil and respectful of each other, because we know we might be working together the next day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Attending the event were three members of Utahs federal delegation. In an interview with the Deseret News, Rep. Mike Kennedy, of Utahs 3rd Congressional District, said he supported Cottons effort to investigate Smith.

The way that I saw that process unfold, it did appear that there were some political motivations behind that, Kennedy said.

But, Kennedy said, the truth will be better understood by the Office of Special Counsel providing more clear information about circumstances.
Tampa Bay-area Democratic state Sen. Darryl Rouson speaking at WMNF Radio in Tampa on Aug. 8, 2025. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)

Tampa Bay-area Democratic state Sen. Darryl Rouson says he is open-minded about whether hell try to stay in the Florida Legislature next year by making a run for a Florida House seat.

Rouson, who turned 70 last month, has served in the Legislature since 2008 but is term-limited from running again for his District 16 state Senate seat in 2026.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He says he is seriously considering filing to run for the House District 62 seat in Pinellas County, which will be open next year because Democratic incumbent Michele Rayner is departing to run for Rousons Senate seat.

Well, its good to have to options, and I believe in experience plus relationship-building equals success. And Ive been able to have great success, both in the House and the Senate, and things will take care of themselves, he told this reporter while speaking on WMNF-88.5 FM radio in Tampa on Friday.

So does that mean he is running?

Well, Im weighing options, and its nice to have options, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Although its more common for state representatives term-limited out of office to run for the more select state Senate (where there are just 40 members compared to 120 in the House), its not unprecedented by any means.

Last year, Melbourne Republican Debbie Mayfield won a seat in the House after being term-limited from her Senate seat (she ultimately won back that seat after it became open again when Randy Fine departed for Congress).

Brevard County Republican Thad Altman served in the House, the Senate, and then back in the House before being term-limited from office last year.

Pasco County Property Tax Collector Mike Fasano is another prominent legislator who couldnt stay away from Tallahassee. The New Port Richey Republican served in the House from 1994 to 2002; in the Senate from 2002 to 2012; and returned to the House in 2012.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He departed from that seat a year later, when Gov. Rick Scott appointed him as tax collector, a job hes held ever since.

Subverting term limits?

Florida voters approved eight-year term limits for members of the Florida Legislature in 1992. Some senators (like Rouson now) have been allowed to serve an additional two years due to a quirk in state law regarding redistricting.

In an apparent response to legislators who switch legislative chambers after completing their terms, now-Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia filed a resolution during the 2025 session (SJR 536) to clarify that the Constitution imposes a lifetime limit of 16 years in state legislative office  eight years max in the House, eight years max in the Senate.

There was a caveat for senators who serve reduced two-year terms due to redistricting. The measure would have gone to the voters as a proposed constitutional amendment in 2026, but stalled after being approved in one committee stop.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lets stop the practice of people continually running for the same office and bouncing back and forth between chambers, Ingoglia said on X. Serving the people of Florida should be a privilege, and an honor, not a career.

Redistricting issues

The configuration of Rousons Senate District 16 seat is being challenged in federal court by a group of voters living in both Pinellas and Hillsborough County who are represented by the ACLU of Florida and the Civil Rights & Racial Justice Clinic at New York University School of Law. They contend its design since 2022, including parts of St. Petersburg but moving across Tampa Bay into Hillsborough County, was the result of illegal racial gerrymandering.

During the trial, voters who live in Hillsborough County argued they werent being fairly represented because Rouson lives in St. Petersburg.

Ive done my level best to represent both sides of the Bay efficiently and effectively, and I think that Ive done a pretty good job at that, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Three Democrats have already entered the race for House District 62: Kyandra Darling, Upton Fisher, and former state legislator Wengay Newton.

Darling addressed the rumors about Rousons potential entry into the race on Friday, issuing a statement on X saying, I remain as committed to running and winning this race as I was on the day I declared my candidacy. (That statement was first reported by Florida Politics).

Among the other topics Rouson discussed Friday were House Speaker Danny Perez memo to members calling for a select committee on redistricting congressional districts. Notably, Senate President Ben Albritton has yet to publicly comment about the idea.

I think the Senate President is being very thoughtful and deliberate about his actions, and theres no urgency to do this now, Rouson said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Weve got a lifetime between now and November, when we get back for committee weeks, and we should study whats happening in Texas and in California and the other states like New York that are intending to do some things. We shouldnt be knee-jerk reactors to what other states are doing. We need to do whats good for Florida.

Published reports indicate Florida Republicans are considering a redrawing of the congressional map that could net them three additional congressional seats. Rouson is skeptical. They already control 20 of Floridas 28 congressional districts.

I think that the GOP should tread very carefully, because if they try to stretch their advantage too thin, it could backfire in ways that they dont foresee right now, Rouson said.

For example, if they diminish the margins for incumbent Republicans, thinking that they are safe, small shifts in the future could make districts competitive and give an advantage to the Democrats to gain more seats.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Governor Kotek has officially called a special session of the Oregon legislature starting August 29. They will try to approve a transportation bill to reverse massive layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation, as well as provide needed funding to local transportation agencies.

This comes after a nearly $2 billion transportation package failed during the regular session amid concern about big increases in taxes and fees.

Close

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Eye on Northwest Politics

Senator Lew Frederick is the Senate Majority Whip. Representing North and Northeast Portland, Sen. Frederick is chair of the Senate Education Committee and is on the Joint Ways and Means Committee.

A former spokesperson for Portland Public Schools and a former television news reporter, Frederick has been in the legislature since 2009.

Sen. Frederick returned to Eye on Northwest Politics to talk about whats different this time around.

Watch the full interview in the video above.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The USS South Dakota Day of Honor drew in a large crowd at the South Dakota Battleship Memorial Saturday morning.

The ceremony pays tribute to the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy.

Today, we remember a pivotal moment in history: the end of a global conflict that demanded immense bravery and resilience of all Americans, Rear Adm. Michael Wosje said during his speech.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The event included naval history displays and band performances. U.S. Senator John Thune was the keynote speaker.

Any time I visit American troops, I consistently hear about the determination, the strength, the work ethic, the professionalism, the skill of South Dakota members of our National Guard and members of our military, Thune said to Saturdays ceremony crowd. It warms my heart when I hear that.

Thunes appearance also drew criticism. A group of people gathered across the street to rally concerns over policies the U.S. Senator has supported.

Senate race: Education, veterans have Beaudions attention

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One frustration is tied to his backing of Donald Trumps Big Beautiful Bill, which rally goers said includes Medicaid cuts that could hurt South Dakota residents.

That has a major impact on South Dakotans and rural South Dakota communities because Medicaid is the backbone of support for rural communities, both in terms of support for hospitals and nursing homes. And John Thune knew that, and he knew when he passed that bill that it would impact all of us, Michael Heisler said. But he did it anyway.

Rally organizers said the event was a call for accountability from Senator Thune.

In fifth grade, we all learned about checks and balances. I think he has forgotten that because he just rubber stamps everything Donald Trump wants, whether its cutting programs South Dakotans need or putting crazy people on the courts rally attendee Nancy Turbak said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Some attendees believe Thune has forgotten about South Dakotas people since stepping into his Senate Majority Leader role.

Its a free country and people can have lots of different opinions, but the one thing I dont ever forget about South Dakota, Sen. Thune said. I live here.

The U.S. Senator said differing opinions is part of the political process, and state ground is what keeps him anchored.

Ive got to keep my head down and do the work that I think the people of South Dakota elected me to do, Sen. Thune said.

Rally organizers said they wanted the rally to honor U.S. Military veterans, and they asked attendees to remain respectful of the USS Day of Honor.

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.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  The Pennsylvania Senate will be in voting session this Tuesday as the state legislature continues to hash out the budget, which was due June 30.

It is important that we ensure the needs of Pennsylvanians are addressed by helping schools, hospitals, nursing homes and other services, Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) said.

The Senate will convene Tuesday at 4 p.m. for a voting session, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its unclear if this is a sign of a potential budget deal, but it does get the ball rolling.

The House of Representatives are meeting in a rare weekend session and met Friday and Saturday in non-voting session. They will meet in voting session Sunday and Monday.

Get the latest Pennsylvania politics and election news with abc27 newsletters!

They are expected to vote on a transportation funding bill, earmarking $300 Million for mass transit and $500 Million for road and bridge repairs.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HOOPESTON, Ill. (WCIA)  Two people were hospitalized after a crash in Hoopeston on Friday.

Illinois State Police responded to the intersection of Illinois Route 1 and 4000 N. around 10:50 a.m. After troopers arrived, they learned that two vehicles were involved.

I-57 N. in Champaign Co. down to one lane after semi crash

The drivers of both vehicles were injured and taken to a local hospital. WCIA has been unable to confirm the status of either driver at this time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hoopeston Fire Department and Hoopeston Police Department responded to the scene and assisted the State Police.

No further information is available at this time, according to State Police.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
CAMERON, Texas (FOX 44)  UPDATE: Several people were found with gunshot wounds after an early Sunday morning shooting in Cameron.

Police Chief Carlton Scott says the department responded to a call of shots fired early Sunday morning. The incident occurred in the area of 7 1/2 Street and Marin Luther King Avenue.

When officers arrived, they found several victims with gunshot wounds among a very large crowd of people. Cameron Police rendered aid to victims and secured the scene with assistance from the Milam County Sheriffs Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens, Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers and the Rockdale Police Department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Chief Scott says the area was shut down for several hours as officers were investigating the crime scene. It is not believed anyone suffered life-threatening injuries.

The Cameron Police Department is extending its gratitude to the agencies mentioned above, in addition to Milam County Constable Precinct One Zack Burks, the Cameron Volunteer Fire Department, and the Temple Police Department for the combined efforts to manage this incident.

If you have any information regarding this incident, you are urged to call the Cameron Police Department at 254-697-6574.

This is a developing story. FOX 44 News will have more 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 KWKT - FOX 44.
WAUWATOSA, Wisc.  Severe storms struck the Midwest this weekend, dumping around a foot of rain on Milwaukee, causing flooding that canceled the last day of the Wisconsin State Fair, and damaging a Nebraska prison to the extent that inmates had to be moved, officials said.

At least one death occurred in the storms, which struck several states. One person died Saturday and another suffered serious injuries when a tree fell on the car they were in at Two Rivers State Park in Nebraska, officials said.

Some of the highest rainfall totals were in the Milwaukee area, where west of the city recorded 8 to 11 inches of rain.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the Milwaukee suburb of Wauwatosa, Loren Kaiser showed an NBC News crew the damage left behind at his home, where he has lived for 20 years. Kaiser and his family were trying to avoid the floods by leaving town, when floodwaters started rushing in.

We had the car loaded up and we just decided to try and make a run for it, he said. The water just came in and everything in the garage started to float.

First responders rescue people from flooding in their homes in Wauwatosa, Wisc. on Sunday. (Andy Manis / Getty Images)

A resident and his dog in floodwaters in Wauwatosa, Wisc., on Sunday. (Andy Manis / Getty Images)

Wisconsin State Fair Park, where the state's fair is held, was forced to close early on Saturday due to flooding. The state fair announced on Sunday that it will not reopen for the day's events.

"We understand the disappointment you may feel as our team works all year for these 11 days," the statement, posted to Facebook, read. "However, the safety of our Fairgoers, team, partners, and vendors will always be our top priority."

Millions under flood alerts

The storms had around 14 million people from Kansas to Wisconsin are under flood alerts this weekend.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The storms in the Midwest were due to "an environment that features a battleground between cool and dry air to the north and west and plenty of moisture and instability to the south and east," the National Weather Service said.

A flood watch for Milwaukee was set to last until 7 a.m. Monday, and the weather service said that flash flooding from excessive rainfall continues to be possible.

In the Plains, a "slow-moving, nearly stationary frontal boundary" will create a risk of thunderstorms and heavy downpours, the weather service said Sunday. The states most at risk were Colorado, Kansas, northeastern New Mexico, western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle, the agency said.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley declared a state of emergency following over 10 inches of rain and widespread flooding.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"There are thousands and thousands of people in Milwaukee that are dealing with the aftermath of the flooding that happened overnight, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said at a news conference Sunday.

Johnson said that the flooding, in which some places of the city reported over a foot of rain, was "something that Milwaukee hasnt seen in perhaps a decade or more."

The USA Triathlon in Milwaukee announced that the sprint and paratriathlon nationals scheduled to be held on Sunday have been canceled due to "the combination of potential water conditions, flooding and course damage throughout the course, limited emergency response teams to support the event, as well as impending weather for Sunday."

"We know how much time, training, and anticipation youve invested in this event, and we share your disappointment," USA Triathlon said in a statement. "This was not the outcome any of us wanted. We will follow up soon with more details about next steps, including deferral and credit options."

The flooded road outside Loren Kaiser's front door in Wauwatosa, Wisc., on Sunday. (Selina Guevara / NBC News)

Flooding inside Loren Kaiser's home in Wauwatosa, Wisc., on Sunday. (Selina Guevara / NBC News)

Fire departments in Waukesha County, which includes parts of Milwaukee, were conducting rescues of people trapped in floodwaters on Sunday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Milwaukee Fire Department has responded to about 614 emergency assignments from 8 p.m. Saturday night to 7 a.m. Sunday morning, Chief Aaron Lipski said during a news briefing Sunday afternoon. The incidents include multiple fires and around 65 water rescues.

Lipski reminded the public not to attempt to drive through floodwaters.

This is how we have hundreds of vehicles around the city blocking intersections, making progress absolutely impossible, he said.

In West Allis, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee, Jean Krajewski said her home had flooded once before when the nearby Honey Creek overflowed, but nothing like what happened this weekend. The basement flooded, and the water caused a hole in the cinderblock foundation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I had never seen anything like it, because all you could see is the stumps that the house is sitting on in the back, she said.

The collapsed foundation of Jean and Dave Krajewski's home in West Allis, Wisc., on Sunday. (Selina Guevara / NBC News)

The city said the home was uninhabitable for a while. Because the area had flooded once before, she and her husband, who are both retired, have been unable to buy flood insurance, she said.

So, were just going to have to slowly rebuild it, Krajewski said.

Flooding in Bayside, Wisc., on Sunday. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA Today Network)

A flooded Ellsworth Park in Bayside, Wisc., on Sunday. (Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA Today Network)

Severe weather hits Nebraska

In Nebraska, severe weather Saturday morning caused extensive roof damage to two housing units at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln, the state Department of Correctional Services said. The damage caused 387 inmates housed there to be moved to other facilities like gyms, it said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Video from the exterior of the prison released by the department showed large sections of the roof and other debris ripped from a building and scattered into an adjacent yard.

As of Sunday evening, over 31,000 utility customers were without power in Wisconsin, according to PowerOutage.us. Almost 13,000 were without power in Nebraska.

Debris on the outdoor yard at the Nebraska State Penitentiary on Sunday. (Nebraska Dept. of Correctional Services)

Debris on the sidewalk in front of a housing unit at the Nebraska State Penitentiary on Sunday. (Nebraska Dept. of Correctional Services)

Mirna Alsharif and Jay Varela reported from New York City, Maggie Vespa from Wauwatosa and Phil Helsel from Los Angeles.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A sign put up by SEPTA in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia notifying which services may be cut if state funding isn't approved to fund mass transit. (John Cole/Capital-Star)

Autumn Fingerhood is a hospitality worker who lives in northeast Philadelphia and is a member of Unite Here Local 274. As a single mother working three jobs to support her two children, her family is one of thousands in the region who rely on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).

With the transit agency that serves some 800,000 people daily just days away from implementing service cuts, if funding isnt delivered from the state, she and a group of lawmakers on Sunday had a clear message.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It seems that there has been a war declared on our community, Fingerhood said. And the politicians who serve Harrisburg, you need to wake up.

You need to get it together. You need to do your job, and you need to fund SEPTA, she added. We, the working people, do our job every day. Its time to do your job and put working families over billionaires.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Fingerhood was one of several speakers at a press conference on Sunday at SEPTAs headquarters in Philadelphia, as Gov. Josh Shapiro and Democrats apply a full court press to get the transportation spending bill approved along with a state budget.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We are past the point of short-term stopgap measures. We are past the point of a few months of fixes, Shapiro said. It is time to have recurring long term revenue for SEPTA and for the other mass transit agencies across Pennsylvania, and the time to act is now.

Shapiros budget proposal included a spending package that would fund mass transit agencies across the state and increase spending for roads and bridges.

The state House has passed legislation on multiple occasions, but it has not advanced in the Senate.

Gov. Josh Shapiro speaking at SEPTAs Headquarters in Philadelphia on August 10, 2025. (John Cole/Capital-Star)

The latest bill Democrats have put forward is House Bill 1788, authored by Rep. Sean Dougherty (D-Philadelphia). The bill would provide $600 million to mass transit and roads and bridges, while also increasing accountability on the transit agencies and public-private projects. The accountability portion of the proposal was originally put forth by GOP Sen. Joe Picozzi, of Philadelphia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The House Transportation Committee voted to advance this bill by a 16-10 vote on Wednesday with the support of every Democrat and two Bucks County Republicans.

Shapiro said he met with SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer, state Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll and other leaders about the urgency of the issue.

I want to be clear. We do not want to make these devastating changes, Sauer said. However, without a funding solution, we will have to advance a 20% service cut that starts on August 24 and an overall 45% cut this fiscal year.

Shapiro lauded Sauers leadership and said SEPTAs GM walked him through some of the changes made by the transit agency to create a far more efficient operation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sauer said that SEPTA has enacted an austerity plan that has resulted in more than $30 million in savings over the last eight months, lowered its structural budget deficit from $240 million to $213 million and is embracing the accountability and oversight measures being considered by the General Assembly. He also noted that ridership is up for the fiscal year that just ended and that they have seen a reduction in crime on the system.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Im confident that SEPTA is on the rise, and all of us have embraced a customer focused mission that puts safety and security, reliability and service at the forefront, and if we can get the support thats needed to avoid these devastating cuts, well move swiftly to implement new initiatives that will enhance service across the system, Sauer said.

Lt. Gov. Austin Davis was also in Pittsburgh on Sunday in an effort to raise awareness about mass transit funding. Adam Brandolph, a spokesperson for the Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT), told the Capital-Star earlier in the week that although they dont have a hard and fast deadline at this current time for state funding, service cuts and fare increases will not occur until February 2026 at the earliest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

House members returned to Harrisburg for a voting session on Sunday and the Senate is due back in session on Tuesday, But, a budget bill passed by the House still has not been taken up by the GOP-controlled Senate.

A sign at SEPTAs headquarters signaling what service cuts will happen if they dont receive state funding by August 14. (John Cole/Capital-Star)

Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) said she would support a short-term budget solution that would allow the commonwealth to provide funding for school districts and local governments, City & State PA reported on Aug. 5.

However, Shapiro said he is not open to a short-term budget proposal.

I can tell you the time for short-term spending plans is long over and will not be entertained by me, Shapiro said on Sunday. We need to pass an annual budget, and that annual budget needs to fund mass transit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lawmakers have very few enumerated responsibilities. One of them is to pass an annual budget, he added. Its time for them to do that now.

One proposal championed by Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) would legalize adult-use cannabis that would provide funding for mass transit agencies.

So, that bill has support from Senate Republicans, House Republicans, House Democrats and Senate Democrats. It is both bicameral and bipartisan, Street told reporters. It would provide adequate funding to fund mass transit and transportation on a recurring basis for the foreseeable future. So its not a one time fix. Its a permanent fix, and certainly, I think all things remain on the table until theres a solution.

However, Republican leaders in the Senate have not appeared to be as open to passing adult-use cannabis legislation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Another recent change for SEPTA was a state-appointed special prosecutor beginning to prosecute incidents taking place on the transit system. That was the result of a bill that passed the General Assembly with bipartisan support and signed into law by Shapiro, despite opposition from Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who argued it was unconstitutional.

People ride SEPTA articulated bus in Philadelphia. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

State Attorney General Dave Sunday told NBC 10 in Philadelphia in late July that he believes the term for the prosecutor, which is set to expire at the end of 2026, should be extended.

I think if it is extended, maybe with a few tweaks, I think that we will be in a place where we can really provide a tremendous value added to the citizens of Philadelphia, he said.

Shapiro didnt endorse or dismiss the possibility of extending it past the current deadline.

Well, its in place until the end of next year, Shapiro said in response to a question from the Capital-Star. And if thats an issue thats important to folks who are involved in the conversations, Im sure well talk about it.
Aiming to fasten rescue and relief operations, Uttarakhand State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) authorities have prepared a detailed action plan to conduct search and rescue operations by coordinating with other agencies in the disaster-hit Dharali area of Uttarkashi district. The Uttarakhand government has appointed Inspector General of Police, SDRF, Arun Mohan Joshi, as Incident Commander and Commandant, SDRF Arpan Yadav as Deputy Incident Commander. According to a release, arrangements for real-time information exchange and joint resource use were also ensured between all agencies, so that the speed and effectiveness of the operation can be maximised. In addition, under the direction of the Inspector General of Police, SDRF is also running community kitchens for the disaster-affected people. Fresh food has been provided to more than 1615 people from 07 August 2025 till date through these kitchens set up in Dharali and Harshil area with the support of the local administration. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are being distributed to the affected families by the team at the scheduled time every day. SDRF personnel themselves are playing an active role in the food distribution process - in the tasks of cooking, packing, distribution and material management. Also, special attention is being paid to the standards of hygiene and cleanliness so that no health problem arises. So far, hot and fresh food is being provided to more than 1615 people daily through this community kitchen, which not only fulfils their immediate needs but also strengthens their morale in this difficult time. This effort of SDRF is proving to be an important step towards relief and rehabilitation work in Dharali. Medical camps are also being conducted in disaster-affected areas with the help of SDRF. In these camps, the team of doctors is providing first aid to the injured, sick and elderly. Also, essential life-saving medicines and health materials are being provided free of cost so that the disaster victims can get immediate medical help. (ANI)
Comedian, radio host, and activist Sheletta Brundidge has worked her magic to get a local supermarket in Minnesota to celebrate Black Business Month by allowing local Black entrepreneurs to showcase their products in their store.

Brundidge connected with Hy-Vee in Robbinsdale to discuss welcoming these small Black business owners in their space Aug. 9, so the local residents can meet them and sample their products.

We have great products, were making salsa in the kitchen, hair care products in our homes, weve got the pop-ups at the farmers market, but we gotta be there, so we cant keep creating product, said Brundidge in a written statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This opportunity gives Black small businesses the chance to connect with potential customers, learn more about them and their products, and network.

It puts a name to it, said Joe Lowe, store manager at the Robbinsdale Hy-Vee. So, when they (shoppers) see that product on our shelves, even a month from now, they can remember talking to Sylvia and Liza from Soul Grain about their product, how they came up with it, and it makes them feel good about buying the products in the future.

The three companies afforded the opportunity were Soul Grain , a granola company from Sylvia Williams, a pastry chef, and Liza Maya, a nutritionist. Natures Syrup Hair and Skin Care, a company started by DeVonna Pittman for plant-based products for curly hair. Nadias Jamaican Kitchen served samples from their restaurant, which is located in Brooklyn Park, serving up jerk chicken, curry soup, and other Jamaican flavors.

If we can get these products on the shelves at the Hy-Vee in Robbinsdale, then we can go back and create more and meet with people to do outreach, versus, whatever we sit there and sell, thats what we get, Brundidge said.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Business Month Unfolds Amid Trump Policy Threats, Entrepreneurial Spirit Unbothered
Update:

Clearfield Police have lifted the shelter in place order after the initial report of shots fired turned out to be an electrical transformer that blew in the area.

ORIGINAL STORY:

CLEARFIELD, Utah (ABC4)  The Clearfield Police Department has issued a shelter-in-place order for residents west of I-15 after a report of shots fired.

In a Facebook post, Clearfield Police say they are working an active incident where shots were reportedly fired in the area of 450 South and 500 East. The shelter-in-place is for residents in the area from State Street east to I-15 between 200 South and State Route 193.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police are asking residents to stay inside and avoid the area until further notice and to call 911 to report any suspicious circumstances.

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.
LAKE HURON  In a frustrating irony, the commemorative swim meant to complete the interrupted voyage of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald through the Great Lakes might itself not get to finish the journey because the boat escorting the swimmers is facing engine failure.

The Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim, as its called, is a 411-mile relay staged to honor the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the infamous freighter in Lake Superior during a winter storm on Nov. 10, 1975, taking the lives of all 29 men on board.

The swim began July 26 at the spot in the water where the freighters journey ended, 17 miles northwest of the Whitefish Point lighthouse, which in fatal happenstance was inoperable the night of the ships sinking. The plan is to follow the ships planned route along the Lake Huron coastline until arriving at Belle Isle on Aug. 27, just a few miles north of the freighters intended destination of Zug Island, followed by a memorial service at Mariners Church in Detroit.

The four stage three relay swimmers set out on the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim route from the Point Iroquois Lighthouse on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

But by the time the swimmers got as far as Alpena on Aug. 9, the 43-foot American tugboat guiding them began leaking oil. And without another boat to take its place and accompany them along the journey, the event is at best delayed, and quite possibly in jeopardy.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

All I can say is, if we don't have a boat, we really cannot continue until we do, said Jim Dreyer, the 61-year-old organizer of the event on Sunday, Aug. 10. I mean, as horrible as that sounds, there really is no other choice.

Dreyer conceived of the event two years ago as a unique way of marking the half-century anniversary of the sinking of the ship, which was hauling 27,000 tons of iron ore from Wisconsin to Detroit when it went down in 530 feet of icy water.

More: How big is Lake Superior? What to know about Michigan's northern Great Lake

More: Swimmers memorialize the Edmund Fitzgerald by swimming 411 miles

Edmund Fitzgerald relay swimmers only identifiable by the colorful buoys they're wearing beginning the next leg of their journey on July 30, 2025.

Though there have been more than 6,000 shipwrecks on the Great Lakes that have taken 30,000 lives over the past few centuries, the 729-foot-long Edmund Fitzgerald was the largest of them to go down. Its also the only sunken ship commemorated in a hit song  Gordon Lightfoots long, detailed account in the song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" in 1976 went to No. 1 on the Canadian pop charts and No. 2 on Billboards Top 100 in America. To this day, a memorial is held every year for family members of the deceased crew at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point, where the bell that was recovered from the ship is rung in their honor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It's the most famous shipwreck not named Titanic, Dreyer said. And the story itself is so compelling. I mean, you know, the 29 men are obviously very, very worthy of us carrying on their memory. But the backstory's even bigger. You know, a lot of people don't understand that these Great Lakes are inland seas. They're called lakes because they're freshwater, but they're larger than a lot of seas on this planet. And they've taken a lot of lives. They've eaten a lot of ships. And the Edmund Fitzgerald has kind of come to represent all of them. So when we ring the bell 29 times for the 29 men on the 10th of November, we always ring it a 30th time for all mariners lost in the Great Lakes. Because it really is a staggering number.

Their course is split into 17 stages, with 16 stops on the shoreline along the way. Sixty-eight swimmers signed up to participate, with several backups waiting in the wings. Each of them swims for a half-hour, then rests on the boat while someone else in their team takes over. All the way, the swimmers are carrying iron ore pellets to symbolically finish the job for the doomed crew. The pellets will be presented to the mayor of Detroit at the end of the journey. A documentary crew is chronicling the effort.

Dreyer is an unlikely leader of the mission. He used to be so terrified of drowning he didnt even learn to swim until he was 32. The open water was my biggest fear in life, he said, ever since he was 3 years old and fell off a dock into a cold lake, where he was found floating face down by his sister. Hes since swum across all five of the Great Lakes on his own, only the second person ever to do so.

On the first day, four swimmers dove into the very part of the lake that swallowed the men of the ship, where they floated a commemorative wreath during a ceremony in which the names of the dead were read aloud, and put a white rose in the water for each of the crew members as a bell was rung during a moment of silence. They then swam to the lighthouse that the ship was desperately trying to reach that night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Marquette resident Grant Combs took the first shift of the swim.

It was a very unique and rewarding experience, said the 24-year-old. Its a really big, really important way to pay tribute to the ship in terms of finishing its last journey. I know there were a number of family members of the men who passed away who, unfortunately, weren't able to come on the boat with us, but they were at the lighthouse, watching over what we were doing.

That lighthouse, built in 1861, is in need of repairs. Besides simply marking the loss of the ship, the swim is a fundraiser for the Great Lake Shipwreck Historical Society, which is responsible for the light station. So far, the swimmers have raised nearly $200,000 as attention to this tribute, and the cause it bears, has grown.

It was amazing from start to finish, said 49-year-old Elizabeth Healy of Portage, whose leg of the relay began in Lake Superior. We had people following us at different parts along the way. We get into the Soo locks and there's people with signs, you know, cheering us on, and some of them had waited there upwards of an hour and had signs for us.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As expected, there have been challenges along the way.

We had swimmers who had various issues, Dreyer said. We had a respiratory issue. We had severe cramping where we lost two swimmers in a stage. We got some swimmers driving all the way up from Chicago to take their place. And then we had a major squall yesterday, like 57-mph sustained winds. So it got really, really harrowing for them out there yesterday.

Man, it was a crazy experience, to say the least, said Quinton Bernard, 26, of Allendale, whose swim began near Presque Isle. His wife, his mom and his in-laws came out to cheer him on. It was a crazy knowing that this was a once-in-a-lifetime, historic event that I was able to be a part of, but also getting out there on the open water was an eye-opening experience in and of itself; just how tough it was swimming out there. It was very, very hard. We were dealing with a headwind, so if you would stop swimming the current would pull you back.

Then the boat broke down.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now, any interruption in the schedule could have a ripple effect, Dreyer said, putting the whole endeavor at risk.

It could be a substantial delay, and then we have to figure out how that would work because people have made their travel plans, they've made a three-day commitment to be here, he said. And we could be well outside that three-day commitment if we're waiting on a boat. And then we don't know if we can count on anybody at all. And then we're looking for all new swimmers. I mean, that would be unbelievably horrible. It'd be a nightmare.

Stage three swimmers in the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim wave goodbye as they set out on the morning of Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

The boat is piloted by a licensed captain and first mate, and includes a doctor, while Dreyer acts as a rescue swimmer for anyone struggling in the water. All of them are now waiting ashore in limbo.

Everyone involved says theres more at stake than just a novel commemorative event.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its very important not just for the swimmers, but its important just to finish what we started, to carry this out in memory of all the lives lost. Bernard said. It's a new way of bringing new light to a very tragic and serious moment in history. Everyone has put so much time and energy into fundraising and making this thing happen. And now we're here, and we just cant stop now.

Anyone interested in helping secure a new boat is asked to contact Jim Dreyer at eventmarketing@Comcast.net.

You can reach John Carlisle at jcarlisle@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Here's why the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim might not finish
HONOLULU (KHON2)  A shooting at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on the evening of Aug. 9 left one in critical condition, base officials said.

The shooting occurred in the housing area at the Wahiawa Annex at approximately 5:45 p.m., according to officials.

1 critical in Chinatown acid attack

An unknown victim was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition, with the alleged shooter in base security custody, JBPHH said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The investigation will be conducted by base security forces, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division.

There is no active threat to the Wahiawa Annex following the 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 KHON2.
(KRON)  A suspected thief bit an officer while resisting arrest, according to the Colma Police Department.

Colma police officers responded to a theft at a Target on Junipero Serra Boulevard at around 12:21 p.m. on Aug. 2. Police were informed that two women were loading items into personal bags.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the loss prevention officers, who informed Colma police of the suspects identities. After police informed the suspects that they were being detained, and ordered them back into the store. One of the suspects complied, and the other walked past officers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

San Mateo police stop stolen Lexus with tire immobilization device

The suspect who did not comply was identified as San Francisco resident Ada Mendozaortiz. According to Colma PD, officers told her she was being detained and ordered her back into the store, and she refused, walking around the officers.

Photo: Colma PD

Authorities attempted to detain Mendozaortiz. A struggle ensued after she resisted, per police. Mendozaortiz, according to Colma PD, kicked at officers and placed her arms inside her sweatshirt to deter officers from handcuffing her. Police also said she bit a Sergeant on his left arm, causing the skin to break.

Despite Mendozaortizs resistance, police were able to arrest her.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Per police investigation, Mendozaortiz had a $2,500 misdemeanor warrant.

Mendozaortiz was arrested and booked into the San Mateo County Jail for obstructing/resisting an officer, causing injury, battery against an officer, conspiracy to commit a crime, shoplifting and her warrant.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
A parent was arrested after shots were fired into the air at a Charlotte back-to-school community health fair Saturday, media outlets reported.

Police arrested a woman in connection with the incident at C.W. Williams Community Health Center in the 3300 block of Wilkinson Boulevard, Charlotte Observer news partner WSOC reported.

Shots were fired after the 11th annual event ended, according to the station.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On social media site X, MEDIC said it didnt respond to the center.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police released no information about the incident.

U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, D-Charlotte, and other elected officials attended the event, Queen City News reported. No injuries were reported, according to the station.

Center officials didnt immediately reply to a request for comment from the Observer.

Congresswoman issues statement on shooting

Adams congressional office issued a statement on her behalf Saturday evening:

Im grateful that no one was injured at C.W. Williams Back to School Community Health Fair after the reported shooting and I want to thank the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for their quick response to the incident, Adams said in the written statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For 11 years, C.W. Williams Community Health Center has hosted this incredible event, providing healthcare and school supplies to our families and children ahead of the new school year. They have been a longtime pillar in Charlotte, especially for our underserved communities, and I want to thank them for hosting todays event and for all the work they do.

This is a developing story.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Memphis comedian was shot on Saturday night while in Charlotte for a tour.

Mario Grove Hero Bradley posted on his Facebook page on Sunday morning, saying he was shot and that he wont be able to walk.

According to Medic, the shooting happened around 9 p.m. on Saturday on the 3300 block of Freedom Drive. A police report from CMPD three people were shot, including Bradley. All were hospitalized with serious injuries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bradley, in the same Facebook post, said he was shot in the spine. He said he would be continuing the tour Sunday morning at the same spot where the shooting happened.

Im in a wheelchair Im going to the same spot, Charlotte, that I got shot in I cant even walk The tour must go on, Bradley said in a video.

According to his Instagram page, his For My People Tour was in Charlotte on August 7-9. His next stop is in Gaffney, South Carolina, on August 10.

Police have not said what led to the shooting, but did report that an unknown person discharged a firearm into a group of people standing in the parking lot. They did not say if anyone is in custody.

This is a Developing Story . Check back 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 Queen City News.
A Montanan skydiver has died after apparently colliding in mid-air with another skydiver during a group event in Montana, local outlets KPAX News and NBC Montana reported.

The tragic incident occurred on Monday, August 4, at approximately 9:45 a.m. local time during the annual Lost Prairie Boogie event in Marion, hosted by Meadow Peak Skydiving. Two skydivers jumped over the same area at roughly the same time before realizing they were on a collision course with one another.

One of the skydivers was able to delay their parachute deployment and land safely. Unfortunately, the second skydivers parachute deployed automatically, causing a violent collision. Both athletes were treated at the scene, but tragically, the second skydiver died on site. The victims name has not been released. First responders cleared the injured man after he was treated.

Related: Woman Wins Ultra-Rare Jackpot with $20 Scratch-Off

The Flathead County Sheriffs Office extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and skydiving community affected by this tragic loss, the FCSO said in a news release. "Our hearts are broken," a spokesperson for Meadow Peak Skydiving told the Daily Inter Lake. "This is a devastating loss, and our deepest sympathies are with the [parachutist's] family, friends, and the entire sky diving community," the representative added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This years Lost Prairie Boogie event was the 58th annual celebration. The Daily Inter Lake reported that the most recent casualty marks the fourth death to occur at the event in the last 15 years, following casualties in 2010, 2011, and 2019. The Flathead County Sheriff's Office, Meadow Peak Skydiving, the United States Parachute Association, and the Marion Fire Department are continuing to work on a joint investigation into this years death.

Related: The Who's Roger Daltrey Makes Solemn Promise After Ominous Health Update Ahead of Farewell Tour

Skydiver Dead After Fatal Mid-Air Collision at Group Event first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 8, 2025
Weather watches and warnings

A live data feed from the National Weather Service containing official weather warnings, watches, and advisory statements. Tap warning areas for more details. Sources: NOAA, National Weather Service, NOAA GeoPlatform and Esri.

Open





San Luis Obispo County can expect a small heat wave while smoke from the Gifford Fire spreads throughout the atmosphere.

An upper-level, high-pressure system over the southwestern United States will keep temperatures above seasonal norms through Wednesday, while a gentle onshore flow along the coastline will allow low marine clouds to linger along the coast for much of the day.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Cooler temperatures and strengthening northwesterly winds will bring increasingly clear skies to the beaches later in the week.

Gentle to moderate (8 to 18 mph) afternoon northwesterly winds, becoming light and variable overnight through Sunday, will allow the marine layer to linger along the beaches for much of the day.

Overnight, low marine clouds will push into coastal valleys, bringing pockets of fog and occasional drizzle.

Overnight variable winds are expected to carry smoke from the Gifford Fire, burning in eastern San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, across much of the Central Coast.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

High temperatures in the inland valleys (Paso Robles) will range between the high 90s and low 100s through Wednesday. The coastal valleys (San Luis Obispo) will reach the high 70s to the low 80s, while the beaches will remain in the mid-60s.

The afternoon northwesterly winds will increase to moderate to fresh (13 to 24 mph) levels on Monday through Wednesday, further building into strong to gale-force (25 to 38 mph) levels along the coastline on Thursday through Friday. These winds will help to produce clearer skies during the afternoon along the coastline, especially on Thursday and Friday.

The upper-level, high-pressure system responsible for the above-normal temperatures will weaken, while a trough of low pressure will develop along the West Coast, resulting in cooler temperatures on Thursday through Friday.

High temperatures in the inland valleys will range from the upper 80s to low 90s, while coastal valleys will reach the low to mid-70s.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Most beaches will stay in the low 60s, except for south-facing spots like Cayucos, Avila Beach and Shell Beach, where highs could climb into the low 70s on Thursday and Friday.

Northwesterly winds will ease by next weekend, allowing the marine layer to linger more along the coast, while seasonal temperatures will develop farther inland.

Throughout the week, expect periods of subtropical mid-to high-level clouds to stream over the area from the southwest.

Looking ahead, the infamous El Nothing or El Nada, or perhaps a La Nina is forecast to continue through this winter in Nino 3.4, a region of sea surface temperatures in the central equatorial area of the Pacific Ocean. This area is the standard for classifying El Nino events (warmer than normal sea surface temperatures) and La Nina events (cooler than normal sea surface temperatures).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The fortune-telling sea surface temperature cycles in Nino 3.4 are categorized by the amount they deviate from the average sea surface temperature over a three-month period.

La Nina conditions tend to produce below-average rainfall in Central and Southern California, while El Nino years often see above-average rainfall.

The Climate Prediction Center projected that the chances of La Nina conditions will increase this fall and winter, but remain comparable to El Nino Southern Oscillation neutral.

With that said, the predicted neutral condition, or La Nina, may happen within the context of a larger climate event, a cool phase of the basin-wide Pacific Decadal Oscillation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Pacific Decadal Oscillation is a long-term fluctuation of the Pacific Ocean that waxes and wanes between cool and warm phases approximately every five to 20 years.

The cool phase tends to intensify La Nina or diminish El Nino impacts around the Pacific basin, according to Bill Patzert, a retired climate scientist at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.

In other words, there is a growing likelihood that we will experience another winter with below-average rainfall.

Surf report

A 3-to 5-foot northwesterly (300-degree, deep water) sea and swell (with a 7-to 11-second period) is forecast through Wednesday, increasing to 6-to 8-feet with the same period on Thursday into Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As the northwesterly winds decrease, a 2-to 4-foot northwesterly (290-degree, deep water) swell (with an 8-to 12-second period) is expected next Saturday and Sunday.

A 1-to 2-foot Southern Hemisphere (220-degree, deep water) swell (with an 18-to 20 -second period) will arrive along our coastline on Sunday, increasing to 2-to 3-feet (with a 16- to 18-second period) on Monday. This swell will peak Tuesday at 3-to 4-feet (with a 15- to 17-second period), gradually decreasing Wednesday through Friday.

Surface seawater temperatures will range between 54 and 56 degrees through Wednesday, decreasing to 52 to 54 degrees on Thursday through Friday.

On this date in weather history (Aug. 10)

1987: An early evening thunderstorm in Wyoming produced hail up to 2 inches in diameter from Alva to Hulett. Snowplows had to be used to clear Highway 24 south of Hulett, where hail formed drifts two feet deep. (The National Weather Summary)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

1989: One of the most severe convective outbreaks on record came to a climax in southern California after four days. Thunderstorms deluged Benton, with 6 inches of rain falling two days in a row. Flooding resulted in damage to homes and highways. (Storm Data)

2016: The upper-level trough over California produced much cooler temperatures in the North County. Paso Robles only reached 79 degrees, which was 20 degrees cooler than the previous days high of 99 degrees.

2017: The Dog Days of summer, which start on July 3, officially end each year on Aug. 11. Historically, this period followed the heliacal rising of Sirius  the Dog Star. Today, it is regarded as the hottest and most uncomfortable stretch of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Many people believe the phrase stems from the fact that dogs tend to be sluggish during the hottest days of summer.

This weeks temperatures

LOWS AND HIGHS, PASO ROBLES

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN 56, 98 57, 99 58, 101 55, 100 53, 90 54, 89 55, 91 58, 94

LOWS AND HIGHS, SAN LUIS OBISPO AND COASTAL VALLEYS

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN 55, 83 56, 78 56, 83 54, 82 53, 74 53, 73 54, 73 54, 72

John Lindsey is a retired PG&E marine meteorologist. Email him at JohnLindseyLosOsos@gmail.com or follow him on X @PGE_John.
The Slocum Independent School District Board of Trustees proposed two new tax rates for the upcoming school year during a called board meeting Monday.

The board approved a new Maintenance and Operations and Interest and Sinking rate. Those rates were 0.7552 for Maintenance and Operations and 0.1587 for Interest and Sinking rate.

The M&O rate is in regards to day-to-day operations, while the I&S rates is used to repay debt incurred for new schools or facilities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The board also reviewed the proposed budget for the year and scheduled a budget and tax hearing for their next meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19 at the Malon Reed Conference Room at 5765 E. State Hwy 294 in Elkhart.

The final item they approved was the Anderson County Appraisal District proposed budget.
The central government is strengthening farmer-friendly policies and a technology-based, transparent system. In this regard, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a historic crop insurance claim disbursement event is being organised on 11 August 2025 in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said in a release on Sunday. This programme will be chaired by Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, with Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma as the Chief Guest. Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare Bhagirath Choudhary, Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Dr. Kirodi Lal Meena, local public representatives, farmer leaders, and senior officials from the Ministry and the state government will be the special guests. The programme will be held on Monday, August 11, at noon at the Jhunjhunu Airstrip, with large participation of farmers from Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jaipur, Kotputli-Behror, and other districts, while lakhs of farmers from various states across the country will join virtually. As part of an important initiative by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to ensure the economic security of crores of farmers in rural India, for the first time in the country, over Rs 3,200 crore in crop insurance claim payments will on August 11 be digitally transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the bank accounts of more than 30 lakh farmers. Out of this, over Rs 1,100 crore will be disbursed to more than 7 lakh farmers in Rajasthan. According to the Union Minister, under the state-wise claim distribution, farmers in Madhya Pradesh will receive Rs 1,156 crore, farmers in Rajasthan will get Rs 1,121 crore, farmers in Chhattisgarh will receive Rs 150 crore, and farmers in other states will get Rs 773 crore, directly. The Union Minister stated that technology and transparency are key aspects of this scheme. Farmers will receive timely crop insurance claim payments, which will improve their financial situation, boost investment confidence, and enhance their ability to face uncertainties in farming. The Union Agriculture Minister informed that the Government of India has implemented a new simplified claim settlement system in farmers' interest, where claims can be paid proportionately based only on the central subsidy without waiting for the state's premium contribution. From the Kharif 2025 season onwards, if a state government delays its subsidy contribution, it will be penalised at 12%, and similarly, if insurance companies delay payments, farmers will receive a 12% penalty. The Union Minister further said that since its launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016, the scheme has covered over 78 crore farmer applications and disbursed claims worth Rs 1.83 lakh crore, while farmers have paid only Rs 35,864 crore in premiums. This means an average claim payout of more than 5 times the premium, indicating the government's farmer-friendly policy. He also highlighted that, in recent years, several technological innovations such as YES-TECH, WINDS portal, AIDE mobile app, Krishi Rakshak Portal and Helpline number 14447 have been implemented. These have not only improved the claim settlement speed and transparency but also enhanced weather data accuracy and provided farmers with registration facilities at the village level. He stated that the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana empowers farmers for their hard work and strengthens the resolve of building an Atmanirbhar Bharat. (ANI)
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico claimed that Kyiv would "have to pay dearly" due to what he blamed was the West's failure to weaken Russia by using Ukraine, ahead of the scheduled Putin-Trump meeting on Aug. 15.

"Everyone already knows that the conflict has serious roots in recent history, that it has no military solution, everyone already knows that Ukraine's membership in NATO is impossible," Fico claimed on social media, as cited by Slovak media Dnes24.

Fico used an African proverb of "grass" and "elephants" against Ukraine, saying that: "No matter how the elephants' negotiations on Aug. 15 turn out, the grass will suffer - in this case, Ukraine."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry immediately condemned Fico for being "openly offensive rhetoric against Ukraine and the Ukrainian people," and warned against using "unfriendly folklore allegories."

"This is frivolity that insults the memory of the dead, the suffering of millions of Ukrainian families, and the sacrifice of those fighting for freedom," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on its website on Aug. 10.

The tensions between Ukraine and Slovakia, a member of the EU, come as U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin plan to meet in Alaska for talks on ending the war in Ukraine on Aug. 15.

CNN earlier reported that Ukraine's participation following the Putin-Trump meeting is not ruled out, but it is so far not named as among the participants of the Alaska summit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

More than three years into the full-scale war, some European countries, including Slovakia and Hungary, have maintained friendly ties with Moscow despite the criticism from Kyiv and other Western alies.

Fico visited Moscow in December 2024 and has been fostering closer ties with Moscow.

Read also: From unity to uncertainty: Central Europe reconsiders its Ukraine stance

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
An update to this story can be read here.

A structure fire that broke out in L.A.s Harbor Gateway area proved to be a difficult and dangerous one to contain overnight.

The Los Angeles Fire Department first stated that crews were sent out to the 16000 block of Vermont Avenue just after 4:30 a.m. Sunday. The first arriving crews found flames on the exterior of the building, which, according to preliminary estimates, measured 300 feet by 200 feet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Changing conditions prompted crews to switch from an offensive to a defensive position, the department later said.

Firefighters have transitioned to a defensive firefighting mode due to changing conditions. The outside fire has extended into the attic, officials said in the second of three emergency alerts put out regarding the incident. A small explosion occurred and [was] showing roof compromise.

Video from the scene posted to the Citizen App shows at least one firefighter battling the flames on the roof when a fireball exploded through. The crew member quickly rushed from the immediate area, escaping via a ladder, and did not appear to be badly hurt.

A small explosion was reported during an early-morning fire near a battery storage facility in Los Angeles on Aug. 10, 2025. (Citizen App) A small explosion was reported during an early-morning fire near a battery storage facility in Los Angeles on Aug. 10, 2025. (Citizen App) A small explosion was reported during an early-morning fire near a battery storage facility in Los Angeles on Aug. 10, 2025. (Citizen App)

Crews were still reported to be in a defensive position at 6 a.m. after it was found that the blaze broke out in or around a large battery storage facility and subterranean electrical vault, LAFD said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

By that time, the flames had been contained to a one-story part of the building. It was also announced by authorities that additional resources were being sent in to determine structural integrity and help with the hazardous atmosphere.

By 7 a.m., white smoke was seen billowing into the sky, indicating crews had gotten a hold of the flames.

No injuries were reported to civilians or firefighters right away. It is not immediately known what started the fire.

Hazardous material specialists are monitoring air quality and water runoff in the area, and crews with the L.A. Department of Water and Power were also sent out to the scene to de-energize the structure for additional safety.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Fire officials confirmed around 11 a.m. Sunday that it took over 140 firefighters five hours in defensive mode to completely contain the complex fire and mitigate safety hazards.

Multiple LAFD units, including Hazmat, will remain on scene to monitor and control any fire or life safety hazards due to the large amount of lead-acid batteries burning at this commercial occupancy, LAFDs latest incident alert stated.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
In the early morning hours of Dec. 16, 2022, St. Paul, Minnesota, homicide detectives Abby DeSanto and Jennifer O'Donnell were called to a downtown apartment building to investigate a reported suicide. A 32-year-old woman named Alexandra Pennig had been found dead in her bathroom with a single gunshot wound to the head.

For the detectives, what really happened to Pennig is something that still haunts them to this day. And it's the question at the center of "The Strange Shooting of Alex Pennig," reported by "48 Hours" contributor Natalie Morales. An encore of the episode is streaming on Paramount+.

Matthew Ecker, left, and Alex Pennig / Credit: Terri Randall/Mary Jo Pennig

When detectives DeSanto and O'Donnell arrived at the apartment, they found out Pennig had not been alone at the time of her death. A man named Matthew Ecker was also there. Ecker and Pennig were both nurses and had met two years earlier when they worked at the same clinic. Ecker told first responders the gun was his, and that Pennig had grabbed it, locked herself in the bathroom, and then fired the shot. "I thought everything was fine," he said. "And then she just grabbed the gun." Ecker told first responders that after he heard the shot he immediately broke open the bathroom door: "I tried to do what I could. And then I washed my hands  That's why I don't have anything on my hands." Ecker said he then called 911. But it was too late. He said he didn't know why Pennig would do this.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In Pennig's apartment, there was alcohol and six bottles of prescription medication, including antidepressants, all prescribed to Pennig. For the detectives, it suggested Alex might have been depressed, and they wondered if Ecker's story that she took her own life was true.

But they also noticed something that seemed to contradict Ecker's story. He had said he washed his hands in the bathroom sink before calling 911, but DeSanto recalled the first responders told her the sink was dry. "The sink was dry. If he had said, you know, he called the police right away, that sink probably would've been still wet," DeSanto explained, "but it was very dry in there."

When O'Donnell looked into Pennig's background, she learned from Alex's parents that Alex had struggled in the past with depression and addiction. "I had asked, um, if she had been suicidal in the past, um, and dad said, she had, um, tried, uh, to overdose before," said O'Donnell. According to Alex's father, Jim Pennig, several years prior, Alex had taken a handful of pills "and then had told her mom that she was attempting suicide." After that, Alex's parents told the detectives they sent her to rehab, and she eventually got clean. Despite her past struggles, Alex's parents told O'Donnell they had just seen her at Thanksgiving. And her mom, Mary Jo Pennig, had just talked to her that evening. "She was doing well," she said. For them, the idea that their daughter had died by suicide did not make sense. "Knowing your kid, it didn't fit," Mary Jo Pennig said.

Since Ecker was the last person to see Alex Pennig alive, the detectives zeroed in on him. "He's the only one that can tell us what happened. He was the only one that was there," said O'Donnell. They questioned Ecker about what had happened that night. He said he and Alex Pennig had gone out to several local bars, and when they arrived back at her place, everything was fine: "We were laughing on the way home," said Ecker. DeSanto asked him if, once they got into the apartment, they had gotten into a fight. Ecker said they did not.

DET. ABBY DESANTO: You guys weren't arguing or anything? MATTHEW ECKER: No. DET. ABBY DESANTO: There's no fight with you two? MATTHEW ECKER: Not between us.

For hours, Ecker continued to say Pennig had locked herself in the bathroom, fired the shot and then he broke open the door to try and help her: "That gun went off behind a closed door  I did not shoot her."

This small piece of metal from a bathroom door lock was found under Alex Pennig's body. / Credit: Ramsey County District Court

But the detectives had their doubts. Then they got a call from the forensic unit that was still processing the scene. And according to O'Donnell, what they found changed everything. "Once Alex was moved, they found underneath where Alex had been laying was a round metal piece," she said. It was the shape of a ring, and about the size of a quarter. O'Donnell said it was part of the lock from the bathroom door, and the fact that it had been discovered under Pennig was key. "For us, it meant that the door was forced open before she was shot."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The detectives felt the discovery of the metal ring proved Ecker had lied and had not broken the door open after he heard the shot. The detectives suspected Pennig and Ecker had argued and that she had locked the bathroom door to get away from him. Then Ecker broke open the door, the metal part broke off and fell to the ground, and then he shot Pennig and she landed on top of it.

Ecker was charged with second-degree murder. In February 2024 he was convicted and later sentenced to 30 years.

At 75, "Sunset Boulevard" is ready again for its closeup

Pat Seftel on her move

Passage: In memoriam
As Fartun Hashi Warsame serves cardamom-spiced tea at her shop, she often overhears worried chatter about the al-Shabaab militants closing in on Mogadishu.

If customers notice she is listening, they drop their voices.

Speculating about whether al-Shabaab might reach Somalias capital, or speaking about the governments failings, are dangerous topics, even if they are commonplace.

In a city full of secret police, residents never know who might be listening.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Everybody senses it: the war is raging outside Mogadishu and al-Shabaab keep getting closer, Mrs Warsame says. If al-Shabaab keep taking territory, then its obvious that the same fate will await Mogadishu.

Surveillance is everywhere, but sometimes you cant hold back from the obvious. Everybody is aware of the situation and many are concerned.

Al-Shabaab has launched a sweeping offensive, capturing dozens of towns and villages in regions around the Somalian capital since February.

The ambitious advance by one of al-Qaedas most successful affiliates has overturned several years of recent gains made by an internationally recognised federal government, which increasingly finds itself isolated in Mogadishu.

0908 Somalia control map

An African peace-keeping mission and a sharp escalation in US air strikes under Donald Trump have failed to stop the push.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The militia, which is declared a terrorist organisation by the US and the UK, is meanwhile trying to shed its reputation for repression and murderous suicide bombings.

Waging a patient hearts and minds campaign in its quickly spreading territory, the group promises Islamic law, justice and order, rather than the corruption of the government.

To many international observers, such echoes of of words and conditions in Afghanistan before the Talibans 2021 victory are concerning.

Donors, including the UK, who have poured billions into a faltering nation-building effort are disillusioned and weary.

Its absolutely similar [to 2021 Afghanistan], and for good reason, says Ashley Jackson of the Centre on Armed Groups, who has researched both the Taliban and al-Shabaab.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Both governments are these creations of the global war on terrorism, and similar models of stabilisation were followed in both countries. And this created and sustained predatory, corrupt governments more consumed with self gain than legitimacy or service delivery.

The Taliban and al-Shabaab are very structurally, militarily and ideologically similar, she says, though al-Shabaab allows girls to go to school.

As al-Shabaab has this summer stormed across the Hiiraan, Lower Shabelle and Middle Shabelle regions, there has been heavy fighting only 25 miles or so from Mogadishu.

Credit: Al-Kataib Media Foundation via Twitter

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Surprisingly, inside the increasingly isolated city, security is better than it has been for years.

The indiscriminate al-Shabaab suicide bombings that used to kill hundreds at a time have largely stopped. Shrapnel marks and bullet holes have been plastered over. High-rise blocks, hotels and restaurants have sprung up.

The government angrily rejects speculation that the city is threatened, worried it will scare off donors and international backers who live in fortified compounds near the airport.

Ismail Osman, former deputy director of Somalias national intelligence and security agency, said last week: Mogadishu is not falling. Mogadishu is standing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In fact, it is standing taller every year, supported by a population that is tired of war, energised by opportunity, and determined to never again allow terror or foreign indifference to define its future.

Yet the prospect is widely discussed, including by the businessmen who have poured money into the capital.

Im thinking about leaving, says one businessman who declines to give his name. He returned from Canada to his homeland, but is now worried everything he has invested in shops and cafes will be lost if fighting reaches the city.

I returned here a decade ago, but even though then the city was plagued by rampant bombings and assassinations, I didnt have as much fear as I do today.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

No one knows what will happen next, thats why everyone is fearful, he says.

Most people in Mogadishu know that many towns and districts have fallen and there is fighting taking place near Afgoye [20 miles from Mogadishu].

One of my friends told me to spend the summer with him in Nairobi to see how things go, but I have put too much into this city. I wont leave now, but Ill make my decision soon.

Al-Shabaab, meaning The Youth in Arabic, emerged as the radical wing of Somalias now-defunct Union of Islamic Courts, which controlled Mogadishu in 2006, before being forced out by Ethiopian forces. The group vows to implement Islamic law and condemns democracy as a Western transplant. In 2012 the leadership swore allegiance to al-Qaeda.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The group became notorious for attacks inside Somalia and in neighbouring Kenya, where in 2013, its gunmen stormed the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, killing at least 67 people.

Several foreign jihadists are thought to have joined, including Samantha Lewthwaite, the British woman married to one of the 7/7 suicide bombers, and now known as the White Widow.

Al-Shabaabs resurgence would have seemed unlikely only two years ago. From mid-2022 a clan-based militia called the Macawisley pushed the group out of much of central Somalia with the backing of the army.

Yet those gains have been swept away after government successes later soured. Promises of development in the liberated areas went unfulfilled and the clan militia quickly started to prey on the population.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Al-Shabaab appeared to have been biding its time and has been able to retake much of the territory easily, often facing little local resistance.

Sympathisers with the group are not difficult to find, even with its blood-soaked record.

Al-Shabaab are feared but the government is hated. Its tough, explains Abdirahman Nur Hassan, a rickshaw driver in the capital.

The group has tried to project a softer face and relaxed some of the strictures in its territory, allowing people to use the internet and scaling back judicial executions and amputations. Prisoners of war are now being freed, rather than killed.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Last month the offensive took the strategic towns of Moqokori and Maxaas.

Overall, the Somali army has struggled to mount a cohesive counter-offensive, though this week it said it had retaken Bariire, a town south-west of the capital

The new 10-000 strong African Union peacekeeping mission (AUSSOM) of Ugandans, Ethiopians and Kenyans is distracted as it undergoes a transition and reportedly cannot pay its troops.

One army deserter said: Our morale was gone and with each town that fell one after another, we knew it was a matter of time before we were overrun and killed.

The former soldier, who declined to be named, said: The army will seize a town, then Shabaab will seize it and then the army would be back, but then Shabaab takes over once again. Its been going on for years.

Young soldiers are dying in large numbers and many dont want to keep dying for a lost cause because thats how many feel about the war with al-Shabaab.

Meanwhile, the federal government under Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is consumed by political infighting and appears to be calculating it will not be deserted by the international community.

The president has particularly courted Turkey as a protector, granting Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) exclusive rights to explore and produce offshore oil and gas.

Next years elections may be a more dangerous point for Mogadishu, says Ms Jackson, rather than an imminent al-Shabaab military offensive.

The group is more likely to be patiently positioning itself to take advantage of any electoral violence, or disputes between the federal states, that would seriously weaken the central government.

She said: I dont think Mogadishu is immediately in danger in military terms.

The fact that the people are even worried about it shows how little faith they have in the Somali government.

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 standoff at the Holiday Inn Express in Kings Mountain ended on Saturday when a man was found dead from a self-inflicted wound after an eight-hour negotiation with police.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Law enforcement negotiating with armed missing person in Kings Mountain hotel

Casey Justin Whitman, 38, of Inman, SC was located in a hotel room with a firearm during a well-being check related to a missing person report filed in South Carolina. The Kings Mountain Police Department, assisted by the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office, evacuated surrounding areas and attempted to negotiate with Whitman.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The incident began at approximately 8:05 a.m. when officers responded to the hotel. For safety reasons, officers retreated upon discovering Whitman with a firearm and initiated an evacuation of the hotel.

After nearly eight hours of negotiation, a gunshot was heard from inside the room. Attempts to contact Whitman were unsuccessful, leading officers to enter the room where Whitman was found with a self-inflicted wound.

Despite lifesaving attempts, Whitman was pronounced dead at the scene. The Kings Mountain Police Department expressed condolences to Whitmans immediate family.

The police presence remained at the scene for the investigation, but Woodlake Parkway has been reopened and the hotel property deemed safe.

WATCH: Kings Mountain couple survives 50-foot crash down embankment
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) acknowledged that the public is seeing higher prices as a result of tariffs imposed by President Trump, but he argued the trade overhaul is for the good of the country.

I think a lot of people are seeing higher prices. Our familys in the construction business, and we get a lot of our timber from Canada and other countries. Yes, its higher. Steel prices are up, but its for the good of the country, Norman said Saturday on Fox News when asked to explain the networks July poll showing that 55 percent of Americans disapproved of the presidents handling of the economy.

Norman, who is running to become South Carolinas next governor, told host Jon Scott, Should we expect high prices for a short time? Yes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But overall, we couldnt keep going the way we were going. The cancer in this country was letting other countries rule the day and tax our products, the South Carolina Republican said. And why should we run a deficit every month? And thats why this president is doing such a good job.

Trumps latest round of reciprocal tariffs took effect Thursday, impacting dozens of countries as the president realigns trade relations worldwide.

Nearly all imports will face a 10 percent tariff. Some countries, such as Syria, face a 41 percent tariff, while others including South Korea and Japan are staring down a 15 percent import tax.

And you cant go on  you know, poll numbers vary. They come up, they go down, but the bottom line is, hes doing the right thing, and it could come at a better time, and if things will get better here, Norman 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 The Hill.
SOUTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP)  A man has died following a two-car crash on College Highway in Southampton.

The Southampton Fire Department stated that at approximately 3:28 p.m. on Friday, crews were called to a motor vehicle accident on Route 10 in front of Cumberland Farms. The Easthampton Fire Department also provided mutual aid during the incident.

Man found guilty of second-degree murder in 2020 Worcester shooting

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Three individuals were injured as a result of the crash and were brought to hospitals in the area. The Northwestern District Attorneys Office stated that one of the victims, identified as 74-year-old Michael R. Laliberte of Southampton, died from his injuries at the hospital.

The other injured individuals are expected to recover. College Highway was closed between Gunn Road and Dunkin during the investigation and was reopened on Friday night.

The Southampton Police Department and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

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.
A lineman from southern Illinois and pilot from Missouri have been identified as the two people who died Thursday in a helicopter crash on the Mississippi River.

St. Louis media reported that the St. Charles County Regional Medical Examiners office released the names of the victims Friday. They were Michael Cody Curry, 37, of Ashley, Illinois, and Nicholas Fulton, 35, of Salem, Missouri.

The crash happened around 11 a.m. Thursday on the Missouri side of the river near Alton. The helicopter struck power lines, fell onto a barge and caught fire, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. Dallas Thompson, who spoke to reporters at the scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The helicopter was being used to transport crews performing work on the power lines, according to media reports. Curry and Fulton were contractors for Ameren. They were repairing and replacing tower lighting and marker balls, which make the wires visible to aircraft pilots.

We are saddened about todays tragic incident, Ameren said in a written statement to reporters on Thursday. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the victims families and colleagues. We will cooperate with the investigation.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

The helicopter involved in the crash was registered to Excel Helicopters in Salem, Missouri, according to reporting by KSDK, which cited information from the NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Excel Helicopters website states that Fulton and his father started the business together in 2015.

J.F. Electric in Edwardsville issued a public statement identifying one of the victims as an employee.

Our thoughts are with their loved ones, colleagues, and all those affected by this loss, J.F. Electric wrote in the statement from Thursday. We are providing support to our employees, including on-site grief counseling, and remain focused on caring for our team during this difficult time. J.F. Electric is cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities as they conduct their review of the incident.

The Washington County Emergency Management Agency also released a statement expressing its condolences.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of those whose lives were tragically cut short while on the job yesterday, including Michael C. Curry of Ashley, Illinois, a member of IBEW Local 702 , the local emergency management agency stated. This is a painful reminder of just how dangerous this work can be. The men and women who keep our communities powered, connected, and running put themselves in harms way every day, often in hazardous conditions and unforgiving environments.

We stand with Michaels family, friends, and brothers and sisters of the IBEW, as well as the loved ones of the other worker lost, during this difficult time. Our community grieves with you, and we honor the dedication and sacrifice of those who serve in these essential roles.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  This week on The Spectrum:

Three Ohio congressmen appear to have cracked the code for bipartisanship.

I want the tax code to work for people, and this is one example where people need additional help, Rep. Greg Landsman (D-District 1) said.

I do not believe that a family should be limited to have a child based on their geography or socioeconomic background, Rep. Max Miller (R-District 7) said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Learn about the tax credit theyre pushing for that could help thousands of couples struggling with infertility.

Some lawmakers at the Ohio Statehouse want to create a new registry for people who skip job interviews.

It just modernizes the hiring process and it holds applicants accountable, Ohio Rep. Bill Lorenz (R-Powell) said.

This bill is another answer looking for a question, Ohio Rep. Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) said.

Hear from both sides of the issue.

Helping members of the LGBTQ+ community tell their stories: why the Human Rights Campaign picked Columbus to kickstart a national effort.

President Donald Trump openly called for lawmakers in Texas to redraw congressional districts to favor Republicans. Is it a preview of what we can expect in Ohios redistricting battle this fall? Democratic strategist Spencir Dirrig and Republican strategist Matt Dole join the roundtable to weigh in.

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.
Aug. 9A Spokane County Sheriff's Office sergeant was killed Saturday morning after a motorcyclist struck the 34-year sheriff's office veteran who was assisting a motorist remove a hay bale from Interstate 90 near Cheney.

Kenneth Salas, 59, planned to retire next month and had 30 work shifts left before his death, Sheriff John Nowels told reporters Saturday afternoon near the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Project outside the Public Safety Building in Spokane.

"Everyone is in shock," Nowels said. "You can never mentally prepare for something like this to happen."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A pickup truck hauling a trailer with hay was traveling at about 7:50 a.m. east on I-90 near the Four Lakes exit with Salas following behind in his patrol vehicle, according to Washington State Patrol Sgt. Greg Riddell. The driver hauling hay noticed one of the hay bales shifted, so he slowed and the bale fell off the trailer, according to Riddell.

Riddell said the driver pulled over to the right side of the interstate and Salas used his patrol car, with his emergency lights illuminated, to block the left lane where the bale fell.

Salas and the hay driver then tried to remove the bale from the road, Riddell said.

A third vehicle driving in the left lane noticed the road hazard and moved to the right lane and a motorcyclist following that vehicle switched to the left lane, Riddell said. He said the motorcyclist noticed the stopped patrol car, slowed to avoid hitting it, but struck the patrol car and Salas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nowels said Salas used his radio to call for an ambulance. His fellow deputies and medical professionals provided medical aid.

Riddell said Salas was taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center where he died. The motorcyclist was also taken to Sacred Heart with a serious leg injury. The driver hauling hay was uninjured.

Salas' body was taken from Sacred Heart to the Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office, located east of downtown Spokane, in a procession of Spokane County Sheriff's Office, Spokane Valley Police Department, Spokane Police Department, WSP and Spokane Fire Department vehicles.

"It's a tough day for our community and for law enforcement," Nowels said. "Sgt. Salas was a friend of mine."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nowels said Salas, who he worked with for 28 years, was in his office Friday saying he planned to retire Sept. 30. He shared his post-retirement plans with Nowels and was at peace with his decision to retire, Nowels said.

"I'm glad I got to spend that moment with him and hear what his plans were," Nowels said. "It's a very tough time for the people who worked for him, who worked with him, because he was such a good and professional deputy."

Salas started his 34-year law enforcement career as a Spokane County corrections officer before joining the sheriff's office as a patrol deputy, according to a sheriff's office news release. Over the years, he also served as a school resource deputy, on the traffic unit and on the Emergency Operations Team.

Salas earned the rank of detective and corporal in 2004. He was promoted to sergeant five years later and assigned as the downtown dayshift patrol sergeant supervisor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Salas also served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a technical sergeant with the Washington Air National Guard.

Nowels said he investigated fatal traffic collisions with Salas for three years.

"He was a very important member of our team and he showed up day after day for 34 years serving this community," Nowels said. "And today, he ended up having to pay a price that no one should have to pay just by doing what was right and stopping to help somebody clear things out of the roadway. It's gonna take a lot for this agency and this community to process what happened to him."

Nowels called Salas extremely "technically savvy." He even designed some of the computer systems the sheriff's office used.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"He was just always somebody who got in and was willing to do the work. A great personality," he said. "He was the nicest man that you could ever hope to meet."

Salas, who leaves behind a wife, was always there for the men and women he served with, Nowels said.

"I think he took the idea of being a servant leader to heart," he said. "And I think the men and women who worked with him and worked for him would tell you that they just absolutely loved working for him."

Traffic on I-90 was backed up for miles in both directions, Riddell said.

WSP is investigating. Riddell said he's not sure whether anyone will be charged.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nowels said Salas was simply doing his job and sometimes traffic accidents happen.

"He wasn't doing anything that we wouldn't want him doing," Nowels said. "Just sometimes life throws curveballs and it did today."

This report will be updated.
Eminent figure in the global ophthalmic fraternity, Dr Harminder Singh Dua, visited Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi on August 02, 2025. He is presently the Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Nottingham, UK. He is celebrated worldwide for his groundbreaking contributions to corneal science, including the discovery of Dua's Layer of the cornea, the Ministry of Defence said in a release on Sunday. During his visit to the Department of Ophthalmology, Dr Dua expressed appreciation for the cutting-edge infrastructure, state-of-the-art equipment, clean & immaculate environment and the disciplined yet compassionate work culture at the hospital. "The facilities and standards at Army Hospital (R&R) match, and in some aspects even surpass, some of the best centres globally," he said. Prof Dua delivered a lecture on 'Steering the Ship: From Studentship to Leadership' to a diverse audience comprising senior faculty, postgraduate students, and healthcare professionals. His address explored the nuanced evolution from academic pursuit to visionary leadership, with insights drawn from his illustrious journey in medicine. Dr Dua was impressed by the upcoming Advanced Centre for Ophthalmic Visual Sciences, Joint Replacement Centre and Oncology Centre at AHRR. These centres are visionary projects being implemented under the guidance of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who has been a driving force in equipping the Armed Forces and making them future-ready. Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi has been instrumental in driving these initiatives. Prof Dua described the Armed Forces Medical Services and its healthcare system, spearheaded by DG Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, as a unique model of excellence, underpinned by integrity, service, innovation, and clinical acumen. Dr Dua has been a beacon of clinical excellence, academic mentorship, and surgical innovation for decades. His work has transformed the landscape of modern ophthalmology, and he continues to inspire generations of clinicians and researchers across the world. He was felicitated by the Commandant of the Army Hospital (R&R), Lt Gen Shankar Narayan, during the visit. (ANI)
SPRINGFIELD  What started as a small storefront in the citys South End with a few dozen employees has grown to multiple sites that employ more than 300 people.

Caring Health Center in Springfield, which works to provide culturally competent, accessible health care, turns 30 this year.

Recent changes to funding at the federal level have brought a certain set of challenges to the federally-funded community health center, but the center does its best to evolve with its patients needs, said Tania M. Barber, president and CEO of the center. She has worked there nearly as long as it has been open.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Our purpose is to reduce health disparities and comorbidities, Barber said.

The center, which receives financial support from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, is bracing for possible federal funding cuts, she said.

Were not sure what thats going to look like yet, she said. About 70% of the centers patients is enrolled in Medicaid.

Coming Medicaid reductions are expected to cost Massachusetts health care system $1.75 billion, affecting 250,000 people statewide, according to the Healey administration. Cuts to the health insurance program are slated to begin next year.

Lydia Sanchez, senior outreach and enrollment navigator, provides support to patients who have questions about health insurance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While changes are going to happen, I stay positive because its our priority to provide the best possible care, Sanchez said. Later on, we will be ready to deal with whatever comes our way.

Sanchez has been working for the center for 27 years. While she hasnt always worked in her current role, Sanchez explained her expertise is working with community members.

Everybody contributes to patient care and there is support from the team to be sensitive towards peoples cultures, she said. Were like a family.

Over the last three decades, the center has treated more than 21,000 patients. The number of visits to the center is five times that amount, said Barber.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It also has expanded to several facilities in Springfield that provide services including medical, dental and behavioral care in close to 80 languages.

Staying because of the interpreters

Lien Nguyen, interpreting supervisor for the center, has been working with the Vietnamese population in Springfield since 1995. She came to the job with experience from a refugee resettlement organization in the city where she was a case manager.

When I started, I was a case coordinator for the Vietnamese community and we had less than 30 Vietnamese patients, she said. That number has grown to at least 1,000 patients, she said.

As the immigrant population in Springfield has grown, Nguyen said she began interpreting, translating and doing outreach in the community to facilitate health care access.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Most people stay (being patients) here because of the interpreters, she said. We make sure everything is running smoothly.

Speaking a persons native language also helps the center educate them about the services offered there. For example, patients can learn about behavioral health services, which is a taboo topic in some cultures.

People hesitate to accept services, but we educate them the best we can, Nguyen said. For refugees who have been through so much in their home country, we know it will take time for them to accept that kind of care.

In addition to providing translation services during health care visits, Nguyen said her staff also assists patients to apply for citizenship or a green card and help them access to public benefits like social security and food assistance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For patients of the center, the interpreters predominantly translate into Arabic, Russian, Spanish, Swahili (various dialects of which are spoken across East Africa) and Vietnamese, Nguyen said. But in recent years, more and more patients have come to the center speaking other languages, such as Pashto (spoken in parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan) and Haitian Creole.

Expanding the center

In 2023, the center opened its Tania M. Barber Learning Institute, named after the centers president, to teach people interested pursuing careers as medical assistants, dental assistants and phlebotomists.

We provide the training to people who have an aspiration for health care, Barber said. A medical background is not required, she said.

The educational programs run less than a year long and accept about 20 people who learn the skills and then shadow a provider.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The center has also designed health care programs that aim to meet patients where they are at. For example, patients without access to transportation can request a Caring Health Center employee to pick up their prescription medications and drop it off at home.

The center also offers a vehicle that brings care right into the community, Barber said.

Recently, the center lost about eight providers due to staff retiring or relocating, but is actively recruiting, she said.

While there are new people onboarding and the center has expanded its capacity, Barber said that the loss of employees puts a major strain on the existing staff and deepens the crisis of a lack of primary care providers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There are 2,600 people on the waitlist for primary care at the center, and that number is climbing, she said.

Baby boomers are retiring and staffing shortages are contributing to the rising number of people on the waitlist, she said.

Despite facing the challenge of potential federal cuts and loss of employees, the center hopes for more progression in the next three decades and beyond.

We are the largest community health center in Western Massachusetts, she said. Our trajectory is growth oriented.

more news from Western Massachusetts

Read the original article on MassLive.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  The city of Springfield came alive on Saturday with the African Community Festival, celebrating heritage, pride, and culture.

Appliance stores see business boom during tax-free weekend

The Unity Hearts Foundation hosted its third annual celebration, kicking off at noon at Marshall Roy Park. It featured live performances, traditional dances, and unique dishes from across the African continent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We have to know where we come from, said Mercy Addo of Springfield. We see different cultures all over from Africa. I think its something very great.

Some drove in from East Hartford, Connecticut, to honor their West African heritage. The festival is also known for its annual cookout.

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.
The Brief

The City of St. Paul hack was in fact a ransomware attack, Mayor Carter confirmed.

Officials say the city must initiate a global password reset, calling the action "Operation Secure St. Paul."

Mayor Carter said the city had not paid the ransom and no data was stolen.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter explained the response to a ransomware attack that hit the city in late July.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The mayor says the city has not paid any ransom and there is no evidence that any data was taken.

What's next

St. Paul City officials say they must initiate a global password reset for about 3,500 employees over the next three days. This process is called "Operation Secure St. Paul" by city leaders.

This is part of the next step in the ransomware response, which includes securing the individual security of each city employee's user accounts and city-issued devices, officials say.

The goal is to gradually restore critical city systems after the process is complete.

City officials say the hack is "a very sophisticated attack" and that the FBI is leading the investigation parallel to the state's response, which includes assistance from the National Guard's IT division.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The attack also delayed the mayor's State of the City address.

Local perspective

In a written briefing, a city spokesperson said the limited resident data the city has access to is stored on cloud-based applications not impacted in this incident and remains secure.

St. Paul ransomware attack

The backstory

In late July, the City of St. Paul announced it had been forced to disconnect its tech systems amid a cyberattack. Gov. Tim Walz called in cybersecurity experts from the Minnesota National Guard to assist with the city's response. But, the attack has rendered many of the city's services inoperable.

St. Paul officials reiterated that 911 response will not be impacted and facilities remain open and operational for city services.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The city continued to deal with the fallout of the attack last week and told city residents they could still process things like permits and business license applications the old-fashioned way: on-paper and in-person.

The Source

This story uses information shared in documents from the city of St. Paul and Mayor Carter.
President Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening address on Aug. 9 rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal for Kyiv to cede Ukrainian territory to end Russia's war, warning that a lack of a "genuine peace" may give Russia the opportunity to reinvade.

Zelensky warned that if Russia does not face punitive action, it will eventually restart its aggression towards Ukraine, citing a lack of swift action during Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 as well as delayed assistance ahead of the start of the full-scale invasion.

"(Putin) was allowed to take Crimea, and this led to the occupation of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. He did not receive preventive punishment when he amassed a contingent on our borders. This led to the full-scale war and the occupation of even more parts of Ukraine. Now Putin wants to be forgiven for seizing the south of our Kherson region, Zaporizhzhia, the entire territory of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and Crimea," Zelensky said in his evening address.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We will not allow this second Russian attempt to divide Ukraine. Knowing Russia  where there is a second, there will be a third. That is why we stand firm on clear Ukrainian positions," the president added.

Zelensky's comments ahead of a planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin on Aug. 15 in Alaska, where the two parties will meet to reportedly discuss Putin's proposal of a ceasefire plan that involves halting hostilities in exchange for Kyiv ceding its eastern territories to Russia.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Aug. 9, citing European and Ukrainian officials, that discussions between the EU, Ukraine, and U.S. amounted to a rejection of Russia's proposal, instead offering a counterproposal to U.S. officials ahead of a planned meeting.

Earlier in the day, Zelensky firmly rejected the idea of ceding any Ukrainian territory to end Russia's war, stating that "Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupier."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Despite the rejection of the most recent proposal, Zelensky reaffirmed in his evening address his belief that Trump will be able to secure a just peace in Ukraine.

"I have not yet heard any of our partners express doubts about America's ability to ensure that the war ends. The President of the United States has the leverage and the determination," Zelensky said.

"Ukraine has supported all of President Trumps proposals, starting back in February. A ceasefire  all formats have been supported."

As Russia has continues to increase the frequency and intensity of attacks on Ukrainian cities, Zelensky and European allies have repeatedly called on the United States to implement additional sanctions on Russia to pressure Putin into a just peace. Despite his self-imposed deadline to impose fresh sanctions if no deal was reached, Trump failed on Aug. 8 to implement the new economic pressure.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Everyone can clearly see Putins tactics. He fears sanctions and is doing everything to get out from under them. He wants to exchange a pause in the war, in the killings, for the legalization of the occupation of our land," Zelensky said.

"We must end the war with a dignified peace based on a clear and reliable security architecture. Our partners are ready to help us with this," Zelensky concluded.

Read also: Ukraine, Europe reject Putins ceasefire proposal, present counterproposal to US ahead of Trump-Putin meeting, WSJ reports

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed in a phone call to actively cooperate with US President Donald Trump in preparation for his upcoming meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Source: Office of the UK Prime Minister

Details: As Prime Minister Starmers office reported, the conversation took place on the afternoon of 9 August.

Starmer and Macron discussed recent developments in Ukraine, reaffirming their unwavering support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and efforts to secure a just and lasting peace for the Ukrainian people.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They paid particular attention to US President Donald Trump's role in the peace process. Both sides welcomed his initiatives to end hostilities and agreed to coordinate their positions closely ahead of Trumps meeting with Putin.

The leaders also agreed to remain in close contact to coordinate further steps as part of international efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine.

Previously:

On 9 August, French President Emmanuel Macron said he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Macron emphasised the need for Ukraine and Europe to be involved in the future peaceful settlement of Russias war against Ukraine.

Later, the leaders of major European countries issued a joint statement calling on the US president to conduct negotiations with the Russian leader only on the condition of a ceasefire and guarantees to protect Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests.

Background:

On 8 August, the US president revealed plans to meet Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska on 15 August.

Trump stated that a future peace deal between Russia and Ukraine should involve "some swapping of territories".

In response, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy firmly declared that Ukrainians will not gift their land to the Russians.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
In recent years, countries around the world have demonstrated that clean energy isn't just good for the planet  it makes sense economically, earning money for investors and saving money for consumers. Some governments have embraced the new technology and its benefits, but some seem to be taking a step backward.

New Hampshire is one of the latter, as the state has redirected its renewable energy fund, which was poised to deliver clean energy solutions to small towns throughout the state, Canary Media reported.

What's happening?

New Hampshire has historically run on a tight budget without a sales or income tax. It's funded primarily by property taxes, and the citizens tend to resist any increases.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

However, the renewable energy fund didn't come from the taxpayers. Instead, it came from electric providers that didn't meet their legal obligation to provide enough renewable energy on their own. They pay into the fund, and the state uses that money to pay for renewable energy projects for communities throughout the state. New Hampshire took in more funds than it paid out, amassing a $15.3 million surplus.

At least, that's how it used to work. This year, the state has raided the fund, redirecting the majority of the money to the general fund and leaving only $1 million per year for programs, which, as of last year, historically cost $5 million per year.

"This is a big step backward for renewable energy in the state. There's going to be very little left over," said Nick Krakoff, senior attorney in the state for the Conservation Law Foundation, per Canary Media. "That means there would be basically nothing left for this municipal program."

Why is the reallocation of funds important?

In 2024, New Hampshire started a pilot project to install solar panels on municipal buildings in small communities. These towns, lacking the budget to invest in these upgrades themselves, stand to reap significant savings by doing so while reducing their pollution. The program was a major success, and many more communities had applied to be part of what was slated to become a permanent program.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now, it's extremely unlikely New Hampshire will be able to operate that program at all, since the funding is mostly gone.

"No one is telling us the program is dead, but it is possible that it will be impossible to run if there isn't funding for it," said Sarah Brock, director of Clean Energy New Hampshire's Energy Circuit Rider program, per Canary Media.

What's being done about the shortage?

For now, previously approved installations are going ahead as planned. Several small communities are going to reap the benefits of solar panels to power their town halls and fire stations.

The future of the program, however, is uncertain.

Should the government continue to give tax incentives for energy-efficient home upgrades? Absolutely No Depends on the upgrade 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.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Authorities issued a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Wichita man with dementia on Saturday. It has since been canceled.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says the 69-year-old was last seen Aug. 2 at Wesley Medical Center, 550 N. Hillside, where he was treated for minor discomfort and discharged the same day. He was reported missing to Wichita police on July 25 by his wife.

Police announced on Sunday afternoon that the man had been found safe with his family in Mississippi.

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.
A woman subjected to anti-Semitic abuse on social media says she was advised by police to stop posting on controversial subjects such as Gaza.

Heidi Bachram, who had Jewish family members murdered and taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct 7 attacks, was the subject of anti-Semitic posts by another user on X.

The account was eventually suspended for violating Xs rules with the posts, which contained anti-Semitic comments and cartoons showing stereotypically Jewish figures.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But Ms Bachram, from Brighton, said that instead of investigating who was responsible for the abuse, Sussex Police suggested she stop posting about controversial subjects such as Gaza.

Ms Bachram has been prominent in raising the plight of hostages still held by Hamas. On Oct 7, Tsachi, the cousin of Ms Bachrams husband, and his wife and two children were held at gunpoint on the floor of their home on Kibbutz Nahal Oz.

Mayan, Tsachis 18-year-old daughter, was murdered and Tsachi taken hostage. His family received confirmation in February that he had been killed in captivity.

Cruel jibes about Oct 7 victims

An account operated under the name NJimmytree is accused of bombarding Ms Bachram with abuse, calling her a scumbag, ugly Zionist and ugly faced pig.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One message stated: You have a face only a genocidal Zionist pig could like. Your brother-in-law should thank Hamas, because of them he never has to see your monstrosity of a face again.

Another of NJimmytrees posts showed a photograph of Mia Chem, a young woman kidnapped by Hamas at the Nova festival, with the jibe check out the beak on this one.

One particularly offensive post in November last year showed two images of a young womans profile and the comment: Imagine getting a nose job because your captors made you feel ugly because they didnt want to rape her.

The material posted also included stereotypical cartoons of Jewish men with large noses rubbing their hands, together with the comment: Why do you all look like this?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ms Bachram told The Telegraph: The constant abuse was scary. He seemed obsessed with posting my face and being nasty about my appearance. It just felt relentless.

When he posted about my husbands murdered relative, I felt sick. We are still in shock from Tsachis death and its a very painful time.

I couldnt believe someone would be so deliberately cruel.

Ms Bachram says police were reluctant to investigate the abuse. Instead, she says, she was told by a sergeant that what she tweets was politically sensitive and asked: Why dont you stop posting about it?

She added: He said I was making myself a target. I feel like Ive been victimised twice. Once by this cruel troll and secondly by the police. It was classic blame the victim stuff.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ms Bachram said the Sussex forces attitude to anti-Semitic posts appeared inconsistent.

Just two weeks before she reported the NJimmytree posts, an officer contacted her in order to alert her to an anti-Semitic message posted by a far-Right troll.

In response to a photograph shared by Ms Bachram of a memorial to Gaza hostages erected in Brighton which had been smeared with faeces, a user called NoticeBanned wrote on X on June 23: None of these people died in Brighton. F--- off Jew.

Sussex Police invited Ms Bachram to make a complaint about this abusive post, which she did, and officers are understood to have asked X to provide the ID of the NoticeBanned account, which has a history of anti-Semitic and racist abuse.

Force is reviewing complaint

Alex Hearn, of Labour Against Antisemitism, said: The inconsistency in policing these cases beggars belief. How can they be so proactive in one case and dismissive of another?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A Sussex Police spokesman said: We are aware of concerns which have been raised by Ms Bachram, and we can confirm that we have received a formal complaint.

Officers will review this complaint, and we are unable to comment further at this time.

Sussex Police takes a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime and there is no place for hate across the county.

We urge anyone impacted by hate crime to report it to Sussex Police, and remain committed to ensuring any reported offences are fully investigated in line with relevant legislation and taking all factors into account.

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 Stoughton man was arrested and charged with multiple drug and firearm offenses following a joint investigation by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Brian Price, 21, was taken into custody on Thursday and was charged:

Cocaine Trafficking (100 Grams or More)

Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug

Possession of a Firearm without a Firearms Identification Card

Possession of a Firearm While Committing a Felony

Possession of Ammunition without a Firearms Identification Card

Possession of a Large-Capacity Feeding Device

Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Law

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This investigation highlights the strength of collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, said Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara.

On Thursday, August 7, at approximately 7:45 a.m., police observed Price entering a GMC SUV during surveillance related to an ongoing drug investigation. He was arrested following a motor vehicle stop.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Prices residence on Page Terrace, where they seized two guns, 165 grams of crack cocaine, and drug paraphernalia.

Price was arraigned Friday in Stoughton District Court and held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for August 13.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Additionally, a 26-year-old Stoughton male will also be summoned to court on a charge of Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Law in connection with the investigation.

These are allegations; all those involved are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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
Michiganders can expect traffic tie-ups throughout the state this week as "orange barrel" season continues moving full speed ahead, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.

A slew of projects are underway across Detroit and Michigan this summer.

A 2024 report from the transportation analytics firm INRIX says Detroiters lose 20 hours every year sitting in traffic.

Here's what to know about new work starting this week to cut down on traffic time:

Upcoming MDOT construction projects

The following construction projects are set to start this week, according to MDOT, with travel advisories in effect:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

MDOT is investing about $1.5 million to resurface more than five miles of M-95 between Marquette County roads LLL and LLK near Republic, a news release says. The work is expected to start Aug. 11 and end early September.

MDOT will close south Meridian Road at M-43 in Ingham County for intersection rebuilding starting Aug. 11. The work is part of an ongoing project to replace the M-43 bridge over the Red Cedar River. The work is expected to end on Sept. 14, a news release says.

M-52 (Main Street) from Church Street to M-34 in Adrian is expected to start Aug. 11 and end Aug. 17. Work includes resurfacing, joint repairs and installing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant sidewalks. This work is part of the ongoing resurfacing project that began in May, an MDOT release says.

The westbound Interstate 96 ramp at M-6 near Grand Rapids will close Aug. 11 for maintenance. It should reopen Aug. 12.

MDOT will begin multiple lane closures on I-96 over M-99 (Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard) and Washington Avenue near Lansing for rebuilding on Aug. 12, as part of a three-year, $44 million project. The project includes rebuilding the eastbound and westbound I-96 bridges over Billwood Highway, the Grand River, M-99 and Washington Avenue.

The M-99 ramp to westbound I-96 will be closed Aug. 11 to Sept. 26 for resurfacing. The M-99 ramp to westbound I-96 will be closed. Traffic will be detoured via eastbound I-96, Exit 104, westbound Edgewood Boulevard to the first turnaround to eastbound Edgewood Boulevard, then straight to the westbound I-96 on ramp.

A $1 million project to resurface five miles of M-43 from Sheffield Road north to Bush Street in Barry County will result in lane closures from Aug. 11 through September. Both directions of traffic will share one lane and alternate via traffic regulators. Short-term intersection closures will be in place during paving.

How to check closures on all Michigan roads

The Michigan Department of Transportation maintains a website showing all construction, closures and other information for in-state roads.

Safe driving tips

Here are a few tips for driving where construction is taking place, according to MDOT:

Expect changes, Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may change, and workers, vehicles, or equipment may enter without warning.

Minimize distractions, Dedicate your full attention to the road. Avoid using phones or other distracting behaviors while driving in a work zone.

Obey workers and signs , Crews know what is best for moving traffic safely in work zones. Follow all signs and instructions to merge, slow down, or stop.

Don't speed or tailgate , Fines double for speeding in a Michigan work zone, so slow down. Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you.

Pay attention , Vehicles may slow, stop, or change lanes unexpectedly in a work zone. Watch for brake lights and be prepared to react to traffic.

Be patient and calm, Work zones are not there to inconvenience you. They are necessary to improve our roads and make your future drive better.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: MDOT road projects. Avoid these roads starting this week
Reinforcing the unified citywide effort to engage and equip private security personnel in safeguarding Delhi during the festive period, interaction-cum-briefing programs were organised on Sunday across all police districts of Delhi to reinforce the role of Private Security Guards as vital partners in maintaining law and order and acting as force multipliers for public safety. The primary objective of the meetings was to provide them with a briefing on security protocols and enhance their skills to identify and respond to potential threats. During the sessions, security guards were given a comprehensive overview of Do's and Don'ts related to their duties. To strengthen their operational readiness, security kits (cap, reflective jacket, baton, whistle) were also distributed to all the participants. SBK Singh, the new Commissioner of Police, Delhi graced the occasion and interacted with Praharis to motivate and inspire them for vigilant duty at two major programmes held at Multipurpose Hall, North Campus, University of Delhi in North district, attended by around 800 Praharis and also at auditorium of Lotus Temple in South-East District, attended by around 300 Praharis. In his address, CP Delhi lauded the complementary role of private security guards in strengthening public safety and emphasised the significance of their alertness & vigilance and also stressed that Praharis are an indispensable link in community policing and their cooperation enhances the reach, responsiveness, and effectiveness of law. Senior police officers, Ravindra Singh Yadav, IPS, Spl. CP/Law & Order (Zone-1); Madhur Verma, Jt CP/Central Range; Raja Banthia, DCP/ North, Nidhin Valsan, DCP/Central were present at the event held at Multipurpose Hall, North Campus, University of Delhi in North district and Madhup Tewari, Spl CP/Law & Order (Zone-1I); SK Jain, Joint CP/Southern Range and Dr Hemant Tiwari, DCP/South East District attended the event held at the auditorium of Lotus Temple in South-East district. In the interactive meeting, Praharis were advised to be proactive in conducting polite yet firm searching and frisking where required. Maintaining constant observation of people and surroundings. Immediately report suspicious persons or unusual activities to the police. Be alert to abandoned or unattended items and treat them as potential threats until cleared. Supporting the police in crowd management during Independence Day celebrations and festive times, added the police. (ANI)
Senate Republicans faced a choice recently: Remain in session and confirm more of President Trumps nominees, or finally abandon Washington for the vaunted August recess.

Senators hung around  a little while  knocking out some of the Presidents nominees for administration positions. But not all. That drew the ire of some conservatives, Trump loyalists and President Donald Trump himself.

Trump seethed at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for requiring the Senate to run lengthy parliamentary traps and incinerate valuable floor time to confirm even non-controversial nominees. The President finally unloaded on the New York Democrat in a digital coup de grace, telling him to "GO TO HELL!"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its notable that Trump has not yet met with Schumer or House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., during his second term. But then again, this is a two-way street. And Democrats remember multiple tumultuous meetings with Mr. Trump during the last time he was in office. It culminated in verbal grappling between the President and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, and ended with Democrats abandoning the meeting after only a few moments.

Trump Tells Schumer To 'Go To Hell' Over Senate Nominee Deal Funding Demands After Negotiations Collapse

So, its far from certain any such meeting would yield anything remotely productive.

Read On The Fox News App

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But back to the "August recess."

First, its important to establish that members of the House and Senate are not on "summer vacation." Sure, there are always some breaks to visit with family and friends. Lawmakers are people, too. But truly, this is not a "break." Lawmakers are always "on." Not everything they do is centered around Washington. Any congressman or senator worth their salt will tell you that spending time back in their home states or districts is just as important  if not more so  than what goes down on Capitol Hill. Meeting with constituents. Visiting businesses. Conducting town hall meetings. Stopping by local coffee bars. Breaking bread at diners. Chatting up the local press corps.

Members also use this longer respite for political travel and fact-finding missions overseas. These "CODELS"  short for "Congressional Delegation"  are a critical function for lawmakers to build bridges with foreign leaders and make their marks on how the U.S. approaches the rest of the globe. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., have recently led groups on trips to Israel. At least one other major trip is booked for later this month.

So, the "August recess" is not inherently a "bad" thing. Its an essential part of the job and probably one of the biggest misnomers in American politics.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Still, many Americans simply dismiss August as a "vacation" for House members and senators, and it is a challenging optic for Congress.

Which brings us back to the tension between staying in session to get "something" done and returning home.

Recess On Ice As Republicans Hunker Down For High-stakes Nominee Blitz

Its clear the Senate could have stayed in session to plow through more of President Trumps nominees. Schumer and other Democrats simply werent going to relent and allow Republicans to confirm a slate of nominees "en bloc." Thats where the Senate greenlights a large slate of nominees all at once and approves them either by unanimous consent or via voice vote. The Senate confirms the nominees all at once. The House certainly could have stayed in session to hammer out a few spending bills ahead of the deadline to fund the government by October 1.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But heres a stark reality  especially for the Senate:

Lawmakers and staff desperately needed a break.

Period. Full stop.

Since May, the Senate in particular has conducted multiple overnight, round-the-clock and weekend sessions. Not just a few. The Senate voted deep into the night or overnight on the Big, Beautiful Bill. Then the Senate was back for late-night sessions confirming nominees.

Yes. This is the peoples business. But the floor staff and support teams were exhausted. Senate leaders were mindful of that. And thats to say nothing of the lawmakers themselves.

Its anecdotal, but lawmakers probably needed a break from one another, too. That makes them happier  and probably more productive when they return to Washington.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But this still doesnt solve the political dilemma facing Republican senators with a substantial core of their party demanding they remain moored in Washington to grind out nominees.

And it may not satisfy President Trump, either.

Theres lots of Senate talk now about "changing the rules" to accelerate the confirmation of nominees.

One thing is for sure: the Senate wont change the "rules" to expedite the confirmation process. The Senate boasts 44 standing rules. It takes 67 votes to break a filibuster on an actual rules change. But what Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., could do is back the Senate into a special parliamentary posture where he can initiate a new "precedent" to confirm different types of nominees. Thats a maneuver that late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., executed to confirm some of former President Obamas nominees. The same with former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to confirm Supreme Court nominees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dems Dig In, Trump Demands All: Nominee Fight Boils Over In Senate As Gop Looks For A Deal

"New precedents" in the Senate require some complicated parliamentary wrangling. But only a simple majority is necessary to make good on this gambit for nominees. So, its easier and much more plausible than "changing the rules."

To the lay person, a new "precedent" doesnt sound important. But theres a reason why the Senate only has 44 standing rules and a voluminous book of precedents. You can accomplish a lot in the Senate if youre able to concoct a new precedent.

And note that its not just Republicans who want to change the way the Senate does things for some lower-tier, non-controversial nominees. Some Senate Democrats have expressed interest in changes, too.

President Donald Trump and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have strongly over the confirmation of a number of Trump's nominees for various administration positions.

There are only so many minutes and so many hours. Time is just as valuable to Democrats as it is to Republicans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Everyone on Capitol Hill knows that more long nights and overnight sessions await lawmakers in September and the fall as the Senate attempts to confirm additional nominees.

Thats to say nothing of avoiding a government shutdown in October.

This is why Senate Republicans elected to stick around for a bit recently  and then call it a day. Or a month.

After all, there is only so much time available in August.





Original article source: Summertime and the living is uneasy on Capitol Hill
Current Conditions

The Next Few Hours

Extended Outlook

After a Saturday scorcher marked one of the hottest days of the year, were in for another warm and humid day around Chicagoland on Sunday.

In may not get quite as sultry as Saturday, but high temperatures are projected to reach the upper 80s, with heat index values getting to about 90 or 95.

Bill Snyder: The heat is back

On-and-off showers and storms are also possible, but the main threat for rain will be in areas to the north and northwest, where soaking rains moved in Saturday and have caused flooding over saturated soil.

A Flood Watch is in effect for Lake and McHenry counties until 10 a.m. Sunday, while counties just over the border in southern Wisconsin are under a Flood Watch through Monday morning. As for Chicagoland, rainfall is likely to be more widespread on Monday than it is on Sunday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While cooler, less humid air is bringing some relief to areas west of Chicagoland, its not likely to reach our area until around Tuesday. That will bring a nice midweek cooldown, but not for long, because more heat and humidity are in the forecast by next weekend (see more below).

Beach forecast

Itll be a great day to beat the heat Sunday at Chicagolands Lake Michigan beaches.

The water temperature has climbed to the upper 70s in Chicago, now warmer than it was all of last year.

Daylight decreasing

Saturday night was the last night of sunsets at or after 8 p.m. for the rest of the year.

Weather Maps

Climate & Environment

Interactive Radar

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Weather Bug Cameras

7-Day Outlook

Weather Center Newsletter

Current Conditions

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Next Few Hours

Extended Outlook

Looking ahead, temperatures will dip to the seasonal low to mid-80s from Monday through Wednesday, though muggy air and afternoon showers or storms remain likely.

By next weekend, highs climb back into the low to mid-90s, as the dog days of late summer continue to bring heat and humidity to Chicagoland.

Total precipitation through Wednesday evening

Gargantuan rainfall totals are possible across northern Missouri, eastern Iowa and western Illinois, as a stationary front brings repeat rounds of thunderstorms.

Across the Chicago area, current modeling suggests 1 to 2 inches may be possible, but locally heavier in some areas due to thunderstorms.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

6-10-day temperature outlook

Another round of hot weather is possible later next week, according to the latest suite of computer models. The Midwest and Northeast have a high likelihood of seeing above to potentially much above normal temperatures during the Aug. 14-18 period.

Climate and Environment news: WGN Weather Center blog

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District held its annual back-to-school welcoming event at Truist Field Saturday morning with more than 12,000 students in attendance.

The district also gave away other supplies like notebooks and pencils.

Preparation is always important. Its awesome that people are getting prepared, theyre getting excited, theyre making sure that they have everything that they need, so then when they get to school on the first day, we can just hit the ground running, ready to learn, said CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill.

President Trumps tariffs come as parents start their back-to-school shopping, and theyre looking for good deals before prices potentially go up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the National Retail Federation, about 67% of back-to-school shoppers have already started to make purchases. Shoppers are expected to spend about $858 per family on clothes, school supplies, and electronics, down from last year.

MORE | No injuries after reported shooting at back-to-school event in west Charlotte: CMPD

Always a great thing. Even gave me one for a kid thats not here with me today. So that made me feel really good. Helps everyone save money any kind of way I can, said Jimisha McClain.

She says she spends more than $400 on school supplies alone. She was able to slightly relieve her wallet Saturday morning at the Kids Street Urgent Care back-to-school event.

The health care provider gave away 500 backpacks and school supplies, along with free pizza for the first 300 guests.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kids are going to be ready. Theyre going to have those supplies because theyre connected with our health and wellness team to make sure those immunizations are ready. So they can start off strong. And theres no doubt to be missing anything that they need for a successful school year. So its going to greatly impact them, said CMS Director of family and community engagement Latisha Hensley.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A majority of people in Germany support recognizing a Palestinian state, according to a new poll, a move the federal government currently rejects.

In the survey by the Forsa Institute for the foreign policy journal Internationale Politik, 54% of respondents answered "Yes" to the question: "Should Germany now recognize Palestine as its own state?"

Thirty-one per cent opposed the idea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The poll of 1,001 people in Germany was conducted in late July.

Support was slightly higher in eastern Germany (59%) than in the west (53%). It was also particularly high among those aged 18 to 29 (60%) and among people aged 60 and over (58%).

Among supporters of The Left party, 85% favoured recognition. Backing was also high among Green (66%) and Social Democrat (52%) voters.

Support was lower among supporters of the conservative CDU/CSU alliance (48%) and the far-right Alternative for Germany (45%).

The German government says it supports a two-state solution in which Israelis and Palestinians live peacefully side by side. However, it sees recognition of Palestine as the final step at the end of a negotiated peace process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nearly 150 of the United Nations' 193 member states already recognize Palestine. In light of Israel's ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip, which have left tens of thousands dead, more countries are preparing to follow suit.

President Emmanuel Macron has announced France will take the step in September. Canada and Britain have also pledged recognition, with certain conditions.




NEED TO KNOW

Authorities said Patrick Joseph White is the suspected shooter who carried out the deadly attack near the CDC headquarters and Emory University in Atlanta on Aug. 8

Police officer David Rose, a soon-to-be father of three, was killed in the shooting

White was increasingly vocal about his anti-vaccine stance in the months leading up to the shooting, according to his neighbors





Authorities have identified the man who fatally shot a police officer near the headquarters for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Patrick Joseph White is the suspected shooter who carried out the deadly attack near Emory University on Friday, Aug. 8, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The Kennesaw, Ga. resident, 30, died during the incident, which also resulted in the death of David Rose, an officer with the DeKalb County Police Department (DCPD).

New testimonies also reveal a potential motive, as neighbors told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that White began frequently bringing up his distrust of vaccines.

Nancy Hoalst, the man's neighbor of about five years, told the outlet, He was very unsettled and he very deeply believed that vaccines hurt him and were hurting other people. He emphatically believed that.

Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Law enforcement near the CDC headquarters in Atlanta on Aug. 6. Law enforcement near the CDC headquarters in Atlanta on Aug. 6.

I didnt know he had those tendencies, continued Hoalst, adding that she had no idea he thought he would take it out on the CDC.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Cody Alcorn, an Atlanta-based journalist at NBC affiliate 11 Alive, also spoke with the alleged shooters neighbors. He said in reporting shared on X that residents knew White was against vaccines" and that they noticed him looking slimmer recently."

Authorities initially theorized, after speaking to the suspected shooters family member, that White was either sick or believed that he was sick and blamed the illness on the COVID-19 vaccine, CNN reported.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

On Aug. 8, Atlanta police received 911 calls about an active shooter around 4:50 p.m. at 1600 Clifton Road, in front of the CDC campus, authorities said in a prior press conference.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The shooter was wearing a surgical mask, ear protection, and had two handguns, one rifle and one shotgun, according to CNN.

Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Bullet holes in the windows of the CDC headquarters on Aug. 9. Bullet holes in the windows of the CDC headquarters on Aug. 9.

On the scene, authorities discovered the critically injured Rose, 33, who later died of his injuries.

Officers heard gunfire inside a CVS at the nearby intersection and went inside the building, where they located White on the second floor. He had been hit by gunfire, though Schierbaum said it was unclear if the wounds were self-inflicted or from police fire. He later died at the scene.

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.

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the CDC campus "did receive multiple rounds into their buildings," but officials were not aware of any injuries that occurred there, per CNN. No civilians were injured, authorities said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rose leaves behind a pregnant wife and two children, CNN reported, citing DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson.

This evening, there is a wife without a husband, Cochran-Johnson said in a statement, per the outlet. There are three children, one unborn, without a father. There is a mother and a father, as well as siblings who also share in this traumatic loss."



Read the original article on People
[Attached video: Previous Fox 8 coverage]

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW)  The man accused of killing two of his relatives and shooting and injuring two Cleveland Heights police officers Thursday has been identified.

According to Safety Director Mansell Baker, the alleged shooter is 24-year-old Aaron Sharp. He will be arraigned Monday morning.

I-TEAM: 18-year-old shot at Cuyahoga County Fair during fight

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As FOX 8 has previously reported, police were responding to a shooting along North Taylor Road Thursday night that ultimately killed two people. It began as a domestic incident involving the alleged gunmans relatives, East Cleveland Mayor Lateek Shabazz said during a Friday press conference.

The two victims have since been identified as 82-year-old Charles Roscoe and 22-year-old Erik Sharp.

While responding to the scene Thursday night, Officer Joshua Durda was shot in the leg. As police surrounded the home and awaited a SWAT team, more gunfire was heard nearby.

Later, Officer Brandon Hernandez was shot in the buttocks at the Town House Motel on Euclid Avenue, about a mile from the initial scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Both officers were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Hernandez was released Friday. Durda remained hospitalized as of Sunday.

The Fox 8 I-team obtained chilling video showing the moments when the officers were shot.

Residents speak out after mayors wife indicted for incident at a home

Aaron Sharp was arrested Friday near the intersection of Shaw and Euclid avenues following an overnight manhunt.

East Cleveland officials said two other officers were also injured during the incident and are recovering at home.

With the loss of manpower, the Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Office is now helping respond to the citys calls for service.

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.
UPDATE:

MIAMI, Okla.  Authorities say a suspect has been identified in a hit-and-run incident early Saturday.

According to authorities, the driver of the GMC Sierra involved in the hit-and-run incident has been identified as a tribal member. The event occurred in the Ottawa Reservation and is under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Police Department.

PREVIOUS:



MIAMI, Okla.  Authorities are searching for a suspect in a hit-and-run collision

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Miami, Oklahoma Police Department say they responded to a vehicle crash around 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 9. According to authorities, a pickup truck struck a sedan before crashing into a building in the 300 block of E. Central Ave.

UPDATE: Officer involved shooting in Miami, Oklahoma

The driver of the pickup truck left the area before first responders arrived. The truck is believed to be a GMC Sierra, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Miami Police Department.

Photo from the Miami, Oklahoma Police Departments Facebook page

Multiple people in the sedan were medically transported with serious injuries.

This 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
CARLSBAD, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  One person was killed by a suspected DUI driver Saturday in Carlsbad, authorities said.

The incident occurred around 5:20 a.m. at the intersection of La Costa Avenue and Piraeus Street, the Carlsbad Police Department said in a news release.

Authorities say a Subaru crossover had collided with a Nissan pickup truck.

Sunset spectacle: Scrippshenge dazzles beachgoers at Scripps Pier

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The driver of the Nissan was taken to a hospital where they were pronounced dead. Their identity has not been released at this time.

Philip Webb, 33, of Oceanside, was identified as the driver of the Subaru, police said. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI causing injury or death and vehicular manslaughter. Webb will be booked into the Vista Detention Facility.

Alcohol is suspected as a factor in the crash, according to authorities.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Traffic Accident Investigator Officer Ricardo Huerta.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 driver was found in a cornfield after a single-vehicle crash into a pole in Darke County early Sunday morning.

According to the Darke County Sheriffs Office the crash at approximately 3 a.m. in the 9900 block of Castine Gordon Road, Laura. Officers arrived and found the vehicle was unoccupied and they found the driver shortly after in a cornfield.

The initial investigation found a red 2014 Chevrolet Cruze was heading east on Castine Gordon Road, east of State Route 49. It went across the center, hit a ditch, went to the other side of the road and then hit a utility pole.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The driver, a 36-year-old from West Milton, was taken by medics to Wayne Healthcare for suspected minor injuries.

Officials said alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash.

2 NEWS will update this article when more information is 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 WDTN.com.
FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) has awarded a $90,000 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant, through Arvest Bank, to Community Rescue Mission for the construction of six affordable duplex units near downtown Fort Smith.

Known as the Miller Cottages, the development will include three duplexes on land adjacent to Community Rescue Missions transitional housing site, which currently provides 66 rooms and a central dining hall, Talk Business reports.

Construction is underway and expected to take about nine months, Community Rescue Mission Director Jordan Bone said. Rent will be based on income, and families are expected to stay about a year before moving into permanent housing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Fort Smith, Van Buren Boys & Girls Clubs get Taco Bell grants

AHP funds are awarded through FHLB Dallas member institutions such as Arvest Bank to support the purchase, construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing, including for homeless individuals. The funds must benefit households earning at or below 80% of the area median income.

Content partner Talk Business & Politics 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 KNWA FOX24.
Senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi on Sunday called for clarification from the central government regarding reports of Indian fighter jets being shot down during Operation Sindoor. Alvi expressed trust in the armed forces and pride in their accomplishments, but emphasised the need for transparency about potential losses. Alvi said, "We have full trust in our armed forces. We are proud of them. If our IAF chief is saying all these things, then the entire nation trusts him. But even the IAF chief has not clarified whether our fighter jets were shot down, whether our Rafales were shot down." He added, "If you do not respond, it causes doubts. So, the Government should clarify...The newspapers across the world are reporting this." International media outlets reported that at least one Indian Rafale jet was shot down by Pakistani F-10C jets using Chinese-made PL-15 missiles. The Indian government and IAF have neither confirmed nor denied these reports, with Air Marshal AK Bharti stating, "We are in a combat scenario, and losses are part of it. All our pilots are back home." India refuted these claims, stating that all IAF assets and pilots returned safely, and labeling Pakistan's assertions as "fake and baseless." Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Saturday said that India took down at least five fighter jets of Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and downed one large aircraft which was taken on at a distance of about 300 kilometres. He said the aircraft that was brought down "is the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill that we can talk about". The IAF Chief, who delivered the keynote address at the 16th edition of the Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture on Saturday, lauded the successful completion of Operation Sindoor, underscoring the primacy of Air Power in modern military conflicts and its significance in national security. "We have at least five fighters confirmed kills and one large aircraft, which could be either an ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) aircraft or an AEW &C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) aircraft, which was taken on at a distance of about 300 kilometres. This is actually the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill that we can talk about," Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said. "We were able to get at least two command and control centres, like Murid and Chaklala. At least six radars, some of them big, some of them small. Two SAGW systems that is in Lahore and Okara. We attacked three hangars. One was the Sukkur UAV hangar, the Bholari hangar and the Jacobabad F-16 hangar. We have an indication of at least one AEW&C in that AEW&C hangar and a few F-16s, which were under maintenance there," he added. This is apparently the first time that a top-ranking officer has specified the number of Pakistani aircraft and jets downed during the conflict. The IAF chief also credited the "political will" of the Central government for the success of the operation by allowing the Armed Forces to conduct the operations without any constraints."A key reason for success was the presence of political will. There was very clear political will and very clear directions given to us. No restrictions were put on us... If there were any constraints, they were self-made. The forces decided what the rules of engagement would be. We decided how we wanted to control the escalation. We had full freedom to plan and execute," he said."There was a synchronisation between the three forces... The post of CDS made a real difference. He was there to get us together. NSA also played a big role in getting all the agencies," he added. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. The Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists. India repelled the subsequent Pakistani retaliation and pounded its airbases. (ANI)
Aug. 10TAOS  The Tuesday Morning store that Ruthann McCarthy and her family once owned behind Taos Plaza closed years back, but the weather-beaten parking lot that previously served its customers was packed with cars again this past week.

Only, it wasn't nostalgia for the now exclusively online home goods retailer that drew them there  it was the free parking.

After roughly a decade, when visiting downtown by car was effectively free due to broken meters and lax enforcement, the town of Taos began enforcing use of new paid parking kiosks on Monday, Aug. 4.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Except for free two-hour street parking on Bent Street, Civic Plaza Drive, Paseo del Pueblo Norte and Kit Carson Road, drivers must now pay $2.25 for the first hour of parking, if paying by card, and $1 for an additional hour using new parking kiosks stationed across several downtown lots, including Taos Plaza. Paid parking runs Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Violators will be fined $25.

Roughly 250 parking spaces will remain free at Town Hall, Taos Public Library, Bedford Street Lot, Kit Carson Park, Kit Carson Street Parking and Quesnel Street.

For now, though, McCarthy's privately owned lot remains the most proximate workaround for locals and tourists who don't want to pay  a safe harbor for those who believe parking should remain gratis in and around Taos' historic square, which was founded in the late 18th century.

"We got 2,500 signatures from community members who were against any of the kiosks," McCarthy said, speaking to the Journal at a table inside Legacy Cafe, which she's operated with her partner, local radio host Brad Hockmeyer, in the southeast corner of Taos Plaza since last summer. "They are considering the plaza a parking lot. It's not a parking lot."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In 2020, McCarthy co-founded Taos Roundtable, which grew out of informal community conversations she hosted with other concerned locals who gathered inside Casa Benavides Inn, which her family owns on Kit Carson Road.

They meet once a week, offering engaged locals a place to freely voice their ideas outside the confines of public meeting agendas. They've shown up regularly to town council and planning meetings to protest tree removals and changes to historic spaces, for example.

But more recently, the specter of paid parking in central Taos has been a core concern for the roundtable. They believe reintroducing paid parking after so many years creates an unnecessary expense, a barrier for local merchants, their employees and visitors that could dampen economic activity downtown.

Meanwhile, local government officials have argued that paid parking is a neglected source of revenue necessary to maintain the Historic District and buttress the town's finances amid ongoing economic uncertainty.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I think we need to have revenue coming from somewhere to pay for a lot of the maintenance that we do downtown, and if it wasn't coming from parking fees, we'd have to find it from somewhere else in the budget," said Darien Fernandez, who grew up in Taos and has been a town councilor since March 2020. "We had paid parking in some form in the downtown area for at least 30 years, from the time I was a teenager putting a quarter in the machine. I think the current plan is a good compromise."

Previous estimates have pegged annual parking revenues as high as $200,000, but Fernandez says the town now projects the kiosks will generate between $100,000 to $120,000 in fees and fines each year. He says the town pays roughly $50,000 in leasing costs alone for the lots it maintains downtown.

Taos Mayor Pascual Maestas, whose term in office expires this year, and a former town manager began drawing up plans in 2024 to restore paid parking to the Historic District, where many local merchants operate, forming an important pillar of the Taos economy that generates a lion's share of gross receipts tax revenues.

Officials faced a maelstrom of pushback after town workers tore out individual coined meters and replaced them with the ATM-shaped kiosks that parkers now congregate around downtown, waiting for their turn to pay.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The public outcry precipitated a series of stops and starts for the paid parking rollout as the town worked to come up with a solution locals would tolerate over the last year and a half.

For example, town officials agreed to a temporary pause to paid parking as a major state road reconstruction project wrapped up along the town's main thoroughfare late this spring. The town also offers discounted parking passes for locals and business owners through its website, taosnm.gov.

Some locals say they're willing to pay to park or are even grateful to have a deterrent to car campers who occupy spaces sometimes all day  it's the kiosks themselves they find confusing to operate.

Unlike paid parking meters of old that stand ready to receive coins at individual parking spots, Taos' new parking solution often serves entire lots alone or in pairs. Once located, the kiosks require parkers to enter their license plate number before providing payment, with some saying they have to return to their cars to recall the digits on the plate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"There's a lot of local elderly people that still don't understand the new system, and that's the problem, you know?" said Oclides Gutierrez, a local woman who parked in Taos Plaza on Thursday evening for weekly concert series Taos Plaza Live. "They should have just fixed the old meters."

Many New Mexico towns enforce paid parking, but often employ a modernized version of the traditional coined meter. In nearby Santa Fe, for example, individual meters make use of the Parkmobile App. Beyond revenue generation, paid parking can help reduce congestion and offer valuable data on visitorship.

So far in Taos, however, the revival of paid parking has in some ways proven to be a study in how people tend to rebel when required to pay for something they once enjoyed for free.

The week enforcement resumed, Taos Police officers made their way around the Historic District to remind visitors of the new parking enforcement policy. They even offered tutorials on how the new kiosks function  until some technical challenges arose.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We'll be showing people how they work. We're trying to get to as many lots as we can," officer Jake Padilla told the Journal at a kiosk in John Dunn Shop's parking lot on Wednesday as shoppers ambled in the summer heat.

A man approached with the same question many Taos residents have had to stop and ask since last year: "Do we have to pay today?"

"Well, it's supposed to be today," Padilla told him, "but we're having issues. Right now, (the kiosk) has to reboot. It's going to be a while."
[Attached video: Previous FOX 8 I-Team coverage]

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW)  A Cleveland Heights family has issued a statement now that a grand jury has indicted the Mayors wife on charges she walked into that familys home.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutors filed the indictment Friday, and the City released police body camera video of police questioning Natalie McDaniel, wife of Cleveland Hts. Mayor Khalil Seren.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

New Video: What local mayors wife told police before getting indicted

The statement said, On July 30th, Natalie McDaniel unlawfully entered our home. Since then, we have felt uncomfortable in our home and our city. The mayor and his staff have intentionally spread misinformation and outright lies in the media and to the community. He has slandered us, the Cleveland Heights police force, Chief Britton, and the city as a whole.

It went on to say, We are incredibly grateful to the Cuyahoga County grand jury, the county prosecutors office, and to the Cleveland Heights Police Department for continuing to serve the community with courage and professionalism. We are happy this case is one step closer towards its conclusion.

On Friday, a Cuyahoga County grand jury indicted Natalie McDaniel. She faces one felony charge of trespass in a habitation and a misdemeanor charge of criminal trespass.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police body camera video shows Cleveland Hts. officers on the day they investigated the case. You see McDaniel making very animated gestures describing what, she says, happened.

On the video, McDaniel also denies stepping into the home of strangers.

According to prosecutors, video surveillance appears to show McDaniel inside a home without permission on the morning of July 30.

The footage, recorded at about 10:37 a.m., shows McDaniel approaching a residence on Coventry Road from the sidewalk. She is seen walking into the front yard, bending down and appearing to take a photo of a yard sign calling for the recall of her husband, Mayor Seren.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I-Team: Police chief speaks out on chaos at Cleveland Heights City Hall

McDaniel then approached the front door of the home, walked directly to the wrought iron door and entered the residence without permission, prosecutors said. She remained inside for about 17 seconds before exiting.

She was on the property for about three-and-a-half minutes in total.

The statement from the residents of that home also said, There have been countless calls for Mayor Seren to step down from his position and take accountability for his actions. We believe now more than ever the time has come.

The residents who saw the incident on their security system called the Cleveland Heights Police Department.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Seren held an hour-long press conference last week to discuss the issue.

The mayor said his wife was looking for a contractor at the house to ask about flooring. 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.

Cleveland Heights Police Chief Chris Britton said many of the recent statements the mayor made about the police department are not true.

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 I  and CHPD as a whole  are racially biased. There is absolutely no factual basis for any such claim. Again, it is merely an attempt to distract and deflect.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It should be noted: Local police chief fires back after investigation into mayors wife

Since the trespassing allegations involved the mayors wife, the police department asked for an outside investigation. The Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office investigated the matter.

McDaniel will have to appear soon in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  The 17-year-old teenager arrested in connection with the triple shooting in Times Square early Saturday morning is facing charges, including murder, according to the NYPD.

The shooting happened near West 44th Street and Seventh Avenue just before 1:30 a.m., authorities said.

More Local News

An 18-year-old girl was grazed in the neck, a 19-year-old man was shot in the foot, and a 65-year-old man was hit in the left leg during the shooting, officials report. They were all taken to a local hospital and are expected to survive.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The shooting may have started as a verbal dispute between the 17-year-old who was taken into custody and the 19-year-old who was shot, police tell PIX11 News.

A firearm was recovered near the scene.

Police charged the 17-year-old with the following:

Murder

Two counts of attempted murder

Three counts of assault

Three counts of reckless endangerment

Two counts of criminal possession of a weapon

Police tell PIX11 News that while no victim has died, the teen is being charged with murder, because the person that he targeted was shot.

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).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Police are investigating after a gunman shot into a Kansas City home Saturday night and killed a teenage girl.

According to the Kansas City Police Department, at about 10 p.m., officers were called to the area of East 36th Street and Norton Avenue on reports of a shooting.

When officers arrived, they reported finding a teenage girl, later identified as 16-year-old Traelynn Sibley, unresponsive and suffering from one or multiple gunshot wounds.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri

Traelynn Sibley, a 16-year-old girl who was shot and killed inside a Kansas City home on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.

Emergency personnel were called to the scene and took Sibley to a hospital. She was pronounced dead by staff shortly after arriving.

Preliminary investigations reveal that Sibley was inside the home when she was hit by gunfire from an unknown suspect (or suspects) outside.

At this time, police do not have a suspect in custody; however, crime scene investigators and homicide detectives are canvassing the area and searching for evidence.

Following Saturday nights tragic events, Mayor Quinton Lucas issued a statement Sunday morning regarding Sibleys death, as well as the violence rates in Kansas City.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Each life taken by violence is a tragedy. This year has seen far too many tragedies claim the lives of women and girls, including last nights. Our hearts break for the passing of another teenage girl in our community and for all the lives and families affected by these preventable and cowardly acts, he said.

Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV

We will continue to be a City that invests more resources for those leaving domestic crises, enhances opportunities for our young people, and focuses on violent offenders for swift and certain justice and severe consequences. We will never stop fighting for a safer Kansas City for all.

Mayor Lucas added that Sibleys death marks the 100th homicide this year, a stat that Kansas City has reached for 33 of the last 40 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If you or anyone you know has information regarding the deadly shooting, KCPD asks that you call homicide detectives directly at (816) 234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at (816) 474-8477.

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 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
A large rat reported on a housing estate, a former school set to become someone's home and a self-styled "step addict" about to walk hundreds of miles for charity. Here are five stories from Teesside you might have missed this week.

'Rats the size of cats'

Residents believe the rats are leaving holes in grassed areas like this one in Cleveland Street, Normanby [BBC]

Thrown-out food and new housing developments are being blamed for rats getting "bigger and bigger" after a 22-inch (55cm) long rodent was found in a house.

It was discovered in Normanby near Middlesbrough and residents said an increase in vermin was being made worse by new housing projects forcing them out of their habitats.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One councillor said it was not the first time residents had complained of "rats the size of cats".

School with one pupil to become homes

The former rural school will be turned into housing (artist's impression) [Supplied]

A rural school that closed with one pupil on its roll will be converted into housing.

Plans to renovate the Forest of Teesdale Primary School and the schoolmaster's house in County Durham were approved by council planners.

It closed in 2022 after Durham County Council said a dwindling local population made it impossible for it to continue.

Transplant plea from man on record list

Michael Webb is one of more than 8,000 people waiting for a transplant in the UK [Michael Webb]

A man living with stage five kidney disease due to complications from type 1 diabetes has shared his story in the hope of encouraging more transplant donors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Michael Webb, from Hartlepool, is one of more than 8,000 people in the UK currently on the active transplant waiting list, the highest recorded number ever.

"Every time the phone rings, you're wondering is this the transplant team," Mr Webb said.

Ex-Tory council leader joins Reform UK

Hartlepool's former Conservative council leader Mike Young has defected to Reform UK [BBC]

Former Hartlepool Borough Council leader Mike Young has defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK.

The councillor said he no longer had "confidence" in the party's leadership. He becomes the fourth Reform UK councillor on the local authority, which is led by Labour.

Postal worker's 'bags of happiness'

Nikki Gaynor has been raising awareness about mental health since her friend died 10 years ago [Nikki Gaynor]

Self-styled "step-addict" Nikki Gaynor is set to walk from Darlington to Cornwall to raise money for a mental health charity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The postal worker will stop off at Royal Mail offices along the way as part of her mammoth challenge.

She will also be handing out knitted toys, called Positive Potatoes, and "bags of happiness" to those she meets on the way.

Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.

More on this story
The Brief

Tens of thousands attended the 96th Annual Bud Billiken Parade in Bronzeville, featuring floats, performances, and appearances from political candidates, including those vying for Senator Dick Durbins seat.

The event remains a South Side tradition celebrating community, education, and the back-to-school season, with attendees sharing multi-generational memories.

Performances by groups like the South Shore Drill Team and Chicago Youth Dance Coalition highlighted the festivities, as CPS students prepare to return to class on Aug. 18.

CHICAGO - The 96th Annual Bud Billiken Parade, a cherished South Side tradition signaling the end of summer, kicked off at noon Saturday in Bronzeville.

What we know

Dozens of floats and tens of thousands of spectators filled the three-mile route along King Drive from 40th to 53rd Streets in Washington Park despite the sweltering heat. Among the crowd were politicians seeking support ahead of upcoming elections, including candidates vying for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Senator Dick Durbin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement



Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and South Suburban Congresswoman Robin Kelly, both campaigning for the Democratic nomination, greeted parade-goers with handshakes along the route.

"I think we're gaining traction and meeting people where they want to meet and gaining support and we have a lot of hard work to do," Krishnamoorthi said.



But for many attendees, like Terri Ransom, the parade remains a celebration of community, education, and the upcoming school year. Ransom, celebrating her birthday at the event, camped out in Washington Park.



"It's about school, it's about education, it's about our community, it's about us coming together to end the summer but to go back to school and educate ourselves and make a better world for everyone," Ransom said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement



For Ransom, the parade is a multi-generational family tradition. Her older brother Thomas Brady said he'll never forget the day his little sister was born. He learned the news while attending the parade 63 years ago.



"And he comes running and says 'Tommy! Tommy! The baby's here!' and it was really embarrassing because I was only ten years old at the time," Brady said.

Performances from groups like the South Shore Drill Team and the Chicago Youth Dance Coalition energized the crowd despite the heat. Familiar faces, including local personalities Anita Blanton, Brian Jackson, and Tia Ewing, also added to the festivities.

As the parade ended and the streets cleared, attendees were reminded that Chicago Public Schools classes start Monday, August 18  a clear sign that summer is winding down.

The Source

This story contains reporting from Fox 32's Paris Schutz.
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin speaks during a news conference surrounded by members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus at Painters District Council 30 in Aurora, Illinois, on Aug. 5, 2025. (Jamie Kelter Davis for The Texas Tribune)

ST. CHARLES, Illinois  If Gov. Greg Abbott is determined to pass a gerrymandered congressional map, Texas Democrats know he has the votes and the power to eventually get his way.

But for the dozens of Democrats who left the state this week in protest of the map, its not just about winning  its about fighting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Away from their families and regular jobs, Texas Democrats, most of whom are hunkered down in a suburb about an hour west of Chicago, are facing $500-per-day fines, civil arrest warrants and threats from Republican state leaders to remove them from office.

Now six days into the walkout, they plan to stay away until at least the end of the special session on Aug. 19. When they return, they face the possibility of being stripped of their leadership positions and even further marginalized in a chamber where they are already outnumbered. And no matter how long they stay away, Abbott can just call another special session to pass the map.

But it will all be worth it, they say, if they can lay the groundwork for a national fight over redistricting and ensure enough voters across the country understand what they frame as an attempt by President Donald Trump to stack the deck in the midterm election next year.

It takes an act of defiance like this to wake up the country and let them know that our democracy is being stolen right in front of our eyes, said Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer of San Antonio in an interview. If were going to be the spark that lights that fire, then were doing our jobs.

Texas state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer of San Antonio. (Jamie Kelter Davis for The Texas Tribune)

When House Democrats last walked out in 2021 to stop new state voter restrictions, lawmakers were on the lam for over a month before the caucus fractured and enough members returned to restore quorum. Republicans quickly pushed the measure through, but Democrats say they were successful in drawing national and congressional attention to the topic and removing some of the worst parts of the bill.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This time around, theyre seeking to block a congressional map redrawn in the middle of the decade to create five new GOP seats next year, putting them at the front lines of an issue with national stakes: control of the U.S. House for the last two years of Trumps term.

Those implications have elevated the Texas Democrats decamped in Illinois and elsewhere, stiffening their resolve and garnering them nationwide attention and support that they hope can help sustain their movement in a way that was missing four years ago.

Its not, Houston, we have a problem, Martinez Fischer said. Its, America, we have a problem, and we need to rise up.

The walkout, meant to deny Republicans the quorum needed to conduct legislative business and bring the House to a standstill, has also set off a possible national redistricting war. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom of California has promised to draw more blue seats in his state if Texas approves its plan, and national Democratic leaders are looking to reshape maps in Illinois, New York and Maryland.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The effort reflects a push within the Democratic Party, particularly after last years disastrous election results, to re-establish itself to voters as a party of fighters willing to meet Republicans on their level.

We are going to match Donald Trumps energy when it comes to redistricting, U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth said Monday. Democrats we have shown up to a gunfight with nothing but good intentions and dull knives, and that era is over. We are not going to unilaterally disarm, and that is whats different this time around.

U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, speaks at a news conference with members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus at IBEW Local 701 in Warrenville, Illinois, on Aug. 4, 2025. (Jamie Kelter Davis for The Texas Tribune)

The message was reiterated repeatedly this week, with top Democrats from Illinois, New York, California and Massachusetts all joining the Texas delegation in pledging to stand up to the Trump administration, which is also pressing other red states to redraw their congressional maps in favor of the GOP ahead of next years midterm election.

The Trump-Abbott gerrymander is a test case for the rest of the country, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said Tuesday alongside Texas Democrats. What Republicans are trying to do in Texas is a model for other red states to lie, cheat and steal their way to victory.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Democrats began floating the possibility of a walkout as soon as Abbott put redistricting on the special session agenda in July at the behest of Trump.

But in discussions over Zoom and in person before the session began, they decided that the stakes of the issue hadnt yet been communicated to the public in a way that would explain a nuclear act. Some also held out for a committee process that might allow them to temper any draft map, or for a GOP proposal less aggressive than Trump had demanded.

Then, the Republican-led redistricting committee unveiled a map last week that would dismantle several Democratic districts to squeeze out five new red seats. While Republican lawmakers said the map was drawn purely to maximize partisan advantage  which is legal, according to the U.S. Supreme Court  Democrats saw a plan that would achieve that edge by suppressing the vote of people of color in violation of the Voting Rights Act.

The power grab by Trump and Abbott doesnt just have the goal of getting five more seats in Congress, Rep. Ramon Romero Jr. said Tuesday, the eve of the Voting Rights Acts 60th anniversary. It has another goal, a goal more sinister than that, and that is to make people believe that their vote doesnt really matter. Thats why its all of our fight.

Surrounded by Democratic state representatives from all over the country, state Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, speaks at a press conference on the front steps of the Massachusetts State House in Boston on the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act on Aug. 6, 2025. (Lucy Lu for The Texas Tribune)

With Republicans moving to approve the map at a quick clip, the determination to deny quorum solidified among Democrats in the 48 hours before they got on a chartered plane headed for Chicago. Others made their way to Albany to meet with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and to Boston for a state legislative conference.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Democrats say theyre buying valuable time by walking out, drawing attention to the issue among voters and getting other blue states involved  even while recognizing that Texas map is likely to get passed and will need to be fought in court.

The spotlight has been turned on, Rep. James Talarico of Austin said in an interview. Im hoping this courage that my colleagues and I have shown will be contagious, and itll inspire other legislators in blue states to respond with their own redistricting attempts.

Using their hotel complex as a base camp, Democrats have done scores of media interviews out of their cramped rooms and a small park off the Fox River in Illinois; hosted news conferences with federal, state and party leaders at local union halls and blue state capitols; and met with Democratic governors and elected officials from across the country.

Talarico, who is mulling a run for U.S. Senate, said he did 25 interviews in the first 24 hours of the quorum break, ranging from TV and traditional platforms to podcasts with ranging ideological bents. His TV hits alone reached 9.8 million viewers across the country, he said, not including thousands of others on social media.

State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, speaks at a redistricting rally at Delco Activity Center in Austin on July 25, 2025. (Ronaldo Bolanos/The Texas Tribune)

Republicans appear to have more paths toward maximizing their representation in Congress in a redistricting war with Democrats. Redrawing congressional maps in the middle of the decade will be harder for the handful of blue states that have clamped down on partisan gerrymandering by handing their redistricting authority to independent commissions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Still, Texas Democrats see the support blue state and national Democratic leaders have expressed for retaliatory redistricting as a sign that their gambit is working.

This, I think, is well on its way becoming a national fight, and thats whats going to be important if were going to counter the GOP, said Rep. Chris Turner of Grand Prairie, who led the 2021 quorum break.

Republicans blasted the Democrats who left, arguing that they abandoned their office and were refusing to participate in the legislative process because they did not like the inevitable outcome. Critics also mocked the contingent for seeking refuge from Texas law enforcement in Illinois, which is heavily gerrymandered in favor of Democrats.

But Democrats said that by denying the House a quorum, they were doing the very job their constituents had elected them to do and were now demanding they follow through on.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While the 2021 walkout required Democrats to do a lot of explaining to their constituents about what a quorum break was and why they were doing it, Rep. Diego Bernal of San Antonio said, this time around, they were telling us that their expectation was that we would use everything at our disposal to try and stop it.

Democratic members of the Texas House and Senate gather for a joint news conference to update Texans on their work in Washington to advocate for federal voting rights protections, at the Washington Plaza Hotel on July 14, 2021. (Shuran Huang for The Texas Tribune)

Democrats also said they dont take the decision to leave lightly. Talarico noted that theres an abundance of GOP legislation that Democrats stay and fight against in the chamber. They reserved the most drastic option for what he framed as direct attacks on democracy.

We have to love democracy, even when we lose, he said. But we do that because we always have a chance to win the next election. And if this happens, we wont  and so we have to take an extreme step to stand up for our constituents and for all Texans.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune, a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

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 and House Speaker Dustin Burrows have filed a legal complaint in California to enforce arrest warrants against Democratic legislators who fled the state to obstruct the legislative process. The August 9 filing aims to compel the return of lawmakers who broke quorum on August 4.

Filing Details

Texans are fed up with lawmakers who refuse to do their jobs and instead run away to states like California to exploit radical governors broken political systems as a shield, Paxton said. Gavin Newsom may be comfortable with lawlessness and the protection of corrupt legislators, but Texas will not tolerate elected officials who defy the Constitution for political theater.

Burrows emphasized the need for lawmakers to return to work. The Texas House stands ready to conduct the work expected of us by our constituents, but until the absent members return, our state will continue to do without critical disaster relief and solutions for a more prepared and resilient Texas, Burrows said.

Legal Grounds

The filing in California mirrors a similar petition filed in Illinois earlier this week. Both legal actions invoke the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution, requiring California to honor Texas legal proceedings and enforce the arrest warrants issued by the Texas House.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Under the Texas Constitution, Article III, Section 10, the legislature has the authority to compel attendance, and House Rule 5, Section 8 specifically allows arrest warrants for absent members who fail to provide sufficient excuse.

Burrows added, Working with Attorney General Paxton, I will continue taking all necessary actions to bring these members back to fulfill their obligations to the legislative process and the people of our state.

Republican Criticism of the Situation

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Texas Representative Brian Harrison voiced frustration with the situation, suggesting that the current standoff could have been avoided. Harrison argued, Texas Republicans ALLOWED the quorum break to happen. He continued to criticize the handling of the battle in the Texas House, adding another layer to the ongoing conflict within the states political landscape.

Ongoing Legislative Gridlock

The standoff has crippled the Texas Legislature, halting critical legislation, including disaster relief for flood victims. With no clear timeline for the return of the absent lawmakers, essential measures to support the states recovery remain in limbo.
The devastating flooding that swept through Texas Hill Country in early July, killing at least 135 people, unearthed a prehistoric discovery in Travis County on Monday, experts say.

A volunteer helping residents clear debris discovered 15 large, three-clawed dinosaur footprints scattered in a crisscross pattern along the Sandy Creek area.

The tracks that are unambiguously dinosaurs were left by meat-eating dinosaurs similar to Acrocanthosaurus, a roughly 35-foot-long bipedal carnivore, said Matthew Brown, a paleontologist with the Jackson School Museum of Earth History at the University of Texas at Austin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The tracks are approximately 110 to 115 million years old and each footprint is roughly 18 to 20 inches long, according to Brown.

Waterways like the Sandy Creek cut through the Glen Rose Formation limestone, which is the rock layer that bears the tracks and is about 110ish million years old, Brown said. And so, thats how we know how old the dinosaur tracks are, its because theyre preserved in rock layers that are that old.

Brown visited the site of the dinosaur tracks Tuesday to provide recommendations to state and county officials about the active disaster response nearby and has since learned about other recently uncovered sites that may also have dinosaur tracks.

Weve been talking with the environmental monitoring company too about sensitive locations that theyve gotten from the state and what to watch out for  basically, to make sure that theyre not rolling heavy equipment across the trackways, he said, to prevent damage to the dinosaur tracks. Thats the sort of the information that weve been providing, just trying to identify positively tracks and then sort of set boundaries around them for the cleanup crews to give them some guidance while theyre working in the area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Pictures from Texas resident Carl Stover show the tracks are somewhat bigger than his sneakered foot and embedded firmly in the rocky white terrain.

A photo of the three-clawed footprint shows it is a bit bigger than a human foot. - Courtesy Carl Stover

That terrain, combined with swollen rivers and streams in Central Texas, makes the area in the heart of Flash Flood Alley prone to flooding.

While most of the damage and deaths brought by the July floods was concentrated in Kerr County, there were 10 deaths in Travis County  which includes the city of Austin and its suburbs  and parts of the area were also inundated by the catastrophic storm.

Travis County Judge Andy Brown said Sandy Creek is typically very dry but rose to 20 feet during the flooding last month.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

That washed away trees. It washed away cars, houses, anything in its path, Brown said. So, in this part with the dinosaur tracks  it tore down the trees around them and it also washed away the dirt and gravel that was over the other set of them.

Stover, who shared video with CNN, panned his camera over the dinosaur tracks by the creek bed.

This whole area was flooded on the July Fourth flood. I dont know if you can tell, but there used to be a house right here that got washed away, he said, his camera lens focused on piles of debris amid clumps of trees. Another one right down from it. And my other neighbor here, this house is gone also.

Brown, the county judge, said even as Travis County is in the middle of disaster recovery, the dinosaur tracks are exciting to see.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We have a lot of dinosaur footprints around Texas in different areas, he added. Just picturing what used to roam in this area is fascinating exercise.

Travis County is a little under 200 miles south of Dinosaur Valley State Park, home to a large number of dinosaur tracks imprinted by sauropods and theropods that lived in the area roughly 113 million years ago. It is a hotspot for dinosaur enthusiasts and tourists who typically flock the now-dry Paluxy River to fish, swim and kayak.

Matthew Brown, the paleontologist, said he and his team expect to return to Travis County soon to thoroughly document the tracks with maps and 3D imaging.

Brown said he hopes to learn more about how many creatures are represented by the tracks  and whether they were left by a group or by a single dinosaur roaming Texas Hill Country.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbot is threatening to call a series of rolling special legislative sessions to push the Trump administration's efforts to redraw voting district boundaries in the state, the governor said Sunday.

Abbott argued during an interview on "Fox News Sunday" that he has the authority to keep the Texas Legislature in session indefinitely, which would extend penalties for Democrats who have fled Washington for liberal-leaning states in an effort to sidestep a vote on efforts by the Trump administration to redraw Texas' congressional voting district to favor the GOP.

Democratic lawmakers from Texas fled the state to deny the legislature the quorum it needs to vote on the change to legislative districts, which they contend are being crafted to benefit Republicans and disenfranchise Democrats, many of whom are Black and Latino.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Democrats flew to Illinois and other states run by Democratic governors, where they have received backing from state officials and politicians and who have criticized the GOP for its efforts to shape the voting districts in Republicans' favor.

Illinois Democratic Governor JB Pritzker has been vocal in his support of the Texas Democrats, and among the most vocal opponents of President Donald Trump and the Republican party's efforts to remake the voting districts. Abbott has called the Illinois congressional voting map a joke.

"Governor Abbot is the joke," Pritzker said Sunday on NBC News' "Meet the Press.

Pritzker bristled at allegations that Illinois' congressional lines have been gerrymandered, which Abbott and other members of the GOP have contended.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Pritzker offered as evidence the fact that Trump won 44% of the statewide vote in the 2024 presidential election even though Republicans hold just 3 of the state's 17 congressional districts.

Pritzker said Illinois took public opinion into account before designing Illinois's voting boundaries, and said they are fair.

"We held public hearings, legislative hearings," Pritzker continued. "People attended them. They spoke out. There was a map put out. There we actually made changes to the map. And a map was passed, and it was done at the end of the census, to the decennial census. So that's how it's done in this country."

Abbott pressed his point and said Texas Democrats would be arrested upon their return.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"If they show back up in the state of Texas, they will be arrested and taken to the Capitol," Abbott said Sunday. "If they want to evade that arrest, they're gonna have to stay outside the state of Texas for literally years."

Abbott argued that Democrats are violating an article in the Texas constitution that requires them to act on measures before the legislature. He said because they are violating a constitutional mandate, "they are not fulfilling their oath of office, and they can be removed from office in this legal action that I am taking."

Abbot has gone further, threatening to increase the redistricting margin for Republicans if Democrats fail to return to Austin.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday officially launched the 'Tringa Yatra' and 'Har Ghar Tringa' campaign at Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Railway Station in Jammu and Kashmir's (J-K) Udhampur, ahead of Independence Day celebrations. Union Minister Singh arrived in Jammu via the newly inaugurated Vande Bharat Express train, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off recently. The train connects Amritsar in Punjab to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra in Jammu and Kashmir, improving regional connectivity. Earlier on Sunday, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always prioritised the interests of Jammu and Kashmir since he took charge in 2014. The remarks of the Union Minister came as Prime Minister Modi virtually flagged the Vande Bharat Express train between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Amritsar. "From 2014 to today, in the last eleven years, PM Modi Ji has given priority to Jammu and Kashmir. This holy place of Katra Vaishno Devi is a symbol of this. And I am not saying this just for the sake of saying it. You will remember that before becoming the Prime Minister in 2014, Modi Ji started his election campaign by visiting the temple of Mata Vaishno Devi. His first big public program immediately after becoming the Prime Minister was the inauguration of this station...Today, this is the fourth one (Vande Bharat Express train) connecting two pilgrimage places, Katra Vaishno Devi and Amritsar," he said. PM Modi also flagged off three new Vande Bharat trains connecting different parts of the country. He added that the commencement of the Vande Bharat service between Bengaluru and Belagavi will boost trade and tourism in Belagavi. Additionally, Vande Bharat Express trains were launched between Nagpur and Pune, and between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Amritsar. The Prime Minister noted that these services will benefit lakhs of devotees and promote tourism. He congratulated the people of Bengaluru, Karnataka, and the entire nation for these projects and the new Vande Bharat trains. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated the Yellow Line of Bangalore Metro, worth around Rs 7,160 crore, and laid the foundation stone of the Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project, worth over Rs 15,610 crore, in Bengaluru, Karnataka today. (ANI)
The Brief

Democratic Texas leaders held a rally in Fort Worth to support Democrats fighting against new redistricting maps.

This after a judge granted a temporary restraining order against former U.S. Rep. O'Rourke's PAC, halting its fundraising and financial support for the Democrats.

O'Rourke has also filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Ken Paxton, who sued his PAC.

FORT WORTH, Texas - It was a packed house Saturday afternoon for an anti-redistricting rally in Fort Worth, hosted by Texas Democrat leaders aiming to stop a GOP push to deepen Texas' red hue.

Fort Worth anti-redistricting rally

The rally, held at the Ridgela Theater by Democratic voter group Powered by People, was meant to support Texas Democrats in their effort to prevent a mid-decade redrawing of congressional maps.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The energized crowd showed up to support the Texas House members who left the state at the start of the week as part of their fight against redistricting.

Powered by People, an organization backed by former U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke was recently the subject of a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Saturday afternoon, ORourke was joined by other Democratic leaders from across the state, including Texas House Democrats, who joined virtually.

In addition to redistricting, Saturdays speakers talked about healthcare, voting rights, and immigration.

It was also brought up multiple times the idea of Democratic states like Illinois and California doing their own redistricting.

What they're saying

"I was sued by Ken Paxton, not once, but twice this week. But we didnt react, we didnt react, we didnt respond, we didnt defend, we took this fight right back to him, and we sued him in court in El Paso, Texas," said O'Rourke.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Were here, were fighting for yall, were fighting for all Americans, but we couldnt do it without you," said Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston), the House Democrat caucus leader.

"It is sad that on the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act that we're still having to deal with this, but as long as the likes of Donald Trump keep getting elected into office, we are going to have to keep fighting," said U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey.

Democrats under fire for quorum break

Ken Paxton and Beto O'Rourke

The backstory

The lawsuit filed by Paxton claims that the organization is fundraising for the Texas House Democrats to help pay for the fees that representatives get for each day they break quorum.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Tarrant County District Court ruled in favor of Paxton and issued a temporary restraining order on the organization, which put a pause on fundraising efforts. Paxton called this a win.

ORourke responded by filing a lawsuit of his own against Paxton.

While the goal of O'Rourke's suit is unclear at the moment, Paxton's appears to have thrown a temporary wrench in the works of the former congressman's PAC.

The restraining order granted by the Tarrant County court appears to be specifically against Powered by People's alleged funding, and likely does not affect similar efforts by other Democrat-supporting individuals and organizations.

Paxton sues Texas Democrats

Dig deeper

Earlier Friday, Paxton asked the Texas Supreme Court to vacate the seats of 13 Democratic lawmakers who left the state to prevent a quorum.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The move comes after the House again failed to reach a quorum on Friday. Paxton said earlier this week that he would seek the removal of Democrats who left the state if they did not return by 1 p.m. Friday.

Read More:

The Source

Information in this article came from FOX 4 coverage at a public event in Fort Worth.
Texas Democrats on Saturday again prevented their states House of Representatives from moving forward with a Trump-backed plan to redraw Texas' congressional map. That redistricting plan would give Republicans an advantage in keeping control of the House of Representatives in D.C. ahead of the 2026 midterms. Ali Velshi reports on how the state legislature continues to "gavel in and gavel out" as the redistricting standoff goes on.
Long before Georgia even existed, that area was likely the first place in the future United States to grow peaches. The fruit arrived sometime in the 1500s, coming from China as part of Silk Road and European trade routes. These days, it is arguably the most famous food in the whole state. With such a long history of cultivation and strong associations, you'd think Georgia (which is even known as the Peach State) is still the country's top producer of the fruit. But it's time to challenge that assumption because, in reality, California grows far more.

According to data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics service, California (which also produces the most oranges in the nation) harvested about 475,000 tons of peaches in 2022. Georgia was the third-biggest producer, with a yield of only 24,800 tons of peaches. South Carolina, which ranked second, grew 67,400 tons.

California's climate and excellent soil allow many tons of fruit to thrive there. In fact, it arguably has a massive advantage. According to the California Farmland Trust, if you added up the yields of 32 other peach-growing states, the total would still be lower than California's output. Two of the major types produced in the Golden State are clingstone and freestone. The clingstone variety is mostly used for processing  think canned fruit. Freestone peaches are often sold fresh.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more: 14 Canned Tomato Brands, Ranked Worst To Best

Climate Has Everything To Do With Production

Baskets of peaches on table - Grace Cary/Getty Images

Although California seems like an ideal place for growing peaches, the fruit can be very finicky. Within the Golden State are microclimates (or climates contained to a small area), each with its own set of qualities that make it perfect for certain types of peaches. For example, Florida Prince and Desert Gold varieties require about 100 hours of exposure to chilly temperatures (typically between 32 degrees and 45 degrees Fahrenheit) during the winter so they can ripen properly. Alternatively, the J.H. Hale Peach needs lots of chill hours (approximately 800) and has to be grown in a cooler microclimate.

So, what is it about Georgia that prevents it from matching California's growing power? As it turns out, a changing climate may be partly responsible. In recent years, the Peach State has experienced changing weather that has severely impacted the production of peaches. In 2023, there was an early heat wave in February that was followed by two frosts in the spring. That year, over 90% of the state's potential yield was destroyed. Despite the fact that farmers have been innovating and growing their crops to try and be resistant to changing weather, this event was catastrophic for Georgia peaches. According to The EPA, Georgia is in for generally warmer winters due to climate change  bad news for the peaches.

Read the original article on Mashed.
Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project, is encouraging Gen Zers to reconsider the traditional college route and explore skilled trades or entrepreneurship, as recent graduates face a challenging job market.

"We need to go back to the drawing board, and if we can avoid having an entire generation stuck with $80,000 to $150,000 worth of student loans, and they can still get good jobs, we should absolutely pursue those things," Schilling told FOX Business. "I think the trades offer the best option for that."

Students Showcase Trade Skills At Competitive Event As Us Aims To Solve Skilled Labor Shortage

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York showed the labor market "deteriorated noticeably" in the first quarter of 2025, with recent workforce entrants taking the hardest hits.

Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project, is urging Generation Z to reconsider the traditional college route and explore skilled trades or even entrepreneurship.

In June, the unemployment rate for all college graduates was just 2.7%, but among those aged 22 to 27, it was 4.8%. Meanwhile, the underemployment rate, which refers to the percentage of college graduates employed in roles that generally do not require a degree, was 33.7% among college grads overall and 41.3% among recent graduates, according to the New York Fed.

Mike Rowe Sounds Alarm Over 'Scary' Trade Worker Shortage: Us On 'Verge Of Not Being Able To Make Stuff'

Read On The Fox Business App

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The New York Fed on Tuesday also reported a significant rise in the number of delinquent student loans after the end of a moratorium on student loan repayment and the resumption of reporting delinquencies to credit agencies.

While Schilling noted that degrees are still necessary for certain fields, he said that for many, college has become a pricey and ineffective form of job training.

"With the rising cost of tuition, it's $50,000 or $60,000 depending on the school now a year, it really is looking like it might not be that great of an investment," Schilling said. "Especially if you're not getting a higher-paying job, or you're just as unemployed as someone that didn't go to college."

Recent Graduates Facing 'Deteriorated' Labor Market As Unemployment Reaches Highest Level In Years

While Schilling pointed out that degrees are still necessary to work in certain fields, like medicine and law, he said that for many, college has become a pricey and ineffective form of job training  one that does not always adequately prepare students properly to acquire employment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I think the cost has greatly outpaced the benefits of college," Schilling said. " Even employers now are looking at hiring people that don't have college degrees that are better suited for the jobs."

Career paths that would be viable alternatives include skilled trades and entrepreneurship, according to Schilling.

Career paths that would be viable alternatives include skilled trades and entrepreneurship, he said. More than one million trade jobs remain unfilled in the U.S., driven by an aging and retiring workforce as well as a societal bias toward college degrees, according to Forbes .

"There are huge shortages in all the trades, whether it's electrical or plumbing or carpentry  all of these hands-on jobs  there are huge shortages in the number of people that they need to fill those jobs," Schilling said. " And also entrepreneurship. I think the college degree obsession has led to a lack of people forming their own businesses and getting creative."

The American Principles Project, founded in 2009, is a national organization focused on campaigning and advocating for the family, according to its website.

FOX Business' Daniella Genovese and Eric Revell contributed to this report.





Original article source: Think tank president urges Gen Z to consider trades over college in tough job market
Hundreds of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, on Saturday night to call for the release of the remaining hostages and object to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus plan to expand military control of the Gaza Strip, which escalates the war.

In Tel Aviv, an estimated 100,000 people marched to demand an immediate end to the military campaign in Gaza and plans to escalate the conflict, according to multiple reports.

In Jerusalem, protesters marched toward Netanyahus residence to voice their disapproval of his newly announced decision, which was approved in a security Cabinet vote last week, multiple news outlets reported. The protesters come even as international allies speak out against the operation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Critics of Netanyahus plan, including family and friends of hostages, say the decision puts their loved ones at greater risk.

This isnt just a military decision. It could be a death sentence for the people we love most, Lishay Miran Lavi, the wife of hostage Omri Miran, told the rally in Tel Aviv, according to The Guardian. She also pleaded with President Trump to intervene, though hes refrained from criticizing Israels plans, giving Netanyahu a tacit green light.

(AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Some former members of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) were also seen protesting Netanyahus decision.

Were over 350 soldiers who served during the war and were refusing to continue to serve in Netanyahus political war, former soldier Max Kresch told BBC News while holding a sign that reads I refused.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The protests stemmed from Netanyahus latest move to escalate the Israeli takeover of Gaza, which has received international pushback from the United Kingdom, France, Canada and, most recently, Germany, which announced it would halt military exports to Israel that can be used in the Gaza Strip.

We are not going to occupy Gaza  we are going to free Gaza from Hamas, Netanyahu said in a statement Friday on the social platform X in response to Germanys decision.

Gaza will be demilitarized, and a peaceful civilian administration will be established, one that is not the Palestinian Authority, not Hamas, and not any other terrorist organization. This will help free our hostages and ensure Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future.

Last week, the Israeli leader said the takeover of Gaza is intended to assure our security, remove Hamas 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.

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.
Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams refugee camps were "hotbeds of terrorism built with Iranian financing, arms, and guidance, Katz claimed.

The number of terror attack threats in the West Bank has dropped by 80%, Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed on Sunday in a post on X/Twitter.

Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams refugee camps were hotbeds of terrorism built with Iranian financing, arms, and guidance as an additional front in the Axis of Resistances fight against Israel, Katz stated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

These locations were used to launch terror attacks across the West Bank, he added.

In response to the threat, he instructed the IDF to change its counterterrorism policy, launching a powerful offensive against the refugee camps, including evacuating residents, killing terrorists, dismantling and destroying terror infrastructure, and maintaining a military presence until at least the end of 2025, Katz wrote.

This is the correct model for fighting terrorism: to strike it and pursue it in the West Bank, in Gaza, and everywhere, he concluded.

Israeli security forces guard while bulldozers demolish a Palestinian building in the village of Dar Salah, in the West Bank, August 6, 2025 (credit: WISAM HASHLAMOUN/FLASH90)

Operation Iron Wall a success?

The IDF began a wide-ranging operation on Palestinian terror in Jenin in January, killing several terrorists in the mission that was meant to last a minimum of several days but will potentially be much longer. Known as Operation Iron Wall, the campaign is being led in coordination with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and is targeting armed terror cells, some directly funded by Iran.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Wearing a face mask outdoors in the West Bank will now be punishable by up to six months in prison, the army announced on July 20.

If an individual is caught committing a crime while wearing one, they can be sentenced to a minimum of two years, solely based on the face mask aspect of the offense.

This unusual move is an initiative to make it harder for both Hamas terrorists and Jewish extremists perpetrating violence and nationalistic offenses to avoid arrest.

Yonah Jeremy Bob and Amir Bohbot contributed to this report.
(Reuters) -Three swimmers were killed by unexploded objects in Ukraine's southern Odesa region at two beaches where swimming has been banned, regional officials said on Sunday.

Regional governor Oleh Kiper said one man was killed in Karolino-Buhaz and another man and woman killed in nearby Zatoka, both down the coast from the regional capital.

"All of them were blown up by explosive objects while swimming in prohibited recreational zones," he said in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"This once again proves that being in unchecked waters is fatally dangerous!!!"

The Black Sea region has long been a popular summer destination, but authorities have urged caution since Russia's full-scale invasion left mines scattered near its coast.

Kiper said 32 areas have been deemed safe for swimming, and 30 of those are located in the city of Odesa.

(Reporting by Dan Peleschuk;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
Two men and one woman were killed by sea mines while swimming in Odesa, according to Ukrainian media.

A local official confirmed the three had been killed by "explosive devices", at beaches close to Zatoka, where recreational swimming is banned.

The Black Sea has long been a popular holiday destination in Ukraine, but many of its beaches have been deemed unsafe since Russia's full scale invasion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Officials have urged holiday goers not to swim in prohibited waters.

Witnesses told local outlet Dumskaya that the explosions happened at 11:30 (09:30 BST) on Sunday between Karolino-Buhaz and Zatoka.

"All of them have been killed by explosive devices while swimming in areas prohibited for recreation," regional governor Oleh Kiper confirmed.

"This once again proves that being in unchecked waters is fatally dangerous."

Police say they have not yet confirmed the identity of the swimmers, and warned visitors "not to neglect safety measures".

"It has been previously determined that three vacationers - a woman and two men - died while swimming as a result of two explosions of unknown objects. The identities of the deceased are being established," the police report states.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Thirty two areas are safe for swimming, with 30 of these located in Odesa, according to authorities.

More on this story
PLATTSBURGH  Three Vietnam war veterans were honored at Battlefield Memorial Gateway on Thursday at the 2nd annual Purple Heart Ceremony, the only of its kind in the North Country.

The three veterans were Howard Alman, Paul Patunoff and Alan Greene, who all earned Purple Hearts awards during their time deployed in Vietnam.

Greene, who was in the Navy and a Corpsman with the Marines, earned his Purple Heart in 1968.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is the first time anything like this has happened, he said. Things are a lot different than when I got back.

Greene said the ceremony was neat and well appreciated, considering the rich history Clinton County holds in regard to service and sacrifice.

I think its great, he said. There is so much history around here between the battles. It really makes you feel part of it.

For Patunoff, stepping into the spotlight for recognition of his actions was pretty cool.

It was pretty much what I expected, I was on one of the honor flights earlier, it is really something, he added.

Patunoff said that when he returned from Vietnam, he didnt speak about it for over three decades.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Well, people were against it, we werent treated well, he said.

This reflective event paid tribute to the men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart in recognition of their sacrifice in service to the nation.

Today, we reflect the true cost of freedom, Michael Cashman, town of Plattsburgh supervisor, said.

The event included a moment of silent reflection, a POW/MIA table led by Commander Cliff Sterling and Robert St. John from the Clinton County American Legion, and members of American Legion Post 1619 Auxiliary Choir, who performed the National Anthem, followed by taps and a three-volley salute.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Every person I have talked to today is awash with emotion, and you can see it on the vets faces just how important this is to them, Cashman said. And they did not do it for the medals or the recognition. Every moment we have to express gratitude for what they have given, we need to.

The highlight of the evening was a reflection lap around the Purple Heart Trail as a community led by the Purple Heart Award recipients.

For Steven Labombard, who was attending his first Purple Heart ceremony, the event was a wonderful reminder of the sacrifice made by U.S. veterans.

Its just wonderful to honor what veterans do to secure our freedom, he said. I will be here every year; if I had known last year, I would have been there.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Purple Heart, established by Gen. George Washington in 1782, is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been wounded or killed in action.

It is the oldest military decoration still awarded today, Cashman said during his remarks. It stands as a solemn symbol not of glory but of sacrifice of pain endured in silence of courage shown in chaos of love for country that outweighed fear.

According to Cashman, in 2017 the town of Plattsburgh was named the first Purple Heart town in the North Country.

We did not seek this title for recognition, but we accepted it as a responsibility, he said. And with that designation came a renewed commitment to serve those that have served us. To ensure that their stories are told, their needs are met, and that their sacrifice is honored not only in ceremonies and moments like today, but everyday work of this community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This ceremony serves as a reminder of the dedication of veterans and to ensure their stories and sacrifices are not forgotten.

The goal of the ceremony is to get the community aware of the Battlefield Memorial Gateway, and to get them in touch with our veterans, Kevin Leboeuf, director of Clinton County Veterans Services, said.

According to Lebeouf, not all veterans in the North Country are affiliated with a given veteran organization.

It can be quite the process to find them, so that is a bit of a work-in-progress, he said.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Three people were injured in a shooting late Saturday night on North Clinton Avenue, according to the Rochester Police Department.

Officers responded to multiple 911 calls around 11:20 p.m., reporting a large disorderly crowd gathering in the 1100 block in the area of North Clinton Avenue and Morrill Street, and multiple shots fired.

The crowd spanned several blocks and shut down the street; even an RTS vehicle became trapped and was abandoned.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Then, the Police received notice of a 33-year-old female arriving at Strong Memorial Hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to her lower body. Shortly after, a 25-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man showed up at Rochester General Hospital, both with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to their lower bodies.

After officers dispersed the crowd, evidence of the shooting was found.

Police say all three victims were shot in the same area. The investigation is ongoing, with no arrests made at this time. Police ask anyone with information to call 911.

This triple shooting occurred only twenty days after another triple shooting on State Street.

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 massive fire broke out in a mushroom cold storage in Uttar Pradesh's Mainpuri on Sunday. More than a dozen fire engines were deployed to bring the situation under control, police said. As per Santosh Kumar Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mainpuri, the police received information related to the incident at 6:30 am. He stated that the cold storage comprises ten blocks, each built with 70 wood-chambered units. The police official informed that the investigation into the cause of the fire is underway with the technical team and other officials working on it. "Today, around 6:30 am, Bewar police station got the information about the fire in the Kapil Muni Agro Food storage.... The cold storage comprises 10 blocks, each built with seven wood chambers. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with technical teams and police officers involved," Santosh Kumar Singh told ANI. According to Shailendra Singh Biltan, the owner of the cold storage, he believed the fire occurred due to a short circuit and revealed that he suffered a loss of about Rs 50 crore. "It is believed that this fire has started due to a short circuit... This is the biggest mushroom project in India... Its capacity is 8 to 15 tons per day... There has been a loss of about 50 crores..." he added. Further details are underway. (ANI)
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro says the time for short-term fixes is over as a deadline looms before the Keystone States largest transit authority slashes service if it doesnt receive more funding.

At the Philadelphia headquarters of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Shapiro again called for more funding for SEPTA and transit agencies statewide.

SEPTA receives $1 Billion is state funding already. Shapiro and House Democrats want to add $300 Million. The agency, which services metro Philadelphia and its collar counties, will slash services and hike fares on August 14 if funding is not increased.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Senate to meet in voting session Tuesday

They have passed my budget to fund mass transit on four separate occasions, Shapiro said of the House of Representatives. Theyll be returning, I understand, to pass it for a fifth time and I think its important to note that it includes not just funding for mass transit but also funding for roads and bridges.

We recognize that some of those moms across Pennsylvania dont get home to their kids on a SEPTA bus but get home to their kids by going over a rural home or a rural bridge. We want them to get home to their kids, too, Shapiro added. It makes good sense to be able to do all of that. We are past the point of short-term stopgap measures. We are past the point of a few months of fixes.

The House meets Sunday night in a rare weekend voting session as the stalemate over the state budget, due June 30, continues. They are expected to vote Monday on $300 Million for mass transit and $500 Million for road and bridge repairs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Senate will convene in voting session on Tuesday. Shapiro declined to speculate on what may be voted on in the Senate session and indicated budget negotiations are still well underway.

Im not going to negotiate with [House Majority] Leader [Matt] Bradford and [Senate Majority] Leader [Joe] Pittman through the media, Shapiro said. We all respect one another enough to keep our conversations private. We understand the issues. I think they understand how important funding mass transit is to me, to leader Bradford, and I think we all want to find a way to get a budget passed.

Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) said there is no budget agreement yet.

Thats the frustration because we are here in a to vote a bill that is not agreed to in the Senate, she said. We need a budget agreement, not a single bill thats going to fund one particular entity and throw the entire rest of the budget off kilter by taking money that we might need for other important infrastructure needs within our state.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I would argue its a good use of time when youre doing a budget with an opposing party and they say we have these concerns, you listen and you take those concerns and you address it through legislation, which we are doing today, Rep. Dave Madsen (D-Dauphin) said.

Get the latest Pennsylvania politics and election news with abc27 newsletters!

SEPTA is not the only transit authority debating cuts. Pittsburgh Regional Transit is facing a $100 Million deficit and plans to cut service by 35%.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
August 2022: The New Mexican reports the Rancho Viejo Solar project is being proposed near Eldorado. If it receives the necessary approvals, the facility would be the largest in Santa Fe County and one of the larger facilities in a state that hopes to cut its greenhouse gas emissions over the next two decades.

January 2023: Opposition is starting to brew. The San Marcos Association, which represents area residents, calls on county commissioners to designate utility-scale renewable energy projects as developments of countywide impact, the same category as landfills, mines and oil and gas operations and one that would require more public review and oversight.

May 2023: Amid pushback from residents, Santa Fe County hires Terracon Consultants to help review AES' plans.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

August 2023: Project opponents claim a June 2022 county code change to the definition of "commercial solar facilities" violated the Open Meetings Act. County officials deny this.

January 2024: The project remains under review a year after being proposed. At an initial virtual meeting on the development, county staff are peppered with questions and concerns from members of the public.

March 2024: Project opponents win a court case securing public access to details of the project AES had sought to withhold, citing trade secrets.

December 2024: More than 100 people pack into a meeting room in downtown Santa Fe to register their opposition to the facility in front of the countys hearing officer, who recommends the Planning Commission deny the conditional use permit AES Corp. seeks to build.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

February 2025: The Planning Commission, following more than 12 hours of public testimony over two days and a closed-door discussion among commissioners, votes 6-1 to approve a conditional-use permit for the Rancho Viejo Solar project. Opponents vow to appeal.

May 2025: Noted environmentalist Bill McKibben weighs in to support the project. In the rest of the country, opposition to renewable energy has come largely from the fossil fuel industry. But in Santa Fe, its actually liberals spreading misinformation and working against the interests of their neighbors, McKibben wrote in an opinion piece published in The New Mexican.

June 2025: County commissioners take heat for deciding to host the next public meeting on the controversial project at their space-limited commission chambers and overflow rooms downtown, rather than at a larger venue, citing limitations imposed by state law.

August 2025: The county plans to host two days of hearings on the project after at least one opposition group filed an appeal of a Planning Commission decision to approve the conditional use permit for the project. Opponents are planning a peaceful protest outside the commission chambers at 102 Grant Ave. prior to the first day of the hearing on Monday. The leader of the Clean Energy Coalition of Santa Fe County tells The New Mexican the group plans to appeal the commissioners' decision to state district court if they approve the project.
Were just 10 days into August, and gunfire has already erupted across the country in iconic urban centers, quiet rural towns, military installations and even music venues. This underscores a grim reality: gun violence remains a persistent, complex crisis in America.

Augusts toll:

In New York Citys Times Square, multiple people were injured in a shooting that rattled one of the worlds busiest tourist spots, even late at night.

Near Atlantas CDC campus at Emory University, a gunman killed a police officer after blaming the COVID-19 vaccine for his depression, a stark example of how misinformation and mental health crises can lead to deadly violence.

At Fort Stewart Army Base in Georgia, an active-duty soldier opened fire on fellow service members, injuring five before being subdued.

In Chicago, at least 10 people were shot over the weekend, with two fatalities.

Baltimore saw one killed and five wounded, including a 5-year-old girl, in an outdoor neighborhood gathering turned violent.

In Los Angeles, a warehouse party erupted in gunfire, leaving two dead and six injured amid chaos and confusion.

And in Southwestern Montana, four people were fatally shot at The Owl Bar, a quiet town shattered by sudden violence; the suspect remained at large for nearly a week before capture.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Different places, similar forces

These incidents span vastly different settingsa tourist hotspot, a public health campus, a military base, city neighborhoods, a music event, and a rural baryet they share troubling commonalities:

Mental health and misinformation : Particularly in Atlanta, conspiratorial beliefs fueled by personal despair escalated into lethal violence. Similar signs of crisis appear in other cases, spotlighting gaps in early intervention and support.

Easy access to firearms : Whether in crowded urban spaces, secure military environments or rural towns, guns were available and wielded with devastating effect.

Social tension and conflict escalation: Rapid shifts from disputes to shootings reveal a frayed social fabric, where violence becomes a frequent and often fatal response.

Community and official responses

Authorities reacted swiftly to lockdowns, medical care and arrests. Yet the cycle of violence persists, reflecting deeper systemic challenges. Calls for stronger gun regulations, improved mental health services, and combating misinformation continue to meet political stalemate and logistical hurdles.

The broader reality

These shootings, though unique in location and circumstance, are linked by the sobering fact that gun violence in America remains pervasive and multifaceted. The ripple effects extend far beyond victims and families, reshaping how communities feel safe in everyday life.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Unless comprehensive strategies address not just firearms but also mental health infrastructure and the corrosive impact of misinformation, this deadly pattern is likely to continue.

The post From Times Square to Montana, shootings reveal ongoing U.S. gun crisis appeared first on Salon.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A man with an extensive criminal record faces six charges, including felonies, after at least three cars had their tires slashed in broad daylight Saturday afternoon in Portland.

The suspect, Jayson Paul Garritson, allegedly began slashing the tires on East Burnside near NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard around 12:30 p.m.

Train with grain derails in North Plains

The owner of the one of the cars affected was inside his car at the time his tires were slashed. He told KOIN 6 News he was sitting inside his car when a man came up yelling, slashed all four tires and ran off.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Police said they spotted a man matching the witness description on SE Alder and 6th. He was eventually arrested at SE Morrison and 11th Avenue for disorderly conduct.

Several cars had their tires slashed, including this white car, along E. Burnside near NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, August 9, 2025 (KOIN) Several cars had their tires slashed, including this white car, along E. Burnside near NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, August 9, 2025 (KOIN) Several cars had their tires slashed, including this white car, along E. Burnside near NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, August 9, 2025 (KOIN) Several cars had their tires slashed, including this blue car, along E. Burnside near NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, August 9, 2025 (PPB) One man was arrested with this knife and drill bit after several cars had their tires slashed along E. Burnside near NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, August 9, 2025 (PPB)

PPB Officer Donald Mathew said Garritson has an extensive history with us. I dont know if I can go into detail about his history but we are very familiar with the person that we placed in custody.

So far investigators found 8 tires on 3 cars that were slashed, but said there may be more drivers affected. Anyone who believes their tires were slashed during this incident are asked to contact Portland police.

Garritson, 46, was booked into the Multnomah County Jail on 6 charges: 3 felonies for criminal mischief, plus 3 misdemeanors for escape, interfering with a police officer and disorderly conduct.

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.
Torrential rainfall in the Midwest led to severe flooding in Wisconsin, impacting roads, the state fair and the Milwaukee airport.

Milwaukee was hit with 5.74 inches of rain on Saturday, setting a new daily record for the area. The rain has only continued since, with some areas of Milwaukee seeing more than 14 inches of total rainfall as of Sunday morning, according to the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District.

The Central Plains and Midwest regions are set to see even more rain and flash floods, according to the National Weather Service. Severe thunderstorms, hail and isolated tornadoes could threaten the region through Sunday night.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The NWS issued a flash flood warning through Sunday morning in Milwaukee and the surrounding area. Meteorologists estimate 1.5 inches of rain could fall per hour. The flooding could be life-threatening, the NWS said.

The devastating rain and floods caused closures throughout the region on Saturday night, including at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Torrential rain and flash floods have hit Wisconsin, impacting roads, airports and the state fair (Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District)

Fair officials announced the closure around 9 p.m. local time: Please use caution as you make your way to the nearest exit as safely as possible and follow the directions of the Fair Park staff and police as you exit.

Video filmed Saturday around 9 p.m. shows fair-goers trudging through water up to their ankles as torrential rain pours down. Another video shows cars trapped in deep flood waters at the fairground.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd was also set to perform at the fair, but officials canceled the performance about an hour before closing altogether.

We are sad to inform you that the Lynyrd Skynyrd Main Stage concert has been canceled due to severe weather, a statement from fair officials reads. While we tried everything within our control to allow this show to go on, for the safety of our artists, team, and Fairgoers, we cannot host this concert.

Debris from flash flooding piles up near a bridge in Milwaukee. Some areas of the city saw more than 14 inches of total rainfall as of Sunday morning (Getty Images)

Basements throughout the region have also flooded. Jacqueline Zeledon told the Journal Sentinel her basement filled with about three feet of water overnight.

"Everyone is waking up and were all experiencing the same thing: Basement flooding," she told the outlet. "All is lost. Our furnace, water heater, deep freezer with food, CD collection, clothes, appliances; all that is downstairs is damaged."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nearly all of the runways at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport flooded overnight, along with most taxiways and an underpass tunnel, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. The airport saw 50 delays Saturday, according to FlightAware. Another 12 delays have been reported as of Sunday morning.

Milwaukee Alderman Peter Burgelis told his constituents everything is flooded in a statement Saturday night. He warned that roads throughout the area are underwater and that crews are performing rescue operations.

Burgelis noted the 911 system also received a high volume of calls, urging residents to remain on the line until a dispatcher picked up.

About 42,000 residents are without power as of Sunday morning, according to the regions electricity company We Energies.
On Dec. 15, 2022, Matthew Ecker was headed to work when he said he got a frantic call from his former co-worker and friend Alex Pennig. He said Pennig told him she got in a fight with her boyfriend Shane Anderson and was scared of what he might do. So, Ecker took his gun, which he olwned legally, and drove to Pennig's St. Paul, Minnesota, apartment.

Matthew Ecker, left, and Alex Pennig / Credit: Terri Randall/Mary Jo Pennig

Ecker arrived around 2 p.m. He would later say his only reason for going to Pennig's was to protect her.

Early the next morning, Pennig was shot dead in her apartment. Detectives used surveillance footage to piece together her final moments.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The altercation

From left, Shane Anderson, Alex Pennig and Matthew Ecker inside Camp Bar. / Credit: Ramsey County District Court

Pennig and Ecker went out to a few bars that evening and ended up at Camp Bar at 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 16, 2022. Anderson was at the bar. Surveillance video shows he walked over to Pennig and began talking to her. Ecker walked over to the two of them. Things got heated, and when Ecker stepped in between Pennig and Anderson, Anderson punched him. Anderson was kicked out of the bar and Pennig and Ecker stayed for about an hour drinking and chatting.

Matthew Ecker and Alex Pennig arrive home for the night

Alex Pennig, followed by Matthew Ecker, arrive at Pennig's apartment building after a night out. / Credit: Ramsey County District Court

At 2:05 a.m., Pennig and Ecker arrive at her apartment building after walking there from Camp Bar.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A return to the lobby

Alex Pennig is seen in the vestibule of her apartment building. / Credit: Ramsey County District Court

At 2:24 a.m., Pennig and Ecker are seen back in the lobby as they walk out of the building. Ecker would later say he was going to his car to get his headphones. Pennig (pictured) returned first and waited in the vestibule for Ecker. She paces around looking at her phone.

Alex Pennig last seen alive

Alex Pennig, foreground, and Matthew Ecker walk through the lobby together for the last time. / Credit: Ramsey County District Court

Ecker returns two minutes after Pennig at 2:30 a.m. The two then walk through the lobby and go back up to Pennig's apartment. This is the last time Pennig was seen alive.

St. Paul police officers arrive on scene

Matthew Ecker meets St. Paul police officers responding to his 911 call in the lobby of Alex Pennig's apartment building. / Credit: Ramsey County District Court

At 2:50 a.m., Ecker called 911 and reported that Pennig shot herself in the head. St. Paul police officers raced to the apartment building and Ecker let them inside at 2:56 a.m.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Matthew Ecker's story

A distressed Matthew Ecker is seen on a police body camera as he talks to police in the hall outside Alex Pennig's apartment. / Credit: Ramsey County District Court

After leading police officers to Pennig's apartment, Ecker sat in the hallway, appearing distressed and emotional. Officer Justina Hser approached him and began asking him what happened. Their conversation, which lasted nearly an hour, was captured on her body camera. Ecker told her everything was fine between him and Pennig and that they did not have an argument. He said she grabbed his gun out of his backpack, backed into the bathroom and locked the door. Moments later, Ecker said he heard a shot, so he broke open the bathroom door to find Pennig laying on the floor with a gunshot wound to her left temple.

The weapon

/ Credit: Ramsey County District Court

Responding officers located the gun. It was on Pennig's chest with her left hand resting on top. They noted that this seemed odd. One officer then moved the gun to the sink (pictured) to place it in a safe position.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Notable evidence

Evidence photo of the sink in Alex Pennig's bathroom. / Credit: Ramsey County District Court

Ecker had told officers he washed his hands after trying to help Pennig, which is why his hands were clean. But the officers noticed that the bathroom sink was dry when they arrived. If Ecker had just washed his hands, detectives believed the sink probably would have still been wet.

A lack of evidence on Matthew Ecker

Matthew Ecker photographed during his police interview. / Credit: Ramsey County District Court

Ecker was interviewed by detectives around 6:30 a.m. on Dec. 16, 2022. He had no visible blood on his body or his clothes. It was later discovered that Ecker also had no gunshot residue on him.

The defining evidence

This small piece of metal from a bathroom door lock was key evidence in the death of Alex Pennig. / Credit: Ramsey County District Court

While Ecker was being interviewed at the police station, the forensic unit processing the scene notified detectives that they had found a new piece of evidence once Pennig's body was moved. It was a metal piece of the bathroom door lock, and it was discovered on the floor where Pennig's head was. The detectives suspected that when Ecker broke open the door, that small metal piece landed on the bathroom floor. According to the detectives' theory, Ecker broke open the bathroom door, then Pennig was shot and fell on top of the piece. They say this proves the bathroom door was forced open before Pennig was shot, and that Ecker had lied to them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The accused: Matthew Ecker

Matthew Ecker booking photo / Credit: Ramsey County Sheriff's Office

On Dec. 19, 2022, Matthew Ecker is formally charged with second-degree murder. Ecker denies killing Alex Pennig.

The trial of Matthew Ecker

Matthew Ecker's trial took place at the Ramsey County Courthouse in St. Paul, Minnesota. / Credit: CBS News

On Feb. 8, 2024, Ecker's trial begins. Eight days later, on Feb. 16, 2024, he is found guilty of second-degree murder.

Matthew Ecker sentencing

Matthew Ecker at his sentencing for the second-degree murder of Alex Pennig. / Credit: CBS News

On April 3, 2024, Ecker is sentenced to 30 years in prison.

At 75, "Sunset Boulevard" is ready again for its closeup

Pat Seftel on her move

Passage: In memoriam
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported an incident involving a traveler arriving from Cuba at Houstons George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The federal agency used the case to issue a warning on Friday on social media after seizing a bottle containing what it described as a biological substance whose importation into the country is regulated.

After an inspection by CBP agricultural specialists, the bottle was ultimately confiscated, according to Jud Murdock, CBPs Director of Field Operations in Houston.

Read more: Customs issues strong warning: Travelers in Florida could lose these privileges

Scorpion venom

Murdocks post explained that the bottle seized from the traveler arriving from Cuba contained scorpion venom.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Although the passenger said the venom was intended for medical purposes, Murdock stated in an X post that they did not have the documentation to import the biological substance.

CBP and associated government agencies regulate the importation of biological materials through airports because they may pose a threat to agriculture, public health and natural resources.

.@CBP ag specialists @iah seized a bottle of scorpion venom from a traveler arriving from Cuba. They planned to use the venom for medical purposes but had no documentation to import the biological substance. Learn morehttps://t.co/toTGaVbaZo#CBPisReady #OFOProud pic.twitter.com/PV6YE9AcTz  Director of Field Operations Jud Murdock (@DFOHouston) August 6, 2025

All biological materials imported into the United States must be documented, labeled, packaged, marked and declared in accordance with applicable international, federal and state regulations, CBP stated.

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in delays in importation, civil or criminal penalties, and/or the seizure of the biological materials, CBP said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Biological materials can be declared verbally to Customs, via the Mobile Passport Control app, at a self-service kiosk (such as Global Entry or Automated Passport Control), or by using CBP Form 6059B.

Please leave the home remedies at home.https://t.co/rR6DrCpLam  CBP (@CBP) August 8, 2025

Please leave the home remedies at home, the agency warned in another X post about the incident.

Medical uses in Cuba

In Cuba, scientists have promoted the use of blue scorpion (Rhopalurus junceus) venom, a species endemic to the island, as a remedy for inflammation and pain, which may also slow tumor growth in some cancer patients.

A Reuters report states that the Cuban state-owned pharmaceutical company Labiofam has been using scorpion venom since 2011 to produce the homeopathic medicine Vidatox.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The product is listed in Cubas clinical trials registry, and Labiofam recommends it as a supplementary treatment that should not replace conventional medicine.

Although Vidatox has gained some popularity over the years and Cuba sells it in several countries, foreign scientists argue that more research is needed to support its claimed effects on cancer, according to Reuters.

Got a U.S. visa? This is the date that really matters for your legal stay

A privilege, not a right: Trump administration puts green card holders on notice

Cuba adds another travel requirement for Miami flyers after visa change
Aug. 10SANTA FE  If successful in her bid to become New Mexico's next governor, Deb Haaland would be the first female Native American governor elected in United States history.

But the former U.S. interior secretary does not have all New Mexico tribes lining up behind her in the race's early going, as one pueblo has already endorsed her primary opponent, Sam Bregman.

Bregman recently announced the endorsement of Sandia Pueblo, with his campaign describing the endorsement as a sign of his growing momentum in the race.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It means a tremendous amount to me and my campaign that they have trust in me," Bregman said in a Thursday interview, while adding that he's confident other endorsements from tribal groups will be forthcoming.

Bregman, the Bernalillo County district attorney, also said his office has about 50 criminal cases pending on Sandia Pueblo, which covers more than 22,000 acres just north of Albuquerque.

Sandia Pueblo Gov. Felix Chaves said in an endorsement letter that he and other tribal leaders were confident Bregman would prioritize issues such as tribal sovereignty and water rights if elected governor, adding, "We trust that you will continue to be a strong advocate for all pueblos and the people of New Mexico."

Meanwhile, Haaland has landed the endorsement of Jemez Pueblo, contrary to the Bregman campaign's claim that the Sandia Pueblo endorsement marked the first tribal endorsement of the 2026 campaign cycle.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A campaign spokeswoman said Haaland has a strong working relationship with tribes built on mutual respect, while also citing her past work to secure tribal funding as interior secretary.

The campaign also sent a statement from Jemez Pueblo Gov. George Shendo Jr., who said Haaland had fought for the tribe's economic interests and cultural values.

"As she moves forward in her run for governor, she will continue standing up for communities that have been left behind by the rich and powerful and will continue fighting to make life better and more affordable for New Mexicans," said Haaland campaign spokeswoman Felicia Salazar.

University of New Mexico political science professor Gabriel Sanchez said endorsements generally do not have a significant impact when it comes to influencing voters.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"In this case, the endorsement of Sandia Pueblo's leadership is helpful for Bregman but will not have a huge impact on the outcome given that the influence would be limited to voters from Sandia Pueblo who are moved by the endorsement," Sanchez told the Journal.

But he also said the Sandia Pueblo endorsement could be politically significant, while adding he still expects Haaland to receive the majority of votes from Native American voters in New Mexico in next year's primary election.

"If Bregman can gain some additional endorsements and eat into that projected lead among Native American voters, that could be huge for his campaign," Sanchez said.

Haaland and Bregman are vying, along with former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima, for the Democratic nomination in next year's gubernatorial race, which is expected to be an expensive contest. The winner of the June 2026 primary election will likely enter the general election as the favorite, as no Republican has won a statewide race in New Mexico since former Supreme Court Justice Judith Nakamura did so in 2016.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Haaland, who is an enrolled member of Laguna Pueblo and is a former tribal administrator for San Felipe Pueblo, became the first Native American Cabinet secretary after being appointed by President Joe Biden in 2021.

While Haaland received accolades for many of her decisions as interior secretary, she also faced criticism at times.

That includes an outcry over her 2023 decision to bar new oil and gas leasing in a 10-mile radius around Chaco Canyon from Navajo Nation residents who financially benefit from drilling royalties.

For his part, Bregman has in the past represented clients who have filed lawsuits against tribal casinos over unpaid jackpots caused by machine malfunctions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But his campaign has also touted his efforts to protect minority communities, including by maintaining a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Unit in the Bernalillo County District Attorney's office.

Native Americans make up a significant voting bloc in New Mexico, as they represent more than 10% of the state's population, according to the 2020 census.

The state's 23 federally recognized tribes follow their own timelines and procedures for political endorsements, though most tribes require candidates to personally appear before tribal leaders in order to be considered.
Aug. 9 (UPI) -- U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy and U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with Ukrainian officials and others to discuss ending the war when Russia attacked its neighbor in February 2022.

Ukraine Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak and Ukraine Defense Secretary Rustem Umerov joined Lammy and Vance on Saturday to discuss matters in Ukraine and its defensive war with Russia.

"The U.K.'s support for Ukraine remains ironclad as we continue working toward a just and lasting peace," Lammy said Saturday in a post on X.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The meeting occurred at Lammy's official residence in Kent, England, where Vance is staying with his family through the weekend.

Yermak and Umerov were invited to join Lammy and Vance on short notice and ahead of Friday's scheduled summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also might join the meeting with Trump and Putin, but he has not been invited as of Saturday evening.

Officials from the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Italy and NATO also attended Saturday's meeting at Lammy's official residence, the BBC reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not join the meeting, but he talked with Zelensky by phone before it occurred.

Starmer and Zelensky agreed the meeting at Lammy's residence is an important prelude to Friday's scheduled summit in Alaska, Starmer's office said in a news release.

Zelensky afterward told Ukrainians Putin is the only one standing in the way of ending the war.

"His only card is the ability to kill, and he is trying to sell the cessation of killings at the highest possible price," Zelensky said during a national address.

He also dismissed the notion of a cease-fire instead of ending the war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"What is needed is not a pause in the killings but a real, lasting peace," Zelensky said.

He said Trump supports an immediate cessation of hostilities and said the United States has the "leverage and determination" to make it happen via sanctions against Russia.

Putin "fears sanctions and is doing everything to bail on them," Zelensky said.

"He wants to exchange a pause in the war, in the killings, for the legalization of the occupation of our land," Zelensky told Ukrainians.

"We will not allow this second attempt to partition Ukraine."
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in collaboration with the Forest and Environment Department, Government of Gujarat, celebrated today World Lion Day - 2025 at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Devbhumi Dwarka district, Gujarat. The celebration was graced by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, along with Gujarat Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera, Members of Parliament, State legislators, and other public representatives.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav expressed happiness over the significant rise in India's lion population, which has grown to 891, up from 674 in 2020.

Union Minister Yadav further said, "The Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) is a global symbol of successful wildlife conservation, and on this World Lion Day, we celebrate their remarkable recovery. From just 284 lions in 1990, the population has now risen to 891 in 2025 -- a 32 per cent increase since 2020 and over 70 per cent growth in the past decade."

Calling it an "astounding success of conservation," the Minister credited this achievement to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, first as Chief Minister of Gujarat and later as Prime Minister, made Project Lion a priority area of action.

The Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment towards building a Viksit Bharat where humans and wildlife flourish together, ensuring that the conservation momentum continues for generations to come. (ANI)
Florida Atlantic University professors have been training Osceola County prekindergarten teachers techniques for teaching English since 2023.

But the Trump administrations cuts to the Department of Education have university officials concerned about the programs future.

The federally funded initiative aims to improve the quality of English language instruction in pre-K classrooms to help students struggling with the language expand their vocabulary before kindergarten. So far, the program has proved fruitful. But FAU officials are questioning if theyll get the additional funding that was promised under the Biden administration needed to continue the work.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Students taught by teachers who got the extra training saw an improvement of about 18 points on their early reading assessments.

That data suggests a meaningful connection between participation in the program and instructional improvement and student achievement, said Sabrina Sembiante, professor of bilingual education at FAU.

Despite that success, she and others at FAU are worried the program will be defunded.

FAU was awarded a $1.8 million grant to fund the initiative in 2022, with the money to be delivered in annual payments over five years. The university received the first three payments, but if it doesnt get the fourth  approximately $360,000  by Sept. 1 the program will end.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In March, President Trump declared English the official language of the United States. Then, later that month, he laid off nearly the entire staff in the Department of Educations Office of English Language Acquisition, which administers the universitys grant.

I think the threats come through action. So when you look at the fact that they have terminated all of these employees in that specific department, clearly theres an anti-immigration philosophy coming out of this administration, said Daniel Reyes-Guerra, associate professor in FAUs Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology.

Department of Education officials did not reply to emails seeking comment. The School District of Osceola County also declined to comment.

Although Florida Atlantic is in Boca Raton, about 150 miles from Osceola, its professors chose the county because of its large immigrant population

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In Osceola, 53.9% of households speak a language other than English at home, according to U.S. Census data. And nearly 26% of the countys population is foreign born. The county saw an influx of migration from Puerto Rico following Hurricane Marie in 2014 and more than 33% of its population is Puerto Rican.

Osceola is a poster child for a district that has a huge amount of pre-K and elementary students who are English-as-a-second-language students, Reyes-Guerra said.

Winter Park conflicted over MLK statues larger-than-life attributes

If those students dont have a strong grasp of English when they start kindergarten, they risk falling behind and may never catch up, Reyes-Guerra said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Unlike teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade, pre-K instructors are not required to have bachelors degrees and make significantly less money. The starting rate for pre-K teachers in Osceola is just over $16 and hour, while the districts first-year kindergarten teachers can earn more than $50,000 a year, equating to about $24 an hour.

So part of the goal is to expose pre-K teachers to some of the techniques they wouldve learned in college. Sembiante said things as simple as pairing spoken words with gestures can have a big impact in the classroom.

A simple phrase like lets look outside, becomes much more accessible when combined with body movements and visual cues, she said.

Since the university was awarded the grant, it has hosted four-day training classes over the summers to pre-K teachers at schools throughout the county. They are paid a stipend for participating. So far, 34 teachers at 18 of the districts elementary schools have received the training.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

School principals, assistant principals and other administrators also take part. Together with the pre-K teachers and a university instructor they set goals and draft an educational plan before the school year begins. Theyll meet several times during the year to discuss progress and make needed adjustments.

If challenges arise in the classroom, the group can brainstorm possible strategies and resources in a supportive, problem-solving environment, Sembiante said by email.

The program provides schools with resources needed to continue the training after the universitys role is finished.

Ultimately our goal is always giving them everything they need to continue the program once the funding is over, Reyes-Guerra said. He and his teams multi-year strategy was to bring their training to all of Osceolas elementary schools. But we can only do that in five years. So were not going to be there if they cut us off right now.
President Donald Trump is considering inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to join him and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week, according to a report.

Trump and Putin are set to meet for a summit in the Last Frontier state next Friday to discuss the war in Ukraine.

Extending an invitation to the Ukrainian leader is being discussed, according to NBC News, citing three people briefed on internal conversations about the meeting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A senior U.S. official reportedly told the outlet that Zelenskys attendance is absolutely possible, but nothing has been finalized. Everyone is very hopeful that would happen, the official reportedly added.

Quizzed whether an official invite had been extended to Zelensky, a senior White House official told NBC: The President remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is focusing on planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin.

Extending an invitation to the Ukrainian leader is being discussed, according to NBC News, citing three people briefed on internal conversations of the meeting. (Getty Images)

The Independent has contacted the White House for further comment.

Zelenskys reaction to the TrumpPutin summit was dismissive, warning that any negotiations to end Europe's biggest conflict since World War II must include Kyiv.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Any decisions that are without Ukraine are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not bring anything. These are dead decisions. They will never work, Zelensky said.

Putin is expected to use the summit to set out Russia's demands for a ceasefire deal. Speaking to reporters at the White House Friday, Trump admitted any peace deal may involve some swapping of territories.

The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska, Trump declared Friday on Truth Social.

Zelenskys reaction to the TrumpPutin summit was dismissive, warning that any negotiations to end Europe's biggest conflict since World War II must include Kyiv. (AFP/Getty)

Despite facing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, the meeting slated for August 15 would mark the first time in a decade that Putin has set foot on U.S. soil.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The last time the two leaders met was in Helsinki, Finland, in July 2018, during Trumps first term as president. Following the meeting, Trump publicly contradicted U.S. intelligence agencies and appeared to take Putins word over their findings regarding Russian election interference.

The remarks caused bipartisan outrage in Washington, with many accusing Trump of having sided with the enemy.

Negotiations on peace talks have been slow-moving and, at times, fraught.

Zelensky was ambushed in the Oval Office earlier this year by Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The vice president criticized Zelensky for not expressing gratitude enough for U.S. financial and military support, accusing him of being disrespectful.

Trump has also publicly blamed Zelensky  rather than Putin  for starting the war.
US President Donald Trump has said homeless people must "move out" of Washington DC as he vowed to tackle crime in the city, but the mayor pushed back against the White House likening the American capital to Baghdad in Iraq.

The Republican president has also trailed a news conference for Monday about his plan to make the city "safer and more beautiful than it ever was before".

Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, said: "We are not experiencing a crime spike."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump signed an order last month making it easier to arrest homeless people, and he last week ordered federal law enforcement into the streets of Washington DC.

"The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY," Trump wrote on his social media site Truth Social on Sunday. "We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don't have to move out. We're going to put you in jail where you belong."

Alongside photos of tents and rubbish, he added: "There will be no 'MR. NICE GUY.' We want our Capital BACK. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

The specifics of the president's plan are not yet clear, but in a 2022 speech he proposed moving homeless people to "high quality" tents on inexpensive land outside cities, while providing access to bathrooms and medical professionals.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Friday, Trump ordered federal agents - including from US Park Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI and the US Marshals Service - into Washington DC to curb what he called "totally out of control" levels of crime.

A White House official told NPR that up to 450 federal officers were deployed on Saturday night.

The administration is also considering deploying National Guard members, although Trump has not yet made a final decision, according to reports by Reuters and ABC News.

Trump's moves come after a 19-year-old former employee of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) was assaulted in an alleged attempted carjacking in Washington DC.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump vented about that incident on social media, posting a photo of the bloodied victim.

Mayor Bowser told MSNBC on Sunday: "It is true that we had a terrible spike in crime in 2023, but this is not 2023.

"We have spent over the last two years driving down violent crime in this city, driving it down to a 30-year low."

She criticised White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller for dubbing the US capital "more violent than Baghdad".

"Any comparison to a war-torn country is hyperbolic and false," Bowser said.

Washington DC's homicide rate remains relatively high per capita compared to other US cities, with a total of 98 such killings recorded so far this year. Homicides have been trending higher in the US capital from a decade ago.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But federal data from January suggests that Washington DC last year recorded its lowest overall violent crime figures - once carjacking, assault and robberies are incorporated - in 30 years.

Trump has promised a news conference at the White House on Monday to outline his plans to stop violent crime in the US capital.

In another post on Sunday, he said the event at 10:00 EDT (14:00 GMT) would address ending "crime, murder and death" in the city, as well as its "physical renovation".

He described Bowser as "a good person who has tried", adding that despite the mayor's efforts, crime continued to get "worse" and the city was becoming "dirtier and less attractive".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Community Partnership, an organisation that works to reduce homelessness in Washington DC, told Reuters that the city of 700,000 residents had about 3,782 people homeless on any given night.

Most were in public housing or emergency shelters, but about 800 were considered to be "on the street".

As a district, rather than a state, Washington DC is overseen by the federal government, which has the power to override some local laws.

The president controls federal land and buildings in the city, although he would need Congress to assume federal control of the district.

In recent days, he has threatened to take over the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department, which Bowser argued was not possible.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"There are very specific things in our law that would allow the president to have more control over our police department," Bowser said. "None of those conditions exist in our city right now."

Trump has been critical of various Democratic-run city administrations during his two presidential terms.

In recent months, he has notably clashed with the Los Angeles leadership after ordering thousands of National Guard members to deal with unrest over raids on undocumented migrants.

That deployment became the subject of a legal battle which will reach a federal court in California on Monday.

[BBC]

Follow the twists and turns of Trump's second term with North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher's weekly US Politics Unspun newsletter. Readers in the UK can sign up here. Those outside the UK can sign up here.
President Donald Trumps special envoy to the Middle East botched a sitdown with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week.

During the Wednesday meeting, Special Envoy Witkoff mistook Putins demand for a peaceful withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Kherson and Zaporizhzhia as a proposed concession from Putin to pull back Russian troops in the regions, according to German tabloid Bild.

Witkoff doesnt know what hes talking about, an anonymous Ukrainian official told the paper.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After the meeting, Trump said Russia could withdraw from the two regions in exchange for Donetsk, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Multiple sources have accused Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff of woefully misunderstanding Vladimir Putin's demands during a meeting this week. / Gavriil Grigorov / Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via Reuters

But in a Thursday phone call between Witkoff, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and European leadersduring which Witkoff appeared overwhelmed and incompetent, Bild reportedthe special envoy said Russia would withdraw from those regions and freeze the front line.

Further complicating the call was the fact that Witkoff and Vance only wanted to inform European officials about the Trump administrations progress in the negotiations, whereas Rubio thought the Europeans should be further involved in the ongoing talks, according to Bild.

Witkoff's gaffe threatens to muddy the waters ahead of Trump's own sit-down with the Russian president next week. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

The confusion led European leaders to request another call Friday to clarify the proposal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is deeply damaging incompetence, Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia under the Obama administration, posted on X. Witkoff should finally start taking a note taker from the U.S. embassy for future meetings. Thats how professional diplomacy works.

This is deeply damaging incompetence. Witkoff should finally start taking a notetaker from the U.S. embassy for future meetings. That's how professional diplomacy works. https://t.co/b22XtGXZFH  Michael McFaul (@McFaul) August 9, 2025

Witkoffs meeting with Putin has muddied the waters ahead of Trumps own historic face-to-face with his Russian counterpart in Alaska scheduled for Friday, during which the president is expected to make controversial proposals for territory swapping between Kyiv and Moscow.

Matthew Whitaker, Trumps ambassador to NATO, qualified the conditions of those proposals during a Sunday interview with CNN, saying that no big chunks or sections are going to be just given that havent been fought for or earned on the battlefield.

NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker on Ukraine's territorial concessions: "No big chunks or sections are going to be just given that haven't been fought for or earned on the battlefield." pic.twitter.com/j5FWlWZ1bq  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 10, 2025

Europe and Ukraine have pushed back against those terms, insisting that any peace deal should respect Ukrainian sovereignty and guarantee its security without compromising on the Eastern European countrys aspirations for NATO membership.

Russia, meanwhile, continues to maintain a maximalist stance, seeking recognition of annexed Ukrainian territories and opposing Kyivs accession into the defense alliance.
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he would hold a press conference at the White House on Monday to present his plan to "stop violent crime" in the nation's capital after the attempted carjacking on former DOGE staffer Edward Coristine, known by the pseudonym Big Balls.

Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform after threatening a federal takeover of Washington, D.C., last week. The capital city is in the federal District of Columbia, which lies outside any state boundaries, and its authority rests with Congress.

"It has become one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the world. It will soon be one of the safest!" Trump said in his post. "Thank you for your attention to this matter."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Under federal law, Washington, D.C., has an elected mayor and a 13-member council that manages municipal functions, like policing. But Congress has the power to override any local laws passed, control its budget and abolish home rule if deemed necessary.

While large swaths of the city, like federal buildings and the National Mall, are already within federal jurisdiction under the executive branch, only Congress has the ultimate authority over the district.

The primary mechanism that might allow Trump to take federal control of the city through the executive branch would be by federalizing the Metro Police under the oversight of Attorney General Pam Bondi or another federal official, which is allowed under the city's municipal code.

Trump could also use various federal statutes regarding how federal agencies govern their specific properties to expand their operational zones and security perimeters, or he may try to use the Insurrection Act to allow him to deploy federal troops or the National Guard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It is true that we had a terrible spike in crime in 2023, but this is not 2023," Mayor Muriel Bowser said in an interview with MSNBC on Sunday. "This is 2025, and we've done that by working with the community, working with the police, working with our prosecutors, and in fact, working with the federal government."

In fact, in January, the U.S. Justice Department released a report that showed that violent crime reached a 30-year low in 2024. Data collected by the Metropolitan Police Department showed crime was down 35% from 2023.

Specifically, homicides were down 32% and robberies were down 39%. The data showed that armed carjackings were down 53% and assaults with a dangerous weapon were down 27% when compared with 2023 levels.

Data released this month by Metro Police shows that violent crime rates have continued to fall in 2025, with violent crime down 26% year-over-year. Homicide rates have dropped 12%, sex abuse by 49%, assault with a dangerous weapon by 20% and robbery by 28%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On top of his concerns for alleged high crime rates in the city, he said that the press conference would focus on new efforts to address the "cleanliness" and "general physical renovation" of the capital.

Trump also hinted at a possible budgetary takeover, lambasting high-cost renovation projects causing "never-ending construction," but it was not clear what mechanisms might allow him to do so.

"The mayor of D.C., Muriel Bowser, is a good person who has tried, but she has been given many chances, and the crime numbers get worse, and the city only gets dirtier and less attractive," Trump said. "The American public is not going to put up with it any longer."
President Donald Trump got into a shouting match with Benjamin Netanyahu after the Israeli prime minister denied that images of starving children in Gaza were real, according to NBC News.

Israel is building up troops as it prepares to possibly take full control of the Gaza Strip. The private phone conversation that devolved into the two leaders shouting at each other reportedly took place on July 28.

The tense discussion came amid U.S. concerns about the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a relief effort backed by the U.S. and Israel, several officials told the network.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On July 27, Netanyahu took part in an event in Jerusalem, claiming that There is no policy of starvation in Gaza. And there is no starvation in Gaza.

The following day, during his recent trip to Scotland, Trump pushed back, saying that he had seen pictures of children in Gaza who look very hungry, adding that the area is suffering from real starvation and you cant fake that.

(Getty)

This prompted Netanyahu to demand a call with the president, and they were connected hours later, according to NBC News.

Netanyahu claimed during the call that there was no starvation in Gaza, arguing that Hamas had fabricated it. Trump interrupted and started shouting, saying that he didnt want to hear the assertion that the starvation was fake, adding that his staff had shown him evidence that children are starving.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The prime ministers office was quick to deny the claim that a shouting match had taken place.

The report alleging that a shouting match occurred between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump is total fake news, his office said in a statement on Friday.

We do not comment on the Presidents private conversations. President Trump is focused on returning all the hostages and getting the people in Gaza fed, a White House spokesperson told NBC News.

A former U.S. official briefed on the call told the network that the call was direct, mostly one-way conversation about the status of humanitarian aid. Trump was doing most of the talking.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The U.S. not only feels like the situation is dire, but they own it because of GHF, the ex-official added in reference to the Gaza Humanitarian Fund.

The phone call led to special envoy Steve Witkoff travelling to the region to find a unified way forward.

The humanitarian fund has been operating in Gaza since May in designated distribution sites, some distance away from many Gazans in need of food. Large crowds have congregated near these sites, and Israeli troops have at times fired upon them. As of late last month, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while trying to get food, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has stated.

The U.N. has boycotted the GHF and has operated its own network of aid distributors in the Gaza Strip.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Witkoss asked the Israelis if the relief efforts currently in place are sufficient or if they need to expand, according to NBC News.

Trump was asked Tuesday if he would back Israel occupying Gaza, to which the president said he was focused on getting food to people in the area. About the possible military occupation, he said, I really cant say. Thats going to be pretty much up to Israel.
President Trump spoke Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel and its leader face rising global backlash over its plan to expand military control of the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahus office announced the call in a post on social media, saying the leaders discussed Israels plans for taking control of the remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza in order to bring about the end of the war, the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas.

Netanyahu also thanked President Trump for his steadfast support of Israel since the start of the war, his office said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The call comes as Netanyahu defends Israels plans to increase its military presence in Gaza with the stated goal of wiping out the remaining Hamas strongholds in the Palestinian territory.

Trump has given Netanyahu a tacit endorsement to take over the Gaza Strip, even as other U.S. and Israeli allies hold back military aid and condemn the Israeli government for the escalating hunger crisis in Gaza.

I know that we are there now trying to get people fed.  As far as the rest of it, I really cant say. Thats going to be pretty much up to Israel, Trump said earlier this week when asked about Netanyahus plan.

Netanyahu defended the plan in a Sunday press conference, accusing the countrys critics and media outlets of promoting fake stories about starving children and comparing the claims to lies spread throughout history to justify mass slaughters of Jews.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Germany announced Friday it would halt military exports to Israel that can be used in the Gaza Strip. France, Canada and the United Kingdom previously expressed their intentions to recognize an independent Palestinian state, a move vehemently opposed by Israel.

U.S. lawmakers have become increasingly outspoken against Israel after its military has repeatedly opened fire on Palestinians at food distribution sites.

Look, Israel had a right, of course, to defend itself from the terrible terrorist attack from Hamas, but what they have done since then is gone to war against the entire Palestinian people, said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in a Sunday interview with CNNs State of the Union.

Sanders, who is Jewish, criticized Netanyahus decision to impose a blockade, preventing food to come in.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Donald Trump said Saturday he was nominating U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce to become the next deputy representative to the United Nations.

"I am pleased to announce that I am nominating Tammy Bruce, a Great Patriot, Television Personality, and Bestselling Author, as our next Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador," the president wrote on social media.

"Since the beginning of my Second Term, Tammy has been serving with distinction as Spokesperson of the State Department, where she did a fantastic job. Tammy Bruce will represent our Country brilliantly at the United Nations. Congratulations Tammy!"

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bruce has defended the Trump administration's immigration policies and its position on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Senate Drives Off For Recess, Leaving Trump's 150+ Stalled Confirmations In Its Wake

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce speaks during a press briefing at the State Department in Washington, D.C.

Last week, she warned Russia on Fox News that it needs to take Trump "seriously on his deadline for a ceasefire.

Read On The Fox News App

Bruce has been with the administration since Trump took office.

Tammy Bruce listening to Secretary of State Marco Rubio speak after a G7 meeting in Quebec in March.

Before Trump tapped her as State Department spokesperson, she was a longtime conservative commentator and contributor to Fox News.

When Trump chose her for the State Department, he described her as a "highly respected political analyst who understood the power and importance of MAGA early on."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Here's How We Take America First To The United Nations

Trump's nominee for U.N. ambassador, Mike Waltz, is still awaiting confirmation.

"As one of the longest-serving News Contributors, Tammy has brought TRUTH to the American People for over two decades," Trump added. "I know she will bring that same strength of conviction and fearless spirit to her new position as State Department Spokesperson."

Dorothy Shea, who served as deputy ambassador last year, is the current acting ambassador.

Trump's nominee for U.N. ambassador, Mike Waltz, is still awaiting confirmation.





Original article source: Trump nominates State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce as UN deputy representative
Donald Trumps renewed efforts aimed at brokering a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia may in fact have their roots in Trumps most famous political grudge.

As the president prepares for a summit with Russias Vladimir Putin in Alaska  potentially to be attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as well  one of his former advisers sees a pattern emerging in Trumps second-term foreign policy agenda that indicates the US president is seriously pining for what he sees as the ultimate sign of global recognition and respect: a Nobel Peace Prize.

But what John Bolton described to ABCs This Week on Sunday as Trumps latest fascination may have deeper psychological roots. And the biggest clue providing a glimpse into the presidents psyche is the simultaneous focus of his entire national security team on Barack Obama, Trumps first-term predecessor and a figure many have argued propelled Trumps political ambitions through mockery and dismissal.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bolton, who served as Trumps national security adviser, explained Sunday that Trumps peacemaking attempts in Ukraine were part of a clear bid for a Nobel Peace Prize. He pointed to the presidents efforts to claim credit for halting other global conflicts as part of the same concerted campaign; the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict, and Indias clashes with Pakistan.

I think what Trump has done is make it clear that he wants a Nobel Peace Prize more than anything else.... the way to his heart? Offer to nominate him, Bolton told ABC News.

Trump is leaning into efforts to win a Nobel Peace Prize in his second term, with Azerbaijan and Armenia being some of his latest accomplices (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Though Bolton said that Trump was having mixed success: I don't think what he has done materially changes the situation in -- in any of those circumstances, or several others he's mentioned, like Pakistan/India, where the Indians, not just the government, the entire country are outraged that he tried to take credit for [a peace agreement].

On Friday, the president invited the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia to the White House to sign a peace agreement. The deal is aimed at ending decades of conflict, but builds on a peace process moderated by Russias Vladimir Putin and a previous agreement crafted by Russia that the two countries signed. Writing Thursday on Truth Social, Trump boasted of his role in reaching the agreement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The agreement between the two nations will create a major trade and transit corridor called the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity. It will connect mainland Azerbaijan with the autonomous Nakhchivan region, satisfying a major objective of the Azerbaijani government in the peace talks between the countries.

Meanwhile, Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard and Attorney General Pam Bondi collaborate on an effort to reignite interest in Russiagate and the 2016 investigation into the Trump campaign. And the president himself continues to rage against a man he now accuses of treason and efforts to rig the 2016 and possibly 2020 elections. Gabbard has eagerly echoed his accusations and argued that the Obama administrations efforts to call out Russian election interference efforts should be considered a coup.

Bondi acted to give the pair as much political cover at the Justice Department as possible; the embattled attorney general opened a grand jury probe into the Russiagate investigation this past week, even despite a previous DOJ special counsel review finding no evidence of criminal wrongdoing in the case. No charges have been filed yet against Obama or anyone else.

Combined with Trumps bid to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, a clear pattern is emerging. As former RNC chair Michael Steele (the only Black chair in the Republican Partys history) wrote earlier this year in an op-ed for MSNBC: Its clear that Obama has been living in Trumps head rent-free for the last two decades. Some think he first ran for president because Obama made fun of him at the White House Correspondents Association dinner. He mistakenly called Biden by Obamas name multiple times while campaigning, once even saying he beat Obama in 2016.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize? Trump spends years obsessing about winning it himself, Steele added.

In March, Bolton saw the connection too. He told the New York Times that Trump saw that Obama got the Nobel Peace Prize and felt if Obama got it for not doing anything, why should he not get it? The Times noted other instances where Trump has publicly and privately groused about not getting the award in spite of Obamas reception.

If I were named Obama, I would have had the Nobel Prize given to me in 10 seconds, the president told the Detroit Economic Club last year.

The evidence is clear: Trump is entering the latest phase of a years-long obsession with a political foe who consumes more of his attention than Joe Biden and even, at this point, Hillary Clinton. Obama is, in reality, Trumps one unvanquished foe remaining on the left. But hes also the last U.S. president who commanded clear respect and admiration not just in the U.S. but around the world, where he was invited to speak before the legislative bodies of the UK, Canada and Australia as well as to huge crowds elsewhere, like Germany and his fathers home country of Kenya. The 44th president, the nations first Black commander-in-chief, struck a nerve in Trump early and the man who would succeed Obama spent years coordinating a false, racist campaign of abuse centered around Obamas heritage and birthplace. Hillary Clinton won his attention and became a focus of his anger during and after the 2016 election, though shes largely faded from his view.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But while the president can order his Cabinet members and aides to launch probes and issue statements tarnishing Obamas reputation, hes found so far that his ability to solve geopolitical conflicts is far more limited. Even as Trump has seen some success bullying U.S. trading partners into line with his reciprocal tariffs, his promises to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza overnight have dissolved into failure.

The international community waits to see whether this grudge-turned-ambition will propel Trump to actually force the end of a three-year war in Ukraine or the bloody siege and starvation of Gaza caused by Israels blockade, or whether he will once again be frustrated by the realities that have thwarted his efforts so far.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  As federal law enforcement has increased its presence on the streets of Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump has announced that a press conference will take place next week to address violent crime in the city.

On Monday, a Press Conference will be held at the White House, which will, essentially, stop violent crime in Washington, D.C., Trump wrote, in a Saturday morning post on his social media platform, Truth Social.

It [D.C.] has become one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the World. It will soon be one of the safest!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter, he continued.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The announcement comes after the White House said Thursday that federal law enforcement officers would be increasing their presence in D.C for at least the next week to help combat crime. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called D.C. an amazing city but added that it has been plagued by violent crime for far too long, an Associated Press report detailed.

Trump to announce plans to improve District safety

Trump has repeatedly suggested turning D.C. over to the control of the federal government due to its crime, which would require a repeal of the Home Rule Act of 1973. After a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee was reportedly beaten in an attempted carjacking in D.C. earlier this month, Trump echoed calls for a federal takeover, posting a photo of the bloodied former staffer on social media.

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, in part.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hes just telling one more lie, D.C. resident Jo Freeman said, regarding Trumps plans to stop violent crime. He wants to take over D.C., well, hes obviously claiming theres a high crime rate, and yet all the statistics say crime has gone down.

As of midnight on Aug. 8, homicides are down by 12% in the nations capitol compared to this time last year, with total violent crime down 26%, according to crime data from the Metropolitan Police Department. Data shows overall crime down by 7%, with arsons reflecting the only reported increase.

Stolen guns, illegal drugs seized in DC after Trump orders increased federal law enforcement presence, US Park Police says

Although D.C.s year-to-year violent crime rate is down, DC News Now analyzed how the Districts violent crime rates compare to those in Los Angeles and New York City per every 100,000 residents by using public crime data to divide the total number of certain violent crimes by each citys population and then multiplying that figure by 100,000.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The analysis showed that, between January and August of this year, D.C.s homicide and robbery rates top those of the City of Angels and the Big Apple, with 13.7 homicides for every 100,000 D.C. residents, compared to 4.1 for the same number of residents in Los Angeles and 2.11 in New York City.

For robberies, the analysis showed 123.5 per every 100,000 D.C. residents, with 111.4 in LA and 103.3 in NYC. However, crime rates for rape and assaults were lower in D.C. compared to the two cities, with 73.2 assaults per the same number of residents in the District., with 204 in New York and 233 in LA.

Following Trumps Saturday announcement, Free DC said it will protest the presidents recent actions during a Monday morning demonstration in the public plaza, just north of Lafayette square, starting at 10 a.m.

DC News Now reached out to the Metropolitan Police Department for comment but has not yet heard back. The mayors office declined to comment on the matter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana on Sunday said that the state assembly in the last 3.5 years has run "very smoothly" under his tenure, ahead of the Monsoon Session of the state that will commence tomorrow. "In the last 3.5 years, the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly has run very smoothly. Earlier, most of the Legislative Assembly sessions were adjourned... I am sure that there will be participation of members in this session as well... On August 13th and 14th, there will be a discussion on the vision 2047 of UP... It is a positive discussion for the development of the UP," Satish Mahana told ANI. Earlier today, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated Vidhan Sabha's renovated dome. He also inaugurated the newly renovated Assembly Mandap, Assembly Hall No. 15, and the VIP lounge. Following the inauguration, the CM participated in an all-party meeting to discuss the upcoming Monsoon Session. Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana convened the all-party meeting before the monsoon session, in which, along with CM Yogi, leaders from both the ruling side and the opposition were present. Key issues were discussed during the session. Present at the meeting were Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna, Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey, Minister Sanjay Nishad, Om Prakash Rajbhar, Congress MLA Aradhana Mishra, BSP MLA Umashankar Singh, and MLA Kunwar Raghuraj Pratap Singh, among others. The Monsoon Session of the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha is scheduled to begin on August 11, as per an order issued by the Assembly Secretariat on July 26. The order stated, "Sri Rajyapal, Uttar Pradesh, has summoned the Uttar Pradesh Eighteenth Vidhan Sabha to meet at 11.00 A.M. on Monday, the 11th of August, 2025, in the Vidhan Sabha Mandap, Vidhan Bhawan, Lucknow for its Second Session of the year 2025." The Assembly will now come under the surveillance of state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras. It will start as a pilot project in this monsoon session and will be fully implemented from the upcoming winter session. Through this technology, not only security but also the presence, activities and performance of the MLAs will be analysed. AI technology will make the working style of MLAs more transparent, and the world's most advanced cameras will be installed in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. These AI-based cameras will have facial recognition technology, enabling them to identify the names and faces registered in the list of MLAs. Also, a detailed profile of every MLA will be fed into the system, which will include name, party, constituency, gender, date of birth, photo and other personal details. With the help of AI technology, it will be recorded which MLA came to the assembly, for how long he stayed, on how many topics he spoke and which topics he covered in the speech. Not only this, but AI will also do topic-based content analysis. Speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Satish Mahana, described this entire system as a positive initiative. He said, "This is not a step of monitoring, but to increase transparency and accountability. MLAs are anyway under the surveillance of the public, so no one should have any objection." Earlier this year, the Budget Session of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly was held from February 18 to March 5. The session lasted over three weeks, during which the state's Rs 8 lakh crore budget for 2025-26 was presented. Meanwhile, on Friday, CM Yogi Adityanath visited Kakori Shaheed Memorial, dedicated to freedom fighters of 'Kakori Kand', for the closing ceremony on the 100th anniversary of the historic event. CM Yogi also celebrated Raksha Bandhan with young girls. Deputy CM KP Maurya and State Minister Jaiveer Singh were also present at the event. He also planted a tree sapling at the Kakori Shaheed Memorial. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump announced he will meet Russias Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, in a summit that appears oriented toward Moscows aims.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not been invited; European officials scrambled to pressure Washington to include Zelenskyy, and the US is reportedly considering it.

At the summit, the leaders are expected to discuss a peace plan that would likely require major territorial concessions or swaps from Ukraine, something Zelenskyy has rejected.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If Zelenskyy refuses an agreement Trump backs, Putin could effectively cause the US to walk away from Ukraine, analysts said.

Either outcome could drive a long-term wedge between the US and Europe, an expert told The New York Times.
President Trump wrote Sunday that homeless people should be moved out of Washington, D.C., "IMMEDIATELY" and relocated "FAR" away, as he hints at more aggressive policing in the nation's capital  and suggests putting the city under federal control.

The Trump administration announced last week it had boosted the presence of federal law enforcement in D.C., after the alleged assault of a former Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, staffer. In a series of Truth Social posts over the weekend, the president suggested he may take further action, announcing a Monday morning press conference he said would "involve ending the Crime, Murder, and Death in our Nation's Capital."

Mr. Trump's possible next steps remain unclear.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don't have to move out. We're going to put you in jail where you belong," Mr. Trump wrote in a Sunday morning Truth Social post accompanied by photos of roadside encampments and garbage.

"There will be no 'MR. NICE GUY,'" the president continued. "We want our Capital BACK."

Hours later, Mr. Trump wrote: "Before the tents, squalor, filth, and Crime, it was the most beautiful Capital in the World. It will soon be that again."

Last week, the president also threatened to "exert my powers" to put Washington under federal control. A spokeswoman with the FBI Washington Field Office on Sunday confirmed to CBS News that its agents are "participating in the increased federal law enforcement presence in Washington, D.C."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mr. Trump has floated the idea of federalizing D.C. in the past. His latest call to take over the city was driven by an alleged attack on ex-DOGE employee Edward Coristine during a weekend carjacking attempt. Mr. Trump posted about the incident on Tuesday and appeared to share a photo of Coristine. Writing that crime in the capital is "totally out of control," he suggested a federal takeover of Washington if the city's local government "doesn't get its act together, and quickly."

The president likely doesn't have the authority to fully federalize the capital city  unless Congress repeals a 1973 law that gave the city's residents the power to elect their own mayor and city council. He can temporarily take over the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department if he "determines that special conditions of an emergency nature exist which require the use of the Metropolitan Police force for federal purposes," but it's not clear that the legal conditions are met.

Mr. Trump also said Sunday that his press conference will focus on "Cleanliness and the General Physical Renovation and Condition of our once beautiful and well maintained Capital," citing a pricey Federal Reserve office renovation project.

Violent crime is dropping in D.C.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Violent crime in D.C. has been declining for the last year and a half after spiking in 2023, according to local police data. So far this year, robberies have dropped by 29% and overall violent crime is down 26%, as of Aug. 6. Last year, violent crime in the capital city hit its lowest level in more than 30 years, the Justice Department said.

Meanwhile, about 5,138 people are homeless in D.C., down 9% year-over-year, according to a tally conducted earlier this year by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. That's higher than 2022 and 2023's figures, which put the number of homeless people below 5,000, but lower than the more than 6,000 homeless people who were reported throughout the 2010s.

Mr. Trump has pressed cities like D.C. to remove homeless people from the streets. He signed an executive order last month telling the Justice Department to "reverse judicial precedents and end consent decrees that limit state and local governments' ability to commit individuals on the streets who are a risk to themselves or others." It also directed federal agencies to prioritize grants to cities that "enforce prohibitions on open illicit drug use, urban camping and loitering." The move drew criticism from advocacy groups like the National Homelessness Law Center.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser told MSNBC on Sunday she isn't sure what the president's Monday announcement will be but she suspects "he is surging federal law enforcement."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bowser spoke to the cable network before Mr. Trump's most recent posts on Sunday, which included some criticism of the mayor. He wrote on Truth Social that Bowser "is a good person who has tried, but she has been given many chances, and the Crime Numbers get worse, and the City only gets dirtier and less attractive."

The mayor defended local officials' handling of crime in the city, saying on MSNBC the police and its federal partners "have spent over the last two years driving down violent crime in this city." She added that the city does need federal assistance, pointing to the fact that D.C. prosecutors work for the Justice Department and local judges are nominated by the president.

"We are not experiencing a spike in crime," Bowser said. "In fact, we're watching our crime numbers go down."

Jamie Lee Curtis: The 60 Minutes Interview

Derek and the Dominos co-founder Bobby Whitlock dies

Artisan bakers sparking sourdough boom
President Donald Trump told reporters last month the donated Qatari jet could be ready for his use as Air Force One in February 2026, well ahead of the long-delayed delivery of two presidential planes from Boeing through a more traditional acquisition process.

They say February, Trump said in late July, when asked by a reporter when he expected to be flying on the new plane. Much sooner than the others. The others are being built.

But former Defense officials and aviation analysts express deep skepticism about how realistic that timeline is, citing the immense task of upgrading a foreign governments plane to meet Air Force Ones distinct requirements and ensuring it is safe and secure for a president to fly on, especially internationally.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Andrew Hunter is a former assistant secretary of the Air Force under the Biden administration. He oversaw an annual budget of more than $54 billion for hundreds of acquisition programs, including Air Force One. He thinks it would be challenging, if not impossible, to complete the jet in that timeframe without Trump waiving some of the requirements that typically need to occur before a president can fly on a new plane.

It would not be possible to replicate all the capabilities of an Air Force One on (the donated jet), on any time frame shorter than what theyre doing with (the Boeing program), he said.

Beyond the timeline concerns from an aviation perspective, the plan to use a donated Boeing 747-8 from Qatar poses a lot of questions and has drawn bipartisan scrutiny. Many are skeptical of the legality and ethics of accepting such a gift. Others are worried about the threat to security, based on how much goes into a jet fit for the leader of the United States.

But Trump remains undaunted and continues to project optimism about the timeline.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Well get this one a year-and-a-half, two years earlier (than the Boeing planes), the president told reporters in late July.

The contracted jets continue to undergo renovations in San Antonio. The Qatari plane was previously parked in the city as well while awaiting upgrades, but open source aircraft tracker ADS-B Exchange shows the jet flew to Fort Worth Alliance Airport on June 29. The plane has rarely popped up on the open source tracker since then, with it last being recorded in late July at the Texas airport.

Too soon?

Refurbishments on commercial jets that dont have the strict and complicated requirements of Air Force One can take weeks or months depending on how much work needs to be done and the age of the aircraft. For example, according to aviation website Simply Flying, certain maintenance checks involving the complete disassembly of a plane are done every six to 12 years. That comprehensive inspection typically takes between three to six weeks.

But security concerns mean what the Qatari plane needs to undergo is even more arduous than that disassembly, experts say, and is very likely to take longer.

This February 15, 2025 photo shows a Boeing 747 on the tarmac of Palm Beach International airport after US President Donald Trump toured the aircraft. - Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images

The plane can be ready by February, said Richard Aboulafia, a managing director at boutique aerospace and defense management consultancy AeroDynamic Advisory, but not with the capability or security that an Air Force One needs, raising the possibility that the administration may plan to cut corners in order to deliver it in that timeframe.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It is absolutely going to be ready to start flying in February, Aboulafia said, and instantly transmitting every onboard conversation to anybody around the world who has a connection to it.

Its very different from stripping a plane down and inspecting it, Aboulafia said. Very different  overhauling systems, overhauling engines, doing what you need to do to get the plane operationally ready. Thats an extremely different job than scanning it for security risks, very different.

Retrofitting and installing the required security and communications equipment on a second-hand plane from another government, even a friendly one, is a monumental task, CNN has reported. US spy and security agencies tasked with the overhaul will need to essentially strip the aircraft down to its frame and rebuild it with the necessary equipment.

The more changes made to the plane itself, said Frank Kendall, the Air Force secretary under the Biden administration, the more that will need to occur to ensure that it meets air-worthiness requirements, taking longer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Theres a chance Trump will never get this airplane no matter what, Kendall, who now does consulting work, said.

However, Kendall, echoing other experts, said the donated jet could be ready in February, if the president waives almost all Air Force One unique requirements and minimizes modifications to the airplane.

It would probably result in a plane that would only be used inside the US, he said.

The White House and the Air Force did not respond to a request for comment.

Its not clear where the upgrade process currently stands, and the experts CNN spoke to have not seen the jet in person.

In early July, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his Qatari counterpart signed an agreement outlining the terms of the jets unconditional donation, CNN previously reported, although the terms have not been formally announced.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

An addendum to the agreement reviewed by CNN last month said the Air Force is in the process of finalizing the transfer of registration and will immediately begin execution of the required modifications.

New Air Force One a long time coming

Conversations about replacing the decades-old planes currently used by the president began years ago under former President Barack Obama. Momentum began picking up under the first Trump administration when he struck a deal to purchase two existing aircraft from Boeing, but the addition of a plane donated by the Qatari royal family has added a strange and some say concerning twist to the saga.

In 2018, Boeing confirmed it received a $3.9 billion contract for two new presidential planes. By 2022, the president of the United States was supposed to be in a new plane.

A Boeing 747-8, one of two that had originally been ordered by a now-bankrupt Russian airline and later earmarked for an Air Force One replacement project, is seen parked at Victorville Airport in Victorville, California, U.S., March 26, 2019. - Mike Blake/Reuters/File

But that timeline also didnt pan out, leading Trump to find an alternative.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When the president announced he planned to accept a jet from Qatar, it raised a lot of eyebrows. Several Republican senators expressed misgivings about the idea, noting the potential for security and legal risks. Trumps plan for the plane to go to his presidential library upon leaving office raised additional ethical concerns.

And while Trump has said it would be stupid to turn down a free, very expensive airplane, officials say renovating the jet could cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

When asked how much it would cost to retrofit the new plane, Trump deflected. Officially, the price tag to retrofit the Qatari plane for use by the president is classified, but Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers in June that it will probably cost less than $400 million.

Thats up to the military. I really dont know. I havent been involved, Trump said last month. Its their plane, its, you know, the Air Force, he said. Theyll be spending that amount of money.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Air Force is looking to fund the upgrades by transferring hundreds of millions of dollars from the vastly overbudget Sentinel program to an unspecified classified project, sources familiar with a congressional notification about the transfer previously told CNN. Sentinel is a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile system that is being developed to replace the US aging Minuteman III missiles.

Boeings jets in San Antonio still hold promise

Boeings contract to replace two Air Force One jets had an original delivery date of 2022  but now the planes are potentially expected by 2027, a timeline that would deliver them while Trump is still in office. Its one to two years earlier than Boeing had most recently predicted, after a global pandemic, supply chain issues and other problems stalled production and the company incurred losses totaling $2.5 billion on the program.

Hunter, the former Air Force assistant secretary, argues one of the biggest design challenges of the program is finishing interior design work on the aircraft. In 2021, Boeing fired GDC Technics, which was hired as a subcontractor to design and build the interiors of the new planes, and later sued the company, citing delays. GDC Technics countersued and later filed for bankruptcy.

Boeing declined to comment on where the interior work stands.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While the Qatari jet will require a major overhaul to ensure its safety, security and operability as it carries the president, the new Boeing jets are following the more traditional route, made in the United States by a well-known manufacturer. And Aboulafia sees promise in the troubled company, which is trying to turn a corner.

Everything is kind of turning around, Aboulafia said. They just had the second clean quarter for their defense unit, which was amazing  I have a much higher level of confidence in all of their programs, really, as a consequence of the management changes.

Delivering the planes in the next two years  which Darlene Costello, the Air Forces acting acquisition chief, suggested was possible during her testimony before House lawmakers in May  would mark a significant acceleration for the project.

I would not necessarily guarantee that date, but they are proposing to bring it in 27, if we can come to agreement on the requirement changes, Costello said, referring to contract requirements that are being loosened to get to that earlier date  such as the Air Force relieving Boeing of some of the top-clearance security requirements for workers performing work on the aircraft, which has also been blamed for some of the delays.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kendall, the former Air Force secretary, said at the forefront of the minds of those working on a new plane, should be safety and security, rather than cost or speed.

As Defense Department acquisition executive, I was responsible for both Marine One and Air Force One, Kendall said. Over the years, the people that set the requirements for these aircraft and that work at the White House are not constrained by time or money unless directed otherwise by the president. Theyre constrained by their imaginations about which scenarios might occur in which they might need something to support or protect the president. Those requirements dictate both cost and schedule.

CNNs Alejandra Jaramillo, Natasha Bertrand, and Chris Isidore contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
White House staff have moved the portraits of three former presidents  including former President Barack Obama  to a staircase where visitors cant see them, according to a new report.

President Donald Trump directed staff to move Obamas White House portrait to the top of the Grand Staircase, CNN reports, citing sources familiar with the move. The Grand Staircase leads up to the residence, an area that is restricted to the presidents family, Secret Service and select staff.

As a result, visitors cant see the portrait, according to CNN.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Portraits of former President George. W. Bush and his father, former President George H.W. Bush, were also moved to the staircase area, the outlet reports.

The sources familiar with the decision told CNN that Trump is often involved in aesthetic changes at the White House. White House protocol and precedent call for the portraits of the most recent former presidents to be displayed at the buildings entrance, where visitors can view them, CNN reports.

Former President Barack Obama's official White House portrait, seen in 2022 during an unveiling ceremony. The portrait is now out of view from visitors, a new report says (Getty Images)

The Independent has contacted the White House, the offices of Barack Obama and George W. Bush, and the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum for comment.

This comes as tensions rise between Trump and Obama, who served in the White House from 2009 to 2017.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard accused Obama of a years-long coup against Trump last month. She released declassified emails and claimed the documents revealed a treasonous conspiracy by Obama and his officials related to the investigation into Russian election interference in 2016. The president then accused Obama of treason on July 22, just days after Gabbard released the documents.

In response, Obama spokesperson Patrick Rodenbush said theres nothing in these documents that undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes, Reuters reports. Russia has denied claims it attempted to interfere in the election.

Rodenbush also called the claims bizarre, ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction. His comments came as the administration was facing heavy criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike over its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Last week, Attorney General Pam Bondi also ordered prosecutors to launch a grand jury investigation into claims that Obama administration officials manufactured intelligence about Russian election interference. The move does not indicate charges are imminent.

Trump has also feuded with both Bushes. The elder Bush called Trump a blowhard in 2017 and supported his opponent, Hillary Clinton, in the 2016 election. In 2021, Trump called the younger Bush a failed and uninspiring president.
President Donald Trumps shocking defense of a champion boxer who raped a teenage girl has resurfaced as the president faces intense scrutiny of his relationship with accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

In a 1992 clip from Late Night with David Letterman being circulated online, the future president tells the shows host that he doesnt think Mike Tyson ought to have been sentenced to six years in jail for the rape of beauty pageant contestant Desiree Washington, who was 18 years old at the time.

Its ridiculous, Trump says, referencing the fact the crime took place late at night after Washington had been dancing for Tyson.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump then suggested that a more fitting punishment would have been for the boxer to serve less time and pay monetary restitution to rape victims in general.

Donald Trump and Mike Tyson attend a March of Dimes dinner in November 1989 in New York City. More than 30 years later, Trumps opinions about Tyson, who was jailed for raping an 18-year-old, have come back to haunt him. / Sonia Moskowitz / Getty Images

Mike Tyson should supply millions and millions and millions of dollars to rape victims, and I think thats a hell of a lot better than him sitting in a jailhouse for six years, the future president says. Mike should serve some time and everything else, but to keep a man heres a woman that was dancing at his door at one oclock in the morning. Dancing.

A second clip from Trumps appearance the same year on The Charlie Rose Show features him questioning Washingtons account of the crime itself, saying she was raped perhaps, perhaps not.

This whole interview is a window into how arrogant and narcissistic Trump is.



Here, he tells Charlie Rose he thought Mike Tyson was "badly represented" in his rape case, questions the victims behavior, and says he isnt sure Tyson was guilty.



(Rose was later fired and in 2024, pic.twitter.com/e5wxi56gwC  Blue Georgia (@BlueATLGeorgia) July 27, 2025

Both videos have resurfaced at a time the president is facing public backlash over his administrations handling of the Epstein files.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The current furor kicked off after the Justice Department and FBI released a memo in July stating that Epsteins 2019 death in police custody was a suicide and that, contrary to rumors long cherished by far-right conspiracy theorists, the late pedophile kept no client list of uber-wealthy co-conspirators. In February this year, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Jeffrey Epstein client list was sitting on my desk right now.

Trump defended Tyson on the basis that the boxers victim had been dancing for him.

Amid mounting public outcry from his base, which has accused the administration of a cover-up, Trumpwho once described Epstein as a terrific guy who likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger sidehas scrabbled to placate his supporters.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trumps former criminal defense attorney, sat down with Maxwell, whos serving 20 years on sex trafficking charges, for an interview in July in which Maxwell reportedly said she never saw Trump do anything inappropriate. After the interview, Maxwell was transferred to a lower-security prison camp in Bryan, Texas.

The White House is reportedly weighing releasing the transcript of the interview.
By Bo Erickson, Nandita Bose and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump pledged on Sunday to evict homeless people from the nation's capital and jail criminals, despite Washington's mayor arguing there is no current spike in crime.

While details of the plan were unclear, the administration is preparing to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, a U.S. official told Reuters, a controversial tactic Trump used recently in Los Angeles to tackle immigration protests over the objections of local officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump has not made a final decision, the official said, adding that the number of troops and their role are still being determined.

Unlike in California and every other state, where the governor typically decides when to activate Guard troops, the president directly controls the National Guard in Washington, D.C.

Past instances of the Guard's deployment in the city include in response to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters.

"The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. "We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you dont have to move out. Were going to put you in jail where you belong."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The White House declined to explain what legal authority Trump would use to evict people from Washington. The Republican president controls only federal land and buildings in the city.

Trump plans to hold a press conference on Monday to "stop violent crime in Washington, D.C." It was not clear whether he would announce more details of his eviction plan then.

There are 3,782 single persons experiencing homelessness on any given night in the city of about 700,000, says the Community Partnership, an organization working to reduce homelessness in D.C.

Most such individuals are in emergency shelters or transitional housing, rather than on the street, it says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A White House official said on Friday more federal law enforcement officers were being deployed in the city following a violent attack on a young administration staffer that angered the president.

Alleged crimes investigated by federal agents on Friday night included "multiple persons carrying a pistol without license," motorists driving on suspended licenses and dirt bike riding, a White House official said on Sunday.

The official said 450 federal law enforcement officers were deployed across the city on Saturday.

The city's police department says violent crime was down 26% in D.C. in the first seven months of 2025, compared with last year, while overall crime was down about 7%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Democratic mayor of Washington, D.C., Muriel Bowser, said on Sunday the capital was "not experiencing a crime spike."

"It is true that we had a terrible spike in crime in 2023, but this is not 2023," Bowser said on MSNBCs the Weekend. "We have spent over the last two years driving down violent crime in this city, driving it down to a 30-year low."

Bowser said Trump was "very aware" of the city's work with federal law enforcement after meeting him several weeks ago in the Oval Office.

The U.S. Congress has control of D.C.'s budget after the district was established in 1790 with land from neighboring Virginia and Maryland, but resident voters elect a mayor and city council.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For Trump to take over the city, it is likely that Congress would have to pass a law revoking the law that established local elected leadership.

(Reporting by Bo Erickson, Nandita Bose and Idrees Ali in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Clarence Fernandez)
A former U.S. surgeon general on Sunday said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. failed in his response to the shootings that took place on Friday at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta.

How you respond to a crisis defines a leader, and quite frankly Secretary Kennedy has failed in his first major test in this regard, Dr. Jerome Adams told CBS Margaret Brennan on "Face the Nation."

Adams said Kennedys response to the deadly shooting was tepid, and criticized the secretary for the length of time it took the him to address the deadly act of violence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It took him over 18 hours to issue a tepid response to these horrific shootings, and that's not even considering how his inflammatory rhetoric in the past have actually contributed to a lot of what's been going on, said Adams, who served during President Donald Trumps first term.

On Monday, a spokesperson for HHS said Kennedy "unequivocally condemned the horrific attack" and is "fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of CDC employees."

"Officer Roses sacrifice to protect the CDC on its darkest day will never be forgotten," said HHS communications director Andrew Nixon, referring to the police officer killed in the shooting. "This is a time to stand in solidarity with our public health workforce, not a moment for the media to exploit a tragedy for political gain."

Adamss fury comes after a gunman opened fire at the CDCs Atlanta headquarters on Friday, killing one police officer and repeatedly striking CDC buildings. The 30-year-old shooter reportedly blamed the Covid-19 vaccine for making him depressed and suicidal. Under Kennedys leadership, the agency has stopped recommending the vaccine for pregnant people and has narrowed the recommendations for healthy children.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kennedy has previously voiced skepticism for vaccines including the Covid vaccine. Last week, he announced that HHS would halt $500 million in funding for mRNA research, the technology used to create some of the Covid-19 vaccines. Kennedy cited safety concerns as the reason behind the decision; critics said that concern was unfounded.

On Saturday, the secretary extended condolences to the family of slain Officer David Rose and other CDC workers affected by the shooting.

No one should face violence while working to protect the health of others, Kennedy said in a post to social media. We honor their service. We stand with them. And we remain united in our mission to protect and improve the health of every American.

But Adams said that Kennedys own rhetoric about the CDC  including his description of the agency as a cesspool of corruption  may have played a role in influencing the shooters actions.

He made this statement just last year, Adams said. And he still has not unequivocally condemned the violence. He said no one should be harmed while working to protect the public. There's an out there, Margaret. If you don't believe that people are working to protect the public, then that means it's OK to commit violence, at least in some people's eyes.
DUMMERSTON, VT. (WWLP)  A Turners Falls woman was arrested in Vermont on Saturday for allegedly driving under the influence of drugs.

Five injured in multi-vehicle crash on New Athol Road in Orange

Vermont State Police said that at approximately 11:28 a.m. on Saturday, troopers received a report of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of the Sunoco Gas Station in Dummerston. Police arrived in the area and spoke with the driver, identified as 29-year-old Alexa Culver of Turners Falls, Mass.

Alexa Culver. Courtesy of Vermont State Police. (mugshot of Hoag not available)

During the investigation, troopers suspected that Culver was under the influence of drugs. Additionally, a passenger in the vehicle, identified as 33-year-old Kiersten Hoag of Brattleboro, VT, was searched and found to be in possession of cocaine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Culver was arrested and charged with DUI Drug. She is scheduled to appear at Vermont Superior Court  Windham Criminal Division on October 28. Hoag received a citation for Possession of Cocaine and was released, and she is scheduled to appear in court on September 30.

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.
LANCASTER, Ohio (WCMH)  Two people were arrested Saturday night and charged in the death of a man after his body was found in Lancaster.

Lancaster police said officers went to the 700 block of South Maple Street for a well-being check. Shortly after, officers found a body in a shallow grave in a nearby wooded area.

Just before midnight Sunday, police announced officers arrested a man from Laurelville and a woman from Columbus in the mans death. John Scott, 44, faces a murder charge while Holly McDaniel, 45, has been charged with abuse of a corpse.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Athens County woman purchased helicopter tour, concert tickets, in theft of over $2.8 million

According to Lancaster police, the victims death was ruled a homicide via gunshot wound.

The victim and the suspects knew each other, and this was not a random act of violence, police said.

The victims identity has not been released.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
KILLEEN, Texas (FOX 44)  UPDATE: The victims in an apparent murder-suicide in Killeen have been identified.

Police have identified the deceased victim as 26-year-old Nathaly Bravo and the deceased suspect as 23-year-old William Rosario.

Police officers were originally dispatched to a call of a man down on July Drive at approximately 12:16 a.m. Sunday. When they arrived, they found Bravo dead with a gunshot wound outside of the residence and Rosario dead with a gunshot wound inside the residence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Justice of the Peace Nichola James pronounced Bravo dead at 12:27 a.m. and Rosario dead at 12:31 a.m. Both victims have been sent to the Southwest Forensic Institute of Forensic Science for autopsies.

Police say the preliminary investigation reveals this to be a domestic situation, and it appears to be a murder-suicide. Detectives believe there is no further danger to the community in relation to this incident.

If you have any information on this shooting, you can call the Killeen Police Department at (254) 501-8830 or contact the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477). You can also go online at http://www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.

The Killeen Police Departments Criminal Investigation Divisions Robbery-Homicide Unit is actively investigating this case.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is a developing story. FOX 44 News will have more information as it becomes available.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
Ahead of Independence Day, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and MLA Anil Sharma on Sunday organised a 'Tiranga Yatra' in Delhi to honour the valour and bravery of the Indian Army. Hailing the 'Tiranga Yatra', Swaraj said that the tricoloured Indian flag is the pride of the nation, and it is being organised to celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor and Independence Day. "The tricolour is our pride. On the occasion of Independence Day and celebrating the success of Operation Sindoor, we have all come here to organise a Tiranga Yatra...There is a lot of enthusiasm among the youth," Bansuri Swaraj told ANI. Meanwhile, BJP MLA Anil Sharma lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and mentioned that thousands of youth are participating in the Tiranga yatra. "The tricolour is our pride. Today, we are organising a Tiranga yatra here. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, our armed forces have taught a lesson to Pakistan...Today, thousands of our youth are participating in the Tiranga yatra," Anil Sharma said. Earlier today, Delhi Minister Ashish Sood said that 7,900 children carrying the tricolour will pay tribute at the War Memorial to those who laid down their lives for the country, as India prepares to celebrate its 79th Independence Day on Friday. Sood made the remarks after flagging off the 'Tiranga Run' from the Thyagraj Stadium in Delhi under the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign. "On the occasion of the 79th Independence Day of the country, 7,900 children are running with the tricolour in their hands from Thyagaraja Stadium. They will go to the War Memorial and pay tribute to those who laid down their lives for the country," Sood told ANI. The 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign is part of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' initiative, launched in 2021 to encourage people to bring the national flag into their homes and hoist it in celebration of India's 75th year of independence. The initiative aims to ignite a sense of patriotism and raise awareness about the Indian national flag. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed happiness over the "phenomenal" participation in the Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign, noting that it reflects the deep patriotic spirit that unites the people of India and their unwavering pride in the Tricolour. (ANI)
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Two men were stabbed in the back room of a Sheridan Street bar on Aug. 9, the Honolulu Police Department said.

Authorities say the incident occurred shortly before 9 a.m., with police saying the 27- and 29-year-old men were in the room with an unknown male suspect when an argument broke out.

HPD: Number of illegal game rooms down in 2025

According to officials, the argument escalated and ultimately ended with the suspect brandishing a knife and stabbing both victims multiple times. The suspect then fled the scene, HPD said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Both victims were transported to the hospital in serious condition, according to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.

Police say that the suspect is described as an older male who was wearing a white puffer jacket and black pants.

Anyone with information is strongly urged to call 911 or visit any police station.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Officials in Hardin County, Tennessee say two people drowned and a third was rescued in the Tennessee River on Saturday.

The bodies of two people were recovered; a third person was recued by a nearby boater, the Hardin County Fire Department said.

The department reported on social media that the incident occurred near Wolf Island in the Crump, Tennessee area.

The HCFD said it was not the result of a boating accident, contrary to earlier reports.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Searchers began a rescue operation around 4:30 in the afternoon.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
FORD COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW)  Two Dodge City women were seriously hurt early Friday when their SUV struck a parked tractor on the side of a rural road, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

High beams blamed for crash in Pratt County

It happened around 5:39 a.m. on Park Street Road, about a quarter mile south of U.S. 50. Troopers said the SUV failed to make a curve, hit the front tire of a parked New Holland tractor, and rolled onto its side.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The front-seat passenger was ejected in the crash. Both the driver, 33, and passenger, 23, were taken to St. Catherine Hospital with suspected serious injuries.

The tractor was unoccupied at the time, and no other vehicles were involved.

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.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting Sunday to discuss Gaza and the Middle East, specifically Israel's plan announced Friday to seize control of Gaza City.

The Sunday meeting of the U.N. Security Council was called for by Britain, Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia. It did not place a resolution on the table, a measure that the United States has used its veto power to block five times previously, but saw condemnation of Israel's plans for Gaza City.

Miroslav Jenca, the assistant secretary-general for Europe, Central Asia and Americas in the United Nations Department of Political Affairs, opened the meeting with a briefing about the conditions on the ground in Gaza, including mass starvation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Jenca said the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, placing 2 million Palestinians in "even greater peril" while the plan would further endanger the lives of the remaining captives taken by Hamas.

"The latest decision by the government of Israel risks igniting another horrific chapter in this conflict with potential consequences beyond Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories," Jenca said.

On Saturday, thousands of members of the public attend a walk for Palestine march through Central London. Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI

Jenca revealed that the Israeli government foresees the displacement of all Palestinians from Gaza City by October 7, 2025, affecting some 800,000 people, many of them previously displaced.

"Reports indicate the IDF would then surround the city for three months, this would then reportedly be followed by an additional two months to seize control of central Gaza's camps and clear the entire area of Palestinian armed groups," he said.

Sham Qudeih, a two-year old Palestinian child, is held by her mother at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Sunday. Sham Qudeih suffers from liver enlargement, severe malnutrition, and severe abdominal swelling, with her weight having dropped to four kilograms. Photo by Haitham Imad/EPA

Ramesh Rajasingham, the head of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, then gave the council a briefing where he said Palestinians have endured daily killings and injuries for over 670 days.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rajasingham, in his briefing, condemned the taking of hostages by Hamas as well as the detention of thousands of Palestinians including women and children who remain in Israeli prisons, many held without charge or trial. He also criticized what he called Israel's "smear campaigns" against aid organizations.

The Palestinian Commission of Prisoners' and Ex-Prisoners' Affairs released a report Sunday which said that Israel detained at least 662 people, including 39 children and 12 women in July alone, bringing the total number of arrests in the West Bank since the war began to 18,500. Some 570 of those detained have been women and 1,500 are children, according to the commission.

The Israeli human rights group B'Tselem released a video Sunday showing footage of an Israeli settler shooting and killing the activist Awdah Hathaleen in the West Bank. The footage was filmed by Hathaleen himself, and documents just one incident of violence faced by Palestinians in the West Bank.

"Humanitarian conditions are behind horrific," Rajasingham said. "Whatever lifelines remain are collapsing under the weight of sustained hostilities, forced displacement and insufficient levels of lifesaving aid. Hunger deaths are rising, especially among children."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rajasingham said health authorities in Gaza have documented the deaths of 90 children from acute malnutrition, including 37 alone since July 1.

"So, this is no longer a looming hunger crisis, this is starvation pure and simple," he said. "Each day brings harrowing images of women, men and children killed while desperately seeking assistance."

Last week, the international human rights group Doctors Without Borders, released a report that condemned the U.S.-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and its current mechanisms for the distribution of aid in Gaza as "orchestrated killing."

MSF health centers in Gaza received some 1,380 people injured and 28 dead bodies from GHF distribution sites during a two-week period in July. Of those, some 174 people were treated for gunshot wounds originating at GHF sites.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"The injured who arrive in our clinics are normally covered in sand and dust from time spent lying on the ground while taking cover from bullets," MSF said in its report.

Recent military tactical pauses by Israel have led to some changes in humanitarian operations, Rajasingham said, noting that limited amounts of fuel and food have been allowed in. But U.N. aid workers on the ground have cautioned that meaningful change for the population "remains elusive" as humanitarian conditions remain unchanged.

James Kariuki, the deputy permanent representative for Britain to the United Nations, called the partial aid allowed by Israel in recent weeks "woefully inadequate" and called on Israel to lift all impediments to aid delivery, like barring organizations from humanitarian work through "unreasonable" registration requirements.

Christina Markus Lassen, Denmark's representative, took a firmer stance, stating that Israel has chosen to "further escalate" the war instead of heeding calls for a ceasefire from the international community. Like many who spoke, she noted that Israel's war expansion contradicts last year's advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We categorically reject any forced displacement. The ICJ's advisory opinion on this matter must be fully respected," she said. "Any unliteral attempts to alter the demographic status of the Gaza Strip is unacceptable and constitute a clear violation of international law."

Lassen added that Denmark "deplores" Israel's killing of starving civilians trying to get food and called the frequency and scale of such incidents "alarming" and "unacceptable." France likewise condemned Israel and called for Israel to reverse its decision, and any plan for the forced annexation or settlement of the Gaza Strip.

Samuel Zbogar, the permanent representative of Slovenia to the United Nations, called the decision by Israel "reprehensible" and "a plan of horror and destruction," as well as a "new low which Slovenia rejects." He said an expanded war in Gaza would make Israelis less safe in the short term and long term, and showed contempt toward a two-state solution.

"Israel has pursued a deliberate policy of starvation, of manufacturing a famine to pursue political and military gains in a clear and blatant violation of humanitarian law," Zbogar said. "The aerial photos of Gaza that have emerged in recent days show total destruction."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Who, if not this council, can stop the killing?" Zbogar later questioned. "We cannot simply accept a forever war."

Among the nations expressing the fiercest support for Palestinians was Algeria, which said that Israel cares nothing for international law or the authority of the U.N. Security Council.

"Despite the operation, Palestinians will not abandon their homeland. Palestinians will not let go of their rights," said Amar Bendjama, Algeria's representative. "We believe in their resilience as we believe that Gaza, although wounded and bleeding, will one day rise again."

Meanwhile, the representative for Pakistan explicitly called Israel's actions "ethnic cleansing," a point echoed by Russia's representative who likened the situation in Gaza to the Holocaust. He also accused Israel's ambassador to the United Nations of attempting to manipulate the Security Council by shedding "crocodile tears" for the hostages at an earlier meeting, knowing that the body would be taking up the issue of Gaza.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We must firmly oppose any attempt to occupy Gaza. The recent approval by Israel's Security Cabinet of a plan to take over Gaza is a matter of grave concern for China," said China's U.N. ambassador, Fu Cong.

"We urge Israel to stop this dangerous move at once. Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people. It's an integral part of the Palestinian territory. Any action that seeks to alter its demographic and territorial structure must be met with utmost rejection and resistance."

Fu Cong also said, "the country with significant influence over the parties must encourage a ceasefire," an apparent reference to the United States -- which criticized the fact that the meeting was taking place.

"The United States government believes this meeting is emblematic of the counterproductive role that far too many governments on this council and throughout the U.N. system have played on this issue," said Dorothy Shea, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Meanwhile, the United States has been working tirelessly to free the hostages, end this war, and give civilians in Gaza a future free of Hamas. To do so, we need to place responsibility where it lies -- with Hamas."

Hamas on Sunday called recent airdrops of aid made by Israel with support from other nations "propaganda" as it urged other nations to pressure Israel into providing more aid for starving Palestinians.

"The aid entering Gaza today is a mere drop in the ocean of humanitarian needs. The airdrops are purely propaganda, entail grave risks to the lives of civilians, and are no substitute for opening the land crossings and allowing trucks to enter in sufficient, safe quantities," Hamas said in its statement.

Hamas demanded that Israel immediately open crossings for the safe entry of a sufficient amount of aid, even as Israel has announced its intent to seize control of Gaza City.

The Gaza Health Ministry said Sunday that the total death toll had risen to more than 61,430 people since the war began after two more children died from starvation and malnutrition.
Republican U.S. Senate candidates (from left): businessman Nate Morris, former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and U.S. Rep. Andy Barr spoke at the annual Fancy Farm Picnic on Saturday, Aug 2. They also campaigned Saturday at the Republican Party of Kentucky's Lincoln Day Dinner. (Austin Anthony for the Kentucky Lantern)

LEXINGTON  Republican candidates for Kentuckys open U.S. Senate seat set the tone for their campaigns ahead of next years primary during the state partys Lincoln Day Dinner Saturday night.

While the thorny primary was at the center of the evening, the influence of outgoing U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell on the party was clear. Speakers throughout the night sang McConnells praises, including West Virginia U.S. Sen. Jim Justice, who gave the keynote address.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Chairman Robert Benvenuti said the party has $2.3 million on hand heading into 2026 elections. About 850 tickets were sold for the dinner, held at the Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington. Outside, dozens with Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance protested.

Scott Jennings, a former McConnell staffer who has gained national notoriety as a commentator on CNN, was the emcee for the dinner. He opened the program with a promise to roast Democrats and touted wins by Republicans at the national level  particularly President Donald Trumps second term in office.

They love it when we trash each other. They rejoice. Its their only hope, Jennings said of Democrats. They cant beat us, so theyre trying to will into existence a future where we beat ourselves through division and discord, but its not true. Whatever intra-party conversations were ever having, we all in this room know the true mission is to save our country.

However, division is front and center in the GOP primary to replace McConnell. The primary is in May, a little over eight months away.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Saturday night, the top contenders, former Attorney General Daniel Cameron, U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, Lexington businessman Nate Morris and Elizabethtown businessman Michael Farris, all fresh from speeches at the annual Fancy Farm Picnic last weekend, largely restated their main campaign points.

Morris was the last of the top three candidates to speak, but he used his remarks to respond to a question McConnell had asked at a Republican breakfast before the picnic, why one of the candidates running for my office wants to be different than him as the longest-serving party leader in the U.S. Senate.

First and foremost, I dont want to be the longest-serving anything in U.S. history, Morris said. Thats one of the reasons why Im running. I think that politics should not be a career, and we know that career politicians have run our country off a cliff.

He then asked the crowd to think of the career politicians who who stabbed us in the back when the president came under fire from members of his party, such as when McConnell criticized Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Im seeking this seat with term limits in mind. Im going to serve two terms, and I think thats enough. I think thats enough to get done what we need to get done in Washington, Morris said, before adding that he strongly believes the U.S. needs a full moratorium on new immigration to the country after deporting all people in the U.S. without permanent legal status.

Cameron opened his remarks to say hes not running against someone. Im running for something. He touted his record as the states attorney general and reiterated his opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and transgender women and girls playing in female sports.

We need an American built on merit, excellence and intelligence, Cameron said.

Barr cited the Democratic Partys low approval nationwide and emphasized his record voting for Trumps agenda in Congress, such as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act earlier this year. The congressman highlighted last weeks news that Apple plans to expand glass production in Harrodsburg, which is in his Central Kentucky district, and attributed the decision to the presidents trade and domestic manufacturing policies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Barr also spoke about his recently filed legislation to codify a Trump executive order that prohibits transgender women and girls playing in womens and girls sports. Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer who has vocally opposed including transgender women and girls in female sports, is supportive of the legislation, he noted.

As your next senator, I will keep males out of our daughters private spaces, Barr said.

Lifetime achievement award squabble

McConnell addressed the crowd to give a lifetime achievement award to Cathy Bell, a longtime Republican who is now the state party treasurer and has served in other roles for decades.

McConnell presented Bell with the surprise award during the dinner. However, the Morris campaign had been convinced the award was going to go to McConnell, who Morris has repeatedly blasted as insufficiently loyal to Trump. Morris campaign had asked the Republican Party of Kentucky to deny McConnell the award.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I think they saw the writing on the wall, and they saw that we were contrasting why he shouldnt get that award, Morris told reporters after the dinner. A spokesperson for the state party declined further comment about the award

But speakers throughout the evening said McConnell has contributed to the partys dominance over the past few decades.

We are blessed to stand on the shoulders of those who came before us and to have the opportunity to build on the momentum for the betterment of the commonwealth and for America. We are grateful for the leaders who have laid the groundwork for our Kentucky success, especially Leader McConnell, Benvenuti said And Leader McConnell  thanks for never forgetting the importance of a strong state party.

Justice told the crowd to give McConnell another round of applause before recalling how McConnell had convinced him to run for U.S. Senate. Justice, the former governor of West Virginia, was elected last year.
U2s Adam Clayton, Bono, the Edge, and Larry Mullen Jr., December 2022 (STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

The members of U2Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr.have each released their own individual statements on Israels ongoing starvation of the Gaza Strip. The statements were shared on the bands Instagram and website, alongside the following joint message: Everyone has long been horrified by what is unfolding in Gaza - but the blocking of humanitarian aid and now plans for a military takeover of Gaza City has taken the conflict into uncharted territory. We are not experts in the politics of the region, but we want our audience to know where we each stand.

Bono began his statement by reflecting on reflecting on the October 7, 2023, attacks against Israel by Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group that governs the Gaza Strip. He discussed the work of his ONE organization, which combats HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty in Africa, before acknowledging that there is no hierarchy to such things. [W]hen the loss of non-combatant life en masse appears so calculated especially the deaths of children, then evil is not a hyperbolic adjective, he wrote. [I]n the sacred text of Jew, Christian, and Muslim it is an evil that must be resisted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bono went on to condemn former Hamas chairman Yahya Sinwar and call the October 7 attacks a diabolical trap for Israel and to get a war going that might just redraw the map from The river to the sea. He drew parallels to the 2015 terrorist attack at Paris Bataclan theater. But I also understood that Hamas are not the Palestinian people, he added, a people who have for decades endured and continue to endure marginalization, oppression, occupation, and the systematic stealing of the land that is rightfully theirs.

While he accused both Hamas and Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war, Bono clarified his belief that the Government of Israel led by Benjamin Netanyahu today deserves our categorical and unequivocal condemnation. Bono concluded his note by avowing his belief in a two-state solution, affirming U2s solidarity with the people of Palestine who truly seek a path to peace and coexistence with Israel, and urging Israeli citizens to demand that humanitarian aid organizations are allowed into Gaza and the West Bank.

The statements from Clayton, the Edge, and Mullen Jr. largely echoed Bonos sentimentscondemning both Netanyahu and Hamas, pointing out the wars long term repercussions for Israel, and calling for an influx of aid into Gaza. Only the Edge, however, referred to the Israeli militarys siege of the region as an ethnic cleansing and colonial genocide. U2 have also announced that they will be donating to the British charity Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Find the full statements from Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. below.

Bono:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Apart from the attack on the Nova music festival on October 7th, which felt like it happened while U2 were on stage at Sphere Las Vegas, I have generally tried to stay out of the politics of the Middle East... this was not humility, more uncertainty in the face of obvious complexity... I have over recent months written about the war in Gaza in The Atlantic and spoken about it in The Observer, but I circled the subject.

As a cofounder of the ONE Campaign, which tackles AIDS and extreme poverty in Africa, I felt my experience should be on the catastrophes facing that work and that part of the world. The hemorrhaging of human life in Sudan or Ethiopia hardly makes the news. Sudan alone is beyond comprehension, with a civil war that has left 150,000 dead and 2 million people facing famine.

And that was before the dismantling of USAID in March and gutting of PEPFAR, life-saving programs for the poorest of the poor that ONE has fought for decades to protect... the cuts to which will likely lead to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of children over the next few years.

But but but there is no hierarchy to such things.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The images of starving children on the Gaza Strip brought me back to a working trip to a food station in Ethiopia my wife Ali and I made 40 years ago next month following U2s participation in Live Aid 1985. Another man-made famine.

To witness chronic malnutrition up close would make it personal for any family, especially as it affects children.Because when the loss of non-combatant life en masse appears so calculated especially the deaths of children, then evil is not a hyperbolic adjective in the sacred text of Jew, Christian, and Muslim it is an evil that must be resisted.

The rape, murder, and abduction of Israelis at the Nova music festival was evil.

On that awful Saturday night/Sunday morning of October 7/8 2023, I wasnt thinking about politics. On stage in the Nevada desert, I just couldnt help but express the pain everyone in the room was feeling and is still feeling for other music lovers and fans like us  hiding under a stage in Kibbutz Reim then butchered to set a diabolical trap for Israel and to get a war going that might just redraw the map from The river to the sea a gamble Hamas leadership were willing to play with the lives of two million Palestinians to sow the seeds for a global intifada that U2 had glimpsed at work in Paris during the Bataclan attack in 2015 but only if Israels leaders fell for this trap that Hamas set for them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Yahya Sinwar didnt mind if he lost the battle or even the war if he could destroy Israel as a moral as well as an economic force. Over the next months as Israels revenge for the Hamas attack appeared more and more disproportionate and disinterested in the equally innocent civilian lives in Gaza I felt as nauseous as everyone, but reminded myself Hamas had deliberately positioned themselves under civilian targets, having tunneled their way from school to mosque to hospital. When did a just war to defend the country turn into an unjust land grab? I hoped Israel would return to reason. I was making excuses for a people seared and shaped by the experience of Holocaust who understood the threat of extermination is not simply a fear but a fact I re-read Hamas charter of 1988 its an evil read (Article Seven!)

But I also understood that Hamas are not the Palestinian people a people who have for decades endured and continue to endure marginalization, oppression, occupation, and the systematic stealing of the land that is rightfully theirs. Given our own historic experience of oppression and occupation, its little wonder so many here in Ireland have campaigned for decades for justice for the Palestinian people.

We know Hamas are using starvation as a weapon in the war, but now so too is Israel and I feel revulsion for the moral failure. The Government of Israel is not the nation of Israel, but the Government of Israel led by Benjamin Netanyahu today deserves our categorical and unequivocal condemnation. There is no justification for the brutality he and his far right government have inflicted on the Palestinian people in Gaza in the West Bank. And not just since October 7, well before it too though the level of depravity and lawlessness we are seeing now feels like uncharted territory.

Curiously those who say these reports are not true are not demanding access for journalists and seem deaf to the revealing rhetoric. Examples that sharpen my pen include: Israels Heritage Minister claiming that the government is racing to wipe out Gaza his Defense Minister and Security Minister arguing no aid should be let into the territory. Not one grain of wheat. And now Netanyahu announces a military takeover of Gaza City which most informed commentators understand as a euphemism for the colonization of Gaza. We know the rest of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank are next. What century are we in?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Is the world not done with this far, far right thinking? We know where it ends world war millenarianism Might the world deserve to know where this once promising bright-minded democratic nation is headed unless there is a dramatic change of course? Is what was once an oasis of innovation and free-thinking now in hock to a fundamentalism as blunt as a machete? Are Israelis really ready to let Benjamin Netanyahu do to Israel what its enemies failed to achieve over the last 77 years? And disappear it from membership in a community of nations built around even a flawed decency?

As someone who has long believed in Israels right to exist and supported a two-state solution, I want to make clear to anyone who cares to listen our band's condemnation of Netanyahus immoral actions and join all who have called for a cessation of hostilities on both sides.

If not Irish voices, please please please stop and listen to Jewish ones - from the high mindedness of Rabbi Sharon Brous, to the tearful comedy of the Grody-Patinkin family - who fear the damage to Judaism, as well as Israels neighbours. Listen to the more than 100,000 Israelis who this week in Tel Aviv protested for an end to the war.

Our band stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine who truly seek a path to peace and coexistence with Israel and with their rightful and legitimate demand for statehood. We stand in solidarity with the remaining hostages and plead that someone rational negotiate their release. Could it be Marwan Barghouthi who the former head of Mossad Efraim Halevy described as probably the most sane and the most qualified person to lead the Palestinians?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Wiser heads than mine will have a view, but surely the hostages deserve a different approach  and quick.

We urge more good people in Israel to demand unfettered access by professionals to deliver the critical care needed throughout Gaza and the West Bank that they best know how to distribute and to let the correct number of trucks through. It will take more than 100 trucks a day to take seriously the need - more like 600 - but the flooding of humanitarian aid will also undercut the black marketing that has been happening to benefit Hamas.

The band is pledged to contribute our support by donating to Medical Aid For Palestinians.

The Edge:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We are all deeply shocked and profoundly grieved by the suffering unfolding in Gaza. What we are witnessing is not a distant tragedyit is a test of our shared humanity.

I have three questions for Prime Minister Netanyahu. I ask them in the hope of engaging the conscience and sanity of the people of Israel.

First: Do you truly believe that such devastationinflicted so intentionally and relentlessly on a civilian populationcan happen without heaping generational shame upon those responsible? Do you not see that the longer this continues, the more Israel risks becoming isolated, mistrusted, and remembered not as a haven from persecution, but as a state that, when provoked, systematically persecuted a neighbouring civilian population?

Second: If the end goal is, as the Likud platform suggests, the removal of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank to make way for a Greater Israel, then that is not peaceit is dispossession; it is ethnic cleansing, and, according to many legal scholars, colonial genocide. It is an injustice on a massive scale. And injustice, as we learned in Ireland, is never the path to security: it breeds resentment, it hardens hearts, and it guarantees that future generations will inherit conflict rather than peace. The oppressed do not forget. How can this course of action possibly make your people safer?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Third: If you reject the two-state solutionas your government now openly doesthen what is your political vision? Simply perpetual conflict? A future of walls, blockades, military occupation? A state of permanent inequality? And if this apartheid state transpires dont you destroy the very argument for Israels existence as a moral response to the horrors of the Holocaust? For if Israel comes to be seen as a state that systematically denies another people their rights, then the world will inevitably ask whether the only just and sustainable future, the only tolerable future, is a shared stateone where Jews and Palestinians live together as equals under the law.

We know from our own experience in Ireland that peace is not made through dominance.

Peace is made when people sit down with their opponentswhen they recognise the equal dignity of all, even those they once feared or despised.

There can be no peace without justice. No reconciliation without recognition. And no future unless we refuse to let the past be repeated.

The road to peace is difficult.

But it is never too late, or too early, to begin walking it.

Adam Clayton:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza caused by Israels aid blockade and bombing looks like revenge on a civilian population who are not responsible for Hamas murderous attack on October 7. If Israel moves to colonise the Gaza Strip, it will permanently undo any possibility of lasting peace or solution for hostilities. Forgetting the morality of the situation for a moment, doesnt the technical superiority of Israel's modern army make a boast of its precision targeting of individuals from thousands of miles away? And if so why are the IDF bombarding a civilian population from the skies indiscriminately destroying any bit of shelter and infrastructure?

Preserving civilian life is a choice in this war.

Larry Mullen Jr.:

The images of the Hamas-led massacre of Israelis on October 7th and in particular the footage of innocent music fans being slaughtered, beaten and abused at the Nova Music Festival were harrowing to watch. Nothing was achieved except more misery for the region at the hands of Hamas and its allies.

So what did Hamas expect would happen when they committed mass murder and took the hostages?

Israels response was expected.

After those attacks the total obliteration of Hamas was called for by Israel and its allies and was expected.

A ground war was expected.

Aerial bombardment and destruction were expected .

The indiscriminate decimation of most homes and hospitals in Gaza, with a majority of those killed being women and children, was not expected.

Imposing famine was not expected.

Its difficult to comprehend how any civilised society can think starving children is going to further any cause and be justified as an acceptable response to another horror. To state the obvious, starving innocent civilians as a weapon of war is inhumane and criminal.

Where is the outrage from within Israel, outside of a small, if increasingly vocal, minority?

Where is the outrage from the diaspora?

Beyond some reluctant and muted acknowledgement of a famine inflicted, nothing.

Silence.

The power to change this obscenity is in the hands of Israel

I undoubtedly support Israel's right to exist and I also believe Palestinians deserve the same right and a state of their own.

Silence serves none of us.

Originally Appeared on Pitchfork
A long-in-development solar farm in Newfane is under new ownership, which has taken over efforts to get it approved and built.

New York City-based UGE International bought the Omni Newfane Drake Settlement from previous developers Omni Navitas Holdings LLC this past spring. The 5-megawatt community solar farm at 6260 Drake Settlement Road would take up 25.3 acres of the 60.2-acre parcel.

It would feature 11,640 solar panels, have 34 string inverters, 2,400 linear feet of road, and no batteries for storage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Omni Navitas proposed the project as one of several community solar farms it proposed back in 2021. The project has a smaller size than first proposed, which UGE representative Chris Mavity said was thanks to new technology where more wattage can be produced on smaller panels.

Were just renewing these agreements and acceptance of the site plan with the Town of Newfane, Mavity said. The project first received county planners support back in 2021.

Site utilities would be on land owned by Patrick Dannebrock. The neighboring Russell Farms property, owned by Newfane Planning Board member Peter Russell, is in negotiations for a 30-foot easement allowing for constructing and maintaining solar panels.

The overhead connection to nearby Transit Road on the southern portion of the property would be on the National Grid network.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Depending on when the project receives final approvals from the town, construction will go from Nov. 1 through March 1, 2026, with 10 to 15 workers on-site. A town public hearing took place in June, with the developer working with the town engineer, building inspector, and consultant on the final site plans.

It is not known at this time if UGE would maintain the same host community agreements Omni Navitas reached with Newfane in 2022.

County planners gave support to this project at their July meeting. A town vote on approval will happen at a future planning board meeting.

The New York City-based UGE International has had a hand in more than 700 different renewable energy projects, bringing more than 500 megawatts of power online.
The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues, and we urge Israel to reverse its decision to expand military operations, Jennifer Chapman said.

The UK will provide additional aid to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to support Gazan civilians, but only if the Israeli government lets aid in, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said Saturday.

The additional funding will total 8.5 million and will be used to provide food, water, and fuel to the areas of Gaza in the most acute need, Minister for International Development Jennifer Chapman said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She said the humanitarian situation in Gaza was catastrophic and condemned the Israeli security cabinets approval of a plan to escalate the Gaza offensive.

The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues, and we urge Israel to reverse its decision to expand military operations, she said.

It is unacceptable that so much aid is waiting at the border, Chapman said. The UK is ready to provide more through our partners, and we demand that the government of Israel allows more aid in safely and securely. The insufficient amount of supplies getting through is causing appalling and chaotic scenes as desperate civilians try to access tiny amounts of aid.

Palestinians walk to collect aid supplies from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 29, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled)

The UK is the largest donor to OCHA in 2025, and the additional money will form part of the UKs 101m. budget for Palestine for this financial year, of which 60m. is allocated for humanitarian support, the FCDO said.

Foreign Office fails to release report on Israels genocide risk

The UK Foreign Office reportedly has failed to adhere to a freedom of information (FOI) request made by Amnesty International to see a June 2024 internal assessment that there was no serious risk of Israel committing genocide in Gaza.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Amnesty International reportedly attempted to access the assessment, but the FCDO did not respond within the mandated one-month period. It also apparently refused to disclose if an updated assessment of the risk of genocide has been made.

Amnesty International lodged a formal complaint with the Information Commissioners Office last year.

Nevertheless, The Jerusalem Post found another FOI request made by Amnesty International on June 19, 2025, which has not been responded to. This FOI request asked to view the assessment and know when the most recent assessment was carried out and whether any further ones will be done in 2025.

This was first reported by The Guardian on Friday, but the existence of the risk of genocide assessment was mentioned in the UK governments argument in Al-Haq v Secretary of State for Business and Trade [F-35] case earlier this year. While excerpts of the dossier were mentioned during the F-35 case, Amnesty International is seeking to see it in its entirety.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Al-Haq, a group based in the West Bank, took legal action against the UK Department for Business and Trade over its decision to exempt F-35 parts when it suspended some arms export licenses last year, claiming that the parts were used to breach international humanitarian law.

The decision was lawful, Londons High Court ruled in June.

Inside the case filing, the government said it had carried out the assessment via the Export Control Joint Unit in the FCDO on June 11, 2024.

There was no serious risk of genocide occurring, the government concluded.

One excerpt said the findings that Israel is not committed to comply with IHL does not necessarily indicate that it is harboring genocidal intent. No evidence has been seen that Israel is deliberately targeting civilian women or children. There is also evidence of Israel making efforts to limit incidental harm to civilians.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

There is no evidence of a high-level strategic decision, passed down through military chains of command, like that which was in evidence for the massacre and deportations at Srebrenica that were found in the Bosnian genocide case to constitute genocide (the ICJs only finding of genocide to date), the government said.

As of press time, the FCDO had not yet responded to a Post request for comment.
Ukrainian forces liberated the village of Bezsalivka on the state border with Russia in Sumy Oblast, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on Aug. 10.

The General Staff's statement comes as Russia continues to try advancing deeper into Sumy Oblast more than two months after opening a new front in the northeast.

The General Staff said that it "eliminated" 18 Russian soldiers in the operation. The Kyiv Independent was unable to independently confirm the claim.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bezsalivka is located adjacent about 30 kilometers west of the heavy fighting elsewhere in Sumy Oblast, where Russian troops have advanced to within 30 kilometers of the regional capital of Sumy.

The 33rd Assault Regiment and 24th Assault Battalion took part in the operation to liberate the village, according to the General Staff.

After Ukrainian forces' withdrawal from territory held in Russia's neighboring Kursk Oblast  taken during Kyiv's surprise cross-border incursion in summer 2024  the border areas have seen an uptick in fighting.

Over May and June, Russian forces made signficant gains on Ukraine's side of Sumy Oblast shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the military to begin creating a "security buffer zone" along the border with Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukraine's defense of the area stabilized over June, and in the end of July, pushed Russian forces out of several small villages.

Read also: Future of Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukrainians  EU leaders react to Russias ceasefire proposal ahead of Trump-Putin meeting

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russia's aims to "deceive" the United States in upcoming peace negotiations, but Ukraine will not let this strategy succeed, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on Aug. 10.

Zelensky's remarks come ahead of an Aug. 15 meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The leaders will meet in Alaska, where they will discuss a Russian peace proposal that reportedly involves Kyiv ceding new territories to Moscow.

Ukraine is in "constant communication" with partners in the U.S. on how to secure peace, Zelensky said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We understand the Russians' intention to try to deceive America  we will not allow this."

Zelensky commended Trump's commitment to saving lives and said the "only root cause" of the ongoing war is Putin's desire for conquest  a nod to the Kremlin's continuing rejection of ceasefire proposals on the grounds that the "root causes" of its full-scale invasion must first be addressed.

"We in Ukraine know Russia well, and that is why, in extremely difficult conditions, Ukrainians have endured more than three years of full-scale war. We will definitely defend our state and our independence," he said.

The president said Russia has demonstrated no actual interest in peace, pointing to the recent bombing of a bus station and university clinic in Zaporizhzhia as evidence that Moscow's primary goal is destruction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Everyone can see that Russia has not taken a single real step toward peace, not a single step on the ground or in the air that could save lives," he said.

"That is why sanctions are needed, pressure is needed. Strength is needed  first and foremost the strength of the United States, the strength of Europe, the strength of all nations of the world that want peace and tranquility in international relations. If Russia does not want to stop the war, then we must stop its economy."

Kyiv is collaborating intensively "with everyone who respects international law" to mount pressure on Russia and achieve a just peace, he said. Allies have clearly expressed that "everything concerning Ukraine must be decided with Ukraine's participation."

While the Aug. 15 meeting is not currently set to include Zelensky, sources told CNN that Zelensky's participation in trilateral talks in Alaska is still possible. One White House official said meetings including Zelensky would likely happen after the face-to-face between Trump and Putin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Aug. 10 that the leaders' respective teams were working on scheduling a trilateral meeting between Zelensky, Trump, and Putin.

A source in Ukraine's Presidential Office told the Kyiv Independent that Trump and Putin plan to discuss a Russian proposal that involves Kyiv withdrawing from two regions partly occupied by Russian forces, Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

The source, who was part of the team briefed on the discussion Putin had with Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, said Ukraine would reject this plan outright.

Trump also told reporters prior to announcing his meeting with Putin that a deal to end the war would likely include "some swapping of territories."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Aug. 9 that Ukrainian and European officials rejected Putin's plan and instead offered a counterproposal to U.S. officials ahead of the Alaska meeting. Europe aims to draw a unified red line with Ukraine, insisting that EU officials should be involved in any potential peace negotiation with Russia and reiterating that Ukraine's future cannot be discussed without Kyiv's participation.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine hits oil refinery 2,000 from border in Russias Komi Republic; Europe, Ukraine reject Putins ceasefire proposal, WSJ reports

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana on Sunday hit out at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his "vote theft" claims against the Election Commission of India, calling it just his "frustration." Hitting further, the BJP MP stated that wherever they win the elections, the ECI and EVMs are right. Speaking to ANI, Khatana said, "...This is just his frustration, when the public rejects them and these types of statements are given to stay in the limelight. Wherever they win the elections, the ECI, EVMs are right...He knows that the public of Bihar and West Bengal will vote for the BJP..." Earlier today, Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to submit documents to inquire into his "vote theft" allegations against the Election Commission of India. In a notice issued on August 10, the Karnataka CEO stated that Rahul Gandhi has claimed to have documents presented during his August 7 press conference from the Election Commission of India records, alleging that a voter, Shakun Rani, voted twice based on data shown by a polling officer. The polling body further stated that upon preliminary inquiry, Shakun Rani has denied voting twice. The CEO's office also found that the tick-marked document presented by Rahul Gandhi was not issued by the polling officer, raising questions about the authenticity of the claim. The letter read, "In your Press Conference, you have stated that the documents shown in your presentation are from the records of the Election Commission of India. You have said: "This is EC data". You have also stated that as per the records given by the polling officer, Smt. Shakun Rani has voted twice. You have said; "Es ID card per do baar vote lagahai, wo jo tick hai, polling booth ke officer kihai"." "On inquiry, Smt. Shakun Rani has stated that she has voted only once and not twice, as alleged by you. Preliminary enquiry conducted by this office also reveals that the tick marked document shown by you in the presentation (copy enclosed) is not a document issued by the polling officer," it added. The Karnataka CEO requested Rahul Gandhi to provide the relevant documents that form the basis of his allegation so that a detailed investigation can be conducted by the Karnataka electoral authorities. The letter stated, "Therefore, you are kindly requested to provide the relevant documents on the basis of which you have concluded that Smt. Shakun Rani or anyone else has voted twice, so that a detailed inquiry can be undertaken by this office." (ANI)
(Reuters) -Ukraine's military said on Sunday that it had struck an oil refinery in Russia's Saratov region in an overnight drone attack.

In a statement, the General Staff said the strike on the Saratov oil refinery had caused explosions and a fire.

(Reporting by Dan PeleschukEditing by David Goodman)
Key developments on Aug. 9-10:

Ukrainian drones hit oil refinery 2,000 km from border in Russia's Komi Republic

Ukraine liberates village in Sumy Oblast, General Staff says

Drones strike Saratov oil refinery in Russia

Ukraine, Europe reject Putin's ceasefire proposal, present counterproposal to US ahead of Trump-Putin meeting, WSJ reports

Ukraine hits storage site for Shahed-type drones, imported parts in Russia's Tatarstan Republic

A Ukrainian drone attack on Aug. 10 struck the Lukoil-Ukhta oil refinery in Russia's Komi Republic, about 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) from the Ukrainian border, a source in Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

HUR's comments confirm earlier reports from Russian media outlets and local officials that a refinery in Ukhta was struck by drones.

The attack marks Kyiv's first confirmed drone strike in Russia's northwestern Komi Republic.

Ukrainian drones hit the Lukoil-Ukhta refinery, which supplies Russian forces with fuel and lubricants, according to HUR. The refinery was targeted as part of a special operation by Ukraine's military intelligence.

The drones struck a petroleum tank, causing it to spill, HUR said. The attack also damaged a gas and gas condensate processing plant that produces propane-butane and gasoline.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Local residents also report power outages and mobile internet outages in Ukhta.

Earlier in the evening, local Telegram channels reported a drone attack in Ukhta targeting the Lukoil refinery, which authorities evacuated. The independent Russian media outlet Novaya Gazeta also said that flights at the airport were temporarily suspended.

Rostislav Goldshteyn, the acting head of the Komi Republic, said on social media that workers at enterprises in the drones' flight path were evacuated and that there were no casualties. He did not provide details on which enterprises were evacuated and did not mention an oil refinery in his post.

In June 2024, a large-scale fire was reported at the Lukoil refinery in Ukhta, though Russian officials said it was caused by "non-compliance with safety regulations" and not by a Ukrainian drone attack.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Lukoil plant specializes in processing blended crudes from oilfields in the Komi Republic, shipped to the facility via the Usa-Ukhta pipeline.

The alleged strike on the Ukhta refinery comes shortly after reports that Ukrainian drones hit an oil refinery in Russia's Saratov Oblast on Aug. 10, causing explosions and a large fire.

Ukraine has deployed homemade long-range drones to hit oil depots, military sites, and airfields deep inside Russia, in an attempt to slowly grind down Russia's war machine.

Read also: Mobilization gridlock: How politics, policy, and public opinion are shaping Ukraines war effort

Ukraine liberates village in Sumy Oblast, General Staff says

Ukrainian forces liberated the village of Bezsalivka on the state border with Russia in Sumy Oblast, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on Aug. 10.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The General Staff's statement comes as Russia continues to try advancing deeper into Sumy Oblast more than two months after opening a new front in the northeast.

The General Staff said that it "eliminated" 18 Russian soldiers in the operation. The Kyiv Independent was unable to independently confirm the claim.

Bezsalivka is located adjacent about 30 kilometers west of the heavy fighting elsewhere in Sumy Oblast, where Russian troops have advanced to within 30 kilometers of the regional capital of Sumy.

The 33rd Assault Regiment and 24th Assault Battalion took part in the operation to liberate the village, according to the General Staff.

A map of Ukraine's Sumy Oblast (Nizar al-Rifal/The Kyiv Independent)

After Ukrainian forces' withdrawal from territory held in Russia's neighboring Kursk Oblast  taken during Kyiv's surprise cross-border incursion in summer 2024  the border areas have seen an uptick in fighting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Over May and June, Russian forces made signficant gains on Ukraine's side of Sumy Oblast shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the military to begin creating a "security buffer zone" along the border with Ukraine.

Ukraine's defense of the area stabilized over June, and in the end of July, pushed Russian forces out of several small villages.

Read also: White House not ruling out Zelenskys participation in Alaska meetings, CNN says

Drones strike Saratov oil refinery in Russia

Drones attacked an oil refinery in Saratov on Aug. 10, sparking a large fire and explosions, according to local reports.

Footage posted on Russian social media showed what appeared to be drones overhead and the activation of air defense systems. Residents reported hearing a loud explosion before flames engulfed the facility.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Saratov Governor Roman Busargin confirmed damage at one of the region's industrial sites. One person was reported killed in the attack, and others were reported injured.

Reports also indicated air defense activity and explosions in the cities of Lipetsk and Voronezh.

The information came from local Telegram channels and could not be independently verified. Ukrainian officials have not commented on the incident.

Earlier, dozens of flights were delayed at Russia's Sochi airport following reported drone attacks. Ukrainian drones also targeted a storage facility in Russia's Tatarstan Republic which housed Shahed-type drones.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read also: Exclusive: Putin to demand Ukraine cede new territory in Alaska peace plan  US likely to agree, Kyiv to reject

Ukraine, Europe reject Putin's ceasefire proposal, present counterproposal to US ahead of Trump-Putin meeting, WSJ reports

Ukrainian and European officials rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal for a ceasefire in exchange for Kyiv to cede its eastern territories to Russia, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Aug. 9.

The EU and Ukrainian officials instead offered a counterproposal to U.S. officials ahead of a planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin on Aug. 15 in Alaska.

Putin told U.S. envoy Wikoff during a meeting on Aug. 6 that Russia would agree to a full ceasefire if Kyiv withdrew its forces from Donetsk Oblast, giving Moscow full control of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, as well as Crimea.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

President Volodymyr Zelensky firmly rejected on Aug. 9 the idea of ceding any Ukrainian territory to end Russia's war, with talks on the proposal beginning in the U.K. with U.S., Ukrainian, and EU officials on Aug. 9.

Two European officials familiar with the talks told the WSJ that Europe aims to draw a unified red line with Ukraine, insisting that EU officials should be involved in any potential peace negotiation with Russia and reiterating that Ukraine's future cannot be discussed without Kyiv's participation. The development comes as Trump has suggested he will include Ukraine in future negotiations only after an initial meeting with Putin.

A map showing Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine as of 2025. (The Kyiv Independent)

The counterproposal presented to Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump's Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg and Witkoff, also demands that a ceasefire be enacted before further steps are taken, adding that territory can only be exchanged in a reciprocal manner, the news agency reported.

"You can't start a process by ceding territory in the middle of fighting," one European negotiator told the WSJ, amid Trump's comments on Aug. 8 that Moscow and Kyiv would likely include "some swapping of territories."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Well you're looking at territory that's been fought over for three-and-a-half years... So we're looking at that, but we're actually looking to get some back," Trump said during a press conference alongside the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan. "Some swapping, it's complicated."

"We're going to get some back. We're going to get some switched. There will be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both," Trump added.

Expressing concern with the Washington's openness to begin negotiations surrounding the framework of Putin's proposal as well as skepticism toward Putin adhering to the ceasefire, a European official told the WSJ that "the proposal is much worse than Trump said on the call," with another adding that it gives "Putin everything he wants in exchange for nothing."

A senior European official said that any agreement reached in Alaska between the U.S. and Russia would not hold much weight without the participation of European leaders.

Amid Europe's disapproval of the initial proposal, Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, said on Telegram earlier in the day that unspecified European countries will make "titanic efforts to disrupt the planned meeting between President Putin and President Trump," adding that such efforts amount to "provocations and disinformation."

Read also: Future of Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukrainians  EU leaders react to Russias ceasefire proposal ahead of Trump-Putin meeting

Ukraine hits storage site for Shahed-type drones, imported parts in Russia's Tatarstan Republic

Drones operated by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) struck on Aug. 9 a storage facility in Russia's Tatarstan Republic housing Shahed-type drones and foreign components used in their assembly, the agency reported.

This is not Ukraine's first strike on Tatarstan since the beginning of the full-scale war in 2022, as the region's Alabuga Special Economic Zone is home to a facility that manufactures Shahed-type long-range attack drones and other reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Ukrainian drones from the Security Service's Special Operations Center "A" flew roughly 1,300 kilometers (about 800 miles) to strike a logistics hub in the village of Kizil-Yul, igniting a fire at the site, the SBU's statement read.

"The Security Service (of Ukraine) continues its systematic efforts to demilitarize Russian military facilities deep inside enemy territory. Storage sites for Shahed drones, which the enemy uses to terrorize Ukraine every night, are among our legitimate military targets," SBU said.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims.

Russia has not officially commented on the reported strikes.

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.
The Ukrainian Air Force has destroyed a Russian battalion command post near the city of Oleshky in Kherson Oblast by delivering a precision bomb strike.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Quote: "A high-precision bomb strike by Ukraines Air Force successfully hit a battalion command post of the occupiers in the Oleshky area."

Details: Early reports indicate that about 25 Russian troops were killed and at least 11 injured.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukrainian intelligence said that among those killed were the battalion commander, the chief of staff, the head of the engineering service and a platoon commander.

Background: Ukraine's General Staff reported that Ukrainian drones had struck an oil refinery in the Russian city of Saratov on the night of 9-10 August.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
(Reuters) -Three people were killed in overnight Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia's Tula and Nizhny Novgorod regions, a senior Russian regional official and the defence ministry said on Monday.

Two people died and two were hospitalised following an attack before midnight on Sunday on the Tula region that borders the Moscow region to its north, Tula Governor Dmitry Milyaev said on the Telegram messaging app.

One person was killed and two others were hospitalised following a Ukrainian attack targeting an industrial zone in the Nizhny Novgorod region in western Russia, Gleb Nikitin, the governor of the region, said on the Telegram.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A Ukrainian security official told Reuters that Ukraine had targeted a Russian plant producing missile components in the Nizhny Novgorod region in the drone attack.

At least four drones struck the Arzamas Instrument-Making Plant, which produces control systems and other components for Russias Kh-32 and Kh-101 missiles, the official said.

Russian air defence units destroyed a total of 59 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 12 over the Tula region, the Russian Defence Ministry said. The ministry only reports how many drones its units shoot down, not how many Ukraine launches.

Seven drones were downed en route to Russia's capital overnight and on Monday morning, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Both sides deny targeting civilians in their strikes on each other's territory. Nevertheless, thousands of civilians have died in the full-scale war that Russia launched in Ukraine in February 2022.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne, Tom Balmforth in London; Editing by Diane Craft, Lincoln Feast and Hugh Lawson)
European allies have rallied behind Ukraine in a renewed surge of support, insisting that any peace talks with Russia must include Kyiv.

It comes as Donald Trump prepares to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

"The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine," said a joint statement issued by the leaders of the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland and the European Commission.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Concerned that Ukraine will not be invited to its own peace talks, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that any agreements without Kyiv would amount to "dead decisions".

Late on Saturday, a White House official said that Trump would be willing to hold a trilateral meeting with both Putin and Zelensky - but for now, it remains just the two of them, as initially requested by the Russian leader.

Trump has previously suggested that he could start by meeting only with Putin, telling reporters he planned to "start off with Russia." But the US president also said that he believed "we have a shot at" organising a trilateral meeting with both Putin and Zelensky.

Whether Putin would agree to this is unclear - he has refused several opportunities to hold direct talks, and the two leaders have not met face-to-face since Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Speaking on Friday, Trump also suggested that there "will be some swapping of territories" in order for Moscow and Kyiv to reach an agreement - to which Zelensky reacted strongly.

"We will not reward Russia for what it has perpetrated," he said on Telegram. "Any decisions against us, any decisions without Ukraine, are also decisions against peace."

"The Russians... still impose the idea of 'exchanging' Ukrainian territory for Ukrainian territory, with consequences that guarantee nothing but more convenient positions for the Russians to resume the war," he added defiantly.

CBS, the BBC's US media partner, has reported that the White House is trying to sway European allies to accept an agreement that would include Russia taking the entire Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, and keeping the Crimean Peninsula.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The European leaders, in their statement released late on Saturday night, stressed that "international borders must not be changed by force".

"Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny," they said, stressing that their nations would continue to support Ukraine diplomatically, militarily and financially.

More on the war in Ukraine

The leaders also said that a "diplomatic solution" is critical, not just to protect Ukraine - but also Europe's security.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It's not just Ukraine that is struggling to be part of the Alaska meeting.

European allies are also worried about their lack of influence over the outcome of any agreement that Trump could reach with Putin.

In a post on X on Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron raised concerns about Russia and the US excluding European involvement.

"Europeans will also necessarily be part of the solution, as their own security is at stake," he wrote.

Europe has taken a tough approach to Moscow - including imposing sanctions against Russian entities and providing military aid for Ukraine.

Zelensky said he told Macron in a phone call on Saturday that the key was to make sure "the Russians do not get to deceive anyone again".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We all need a genuine end to the war and reliable security foundations for Ukraine and other European nations," the Ukrainian leader said.

US diplomacy with Europe and Ukraine fell to Vice-President JD Vance on Saturday, when he visited the UK and held talks with Foreign Secretary David Lammy as well as two of Zelensky's top aides.

Thanking Vance for the discussions, Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelensky's office, stressed the need for Ukraine to be included.

"A reliable, lasting peace is only possible with Ukraine at the negotiating table," he said. "A ceasefire is necessary - but the frontline is not a border."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The summit in Alaska, the territory which Russia sold to the US in 1867, would be the first between sitting US and Russian presidents, since Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva in June 2021.

Nine months later, Moscow sent troops into Ukraine.

In 2022, the Kremlin announced the annexation of four Ukrainian regions - Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson - despite not having full control over them.

Moscow has failed to achieve a decisive breakthrough in its full-scale invasion, but occupies large swathes of Ukraine's eastern territory. Ukrainian offensives, meanwhile, have not been able to push the Russian forces back.
Russia attacked Ukraine with 100 drones on the night of 9-10 August, 70 of which were destroyed by air defence.

Source: Air Force of Ukraine

Details: Initial reports indicate that Russian forces carried out a large-scale strike on Ukraine on the night of 9-10 August, launching 100 attack UAVs of the Shahed type, along with various types of decoy drones. The launches were carried out from Russian territory (Shatalovo, Kursk and Primorsko-Akhtarsk) and from temporarily occupied Crimea (Hvardiiske).

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Air Force reported that Ukrainian aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare units, mobile fire groups and unmanned systems units of the defence forces were involved in repelling the airstrike.

As of 08:00, 70 Russian drones had been confirmed destroyed or suppressed in Ukraines north and east.

Meanwhile, 30 UAVs struck 12 settlements in the frontline areas of Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Sumy and Chernihiv oblasts. Debris from downed drones also fell in three other locations.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Editor's Note: This story has been updated with comments from a source in Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR).

A Ukrainian drone attack on Aug. 10 struck the Lukoil-Ukhta oil refinery in Russia's Komi Republic, about 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) from the Ukrainian border, a source in Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent.

HUR's comments confirm earlier reports from Russian media outlets and local officials that a refinery in Ukhta was struck by drones.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The attack marks Kyiv's first confirmed drone strike in Russia's northwestern Komi Republic.

Ukrainian drones hit the Lukoil-Ukhta refinery, which supplies Russian forces with fuel and lubricants, according to HUR. The refinery was targeted as part of a special operation by Ukraine's military intelligence.

The drones struck a petroleum tank, causing it to spill, HUR said. The attack also damaged a gas and gas condensate processing plant that produces propane-butane and gasoline.

Local residents also report power outages and mobile internet outages in Ukhta.

Earlier in the evening, local Telegram channels reported a drone attack in Ukhta targeting the Lukoil refinery, which authorities evacuated. The independent Russian media outlet Novaya Gazeta also said that flights at the airport were temporarily suspended.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Rostislav Goldshteyn, the acting head of the Komi Republic, said on social media that workers at enterprises in the drones' flight path were evacuated and that there were no casualties. He did not provide details on which enterprises were evacuated and did not mention an oil refinery in his post.

In June 2024, a large-scale fire was reported at the Lukoil refinery in Ukhta, though Russian officials said it was caused by "non-compliance with safety regulations" and not by a Ukrainian drone attack.

The Lukoil plant specializes in processing blended crudes from oilfields in the Komi Republic, shipped to the facility via the Usa-Ukhta pipeline.

The alleged strike on the Ukhta refinery comes shortly after reports that Ukrainian drones hit an oil refinery in Russia's Saratov Oblast on Aug. 10, causing explosions and a large fire.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukraine has deployed homemade long-range drones to hit oil depots, military sites, and airfields deep inside Russia, in an attempt to slowly grind down Russia's war machine.

Western nations have not lifted the ban on Ukraine using the long-range weapons they donated to launch deep strikes inside Russia, citing potential repercussions.

Read also: Mobilization gridlock: How politics, policy, and public opinion are shaping Ukraines war effort

.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine's defence forces have liberated the village of Bezsalivka in Sumy Oblast after completely clearing it of Russian troops.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Details: The General Staff reported that units from the 33rd Separate Assault Regiment and the 24th Separate Assault Battalion had taken part in the operation. During the fighting, Ukrainian troops killed 18 Russian soldiers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bezsalivka is a village in Sumy Oblasts Bilopillia hromada with a population of 91 people. It is situated near the river Volfa close to the Russian border. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town along with their adjacent territories  ed.]

Background:

On 25 July, it was reported that the 225th Separate Assault Regiment had completed a mop-up operation in the village of Kindrativka in Sumy Oblast and consolidated its positions there.

On 14 June, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine's defence forces are successfully pushing Russian troops out of the border area of Sumy Oblast, notably liberating the village of Andriivka.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Drones operated by Defence Intelligence of Ukraine were behind an attack on the LUKOIL-Ukhtaneftepererabotka oil refinery in Russias Komi Republic, located 2,000 km from Ukraine.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda sources in Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU)

Details: DIU struck the LUKOIL-Ukhtaneftepererabotka refinery as part of a special operation on 10 August, the sources say.

The targeted facility, located in Russias Komi Republic more than 2,000 km from Ukraines border, is involved in supplying fuel and lubricants to Russian forces.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukrainian intelligence sources told Ukrainska Pravda that the drones hit a petroleum product storage tank, causing a spill, and damaged a gas and gas condensate processing unit used to produce propane-butane and petrol.

Background: Russian Telegram channels had earlier reported an attack on the Komi refinery.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
HINTON, WV (WVNS)  Bikers started their mornings off with a nice Saturday ride through southern West Virginia as part of the third annual Ultimate Experience Outdoors Dice Run.

WV Hive accepting submissions for 2025 Pitch Southern WV Competition

This ride was in memory of Sergeant Mecot Camara, a Marine from Hinton who was killed in the Beirut bombings in the 1980s.

Chad Hostetter and Larry Meador are both members of the UXO. This dice run was a fundraiser for their organization. These funds help them take veterans, first responders, and Gold Star families, among others to do outdoor activities, like hunting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A lot of veterans look for a connection post-service, whether that be the outdoors. You know, there [are] a lot of outdoorsy type folks. It inspires us to continue to serve. I retired after 21 years myself. It is just that therapy sitting around with your buddies, telling the stories of how great we used to be and just inspired us to kind of expand up here in West Virginia, said Hostetter.

UXO is originally out of Alabama, but is now in West Virginia and in the process of expanding to Virginia in the future.

Legislation sparks concern regarding local technical programs

The biker route started out in Hinton at the River City Bar and Grill, making stops in Peterstown, Union, and Ronceverte. They finally finished up at John Henry Historical Park in Talcott, where there were vendors, food, live music, and more for folks to enjoy.

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 WVNS.
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) President and Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Sunday dismissed the opposition's claim of cracks within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), calling it a "misconception" that they create to gain some political mileage out of it. "The opposition only wants to create the misconception that there are cracks in the NDA alliance so that they can gain some political mileage out of it," Paswan said while speaking to mediapersons in Hajipur. The Lok Janshakti Party leader recalled that during the 2020 Bihar elections, the RJD only won seats where he contested independently. "If during 2020, the NDA had remained united like it is today, they (RJD) only won those seats where I decided to contest independently. Now we can see that the crime situation in the state is getting controlled. This is possible only under the leadership of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar," he said, adding that the NDA was targeting 225 seats in the upcoming elections. In July, Chirag Paswan had said that he felt sorry to be supporting the government in Bihar, "which is failing on the law and order front like this." His statement came in the wake of the gang-rape of a Bihar Military Police aspirant in Bodh Gaya on July 24, and the recent spate of violent crime in Bihar. Earlier on August 5, the LJP leader accused the Opposition parties of attempting to project a rift in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) by "amplifying" his previous remarks on the law and order situation in the state. "I try to put forward the points of the people before the government through this alliance. I am a part of the government and I have got that platform to put forth my views... Since I am not a part of the government in Bihar, I am supporting the government, so when I come across instances that add to the problems of Biharis, such as the law and order issue, I try to strongly keep it before the government so that actions are taken," Chirag Paswan told ANI. He alleged that the Opposition is deliberately misinterpreting his statements to create confusion among the public. "The opposition tries to mislead people about my words, indicating I am repeating my mistakes... NDA alliance is a winning combination in Bihar... We will win more than 225 seats and form the government. Hum Sath Sath Hain. The opposition tries its best to show a rift between us by amplifying my words. I trust Nitish Kumar and his governance," he said. (ANI)
TEHRAN (AP)  The deputy head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog will visit Iran in a bid to rekindle soured ties, the Islamic Republic's foreign minister said Sunday.

There will be no inspection of Iran's nuclear facilities during the visit by the International Atomic Energy Agency scheduled for Monday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said. The visit would be the first following Israel and Iran's 12-day war in June, when some of its key nuclear facilities were struck.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on July 3 ordered the country to suspend its cooperation with the IAEA, after American and Israeli airstrikes hit its most-important nuclear facilities. The decision will likely further limit inspectors ability to track Tehrans program that had been enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As long as we havent reached a new framework for cooperation, there will be no cooperation, and the new framework will definitely be based on the law passed by the Parliament, Araghchi said.

State media last week quoted Aragchi as saying during a television program that Tehran would only allow for IAEA cooperation through the approval of the Supreme National Security Council, the countrys highest security body.

Iran has had limited IAEA inspections in the past as a pressure tactic in negotiating with the West, and it is unclear how soon talks between Tehran and Washington for a deal over its nuclear program will resume.

U.S. intelligence agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency had assessed Iran last had an organized nuclear weapons program in 2003, though Tehran had been enriching uranium up to 60%  a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

The U.S. bombed three major Iranian nuclear sites in Iran in June as Israel waged an air war with Iran. Nearly 1,100 people were killed in Iran, including many military commanders and nuclear scientists, while 28 were killed in Israel.
TEHRAN  The deputy head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog will visit Iran in a bid to rekindle soured ties, the Islamic Republics foreign minister said Sunday.

There will be no inspection of Irans nuclear facilities during the visit by the International Atomic Energy Agency scheduled for Monday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said. The visit would be the first following Israel and Irans 12-day war in June, when some of its key nuclear facilities were struck; some of those raids were conducted by the United States.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on July 3 ordered the country to suspend its cooperation with the IAEA, after American and Israeli airstrikes hit its most-important nuclear facilities. The decision will likely further limit inspectors ability to track Tehrans program that had been enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As long as we havent reached a new framework for cooperation, there will be no cooperation, and the new framework will definitely be based on the law passed by the Parliament, Araghchi said.

State media last week quoted Aragchi as saying during a television program that Tehran would only allow for IAEA cooperation through the approval of the Supreme National Security Council, the countrys highest security body.

Iran has had limited IAEA inspections in the past as a pressure tactic in negotiating with the West, and it is unclear how soon talks between Tehran and Washington for a deal over its nuclear program will resume.

U.S. intelligence agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency had assessed Iran last had an organized nuclear weapons program in 2003, though Tehran had been enriching uranium up to 60%  a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The U.S. bombed three major Iranian nuclear sites in Iran in June as Israel waged an air war with Iran. Nearly 1,100 people were killed in Iran, including many military commanders and nuclear scientists, while 28 were killed in Israel.




Explicit death threats have been made against dozens of Afghan women working for the United Nations in Afghanistan, according to a new UN report, where their rights have been severely curtailed since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

The UN mission to the country said female national staff were subjected to direct death threats in May, in the latest update on the human rights situation in Afghanistan published on Sunday.

The report says the Taliban told the UN mission that their cadres were not responsible for the threats, and an Interior Ministry investigation is under way.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Interior Ministry spokesman, Abdul Mateen Qani, however, said no threats had been made. This is completely incorrect, Qani told The Associated Press news agency.

The ministry has an independent department for this, and we have a strategic plan for protection and security so there is no threat to them in any area, nor can anyone threaten them, nor is there any threat to them. Qani did not answer questions about an investigation, according to AP.

The threats came from unidentified individuals related to their work with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, other agencies, funds, and programmes, requiring the U.N. to implement interim measures to protect their safety, according to the report.

The Taliban barred Afghan women from working at domestic and foreign nongovernmental organisations in December 2022, extending this ban to the UN six months later. They then threatened to shut down agencies and groups still employing women. Aid agencies and NGOs say the Taliban have disrupted or interfered with their operations, allegations denied by authorities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The UN report is the first official confirmation of death threats against Afghan women working in the sector. The report also highlighted other areas affecting womens personal freedoms and safety, including inspectors from the Vice and Virtue Ministry requiring women to wear a chador, a full-body cloak covering the head. Women have been arrested for only wearing the hijab.

Women have also been denied access to public areas, in line with laws banning them from such spaces.

A UN report from August 2024 found that Afghanistans Taliban government has deliberately deprived at least 1.4 million girls of their right to an education during its three years in power.

About 300,000 more girls are missing out on school since UNESCO last carried out a count in April 2023, it said on Thursday, warning that the future of an entire generation is now in jeopardy.

ICC targets Taliban for persecution of women

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in July for two top Taliban leaders in Afghanistan on charges of abuses against women and girls.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

ICC judges said at the time there were reasonable grounds to suspect Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhunzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani of committing gender-based persecution.

While the Taliban have imposed certain rules and prohibitions on the population as a whole, they have specifically targeted girls and women by reason of their gender, depriving them of fundamental rights and freedoms, the court said in a statement in July.

The Taliban has severely deprived girls and women of the rights to education, privacy, family life and the freedoms of movement, expression, thought, conscience and religion, ICC judges said.

The Taliban has rejected the ICC warrants as baseless rhetoric, saying it does not recognise the ICCs authority, and underlined the courts failure to protect the hundreds of women and children being killed daily in Gaza.




The UN Security Council is convening an emergency session on Sunday to discuss Israel's intentions to capture and occupy Gaza City.

The plan, approved by Israel's Security Cabinet on Friday, sparked international outcry. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called it a "dangerous escalation" in the 22-month war in the Gaza Strip.

The European members of the Security Council - Denmark, France, Greece, the United Kingdom and Slovenia - called for the urgent meeting in New York.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

According to the independent news site Security Council Report, all Security Council members except the United States supported the proposal.

During the session, which begins at 10 am (1400 GMT), member states will exchange views, and UN rapporteurs are expected to outline the possible consequences of seizing Gaza's main city.

Following the Israel's decision, Germany, the UK, Italy, New Zealand and Australia jointly rejected the plans to take control of Gaza City. In a statement by their foreign ministries, they warned the offensive would worsen the humanitarian crisis, endanger hostages' lives, and could lead to massive civilian displacement.

They said that a two-state solution remains the only path to lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also stopped the export of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza.
A senior United Nations official has warned the UN Security Council (UNSC) that Israels plan to seize Gaza City risked another calamity in the Gaza Strip with far-reaching consequences, as five more people in Gaza reportedly died from starvation  bringing the overall toll to 217, including 100 children.

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenca on Sunday told an emergency weekend meeting that if implemented, the plan could result in the displacement of all civilians from Gaza City by October 7, 2025, affecting some 800,000 people, many of them already previously displaced.

This will likely trigger another calamity in Gaza, reverberating across the region and causing further forced displacement, killings and destruction, compounding the unbearable suffering of the population, Jenca said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour told the UNSC that Israel was aiming for the destruction of the Palestinian people through forced transfer and massacres to facilitate its annexation of our land.

What will force Israel to change course is our ability to transform justified condemnation into just actions  History will judge us all, he said.

Foreign powers, including some of Israels allies, have slammed Israels plan. The United Kingdom, a close ally of Israel which nonetheless pushed for an emergency meeting on the crisis, warned the Israeli plan risked prolonging the conflict.

It will only deepen the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. This is not a path to resolution. It is a path to more bloodshed, the British Deputy Ambassador to the UN James Kariuki said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Another staunch Israel ally, Germany, said it could not actively support Israels plan to expand military operations in Gaza and displace of Palestinians.

Where are these people supposed to go? Chancellor Friedrich Merz asked in an interview with public broadcaster ARD. We cant do that, we wont do that, and I will not do that.

Frances Deputy Permanent UN Representative Jay Dharmadhikari condemned in the strongest possible terms the plan, which he said would have dramatic humanitarian consequences for civilians already living in horrifying conditions.

The images of children dying of hunger or civilians being targeted as they tried to find food are unbearable, Dharmadhikari said, urging Israel to comply with international humanitarian law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The UK, Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia issued a joint statement asking Israel to urgently reverse this decision and not to implement the plan, saying it violates international law.

In a separate statement, the foreign ministers of Spain, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal and Slovenia warned that Israel seizing Gaza City would be a major obstacle to implementing the two-state solution, the only path towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.





Israel to finish the job in Gaza

Despite the international backlash and rumours of dissent from Israeli military top brass, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained defiant over the plan to seize Gazas largest urban centre, which was approved by Israels security cabinet on Friday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The timeline that we set for the action is fairly quickly, Netanyahu told a news conference in Jerusalem on Sunday. I dont want to talk about exact timetables, but were talking in terms of a fairly short timetable because we want to bring the war to an end.

He said Israel had no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas, given the groups refusal to lay down its arms. Hamas said it would not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state was established.

Netanyahu said the military had been given the green light to dismantle what he described as two remaining Hamas strongholds: Gaza City in the north and al-Mawasi further to the south.

This is the best way to end the war and the best way to end it speedily, he said. We will do so by first enabling the civilian population to safely leave the combat areas to designated safe zones.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While the prime minister stressed that these safe zones would be given ample food, water, and medical care, guards at the controversial Israel- and United States-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), purportedly established to deliver aid to the starving Palestinian population, have routinely opened fire on the aid seekers, killing dozens at a time.

Asked about the growing criticism targeting his cabinets decision, Netanyahu said the country was prepared to fight alone. We will win the war, with or without the support of others, he said.

Hamas released a statement responding to Netanyahus claim that Israel did not intend to occupy Gaza but liberate it from the Palestinian group.

The group said the use of the term liberation was an attempt to distort the reality of occupation that will not cover up the crime of extermination, killing, and systematic destruction for more than 22 months.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hamas added that it constituted a desperate attempt to exonerate Israel after it killed more than 61,400 Palestinians, including more than 18,000 children.

Israels Deputy Ambassador to the UN Jonathan Miller fired back at Hamas at the UNSC session, saying the group was exploiting the captives and Gazas population to maintain its position, benefiting from attempts to pressure Israel and from the willingness of some countries to recognise a Palestinian state.

The United States, a veto-wielding permanent member of the UNSC, has so far shielded its staunch ally from any practical measures of UN censure. Netanyahus office said the prime minister spoke with US President Donald Trump about its plan, without elaborating on the outcome of the conversation.

Speaking to Fox News, the US vice president said Washington neither endorsed nor rejected Israels decision to seize Gaza City and the entire Gaza Strip at large. Obviously, there are a lot of downsides and upsides, JD Vance said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Netanyahus plan also received domestic criticism, with opposition leader Yair Lapid saying its implementation would mean that the hostages will die, soldiers will die, the economy will collapse and our international standing will crash.

Israels Channel 12 reported it will cost billions of dollars within several months, increasing the countrys deficit by 2 percent and leading to widespread budget cuts in areas such as healthcare, education, and welfare.

Unacceptable catastrophe

The director of the coordination division at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the unacceptable catastrophe unfolding in Gaza must be brought to an end as he addressed the UN Security Council via videolink on Sunday.

Ramesh Rajasingham expressed concern over the prolonged conflict, the reports of atrocities and further human toll that is likely to unfold following the government of Israels decision to expand military operations in Gaza.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Israel has blocked all but a trickle of aid from entering Gaza for months and has prevented UN workers from accessing and distributing lifesaving assistance. The UN has a plan and the systems in place to respond. Weve said this before, and we will say it again and again: Let us work, Rajasingham said.

The Government Media Office in Gaza said only 1,210 aid trucks have entered Gaza over the past 14 days. Officials said this represents just 14 percent of the territorys minimum actual needs of 8,400 trucks.

Netanyahu acknowledged there have been issues of deprivation in Gaza, but denied that Israel has a starvation policy. Human Rights Watch, among other international organisations, has repeatedly called Israels use of starvation of civilians as a weapon of war a war crime.

Ahmad Alhendawi, Save the Children Internationals director for the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe, told Al Jazeera that his team on the ground was seeing an exponential increase in the number of malnutrition cases, with effects that can span generations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This is not one event. This is not the absence of two or three meals. This is an accumulation of months [of deprivation], he said. We can help alleviate the suffering of children in Gaza, but we cannot do that if the government of Israel continues to impose all its limitations.




Stop development project

Sacramento River at risk in Natomas Basin development plan, (sacbee.com, Aug. 1)

Why is Supervisor Phil Serna protecting one river but destroying another?

We live beside the Sacramento River  an ecologically vital waterway that lacks the protections, access and restoration funding given to the American River. Serna champions the American River Parkway but offers no similar advocacy for the Sacramento River.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Now, he supports the Upper Westside, a project that would pave over 2,000 acres of habitat, farmland and open space. This harms both wildlife and residents whove spent years stewarding this fragile corridor.

Where is the Sacramento River Parkway Advisory Committee? Why arent we investing in riparian restoration, invasive species control or public access? Why is development prioritized while foxes, otters and bobcats are forced into shrinking habitat? This spring alone, two otters and three foxes were roadkill.

The Board of Supervisors must stop this project.

Melanie Herman

Sacramento

Protect Natomas farmland

Sacramento River at risk in Natomas Basin development plan, (sacbee.com, Aug. 1)

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Urban sprawl often leads to increased traffic congestion, longer commutes and a higher cost of living. I dont want Sacramento to become Roseville or Elk Grove. Rather than expanding into our precious farmland, we should focus on building walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods. Only 38% of the worlds land can be used for farmland.

Sacramento touts itself as the farm to fork capitol, but now city leaders want to get rid of our farms?

Once they are completed, suburban developments are the best they are ever going to be. After that they decay and cost the city more because they never adapt or grow, never allowing more people to move into a neighborhood. Encouraging mixed-use zoning for current existing areas would allow for affordable housing options that are sorely needed, especially for low-income residents who are often priced out of traditional suburban developments.

Amanda G Forester-Burnitt

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sacramento

Protect open spaces

Sacramentos Natomas Basin faces growth vs. habitat clash, (sacbee.com, Aug. 1)

I moved to North Natomas from San Diego, a beautiful city with lots of open space. That open space existed largely because we had the Pendleton Marine Corps base preventing San Diego from being absorbed by sprawling Orange County.

In this region, there is plenty of current warehouse space for lease, especially near the airport. Please do not approve unnecessary projects that will remove agricultural land, destroy wildlife habitat and add transportation pollution.

Barbara Walter

Sacramento
When a national youth organization fired Lisa Johanon in the 1990s because it no longer wanted to work in Detroit, she doubled down on her commitment to the city.

Thats where we need to be, where the need is the greatest, she said.

Soon after that Johanon co-founded Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corporation and became its executive director. What began in 1993 as a youth programming effort has grown into nonprofit offering a range of services in education, employment, housing and community well-being  primarily serving Detroits 48202 and 48206 ZIP codes, in New Center west to Dexter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I feel like there was an inspiration from God to just start this organization," Johanon told the Free Press. "I had no idea where it would go at that point in time. But here we are, over 30 years later, and it's kind of gone somewhere."

Johanon is the recipient of the 2025 Eleanor Josaitis Unsung Hero Award, part of the Shining Light Awards presented by the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition and the Detroit Free Press. The awards honor individuals making contributions to regional cooperation, progress and understanding in southeast Michigan.

Johanon said she was shocked but honored to learn shed be receiving the award.

Each year, the Eleanor Josaitis Unsung Hero Award recognizes a leader whose work has had a significant impact, often without public recognition. It is named in honor of the late co-founder of Focus: HOPE, a civil and human rights organization working to eliminate racism and poverty since 1968.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"You don't do this work to become the hero," Johanon said. "You don't do this work for people to give you pats on the back. As a matter of fact, pats on the back are probably very few and far between. So to have somebody acknowledge that and to say, 'You are an unsung hero for everything you've done,' even though a lot of people don't know the hours you've put in  it brings tears to my eyes."

Lisa Johanon, the co-founder and executive director of the Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corporation in Detroit, throws a football inside the centers gym on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

Kevin Watkins, a board member and treasurer of Central Detroit Christian, nominated Johanon for her steady, humble and hands-on leadership  qualities he said she shares with Josaitis.

"She has that same quiet tenacity. ... She has done so much to leave a long-lasting impact within our community, Watkins said. She doesn't need a lot of fanfare; she doesn't want to be in the spotlight. She really just wants to get the job done.

Abiding by 3 tenets

Central Detroit Christian follows the principles of the Christian Community Development Association, a network of Christian-oriented development organizations: relocation, reconciliation and redistribution.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For me personally ... relocation means we live in the community that we're serving, and that makes a huge difference, Johanon said. We know what's going on. We hurt when our community hurts, we feel the same pain. We can also help people quicker and easier. You gain a trust by being in the neighborhood like that.

Reconciliation is also key, particularly for those living in poverty who often experience isolation from family and community.

Its very important to try to get people reconciled with each other, but also with God, Johanon said.

The third tenet, redistribution, is about addressing inequity in underserved communities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If its good enough for Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills, its good enough for central Detroit, Johanon said. That means where there's inequity, we need to make things equitable  and so were going to focus on a failing educational system, were going to focus on inadequate housing, were going to focus on lack of employment opportunities because its inequitable that our community is suffering with those issues when other communities are not.

And that has been the focus of the organization for more than three decades.

What does Central Detroit Christian offer?

Under Johanons leadership, Central Detroit Christian has built a robust network for residents, with programs supporting early education, job training, small business development, housing and more.

One of the nonprofit's educational resources is the Pathways of Promise Early Childhood Learning Center, which serves children up to age 5 and offers a free after-school literacy program for students in grades 1-8 as well as a summer day camp with meals and field trips.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Only 9% of about 200 children in the literacy program were reading at grade level in September 2024. By May, that number had jumped to 54%, Johanon said.

This fall, the group plans to open a private school in its building on Taylor Street in partnership with the nonprofit Boldly Moving Education Ahead. The school is expected to serve 90 students in grades 4 through 6 and aims to take literacy intervention to the next level," she said.

Central Detroit Christian also supports economic development through youth job training, small business creation and housing programs. Since its founding, the nonprofit has launched 17 businesses.

The organization has also repaired more than 700 homes, helped nearly 800 Detroiters become first-time homeowners, and manages more than 100 affordable housing units through Solid Rock Property Management.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We did almost $1 million last year in home repair through five different programs," Johanon said. In 48202, weve seen our neighborhood stabilize  in housing, in people, and in housing values."

While the nonprofit is faith-based and offers Bible studies, being Christian is not a requirement to receive services.

What started with Johanon and two part-time employees has grown into a $6.5 million operation with about 30 staff members and a board of directors. The nonprofit is funded through a mix of public and private sources, including foundations, government grants, corporate donations, churches, rental income and tuition.

'You're there for people'

Leading Central Detroit Christian, Johanon said, isnt a job that ends when the office lights go out.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"When you leave CDC, you're not done working," she said. "You continue working, even if it's a 2 a.m. call. You're there for people."

Living in Detroit has shaped her relationships, even with those who didnt always welcome her. Johanon recalled having to confront drug dealers at a neighborhood park and demand that they leave for the safety of the children in the area.

Theyd say, Lisa, we dont like you,' " she told the Free Press. "Cool. I dont care. Then theyd say, But we respect you because you're not afraid of us and you live here. And I've always held that close to my heart  because if the guy standing on the street corner sees that there's a difference because you live here, to me, that speaks volumes.

Johanon knows the work is never finished, but shes committed to it.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We will never see justice  were fallen creatures  but that doesnt mean we stop trying, she said. We absolutely keep trying. We try to right the wrongs that have been done.

Shining Light Regional Cooperation Awards Luncheon

What: Lisa Johanon, co-founder and executive director of Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corp., John Perkins Jr., business representative for the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, and Curtis Ivery, Wayne County Community College chancellor will be honored at the Shining Light Regional Cooperation Awards Luncheon.

When: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7

Where: Ford Field, 2000 Brush St., Detroit

Tickets: Early Bird pricing at $85 until Sept. 5; $100 after that. Purchase tickets at bit.ly/ShiningLightTickets

Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit nonprofit leader honored for more than 30 years of service
(KRON)  An upscale gelato shop is making its way to Northern California. Bacio di Latte is set to open its first location in Palo Alto.

The Bay Area outpost store is coming soon to the Stanford Shopping Center, according to the malls website.

Two Italian brothers, Edoardo and Luigi Tonolli, traveled across Italy to find all the secrets to make the best traditional gelato, according to Bacios website. In 2011, the Tonollis opened Bacio di Latte.

Interior of Bacio di Latte in Fashion Island, displaying an assortment of gelato flavors and freshly baked cookies in a bright, modern setting, Newport Beach, California, December 26, 2024. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images) Bacio di Latte gelato storefront with visible sign and palm trees in the background at Fashion Island, Newport Beach, California, December 26, 2024. Customers wait in line outside the shop on a sunny day. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images) A Bacio di Latte gelato store in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Thursday, March 2, 2023. On March 2 Brazil releases fourth-quarter GDP figures, where a small decline is anticipated at the end of 2022 after five consecutive quarters of expansion. Photographer: Dado Galdieri/Bloomberg via Getty Images

San Francisco ice cream parlor noted as one of the worlds best

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We freshly make all delicious recipes every day in-store using the best ingredients in the world, including organic milk and organic cream. We also have our freshest fruit sorbet, per Bacios website.

The parlor said its most important ingredient is the milk and organic cream from family farms in Sonoma County.

Per the Bacios website, some of the best-selling gelatos are the cioccolato belga (Belgian chocolate), bacio di latte (vanilla), giandujotto (hazelnut and chocolate), vaniglia and rose (vanilla and rose) and more.

The shop also offers vegan options including pistachio, strawberry, raspberry and lemon gelatos.

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.
(NewsNation)  Drones have become a dominating storyline in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Once thought to have no chance against their Russian counterparts, Ukraine has flipped the script through its use of drones, which are cheap, fast, and potentially deadly.

Because of this, it might be time for the United States to start paying attention to how important drones can be in preparation for possible attacks. Deborah Fairlamb, co-founder of Green Flag Ventures and an American living in Ukraine, told NewsNation the U.S. needs to take advantage of the evolving landscape.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Cheap Ukrainian drones inflict costly damage to Russian war machine

She points out that the extraordinary iteration and fast pace the technology is developing would help give the U.S. a leg up in the future.

The second thing has to do with the absolute sheer numbers of drones, Fairlamb said, regarding the true saturation both on the frontlines and the drones Russia has sent into Ukraine to target civilians and critical infrastructure.

U.S. and other Western nations are usually known for having a longer procurement cycle. Fairlamb believes they need to change that strategy.

The Ukrainian government really has figured out a way to get these drones to the frontline more quickly, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Drones do not necessarily replace conventional, traditional western weapons, be it tanks, ships or armored personnel vehicles. Within the context of traditional weaponry, they do need to take into consideration the threats that drones play and have against them.

Zelenskyy rejects formally ceding Ukrainian territory, says Kyiv must be part of any negotiations

Fairlamb notes drones have made their way into other battlefields and situations, such as the Houthis in border clashes.

She said the possibility of homemade threats or something more structured should be on the U.S. security radar.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Hamadeh, a US congressman with Muslim-Druze roots, met Sheikh Tarif in Israel to discuss security and recent attacks on Druze in Syria.

US Congressman Abraham J. Hamadeh met on Thursday with Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of Israels Druze community, for a situational briefing on regional security, the Druze role in Israeli society, and recent attacks on Druze in Syria.

The meeting addressed last months massacre of Druze civilians in Syria, which included the killing of an American citizen. Hamadeh said efforts were underway with partners and all parties to ensure humanitarian aid can reach those in need and that Americans and other victims can be evacuated.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hamadeh, a former US military intelligence officer and strong supporter of the US-Israel alliance, expressed admiration for the Israeli Druze communitys longstanding role in the countrys defense. He also stressed the importance of deepening ties between American lawmakers and minority communities that stand on the front lines against extremism.

The Arizona Republican, who is of mixed Muslim and Druze heritage, has made multiple visits to Israel and has been outspoken in support of bolstering regional security partnerships. During an earlier visit to the country this year, Hamadeh toured Israels northern border and met with security officials to discuss threats from Hezbollah and Iran.

Hamadeh has also been active on cases involving Americans held abroad. In July, he urged the Biden administration to intensify efforts to secure the release of Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton University doctoral student and Israeli-Russian citizen who was abducted in Iraq in March 2023.

Tsurkov, who was conducting academic research, is believed to be held by the Iran-backed Shiite militia Kataib Hezbollah. Hamadeh criticized what he described as a lack of urgency from the administration and said that securing Tsurkovs release should be a priority for US diplomacy.

Tarif's calls to ensure protection of Druze in Syria

Tarif, who has served as the Druze spiritual leader since 1993, is regarded as a unifying figure for the approximately 150,000 Druze citizens of Israel. He has long advocated for the communitys integration in national life while preserving its religious traditions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In recent weeks, Tarif has been vocal in urging international action to protect Druze in Syria after cross-border attacks by extremist groups. Following the massacre in the Syrian cities of Hadar and Sweida, which left dozens of Druze civilians dead, he called the killings a crime against humanity and appealed to the international community to intervene.

He also traveled to the Golan Heights with other Druze leaders to express solidarity with the community there and to coordinate support for Syrian Druze facing violence.
New Delhi [India], August 10 (ANI) Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested a desperate member of the notorious Neetu Dabodhiya Gang, officials said on Sunday. The arrested accused, identified as Dev Vart alias Mohla (33), a resident of Majra Dabas, Delhi, was involved in the firing incident of PS Kanjhwala. "Illegal weapon, including a semi-automatic Pistol with 01 live rounds recovered," officials said, adding that the accused had a firing spree with the recovered weapon to create sensation in the area. According to officials, on the intervening night of 30th and 31st July 2025, a firing incident was reported at the residence of a local complainant in Village Majra Dabas, allegedly triggered by a personal dispute. In this regard, a case u/s 125 BNS r/w 25/27 Arms Act, PS Kanjhawala has been registered. During the preliminary enquiry, the assailant was identified as Dev Vart. It was further revealed that he had previous associations with the infamous gangster Nitu Dabodia, who was neutralised in an encounter by the Special Cell in 2013. The information about this gangster was developed and the effort finally yielded a result. Secret information was received that a desperate gangster of the notorious Neetu Daboda gang, who wants to ignite the gang and wants to create havoc in the area, had a firing spree yesterday and would come to Dwarka with illegal arms to meet his gang member. Accordingly, a trap was laid and the accused Dev Vrat alias Mohla was nabbed with a semi-automatic Pistol having one live cartridge recovered. In this regard, a case FIR u/s 25 Arms Act PS crime Branch has been registered, police said. On interrogation, the accused stated that he is associated with the infamous Neetu Dabodia gang and was previously involved in murder and extortion cases. While he was in jail, his gang leader, Neetu Dabodia, was killed while having an encounter with police in 2013, they said. He further stated that after release from jail, he wants to activate his gang and for this purpose, on the intervening night of 30 /31 July 2025, he had fired several bullets in the village of Majra Dabas, Delhi. Dev Vart, along with his associate Sumit alias Motia, was involved in the murder of an individual named Rohit. He was arrested and remained in judicial custody for 10 months before being released on bail. In 2013, he, along with his associate Satyakaam, was involved in a case of extortion, demanding money from one Manjeet. Dev Vart is a known associate of the Neetu Dabodia gang, which has a history of involvement in murder, extortion, and other organised criminal activities. He has previously been booked in cases related to murder and extortion. At present, the accused is attempting to revive and expand the influence of his gang and is planning to carry out violent criminal acts to reestablish his dominance in the area, they added. (ANI)
An American ballerina imprisoned in Russia for more than one year has opened up about her agonizing ordeal and how President Trump gave her a "warm" welcome upon her return home.

"Im really happy to be here, and Im really happy to be back in America," Ksenia Karelina, a dual Russian and U.S. citizen, shared on Fox News' "My View with Lara Trump."

Karelina was detained in Jan. 2024 when she had traveled to Russia, her home country, to visit her family. The ballerina, who worked as an esthetician at a Los Angeles spa, had been accused of treason over a 2022 donation totaling $51.80 that she made to a U.S. charity supporting victims of the war in Ukraine. She was sentenced to 12 years in a Russian labor camp.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Right when I landed in my homeland, thats when everything started. I was going through border control for the paperwork check. They asked if I had another passport. I said that I do, and they asked for the passport, and they saw the other passport is an American passport. They took both documents, and they say theyre going to talk with me separate, and it was 11 hours of the first examination overnight," Karelina said.

Senior Director for Counterterrorism Sebastian Gorka takes a picture of US-Russian ballet dancer Ksenia Karelina and her boyfriend South African boxer Chris van Heerden at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, following Karelina's release from Russia on April 10, 2025.

Brittney Griner Reveals Disturbing Truth About Her Russian Prison Cellmate's Crimes: 'Didnt Really Sleep'

Russia invaded Ukraine in Feb. 2022, after having previously taken Crimea in 2014. Russia is estimated to have suffered nearly one million casualties with 250,000 killed, and Ukraine has seen as many as 400,000 casualties total with 60,000-100,000 believed to be killed, according to a Feb. 2025 CSIS report.

Read On The Fox News App

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Karelina shared that Russian authorities told her she was facing a lifetime sentence over the so-called "treason." The dual national said that, at first, the whole experience was surreal to her.

"You dont really realize it could be real," Karelina said. "You can imagine about prison just watching the movies or something, its that, but more."

The ballerina said her parents were patriotic citizens of Russia, as she was as well, and it was devastating to her family that the country that they loved captured their own daughter.

Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture

Ksenia Karelina was sentenced to 12 years in a Russian penal colony for "treason" after she donated to a U.S. charity helping Ukrainians.

Ukrainian Us Ambassador, Seen With Head In Hands During Oval Office Meeting, Is Departing Dc

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She told Lara Trump that her family had to focus on supporting each other in order to survive the ordeal. Karelina said she drew inspiration from a book about a saint who survived in the desert in order to endure the endless days trapped inside the walls of her prison cell.

"You just need to survive somehow, and you just drag day to day I had this phrase in my head Just one more step, just do one more step, just one more step,' and thats how you drag through this, at first especially," she said.

Karelina said she and her boyfriend, Chris Van Heerden, wrote letters back and forth throughout her ordeal in the penal colony. She said he was her "hero" who never stopped fighting for her. The ballerina said that Van Heerden never expressed any doubt that she would be freed.

On April 10, 2025, her boyfriend was proved correct when Karelina was released in a prisoner swap.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After her release, Karelina met with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, which she likened to meeting an old friend.

"Never in my life I would imagine being in the Oval Office shaking President Trumps hand. It felt so warm, it felt almost like stopping by at someone you knew for a while. He was very warm, he was very simple, very welcoming. He was funny. He joked right away it felt overwhelming, and now I can tell more than ever if not for President Trump, Id still be in a Russian prison, but he really does care about regular citizens," Karelina said.

The ballerina said she is now working to help free Olga Jezler, a 35-year-old United States permanent resident, who has been imprisoned in Russia for the last three years. She also expressed hope for an end to the war in Ukraine.

"People shouldnt die with no reason. I really hope everythings going to be peaceful soon."





Original article source: US-Russian ballerina reflects on release from Russian penal colony after year-long ordeal
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Inspired by his Borderland upbringing in Vado, New Mexico, Jorge Hernandez is conducting his doctoral dissertation on studying urban displacement of Mexican-American communities in the Southwest.

Hernandez is a New Mexico State University (NMSU) alumnus, where he obtained a masters degree in Spanish, and bachelors degree in foreign language and history. He is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of New Mexico specializing in Hispanic literature within the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

Image courtesy of Jorge Hernandez

Hernandezs dissertation is titled, Corazones Urbanos: Literary Cartographies and Southwest Cities in the Mexican American Spatial Imaginary.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Hernandez said his research will analyze the work of Latino writers and historians from Tucson, San Antonio and Albuquerque during the 20th century. He will look at how their writings depict the formation of all three cities Mexican-American communities, the subsequent displacement of those communities through gentrification, and how the communities responded through activism and cultural production.

Courtesy of University of Texas Press

Courtesy of University of Arizona Press

Courtesy of University of Arizona Press

Courtesy of Planet Earth Press

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Courtesy of University of Texas Press

Courtesy of One World Books

Corazones Urbanos looks at Mexican-American writers through the panoramic lens of the 20th century and how these writers have come to represent, through literary production, the kind of subtle and often very radical changes that their communities have gone through, Hernandez said. It is an unveiling of stories, but its also ultimately about humanity in the U.S. Southwest.

Hernandez said that because most literary work on the Chicano urban experience is often associated and focused on major U.S. cities like Los Angeles, the stories of Mexican-American communities in Southwest urban cities are not written or talked about enough.

Often when we look at urban literary production or anything thats associated with Chicanx urban literary production, it is often seen from a transnational or Borderlands theory kind of view. Corazones Urbanos shifts that conversation. Im not so much interested in the transnational or the broader scope of the Borderlands. What Im really interested in is how these writers come to represent very critically regional experiences, Hernandez said.

Hernandez talked about the recent years-long battle to preserve the Duranguito neighborhood in Downtown El Paso as an example that he said showed how urban displacement and gentrification continue to be an ongoing experience for Mexican-American communities in the Southwest.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Duranguito celebrates future after City Council decision to build arena elsewhere

duranguito demolition_1515552438401.png.jpg

Duranguito developments_48045841

EPPD in Duranguito

That is why Hernandez said its extremely important to learn and discuss the writings and histories hes researching. He said they can inform todays communities about the complexity of these issues.

These problems are not new. I think they are recurring because we never really solve them. And so to look into the history, to look into the community, to look into the stories of communities across the Borderlands offers a profound view of things going on and it offers a really broader scope whenever we talk about, for example, gentrification, Hernandez said.

Hernandez said that when he completes his dissertation, he intends on conducting a similar research project on his home, the El Paso, Juarez, and Las Cruces Borderplex.

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.
A work van crashed into a bank building in Midland last night, snapping a telephone pole and causing significant damage.

ALSO READ: 3 injured in early morning crash, shutting down section of north Charlotte interstate

The accident occurred at the Fifth Third Bank located at the intersection of 601 and 24/27, with Midland Engine 20 establishing command at the scene.

Cabarrus EMS treated a critically injured patient and requested Med Center Air for evacuation, while multiple fire departments assisted in stabilizing the vehicle and extricating the patient.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Flowes Store Fire Department shut down traffic on 601 and established a landing zone for Med Center Air just north of 24/27. Med Center 3 landed, loaded the patient, and departed safely.

Fairview Fire Department was moved up to cover calls from Midland Station 1 during the incident. Concord Fire Department responded with their collapse team to stabilize the building after the vehicle was removed. Cabarrus County Deputies took possession of the ATM machine and the money inside. Duke Power arrived on scene to repair the damaged power pole and lines, completing the work by the following morning. Representatives from the bank and building department inspected the damage after the incident. The response involved 11 agencies from three counties and lasted approximately four hours.

WATCH: 6 killed, teen survives crash on I-485; good Samaritan stayed by her side
US Vice President JD Vance has reiterated that the United States plans to withdraw financially from supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russia.

"I think the President, and I certainly think that America, we're done with the funding of the Ukraine war business. We want to bring about a peaceful settlement to this thing. We want to stop the killing," Vance told Fox news in an interview recorded several days ago.

"But Americans, I think, are sick of continuing to send their money, their tax dollars, to this particular conflict," Vance asserted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"But if the Europeans want to step up and actually buy the weapons from American producers. We're okay with that, but we're not going to fund it ourselves anymore," Vance asserted.

The interview was recorded before the official announcement of Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week, but was only broadcast in full on Sunday.

Vance reiterated the Trump administration's stance that the Europeans themselves are responsible for the conflict on their own back door.

Trump and Putin plan to negotiate a possible peace solution in Alaska on Friday to the war in Ukraine that has been ongoing for around three and a half years.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not been invited so far.
Vice President Vance said Sunday he wants peace and to stop funding the Ukraine war, ahead of a Friday meeting in Alaska between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a ceasefire deal.

Were done with the funding of the Ukraine war business. We want to bring about a peaceful settlement to this thing, Vance told Fox Newss Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures.

In Alaska, the Trump administration hopes for a breakthrough in peace negotiations with Moscow and a discussion around territorial acquisitions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Earlier this week, the Kremlin shared a ceasefire deal with the Trump administration, asking for control of eastern Ukraine in exchange for a halt in hostilities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky adamantly opposed the deal, stating on the social platform X, Ukraine is ready for real decisions that can bring peace. Any decisions that are against us, any decisions that are without Ukraine, are at the same time decisions against peace.

Zelensky was not invited to the summit, but the White House and U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker have said its a possibility and Trump is open to a trilateral summit.

This uneven deal led to an intense response from European leaders, who said they would support Trumps effort diplomatically and through economic and military means but that a resolution must protect Ukraines and Europes vital security interests.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump vowed to end the conflict in 24 hours during his presidential campaign, but negotiations have proven harder than anticipated, and the three-year conflict is costly for both America and Europe.

Americans, I think, are sick of continuing to send their money, their tax dollars of this particular conflict. But if the Europeans want to step up and actually buy the weapons from American producers, were OK with that, but were not going to fund it ourselves anymore, Vance continued.

This is not the first time the vice president has asked European leaders to take on a bigger role. However, in June, Trump secured a historic deal for NATO allies to spend 5 percent of their gross domestic product on defense.

In July, the president made another deal with NATO for the U.S. to send lethal weapons to Ukraine that were purchased by other NATO countries. These two steps significantly grew Europes economic involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Vance went to England on Saturday to discuss Trumps efforts toward peace.

What we said to Europeans is simply, first of all, this is in your neck of the woods, this is in your back door, you guys have got to step up and take a bigger role in this thing, and if you care so much about this conflict you should be willing to play a more direct and a more substantial way in funding this war yourself, Vance said on Fox 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 The Hill.
US vice-president JD Vance says Europe must spend more on Ukraine as he warned that America is done with the funding of the war. He also vowed that Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky will be forced to meet by Donald Trump.

Mr Vance, in a wide-ranging interview on Fox News, went on to dismiss European leaders calls to allow the Ukrainian president to attend the upcoming summit between the US and Russian leaders, insisting that it would not be productive at this point.

On Saturday, European leaders including Sir Keir Starmer jointly welcomed the meeting, which is planned for Friday in Alaska. However, they warned that any talks should see Ukraine represented and not permit any land to be ceded to Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Their statement came after Mr Trump admitted the deal may involve some swapping of territories  a suggestion Mr Zelensky strongly rejected.

From left: Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/AFP/Getty/Sputnik)

Mr Vance told Fox News that Mr Trump has to be the one to bring these two together, before criticising Europe for not stepping up.

He said: What we said to the Europeans is simply: this is in your neck of the woods, this is in your back door. You guys have gotta step up and take a bigger role in this thing. And if you care so much about this conflict, you should be willing to play a more direct and substantial way in funding this war yourself.

I think the president, and I certainly think that America, were done with the funding of the Ukraine war business. We wanna bring about a peaceful settlement of this thing, we wanna stop the killing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mr Vance met with top European and Ukrainian officials at the British foreign secretary's weekend residence on Saturday to discuss how to end the war.

European Commission president Kaja Kallas confirmed that European foreign ministers are scrambling to convene for an emergency meeting on Monday ahead of Fridays summit.

A firefighter at the site of a Russian drone strike in the town of Bilozerske in the Donetsk region on Sunday (AFP via Getty Images)

As European nations rally behind Ukraine, Mr Zelensky thanked his allies, writing in a post on X on Sunday: "The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people."

A White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they aren't allowed to speak publicly, told the Associated Press that Mr Trump remained open to a trilateral summit with both the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, but for now, he will have a bilateral meeting requested by Mr Putin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The summit may prove pivotal in the war that began in February 2022, although there is no guarantee it will stop the fighting, since Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on their conditions for peace.

Saturday's statement, signed by the president of the European Union and leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland and the UK, stressed the need for a "just and lasting peace" for Kyiv, including "robust and credible" security guarantees. "The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine," it added.

US senator Lindsey Graham told NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday that a good deal would mean preventing an emboldened Russia, and aggressors elsewhere, from trying to once again redraw borders by force.

Vance met with top European and Ukrainian officials at the British foreign secretary's weekend residence in Kent on Saturday (PA)

A Trump ally and Russia hawk, Mr Graham nevertheless said that "you can't end a war without talking. He added: "I do hope that Zelensky can be part of the process. I have every confidence in the world that [President Trump] is going to go to meet Putin from a position of strength, that he's going to look out for Europe and Ukrainian needs to end this war honourably.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A month-long US-led push to achieve a truce in Ukraine has so far proved fruitless, with Kyiv agreeing in principle while the Kremlin has held out for terms more to its liking.

Mr Zelensky said on Saturday that Ukraine "will not give Russia any awards for what it has done" and that "Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier".

Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Mr Zelensky, noted on Sunday that Kyiv will strive to boost its position ahead of the planned Trump-Putin meeting. "Ahead lies an important week of diplomacy," he said.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday that European leaders are "intensively preparing" ahead of the Alaska summit, while they "hope and expect" that Mr Zelensky will be invited.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Natos secretary general Mark Rutte on Sunday praised Washington for taking steps such as allowing more military equipment to flow to Ukraine and imposing secondary sanctions on India for purchasing Russian oil, saying Mr Trump "clearly is putting pressure on Putin".

In the interview with ABC's This Week, Mr Rutte added: Next Friday will be important because it will be about testing Putin  how serious he is  on bringing this terrible war to an end.

Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia continued to trade blows on the battlefield on Sunday. Three swimmers were killed by unexploded objects in Ukraine's southern Odesa region at two beaches where swimming has been banned, regional officials said.

And Ukraine's military said on Sunday that it had struck an oil refinery in Russia's Saratov region in an overnight drone attack.
If you believe J.D. Vance, Donald Trump wants full transparency when it comes to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case. Of course, if that were true, wed know what the Epstein files say about the president and others who were close with the billionaire who trafficked underage girls.

Instead, the administration  through Vance  is trying to distract Americans from focusing on Trumps relationship with Epstein and is instead pointing the finger at left-wing politicians and left-wing billionaires.

We know that Jeffrey Epstein had a lot connections with left-wing politicians and left-wing billionaires, Vance said in an interview with Maria Bartiromo that aired Sunday on Fox News, and now President Trump has demanded full transparency from this, and yet somehow the Democrats are attacking him and not the Biden administration which did nothing for four years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Far from demanding full transparency, Trump and his administration have evaded calls to release the contents of the files. Although Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed that Epsteins infamous client list was sitting on my desk right now to review in February of this year, last month, the DOJ released a memo stating that after an exhaustive review, officials decided there was no evidence of an incriminating client list.

Hence, the administrations PR policy of distract and deflect.

Democrat billionaires and Democrat political leaders went to Epstein island all the time, Vance accused on Fox News. Who knows what they did.

Its true that Epstein had ties to former president Bill Clinton and billionaire Bill Gates as well as former British prime minister Tony Blair and Prince Andrew. In 2019, after Epstein was arrested and indicted for sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors, Clinton said through a press secretary that he knows nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to in Florida some years ago, or those with which he has recently [been] charged in New York.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One Epstein victim testified that, according to Epstein, Clinton liked young girls.

[Epstein] said one time that Clinton likes them young, referring to girls, Johanna Sjoberg testified in a 2016 deposition.

But there are no records of Clinton going to Epsteins private island, despite Trumps recent allegation that the former president visited the island 28 times.

Of course, one way to clear all this up would be for Trumps administration to release the contents of the Epstein files with victims identification redacted. But the president might not want to do that, considering his own once close relationship with Epstein and reports that he is named multiple times in the files.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In recorded conversations with author Michael Wolff, Epstein once called himself Donalds closest friend for 10 years.

Trump also described himself and Epstein as friendly. Ive known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. Hes a lot of fun to be with, Trump told New York Magazine in 2002. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.

Maria Farmer, a former Epstein employee, even said she warned law enforcement in 1996 and 2006 about Trump and Epsteins relationship.

But by 2019  after Epstein was arrested by the FBI  Trump claimed, I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you, and said they had not been friends for 15 years.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Americans thus far are mostly not fooled by the Trump administrations ham-handed attempts to distract them from the issue. A recent UMass Amherst poll revealed that 70 percent of respondents believe Trump is not handling the Epstein case well, and 63 percent said that the Trump administration is hiding important information about the case.

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.
US Vice President JD Vance does not believe it would be productive for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet before meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Source: Vance in an interview with Fox News, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Vance had been asked whether it would be better for Putin to meet Zelenskyy before meeting Trump.

Quote: "I actually dont think it would be that productive. I think fundamentally the president of the United States has to be the one to kind of bring these two together.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We are of course going to talk to the Ukrainians  I actually just spoke with the Ukrainians this morning, Marco [Rubio  ed.] has been talking to them quite a bit  we are going to keep that dialogue open, but fundamentally this is something where the president needs to force President Putin and President Zelenskyy really to sit down to figure out their differences."[N.B. Ukrainska Pravda does not recognise Putin as president  ed.]

More details: The US vice president said he considers the upcoming Trump-Putin meeting to be a diplomatic breakthrough.

Quote: "Vladimir Putin said that he would never sit down with Zelenskyy, the head of Ukraine, and the president has now got that to change. Were at a point now where were trying to figure out, frankly, scheduling and things like that around when these three leaders could sit down and discuss an end to this conflict."

Background:

The Trump-Putin meeting is scheduled to take place in Alaska on 15 August amid media reports that Washington and Moscow are apparently seeking an agreement to end the war in Ukraine that could cement Russias occupation of part of its territory.

In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that "the answer to the Ukrainian territorial question is already in the Constitution of Ukraine".

On the night of 9-10 August, a joint statement addressed to Trump and Putin was released by the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, Poland and the UK, the president of the European Commission, and the president of Finland.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
DENVER (KDVR)  A man is in jail Sunday morning after Aurora police pursued a stolen vehicle and performed a PIT maneuver that caused the vehicle to crash into a City of Aurora sign.

Officers first spotted the stolen vehicle at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning near Alameda Parkway and Chambers Road.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

Officer pursued the vehicle for less than a minute, according to a police department X post, before performing the PIT maneuver that sent the vehicle into the Aurora sign, which is on the municipal center complex grounds just outside the Aurora Detention Center.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The driver then jumped into the nearby City Center Park Pond, but officers detained him shortly after.

You can run, you can jump in a pond, but in Aurora, youre going to get caught and go straight to jail, police said.

Police did not name the suspect but said he has a serious criminal record, including felonious escapes, weapons offenses, burglary and drug distribution.

He was arrested on suspicion of motor vehicle theft, possession of fentanyl and felony eluding, police said. He also had active warrants for motor vehicle theft and parole violation for a previous weapons 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 FOX31 Denver.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Its National Farmers Market Week, and markets all across the metro spent the weekend celebrating.

One of the spots that saw the most traction this week was the famous City Market, located near the riverfront and widely known as one of the largest farmers markets in the area.

PickleCon takes over Kansas City Convention Center on Friday

The market was open all weekend long, featuring produce from local farms and goods from small businesses. And thankfully, as the rain fell Sunday morning, visitors and shop owners were able to continue their shopping endeavors under the covered pavilions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Shoppers were able to purchase fresh and homegrown summer produce, such as corn, potatoes, herbs, peppers and watermelon, from vendors like Rivers Edge Produce  a local farm from Platte City that has had a booth at the market for the last 11 years.

Its a great time to celebrate local food and appreciate the small harbor, and its just so important to support local economies right now and support your small local farmer, market manager Paula Stocker said. They need our help, and its the best food youre gonna get anywhere.

Midwest Ability Summit demonstrates accessibility for 14th year in OP

National Farmers Market Week is a time to honor all of our local growers, and to make things even more exciting for the vendors, the City Market is in the running for a $15,000 prize from the American Farmland Trust.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

If you would like to vote for your favorite farmers market, click here and type in its name before Sept. 30.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Sunday supported Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi's claims of "vote theft" and said that the Congress leader has presented the truth, given evidence, after which the Bharatiya Janata Party is rattled. Speaking to ANI, the Congress leader said, "Rahul Gandhi presented the truth...He gave evidence...This rattles BJP. So, when we demand answers from the Election Commission, it is the BJP that is getting up. Because thieves are scared." On August 7, Rahul Gandhi held a press conference, where he claimed that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were "choreographed" by the EC to benefit the BJP, which he said appeared "immune to anti-incumbency." Presenting Congress's research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi alleged "vote chori" (vote theft) of 1,00,250 votes." He also asked the Maharashtra Chief Minister whether, when he commented on Rahul Gandhi that his memory chip is malfunctioning, he would ask the same of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. "Nitin Gadkari had said that 3.5 lakh of his votes were cut. Does this mean there was a plan to target him and make him lose elections here? This is a question too...It means it is clear that the voter list is rigged. We would like to ask the CM, that when he commented on Rahul Gandhi that his memory chip is malfunctioning, will he ask the same to Gadkari sahab?..." Earlier in day, after Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi over his "vote theft" claims, Congress MP KC Venugopal criticised the Election Commission, stating that instead of responding, ECI is issuing a notice. Speaking to ANI, the Congress MP stated that the Congress party is "not afraid" of any notice from the ECI and they will continue to stand for the truth. "Rahul Gandhi as a Leader of the Opposition has clearly asked five pertinent questions to the Election Commission of India with evidence. Instead of responding to those five questions, they are issuing a notice to Rahul Gandhi. We are not afraid of any notice from the Election Commission of India. We will continue to stand for the truth. People of India should know the truth. The people who are trying to kill democracy and those safeguarding those who want to kill democracy have to be exposed," Venugopal said. The Congress MP also took to X to criticise the polling body, stating, "Rahul ji's mega expose was based on ECI's own data. So now, after he has caught you red-handed, you want him to "provide the relevant documents"? Let's be crystal clear - the data is YOUR OWN VOTER LIST." (ANI)
The Brief

Three people were shot in Times Square early Saturday morning after a reported verbal dispute between a 17-year-old and another man.

The victims, an 18-year-old woman, a 19-year-old man, and a 65-year-old man, were all taken to the hospital in stable condition.

The 17-year-old suspect was taken into custody, and a gun was recovered at the scene, though no charges have been filed yet.

The shooting happened in a designated "gun-free zone," just feet from Carmine's and the Hard Rock Cafe.

NEW YORK - A verbal dispute between a 17-year-old and another man in Times Square early Saturday morning escalated into a shooting that wounded three people, including two innocent bystanders, according to FOX 5 sources.

What we know

Police say officers heard gunshots at West 44th Street and 7th Avenue at about 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9. Upon arrival, they found an 18-year-old woman with a graze wound to the neck, a 19-year-old man shot in the right foot, and a 65-year-old man shot in the left leg. The 19-year-old victim and the teenage suspect were involved in a verbal dispute, according to sources.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The suspect, a 17-year-old male, was taken into custody and questioned. Authorities say they recovered the gun at the crime scene. All three victims were transported to Bellevue Hospital and are listed in stable condition.

The shooting has left many in the area on edge, with several people expressing their concern. One person said, "Oh wow, always unfortunate to hear something like that happens here in NY," while a vendor added, "Yeah, Im absolutely scared."

The incident occurred in a designated gun-free zone, yet another shooting has taken place in the area. This follows a February shooting where a 15-year-old was arrested for allegedly shooting a tourist in the leg and firing at an NYPD officer.

Jessica Formoso, reporting for FOX 5 News, said that police patrols were seen in the area all day following the shooting.
Reporting from multiple outlets last week said Vice President Vance would host a strategy session with top Trump administration officials on multiple matters, including the Epstein saga. Instead, that meeting was held at the White House and Vance denied Epstein was discussed. Former lead investigator for the January 6 Committee Tim Heaphy, Atlantic staff writer Mark Leibovich, and political commentator Ashley Pratte Oates join Alex Witt to break down the latest in the Epstein story.
Around 700 further dangerous criminals have been denied release from jail in an apparent toughening of approach by the Parole Board.

Official data show that three-quarters of prisoners who sought parole in 2024/25 had their applications rejected  the highest proportion for at least five years.

It represents an equivalent increase of 700 in the number of prisoners who would otherwise have been previously freed from jail.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Among high-profile criminals refused parole requests were Gary Glitter, 81, the former pop star who was jailed for 16 years for sexually assaulting three schoolgirls, and Ronald Evans, 83, known as the Clifton rapist for his sex attacks on women in Bristol.

Evans is one of Britains longest-serving prisoners, having spent over 50 years in jail.

Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was judged to be a continued risk to the public after being recalled to prison for breaching his licence conditions by viewing downloaded images of children.

Evans raped and murdered Kathleen Heathcote in 1964 before committing numerous sexual attacks in Bristol in the late 1970s. He was refused parole in December, having been released in 2018 only to be jailed again in 2023 for sexually assaulting a woman in London in 2022.

Gary Glitter, 81, was jailed for 16 years for sexually assaulting three schoolgirls - Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

The Parole Board is a quasi-judicial body responsible for deciding whether prisoners serving a life sentence or imprisonment for public protection can safely be released at the end of their tariff, the minimum period in custody set by the trial judge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It also decides whether fixed-term prisoners who have been recalled to prison for breaching their licence conditions are safe to re-release.

Data published in the boards annual report showed it rejected nearly 13,000 applications by prisoners for parole last year  the most for at least five years.

The 75 per cent rejection rate was up from 70 per cent the previous year, and was the highest proportion in any of the past five years, according to publicly available data.

Of the 17,165 decisions made by the Parole Board in 2024/25, 3,872 (23 per cent) were to release the prisoner, 501 (three per cent) were to recommend a transfer to open conditions, and 12,790 (75 per cent) were that he or she should remain in custody, according to the figures first revealed by Inside Time, the prisoners magazine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Parole Board has come under pressure from successive justice secretaries to take a tougher approach.

The apparent hardening in its decisions contrasts with moves by the Government to allow thousands of prisoners on fixed-term sentences to be released early.

It follows scandals including the decision  subsequently reversed  to release John Worboys, the black cab rapist, and to free Colin Pitchfork, the double child murderer and rapist who was recalled to prison after breaching the terms of his licence.

Lawyers specialising in parole cases suggested that changes by Dominic Raab, the former justice secretary, could have played a part in the increasing rejection rate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He made the release test tougher for some prisoners, gave the secretary of state powers to block individual release decisions, barred probation officers and psychologists from making recommendations regarding releases and appointed more former police officers to the board.

While some of his reforms have been reversed, others are still in place.

In a letter to the Ministry of Justice, sent in May 2022, the Parole Board said Mr Raabs changes would be likely to lead to fewer releases.

In a warning that now appears prescient, it said: If our release rate reduced from 25 per cent to 20 per cent, it would increase the prison population by approximately 800 places per year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One senior solicitor with experience of representing prisoners at parole hearings told Inside Time that Mr Raabs reforms may have had a chilling effect on the willingness of the Parole Board to take a risk by releasing prisoners in borderline cases. The Parole Board denied it had become more risk-averse.

The solicitor said the backlog of cases in the Crown Court may also be having an impact, because it means that more prisoners are facing parole hearings with unproven allegations hanging over them, making a release decision less likely.

He added: There has been a huge amount of new Parole Board members in recent times, and they are just always more risk-averse when they start out.

A second solicitor who specialises in parole cases said other factors could include government moves to increase the involvement of victims in the parole process.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The solicitor suggested the crumbling probation service could also be to blame, as parole panels might be sceptical that there was adequate supervision in the community.

A shortage of places on offending behaviour programmes in prisons could mean prisoners appearing before parole panels without having completed courses seen as essential to lower the risk they pose.

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.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  Area business professionals are invited to attend the Virginia Beach H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People Excel) THRIVE HERE event on Monday.

The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The HIVE in Town Center, 140 Independence Boulevard.

The event will include information on how the City of Virginia Beach is preparing and equipping residents to thrive.

Virginia Beach Mayor Robert M. Bobby Dyer will be the host of the event.

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 WAVY.com.
A Walton County man was sentenced to years in prison after entering a guilty but mentally ill plea in the death of his mother.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Last week, Shane Stark pleaded guilty but mentally ill to the murder of his mother, Makhyal Stark Pohlel, in January 2022, and was sentenced to life in prison plus 12 years.

Starks plea came just before his trial was set to begin, and included charges of aggravated assault and firearm possession for shooting at Walton County deputies who responded to the scene.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In January 2022, Shane Stark called 911 to report that he had killed his mother with a shotgun. Deputies from the Walton County Sheriffs Office, including the SERT team, responded to the scene.

As deputies entered the home, Stark fired multiple shots in their direction before eventually surrendering, according to the Alcovy Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office.

Following his arrest, Starks defense requested a court-ordered mental evaluation to assess his competency to stand trial and his criminal responsibility. A private evaluation was also obtained.

TRENDING STORIES:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Initially, Stark filed a notice of intent to raise the issue of insanity and a special plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, but he withdrew this contention as part of his guilty plea.

The guilty but mentally ill plea means Stark will be evaluated for mental health issues by the Georgia Department of Corrections, which may affect his placement in a penal facility.

If Stark had pursued an insanity defense and been found not guilty by reason of insanity, he could have been detained in a state mental health facility for evaluation.

Cases involving mental health are difficult both factually and legally. I commend the hard work of the prosecution team that led to this outcome of the Defendant accepting responsibility for the murder of his own mother. The Defendant has received a sentence of life in prison for his actions, providing some level of closure to the family, District Attorney Randy McGinley said.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
A Border Police officer conducting operations, May 2025. (photo credit: ISRAEL POLICE)

Police assaulting journalists has become an increasingly common trend in Israel in the wake of the Israel-Hamas War.

A border police officer was indicted for the assault of a journalist, the Justice Ministrys Police Investigation Department (PID), which investigates allegations of police misconduct, announced on Sunday.

This isn't the first such reported incident, and the trend has kept up a steady pace since the security situation worsened since October 7 and the ensuing Israel-Hamas War.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On February 11, 2024, police received reports of a terrorist attack inside Jerusalem's Old City. A, who works as a journalist, went out to the scene to report. Authorities on the ground allowed him to stand on a nearby street.

Police then received an order to block the entire area, and to remove both civilians and journalists.

Border police staff commander Yazan Goaya, from Maghar, was at the scene. His team asked A to vacate the area, but A refused and kept trying to return to the scene several times. Each time he did, he was physically pushed backwards.

Officer taunts, assaults journalist

The next time A tried to cross over into the scene, Goaya ran at him, and without the authority to do so or any warning, he began to strike him with his baton several times to the upper body.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As a result, A fell to the ground and landed on a construction fence that was located behind him. Goaya didn't stop though, and kept up the intense strikes without respite. Goaya stopped only when his staff physically pulled him away.

A was treated by medical staff on site who were preparing him for medical evacuation. Goaya, who noticed this, pointed his baton at A and said, You want more?

He then struck A again with the baton without relenting.

A walked away with a broken left arm, sensitivities in his right, and injuries in his legs.
The Berks County sheriffs department is seeking the following fugitives:

 Paul Young, 39, whose last known address was in the 500 block of Garfield Street, Birdsboro, is wanted on charges of flight to avoid apprehension, escape and violation of a protection-from-abuse order.

Paul Young (Courtesy of Berks County sheriff's department)

Birdsboro police filed charges against Young for violating a protection-from-abuse order issued July 8. Police said Young did not cooperate with them when they tried to arrest him at his residence. After police allowed Young to get dressed, they said, he walked out the front door and refused to comply with the officers. Officers followed, and Young ran into the woods and did not return.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He is described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall and 200 pounds.

 Ryan Stufflet, 40, whose last known address was in the 700 block of Hex Highway, Hamburg, is wanted on charges of flight to avoid apprehension, harassment and driving without a license.

Ryan Stufflet (Courtesy of Berks County sheriff's department)

Stufflet fled from state police on April 2 to avoid apprehension on multiple arrests warrants. Tilden Township police filed a charge of flight to avoid apprehension on April 7. Stufflet is also wanted on a warrant for driving without a license, and three bench warrants for charges of false reports to law enforcement, stalking and harassment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall and 235 pounds.

Anyone with information about these fugitives is urged to contact the warrants division of the sheriffs department at 610-478-6390. Find the complete list of Berks Countys most wanted at berkspa.gov/departments/sheriff/most-wanted.
Social media users and experts alike are warning people about Feel Free tonics and other products containing the opioid-like substance kratom, an NBC News report reveals.

Products containing kratom, which comes from a plant native to Southeast Asia, are popping up in gas stations, corner stores and vape shops across the country, the Food and Drug Administration warns.

The substance is often used to self-treat conditions such as pain, coughing, diarrhea, anxiety and depression, opioid use disorder, and opioid withdrawal, according to the FDA.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dr. Robert Levy, an addiction medicine expert from the University of Minnesota Medical School, told NBC News hes concerned about kratom and has treated patients who are addicted to it many times.

TikToker Misha Brown posted a video that went viral last month, recounting how a kid approached him at a gas station and asked him to purchase a Feel Free tonic, a drink that contains kratom. When he refused, Brown said the child tried  but failed  to grab his wallet.

Users can become addicted to kratom, which produces opioid-like effects, experts warn (AFP via Getty Images)

The gas station cashier then told Brown she often sees the same customers buying the drink multiple times a day. Brown said the cashier told him, It's so addictive, and people lose their minds.

Brown told NBC News that people started commenting on his viral video, sharing their own devastating experiences with kratom products like Feel Free.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

John, a TikToker who has posted about Feel Free, said he discovered the tonic when he was eight years sober after struggling with heroin and meth addictions. NBC News identified John by his first name to protect his privacy.

John told the outlet he became addicted and started going through entire cases of Feel Free within a day. He was then hospitalized for withdrawal symptoms in February after trying to quit Feel Free.

Feel Free tonics come in two-ounce bottles. The label says a serving size is one ounce and that users should not consume more than two ounces in 24 hours, NBC News reports. The label also warns that the product is habit-forming and recommends that those with a history of substance abuse should consider not using the product.

As an addiction medicine doctor, I would never suggest that somebody consume that [Feel Free] thats in recovery, Levy told NBC News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a statement to The Independent, Botanic Tonics, the company that makes Feel Free, claimed the NBC News story contained "false and misleading statements" and maintained they have received no complaints involving serious addiction.

A bowl of kratom leaves. Social media users have warned against the addictive effects of some products containing kratom (AFP via Getty Images)

"Botanic Tonics has sold over 129.7 million servings of feel free to date. We have received fewer than 1,000 consumer adverse event complaints total across all categories," the company said. "This represents an exceptionally low complaint rate (less than 0.001%) that contradicts sensationalized social media anecdotes being reported as representative of our customer experience."

Botanic Tonics also paid $8.75 million in 2023 to settle a class action lawsuit claiming the company failed to warn users about the dangers of kratom. The company did not admit wrongdoing by settling the lawsuit.

Late last month, the FDA announced it is recommending scheduling action to control products containing 7-OH, a concentrated byproduct of the kratom plant. The agency says 7-OH has the potential for abuse because of its ability to bind to opioid receptors. This recommendation does not apply to natural kratom leaf products, the agency noted.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In response to the announcement, Feel Free said its Feel Free Classic tonic only contains natural leaf kratom, which means the FDAs recommendation will not impact the product.

Kratom may even have life-threatening effects.

In rare cases, deaths have been associated with kratom use, as confirmed by a medical examiner or toxicology reports, the FDA said. However, in these cases, kratom was usually used in combination with other drugs, and the contribution of kratom in the deaths is unclear.

A Washington family claims kratom killed their son, 37-year-old Jordan McKibban. He died in 2022 after he mixed kratom with his lemonade, his mother Pam Mauldin told the New York Post. McKibbans autopsy report revealed his death was caused by mitragynine, which is found in kratom.

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.
Warrens Corners United Methodist Church is celebrating its 200th anniversary today.

The church founded by Ezra Warren in 1825 is celebrating its bicentennial with a party on Stone Road in Lockport and the whole communitys invited.

Pitching it as a bicentennial festival, organizer Barbara Solovey said its a celebration of the present as much as the past, and the goal is fun for everyone.

Alongside an ice cream social, childrens activities, a petting zoo and a show of rehabilitated birds from Wild Kritters of Niagara County, there will be an old-fashioned mercantile with vendors and a chuckwagon, a blind-judged pie baking contest with the sale of slices following award of ribbons, and a display from the nearby Forsyth-Warren Tavern Living History Farm & Museum, all amid makeshift decor lending a 19th century setting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Solovey also has asked her fellow congregation members to attempt period dress or a facsimile of it for the day. Overheard in the fellowship hall earlier this week: Whos got suspenders? For the women, if long skirts arent their thing in 2025, theyll at least have a Laura Ingalls-style bonnet to wear. With a grin and a laugh, Solovey said she knows someones sewing a bunch of them, so people are not getting out of it.

As the bicentennial festival has been pulled together, it looks more like a family reunion, which, in a sense, it is. Church members on their own solicited donations from local retailers, or purchased supplies themselves, to put on the party. The outreach has been just amazing in our little community, Solovey said.

In its 200th year, the history of the church at Warrens Corners is worth noting, of course, but alongside the milestone, the current members celebrate what the church is today. Gatherings at the site, such as post-worship fellowship hour that typically extends well into Sunday afternoon, are like check-ins at home.

Its a family. We care. We call. You ask for help, you get it, said Barbara Brown, who joined the church in the mid 1990s. I spend the winter in Florida and I cant wait to come back; I miss my church family. You just want to be a part of this.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A lot of it is the closeness of the church community, added head trustee Pete Solovey. Everybodys family.

For Barbara Solovey, the significance of Warrens Corners UMCs bicentennial is, Its still here.  If you look, youll see so many of the original families are still part of the church. Its amazing.

Halls, Carltons, Parkers theyre still here, Brown said.

From written histories kept by the church, here are some of its developmental highlights:

 In 1825, Ezra Warren, owner-operator of Forsyth-Warren Tavern and farm sited on what we know today as Ridge Road near Townline Road, founded the First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the town of Cambria and Lockport. Warren became a Christian and dumped his liquor, Brown said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

 The churchs first house of worship was raised in 1833, on land donated by Warren (today, 5293 Stone Road, less than a quarter-mile from his farm). That building was sold in 1858 and the present sanctuary was raised in 1859. Warren had also donated the land for Warrens Corners School nearby.

 The church got its first steeple in 1897, a new steeple in 1912, and another new one in 1981. Other first-time acquisitions include electric service in 1924, an organ in 1952, a fellowship hall in 1957 and a baby grand piano in 2024. Renovations and upgrades have been undertaken periodically since at least the 1930s; the latest is new front doors this year.

According to Brown: In the churchs 200th year, Sunday worship draws between 40 and 50 members each week; the service begins at 11:15 a.m., the same time Ezra Warren picked in the beginning; the active membership roll is growing, slowly, while the overall roll shows a bigger number of inactives, many times people who moved away from the area but wanted to stay listed with the friendly little church at Warrens Corners.

Warrens Corners UMCs bicentennial festival will be ongoing from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today on the church grounds. Admission is free. For more information call 716-946-4609 or email BJSOLOVEY@hotmail.com.
More than a dozen nurses have been fired and another disciplined at a Washington state childrens hospital after a 12-year-old patient took her own life at the facility.

Sarah Niyimbona, a compassionate, outspoken middle schooler, died April 13 after slipping out of her room at Providence Sacred Heart Childrens Hospital in Spokane and jumping from the fourth floor of a parking garage, according to a report.

Sarah had been admitted to the emergency room multiple times in 2024 for suicide attempts, the Spokesman-Review said.

Sarah Niyimbona, 12, had been to the emergency room several times in 2024 for suicide attempts before her death in April. KXLY

The hospital allegedly removed key safety measures despite her history of self-harm  including an around-the-clock sitter, a video monitor and a door alarm  and failed to properly supervise her the night she died, Investigate West reported, citing a lawsuit filed by the family.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I ask what happened. How come she left the room without anybody seeing her? How come she walked all the way to the elevator without anybody seeing her? her mother, Nasra Gertrude, told the outlet.

They havent given me any answer at all. I trusted this hospital to take care of my daughter.

Fifteen nurses have since been fired, and another disciplined, amid questions over how Sarah was able to leave her room undetected, according to the Spokesman-Review.

Hospital brass claim the nurses improperly accessed Sarahs medical records without being directly involved in her care, a potential violation of the federal health privacy law HIPAA.

Providence Sacred Heart Childrens Hospital says 15 nurses were fired for improperly accessing Sarahs medical records. KREM2

The Washington State Nurses Association, which represents the staffers, claims the firings were retaliation against nurses who spoke to the media after Sarahs death.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The union said the nurses have filed a grievance, a process that could take a long time to resolve.

Providence spokesperson Jen York told the Spokesman-Review the terminations were about protecting patient privacy, saying the hospital reviews conduct and takes appropriate action, including termination of employment, where warranted.

The Washington State Nurses Association argues the firings targeted staff who spoke to the media after Sarahs death.

A state Department of Health investigation into Sarahs death is ongoing.

In a statement to The Post, Providence said it launched an internal investigation after Sarahs death and implemented new protocols, including suicide risk screening for all patients and procedures for locating missing patients.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Sarah was remembered on a GoFundMe page as a shining light who touched the hearts of everyone she met.

Were confused how this could happen. We also want to know why there wasnt anyone there at the moment, why there was nobody watching her and how she was able to leave, her 19-year-old sister, Asha Joseph, told PBS.

The WSNA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
Congress MP KC Venugopal was among the passengers on an Air India flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi that was diverted to Chennai on Sunday due to a suspected technical issue and weather conditions along the route, as the airline has confirmed. Congress MP described the experience as "frighteningly close to tragedy" in a post shared on X. The post read, "Air India flight AI 2455 from Trivandrum to Delhi - carrying myself, several MPs, and hundreds of passengers - came frighteningly close to tragedy today." "What began as a delayed departure turned into a harrowing journey. Shortly after take-off, we were hit by unprecedented turbulence. About an hour later, the Captain announced a flight signal fault and diverted to Chennai. For nearly two hours, we circled the airport awaiting clearance to land, until a heart-stopping moment during our first attempt - another aircraft was reportedly on the same runway. In that split second, the Captain's quick decision to pull up saved every life on board. The flight landed safely on the second attempt. We were saved by skill and luck. Passenger safety cannot depend on luck," the post further reads. https://x.com/kcvenugopalmp/status/1954611946663383238?s=08 Venugopal urged aviation authorities to take swift action, saying, "@DGCAIndia and @MoCA_GoI must investigate this incident urgently, fix accountability, and ensure such lapses never happen again." According to Flightradar24, the Air India flight AI2455 was scheduled to depart Thiruvananthapuram at 7:15 pm but took off at 8:17 pm. The flight, originally expected to arrive in Delhi at 10:45 pm, instead landed safely in Chennai. Air India spokesperson in a statement said, "The flight crew of AI2455 operating from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi on August 10 made a precautionary diversion to Chennai due to a suspected technical issue and given the weather conditions en route. The flight landed safely in Chennai, where the aircraft will undergo the necessary checks." "We regret the inconvenience caused to the affected passengers. Our colleagues on the ground in Chennai are extending support to the passengers to minimise it and are making alternative arrangements to fly the passengers to their respective destinations at the earliest," an Air India spokesperson added. The airline emphasised that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority. (ANI)
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Thirty years after 16-year-old Kelley Gaffield vanished, the Webster Police Department and her family are again pleading for information that could help solve her death.

Gaffield disappeared in August 1995. Her body was found two months later in a field in Webster. Police say her death remains under investigation.

On Friday, Gaffields mother, Chris, marked the somber anniversary with a public message on social media.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Thirty years ago today my daughter Kelley Gaffield never came home, she wrote. Two months later her body was found in a wooded area located in Webster, New York, where she resided. She was only 16 and had so many dreams ahead of her which were shattered by some she knew. How ironic that some of her so-called friends hid behind their parents with lawyers. How unbelievable but real. I just dont understand. Somebody tell me why  I really would like to know. Missing you, Kelley  Mom.

Police urge anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward and to contact the Webster Police Department at (585) 872-1216.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The Labour-run Welsh Government has spent more than 4m on planting trees in Uganda.

The Mbale Tree Planting Project, which aims to mitigate climate change and promote gender equality for female workers in the landlocked country, has been backed by the Welsh Government since 2013.

Yet it is the latest in a series of taxpayer costs signed off by Welsh Labour politicians to come under scrutiny, as NHS patients in the country continue to face some of the longest waits for treatment in the UK.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Size of Wales programme, which sends the taxpayer cash to Uganda, has overseen the planting of trees for beekeeping in Africa as part of the Advancing Gender Equality for Climate Change Resilience and Adaptation project. As a result, a network of tree nurseries has been established which are capable of growing at least 3.2 million trees each year.

Providing training and support to women-led nurseries had also empowered women to take on leadership roles and generate income, an evaluation of the project reported.

Celebrating the planting projects 25 millionth sapling earlier this year, Welsh Labour minister Jane Hutt said: The distribution of 25 million trees in eastern Uganda is not only helping to combat climate change, its transforming lives, particularly for women and young people across Uganda.

Meanwhile, the indigenous Wampis people in the northern Peruvian Amazon have enjoyed solar-powered boats and charging points, also funded by the Welsh Government. Yet more than 5,800 miles away in Wales, the ambulance service has also faced severe pressure and the social care sector is struggling to cope with increased demand. Council tax bills have also soared by 7.2 per cent on average across the country.

Welsh Tory leader Darren Millar said: People in Wales will be amazed that there is money to plant trees in Uganda, yet public toilets, libraries and other services are closing in their communities. Every pound spent on planting trees in Africa is a pound that is not being spent on public services here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Welsh government isnt even responsible for international relations so Labour ministers should stop the overreach and focus on the things that they are responsible for such as our poorly performing schools and hospitals and getting to grips with the unacceptable waiting times in the Welsh NHS.

It is not the first Welsh Labour policy has faced criticism in recent months. Earlier this year the Government came under attack for spending almost 250,000 on a project to count moths.

Tory colleague Janet Finch-Saunders added: It is time the Welsh Labour Government stopped this virtue-signalling and instead concentrated their spending priorities on the things that matter most to our tax-paying residents.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: Climate change affects all of us, and we are stepping up to play our part in the world. These trees protect communities from floods and droughts, while connecting Welsh and Ugandan schoolchildren culturally and through practical environmental education opportunities.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Earlier this year, we passed a 26bn budget, investing an extra 1.6bn in public services, strengthening our NHS, supporting schools and helping communities across Wales thrive.

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 Brief

Police were called to an apartment complex on Richmond Avenue on Saturday night.

The victim was shot during an altercation at a party.

Anyone with information can call Houston Police or Crime Stoppers.

HOUSTON - A man is dead after he was shot during a party in west Houston, according to police.

Houston crime: Richmond Avenue apartment shooting

What we know

At about 10 p.m. on Saturday, officers were called to an apartment complex on Richmond Avenue and Breezewood Drive. They arrived to a large crowd in the area.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Allegedly, witnesses said there was an altercation during a party. People fled from the scene and gunshots were heard.

One man was found at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A gun was also found at the scene, and multiple people were detained for questioning.

What we don't know

No one involved has been identified at this time. Police say the deceased victim was 31 years old.

It's not clear if anyone who was detained at the scene will be charged in this case.

There is no suspect description, or any information on a possible motive.

What you can do

Anyone who has information can call one of the following agencies:

HPD Homicide: 713-308-3600

Crime Stoppers: 713-222-TIPS (8477)

The Source

OnScene and Houston Police Department
WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  One local nonprofit is helping to raise money for veterans in the community.

Car enthusiasts from all over western Massachusetts gathered for the third annual Westfield Classic Auto Show, presented by a local nonprofit, Crankers Antique Car Club.

Weve been around since 1958, so for nearly 70 years weve been raising money for local causes, said Crankers Antique Car Club Vice President Tory DePrille.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

East Coast Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show wraps up this weekend

The nonprofits focus this year is on local U.S. Military veterans, specifically through the Veterans Community Food Banks of Westfield and Agawam.

Theyre in dire need of assistance, and so we are doing our part to try to help them, DePrille said.

At the car show, there were cars from the 1930s up until the present day, with the owners helping to raise funds for veterans in western Mass. One of the food banks benefiting from the donations is Project New Hope in Westfield.

We are open a few days a week, where people can make an appointment, come in, and then do some shopping, said Amy Blanchard, Office Manager at Project New Hope. And it is just a nice supplement to help people get through the month with their groceries.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Blanchard said it means a lot to see the community coming out and raising money for U.S. veterans, a group of people who sometimes dont receive enough support and recognition.

Our veterans have sacrificed a lot, and I just think it is very important to have community support and to acknowledge that dedication and the sacrifice thats been made for them, Blanchard said.

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.
Wheres the Russiagate coverage?

Were witnessing the greatest political scandal in U.S. history, and legacy media is not casting much light on it.

In the prior greatest political scandal in U.S. history, President Nixon conspired with others to steal Democratic National Committee election plans. The Watergate break-in was not a crime against Americans as much as it was an offense against the DNC. Regardless, Nixon was forced to resign his presidency because he was a co-conspirator to theft.

Compared to the magnitude of the currently-unfolding Russiagate conspiracy involving the intel community, DOJ and Obamas executive branch, Watergate was the criminal equivalent of spitting in the gutter.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Unlike Watergate, Russiagate is far more than a simple theft; leadership under President Obama executed a multi-faceted plan to deceive Americans, influence the vote of the people, cover up Hillarys misdeeds, illegally spy on U.S. citizens, and prevent the next administration from carrying out policies the electorate chose in 2016.

The legacy media was complicit in the scandal, dismissing Devin Nunes claims, parroting Adam Schiffs rhetoric, and failing to question the lies. Now in 2025, theyre still choosing not to report on this scandal.

What happened to Democracy Dies in Darkness?

Matt McIntyre, Madera

Crying over Warszawskis farewell

Yes, Marek, I did cry when I read that you are leaving The Bee. Who else is going to have the courage, the creativity, the political savvy, the wit and the down-to-earth writing skills to engage across the spectrum of life in Fresno?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The days when your column appeared were always brighter for me. I shall miss you a lot. Hail and farewell.

Francine Farber, Fresno

Logging not the only way to fire-safe communities

Nathan Magsigs opinion seemed heartfelt, but also focused on solutions, such as increased logging, that wont significantly help the wildfire problem. The fact is that fires burn hotter and faster on logged land, so it would be setting up a worse situation in the future to log more in vulnerable forest.

Also, who knows where the next fire will start? Unless you are logging within a close distance to a populated area, you are wasting your time and money.

Focusing on hardening homes is a better way to use your tax money. Instead of clearing the forest, make your home impregnable to flying cinders, and better yet, work on getting your entire community hardened by asking state government to fund home hardening. Put your tax money where it has scientifically been proven to do the most good, and not funding loggers to do their worst in sensitive wildlands.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Also, getting homeowner insurance is an increasing problem in California as insurance agencies are refusing to cover unhardened homes near wildfire areas. Home-hardening state funding would alleviate that problem for Californians as well. Two problems covered by one tax-funded solution. Ask your congressperson for a bill to fund home hardening.

Janet Doherty, Sacramento

Fong does not do the work he preaches

Rep. Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield/Clovis, is on record supporting sensible work requirements for able-bodied adults. If thats the standard, lets hold him to it:

Is he sending a bi-weekly newsletter to keep voters informed? No.

Is he returning messages left at his congressional offices? No.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Is he replying to comments on his official government webpage? No.

Is he actually hearing from his constituents? No. Has he held a single in-person or even virtual town hall to face the people he represents? No.

Most of us know what happens if we dont do our jobs: we get fired. Yet Mr. Fong collects a taxpayer-funded salary and benefits while failing to meet the most basic expectations of public service  communication, accessibility and accountability.

Hes quick to talk about work requirements for others, but where are his? Why is there one standard for struggling families and another for members of Congress? If Vince Fong cant perform the essential duties of his office, its time to stop rewarding failure. The people of CA-20 deserve a representative who works for us, not one who hides.

Rebecca B. Camarena, Lemoore

Feeling the burn of education funding cut

The sun scorches my skin, its relentless rays leaving me drained and defeated. Thats why I carry an umbrella: not just for shade, but as a shield that lets me enter spaces too often designed without me in mind.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Today, I feel that umbrella has been ripped away. For Fresno, we are approximately losing $7.1 million in federal funding! By The Fresno Bee sharing an important piece of our loss, our communities are scared and students are left behind by our courts that have abandoned us by dismantling our educational department.

As a low-income, first-generation student, I see this as a direct attack, a calculated effort to push me and my community out of higher education, to silence voices that have long fought to be heard.

I will get my education. I have a full-ride scholarship and am working hard to prepare for law school. And once there, Ill stand before the Supreme Court, fighting for our communities, because someone must.

We cannot let education become a luxury. Full-ride scholarships should not be the exception. We must preserve access and protect the right to learn  for everyone, not just the privileged few!

Heriberto Campos-Melchor, Fresno

One way to drop PG&E costs

Here in the San Joaquin Valley, summer means sun and heat! It also means soaring PG&E bills, due to running the AC.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

California has the third-highest rates in the country and rates keep going up. Our bills are higher because many programs, such as wildfire prevention, solar and low-income subsidies, are included. These important programs are not directly related to electricity. They should be paid for by the state. High PG&E bills are bad both for the consumer and for the goal of encouraging less-polluting electric vehicles and appliances. One bill now in the state Legislature makes a start at reducing the cost of electricity.

AB 745, already passed by the Assembly, awaits action in the Senate. This bill would take the flat rate climate credits we get in our PG&E bill and use them to decrease rates during the hottest months: July-September. This summer rate reduction would really help in hot climates like ours, but ideally, lower rates year round is the goal.

Valley Sens. Caballero, Hurtado and Grove have already given AB 745 a thumbs up. Urge your legislators to make electricity affordable for all.

Linda Sward, Kingsburg
Formalized education in Palm Beach County goes back 137 years to the area's first one-room schoolhouse in Palm Beach.

Since the schoolhouse's establishment in 1886, Palm Beach County has built more than 182 school campuses , and the population has grown from fewer than 250 people to 1.4 million residents.

Have you heard the names of Palm Beach County's first schools? Do you know where they're located?

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Here are the first schools in Palm Beach County:

1886: The 'Little Red Schoolhouse'

Location: One mile north of the Royal Poinciana Bridge on the Lake Trail in Palm Beach

Notes: A one-room building known as the Little Red Schoolhouse, the school was the first in southeast Florida, according to the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach.

The school's first seven students were taught by Hattie Gale, the 16-year-old daughter of Elbridge Gale, a professor of horticulture at Kansas State Agriculture College who came to Florida to be a minister and botanist.

Open until: 1901. It was moved to Palm Beach's Phipps Park in 1960 and now operates as a tourist and historical education site.

The Little Red Schoolhouse, the first schoolhouse in southeast Florida is at Phipps Ocean Park in Palm Beach. The school first opened in 1886.

1893: Lantana School was short-lived

Location: East end of Lantana Road (then called Osborne Road) near the shore of Lake Worth lagoon.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Notes: The school operated for two years before residents in Hypoluxo went into the school's board meeting in 1895 to request a school of their own, according to Margaret Harris, daughter of a then-school board member who wrote the book "Pioneer Daughter" about the growth of the area.

The Hypoluxo residents' request for a school was originally denied because state law prohibited schools from being built fewer than 3 miles apart. In 1896, the board decided to build a new school and abandon the Lantana School.

Open until: 1908. The two-story Lantana Hypoluxo School replaced the Lantana school and was built in the mile-long stretch between the two post offices in the area, according to Harris.

1894: The Linton School

Location: Site of the present Old School Square in Delray Beach.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Notes: The school was later referred to as the Smith-Hughes Vocational School, the Delray Colored School and the Delray Training School. The school opened the same year that West Palm Beach's first post office opened and Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway to West Palm Beach was completed.

Open until: 1937 when it was moved to the site of Carver High School.

Old School Square in Delray Beach, Florida was the site of the area's first school, The Linton School.

1894: First school for Black students at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church

Location: West Palm Beach at the intersection of Clematis Street and Tamarind Avenue.

Notes: Also called the West Palm Beach School, the school's attendance on Oct. 1, 1894, was 74 students, according to the Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church's website.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Because of the sheer number of students, the schools superintendent arranged for two four-month terms for students. Half the students attended the first term and the other half came to school for the second.

The church and school were west of was known as the "Styx," an area of Palm Beach where nearly 2,000 Black laborers lived while they were constructing Flagler's two hotels, the Royal Poinciana and The Breakers.

The "Styx" was near what is now Royal Poinciana Way and North County Road. Like other Black neighborhoods at the time, it lacked adequate services such as running water and electricity, according to the City of West Palm Beach's equality task force.

Open until: 1896 when the school was moved into its own building.

Members from Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church became some of the first teachers of Black students in West Palm Beach in 1894.

1896: Poinciana Elementary School shares name with present-day STEM school

Location: Federal Highway just north of Boynton Beach Boulevard.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Notes: Boynton Beach's present-day Poinciana Elementary School shares a name with a historic school in the same neighborhood that was run by members of Greater St. Paul AME Church, the city's first church, according to the dity's historical society.

The one-room wooden schoolhouse opened to students the same year as the landmark Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson, in which the "separate but equal" doctrine was applied to public education. Black students were forced to use subpar textbooks and supplies, and Black teachers were paid less than white teachers.

In South Florida, the school year was shortened for Black students, who had to work in the fields during winter harvest, according to the historical society.

Residents petitioned the school board to hire a teacher for the school and were rewarded with federal money in 1907.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Open until: 1910. The city built a new school for white students on the 100 block of Ocean Avenue. Poinciana moved to its current location on North Seacrest Boulevard and was modernized in 1996.

The mural at Poinciana STEM Elementary School is 8 feet tall and 300 feet wide. [EMILY SULLIVAN/palmbeachpost.com]

1898 and 1902: Octagon school in Jupiter, later consolidated

Location: Present-day Suni Sands on the south side of the Loxahatchee River between Clemons Street and Dubois Park

Notes: Children of lighthouse keepers in Jupiter's early days were homeschooled, but the first schoolhouse came in the form of an eight-sided structure on a half-acre lot that was donated to the cause. The building doubled as Jupiter's first church.

In 1902, the Dade County School Board agreed to consolidate the three white schools at Jupiter: the Octagon School in East Jupiter, the Neptune School at Sawfish Bay and the Barfield School in North Jupiter, according to the Loxahatchee River Historical Society.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Palm Beach County was formed from Dade County in 1909.

The Neptune School was expanded to two rooms for all of the students and a new water pump was built at the school. Following the consolidation, the Jupiter area did not have three public schools again until around 1976 with the opening of Jerry Thomas Elementary School.

Open until: 1902

The only known photo of students at the Jupiter Octagon school circa 1898.

Katherine Kokal covered education at The Palm Beach Post. This story is a reprint of a story first published in 2023. It has been edited for length.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County's earliest schools date back to 1800s
The White House is considering inviting Volodymyr Zelensky to Alaska for peace talks, where Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will meet next week for a summit, US media reports.

A senior US official told NBC News that while no visit had been finalised, it was absolutely possible the Ukrainian president would join his US and Russian counterparts.

Everyone is very hopeful that would happen, the official said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The President remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is focusing on planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin.

Mr Trump will meet the Russian leader in Alaska on Friday, in a bid to broker a ceasefire deal that could end the three-and-a-half-year war.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska on Friday to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine - AFP

European leaders have cautiously welcomed the plan for Putin and Mr Trump to meet, but warned any agreement must protect Kyivs and Europes security.

In a joint statement released late on Saturday night, the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Britain, Finland and the European Commission said: The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine International borders must not be changed by force The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraines and Europes vital security interests.

We agree that these vital interests include the need for robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

They said talks could only happen in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.

Zelensky could join Trump and Putin in Alaska - AFP

JD Vance and Britains Foreign Secretary David Lammy hosted a meeting with representatives of Ukraine and European allies on Saturday at Chevening House in Kent, to discuss Mr Trumps push for peace.

Mr Lammy told Mr Vance that a ceasefire had to take place in Ukraine before any other steps towards peace were implemented, according to reports which suggested a European counter-proposal had been put forward.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Andriy Yermak, Mr Zelenskys chief of staff, who took part in the Chevening House discussions with US and European officials, said: A ceasefire is necessary but the front line is not a border.

Together with @rustem_umerov, we held important meetings with European security advisers, the UK Foreign Secretary, and the Vice President of the United States. I am grateful to each of them for their highly constructive approach.



Our positions were clear: a reliable, lasting pic.twitter.com/9CJhGM98if  Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) August 9, 2025

A US official said the hours-long talks produced significant progress toward President Trumps goal of bringing an end to the war in Ukraine, ahead of President Trump and President Putins upcoming meeting in Alaska.

The White House did not immediately comment when asked about the European counterproposals.

It was not clear what had been agreed at Chevening, but Mr Zelensky described the meeting as constructive.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The path to peace for Ukraine should be determined together and only together with Ukraine this is key principle, he said in his evening address on Saturday.

Mr Zelensky earlier rejected Mr Trumps proposed plan for peace, vowing Ukraine would never cede any territory to the occupier.

Kyiv will not give Russia any awards for what it has done, the Ukrainian leader said, several hours after Mr Trump suggested an end to the fighting could involve some swapping of territories.

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 White House is considering inviting President Volodymyr Zelensky to peace talks in Alaska on Aug. 15, the same day U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet.

NBC News reported on Aug. 9, citing a White House official and several people familiar with the matter, that the proposal is "being discussed."

Trump announced on Aug. 8 that he and Putin will meet in Alaska, where the two parties will meet to reportedly discuss Putin's proposal of a ceasefire plan that involves halting hostilities in exchange for Kyiv ceding its eastern territories to Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zelensky firmly rejected the idea of ceding any Ukrainian territory to end Russia's war, warning that an unfavorable peace deal in Ukraine will eventually lead to Russia regrouping and reinvading Ukraine.

One White House official told NBC News that "everyone is very hopeful that would happen," referring to Zelensky's presence in Alaska.

Another senior official offered a different account, telling the news agency that "The President remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is focusing on planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin."

Yet another White House source told CBS News that the situation remains fluid and may potentially involve Zelensky.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump initially suggested Zelensky would participate in the meeting as a precondition for peace but later changed course to hold an initial meeting with Putin followed by a proposed trilateral summit involving President Volodymyr Zelensky.

While the Ukrainian president signaled he is ready for such a format, Putin claimed he does not oppose the meeting in principle, but added that certain "conditions" must first be met.

As leader-level face talks are set to begin, European leaders have rejected Russia's proposal, instead offering a counterproposal to U.S. officials ahead of a planned meeting.

EU leaders also publicly voiced concerns over a lack of European and Ukrainian involvement in peace talks, with European officials telling the Wall Street Journal that peace talks would not hold much weight without the participation of European leaders.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It was not clear as to whether Zelensky will participate in a trilateral meeting or separate meetings the day of the summit if he is to be invited.

Read also: Ukraine, Europe reject Putins ceasefire proposal, present counterproposal to US ahead of Trump-Putin meeting, WSJ reports









Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The White House is considering inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Alaska, where President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin next week.

Source: NBC News, citing sources within the US government

Details: The sources reported that an official decision regarding Zelenskyys visit to Alaska has not yet been confirmed. Senior Trump administration officials say such a scenario is absolutely possible.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Everyone is very hopeful that would happen," one official said.

"The President [Trump  ed.] remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is focusing on planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin," the senior White House official said in response to questions about whether the US had officially invited Zelenskyy to Alaska. [Ukrainska Pravda does not refer to Putin as president, and here is why  ed.]

A source familiar with the discussions stressed that if Zelenskyy does travel to Alaska, it is unclear whether he and Putin would be in the same room.

Background:

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Friday 8 August, Trump announced that he would meet Putin on 15 August in Alaska. Initially, the White House made talks between Putin and Zelenskyy a condition for Trumps meeting with the Russian ruler, but later Trump said this was not a prerequisite.

Putin did not agree to a ceasefire after the deadline of Trumps ultimatum but proposed a general framework for a peace deal that would allow Russia to retain control over the Ukrainian territories it already occupies.

On 8 August, Trump stated there would be "some swapping of territories" between Russia and Ukraine in the interests of both sides.

On 9 August, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy firmly stated that Ukrainians will not give their land to the Russians.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
A diplomatic scramble unfolded Saturday after President Donald Trump announced he would meet his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, next week in Alaska, as European leaders rushed to understand the terms of the meeting and ensure Ukraine was not being left out of discussions about its future.

In the English countryside Saturday, European officials presented their case to Vice President JD Vance in a hastily arranged meeting. The leaders of several European nations said afterward that while they supported Trumps diplomatic efforts, any peace talks must be preceded by a ceasefire and Ukraine itself must be actively involved.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not named as a participant in the Alaska summit, to take place Friday between Trump and Putin. However, the White House has not completely ruled out including Zelensky in some meetings, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN. One White House official stressed that anything involving Zelensky would likely happen after the Trump-Putin meeting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The summit has come together very quickly, and details are still in flux. An exact location has yet to be announced.

A White House official said Trump remained open to a trilateral summit with both leaders but that the White House is planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin.

Since Trump unveiled plans to meet with Putin in a post to social media Friday, there has been an intensive diplomatic effort behind the scenes to get US allies on board.

Trumps announcement notably did not say whether or when Zelensky would be included in the process. Zelensky and European leaders, meanwhile, have been emphatic that Ukraine needs to be part of any discussions about ending the war.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In the Saturday meeting hosted by Vance at the manor home of the British foreign secretary, European officials laid out their terms and sought more information from US officials about the plan Putin presented Wednesday to US envoy Steve Witkoff.

They emphasized a number of points, Western officials said: that Ukraine must be involved in the talks, that a ceasefire is in place before other steps are taken, and that if Ukraine makes territorial concessions, Russia must also concede land it currently occupies.

A statement afterward from the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, the European Union and Finland said the group welcomed President Trumps work to stop the killing in Ukraine, end the Russian Federations war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Sunday that European leaders hope and assume Zelensky will be involved in Fridays summit.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Merz, who said that he would be speaking to Trump on Sunday, reiterated the European position that any discussions on Ukrainian territory must involve Ukraine and Europe.

We cannot accept that territorial issues between Russia and America are discussed or even decided over the heads of Europeans and Ukrainians, he said  a view both the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas echoed during interviews on Sunday.

Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday said he appreciates and fully supports the joint statement.

But it spelled out terms of a peace plan that appeared to differ from the one Putin has put forward, in which he is seeking significant territorial concessions, according to Western officials.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine, the joint statement read. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force. The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations.

The statement also said any diplomatic agreement to end the war must include robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The terms amounted to an attempt by European leaders to scramble a response to the rapidly unfolding diplomacy, which was set in motion this week with Witkoffs meeting in Moscow.

Pressed by reporters for details on the contours of a deal, Trump indicated Friday that it could include some swapping of territories.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The way the Europeans understand it, Putin presented a proposal that would require Ukraine to give over the entire eastern Donbas region, which Russia partially occupies. But the exact contours of the plan remained somewhat unclear, even after several follow-up phone conversations between the Europeans and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Witkoff.

The fate of the two other regions that have been in Moscows sights  Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, which Russia only partially occupies  wasnt clear. Nor was the status of US security guarantees going forward, the officials said.

That has left European leaders, who have expressed concern about the possibility of Ukraine ceding territory, rushing to get more details on what a ceasefire would entail.

To allay some of those concerns, Vance convened the hourslong meeting Saturday with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and European and Ukrainian officials to lay out the US view of negotiations, as well as American officials understanding of Russias stance. Witkoff attended the meeting virtually.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A US official told CNN that significant progress was made, but it is still unclear whether there is European or Ukrainian buy-in heading into Fridays critical meeting.

After Saturdays meeting, Zelensky said he believed the US was listening.

Our arguments are being heard. The dangers are being taken into account, he said in an address.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
After Sunday's notice issued by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka and the reminder from the CEO of Haryana, the Election Commission has once again reiterated its strict decision that Rahul Gandhi still has time to give a declaration on the first letter of the CEO of Karnataka and a reminder from the of CEO Haryana or apologise to the country. The Karnataka CEO has asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to submit documents to inquire into his "vote theft" allegations against the Election Commission of India. In a letter dated August 10, the Karnataka CEO stated that Rahul Gandhi has claimed to have documents presented during his August 7 press conference from the Election Commission of India records, alleging that a voter, Shakun Rani, voted twice based on data shown by a polling officer. The polling body further stated that upon preliminary inquiry, Shakun Rani has denied voting twice. The CEO's office also found that the tick-marked document presented by Rahul Gandhi was not issued by the polling officer, raising questions about the authenticity of the claim. The Karnataka CEO requested Rahul Gandhi to provide the relevant documents that form the basis of his allegation so that a detailed investigation can be conducted by the Karnataka electoral authorities. On August 7, Rahul Gandhi held a press conference, citing internal analysis. The LoP stated that the Congress expected to win 16 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka but ended up with only nine. He said the Congress investigated seven unexpected losses, zeroing in on Mahadevapura, where he alleged vote theft involving 100,250 votes. Presenting Congress's research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi alleged "vote chori" (vote theft) of 100,250 votes. "We found 100,250 votes stolen in five different ways. Duplicate voters, fake and invalid addresses, and bulk voters in a single address, in a building with 50-60 people living. But when we go there, there is no record of those people living there. One family living in that house," he said. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday again asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to either give a declaration as per the rules or apologise to the country for his "false" allegations regarding the voter lists. (ANI)
The White House is considering inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to an Alaskan summit between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, a White House official told The Hills sister network NewsNation.

It is unclear if Zelensky would attend the meeting with the two leaders as meeting details have yet to be finalized.

Trump announced Friday that he will meet with Putin in Alaska next week to discuss ending the over three-years long war between Russia and Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The president has not ruled out hosting a meeting between the two Eastern European leaders  a move that was previously shot down by the Kremlin.

The President remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin, a senior White House official told NewsNations Libbey Dean on Saturday.

The possible invite comes after Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, their fifth summit this year. Their meeting took place just two days before the president was set to impose new sanctions on Moscow.

During their meeting, Putin reportedly shared a proposal for a complete ceasefire, which would entail Ukraine withdrawing its military from the Donetsk region, allowing it to be under the Kremlins control, along with Luhansk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump said on Friday at the White House that some territorial swapping would take place for the betterment of both countries.

Zelensky fired back on Saturday morning, dismissing the idea of potentially ceding land to Russia.

Of course, we will not give Russia any awards for what it has done. The Ukrainian people deserve peace, Ukraines leader said.

Vice President Vance, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Zelenskys top adviser, Andriy Yermak and European national security advisors took part in a meeting in Kent, England, where they weighed in on the ceasefire proposal.

The UKs support for Ukraine remains ironclad as we continue working towards a just and lasting peace, Lammy wrote Saturday after the meeting.

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.
Fresh off the high of overseeing a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan, President Donald Trump is ramping up his efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine.

Ahead of a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week, Trump announced that the two countries were close to reaching a deal that would involve some swapping of territories.

Youre looking at territory thats been fought over for three and a half years, Trump said. Therell be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both.

The peace talks set to take place in Alaska are currently planned to include only Trump and Putin. / Mikhail Svetlov / Getty Images

Trumps announcement came as a surprise to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who responded in a video posted Saturday morning with an emphatic refusal to cede any Ukrainian territory to Russia.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The answer to the Ukrainian territorial question is already in the Constitution of Ukraine. No one will retreat from this and no one can. Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier, Zelensky said.

Reports have since emerged that the White House is now considering inviting Zelensky to the peace talks in Alaska.

Zelensky pushed back on Trump's assertion that there would be some swapping of territories between Russia and Ukraine in order to achieve peace. / Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Several sources told NBC News that the possibility was being discussed, and that many are hopeful Ukraine will be included in discussions about its own future.

A White House official told NBC, however, The President remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is focusing on planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a post made to X on Thursday, prior to the announcement of Trump and Putins planned talks in Alaska, Zelensky wrote, Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects the same brave approach from the Russian side. It is time we ended the war. Thank you to everyone who is helping.

I spoke with @bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz. Ukraine and Germany share the view that the war must be ended as soon as possible with a dignified peace, and the parameters of ending this war will shape the security landscape of Europe for decades to come. The war is happening in pic.twitter.com/WipLdnfIF1  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) August 7, 2025

Late last month, Trump reversed an earlier decision to make a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders a condition of any subsequent meetings between himself and Putin.

The president previously set a deadline of last Friday for Putin to make a peace deal or face sanctions, moving forward an earlier deadline of Sept. 3.

Announcing his decision to bring the deadline forward, Trump said, We thought we had [a deal] 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 a nursing home or whatever.

You have bodies lying all over the street. And I say, Thats not the way to do it.
A first-ever trilateral meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska could still be on the table, CNN reported on Aug. 10, citing its sources familiar with the matter.

The report comes after Trump said that he would meet Putin on Aug. 15 in Alaska for talks on ending the war in Ukraine.

CNN reported that while Zelensky was not named among the participants of the Alaska summit, the Trump administration has not ruled out some meetings involving Zelensky, according to its sources.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One White House official told CNN that anything with Zelensky's involvement would likely be scheduled after Trump's meeting with Putin.

Zelensky confirmed on Aug. 7 that the discussions were ongoing on a bilateral and trilateral summit, including the three leaders, to end the war. Moscow has confirmed the plans for a meeting between Putin and Trump in the near future, but has not mentioned Zelensky's involvement.

A source in Ukraine's President's Office told the Kyiv Independent that Trump and Putin planned to discuss a peace plan, in which Ukraine would have to withdraw further from two territories partly occupied by Russian troops.

The source, who was part of the team briefed on the discussion Putin had with Witkoff, said that the plan would see Kyiv withdraw its troops from two of the partly occupied Ukrainian regions  Donetsk and Luhansk.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the topic, said Ukraine would outright reject the plan.

The Putin-Trump meeting is planned a week after Trump's ultimatum on Moscow expired, in which he threatened sweeping secondary tariffs on countries trading with Russia if no ceasefire is agreed by then.

Read also: Exclusive: Putin to demand Ukraine cede new territory in Alaska peace plan  US likely to agree, Kyiv to reject

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
FIRST ON FOX - The White House, faced with an ongoing and growing tsunami of murderous attacks by Islamic State-allied groups against Christians in sub-Saharan Africa, is now working closely with the State Department to find ways to stop the killing.

Last week, the White House told Fox News Digital, "The Trump administration condemns in the strongest terms this horrific violence against Christians," after the U.N. reported 49 Christians were butchered with machetes on July 27 in and around a church in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), while Catholic worshipers were praying for peace. Authorities say the killers were Islamist militants from the Allied Democratic Forces, also known as Islamic State DRC.

In neighboring Nigeria last month, 27 Christians were reported killed by Islamist Fulani tribesmen in the village of Bindi Ta-hoss, where residents are predominantly Christian. Eyewitness Solomon Sunday said, "I advised my family to seek refuge in the church, which seemed the safest place at the time. I lost my wife and second daughter in the attack; they were burned [alive] by Fulani militias."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Local youth leader DYoung Mangut, who helped retrieve the bodies, added, "People are being killed like chickens, and nothing is being done."

"Such grisly proceedings have become commonplace in central Nigeria," John Eibner, president of Christian human rights organization Christian Solidarity International, told Fox News Digital. "It is part of a longstanding process of violent Islamization, of ethno-religious cleansing. Last Palm Sunday, 50 Christians were similarly slaughtered in nearby Bassa. Over 165 Christians have been killed in the last 4 months in Plateau State (one of Nigerias provinces) alone," he added.

"Massacres of the sort that happen in central Nigeria are also happening with increasing frequency in predominately Christian places like Congo and Mozambique. There is no simple solution."

Read On The Fox News App

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Isis Soldiers Behead Christians In Mozambique, Burning Church And Homes: 'Silent Genocide'

The U.K. division of Open Doors, a global Christian charity which supports and speaks up for Christians persecuted for their faith, told Fox News Digital, "The crisis facing large areas of sub-Saharan Africa is hard to overstate. It is potentially existential for the future peace and stability of several nations in the region, not least Nigeria."

"Around 150,000 people have been killed in Jihadist violence over the last ten years. Over 16 million Christians have been driven from their homes and their land across the region."

The Trump administration appears to be preparing for action. This week, a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "The Department of State is working closely with the White House to identify opportunities to further the cause of religious freedom around the world."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Bishop's Village Attacked, 20 Slain After Recent Testimony To Congress On Christian Persecution

The spokesperson added, "Religious freedom for all people worldwide is a moral and national security imperative and a U.S. foreign policy priority. As President Trump has stated, the United States will vigorously promote this freedom."

Nigeria is among the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. Recent Open Doors research shows that more Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than the rest of the world combined. Local bishop Wilfred Anagbe was threatened, and some 20 of his parishioners killed, after he spoke out against the killings to a Congressional Committee in March.

This week, the bishop spoke exclusively to Fox News Digital, declaring that "the attackers form part of the larger Islamic- Jihadists family headed in Nigeria by the likes of Boko Haram, ISIS West Africa and similar groups. Nigeria has had a long history with Islamic fundamentalism. (But) the violence, killing and displacements without consequences suggests a new pattern where the Islamists have resorted to use their control of official government and apparatus to continue this jihad.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"There is a strong tendency by fundamentalist Muslims in Nigeria to turn the whole or part of Nigeria (in)to an Islamic State."

Pope, State Department Condemn Latest Massacre Of Christians By Islamist Militants In Nigeria

"This is what the Nazis did to the Jews," David Onyillokwu Idah, director of the International Human Rights Commission, told Open Doors, adding, "Its ethnic cleansing, step by step."

John Samuel, legal expert for Open Doors, told Fox News Digital that where the Islamist groups are operating, if Christians gather for "a prayer meeting, let's say, or go to a church, (it) could be a one-way ticket, or something very deadly."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"If you're a Christian, you either convert to Islam or die."

Christian faithful hold signs as they march on the streets of Abuja during a prayer and penance for peace and security in Nigeria in Abuja on March 1, 2020.

Samuel gives an example of a Nigerian Christian who was ambushed by Boko Haram fighters. According to his widow, "he was asked to deny his faith and say an Islamic prayer. He refused and he was killed instantly. You are a target. You are a target by the mere fact that you identify with Christ."

Islamist Terrorists Kill 49 Christians In African Church Massacre; Eyewitness Reveals Horrific Details

Across the region, its claimed the Islamist attackers want the land belonging to the Christians they attack. Lawyer Jabez Musa fights in court in Nigeria to get this land back. He told Fox News Digital the displaced Christians "want their land restored back to them for their livelihood. The cry is always I have been dispossessed of what belongs to me, my house, the food, foodstuff, the land. As we speak, over 64 communities in Plateau State have been dispossessed and taken over by the Fulani militants."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Only Christians are targeted, they're killed, displaced, and their lands are taken over."

Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors U.K. and Ireland, told Fox News Digital that "African governments must urgently provide three things: justice - because very few of these perpetrators are ever held to account, and this impunity emboldens them. Restoration - people want their lives back, an opportunity to rebuild their homes, send their kids to school, have a future together. And protection - the state must protect them from these attacks. The security forces need to get out of their barracks and be deployed around the most vulnerable.

"For too long, nobody has been talking about the horrific wholesale slaughter of Christians and moderate Muslims in Africa. The Western world needs to wake up and be outraged," she said.

Lawyer Jabez Musa pleaded, "I urge the American government, especially President Trump personally  to come to the help of Christians."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One grieving relative told reporters after the massacre in Nigerias Bindi Ta-hoss this past month, "We are tired of condolences and statements. What we need is real security, not sympathy."

Fox News Digital reached out to the governments of both Nigeria and the DRC but received no response.





Original article source: White House responds to surge in Christian persecution crisis across sub-Saharan Africa
Records detail what led to 2023 arrest in cold case | Aug. 4

Jennifer Odom case

The article by Times reporter Dan Sullivan deeply affected me. I cant understand why so many people who knew Jeffrey Norman Crum as having a proclivity towards violence did not contact the authorities. They witnessed how loquacious Crum became when he was drunk or high and would boast about the raping and killing of young girls, including Jennifer Odom, according to court records. These people allowed a dangerous man to be free in society. At least Crums brother called in a tip, even if its unclear what he said or what police did to follow up. This was a true tragedy.

Holly Haley, New Port Richey

Trump signs order imposing new tariffs on trading partners | Aug. 1

Some dealmaker

Before Donald Trumps first term as president, the North American Free Trade Agreement created a free trade zone between the United States, Canada and Mexico. In 2016, the calendar year before he became president, our trade deficit with Mexico was $63.3 billion. That trade pact was replaced by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in 2020 and was negotiated for, and signed by, Trump. The Great deal that he negotiated with them last time has caused our trade deficit with Mexico to balloon to $171.5 billion last year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It used to be basic conservative Republican dogma to support free trade, as that is the system that promotes growth and prosperity. I wonder how much this new agreement will increase our trade deficit.

Terry R. Arnold, Treasure Island

Scotlands Trump protests should concern Americans | Column, Aug. 3

Disrespectful

In Sundays paper, a guest columnist wrote about Scots disrespecting the office of the president during a recent visit from Donald Trump. I have to agree that I never would have believed that could or would happen.

I do have to point out that the disrespect dates back to at least when we allowed people to fly F--- Joe Biden flags here, and no one held them accountable. That was total disrespect for the office. When I was young, that behavior would have been viewed along with burning the flag, but it was allowed and encouraged by some.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We have lost our own sense of decency, so it stands to reason that the world would treat us with the same disrespect.

Richard D. Wilke, Port Richey

Scotlands Trump protests should concern Americans | Column, Aug. 3

Too naive

Guest columnist Mary Anna Mancusos take on how the world and Americans should treat this president we currently suffer may be the most inexcusably naive thing Ive read in a year. Insisting that the enemies of dictatorship and totalitarianism should wear their kid gloves and carry their Marquess of Queensberry Rules book at all times while an addled president tears our society to pieces is not good thinking.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When our society, comity, economy and laws are completely shredded by him, will Mancuso survey the steaming ruin, self-satisfied that she remained polite throughout our forced descent into the maelstrom? Long, long human political experience shows that mockery is the most powerful tool to be used in dismantling naked emperors, and it remains as true as can be with Trump.

Lets applaud Scotlands and the worlds Trump protesters. They show the impulse toward democracy in the world remains strong, and serve as an example to our currently beset, riven country.

Steve Douglas, St. Petersburg

Floridas bear hunt elicits strong emotions, but facts still matter | Column, Aug. 3

Thank you for the refreshing viewpoint on the proposed bear hunt that doesnt invoke the typical shooting Bambi mentality. How people can believe that an overpopulated species starving to death is more humane than an ethically placed bullet is beyond belief. Yes, ethical hunters aim for one-shot kills for multiple reasons. Let game managers manage; thats what we pay them for.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Carl Struthers, Dunedin

A busy Hulk Hogan was recovering from surgery at the time of his death | July 31

Get trained

I reviewed the code resuscitation sequence and radio report by Pinellas emergency management services, who did a wonderful job in attempting to resuscitate Hulk Hogan from sudden cardiac arrest. Unfortunately, it was unsuccessful, as many of these attempts are.

I do not know if bystanders in his home did CPR, nor if they had an automated external defibrillator (AED) in the home or nearby. But I do know that bystander CPR and quick use of an AED, well before EMS arrives, can significantly improve survival. Every minute of sudden cardiac arrest without CPR/defibrillation results in a 10% per minute decrease in the chance of survival.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The majority of sudden cardiac arrest occurs in the home. Please take a CPR/AED course and purchase an AED for your home or community, where every family member knows its location. Its a life insurance policy. Unlike typical life insurance policies, it only has to be purchased once instead of annually.

What better gift for your own community than to have the chance to save the life of your friends, neighbors, family or self one day. Split the community cost, and its minimal to save a life. And take a CPR/AED course given by the American Heart Association, Red Cross or many others.

Charlie Sand, MD, past president of the Florida American Heart Association, Tampa

  

Submit letters at www.tampabay.com/opinion/submit-letter/. Letters are edited for clarity and length.
The redacted police report outlining the investigation into the death of Emilie and Brady Kisers son Trigg revealed new details about the fatal incident.

In the redacted report obtained by Us Weekly on Friday, August 8, police officers noted that a pool covering had not been in place the day their 3-year-old son drowned.

On the southwest portion of the pool, I observed large netting and a fabric top rolls up onto PVC carriers, the documents read. These were covers for the pool that were not in use at the time. It was later learned that the covers were in place most of the time, but were recently removed so the family could enjoy the pool. They were never replaced.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Emilie, 26, and Bradys son Trigg drowned in the familys pool in May before he was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Trigg died after life-saving measures were attempted.

Inside Emilie Kisers Sons Redacted Police Report: Unsupervised for More Than 9 Minutes

Brady had been home alone with Trigg and the couples younger son, Teddy, while Emilie was out of the house. He said in a search warrant that he was distracted by Teddy and did not see Trigg wander outside and, while playing with an inflatable chair, fall into the pool.

Emilie, an influencer, has not publicly addressed her sons death or the resulting investigation. She has filed a lawsuit, petitioning the court to block the release of records about the circumstances of Triggs death.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Emilie is going through a parents worst nightmare right now. She lost her young son, her three-year-old Trigg Chapman Kiser (Trigg), on May 18, 2025, following a heartbreaking accidental drowning at the familys home on May 12, 2025, the lawsuit read. Emilie is trying her best to be there for her surviving son, two-month-old Theodore. But every day is a battle.

Emilie scored a legal victory on Friday, when the court ruled to redact details of the police investigation.

What to Know About the Investigation Into Death of Influencer Emilie Kisers Son After His Drowning

This case requires a difficult balancing between two strong but competing interests: the strong right the public has in examining government records under Arizonas Public Records Law, and the profound privacy rights of a grieving mother, the judge wrote in a letter obtained by Us. Courts recognize that privacy concerns can outweigh the publics right to know when disclosure would cause specific and material harm The balancing test is fact-specific: the proponent of non-disclosure must show a probability of harm that is significant enough to override the presumption of access.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Investigators also recommended that Brady be charged with a Class 4 felony charge of child abuse.

The Chandler Police Department has completed its investigation into the tragic drowning of three-year-old Trigg Kiser. Following a thorough review of the evidence, investigators have recommended a Class 4 felony charge of child abuse against Brady Kiser, a statement shared in July read. The case has now been submitted to the Maricopa County Attorneys Office for review.

Emilie Kisers Husband Was Watching Sons When He Lost Sight of Trigg Before Death: Report

After a formal investigation, the local Attorneys Office opted against pursuing charges.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Surveillance video from outside the home showed how the drowning occurred and the actual timeline of events, a statement read. In order to convict a person of this charge, the state has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt to a unanimous jury that the person failed to perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk, and that failure to perceive the risk was a gross deviation from the standard of care a reasonable person would show.

Bradys attorney Flynn Carey also released a statement.

We are grateful to law enforcement and the county attorney for conducting a thorough investigation and confirming that this was a tragic accident, Carey said. Brady remains in the midst of the grieving process and is thankful to be with his family as they heal together. We appreciate the compassion and support shown during this difficult time.

For more vital, life-saving information on pool safety, read Bode Millers tips and visit Coverstars website during Water Safety Awareness Month.
A faded billboard near the Tower of London declares that a disused site behind high walls is set to become a new mixed use campus with office, retail and leisure space.

That was the old plan for Royal Mint Court, where the coinage of the Realm was minted in buildings of 19th century grandeur for over 150 years until 1967.

The new plan is for the Peoples Republic of China to transform this venerable location, beside the gleaming high rises of the City and directly opposite the Tower of London, into a gigantic new embassy. A final decision on whether to allow China to proceed will be taken by Angela Rayner, the Housing Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, before Sept 9.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Just how big Chinas new embassy would be is disclosed by the original planning application, rejected by Tower Hamlets Borough Council in 2022, but called-in by Rayner for a definitive verdict.

Royal Mint Court spans 5.2 acres and its fine Georgian buildings and their modern additions boast an internal area exceeding 563,000 sq ft (52,300 sq m) - approaching twice the floorspace of Westminster Abbey.

If it goes ahead, Chinas new embassy would have a bigger site and a larger floor area than Americas, which is built on 4.9 acres of Battersea. Not only would Chinas new mission be the biggest in London, it would be the largest of its kind anywhere in Europe: it would even have 30 per cent more floorspace than the Chinese embassy in Washington.

There is simply no precedent for a diplomatic project of this scale on British soil. Plenty of concerns have been raised about the implications for national security but perhaps no-one has a better understanding of the potential dangers than people who are already bitterly familiar with the long reach of China.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When I first heard of that I was really frightened to be honest, says Chloe Cheung, a 20-year-old pro-democracy activist from Hong Kong. Its a really huge space in central London. Why would they need that?

Cheung left Hong Kong and moved to Britain with her family in 2020 after Beijing imposed a draconian National Security law on the territory. This bid to crush the pro-democracy movement caused over 150,000 of Hong Kongs people to seek refuge in Britain.

Now some wonder whether they will always be safe. On Christmas Eve last year, Hong Kongs police published an arrest warrant accusing Cheung of incitement to secession and collusion with a foreign country, and offering a bounty of HK$1 million (95,000) for information on this wanted person.

That was not because of anything Cheung had done in Hong Kong: she was only 14 when she left. Instead she was targeted for having dared campaign for democracy in her old home while living in Britain and working here for the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its because of what I did in this country: its only because of that that I was given a bounty, she explains.

Boris Johnson, then Foreign Secretary, allowed China to buy the Royal Mint Court site for 255 million in 2018 - Carl Court/Getty Images

Cheung was subjected to the arrest warrant and bounty under Hong Kongs National Security law, which punishes anything the authorities might define as subversion with life imprisonment. Most chillingly of all, Articles 37 and 38 say this law shall apply to anyone living anywhere in the world, setting no limits on who might become a target of the Chinese authorities.

Cheung fears this could help explain Chinas ambition to build a colossal new embassy in London.

The location is not about us but the size is more about us, she says. They want to have more space and more people to intimidate us, to do trans-national repression.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Her fears have been supported by Parliaments human rights committee, which on Aug 1 named China as a flagrant perpetrator of trans-national repression, targeting Hong Kongs pro-democracy campaigners and other supposed opponents for threats, harassment and intimidation on British soil.

While the latest version of the Diplomatic List names 139 Chinese diplomats based in London, the new embassy would include 225 residential flats, suggesting that China wants to increase its staffing by up to 60 per cent.

Cheung is deeply disturbed by that possibility. They could have a huge surveillance office inside Royal Mint Court and the British cannot do anything because it will be their sovereignty, their embassy, she says.

And its not just about giving them space: its about giving them face. Giving them the biggest embassy in London is like saying you are the most important country.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Already Cheung must vary her route every day and look over my shoulder before I get home to check no-one is following me.

Once, she says she was tailed through London by two men of Chinese appearance, who followed her into a restaurant where they simply stared at her, before disappearing into a nearby hotel.

Every time she writes an article or speaks in public, she is inundated with sexual harassment and threatening messages online.

It has affected my mental health, says Cheung. I have to be really cautious about meeting people.

The reality is that the Chinese are going to pursue you wherever you are. When I was placed on the bounty list they said they would chase us to the end of the world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She adds: We thought that it was going to be safe if you move here, but if you are vocal against the Hong Kong or Chinese authorities, you are constantly being harassed. When people think the UK is a safe haven for activists, its not necessarily the case for us from Hong Kong.

As for the new embassy, Cheung says it would make me feel a lot more endangered than right now. it would imply that the British Government are less and less willing to stand up for our safety.

Last month, Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, and David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, jointly condemned the National Security law, saying: This Government will continue to stand with the people of Hong Kong, including those who have made the UK their home. We take the protection of their rights, freedoms and safety very seriously, and will not tolerate any attempts by foreign Governments to coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm their critics overseas.

But words like these are of limited reassurance to George* (not his real name), a 22-year-old student from Hong Kong studying at a British university. Having attended some campus demonstrations in favour of democracy in Hong Kong, he now feels compelled to hide his real identity from the Telegraph.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We still think that the UK has free speech and the UK government and police wont allow the Chinese government to exercise trans-national repression over us, he says. So far I feel safe to live here.

But if the new embassy is constructed, George says: That would definitely change the way that we feel. The Royal Mint is a huge place so there may be a danger that the Chinese can bring their agents inside.

Fibre-optic cables serving the City and transmitting countless transactions criss-cross the area around the proposed embassy - SOPA Images

He warns of a chilling effect on anyone campaigning for democracy. Every Hong Konger in the UK may be free in body, but their minds are still in fear of the Chinese government. If the embassy is built, that may make this fear become bigger and bigger.

And George is struck by the internal contradiction in the British Governments position. You cant in one press release say the Chinese government is harming democracy and freedom in the UK and then, in the next press release, say were allowing them to build a big new embassy, he says.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In January, Cooper and Lammy publicly supported the new embassy on two conditions.

China would have to relinquish the seven diplomatic premises it already has in London and consolidate everything in the new embassy. In addition, China would have to build a gated barrier or fence to control public access to the forecourt of Royal Mint Court in order to reduce the risk of security incidents.

This conditional backing showed that the Government was, in principle, content for the embassy plan to go ahead. Back in 2018, Boris Johnson, then Foreign Secretary, allowed China to buy the Royal Mint Court site for 255 million, a decision that began the project.

But Royal Mint Court is next to the City of London, the biggest financial centre in Europe and the second most important in the world, representing the single most vital economic asset in the United Kingdom.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The fibre-optic cables serving the City and transmitting countless transactions criss-cross the area around the proposed embassy: a secure BT telephone exchange is directly adjacent to the site.

There is an irony in the fact that Angela Rayner is being asked to grant permission for this project not to a close ally but to a state described by Lammy in the House of Commons as a sophisticated and persistent threat.

But events this week suggest the British position may be changing. As Housing Secretary, Rayner has the final say and she has suddenly asked for further assurances. It turns out that plans for the new embassy submitted for her approval omit certain details for security reasons.

China aims to fill the imposing main building, completed in 1812, with reception rooms, offices and a banqueting hall. But a letter from Rayners department - revealed by Luke de Pulford, the Director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China - states that the internal physical arrangements in this plan have been greyed out in the version she received.

Plans for the basements of other buildings have also been concealed, along with the proposed layouts of the flats in the accommodation block.

In total, Rayners department has identified 52 redactions which appear to obscure key elements of what China proposes for all the main buildings on the embassy site. Redacting those details inevitably stirs suspicions that China intends to use secure underground facilities for espionage.

Rayner has given the planning consultancy engaged by Chinas regime until August 20 to rectify these omissions.

Her departments letter also discloses that China has not satisfied either of the conditions set by Lammy and Cooper. The plans do not include the new gated barrier or fence. And Rayner has asked the Foreign Office for an update on Chinas progress towards consolidation of accredited diplomatic premises, showing this has not been agreed.

A Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that the department would provide this update but declined any further comment.

De Pulford describes the letter from Rayners office as easily the most significant development in the embassy saga, adding that it was possible that the British Government was looking for reasons to say no and reject the scheme.

However, the spokesperson of Chinas Embassy in London says the resubmitted planning application for the new Chinese Embassy project has taken into full consideration the UKs planning policy and guidance as well as views of all relevant parties.

The spokesperson adds: It is hoped that the UK side will consider and approve this planning application based on merits of the matter.

Step by step, China is steadily extending its influence in Britain, from providing the technology for renewable energy to investing in research with UK universities and preparing to export even greater numbers of electric vehicles. A grand new embassy would be a fitting symbol of how Beijing is steadily entrenching its position and advancing its interests.

And part of Chinas plan, it seems, is to make it steadily harder for any British Government to provide people like Chloe Cheung with a safe refuge and the freedom to campaign for democracy in Hong Kong.

Like its predecessors, the Government wants to build a beneficial relationship with Beijing while also upholding Britains values - and this countrys status as a place where even those who are abhorred by Chinas brutally authoritarian leaders can still be safe.

But one day, the balancing act may become impossible and a choice will need to be made. If China is allowed to have the biggest embassy in London, a milestone may be passed.

We have told them that our safety is at risk from this mega-embassy, says Cheung. But if they still let it be built? If the UK government is walking backwards and the Chinese government is walking forwards?

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.
On 17 August, Indonesia will celebrate 80 years of independence  a moment that its leader Prabowo Subianto has said should be marked by citizens proudly displaying the countrys red and white national flag.

Yet its a very different kind of flag that has been flying off shelves ahead of Independence Day: one with a classic pirates skull and crossbones wearing a distinctive yellow straw hat.

Disgruntled Indonesians have drawn on the Jolly Roger from Japanese anime One Piece as a symbol of rebellion, and the flag is now appearing everywhere, from graffiti on streets to peoples car windows and balconies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

One Piece, a hugely popular Japanese manga and anime that also received a Netflix adaptation in 2023, has a massive fanbase in Indonesia. Protesters are drawing inspiration from the cartoons story about a group of pirates who band together against the forces of an authoritarian regime.

The use of the skull and crossbones symbol appears to have begun on Indonesian social media platforms earlier this year alongside student protests, dubbed Dark Indonesia, that swept across cities in response to budget cuts and growing military influence in civilian affairs.

Workers cut flags depicting a Jolly Roger from the popular Japanese anime and manga series 'One Piece', at a flag-seller in Karanganyar, central Java province (Reuters)

Indonesian artist Kemas Muhammad Firdaus, 28, a mural artist in West Javas Bekasi district, told Reuters he was painting the pirate sign as a form of protest against government corruption and unemployment.

Many Indonesians are hoisting the One Piece flag because they want the government to listen to them, said Mr Kemas.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In central Javas Karanganyar district, flag-maker Dendi Christanto said demand for custom One Piece pirate flags has surged so dramatically in the past month that hes had to stop taking new orders.

The movement taps into a long tradition of student activism in Indonesia, where protests have historically flared into unrest, most notably in 1998, when mass demonstrations brought down President Suharto after 32 years in power.

A worker holds a replica of the pirate flag from Japanese anime 'One Piece' (AFP via Getty Images)

The spread of the Jolly Roger has not gone unnoticed: the deputy house speaker in the countrys parliament called the trend divisive, while another lawmaker went as far as to label it borderline treason.

This week, local media reported that authorities in East Java had seized several One Piece flags, in a move Amnesty International condemned as excessive.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

They didnt have to do all that, accusing them of dividing Indonesia  thats wrong, Mr Kemas said. Its just art.

President Prabowos office denied any involvement, saying the government had not ordered the confiscations.

A Jolly Roger skull and bone symbol topped with a straw hat from Japan's anime series 'One Piece' has caused concern among officials in Jakarta that it is being used to criticise president Prabowo Subianto's policies (AFP via Getty Images)

But security minister Budi Gunawan said flying the One Piece flag before the countrys 80th Independence Day is a crime and disrespects the national flag. He warned that the government would take legal action to protect state symbols.

The deputy speaker, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, also reportedly said that we have detected and received input from security agencies that there is indeed an attempt to divide unity. My appeal to all the nations children is to unite and fight against such things.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a Medium post, Mulawarman University student Farhan Rizqullah wrote: The flag they were talking about was the Jolly Roger of the Straw Hat Pirates, Luffys goofy, grinning skull wearing his signature straw hat. It was the symbol of the lovable crew I had just watched sail off into the sunset.

As Indonesia's Independence Day approaches, red and white flags will be flown across the country, but a viral anime pirate banner has drawn government threats (AFP via Getty Images)

And now, a real-world government, the government of Indonesia, the worlds third-largest democracy, was treating this cartoon emblem as a legitimate threat to national security. It was being called a provocation, a systematic movement to divide the nation, and a symbol of potential treason.

Ubedilah Badrun, a sociology lecturer at Jakarta State University, said the government should listen to its people rather than overreact to the flying of One Piece flag by branding it an act of rebellion.

In terms of sociopolitical symbolism, any symbol that emerges massively in public arenas, including on social media, is an expression of citizens to convey something, he told Tempo.
Guest Opinion. On August 14, 2019, I took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the Cherokee Nation. My oath requires me to defend against the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians attacks on our sovereignty and treaty rights with the United States. In seeking an amendment to a federal statute, I am defending our Nation just as Chief Wilma Mankiller once did.

The Cherokee Nation has existed from time immemorial. We have an unbroken relationship with the federal government. We are the exclusive tribe party to every Cherokee treaty with the United States. That includes the Treaty of 1866, the agreement which is the very basis for the Cherokee Nation Reservation.

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

Although our government was shackled at times by failed federal Indian policy, the Cherokee Nation was never extinguished and continues to thrive today, continuing to invest in our communities across the Cherokee Nation Reservation. Even in 1839 when we were nearly divided beyond repair, our ancestors forged the Act of Union and a new constitution, forever mending our wounded nation so that it could continue on, as set forth in the Act of Union, as one unbroken body politic.

In 1946 Congress authorized recognition of the Keetoowah Indians of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, described as a band of Indians. The UKB achieved recognition in 1950.

Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr.

Contrary to the UKBs claims, they do not trace any governmental authority to the Old Settlers which organized before the Trail of Tears and which, in any case, was absorbed into the Cherokee Nation by the 1839 Act of Union. The 20th century UKB is simply a tribal government formed as a band of Cherokees in 1950.

In 1991 Chief Mankiller secured for our nation an extra measure of protection against growing UKB hostilities. Congress passed a law, effective in 1992, requiring Cherokee Nations consent, before any other tribe could put land into trust within our reservation. The law codified the protection that every other tribe in the country enjoys under federal Indian law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Chief Mankiller was right. After all, the Treaty of 1866, our last treaty with the United States signed nearly a century before the UKB was created, is the basis for our jurisdictional boundaries, which has consistently been recognized by the federal government and federal courts.

In 1998 UKB lobbyists quietly placed a rider in a federal appropriations bill for fiscal year 1999 that remains on the books. The rider was simple: it changed consent to consultation. The change led to questions about whether the UKB could place land into trust within a tribal jurisdiction that belonged solely to Cherokee Nation by treaty.

The 1999 rider did nothing to undermine the status of Cherokee Nation as the same tribe today that existed before the founding of the United States or our unbroken relationship with the United States. But it creates uncertainty and undermines our rights.

The UKB uses the 1999 rider to attack the Cherokee Nation sovereignty. Most recently a Biden administration political appointee at the Department of the Interior gave some short-lived credence to some of the UKBs claims in a legal opinion on his last day and last hours in office. That absurd legal opinion was quickly suspended. Likewise, the Courts and the Congress have never adopted UKBs claims that it essentially has the same, or even a superior, claim to the 19th century Cherokee treaties as the Cherokee Nation. Yet, the 1999 rider hangs over us.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Uncertainty over the status and the authority of our two tribes creates chaos and danger. The UKB, lacking any authority to engage in law enforcement activities across the reservation, actively and unlawfully arrests people across the Cherokee Nation Reservation. Peoples safety, lives and liberty are at stake. Just as offensive: UKBs phony claims to our treaty rights and our reservation is the theft of our very history. Those claims are lies.

That is the reason why I have asked Congress to fix the 1999 rider building upon the language secured by Chief Mankiller. As an act of fairness to the UKB, I have asked Congress to allow the 76 acres containing the UKBs government complex to remain in trust. The legislation does nothing to undermine the authority of the UKB as a band of Indians authorized in 1946. It simply serves as a check on the UKBs ridiculous claims that, notwithstanding its 20th century origins, it somehow possesses Cherokee Nation treaty rights and governing authority established in the 19th century. The truth of history and the rule of law will prevail.

I cannot keep my oath if I stand by and watch the UKB assert authority over the reservation secured by our ancestors in the 19th century following the Trail of Tears. I cannot do it, and I will not do it. As long as I hold this office, I will keep my oath. I will defend, undeterred, Cherokee Nation against attacks by the UKB and their flawed opportunistic view of history.

Learn more at CherokeeFacts.com

Chuck Hoskin, Jr. is the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.
Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question youd like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com.

Why do we sneeze?  Naomi, 9, San Francisco, California Why do people sneeze with their eyes closed? Is there a way for people to sneeze with their eyes open?  Carlos, 11, Riverview, Florida Why do adults make a loud noise when they sneeze?  Artie, 8, Brooklyn, New York

Aaaaa-choo! While your first thought may be to say Gesundheit! your second might be to ask: Where did that sneeze come from?

Sneezing is a phenomenon that occurs in both people and animals. It happens when your body forcibly expels air from your lungs through your nose and mouth.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Most of the time, sneezing happens when something infectious, like a virus or bacteria, or irritating, like an allergen or chemical, enters your nostrils. Your body uses sneezing as a defense mechanism to clear your nose of mucus  also known as snot  and prevent foreign objects and particles from entering your airway.

But sneezing can also occur as a reaction to more unusual stimuli.

Chemicals like piperine or capsaicin found in foods like black pepper and chili peppers can irritate the nerve endings inside your noses mucous membranes and lead to a sneeze.

Another type of sneeze is psychogenic, meaning its caused by something more mental than physical. Though not fully understood, researchers believe it occurs when a strong emotion triggers your brain to send a chemical signal to your nose that makes you sneeze.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And finally, about one in four people experience something called photosneezia, or a photic sneeze reflex, where light, particularly sunlight, can trigger a sneeze.

Is it possible to sneeze without closing your eyes?

Despite a popular myth that sneezing with your eyes open will make them pop out, its actually possible to keep your eyes open when you sneeze.

Closing your eyes during a sneeze is an autonomic reflex. This means that your body does it without you needing to consciously think about it. Scientists believe that your body makes your eyes close when you sneeze to decrease the likelihood of germs getting into them.

Its possible to fight that reflex and intentionally keep your eyes open. But it might be better to keep them closed to avoid getting the germs you expelled into your eyes.

Sneezes are powerful for a reason! The force helps expel unwanted particles from your nose to protect your airway. Lester V. Bergman/Corbis Documentary via Getty Images

Why do you make noises when you sneeze?

Some people have very loud sneezes, while others have more delicate sneezes.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The noise you make when you sneeze is a result of air escaping your mouth or nose. Generally, the more air you breathe in, the louder your sneeze will be. Like closing your eyes, inhaling prior to a sneeze is largely a reflex but could be consciously controlled as well.

Some people even hold in or swallow their sneezes, though health experts dont recommend this due to potential risk for injury. Some sneezes can be so powerful they expel mucous droplets as forcefully as 100 miles per hour!

What is proper sneezing etiquette?

Although sneezing is sometimes just a reflex, or the result of an allergy or chemical irritation, sneezing can also be a symptom of a contagious illness or upper respiratory infection.

When you feel the urge to sneeze, best practice is to sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve to catch the germs that may come out with the air you expelled. If you caught your sneeze with a tissue or touched your nose and mouth, good hand hygiene, like washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer, is especially important to help prevent spreading germs.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Whether you sneeze with your eyes open or closed, loudly or quietly, covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze and washing your hands for 20 seconds after can help protect others from getting sick.

Hello, curious kids! Do you have a question youd like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. Please tell us your name, age and the city where you live.

And since curiosity has no age limit  adults, let us know what youre wondering, too. We wont be able to answer every question, but we will do our best.

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: Meg Sorg, Purdue University

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more:



Meg Sorg does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday emphasised India's priority to become "self-reliant" in the technology sector, stating that the country will soon have its "Made-in-India" chip as the semiconductor mission gains momentum. PM Modi was speaking at the 'Next-Gen Mobility for a Next-Gen City' programme in Bengaluru. Following the event, he also held a road show. The Prime Minister stressed that the journey of "Viksit Bharat" will move forward hand in hand with the Digital India initiative. He noted that with the India AI Mission, the country is advancing towards global AI leadership. "Our next big priority should be becoming self-reliant in technology. The journey to a Viksit Bharat will move forward hand in hand with Digital India. Through initiatives like the India AI Mission, India is advancing toward global AI leadership. He added that the Semiconductor Mission is also gaining momentum, and India will soon have its own Made-in-India chip", PM Modi said. The Prime Minister informed about India's digital revolution, stating that more than 50 per cent of the world's digital transactions are done through UPI (Unified Payments Interface). PM Modi said that digital solutions have reached every village of India, and with the help of technology, the government is bridging the gap between itself and citizens. "The reach of digital solutions has reached every village. More than 50% of the world's real-time transactions are done through UPI in India. With the help of technology, we are bridging the gap between the government and citizens," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister asserted that the Union Government is also investing in Artificial Intelligence and emphasised the commitment to the benefits of the digital revolution in the country, reaching each person in society. "Now we are also investing in technologies like AI-powered threat detection. Our effort is to ensure that the benefits of the digital revolution in the country reach each person in society. Bengaluru is working actively in this effort," the Prime Minister said. Prime Minister emphasised that the country's economy is progressing rapidly and the country is firmly on its way to becoming the third largest global economy "We are rapidly moving towards becoming the top third economy. This speed came to us from the spirit of reform, perform, and transform. This speed came to us from clear intention and honest efforts. In 2014, Metro was limited to only five cities. And now there is a network of more than 1000 km in 24 cities... Before 2014, about 20,000 km of rail route was electrified... We have electrified more than 40,000 km of rail route in the last 11 years itself... Till 2014, there were only 74 airports in India. Now their number has increased to more than 160... The figures for waterways are also equally impressive. In 2014, only 3 national waterways were operational. Now this number has increased to 30," the Prime Minister said. He further said that in the last 11 years, India's economy has risen from 10th place to the top five. "We are now moving rapidly towards becoming one of the top three economies," he said. Addressing a public event in Bengaluru, PM Modi pushed for improving the standards of 'Make in India' products with "zero defect and zero effect".He expressed his desire for the youth of Bengaluru and Karnataka to lead his vision of "Atmanirbhar Bharat." "We have to strengthen the presence of Bengaluru and Karnataka in 'Make in India'. I urge that our products should be of the standards of 'Zero Defect, Zero Effect'. That is, there should be defect-free products, and their manufacturing should also not have any negative impact on the environment. I expect that the talent of Karnataka will lead this vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'", the Prime Minister said. Focusing on India's infrastructural development over the past 11 years, PM Modi noted that in 2014, the country's metro facilities were limited to just five cities. Since then, the network has expanded to 1000 km, now accessible in 24 cities. The PM stressed that India is working rapidly towards becoming the world's third-largest economy, and its dedication has come from the mantra of "reform, perform, and transform". "We are rapidly moving towards becoming the third-largest economy. This speed came to us from the spirit of reform, perform, and transform. This speed came to us from clear intention and honest efforts. In 2014, Metro was limited to only five cities. And now there is a network of more than 1000 km in 24 cities," the Prime Minister said. PM Modi noted that before 2014, only 20,000 km of rail route were electrified. In contrast, over the past 11 years, more than 40,000 km of railway tracks have been electrified. "Before 2014, about 20,000 km of rail route was electrified... We have electrified more than 40,000 km of rail route in the last 11 years itself... Till 2014, there were only 74 airports in India. Now their number has increased to more than 160... The figures for waterways are also equally impressive. In 2014, only 3 national waterways were operational. Now this number has increased to 30," PM said. Emphasising that India's achievements are soaring not just on land but also in the skies, the Prime Minister highlighted that in 2014, India had only 74 airports, and today, the number has increased to over 160. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are meeting in Anchorage to discuss how to end the war in Ukraine.

The venue for the high-profile meeting is Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson - a US military installation on the northern edge of Alaska's most populated city.

The two leaders shook hands on the red carpet connecting their two planes on the base's tarmac, and appeared to exchange pleasantries. They then rode in Trump's limousine to the venue where their talks are taking place.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

White House officials have said the base satisfied security requirements for hosting the two world leaders. And, during the height of summer tourism, there were few other options for the hastily arranged meeting.

Three rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine this summer, held at Trump's behest, have yet to bring the two sides any closer to peace.

Here is what we know about the venue of these talks, and what we can expect from the meeting - as well as the key timings.

What time are Trump and Putin meeting and for how long?

Trump and Putin began discussions around 11:00 local time (20:00 BST) after briefly appearing before the world's media.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Putin was asked questions by journalists, including "when will you stop killing civilians?" and "why should Trump trust your words"? The responses from Putin and Trump were inaudible over the shouting reporters.

They are meeting face-to-face joined by translators. Each side has also selected two top presidential aides to join the talks.

Ahead of the meeting, Russian officials told reporters that the discussions could take up to seven hours. The leaders are also expected to have lunch together.

A news conference is expected, however it is unclear whether the two men will appear together at a joint press conference or speak separately. Trump will also do an interview with Fox News during his time in Alaska.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The US president is then scheduled to leave Anchorage and head back to the White House around 17:45 Alaska time (02:45 BST on Saturday).

Why are Putin and Trump meeting?

Trump has been pushing hard - without much success - to end the war in Ukraine.

As a presidential candidate, he pledged that he could end the war within 24 hours of taking office. He has also repeatedly argued that the war "never would have happened" had he been president at the time of Russia's 2022 invasion.

Last month, Trump told the BBC that he was "disappointed" by Putin.

Frustrations grew and Trump set an 8 August deadline for Putin to agree to an immediate ceasefire or face more severe US sanctions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

As the deadline hit, Trump instead announced he and Putin would meet in person on 15 August.

Ahead of the meeting, the White House sought to play down speculation the bilateral could yield a ceasefire. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described it as a "listening exercise".

Speaking to Fox News Radio on Thursday, Trump said there is a "25% chance that this meeting will not be a successful meeting".

Why are they meeting in Alaska?

The US purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867, lending a historical resonance to the meeting. It became a US state in 1959.

Russian presidential assistant Yuri Ushakov pointed out that the two countries are neighbours, with only the Bering Strait separating them.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It seems quite logical for our delegation simply to fly over the Bering Strait and for such an important and anticipated summit of the leaders of the two countries to be held in Alaska," Ushakov said.

The Russian delegation may be intending for the trip to highlight how territories can change hands, as a road map for their hoped for outcome in Ukraine. The visit to the US also comes after years of Putin being declared a pariah by the US and European nations.

The last time Alaska took centre-stage in an American diplomatic event was in March 2021, when Joe Biden's newly minted diplomatic and national security team met their Chinese counterparts in Anchorage.

The sit-down turned acrimonious, with the Chinese accusing the Americans of "condescension and hypocrisy".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In Anchorage there have been few signs of the impending high-stakes meeting, except for the international media that have descended on the area.

Journalists are rubbing elbows with holidaymakers from the "lower 48" states on visits to the Alaskan wilderness during the height of the tourist season.

[BBC]

Is Ukraine attending?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not invited to attend the talks, but he published a message on Friday welcoming them.

Zelensky called on Russia to "end the war that it itself has started", and said the meeting "is needed".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Security guarantees are needed. Lasting peace is needed," he wrote on X. "Everyone knows the key objectives. I want to thank everyone who is helping to achieve real results."

Trump said on Monday that Zelensky has "been to a lot of meetings" .

Trump did, however, say that the Ukrainian leader would be the first person he would call afterwards.

Trump and Zelensky met virtually on Wednesday and were joined by several European leaders.

Putin had requested that Zelensky be excluded, although the White House has previously said that Trump was willing to hold a trilateral in which all three leaders were present.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

On Thursday, Trump reiterated that his meeting with Putin could lead to a second meeting, which could include Zelensky.

Zelensky has said any agreements without input from Ukraine would amount to "dead decisions".

Russia seemed to revel in Ukraine's absence from the talks, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov wearing a shirt bearing the acronym for the Soviet Union on his sweater as he arrived in Alaska.

Reporters flying with the Russian delegation were served chicken kyiv on the plane. The dish, a chicken cutlet made of pounded chicken breast meat and filled with garlic butter, bears the name of the Ukrainian capital.

Who is attending the meetings?

Putin is being joined at the negotiation table by Lavrov and foreign policy adviser Ushakov.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lavrov and Ushakov are veteran diplomats who are central to shaping Russian foreign policy.

Lavrov has led the foreign ministry for over 20 years and Ushakov, a key presidential adviser for more than a decade, previously served as Russia's ambassador to the US.

Despite Putin being able to speak English, although he rarely does, both leaders will be joined by their translators.

Trump will also be joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

Before joining the state department, Rubio was considered a Russia hawk as a senator.

"To achieve a peace, I think we all recognise that there'll have to be some conversation about security guarantees," he told reporters at the state department on Thursday.

"There'll have to be some conversation about... territorial disputes and claims, and what they're fighting over."

The meeting in Alaska comes after US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff held "highly productive" talks with Putin in Moscow earlier this month, according to Trump.

What do both sides hope to get out of it?

While both Russia and Ukraine have long said that they want the war to end, both countries want things that the other harshly opposes.

Trump said on Monday he was "going to try to get some of that [Russian-occupied] territory back for Ukraine". But he also warned that there might have to be "some swapping, changes in land".

Ukraine, however, has been adamant that it will not accept Russian control of regions that Moscow has seized, including Crimea.

Zelensky pushed back this week against any idea of "swapping" territories.

"We will not reward Russia for what it has perpetrated," the Ukrainian president said.

Meanwhile, Putin has not budged from his territorial demands, Ukraine's neutrality and the future size of its army.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in part, over Putin's belief the Western defensive alliance, Nato, was using the neighbouring country to gain a foothold to bring its troops closer to Russia's borders.

Ultimately, Putin's "central objective lies in obtaining... the geopolitical 'neutralisation' of Ukraine", according to analyst Tatyana Stanovaya.

"It is extremely difficult to convey what is truly at stake... as people often simply cannot accept that Putin might want so much - and be serious about it. Unfortunately, he can."

[BBC]

The Trump administration has been attempting to sway European leaders on a ceasefire deal that would hand over swathes of Ukrainian territory to Russia, the BBC's US partner CBS News has reported.

The agreement would allow Russia to keep control of the Crimean peninsula, and take the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, which is made up of Donetsk and Luhansk, according to sources familiar with the talks.

Russia illegally occupied Crimea in 2014 and its forces control the majority of the Donbas region.

Under the deal, Russia would have to give up the Ukrainian regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, where it currently has some military control.

What is Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson?

With roots tracing back to the Cold War, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is Alaska's largest military base. The 64,000 acre installation is a key US site for Arctic military readiness.

Snow-capped mountains, icy lakes and picturesque glaciers frame the base, which regularly shivers through temperatures as low as -12C (15F) in winter. However the leaders have a comparatively pleasant temperatures of around 16C (61F) on Friday.

When Trump visited the base during his first term, in 2019, he said the troops there "serve in our country's last frontier as America's first line of defence".

More than 30,000 people live on the site, accounting for approximately 10% of the population of Anchorage.

Built in 1940, the base was a critical air defence site and central command point to ward off threats from the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

At its peak in 1957, it hosted 200 fighter jets, and multiple air traffic control and early warning radar systems, earning it the nickname of "Top Cover for North America".

The base continues to grow today due to its strategic location and training facilities.
A growing number of U.S. politicians are condemning a new British law that requires some websites and apps  including some based in the United States  to check the ages of users across the pond.

A bipartisan group of members of Congress visited London recently to meet counterparts and air their concerns about the U.K.s Online Safety Act, which went into effect July 25. Vice President JD Vance has been criticizing the law for months, as have privacy advocates who argue that the law infringes on free expression and disproportionately hurts vulnerable groups.

Vance criticized the U.K. again on Friday, this time in person at the start of a visit to the country. Sitting alongside British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and speaking to reporters, Vance warned the U.K. against going down a very dark path of online censorship that he said was trod earlier by the Biden administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The U.K. Online Safety Act is aimed at preventing children from accessing potentially harmful material online, and internet companies are now asking British users to verify their ages in a variety of ways, including with photos of their IDs, through a credit card provider or with selfies analyzed via age-check software.

But the sweeping nature of the law has caught some Britons by surprise. Theyre being asked to prove their age not only for pornography websites but also before they can listen to songs with explicit lyrics or access message boards to discuss sensitive subjects. Reddit, for example, is restricting access to various pages including r/stopsmoking, r/STD and r/aljazeera.

Reddit said in a post about its enforcement of the law that for people in the U.K., it was now verifying ages before they can view certain mature content. A spokesperson for the company said r/STD  a message board focused on questions of sexual health  is restricted because of explicit images. They said r/stopsmoking is restricted because it deals with harmful substances and that r/aljazeera  which is not affiliated with the news organization of the same name but deals with similar topics  is restricted because it depicts serious injury or violence.

To get around the new law, the use of virtual private network software that can mask a persons location, also known as VPNs, has surged in the U.K.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The primary argument of U.S. politicians who oppose the law is that they dont want American tech companies to have to comply, even if theyre serving British customers.

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said he raised his objections with U.K. government officials during meetings in London at the end of July. In a statement after his return, he said the law and other European regulations create a serious chilling effect on free expression and threaten the First Amendment rights of American citizens and companies.

We absolutely need to protect children and keep harmful, illegal content off these platforms  but when governments or bureaucracies suppress speech in the name of safety or regulation, it sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the core of Western democratic values, Jordan said.

The issue may come to a head in a couple of different venues. That could be the courts if any tech companies file lawsuits over the law, or it could come up in trade negotiations if President Donald Trump decides to press the issue with British politicians, although they say its not open to debate in trade talks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Marc Andreessen, a venture capitalist and Meta board member with close ties to the Trump administration, recently called U.K. leaders to complain about the law, the Financial Times reported Friday. A spokesperson for Andreessen said the report was not true.

The U.K.s Online Safety Act is one of the most comprehensive national laws that any democracy has ever passed to try to curtail potentially harmful content online in the name of children. Parliament passed the law in 2023, and the government went through two years of writing detailed rules before putting the law into effect last month.

The law is notable for a combination of reasons: the variety of content it applies to, the potential fines and the possible international reach.

A wide array of content is at issue. While the primary focus of the law is online material such as pornography and suicide, it also requires websites to age-gate content with bullying, serious violence, dangerous stunts and exposure to harmful substances. That has covered relatively mainstream services such as Spotify and Microsofts Xbox gaming system.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Companies that dont comply face potential fines of up to 10% of their global revenue, which for the biggest companies could be billions of dollars. The British regulator Ofcom, short for Office of Communications, says companies must use highly effective age assurance to restrict the riskiest types of content.

And the U.K. has not been adamant that it wont allow international borders to stymie enforcement. Ofcom says it plans to apply the law to services with a significant number of U.K. users, services where U.K. users are a target market and services that are capable of being accessed by U.K. users with a material risk of significant harm to such users.

The law appears to retain strong support among the British public. About 69% said they supported the new rules in a YouGov poll taken after implementation began, and 46% said they supported it strongly. But 52% said they do not think the law will be very effective at preventing minors from accessing pornography.

The law was passed during a previous, Conservative-led government and took effect under the current, Labour-led government.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

But the far-right party Reform U.K. is pushing for a repeal of the law. Party leader Nigel Farage, a former member of Parliament, has called it state suppression of genuine free speech, and his party is running high in polls.

Millions of people have noticed that what theyre getting on their feeds is different to what it was, Farage said at a recent news conference.

Farage also met with visiting members of Congress last week, and the talks turned heated with Farage and Democrats exchanging insults, according to Politico, although the dispute appeared to be more about Trumps free speech restrictions than about the U.K. law.

Reform U.K. leader Nigel Farage. (Dan Kitwood / Getty Images)

Most U.S.-based tech companies say they are complying with the new law. Microsoft said in a blog post that Xbox users in the U.K. would begin seeing notifications encouraging them to verify their age as a one-time process, with actual enforcement starting next year. If users dont comply, Microsoft warned, theyll lose access to social features of Xbox but will still be able to play games.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Discord said it was implementing new default settings for all U.K. users, in effect treating everyone like a minor with heavy content filtering unless they verify that theyre adults. Discord says users can choose to verify their age either with a face scan or an ID upload.

Elon Musks X has also restricted posts, including information about the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, according to the BBC. X and Musk did not respond to requests for comment.

But a few services are not complying. The far-right social media site Gab, which allows white supremacist views and other extremist content, said in a notice on its website that it had received notices from Ofcom and, rather than comply, decided to block the entire U.K. from accessing its site. The company said in the notice: We refuse to comply with this tyranny.

Preston Byrne, a U.S. lawyer who specializes in technology issues, has said on X that he plans to file a lawsuit soon on behalf of an unnamed client seeking to quash possible enforcement of the British law within the United States.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The subject has been simmering for months ahead of the laws implementation, and it came up in February when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the White House.

In an Oval Office meeting, a reporter asked Trump what he thought of the U.K. approach to free speech, and Trump tossed the question to Vance, who expressed concern.

We do have, of course, a special relationship with our friends in the U.K. and also with some of our European allies. But we also know that there have been infringements on free speech that actually affect not just the British  of course, what the British do in their own country is up to them  but also affect American technology companies and, by extension, American citizens, he said.

Starmer defended his governments approach.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Weve had free speech for a very, very long time in the United Kingdom, and it will last for a very, very long time. Certainly, we wouldnt want to reach across U.S. systems and we dont, and thats absolutely right, he said.

British Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy later said the U.K. would not make any changes to the Online Safety Act as part of trade negotiations with the Trump administration.

American privacy advocates are watching the debate play out with alarm, concerned that similar age verification laws  like new state laws targeting the Apple and Google app stores  would upend the internet closer to home.

Young people should be able to access information, speak to each other and to the world, play games, and express themselves online without the government making decisions about what speech is permissible, wrote Paige Collings, a senior speech and privacy activist at the San Francisco-based Electronic Frontier Foundation, in a blog post Tuesday.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
These 18-year-old triplets are using social media to "plant the seed" of faith, spreading a message of joy and fulfillment found in Jesus. Gage, Till and Kaden Helms  known online as 3n1trilogy  spoke with Fox News Digital about why Generation Z is turning to faith in search of purpose, peace and real happiness.

Gage believes, despite all the negative content on social media, God is using it for good through Christian influencers.

"He's choosing this generation. This generation is the chosen generation," said Gage.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The brothers say they launched their social media platform to reach other young people with the gospel, and to show that following Jesus isnt just fulfilling, but also bold.

"Me and my brothers here have just basically started a Christian platform and just spread the gospel at a young age and trying to encourage others to find Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life," Till said.

Catholicism Sees Major Resurgence Among Gen Z, With Young Men Leading The Revival

Read On The Fox News App

"We just want to be bold for the gospel, share the good news of Jesus and let people know that they can be bold for Jesus, and don't be ashamed of that," Kaden said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Just last year, the triplets didnt even have Instagram. They convinced their mom to let them join so they could begin posting content rooted in Scripture.

"It's pretty evil and a lot of wrong is on it and a lot of bad things. But we can use it for good," Gage said of the social media platform.

They launched their account from their moms phone, and kept using it until they hit more than 220,000 followers. The moment things changed? One back-to-school video.

In the video, the boys encourage kids to be "the light" at school, from being bold in speaking out about faith or just by being kind, like by sitting with someone alone at the lunch table.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We put it into perspective, so we live in Charlotte, and we were like, okay, the Panthers Stadium holds 80,000 people [That] video got more views [than] the Panthers stadium in one night. Holy moly!" Till said.

After this, they realized, "Okay, we can really make a positive impact, or the Lord can make a positive through us on social media," Till added.

The Helms brothers believe their generation is "hungry" for true fulfillment, and they can find that through faith.

"I think our generation is more hungry for Jesus than ever. And, you know, like back in our parents' generation where they were growing up, there was no social media. And I think social media has been used for such a horrible thing. And one, it makes people have anxiety or depressed and where they compare themselves to others, you know? And so I think with Jesus he brings true freedom and true peace and true fulfillment," said Till.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Dangerous Or An Opportunity? Social Media As Venue For Discussing Politics Debated By Young Conservatives

Kaden and Gage said Gen Z is beginning to turn away from things that dont satisfy, and toward something eternal.

Gage emphasized that the world today is "empty," and young people are realizing that often things in this world bring short-term satisfaction but not real fulfillment.

Kaden said people feel the need to have fun by "sleeping around, lusting after women on Instagram, going to parties and doing drugs," but ultimately it doesn't compare to a relationship with Jesus.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"You're just chasing more and more, and it can never fulfill you, but you know Jesus' love overflows your cup, and it'll fulfill you, so that's what they're not finding," Kaden said.

Sen. Tim Scott Outlines The Importance Of Faith In Everyday Life

Even as their platform has exploded, the brothers say they remain grounded in faith  and focused on their mission.

"Every day I wake up with the joy, like no matter how bad this day may seem, I have Jesus on my side, like Jesus got me and I had the joy of Jesus living so it's so funit's such a freedom," Kaden said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kaden, Gage and Till will attend Gardner-Webb University this fall and will also be wrestling at the school.

Watch the Helms brothers appear on "Fox & Friends" on Monday at 6:50 AM ET.





Original article source: Why these viral Christian teens believe Gen Z is The Chosen Generation
Aug. 10---- The

on Monday approved the proposed 2026

budget in the amount of $710,958.

This is a decrease from the 2025 budget of $1,520,669 due to the expiration of one-time child care grant funding, according to the memorandum included in the council's packet of meeting materials.

The projected 2026 revenue totals $710,958, which includes a tax levy of $664,959, and its projected expenditures are $710,958 for a balanced budget. The county tax levy request is an increase of $24,109, or 4.25%, from the 2025 county tax levy, according to the memorandum.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The budget presentation Aug.11, 2025, was the first time Kandiyohi County Economic Development Executive Director Barbara Carr presented a report to the council since she started in that position in April.

"Thank you for having me, and I wanted to first say hello to some of you that I haven't met before, and I look forward to getting a chance to spend some time with you," she told the council. "I've been here since April 16, and there's been a lot of different changes that have happened within the organization, but I'm really excited to share with you today's budget."

Shortly after Carr was hired, Business Development Manager Michelle Marotzke resigned to take another economic development position for the cities of Preston and Lanesboro in southeast Minnesota. Marketing and public relations specialist Kelsey Olson also is no longer employed by Kandiyohi County Economic Development.

According to recent discussions during meetings of the Kandiyohi County Economic Development Joint Operations Board and Joint Powers Board, a replacement should be hired soon for the business development manager position and the office will either contract for marketing and public relations needs or hire an intern to assist.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Carr gave a short presentation about Kandiyohi County Economic Development, which was formed in 2003 as the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission through special legislation by the state of Minnesota. While that is still the legal name by which the organization is known, it changed to Kandiyohi County Economic Development in 2024 for marketing purposes.

Carr explained that the mission is to be a catalyst for economic growth for the greater

area and she went over the ways in which the organization achieves its mission.

Carr said the current strategic plan for the organization will be expiring at the end of 2026 and the organization will be working on updating that in 2026.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She also noted information that she received Monday regarding a reduction in available funding from the

There is a $6.5 million cut in funding for business and community development in the state, a $6 million cut in funding for job creation and a $2 million cut in funding for redevelopment. However, funding for child care is being maintained.

"This is just to give you an overall picture of some of the future grant funds that may or may not be available to us, and we've been discussing this with many of our partners about how can we provide a more regional economic development path for receiving those funds," Carr told the City Council.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11)  The annual Summer Fest held at Japan Village in Brooklyn officially returns on August 23, offering a fun-filled day full of food, games, and cultural performances.

This year, Summer Fest also offers three contests, rewarding winners with round-trip tickets to Kuroishi, Yamaguchi, and Morioka City in Japan.

More Local News

The Kuroishi Yosare and Ouchi no Tonosama dance contests are free and do not require registration. Those who want to participate just need to hop onto the stage and dance.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Round-trip tickets and hotel vouchers will be given to the best dancer in each contest.

Registration for the Soba Eating Contest is at 12:30 p.m. at the Japan Village courtyard. The first 100 people to register will get a raffle ticket for a chance to participate. The raffle drawing is held at 2 p.m.

Participants must sign a liability waiver as Soba contains allergens.

The event runs from 1 to 6 p.m. at Japan Village at 934 3rd Avenue. Visit the event website for a full schedule of events.

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A 56-year-old Moore County woman was charged with a girls death and injury to a woman related to a boat crash on Harris Lake on Aug. 2.

AnneMarie Flanigan was arrested Aug. 5 and held on a $500,000 secured bond in the Chatham County Jail.

That follows the Aug. 2 arrest of the boats pilot, Quentin Kight, 40, who was charged with being under the influence in the unintentional death of Brooklyn Mae Carroll, 10, and injuries to Jennifer Stehle, a Wake County Schools social worker.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Kight is also being held on a $500,000 bond.

Both Flanigan and Kight live at the same address in the 700 block of Daphne Lane, east of Vass, west of Lake Surf, in Moore County.

According to an ABC 11 report, Flanigan owns the boat and was on it at the time of the incident. There were more than 10 people on the boat and nearly 90 empty alcohol containers on the boat or outside of it, but Flanigan was not under the influence, according to the TV station.

She is charged with two of the same felonies as Kight, but is also charged with aiding and abetting, a misdemeanor.

She was arrested by the Southern Pines Police Department stemming from Oct. 24, 2024. In that case, she was charged with reckless driving, speeding and expired tag. She pleaded guilty to speeding and the other two charges were dismissed, according to eCourts. She paid $286 in fines and fees.
A California woman claims genetic testing done last year proves what her mother Patricia told her all her life: her father is the acclaimed, late sculptor Frederick Eversley.

Kelly Krechmer, 54, claims in papers filed in a Manhattan Surrogate Court she is entitled to a chunk of the artists $39 million estate.

Krechmer claims she confronted the artist decades ago at his SoHo studio, but he allegedly refused to accept she might be his daughter, she said in the filing seeking to be recognized as Eversleys heir.

Fred Eversley was a pioneering black expressionist best known for parabolic resin sculptures. MediaNews Group via Getty Images

He allegedly told her he was sterile.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

After I explained to the Decedent that I believed he was my father, he denied paternity and refused to take a paternity test, stating that he cant have kids because I work with toxic substances,' Krechmer said in the May 13 legal filing.

He later refused her request to take a paternity test, she claimed.

Eversley, a pioneering black expressionist best known for parabolic resin sculptures, died on March 14 at the age of 83, leaving behind his wife of 12 years, Anna, and two siblings, along with $27 million in personal property and $12 million in real estate, according to court records.

Krechmer explained in the filing she sent her saliva to 23andMe in July of 2024, and the results, she said, confirmed her lifelong understanding that Eversley, a light and space sculptor who died on March 14 at the age of 83, was her dad.

Anna Maria Larsson Eversley with Fred Eversley, at a 2024 benefit. Getty Images

She emailed Eversleys SoHo studio a month later and attached the DNA results but said she never heard back and believes his wife, Anna Maria Larsson Eversley, intercepted the message.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Eversleys will was finalized by his attorneys on Sept. 4, 2024, little more than a month later, and does not name Krechmer.

The iconic artist, who left a successful engineering job to follow his passions, left the bulk of his estate to his wife, and the rest  including $250,000 each  to his siblings, Donald and Rani Eversley.

The sculptor was raised in East New York, and considered a pioneer among black expressionists.

The pioneering artist died March 14. ZUMAPRESS.com

He was known for his parabolic resin sculptures, which are on display at New Yorks Museum of Modern Art, the Tate Gallery in London, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

We are aware of the lawsuit brought by a woman who now claims to be Fred Eversleys daughter, despite never having had any relationship with him, never having been acknowledged by him, and playing absolutely no part in his life, said Eversleys attorneys at Silberman Zaretsky PC in a statement.

This is a transparent and opportunistic attempt to exploit a moment of deep loss for personal gain. The Estate considers this claim entirely meritless and will respond accordingly through the proper legal channels.

A Jan. 14, 2026, hearing is set in the case.
MONTAUK, N.Y.  From Key West to Lake Tahoe, formerly quiet enclaves across the country are grappling with the impact of rising wealth, short-term rentals and influencer-fueled tourism.

In one such town on the eastern edge of Long Island in New York, the sudden death of a young fashion entrepreneur has stirred new concerns about how a once-tight-knit fishing village is being transformed by these cultural shifts.

Martha Nolan, a 33-year-old Irish immigrant, was found dead early Tuesday morning aboard a luxury yacht docked at an exclusive marina. Police said they are not treating the case as foul play and the cause of death remains inconclusive pending toxicology results.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether drugs were involved. Still, the case is stirring anxiety among locals about what some describe as an ever-growing party culture fueled by visiting social media influencers and young professionals escaping the city grind for a glamorous weekend or summer vacation.

Montauk Yacht Death: Timeline Reveals Bikini Moguls Final Days In Hamptons Before Mysterious Demise

"Its absolutely changed," Tommy Rando, a marina operator born and raised in town, told Fox News Digital. "Social media put Montauk on the map. It used to be a fishing village now its a very happening place."

Read On The Fox News App

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"This is mostly a peaceful, family-friendly spot," another local resident told Fox News Digital. "But in the summer, theres a younger crowd that comes in and they party hard. You see the yachts, the nightlife  its become a kind of escape valve for New Yorks elite."

Located on the eastern tip of Long Island and beyond the rest of the ritzy Hamptons area, Montauk has witnessed a boom in luxury redevelopment, with major investments and renovations to hotels and docks, including the exclusive Montauk Yacht Club where Nolan was found and was a frequent patron.

Many wealthy people descend on the area via the vibrant yacht scene, with one woman telling Fox News Digital that sea-goers follow a popular luxury loop  describing it as part of a well-worn yacht circuit connecting Newport, Block Island, Marthas Vineyard, and Nantucket. Others come from Florida or the Cayman Islands and their boats are brought up via the Intracoastal Waterway.

Revelers party summer nights away as the sun goes down, with boats becoming floating extensions of the bar scene. Locals say weekend nightlife now stretches deep into the early morning, and its not uncommon to hear music blasting around the marina in the wee hours.

A sign to Montauk Harbor. Locals say the once-sleepy fishing village has been transformed by social media influencers, short-term rentals and a party nightlife.

Irish Beauty Who Sold Bikinis Found Dead On Boat At Luxury Yacht Club, Homicide Cops Probe

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Michael Brown, a former DEA senior special agent, said that money, parties and youth are fertile ground for drug-pushers looking to capitalize on curiosity, trust and the illusion of safety. Sometimes, it can have deadly consequences. Dealers have been lacing drugs with fentanyl, causing an explosion in overdose deaths, he said.

"Young adults are going to do drugs," Brown said. "Thats just a given But you dont know whats in what youre taking. And if Im wrong, Im gonna die in 30 seconds."

Well over 100,000 people around the nation die from drug overdoses every year, although total drug-related fatalities dropped from around 111,000 in 2022 to approximately 107,500, marking the first fall in five years, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Men toss a baseball across the sand as tents and umbrellas dot the Montauk shoreline on Friday.

"Local dealers spike cocaine with small amounts of fentanyl  not necessarily enough to kill, but to intensify the high and hook new users," said Brown, the global director of counter-narcotics technology at Rigaku Analytical Devices.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We're talking about individuals who are very well-off, especially young individuals  they have the money to spend. Drug traffickers know this is fertile ground for distribution. Dealers are taking advantage of individuals who dont know theyre buying fentanyl."

"Fentanyl has jumped all racial, ethnic, religious, and income lines," he added. "Its in every community  high-income, middle-income, and low-income."

One lifelong Montauk resident and business owner in his 70s lamented the dramatic transformation in the town's character over the past few decades.

Once a tight-knit fishing village where "everybody knew everybody," Montauk has, in his view, become an enclave for wealthy outsiders and partygoers who have little connection to the community.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He reminisced about the summers when Irish youth would come over to work seasonal jobs in bars, restaurants, and marinas  often forming lasting bonds with locals and leaving with fond memories.

"The most youd see wrong with them was a few drinks," he said, calling them "completely innocent compared to this other class that's coming out here."

Montauk is known for its fishing industry. A towering fiberglass shark dangles from a dockside pole.

Now, he said, Montauk draws "spoiled kids using their parents credit cards" and has become a hub for influencers and drug use. He said that over-priced hotel rooms and bottle-service clubs have fed into a culture of overspend and synthetic highs  where image matters above all else.

"Montauk was known as a small fishing village with a drinking problem. That is very true," he said. "Now it's... craziness."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Still, for most of Montauk, life carried on this week.

Wednesday night at the Montauk Yacht Club, the restaurant was bustling with welltodo patrons in evening attire. In one corner, about two dozen people participated in a winetasting session  a reminder of Montauks upscale side.

People walking in Montauk this week following the death of Martha Nolan

During the day, families strolled barefoot across golden sand. Kids slurped ice cream outside weathered beachfront shacks and the towns beloved cafes buzzed with brunch crowds ordering iced lattes and acai bowls. The sun spilled across the docks and dunes. Young people played beach volleyball, and for a moment, it was easy to forget anything dark had ever touched this place.

But a tragedy had, and on Wednesday evening, a woman walked quietly to the marina  to the boat where Nolan had been found.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

She remembered Nolan as kind, warm, and driven  someone who was just beginning to make a name for herself, a view shared by many other boaters.

"She was very sweet, very genuine," the woman said through tears. "She was just getting started. Its heartbreaking."





Original article source: Woman found dead on yacht sparks scrutiny of Montauks party scene and rising wealth




NEED TO KNOW

Regina Johnson hugged Joseph Tillman, the man who killed her husband in a hit-and-run, at his sentencing on Aug. 7

She also said she forgave Tillman, who was sentenced to 20 years, and he apologized

Tillman was under the influence of nitrous oxide when he struck Regina's husband of 50 years, Chuck Johnson, in the 2024 hit-and-run





As a Georgia man was sentenced to 20 years for killing a man in a hit-and-run, the victims wife did something that shocked even the judge.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"I don't think I've ever seen the wife of a victim hug the defendant where they killed somebody," said Cherokee County Superior Court Judge Tony Baker, according to ABC 7 Chicago and Atlanta outlet WSB-TV.

Bakers comment came after he witnessed Regina Johnson embrace Joseph Tillman, the man who killed her husband of 50 years, Chuck Johnson, in a hit-and-run last year, the outlets reported.

Tillman was under the influence of nitrous oxide when he struck 78-year-old Chuck, who was riding his electric bike, according to WSB-TV.

The Georgia widow embraced Tillman, who pleaded guilty to charges related to her husbands death, in a Cherokee County courtroom on Thursday, Aug. 7, and wrapped her arm around his neck, footage shared by the Atlanta station shows. The pair hugged for several seconds, with Tillman red-faced and tearful when they pulled away from each other.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a whisper mid-embrace, Regina also told Tillman she forgives him, according to WSB-TV. In response, she said he whispered back, repeatedly apologizing: Im so sorry. Im so sorry.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

Tillman also apologized in an emotional statement during the sentencing. I pray that you hear my heart when I say I am truly, completely sorry, he said, his voice quivering, per footage shared by the Atlanta news station.

Regina said she hugged him because God told her he needed a mom hug, according to WSB-TV. Joey doesnt know yet how much God loves him, she told the outlet. Joey needs healing of things in his past, as we all do. And that is our heart and prayer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Tillman pleaded guilty to three counts of homicide by vehicle, plus felony hit and run, making a false statement, DUI, and reckless driving in a non-negotiated plea, the Atlanta outlet reported, citing Cherokee County Assistant District Attorney Pete Lamb.

cherokee county sheriff's office Joseph Tillman's mugshot Joseph Tillman's mugshot

He was sentenced to 20 years, with the first three in prison, ABC 7 Chicago and WSB-TV reported. The prison sentence was suspended on the condition that he complete a two-year inpatient rehab program, according to the outlets.

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.

Chucks daughter, Brittany McCarthy, was also in court for the Aug. 7 sentencing. In an emotional statement, she told Tillman, I will always be the daughter of a man that you killed, per footage captured by WSB-TV.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I will be the daughter whose heart you shattered, a life you forever changed because of your choice to do drugs while driving, said McCarthy, who was visibly emotional. You became a deadly weapon, and my father paid the price with his life.

Tillmans lawyer, Paul Ghanouni, said that hes changed his way of life, per WSB-TV, and seems like hes on a trajectory to continue to move forward with his life in a positive way.



Read the original article on People
A woman was killed Friday in a suspected homicide near Sierra Brooks in Sierra County, deputies said.

Jesse James Dallmann, 36, of Sun Valley, Nevada, was arrested in connection with the suspected homicide, the Sierra County Sheriffs Office said in a news release posted to social media late Friday. Online jail records show he was arrested at a nearby hospital around 8 a.m. Friday and booked that night into the Nevada County Jail.

Dallmann was described as incoherent by deputies at the scene, the news release said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Sierra County Sheriffs Office said it was alerted to the suspected homicide at a campsite south of Sierra Brooks, a census-designated place roughly 50 miles north of Lake Tahoe, early Friday.

Deputies said they believe the incident was isolated and is not an active threat to the public.
Tel Aviv [Israel], August 10 (ANI/TPS): Israeli leaders on Saturday night praised the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace accords signed in Washington. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed an agreement brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump to end a decades-long conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. "Congratulations to President Trump! Your bold leadership and global vision have made another peace agreement possible," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted. "I also congratulate President Aliyev, Prime Minister Pashinyan, and the peoples of Azerbaijan and Armenia on signing this historic agreement." Netanyahu added, "May you all enjoy a new era of reconciliation and shared prosperity." President Isaac Herzog tweeted that he was "deeply moved to see the signing of the historic agreement," adding, "Great achievement President Trump! Thank you for your leadership and passionate commitment to help reach peace in our world. I hope and pray we will see many more historic achievements around the world under your leadership - above all the urgent return of our hostages from the hell they are going through at the hands of Hamas in Gaza." Israel's Foreign Ministry congratulated the leaders of the two Central Asian countries and praised Trump for brokering the deal." @POTUS Donald Trump and his administration's active leadership and engagement made this another landmark achievement possible, promoting peace, stability, and prosperity," the ministry tweeted. (ANI/TPS)
A woman is recovering after she was shot in Aliquippa on Saturday night.

A Beaver County 911 supervisor says multiple calls came in just before 9 p.m. reporting shots fired in the area of the Linmar Terrace housing complex.

A Pennsylvania State Police report states a woman was shot when three men dressed in all black and a man in all white wearing a mask walked up and fired multiple rounds from multiple handguns at a Linmar Terrace residence.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Were told the woman arrived at a hospital by private means, shot in the leg. PSP says shes expected to make a full recovery.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call PSP, Beaver Criminal Investigation Unit at 724-773-7400.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Workplace violence in the US is on the rise this year, a troubling new study found.

One in three employees surveyed said theyd witnessed physical altercations in the workplace in the past five years  up from 25% in 2024, according to the HR compliance training company Traliant, which published the June findings on Wednesday.

A disturbing 15% of the 1,009 respondents said theyd been targets of workplace violence  up from 12% last year, the survey found.

The startling studys findings come less than two weeks after Shane Tamura shot and killed four innocent people inside 345 Park Ave. on July 28, 2025. Obtained by NY Post

The overwhelming majority of workers  90%  said that higher-ups at their companies needed to do more to address their safety concerns.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Among the 13% of respondents who said they feel unsafe at work, things like toxic workplace culture, concern of violence and fear of retaliation were the top contributing factors.

These findings underscore that safety is no longer just a compliance requirement, but a cultural imperative, Bailey Whitsitt, Traliants compliance counsel, said about the findings.

When asked if they felt comfortable in their own ability to de-escalate a physical threat in the workplace, employees answers differed across generational lines  with 58% of Baby Boomers and 54% of Gen-Xers saying they felt prepared, compared to just 47% among Millennials and only 41% among Gen-Zers, the survey revealed.

NYPD hero Didarul Islam was among the four killed when Tamura opened fire in the office building. NYPD

Employees scrambled to safety as Tamuras shots rang out  with some barricading themselves in rooms using couches and other office furniture.

On a brighter note, three in every four employees this year said theyd received training on workplace violence from their employer  up from 70% last year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The study didnt distinguish between violence perpetrated between coworkers and an attack such as the one which unfolded on NYCs Park Avenue July 28, when a stranger from Las Vegas, Shane Tamura, stormed an office building and killed four people.

Whitsitt told The Post that the workplace shooting in Midtown serves as tragic reminder that such events are part of a growing national crisis.

Employers have an urgent responsibility to act now with robust plans, training, and a culture that puts safety first.
Aug. 9WATERTOWN  WPBS is one of the hardest hit stations in New York following July's defunding of national PBS and NPR stations.

The station has been forced to move aggressively following the elimination of federal funding, including reducing staff by one-third and canceling some services and productions.

On the plus side, the station has redoubled its efforts to grow sponsorship revenues, which has seen positive results, according to Mark Prasuhn, WPBS President and General Manager.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Prasuhn sent a letter top WPBS friends and supporters on Thursday concerning an update about the $9 billion Congress pulled in July that it previously agreed to spend, dedicated to foreign aid and public media across the country. In his letter, Prasuhn explained why, of the 18 PBS and NPR stations in New York State, WPBS is the second most at risk with over 30% of its revenues taken away.

"The manner in which this was done  a claw back of two years' worth of already promised funding  was a huge financial hit causing an immediate critical cash flow problem. Previous administrations have tried to defund or reduce funding for public media which would have been difficult but at least would have provided time to plan for the necessary changes."

" ... there are PBS and NPR stations based in larger cities that have access to a much bigger pool of potential revenues from sponsors, donors, philanthropists and foundations. There are stations owned by universities that have access to the resources of a much larger "parent" organization. And there are stations that hold multi-million dollar endowments. WPBS enjoys none of these advantages, and so the loss of $2 million in federal funding has a greater, more devastating impact."

At the beginning of the year, WPBS had 18 employees. By mid-July staffing was cut to 12.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In his letter, Prasuhn said that asking viewers for "Emergency funding" would not be a reasonable request. "It was not our supporters who decided to remove this foundational funding and it should not be all on them to replace it."

He noted that for 55 years, federal funding has allowed WPBS to meet specific needs for the people of the region, including the maintaining of two transmission towers (the tallest in St Lawrence and Lewis counties respectively) that deliver emergency warning alerts and support the work of emergency responders and law enforcement.

Federal funding allowed WPBS to develop educational content for students such as "GPS for Success," the most comprehensive career planning tool specifically for north country middle and high school students. Also, federal funding supported the distribution of world-leading preschool programming and standards-aligned curriculum content available to teachers at no cost.

"In our view these are areas of responsibility for the federal government, for the good of all citizens," Prasuhn wrote. "We regret that current leadership doesn't see it that way, but nonetheless we don't think it is fair to expect individuals to step in and fully fund services that benefit the public and which have been and should be supported at least in part, by government."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The reductions and changes made by the station, are enough, Prasuhn said, to offset most of what it has lost with the $2 million clawback.

"But, we still have a gap and many Visionary Society ($1,000+) have already stepped up in order to help close it."

The Canadian connection

WPBS has an international reach, making it unique among PBS stations in the U.S. Prasuhn told the Times on Friday that the station has the highest percentage of its supporters from Canada (currently about 62%). He said that he received a letter from a Kingston, Ontario, viewer on Thursday saying that the station should relocate to Canada.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Asking for Canadian government support, Prasuhn said, is not likely practical. "Also Ontario has a PBS equivalent (TVO) based in Toronto that is funded by the Ontario government."

But in a way, Prasuhn explained, WPBS does get some indirect support from Canada in that some of the productions it broadcasts, including some local ones like the upcoming six-part documentary series, "Upstate Attractions," which profiles New York-based museums, receives funding from the Canadian government since they are produced by Canadian companies that can access the subsidy programs they have there for media productions.

With Canadian visitation numbers deeply down in Northern New York since President Donald Trump took office for his second term, Prasuhn was asked if he has seen any negative numbers on Canadian viewership, or support.

"The current trade tensions between our two countries have had some impact although the overwhelming majority of Canadians we have heard from say they want to keep supporting WPBS, and many are increasing their support given the recent federal defunding," he said.

To support the station, call it at 315-782-8600 or go to wpbstv.org/donate.
United Launch Alliance was supposed to fly its first national security mission on its new Vulcan rocket three years ago. It may finally begin its big game of catchup this week.

Were going to start flying here in just a few days  missions on Vulcan. And what is important for us to do is to hit our tempo and fly reliably and safely for our customers, said ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno on Thursday during a call with media. Thats our job, and were off to go do it.

On what would be Vulcans third ever launch and first for the government flying for Space Forces Space Systems Command, the USSF-106 mission is targeting a Tuesday liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Stations Space Launch Complex 41 during a launch window that runs from 7:59-8:59 p.m. Space Launch Deltas weather squadron forecasts a 75% chance for good launch conditions.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its payloads are two satellites headed for geostationary orbit. Details on one of the satellites is classified, but the other is the Navigation Technology Satellite-3, built by Melbourne-based L3Harris. Its funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory and offers a potential replacement technology for GPS.

Vulcan, a successor to ULAs Atlas V and Delta IV class of rockets, originally was targeting a debut as early as 2019, but faced a series of delays due to COVID, the development of brand new engines from supplier Blue Origin and an explosion on a test pad.

It finally took flight in January 2024, but has only flown once more since. Both missions were needed to gain national security certification from the Space Force. But that second flight last fall had a problem, as a solid rocket booster lost its nozzle during liftoff, and that delayed certification to nearly April of this year.

United Launch Alliance (ULA) transports the USSF-106 mission payload to the Government Vertical Integration Facility (VIF-G) adjacent to Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on July 24, 2025. This will be Vulcan's first national security mission for the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC). (Courtesy/United Launch Alliance) United Launch Alliance (ULA) hoists the USSF-106 mission payload to the Government Vertical Integration Facility (VIF-G) adjacent to Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on July 24, 2025. This will be Vulcan's first national security mission for the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command. (Courtesy/United Launch Alliance) United Launch Alliance hoists its Vulcan first stage booster into the Vertical Integration Facility-G (VIF-G) adjacent to Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida on Oct. 21, 2024. The rocket will launch the USSF-106 mission for the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command, Vulcan's first national security flight. (Courtesy/United Launch Alliance) United Launch Alliance hoists its Vulcan first stage booster into the Vertical Integration Facility-G (VIF-G) adjacent to Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida on Oct. 21, 2024. The rocket will launch the USSF-106 mission for the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command, Vulcan's first national security flight. (Courtesy/United Launch Alliance) Show Caption1 of 5A United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket ready for USSF-106 mission sits in the Government Vertical Integration Facility (VIF-G) adjacent to Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on July 24, 2025. The rocket awaits launch on what would be its first national security mission for the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command. (Courtesy/United Launch Alliance)Expand

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Because of the delays, ULA, a shared venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin that was formed in 2006, has a backlog in its 25 missions for the Department of Defense that were assigned to Vulcan, with several having already missed their original target launch date.

ULA was awarded the national security USSF-106 mission in 2020, one of two given that year as part of the NSSL Phase 2 contract that were both supposed to fly on Vulcan in 2022.

ULA had to switch the other mission awarded that year to one of its dwindling supply of Atlas V rockets, but even that mission didnt take flight until two years later than originally planned, with liftoff from the Space Coast last summer.

But now ULA has an ample supply of Vulcan hardware and the OK to go from the Space Force, Bruno said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This particular mission is confronting what will be the most demanding of government launch profiles, carrying its satellites into a direct geostationary orbit at more than 22,000 miles altitude, far higher and more difficult than the typical insertion. But the higher orbit saves the Space Force time and fuel that would have to be spent when a satellite is dropped in at a lower altitude, and then requires months to reach the ideal position.

It is what we designed this rocket to do, he said. If you were picking, you might choose to start with a more plain vanilla mission. This is, in fact, the anchor case that drove the design and the architecture of the whole rocket.

Not Getting Paid

When the government began divvying up national security launches between ULA and SpaceX back in 2000, it had stated ULA would get the lions share of what ended up being $8.5 billion covering nearly 50 task orders issued through 2024. Because of delays to Vulcan, though, SpaceX was given more task orders in the final year of assignments, so ULA ended up with 26 missions to SpaceXs 22.

And since then, the Space Force has switched two of ULAs assigned missions to SpaceX, although ULA is supposed to be given a pair of SpaceXs assigned task orders in return at a later date.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Still, the delay in Vulcan meant ULA was not poised to cash in on the new round of national security missions that were announced earlier this year. The NSSL Phase 3 program so far has favored SpaceX for its biggest missions, known as Lane 2 missions, with $5.9 billion of an overall $13.7 billion pie to be assigned over the next five years. ULA is still set to get $5.3 billion of that while newcomer Blue Origin could get $2.4 billion once its New Glenn rocket is certified.

But ULA still has another 24 national security missions to fly from Phase 2 before it gets to its share of the more than 54 overall missions expected to be awarded through 2029. ULA has been shut out so far from a second lane of the Phase 3 contracts that is designed to bring in more companies to fly less demanding missions.

Lane 1 is expected to call for up to 30 missions to be awarded through 2029, worth another $5.6 billion. So far, all of those orders have gone to SpaceX.

The Vulcan delays have meant ULA only managed five launches in 2024 after shooting off just three in 2023. The plan, though, is to ramp up Vulcans pace along with the 13 remaining Atlas V rockets so ULA is hitting between 20-25 launches a year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

When youre a launch company, you get paid when you launch. Go figure, Bruno said. So as we came to the end of Vulcan development, and we had to get the rocket working, and we had an anomaly to resolve, there were fewer flights, as you guys are well aware. So revenues were much lower than our normal historical average.

A brighter future

The company used to be the sole provider for national security missions and had its busiest year in 2009 when it flew 16 times. Its revamping a pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California while also finishing work on a second vertical integration facility in Cape Canaveral so it could be processing three missions at once before the end of the year.

As we go forward now were fine, and so the revenues will be more in line with what we have had in the past, and then higher next year as we jump to that 20-to-25 rate, he said.

For 2024, Bruno said he expects to end the year with nine missions. That would include a second Space Force launch, USSF-87, which would fly from Cape Canaveral.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It also could see the first of 38 contracted Vulcan launches for Amazons Project Kuiper constellation as well as several more of the remaining six Atlas V launches Amazon purchased.

Other customers that could fly on Vulcan in the next year include Sierra Spaces Dream Chaser spacecraft, which is slated to make its debut launch on a cargo mission to the International Space Station.

And six of the remaining Atlas V rockets are set aside for Boeing Starliner, which could be in line to launch twice in 2026.

Bruno said the total backlog for government and commercial missions is about 100, looking five years out.

For this year, 25, were fully booked up. And 26 its pretty crowded. Someone would have to drop out of line in order for us to make a slot for someone else, he said. As we go into 27 its really the same story. So were in that good problem to have of having more customers wanting to ride on this rocket than is easy to accommodate.
BRYANT PARK, Manhattan (PIX11)  Are you looking for a free family-friendly activity in New York City next weekend?

Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America is hosting its first-ever circus festival, showcasing aerial performances, acrobatics, and more!

More Local News

The New York City Circus Festival, curated by Monique Martin, features artists, including Sxip Shirey Sound Action Ensemble, Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, ABCirque, Hybrid Movement Company, Dzul Dance, Company 29, and Minty Fresh Circus.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16.

Free blankets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees are encouraged to bring a cotton or fleece blanket, but to avoid sitting on waterproof materials, such as plastic tarps, yoga mats, or inflatable chairs, to protect the lawn.

Click here for more information about the event.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
The owners of PNut the Squirrel are reportedly seeking $10million in damages from the State of New York after the social media star was euthanized last year.

Peanut, also known as P'nut, and a raccoon named Fred, lived at a New York sanctuary run by Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner at their home in Southport, Chemung County.

Both animals were executed after local and state officials took them away in a raid last year.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The couple has filed a lawsuit in the New York Court of Claims, arguing that the execution of their pets was a senseless act of violence and obscene demonstration of government abuse, according to court documents obtained by the New York Post.

Peanut gained tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms. Online videos show the squirrel skittering on Longos shoulders, holding and eating waffles and wearing a tiny cowboy hat.

The owners of PNut the Squirrel are seeking $10 million in damages from the State of New York after the social media star was euthanized last year.

In October last year, the Department of Environmental Conservation raided the couples home to seize Peanut and Fred. According to the agency, they had received several complaints about illegally keeping animals in an unsafe environment.

Officials seized the animals, when Peanut bit a state wildlife biologist through a thick leather glove, prompting rabies concerns. Both animals were subsequently euthanized and later tested negative for rabies. News of their deaths made headlines around the world.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Longo and Bittner filed a separate suit on June 27 in Chemung County Supreme Court against the county and more than 30 individuals from local and state government over the incident.

The couple argues they have suffered emotional trauma and financial losses since the deaths of their pets, according to both lawsuits, the Post reports.

Longo said he found Peanut years ago in New York City after the animal's mother was hit by a car. Its against New York state law to possess a wild animal without a license, though Longo and Bittner took steps last year to become wildlife rehabilitators.

On October 30, Longo claimed he was trying to get the proper licensing for Peanut to be certified as an educational animal. However, he had failed to comply with state laws that require owners to get a license for a wild animal in time.

The Associated Press contributed reporting
In June I was invited back to my alma mater, the University of Oregon, to give the commencement address to the School of Music & Dance.

It was an honor to celebrate the milestone with the graduates. The experience prompted me to think deeply about young artists, what they need to navigate the early stages of their careers and how we can support them.

With advice from trusted friends, I landed on a basic premise: Artists need community and communities need artists. Though the times are different than when I left UO in 2010, this guiding principle remains an important anchor for the creative life. It is the foundation for this love letter to the talented young creatives in Delaware making their way.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Subscribe to DO Delaware

Artists need community

Possum Point Players offer a Possum Junior Production.

The first call to action for young artists is wherever you go, stay in touch with the people who have helped you get where you are. These are your teachers, mentors, co-workers and friends.

At the same time, dedicate time and energy to connecting with new people in your community. Invest in your relationships. Present work with other artists. Write grants together. Make the most of any opportunity to collaborate, particularly with artists and experts outside of your discipline.

More: Delaware's Aubrey Plaza to play 'Hollywood Madam' Heidi Fleiss in new film

Choosing to be a professional artist is rewarding but very demanding. You will need a community of support. Wherever you go, take the energy of the places youve been and the people youve met and let them catalyze an artful life rooted in connection.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

New to Delaware? Check out the 2025 Delaware Arts Summit - Agents of Change: Advancing New Ideas and Practices. It will be a great time to learn together, share meals and meet artists throughout the state.

Details can be found at arts.delaware.gov/summit.

Communities need artists

A production by OperaDelaware.

I serve as executive director for Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education. In September, we will celebrate 43 years of service to schools and early learning centers across the state.

Our why is to strengthen education in Delaware by bringing professional artists into schools to collaborate with teachers to create customized arts programs for their students. Teachers and teaching artists make a remarkable team. Teaching artists model for students what an artist does and how the creative process supports learning. They become an important support network for teachers.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This spring, I visited an elementary school in Newark at the culmination of one of our dance and percussion residencies presented by The Senegal America Project with Tony Vacca and Abdou Sarr. The atmosphere was electric.

Young children, teachers, and staff clapped, sang and danced in their seats. One young man in particular launched into an exuberant dance. Abdou saw him and invited him up on stage. This student brought the house down! Cheers erupted across the auditorium.

When the concert was over, the boys teacher said Abdou couldnt have picked a better child to come up on stage. He almost didnt get to come today because of his behavior. But Im so glad he did. It was wonderful to see him shine and be celebrated on the stage. That concert drew something out of the boy that his teachers needed to see, and perhaps he needed to see.

Artists, our communities need you. Bring your music, dance, art and theater into schools, libraries, health care centers - anywhere you have an opportunity. This will not only help you build a livelihood, but will elevate our collective impact as artists.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Your work is valuable in studios, theaters, concert halls and public spaces. These are all parts of the arts and culture ecosystem worth exploring. You never know who you could meet or what you will discover that will expand your horizon. We all have a role to play in making our communities better for everyone.

Detours of Opportunity

A.T. Moffet is executive director of Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education.

A dancer friend once shared with me some advice from one of her teachers: Keep your knees bent, and be ready to go in many directions.

The arts will take you places beyond what you can imagine. At the same time, you will have different chapters where new aspects of your work will move into the foreground and background. The path of an artist is usually indirect. Enjoy the ride!

Artistic training gives you both a sophisticated skill set and a universally transferable mindset, including work ethic, the ability to think on your feet and collaboration across disciplines.Young artists, wherever you land, dream big with others.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And as you move toward a bright future, be sure to create community and know that your artistic gifts are needed. So use them!

A.T. Moffet is executive director of Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education.

Open Call is hosted by regional arts and cultural groups on Sundays. If you know a group that would like to be included, please email Tammy Paolino at tpaolino@gannett.com for details.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: What do young Delaware artists need from their communities to thrive?
On the early morning of Monday, August 4, 2025, Edward George Berry III, a resident of Yucca Valley, California, was arrested by deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department on charges of possession of a controlled substance with two prior convictions.

At approximately 2:26 a.m., deputies encountered Berry at the Yucca Valley Community Park, adjacent to the Yucca Valley Community Center. During the encounter, Berry was observed attempting to discard a glass pipe containing a white crystalline residue consistent with drug paraphernalia, suspected to be methamphetamine.

Following his detention for possession of drug paraphernalia, a search revealed a plastic baggie containing a similar white crystalline substance in his pants pocket.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A records check showed Berry had two prior convictions for possession of a controlled substance.

5 arrested in multi-million dollar San Fernando Valley drug operation

Under the new legal framework established by Proposition 36, passed by California voters on November 5, 2024, and effective December 18, 2024, Berry was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with two prior convictions, now classified as a felony.

Proposition 36, titled The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act, reforms laws from Proposition 47 and introduces new penal and health and safety codes aimed at addressing increases in homelessness, drug addiction, and theft. The statute also allows deputies to apply enhanced sentencing and restricts cite release before court appearance in appropriate cases.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

This arrest marks an application of the updated regulations under Proposition 36.

The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department encourages anyone with related information to contact the Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(Reuters) -Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday that Kyiv "values and fully supports" a joint statement by European leaders on achieving peace in Ukraine while protecting Ukrainian and European interests.

French, Italian, German, Polish, British, Finnish and European Commission leaders on Saturday welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to try to end the war, but emphasised the need to pressure Russia and provide security guarantees for Kyiv.

"The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today for the sake of peace in Ukraine, which is defending the vital security interests of our European nations," Zelenskiy wrote on X.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Ukraine values and fully supports the statement by President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Tusk, Prime Minister Starmer, President Ursula von der Leyen, and President Stubb on peace for Ukraine."

Trump plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. He has talked up the prospect of a deal that could resolve the three-and-a-half-year-old conflict.

Zelenskiy and his European allies have warned that any deal requiring Ukraine to surrender significant parts of its territory would only encourage Russian aggression.

(Reporting by Dan PeleschukEditing by Elaine Hardcastle and Christina Fincher)
By Dan Peleschuk and Mark Trevelyan

(Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy won diplomatic backing from Europe and the NATO alliance on Sunday ahead of a Russia-U.S. summit this week where Kyiv fears President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump may try to dictate terms for ending the 3-1/2-year war.

Trump, who for weeks had been threatening new sanctions against Russia for failing to halt the war, announced instead on Friday that he would meet Putin on August 15 in Alaska.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A White House official has said Trump is open to Zelenskiy attending but preparations are underway for only a bilateral meeting.

Russian strikes injured at least 12 in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, the country's foreign affairs ministry said on Sunday.

Zelenskiy, responding to the strike, said, "That is why sanctions are needed, pressure is needed."

The Kremlin leader last week ruled out meeting Zelenskiy, saying conditions for such an encounter were "unfortunately still far" from being met.

Trump said a potential deal would involve "some swapping of territories to the betterment of both (sides)", compounding Ukrainian fears that it may face pressure to surrender land.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zelenskiy says any decisions taken without Ukraine will be "stillborn" and unworkable. On Saturday the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland and the European Commission said any diplomatic solution must protect the security interests of Ukraine and Europe.

"The U.S. has the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Sunday. "Any deal between the U.S. and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraines and the whole of Europes security."

EU foreign ministers will meet on Monday to discuss next steps, she said.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told U.S. network ABC News that Friday's summit "will be about testing Putin, how serious he is on bringing this terrible war to an end".

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He added: "It will be, of course, about security guarantees, but also about the absolute need to acknowledge that Ukraine decides on its own future, that Ukraine has to be a sovereign nation, deciding on its own geopolitical future."

Russia holds nearly a fifth of the country.

Rutte said a deal could not include legal recognition of Russian control over Ukrainian land, although it might include de facto recognition. He compared it to the situation after World War Two when Washington accepted that the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia were de facto controlled by the Soviet Union but did not legally recognise their annexation.

Zelenskiy said on Sunday: "The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

A European official said Europe had come up with a counter-proposal to Trump's, but declined to provide details. Russian officials accused Europe of trying to thwart Trump's efforts to end the war.

"The Euro-imbeciles are trying to prevent American efforts to help resolve the Ukrainian conflict," former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev posted on social media on Sunday.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a vituperative statement that the relationship between Ukraine and the European Union resembled "necrophilia".

Roman Alekhin, a Russian war blogger, said Europe had been reduced to the role of a spectator.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"If Putin and Trump reach an agreement directly, Europe will be faced with a fait accompli. Kyiv - even more so," he said.

CAPTURED TERRITORY

In addition to Crimea, which it seized in 2014, Russia has formally claimed the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia as its own, although it controls only about 70% of the last three. It holds smaller pieces of territory in three other regions, while Ukraine says it holds a sliver of Russia's Kursk region.

Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin analyst, said a swap could entail Russia handing over 1,500 sq km to Ukraine and obtaining 7,000 sq km, which he said Russia would capture anyway within about six months.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He provided no evidence to back any of those figures. Russia took about 500 sq km of territory in July, according to Western military analysts who say its grinding advances have come at the cost of very high casualties.

Ukraine and its European allies have been haunted for months by the fear that Trump, keen to claim credit for making peace and hoping to seal lucrative joint business deals between the U.S. and Russia, could align with Putin to cut a deal that would be deeply disadvantageous to Kyiv.

They had drawn some encouragement lately as Trump, having piled heavy pressure on Zelenskiy and berated him publicly in the Oval Office in February, began criticising Putin as Russia pounded Kyiv and other cities with its heaviest air attacks of the war.

But the impending Putin-Trump summit has revived fears that Kyiv and Europe could be sidelined.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"What we will see emerge from Alaska will almost certainly be a catastrophe for Ukraine and Europe," wrote Phillips P. O'Brien, professor of strategic studies at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

"And Ukraine will face the most terrible dilemma. Do they accept this humiliating and destructive deal? Or do they go it alone, unsure of the backing of European states?"

Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko said on Sunday that Kyiv's partnership with its European allies was critical to countering any attempts to keep it away from the table.

"For us right now, a joint position with the Europeans is our main resource," he said on Ukrainian radio.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said a negotiated settlement was unlikely to satisfy either side. "Both the Russians and the Ukrainians, probably, at the end of the day, are going to be unhappy with it," he said on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.

(Additional reporting by Timothy Reid in Washington, Lili Bayer in Brussels and Moscow bureau, writing by Mark Trevelyan, editing by Christina Fincher and Diane Craft)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Ukraine will not allow "a second attempt to partition" the country, stressing that peace must come through a "just end to the war" rather than territorial concessions to Russia. "We will not allow this second attempt to partition Ukraine. Knowing Russia, where there is a second, there will be a third. That is why we stand firm on clear Ukrainian positions. We must end the war with a dignified peace, based on a clear and reliable security architecture," Zelenskyy said. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1954266592411357597 His remarks come days before US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet in Alaska next Friday. The Ukrainian leader accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of attempting to "legalise" occupied territories in exchange for halting the fighting. "Everyone clearly sees Putin's tactics. He fears sanctions and is doing everything to bail on them. He wants to exchange a pause in the war, in the killings, for the legalisation of the occupation of our land - he wants to get territorial spoils for the second time," said Zelenskyy in a video message. Zelenskyy in a clear manner said that he will not allow the partition of Ukraine, pointing out that Russia might try to launch a third attempt to occupy its territory. He urged to end the war with "dignified peace and security architecture" for the future safety of Ukraine and Russia. The Ukrainian president underscored that any settlement must prioritise immediate peace, not a delayed ceasefire that would give Russia breathing space. "What is needed now is not a pause in the killings, but a real, lasting peace. Not a ceasefire sometime in the future, in months, but immediately," Zelenskyy said. "The path to peace for Ukraine must be determined together with Ukraine - this is fundamental. It is important that joint approaches and a shared vision work toward genuine peace. A consolidated position. Ceasefire. End of occupation. End of war." Earlier, Zelenskyy warned in clear words that, "Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupier." https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1954063616514097261 The Alaska summit, announced by Trump on Friday, will mark the first face-to-face between sitting US and Russian leaders since the Biden-Putin talks in Geneva in June 2021. In announcing the meeting, Trump hinted that the talks could involve territorial adjustments, saying there would be "some swapping of territories to the betterment of both" Ukraine and Russia, without offering specifics. Zelenskyy also revealed that his government had been in close contact with key Western allies in the run-up to the Alaska meeting. He cited recent talks between Ukraine's presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak and representatives from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Finland and Poland, describing the discussions as "constructive" and focused on a "consolidated position" for peace. (ANI)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that the end of the war against Ukraine must be fair and reflect the security interests of the peoples of Europe.

Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X (Twitter) on Sunday 10 August

Quote: "The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today for the sake of peace in Ukraine, which is defending the vital security interests of our European nations."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Details: Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine values and fully supports the joint statement by French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Finnish President Alexander Stubb regarding peace for Ukraine.

Background: The leaders of major European countries issued a joint statement calling on the US president to conduct negotiations with the Russian leader only on condition of a ceasefire and guarantees to protect Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may visit Alaska in mid-August, coinciding with the planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin.

Source: CNN, citing sources

Details: Zelenskyy is not officially listed among the possible participants in the events on 15 August. However, the White House does not rule out his presence, CNN sources said.

One US administration official stressed that any meetings involving President Zelenskyy are likely to take place after the Trump-Putin talks.

Background:

On 9 August, CBS News reported that President Zelenskyy may attend the Trump-Putin summit, which is scheduled for 15 August in Alaska.

Media reports earlier said that one of Trump's conditions for meeting with Putin could be the latter's agreement to hold talks with the Ukrainian leader.

The US president later denied these reports, although he did not rule out the possibility of a trilateral meeting.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has shared details of the UK meeting between representatives of the United States, Ukraine and European countries at the level of national security advisers.

Source: Zelenskyys evening address on 9 August; Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, on Telegram

Quote from Zelenskyy: "I have just received a report from our team in the United Kingdom  from Andrii Yermak. There have been talks between security representatives of the United States and Europe  Ukraine, the United States  Vice President Vance, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, and Poland.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The meeting was constructive. All our messages were conveyed. Our arguments are being heard. The risks are being taken into account. The path to peace for Ukraine must be determined together  and only together  with Ukraine. This is fundamental.

And it is important that our joint approaches and shared vision work toward a genuine peace. A consolidated position. A ceasefire. An end to the occupation. An end to the war."

Details: In his address, Zelenskyy also said that contacts with the American side regarding efforts to end the war "are ongoing almost around the clock  at various levels, we are not making everything public".

Later, Andrii Yermak stressed that, together with Rustem Umierov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, they participated in meetings with European security advisers, the UK foreign secretary and the US vice president.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We offered clear points: a reliable, lasting peace is only possible with Ukraine at the negotiating table, with respect for our sovereignty and no recognition of occupation. A ceasefire is necessary. The line of contact is not the border. Our partners support us not only with words  assistance will continue militarily, financially and through sanctions until the aggression stops," Yermak stated.

He also thanked US Vice President JD Vance "for taking part in the joint discussions, respecting all viewpoints, and his efforts toward a reliable peace".

Yermak posted photos from the meetings.

:   Telegram

Photo: Yermak on Telegram

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Background:

On 9 August, the UK confirmed plans for a meeting of national security advisers from the US, Ukraine and European countries to discuss ways to end Russias full-scale aggression.

The Wall Street Journal reported that at the meeting, Ukraine and European representatives presented the US with their plan, intended as the basis for future negotiations with Russia to end the war. It was reported that from the US side, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg participated in the meeting.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
During a conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated him on the agreements reached with Armenia, and the two leaders agreed to expand energy cooperation.

Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)

Details: Zelenskyy noted that "the world has responded very positively to the trilateral meeting in Washington" between US President Donald Trump and the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan. "We hope everything will work," he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zelenskyy also briefed Aliyev on Ukraines engagements with partners on ending the war. "It is important that the joint efforts of the world ultimately compel Russia to stop its hostilities and aggression," he said.

"We also discussed our energy cooperation with Azerbaijan. Significant achievements have been made. We agreed that we will not stop there and will continue working to expand our capabilities," the president reported.

Earlier, Zelenskyy spoke with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and thanked him for supporting Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "It is extremely dangerous for every nation if this or that independent state is regarded simply as 'territory' and attempts are made to partition it. History has shown many times: if such injustice is allowed against one state, it does not end there.

That is why it is important for all states to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine based on respect for the sovereign rights of the Ukrainian people."

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday thanked European leaders for backing his push to join this weeks U.S.Russia summit, as Kyiv fears Washington and Moscow could strike a deal to end the war but in a way that undermines Ukraines sovereignty.

"The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today for the sake of peace in Ukraine, which is defending the vital security interests of our European nations," Zelenskyy said.

Putin Ally Warns 'Titanic Efforts' Are Underway To Sink Trump Summit Over Ukraine War

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland and the European Commission said in a joint statement that any diplomatic solution brokered between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin must protect the security interests of Ukraine and Europe.

"The U.S. has the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told Reuters on Sunday. "Any deal between the U.S. and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraines and the whole of Europes security," she added.

Zelenskyy Wont Cede Territory For Peace Deal Ahead Of Trumpputin Summit As Trilateral Meeting Teased

Read On The Fox News App

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the upcoming summit "will be about testing Putin" and will serve as a measure of how serious the Russian leader is about "bringing this terrible war to an end."

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, and Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General, meet at the NATO Summit at the World Forum in The Hague, the Netherlands, on June 23, 2025.

Both the White House and the Kremlin have acknowledged Zelenskyys request to join the talks, though no formal invitation has been issued. Trump and Putin are scheduled to meet in Alaska on Aug. 15. If Zelenskyy were to take part, the meeting would mark the first between Putin and Zelenskyy since the start of Moscow's war.

Sanctioning Russia Act Threatens Moscow, Allies With 500% Tariffs

The meeting, which Trump announced in a Truth Social post on Friday , comes on the heels of Washington's threats to impose steep tariffs on the Kremlin and its allies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Trump has previously singled out countries like India and Chinatop buyers of discounted Russian crude  for undermining G7 price caps and weakening the impact of Western sanctions .

In response, bipartisan lawmakers introduced the Sanctioning Russia Act, which would impose a 500% tariff targeting the core of Russias economy  its oil and gas exports  if Moscow continues to resist peace efforts or escalates the conflict.

Meanwhile, a senior member of Putins inner circle warned that multiple countries are mounting "titanic efforts" to undermine the upcoming summit between the Russian leader and Trump.

"Undoubtedly, a number of countries interested in continuing the conflict will make titanic efforts to disrupt the planned meeting between President Putin and President Trump," wrote Russia's investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, in a Telegram post on Saturday, referencing the Kremlin's ongoing war in Ukraine.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

While Dmitriev did not name specific countries, he warned that critics of the upcoming talks could seek to sabotage the summit through diplomatic maneuvers or disinformation through the media.





Original article source: Zelenskyy thanks NATO, European leaders for backing his push to join TrumpPutin summit
California loves to swan about as the nations conscience. Leading on climate, civil rights and every buzzword that fits on a tote bag. But when it comes to immigration? Moral fog. Rhetorical spaghetti. Policies so contradictory they make a DMV queue look streamlined.

Lets get something straight: There are no good guys in the illegal immigration mess. The protesters are loud, the politicians are gutless and the employers are liars with payrolls. Everyones got their snout in the hypocrisy trough.

Take Freedom Ride 2025. A busload of teenagers headed to Santa Maria to protest ICE, all while hash tagging themselves into the Civil Rights Movement. They claim kinship with the original Freedom Riders.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The oppressed? People who crossed the border by choice in search of opportunity. Its a bold reimagining of history where unlawful entry is a civil right and illegal migrants are draped in the same moral sanctity as Africans who were kidnapped, shackled and shipped like sardines across oceans in floating prisons.

Yet theres real civic courage here. Seventeen-year-old Cesar Vasquez and others led walkouts, coordinated supplies and marched to City Hall. In an era of apathy and keyboard outrage, that kind of action is rare.

Yes, there are legitimate concerns. ICEs shock-and-awe tactics and due process violations should raise alarms. A free society must scrutinize the power of the state, especially when it operates with raids and bureaucratic opacity. Theres nothing wrong with standing up for others. Just maybe dont borrow the moral wardrobe of a different era and call it your own prom outfit.

Still, these kids arent the villains. Theyre the symptom. The real culprits? Spineless politicians and opportunistic employers whove quietly profited from the chaos.

Criminalizing workers, excusing employers

California has 1.75 million undocumented immigrants, according to Pew Research. Nearly 1 in 10 workers lacks legal status. They pick our food, clean our homes, patch our roofs. Youd think that might warrant a serious plan. Instead, we criminalize the workers, excuse the employers and send the taxpayer the invoice.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Lets not kid ourselves, this isnt immigration policy, its bad political dinner theater. Republicans send in ICE like theyre casting COPS: MAGA Edition. Democrats tweet about human dignity from lawn chairs cleaned by undocumented housekeepers. Its red meat for Fox, virtue-signaling for NPR and just enough chaos to keep the donor checks coming. They dont want a solution. They want a scandal they can blame on each other between fundraisers. Theyve turned dysfunction into a bipartisan business model with no return policy.

Employers maintain the time-honored tradition of plausible deniability and the usual playbook: cash under the table, a wink at the paperwork and faith that anyone with calloused hands doing the work no one else wants to must be fine. Its the immigration version of Its only a flesh wound.

So heres a radical idea. Adopt real zero tolerance. Not for immigrants. For the people pulling the strings.

A 3-step plan

Step one. Employer accountability. Verification must be mandatory for employment or contractors. No exceptions just because someone knows a state senator or bankrolls a PAC.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Step two. Amnesty with teeth. Not a free pass, more like a bloody invoice. A one-time window where employers pay to legalize the undocumented workers theyve underpaid for years. Legal fees, English lessons, civics classes. All on their dime. Think of it as tipping the people whove been serving their entire business model.

Step Three: Real consequences. Some employers will play dumb. Theyll lay people off. Rehire. Act confused. Like its all very complicated. Its not. So lets make it hurt. Random audits. Public shaming. License reviews. No state grants or contracts. You wanted to operate in the shadows. Great, well shine a spotlight where the sun dont shine.

This isnt bleeding-heart theater. Its economic reality.

Undocumented immigrants contribute billions in taxes. But they also strain services, especially schools and hospitals, because the system refuses to bring them into the light.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Nearly 1 in 5 students is an English Language Learner. Many schools lack bilingual staff. Assimilation isnt magic, it requires investment. If we want newcomers to adopt our laws and values, we need to provide a roadmap.

That includes cultural honesty. California is a glorious mess of races, creeds and cuisines. We should celebrate that. But shared values matter. Rule of law. Gender equality. Civic duty. Free expression. These arent relics. Theyre the price of admission.

Predictably, this treatise will offend everyone. The left will call it cruel and discriminatory. The right will call it naive and too expensive. That usually means its the most sensible plan on the table.

Because heres the scam. Both parties benefit from the dysfunction. Democrats get to play saint while dodging reform and Republicans howl about chaos while both shield their donor class. While they all posture, real people suffer.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

To the students marching with passion, aim higher. Trade slogans for strategy. Dont just chant at ICE. Challenge the lawmakers and employers making a mockery of the system. Demand reform.

Immigration built California. But without real reform, it stops being a strength and starts being a punchline delivered by charlatans with gated driveways, private schools and a landscaping crew they pretend not to notice.

Clive Pinder. Host of CeaseFire on KVEC 920Am/96.5FM. Columnist for The SLO Tribune and The Daily Sceptic. Giving voice to the politically homeless and making the professionally outraged professionally nervous at https://clivepinder.substack.com
Aug. 10After years of pursuing a higher education, Noah Passaris received his degree in May and has since landed a high-paying internship with one of the state's largest employers. But he still finds housing costs difficult to afford.

Passaris isn't alone, as affordability continues to worsen across the country. The share of renters struggling to afford rent has increased by 3% since 2019, according to a 2025 report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.

Affordability, as widely defined by the center and others, refers to a person's ability to keep their housing costs below or no more than 30% of their household income. Incomes, the report said, have not kept up with rent or purchase prices, leaving millions of people cost-burdened.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In a nation where affordable living is becoming increasingly out of reach, Albuquerque stands out. The city recently ranked second in a Zillow report detailing the top five markets for new college graduates to live, work and rent in. This is the second year Zillow, one of the nation's leading real estate marketplace platforms, has produced the report. Albuquerque has held the No. 2 spot both years.

The Zillow report considers factors including rental affordability, the average starting salary for college graduates, the share of rental listings on Zillow offering a perk, the size of the community in their 20s and the job market.

While Albuquerque's perks and share of 20-somethings are on the lower side compared to other metros, overall affordability and a favorable job market score keep Albuquerque a top contender, according to the 2025 report and Zillow's senior economist, Orphe Divounguy.

Austin, Texas, topped the list. Trailing Albuquerque were Dallas; San Antonio, Texas, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Albuquerque's ranking surprised few but satisfied fewer.

"While Albuquerque is affordable ... by no means are people comfortably affording living accommodations," said Passaris, a University of New Mexico graduate currently employed as an intern with Sandia National Laboratories.

The 2025 report noted Albuquerque's average monthly rent as $1,614. The report also listed the average income for recent graduates in the city as $67,391 and the share of Albuquerque's rental listings on Zillow offering a concession or perk  such as a reduced security deposit or free parking  as 41%.

"This is a market that presents a lot of opportunities and is relatively affordable," Divounguy said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Zillow report follows another by Housing New Mexico that indicates only 13.5% of renters in New Mexico can afford to buy a home at the state's median price of $345,000. Divounguy said the contrast between affordable renting and out-of-reach purchasing is consistent across the country.

That contrast comes down to supply and demand, according to Tego Venturi, a local Realtor and co-owner of Venturi Realty Group. Venturi said demand for both renting and purchasing has remained high and steady, but there is more demand for purchasing a home than there are homes.

Meanwhile, supply of apartments and other rentable housing has increased, easing rental market pressure while the purchase market continues to tighten, experts said.

"Albuquerque has seen significant growth in the multifamily housing sector over the past several years, with thousands of new units brought to market. This new development has helped stabilize rental rates," said Alan LaSeck, executive director of the Apartment Association of New Mexico.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Zillow's most recent data for Albuquerque indicated an average rent of $1,650 for August, up $50 from the same time last year but still 21% below the national average.

"Albuquerque continues to be what I would call one of the under-the-radar cities. We don't get a lot of attention nationally, but housing actually is more affordable here than some of the other markets in our region," Venturi said.

"Not to say that we don't have some affordability challenges," Venturi added. "Our affordability is not great  on either rental or purchase  but it's better than some of the other markets."

Passaris said he can see how Albuquerque is considered more affordable  and maybe attractive  compared to other cities, but without wages to match and a rising cost of living, the "affordable" label still feels like a stretch, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

ADP, a human resources and payroll solutions company, found that wages for New Mexicans increased by 5% from July of last year to this year, but the median annual salary for the state was $45,400.

Anthony Rice, another recent UNM graduate, said Zillow's data is likely skewed by the high full-time, early career salaries of recent graduates coming from UNM's STEM or business programs. He estimates the median early income for Albuquerque graduates is likely lower.

"In my experience, wages have not kept up with housing prices. While housing prices in the city rise, wages do not follow, or at least do not at the same rate, which makes renting hard for students and recent graduates," Passaris said.

Passaris lives in a townhome, splitting a monthly rent of $1,500  not including utilities and other fees  with a roommate. Rice also splits his monthly rent of $1,313 with a roommate.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

For Rice, finding a cheaper spot was a priority  but with the cheaper rent came sacrificing amenities, proximity to campus and the general feeling of safety.

Divounguy agreed that financial strain persists even in the most affordable markets. He said affordability is a challenge for many people and that "more is needed" to make homeownership and renting more attainable.

In addition to new construction, zoning reform will be key to more affordable housing, said Jordon McConnell, communication chair for Strong Towns ABQ, a nonpartisan, nonprofit housing advocacy group.

Such reform, including passing zoning laws that allow for multiple housing types and mixed uses or scrapping building height limits and parking minimums, is part of what helped Austin drop its average rent by 7% from last year, McConnell said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Those are the types of policy changes we advocate for in Albuquerque," McConnell said. "I think this is a really great ranking that we should be proud of, but I think there's also that warning that that ranking could be under threat if we're not making some changes now."

Divounguy said he is optimistic about the future of housing and real estate investment in Albuquerque, citing the emergence of tech and aerospace sectors in the city.

But with Intel and Sandia National Laboratories  two large landing spots for recent college graduates  reducing their workforce this year, Rice is a little less optimistic, especially for young folks who don't want to rent forever.

Passaris agreed.

"I think Albuquerque should not yet feel proud of this recognition because there is still much more work that can be done," Passaris said.
Police shot and killed a domestic violence-homicide suspect in downtown Yakima on Saturday evening after a short vehicle pursuit, officials said.

Police, acting on an alert from the Flock camera system, spotted a vehicle at 7:39 p.m. that was suspected to be used in a homicide on West Washington Avenue earlier in the day at First Street and East Yakima Avenue, YPD Capt. Chad Janis said at a Saturday night news conference.

Officers used a "PIT" maneuver to stop the car at the intersection of South Third and East Walnut streets, Janis said.

As officers were taking the driver into custody, the passenger fired at them. Police officers fired back, killing the 36-year-old man, Janis said. The driver is in custody with non-life threatening injuries.

One police officer was hit by gunfire "in an extremity," and was treated and released from MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital, Janis said.

Cruise the Ave, where people drive classic cars along Yakima Avenue on Saturday night, was shut down early because of the incident.

The Yakima Valley Special Investigations Unit was on scene Saturday evening, and will be handling the investigation, Janis said. The unit, comprised of detectives from agencies around the Yakima Valley, investigate police shootings and in-custody deaths.

Janis declined to say how many YPD officers fired in the incident, referring that to YVSIU, which is conducting a criminal investigation in the shooting.

The officers, per YPD policy, have been placed on paid administrative leave while YPD conducts its own administrative review to determine if department policies were followed.

The last time a YPD officer was shot in the line of duty was in 2021, when Officer Dominic Dannan was shot in the ankle after exchanging gunfire with a man.

Saturday afternoon shooting

A 33-year-old woman died and a 13-year-old boy was injured in the earlier shooting, police said.

Police were called to the 1200 block of West Washington Avenue at 2:39 p.m. where two people were found with gunshot wounds, according to a news release.

The woman died at the scene. The 13-year-old was treated and released from the hospital, police said. Other children were present.

"What officers and detectives determined was that the event was the result of the result of a domestic violence incident between two intimate parties," Janis said. "The children were believed to have belonged to both of the persons involved."

The man fired a gun into a vehicle, which hit the woman, who crashed the car, Janis said. Gunfire also hit the 13-year-old.

Janis said the officers had a good identity on the suspect early in the case, and tracked the vehicle driving down Yakima Avenue in the evening.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Detective Drew Shaw at 509-576-6791. Tips may also be left with Yakima County Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or online at https://yhne.ws/crimestoppers.
Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday questioned the United States' stance on India's oil imports from Russia, saying "People who are importing from Russia are objecting to us for importing from Russia" and emphasising that New Delhi will make decisions based solely on its national interest. Speaking to reporters in the national capital, he said, "People who are importing from Russia are objecting to us for importing from Russia. We have to decide from which country we have to import, keeping our national interest in mind." Naidu also said that India would not "compromise or succumb to pressure from anybody" despite tensions with Washington over Russian crude purchases and the recent imposition of additional US tariffs on Indian goods. "India will stand on its own. We will pursue policies which are in our national interest. There is no question of compromise or succumbing to pressure from anybody. We are the largest democracy in the world, and we believe what we are doing is good. We will try to keep good relations with all, including with America. Because both are democracies," the former Vice President added. Naidu also said that while India seeks good relations with the United States, people in the country are "not happy" with Washington's support to Pakistan, which he described as "a haven for terrorism." His remarks come days after US President Donald Trump said there would be no trade negotiations with India until a dispute over tariffs was resolved. The comments followed his administration's decision to double tariffs on Indian imports, which Washington described as a "penalty" for New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil. The US State Department has said that "India is a strategic partner" and that the two countries are engaged in "full and frank dialogue," even as trade and geopolitical differences have added strain to bilateral relations. (ANI)
Islamic State said earlier this month via its Amaq news service its fighters had killed the couple, who were kidnapped in May by armed men pretending to be security officials in the southwestern city of Quetta.
Georgia rapper T-Hood was shot and killed at his Snellville home following a dispute, with police investigating the incident as a homicide.
The arrests took place at Parliament Square by 9 pm local time (20:00 GMT) on Saturday, with the Metropolitan Police stating the detainees were held "for showing support for Palestine Action."

"It will take time, but we will arrest anyone expressing support for Palestine Action," the police force said in a post on X.

Videos on social media showed officers removing demonstrators seated across the square, holding placards reading, "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action."

Defend Our Juries, the advocacy group behind the protest, wrote on X, "The people are collectively opposing the genocide in Gaza and the Palestine Action ban."

Under the UK's Terrorism Act 2000, membership in or support for the group is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Al Jazeera's Sonia Gallego reported from the scene that the threat of arrest "hasn't deterred any supporters" of the group. "Something as simple as wearing a t-shirt saying, 'I support Palestine Action', or even having that written on a sheet of paper," could lead to detention, she added.

Protester Paddy Friend said, "If we can't come down with seven words on a sign and sit quietly, then what does freedom of speech mean?"

Amnesty International UK condemned the arrests as "a violation of the UK's international obligations to protect the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly."

Labour MP John McDonnell also criticised the police action, calling it "a disgrace that people are being arrested for upholding our democratic rights."

The ban on Palestine Action was issued after members of the group broke into a military airbase in June and damaged two Airbus Voyager aircraft used for air-to-air refuelling, Al Jazeera reported.

Palestine Action says the aircraft "can be used to refuel and have been used to refuel Israeli fighter jets" involved in the Gaza conflict. (ANI)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday reaffirmed his commitment to the country's territorial integrity, insisting that Kyiv continues to claim all territories now under Russian control, RT reported. His remarks came shortly after US President Donald Trump suggested that a potential peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv could involve a "swapping of territories" between the two countries "to the betterment of both," according to RT. Zelensky firmly dismissed the idea of making any territorial concessions, saying, "Now Putin wants to be forgiven for seizing the south of our Kherson region, Zaporozhye, the entire territory of Lugansk region, Donetsk region, and Crimea. We will not allow Russia to make this second attempt to divide Ukraine." The Ukrainian leader accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of seeking to exchange a "pause in war" for the "legalization of occupation of our land." "That was exactly what Putin was after," Zelensky said in a video address. Crimea broke away from Ukraine in 2014 following the Maidan coup in Kyiv and joined Russia after a referendum. Four other territories were incorporated into Russia in 2022 after referendums held in each region. Moscow has demanded a full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from territories it claims as its own and reiterated this position in a draft memorandum outlining its roadmap for ending the conflict during recent direct talks with Kyiv in Turkiye, RT reported. In a parallel move aimed at ending the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sought a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, following talks in Moscow between US President Donald Trump's envoy and the Russian leader, France 24 reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to help end the ongoing war, following recent talks in Moscow between US President Donald Trump's envoy and the Russian leader, France 24 reported. "We in Ukraine have repeatedly said that finding real solutions can be truly effective at the level of leaders," Zelensky wrote on social media. It is necessary to determine the timing for such a format and the range of issues to be addressed," he added. Zelensky said he had also scheduled several talks throughout the day, including with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as well as French and Italian officials. "There will also be communication at the level of national security advisors," he said. "The main thing is for Russia, which started this war, to take real steps to end its aggression," Zelensky added, according to France 24. (ANI)
It remains unclear if Zelensky will attend the meeting as details are yet to be finalized, The Hill reported.

Trump announced on Friday that he will meet with Putin in Alaska next week to discuss ending the over three-year-long war between Russia and Ukraine. The president has not ruled out hosting a meeting involving both Eastern European leaders, despite earlier Kremlin opposition, The Hill added.

"The President remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin," a senior White House official told The Hill's NewsNation on Saturday.

The possible invitation follows Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff's recent meeting with Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, their fifth summit this year. This meeting came just two days before the president was set to impose new sanctions on Moscow.

During the talks, Putin reportedly proposed a complete ceasefire, which would involve Ukraine withdrawing its military from the Donetsk region, allowing Kremlin control of both Donetsk and Luhansk, The Hill reported.

Trump said on Friday that some territorial swapping would take place for "the betterment of both" countries.

Zelensky responded on Saturday morning, dismissing the idea of ceding land to Russia. "Of course, we will not give Russia any awards for what it has done. The Ukrainian people deserve peace," he said.

Meanwhile, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Zelensky's top adviser Andriy Yermak, Vice President Vance, and European national security advisors met in Kent, England, to discuss the ceasefire proposal.

"The UK's support for Ukraine remains ironclad as we continue working towards a just and lasting peace," Lammy wrote after the meeting, The Hill reported. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump has signalled tacit approval for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to take over the Gaza Strip, framing it as an Israeli decision amid growing international criticism, The Hill reported. While committing the US to lead humanitarian aid efforts amid Gaza's dire crisis, Trump refrained from opposing Israel's military expansion in the region. "As far as the rest of it, I really can't say. That's going to be pretty much up to Israel," he said earlier this week, The Hill added. Netanyahu's move, approved by Israel's security Cabinet, has deepened divisions domestically and isolated Israel from European, Arab, and Gulf allies. Germany announced a halt on military exports to Israel for use in Gaza, following similar stances by France, Canada, and the UK, which has called an emergency UN Security Council meeting, The Hill reported. US Vice President Vance, meeting British Foreign Minister David Lammy, acknowledged differences in approach but noted shared objectives. "There's a lot of common objectives here. There is some, I think, disagreement about how exactly to accomplish those common objectives," he said. Netanyahu dismissed international criticism, stating, "We are not going to occupy Gaza - we are going to free Gaza from Hamas." He vowed to establish a peaceful civilian administration independent of Hamas or the Palestinian Authority to secure hostages' release and prevent future threats. Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir warned the Cabinet the occupation could endanger hostages and entrap the military but committed to executing the plan "in the best possible way." The Israeli public remains divided, with many doubting the operation will end Hamas's rule or secure hostages. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the Cabinet's decision a "total disaster." In Washington, bipartisan support for Israel persists, but Netanyahu's war strategy and the humanitarian toll have eroded some public opinion, with voices like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene calling the conflict a "genocide." Sen. Bernie Sanders gained increased support for blocking arms sales to Israel. Saudi Arabia condemned Netanyahu's Gaza takeover plan, denouncing the "crimes of starvation, brutal practices, and ethnic cleansing" against Palestinians. Mediators from Egypt and Qatar, collaborating with the US, are reportedly drafting a ceasefire framework involving the release of hostages in exchange for ending the war and Israeli withdrawal, The Associated Press reported. Will Todman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies warned of the risks of a prolonged Israeli occupation without a clear exit plan, saying, "Unless the United States changes its stance, I think ultimately, Israel will continue with this plan." (ANI)
Bangladesh's Interim Government plans to procure at least 40,000 body-worn cameras for police to enhance security at voting booths during the upcoming general election in February. The move was discussed at a high-level meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Saturday, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Home Adviser Lt General (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and the Chief Adviser's Special Assistants Khuda Baksh Chowdhury and Faiz Tayeb Ahmed attended the meeting. Faiz Tayeb Ahmed said the procurement process for the 40,000 body cameras--commonly known as bodycams--was in its final stage. He emphasised that the devices would strengthen security in thousands of vulnerable polling centres. "We are aiming to procure the bodycams by October so police officers can receive adequate training on their key features, including AI capabilities," he said. Bangladesh authorities have approached three companies from Germany, China, and Thailand to supply the cameras. Police officers and constables will wear the devices on their chests while on election duty. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus instructed officials to expedite the procurement and ensure proper training for thousands of police personnel. "We must guarantee complete security at all polling centers, no matter the cost. Our goal is to make the February election the most free, fair, and peaceful in the country's history," he said. During the meeting, the Chief Adviser's Special Assistant on Telecommunications and ICT Affairs also unveiled plans to launch an Election App for the upcoming vote. The app will provide comprehensive information on the February election, including candidate details, updates on voting booths, and interactive features for submitting complaints. The Chief Adviser urged officials to fast-track the app's launch and ensure it is user-friendly for the country's more than 100 million voters. In line with this, on August 6, the Office of the Chief Adviser wrote to the Election Commission, instructing it to complete all preparations to hold the National Parliament elections before the start of Ramadan in February 2026, the Chief Adviser's Press Wing said in a statement. Through this letter, the formalities of the government's request to the Election Commission to organise the elections were completed, it added. In a letter sent to the Chief Election Commissioner on Wednesday, M. Siraj Uddin Mia, Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser, requested him to take necessary steps to organise free, fair, peaceful, and festive national elections of the expected quality at the specified time, the statement said. In his address to the nation on August 5, the July Uprising Day, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said that he would write to the Election Commission to organise the elections before the start of Ramadan in February next year. In continuation of that, the Office of the Chief Adviser sent this letter on Wednesday. Referring to the address given to the nation, the letter says that the Chief Adviser, in his speech, called for the immediate commencement of all preparations and institutional arrangements in this regard. It is mentioned that the Chief Adviser has emphasised organising the upcoming elections in such a way that they will be remembered as a day of a great joyous voting festival, in the context of citizens not being able to vote in the past fifteen years. In his speech, the Chief Adviser mentioned his expectation that the election would be unforgettable in terms of joy and celebration, peace and order, voter turnout, and cordiality and sincerity. In addition to emphasising the importance of using appropriate technology in organising the elections, the Election Commission was also informed of the government's full cooperation in organising the expected fair, free, peaceful, and festive elections. Finally, the Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser requested that the necessary activities be taken to organise the national elections at the specified time based on the Chief Adviser's announcement, as per the statement. (ANI)
Dressed as cows who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people marched through Basantapur Durbar Square marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. The time-honoured tradition involves people of all ages wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. "The families who have lost their loved ones--father, mother, brother, and other siblings--within the past one year are paraded around the city. A person can be dressed as a cow or a beggar and is paraded around Kathmandu; this tradition has been followed since long," Krishna Man Tandukar, one of the members of the bereaving family members, told ANI. This festival of cows, commonly called "Gai Jatra" or the "Cow Festival," falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. As per sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, crosses a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited with helping the deceased get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to get into heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of cows also have an artificial tail which serves the same purpose. The Garuda Purana, one of the scriptures, mentions that on the 11th day of death rites, people have to perform "Brishotsarga"--release an ox/bull--with a belief that it would give peace to the deceased soul. As it would be costlier, some historians claim Gai Jatra is celebrated as an alternative to it on the day of Bhadra Krishna Pratipada and has since been celebrated. Some manuscripts mention that the festival started as 'saa yaa(t)' or 'gai yatra,' meaning 'journey of the cow' during the time of Jayasthiti Malla, around 600 years ago. But it was during the reign of Pratap Malla in Kathmandu, Jagat Prakash Malla in Bhaktapur, and Siddhi Narsingh Malla in Lalitpur that the Gai Jatra turned into a pilgrimage and a festival, with musical instruments. It has also been claimed that the festival, which is now marked, was actually to be Gai Yatra, which during the medieval period became Gai Jatra due to aberration. Earlier, the funeral rites were completed after people roamed the city with a cow; then musical instruments were also added. "I came to take part in the Gai Jatra for the salvation of my grandfather. He had passed away recently and I came along with the cow for him. Those families who recently have lost their loved ones should take out the cow and tour round the city. People give alms according to their financial capacity, offer milk and other soft drinks," Prakash Man Shrestha, another bereaving family member, told ANI. The ancient tradition, which is still practiced at present, is credited to have started from 500 Nepal Sambat (popular amongst the Newari community of Nepal). Historians have claimed that people used to glorify the deeds of the deceased ones through songs and hymns in order to inform and encourage others. This festival is also marked by mockery of the wrongdoings of politicians and other concerned groups through the means of drama, music, and other performance arts. (ANI)
Two siblings were killed and their father injured in a road accident involving a dumper on Karachi's Rashid Minhas Road near Lucky One Mall early Sunday, sparking mob violence and protests that disrupted traffic on key city routes, officials said, Dawn reported. Central Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Zeeshan Shafiq Siddiqi said that around 3:15 am, a dumper truck hit a motorcycle carrying a family, killing Mahnoor, 22, and her 14-year-old brother, Ahmed Raza, and injuring their 48-year-old father, Shakir. Following the incident, transporters staged a protest by blocking Rashid Minhas Road and the Superhighway near Sohrab Goth, causing traffic jams. "A mob gathered and set fire to a total of seven dumpers on both sides of the road within the limits of Yusuf Plaza and Federal B Area police stations," Siddiqi told Dawn. "The police reached the spot to apprehend the driver and took the dumper into custody," he added. Police cordoned off the area, set up diversions, and called fire tenders to put out the fire, Siddiqi said. "Furthermore, police have arrested 14 suspects on charges of torching the dumpers, and more arrests are being made with the help of videos and technical evidence," he added. Police Surgeon Summaiya Syed told Dawn the siblings were brought dead to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, while their father was injured. Quoting relatives, she said the deceased girl was to get married soon. Syed said police brought in two drivers with critical injuries after they were beaten by the mob. She said the alleged errant driver was critically injured but stable, while a driver of another burnt dumper was also in critical condition with head injuries, Dawn reported. In recent months, Karachi has witnessed a rise in traffic accidents, especially involving heavy vehicles, including dumpers and water tankers, which killed nearly 500 people and injured 4,879 in 2024, according to hospital data, Dawn reported. Earlier this month, a high-speed trailer truck crashed in Karachi's Defence Housing Authority (DHA), injuring two people. In July, a 59-year-old milk supplier was killed when a dumper ran over his motorcycle in Karachi's Saudabad. (ANI)
Iran has announced it will block a planned transport corridor in the Caucasus under a US-brokered peace accord between Azerbaijan and Armenia, describing the initiative as "political treachery" aimed at undermining Armenia's territorial integrity, Al Jazeera reported. Ali Akbar Velayati, a top adviser to Iran's supreme leader, said on Saturday that Tehran would obstruct the corridor "with or without Russia," with which Iran has a strategic alliance alongside Armenia. US President Donald Trump "thinks the Caucasus is a piece of real estate he can lease for 99 years," Velayati told state-affiliated Tasnim News, referring to the transport corridor included in the peace deal. "This passage will not become a gateway for Trump's mercenaries -- it will become their graveyard," he added, warning against what he called a US plot in the region, Al Jazeera reported. The terms of the accord, unveiled at a signing ceremony at the White House on Friday, include exclusive US development rights to a route through Armenia linking Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan, an Azerbaijani enclave bordering Turkey. The corridor, named the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), would operate under Armenian law and pass close to Iran's border, raising Tehran's concerns. Velayati argued the corridor would open the way for NATO to position itself "like a viper" between Iran and Russia. Iran's foreign ministry expressed concerns over the "negative consequences of any foreign intervention" near its borders. While welcoming the peace deal, the ministry emphasized that projects near Iran's borders must respect "national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and without foreign interference," Al Jazeera reported. Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs cautiously welcomed the deal, supporting efforts to promote stability and prosperity in the region, including the Washington meeting. However, Moscow warned against outside intervention, stressing that lasting solutions should be developed by regional countries. "The involvement of non-regional players should strengthen the peace agenda, not create new divisions," the ministry said, adding hopes to avoid the "unfortunate experience" of Western-led conflict resolution in the Middle East, according to Al Jazeera. Meanwhile, Turkey expressed hope that the planned transit corridor would boost exports of energy and other resources through the South Caucasus. Ankara has strongly backed Azerbaijan in its conflicts with Armenia but has pledged to restore ties with Yerevan after a final peace deal is signed. The Turkish presidency said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the peace agreement with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and offered Ankara's support in achieving lasting peace in the region. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, during a visit to Egypt, described the corridor as potentially linking "Europe with the depths of Asia via Turkey" and called it "a very beneficial development," Al Jazeera reported. Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought several wars since the late 1980s over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region in Azerbaijan with a predominantly ethnic Armenian population. Armenia last year agreed to return several villages to Azerbaijan in what Baku called a "long-awaited historic event." Ahmad Shahidov, of the Azerbaijan Institute for Democracy and Human Rights, told Al Jazeera that he expects a final peace declaration between Armenia and Azerbaijan to be signed in the coming weeks. Shahidov said the US-brokered deal announced Friday constitutes a "roadmap" for the final agreement, which seems imminent given there are no unresolved territorial disputes between the neighbors, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)
The international community must "shoulder its responsibility" and take action against Israel's genocide in Gaza, Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin told Al Jazeera ahead of an emergency United Nations Security Council session. The 15-member council is set to convene at the UN headquarters in New York on Sunday to discuss the escalating crisis in the Gaza Strip, following Israel's newly announced plan to seize Gaza City, which has drawn global condemnation, Al Jazeera reported. "I expect that the international community stands for international law and international humanitarian law," Aghabekian Shahin told Al Jazeera. She described the ongoing situation as "nothing but a genocide," adding it is part of Israel's "expansionist ideology that wants to take over the entirety of the occupied State of Palestine," according to Al Jazeera. The Israeli security cabinet recently approved plans to seize Gaza City, forcibly displacing nearly one million Palestinians to concentration zones in southern Gaza, intensifying an already dire humanitarian crisis, Al Jazeera noted. Palestinians have rejected the forced displacement, while human rights groups and the UN have warned of further mass casualties if the plan proceeds. Israel remains firm on its plan, stating it aims to "free Gaza from Hamas," the report said. The United States, Israel's top global ally, has not commented directly on the Gaza City seizure plan. However, US President Donald Trump indicated earlier this week that he would not block Israel's efforts to take control of all Gaza, Al Jazeera added. Aghabekian Shahin said the US must consider Palestinian rights if it wants to help reach a peace solution. "There will be no peace in Israel-Palestine, or the region for that matter, or even the world at large, if the rights of the Palestinians are not respected," she told Al Jazeera, stressing the need for the establishment of a Palestinian state. She also criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent comments about Gaza's governance, in which he proposed a "peaceful civilian administration" separate from the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. "The one that has the legal and the political authority on Gaza today is the PLO," Aghabekian Shahin said, referring to the Palestine Liberation Organization. "If Gaza wants to come back to the core, which is the entirety of the Palestinian land, then it has to come under the control and governance of the Palestinian Authority, the PLO," she added, Al Jazeera reported. Condemning the international community's failure to act amid escalating Israeli military and settler attacks in the occupied West Bank, Aghabekian Shahin said, "It is the inaction that has emboldened the Israelis, including the settlers, to do whatever they have been doing for the last six decades, since day one of the 1967 occupation." She warned, "The times are very dangerous now, and it's important that the international community shoulders its responsibility. The impunity with which Israel was happily moving should stop," Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)
According to The Balochistan Post, the ongoing demonstrations are a response to decades of systemic abuse and state repression in Balochistan.

In Islamabad, a sit-in demanding justice for missing persons entered its 25th consecutive day, with families accusing the government of total indifference. Protesters told The Balochistan Post that no official has visited or offered dialogue, despite weeks of peaceful protest. In contrast, they pointed out how the state is quick to engage with violent agitators, sometimes even offering financial settlements.

Karachi and Quetta, too, have seen growing unrest. The family of Zahid Ali Baloch, a student reportedly abducted by security forces, continues their fifth day of protest outside the Karachi Press Club, demanding his safe return.

In Quetta, the mother of Ehsan Shah, allegedly killed by Pakistani security personnel, is demanding justice. Despite an FIR, no arrests have been made, fueling suspicions of state complicity.

The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) protest camp marked its 5,905th day, a tragic milestone underscoring the Pakistani state's failure to address decades of Baloch suffering, The Balochistan Post reported. VBMP Chairman Nasrullah Baloch condemned Islamabad's policies, accusing state institutions of escalating disappearances and killings under the cover of national security.

He warned that the judiciary, government, and military have all lost credibility in the eyes of the Baloch people due to their failure to uphold constitutional duties. He urged authorities to end extra-legal tactics, release missing persons, and prosecute offenders within the legal framework.

As The Balochistan Post continues to document these abuses, the international silence surrounding Pakistan's war against its own citizens in Balochistan remains deafening. (ANI)
A new report from the campaign group Labour Behind the Label (LBL) has exposed widespread labour violations in Pakistan-based garment factories supplying Amazon Marketplace sellers, as reported by the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre. The investigation reveals routine exploitation, underpaid workers, and systemic abuse occurring in a country that has long turned a blind eye to workers' rights. The months-long investigation identified three sellers--Chums, Ice Cool Fashion, and A2Z 4 Kids--whose products trace back to factories in Pakistan, specifically Faisalabad, a city notorious for its poorly regulated textile industry. Researchers interviewed 40 workers, collecting harrowing accounts of forced overtime, wage theft, and inhumane working conditions. Workers reported being forced to work well beyond legal hours. On top of their 8 AM to 5:30 PM shifts, many are made to work two to four additional hours daily, often without the legally required overtime pay. Pakistani law mandates double wages for overtime, yet employers flout these regulations with impunity. Such blatant violations raise serious questions not only about factory management but also about Pakistan's utter failure to enforce labour laws. One worker, Hussain, told Dazed, "We are barely surviving. I live in a two-room house with my five children. I hardly manage my utilities on my salary, and we are living hand to mouth." Another worker, Abdul, reported a monthly income of just 86, supporting a family of seven. Their stories, as detailed in the report, expose a systemic collapse of labour protections in Pakistan's garment sector, where poverty-level wages, lack of education, and zero accountability are the norm, not the exception. Despite the scale of these violations, none of the three implicated brands responded to LBL's requests for comment. A Pakistani factory manager, however, dismissed the allegations, offering the same tired denial: "We will fight and prove our innocence." Yet the mounting evidence suggests otherwise. According to LBL, the real culprit lies in Amazon's reckless third-party seller model, which enables such exploitation while deflecting responsibility. Amazon requires sellers to sign agreements promising that goods are not made with forced or child labour, yet fails to actively enforce these commitments, especially in countries like Pakistan, where labour abuses are easy to hide and harder to prove. "The fact is that Amazon has deliberately set up a business model that is creating this risk but is not addressing it," said Anne Bryher, LBL's policy lead. Campaigners argue that tiny fashion brands with hidden suppliers enjoy impunity while sourcing from places where human rights violations are ignored as a matter of national practice. According to Dazed, other platforms like Shein have already admitted issues in their supply chains and implemented corrective actions. Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to be a breeding ground for exploitative, profit-driven manufacturing, propped up by weak governance, poor regulation, and a culture of denial. Unless Amazon enforces robust audits and Pakistan faces real international pressure to reform, Pakistani factories will remain hubs of exploitation, fuelling global fashion with misery, sweat, and silence. (ANI)
As the United States and Pakistan move forward with a new mining and minerals deal, experts warn the agreement will inflame tensions in Balochistan, a region already gripped by decades of violence, military occupation, and the denial of basic human rights. According to The Diplomat, the US strategic interest in Balochistan is rooted not in development or diplomacy but in geopolitical rivalry with China, and at the cost of the Baloch people. The mineral-rich region holds some of the world's largest untapped reserves of copper, gold, lithium, and other critical minerals essential for modern warfare and surveillance technologies. The US military, as The Diplomat notes, is the world's largest consumer of these minerals. And as competition with China over global supply chains intensifies, Washington's gaze has turned sharply to Balochistan. But to extract these resources, the US must either confront or suppress the ongoing Baloch struggle for self-determination, a resistance movement that has repeatedly rejected all foreign investments imposed without local consent. The Diplomat highlights that past mega-projects, such as CPEC, Reko Diq, and Saindak, have brought no tangible benefit to the Baloch people. Instead, they have resulted in displacement, militarisation, and environmental degradation. The new US-Pakistan mining deal, many fear, will follow the same path, deepening repression under the guise of development. With the return of Donald Trump to the presidency and his recent meeting with Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, Washington seems poised to renew military and economic ties with Islamabad. Trump's focus on "massive oil reserves" in Pakistan, while misleading, serves as cover for more strategic aims: dominating the region's mineral wealth and countering China's influence, particularly in Balochistan. As The Diplomat reports, China's own ambitions have already been met with fierce armed resistance from Baloch groups. Suicide bombings, attacks on infrastructure, and targeted strikes have crippled parts of CPEC, and similar hostility is now likely to greet US-backed ventures. A 2024 article by Daniel Runde, cited by The Diplomat, made the case for expanding US-Pakistan ties via mining, arguing that Balochistan is "underexplored" and critical to US interests. But that strategy ignores the political reality: Balochistan is not an unclaimed frontier; it is a land under siege, where its people demand sovereignty, not foreign exploitation. Pakistan, meanwhile, is financially desperate. Trapped in cycles of IMF debt and economic collapse, it is eager to trade natural resources and land in Balochistan for short-term foreign capital, regardless of the long-term cost to its most oppressed region. As The Diplomat warns, any deeper US involvement will not stabilise the region; it will amplify violence, worsen militarisation, and fuel the ongoing repression of the Baloch people. For a nation that already treats Balochistan as a colony, American support only emboldens Pakistan's extractive and authoritarian policies. The message from Baloch armed groups is unambiguous: no foreign investment is welcome without Baloch consent. Ignoring this will turn mining sites into battlegrounds and diplomacy into another chapter in the region's long history of betrayal and bloodshed. (ANI)
The Chief of Australian Army, Lt Gen Simon Stuart, who is on a five-day India visit from Sunday, has trained together with COAS General Upendra Dwivedi at United States Army War College during the year 2015, "forging a professional bond that has matured alongside their respective careers," according to an official statement from the Indian Army. "The shared academic background not only provides a strong foundation for mutual trust but also enables a deeper strategic understanding, paving the way for more meaningful cooperation between the two armies," the statement said. Significantly, the visit will also be a reunion of two military professionals whose shared past strengthens the foundation of India-Australia defence ties. Elaborating on the area of defence diplomacy, the statement noted that in this area, shared training experiences between military leaders often sow the seeds for enduring partnerships that outlast with political cycles and strategic shifts. It highlighted that when military commanders train together in their formative or mid-career stages, they develop not just professional competence but also a deep, personal understanding of each other's countries, cultures, and armed forces. This "Alumni Connect" becomes a unique instrument of strategic soft power, building trust, facilitating candid dialogue and enabling seamless cooperation in times of both peace and crisis. The statement highlighted how India's premier military institutions like the Indian Military Academy (IMA), National Defence College (NDC), Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), and National Defence Academy (NDA) have, for decades, welcomed officers from friendly foreign countries (FFCs). Many of these alumni have risen to the highest ranks in their militaries, becoming ambassadors in uniform for India's professional ethos. Their network includes--in Sri Lanka - 8 senior officers, including current and retired Chiefs trained in India; in Nepal - 9 senior officers; in Bangladesh - 6 senior officers; in Malaysia - 6 senior officers; in Bhutan - 2 senior officers; in Nigeria - 3 senior officers and in Australia - 2 senior officers. Notable examples include the Sri Lankan Army Chief, an alumnus of IMA and the School of Artillery, and the Sri Lankan CDS, a graduate of NDC. Chiefs and senior commanders from Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives, France, Tanzania, South Korea, New Zealand, Namibia, Kenya, Fiji, and Thailand and others also share this common bond with the Indian Army. This alumni network works both ways. Indian officers, too, have attended prestigious institutions abroad at the Army War College (USA), Royal College of Defence Studies (UK), Ecole de Guerre (France), bringing back global perspectives while building enduring ties with their peers overseas. The statement further added, that it is not a one-way exchange. Indian Army officers have themselves been shaped by professional military education abroad-- Field Marshals KM Cariappa and SHFJ Manekshaw were alumni of the Imperial Defence College, UK, while General Upendra Dwivedi attended the Army War College, USA. Such exchanges equip officers with broader strategic perspectives, operational best practices, and a shared vocabulary for addressing global security challenges. Recognising its diplomatic value, the Indian Army has begun formalising Alumni Connect initiatives, maintaining databases, organising reunions, and encouraging continued professional engagement through think tank collaborations such as the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) and its recently renewed five-year MoU with the Australian Army Research Centre (AARC). Digital platforms like the "Friends for Life" portal are also being explored to sustain ties long after the course photographs have faded. The statement underlined that in today's complex security environment, where partnerships must balance strategic competition with cooperation, "Alumni Connect is more than nostalgia, is a strategic enabler." Officers who once shared barracks and classrooms now sit across negotiating tables or lead joint operations, carrying with them the trust and mutual respect forged in their training days. " As India aspires to play a greater role in regional and global security architectures from the Indo-Pacific to UN peacekeeping, the quiet, enduring influence of these personal bonds will remain an indispensable tool of military diplomacy," the Army said in the statement. "In the language of soldiers, trust built in fatigues lasts a lifetime and in the language of diplomacy, it often lasts even longer", the statement concluded. (ANI)
Foreign Affairs Expert Robinder Sachdev on Sunday praised the Indian leadership's combined political and military decision-making that led to the success of Operation Sindoor. This operation was launched on May 7, 2025, as a response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. The Indian Armed Forces targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the death of over 100 terrorists. He highlighted how India achieved its objective and paused the operation; however, the idea is "very much still on". While speaking to ANI, Sachdev said, "The combined impact of the political decision-making leadership and the military leadership delivered to India a very substantial success in operations in Op Sindoor. The point is also why the operation was stopped at a time- I think there again in fact we should commend the military leadership and the political leadership that they achieved our objectives and at the same time they decided not to get into full-scale war with Pakistan. India does not want any full-scale war. Our objective achieved to the extent that we wanted- the military and the political leadership decided to pause the Operation Sindoor... The readiness or the idea is very much still on." Reacting to the remarks made by the Air Force Chief, Sachdev told ANI, "When the Air Force chief says something, it's a very responsible position, that is the truth and the pictures are there." Sachdev said that people should leave it to the Armed Forces and the government on issues pertaining to countering terrorism and global diplomacy. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Saturday highlighted the importance of synchronisation between military and political leadership, with the latter giving full freedom to the Armed Forces to execute the operation. The Indian Air Force played a crucial role in the operation, serving as the primary responder and deterrent. The use of advanced technologies like Rafale jets, SCALP missiles, and Kamikaze drones contributed significantly to the operation's success. The operation demonstrated India's ability to strike with precision while avoiding full-scale war. This strategic restraint was evident in the decision to pause the operation after achieving the desired objectives. India repelled the subsequent Pakistani retaliation and pounded its airbases. The operation was halted after Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called his Indian counterpart, leading to a cessation of hostilities without any third-party mediation. The operation sent a strong message to Pakistan and the international community about India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. The success of Operation Sindoor has been recognized globally, with many acknowledging India's military capabilities and strategic diplomacy. (ANI)
Tibetans in exile, including senior leaders, activists, and officials of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), on Sunday strongly condemned a recent statement made by a Tibetan official from the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), claiming that the Chinese government has the final say in the reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama. They refuted these statements and labelled the official as a "Chinese puppet" while asserting that the decision rests solely with the Dalai Lama himself. Tibetan exiles argued that such interference undermines religious freedom and Tibet's cultural traditions, categorically rejecting the legitimacy of such statements and labelling the official a mere mouthpiece of Chinese propaganda. A prominent Tibetan writer and activist, Tsundue called the TAR official a "Chinese puppet" and emphasised that the Dalai Lama is the overall representative of the Tibetan community and tradition. Tenzin Tsundue, a prominent Tibetan writer and activist, told ANI, "The moment you say 'Tibetan official', it's a misnomer. A person who is just Tibetan by blood and culture doesn't represent the Tibetan inspiration, culture, or tradition. Here, what is called Tibetan actually represents the Chinese government; therefore, he represents Chinese propaganda. Truly, it is his holiness the Dalai Lama whom we, both Tibetans inside and outside, look up to unanimously as the overall representative of the Tibetan community and the tradition that he upholds. Therefore, the final say about the reincarnation of his holiness the Dalai Lama rests solely on what his holiness has to say. We all wait for him to make the decision, and that decision will be respected and carried out by Tibetans inside and outside and all those who follow Tibetan Buddhism around the world." The controversy arose after the TAR official's comments, which align with Beijing's long-standing position on controlling the selection process of Tibetan spiritual leaders, triggering widespread outrage within the global Tibetan community. The Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Dolma Tsering, accused the TAR official of parroting China's narrative and questioned China's legitimacy to control Tibet. "The official of the Tibet Autonomous Region has parroted what China is trying to sell to the world. By claiming ownership of selecting or electing the Golden Urn, they do not thereby make the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama their own. Due to reincarnation, the personality is that of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. He has stated that he will be born in a free country, implying that for him, being born in Tibet necessitates Tibet's freedom. It should have freedom of expression. It should have human rights available there... People should have the freedom to visit their people within Tibet. At present, Tibet is the biggest prison in the world. So if somebody says it's our responsibility and we have the full authority, I just want to ask them, please, to justify their legitimacy to control Tibet first, because their invasion of Tibet in 1959 was against the UN conventions and resolutions. So first justify that, and justify why you say Tibet has been a part of China since antiquity," she stated. The official spokesperson of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, Tenzin Lekshay, highlighted China's lack of religious legitimacy and stated that the Chinese government has no role to play in the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. "Recently, a Tibetan official from the so-called TAR region has expressed that the Chinese authority has a final say on the reincarnation of His Holiness. It is historically not true, and the Chinese government, the People's Republic of China, is being run by the communist regime, which does not believe in religion. So a person or a government or any institution that doesn't believe in religion - how can they interfere in a matter which is concerned with religious tradition so therefore there is no way that the Chinese government has a legitimate role to play in the reincarnation of his Holiness and His Holiness has categorically mentioned many times that the final say on the reincarnation of his Holiness, the Dalai Lama, will be with his Holiness himself and not with any other institution or individual and that includes China," he told ANI. Lekshay added that such statements from Tibetan officials under Chinese influence are deliberate tactics by Beijing to gain perceived legitimacy. "There are a bunch of Tibetan officials in the Chinese communist cadres, and they are in the ransom files, but they are also under Chinese pressure. Do they have the right to say what they feel about? I doubt it. Therefore, China has deliberately made sure that a Tibetan comes in the face to say that the final say goes with the Chinese government; otherwise, there is no legitimacy on the Chinese part, so it's a deliberate attempt from the Chinese side. Because that's what they have; they have no other resort but to let in the Tibetans to talk about it," he added. The Dalai Lama, who has recently celebrated his 90th birthday, had previously indicated that his reincarnation could occur outside Chinese-controlled territory to preserve the institution's integrity. On July 2, the Dalai Lama stated that the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a foundation established by him, can only recognise future reincarnations, and no one else has the authority to decide on the matter. This statement rules out any say for China in the process of naming the next Dalai Lama. (ANI)
A delegation of 24 content creators from Latin American countries, participating in the Public Diplomacy initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), paid a courtesy visit to Rajasthan's Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari on Sunday. The meeting held at the City Palace highlighted India's efforts to showcase its rich cultural heritage and tourism potential to an international audience. The delegation, comprising creators from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica, is on a week-long visit to Rajasthan from August 9 to August 15, during which they will be exploring the state's vibrant culture, historical heritage, and diverse lifestyle as part of the MEA's initiative to foster global cultural exchange. Deputy Chief Minister Kumari welcomed the group, stating that such initiatives effectively promote India's cultural heritage and tourism potential at the international level while sharing insights into the state's renowned art, architecture, and hospitality traditions, expressing keen interest in the creators' experiences. The content creators from the Latin American nations also expressed their admiration for Rajasthan's historical landmarks, colourful festivals, and local cuisine, promising to showcase these experiences on their digital platforms. In recent years, India has steadily strengthened its relations with all the countries of the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region, with the relationship progressing across several areas, including trade and investment, agriculture, DPIs (Digital Public Infrastructure), Pharmaceuticals, capacity building, and people-to-people ties, and is marked by dynamic development partnership and strong cooperation at regional and multilateral fora such as CARICOM (Caribbean Community), SICA (Central American Integration System) and CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States). During the last year, India has opened its Mission in Bolivia, while Honduras and St Kitts and Nevis have opened their Missions in Delhi. The increased political engagement over the last year has also provided renewed momentum to our relationships. The Government of India views LAC as a key partner in the framework of South-South cooperation. As part of this effort, India has been engaging with LAC countries to deepen cooperation and collaboration in all areas of mutual interest. (ANI)
Since the onset of the civil war, the UAE has consistently supported regional and international efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire, protect civilians, and ensure accountability for violations committed by all warring parties.

The UAE remains committed to a civilian-led process that places the needs of the Sudanese people above the interests of any faction.

In this spirit, the UAE notes a marked increase in unfounded accusations and deliberate propaganda from the so-called Port Sudan Authority, one of the warring parties to the civil war, which actively undermines efforts to end the conflict and restore stability. These escalating fabrications form part of a calculated pattern of deflection - shifting blame to others to evade responsibility for its own actions - intended to prolong the war and obstruct a genuine peace process.

The UAE reaffirms its unwavering commitment to working closely with partners to foster dialogue, mobilize international support, and contribute to initiatives that address the humanitarian crisis and lay the groundwork for sustainable peace. These efforts will assist in building a secure and stable future for Sudan that meets the aspirations of the brotherly Sudanese people for peace and development. (ANI/WAM)
The Israel Defence Forces announced on Sunday that seven countries have coordinated a humanitarian airdrop of more than 131 food aid packages for the residents of Gaza. Sharing the details in a post on X, the IDF said that the airdrop was conducted by the IDF in coordination with the UAE, Jordan, Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Italy. It was lead by COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories: Judea and Samaria and towards the Gaza Strip). In a post on X, it said, "7 Countries Coordinated Humanitarian Airdrop: An airdrop of more than 131 food aid packages for the residents of Gaza was conducted by the IDF in coordination with the UAE, Jordan, Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Italy, led by @cogatonline." https://x.com/IDF/status/1954557413564023087 On its official website, COGAT mentions, "In addition to the many efforts and measures the IDF implements to mitigate harm to civilians, numerous humanitarian efforts have been put in place, which are designed to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Such efforts include facilitating aid (including food, medical supplies, fuel, and shelter, as well as the direct delivery of water from Israel), supporting the establishment of field hospitals in Gaza, assisting with evacuating patients for medical treatment, and more." Earlier on Thursday, the Jerusalem Post reported that the US Ambassador Mike Huckabee announced a plan to expand aid distribution operations in the Gaza Strip early on Thursday morning.As per the Jerusalem post, the US plans to finance the new aid distribution centres, which will expand from the current four to a total of 16 new points where Gazans will be able to pick up aid. This comes as Israel announced plans to ramp up aid distribution in the Strip by either funding the Gaza Humanitarian Fundation (GHF) or allowing foreign countries to send supplies as per the Jerusalem Post. (ANI)
Kursk [Russia], August 10 (ANI/Izvestia): In the Kursk region, a teenager driving a pit bike was killed in a collision with a car. The passenger of the pit bike, his age, was injured. This was reported by the press service of the regional department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. "As a result of a traffic accident, a minor pit bike driver died on the spot from his injuries, and his passenger (a girl born in 2011) was injured," the department's Telegram channel says. The incident occurred near the village of Klyukva, Kursk region. According to preliminary data, the collision occurred between a KIA car driven by a driver born in 1987 and a pit bike driven by a teenager born in 2011. The police establish the causes and circumstances of the incident, after which the actions of the participants in the accident will be given a legal assessment. On the same day, six people were injured in a collision between a LiAZ bus and a Louis van in the Kirov region. The press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in the region clarified that the driver and five passengers were injured in an accident in a GAZ minibus, two were hospitalized. The causes of the accident are being determined. (ANI/Izvestia)
During a phone call, Al Nahyan expressed his sincere hope for the agreement to usher in a new phase of cooperation between the two countries and enhance peace and stability in the Caucasus region for the benefit of all its peoples.

He affirmed that the UAE remains committed to supporting dialogue and diplomacy to foster stability and prosperity for all.

For his part, Ilham Aliyev expressed his appreciation to the President for the UAE's concerted diplomatic efforts to strengthen peace, stability, and security regionally and globally.

The two sides also discussed joint efforts to reinforce bilateral ties, particularly in the fields of economy and investment, as well as other areas that serve common interests and contribute to both countries' development-focused aims. (ANI/WAM)
Hundreds of sexual minorities of Nepal paraded through the alleyways of Kathmandu on Sunday to commemorate their deceased community members from the past year, coinciding with the country's traditional Gai Jatra festival. Gai Jatra, a centuries-old festival, is traditionally observed to honour those who have died in the previous year. People of all ages dress as cows or in eccentric costumes and parade through the streets. In contrast, the pride parade held during this festival gives the LGBTQI+ community a platform to present themselves openly and be seen by society. Excited and vibrant, hundreds of individuals from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) community participated in the colourful procession. "This is a more than 550-year-old festival, especially designed to commemorate loved ones who passed away in the last year. Many LGBTIQ+ individuals who die are often not remembered by their families. So, as a broader gender and sexual minority family, we come together to honour them," said Sunil Babu Pant, former parliamentarian and prominent LGBTIQ+ rights activist, speaking to ANI. "But this is not a sad moment. It is joyful, like a carnival. It's also a space to express our dissatisfaction with the government and policymakers," he added. Nepal, nestled between India and China, is considered one of the most progressive countries in South Asia in terms of legal recognition of sexual minorities. The nation's 2015 Constitution includes provisions that safeguard the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals, and the 2021 census was the first to officially count those identifying outside the male/female binary. A total of 2,928 individuals identified themselves as "others" in terms of gender or sexual orientation. Despite these progressive steps, the community continues to struggle for full implementation of their rights. While Nepal's Supreme Court has issued an interim order allowing the registration of same-sex marriages, the legal framework remains incomplete and inconsistent. "Even though symbolically Nepal has started registering same-sex marriages due to a court's interim order, the law is still discriminatory," Pant explained. "Many policies still exclude LGBTIQ+ individuals. For instance, the Electoral Act, the Civil Servants Act, and even rape laws fail to recognise crimes against gay men or transgender individuals. We want to highlight this through our participation in this festival -- that the government still has a long way to go." Organisers say the Gai Jatra pride parades serve not only to remember and honour LGBTIQ+ loved ones but also to occupy public space in a way that resonates with Nepali cultural traditions while amplifying calls for equal rights and full legal inclusion. Despite promises to provide citizenship based on sexual orientation and gender identity, challenges persist in practice. The community continues to push for the legalisation of same-sex marriage, which they say would allow them to live with the same dignity and recognition afforded to heterosexual couples. (ANI)
The lead US attorney, Mike Andrews, representing over 65 families affected by the tragic AI171 plane crash, slammed the ongoing compensation delays for the victims' families, noting that such "bureaucratic process" would not have existed if former Chairperson of the Tata Group, Ratan Tata, had been alive. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Andrews highlighted the late Ratan Tata's legacy of compassion, suggesting his presence could have prevented such hurdles faced by the grieving families. "Even in the US, we know who Ratan Tata was. We know a little bit in the US about his work ethic and his focus on being humble and taking care of his employees and so we know that if he were here today, we don't believe employees and victims and people who were on the aeroplane and on the ground would be subjected to a bureaucratic process in which they're delayed payment," he stated. He pointed towards a distressing case involving a bedridden elderly mother whose only son, the only financial provider, died in the crash, noting that she depends on her son for her medical needs and that she is now left at the "mercy of the world". "We met with one family, the elderly mother is bedridden, and she was depending upon her son to provide income to pay for her health care. He is now deceased. They have not received payment. What are they supposed to do? They are now left at the mercy of the world in determining how she is supposed to go on when the person who was helping provide for her was killed through no fault of his own," he added. Earlier on Friday, Andrew outlined potential legal avenues depending on the findings of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, emphasising that if the crash is linked to a defect in the aircraft, such as issues with the FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) system or the throttle control, a product liability claim could be filed in the US. Alternatively, if Air India is held responsible, claims would likely fall under the Montreal Convention. 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 crash and 19 others who lost their lives on the ground. These payments will be adjusted against the final compensation to be determined later. The Tata Group has also established 'The AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust' in memory of the victims. The Trust has pledged an ex gratia payment of Rs 1 crore for each deceased individual and also supports the rebuilding of the BJ Medical College Hostel infrastructure, which was damaged in the accident, and provides assistance to first responders, medical personnel, and other support workers affected by the tragedy. On June 12, Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, crashed shortly after it took off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India later released the preliminary report into the tragic crash, outlining the harrowing sequence of events that unfolded within 90 seconds of takeoff. It noted that both engines of the aircraft shut down unexpectedly during the initial climb, leading to a catastrophic loss of thrust and rapid descent. The crash represents one of the deadliest aviation accidents in India in recent history. (ANI)
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief of Mission Abu Mathen and First Secretary Rishi Tripathi.

"Amb. Dr Suhel Khan called on Chairman, Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen, H.E. Dr Rashad Al-Alimi @PresidentRashad today in Riyadh, along with DCM Shri Abu Mathen & First Secretary Shri Rishi Tripathi," Indian Embassy in Yemen wrote on X.

"They discussed India-Yemen relations & other issues of mutual interests," the post added.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India was one of the early countries to have actively supported Yemen's independence from the British and was one of the first countries to recognise the Yemen Arab Republic (YAR) in 1962 and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY) in 1967. In 1990, YAR and PDRY merged to become the Republic of Yemen.

The total bilateral trade between India and Yemen for FY 2021-22 is USD 1.07 billion, as per statistics of the Department of Commerce, Government of India. The total export to Yemen during FY 2021-22 is USD 847 million (YoY growth 7.77 per cent), and the total import is USD 228 million (YoY growth 873.92 per cent), as per MEA.

India exports rice, wheat, sugar, drug formulations, ceramics and allied products, processed fruits and juices, textile materials, petroleum products, yarn and fabrics, etc to Yemen. On the other hand, India imports iron and steel, petroleum, telecom instruments, aluminium and articles thereof, lead and allied products, electric machinery and equipment, copper and articles thereof, and raw hides and skins from Yemen.

MEA stated that India ranks among the top in Pharma imports of Yemen with Ranbaxy, Cipla, Sun Pharma, Alkem Laboratory limited, Cadilla, Wockhardt, Glenmarc, Kopran Laboratories Ltd, Orchid, Medley and Biocon among others active in Yemen's market. (ANI)
After UK has joined the United States, France and other western allies in supporting Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara, the Algeria-backed Polisario separatist group has sent lately a delegation to London in a desperate attempt to reverse UK supportive position of Morocco s Autonomy Plan.

The move of the separatists comes after the United Kingdom has expressed clear support for the Autonomy Plan offered by Morocco for the Sahara under its sovereignty as the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for settling the dispute.

UKs backing of Morocco has dealt a hard blow to the Polisarios big bet on the new labour Starmer government to shift position but their hopes were hit by harsh reality.

The Polisario delegation was received by foreign office minister Hamish Falconer at the foreign office headquarters, but the meeting has not apparently produced the results expected by the Algeria-backed separatists.

In their press statement, the Polisario used vague phrases such as adherence to the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and respect for human rights and the rights of peoples, without mentioning any change in the official position of the United Kingdom.

It is worth noting that the British Foreign Office has not issued any statement and refused to make any comment, suggesting that it was a mere protocol meeting rather than a game-changer political gathering.

The Polisario returned home without getting any pledge of support as the U.S. Congress is moving to designate the separatist group a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) for its terrorist deadly attacks and ties with States sponsor of terrorism such as Iran and its extremist proxies.
Moroccos National Police (DGSN) in Tetouan, working with the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance, arrested on Saturday six suspects, including two women, for alleged possession and distribution of cocaine.

The operation, conducted in coordination with the Royal Gendarmerie, began in a rural area near the town of Ouezzane, in northern Morocco where officers detained a man and his son in the village of El Kherba, and seized 4.6 kilograms of cocaine in their possession.

Thorough investigations led to the arrest of a third member of the same family in the village of Dardare. The suspect, identified as the main suspect, allegedly fired a hunting rifle at officers in an attempt to resist arrest.

Police neutralized the threat and detained him along with another suspect and two women. Officers also seized the firearm used in the attack against officers, two cartridges, a large knife, an extra 200 grams of cocaine, two electronic scales, two suspected fake license plates, and five vehicles believed to have been used in drug trafficking.

Police database checks revealed that the main suspect was already wanted nationwide in connection with other drug and narcotics cases.

All six suspects are in custody pending further investigation under the supervision of the public prosecutors office to determine the full scope of the operation and identify other individuals who may be linked to the criminal network.
New York has become the first U.S. state to announce its commitment to fully electrifying all new buildings. Several U.S. states have stated aims to transition away from fossil fuels to green alternatives to support the battle against climate change; however, New York is the first state to make its electrification plans official. Meanwhile, one of Americas most advanced states in terms of renewable energy, California, made the surprise decision to halt electrification building code updates.

In July, the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council agreed on new rules that require buildings to no longer use fossil fuels starting in 2026, making it the first U.S. state to prohibit gas and other fossil fuels in most new buildings. Buildings have 40 percent of our state emissions, so by cutting out building emissions, this is going to be an incredible step forward for our environmental goals, said Democratic representative of the New York State Assembly, Emily Gallagher. She added, This was a real battle to get passed.

The new code will require new single-family homes, commercial and industrial buildings up to 100,000 square feet, and new residential construction with seven stories or fewer to be electrified beginning next year. The rule will be extended to almost all new buildings from 2029, with few exceptions, such as laboratories, crematoriums, restaurants, and large buildings whose grid is not ready to accommodate their high all-electric heating needs. The rules had already been established in New York City, but will now be rolled out statewide.

The code is expected to lead to the widespread installation of heat pumps and heat-pump water heaters across the state, which is likely to encourage consumers in older buildings to also adopt heat pumps and other technologies.

Environmental groups have praised the move, which supports decarbonisation aims. Many have highlighted the staunch opposition advocates faced in getting the rules passed, as the fossil fuel industry lobbied hard to quash the new code. Researchers argue that the move will significantly reduce the states air pollution by decreasing the levels of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, benzene, nitrogen oxides, and other gases being released into the air, which can cause respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Studies suggest that, in 2017, the use of fossil fuels in New York buildings cost $21.7 billion in related health issues and almost 2,000 premature deaths, a figure higher than that of any other state.

Several business groups, the fossil fuel industry, and building developers oppose the new code, which they say will increase project costs and cause development delays. They also warn that families could be priced out of the market as higher costs are shifted to the consumer. The executive vice president of the New York State Builders Association, Mike Fazio, stated, A one-size-fits-all electrification mandate ignores the diversity of New Yorks housing markets, climate zones, and infrastructure capacity, and working families will pay the price.

Opponents of the new rules are still fighting to stop them from coming into place, with several organisations sending a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in June to ask that the Department of Justice move to block the code from going into effect.

While the rules could lead to higher construction costs, they are also expected to lower consumer energy bills in the long term, with an anticipated payback period of a decade or less, according to a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority report. Over three decades, the report suggests that households could save an average of about $5,000 based on an anticipated reduction in energy use of 17 percent. Some even suggest that the initial construction costs may not be higher at all, as there will be no need for developers to install costly fossil-fuel infrastructure.

Conversely, in June, the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, signed a bill into law that aims to make housing development easier, to address the states housing crisis. However, the law halts updates to state and local building codes for the next six years. On average, building codes in California are revised around every three years, which has previously helped lawmakers to incorporate stricter decarbonisation rules. Lawmakers worry that skipping a scheduled 2028 residential code update could prevent the introduction of more ambitious emissions standards.

New Yorks new rules come at a time when the U.S. is decelerating its green transition at the federal level, as President Donald Trump focuses on increasing domestic fossil fuel production and halting renewable energy progress. Since coming into office in January, Trump has cut funding from a wide range of green energy projects and climate research, as well as encouraged greater fossil fuel output, and the rollout of more petrol-fuelled vehicles rather than electric vehicles.

New York States ambitious electrification plan is expected to establish a blueprint for other U.S. states to follow. The widespread installation of cleaner power and heating technologies will support the development of the nascent U.S. industry and could also drive down prices as uptake increases.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
The U.S. LNG export boom, strongly supported by the Trump Administration, could be undermined by separate trade rules proposed by the very same administration, which looks to revive Americas shipbuilding to counter Chinas dominance.

Under new mandates proposed by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), beginning in 2028, a total of 1% of Americas LNG exports must be carried via U.S.-flagged vessels. From 2029 onwards, 1% of U.S. LNG exports should be shipped on U.S.-flagged and U.S.-built vessels.

This number will gradually rise over the decades, and by 2047, a total of 15% of all U.S. LNG exports should be carried on U.S.-built U.S.-flagged LNG tankers.

Just 1% of exports may look like a negligible figure if one doesnt consider that the United States is the worlds largest LNG exporter, the current operational global LNG fleet has just one U.S.-flagged vessel (but built in France), and that building an LNG tanker in the United States will take years and probably cost two to four times the price of building a vessel in South Korea or China.

It is countering Chinas dominance and reviving Americas shipbuilding thats the key goal of the proposed USTR rules.

However, energy industry groups and analysts say the mandate would harm U.S. LNG exports more than it would crimp Chinas dominance.

Related: Mexico Approves Fracking to Reverse Sagging Oil and Gas Production

The oil and LNG lobby groups are calling on the USTR to scrap the provision for LNG tankers, as compliance with the mandate is impossible.

The Center for Liquefied Natural Gas (CLNG), the U.S. trade association promoting LNG exports and including LNG exporters and project developers, says that compliance with the USTR mandate is impossible as There are currently no U.S.-made or enough U.S.- flagged vessels capable of exporting the quantity of LNG necessary to support current or increased U.S. LNG exports.

The U.S. does not have the shipyard capacity, technical capability, or supply chains to significantly ramp up shipbuilding of U.S. LNG carriers to meet the USTR requirements. In addition, the U.S. currently lacks the highly specialized and skilled crews for the operation and maintenance of LNG ships, CLNG said.

The U.S. exported a total of 1,396 LNG cargoes last year. At the same time, the global LNG vessel fleet has 792 operating tankers, per data cited by the CLNG trade association. Of these, only one is a U.S.-flagged ship, but it is half the capacity of a modern LNG carrier and primarily serves to deliver LNG to Puerto Rico.

CLNG and the American Petroleum Institute (API) last month jointly filed comments on the proposed USTR mandates, saying that the restrictions on LNG shipping do not directly address Chinas unfair practices and instead penalize U.S. LNG exporters.

The requirement is unrealistic and will continue to disproportionately impact the U.S. LNG industry and not Chinese entities, API and CLNG said.

Last year, about 1,400 cargoes of U.S. LNG were delivered to buyers around the world, and that number is slated to nearly double by the end of the decade as terminals that are currently under construction enter service, the associations said.

Under USTRs requirements for 1% of U.S. LNG exports starting in 2029 to be transported on U.S.-built vessels, as many as six U.S.-built LNG vessels would be required by the end of the decade, which is not feasible.

The U.S. built its last LNG carrier in 1980.

Moreover, the groups note that there is a limited ability to access key shipbuilding components and build LNG vessels in the U.S., while the United States lacks the skilled labor necessary to build LNG carriers and probably a more daunting challenge of crewing and manning these vessels, API and CLNG said.

Analysts say the industry needs clarity on what would constitute a U.S.-built vessel.

Could the majority of the vessel be manufactured overseas and completed in the U.S.? Is it a U.S.-made engine? Jason Feer, global head of business intelligence for Poten & Partners, told CNBC.

Other experts say that the mandate, if it stays, will require flexibility in interpretation of what constitutes a U.S.-built ship and waivers for the industry if the Trump Administration wants its American LNG export dominance to succeed.

Without some common-sense flexibility or a phased-in approach, the math just doesnt add up, Louis Sola, a former commissioner at the Federal Maritime Commission appointed by President Trump, and now a partner at lobbying firm Thorn Run Partners, told CNBC.

We risk bottling up our own LNG exports and opening the market to the competition right when our allies need American energy the most.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
News / National

by Staff reporter

As Zimbabwe prepares to mark Heroes Day on August 11, a former ZIPRA commander has raised the alarm over what he describes as a disturbing and unexplained pattern of deaths among veterans of the country's liberation war.Andrew Ndlovu, who served as a Regional Zone Commander in the Northern Front 2 (NF2) during the armed struggle, said the rate at which former freedom fighters are dying has reached alarming levels and may be indicative of deeper systemic failures or historical causes that have gone uninvestigated."I am not happy about the rate at which veterans of the liberation struggle are dying," Ndlovu said during a media briefing on Sunday."It is very alarming, and I'm calling upon the government of Zimbabwe, through the War Veterans Ministry, to look into this matter seriously."Ndlovu called for an investigation into whether the deaths are linked to lingering effects of chemical warfare possibly deployed during the liberation war, or if they are a consequence of long-term neglect by the government, particularly in the areas of healthcare and welfare.The former commander did not mince his words, accusing the state of failing those who risked their lives to liberate the country."Many of our comrades have died in poverty, leaving behind families with nothing to hold on to under these difficult economic conditions," Ndlovu said."This is unacceptable, especially considering the sacrifices they made for Zimbabwe's freedom."He cited the slow and inconsistent payment of veterans' pensions and benefits as a major factor contributing to the deteriorating welfare of war veterans. Ndlovu said the situation is compounded by delays in disbursing funds owed to those vetted in 2022, 2023, and 2025 - some of whom have since passed away without receiving their entitlements."Delay has cost lives. The government must now act with urgency and respect the sacrifices made by these gallant sons and daughters of the soil."Ndlovu urged the government to allow veterans easier access to project funding without bureaucratic hurdles and demanded that the long-awaited return of ZIPRA Nitram properties be prioritised. The properties, acquired during the liberation struggle, remain inaccessible to ZIPRA veterans and their descendants decades after independence.He also called for land reform policies to be adjusted to benefit children of war veterans and ensure equitable land ownership."No one should be allowed to own more than one farm while others have none," he said, advocating for a fair redistribution system that respects the original goals of land reform.Turning to symbolic recognition, Ndlovu criticised the politicisation of national hero status and Heroes Acre burials, saying the shrine has lost its significance due to partisan declarations."Heroes Acre has been turned into a general cemetery," he said."Some individuals buried there were declared heroes on partisan grounds and not based on their actual revolutionary contribution."To restore dignity to the role of veterans, Ndlovu proposed the creation of a non-partisan national uniform for all liberation war veterans, with distinctions marked only by service medals. He also called for the issuance of all pending medals for both the liberation struggle and post-independence service.Furthermore, he advocated for the formal retirement of all former commanders at military ranks equivalent to those in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, arguing that this would preserve the historical and structural integrity of Zimbabwe's liberation history.As Zimbabwe commemorates Heroes Day, Ndlovu's remarks serve as a sobering reminder of the unresolved issues facing many liberation war veterans. His call for urgent action and reform is likely to resonate among ex-combatants and their families, many of whom feel left behind in the country they fought to free.Whether the government will respond with the seriousness Ndlovu is demanding remains to be seen. But the questions he has raised - about welfare, equity, recognition, and dignity - cut to the heart of Zimbabwe's national memory and the meaning of the liberation legacy.
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 handmade folding ruler analogy, which the team found could be used to model DNN training in different regimes. Credit: Shi, Pan & Dokmanic.

Deep neural networks (DNNs), the machine learning algorithms underpinning the functioning of large language models (LLMs) and other artificial intelligence (AI) models, learn to make accurate predictions by analyzing large amounts of data. These networks are structured in layers, each of which transforms input data into 'features' that guide the analysis of the next layer.

The process through which DNNs learn features has been the topic of numerous research studies and is ultimately the key to these models' good performance on a variety of tasks. Recently, some computer scientists have started exploring the possibility of modeling feature learning in DNNs using frameworks and approaches rooted in physics.

Researchers at the University of Basel and the University of Science and Technology of China discovered a phase diagram, a graph resembling those used in thermodynamics to delineate liquid, gaseous and solid phases of water, that represents how DNNs learn features under various conditions. Their paper, published in Physical Review Letters, models a DNN as a spring-block chain, a simple mechanical system that is often used to study interactions between linear (spring) and nonlinear (friction) forces.

"Cheng and I were at a workshop where there was an inspiring talk on 'a law of data separation,'" Ivan Dokmanic, the researcher who led the study, told Phys.org. "The layers of a deep neural network (but also of biological neural networks such as the human visual cortex) process inputs by progressively distilling and simplifying them.

"The deeper you are in the network, the more regular, more geometric these representations become, which means that representations of different classes of objects (e.g., representations of cats and dogs) become more separate and easier to distinguish. There's a way to measure this separation.

"The talk showed that in well-trained neural nets it often happens that these data separation 'summary statistics' behave in a simple way, even for very complicated deep neural networks trained on complicated data: each layer improves separation by the same amount."

The team found that the 'law of data separation' held true in networks with commonly used 'hyperparameters," such as learning rate and noise, but not for different hyperparameter choices. They realized that understanding why this happens could shed light on how DNNs learn good features across models. They thus set out to find a suitable theoretical description of these intriguing findings.

"At the same time, we were involved in some projects in geophysics where people use spring-block models as phenomenological models of fault and earthquake dynamics," said Dokmanic. "The data separation phenomenology reminded us of that. We thought about many other analogies. For instance, Cheng thought that equal data separation is a bit like a retractable coat hanger; I thought it's a bit like a folding ruler.

"We spent that winter holiday exchanging pictures and videos of various 'layer-structured' household items and tools, including these coat hangers, folding rulers, etc. I remember discussing whether a certain stretch trivet is a good model for a famous deep neural net called a ResNet."

After identifying various potential theoretical models and layered physical systems that could be used to study how DNNs learn features, the researchers ultimately decided to focus on spring block models. These models have already proved valuable for studying a wide range of real-world phenomena, including earthquakes and the deformation of materials.

Figure representing the team's spring-block theory of feature learning in deep neural networks. Credit: Shi, Pan & Dokmanic.

"We showed that the behavior of this data separation is eerily similar to the behavior of blocks connected by springs which are sliding on a rough surface (but also to the behavior of other mechanical systems, such as folding rulers)," explained Dokmanic.

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.

"How much a layer simplifies the data corresponds to how much a spring extends. Nonlinearity in the network corresponds to how much friction there is between the blocks and the surface. In both systems we can add noise."

When looking at the two systems in the context of the law of data separation, Dokmanic and his colleagues found that the behavior of DNNs was similar to that of spring-block chains. A DNN responds to the training loss (i.e., request to explain observed data) by separating data layer by layer. Similarly, a spring-block chain responds to a pulling force by separating the blocks layer by layer.

"The more nonlinearity there is, the more discrepancy there is between the outer (deep) and inner (shallow) layers: the deep layers learn / separate more; same for springs," said Dokmanic.

"However, if we add training noise or start shaking / vibrating the springblock system, then blocks will spend some time 'in the air,' without experiencing friction, and this will allow the springs to equalize the separation a bit. It's actually similar to 'acoustic lubrication' in process engineering, as well as to certain stick-slip phenomena in geophysics."

This recent study introduces a new theoretical approach to study DNNs and how they learn features over time. In the future, this approach could help to deepen the present understanding of deep learning algorithms and the processes through which they learn to reliably tackle specific tasks.

"Most existing results treat simplified networks that are missing key aspects of real deep nets used in practiceeither depth or nonlinearity or something else," explained Dokmanic.

"These works study a single impact factor on a stylized model, but the success of deep nets is predicated on an accumulation of factors (depth, nonlinearity, noise, learning rate, normalization, ). In contrast, we took a top-down approach which is phenomenological, not first-principles, but we obtain a general theory, an understanding of the interplay of all these things."

The spring-block theory employed by the researchers was so far found to be both simple and effective for understanding the ability of DNNs to generalize across different scenarios. In their paper, Dokmanic and his colleagues successfully used it to compute the data separation curves of DNNs during training and found that the shape of these curves is indicative of the performance of the trained network on unseen data.

Amusing videos of folding ruler experiments and DNN training in different regimes. Credit: Physical Review Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/ys4n-2tj3

"Since we also understand how to change the shape of the data separation curve in either direction by varying noise and nonlinearity, this gives us a (potentially) powerful tool to speed up training of very large nets," said Dokmanic.

"Most people have strong intuitions about springs and blocks but not about deep neural nets. Our theory says that we can make interesting, useful, true statements about deep nets by levering our intuition about a simple mechanical system. That's great because neural nets have billions of parameters, but our spring block system only has a handful."

The theoretical model employed by this team of researchers could soon be used by both theorists and computer scientists to further investigate the underpinnings of deep learning-based algorithms. As part of their next studies, Dokmanic and his colleagues hope to also use their theoretical approach to explore feature learning from a microscopic standpoint.

"We're close to having a first-principles explanation for the spring-block phenomenology (or perhaps the folding ruler phenomenology) in deep, nonlinear networks give or take a few approximations," explained Dokmanic.

"The other direction we are pursuing is to really double down on how to operationalize this to improve deep net training, especially for very large transformer-based networks like large language models. Having a proxy for generalization that is cheap to compute at training time, and an understanding of how to steer training to improve generalization, is a sort of a holy grail, an alternative route to the currently very popular scaling laws."

By understanding how the training of DNNs can be carefully engineered to improve their ability to generalize across other tasks, the researchers could also devise a diagnostic tool for large neural networks. For instance, this tool might help to identify areas that need to be improved to boost a model's performance, similarly to how stress maps are used in structural mechanics to identify regions of concentrated stress that could compromise the safety of structures.

"By analyzing the internal load distribution in a neural net, we can find layers / regions that are overloaded which may indicate overfitting and hurt generalization, or layers that are barely used, indicating redundancy," added Dokmanic.

Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadellithis 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: Cheng Shi et al, Spring-Block Theory of Feature Learning in Deep Neural Networks, Physical Review Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/ys4n-2tj3. Journal information: Physical Review Letters

 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:

Delegates are meeting in the main assembly hall at the UN Palais des Nations in Geneva.

Indigenous communities from North America are at talks on a global treaty on plastic pollution in Geneva, pleading the case for the environment they depend upon, which is slowly being choked by microplastics.

In the grounds of the United Nations headquarters, overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps beyond, a chant suddenly drifted through the humid summer air: a "water song."

Standing barefoot in a circle, six women and a young man from multiple North American Indigenous communities decided to do a spontaneous purification ritual.

A melancholic second chant follows, dedicated to the well-being "until the seventh generation" of "all the delegates" from the 184 countries attempting to thrash out what would be the first international treaty on tackling the worldwide ever-growing scourge of plastic pollution.

The UN-hosted talks, which began last Tuesday, resume on Monday for four more days, with oil-producing states and the so-called ambitious group of nations still far apart on what the treaty should encompass.

The young man in the middle of the circle, wearing a hat with two feathers attached, hands each of the six women a bowl containing burning seal fat and plant powders.

With both hands, Suzanne Smoke, from the Williams Treaties First Nations in Ontario, Canada, moved as if to catch the rising smoke, rubbing it on her face and body.

Countries are trying to negotiate a groundbreaking international treaty on combating plastic pollution.

'We carry knowledge'

Panganga Pungowiyi, an activist with the Indigenous Environmental Network, was also in the circle. She comes from Alaska, near the Bering Strait.

She is asking negotiators to craft a plastic pollution treaty that ensures justice, particularly for the most vulnerable communities, she told AFP.

"We carry knowledge; it's our responsibility -- our duty -- to share the information given to us by the ecosystems," Pungowiyi said, explaining her presence at the talks.

Alaska is affected by toxic chemicals, some of which come from plastic or from oil exploration.

"Toxic products travel to the north, through ocean currents and air currents," she said.

Henri Bourgeois Costa, an environmental and plastic pollution expert at the Tara Ocean Foundation, explained Alaska's predicament.

"Given the functioning of the major ecosystem cycles, Alaskan populations are already the most affected by mercury and PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) pollution -- industrial heavy metals now banned in developed countries -- even though Alaska doesn't use them," he told AFP.

The currents, which brought plenty of nutrients and schools of fish to the northwestern US state's residents, are now also bringing vast quantities of microplastics, he said.

Global plastic production in one year.

Car tires and salmon

A 2020 study from Washington State University demonstrated that a chemical additive used in the manufacture of car tires, 6PPD, had "deleterious effects on the reproduction of salmon," one of the most widespread fish in Alaska, Bourgeois Costa said.

A compound derived from 6PPD -- a preservative used to slow tire degradation -- comes off the rubber onto the roads, and gets into the water cycle, the study showed.

"No more fish -- no more seals: no more food," Pungowiyi said.

People can see the diseases suffered by birds and mammals in the surrounding environment, which ultimately go on to affect their own children, she said.

"We are exposed through food, water and forages, because we forage for our food," said Pungowiyi.

'If animals die, we die'

Aakaluk Adrienne Blatchford, an activist from a small Alaskan village, who came to the Geneva talks with financial support from an association, put it bluntly: "If animals die, we die."

The Chugach Mountains and Alaska's biggest city Anchorage seen from across the waters of the Knik Arm.

She spoke at a conference staged on the sidelines of the negotiations, which are struggling to find a consensus that would stop the amount of plastic pollution from growing.

"We rely on unhealthy products," Blatchford said, adding: "It's becoming harder and harder to maintain our food security."

And "there is no alternative," she added, with prices as high as "$76 for an imported frozen chicken" at the supermarket.

This is a trap for economically fragile populations living in "a symbiotic relationship with the world," she said.

"We need a collective decision on how to handle this crisis," she insisted, hoping that the treaty will include a list of banned chemical additives.

The plastics treaty talks are being held inside the UN's Palais des Nations complex.

During the ritual, held beneath a tree in the grounds outside, Blatchford stood with her eyes closed, tears rolling down her face.

 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:

A tourist watches the Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park, near El Calafate, Argentina, Nov. 1, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File

An iconic Argentinian glacier, long thought one of the few on Earth to be relatively stable, is now undergoing its "most substantial retreat in the past century," according to new research.

The Perito Moreno Glacier in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field for decades has been wedged securely in a valley. But it's started losing contact with the bedrock below, causing it to shed more ice as it inches backward. It's a change, illustrated in dramatic timelapse photos since 2020, that highlights "the fragile balance of one of the most well-known glaciers worldwide," write the authors of the study in the journal Communications Earth & Environment.

They expect it to retreat several more kilometers in the next few years.

"We believe that the retreat that we are seeing now, and why it is so extreme in terms of values that we can observe, is because it hasn't been climatically stable for a while now, for over a decade," said Moritz Koch, a doctoral student at the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and one of the study authors. "Now we see this very delayed response to climate change as it is slowly but surely detaching from this physical pinning point in the central part of the glacier."

Koch and his team did extensive field work to get the data for their calculations. To measure ice thickness, they flew over the glacier in a helicopter with a radar device suspended beneath. They also used sonar on the lake and satellite information from above.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people visit Glaciar Perito Moreno, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. It's a site known to "calve" ice chunks that fall into Lake Argentino below.

Tourists walk on the Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park, near El Calafate, Argentina, Nov. 2, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File

The basic physics of climate change and glaciers are intuitive: heat melts ice, and global warming means more and faster glacial melting, said Richard Alley, an ice scientist at Pennsylvania State University who was not involved in the study. But much like a dropped coffee mug, it's harder to predict when and exactly how they're going to break apart.

He said people who deny climate change frequently point to anomalies like Perito Moreno, which for a long time wasn't retreating when most other glaciers were.

Even without climate change, glaciers fluctuate a bit. But if the climate were stable, ordinary accumulation of snow and ice would offset the melting and movement, said Erin Pettit, a glaciologist at Oregon State University who was also not involved in the study.

Glacial melting, especially at the poles, matters because it could cause catastrophic sea level rise, harming and displacing people living in coastal and island areas. While the changes can be locally spectacular in places like Patagonia, Alley said the bigger concern is using studies like this one to understand "what might happen to the big guys" in Antarctica.

But even smaller glaciers have a powerful presence in communities, Pettit said. Ice has carved out many of the landscapes people love today, and they are intimately tied to many cultures around the world. Glaciers can be a source of drinking water or, when they collapse, a destructive force leaving mudslides in their wake.

"We are losing these little bits of ice everywhere," Pettit said. "Hopefully we're slowly gaining more respect for the ice that was here, even if it's not always there."

More information: The state and fate of Glaciar Perito Moreno Patagonia, Communications Earth & Environment (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-025-02515-7 Journal information: Communications Earth & Environment

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
After touring the JBS Swift & Co. meatpacking plant in Marshalltown, attending the Iowa State Fair and meeting with Johnson County Democrats, U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego made a stop in Davenport for a townhall meeting with local Democrats and their supporters on Saturday.

Sharing the stage with Gallego were state Sen. Mike Zimmer and Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart.

Hart said the party is running a Democrat in every race so they can get the word out about the party and connect with voters.

Meeting with reporters before the event, and then with about 185 people at Golden Leaf Banquet Center, Gallego said his goal in coming to Iowa is to basically help Democrats connect with the people once again and start taking elections away from Republicans.

We won in a very hard state in a very hard year, Gallego said of his U.S. Senate race in Arizona against Kari Lake, who is from the Quad-Cities.

We had some lessons learned that I think the Democrats need to take on, he added. We need to be winning in Iowa. We need to be winning in Nebraska. We need to be winning in Texas. Because every time we retreat and we just go to little safe spaces, sometimes we win and sometimes we lose."

The Democratic Party is supposed to be the party of the working class and middle-class, but that party got away from that vision and people started not identifying with Democrats, Gallego said. But the months since President Donald Trump returned to office have been clarifying for Democrats.

Protecting the working-class and the middle-class is what Democrats have always been about, he said.

Iowa politicians like Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Gallego said, have been making Iowa and Arizona sicker and poorer.

In response to Gallego's visit to Iowa, Anthony Fakhoury, communications director for Miller-Meeks, said in a statement to the Quad-City Times that Iowans wont forget (Gallego's) record: from cheering on the Democratic Partys abandonment of the Iowa caucuses to openly calling for small farmers to be 'taken over.

"His newfound interest in the Midwest is nothing more than political theater from a radical progressive with values Iowa has rejected time and again," Fakhoury said.

To turn things around, Gallego said, he needs to have partners not only in Arizona but in Iowa and other places around the country.

The focus right now is on the 2026 elections, he said. Iowa's 1st Congressional District, represented by Miller-Meeks, which includes the Iowa Quad-Cities, is considered a toss-up district by election forecasters such as the Cook Political Report.

Gallego said Republicans are looking to gerrymandering with mid-decade redistricting in states such as Texas to maintain their power base.

They know what theyre doing is harmful to the people of Iowa and Arizona, so instead of trying to change course theyre trying to change voters, he said.

In the first half of the Biden administration, when Democrats held the presidency and both houses of Congress, Gallego said, they should have passed anti-gerrymandering legislation to get big money out of politics and stop partisan gerrymandering.

However, he added, a couple of Democrats refused to participate in that effort, and were all paying for those results.

In the meantime, to counter the moves by Republicans, Democrats should be doing their own redistricting.

There should be no unilateral disarmament at all, Gallego said.

In terms of immigration, Gallego said there is a way to completely shut down the border and help the people who are here without status.

Many migrants who have been in the U.S. for years arent just people living and working here.

Theyre not just part of our community, theyre part of the economy, he said.

Instead of investing in more agents for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and separating families, it would be better to take these people whose only crime is coming into the country illegally, get them work status, make them pay a fine and then put them in line for legal status behind people who did come into the U.S. legally.

Being tough guys and going after migrants who have no criminal record beyond the fact that they came into the country illegally is not making us safer, Gallego said.

Laurie Lusinski, chair of the Muscatine County Democrats, asked that Gallego take a message to the Democratic National Committee about the taking away of Iowa first in the nation caucuses.

They screwed us, Lusinski said. Not just us, but they screwed Iowa. I cant tell you the amount of revenue that was lost here. South Carolina doesnt even want it. We want it.

Visiting the meatpacking plant in Marshalltown, he said, was impactful and took him back 27 years to the time he was working to pay for his schooling and help support his family.

Going during the 6 a.m. shift, which Gallego said he had also worked, he wanted to learn what the people are going through now.

Its still hard work, he said. Its still skilled work. Its still dangerous work.

But, Gallego added, what he heard from workers wasnt complaints, but more hopes.
News / National

by Staff reporter

British authorities have granted Zimbabwe permission to repatriate the remains of First Umvukela war heroes, taken to Europe during the colonial era as war trophies. The decision marks a significant step in Zimbabwe's decades-long quest to restore the dignity of its early liberation icons.The Government has begun preliminary preparations for the return of the remains, which include those of revered figures such as Nehanda, Kaguvi, Chief Chinengundu Mashayamombe, and Chief Chingaira Makoni - leaders of the 1890s resistance against British colonial rule.An inter-ministerial committee has been formed to oversee the repatriation process. The team includes representatives from the Ministries of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage; Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion; and Local Government and Public Works. Its mandate includes coordinating the return, mobilising resources, and consulting key stakeholders, including traditional leaders and descendants of the fallen heroes.The committee recently held a high-level meeting with traditional leaders and family representatives to agree on cultural protocols and funding mechanisms. At the same time, plans are underway to construct a state-of-the-art storage facility to house the remains upon their arrival, ensuring proper preservation and long-term conservation.11 Remains Confirmed in the UKTo date, at least 11 sets of human remains have been identified at the Natural History Museum in London. Two more are reportedly held at the Duckworth Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, while another set has been traced to an institution in Switzerland. The British museum has agreed to return the remains in its possession.New information also points to a possible set of remains housed in South Africa, believed to belong to another early Umvukela fighter. Authorities are working to verify the identity as part of a wider regional campaign to retrieve all remains of Zimbabwean liberation heroes.Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Ambassador Raphael Faranisi, confirmed the process has officially entered its initial phase."We have started the first phase of the process, which we hope will be done in the shortest time possible," said Ambassador Faranisi."Recently, we met to discuss resource mobilisation and the construction of a storage facility that will help preserve the remains once repatriated. There will also be a formal programme for the repatriation, which will be presented to the relevant authorities for approval."He added: "We have consulted with traditional leaders and descendants to ensure the process respects cultural and historical sensitivities."A senior official from the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ), speaking anonymously, confirmed that formal repatriations can now begin."We met two weeks ago with representatives from the Ministries of Finance and Local Government. The meeting was also attended by traditional leaders and descendants of the war heroes," the official said."We have now received confirmation from the UK museums that we may take back the remains. The next stage involves finalising the budget and timeline for the repatriation process."The remains being returned were looted during the early colonial period, following the brutal suppression of the First Umvukela. Many resistance leaders were executed and beheaded, with their skulls sent to Europe as trophies or subjects of racial and anthropological study.For Zimbabwe, the remains have long been seen as a painful symbol of colonial injustice and cultural desecration. Successive governments have made calls for their return, but progress had stalled until now.In 2019, the Natural History Museum submitted a detailed archival report to Zimbabwean authorities, tracing the origins of several remains using colonial-era records from Britain and South Africa. The report confirmed links between the skulls and known resistance figures.Zimbabwe's campaign is part of a broader continental push to reclaim stolen cultural heritage and human remains. In 2018, Namibia successfully repatriated skulls of Herero and Nama victims from German institutions, over a century after the 19041908 genocide.More recently, in 2024, the UK returned 32 looted Asante treasures to Ghana under a six-year loan deal with the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.For Zimbabwe, the return of the Umvukela heroes' remains is both a spiritual and political milestone - restoring honour to those who laid the foundation for the country's liberation.As the nation marks Heroes Day tomorrow, the impending return serves as a poignant reminder of a history interrupted, and now, slowly, being reclaimed.
Sustainable Management: Mexico categorizes sargassum as a fishery resource with development potential

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  The government of Mexico has incorporated sargassum as a fishing resource with development potential in the National Fisheries Charter. The classification was made official August 6 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRICULTURA) with a publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF).

The Ministry of Agriculture describes this event as a significant milestone in the management of Mexicos marine resources, opening the door to the technical, sustainable management and economic use of sargassum.

Hence, the Mexican Institute for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (IMIPAS) headed by Victor Manuel Vidal Martinez, who was also part of the classification decision, is key to this process, spearheading scientific research that allows for a better understanding of the ecological and productive role of this macroalgae.

In the open sea, sargassum forms veritable floating oases that harbor a unique marine ecosystem. These formations provide food and shelter for numerous species such as dorado, tuna and horse mackerel, which are highly commercially valuable fish.

Furthermore, sargassum performs essential ecological functions such as carbon sequestration and heavy metal bioabsorption. Even when it reaches the coast in moderate quantities, it helps prevent erosion and nourishes dune ecosystems.

According to the agreement published on August 6 in the Diario Oficial de la Federacion (DOF), large biomasses of holopelagic sargassum are emerging as a resource with multiple industrial applications: a food supplement in animal husbandry, fertilizers, biofuels, bioplastics, bioremediations and purifiers for water treatment, fibers and dyes for the textile and footwear industries and biomaterials for brick making.

The estimated collection volume is up to 945,000 tons of dried sargassum annually, collected by specialized vessels such as the Ocean Sargassum Vessel, designed by the Navy.

Sargassum is now classified as a fishery resource with development potential.

The accelerated growth of sargassum, which can double its biomass in less than three weeks, also represents a dynamic challenge. Therefore, IMIPAS points out that constant monitoring of biomass and ocean conditions is essential to anticipate its arrivals, especially in the Caribbean Sea, a highly vulnerable area.

In this regard, it indicates that it is advisable to develop specific regulations, fisheries management plans and fisheries management strategies under an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) approach with the participation of authorities from all levels of government, the productive sector and academia.

With this action, the Mexican government, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, is taking a firm step toward sustainable management of sargassum, not only to address an environmental challenge but also to generate sustainable economic opportunities for the benefit of coastal communities.

The change to the Charter was made August 6, 2025.

The update of the National Fisheries Chart is the cartographic and written presentation of the summary of the necessary information for the diagnosis and comprehensive evaluation of fishing activity and the indicators on the availability and conservation of fishing resources in waters under federal jurisdiction.

Scientists recently identified three types of sargassum in the Caribbean Sea.

The August 6 incorporation of sargassum as a fishing resource was made in conjunction with the Mexican Institute for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (IMIPAS), the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission (CONAPESCA) and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) in an update to the countrys National Fisheries Charter, which now includes Caribbean holopelagic sargassum as a fishery resource with development potential.

Mexicos sargassum can now be fished from the sea.

The new change in federal law will help the Quintana Roo government to move forward with the final phase of its plan to establish the states first sargassum transformation centre in being able to transform the states sargassum problem into a sustainable economic opportunity.

The goal for Quintana Roo is to certify sargassum harvesting as a greenhouse gas mitigation measure by preventing its decomposition on beaches. This measure would allow for the generation of unemitted CO certificates (carbon credits) which could be traded in voluntary or regulated markets.

The state is also looking to use the seaweed to generate biogas through biodigestion, as well as mixing it with organic waste and plant pruning, all with a circular economy vision.
You might remember the foul double-mishap that occurred earlier this year to Charley and Joan Gattuso. In June we covered their early 2025 travails; which involved raw sewage twice pouring into their finished basement last winter.

The former New Yorkers are in their 90s and have been married 73 years. They live in a modest house on Robyn Road, in southwest Roanoke off Colonial Avenue. Both flooding experiences followed weather with heavy precipitation.

The first flood, which was more severe, was Feb. 15, when Charley was in the hospital. Among other things, it destroyed basement furnishings, their water heater and clothes dryer  and damaged their washer. The Gattusos also lost more than seven decades worth of irreplaceable family photographs.

The second flood occurred March 5.

It was only after that mess that the water authority discovered the Gattusos problem was caused by a crushed sewer line  on nearby Wright Road Southwest  that had apparently been compromised years earlier.

The couples son, Charles Gattuso, fronted his parents money to clean up the mess. Remediation involved removing and replacing lots of basement drywall and disinfection efforts. The younger Gattuso estimated he was $15,000 out of pocket.

An insurance adjuster figured the damages  cleanup work, repairs and tossed household possessions  at around $20,000. That sum didnt include replacing the water heater and dryer and repairing the washer. Add in those and the total approaches $30,000.

Homeowners insurance denied the Gattusos claim because their policy lacked specific sewage-in-the-basement coverage. So they turned to the Western Virginia Water Authority, which is responsible for city sewer lines.

The authority submitted their claim to its insurer, the Virginia Risk Sharing Association, or VRSA. But VRSA said the authority bore no responsibility. The Gattusos cellar floods were caused by a damaged sewer line the next street over, VRSA said.

It became compromised in 2021 when a contractor for Verizon replaced a utility pole along Wright Road, said Sarah Baumgardner, an authority spokeswoman. Repairing that line ended up costing the authority $12,000, she added.

Unluckily for the Gattusos, their home was the closest one upstream from the damaged sewer pipe. (Its hard to say why it took four years for sewage to show up in the couples basement. Where was it flowing until Feb. 15, 2025?)

Twice in May and June emails, water authority Executive Director Mike McEvoy told Charles Gattuso that he had reached out to Verizon about the situation without a response.

On June 11, yours truly reached out to Verizon and exchanged a bunch of emails with spokeswoman Diana Alvear. She said it would take some time for telecommunications company to look into the Gattusos complaint.

We anticipate this investigation will take several weeks, Alvear told me July 2. I am committed to keeping you informed and will be in touch as soon as I have a substantive update to share.

On July 18, Alvear told me Verizons claims partner had been working with Charles Gattuso, the son, to process a claim. When I asked him about that July 24, Gattuso responded:

I provided (claims adjusters) with receipts and photos and gave them a brief summary. I was told that they wanted to get the claim processed as quickly as possible and given the claim amount escalate to their superiors. I got the impression that I would hear back from them relatively quickly. I will keep you posted. Thank you!

On Aug. 7, I contacted Charles Gattuso again.

Have you heard any more from Verizon about compensation? I asked in an email.

His reply was terse and curious: No updates that I can share.

I responded: Is that because of a nondisclosure agreement?

At this point the best way for me to respond is to say that we consider the matter closed, Charles Gattuso replied. My parents and I certainly appreciate your interest and support! Thank you.

Next I reached out to Alvear, the Verizon spokeswoman.

Weve come to a satisfactory resolution with the customer, she responded. For privacy purposes of the parties involved, we wont be able to elaborate on specifics, but feel free to reach out to the resident for additional information.

When nobodys willing to discuss details about a dispute resolution  but everybodys suddenly satisfied  it usually means the damaged party has signed a nondisclosure agreement.

Friday morning, my next call was to the Western Virginia Water Authority. Baumgardner was out of town. I ended up talking to Lilly Meighan, a WVWA communications specialist.

She was unable to get any information about the Gattusos dispute resolution by Friday afternoon, my deadline. The authority is seeking reimbursement for its $12,000 outlay to fix the crushed sewer pipe on Wright Road.

We filed a claim to Verizon and are still waiting on payment, Meighan said.

The last call was to Charley and Joan Gattuso. I left a voicemail and Joan called back shortly. She totally confirmed my suspicion.

I cant tell you anything about it because they made us sign a confidentiality agreement, she said.

We certainly appreciate the interest you put on this, she added. I think that certainly put a spur under their saddle. Thank you very much for taking an interest in our situation.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Some years ago, Panganayi Java divorced his wife and married another one.



Talent Muzuva Chiwenga set aside sermons to mock and admonish him for the divorce, insisting that a men must not divorce his wife according to the Bible.



That was before he divorced his own. Watch pic.twitter.com/oxHPFdUHKb  mmatigari (@matigary) August 10, 2025

Popular Zimbabwean preacher Apostle Talent Muzuva Chiwenga has publicly confirmed that his marriage to Nyasha Vanessa has ended, revealing that the relationship disintegrated almost immediately after their wedding in December 2023.In a candid address to his followers during a recent live church broadcast, Chiwenga said he felt compelled to speak the truth about what happened behind the scenes of his short-lived union. The couple, he revealed, only lived together for four days after tying the knot on December 16, 2023."I introduced her to the church in May 2024, but the reality is that the marriage had already collapsed by February," he said. "We only stayed together for four days. After that, I sent her back to her family."Chiwenga said he began to notice troubling signs in Vanessa's behaviour soon after the wedding, which led to the swift separation. He accused her of possessing traits that made cohabitation impossible - especially for someone in ministry."There were a lot of irregularities in her personality that I could not live with," he said. "Some of these things only became clear on the day I had to introduce her to the church."He emphasized that his decision to marry was not made lightly, saying he followed all the proper protocols and spiritual guidance before committing."It was not an experiment to marry her," Chiwenga insisted. "I did everything in order."By August 2024, the preacher said he had completely accepted that the marriage was unsalvageable. He claimed that Vanessa failed to meet the qualities expected of a suitable partner, particularly for a man of God."She failed by aspects to meet the standard of a woman who can be married by any man, let alone a man of God," he said.In a dramatic twist, Chiwenga went on to make explosive allegations, claiming that Vanessa had been spying on him and secretly recording private conversations during their brief time together. He accused her of working with unnamed external forces to gather information that could be used against him."She was working with external people to record incriminating things," Chiwenga alleged. "I even suspected that she tried to poison me."The revelations have sparked intense reactions on social media and within church circles, with many expressing shock at the rapid collapse of a union that had once been publicly celebrated.This is not the first time Chiwenga's personal life has made headlines. The fiery preacher, known for his controversial sermons and public rebukes of political and religious figures, has previously spoken about personal trials, including surviving multiple road accidents and mourning the loss of his first wife in 2019.Chiwenga did not provide further details on the alleged poisoning attempt or the identities of those he claims were working with Vanessa. He concluded his statement by saying he had forgiven her, but was determined to protect his ministry and reputation."I have moved on," he said. "But I had to tell the truth."Some years ago, Panganayi Java divorced his wife and married another one and Chiwenga set aside sermons to mock and admonish him for the divorce, insisting that a men must not divorce his wife according to the Bible.That was before he divorced his own.
Climate Science Glossary

Term Lookup

Enter a term in the search box to find its definition.

Settings

Use the controls in the far right panel to increase or decrease the number of terms automatically displayed (or to completely turn that feature off).
How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Jessica and Rich here. Its anonymous!

Dear How to Do It,

I came home from work unexpectedly after my office had to be evacuated due to a small fire, only to find my husband in bed with another man. Now he says he wants an open marriage and that nothing needs to change, so we can continue parenting our two kids, ages five and 18 months, as before.

When I asked him how long hes been doing this sort of thing, he admitted that it began about a month after we got married. He said he thought he was over these feelings and that getting married would put a stop to them, but it didnt. I feel betrayed. At least if my husband had come out and said he was gay, I could have dealt with that, and we could have gone our separate ways before any children were in the picture. Now I dont know what to do. Would it be better to maintain the status quo for their sake, as he suggests, or would it be smarter to end the marriage so I can move forward and he can live an authentic life?

Unsure Whether to Upset the Applecart

Dear Unsure Whether to Upset the Applecart,

I would need a little more information to advise with absolute certainty. Primarily, I would like to know what this means for you and your sexual relationship with your husband. Is he gay, as in this revelation marks the end of your sexual relationship as you know it, or is he bi/queer/some other orientation that will allow you to stay sexually connected to him while he (and you?) hypothetically has sex with others? Context has me thinking its the latter scenario, but thats neither here nor there. You should be surejust because your husband is having sex with men doesnt mean hes strictly no longer into women (or never was). Many still rush to erase bi people when they find out a dude has sex with dudes, and that kind of assumption could be a huge mistake here.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

If your husband does want to continue a sexual relationship with you while having sex with men, your own constitution and tolerance for non-monogamy should dictate whether or not you move forward in that endeavor. Not everyone is built for that kind of life, and thats OK. Some people struggle with jealousy, confusion, and an overall sense of unease when they find themselves in an open arrangement. It tends to require regular communication and boundary-drawing (goal posts may require moving once you start to realize what works and what doesnt in practice). Youll definitely want to consult with the trusted long-form texts on the matter, like Tristan Taorminos Opening Up (my favorite) and Janet W. Hardy and Dossie Eastons classic The Ethical Slut. A warning, though: Opening a relationship can be difficult even when all parties are enthusiastic about the idea; lopsided interest within a couple can only make things harder.

Advertisement

If, though, your husband has definitively decided he is only going to have sex with men and is asking you to remain in a sexless relationship for the sake of companionship and the maintenance of the family unit, thats an even tougher decision. More than two-thirds of mixed-orientation marriages, where one spouse is straight and the other gay, end in divorce, wrote Joe Kort and Alexander P. Morgan in their book, released in 201,4 that examines this phenomenon, Is My Husband Gay, Straight, or Bi? Its not an easy road, but it is one that some take for the status quo reasons that you mention. (Weve covered this subject before, so you can read a bit more about it in this past column.) It would pose a distinct challenge. You wouldnt be wrong for wanting to test this out and then deciding after a period of time that its not right for you. Even if you cant make it work, you would at least be able to say that you tried. A counselor who specializes in these kinds of arrangements may be useful. There are also many mixed-orientation support groups out there. Should you pursue this, you may feel alienated. It may be difficult to discuss with friends and family, and you may know no other people in this situation. But know that its something many attempt. You wont be alone.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Right now, it seems that you are mostly focused on your husband and family, but you should be thinking of yourself as well. You should make the best choice for you. If you want to leave your marriage, you can do this. Rest assured that your family will be OK. Plenty of blended families have figured out co-parenting and are all happier for it. This could be the case for you, too. While its admirable that youre considering what would be best for your family, you need to spend some time thinking about what it is that you want.

Get sex advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear How to Do It, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to How to Do It following up) Submit

Dear How to Do It,

My husband watches a lot of online porn and frequently wants to reenact what he sees. I accommodate him within reason, but as you can imagine, based on whats out there, theres nothing romantic or sexy about it. The problem is that this type of sex is increasingly the only thing he seems to be capable of, and its becoming a turn-off and a point of contention. Is there some way I can retrain him?

Not a Porn Star

Advertisement

Dear Not a Porn Star,

Its very hard to disabuse someone of their fantasies and interests, but people are certainly capable of altering their behavior. I dont know what this type of sex is increasingly the only thing he seems to be capable of means exactly, but if it involves waning erections when another type of sex is attempted or even suggested, it might be worth looking into some extra lift like a cock ring or PDE5 inhibitor like sildenafil or tadalafil. You wont get there, though, without a conversation about the turn your sex has taken.

Advertisement

Advertisement

If there is nothing sexy about the sex youre having, you shouldnt be having that sex. Tell your husband that this isnt working for you. You need something more romantic. It sounds like youre not having fun, and if thats the case, say it. If he pushes back, you can ask him why he thinks you should be engaging in sex that you arent finding fun. If there is non-penetrative stuff that youre into that he isnt providing (like kissing, oral, or fingering), ask for it.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Youve given him a lot by participating in sex that is, Im supposing, extreme and uncomfortable. Its not your thing. I think you should hold onto your generous spirit while advocating for yourself. At the very least, perhaps you can agree to two-way concessionsyou participate in the kind of activity that he requests that you can enjoy (or at least tolerate for a short period), and he should provide you with the kind of sex that you actually find sexy. Your bedroom should not be a dictatorship, but a democracy, and it seems that your voice has been ignored. If no amount of conversation or suggestion is enough to reach your husband, consider asking him to abstain from porn for a short period (a few days or weeks) and to see if that affects your dynamic (either by altering his conception of good sex or his sensitivity/horniness or both). If nothing here works, consider joint sex therapy.

Advertisement

Send Us Your Questions About the Workplace!

The columnists behind our new advice column, Good Job, want to help you navigate your social dynamics at work. Does your colleague constantly bug you after hours? Has an ill-advised work romance gone awry? Ask us your question here!

Dear How to Do It,

I previously wrote a letter with the sign-off Forever Horny. Thanks for putting things in perspective for me. I have had a number of friends who have died too young and numerous others with pretty severe illnesses or injuries. In all honesty, what am I complaining about? I want to have sex a lot? I have a partner who enjoys having sex with me? Boo hoo. This isnt a problem. Its an inconvenience and an annoyance, but many times its a blessing.

Advertisement

I appreciate the perspective you gave me, and I will stop pretending like its a big deal.

Forever Horny But No Longer Frustrated

Advertisement

Dear Forever Horny But No Longer Frustrated,

Well, Im glad that worked for you. I certainly didnt intend to minimize your annoyanceit was palpable and completely understandable that youd want to eradicate itbut to frame things in a different perspective, which it sounds like I did. It is the wish of every advice columnist that merely writing something into existence is all it will take to ameliorate our letter writers problem. Of course, things are rarely so simple. So think about what youll do should your horniness start to really irk you. Do you focus on how lucky you are? Do you actively call upon a method of sublimation that youve devised? Do you rub one out and/or have sex with your partner, and if that happens to be at a higher-than-usual frequency, so be it?

Advertisement

Advertisement

If nothing else, dont beat yourself up. Youre human. In my experience, one of the truest cliches is the grass is always greener. People can get used to anything, and instead of having gratitude for what we have, start to covet what we dont. There are a lot of people who would love to have your libido (we hear from them in this column from time to time!). Hold onto that. You have abundance in your life. Appreciating its gifts, rather than focusing on its shortcomings, may be a good way of dealing with it.

Advertisement

For further reading, you should check out this piece, Can Your Sex Drive Be Too High? from friend of the column, psychologist Justin Lehmiller on hypersexuality (a dubious term regarding a condition that is hard to diagnose). Its from 2022, but he just happened to repost it on X recently, so consider it kismet. The big takeaway here? Odds are, your sex drive is normal. Some people want sex a lot, some people want it a littleand some people dont want it at all. All of these things can be normal and healthy. I hope this provides even more helpful perspective.

Rich

More Advice From Slate

Im in a (sort of) newly open relationship. My partner came into this with some bad habits around mildly pushing my boundaries in ways that can be a breach of trust. In the most egregious cases, he did things like unexpectedly bringing one of his other partners along on our date or signing me up for a threesome without first finding out if I was down, leaving me in a super awkward position
Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily.

I started to develop a gray streak in my hair, right at the point of my right-side part, just before I turned 40. Back then I wore my hair shortlike a pixie with longer pieces in the frontand often I blow-dried the front straight up into a pompadour. As the gray grew in rapidly in my early 40s, my Mallen streak looked like an intentional contrast: I once was stopped by a young man in his 20s asking me who did my color. I did what I could to show it off, blowing the longer front pieces of my pixie cut straight up, Miley Cyrusstyle, to contrast the silver with the shiny dark brown on the rest of my head. It filled out more during COVID due to stress or age or both, who knows. I grew my hair longer, but on days when I put in the effort, I did my best to work my gray to my advantage.

For that decade, I felt like a young(er) woman with surprising gray hair. I am not great at taking compliments, but I would always take them for my streak. As my friends all started covering their grays with washes and highlights, I held out. The first time I met one of my German husbands sisters, she took my hands and told me she loved my hair. (I challenge you to find a middle-aged woman in Germany showing their gray.) But now, at 50, the gray has spread beyond the streak, and my hair is looking more washed out and dull than it used to. It was time to have the talk with Shaun Surething, my hairdresser, about my hair color.

So in July, I told him what I wanted: the Sontag. Or, the Steinem. (I could have gone with the Rogue, but Im not a Marvel-head.) The request translated perfectly to Shaun, who has been running Seagullfounded as New York Citys first unisex hair salon in 1971in the West Village for almost 20 years. Writer/musician Johanna Fateman, of the feminist dance band Le Tigre, co-owned the salon with Shaun for many years; photos of, and work by, queer artists and icons decorate the walls.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

We had a chat and agreed to take a baby step toward my vision. Shaun separated the gray in the front and put a rich, brown gloss on the rest. The result wasnt quite as dramatic as I had envisioned, but Shaun never lets me walk out of the salon looking unnatural. We can go darker the next time, he assured me. It was my first step toward realizing my feminist-icon-hair dreams.

I liked the subtly enhanced contrast of white and dark in my hair. But as we endure the daily chaos and outrage of the second Trump administration, I wonder if I run the risk of being misunderstood. If go super dramatic with my stripe, will people think Im referencing . party-switching conspiracy theorist and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard?

This thought hit me while my husband and I were watching late-night clips on YouTube, and something Gabbard had done had made it into a segment. I wish I could tell you what it was, but I was too stunned to register anything beyond: Oh no, I think Ive been asking for Tulsi Gabbards hair! I want to be clear: I like her hair. Shes got a full, thick head of very dark brown waves with an extremely cool shock of pale gray that streams perfectly from the center of her hairline through the cascade. But how can I possibly ask for a hairstyle that could be so dramatically misconstrued? I wanted to pay homage to some feminist titans of culture! Not to a Democratic Party defector who has become a Trump lackey.

Advertisement

I started thinking about Gabbards hair a lot. In 2019, she explained that her gray streak started coming in during her first deployment in Iraq, and that she would keep it as just a remembrance of those who we lost there and the cost of war and why we fight so hard for peace. OK, that sounds nice enough. But she deployed in 2004. That was a long-ass time ago. Shes 44 now, the same age I was when my streak really started filling out and grays started spreading deeper along my part, infiltrating the rest of my head. (To be fair, thats also when I separated from my first husband, which may have enhanced the growth.) Whats going on with her hair now? Is she dyeing the rest of her hair for contrast? Is she highlighting the gray? How does it look  so perfect? I decided to ask Shaun for his opinion. I sent him a picture.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Her hair reads as unnaturally black to me, he texted. In different pictures the white-gray highlights move around, suggesting that while the Sontag/Steinem streak may be enhanced gray (honestly, I think its just bleached), the other stripes are probably extension hair.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Gray hair extensions? This is a layer I have not explored. But Im interested!

Two things are happening here, he speculated. Tulsi has been informed that women with darker hair are taken more seriously (sad, but true). But the style signals second wave feminism, and it doesnt seem her politics align very well with that.

Shaun also tried to make me feel OK about wanting to emulate Sontag, even as Gabbard is likely the more high-profile woman at this moment with my coveted dramatic streak. While most middle-aged cosmopolitan women will opt to enhance something that already existssuch as darkening some gray in your hair to its natural base color to help your natural gray, to get the pop, he texted, Tulsis hair is the equal and opposite hair version of blond Mar-a-lago-face.

In other words, its good I didnt go too too dark on the non-streak hair, and this will keep me in the Steinem, if not the Sontag, family.

Still, Im conflicted. I wasnt sure about dyeing my hair in the first place, and as long as Gabbards in the news for unadvisedly declassifying documents or believing in aliens, I may need to refrain from doing anything more drastic to my look. Imagine if I were stopped again on the sidewalk, this time for someone to ask me where I got my Tulsi. Yikes!
Miami Marlins pitcher Cal Quantrill delivers in the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Home plate umpire Jen Pawol, left, watches Miami Marlins' Xavier Edwards, right, swing at a pitch in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Home plate umpire Jen Pawol signals a strikeout in the third inning of a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Joey Wentz delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Home plate umpire Jen Pawol calls a strike during the first inning of a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Home plate umpire Jen Pawol calls a strike during the first inning of a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Miami Marlins pitcher Cal Quantrill delivers in the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Home plate umpire Jen Pawol, left, watches Miami Marlins' Xavier Edwards, right, swing at a pitch in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Home plate umpire Jen Pawol signals a strikeout in the third inning of a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Joey Wentz delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Home plate umpire Jen Pawol calls a strike during the first inning of a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

ATLANTA (AP)  Matt Olson, Marcell Ozuna and Michael Harris II hit home runs to support a strong start from Joey Wentz and the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 7-1 on Sunday.

Jen Pawol, who made history in Saturday's doubleheader as the first female umpire to work a regular-season game in the majors, was behind the plate.

Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Pawol earned compliments for her work on the bases in Saturday's games. She received more support from fans on Sunday. Some held up Way to go Jen! signs. Though she was more in the spotlight while calling balls and strikes, Pawol made her work look routine.

Wentz (1-2) allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings for his first win since the left-hander was claimed by the Braves off waivers from Minnesota on July 11.

The Braves, who swept Saturday's doubleheader, won four of five games in a series that included a rescheduled game forced by a rain postponement on April 6.

Derek Hill hit a two-out double off Wentz in the second and scored on Liam Hicks' single.

Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Ozuna hit a three-run homer and Harris added a solo shot off Tyler Zuber in the seventh.

Key moment

Jurickson Profar, who had two hits, gave Atlanta a 2-1 lead with a run-scoring double off Tyler Phillips (1-1) in the fifth. Profar scored on Phillips' second wild pitch.

Key stat

Miami right-hander Cal Quantrill was pulled after throwing only 47 pitches. Quantrill gave up one run on three hits with no walks in four innings. It was his second-fewest pitches in a start this season.

Up next

Miami and Atlanta are off on Monday. The Marlins haven't announced their rotation plans for their series at Cleveland, which opens on Tuesday night. The Braves visit the New York Mets on Tuesday night with Spencer Strider (5-9, 4.04 ERA) scheduled to face Clay Holmes (9-6, 3.46).

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King, center, hands the ball to manager Mike Shildt (8) as he exits during the third inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Boston Red Sox's Jarren Duran, right, celebrates with teammate Masataka Yoshida (7) after scoring from third base on a balk during the third inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Padres' Ramon Laureano, right, is embraced by teammate first baseman Luis Arraez after Laureano hit a walk-off RBI single during the tenth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in San Diego. The Padres won 5-4. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Padres' Ramon Laureano, right, celebrates with teammate third baseman Manny Machado after hitting a walk-off RBI single during the tenth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in San Diego. The Padres won 5-4. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Padres' Ramon Laureano, center, is swarmed by teammates after hitting a walk-off RBI single during the tenth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in San Diego. The Padres won 5-4. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Padres' Ramon Laureano, center, is swarmed by teammates after hitting a walk-off RBI single during the tenth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in San Diego. The Padres won 5-4. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King, center, hands the ball to manager Mike Shildt (8) as he exits during the third inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Boston Red Sox's Jarren Duran, right, celebrates with teammate Masataka Yoshida (7) after scoring from third base on a balk during the third inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Padres' Ramon Laureano, right, is embraced by teammate first baseman Luis Arraez after Laureano hit a walk-off RBI single during the tenth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in San Diego. The Padres won 5-4. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Padres' Ramon Laureano, right, celebrates with teammate third baseman Manny Machado after hitting a walk-off RBI single during the tenth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in San Diego. The Padres won 5-4. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Padres' Ramon Laureano, center, is swarmed by teammates after hitting a walk-off RBI single during the tenth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in San Diego. The Padres won 5-4. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

SAN DIEGO (AP)  Ramon Laureano singled in Xander Bogaerts from second base with no outs in the 10th inning and the San Diego Padres beat the Boston Red Sox 5-4 on Saturday night.

With runners on first and second and the infield drawn in, Laureano, obtained from Baltimore at the trade deadeline, hit a chopper off off Garrett Whitlock (5-2) over third baseman Alex Bregman into left field. Bogaerts, who had a big game against his former team, scored.

Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Boston's Roman Anthony tied it in the ninth when a ground-rule double off All-Star closer Robert Suarez that brought in Ceddanne Rafaela.

Bogaerts homered, had an RBI single and walked.

Manny Machado cost San Diego at least one run with a failed hidden-ball trick before Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito walked in two straight runs during a fifth-inning meltdown that gave the Padres the lead.

With the Red Sox leading 3-2, Giolito allowed Fernando Tatis Jr.'s leadoff single in the fifth and then retired Machado and Luis Arreaz. But he then walked four straight batters, including Ryan O'Hearn and Ramon Laureano with the bases loaded, and was lifted.

Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Giolito walked Jackson Merrill on four straight pitches, threw only one strike to Bogaerts and O'Hearn and went to a full count against Laureano. He allowed four runs and five hits, walked six and struck out one.

Bogaerts, who signed a $280 million, 11-year free agent deal with the Padres in December 2022, homered leading off the second, his 10th, to tie it 1. He singled in Arraez with two outs in the third to pull the Padres to 3-2.

With one out in the top of the third, Jarren Duran took his lead off third base and Machado still had the ball after Alex Bregman was caught in a rundown on the previous play. With reliever Wandy Peralta on the rubber, Machado tagged Duran, who pointed to the mound. Third base umpire Scott Barry called a balk, and Duran scored to give Boston a 2-1 lead. Trevor Story moved from second to third.

By rule, the pitcher cannot be on the rubber for a hidden-ball trick to be legal. If another player tags a runner while the pitcher is on or straddling the rubber, its a balk.

Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Masataka Yoshida then hit a grounder to bring in Story and make it 3-1.

Key moment

Laureano's winning single.

Key stat

Padres relievers Jeremiah Estrada, Adrian Morejon, Mason Miller, Suarez and Jason Adam (7-3) combined for 13 strikeouts from the fifth through 10th innings.

Up next

Red Sox RHP Brayan Bello (8-5, 3.03 ERA) and Padres RHP Dylan Cease (4-10, 4.60) are scheduled to start Sunday in the series finale.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250810/hundreds-of-protesters-supporting-banned-palestine-action-detained-in-london---reports-1122587142.html

Hundreds of Protesters Supporting Banned Palestine Action Detained in London - Reports

Hundreds of Protesters Supporting Banned Palestine Action Detained in London - Reports

Sputnik International

Dozens of people are being detained in London at a protest in support of banned pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

2025-08-10T04:49+0000

2025-08-10T04:49+0000

2025-08-10T04:49+0000

world

london

united kingdom (uk)

metropolitan police

palestine

genocide

palestine-israel conflict

israeli-palestinian conflict

ethnic cleansing

hostages

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/08/0a/1122587349_0:141:3072:1869_1920x0_80_0_0_9a328d29135fa3f3378846e8943cc70e.jpg

In July, the UK government added Palestine Action to its list of terrorist organizations. Membership in the movement or its support became a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The rally in London was part of a campaign by supporters of justice from the Defend Our Juries organization. The action was designed to attract a mass gathering in support of Palestine Action in an attempt to surpass the police and judicial system's capacity to effectively counter violations of the ban. Defend Our Juries aimed to gather at least 500 people in London, based on the fact that the capital's police have about 520 available cells. Previously, the police quickly released those detained at similar rallies on bail. The protesters began gathering in the square outside the parliament in the afternoon. At 1:00 p.m. (12:00 GMT), they took out markers and wrote a slogan saying "I am against genocide, I support Palestine Action" on their posters. Hundreds of police officers are present at the rally. At 1:00 p.m., they moved into the crowd and begin selectively grabbing the protesters holding placards mentioning the banned group. All those detained are being put into police cars and taken away. The crowd is chanting "shame, shame!" Meanwhile, the police have cordoned off the parliament square around the entire perimeter. Later in the day, the Metropolitan Police announced the arrest of 466 individuals at the rally in London. Anyone with a pro-Palestine Action placard was arrested, according to CNN.Palestine Action was banned after activists broke into the UK's largest Royal Air Force (RAF) base, Brize Norton, in the county of Oxfordshire, damaged two Airbus Voyager refueling aircraft with crowbars and sprayed red paint on their turbines. According to their statement, the the action was motivated by the RAF's daily flights from Brize Norton to Akrotiri in Cyprus, which is involved in military operations in the Gaza Strip.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250809/gaza-crisis-people-facing-critical-shortages-unrwa-warns-1122583390.html

london

united kingdom (uk)

palestine

gaza strip

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

protests, gaza protests, pro-palestinian protest, genocide, ethnic cleansing, humanitarian disaster, humanitarian catastrophe, humanitarian ceasefire, israel-hamas conflict, gaza strip crisis, shelling of gaza, gaza devastation, israel-palestine conflict, palestine-israel conflict, israeli-palestinian conflict, palestinian-israeli, killings of civilians, civilian infrastructure, civilians dead, civilians die, israel kills civilians, civilian casualties, civilian deaths, indiscriminate shelling, indiscriminate killing, war crimes
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250810/iran-iaea-to-discuss-new-formats-of-interaction-on-monday---foreign-ministry-1122590191.html

Iran, IAEA to Discuss New Formats of Interaction on Monday - Foreign Ministry

Iran, IAEA to Discuss New Formats of Interaction on Monday - Foreign Ministry

Sputnik International

TEHRAN, (Sputnik) - Tehran will hold talks with one of the deputies of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi on new forms of... 10.08.2025, Sputnik International

2025-08-10T18:09+0000

2025-08-10T18:09+0000

2025-08-10T18:09+0000

world

abbas araghchi

masoud pezeshkian

iran

tehran

international atomic energy agency (iaea)

sputnik

foreign ministry

natanz

newsfeed

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/03/0d/1093828484_0:143:3071:1870_1920x0_80_0_0_7e02fe5e9544a4d3b61a213ae44fceb5.jpg

"Tomorrow we will hold talks with the deputy of Mr. Grossi, the IAEA Secretary General, on the issue of new forms of interaction," Araghchi was quoted as saying by Iranian news agency IRNA. On July 2, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a decree that suspended Iran's cooperation with the IAEA. The foreign minister said that channels for cooperation remained open. Iran says that its cooperation with the IAEA is conditional on safeguards for its nuclear facilities and scientists. The suspension of cooperation is linked to Iran's criticism of the IAEA and Grossi for inaction amid US and Israeli strikes on nuclear facilities in Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz.

iran

tehran

natanz

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

abbas araghchi, masoud pezeshkian, iran, tehran, international atomic energy agency (iaea), sputnik, foreign ministry, natanz, newsfeed
News / National

by Staff reporter

The inaugural flight took off from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport and landed in Victoria Falls aboard an Embraer ERJ aircraft, officially opening a direct air link between Zimbabwe's industrial capital and its prime tourist destination.The route, which will operate four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, is expected to significantly boost tourism, ease business travel, and enhance regional trade connections  especially for exporters aiming to reach Zambia and beyond.Speaking at the launch, Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) CEO Tawanda Gusha (@TgGusha) hailed the achievement as a result of successful collaboration between Fastjet Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), and the Bulawayo community."The ACZ route development initiatives are bearing fruit, and this new service reflects what can be achieved through strong public-private partnerships," Gusha said. "This route is a strategic enabler for tourism, trade, and economic integration."The new connection enables both domestic and international tourists to experience the best of both cities - the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls rainforest and the cultural richness and natural beauty of Matobo National Park, all within a single trip.Travel and hospitality operators in Bulawayo and Victoria Falls have welcomed the route, expecting it to drive visitor numbers and hotel occupancy rates. For business travelers and exporters, the service also shortens travel time and logistical costs for goods and services moving between regions.The Victoria Falls airport's proximity to the Zambia and Botswana borders means that the route offers much more than a leisure link. It's seen as a gateway for Zimbabwean exporters to regional markets.Fastjet has positioned itself as a key player in regional aviation, offering affordable and reliable flights across Southern Africa. With this new route, the airline further strengthens its domestic network, connecting Harare, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, and Johannesburg with greater flexibility.The collaboration with local stakeholders was crucial in making the route a reality. The Bulawayo community was instrumental in demonstrating the need for the connection, while the ZTA continues to work on promoting domestic travel as a pillar of national tourism growth.As Zimbabwe continues to rebuild its tourism and transport sectors post-COVID and amid ongoing economic reforms, initiatives like this one signal a return of confidence and growing investment in local infrastructure.Bookings for the new BulawayoVictoria Falls flights are now open via Fastjet's website and partner agencies.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250810/russia--us-could-become-friends-again--errol-musk-1122586073.html

Russia & US Could Become Friends Again  Errol Musk

Russia & US Could Become Friends Again  Errol Musk

Sputnik International

Errol Musk, the father of US entrepreneur Elon Musk, told RIA Novosti that he believes that Russia and the United States can develop friendly relations again.

2025-08-10T04:18+0000

2025-08-10T04:18+0000

2025-08-10T04:18+0000

world

russia

us

us-russia relations

us-russia dialogue

us-russia relations

elon musk

sanctions

western sanctions

us sanctions

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/08/0a/1122586153_0:60:3194:1857_1920x0_80_0_0_c3d014ed4942eb9e10412ed2e07fcf38.jpg

"I would say so," Errol Musk said when asked if he thinks that people in Russia and the US would realize one day that they can be friends again.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250809/putin-trump-summit-to-take-place-in-alaska-on-aug-15-1122581051.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

errol musk, us-russia relations, us-russia talks, russia-us talks, musk in russia, musk loves russia
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250810/thousands-protest-in-israel-over-government-plans-to-take-control-of-gaza---reports-1122586757.html

Thousands Protest in Israel Over Government Plans to Take Control of Gaza - Reports

Thousands Protest in Israel Over Government Plans to Take Control of Gaza - Reports

Sputnik International

Thousands of people protested in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities against the backdrop of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to establish control over the entire Gaza Strip, the Times of Israel reported.

2025-08-10T04:31+0000

2025-08-10T04:31+0000

2025-08-10T04:31+0000

world

benjamin netanyahu

israel

gaza strip

tel aviv

hamas

genocide

hostages

palestine-israel conflict

israeli-palestinian conflict

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/08/0a/1122586856_0:181:3072:1909_1920x0_80_0_0_5dfbe4f0f5e9e76938c3eaa365c6c21a.jpg

On Thursday, Netanyahu announced that Israel intended to establish control over the entire Gaza Strip in order to create a security perimeter and subsequently transfer it to the control of a new "civilian government." He added that at the same time, the State of Israel did not plan to maintain long-term control over the strip. On Saturday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Israel's plan to expand the military operation in Palestinian territory would have negative consequences for the entire region and worsen the situation in the Gaza Strip. Protesters gathered in Tel Aviv and cities across Israel on Saturday night to call for a hostage deal and a ceasefire before Israel begins its planned mission to take over Gaza. Families of the hostages have called for a general strike against the plan, which they warn will mean a death sentence for their loved ones, the newspaper said. As the newspaper notes, these are the largest protests in Israel in recent months. According to its data, at least 10,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv. The protests are taking place in dozens of cities across the country, the publication concluded. On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. After that, Hamas militants infiltrated border areas, opening fire on military and civilians, and took more than 200 hostages. According to the authorities, about 1,200 people were killed on the Israeli side. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords, which included strikes on civilian targets, and announced a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip: supplies of water, electricity, fuel, food and medicine were stopped. The fighting, which was interrupted by short-term ceasefires, claimed the lives of more than 61,000 Palestinians and about 1,500 Israelis, spread to Lebanon and Yemen, and provoked an exchange of missile strikes between Israel and Iran.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250808/israels-decision-to-control-gaza-due-to-global-inaction--palestinian-ambassador-1122575380.html

israel

gaza strip

tel aviv

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

hostages, protests, demonstrations, relatives, netanyahu, gaza occupation, conquer gaza, genocide, ethnic cleansing, humanitarian disaster, humanitarian catastrophe, humanitarian ceasefire, israel-hamas conflict, gaza strip crisis, shelling of gaza, gaza devastation, israel-palestine conflict, palestine-israel conflict, israeli-palestinian conflict, palestinian-israeli
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250810/uk-defence-ministry-covered-up-radioactive-leak-from-nuclear-storage-into-sea---reports-1122587927.html

UK Defence Ministry Covered Up Radioactive Leak From Nuclear Storage Into Sea - Reports

UK Defence Ministry Covered Up Radioactive Leak From Nuclear Storage Into Sea - Reports

Sputnik International

The UK Ministry of Defence has been covering up for years the leak of radioactive water into the sea from a nuclear warhead storage facility in western Scotland due to old pipes bursting, the Guardian newspaper reported, citing documents from the Scottish environmental regulator.

2025-08-10T05:33+0000

2025-08-10T05:33+0000

2025-08-10T05:33+0000

military

united kingdom (uk)

scotland

britain

submarine

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107052/98/1070529827_0:222:3208:2026_1920x0_80_0_0_ebe179b5c16dedc596a0431523a02118.jpg

The base where Britain's nuclear bombs are stored allowed radioactive water to leak into the sea after old pipes repeatedly burst.According to the publication, the military base in question is near the Scottish settlement of Coulport. It stores nuclear warheads intended for four Trident submarines, which are based nearby. Citing documents from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), the publication said that the military base's pipes had repeatedly burst: in 2010, then twice in 2019 and twice more in 2021. According to the regulator, at the time of the ruptures, about half of all the storage equipment had expired. As noted, water contaminated with radioactive tritium, a substance used in warheads, was leaking from the pipes. According to the publication, Sepa and the British Ministry of Defence have tried to hide information about the leaks for many years, claiming that it was a matter of national security. But recently, Scottish Information Commissioner David Hamilton ordered this data to be made public, after which it was obtained by the Scottish media Ferret and the Guardian.

united kingdom (uk)

scotland

britain

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

uk, britain, scotland, british defense ministry, submarine, radioactive leak
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250810/vance-says-trump-wants-us-to-end-financing-of-conflict-in-ukraine-1122590311.html

Vance Says Trump Wants US to End Financing of Conflict in Ukraine

Vance Says Trump Wants US to End Financing of Conflict in Ukraine

Sputnik International

WASHINGTON, (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump wants the United States to halt the financing of the conflict in Ukraine, with US citizens tired of spending... 10.08.2025, Sputnik International

2025-08-10T18:45+0000

2025-08-10T18:45+0000

2025-08-10T18:45+0000

world

jd vance

us

donald trump

ukraine

washington

americans

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/07/1120805660_0:161:3028:1864_1920x0_80_0_0_e8075a575eabadcd34346afcae7a907f.jpg

"The president and I certainly think that America, we are done funding the Ukraine war business. We want to bring about a peaceful settlement to this thing. We want to stop the killing. But Americans, I think, are sick of continuing to send their money, their tax dollars, to this particular conflict," Vance told Fox News. If the Europeans want to buy weapons from US manufacturers to transfer them to Ukraine, then Washington does not object, the vice president said. "But we're not going to fund it ourselves anymore," he said. Trump is convinced that his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15 is "worth the effort," Vance said. "Maybethis works out, maybeit doesn't, but it's worth the effort; it's worth trying," he quoted Trump as telling him privately on the morning of the interview.

ukraine

washington

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

jd vance, us, donald trump, ukraine, washington, americans
Rakesh Kumar Jat Vs Commissioner of Customs (Delhi High Court)

Delhi High Court, in a recent ruling, has directed the Customs Department to release a 64-gram gold piece seized from Rakesh Kumar Jat, an Indian citizen residing in Kuwait. The decision, issued on July 14, 2025, by Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, came after the petitioner challenged an Order-in-Original dated May 27, 2025, which had confiscated the gold for non-declaration upon his arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Rakesh Kumar Jat, who holds a valid State of Kuwait Civil ID Card, was intercepted by Customs officials on April 26, 2024, while traveling from Kuwait to New Delhi. The gold piece, valued at 4,49,544/-, was detained. The petitioners counsel argued that no show-cause notice was issued before the impugned order, and that his authorized representative was not permitted to seek the golds release as per the orders terms. He further asserted that as an eligible passenger, he was willing to re-export the gold.

The Customs Department, represented by Senior Standing Counsel Mr. Harpreet Singh, expressed willingness to implement the impugned order. The said Order-in-Original had denied the petitioner any Free Allowance for not declaring the gold at the Red Channel or to the intercepting Customs Officer at the Green Channel. It ordered the confiscation of the gold piece under various provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, including Sections 111(d), 111(i), 111(j), and 111(m), which deal with improperly imported goods, goods imported contrary to prohibition, concealed goods, and goods not corresponding to declarations.

Crucially, the impugned order also provided an option to redeem the confiscated gold upon payment of a fine of 25,000/- under Section 125 of the Customs Act, 1962, which allows for redemption of confiscated goods by paying a fine in lieu of confiscation. This redemption was conditional on the petitioner agreeing to re-export the gold from India, given his residency abroad as evidenced by his Kuwaiti Civil ID. Additionally, a penalty of 30,000/- was imposed on the petitioner under Sections 112(a) and 112(b) of the Customs Act, 1962, which pertain to penalties for improper importation of goods or abetting such acts. The offer of redemption was valid for 120 days from the date of the orders receipt.

Given that the petitioner ultimately agreed to comply with the terms of the impugned order, the Delhi High Court directed the Customs Department to give effect to it within two weeks. This means the gold piece is to be released to Rakesh Kumar Jat, or his authorized representative, upon payment of the stipulated fine and penalty. The court also mandated that 50% of the warehousing charges would be payable by the petitioner. The petition was disposed of in these terms. This decision highlights the courts pragmatic approach in facilitating the resolution of customs disputes when parties are willing to comply with existing orders, even while addressing procedural concerns raised by the petitioner. No specific judicial precedents from other cases were explicitly cited in the courts reasoning within this particular judgment.

FULL TEXT OF THE JUDGMENT/ORDER OF DELHI HIGH COURT

1. This hearing has been done through hybrid mode.

2. The present petition has been filed by the Petitioner- Rakesh Kumar Jat under Article 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India, inter alia, assailing the Order-in-Original dated 27th May 2025 passed by the Office of Commissioner of Customs (hereinafter, impugned order). The present petition further seeks release of one uneven shaped gold cut piece, weighing 64 grams, of the Petitioner (hereinafter, gold piece) which was seized by the Respondent vide detention receipt bearing no. 52619 dated 26th April, 2024.

3. The case of the Petitioner, who is an Indian citizen, is that he is residing and working in Kuwait having a valid State of Kuwait Civil ID Card bearing no. 294082102954. According to the Petitioner, he was travelling to New Delhi by flight no. JE-409 on 26thApril, 2024. Upon arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, the said gold piece of the Petitioner was detained by the Customs Department.

4. Ld. Counsel for the Petitioner submits that there was no Show Cause Notice which was issued to the Petitioner and without the same being issued, the impugned order has been passed. According to the Petitioner, he had appointed an Authorized Representative to appear before the Customs Department and seek release of the said gold piece in terms of the impugned order. However, the same was not permitted. Hence, this petition.

5. Ld. Counsel for the Petitioner further submits that the Petitioner is an eligible passenger and is willing to re-export the gold piece. Hence the same deserves to be released.

6. Mr. Harpreet Singh, ld. Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the Customs Department submits that the Department is willing to give effect to the impugned order dated 27thMay, 2025.

7. Heard ld. Counsel for the parties. The impugned Order-in-Original dated 27th May 2025 directs as under:

1. I deny the Free Allowance, if any, admissible to the Pax Rakesh Kumar Jat for not declaring the detained goods to the Proper Officer at Red Channel, as well as to the Customs Officer at Green Channel, who intercepted him and recovered the detained goods from him.

2. I order confiscation of the One uneven shaped gold cut piece, having purity 999 weighing 64 grams valued at Rs. 4,49,544/- recovered from the Pax Rakesh Kumar Jat and detained vide DR No. DR/INDEL4/26.04.2024/0052619 dt. 26.04.2024 under section 111(d),111(i),11 1(j) and 111(m) of the Customs Act, 1962;

3. I give an option to redeem the goods confiscated above, on payment of a fine of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) under Section 125 of Customs Act, 1962 and allow the same for re-export from India as the Pax has residency abroad as evidenced by State of Kuwait Civil ID Card No. 294082102954, expiry date 22.12.2025. The redemption is to be allowed after the completion of legal formalities in this regard and also fulfillment of any regulatory clearances/ approvals required. The offer of redemption, if accepted, shall be subject to condition that the Pax shall not dispute the identity and valuation of the detained goods. The offer of redemption shall cease after One Hundred Twenty Days from date of the receipt of this order; 4. I also impose a penalty of Rs. 30,000/-(Rupees Thirty Thousand Only) on the Pax, Rakesh Kumar Jat under section 112 (a) and 112(b) of the Customs Act, 1962.

As per the above order, the Petitioner has been permitted to redeem the gold item subject to payment of Rs. 25,000/- and with an undertaking to re-export. In addition penalty of Rs. 30,000/- has been imposed.

8. Since the Petitioner has already agreed to abide by the impugned order, let the impugned order be given effect to by the Customs Department within a period of two weeks from now and the said gold piece shall be released to the Petitioner upon the payment of the amounts in terms of the said order.

9. Accordingly, the Petitioner shall appear before the Customs Department and may collect the detained gold item through an Authorised Representative, in which case, the detained item shall be released after receiving a proper email from the Petitioner or some form of communication that the Petitioner has no objection to the same being released to the concerned Authorised Representative.

10. In the facts of this case, 50% warehousing charges shall also be liable to be paid by the Petitioner.

11. Petition is disposed of in these terms. All pending applications, if any, are also disposed of.
A bolt of lightning strikes deep inside a California forest in the middle of the night.

The spark becomes a flame, and within seconds, a satellite dish swirling overhead picks up on the anomaly and triggers an alarm. An autonomous helicopter takes flight and zooms toward the fire, using sensors to locate the blaze and artificial intelligence to generate a plan of attack. It measures the wind speed and fire movement, communicating constantly with the unmanned helicopter behind it, and the one behind that.

Once over the site, it drops a load of water and soon the flames are smoldering. Without deploying a single human, the fire never grows larger than 10 square feet.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This is the future of firefighting.

Members of Cal Fire, various fire agencies and tech companies learn about an autonomous Black Hawk helicopter, part of new California wildfire fighting technology, at the Silverwood Welcome Center on April 25 in Hesperia.

On a recent morning in San Bernardino, state and local fire experts gathered for a demonstration of the early iterations of this new reality. An autonomous Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter, powered by technology from Lockheed Martin and a California-based software company called Rain, is on display on the tarmac of a logistics airport in Victorville  the word "EXPERIMENTAL" painted on its military green-black door.

It's one of many new tools on the front lines of firefighting technology, which experts say is evolving rapidly as private industry and government agencies come face-to-face with a worsening global climate crisis. For many attendees, the trauma of January's firestorm in the Altadena and Pacific Palisades neighborhoods of Los Angeles remains top of mind.

Read more: Wildfire weather is increasing in California and much of the U.S., report finds

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"The dream is the evolution of this," said Maxwell Brodie, Rain's chief executive. "The dream is to be able to live in your neighborhood knowing that there is protection from catastrophic high-intensity fire, and to feel safe. And I think that if we look hard at what is likely coming over the decades ahead, there's no time to waste."

Indeed, the outlook for wildfire activity in the years and decades to come is concerning. Scientific studies and climate research models have found that the number of extreme fires could increase by as much as 30% globally by 2050. By 2100, California alone could see a 50% increase in wildfire frequency and a 77% increase in average annual acres burned, according to the state's most recent climate report.

That's largely because human-caused climate change is driving up temperatures and drying out the landscape, priming it to burn, according to Kate Dargan Marquis, a senior advisor with the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation who served as California's state fire marshal from 2007 to 2010.

One of the sensors on the autonomous Black Hawk helicopter.

"It's not really a controversial issue: Fires are going to increase in size, intensity and frequency across the western United States  probably globally in large measure  and it's because the atmosphere is getting hotter and drier," Dargan Marquis said. "That means the problem statement of wildfire is growing in front of us. The systems that we have built today, the communities that we have built today, the policies of today and the technologies of today are not going to serve us tomorrow. So we have to ramp up on all of those."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It wasn't all that long ago that firefighters were using paper maps and bag phones to navigate and respond to wildfires. Today, more than 1,100 mountaintop cameras positioned across California are already using artificial intelligence to scan the landscape for the first sign of flames and prompt crews to spring into action. NASA's Earth-observing satellites are studying landscape conditions to help better predict fires before they ignite, while a new global satellite constellation recently launched by Google is helping to detect fires faster than ever before.

Much of the innovation is coming from Southern California, according to Dan Munsey, chief of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District who also chairs the technology committee of the International Fire Chiefs Assn.

Read more: As California fires worsen, can AI come to the rescue?

The goal, Munsey said, is to advance technology so that 95% of the state's fires can be limited to 10 square feet or less. It's something he likened to the moonshot  President Kennedy's goal of landing on the moon by the end of the 1960s.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

"We need to be bold with our vision in order to get to that new state," Munsey said. "People look at it and say you're crazy, but you need a little bit of craziness because we're going to keep on burning down the Palisades and Altadena. We need to change the way we're doing business."

Such changes must include a top-down reconsideration of infrastructure, budgets and training, he said, which should occur in conjunction with the launch of satellite dishes, autonomous helicopters and drones, AI-powered cameras and other new tools.

Chief Dan Munsey of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District discusses the importance of advancing wildfire technology in April.

"The only effective way to keep our communities safe is to embrace technology and innovation," Munsey said.

As advanced as they may seem, the current tools are only scratching the surface of what's possible, according to Kirk McKinzie, a 35-year fire service veteran who studies and consults on fire service technologies.

Advertisement Advertisement

Think augmented reality helmets that will allow firefighters to create a 3-D image of a burning building in real time  including mapping exits, locating people in need of assistance and alerting crews ahead of a smoke explosion or structure collapse with time to spare.

Smart fire trucks outfitted with sensors, cameras and radars will allow teams to get to blazes faster, and smart nozzles will monitor the flow of their hoses and alert in advance of water supply issues. Firefighters, too, will don uniforms with intelligent fabrics that will allow commanders to monitor their heart rates and other physiology metrics to spot a crew member in distress.

Such tools won't come cheap. Cost estimates for future technology are speculative and difficult to come by  its hard to say, for example, what a smart fire truck will cost in 2050  but AI-powered rigs and autonomous helicopters will probably run fire departments millions of dollars.

But the real savings will come from prevented fires, McKinzie said. The estimated damage from L.A.'s firestorm alone is more than $250 billion.

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more: Can satellites combat wildfires? Inside the booming 'space race' to fight the flames

Although these tools and solutions are not yet pervasive in the industry, there is growing acceptance that they must be considered, McKinzie and others say. "The question is, how do we get there, with due digital safeguards, yet swiftly?"

He painted a picture of Los Angeles as a smart city  in which electric fire and EMT aircraft zip across the sky, utility grids detect ignition sources instantly, and houses can even douse themselves in fire retardant or gel ahead of advancing flames. Robots, too, will be used to fight fire in high-risk situations  as was already done in 2019 when a firefighting robot named Colossus, developed by the firm Shark Robotics, battled flames searing through Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Indeed, much of this technology is already in development or in existence from companies such as Verizon and AT&T and technology firms such as Pivotal, ERIS, Magic Leap, Qwake and FLAIM, which are pioneering personal response aircraft, augmented reality software, heads-up displays and thermal imaging devices, among other smart tools for firefighters.

A fire bucket is dragged to an autonomous Black Hawk helicopter.

Advertisement Advertisement

One project in development from the Department of Homeland Security and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is known as AUDREY, or the Assistant for Understanding Data through Reasoning, Extraction and Synthesis, which will use AI to track fire crews as they move through an environment using head-mounted displays or mobile devices, collecting data to guide them through flames and monitor for danger.

"I'd like to think that the industry can take a step forward with technology," McKinzie said. "Whether that is an expanded early response, whether it's an early notification to citizens to preserve property and life, or an intelligent grid to inform infrastructure entities responsible for water supplies of a pending shortage, it is a multi-factor equation."

In fact, finding water is also an issue that experts hope to soon resolve. During the Palisades fire, crews reported that scores of fire hydrants ran dry or suffered from low pressure, while a reservoir in the area sat empty as the fire burned .

Read more: New fire maps increase hazard zones in L.A. and Southern California by 3.5 million acres

Advertisement Advertisement

One group tackling this problem is Wildfire Water Solutions, a startup that brings water directly to the scene of a fire through a system of mobile pumps, pipes and tanks, saving crews valuable time that is often spent transporting water tenders and securing their own supplies. The system can deliver a continuous flow of more than 150,000 gallons of water per hour up to 50 miles away from its source, according to Chief Executive Mike Echols. It can even desalinate water quickly, which means ocean water could potentially be used to fight a blaze like the Palisades fire in the future.

Such a system could have made a "huge difference" in January, Echols said.

"I'm not going to say anything can prevent an act of nature like that, but just think about having a continuous water supply network to disperse wherever it's needed."

Another forward-looking firm, Frontline Wildfire Defense, has created a sprinkler system that uses fire-tracking technology to detect blazes near a home. Once triggered, the system saturates the house and property with water and firefighting foam, "creating an environment that is too wet to burn," according to the company.

An autonomous Black Hawk helicopter is being developed for future firefighting.

It's not only private industry that is building L.A.'s firefighting future. Government officials also understand the growing urgency of the situation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Proposed federal legislation known as the "Fix Our Forests Act," which is currently working its way through Congress, calls for the development of a suite of a high-tech products among its plans for managing forests and reducing wildfire threats, including AI and augmented reality tools, infrared-equipped low-Earth orbit satellites, and quantum computing applications. The bill has passed the House and is pending in the Senate.

Meanwhile, a state assembly bill, AB 270, would direct the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to establish a pilot program to assess the viability of incorporating autonomous firefighting helicopters in the state. The agency in 2023 opened its own Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development, which is dedicated to investigating new tools for emergency response, including ways to enhance firefighters' situational awareness and to use AI to power drones, data collection and post-fire analyses.

"At the end of the day, we either keep pace with technology, or technology advances past us," said Cal Fire Chief Joe Tyler.

But while technology continues to advance, some say there must also be an evolution of the ways in which Californians think about fire.

Read more: Fires

For years, the majority of the state's residents and firefighting agencies have operated under an ethos that all fire is bad  ignoring Indigenous burning practices and the fact that fire has been a natural part of California's landscape since long before humans ever arrived. By keeping fire out of the state's wildlands altogether, California has grown thick with branches, brush and understory that are now acting as fuel for the state's ever-larger blazes.

"We have some challenges in front of us recognizing that there is a need for fire in many landscapes," said Dargan Marquis, the former state fire marshal, who also spent 30 years as a firefighter and chief. In addition to advancing new firefighting technology, "how do we also, at the same time, hold in our heads and in our strategies and in our goals that fire is beneficial?"

Though much of present progress is by necessity focused on extinguishing flames, she hopes that in the years ahead, experts and technology will also find ways to incorporate as much "good fire" as possible.

"We can see a pathway to moving our technology, our fire service, our social acceptance and our entire wildfire perspective through an understanding  an arc of change  where fires become manageable events and then eventually, in 50 years, we can see them as valuable opportunities," she said.

There are other kinks to work out as well. In San Bernardino, officials had to cancel their scheduled demonstration of the autonomous Black Hawk helicopter due to 80 mph wind that day.

Brodie, Rain's chief executive, was disappointed but not deterred. Wind is a huge factor in many fires  including the Palisades and Eaton fires  and sending autonomous aircraft in when it's too dangerous for humans to fly is among his goals.

"The thing that keeps me up at night, and gets me up in the morning, is moving faster in advancing these technologies that we have  that are already here  so that we can start moving faster towards this future," Brodie said. He noted that the combination of satellite constellations, smart grid data, early detection cameras and pre-positioned autonomous resources "just make sense, and the economics pencil out."

"This is the special moment we are in now," he said. "There's no reason why we can't do this."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
News / National

by Staff reporter

In a blistering and unfiltered critique, Khandani Msibi, Group CEO of NUMSA Investment Company and 3Sixty Global Solutions Group, has accused South African financial regulators of systematically targeting and dismantling black-owned financial institutions under the guise of regulatory oversight.In a wide-ranging and highly charged conversation, Msibi pulled no punches, naming Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago and the Prudential Authority (PA) as central figures in what he described as a longstanding campaign to frustrate the growth of black-owned firms in the financial services sector.Stellenbosch University which is viewed as anti black officially appointed Kganyago as the institution's 16th Chancellor which other commentators believed he is being rewarded for sabotaging black businesses."Lesetja Kganyago and the Prudential Authority have destroyed black banks and insurance companies," Msibi charged. "They frustrate the licensing of black people who want to enter this industry, including myself. Actually, I should write a whole book."He cited a string of failed or beleaguered black-owned institutions - from Nest Life and Ithala Bank to VBS Mutual Bank and 3Sixty Life - arguing that regulatory actions such as curatorship have been selectively and harshly applied. Msibi questioned why black-owned entities are swiftly sanctioned while larger, historically white-owned firms with similar solvency challenges are allowed room to recover.Msibi's criticism follows the prolonged curatorship of 3Sixty Life, an insurer servicing primarily NUMSA members. The company was placed under curatorship in December 2021 on the grounds of liquidity and solvency concerns. However, nearly two years later, the insurer remains under the control of a court-appointed curator."You placed 3Sixty Life on curatorship on 21 December 2021, making certain allegations about solvency and liquidity. Ordinarily, 3Sixty Life should not have existed beyond six months if your assertions were true," Msibi said.He further alleged that the company had successfully recapitalised, and solvency was no longer an issue. Instead, he claimed the continued curatorship is being justified by the failure to finalise audited financial statements - a failure, he says, orchestrated by the curator herself."She [Fagmeedah Petersen-Cook] dismissed the actuarial firm and the internal auditors. How do you finalise audits without auditors? We've been stuck in curatorship for 22 months because of unaudited statements, not because of solvency," said Msibi.Msibi accused the SARB and PA of weaponising curatorship to stifle black economic empowerment in the financial sector, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis, when many firms - not only black-owned - faced liquidity strain."The idea that you place companies under curatorship to protect policyholders is disproved by the mayhem you have allowed curators to unleash," Msibi said, referencing client service disruptions at Doves Group, which is part of the broader 3Sixty Group.He added that 3Sixty Life's entry into certain "forbidden areas" of the market may have triggered regulatory hostility. "3Sixty Life was beginning to compete in spaces where we were not welcome. That's the real issue," he argued.Beyond regulatory concerns, Msibi suggested there may be financial motivations behind the prolonged curatorship, pointing to alleged disparities in curator compensation."The initial curator was paid R400,000. The current curator is being paid over R2 million. There's a gravy train here. The longer 3Sixty Life stays under curatorship, the more some people benefit," he claimed.Msibi's comments speak to a deeper frustration with South Africa's economic transformation agenda, particularly Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), which he says has failed to deliver meaningful control over key financial assets."The economic liberation of black people will never happen if we don't own banks," he declared.He also challenged the effectiveness of black regulators in promoting true empowerment, saying many have become gatekeepers rather than enablers.While litigation between 3Sixty Life and the PA has temporarily quieted, Msibi's public statements suggest the battle is far from over. He has signaled his intent to keep speaking out - and fighting - until systemic barriers to black ownership in financial services are dismantled.With mounting pressure on the Prudential Authority and Reserve Bank to justify the continued curatorship, the controversy is likely to reignite debate over regulatory fairness, transformation, and who truly benefits from South Africa's financial system.
THANKS to social media platforms like TikTok, there is a lot of hype around magnesium. But is the obsession warranted?

The Express spoke with general practitioner and social media content creator Dr Mariana Browne to learn more about the different types of magnesium and what they are good for. There are about five different types of magnesium salts that can help boost your magnesium levels. One of the most popular is magnesium citrate.
Opinion / Columnist

The best job an African dream of is to become a President: not medicine, not teaching, not becoming a university professor, not engineering or physicists, Chemists, social scientists or whatever. What if the young and hopeful Akot Emmanuel; he is already called Mr. President; what if he did not make it to become one? Even Albeit Einstein did not formulate his theory of relativity at 11 years of age. He was still playing at that age. The young hopeful is flown to places he wishes to go. He went to Ethiopia, at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, visited President Mnangagwa, of all Presidents in Africa. President Mnangagwa did not disappoint. He displayed his parental best: walked around the famous farm, they broke bread together: Mnangagwa was at his element; spent the day with a child whose age could be one of his great-grand-children. He did well by all parental standards.At 11 years, Emmanuel is swallowing what is power at his formative years. Those that are mentoring him, have they asked questions about methods of bringing up children to reach their potential? Certainly not flying from one African capital city to the other but creating an environment conjusive to learning. He has this educational environment already where he stays: Emmanuel stays in a safe place for children from broken homes; his mother could not look after him, so he landed in this safe place. I am deeply thankful to organizers for creating of such safe places for children who would otherwise be in the streets; no education, not roof under their heads, what it entails in street-childhood upbringing.What is contentious here is "the feeding", a regime he must undergo at a tender age. His education is very sound because he can articulate African politics, past and present well but with many holes. A plus point but that's not enough. Mandela was a cattle herder at his age. His informal skills were acquired while he was herding cattle, interacting with peer cattle herders of his age. It is not the same with Akot Emmanuel: instant gratification is given to him when he just dreams about it. This method of upbringing is dangerous to a hopeful child. There will come a time when it will not be possible to dream about meeting important people and get it. What if he did not become president, a big disappointment. He will force it to happen. That is where dictatorships start. He will be ruthless in coercing people to adhere to his idea of one Africa under one president: Akot Emmanuel as President of Africa. He has been to Mnangagwa's Zimbabwe. He will emulate all his oppressive traits to become THE PRESIDENT OF AFRICA he dreamt of.This article is the second one within a week. I am deeply concerned about Emmanuel Akot. I would advise those in charge to facilitate Emmanuel with many books to read. At 11 years it is cruel to zero him to becoming a politician. I listened to Emmanuel explaining scientifically how an ear functions. In his childhood language, I was able to understand how sound is transmitted to the brain. Bravo! Emmanuel Akot is a smart kid. The mistake his mentors are making is to narrow his ability to become a politician. His knowledge of natural science is advanced. It is for this reason that mentorship must emphasize playing and reading. His mentors are exposing him to a terrain that is dangerous in the first place. All Africans want to be presidents and be famous: Emmanuel is saying it already; how many people will come and crowd around to hear him speaking. That is cruel. What has Emmanuel spoken about, what other boys of his age cannot speak. The difference is Emmanuel is high esteemed polished by time and experience. However, not every child of his age can explain how an eardrum works: Emmanuel's academic excellence. He is gifted and talented but in cruel mentorship hands that don't know themselves they are cruel. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.If Emmanuel is living in "safe spaces" because for several reasons he could stay with his parents, that a lone is a shadow he will contend with when he grows. Mammalian bodies are very cruel. How he lost his parents to stay in a safe place has been captured by the nervous system. The shadow is the inner child to nurse for life. Currently active is his intelligent mind that wholly appreciates his environment benevolently facilitated to him. Children with fragile start in life must be given special upbringing because a lot is happening in them that is not wholly been understood by experts. It is for this reason that playing is the medicine first and foremost. Play, play, play, reading, reading, reading!I entirely believe his mentors do not realize the grave mistake they are doing to Emmanuel. My articles are appealing to Emmanuel's mentors to leave him to play with his peers, read a lot to expand his knowledge base. Emmanuel has a lot of time ahead of him. Why this rush in a boy whose bright future is already given. Our African backgrounds emphasized playing to facilitate informal education. Please do not teach him to recite arrogant sentences on social media: it does not sound right to say, "I will be president and will be popular". Already cancelling his natural science abilities and capabilities to become what many Africans would like to become: Mr. President. In Ndebele, they say "Umthentwe uhlaba usamila" It means a young mind can absorb many things around him that could be a serious problem in future.Albeit Einstein was asked by a parent what he must do so that his son becomes inventive, like him. His answer was simple: please make sure your son plays a lot. He must play, and play, and play. At 11 years, the combination of playing and reading becomes essential. If he read enough, he would have known that going to visit President Mnangagwa was a grave mistake for his future career as president of Africa. President Mnangagwa is one of the worst dictators in Africa. Akot will emulate Mnangagwa's traits, later how genocidist consolidate power around them. Emmanuel will maintain the "salute" permanently, "Mr. President" at all costs because it was given to him at a tender age. He will not understand why populations reject his leadership. If rejected, he will coerce them, if they don't, he will shoot them all.It is becoming painful to hear him talking on social media. He is collecting his videos for future purposes. I hope he will get in touch with my articles on social media advising him quite different from what his mentors are telling him. If I said they are abusing Emmanuel, that is not true. It is not abuse per se. African post modernity emphasize education because of our colonial education systems: to remove oneself from poverty, one must emphasize the importance of education early in a child. The global north has realized very late that children who played enough at their early stages, have stable adulthood. I am sure it will make sense to psychologists and sociologists and teachers too. Emmanuel, please aspire to be someone better than becoming a President; an average smart mind can become a President. But you are not average: even by a stretch of imagination. You would contribute to Africa a lot if you became a teacher, a medical doctor, a mathematician, a chemist, agriculture and whatever! Just saying.
SIXTY-YEAR-OLD David Greeves died after he attempted to save his home which caught fire whil
WASHINGTON  Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday Canadians are focused on building up their economy after U.S. President Donald Trump again hit nations around the world with increased tariffs  days after slapping Canada with a higher duty.

Carney said there is a lot to do in Canada and his government is focused on "what we can control."

"Yes we are having discussions with the Americans but Canadians want us to focus here at home," the prime minister told reporters in Ottawa.

Trump escalated his trade war last week by hitting Canada with a baseline 35 per cent tariff that applies only to goods not covered by the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement on trade, better known as CUSMA.

Just after midnight on Thursday, U.S. tariffs on goods from more than 60 other nations and the European Union were increased. The duties range from a low of 10 per cent to 50 per cent for Brazil.

"BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TARIFFS ARE NOW FLOWING INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!" Trump posted on social media just after the duties took effect.

The EU, Japan and South Korea  which have brokered trade agreement frameworks with the Trump administration  saw U.S. tariffs increase to 15 per cent. Bangladesh and Vietnam were hit with 20 per cent duties. Switzerland saw its tariff increase to 39 per cent.

Nations are also being hit with Trump's separate tariffs on steel, aluminum, copper and automobiles.

American tariffs are now at a level not seen in the U.S. in almost a century. The Budget Lab at Yale, a non-partisan policy research centre, has said Americans will see an average tax of 18.3 per cent on imported products, the highest rate since 1934.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford told media outlet CNN on Wednesday that "a tariff on Canada is a tax on the American people."

"This is hurting the American people," Ford said, adding that Canada and other countries are "diversifying our trade."

When asked how Canadians view Trump, Ford said he's "probably the most disliked politician in the world in Canada because he's attacked his closest family member, and that's the way we look on it."

"And when I talk to the governors, senators and congresspeople, even Republicans totally disagree, but they're too scared to come out and say anything because the president will go after them," he added.

Signs are emerging that Trump's tariffs are starting to drag down the American economy. After the release of a bleak jobs report last week, Trump fired the head of the agency that produces the monthly figures.
If you are age 70 or older and have savings in an IRA, you may be able to give directly from your IRA and save even more on your federal and Arizona taxes. If your custodian sends a payment directly from your IRA to the Arizona Daily Star Sportsmens Fund, you may be able to deduct it as a Qualifying Charitable Distribution on your tax return even if you claim the standard deduction. Consult your tax adviser for more information about how this applies to you.

Who was Fox?

John "Fox" Batastini of Sierra Vista died June 15, 2025. He was 79.

Batastini, a U.S. Air Force captain who flew out of Da Nang Air Base during the Vietnam War, was awarded four Distinguished Flying Crosses, the first on Aug. 7, 1971.

He donated to the Sportsmen's Fund each year in memory of his fellow F-4 fighter pilots who didn't make it home from Vietnam.
DAVENPORT, IOWA  After touring the JBS Swift & Co. meatpacking plant in Marshalltown, attending the Iowa State Fair and meeting with Johnson County Democrats, U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona made a stop here for a town hall meeting with local Democrats and their supporters on Saturday.

Sharing the stage with Gallego were state Sen. Mike Zimmer and Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart.

Hart said the party is running a Democrat in every state race so they can get the word out about the party and connect with voters.

Meeting with reporters before the event, and then with about 185 people at Golden Leaf Banquet Center, Gallego said his goal in coming to Iowa is to basically help Democrats connect with the people once again and start taking elections away from Republicans.

We won in a very hard state in a very hard year, Gallego said of his U.S. Senate race against Kari Lake, who is from the Quad Cities.

We had some lessons learned that I think the Democrats need to take on, he added. We need to be winning in Iowa. We need to be winning in Nebraska. We need to be winning in Texas. Because every time we retreat and we just go to little safe spaces, sometimes we win and sometimes we lose.

The Democratic Party is supposed to be the party of the working class and middle class, but that party got away from that vision, and people started not identifying with Democrats, Gallego said. But the months since President Donald Trump returned to office have been clarifying for Democrats.

Protecting the working class and the middle class is what Democrats have always been about, he said.

Iowa politicians like Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Gallego said, have been making Iowa and Arizona sicker and poorer.

In response to Gallegos visit to Iowa, Anthony Fakhoury, communications director for Miller-Meeks, said in a statement to the Quad-City Times that Iowans wont forget (Gallegos) record: from cheering on the Democratic Partys abandonment of the Iowa caucuses to openly calling for small farmers to be taken over.

His newfound interest in the Midwest is nothing more than political theater from a radical progressive with values Iowa has rejected time and again, Fakhoury said.

To turn things around, Gallego said, he needs to have partners not only in Arizona but in Iowa and other places around the country.

The focus right now is on the 2026 elections, he said. Iowas 1st Congressional District, represented by Miller-Meeks, which includes the Iowa Quad-Cities, is considered a toss-up district by election forecasters such as the Cook Political Report.

Gallego said Republicans are looking to gerrymander with mid-decade redistricting in states such as Texas to maintain their power base.

They know what theyre doing is harmful to the people of Iowa and Arizona, so instead of trying to change course theyre trying to change voters, he said.

In the first half of the Biden administration, when Democrats held the presidency and both houses of Congress, Gallego said, they should have passed anti-gerrymandering legislation to get big money out of politics and stop partisan gerrymandering.

However, he added, a couple of Democrats refused to participate in that effort, and were all paying for those results.

In the meantime, to counter the moves by Republicans, Democrats should be doing their own redistricting.

There should be no unilateral disarmament at all, Gallego said.

In terms of immigration, Gallego said there is a way to completely shut down the border and help the people who are here without status.

Many migrants who have been in the U.S. for years arent just people living and working here.

Theyre not just part of our community, theyre part of the economy, he said.

Instead of investing in more agents for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and separating families, it would be better to take these people, whose only crime is coming into the country illegally, get them work status, make them pay a fine and then put them in line for legal status behind people who did come into the U.S. legally.

Being tough guys and going after migrants who have no criminal record beyond the fact that they came into the country illegally is not making us safer, Gallego said.

Laurie Lusinski, chair of the Muscatine County Democrats, asked that Gallego take a message to the Democratic National Committee about taking away the Iowa first-in-the-nation caucuses.

They screwed us, Lusinski said. Not just us, but they screwed Iowa. I cant tell you the amount of revenue that was lost here. South Carolina doesnt even want it. We want it.

Visiting the meatpacking plant in Marshalltown, he said, was impactful and took him back 27 years to the time he was working to pay for his schooling and help support his family.

Going during the 6 a.m. shift, which Gallego said he had also worked, he wanted to learn what the people are going through now.

Its still hard work, he said. Its still skilled work. Its still dangerous work.

But, Gallego added, what he heard from workers wasnt complaints, but more hopes.
The following is the opinion

and analysis of the writer:

Our economic development ecosystem in Southern Arizona is broken. It could not be more evident than over the past few weeks as our community has battled over data centers, water and power use, and Project Blue.

I have been working on economic development issues since I was elected to serve on the City Council in 2007. I led in the creation of the City of Tucsons Economic Initiatives Office and a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Tucson. I worked alongside Mayor Walkup, Congressman Grijalva, other elected leaders, residents and transportation advocates to bring the streetcar from the University through Downtown across the Santa Cruz River to the Westside. Although not everyone was a fan of the streetcar, in the ten years since its construction, it has created over 1,200 construction jobs, over 1,500 new housing units, 50 new restaurants and businesses and over $4 billion of private investment.

With economic development, the whole community wins or loses  not just one entity or jurisdiction, not just one neighborhood or business organization. Right now, there are so many individual plans, pillars, strategies, agendas and priorities that no one person can explain clearly and easily what our collective vision is as a region. This is to our own detriment. The current system is fragmented and divides us. It is time to bring together a broad coalition of Tucsonans to create a vision for our economic development future.

We need an economic development strategy that works for all of us. We need to make sure that in addition to our current economic development leaders, we include our young leaders, labor union leaders, neighborhood leaders and environmental voices. We need to include our small business leaders and people working in cross-border trade. We need to include our vocational partners and people focusing on workforce development for youth, veterans, and second-career people. Our economic development plan should be created and executed with our whole community and grounded in our shared values. That is what I plan to do.

Tucson has a higher percentage of people living in poverty than Arizona as a whole. When Mayor and Council passed the Prosperity Initiative in 2024, it was with the clear understanding that we need to reduce generational poverty and increase generational wealth.

In January, I applied for and was accepted into the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, with my key priority being economic development. Ill be working alongside the City Manager to bring this work home to Tucson. Well need to structure ongoing, transparent and broad participation from our community as described above to get it right.

Over the next 12 months, I am asking Tucsonans to join me, our academic partners at Pima Community College and the University of Arizona, workers and our labor unions, scientists and climate experts, our partners at Pima County and other jurisdictions, our Indigenous partners, economic development and business leaders, students and families, to create our collective economic development strategy for our shared future.

It is time for us to take the reins and engage with each other. We must figure out what we want to say yes to. We want to move forward together with a strategy that protects our environment and creates prosperity to ensure that we all can thrive in our beautiful, sustainable, desert city with economic opportunity for all.
Bibi Khatoon Yaqoubi, 57, is hiding in Tajikistan waiting for Canadian authorities to finalize her refugee sponsorship case. (Submitted by Noorullah Hakemi - image credit)

An Afghan Canadian man is calling on the federal government to speed up the refugee sponsorship process for his mother, who fled Afghanistan after she was beaten by the Taliban and is now hiding in Tajikistan to avoid deportation back to Kabul.

Noorullah Hakemi, who lives in Ottawa and came to Canada in 2019, said his mother, Bibi Khatoon Yaqoubi, 57, remains in danger because the authoritarian government in Tajikistan has ordered the deportation of Afghan refugees.

"She is living in a good condition for now from the health perspective, but it's not a good condition from the safety perspective," Hakemi told CBC News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He served as an adviser in the Afghan government before the Taliban took power.

"There is huge human rights violation [in Tajikistan]. They're arresting people, they're beating people, they're torturing people," said Hakemi.

English-language media reports from the region in June said that authorities in Tajikistan had launched sweeping immigration raids targeting Afghan refugees.

Rafi Ferdous, a founding member of the Afghanistan-Canada Council, said an estimated 3,000 Afghan refugees in Tajikistan were awaiting the processing of their sponsored refugee cases to come to Canada. He said Ottawa needs to prioritize these cases.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We want the government [of Canada] to process the cases waiting in Tajikistan," said Ferdous.

Afghan Canadian Noorullah Hakemi, who lives in Ottawa, is calling on Canada to speed up his mother's refugee sponsorship process to avoid her deportation back into the hands of the Taliban. (Submitted by Noorullah Hakemi )

Ottawa trying to 'protect' refugees destined for Canada

Canada allows community groups, organizations, corporations and groups of citizens to bring in refugees through a sponsorship program. Under the program, sponsors are responsible for providing refugees with living and financial support, and help them find work and arrange for schooling.

Throughout the late 1990s and into the early 2000s, Tajikistan was one of the main corridors Afghan refugees used to travel to Canada. The country has traditionally been hostile toward the Taliban, said Ferdous.

"They [the Tajikistan government] changed their behaviour and this is new and this is kind of strange," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said in an emailed statement to CBC News that it was "deeply concerned about reports" of Afghan refugee deportations by Tajikistan authorities.

The statement said the government was working with the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to liaise with authorities in Tajikistan to "protect and support Afghans destined for resettlement in Canada."

WATCH | Canada denies permit for Afghan refugee facing deportation from U.S.:

Global Affairs Canada said in an emailed statement that Canada does not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan and that the group remains listed as a terrorist entity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The statement said Canada was monitoring the treatment of Afghan refugees in Tajikistan, as well as in Pakistan and Iran.

Helen Thibault, an associate professor of political science at Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan, said there may be several factors behind the Tajikistan's government decision to send Afghan refugees back into the arms of a Taliban government they have historically opposed.

Thibault said Tajikistan may be following the lead of Russia, which has recognized the Taliban as Afghanistan's legitimate rulers.

"Whenever Russia does something, Tajikistan is one of the first countries of Central Asia to follow," she said.

'Copycat effect'

The Tajikistan government may also be feeling a strain on resources from hosting about 10,000 Afghan refugees in a small country, she said. The majority of refugees are in the poorer, more rural southern region that borders Afghanistan, said Thibeault.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It could be that Tajikistan is seeing what is happening in the U.S. and says, 'Oh, well, you know, this is an acceptable practice now. We can deport anybody that is allegedly violating our migration laws.' It's like a copycat effect," she said.

For Hakemi, the motives don't change the fear he faces every day knowing his mother could be grabbed and deported back to a country under a regime that nearly took her life.

"Of course I'm afraid, she is not where she is supposed to be," he said. 'Where she is living is not stable. If she goes back to Afghanistan, I don't know what will happen with the Taliban there."

This photo, provided by Noorullah Hakemi, shows Bibi Khatoon Yaqoubi receiving treatment for fractures she suffered from a beating by Taliban officials. (Submitted by Noorullah Hakemi)

Hakemi said his mother's sponsorship was arranged through an Afghan women's immigration group in Toronto.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He said his mother fled to Tajikistan in December 2024 after recovering from a beating at the hands of Taliban officials that left her with two fractured legs and a fractured left hand, along with other injuries, according to a report submitted to Canadian immigration officials that included medical records and photographs.

She was dragged into the street, whipped and beaten in front of a crowd during Aug. 15, 2024, celebrations marking the Taliban's return to power, according to the report.

"There were two other women. I told them that the Taliban are murderers and all that," said Yaquobi in an audio statement she recorded for CBC News describing her ordeal.

"Those women told the Taliban what I said. The Taliban pulled me out of the car and beat me. I was unconscious and ended up in the hospital  When I regained consciousness, I realized my arms and legs were broken."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Yaquobi's case has been filed with the office of Richard Bennett, the UN's special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan.

Bennett's office did not respond to a CBC request for comment.
Steve Metzer Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Steve Metzer 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

OKLAHOMA CITY  A year after Oklahoma dropped its sales tax on groceries, Republican and Democratic leaders agreed Friday that the cut helped everyday Oklahomans, but some called for keeping a watchful eye on state revenue and for caution going forward to guard against threats in funding for vital services.

According to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, the grocery tax cut had an impact of about $308 million on revenue in the nine months of fiscal year 2025 it impacted. The cut is expected to have a full-year impact of $418 million on FY 2026.

House Majority Leader Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, said he supported eliminating the tax because the Oklahoma economy was  and is  in sound shape and overall revenues have been strong. He liked the idea, too, of helping Oklahomans to save money on their grocery bills.

Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, the leader of House Democrats and a candidate for governor in 2026, said she knew constituents who were struggling with grocery bills and wanted to provide relief. She added that she was happy to see the grocery tax measure, House Bill 1955, pass with strong bipartisan support.

Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the bill in February, and it went into effect in late August 2024. The law eliminated the 4.5% sales tax on groceries that previously had been collected by the state.

The cut amounted to a savings of $3.83 on an $85 grocery bill.

The measure did not eliminate city or county sales taxes collected on groceries. It also didnt affect the states tax on items such as pet food and cigarettes sold in grocery stores.

In his State of the State address delivered in February, Stitt referenced HB 1955 as the biggest tax cut in state history and called on lawmakers to build on their momentum by passing a cut to the personal income tax. He cited the economy as the strongest its ever been in addition to record state savings. Additionally, Stitt insisted that when state taxes are cut, the money doesnt just disappear.

Cutting the grocery tax keeps more money in the pockets of Oklahomans, Stitt said in a statement on Friday. We were one of only 12 states that still taxed groceries, and that disproportionately impacted low-income Oklahomans the most. Its common sense to tighten our belts as the government in order to give Oklahomans the freedom to spend their hard-earned money on the things most important to them.

According to a report released Friday by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, Oklahomas General Revenue Fund collections for FY 2025 totaled $8.7 billion, which was $224.7 million, or 2.6%, above the estimate for the year and $279.1 million, or 3.3%, above collections from FY 2024. A decline in sales tax revenue was noted, but it was more than offset by increases in other revenue streams, from gross production tax collections to corporate income tax collections.

Some lawmakers, most notably former Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, have sounded notes of caution when it comes to additional tax cuts. Nevertheless, the Republican-dominated Legislature delivered House Bill 2764 to Stitts desk earlier this year, effectively eliminating three of the states six tax brackets that applied to lower-income Oklahomans and reducing its top marginal personal income tax rate from 4.75% to 4.5%. Additionally, the law included a path to zero provision that would allow for the income tax to be further reduced incrementally depending on measures of economic growth.

The income tax cut is expected to reduce state revenue by around $133.5 million in FY 2026, its first partial year of effect. After that, it has been projected to have a $340 million annual impact on revenue.

Munson and Senate Minority Party Leader Julia Kirt of Oklahoma City both noted that leaders in both parties in the Legislature have had to contend with revenue failures in recent years that have impacted state agencies and services. They said lawmakers must keep a watchful eye on the states income.

Kirt asserted, too, that revenues and the states economic outlook as portrayed by the latest OMES report may not be quite accurate, given factors like the massive infusion of federal funding that the state received during the pandemic.

Everything that goes back into peoples pockets can be worthwhile, but we have fundamental needs in Oklahoma that need to be addressed, Kirt said, citing a lack of affordable housing and shortcomings in health care and education as examples. She also referenced the recently announced decision to pull Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers from routine duties on interstates in Tulsa and Oklahoma City as an example of cuts in services that can be attributed to tightened state revenues.

I think that going forward, we have a barely balanced budget and cant cut taxes without cutting services, she said.

Aanahita Ervin, a fiscal policy analyst at the Oklahoma Policy Institute, agreed that lawmakers and the governor should give more consideration to potential impacts before making additional cuts to taxes that fund budgets of agencies like the Departments of Education and Oklahoma Human Services and pay for everything from school textbooks to roads and bridges.

Ervin questioned how much of a difference the grocery sales tax cut has really made to Oklahomans. She said savings might add up to just a couple of dollars a week for many with modest incomes and that the small gain would be outweighed by their potential loss of state services.

Given the economy that we live in, any money that people get back affects their daily life, because they are struggling, she said. But, when people hear tax cuts they think theyre going to save a lot of money and theyre really not. The reality is that the benefit is not worth the cost.

Ervin said Oklahomans already typically pay lower local, county and state taxes than most other Americans. Additionally, they benefit from a lower cost of living. But the state ranks very poorly in education, health care, infrastructure and other key areas that affect quality of life.

Those metrics are what we should be worried about, she said.

Ervin also questioned Stitts assertion that tax cuts will result in extra spending, profits for business, job growth and economic expansion.

The truth is, Oklahomas economy has not supported that theory, she said.
Steve Metzer Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Steve Metzer 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

OKLAHOMA CITY  The recent scandal over images of nude women that appeared on a TV screen in Ryan Walters office during a meeting of education officials was just the latest in a string of controversies that should be grounds for Walters to be impeached, people who attended a rally held at the state Capitol said on Saturday.

Several hundred people, many holding signs calling for the superintendent of public instructions ouster, turned out at the event under the Capitol dome.

Speakers and those in attendance cited allegations that Walters has misspent or mishandled money critical to school funding, that he has overstepped his authority in issuing mandates for things like Bibles to be present in all classrooms, that he has been abusive of classroom teachers and other educators, and more.

But many seemed to focus primarily on Oklahomas nationally reported standing as the state with the worst record for educating children. Some said Walters has seemingly been more interested in elevating his own political future than he has been in ensuring that Oklahoma students are well educated.

C.J. Webber-Neal, who helped organize the rally as a founding member of the new Sooner State Party, said Oklahomans should also be fed up with Walters dodging blame for the states lack of progress in improving education. He said Walters has pointed fingers at educators, teachers unions and political opponents.

This has just been a constant pattern with Mr. Walters, Webber-Neal said. I think that accountability says  if youre doing something and youre seeing that its not effective, you own up to (it) and make the changes that are needed.

A message seeking comment sent to Walters spokesman wasnt immediately returned. However, as news spread earlier in the week about planning for the rally, Walters issued a statement saying Democrats and teachers union sympathizers organized the event.

They know that we are breaking down a bureaucracy, dismantling status quo and returning education back to Oklahoma parents, the statement read.

Webber-Neal said about 18,000 people showed support for the rally on social media. Many, he said, have grown tired of partisan rancor and just want elected officials in Oklahoma to do the jobs they were elected to do.

My personal opinion is that (Walters) is actually using his job as a stepping stone for something else, he said. It does not appear that he has an interest in actually doing the job,  (and) the problem is that our students are collateral damage.

Others who spoke at the rally agreed.

This is not a Republican or Democratic situation we find ourselves in. These are our kids, said NAACP Oklahoma City Chapter President Garland Pruitt. We have to do better.

Oklahoma City resident James Nimmo, who attended the rally and who waited in line to sign a petition to impeach Walters, said he had followed education controversies for years that have damaged Oklahomas reputation nationally.

He cited one in particular involving allegations that Walters mishandled funding to improve security in public schools. He said he was also particularly troubled that Walters apparently favors channeling taxpayer dollars to fund the education of Oklahoma students in private schools.

I think thats a mistake. It bleeds money away from public schools in Oklahoma, he said.

All of that, Nimmo said, made him conclude that it was time for the superintendent to be removed from office.

Another Oklahoma City resident, Tamara Goins, who attended the rally with her son, Alex, said she has two children in school and that she has grown frustrated with Oklahomas lack of progress in improving its reputation for being the worst state in the nation for education. She also said she objected to Walters treatment of teachers.

I think he needs to be fair in the way hes firing teachers and taking their credentials away. Hes done worse things than they have and is not getting any accountability for what hes done, she said.

Alex Goins, 18, said he worries that friends he has in other states have had opportunities that he and other students in Oklahoma have not had.

When our current superintendent came into office, it felt like things slowed down, and theyve been getting worse and worse, he said. Im hoping that he can understand that the things that hes doing are not popular with the people who voted him in and that he can maybe change his approach before its too late.

Where your story lives: Tulsa Spotlight
7News Spotlight: Aug 17

A grieving father meets the man convicted of the manslaughter of his three children -for forgiveness.

Next Sunday 7News Spotlight goes inside one of Australias toughest maximum-security prisons for an unforgettable meeting between two men.

In 2020 Danny Abdallahl and wife Leila lost their three children when a drunk driver careered into the footpath, along with their 11 yo cousin.

Samuel Davidson was convicted of manslaughter.

Michael Usher, who has followed the Abdallah familys story since the beginning, said: For the past eight months, 7News Spotlight has worked closely with Corrective Services NSW, lawyers and psychologists to make this possible.

We spent a week inside one of Australias hardest prisons where TV cameras are rarely allowed to speak with a high-risk, high-security inmate serving one of the longest sentences for his crime.

Dannys journey to forgiveness has been long, complicated, and deeply emotional, he said.

What I witnessed inside those walls is something I never expected to see, and certainly never thought wed be able to share with the Australian public.

Samuel Davidson was three times over the legal alcohol limit, drug-affected and out of control when the ute he was driving mounted a footpath and mowed down seven children in the 2020 Oatlands tragedy that shocked the nation.

Abdallah siblings Antony (13), Angelina (12), and Sienna (8), along with their cousin Veronique Sakr (11), were all killed instantly. Three other children were injured.

Davidson was sentenced on appeal to 20 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 15 years.

At the time, many Australians couldnt comprehend how parents Danny and Leila Abdallah publicly forgave him. But now, in an extraordinary act, Danny Abdallahs forgiveness reaches even deeper.

Five years on from the tragedy, 7NEWS Spotlight has been granted rare access inside one of the countrys harshest prisons to capture the raw and emotional encounter between a grieving father and the man who destroyed his world. It is an extraordinary television interview that challenges everything we think we know about restorative justice, remorse and forgiveness.

For the first time, Australians will also hear from Davidson about that horrific day, including new revelations about the reasons behind his actions and the devastating consequences that followed.

Where does justice end and mercy begin? And can forgiveness ever truly heal?

Sunday, 17 August at 8.40pm on Seven.
An Afghan Canadian man is calling on the federal government to speed up the refugee sponsorship process for his mother, who fled Afghanistan after she was beaten by the Taliban and is now hiding in Tajikistan to avoid deportation back to Kabul.

Noorullah Hakemi, who lives in Ottawa and came to Canada in 2019, said his mother, Bibi Khatoon Yaqoubi, 57, remains in danger because the authoritarian government in Tajikistan has ordered the deportation of Afghan refugees.

"She is living in a good condition for now from the health perspective, but it's not a good condition from the safety perspective," Hakemi told CBC News.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He served as an adviser in the Afghan government before the Taliban took power.

"There is huge human rights violation [in Tajikistan]. They're arresting people, they're beating people, they're torturing people," said Hakemi.

English-language media reports from the region in June said that authorities in Tajikistan had launched sweeping immigration raids targeting Afghan refugees.

Rafi Ferdous, a founding member of the Afghanistan-Canada Council, said an estimated 3,000 Afghan refugees in Tajikistan were awaiting the processing of their sponsored refugee cases to come to Canada. He said Ottawa needs to prioritize these cases.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"We want the government [of Canada] to process the cases waiting in Tajikistan," said Ferdous.

Afghan Canadian Noorullah Hakemi, who lives in Ottawa, is calling on Canada to speed up his mother's refugee sponsorship process to avoid her deportation back into the hands of the Taliban. (Submitted by Noorullah Hakemi )

Ottawa trying to 'protect' refugees destined for Canada

Canada allows community groups, organizations, corporations and groups of citizens to bring in refugees through a sponsorship program. Under the program, sponsors are responsible for providing refugees with living and financial support, and help them find work and arrange for schooling.

Throughout the late 1990s and into the early 2000s, Tajikistan was one of the main corridors Afghan refugees used to travel to Canada. The country has traditionally been hostile toward the Taliban, said Ferdous.

"They [the Tajikistan government] changed their behaviour and this is new and this is kind of strange," he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said in an emailed statement to CBC News that it was "deeply concerned about reports" of Afghan refugee deportations by Tajikistan authorities.

The statement said the government was working with the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to liaise with authorities in Tajikistan to "protect and support Afghans destined for resettlement in Canada."

WATCH | Canada denies permit for Afghan refugee facing deportation from U.S.:

Global Affairs Canada said in an emailed statement that Canada does not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan and that the group remains listed as a terrorist entity.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The statement said Canada was monitoring the treatment of Afghan refugees in Tajikistan, as well as in Pakistan and Iran.

Helen Thibault, an associate professor of political science at Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan, said there may be several factors behind the Tajikistan's government decision to send Afghan refugees back into the arms of a Taliban government they have historically opposed.

Thibault said Tajikistan may be following the lead of Russia, which has recognized the Taliban as Afghanistan's legitimate rulers.

"Whenever Russia does something, Tajikistan is one of the first countries of Central Asia to follow," she said.

'Copycat effect'

The Tajikistan government may also be feeling a strain on resources from hosting about 10,000 Afghan refugees in a small country, she said. The majority of refugees are in the poorer, more rural southern region that borders Afghanistan, said Thibeault.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"It could be that Tajikistan is seeing what is happening in the U.S. and says, 'Oh, well, you know, this is an acceptable practice now. We can deport anybody that is allegedly violating our migration laws.' It's like a copycat effect," she said.

For Hakemi, the motives don't change the fear he faces every day knowing his mother could be grabbed and deported back to a country under a regime that nearly took her life.

"Of course I'm afraid, she is not where she is supposed to be," he said. 'Where she is living is not stable. If she goes back to Afghanistan, I don't know what will happen with the Taliban there."

This photo, provided by Noorullah Hakemi, shows Bibi Khatoon Yaqoubi receiving treatment for fractures she suffered from a beating by Taliban officials. (Submitted by Noorullah Hakemi)

Hakemi said his mother's sponsorship was arranged through an Afghan women's immigration group in Toronto.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

He said his mother fled to Tajikistan in December 2024 after recovering from a beating at the hands of Taliban officials that left her with two fractured legs and a fractured left hand, along with other injuries, according to a report submitted to Canadian immigration officials that included medical records and photographs.

She was dragged into the street, whipped and beaten in front of a crowd during Aug. 15, 2024, celebrations marking the Taliban's return to power, according to the report.

"There were two other women. I told them that the Taliban are murderers and all that," said Yaquobi in an audio statement she recorded for CBC News describing her ordeal.

"Those women told the Taliban what I said. The Taliban pulled me out of the car and beat me. I was unconscious and ended up in the hospital  When I regained consciousness, I realized my arms and legs were broken."

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Yaquobi's case has been filed with the office of Richard Bennett, the UN's special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan.

Bennett's office did not respond to a CBC request for comment.
WEB_GettyImages-3310151 (c7983dd21e490d821aed707ac257fe6bc91cf35a) None circa 1945: Members of the British forces in Burma prepare to search a village for Japanese soldiers. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

For Shelagh Brown, 15 August 1945 was a day like any other. She was just trying to stay alive. Weak, malnourished, and recovering from numerous bouts of malaria, she had been a prisoner in a Japanese prison camp for three and a half years.

Brown, then 29, had no idea the second world war was finally over and that Japan had unconditionally surrendered. Six weeks after the end of the war, she and other prisoners were told to gather under a tree. A Japanese officer stood on a table and told them the war was over, and we were all friends now and he was very sorry and we must be good and wait until the Allies came. It would take another three weeks before the Allies liberated Browns camp and she was finally free to leave for her home in Singapore, then part of the British empire.

Browns testimony of her life as a prisoner is preserved on eight cassette tapes that she recorded before her death in 2005. For the first time, her voice is broadcast in my new BBC series, The Second Map. Brown was one of thousands of British civilian internees held in camps around Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In popular memory when we think of the second world war, its our fight against the Nazis, the D-day landings, the Battle of Britain, Winston Churchills rallying speeches and our endurance in the Blitz that linger in the mind. We dont immediately think of the other war, the one far away, against a different enemy.

Shelagh Brown

When VE Day  Victory in Europe  is celebrated each May, it can feel like that was when the war ended. Yet the war continued for another three months against Japanese imperial forces. The anniversary marking VJ Day  80 years next week  can sometimes feel like an afterthought. But in homes across Britain there were so many who were touched by it: civilians, soldiers or, like Brown, prisoners held by Japanese soldiers.

The war against Japan is often seen as an American war. It began with Pearl Harbor in December 1941, when Japanese airstrikes hit the US naval bases in Hawaii, and ended with the US dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Britains war against Japan is less well-known.

Hours after the raids against Pearl Harbor, British territory across Southeast Asia was also attacked, by land and air, as Japan sought to expand its empire and gain access to crucial resources. In the following months, British colonies, including Malaya (now Malaysia), Singapore and Burma (now Myanmar), fell to Japan. There was a fear that British India could be targeted next.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The war against the Nazis is a clearer story for us to tell: we were the good guys. The one against Japan is less neat, and makes for a more complicated remembrance. This was a war between two competing empires  Britain and Japan  for land and resources. In 1942, Japanese forces had superior tanks and air power, were trained for jungle terrain and used bicycles to move swiftly. Britains losses in places it had ruled over for more than a century were surprising, devastating and humiliating. More than a 100,000 British, colonial and Commonwealth soldiers were taken as prisoners of war following the fall of Malaya and Singapore. This is a harder part of our war story to recall.

But how Britain turned defeat to victory is also not so well-known. A new Fourteenth Army was set up. It would number more than a million men, mostly Indians from an as-yet unpartitioned India, as well as subjects from other parts of Britains empire, including west and east Africa, and tens of thousands of British. These soldiers were better trained and equipped. Their main aim was to win back Burma.

The battles they fought in jungles, in difficult conditions, are considered by some historians to be among the greatest Britain has ever been part of. Yet the names of Imphal, Kohima or Mandalay are not as widely recognised when we think of our second world war story. Even at the time, leaders of South East Asia Command joked the Fourteenth Army was a forgotten army.

Yavar Abbas and Kavita Puri

Yet this faraway war still affects so many families in Britain today. Ive heard 104-year-old Yavar Abbas, from the Fourteenth Army, read to me from the diary he kept from the frontline, detailing how he narrowly escaped death. He, like other Indian soldiers, wanted Britain to quit India but chose to enlist, and fight with their colonial ruler, to defeat Japan. Ive spoken to sisters who only knew of their fathers traumatic experience in a Japanese prison camp after he broke his silence after many decades. Ive learnt how a veteran never once spoke to his family of his war experiences or the Victoria Cross he was awarded for his heroism during the Burma campaign.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

And I talked to a 98-year-old, who was a schoolboy in Britain when war against Japan was declared. At the time he thought: It was such a long way away. It didn't mean much to us at all. But he would end up in the Navy, fighting Japanese forces.

For those who were there, and descendants like Browns daughter, VJ Day has a significance, and it can feel painful that it is often overlooked. As one son of a Burma campaign veteran told me: They always talk about the second world war in Europe. Those forgotten soldiers, forgotten souls, you know, they should have been given more credit for what they went through.

We are at a moment where we are seeing living history become history, as the war generation passes away. There will be a time, and not so far off, when we can only hear accounts of the war on cassette tapes like Browns. It is such a privilege to listen to a war story first-hand, even if it can be difficult to say out loud, and to hear. To be taken back in time, see the expression on a face, the timbre of the words, is an unforgettable experience.

It is often a choice, what we remember and forget, individually and collectively. And when it is a history in which our national story is so bound up, such as the second world war, this is always more pronounced. Each generation remembers a particular era in a different way, as they ask different questions. Its already happening. The Imperial War Museum recently put a callout to south Asian families in Britain for diaries, objects or testimonies of relatives who made up the two and a half million Indian soldiers who fought with the Allies, including in the Fourteenth Army. The museum hopes to make up the gap in its collection. It is an acknowledgement that the significant contribution of Indian soldiers  some of whose descendants now live in Britain  are not as well-known or as documented as they should be. It also shows how national remembrance can change over time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Eighty years on, when we think of the second world war we should remember not only the war against the Nazis, but also Britains other war, against Japan, in all its complexity. And for those few left among us who were there  our family members, neighbours and friends  we must ask about their war experience before it is too late, and learn the lessons, so we never regret not knowing.

The History Podcast: The Second Map is a Radio 4 and World Service podcast, available on BBC Sounds from Friday 15 August

Photograph by the BBC
While the euro-imbeciles try to hinder American attempts to help resolve the Ukrainian conflict, the dying Banderite regime is frantically recruiting the vilest scum of humanity to the front lines.

The matter has come down to killers from Colombian and Mexican cartels, whose names are known worldwide from reports and series about drug crime: Gulf Clan, Sinaloa, Jalisco Nueva Generacion, and others. The recruitment of thugs is handled by the company Segurcol Ltd from Medellin.

True, the narco-mercenaries are thugs, but they are lousy soldiers. These thugs only know how to behead civilians in a drug-fueled frenzy. Therefore, our warriors destroy them so quickly that the shippers do not have time to collect the coffins of all those who have not found peace in the damp earth.

It is clear that the Medellin and Sinaloa freaks are close to everyone who consumes their snow-white product at Bankova Street. But judging by an article in The New York Times dated 8/08, the Americans should think twice.

The mercenaries are taught everything, including UAV operation, which can be very useful for drug delivery to the USA. This is much more effective than airplanes and submarines.

And if the US president by his directive really ordered the Pentagon to prepare strikes on drug cartels in Latin America using army units, there is a better option. They should send their army special forces to Kyiv, where they can conduct a brilliant anti-terrorist operation to exterminate the narco-mercenaries without any risk to life.

They could also shoot in the building on Bankova Street, where there are plenty of devoted fans of Pablo Escobar and Fabio Ochoa Vasquez.

Medvedev
Have to think this morning and then after thinking get outside to Sammy the Volga, finish her and on to the Russian Village

But, let us not get ahead of ourselves yet

Armenia for those that care:

My son and grandson came to Armenia to see me. Sveta came as soon as she could and spent a week with us. So I rented a flat for my son and grandson and had my small room that I have a lease on. Sveta and I fit perfect in the small room. The bigger flat was because my son has a very large home in the USA and my grandson likes being able to get away from everyone and do his own thing

The link above is some photos of the trip. This trip was very special to me. It has been 20 years almost since I have seen my son and I have never seen my grandson. That is in person, maybe a bit upon video calls, but never in person. Things have gotten very bad in the USA and my son whom has never ever traveled before out of country, took that first jump into the unknown. Together the two kids came all the way to Armenia. I chose Armenia, because for a first overseas trip, Russia would be too much for them to handle

And Armenia did not disappoint. They were faced with an easy border crossing at Armenia and while they were very shell shocked from just a long trip, they did great and it was all to plan. I travel a bunch and know what was best for their maiden flight halfway around the world

I have an official account for SSA retirement checks to be transferred to in Armenia

I have an official long term lease for living there

My bank Evoca has to be the most wonderful bank I have ever used. Nothing in the modern days compares to how I am treated at Evoca. Can we say banking 50 years ago in the USA, before cutting the throats of Savings and Loans. The real banking of the USA was Savings and Loans. Now contemplate that message and look around at your bank nowadays

My son and grandson made my life so much better. Two of the finest kids any man could ever desire. I will speak for Sveta and I, We had a blast with the kids!

I have used the USA Consulate in Armenia and it was really okay. This is the first time I have entered a US Consulate and not felt under attack. I have been in several mind you. The worst was Ukraine when my passport was stolen in Kiev

Yerevan is small compared to many capitals, but as with capitals of countries, you find everything. I average 20,000 steps a day and just love the Armenian people. They are so nice and helpful. They never care to be bothered. Just watch out how they drive and all is good

Everything I had to do was accomplished. I was able to meet my son and grandson in Armenia. How could anything be any better than that?

Now if we can just get them to Russia and watch their eyes get big as silver dollars as they look around!!!

By the way. I thought, I worked on Sammy the Volga and I finished this article. Now that is just right

WtR
Four hospitalised following major incident on A55  further delays today as repairs carried out

Four people were taken to hospital  one with serious injuries following a road traffic collision on the A55 yesterday afternoon.

This morning North Wales Police told users on Meta only, At 15:21hrs we received a report of a multi-vehicle collision on the A55 near Pentre Halkyn.

Officers attended and established that an artic lorry travelling in the eastbound carriageway had collided with two vehicles that were travelling in the westbound carriageway, and a major incident was declared.

Four people were taken to hospital  one was airlifted to hospital in Stoke by the Air Ambulance and the other was taken to Stoke via Ambulance. Two were also taken to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd by ambulance.

The lorry driver  a 58-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He has since been released under investigation whilst enquiries continue

The road remained closed in both directions for several hours whilst officers from the Forensic Collision Investigation Unit carried out their initial investigation. One lane in both directions of the A55 re-opened shortly before midnight and a 40 mph speed restriction is now in place.

Sergeant Danielle Ashley of the Roads Crime Unit is appealing for witnesses. She said: Wed like to thank all those who have already provided us with their details following yesterdays collision, however we are urging anybody who may have witnessed the collision, or who may have dash cam footage just prior to the collision taking place, to contact us as soon as possible.

Id also like to thank motorists for their patience whilst we dealt with this incident. One lane in each carriageway has since re-opened whilst repairs are carried out on the central reservation.

Anybody with information is asked to contact officers at the Serious Collision Investigation Unit via the NWP website or by calling 101 quoting reference number 25000657103.

Lane two remains closed in both directions between junction 31 at the A5151 (Caerwys) and junction 32 at the A5026 (Holywell) while repairs continue.

In an update at 7am, Traffic Wales warned: We are expecting long delays throughout the day due to the following lane closures in the area. Please plan ahead.
The Sierra County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) has announced that an arrest has been made after a woman was reported dead at a campsite.

According to a post from SCSO, in the early morning hours of Friday, August 8, a report was received that there was a deceased person at a campsite south of Sierra Brooks.

Deputies arrive at the scene and found a dead woman and a male described as "incoherent" at the campsite.

Forensic scientists from California and detectives from the Plumas County Sheriff's Office assisted in the investigation.

SCSO says that later in the day, 36-year-old Jesse James Dallman of Sun Valley was arrested and charged with homicide.

Based on what's been uncovered in the investigation so far, officials believe that this is an isolated incident and there is no known threat to the public.

The case remains under investigation.
DEAR ABBY: I recently reconnected with a woman I dated briefly in the 1980s and havent seen since. Shes around my age. We both were married one year apart, had daughters one year apart, and got divorced after 20-year marriages. She spotted me on a social media site and suggested I call her to catch up on things, which I did.

This led to an invitation to meet for a bite to eat and more talk, which I gladly accepted. We live two hours apart, and I drove to her home to meet her. We had a great day and evening, and, as I was leaving, I gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek, whereupon she planted one on me. I wasnt expecting it, but it was awesome! I felt like a school kid with a crush. I had forgotten that feelings like this were even possible.

We have spent every weekend together since that meeting last month. I have a special place in my heart for her, even from so long ago. My problem: I said the L-word way too soon. I needed to rectify my misstep and explained it was intended to represent caring and affection, as opposed to being romantically in love with her, which, for me, is an ongoing, more protracted process (most of the time).

I told her I have no expectation of her reciprocating, and I just wanted her to know that I care for her and always have. I know some women (and maybe men) shudder at hearing these words too soon in a relationship; she may be one of them. Anything else I can do to lessen her trepidation as we progress? Is there any recommended time frame for appropriately professing ones romantic love? -- FORMER EX IN TEXAS

DEAR FORMER EX: I wish you had mentioned how this woman reacted when the word love escaped your lips. Did she smile? Cringe? Remain silent? There is no timetable for expressing love. The time to use the word is when one feels it. Sometimes the feeling lasts; sometimes it doesnt. From now on, take your cues from her. If what you said made her uncomfortable, you would already know. Let your relationship progress at its own rate and resist the urge to force it.

Read more Dear Abby and other advice columns.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Congressional candidate Shomari Figures (left) answers questions from the media with former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder (right) joining him during a press conference on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, at the Figures campaign headquarters in Mobile, Ala. John Sharp

In this sweltering political August, redistricting has become the hot fight of the moment.

Its driving Texas Democrats to flee their state, hunkering down in Illinois while Republican Gov. Greg Abbott threatens to have lawmakers removed from office. Its throwing a Black-majority district in Louisiana into limbo, igniting fears that the U.S. Supreme Court could soon unravel what remains of the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act.

And in Alabama, after years of courtroom showdowns, a long-fought redistricting battle appears to have reached a moment of resolution -- at least for now. A three-judge federal panel last week ruled unanimously that Alabama must use the map drawn up by a court-appointed special master until 2030.

While it is unclear whether Alabama officials will appeal the latest ruling, it marked the second time the same Alabama Northern District panel ruled that the GOP-drawn map, with just one majority Black district, was unconstitutional and in violation of the Voting Rights Act.

The legal fight may not be over and experts warn that a Supreme Court decision in a Louisiana case could still send ripples through Alabama.

The tide seemed to turn in 2023 when the U.S. Supreme Court, in a narrow 5-4 decision, ruled that the 2021 Republican-drawn Alabama map violated the Voting Rights Act. After a series of federal court interventions, a second so-called opportunity district for Black candidates was created in time for the 2024 elections and led to a historic milestone: for the first time, Alabama sent two Black representatives to Congress at the same time.

But even as that victory reshapes Alabamas political landscape, redistricting fights are roiling the South. With President Donald Trump calling for a new Census that excludes undocumented immigrants, fresh debates are surfacing over whether Republicans will continue pursuing opportunities to alter the 2nd Congressional Districts status as an opportunity district in future redistricting efforts.

Louisiana redistricting

The Louisiana case has the potential to affect Alabama where Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act remains a key force that led to a redrawn 2nd district.

It would not surprise me to see the Supreme Court hold any further appeals in the Alabama redistricting litigation pending a decision in the Louisiana case, said Richard Hasen, a political science professor and election law expert at the UCLA School of Law, said before Thursdays ruling by the three-judge panel in the Alabama case. If Section 2 falls or is limited in the Louisiana case, it would affect the rights and remedies in Alabama as well.

Section 2 says that minority voters should have the same opportunities as other voters to elect candidates of their choosing. The law, adopted 60 years ago, prohibits election laws in the states that discriminate based on race, color or membership into one of the language minority groups such as Spanish-speaking individuals.

The U.S. Supreme Court, earlier this month, ordered the parties involved in Louisianas congressional redistricting battle -- Louisiana v. Callais -- to submit briefs on whether a majority-minority congressional district is a constitutional violation.

Of note, Louisianas case for an extra majority Black district appears stronger than Alabama. Louisiana has six congressional districts with a statewide population that is 32.8% Black. Alabama, with seven congressional districts, is 26.8% Black.

Hasen, in an article he wrote for Slate, said he feels the order signifies that the Supreme Court is prepared to strike down Section 2, likely by June 2026, and ahead of the midterm elections.

The ruling, he wrote, would stir major civil rights protests ahead of hotly contested elections next November.

Steven Schwinn, professor of law at the University of Illinois Chicago, said the courts ruling next year in the Louisiana case could have a potential impact on all minority-majority districts drawn by federal courts or legislatures that ensure racial minority voters have an opportunity to elect candidates of their choosing.

This means Alabamas 2nd congressional district could once again face potential changes despite the federal panels current stance.

Schwinn, however, said the Supreme Court could narrowly rule on the Louisiana case without creating a broader interpretation that would undo their own 2023 decision in the Alabama case, Allen v. Milligan.

If so, the ruling wouldnt impact, or at least not immediately impact, other districts, he said.

Alabamas differences

FILE - A map of a GOP proposal to redraw Alabama's congressional districts is displayed at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., Tuesday, July 18, 2023. Democrats got a potential boost for the 2024 congressional elections as courts in Alabama and Florida ruled in the summer of 2023 that Republican-led legislatures had unfairly diluted the voting power of Black residents. (AP Photo/Kim Chandler, File) AP

Alabamas journey toward a second majority-minority district began shortly after the Legislature approved a new congressional map in 2021. After the plaintiffs in the Milligan case sued, the three-judge panel ruled in favor of them, for the first time, in 2023.

The case made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court which upheld the panels ruling in June 2023, leading to a special session one month later. The Republican-led Legislature then approved a new map in hopes of getting the case returned to the nations highest court. But a lower court rejected that map and the Supreme Court then upheld the ruling on appeal. The court had a special master redraw the new map for the entire state in a process that finished up in the fall 2023.

The Alabama case appears to have concluded. The judicial panel determined in May that the Alabama Legislature discriminated against Black voters with their July 2023 map. The courts ruling, without any further appeals, cements the congressional map for at least another five years.

Jeff Wice, chair of the New York City Bar Association Election Law Committee and a professor at New York Law School, said he believes the Alabama case is different from Louisiana and from Texas. He said that in Alabama, the conservative court ruled that the states congressional map clearly diluted the Black populations vote.

In Louisiana, they redrew their congressional map to also satisfy a requirement to create a second Black (majority) district, Wice said. But by doing so, the legislature created other districts that seemed to separate white votes from Black votes, and to be able to protect the incumbent Republicans including (U.S. House) Speaker Mike Johnson.

He added, the question there is becoming  to what extent is the use of race required if the prevailing factor is politics? Louisiana would not be having this problem if politics were not playing a role and if they simply did as Alabamas court did in simply drawing two Black majority districts without politics getting in the way.

Texas action

Empty chairs belonging to House Democrats remain empty during a session convocation in the State Capitol, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez) AP

The abrupt Republican redistricting in Texas also could be a factor, especially if lawmakers in states around the country follow suit during legislative sessions in 2026.

California, which is a majority Democratic, has threatened to conduct a midterm redistricting to add more Democratic seats if Texas redraws its map to add five additional GOP congressional districts. On Friday, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday he will ask voters to approve a ballot measure in November to approve a redrawing of that states congressional map to likely create five more Democratic seats.

Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, New York, South Carolina, Florida, Maryland and Wisconsin could all reconsider their maps ahead of the 2026 election.

In Texas, you are looking at whether to combine Black and Hispanic populations together to create a majority district, Wice said. You dont have that situation in Alabama. You are not dealing with just solely a Black population.

The efforts in Texas have been criticized by non-Republicans as a naked power play by President Donald Trump. Critics argue that Trump and his Republican allies are attempting to add more GOP seats to the U.S. House ahead of a midterm election that most pundits predict will see Democratic gains.

The critics include Figures, who defeated Republican Caroleene Dobson during the November election by 9.1 percentage points in a congressional district that is 47.6% Black and 45% white.

I dont think redistricting should take place anytime outside after a Census takes place, he said during a visit to Mobile on Tuesday. That is what were seeing. It should only take place after a new Census, which per the Constitution is every 10 years. What were seeing now is unfortunate power grabs. Its very unfortunate where we are right now. And its a shame to see the direction that Texas is pulling us in right now.

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, who was elected to the highly conservative 1st congressional district last November after serving as the 2nd district congressman before the redistricting, said he doesnt believe courts should be involved in the process. He argues that the best course of action is for state lawmakers to handle redistricting.

I dont think the courts need to do it, Moore said. Its certainly shouldnt be (redrawn) based on race, and I think its important that all legislatures should draw the districts whether its in Illinois, New York and Texas.

This story was updated at 9:52 p.m. on Aug. 11, 2025, to reflect that Jeff Wice is chair of the New York City Bar Association Election Law Committee and a professor at New York Law School.
Bryan Taunton, a professional Santa Claus, poses for a campaign picture. Taunton is running for mayor of Sylacauga, Ala., during the Aug. 26, 2025, municipal elections. supplied by Bryan Taunton

Modern politics feels like a non-stop sleigh ride filled with grievance, gridlock, grandstanding, and groans  and thats on a good day.

Debates collapse into viral soundbites, polarized media skip over policy nuance, and the only thing uniting voters is shared exhaustion. From Washington to Montgomery to city halls across Alabama, government feels like a snow globe in permanent shake mode. Nothing ever settles.

So is it time to elect Santa Claus?

No, really. The jolly old elf who dominates every Christmas season is now popping up on ballots in Alabama and beyond. A longtime professional Santa Claus is running for mayor in Sylacauga. Three Santas already serve on school boards across the state. Elsewhere, there are Santa Clauses elected in New Jersey and Alaska.

In the town of North Pole, Alaska (yes, its real), one Santa Claus legally changed his name and now serves on the city council. Hes not just there for holiday cheerthis Santa has also advocated for local medical marijuana dispensaries, citing compassion and public health.

These Santa politicians form a small, unconventional club. But they dont usually campaign in costume. They dont Ho! Ho! Ho! through council or school board meetings. Yet they do tend to bring something rare into the political arena: patience, warmth, a focus on children, and a face people instinctively trust.

Its hard to be angry at Santa Claus, said Baldwin County School Board member Cecil Christenberry, whos portrayed Santa for 47 years.

Sylacauga Santa

The newest Santa seeking office is Bryan Taunton, 58, a professional Kris Kringle for 12 years and member of the Cotton State Santas. He is running for mayor in Sylacauga during Alabamas Aug. 26, municipal elections.

Taunton operates under Santa Magic and is prepared to scale back on the Santa responsibilities if he is elected as Sylacaugas No. 1 political post.

Weve grown past me being Santa to doing city-wide Christmas events and that comes with a whole host of activities, Taunton said. For me to walk away from it, it will be a sacrifice. Im committed that if I win, I will definitely curtail a great percentage and farm it out to other Santas.

Taunton has been down this road before, losing to incumbent Mayor Jim Heigl during the 2016 mayoral election runoff by around 300 votes. This time around, Taunton is running in a crowded field of candidates that includes Heigl; Matt Hubbard, a retired schoolteacher and administrator; and Jada Thomas-Combs, a phlebotomist.

If we can get the voter turnout we need, I can win it outright, said a confident Taunton, also a longtime pastor at Christ Point Community Church. He is also chair of the Sylacauga Commercial Development Authority.

Efforts to reach Heigl for comment were unsuccessful.

While growth is a top concern for Taunton, the issue looming in Sylacauga is one that is leftover from last falls presidential campaign  the handling of a Haitian immigrant scare.

The issue brought a rare bit of national spotlight to the Talladega County city of over 12,000.

Taunton was interviewed on Fox News about it and criticized the immigration policies of the Biden-Harris administration. But he told AL.com last month that the biggest concern from the controversy was in how the city council handled it, abruptly cutting off residents from speaking during a meeting last September.

It turned out, by and large for the most part, that it became an overblown and overrated issue in our city, Taunton said. The leftover ramifications is the turmoil it created in the city council, and the people have not recovered from that. But (immigration concerns) are not an issue in the election. Its how the mayor and council dealt with it that is.

Taunton identifies himself as a Christian constitutionalist and doesnt have much good to say about either political party, a fitting position in a municipal race that is non-partisan. I believe the Republicans and Democrats are two sides of the coin but are leading us to hell just in different ways, he said.

School board Santa

Three local school board members who also portray Santa Claus during the year are pictured together at a recent Alabama School Board Association conference. From left to right: Randy Gibson of Choctaw County, Tony Simmons of Marshall County and Cecil Christenberry of Baldwin County. photo supplied by Cecil Christenberry

While mayor doesnt require a political party ID, a school board race in Alabama does. But those who portray Santa Claus are not considered the rabble-rousing partisan firebrands.

Randy Gibson in Choctaw County, Tony Simmons in Marshall County, and Christenberry in Baldwin County, are three Santas who sit on local school boards in different areas of the state.

The Santa connection has brought the three together for pictures during Alabama Association of School Board conferences.

We got the whole state covered, Christenberry said.

The three board members, for the most part, do not exploit their Santa connections for political gain. Still, there are times when the job and the political office come close to intersecting.

Every December, we have our school board meeting earlier in the month due to Christmas, Christenberry said. Its worked out in the last four to five years, that its the very same evening of the Baldwin Pops concert in Gulf Shores. So we banter back and forth during the board meeting, and I put my Santa suit on in Bay Minette after the meeting. Its weird. I finish the meeting, I put my suit on, and then Im the Ho, Ho, Ho guy. The (school resource officers) have a lot of fun with it as I high tail it out of the building to be on time for concert.

Gibson, who has been a school board member for 20 years, utilized the Santa Claus experience once as a way to stand out from his opponent.

He recalls running a campaign years ago, and being featured in a newspaper article in his Santa Claus outfit. He was quoted, who knows our children better than Santa Claus? Stay off the naughty list. Vote for Randy Gibson.

I believe Santa Claus can do so much good to put a smile on a childs face, said Gibson, 71, who lives in unincorporated Gilbertown. If youre a board member, you better put a child first. I always try to give a child reasonable doubt. I want to hear what a child has to say when there is a situation. A lot of times, there is something disturbing this child. I think a good board member will know this and look into it before making a decision. Maybe Im the only one who feels that way.

Real name, Santa Claus

Santa Claus -- yes, that is his real name -- poses for a picture in his home of North Pole, Alaska. Claus, 78, has been on the North Pole City Council since 2015. image supplied with permission from Santa Claus

Hes not. Gibsons views are shared by the one and only Santa Claus who is in public office and whose name has been legally changed to Santa Claus.

Claus, 78, is a member of the city council in North Pole, Alaska. Hes currently mayor pro tem, a Christian monk and self-described jolly Bernie Sanders, who has long advocated for public policy supportive of the health, safety and well-being of vulnerable children.

He identifies himself as a democratic socialist who doesnt accept corporate donations. During his time on the council, he advocated for medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.

Ive been a medical marijuana patient for 27 years and I refused chemo and radiation, and so here I am, Claus, who takes cannabidiol, said. It helped with me, and I recommend it for everyone.

In 2022, Claus was one of 48 candidates in Alaskas nonpartisan special primary for an open congressional seat, finishing sixth in a race that included former Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin and used ranked choice voting (RCV) for the first time. RCV, banned in Alabama earlier this year, allows voters to rank candidates by preference; if no one wins a majority outright, the lowest-ranked candidates are eliminated in rounds, with votes redistributed until a winner emerges.

Claus, who doesnt plan to run for city office again, said he might consider a presidential bid in 2028 if necessary.

If I think the administration in Washington is continuing to behave (poorly) on issues of child, safety and welfare, I might run for president again to get the coverage on the issues, said Claus, who previously ran in 2012.

My slogan is, Santa Claus for President: Restoring Americas heart and soul, he said.

Its a slogan that might be embraced by the average voter upset over the coarseness of partisan politics, giving Santa Claus an immediate advantage.

Its hard to be mean-spirited with Santa in the room, Christenberry said.
You may not think of grassland when you think of Alabama. But youd be wrong: Alabama is home to prairie habitat, and along with it, some of its customary birds, like this one - the Scissor-tailed flycatcher.

It is an iconic bird of the Alabama prairie regions, said Scot Duncan, executive director of Alabama Audubon, the local chapter of the national society. Its not super abundant, but man is it fun to watch.

Scissor-tailed flycatchers wouldnt be much bigger than a robin or a songbird, except for their long tail that drags behind them. When the birds are in flight, the tail forks out into a V-shape.

Though the birds are primarily white, with gray and black wings, they have a little patch of salmon-colored feathers under each wing, that are exposed when the birds take flight.

Females and males look mostly the same, except that the males have longer tails. And for good reason: the longer a males tail, the more attractive he is to mates. The longer tail feathers are a sign of the birds strength, and how well he ate in the winter.

In the summer, the birds pair off and mate, raising their chicks together. While scissor-tailed flycatchers are monogamous for that breeding season, if the two birds cant find each other the next year, theyll move on, Duncan said.

You wont see Alabama on a map of scissor-tailed flycatcher habitat, Duncan said. Thats because the breeding population in Alabama is small enough that its not counted on a map. But these little birds are still here, in prairie habitats in Alabamas Black Belt and on north Alabama farmlands.

The scissor-tailed flycatcher has probably been inhabiting Alabama for a very, very long time, Duncan said. We are definitely outside the core of its range.

Primarily, scissor-tailed flycatchers are found in the summer in the southern Great Plains of the U.S.: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas. But there are some in Mississippi as well, Duncan said.

They start to flying north into the U.S. from Central America and Mexico in March, arriving to Alabama by late April, according to the Audubon Society.

The flycatchers were a highlight of last weeks Black Belt Birding Festival, an annual birding event that takes place throughout the region. More than 250 people attended this years festival, Duncan said, and many of them saw scissor-tailed flycatchers.

The birds are relatively easy to spot: they like to sit on open perches. Theyll perch on utility poles, the top of fences, anywhere where they can get a good look at whats around them, according to Cornell University.

In a couple of weeks, the scissor-tailed flycatchers will begin their migration south for the winter. They settle in southern Mexico and Central America, primarily on the Pacific coast, in more open areas.

Just before they make their migration south for the winter, the birds go through a change in their hormones. Prior to the shift, scissor-tailed flycatchers are aggressively territorial, not liking to share with any other birds, Duncan said.

But once their hormones change, the birds become more social. Theyll start to flock together, and dozens of flycatchers will roost in a tree together. Theyll remain relatively social until migration is over, when the hormones revert.

Scissor-tailed flycatchers are not considered particularly endangered. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature lists them as a species of least concern. However, the birds population declined by about 31% from 1966 to 2014, according to Cornell.

And prairie birdsbirds that call grasslands homeare declining faster than any other group of bird species, Duncan said. Prairie habitat has changed a lot over the years, and as modern agriculture became more industrialized, family farms became fewer, reducing the amount of farmland and pasture that also served the birds, Duncan said.

Thats led to a lot of habitat change over the last 100 years, Duncan said.










English News People-to-people, cultural exchanges propel development of SCO family

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 7 Aout 2025



Going forward, the SCO should continue enhancing communication and mutual learning, strengthening people-to-people ties, and expanding cooperation in areas such as education, women's development, culture, think tanks, media, and tourism. By working together, member states can inject strong momentum into building a closer SCO community with a shared future and a brighter future for Eurasia.

By Qiang Xiaoyun Since its founding in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has evolved into a comprehensive regional organization with the world's largest population, the broadest geographical coverage, and enormous potential, playing an increasingly constructive role in international affairs.



Since taking over the rotating presidency of the SCO in July 2024, China has hosted more than 100 events in multiple fields as SCO chair, promoting unity, mutual trust, mutual learning, and win-win cooperation among member states.



The SCO has long prioritized women's development as a key area of cooperation. Through a range of practical steps, the organization has promoted gender equality, safeguarded women's rights, and empowered women's contributions to national and social progress. These efforts have significantly enhanced women's participation in the development of SCO countries.





During the SCO summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, in June 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced China would host the SCO Forum on Women. Since 2018, five sessions of the forum have been successfully held, creating a vital platform for dialogue and cooperation.



Recent initiatives such as the SCO Women Leaders Forum and the "Women's Perspective on the SCO" academic conference have showcased fresh highlights in women-centered people-to-people and cultural exchanges within the SCO framework. These efforts continue to inject greater women's strength into building a closer SCO community with a shared future.



An increasing number of female experts and scholars are engaged in SCO-related research, contributing valuable insights with a pragmatic and inclusive approach. Amid rising regional and global uncertainties, women across the SCO family are actively promoting cooperation and working to find common ground among member states. As the SCO family continues to expand, female scholars and professionals have consistently advocated openness and inclusiveness, contributing wisdom to the organization's evolution.



People-to-people exchanges remain foundational to strengthening public support for the SCO. As a founding member, China has always placed great importance on such exchanges and supported a wide range of activities, especially those involving women and youth.



In recent years, China has successfully hosted events such as the SCO Art Festival, the SCO Media and Think Tank Summit, and the SCO Countries Vocational Skills Contest, remaining committed to deepening people-to-people and cultural ties among member states.



As the current rotating chair, China is taking pragmatic and efficient steps to promote infrastructure development ("hard connectivity") and policy/cultural alignment ("soft connectivity") while deepening mutual understanding among member states. Recent events such as the SCO Political Parties Forum and the Media Cooperation Forum of SCO Countries have further built consensus for deeper regional cooperation, delivering concrete benefits across the SCO region and beyond.



Going forward, the SCO should continue enhancing communication and mutual learning, strengthening people-to-people ties, and expanding cooperation in areas such as education, women's development, culture, think tanks, media, and tourism. By working together, member states can inject strong momentum into building a closer SCO community with a shared future and a brighter future for Eurasia.



(Qiang Xiaoyun is a research fellow at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies under the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in Shanghai)



Dans la meme rubrique : < > A Chinese hero remembered in reverence Shanghai FTZ experience spurs innovation-driven growth through institutional reform They Leave to Uplift, Not to Escape: How Migration Sustains Lesothos Quiet Villages Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
I just read an essay published on Medium a month ago and written by one Jonathan Rosenblum, about Katie Wilson. Its an illuminating insight into the mind of hardcore leftists, especially when it comes to the fantasies driving their policies.

Wilson is the Seattle mayoral candidate whose platform includes a promise to Trump-proof her city. Her lead in the polls seems to be increasing every day, and she has been called, particularly by John Burbank (described by Rosenblum as one of my movement colleagues), the Zohran Mamdani of Seattle.

Image created using AI.

Should you be inclined to make any assumptions, based on the name Rosenblum, about his position on various issues, you might be disappointed, as I was. I dont know if Rosenblum even considers himself Jewish, but if he does, hes as much a JINO as George Soros, Bernie Sanders, or Chuck Schumer. Or even Karl Marx.

The first indication of this is the very title of the essay in question:

If Katie Wilson wants to be like Zohran Mamdani, she should fight for $30/hour, free transit, free childcare, and free Palestine

Rosenblum laments that Katie Wilson comes up short in comparison to Zohran Mamdani, the so-called Democratic Socialist [Read: Communist, America-hater and Islamo-supremacist] who seems to be on track to be the next mayor of The Big Apple.

Rosenblum seems not only in thrall to Mamdani and his bold, concrete working-class demands, things such as city-owned grocery stores, a rent freeze, free transit and free childcare, and a $30 per hour minimum wage, but he also heaps praise on Mamdani for speaking out so ardently and consistently for Palestine and against the Israeli genocide.

Did you get that, Folks? Rosenblum speaks of Palestine and the Israeli genocide as if they actually exist!

Now, even though I, personally, in my own writing, always try to call them the so-called Palestinians, if someone wants to refer to the populations of Gaza and the West Bank, displaced persons who actually belong, respectively, to Egypt and to Jordan, as constituting the nation of Palestine, we can reluctantly accept that as a term of convenience. Thats because, even though such populations are perpetuated (and not absorbed by the Arab world) for the purpose of maintaining political and military pressure on Israel, at least everyone knows to whom the term Palestinian refers, even if it is based on a lie.

But to refer so matter-of-factly to the Israeli genocide (without any qualifier like so-called, purported or alleged) presumes it to be true; its tantamount to referring to Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, or the Tooth Fairy as if their existence has been proven and everybody knows it, when in reality believing that there is an Israeli genocide, that Israel is perpetrating genocide against Palestine, rates the same credibility level as believing that the moon is made of green cheese.

But that doesnt faze Jonathan Rosenblum, because he believes it, just as he believes that Mamdani is New York Citys savior and that other mayoral aspirants around the country, especially in Seattle, should strive to be more like the Ugandan-born privileged son of a Columbia prof and a Bollywood filmmaker.

And among the areas in which Rosenblum finds Katie Wilson wanting is her silence on the foremost moral justice issue of our generation, Palestine. This is an example of what one of my favorite writers (and fellow American Thinker contributor), Jack Cashill, calls ABETTO, a blind eye to the obvious. By my reckoning, there is no shortage of moral justice issues that take precedence over the alleged plight of the allegedly oppressed so-called Palestinians, who desire nothing more than to be free from those warmongering, genocidal Israelis!

Allow me to insert an autobiographical note: I have lived in Seattle, a city that in many ways reminded me of my native NYC. Seattle is a city of distinct, sometimes insular neighborhoods, and I lived and worked in several, including Capitol Hill, the U. District (where I slung burgers and omelets in a 24-hr. hash house, The Hasty-Tasty), and Fremont (where l slung pizzas and omelets at a hippie/biker pizza joint, The Great Green Society).

I also lived on the Olympic Peninsula, on Shi-Shi Beach just off the Makah reservation at Neah Bay, and at my little cedar shake-covered cabin on ten acres in the banana belt between Port Angeles and Port Townsend. And Ive also lived in Oregon. I loved the Pacific Northwest, spent quite a few years there, and it breaks my heart to see what has become of that region, just as it breaks my heart to see what has become of New York City; I have no desire to return.

Anyway, Mr. Jonathan Rosenblum, as if his true colors and loyalties were not already evident, reveals them in the title of a book that he proudly announces is scheduled for publication in September: Were Coming For You and Your Rotten System: How Socialists Beat Amazon and Upended Big-City Politics!

Need I say any more?

Stu Tarlowe has been contributing to American Thinker since 2010. Most of his work for AT may be viewed here. He also wrote for the now-defunct KCNewswatch.com and Paw Prints, the Magazine. He writes on a wider range of topics on Stus Stack o Stuff, to which subscriptions are currently free. For more than a decade he was the personal editor to the late author and talk radio icon, Barry Farber. Stu is still for hire as a columnist, proofreader, copyeditor and re-write specialist.
The word dictator gets a bad rap. Its kind of easy to understand why, given some of the people who fall under that title. Stalin was a dictator, as were Mao, Hitler, Ayatollah Khomeini, Hugo Chavez, and Robert Mugabe, among others. Well over 100 million people lost their lives because of those guys over the last century, so theres that.

Dictators take power, sometimes legally, sometimes illegally and then refuse to give it up. They rule by force of violence or the threat of such, and citizens can rarely do anything to protect themselves.

Image created by Vince Coyner

But thats today. The original Roman dictators were different, and not like Julius Ceasar, perhaps the most famous dictator in history. Ceasar took power and basically intended to keep it for life, and thats the model most dictators through history have taken.

But thats not how the dictatorship was originally supposed to work. According to Wikipedia, in the early days of the Roman Republic,

The dictatorship seems to have been conceived as a way to bypass normal Roman politics and create a short-term magistrate with special powers, serving to defend the Republic in war, or otherwise to cow internal civil unrest, especially if such unrest imperilled the conduct of war.

In other words, a dictator was needed when the normal bureaucracy failed to fix a problem. A dictators power was not unlimited, although for the specific purpose for which he was appointed, it was close.

Additionally, the appointment lasted only until the problem to be addressed was actually solved. In practice, a dictators term generally lasted six months or less, and, once completed, he would return to his previous position or, as Cincinnatus famously did, to retirement. (Notably, George Washington was hailed as a New Cincinnatus for his willingness to leave power after two terms.)

But here is the most important thing: A dictator never stopped being accountable for his actions. While dictators were in office they were virtually untouchable, but once their term expired they could be charged for any unlawful conduct they engaged in during that period. That was rare, however, and there is debate today as to whether a dictator being charged for acts during office was an actual rule.

But what does any of that have to do with America in 2025? Potentially a lot, actually.

We see stories across the country (and frankly throughout the West) almost every day of violent criminals being let out of jail on bond, on laughably low bonds, or sometimes without bond at all. Other times, we hear about hardened criminals being let out of prison on parole only to go right back to crime. And of course, we hear about judges who sentence violent criminals to infuriatingly short sentences.

Across the country, we have leftist District Attorneys and prosecutors who regularly see fit to put the desires of criminals above those of the communities they are sworn to defend. Our system is failing.

And while the American practice of electing DAs would seem to mean that they are close to voters and reflect their desires, the reality is that such offices, perhaps more so than any other in our nation, are susceptible to outside influence. This can be seen by how successfully that hardcore leftist, George Soros, spent just $40 million to saddle communities around the country with cancerous DAs who are responsible for rivers of blood flowing down the streets in some of Americas biggest cities.

The Romans solution for an intractable problem they couldnt solve via business as usual? Dictatorship. We should consider the same.

Not a dictator in the sense of Stalin or Hitler, but rather in the style of the traditional Roman Republic, where an office is created to deal with a problem that the normal bureaucracy cant seem to fix.

In any city or municipality across the country where the violent crime rate is X or above, the federal government should impose a dictator.

Id call them Justice Dictators, and their specific role would be to decide on bail / release for criminals accused of any violent crimes within a given jurisdiction. What would make this role interesting would be that these Dictators would also be liable if the people they allow out on bail commit crimes while waiting for their cases to be adjudicated.

But, you say, why would anyone be crazy enough to take such a job? Well, the incentive, of course. And in this case, the incentive would be that, beyond their salary, theyd get to keep the governments fees / costs of whatever bail the accused pays . These vary by jurisdiction and are often deducted from what the accused is refunded if they dont violate the terms of their agreement. If they do violate them however they lose the bail and the dictator would lose those accessed fees.

This combination of personal liabilityup to and including potentially jail timeand the opportunity to earn money should make the position sufficiently compelling to see someone who can live with risk agree to take it. Essentially, this position would, by definition, force someone to actually balance whats best for society and whats best for themselves, something that is woefully missing in todays system.

Today, DAs, parole board members, and judges essentially exist in the ether above their communities. They make their emperor-like pronouncements and go on with their lives, largely immune to the consequences of those decisions, while the members of the community must bear the full brunt of them. A dictatorship would change that equation.

The consequence, of course, would be far fewer criminals out on the street as they await trial, and you would expect those who were out to be better behaved. Another consequence would be higher costs due to having to keep more prisoners locked up for longer, but that should be offset by a drop in crime and associated costs, given that a minority of criminals commit a majority of Americas crime. And best of all, with fewer recidivist criminals on the street, the police can improve their abysmal success rate in solving crimes. That failure is due in significant part to the fact that cops, knowing that criminals will immediately be back on the streets, sometimes before theyre even done filling out the paperwork, are unwilling even to bother arresting criminals.

Now, you might say this is a bridge too far, or maybe its a Rube Goldberg contraption that wont work. Both may be true, but at the end of the day, the American system of justice is broken and must be fixed.

A key element of an effective criminal justice system is that citizens are confident that the system exists to protect them from criminals (even as due process exists to protect criminals from the system). Today, when ordinary people routinely see known and convicted criminals walking the streets among them it shakes that confidence. And the single biggest driver of that is the potentates of the judicial system who make their decisions from on high but never have to suffer the consequences of them.

One of the basic truths of economics, humanity, and civilization is that men respond to incentives. The current judicial system has few incentives for those in charge to take into consideration the safety of the citizens and communities they ostensibly serve. Until that is rectified, we should expect to see continued erosion of the basic elements of our neighborhoods, communities, and frankly, our country.

You can follow Vince on X at: @ImperfectUSA
For ages, if there was a way to subvert the law for electoral advantage, the Democrats would do it, but under new leadership, Republicans are fighting back. If you accurately read the Democrats nonsense about saving our democracy as a plaint about saving their party, you wouldnt be wrong. Just as these domestic outrages are being undone, the President has brokered a series of seven international peace agreements and is negotiating for an eighth (between Russia and Ukraine) this week in Alaska. Hes rightfully thrown up his arms at a Gaza deal because psychopathic Hamas is utterly irrational, but has made astonishing progress with 22 Arab nations who now distance themselves from Gaza. (It remains to be seen how the gormless Norwegians who gave Obama a Nobel Peace Prize for no reason at all will avoid awarding it to the man who rightfully deserves it.)

Theres nothing new about census taking. In the Bible the Lord commanded Moses to take one of those who had joined him on the exodus out of Egypt. In the United States seats, in the House of Representatives and the allocation of trillions of dollars in federal assistance are based on census data. As the Project on Government Oversight informs us:

The federal government relies heavily on the data in several important ways. It allocates seats in the House of Representatives based on the decennial census results. It also uses the data to help direct trillions of dollars in federal assistance to states and communities. Those funds are used for hospitals, roads, schools, housing, supporting veterans, feeding children and families, economic development, and so much more. Agencies use census data for program evaluation and evidence-based policymaking. It is therefore essential to get accurate decennial census counts, yet numerous states had statistically significant errors in their 2020 decennial numbers.

So, if you pad the rolls with illegal aliens, your districts will get greater representation in Congress and more federal money to spend. The last national census was in 2020 and the Post Enumeration Survey revealed it was full of errors in at least 14 states.

Not only did the 2020 census count illegal aliens (like previous counts) -- but it was wildly inaccurate -- conveniently benefiting Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. In a shocking report that has not received the attention it deserves, the U.S. Census Bureau recently admitted that its 2020 Census count of the American population was incorrect in at least 14 states. And those mistakes were costly to certain states in terms of congressional representation, number of electors, and money those states are likely to receive from the federal government during the next decade. To put the scope of these mistakes into perspective, contrast the errors in the Census Bureaus latest recount (the 2020 Post-Enumeration Survey, or PES) with the recount from a decade ago (the 2010 Post-Enumeration Survey) -- in which there was a net overcount of a mere 0.01 percent (36,000 people), a statistically insignificant error. As explained below, as a result of these errors, Florida did not receive two additional congressional seats and Texas did not receive one more congressional seat. Meanwhile, two other states, Minnesota and Rhode Island, each retained a congressional seat that they should have lost, and Colorado gained a new seat to which it was rightfully not entitled.

Traditionally the census is taken every 10 years, but the president has called for one to be done now.

According to White House Deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, the Democrats manipulated the 2020 census to unfairly gain 20-30 congressional seats thanks to lax registration laws which allowed illegal aliens to vote. There s no constitutional bar to doing a new census now. The Constitution only mandates that there not be a greater than ten-year-gap between counts.

As but one example of how counting illegals in the census and lax registration laws have allowed massive cheating, look to Washington State:

WA State has 700,000 voter registrations with no social security number. That's nearly 20% of the entire electorate. They've been stealing elections for a long, long time. 

Gerrymandering has added a forearm to the Democrats thumb on the electoral scale. Some districts in states like New York, Illinois, and California look like weird ink blot tests. VP J.D. Vance:

The gerrymander in California is outrageous. Of their 52 congressional districts, nine of them are Republican. That means 17 percent of their delegation is Republican when Republicans regularly win 40 percent of the vote in that state. How can this be possibly allowed? Related: Americas Newspaper of Record is once again doing straight-up reportage: Democrats Warn New Trump Census Could Negate All The Illegal Alien Votes Biden Brought In.

In at least one case, a liberal judge made it particularly outrageous.

Obama-appointed judge forced Louisiana to create a black-majority district resulting in a congressional district stretching more than 250 miles across the state. SCOTUS is likely to rule that the 6th District violates the 14th or 15th Amendments by constituting an impermissible racial gerrymander. In the meantime Rep Cleo Fields is putting a lot of miles on his Buick LeSabre.

In California, Governor Gavin Newsom is scheming to replace the states nonpartisan congressional map to make districting even more partisan than it already is. In Texas, Democrats have fled the state hoping that without a quorum the legislature wont be able to correct the districting map. In the meantime, Democrats have done everything in their power to disenfranchise Republicans:

Blue states with ZERO Republican House seats: Massachusetts Rhode Island Vermont New Hampshire Hawaii New Mexico Connecticut Delaware Blue states with ONE Republican House seat: Maryland Oregon Maine Blue states with 2-5 Republican House seats: Colorado Minnesota Illinois Virginia New Jersey After that, you only have California & New York The reason Democrats are screaming for Texas to stop redistricting is because Democrats have almost nothing left to gerrymander They already rigged the map years ago and hate to see Republicans actually fighting back.

The numbers gal DataRepublican tells us what the census shift and gerrymandering results will be:

Just so it's clear, there are 3 separate ways Republicans can gain House seats 1Stop counting undocumented immigrants or foreign residents; shifts about 10 seats 2Redo the 2020 Census correctly; would shift around 15-20 seats per your post 3Gerrymandering; effects vary but can stack on top of the above These aren't either/or; they all stack.

Elsewhere with little fanfare, the President has brokered peace agreements with states some of which have had long-running wars: Thailand and Cambodia, Israel and Iran, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, India and Pakistan, Serbia and Kosovo, Egypt and Ethiopia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. This week hes meeting with Russian President Putin in Alaska in a promising effort to end the Ukraine-Russia war. Efforts to date to resolve the Gazan war have been fruitless. However, under Trump we now have 22 Arab League nations calling for Israels recognition and for Hamas to disarm and relinquish power.

If the Norwegians fail to award Trump a Nobel Peace Prize, they finally will have sealed the award forever as a mockery.
During WWII, Britain came perilously close to losing. Germany used its U-boats in a way that Britain and its allies were unable to foresee or initially overcome. The Battle of the Atlantic saw the introduction of a new tactic, the Wolf Pack, resulting in the sinking of 5,841 ships from 1939 through 1943, which almost led to Britains defeat.

Asymmetry is how wars are won, and Israel, despite its vast military might, is facing a new kind of asymmetry, which sees it fighting according to Woke Western rules. These rules will ensure that the West never wins a war again.

Israel can defeat a standing army it meets on the battlefield with little problem. So can America. The problem is that the enemy also gets a vote on how wars are fought. Consequently, our enemies have learned to exploit our weaknesses while playing to their strengths. What you are seeing in Gaza today is the new playbook on how to conduct asymmetric war. So far, Israel has not been able to declare victory, because the enemy wont surrender. But, as incredible as it sounds, there are those in Israel ready to surrender to Hamas. Dont believe me?

Image made using AI.

Heres what Israeli Iris Haim has said, something repeated by thousands of Israelis:

Surrender? I am willing to surrender  for the hostages. For the last shred of dignity that remains for families like mine, who still have hope.

None seem to understand that surrender means more hostages and, eventually, death for all.

I understood why the Germans were torpedoing their enemies ships in a bid to starve Britain into submission and end the war on favorable terms. I understood why the Allies firebombed Dresden (killing tens of thousands) to destroy the will of the German people to conclude the war, for the same reason. I understood why in 1967 Israel preemptively destroyed the war-making ability of the Arab nations arrayed against it when it was outnumbered 50-1 and on the brink of promised annihilation by the Arab League.

However, what I dont understand is how Hamas willingly sacrifices noncombatants, yet the world honors it as if it has clean hands, even as Israel is tarred in the vilest manner as the aggressor by both the world press and many political leaders. How can that be?

Hamas is the proverbial scorpion that knows nothing except to kill, torture, and mutilate its victims, primarily its own citizens, whom they use as pawns to increase the death count. Then, they dramatically inflate numbers, or treat combatants as civilians, often having the casualty numbers before an attack even occurs! The bigger the number, the better. They win by proclaiming their losses.

Theres an axiom of how wars must be fought, taught at any military war college: Never fight your enemy on their terms. But Israel seemingly cant escape the web that Hamas has spun.

What we are witnessing in Israel today is the ultimate culmination of a woke war practice that began in America with the first Gulf War, largely to remove the stain of the Vietnam War. America was going to fight a pure war that didnt touch civilians, so it shifted toward emphasizing how it was reducing collateral damage, rather than seeking traditional battlefield success. Here are some key inflection points that radically changed how the West wages (i.e., loses) wars:

1991 Gulf War

The U.S. showcased precision-guided munitions to minimize civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. This marked a public relations and strategic shift: battlefield success was now measured not just in enemy losses, but in how cleanly and surgically it could be achieved.

1999 Kosovo Air Campaign

NATOs air war against Yugoslavia was conducted with strict rules of engagement to avoid civilian harm. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. faced insurgencies embedded in civilian populations.

Civilian casualties became a strategic liability, fueling anti-American sentiment and insurgent recruitment.

This led to the rise of counterinsurgency doctrine (COIN), especially under Gen. David Petraeus, which emphasized population protection over enemy attrition. Following high-profile civilian casualties in drone strikes (e.g., Kabul 2021), the Pentagon launched the Civilian Arms Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP) in 2022.

The plan formalized harm reduction as a core strategic objective, not just a moral or legal obligation:

Targeting processes have largely focused on analyses of effects on adversaries, with fewer resources dedicated to understanding the effects on collateral objects and the civilian environment.  CHMR-AP, 2022

The Iraq War Philosophy

Civilian harm undermines legitimacy, fuels insurgency, and complicates coalition diplomacy.

In modern warfare, winning hearts and minds often matters more than destroying enemy forces.

Thats Wokeism in action, something that runs completely counter to what should be the objective in any war: Kill people and destroy things. Win and Go Home

No amount of desire or technological advancement allows for clean wars that only kill combatants. We do ourselves a disservice when we claim or believe otherwise.

I am reminded of the 1991 Gulf War, where I had a front row seat to how far this utter nonsense had permeated. Even our enemies believed that we could surgically hit targets.

I particularly remember a high-rise in downtown Baghdad that housed the Iraqi intelligence headquarters. We tended to hit stuff at night (to minimize casualties), and that building had not yet been hit. Civilians had set up lawn chairs and brought food to watch the coalition forces bomb that building. Some were just across the street, with falafel vendors hawking their wares when we came. It was insane. No one has that kind of accuracy all the time; people die, and frequently not the enemy.

It is no different in Gaza except for one thing. Hamas invites high body counts to push the narrative that the October 7th massacre was only the act of a caged animal and must be understood in context. However, Israel, being assumed to be a moral nation, must act using the Victorian era Marquess of Queensberry Rules. This is an evil fantasy that every politician should know and that every soldier instinctively understands.

Now, Israels government knows the truth, but is teetering on the edge because it is a pluralistic nation that is ultimately run by its voting public. Benjamin Netanyahu knows the truth. Hamas must be decisively defeated, or there will be another and another October 7th. That is the undeniable logic that surrendering cant change.

God Bless America!

Author, Businessman, Thinker, and Strategist. Read more about Allan, his background, and his ideas to create a better tomorrow at www.1plus1equals2.com.
Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has essentially accused CBS News of leaving so much of an interview with him on the cutting room floor that it effectively changed the tenor of the interview. CBS Newss goal was obvious: To make Israel look genocidal and to make the Trump administration look either feckless or complicit.

Ambassador Huckabee in addition to making that point, proved it, by providing a link to the full transcript, which is available on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem:

CBS Newss pro-Hamas propaganda begins with the image that CBS elected to use for the video. You can see a small version of the image in Ambassador Huckabees tweet, and you can see a larger image on the interview page itself.

On one side of the image is a still of Ambassador Huckabee. On the other side is a photograph of plump, crying children waving bowls. Children who are experiencing a famine are not plump. Instead, they look more like Evyatar David, whom Hamas proudly showed starving in underground tunnels, with David being forced to dig his own grave:

The family of the hostage Evyatar David has shared new footage of his kidnapping.



The footage shows a Hamas terrorist hitting him with a rifle, with gunshots in the background, while he is tied up and afraid.



We are dealing with the sons of Satan.



pic.twitter.com/kbOYLgemBG  Vivid. (@VividProwess) September 6, 2024 The only people being deliberately starved and tortured in Gaza are the hostages held in Hamas' dungeons.



Hamas has released a grotesque propaganda video of Evyatar David, a 24-year-old Israeli civilian kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023.



He went to pic.twitter.com/azYpqJY4IK  Embassy of Israel to the USA (@IsraelinUSA) August 2, 2025 In WW2 the Japanese were brutal in the treatment of allied prisoners of war. Starved & emaciated, a quarter of them died of malnutrition. Camp commanders were put on trial for war crimes & executed.



Then in 2025 we have Evyatar David & Hamas. He's digging his own grave. pic.twitter.com/R4bnNQTlET  David Atherton (@DaveAtherton20) August 4, 2025

Thats what starvation looks like.

Moreover, we know that, as often as not, those plump children are posing for the camera. Sometimes, Pallywood forgets to turn off the camera:

Oops! Hamas forgot to cut the part where their starving girl breaks character and laughs during the fake famine scene.pic.twitter.com/1357aZqAAi  Liza Rosen (@LizaRosen0000) August 8, 2025

Theres also the fact that Bild, a German publication, revealed on August 5 that Anas Zayed Fteiha, who works for Turkish media, was staging these photographs. (And again, all the people waving their pots in the staged images are clearly well-fed.) I dont know whether, two days after the Bild report emerged, CBS News used one of Fteihas photos, but it sure looks like his work.

Thus, the CBS News propaganda begins instantly, the moment you go to the landing page for the interview. But the real propaganda is how Huckabees interview has been edited. Of course, given that it was a long interview and CBS had only three-and-a-half minutes of airtime, the editors had to make cuts. But which cuts to make is a purely editorial choice, and whats left on the cutting room floor is stunning.

Here is a complete transcript of the aired interview:

And here is a transcript of the full, unedited interview from the embassy website. Ive made only two changes: I noted where the reporter interjected language that was not in the interview, and I highlighted in yellow every word that CBS News deleted from the final video:

Again, editing was inevitable and necessary. What was left behind is striking.

In the interview that aired, the reporter is importuning Huckabee to admit that

people in Gaza are starving, and theres massive evidence proving this,

theres no evidence Hamas is taking most of the food aid,

Israel and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S. and Israeli-backed initiative, are failing to feed Gazans, and

the IDF is slaughtering starving civilians, which is a war crime.

Per the aired interview, Huckabees response is to assure the reporter that all the suffering is Hamass fault (which is true), that he doubts reports about IDF slaughtering GHF recipients, and that Israel is bad at genocide and that, if its people are bad actors, it will prosecute them itself.

The impression one is left with is that terrible things are happening to Gaza civilians thanks to Israel, and that Huckabee either doesnt know, doesnt care, or is part of problem.

Here is just a small sampling, though, of what CBS News cut from Huckabees responses:

Many of the photos out of Gazaphotos the American media is publishingare fraudulent, such as the genetically ill child the NY Times claimed was a victim of famine, a starving child who was actually in Yemen, and the propaganda photos that Bild exposed.

The UN has admitted that 87% of its food shipments are hijacked before reaching civilians, but the UN refuses to accept IDF protection for the shipments.

While we know at least some of the famine images are faked, its a dead certainty that Hamas is starving Israelis, because its boasting about it.

Two million tons of food have gone to Gaza, and Hamas is blocking the food from reaching civilians.

Hamas made half a billion dollars last year selling donated food to civilians. The civilians who made it to GHF food sites said that this was the first time they werent forced to pay Hamas for the food.

dollars last year selling donated food to civilians. The civilians who made it to GHF food sites said that this was the first time they werent forced to pay Hamas for the food. GHF has packaged food in a way that disincentivizes Hamas theft and resales.

One of the claimed IDF massacres of 27 civilians at a food distribution site, which the Western media reported as true, was a hoax. Video of the scene proves it never happened. Although CBS News cut this fact from the interview, the reporter broke from the interview to inform the audience that IDF troops are slaughtering hundreds of people at food collection sites.

Gazans to whom Huckabee has spoken do not hate the IDF, and they love Americans. However, they hate Hamas, because they have all lost family members to Hamas murders.

That Israel is unique in world history in that it is feeding its enemy during a war.

Thats only some of what CBS News did not include in its aired Huckabee interview, but it gives you an idea of how CBS News is manipulating its audience.

People viewing the report think theyre hearing from Ambassador Mike Huckabee, but theyre not. Instead, theyre hearing carefully curated sentences that turn much of what he said on its head. Instead, the whole advances the propaganda narrative that Israel is a genocidal sinner and that Hamas and the people of Gaza are victims of a new Holocaust.

Its disgusting. More than that, though, its a fraud on the American people and a libel against Israel. Congress needs to investigate the fraud, and the nation of Israel needs to sue for libel.

Image created using AI.
As the Texas runaway lawmaker melodrama enters its second week, who should rear his ridiculous head but failed Texas congressman, Beto O'Rourke, spewing lunacies at a Fort Worth rally.

According to CBS News:

The fight over Texas redistricting is escalating  and Fort Worth became the latest flashpoint Saturday afternoon. More than 200 people packed the Ridglea Theater for a rally led by former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke. The event focused on the legal and political fallout surrounding Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a Republican-backed redistricting plan. The Texas House failed to reach a quorum again on Friday, preventing lawmakers from voting on the new congressional maps, as GOP officials float ousting the absent Democrats from office or seeking civil arrests. O'Rourke addressed the crowd and responded to a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. A state judge on Friday barred O'Rourke and his political action committee from financially supporting the Democratic legislators who left Texas.

'Escalating'? 'Flashpoint'? No, a failed congressman held a low-attendence rally in Texas's fifth-largest city.

It was pathetic.

And worse still for Beto, his political opponents have been tweeting out what he actually said at the rally, in striking contrast to the remarkably undetailed CBS story with the big claims in the lede.

In a deranged and profane rant, Chronic Loser Beto O'Rourke calls Republicans "fascists" and tells Democrat states to redraw their districts now.



"Fuck the rules, we are going to win whatever it takes." pic.twitter.com/4ZF3sZJ2DL  RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 9, 2025

Beto O'Rourke says when Democrats take back power, they're going to "drive that car like we stole it" to give amnesty to illegal aliens.



O'Rourke: Illegal immigrants are "what makes this country so G**damned great in the first place." pic.twitter.com/CYpN1JsQTi  RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 9, 2025

Memo to Beto: When your opposition is using what you say at rallies to support their own cause instead of your friends, you know you've accomplished the opposite of what you thought you were accomplishing.

Just look at the idiocy of what he said: He called Republicans 'fascists' like the rest of them, and then vowed to break the rules, using his customary profanity. That pretty well negates the runaway Democrat lawmaker argument about 'saving democracy' and Republicans being a 'threat to democracy,' given that Beto let the cat out of the bag about Democrats now wanting power without rules. Beto just dislikes living by rules when Republicans turn the rules that Democrats made to their disadvantage.

Meanwhile, Beto's call to legalize all DACA illegals and their parents will be about as popular in Texas as his last bright idea of gun control.

And did he really want to 'go there' with that crime metaphor about 'drive that car like it's stolen,' given his arrests for burglary and drunk driving? Somehow Beto is comfortable with thinking of his metaphors in crime terms.

It's wretched stuff, a failed Texas politician drawing all of 200 people at an unhinged rally and drawing massive press coverage with the sound turned off.

Nice try, Beto, but it'll be about as successful as the last political story you chased (Uvalde) to get the cameras back onto you.

Try not to make a boob of yourself when you try again.

Image: X video screen shot
In the immortal words of J.D. Vance, do they even hear themselves?

The biggest names in Democrat gerrymandering are out taking to the Sunday talk show circuit, to complain about Texas's maneuvers to redistrict their state in what would likely bring in more Republican seats in Congress, in what they say is a bid to correct underrepresentation.

"Threat to democracy," intoned Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzger, without irony.

Questioned about his own state's famous gerrymandering, he insisted that his state is nothing like Texas, which its own way was true enough, because nothing is as badly gerrymandered as Illinois.

 WOW! NBCs Kristen Welker of all people called out JB Pritzker right to his face on how badly gerrymandered Illinois is - he had absolutely nothing to say in response. pic.twitter.com/LLqBlkfEzX



Every group that grades the fairness of congressional maps gives Illinois an F and  Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 10, 2025

New York's Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has attempted two failed bids to gerrymander her own state was no different. She said New York was nothing like Illinois and could not be compared to the threat to democracy that Texas represents. Seems the same talking points from the invisible hand running the Democrats went out.

Hochul the Hypocrite got steamrolled this morning when she stuttered into oblivion when asked about the Hochulmander - her last two illegal and unconstitutional attempts to gerrymander districts that were thrown out by the courts and the people of NY.



She got exposed for her pic.twitter.com/FwMm779pTD  Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) August 10, 2025

Given their records, their arguments stunk. And it was so bad even the media wasn't buying it. Is this the best the Democrats have got? Or do they just have that much contempt for the American people?

Image: X video screen shot
Former congressman Frank Wolf was born in 1939 as the Second Word War was starting in Europe and two years before the United States joined. It was a period of clarity concerning Americas place in the world. Freedom of speech, free elections, and the basic principle that government should be responsible to its people rather than the other way around were on the rise and became essential parts of how Americans viewed their country.

Fast-forward to the current environment, and American identity has dramatically changed. Debanking and deplatforming have become familiar features of a country that sees itself as the product of an oppressive colonial system that upended functioning societies and created iniquity.

Viewing ourselves through that lens has allowed our enemies to present themselves as totems of resistance. College students protest in support of would-be totalitarian dictators in Gaza. Information detailing strikes on Iran is leaked by those who have come to view the oppressive regime sympathetically. Perhaps the most potent example is the ability of the Taliban to continuously find new recruits through the course of twenty years of American military and logistical dominance. There were always people willing to die on behalf of totalitarians in the name of resisting imperialism.

So perhaps it's inevitable that it took someone who spent most of his life in another era to champion the creation of a position designed to promote the ideals Americans associated with their country in a time when they believed it to be a force for good. Congressman Wolf spent years pushing for the creation of the United States ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom position, the groundwork for which was laid in his Freedom from Religious Persecution Act of 1997. The very existence of this position harkens back to a time when individual freedom of thought took priority in the American consciousness over concepts of communal guilt and generational victimhood.

Having someone who can articulate the importance of an individuals right to self-determination and draw attention to those denied that right is an important step in defining ourselves. When the ambassador highlights Iranian imprisonment of religious minorities, he's not attempting to remake that country in our image. He is reinforcing the values that define us and clarifying our identity for ourselves, our allies, and our enemies. That clarification strengthens our hand at home and abroad.

Accentuating individual liberty, and our position as its champions, strengthens our ability to resist the deplatforming and debanking that defined the lockdown period surrounding 2020. It adds weight to our condemnations of totalitarian governments and provides a response to college protesters embroiled in hatred of their own country.

The ambassador for international religious freedom is just one front in the battle to reassert our identity as champions of individual liberty and restrained government. It merits focused attention right now because it is an easily accessible victory that we are denying ourselves.

President Trump has nominated former congressman Mark Walker to serve in that position, but instead of confirming him, the Senate has chosen to include him in the long list of nominees trapped waiting for a hearing. None of the nominees should be stuck in limbo, but can we no longer find even the bipartisan agreement necessary to move forward with restoring our nations close affiliation with individual liberty?

It's time to take that step, confirm the president's nominee for ambassador for international religious freedom, and continue the long road to rebuilding a national identity that takes pride in our ideals.

Image: Darkmoon_Art via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
This week, a giant among us has passed.

James Lovell, the commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 moon mission and one of the astronauts of Apollo 8, died August 7, bringing back memories, all good memories, of America's greatness and his own greatness, in a life heroically lived.

His successful Christmas 1968 Apollo 8 mission, which orbited the moon for the first time, restored hope for our country after a miserable, tumultuous year -- wracked by an unpopular war overseas, fiery race riots, two assassinations, the sense of widespread social disintegration from the hippies and crazed leftists on campuses taking over.

The success of Lovell and his two fellow astronauts traveling to literally another world for the first time, orbiting the moon, seeing its dark side for the first time, and seeing the Earth for the first time from the moon was enough to restore our perspective and hope.

And as commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, Lovell demonstrated in spades what the Right Stuff is, as a test pilot with the nerves of steel who was able to act with unimaginable grace under pressure, after an unspeakably terrifying explosion struck his spacecraft 240,000 miles from home, and he and his two crew members watched helplessly from the window as the oxygen tanks leaked away.

Incredibly, Lovell managed to resteer the stricken vehicle safely back to Earth -- preventing it from shooting past the Earth, which was one problem, conserving oxygen intended for a few hours to four days, conserving water to keep the electrical systems cooled, jury-rigging an improvised oxygen supply from the command module to the lunar module where the astronauts were holed up in a cold cramped, clammy freezing space intended for two men, going without electricity and having faith that the heat shields and parachutes on the reentering spacecraft would function on the re-entry to Earth.

That he succeeded is unbelievable, that he could even do it is incredible, a hard story to ever imagine succeed given the odds, given the many ways people die in accidents, yet this one was not one that ended in an almost certain death. That one percent window of success was threaded by Lovell owing to his discipline, his calm, his courage, and his confidence, honed over many years as a Navy test pilot, which had been an elite career with a 53% chance of death in his day.

Maybe it was the help of angels in addition to Lovell's good leadership that got them through.

After all, Lovell had read from the ancient Book of Genesis while on the earlier Apollo 8 mission, paying tribute to God's creation of the universe as he looked in wonder at the Earth and moon, in a stunning return to our Judeo-Christian cultural foundation, which made science possible. That recognition of the truth made all the troubles in the U.S. look small in comparison at the time. But it also demonstrated that true greatness comes from humility before God the Almighty, not idle worship of science or mankind. The first major act in arriving at the moon was to pay tribute to the Creator.

We don't see much of that now, marrying scientific and technological breakthroughs with honoring our Creator, and I can't think of a single modern instance so reverential. But Lovell was of that era that could, and for that, is more of an authentic hero.

Lovell himself viewed it as NASA's and his own finest hour in this beautiful oral history:

He's simple, forthright, direct, and utterly listenable, a man who never bragged or swaggered as some in his field did, and a man who never wasted his time.

One can tell this easily just in the way he spoke to his interviewer, who was very good.

His character was also evident in Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff, where he makes appearances throughout the story as Wolfe ruminates on what exactly the right stuff came down to. Lovell's was a life full of it, a life well lived, a life of excellence, a love of space travel, a heroism we need more of now, and a reverence for his Creator. Every kid in the world needs to study carefully the life of Jim Lovell because in every field of human endeavor, the world needs more like him.

RIP

Image: NASA, via Wikipedia // public domain
I recall watching New Jersey governor Jim McGreeveys resignation speech in 2004, prompted by a scandal involving sexual impropriety. During his address, he declared, And so my truth is that I am a gay American. The phrase my truth struck me as jarring. It was the first time Id ever heard it, and it seemed like a convenient way to sidestep accountability. McGreevey didnt step down because he was gay. He did so because his behavior was egregious.

People use the expression my truth to convey personal perspective or subjective experience, but upon closer examination, it raises logical concerns. By definition, truth is typically understood as a statement or belief aligned with objective reality. When someone claims my truth, he suggests a personalized version of truth that may diverge from this objective standard, prioritizing subjective belief over verifiable fact.

If truth is relative to each individual, then every persons truth becomes equally valid, creating challenges in resolving conflicting claims. For instance, if two individuals truths contradict each other, there is no logical framework to determine which is correct. This leads to a paradox where contradictory statements are both deemed true. While personal experiences are valid, equating them with truth blurs the distinction between subjective interpretation and factual accuracy.

The concept of my truth aligns closely with moral relativism, the belief that moral truths or ethical standards vary by individual, culture, or context. Both reject universal standards, leading to logical inconsistencies. If all truths or moral codes are equally valid, there is no basis for judging or resolving conflicts when one persons truth or morality contradicts anothers. For example, if one persons truth deems lying to advance ones position as morally correct whereas another views it as wrong, relativism provides no mechanism to evaluate which stance is preferable. This mirrors the paradox of my truth, where conflicting personal truths cannot coexist without undermining the very concept of truth.

Both my truth and moral relativism can erode accountability. Actions like cheating or stealing could be justified as true for an individual if moral standards are tied to personal truths. This risks excusing harmful behavior because it aligns with someones subjective framework. A stark example occurred in Washington State, where a couple nearly killed their 17-year-old daughter for refusing an arranged marriage in Iraq. The girl, defying her fathers wishes, returned to school and sought refuge. School officials entrusted her to her boyfriend, instructing him to keep her safe. As they left the school, her father punched the boyfriend and began choking his daughter. Students and a passerby intervened, and the parents were charged with serious crimes, including second-degree attempted murder and first-degree attempted kidnapping. The New York Post reported that the father had threatened his daughter with an honor killing for refusing the arranged marriage.

An estimated 2327 honor killings occur annually in the United States, yet critics argue that attributing religious motivations to crimes committed by Muslims insults Islam. A U.S. Department of Justice study identified four types of honor violence: forced marriage, honor-based domestic violence, honor killing, and female genital mutilation. The report noted that 91 percent of victims in North America are murdered for being too Westernized, with fathers almost always involved in cases targeting daughters 18 or younger. For every honor killing, countless more instances of physical and emotional abuse occur, often justified by fundamentalist interpretations of Islam. In such cases, the perpetrators believe their actions are morally right, whereas others view them as abhorrent.

Citizens of the United Kingdom and Western Europe are also discovering, to their horror, that all cultures are indeed not the same, and that welcoming vast numbers of unassimilated immigrants into their society can lead to catastrophic outcomes.

Moral and cultural relativism offer no guidance in resolving these conflicts, leaving us without a framework to determine which perspective is correct. Common sense would dictate that killing your daughter to protect your familys honor or participating in a rape gang is uncivilized, yet these actions are permitted in some circles and circumstances.

The phrase my truth and moral relativism both face logical inconsistencies. Claiming there are no absolute truths or that all morality is relative creates a self-referential paradox, as such assertions are often presented as absolute truths themselves. Similarly, asserting my truth as valid implies an objective standard for validating personal truths, contradicting the relativistic premise.

In conclusion, my truth and moral relativism prioritize subjective perspectives over universal standards. However, both fail to resolve contradictions, undermine objective evaluation, and risk paradoxical or self-defeating claims when applied consistently. By blurring the line between personal belief and objective reality, they challenge our ability to address conflicts and maintain accountability.

To paraphrase the late, great Oliver Hardy, this is another fine mess the left has gotten us into.

Image via Pixabay.
Throughout the 2024 campaign, I often wrote about the deep connections to the Chinese Communist Party--CCP-- of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. In April of 2025, I wrote Tim Walz: helping China colonize Minnesota? That article was about a long-established CCP operation in Minneapolis:

According to a recently released US House Oversight Committee report, united front work is carried out by a vast networkincluding through the United Front Work Department (UFWD), and Chinese intelligence services, including the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and the Ministry of State Security (MSS). The Ministry of Public Security has been likened to Chinas FBI while the Ministry of State Security is more like Chinas CIA.

From the moment I became aware of his many CCP connections, I wondered whether the FBI and CIA were keeping an eye on Walz and China. The Chinese play the long game, and theyd love to have an agent in the White House. Oh, who am I kidding? They have agents throughout the federal government, but a Vice Presidential agent? That would be something.

I knew, of course, that under Bidens Handlers, the FBI and CIA would do nothing to suppress Chinese threats, but still, was anyone in those agencies the least concerned about Walz? Now, under the second Trump Administration, it appears at least a few were. Just The News provides information.

Graphic: X Post

Judicial Watch was finally able to get Homeland Security documents with a FOIA request:

China is happy, one Homeland Security employee wrote in an explosive message to the group chat called NST NFT Bi-Weekly Sync on August 7, 2024, one day after Harris announced Walz as her running mate, the memos show. The employee linked a BBC News article detailing Chinese internet reactions to the choice, which were reported as largely positive.

Learning from whistleblowers about his deep connections with the Chinese, the House Oversight Committee opened an investigation into Walz in 2024, even before he became Kamala Harriss running mate. Homeland Security stonewalled the Committees subpoenas. The Committee asked the FBI for information and was also stonewalled.

The information obtained by Judicial Watch apparently indicates that at least some FBI counterintelligence operatives were concerned about Walz but were not allowed to do their jobs. They should have been worried:

By the 1990s Walzs experience with the communist-run country deepened. As a high school teacher in Nebraska, Walz began organizing regular trips to China for his high school students. Walz reportedly took about 30 trips total beginning in 1993. The costs were covered in part by the Chinese government, according to reports cited by the Oversight Committee. In addition to the numerous trips to China with his students, Walz also welcomed a delegation of Chinese Communist Party officials to his classroom in Nebraska when he was a teacher there, the Daily Caller reported. He has also reportedly praised the Chinese communist system, saying everyone is the same and everyone shares in China.

Walz has continued to be a mouthpiece for China:

Recently, Walz has continued to express pro-China sentiments. In the wake of Israels bombing attack on Iran earlier this year, the governor and former vice presidential candidate suggested that only China might have the moral authority to negotiate a peace agreement between the two countries. Who is the voice in the world that can negotiate some type of agreement in this? Who holds the moral authority, who holds the ability to do that? Because we are not seen as a neutral actor and we maybe never were, Walz told ex-Biden advisor Neera Tanden at a Center for American Progress event. He later suggested, It might be the Chinese.

Walz has reportedly made at least 30 trips to China, apparently largely paid for by the Chinese. The CCP runs every facet of life and business in China. No one enters China without the Partys permission, and when the Party spends money on a foreigner, they expect something for it. By his own statements and his allowing a Chinese spy organization to set up shop in Minneapolis, Walz appears to be at least a useful idiot and potentially an agent for China working against America.

We certainly dodged a bullet when the Harris/Walz campaign failed. With Donald Trump in office and American patriots in charge of the FBI and our intelligence apparatus, there is at least the possibility that traitors might be exposed and punished. That, however, is going to take time. Deep State operatives working against America must be identified and eradicated first. However, revelations like those exposing Walz and the corrupt Bidens Handlers Administration, including the FBI, are encouraging.

Become a subscriber and get our weekly, Friday newsletter with unique content from our editors. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
Rep. Nancy Pelosis husband, Paul, owns a small company called Financial Leasing Services, Inc. (estimated annual revenue $434,284) that bills itself as a real estate and venture capital investment and consulting firm. Nancy Pelosi herself has spent the last 38 years as a federal employee. Her current salary is $174,000 per year. Nevertheless, Paul and Nancy Pelosi are estimated to be worth around $413 million, up from a mere $370 million just two years ago.

This power couples wealth is almost magical. They are the living embodiment of the fact that, while Republicans get rich and then go into politics, Democrats go into politics and then get rich.

Image created using AI.

Now, though, these rich Democrats are getting called out. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) has introduced legislation that he originally entitled the Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments Act, aka the PELOSI Act. Its now known as the Honest Act because Democrats objected to the original name.

The Act would ban members of Congress and their spouses from directly investing in the stock market while in office (as opposed to having their money in managed funds, Treasury Bonds, etc.). In other words, it bans insider trading by those who create Americas policies. President Trump hasnt been happy with this specific proposed bill, although he generally supports the goal of ending congressional insider trading.

However, while Trump believes that the bill is problematic, he does not think that Nancy Pelosi should get away with her improbable knack for making money. Therefore, he launched one of his epic social media attacks against her:

Crooked Nancy Pelosi, and her very interesting husband, beat every Hedge Fund in 2024. In other words, these two very average minds beat ALL of the Super Geniuses on Wall Street, thousands of them. Its all INSIDE iNFORMATION! Is anybody looking into this??? She is a disgusting degenerate, who Impeached me twice, on NO GROUNDS, and LOST! How are you feeling now, Nancy???

Those who dont like Trump will point out that this is no way for the President of the United States to speak. They will writhe uncomfortably, saying that the innuendo about Pelosis interesting husband, whatever that means, and the claim that Pelosi herself is a disgusting degenerate are highly inflammatory and beneath the office.

However, no one can escape the fact that what Trump did is an incredibly powerful form of communication. As Scott Adams argued when Trump first appeared on the political scene, his persuasive powers are extraordinary. One of them is his ability to use simple, repetitive phrases to paint pictures in peoples minds.

When I first heard Adams make this argument, he was talking about Trumps demand to build a wall. While the sophisticates were arguing that this wasnt feasible, ordinary people got an image in their mind: America suddenly had a solid protection against the millions of people swarming its borders. It made concrete both the problem and the solution. It was a tangible thing in a sea of abstracts. (And Trump has finally built that wall metaphorically, simply by enforcing existing laws!)

The same is true here. Using power words such as interesting, disgusting, and degenerate, Trump has created a vivid mental image of people whose alleged financial and actual political crimes are so repulsive that they themselves, as human beings, are repulsive, too. They are the living embodiment of Swamp Creatures. Moreover, Nancy Pelosi is a loser Swamp Creature. Sure, Trump says, Pelosi may have cheated her way to wealth, out-investing every hedge fund in America, but she couldnt destroy him.

It doesnt hurt that interesting, disgusting, and degenerate also carry a strong whiff of sexual innuendo. One cannot help but speculate about whether these two have been players in the D.C. and San Francisco sexual debauchery scenes. And please note that Trump does not say that they are engaged in sexual debauchery, nor am I saying that. Its just that his words invite that subliminal line of thinking and beg the question of what Trump knows about their personal lives.

The language is crude and vicious, but it hits hard, leaving indelible images in peoples minds. That is Trumps gift, and hes using it against his political enemies, people who were willing to destroy all the institutions of government to bring him down.
An Israeli airstrike killed Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif and four fellow journalists in Gaza City, the broadcaster said.

Al-Sharif, 28, one of the TV news channels most prominent voices in Gaza, was killed along with reporter Mohammed Qreiqeh, and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa.

The Israeli strike targeted a tent where the journalists were sheltering at the Al Shifa medical complex in Gaza City, hospital director Dr Muhammad Abu Salmiya told The Independent.

He said a total of seven people were killed in the attack.

"This is my last will and testament, a lengthy heart-breaking statement posted to Al-Sharifs X account after his death read. If these words of mine reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice.

Do not forget Gaza, the post concluded. And do not forget me in your sincere prayers for forgiveness and acceptance.

The Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ, warned last month it was gravely concerned for Al-Sharif's safety as he was being "targeted by an Israeli military smear campaign and the unfounded accusations represented an effort to manufacture consent to kill Al-Sharif.

Al Jazeera denounced the targeted assassination of its crew as "yet another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom".

Remains of a tent in the Shifa hospital complex where Al-Sharif and his colleagues were killed (Reuters)

The broadcaster said Israel had killed 10 of its journalists during the war on Gaza so far, including Samer Abudaqqa, Ismael Al-Ghoul, Ahmed Al-Louh, Hossam Shabat and Hamza Dahdouh  son of the channels Gaza bureau chief Wael Dahdouh  as well as many of the family members of its employees.

"Anas Al Sharif and his colleagues were among the last remaining voices in Gaza conveying the tragic reality to the world," Al Jazeera said.

Dr Salmiya said the latest Israeli strike damaged a section of the hospital's emergency department. He said his message was to stop the war of extermination on Gaza.

Protect medical facilities, medical personnel, and journalists, allow medicine and food into Gaza, and open the crossings, he pleaded.

The Israeli military alleged on Sunday Al-Sharif "posed as a journalist", confirming it had targeted and killed him.

"Anas al-Sharif served as the head of a terrorist cell in the Hamas terrorist organisation and was responsible for advancing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops," the military said.

A relative mourns over the body of one of the five Palestinian journalists killed by Israel in December 2024 (AP)

The CPJ had repeatedly sought the protection of Al-Sharif, noting that he had been a key source of news from Gaza for international audiences since the war began more than 650 days ago and warning that he was at risk of being killed by Israel.

A UN expert previously warned that Al-Sharif's life was in danger due to his reporting from Gaza. Special rapporteur Irene Khan said last month Israel's claims against him were unsubstantiated.

The CPJ said Israel had failed to provide any evidence to back up its allegations against the slain journalist.

Israels pattern of labelling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence raises serious questions about its intent and respect for press freedom, said Sara Qudah, the groups director for the Middle East and North Africa.

Ms Qudah warned two weeks ago that the danger to Al-Sharifs life was now acute.

Reporters without Borders said Israel had killed more than 200 journalists in Gaza since October 2023, an unprecedented number. The Gaza governments media office said at least 237 journalists had been killed in the war while the CPJ put the number at at least 186.

Nearly 70 per cent of the journalists killed globally last year were slain by Israel, the CPJ said. In fact, Israels killing of journalists in Gaza was primarily responsible for making 2024 the deadliest year on record for journalists.

Al Jazeera journalist Wael Dahdouh holds the hand of his son who was killed by Israel in Rafah in January 2024 (AP)

Hamas said the latest killing of journalists could signal the start of an Israeli offensive. "The assassination of journalists and the intimidation of those who remain paves the way for a major crime that the occupation is planning to commit in Gaza City," the Palestinian group said in a statement.

The Israeli military targeted and killed the Al Jazeera crew just hours after prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised, at a press conference in Jerusalem, to let some foreign media into Gaza.

Mr Netanyahu is facing internal and global uproar for his decision to push through a plan to widen Israels devastating offensive in Gaza, with the aim of imposing full military control on the besieged territory.

Some Israelis fear that the plan will endanger the lives of hostages, drag the military into a protracted, unwinnable war, and worsen the humanitarian catastrophe for Palestinian civilians.

But, on Sunday, Mr Netanyahu doubled down on the plan.

Israel launched a devastating ground and air assault on Gaza and a crippling blockade after around 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage during a Hamas raid in October 2023. Almost 50 hostages and captives remain in Gaza, although less than 30 are thought to still be alive.

Israel war has killed more than 61,000 people, destroyed over 90 per cent of the territory, displaced most of its 2.2 million people and caused a widespread famine, according to the Palestinian health ministry and international aid organisations
(Alamy/PA)

Baby born from 30-year-old embryo

The worlds oldest baby was born last week, from an embryo frozen three decades ago. Thaddeus Daniel Pierce was conceived in 1994, one of four embyros produced by American Linda Archerd as a result of IVF treatment. One became her daughter, now 30, and she kept the other three in storage after her marriage ended.

(Lindsey Pierce)

Thaddeus was born after Archerd, now 62, donated an embryo to Ohio couple Lindsey and Tim Pearce, 35 and 34, via a Christian adoption agency. It is believed to be the longest an embyro has been frozen before resulting in a successful live birth.

(Getty Images)

Breakthrough trial offers Alzheimers hope

Alzheimers is one of the biggest killers in the UK, and as of yet there is no cure. However, early medical trials of a new drug, Trontenimab, have shown promising signs. Alzheimers occurs most commonly in older brains and has been heavily linked to a build up of protein called amyloid plaques.

These can slow down brain function by disrupting chemical message routes. The drug, developed by Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche, showed a 91 per cent reduction in amyloid plaques on the participants, with 49 out of 54 showing an improvement in the trial.

(AlphaEarth Foundations)

Google goes green with new AI model

Tech companies hunger for growth often comes at the expense of the environment. But Googles latest AI model  announced alongside a supporting paper published with Google DeepMind  aims to put more effective tools in the hands of climate scientists.

AlphaEarth Foundations maps the world by using satellite data sets from 2017 to 2024, allowing researchers to analyse biodiversity, track deforestation and hone the efficiency of green energy. It could be groundbreaking for scientists, who usually have to sift through data for hours.

US President Donald Trump has vowed to buy a brand-new Tesla in a show of support for his adviser, tech billionaire Elon Musk, after one of the worst one-day share price falls in the carmakers history (PA) (PA)

Musks big payday

They say good things come to those who wait. But what about those who publicly feud with the leader of the free world? Still great things, apparently. Elon Musk was granted a 21.7 billion worth of shares of Tesla in reward this week, after threatening to walk from the EV-company, due to activist shareholders he claimed posed a threat to him. Tesla has given Musk 96 million shares, bumping his total ownership of the brand up to 16 per cent.

Musk hasnt been paid by Tesla in years since a Delaware court denied Musks 2018 pay package  worth $56 billion  on the grounds the equity grant was unfair and that the board was not fully transparent with shareholders. The board hopes the new reward for Musk will focus the unpredictable entrepreneurs energy on the electric car brand, who have had a difficult fiscal year so far.

(project hyperion design competition)

Competition winners stunning space deisgn

The Project Hyperion design competition tasked teams of engineers from around the world to theorise a space shuttle for a one-way mission to a distant lifeform 250 years away. The shuttle needed to be able to support the life of up to 1000 inhabitants, so maintaining food sources, sustainable fuel, and the passengers' sanity would be of paramount importance. This week the panel of expert judges, including members of Nasa, announced the winner.

Chrysalis, which took first place, is a 58km long cylindrical vessel, powered by helium-3 and deuterium fuel. The team thought outside the box, theorising a fair social order  as an alternative to democracy  within the crew of the ship that would ensure balance is maintained.

It also had farms for growing food and spinning concentric cylinders to recreate gravity. Chrysalis showed that the devil was in the detail to be crowned champions, considering every minutiae of the mission, from procreation, to screening the crew candidates in preparation for take off.
Passengers on flights with Emirates will soon be banned from using phone power banks due to concerns over fires, explosions and toxic gases.

The airline announced this week that the new safety measures will be implemented from 1 October following a safety review - becoming the latest to raise concerns over the popular portable charger devices.

Power banks are rechargeable and can then charge other electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops and cameras, when people are out.

Emirates customers will still be allowed to carry one power bank onboard, as long as it has capacity rating information available and is only stored in the seat pocket or a bag under the seat in front, not in the overhead storage. There is already a ban in place preventing them from being stored in checked luggage.

However, the airline warned that the device will not be allowed to be used in aircraft cabins for fear of dangerous consequences like fire, explosions, and the release of toxic gases.

Power banks will soon be banned from use on board Emirates flights due to fears over fires, explosions and toxic gases (AP)

It said in a statement: There has been a significant growth in customers using power banks in recent years, resulting in an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents onboard flights across the wider aviation industry.

New regulations will significantly reduce risks associated with power banks by prohibiting their use while onboard the aircraft. Storing power banks in accessible locations within the cabin ensures that in the rare event of a fire, trained cabin crew can quickly respond and extinguish the fire.

It is the lithium-ion batteries used in power banks that have raised major concerns among airlines and aviation safety regulators due to the risks of overheating in cases of overcharging or damage.

The move may trigger other carriers to introduce their own restrictions on power bank usage.

Multiple Asian airlines have already done so, including carriers in China, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea and Singapore, such as Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways.

A Batik Air flight began to be filled with smoke from a burning power bank minutes before it landed in Bangkok in March, with videos posted to social media showing panic among passengers (kentmaherr/TikTok)

From 1 March, South Korea implemented stricter rules across operators following a fire on an Air Busan plane on 28 January.

Meanwhile, in the US, Southwest Airlines passengers must now use their portable chargers and batteries in plain sight. The airline brought in the rule from 28 May citing safety concerns after multiple overheating incidents.

Last year, three incidents a fortnight of overheating lithium batteries on planes were recorded globally by the US Federal Aviation Administration, compared to just under one a week in 2018.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) advises that spare batteries for portable electronic devices containing lithium-ion batteries exceeding a Watt-hour rating of 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh are permitted in carry-on luggage for personal use.

It adds: No more than two individually protected spare batteries per person may be carried.

Each lithium-ion cell or battery must also be individually protected so as to prevent short circuits.

Any spare batteries are not permitted to fly in checked baggage, warns the CAA.

Glenn Bradley, head of flight operations at the CAA, said: Lithium batteries power everything from vapes and mobile phones to cameras and power banks. If they become faulty or damaged, they can cause an intense fire that is difficult to extinguish  both in the cabin or hold of an aircraft.

Correct handling reduces risk. Lithium batteries should be carried in your carry-on baggage. Power banks and spare batteries should also be in a cabin bag and should be completely turned off and not in standby mode.

Foreign Office travel advice recommends checking the restrictions on certain types of batteries with your airline if youre not sure what you can carry.
Powys, like the rest of Wales, has a rapidly ageing population, and is also seeing a decline in the number of Welsh speakers. Photograph: Peter Watson/Alamy

Farmers and agricultural unions are fighting to save a large farming estate owned by Powys council amid sell-off plans that tenants say will affect the rural Welsh-speaking community by taking away a crucial stepping stone for young farmers.

A total of 19 tenants living and working on 130 smallholdings, or about 15%, have been served with notices to quit since the local authority began sending eviction letters in February this year. The Guardian understands at least one was in arrears.

According to the Farmers Union of Wales (FUW) the Powys farms estate  the largest of its kind in Wales, and the fifth-largest in the UK  is important for young farmers and those new to the industry, who often initially cant afford to buy their own land; only 3% of head of holding farmers are under the age of 35. The local authority has sold about 30 farms since 2011.

I consider myself to be quite a resilient person but hearing that people were being given notices on their homes and on their farms where they run their business to leave in six weeks literally made me feel sick, said one Powys council tenant farmer in their 30s, who asked not to be named as they were in negotiations over renewing their contract.

It made me worry about our future, because there was no communication beforehand, no rationale for it, just these letters in the post. Some of the tenants here are young families trying to establish themselves and build a life; without them, the community would look very different. I think its very shortsighted of the council not to recognise that.

Powys is a vast, mountainous and sparsely populated county. Data from the most recent UK census in 2021 found that, like the rest of Wales, its population is ageing rapidly, while the population of 15- to 64-year-olds has dropped by 5%.

The percentage of Welsh speakers in the county also fell from 18.6% in 2011 to 16.4% in 2021, the joint second-largest decline. Cymraeg is an integral part of the rural communitys heritage: 45% of agricultural workers speak Welsh as their first language, more than any other industry, according to Welsh government figures.

After outcry from farmers and unions, the council entered negotiations with several tenants who had been served notices, and a petition against the sales has been circulated widely.

In a meeting last month on the future of the county farms estate, councillors voted to pause the sales until November and formed an advisory group to look at the issue. The vote also scrapped a target set in 2018 to sell 10m in assets a year to help offset funding shortfalls, which many believed had fuelled the farm eviction notices.

In a statement, a Powys council spokesperson said that a strategic rationalisation of its property estate was under way to ensure that assets are managed efficiently, sustainably and align with the evolving needs of our communities.

All sales income would be reinvested into council services and projects, they added. However, the farming community remains deeply worried about the future.

These farms were set up after the first world war for returning soldiers, to give them work. As time has gone by, farms have got bigger, and smaller farms are not viable any more, so its impossible for newcomers to establish themselves without leasing or renting, said Wyn Williams, the chair for Montgomeryshire in northern Powys for the FUW.

Good tenants improve and maintain the houses and farms, and build up good businesses. Now leases can be as short as three or four years, when they used to be for a lifetime. You need to present a business plan to get these farms, its very competitive, and even then, now it seems like it could all get taken away in a letter through the door from the council, he said.

These tenants are in a very vulnerable position. Their whole lives could be uprooted.
Donald Trump is to meet Vladimir Putin to decide the fate of Ukraine between them

The last time an American president sat down with a Russian autocrat to carve up parts of Europe was 80 years ago in Potsdam. Then, Harry Truman and Joseph Stalin drew up the new post-war boundaries, which effectively let the Soviets retain influence over the great swathes of Eastern Europe conquered by the Red Army. Britain was represented, firstly by Churchill and then by Clement Attlee after Labours 1945 election win. But no one attended from the countries whose fate was being decided.

Something similar is about to unfold in Alaska this week. Donald Trump is to meet Vladimir Putin to decide the fate of Ukraine between them. The White House hinted at the weekend that Volodomyr Zelensky may be invited as well, but this is not confirmed. Nor is it certain that the Russian leader would turn up if he is.

Mr Trump has been determined since assuming the presidency to end the conflict but seems to take the view that to do so it is Ukraine that will have to give way. He has already stated that any deal would involve territory swaps, which presumably involves ceding land occupied by Russia since 2014 and expanded since the invasion. But President Zelensky simply cannot accept that, not after the sacrifices his country has made trying to recapture the territory and stop further Russian advances.

It is hard to understand what President Trump is trying to achieve beyond the optics of being seen to broker some sort of ceasefire, however one-sided.

Only last week he was threatening secondary sanctions against countries like India buying up cheap Russian oil. Now he is preparing to reward the aggressor with a meeting on US soil. The Russian leader must be as delighted with the outcome as Stalin was 80 years ago.
The Home Office is forcing me to leave the UK and a job I love to go to a country Ive never called home

A British Airways cabin crew member was forced to abandon his dream career eight years after arriving in the UK when the Home Office told him to move to a country where he says he has never lived.

Shady El Farra, a 28-year-old Egyptian national whose primary language is English, came to the UK to study in 2016, having grown up between the United States and Saudi Arabia due to his parents jobs as academics.

He was granted a two-year graduate visa in 2021 and started a career at British Airways as a cabin crew member. But he was forced to quit the job after an application for a private life visa, which allows people to stay based on strong personal ties to the UK, was rejected by the Home Office in November 2024.

Home Office officials said Mr El Farra should be able to integrate into life in Egypt, despite the 28-year-old explaining that he left the country shortly after he was born and has never lived there as an adult. The country also requires mandatory military service for everyone under the age of 30.

The initial refusal decision also told Mr El Farra that he would be able to fully support yourself in India  despite his application having nothing to do with that country.

He told The Independent: Ive worked in the UK, studied in the UK, and now Im being told I have no expectation of a future here.

Mr El Farra studied in the UK and then found work in the aviation sector (Shady El Farra)

Speaking about his visa refusal, he said: Its like a robot has written it. They can belittle it as errors, but it has a huge impact on a human beings life.

Its been two years of not working, not being in the skies. Its been mentally very challenging. Throughout the whole process, theyve not bothered to look into or consider the obstacles that I would have if I was sent to Egypt.

I barely speak the language, I have no family there and there is conscription in Egypt.

Mr El Farra is relying on support from his parents but fears he will soon be unable to pay rent at his flat in London. He is unable to claim public funds due to his immigration status.

Mr El Farra said he cannot build a life in Egypt as he doesnt have family there and has not ever lived in the country (Shady El Farra)

Mr El Farra had to hand over his passport when he first applied for the private life visa in September 2023, meaning he was unable to fly internationally. BA let him work on domestic flights, but he was then moved to working as a staff trainer while he waited for the visa decision, he said. He received his refusal in November 2024 and had to leave the job he loved.

I had a future at British Airways, he said. I was going to be a senior trainer and they just upended that... for what? How is it a benefit to the UK for me to be sitting here unable to contribute anything?

He then submitted an appeal of the decision to the immigration tribunal, and is now allowed to look for work while the court proceedings are ongoing.

International students have been one of the main drivers of net migration in recent years, along with Ukrainian refugees and people coming to work on health and social care visas.

Since Brexit, more international students have stayed in the UK following the conclusion of their studies, and the Labour government has recently introduced measures to restrict this  shortening the post-study graduate visa from two years to 18 months.

Mr El Farra trained other cabin crew when his visa application meant he could no longer travel by plane (Shady El Farra)

Though Mr El Farra has gone through training and security checks to work as cabin crew, he would need a salary of at least 41,700 to be sponsored for a skilled worker visa to stay in the UK.

Referring to the initial error in the Home Office letter, he said: The rejection said I should go back to India, which obviously doesnt make any sense. They said I should not have had any expectations for staying in the UK. But the graduate visa enables you to find a job in the UK and become a taxpayer, so I think that gives people some expectation that they might stay.

The Home Offices refusal was upheld on review, and Mr El Farra is now waiting for a tribunal hearing to consider his case.

His father, Dr Ehab el Farra, a professor of hospitality management in Saudi Arabia, insisted his son loved the UK and the family was astonished by the initial Home Office response.

The UK should take talented people, use them, and keep them in the system, he said. I used to live in the States, where we have lots of nationalities who live there, and thats one of the reasons why America is very prosperous.

He is fighting to stay in the UK because he loves Britain and wants to make a good life there.

His mother, Molly, also an academic, added: Its a big puzzle for us. Hes not allowed to live in Saudi Arabia with us unless he is a student or worker here. He cannot live with us because he is over 18. We are in this vicious cycle.

A Home Office spokesperson said: It is our longstanding policy not to comment on individual cases.

British Airways has been contacted for comment.
A horse rider has died after falling at a fence during a major eventing competition in Northamptonshire.

Sarah Yorke could not be saved by medical professionals after the accident at the third fence at the Aston-le-Walls Horse Trials on Friday, British Eventing.

All competition due to take place yesterday was abandoned.

The 37-year-old's horse, MGH HERA, was uninjured after being assessed by the on-site vets and walked back to the stable.

Eventing is a where the same horse and rider combination compete against other competitors across the three disciplines of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping.

Read more from Sky News:

Hundreds detained at Palestine Action protest

Crews battle wildfire near Bournemouth

Second arrest after man found dead on bench

British Eventing described the death of Ms Yorke as "a deeply difficult moment for the eventing community" and said there would be a full review of what happened.

Chief executive Rosie Williams said: "On behalf of everyone at British Eventing, I would like to express our deepest condolences to Sarah's family and friends.

"The thoughts of the entire eventing community are with them at this incredibly difficult time."
British Eventing said in a statement that all competition due to take place on Saturday was abandoned (Alamy/PA)

A horse rider has died after she fell at a fence during a major eventing competition.

Sarah Yorke, 37, could not be saved by medical professionals after the accident at the third fence at the Aston-le-Walls Horse Trials in Northamptonshire on Friday.

British Eventing confirmed all events due to take place on Saturday was abandoned.

Ms Yorkes horse, Mgh Hera, was uninjured after being assessed by the on-site vets and walked back to the stable.

British Eventing described the incident as a deeply difficult moment for the eventing community and said there would be a full review of what happened.

Chief executive Rosie Williams said: On behalf of everyone at British Eventing, I would like to express our deepest condolences to Sarahs family and friends.

The thoughts of the entire eventing community are with them at this incredibly difficult time.

A spokesperson for British Eventing added: We appreciate this is a deeply difficult moment for the eventing community, and we encourage everyone to support one another.

The British Eventing Support Trust Helpline is available 24/7 on 07780 008877 for anyone who would like to talk to a trained professional.
Hundreds of people including family members of Israeli hostages taken on October 7 have marched to Downing Street urging the release of those being held by Hamas.

There were several flare-ups from counter-protesters and three arrests as the National March for the Hostages, organised by Stop the Hate UK and a number of Jewish organisations, made its way through central London on Sunday.

It comes after Sir Keir Starmer pledged to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless the Israeli government meets a series of conditions towards ending the conflict in Gaza.

Stop the Hate said that protesters will urge the Prime Minister to prioritise the release of the 50 remaining Israeli hostages, with 20 of them thought to be alive, before any recognition of a Palestinian state.

Among those due to attend and give a speech is Noga Guttman, the cousin of 24-year-old Evyatar David, who was kidnapped.

Hamas released a video last weekend which showed Mr David looking skeletal and hollow-eyed in a dimly lit Gaza tunnel.

Some protesters held Israeli flags and wore yellow ribbons as they congregated in Lincolns Inn Fields in Holborn from 1.30pm.

A scuffle broke out after at least two men shouted Free Palestine in front of the march close to Trafalgar Square.

One man was seen being bundled to the ground after being surrounded by about a dozen people, while another man was seen being moved away by police officers after he began shouting.

Earlier, on The Strand, a young man was kept away from the protesters after shouting Free Palestine.

Another man was carried away by officers after a scuffle broke out close to the gates of Downing Street.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (centre left) joins family members of hostages being held by Palestinian militant group Hamas, Jewish community leaders and antisemitism campaigners in central London (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

He was seen throwing water over a pro-Israel demonstrator before charging at him and putting his hand around the demonstrators neck, before officers intervened.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were deployed along the route to ensure the safety of those attending and to deal with any offences.

A man, who was not part of the march, was arrested for common assault and a racially aggravated public order offence after the march briefly paused just past Charing Cross, the force said.

There were two further arrests for assault during the assembly following a disagreement between attendees in the crowd.

Addressing the crowd in Whitehall, the UKs Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said: To our Government we turn and we say how would you ever be able to live with the fact that you would have recognised a Palestinian state, at the head of which is a terrorist organisation, with a stated intention of destroying the state of Israel and harming Jews right around the world and all this at a time when the hostages are still languishing in the tunnels of Gaza?

The Labour Party, both in opposition and now in Government, has had a mantra, they have continuously been saying dont judge us by our words, judge us by our deeds.

And to our Government we say right now this is the time for responsible action, it is not too late.

Ayelet Svatitzky, whose brothers Roi and Nadav Popplewell were murdered, said in her own speech: This week I joined a meeting with the UK Government to continue to press our case that the hostages must be freed before the UK Government can recognise the state of Palestine.

Ayelet Svatitzky, whose brothers Roi and Nadav Popplewell were murdered, speaks to supporters during the National March For The Hostages in central London (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

As I said to the Government, to recognise the state without the return of all of the hostages is a prize to Hamas for the murder of my two brothers.

Two speakers from a progressive Judaism movement were booed at the assembly after saying that Palestinians have the right to self-determination.

Rabbi Charley Baginsky said: We call for an end to this war through a deal that brings the hostages home and the permanent restoration of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Some in the crowd began booing and shouting no deal, while one man shouted smash Hamas.

Rabbi Josh Levy then said: The Palestinian people like us have the right to self-determination.

Protesters gathered for an assembly in Whitehall at the end of the march (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

But how it is done matters too, we reject a methodology that tries to force this future through violence, terror and the suffering of civilians.

More in the crowd joined in the booing, while some shouted shame on you and demanded that the pair be removed.

It comes after Foreign Secretary David Lammy joined his counterparts from Australia, Italy, Germany and New Zealand to condemn Israeli plans to take over Gaza City.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said, on Friday, that Israel would seek the demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip, as well as Israeli security control in the Gaza Strip and the establishment of an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.

In their joint statement, the foreign ministers said the plans risk violating international law and any attempts at annexation or of settlement extension violate international law.

Sir Keir described Israels plans as wrong and called for a ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages by Hamas and a negotiated solution.

He 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.
Ion Iliescu at the presidential palace in Bucharest, 1993. When he lost the election in 1996, he stepped down. It was the first time in eastern European politics that a former communist leader had accepted electoral defeat. Photograph: Peter Turnley/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images

Ion Iliescu, who has died aged 95, served three terms as the elected president of Romania, setting one of the best examples in Europe of how former communist leaders could support democratic reforms and maintain social stability in their countries when the old system of repressive one-party rule crumbled.

Iliescu had revealed himself as a progressive during the harsh dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu. He was appointed head of the Communist partys agitation and propaganda department in 1965, the year that Ceausescu became party leader.

For more than a decade Iliescu served him loyally but gradually became disillusioned by Ceausescus megalomania. Iliescu did not hide his views and he was forced to accept a series of minor jobs in provincial cities, though he was able to remained a member of the partys central committee. In 1984 he suffered his final demotion by being given the post of running a technical publishing house.

There he could have remained, in obscurity, like many other minor party officials from modest backgrounds. Iliescu was born in Oltenita, a small southern town on the Danube. His father, Alexandru, was a railway worker who supported the banned Romanian Communist party and was imprisoned for four years during the second world war. His mother, Maria, was a Roma who left when Ion was an infant, and he was brought up by his stepmother and grandparents. He studied engineering for four years at the Moscow Power Engineering Institute. Back in Romania he joined the Union of Communist Youth in 1944 and the Communist party in 1953.

The revolutionary year of 1989 changed the landscape of eastern European politics and gave Iliescu a chance to shine. The collapse of communism in East Germany, Czechoslovakia and Poland in 1989 produced similar demonstrations for change in Bucharest and other Romanian cities, but unlike the behaviour of the authorities in those countries, the security forces in Romania were ordered to shoot protesters.

In the turmoil and bloodshed, Iliescu emerged as a leader of the pro-reform forces. He founded a broad-based National Salvation Front (FSN). With the army beginning to split, Ceausescu and his wife, Elena, fled the capital in a helicopter. They were captured, held at an army base and then shot. Iliescu went on national TV to salute the popular movement and promise free elections, political pluralism and market reforms.

As leader of the FSN, Iliescu had authorised the execution of the Ceausescus. He admitted it in his memoirs, saying he later regretted it. The hope had been, he said, that it would end all resistance to the revolution. Iliescu was named Romanias interim president in December 1989. Apparently shocked by the Ceausescus death, his new government abolished capital punishment.

In the chaos of the unexpected collapse of the old system, class tensions were high, and there were fierce debates over whether to reprivatise state enterprises and put former communists on trial, or at least bar them from public leadership roles. The Communist party was dissolved and Iliescu left the FSN. He founded the Social Democratic party in a clear sign that he hoped to replace traditional Romanian authoritarianism with Scandinavian-style politics.

It was an uphill struggle. In the days after the Ceausescus execution more than a thousand people were killed in clashes with the security forces. Street protests against Iliescus government were constant and in May 1990 Iliescu called on hundreds of leftwing miners to be bussed to Bucharest to break up the protests. The bloody clashes that ensued were called the Mineriads.

In spite of the violence, Iliescu remained popular and in June 1990 he won a staggering result, securing 85% of the vote for the presidency.

The issue of blame for the post-revolutionary violence continued to fester for decades. In 2018 prosecutors indicted Iliescu for crimes against humanity over the deaths in the clashes that followed the Ceausescus execution. In a separate case he was charged with orchestrating the miners violence in 1990. Both sets of charges were ultimately dropped.

In 1996 Iliescu narrowly lost the presidential election to Emil Constantinescu, a professor of mineralogy who had been a leader of the street protests in 1990 that the miners broke up. He represented the centre-right of Romanias new politics, which favoured the rapid privatisation of the countrys state-run economy. He had come second to Iliescu in the presidential race of 1992.

His promises of rapid economic progress won more support from voters in 1996. Iliescu lost the election but stepped down with dignity. It was the first time in eastern European politics that a former communist leader had accepted electoral defeat. But Constantinescus period in power disappointed his supporters. His promises of economic advancement came to nothing, and in the 2000 election Iliescu made a comeback.

Constantinescus legacy on foreign affairs was more successful than his policies on domestic issues. He pressed for Romanias membership of the European Union and Nato. This pleased western governments who remained wary of Iliescu. But Iliescu had changed his views and when he resumed power in 2000 he continued the movement towards Romanias membership of the Euro-Atlantic club of Nato and the EU.

His term in power ended in 2004 and he largely retired from public life. In a brief statement in May this year he congratulated Nicusor Dan, Romanias new centre-right president, on his election victory.

He is survived by his wife, Elena (nee Serbanescu), whom he married in 1951.

 Ion Iliescu, statesman, born 3 March 1930; died 5 August 2025
The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, visiting IDF troops in the Gaza Strip in July. Photograph: Avi Ohayon/Israel Gpo/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock

Israels decision to approve a plan to occupy the Gaza Strip has reportedly deepened tensions between the government and the countrys military leadership, while also exposing fresh fractures within the armys senior ranks and straining relations with reservists summoned for what could become the most dangerous phase of the war.

According to Israeli media reports, a bruising week of leaks and public recriminations has laid bare the rift between Israels political leaders and its military high command.

This is the most severe crisis in the history of relations between the political echelon and the military since the 1948 war, said Prof Yagil Levy, the head of the Institute for the Study of Civil-Military Relations at the Open University of Israel. Never before has the political leadership compelled the military to execute an operation it adamantly opposed.

In the seven days leading up to the pivotal meeting of Israels security cabinet at which the plan was approved, the chief of staff, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, had repeatedly voiced his misgivings over the move to fully occupy the territory, warning that taking over Gaza would plunge Israel into a black hole of prolonged insurgency, humanitarian responsibility and heightened risk to hostages.

Zamirs dissent ignited a political storm, with the son of the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing the armys chief of staff of mutiny. Israels far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, urged the chief of staff to clearly state he will fully comply with the political leaderships instructions, even if the decision is to occupy Gaza.

Some Israeli reports suggested Zamir could resign.

Over the course of the war, Israels military and intelligence leadership has already been shaken by a series of high-profile departures: Zamirs predecessor as chief of staff, Herzi Halevi, and the former head of the Shin Bet security service, Ronen Bar, were both manoeuvred into resigning. Senior commanders including Aharon Haliva, Yaron Finkelman, Oded Basyuk and Eliezer Toledano have also stepped down, alongside top figures in military intelligence and the Shin Bet.

Since its founding in 1948, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has been more than a military organisation; it has been woven into the countrys national identity, hailed as a near-sacred institution, the ultimate guarantor of the states survival and a living symbol of the collective spirit that forged the nation.

The Israeli public has long been united in its support of the army.

A clash between the military leadership and the government, analysts warn, could have irreparable consequences for public support for the Israeli administration.

A dispute between the army leadership and the government could intensify public protest, fuelled both by concern for the hostages and by the fact that, until now, the military had provided legitimacy for continuing the war, said Levy.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, one of Israels largest newspapers, the militarys divisions run not only between the government and the IDFs senior command, but also within the armys own upper echelons.

The discontent also appears to be spreading to the rank and file. An increasing number of Israeli soldiers are refusing to return to Gaza, shaken by the heavy toll of Palestinian civilian deaths during the military offensive.

Last June, in a letter addressed to Netanyahu, the defence minister, Israel Katz, and the head of the military, a group of 41 officers and reservists said the government was waging an unnecessary, eternal war in Gaza and announced they would no longer participate in combat operations in the territory.

According to Israels national broadcaster, Kan, only 60% of soldiers are showing up to reserve duty. The number includes the so-called grey refusals  those who cite medical conditions, invoke family obligations, or quietly leave the country during the call-up period and forget to check their emails.

The IDF has been approached for comment.
A man has been charged with murdering a father and son after a stabbing at a business premises in central London.

Terry McMillan, 58, and Brendan McMillan, 27, from Chislehurst, Bromley, both died after reports of multiple stabbings inside a commercial property in Long Lane, Southwark, at around 1pm on July 28.

Two other men were treated for stab wounds by emergency services and taken to hospital.

Brendan McMillan (Old Colfeian Rugby Club/PA)

Hassan Cevik, 31, of Mount Pleasant Lane, Hackney, was arrested on July 28 before being taken to hospital, the Metropolitan Police said.

He was discharged from hospital on Saturday and charged with two counts of murder on Sunday.

Cevik was also charged with grievous bodily harm relating to a 47-year-old man, and possession of an offensive weapon, the force said.

He will appear before Croydon Magistrates Court on Monday.
A man who opened fire on the headquarters of America's national public health agency - leaving a police officer dead - had blamed the COVID vaccine for making him depressed and suicidal.

Patrick Joseph White, a 30-year-old from Georgia, had tried to enter the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta but was stopped by guards, a law enforcement official said.

They added that White then drove to a pharmacy across the street before opening fire late on Friday afternoon.

He was armed with five guns - including at least one long gun.

DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, who had three children, was shot dead while responding to the incident.

White also died, but authorities haven't said whether he was killed by police or if he killed himself.

His father had contacted police and identified his son as the possible gunman.

White's father also said his son had been upset over the death of his dog and had become fixated on the COVID-19 vaccine.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, whose scepticism of vaccines has been a cornerstone of his career, voiced support for CDC employees yesterday.

But some laid-off CDC employees said Mr Kennedy shares responsibility for the violence and should resign.

Mr Kennedy has a history as a leader in the anti-vaccine movement, but he reached new prominence by spreading distrust of COVID-19 vaccines. For example, he called it "criminal medical malpractice" to give these jabs to children.

He said after the shooting: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at CDC's Atlanta campus that took the life of officer David Rose.

"We know how shaken our public health colleagues feel today. No one should face violence while working to protect the health of others."

Sarah Boim, a former CDC communications staffer who was fired this year during a wave of terminations, said the shooting was the "physical embodiment of the narrative that has taken over, attacking science, and attacking our federal workers".

White's 'distrust of COVID vaccines'

A neighbour of White told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the gunman spoke with her multiple times about his distrust of COVID-19 jabs.

Nancy Hoalst, who lives on the same street as White's family, said he seemed like a "good guy" but he would bring up vaccines even in unrelated conversations.

"He was very unsettled, and he very deeply believed that vaccines hurt him and were hurting other people." Ms Hoalst told the Atlanta newspaper. "He emphatically believed that."

However, she said she never believed White would be violent and added: "I had no idea he thought he would take it out on the CDC."
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) talks on the phone during a National Day of Prayer event hosted by President Donald Trump in the Rose Garden at the White House on May 1, 2025 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

Donald Trumps decision to wade into the debate over a congressional stock-trading ban could end up making things awkward for some of his closest allies in the House and Senate.

While stock trades by members of Congress and their families have long been controversial, the sustained push for new restrictions on lawmakers is new.

Supported by members of both parties, the effort to push back against an image of corruption and decadence in the chamber is growing in popularity particularly among younger members. But the prospect of making it to the presidents desk with legislation that would ban congressional stock trading has now caused Trump to weigh in.

The issue was glaring as he went on a late-night rant on Truth Social Saturday night against Democratic former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi  after reports about one of his own MAGA faithful, Marjorie Taylor Greene cashing in on a stock deal tied to an ICE contractor.

Crooked Nancy Pelosi, and her very interesting husband, beat every Hedge Fund in 2024. In other words, these two very average minds beat ALL of the Super Geniuses on Wall Street, thousands of them. Its all INSIDE iNFORMATION! Is anybody looking into this??? She is a disgusting degenerate, who Impeached me twice, on NO GROUNDS, and LOST! How are you feeling now, Nancy??? he raged in his posting.

All of my investments are reported with full transparency, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said after she won big on an ICE investment in contractor. (Getty Images)

Pelosis office hadnt responded publicly as of Sunday morning.

Taylor Greene has drawn criticism after she purchased stock in Peter Thiel-owned Palantir in April, three days before the company won an ICE contract.

The companys stock has since surged. Thats not even the first time this year Greene, who maintains that all of her trades are managed without her input by a financial adviser, has been called out by stock-trading watchdogs for highly-lucrative trading activity.

After many successful years of running my own business, I ran for Congress to bring that mindset to Washington. Now that I'm proudly serving the people of Northwest Georgia, I have signed a fiduciary agreement to allow my financial advisor to control my investments, Greene told the fact-checker site Snopes in May.

Nancy Pelosi signed on to a stock trading ban earlier this year, dropping her previous opposition (REUTERS)

All of my investments are reported with full transparency. I refuse to hide my stock trades in a blind trust like many others do, she added. I learned about my Palantir trades when I saw it in the media.

The California Democrat Pelosi, once her partys leader in the House of Representatives, is one of a few senior members of the chamber who has come out publicly against restrictions on congressional stock trading.

Were a free market economy, Pelosi said in 2021. They should be able to participate in that.

But her stance shifted over time and earlier in 2025 she came out in favor of legislation that would restrict such activity. The HONEST Act, a bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, advanced through a Senate committee in late July.

While I appreciate the creativity of my Republican colleagues in drafting legislative acronyms, I welcome any serious effort to raise ethical standards in public service. The HONEST Act, as amended, rightly applies its stock trading ban not only to Members of Congress, but now to the President and Vice President as well. I strongly support this legislation and look forward to voting for it on the Floor of the House.

Pelosi supports the bill, despite it previously bearing her name: Hawley originally dubbed it the the PELOSI Act, a reference to the trading activity primarily conducted by Pelosis husband Paul. She is one of the wealthier members of Congress; her family controls more than $127m in publicly-traded assets watched by stock-trading analysts.

MTG has drawn criticism after she purchased stock in Peter Thiel-owned Palantir in April, three days before the company won an ICE contract. But Trump turned his attention to Pelosi. (Getty)

Its advancement drew opposition from Trump, which Hawley characterized in a rare public shot at his own colleagues as the result of Republican senators supposedly having called up the president and lied to him about what was in the bill.

I wonder why Hawley would pass a Bill that Nancy Pelosi is in absolute love with  He is playing right into the dirty hands of the Democrats, Trump wrote on Truth Social in late July.

Hawley responded, telling reporters: He said, senators, I dont know who, had called and told him yesterday afternoon that the bill had been changed at the last minute and would force him to sell all of his assets, sell Mar-a-Lago, sell his properties. So, I said, Well, thats just false. I mean, it explicitly exempts you and all your assets.

The senators response referred to a provision stuck in aimed explicitly at winning Trump over. The ban affects future presidents and vice presidents, but not Trump or his no. 2, JD Vance.

Its unclear whether Hawley will succeed in winning over the president, but the ban at least has the potential to make it through both chambers of Congress with bipartisan support.

Members of Congress on key committees are often scrutinized for their trading activity as in some cases lawmakers are privy to information that is not yet public or widely known, but could still affect markets.

Some members of Congress were caught up in a scandal over such activity in 2020, at the onset of the Covid pandemic, when they triggered selloffs of their own stock shares ahead of a market collapse.

One former North Carolina senator, a Republican, sold more than $1 million in stock one week before the market crashed.
The Israelis are making the same mistake America made in Iraq two decades ago - AFP/Andrew Caballero

By seeking to occupy the whole of Gaza, Benjamin Netanyahu takes the war to its logical conclusion. Hamas was responsible for October 7, Israel will never be secure till Hamas is gone, and given that Hamas controls Gaza, why not uproot it from every last inch of territory?

But the Israelis enter without an exit plan, with the mad dream of constructing a friendly civil administration, repeating the exact same mistakes we made in Iraq. Netanyahu thinks he can destroy a revolutionary Palestinian spirit that the war has likely intensified. For a man obsessed with the ancient world, he has a scant grasp of history.

He has also divided his military. He has alienated those hostage families who are frightened their relatives might die. And he will finally, perhaps irrevocably, isolate Israel from world opinion. Even in America, the only serious power behind him, patience and conscience are under remarkable pressure.

Gaza has become the moral test of our times, and European governments suspect theyve failed it. Their initial caution was understandable. They didnt want to condemn Netanyahu lest it give courage to domestic anti-Semites and their snowflake enablers  let alone to Hamas, the principal beneficiary were we to recognise a Palestinian state. Journalists, myself included, were reluctant to parrot death statistics that might be inflated by a criminal regime.

But its now impossible to ignore the evidence of human suffering or the sham of the official Israeli narrative that says no one is starving or, if they are, its because Hamas stole all the food. The latter claim was recently debunked by Israeli military officials  not natural allies of Palestine Action  and Netanyahu finds himself challenged by a rainbow coalition of the United Nations, Germany, China, a former Israeli prime minister, several retired heads of security, the Pope and Piers Morgan (sublime and the ridiculous united at last).

Bibi is reported to have argued with General Eyal Zamir, the chief-of-staff of the armed forces. It seems Right-wing Israelis are more willing to take a stand against Netanyahu than nervous foreign diplomats are. If Zamir is anti-Semitic, the Popes not a Catholic.

In the United States, the New York Times, hitherto soft on the Gaza operation, has become a forum for dissenting voices, and Zohran Mamdani, the pro-Gaza candidate for New York mayor, leads among Jewish voters. Liberals are rethinking their historical alliances; there is disquiet on the religious Right, too. Evangelicals will always love Israel: its Jesuss hometown. Theres growing concern, however, that Israel might not be so hot on Christians.

In July, settlers carried out an arson attack on the last Christian-majority town in the West Bank. That same month, Gazas only Catholic church was hit by Israeli tank fire, killing three (Netanyahu apologised for what looks like a genuine accident). Desecrating a church, mosque or synagogue is a crime against humanity and God, wrote the US ambassador, Mike Huckabee, a Christian Zionist. Senator Lindsey Graham, also of that parish, said, Whats happening in the West Bank bothers the hell out of me.

A cynic might detect more bother at the damage to Christian property than there ever was at the flattening of Muslim hospitals, a double-standard as old as sin. Why did Britain throw open its doors to almost anyone with a Ukrainian passport yet appears reluctant even to admit children from Gaza? Ethnic preference. On the other side of the fence, Israel can argue that it is a multi-faith society doing its best to protect the Druze in Syria, while Palestine has so few churches for a sinister reason. Christians enjoy far more rights under Israel than they would under Hamas.

Nevertheless, reports of atrocities during the Iraq civil war woke US Christians up to the perilous state of their faith in the Middle East, reduced to a tiny population dependent upon benign neglect within a threadbare ethnic tapestry. Netanyahu threatens to disrupt that fragile order, while his governing coalition imagines a Greater Israel that hints at cultural chauvinism. The regime is overplaying its hand, transforming the civil rights case for Zionism (Jews need a homeland) into an open-ended military endeavour that is infinitely more controversial and expensive.

If Trump is reluctant to bankroll the borders of Ukraine, why would he do it for Israel? The compromise of Americas interests and reputation has already begun with the US-backed food distribution programme  accused of gross inefficiency, even of soldiers firing at civilians.

Trumps connection with Israel is heartfelt. It is personal, it is philosophical. Netanyahus belief that nations have the right to defend themselves, is a Zionist Maga. One of the administrations first acts was to lift sanctions on settlers. Within months, settlers had beaten a US citizen to death in the West Bank; a second died following an arson attack.

The President is no moralist but he has a healthy moral gag reflex, hence when asked if Palestinians are starving, he said, yeah, they probably are  influenced, it seems, by Keir Starmer. Netanyahu demanded a conversation; Trump reportedly disliked being lectured about fake news and shouted down the phone that the hunger is real.

Hail to the chief. His observation to journalists that we basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they dont know what the fuck theyre doing, remains the single best expression of global frustration Ive heard, worth chiseling onto Mount Sinai. And if Trump is some kind of liberal snowflake, maybe the Pope is a Lutheran.

Trumpism hinges on the strategic realignment: get America out of places it doesnt need to be, let strong allies fill the vacuum. But Netanyahu is forcing upon him the most intractable, expensive problem of all, a humanitarian crisis, and hell only make it worse if Gaza City is next.

Will Trump really tolerate such an escalation? Will his constituency  starting to contend with its Christian conscience  forgive the bloody consequences? The Israelis have always advised Palestinians that if they dont want to be killed, they should just pack up and move. But as the war completes its hideous march to the Mediterranean Sea, one wonders where they are supposed to go. Theres only so much room on Gretas yacht.
James Spencer-Churchill, the 12th Duke of Marlborough, is the great-nephew of Winston Churchill - Max Mumby/Indigo

An aristocrats estate, which is one of the countrys most famous stately homes, is embroiled in a row with locals over plans to build 500 homes.

Blenheim Palace, home to James Spencer-Churchill, 12th Duke of Marlborough, wants to build new homes close to Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

Blenheim Estate Homes, the estates housing operation, said the plans would encourage community integration and social cohesion.

In planning documents submitted to Cherwell District Council, the company added that the plans consist of high-quality new homes which will include a range of house types, sizes and tenures to deliver market and affordable housing for young people, families and the elderly.

But locals expressed concerns that the plans could overwhelm infrastructure and cause traffic congestion problems.

Unsustainable and harmful expansion

The Campaign to Protect Old Woodstock, a residents campaign group that aims to safeguard the leafy market town from over-development and damage to its natural environment and heritage, told The Telegraph that the plans could also impact the Blenheim Estate, as well as local health and school facilities.

The 11,500-acre palace and its vast grounds, granted Unesco world heritage status in 1987, is the home seat of the Duke, who is the great nephew of Sir Winston Churchill. The day-to-day running is taken care of by a board of trustees, which also oversees Blenheim Estate Homes.

Claudio Calvino, who lives in Woodstock, said: This development represents an unsustainable and harmful expansion that would irreversibly damage Woodstocks character, overwhelm its services, and create significant environmental and heritage risks.

Another local, Anne Cooper, said the plans were absolutely shameful and added: Please, no more. Oxfordshire is, or rather was, known as a beautiful rural county. Villages are desperately trying to retain their community values, but being overwhelmed by vast numbers of new housing estates.

Blenheim Palace was granted Unesco world heritage status in 1987 - Blenheim Palace

Ulrike Parkinson, a fellow local resident, added: Woodstock has reached saturation point regarding infrastructure and traffic, and the town cannot cope with any further development.

James Carr, who lives in the leafy market town, said: Historic landowners making out-of-touch plans, chasing revenue generation, should be consigned to the past and not the future.

Owen Davies, who also lives in the town, said: The population has doubled in size, but none of the infrastructure has. The GP was already at capacity before any of the new developments, but now its overwhelmed and has literally fallen apart.

Both schools are oversubscribed. The Co-op is not fit for the number of people who need to buy food, so everyone has to go further afield for a full shop. This is now thousands of people without adequate, accessible food supply and services.

Concerns were addressed openly and honestly

Woodstock town council, of which the Duke is a member, also objected to the plans and wrote: The farmland and parkland surrounding Blenheim are essential to understanding and appreciating its historic character. Development would urbanise this landscape. This proposal represents unsustainable, unplanned, and harmful development.

Meanwhile, the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board called for a financial contribution to be made from the estate to co-fund the extension/re-configuration of healthcare provision.

But other locals claimed Blenheim Senior Management addressed concerns openly and honestly at a recent residents meeting.

Cherwell District Council will ultimately decide whether the planning application is successful by September.

In planning documents, Blenheim Estate Homes argued: The ambition and vision of Blenheim Estate Homes is to build beautiful homes and create thriving communities where people will enjoy living and working, now and in the future.

The application also says the development will provide a mix of house types and tenures, including a target of 35 per cent affordable housing.

The estate previously angered locals over plans for one of the UKs biggest solar farms, which could provide enough energy to power 330,000 homes, on the estate.

The plan is being backed by the family of the Duke of Marlborough and, in particular, by his eldest son George, who stands to inherit the estate.

Conservationists also previously raised concerns about plans to bring a golden sculpture called the Gilded Cage, representing the struggle of refugees in the modern world, to the estate.

In response to the concerns, Blenheim Estates said the plans would protect important heritage and landscape features.

They added that financial contributions would be made towards the provision of health, developing highways and school facilities should planning permission be granted.
Patrick Barkham meets the site manager of the Canvey Wick nature reserve, Marc Outten. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian

You must see this! Marc Outten shoulders past tangles of blackthorn and shimmies around hummocks of blackberries the size of buses and glades filled with wildflowers. What beautiful wildlife spectacle awaits?

Weaving across carpets of birds foot trefoil, we reach our destination: a vast, barren circle of asphalt, 70 metres across  the ruins of an uncompleted oil refinery.

Youll find rare bees and reptiles around the edge and youve got these lovely stonecrops and lichens, enthuses Outten, a naturalist and RSPBs site manager for Canvey Wick nature reserve. The derelict asphalt pad is buzzing with rare nature.

This ruined landscape  where disused street lamps poke up above rampant scrub  resembles some kind of post-apocalyptic London. But in its ruination, this brownfield site beside the Thames in Essex has become one of the most nature-rich places in Britain, home to 3,200 species including endangered shrill carder bees, pantaloon bees, water vole, cuckoos and long-eared owls.

Canvey Wick is celebrating its 20th anniversary as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) as conservationists warn many similarly wildlife-rich brownfield sites are threatened by development, particularly in the Thames Gateway.

Tilbury ash fields, home to 185 invertebrate species of conservation concern including the great sneak-spider, is imperilled by plans to expand the port of Tilbury. Meanwhile, a Google datacentre is proposed on a local wildlife site close to Lakeside that is home to nightingales, rare plants and scarce invertebrates such as the brown-banded carder bee.

Canvey Wick shows what can happen when a brownfield site is protected. Since it was bought by the Land Trust and managed by the RSPB in partnership with Buglife, an astonishing range of rare species have made their home on its 93 hectares (230 acres): 11.7% of its 3,200 species are classified as rare, scarce, threatened or near threatened.

Eight years ago, there were no nightingales on Canvey Wick. Today there are 21 nightingale territories in the thickets of blackthorn, hawthorn and bramble  a vital new stronghold for the much-loved but endangered songbird.

Related: Air pollution filters help scientists produce first UK wildlife survey using eDNA

People assume that brownfield sites are very low value for biodiversity  until they see what a brownfield site can really do, said Outten, on a tour of the site during which we find pantaloon bees, spectacular Jersey tiger moths and increasingly rare wall brown butterflies. If brownfield sites are left to sit around for a while, they develop into really rich habitats. This wouldve been a very desolate space full of sand, concrete and tarmac and now weve got this wonderful nature reserve. Theres so much structural diversity and the more structural diversity you have, the more biodiversity you have  thats what makes this place so special.

Canvey Wick was green grazing marshes until humans ruined them  and inadvertently made one of the most nature-rich places in Britain.

An oil refinery was planned for Canvey Wick in the early 1970s. The ground was raised with dredging from the Thames: sands, shingle and even seashells. Concrete roads and street lamps were built. Thirty two and a half circular asphalt pads were constructed as bases for vast oil storage containers. And then the 1973 oil price shock halted work. The refinery was abandoned.

Over the next 50 years, nature raced in. The unusual diversity of soil types and hot microclimates attracted an unusual range of invertebrates: there are 250 species of bee, wasp and ant on the site, including the brown-banded carder bee, five-banded weevil-wasp and carrot mining bee. They feed on an unconventional mix of native and non-native flowers including bristly oxtongue and everlasting pea.

As the human ruins subside beneath greenery, conservationists must manage the rapidly changing site to balance the competing needs of different rare species. Whats great for nightingales  more scrub  will cause many heat-loving invertebrates to disappear. When the site was first designated an SSSI in 2005, there was just 15% scrub and tree cover. Today it is more like 70%.

Some scrub is great but having that open mosaic flower-rich grassland is really important, says Outten. How do you strike the balance between clearing areas and retaining nightingale habitat? A lot of this is cutting-edge stuff. Restoring brownfield is not something many organisations have got into.

A three-year project at Canvey has cut back some scrub, and created new scrapes of bare sand required by rare invertebrates and species such as adders. The cut-and-scraped areas are now burgeoning with wildflowers and insects again, while cleared ditches are home to scarce emerald damselflies and blue-eyed hawker dragonflies.

Conservationists hope it will inspire the creation of more brownfield nature reserves. Canvey Wick demonstrates how brownfield sites can be transformed into vibrant green spaces that serve the community and provide important habitats for wildlife, says Alan Carter, the chief executive of the Land Trust. We are extremely proud of the regeneration efforts carried out since taking on the ownership of the site in 2012. The site is now one of the top locations in Britain for endangered invertebrates, an impressive achievement.

Although important parts of Swanscombe peninsula were saved from development threats when Natural England designated it an SSSI in 2021, Buglife is calling on the governments wildlife watchdog to urgently give more sites the same protection, including Tilbury ash fields. Natural England has Thames estuary invertebrates in Essex and Kent listed in its SSSI designation pipeline but the watchdog has been criticised for failing to designate many endangered places in recent years.

Carl Bunnage, head of nature policy at RSPB, said: Brownfield sites are not always just dead, ugly and abandoned spaces. Indeed, as Canvey Wick shows, they can provide specialist habitats and be havens for nature  full of life of all kinds. With the government currently driving reforms to the planning system in England, and prioritising the re-development of brownfield sites, it is vital that the nature-value of sites is properly assessed before planning decisions are taken.

Conservationists hope Canvey Wick can also inspire smaller ways of attracting rare wildlife: depositing piles of sand or crushed concrete on a place may not look conventionally pretty but it will create soils and microclimates where myriad wildflowers and invertebrates can thrive.

Outten, who was raised in the area, hopes Canvey will inspire the creation of other similar nature reserves so there is a network for rare species, which can be enjoyed by the local community as well.

People feel passionately about it. We want to strike the balance between giving people a place where they can access green space but also protect the species that the site is important for. Its a unique place. Theres nowhere else like it, he said.
Around 700 further dangerous criminals have been denied release from jail in an apparent toughening of approach by the Parole Board.

Official data show that three-quarters of prisoners who sought parole in 2024/25 had their applications rejected  the highest proportion for at least five years.

It represents an equivalent increase of 700 in the number of prisoners who would otherwise have been previously freed from jail.

Among high-profile criminals refused parole requests were Gary Glitter, 81, the former pop star who was jailed for 16 years for sexually assaulting three schoolgirls, and Ronald Evans, 83, known as the Clifton rapist for his sex attacks on women in Bristol.

Evans is one of Britains longest-serving prisoners, having spent over 50 years in jail.

Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was judged to be a continued risk to the public after being recalled to prison for breaching his licence conditions by viewing downloaded images of children.

Evans raped and murdered Kathleen Heathcote in 1964 before committing numerous sexual attacks in Bristol in the late 1970s. He was refused parole in December, having been released in 2018 only to be jailed again in 2023 for sexually assaulting a woman in London in 2022.

Gary Glitter, 81, was jailed for 16 years for sexually assaulting three schoolgirls - Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

The Parole Board is a quasi-judicial body responsible for deciding whether prisoners serving a life sentence or imprisonment for public protection can safely be released at the end of their tariff, the minimum period in custody set by the trial judge.

It also decides whether fixed-term prisoners who have been recalled to prison for breaching their licence conditions are safe to re-release.

Data published in the boards annual report showed it rejected nearly 13,000 applications by prisoners for parole last year  the most for at least five years.

The 75 per cent rejection rate was up from 70 per cent the previous year, and was the highest proportion in any of the past five years, according to publicly available data.

Of the 17,165 decisions made by the Parole Board in 2024/25, 3,872 (23 per cent) were to release the prisoner, 501 (three per cent) were to recommend a transfer to open conditions, and 12,790 (75 per cent) were that he or she should remain in custody, according to the figures first revealed by Inside Time, the prisoners magazine.

The Parole Board has come under pressure from successive justice secretaries to take a tougher approach.

The apparent hardening in its decisions contrasts with moves by the Government to allow thousands of prisoners on fixed-term sentences to be released early.

It follows scandals including the decision  subsequently reversed  to release John Worboys, the black cab rapist, and to free Colin Pitchfork, the double child murderer and rapist who was recalled to prison after breaching the terms of his licence.

Lawyers specialising in parole cases suggested that changes by Dominic Raab, the former justice secretary, could have played a part in the increasing rejection rate.

He made the release test tougher for some prisoners, gave the secretary of state powers to block individual release decisions, barred probation officers and psychologists from making recommendations regarding releases and appointed more former police officers to the board.

While some of his reforms have been reversed, others are still in place.

In a letter to the Ministry of Justice, sent in May 2022, the Parole Board said Mr Raabs changes would be likely to lead to fewer releases.

In a warning that now appears prescient, it said: If our release rate reduced from 25 per cent to 20 per cent, it would increase the prison population by approximately 800 places per year.

One senior solicitor with experience of representing prisoners at parole hearings told Inside Time that Mr Raabs reforms may have had a chilling effect on the willingness of the Parole Board to take a risk by releasing prisoners in borderline cases. The Parole Board denied it had become more risk-averse.

The solicitor said the backlog of cases in the Crown Court may also be having an impact, because it means that more prisoners are facing parole hearings with unproven allegations hanging over them, making a release decision less likely.

He added: There has been a huge amount of new Parole Board members in recent times, and they are just always more risk-averse when they start out.

A second solicitor who specialises in parole cases said other factors could include government moves to increase the involvement of victims in the parole process.

The solicitor suggested the crumbling probation service could also be to blame, as parole panels might be sceptical that there was adequate supervision in the community.

A shortage of places on offending behaviour programmes in prisons could mean prisoners appearing before parole panels without having completed courses seen as essential to lower the risk they pose.
Not in our name: Fury grows in Israel over Netanyahus defiant bid to finish the job in Gaza

Israelis want peace. Israelis want to get out of Gaza. This is not in our name  we are not our government. Israel must be stopped.

These are the desperate pleas of Yotam Cohen, whose younger brother Nimrod, a then 19-year-old Israeli soldier serving mandatory service, was taken captive to Gaza by Hamas militants during their deadly 7 October attack on southern Israel nearly two years ago.

This weekend, Yotam joined tens of thousands of people who marched on Israels military headquarters in Tel Aviv. Wielding portraits of their loved ones and banners, they urged world leaders to intervene. They protested against Benjamin Netanyahus controversial plan to expand the devastating 22-month bombardment of Gaza, a plan he defended on Sunday, vowing in a press conference to finish the job... finish Hamas.

At the mass protest, some family members even called on soldiers to refuse to serve in the expanded fighting, and for the opposition to call a general strike. It follows waves of rallies across the country by Israelis calling on their government to return to the negotiating table.

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip attend a rally demanding their release from Hamas captivity and calling for an end to the war, in Tel Aviv (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press All rights reserved)

Israel must be stopped. The Israeli government has to be stopped. Hamas must be pressured to achieve a deal. But the main problem right now is the Israeli government, Yotam says bluntly.

The decision to expand the war was pushed through the security cabinet last week, despite fierce resistance from Israels chief of staff Eyal Zamir and numerous former security and intelligence officials.

It will see Israeli forces, that according to the United Nations effectively hold more than 85 per cent of the strip, push into the last corners of the tiny enclave, starting with Gaza City, with the intent of taking full security control.

It is a move many in Israel fear will not only embroil the Israeli military in a costly, protracted, and unwinnable conflict, but also serve as a death sentence for the 20 remaining hostages  like Nimrod  who are still believed to be alive. It could also crush the hopes of retrieving the bodies of around 30 more slain captives who remain in the hands of the militants.

Some of the families told The Independent they are also deeply concerned about the humanitarian impact on Palestinian civilians, as the death toll from the bombardment surges past 61,000, according to local officials, and famine unfolds amid fighting and under an Israeli blockade.

As an Israeli... first of all, we are not our government. Israelis want peace. Israelis want to get out of Gaza. Israelis do not support what is happening right now in Gaza, Yotam says, with a quiet determination in his voice.

Nimrod Cohen (left) with his brother Yotam (centre) and father Yehuda before the October 7 attacks. Yotam has criticised the Israeli government for expanding its military action in Gaza (Yehuda Cohen)

It is our government  our so-called elected officials  who right now in our name, with the power we gave them democratically, are using that power to commit atrocities: to kill Israeli soldiers, to kill Israeli hostages, to kill Palestinian civilians. This is not in our name.

The desperation was echoed by Shay Dickmann, who says her family suffered the deadly consequences of a ceasefire deal collapsing and Israel choosing military pressure over negotiations.

In November 2023, Shays cousin Carmel Gat, 41  an occupational therapist from Tel Aviv  was next on the list of hostages to be freed, but the truce collapsed the very day she was meant to be released.

She and five others were later shot dead by Hamas militants in a tunnel as Israeli forces advanced into Rafah in August 2024. The family say they believe she was alive just 48 hours before Israeli soldiers reached her.

A year ago today, my cousin was still alive  I was hopeful and also frightened, just like the families you see here today, Shay says, through tears, at an earlier protest outside the home of Israels defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in the centre of the country.

To the Israeli government, I [beg], make a deal now that brings back all 50 hostages. This is what the people of Israel want. This is what we wish for.

And for the whole world: we need your help. We want the suffering to end. No one should be starving. No one should be suffering, no one should suffer from a terror organisation, neither the hostages, nor the Palestinians.

All we want is to live in peace and safety. We need the hostages to be back. We need this war to end.

Shay Dickmann, whose hostage cousin Carmel Gat was killed by Hamas after a ceasefire collapsed, at a protest outside the Israeli defence ministers home (Bel Trew)

Israel launched an unprecedented bombardment of Gaza in response to Hamass deadly 2023 attacks on southern Israel, in which militants seized 251 hostages and killed over 1,000, according to Israeli estimates.

Since then, Israels bombardment, war with Hamas and blockade has killed tens of thousands, destroyed more than 90 per cent of homes and pushed the 25-mile-long enclave into starvation.

So far The Independent understands 148 hostages, eight of whom are dead, have been released in exchanges or other deals, while the Israeli military has retrieved 49 bodies. Only eight have been rescued alive by the security forces  which is why families fear military intervention is not effective.

Of those 50 still in captivity, Israel believes 27 are dead and Mr Netanyahu has said there are doubts about the fate of several more.

Displaced Palestinians raid trucks carrying humanitarian aid in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip (AFP via Getty Images)

Israels latest planned military escalation has already drawn national and global outrage: Sir Keir Starmer said hours after the announcement that it will only bring more bloodshed.

The UK joined dozens of countries  including Austria, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and ceasefire mediators Egypt and Qatar  in issuing separate statements against the decision.

On Sunday, UN ambassadors in New York debated the plans and several European countries warned that Israel "risks violating international humanitarian law" with the new offensive. UK representative ambassador James Kariuki urged both parties to step away from the path of destruction.

Even Germany, a staunch ally of Israel during the war, announced it will no longer authorise exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza until further notice.

Within Israel, anger at the protracted conflict extends beyond those directly caught up in it, with growing resentment at the repeated reservist call-ups, the comparatively high death toll for Israeli soldiers, and concerns for the hostages. Polls show three-quarters of the country support an immediate end of the war with a release of all the hostages as part of the deal.

There are also growing concerns about Israels global reputation amid a surge in condemnation over a famine unfolding in Gaza due to Israels blockade  something Israel denies and blames on Hamas. Some family members of the hostages fear Israel is becoming a pariah state.

Theres so much international criticism about how Israel is acting, it feels like this government does not care about hearing that criticism, says Ruby Chen, whose son Itay  a soldier in a tank brigade  was killed by Hamas on 7 October, and whose body was taken into Gaza where he has remained.

He says Mr Netanyahu has miscalculated, and superseded the dismantling of Hamas over the return of the hostages, against the wishes of his people.

I think that this humanitarian crisis in Gaza, both for the hostages and what is happening to the people in Gaza, has gone on long enough, he said.

There needs to be an international intervention if the prime minister is miscalculating. And its unfortunate that the US, as the mediator, is not putting both sides together and saying enough is enough. We feel like we are collateral damage.

Demonstrators light torches during a protest demanding the release of all hostages from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip and calling for an end to the war, outside the prime ministers office in Jerusalem (AP)

On Sunday, Mr Netanyahu said he had a fairly short timetable in mind for the next steps in Gaza, but didnt give specifics and insisted his military takeover was the quickest way to end the war.

At the protests there were direct calls for Donald Trump  Israels closest ally and largest provider of weapons  to step up and push through a deal.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly met Qatari prime minister Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Spain on Saturday to discuss ending the Gaza war and the release of all remaining hostages and captives, in an apparent bid to prevent Israels planned expansion of its offensive.

There are reportedly frantic negotiations underway between the US, Qatar and Egypt to try to restart talks.

But many fear Mr Netanyahus new proposal will undermine those efforts. And pressure is mounting in Israel, especially after the militant group released new, galling videos of two emaciated Israeli hostages in tunnels last week, prompting accusations from Israel that Hamas was deliberately starving its captives.

In one, Evyatar David  who was seized from the Nova Music Festival  was described by his family as a living skeleton because he was so thin. He appears to be digging his own grave and speaks of going days without food.

His cousin Naama, 28, told The Independent the family cant eat, we cant sleep, we cant breathe well, knowing what Evyatar is going through.

Benjamin Netanyahu says he has a fairly short timetable in mind for the next steps in Gaza, and insists a military takeover is the quickest way to end the war (AFP via Getty Images)

Standing outside the Israeli defence ministers office, she says she was crying for help and urged Israel to defend your citizens. Thats your first obligation as your leaders. And if theyre gonna be dead there  the blood of the hostages is gonna be on your hands.

She added: To the leaders of the world  we need you to stand up and speak out against Hamas.

Lishay Miran, a mother of two whose husband Omri, now 48, was seized from Kibbutz Nahal Oz, added: This is not just a military decision. This is a death sentence for the people we love the most.

Lishay was briefly held by the militants with her two daughters, the youngest of whom was just six months old. She is now more than two years old and doesnt remember her father, Lishay says in a voice cracked with pain.

She says Mr Netanyahus decision can really kill them all  we need to put the pressure on Israel, on Hamas, on Qatar, on everyone there is no more time left.
Harriet Slater (David Reiss)

When I first meet Harriet Slater, shes just come off a gruelling day of crying and running around.

Five hours of crying followed by five hours of fighting, she tells me cheerfully. Yeah, its quite exhausting. You don't really realize until the next day: I woke up this morning and I felt like I've been hit by a bus or something.

All in a days work for Slater, whos currently in the midst of filming the second season of Outlander: Blood of My Blood, the first season of which is just about to start airing on MGM+.

As the title implies, its a return to Diana Gabaldons beloved historical romance series, but with a twist: the new show focuses on the parents of series protagonists Jamie and Claire. Slater herself plays Ellen MacKenzie, the mother of Jamie, with actor Jamie Roy playing her opposite number, Brian Fraser, in 18th century Scotland.

Its a big show  one of the biggest on US TV, drawing in millions of viewers per episodes - and Slater seems acutely aware of how big the opportunity is. I've never been a part of a show that's had this much press around it, she says, and her star is already starting to rise.

I was on holiday with my family in Egypt and this lovely guy stopped me. I didn't think he was talking to me at first, because he said, Congratulations on your job, and I genuinely thought he was talking to a member of the staff, she laughs. I had no makeup, my hair was in plaits. It really took me by surprise.

Harriet Slater (_Ellen MacKenzie_) and Jamie Roy (_Brian Fraser_) (Press handout)

Born and raised in Leicester, Slater never wanted to be anything other than an actor and left home to attend drama school in Guildford. For the first few years of her career, she trod the boards in London, before getting roles in DC series Pennyworth and a bit-part role in the last Indiana Jones film, opposite Harrison Ford.

I had to open the door and go, Mr. Jones, to him. It was so surreal. And so strange to have Harrison Ford yelling at me for a day, she says. He got really into it. He was lovely. He was very cheeky and light-hearted even though he was playing this grumpy old man.

After that came Belgravia: The Next Chapter, in which she played the lead role of Clara Trenchard, the impoverished heroine of the Victorian-era romance. And finally, Outlander, which is set to increase her fame still further.

Its a difficult balancing act, and Slater is up front about her struggles with anxiety and panic attacks  for which a combination of therapy and acting has helped.

They were about phone calls. I always found phoning people to be really difficult, she says. I think it's partly to do with things being misunderstood over the phone you miss out on all of that body language that you get with a physical interaction with someone.

In the future, she says, are plans to work on shows that help spotlight the issue. But for now, theres Outlander to look forward to, and its legions of fans.

Fortunately, the old cast have sage advice. I had a really lovely phone call with Caitriona [Balfe] a couple of weeks into moving up here, Slater says, And the one thing that she said was just, enjoy it. Enjoy the ride.

Outlander: Blood of My Blood airs on MGM+ from August 9
Photos of emaciated children shown at the briefing were labelled fake

Benjamin Netanyahu is considering legal action against The New York Times over a photograph of a malnourished child he has described as fake.

The Israeli prime minister accused the newspaper of defaming Israel with its coverage of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

A front-page photo of Mohammed Zakaria al-Mutawaq, an emaciated 18-month-old boy, sparked international outrage last month.

The childs mother said he had been born healthy before suffering severe malnutrition.

Later reports revealed he had suffered from cerebral palsy and complications linked to a genetic disorder  details which were absent from the original piece.

At a press conference announcing his plans to expand military operations and occupy Gaza City, Mr Netanyahu accused the international press of having bought Hamas propaganda hook, line, and sinker.

He then displayed a picture of The New York Times front page from July 25 with the word fake branded across it, saying: Im looking right now into the possibility of a governmental suit against The New York Times, because this is outrageous.

These are the three most celebrated photos, and theyre all fake. We wont allow it to go unchallenged, and this is the purpose of this press conference. I hope you can open your eyes to the simple fact that Hamas lies.

A photo of Mohammed Zakaria al-Mutawaq, the 18-month-old boy child pictured here, caused international outrage last month - Omar al-Qattaa/AFP

The New York Times updated the story to give readers a greater understanding of Mohammeds situation, but defended its reporting.

A spokesman of the newspaper said: After publication, we learned that a child shown in that story  in addition to being severely malnourished  also had pre-existing health problems. That additional information gave readers a greater understanding of his situation.

Attempts to threaten independent media providing vital information and accountability to the public are unfortunately an increasingly common playbook.

The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is a globally recognised system for classifying the severity and magnitude of food insecurity and malnutrition.

The IPC says that one in three people is now going without food for days at a time in Gaza.

Hospitals have treated more than 20,000 children for acute malnutrition since April. At least 16 children under five have died from hunger-related causes since mid-July.

The worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip, the IPC warned.

Satellite imagery released last month showed the hunger crisis was visible from space, as thousands of Palestinians could be seen crowding around aid trucks in desperation.

A satellite photo of crowds of starving Palestinians gathering around a distribution site affiliated with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in Khan Younis - AFP

Under heavy international pressure, Israel last week announced measures to let more aid into Gaza.

Mr Netanyahu insisted that hundreds of trucks had been allowed in, and said that if Israel was implementing a starvation policy, then no one in Gaza would have survived after two years of war.

He pointed to disturbing images of Evyatar David, a 24-year-old Israeli hostage who looked severely malnourished in a video released by Hamas. He said: The only ones who are being deliberately starved in Gaza are our hostages.

Several hundred Palestinians have been killed by Israel Defence Forces soldiers since May while heading toward food distribution sites and aid convoys, according to witnesses, local health officials and the United Nations human rights office.

The Israeli military claimed it had only fired warning shots and disputes the toll, which is thought to be well over 1,000 since May.

Credit: IDF

Speaking during a meeting with Sir Keir Starmer in Scotland last month, Donald Trump said there was real starvation in Gaza.

The US president added: Those children look very hungry... thats real starvation stuff. Nobodys done anything great over there. The whole place is a mess... I told Israel maybe they have to do it a different way.
Representational; a street in Hanoi (AFP via Getty Images)

Vietnamese police say they have dismantled a major international surrogacy network, rescuing 11 infants and arresting multiple individuals across several provinces.

The Criminal Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security said on Friday that the ring was orchestrated by a Chinese national known only as Wang, and had systematically exploited women through encrypted communication, social media platforms, and false identities to remain undetected.

Eleven infants, aged between nine days and three months, were rescued from the network.

Surrogacy is legal in Vietnam, but only under tightly regulated conditions and strictly for humanitarian purposes. Commercial surrogacy remains illegal, with criminal penalties for organisers and brokers.

Authorities first detected the scheme when the police began monitoring unusual activity on social media related to commercial surrogacy with international links.

Investigators confirmed that financially vulnerable Vietnamese women were being recruited as surrogate mothers and transported to China or Cambodia for embryo implantations before returning to Vietnam to carry pregnancies to term.

Under orders from deputy minister senior lieutenantgeneral Nguyen Van Long, a coordinated operation took place on 15 July, resulting in multiple arrests.

One of the suspects identified as Quach Thi Thuong was operating under the names Coca and Pepsi on the Vietnamese instant messaging multi-platform service Zalo. She was recruited by Wang in late 2021 to find women under 35 in good health for surrogacy, and also organised caregivers and managed birth registrations, DNA testing, paternity certificates, and travel documentation, according to a report in Vietnam News.

Representational; Vietnamese police have dismantled a crossborder surrogacy network that recruited financially vulnerable women (AFP via Getty Images)

Police said Thuong received $1,000 (743) per month, while a former surrogate named Pham Thi Hoai Thu, who began handling hospital logistics, was paid $500 (371).

Other suspects arrested were identified as Phung Thi Nuong, Nguyen Thi Hang, Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, and Lo Thi Thanh, among others. They have been formally charged with organising surrogacy for commercial purposes.

Each surrogate was reportedly paid between 300m and 400m Vietnamese dong (8,500-11,350) per pregnancy. Thuong allegedly arranged approximately 60 such cases, earning around 575m dong (16,325), while Thu handled around 40, receiving about 345m dong (9,795).

Police said payments to surrogates were structured according to pregnancy milestones. Each woman received a 10m dong (284) bonus following a successful embryo transfer, along with a monthly living stipend of 8m dong (227) for the duration of the pregnancy, according to a Jiji Press report.

Upon giving birth, they were paid up to 198m dong (5,621).

However, deductions were made in certain cases: women aged between 35 and 38 had 30m (851) subtracted from their compensation, and if a preterm birth occurred before 32 weeks, a $1,000 (743) deduction was imposed with no additional cash bonus provided.

Some surrogates even continued in the scheme as nannies, earning up to 750,000 dong (21) per day.

To avoid detection, operatives lived in luxury apartments with high security and frequently changed locations.

The investigation also led to the detention of three Chinese nationals who entered Vietnam in May intending to collect a baby from the ring.

The rescued infants are now in the care of a shelter maintained by the Vietnam Womens Unions Centre for Women and Development, with support from the ministry of healths department for maternal and child health and the Vietnam Childrens Protection Fund.
Protesters in a UK town twinned with Al-Mawasi in Gaza blame the Palestine Action ban for an increase in violence and abuse against demonstrators.

An organiser of the Friends of Al-Mawasi group, based in Hastings, East Sussex, said the UK Government has empowered extremists by trying to demonise Palestine supporters.

In July, Hastings Borough Council passed a motion to back an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, an end to all arms sales to Israel and to support the towns friendship links with the people of Al-Mawasi  a section of the Gaza Strip.

Last month, at a fundraising walk, there were multiple alleged incidents of verbal and physical abuse from counter-protesters which were reported to the police.

A woman, waiting for the demonstrators at De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, was pushed to the ground and called a f****** terrorist for wearing a keffiyeh, while a Jewish man, whose father escaped the Holocaust, was repeatedly called a Nazi by Israel supporters.

Both incidents were reported to Sussex Police after the walk on July 20.

On Sunday, roughly 100 protesters ran a second fundraising walk from Hastings beach along the coast to Bexhill in defiance of the abuse.

The Friends of Al Mawasi group marched from Hastings beach to Bexhill in defiance of the abuse received on the previous protest (PA/Stanley Murphy-Johns)

Grace Lally, who helped set up the group and campaigned for the town to twin with Al-Mawasi, believes there is a clear link between the Government action and the abuse.

She said: Those extremists have been empowered by a Government that says, people supporting Palestine are terrorists, dyou know what I mean?

Ms Lally added: The reason its being challenged in the court and the reason the court has given permission for a judicial review to be held is because of the chilling effect of that ruling which blurs the line between protest and terrorism.

She said it did not matter that the Government had only proscribed Palestine Action rather than all protesters.

That (the decision) I think has emboldened people on the far-right, extremists, to sort of see anyone whos supporting Palestine as a legitimate target, Ms Lally said.

On Saturday, more than 500 people were arrested in central London for showing support for Palestine Action.

Richard Wistreich, a member of Jews for Justice Hastings, was one of the demonstrators who faced abuse in the July fundraising march.

He told the PA news agency that cars had parked on their route to Bexhill, with a couple of people waving Israeli flags and shouting abuse as the protesters passed by.

Mr Wistreich, whose father escaped Poland in the late 1930s, said: At one point one of them got out of the car and saw my T-shirt, which made it quite clear that I am proclaiming myself to be Jewish.

So I was then very loudly told that I was not a Jew and in fact I was a Nazi, in a very, very aggressive manner.

The woman wearing the keffiyeh, who wishes to remain anonymous, said a man approached her on the pavilion aggressively and said that scarf, which she ignored.

She said: I wasnt responding to him at all because he looked so angry and then he went youre a f****** terrorist and then he proceeded to grab the scarf and pull me close to him.

The woman said she tried to get his hands off her, but he pushed her to the ground and she hit her head, before two people intervened and pulled the man off her.

On Sunday afternoon, the protesters were wary of further incidents but bolstered by much greater numbers, and the vast majority of passers-by seemed supportive.

A few made comments which the protesters ignored.

Before the walk, Green Party councillor Yunis Smith said: We may see some people trying to antagonise us, cause issues, trying to be abusive, aggressive, offensive, lets remember the strength, perseverance and patience that our Palestinian brothers and sisters have when we face this.

When links between the towns were first set up in 2022, Al-Mawasi, located in western Khan Younis, was a rural farming and fishing town with a population of 12,000.

According to the United Nations, there were 425,000 displaced Palestinians living in the area as of June 19, and the protesters said the figure is now closer to 600,000.

Israel is obliged under international humanitarian law to ensure adequate and safe shelter for internally displaced people, as well as access to food, water, and medical care, until they can return to their homes.

A United Nations report released in June said that Israel had not made any effort to comply with those laws since its offensive began.

I cant understand how anybody, regardless of your political persuasion, can see this level of injustice and not break inside, I just dont, I dont get it, said councillor Smith.

Ms Lally said it was bittersweet to have the council finally twin with Al-Mawasi given the devastation in the area, but still felt it was a positive step.

Palestine is made up of communities of people and those people, theyre not going away, they will rebuild, this will end, there will be a future for them and twinning sort of is just a testament to that, she said.
Russian commentators and officials bragged about the perceived coup of Vladimir Putin getting a summit in Alaska Friday with President Donald Trump over a potential Ukraine War ceasefire.

Its the first time that a Russian leader has been invited to American soil outside of the United Nations since 2007, and comes without the Kremlin having made any apparent concessions amid its war of aggression in Ukraine.

Just days before the summit was announced, Trump was sharing his anger at Putins consistent bombing of Ukraine and threatened to increase sanctions on Russia. The sudden decision to meet with the Russian leader prompted European and Ukrainian officials to scramble to respond to the new arrangement.

One of the top interlocutors between the Kremlin and the Trump administration is Russias special economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who argued that the decision to have the meeting in Alaska was symbolically significant. The U.S. bought Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, roughly two cents per acre.

Born as Russian America  Orthodox roots, forts, fur trade  Alaska echoes those ties and makes the U.S. an Arctic nation, he said on X.

Putin and Trump are set to meet in Alaska on Friday (Reuters)

Konstantin Malofeyev is a billionaire who the Obama administration sanctioned for funding separatists in Ukraine backed by the Kremlin and interfering in elections in a number of countries.

He claimed Alaskans respectfully remember their Russian past and their Orthodox present.

Alexander Kots, a war correspondent supportive of the Kremlin, said in his Telegram channel that The meeting in Alaska has every chance to become historic.

That is, of course, if the West does not try to pull off another scheme, he added.

Meanwhile, analysts in the West urged caution. Michael McFaul served as the U.S. ambassador to Russia during the Obama administration.

Trump has chosen to host Putin in a part of the former Russian Empire, he said on X. Wonder if he knows that Russian nationalists claim that losing Alaska, like Ukraine, was a raw deal for Moscow that needs to be corrected.

The symbolism of holding the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska is horrendous  as though designed to demonstrate that borders can change, land can be bought and sold, said Kings College London Russian Politics professor Sam Greene, according to The Washington Post. Never mind that mainstream Russian discourse maintains a claim that Alaska should be returned to Russia.

While Czar Alexander II offered up Alaska for sale, Putin has taken Ukrainian territory by force via the unlawful annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, when he illegally claimed to annex four regions of Ukraine.

Russia analysts told The Post that its unlikely that the Kremlin has left behind any of its goals for Ukraine, such as demilitarization, the replacement of the current regime with a pro-Russia one, and for Ukraine not to join NATO.

A senior fellow with the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, Tatiana Stanovaya, said Trump didnt want to fall into confrontation with Russia.

Trump himself said that further sanctions probably wouldnt force Putin to change his mind. We could see from these signals that Trump could be open to a new attempt, and he did so just days before the end of his ultimatum, Stanovaya added.

The deputy head of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, Janis Kluge, told The Post that Putins proposal is part of the war.

Its just a temporary ceasefire in exchange for land, said Kluge. It is meant to give Putin an advantage in the longer run against Ukraine and the West.

A former top Kremlin official told the paper that Russia appeared willing to compromise, as it indicated that it was ready for a ceasefire.

Zelensky has warned that he wont give up land ahead of Trump-Putin meeting (Volodymyr Zelensky)

Politically, it is easier [for the Kremlin] to continue the war until Ukraines final collapse than to make peace, the anonymous official said. This is why they are clinging on to the idea that there needs to be a temporary but not permanent truce  and then in the meantime [Ukrainian] elections can be conducted.

While the Kremlin has pushed for a friendly regime in Kyiv, Ukrainians have often demonstrated their wish for free and fair elections and a democratic future as part of the European Union.

Pro-Kremlin analyst Sergei Markov said, Russian troops are not going to make any step backward, as part of a deal to reach a ceasefire.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that he wouldnt agree to any deal that included handing over territory to Russia, saying Ukraines constitution prohibited it.

There are no guarantees, Markov added, according to The Post. But there are also no guarantees that Ukraine wont begin the war again.

He went on to say that Russias top goal during the summit was to paint Europe and Ukraine as impediments to Trumps dream of achieving a peace deal.

Russia hopes that Trump will finally become sensible and see that Zelensky is the main reason for the war that is happening now, and that the second reason for the war is European leaders  and that they are his enemies too, said Markov, adding that Trump will realze that Putin is one of his few good political friends.
The education sector is facing disaster, a union boss has warned, after a new survey showed that one in 10 teachers could leave the profession in the next two years.

A survey of 1,800 teachers found that 9 per cent say they are very likely to quit in the next 24 months, with over a third (37 per cent) saying their workload is overwhelming or unsustainable.

With 468,258 teachers in England, this would amount to around 42,000 leaving the profession  a figure that dwarfs the 6,500 Labour has promised to hire, funded by charging VAT on private school fees.

School teachers are under increasing pressure (PA Wire)

Just 22 per cent of teachers said their workloads were manageable, while a quarter said they didnt have enough time for lesson planning, the survey conducted by ed-tech platform Kahoot indicated.

Matt Wrack, general secretary of teaching union NASUWT, told The Independent that the Labour government has taken no serious action to address the current crisis in teaching.

There are multiple factors behind the crisis in teacher recruitment and retention. There is a huge problem of excessive and unmanageable workload.

This is widely recognised, including by government, but no serious action is being taken to address it, either by ministers, local authorities or academy trusts. So the situation has got worse.

Teachers all too often face poor or abusive behaviour which is often not addressed by school leaders or employers.

He added: On top of all this, living standards have fallen due to 14 years of austerity pay and attacks on teachers pensions.

It is a recipe for disaster and no way to run education.

Mr Wrack didnt rule out strike action from teachers in the NASUWT union, saying it depends on how the government proceeds when it comes to teachers pay and funding for the education sector.

The survey saw more than a third of respondents blame short attention spans, driven by smartphone and social media use, as their main barrier to engagement with pupils.

Class sizes were also a significant concern, with one in five (21 per cent) teachers citing large class sizes as the biggest obstacle to keeping students engaged.

Matt Wrack told The Independent the current situation is a recipe for disaster (PA Archive)

Kahoots Sean DArcy warned that an exodus of teachers from the profession would heap further pressure on an education system that already has some of the highest class sizes in the industrialised world.

The UK is already experiencing a teacher shortage, and a continued departure of teachers could also add to existing challenges such as limited time and overcrowded classrooms, he told The Independent.

Educators shape young minds and prepare children for the world. They are one of our most vital societal assets and the idea that so many of them could leave the profession is worrying. Of the 1,800 we surveyed, over 250 said that it was unlikely they would still be in the classroom come 2027.

He added: Labour has committed to hiring 6,500 extra teachers in England, but even the minister in charge, Bridget Phillipson, has admitted it will be a challenge. I sincerely hope it is one the government can rise to.

The government estimates its VAT tax raid will raise 1.7bn per year by 2029-30, money which ministers said would be used to fund 6,500 new teachers for state schools.

But so far, private school pupil numbers have fallen by more than 11,000 in England following the tax hike, DfE data showed  sparking concerns the exodus could push up class sizes in state schools and reduce the effectiveness of the tax.

In January 2025, there were around 582,500 pupils at English private schools, down from 593,500 at the same point last year.

Kahoots survey spoke to 1,782 UK teachers in June 2025.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: Last year saw one of the lowest rates of teachers leaving the profession since 2010, and we are already delivering on our pledge to recruit and retain 6,500 more talented teachers with 2,300 more secondary and special school teachers in classrooms this year.

This government is restoring teaching as the highly valued profession it should be, announcing pay awards of almost 10 per cent over two years, and has committed to tackling poor pupil behaviour, high workload and poor wellbeing.
Peter Kyle. The complaint says the technology secretary has made clear that future government support is contingent on improved delivery and leadership reform. Photograph: Bristol University

Staff at the UKs leading artificial intelligence institute have raised concerns about the organisations governance and internal culture in a whistleblowing complaint to the charity watchdog.

The Alan Turing Institute (ATI), a registered charity with substantial state funding, is under government pressure to overhaul its strategic focus and leadership after an intervention last month from the technology secretary, Peter Kyle.

In a complaint to the Charity Commission, a group of current ATI staff raise eight points of concern and say the institute is in danger of collapse due to government threats over its funding.

The complaint alleges that the board of trustees, chaired by the former Amazon UK boss Doug Gurr, has failed to fulfil core legal duties such as providing strategic direction and ensuring accountability, with staff alleging a letter of no confidence was delivered last year and not acted upon.

A spokesperson for ATI said the Charity Commission had not been in touch with the institute about any complaints that may have been sent to the organisation. They added that a whistleblower complaint had been filed last year to the governments UK Research and Innovation body, which funds ATI, and a subsequent independent investigation found no concerns.

The complaint comes after ATI, which is undergoing a restructuring, notified about 50 staff  or approximately 10% of its workforce  that they were at risk of redundancy.

It claims ATIs funding is at risk, citing privately raised concerns from unnamed industry partners, while warning that Kyle has made clear that future government support is contingent on improved delivery and leadership change.

In a letter to Gurr this month, Kyle called for a switch in focus to defence and national security at ATI, as well as leadership changes. While the letter stated ATI should continue to receive the funding needed to implement reforms, it said its longer-term funding arrangement could be reviewed next year.

The complaint claims there has been no internal or external accountability for how ATI funds have been used. It alleges there is an internal culture of fear, exclusion, and defensiveness.

It also alleges the board has not provided adequate oversight of a series of senior leadership departures under the chief executive, Jean Innes, nor of senior leadership appointments, and that ATIs credibility with staff, funders, partners, and the wider public has been significantly undermined, as shown by the letter of no confidence and Kyles intervention.

The Guardian has also learned that ATI is shutting projects related to online safety, tackling the housing crisis and reducing health inequality as part of its restructuring, which is resulting in the closure or mothballing of multiple strands of research.

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 restructuring has triggered internal upheaval at ATI, with more than 90 staff sending a letter to the board last year warning that cost cuts were putting the organisations reputation at risk.

Among the projects slated for closure are work on developing AI systems to detect online harms, producing AI tools that can help policymakers tackle issues such as inequality and affordability in the housing market and measuring the impact in health inequality of major policy decisions like lockdowns.

Other projects expected to close include an AI-based analysis of how the government and media interact. A project looking at social bias in AI outcomes will also be dropped. Projects being paused include a study into how AI might affect human rights and democracy, as well as research into creating a global approach to AI ethics.

A spokesperson for ATI said: Were shaping a new phase for the Turing, and this requires substantial organisational change to ensure we deliver on the promise and unique role of the UKs national institute for data science and AI. As we move forward, were focused on delivering real-world impact across societys biggest challenges, including responding to the national need to double down on our work in defence, national security and sovereign capabilities.

A Charity Commission spokesperson said the organisation could not confirm or deny whether it had received a complaint, in order to protect the identity of any whistleblowers.
President Donald Trump is considering inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to join him and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week, according to a report.

Trump and Putin are set to meet for a summit in the Last Frontier state next Friday to discuss the war in Ukraine.

Extending an invitation to the Ukrainian leader is being discussed, according to NBC News, citing three people briefed on internal conversations about the meeting.

A senior U.S. official reportedly told the outlet that Zelenskys attendance is absolutely possible, but nothing has been finalized. Everyone is very hopeful that would happen, the official reportedly added.

Quizzed whether an official invite had been extended to Zelensky, a senior White House official told NBC: The President remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is focusing on planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin.

Extending an invitation to the Ukrainian leader is being discussed, according to NBC News, citing three people briefed on internal conversations of the meeting. (Getty Images)

The Independent has contacted the White House for further comment.

Zelenskys reaction to the TrumpPutin summit was dismissive, warning that any negotiations to end Europe's biggest conflict since World War II must include Kyiv.

Any decisions that are without Ukraine are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not bring anything. These are dead decisions. They will never work, Zelensky said.

Putin is expected to use the summit to set out Russia's demands for a ceasefire deal. Speaking to reporters at the White House Friday, Trump admitted any peace deal may involve some swapping of territories.

The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska, Trump declared Friday on Truth Social.

Zelenskys reaction to the TrumpPutin summit was dismissive, warning that any negotiations to end Europe's biggest conflict since World War II must include Kyiv. (AFP/Getty)

Despite facing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, the meeting slated for August 15 would mark the first time in a decade that Putin has set foot on U.S. soil.

The last time the two leaders met was in Helsinki, Finland, in July 2018, during Trumps first term as president. Following the meeting, Trump publicly contradicted U.S. intelligence agencies and appeared to take Putins word over their findings regarding Russian election interference.

The remarks caused bipartisan outrage in Washington, with many accusing Trump of having sided with the enemy.

Negotiations on peace talks have been slow-moving and, at times, fraught.

Zelensky was ambushed in the Oval Office earlier this year by Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The vice president criticized Zelensky for not expressing gratitude enough for U.S. financial and military support, accusing him of being disrespectful.

Trump has also publicly blamed Zelensky  rather than Putin  for starting the war.
Allies of Ukraine ought to reject any suggestion of a fait accompli following the upcoming Alaska summit - Christoph Soeder

Fridays Alaska summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin is not shaping up well for Ukraine. Every indication is that Trump believes he and his (once again) good friend Putin will conjure some land swaps and bring peace.

Of course, the land in question will be bits and pieces of Ukraines territory, not Russias, with Moscow probably ending this war controlling 20 per cent of Ukraine. If anyone needed proof that Trump acts in international affairs not like a strategist but like a free electron, this past week settles the matter.

Before the Alaska summit even begins, Putin has scored a major propaganda victory. An international pariah, leading a rogue state guilty of unprovoked aggression against its neighbour, is landing on American soil for pictures standing next to the president of the United States.

Trump has tariffed the entire world for the privilege of doing business in America, but asked and received exactly nothing from Putin. Inviting him to Alaska is not quite as offensive as inviting the Taliban to Camp David in 2019 to discuss the Afghanistan war, but it comes close. Most ironically, Alaska is former Russian America, purchased (thank God) by Washington in 1867, which some Russian ideologues wish to reclaim.

Putin almost certainly concluded from Trumps recent pro-Ukrainian behaviour, such as allowing Patriot air-defence systems to be transferred indirectly to Kyiv, that he had pushed his friendship with Trump too far. With the August 8 deadline to have a Ukraine-Russia ceasefire looming, Putin was doubtless considering how to repair the damage and reel Trump back into line when Trumps envoy-for-everything Steve Witkoff sought a Moscow meeting. We dont know when Putin decided to propose a US-Russia summit, but that idea was certainly conveyed to Witkoff to bring back to Trump.

As before, Putin clearly hopes to work his KGB training on Trump, making the president his unwitting tool. Perhaps, Putin reasoned, he might even avoid pain for missing the August 8 deadline. He knew the lure of being the centre of massive press attention is a fatal attraction for Trump, who was almost instantaneously ready for a summit. Indeed, just before announcing that August 15 was the time and Alaska the place, Trump said he wished the summit could have been earlier.

Putin not only got his meeting, but TACO (Trump always chickens out) worked again; August 8 came and went with no new tariffs or sanctions imposed on Moscow, or China, the largest purchaser of Russian oil and gas. Only India was left in the lurch, facing a doubling of its Trump tariff rate to 50 per cent for purchasing Russian hydrocarbons.

The Alaska summit recalls Helsinki in 2018, when Trump sided with Putins denial of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, contrary to what Americas intelligence community concluded. Putin is doubtless looking for something analogous. Moscow has already achieved another success by ensuring that no pesky Europeans, especially Ukrainians, would be invited to Alaska, reminiscent of the Trump-Zelensky meeting at Pope Benedicts funeral, where Trump all but pushed French President Macron out of the picture. While Trump simply enjoys getting more attention, the one-on-one format provides exactly the kind of playing field Putin needs.

Moreover, the Alaska meeting afforded Russia a first-mover advantage, which it seized immediately. Within 48 hours of Witkoffs Moscow trip, the two sides built on earlier outlines of what Russia would deem an acceptable solution. Press reports indicated that Russias terms, which seemed acceptable to Trump, resembled vice presidential candidate J D Vances proposal in September, 2024: Russia would essentially keep Ukrainian lands it had conquered; an undefined peacekeeping force would police the current front lines; and Ukraine would be barred from joining Nato. As observers noted, Vances plan looked like Russias.

Seemingly, therefore, Trump and Putin are preparing to present Zelensky with a fait accompli after meeting in Alaska. Trump said on Friday that Zelensky would have to remove Ukraines constitutional prohibitions against ceding territory to another country, which is exactly what Trump is expecting to come. Thus, even before the summit, Putin exploited his first-mover advantage by bringing Trump back to his side.

With this disturbing prospect now explicit, Zelensky, in his first public response to news of the Alaska summit, rejected any surrender of Ukrainian lands. Zelenskys response is fully justified and hardly surprising, but it plays into Putins hands: Russia, he will say, took the lead in seeking peace, and Ukraine is the obstructionist. While we are not yet back to the disastrous February 28 Oval Office encounter between Zelensky and Trump, Putin would obviously like to reprise Trump telling Zelensky you dont have the cards right now.

As of today, Putin again has diplomatic momentum, and Zelensky is on the defensive. Time for the UK and Europes other Ukraine supporters to step in before its too late.
Representative Mike Flood answers questions from constituents during a town hall in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Monday. Photograph: Scott Morgan/Reuters

Earlier this summer, Republican lawmakers gathered around Donald Trump and applauded as he sat before a desk outside the White House and put his signature on what he calls his one, big, beautiful bill.

But there were few claps for Mike Flood this week when the Republican congressman appeared before an auditorium of his Nebraska constituents to extol the tax and spending legislations benefits  just boos and jeers.

From where I sit, theres been a lot of misinformation out there about the bill, Flood said, as the audience  some of whom had been encouraged to attend by local Democrats  howled.

If you are able to work, and youre able-bodied, you have to work. If you choose not to work, you do not get free healthcare, Flood later said, diving into the bills controversial imposition of work requirements for many enrollees of Medicaid, the healthcare program for poor and disabled Americans. The heckling only intensified.

Trumps bill is looming large over senators and representative of both parties as they disperse across the country for Congresss August recess. Signed by Trump on the Fourth of July holiday, the sprawling piece of legislation extends lower tax rates enacted during his first term, creates new exemptions aimed at working-class voters, and funds his plans for mass deportations of immigrants.

Republicans see it as the epitome of the presidents promises made, promises kept mantra, while for Democrats, it presents an opportunity to return from the political wilderness voters banished them to in last years elections.

Central to their pitch is the bills cuts to Medicaid and other safety net programs, its enactment of tax provisions from which the wealthy are expected to see the most benefit, and its overall price tag, which is expected to rise to $3.4tn over the next 10 years.

Democrats also plan to campaign on what the bill does not do. The Republicans who wrote it declined to use the opportunity to extend subsidies for premiums paid by people who receive insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA)  meaning millions of Americans may find healthcare unaffordable when they expire at the end of the year.

Between the Medicaid cuts and the ACA cuts, our hospitals are looking at a real phenomenon of people walking into their ERs with no insurance, the Democratic senator Elissa Slotkin said this week during a town hall in Michigan  a state Trump won last year.

When you get that letter, when it arrives in your post box, I want you to understand that that increase to your private insurance is because of the cuts that Donald Trump has decided to make just in the past month here, OK. There is a cause and effect.

Republicans, only a handful of whom have held town halls since the recess began, argue that it is Democrats who will be facing tough questions back home for their unanimous rejection of the bill. Voters will be won over by the legislations tax relief for tips, overtime and interest on American cars, larger deductions for taxpayers aged 65 and up, and expansion of immigration enforcement, the party believes, while Medicaid and Snap will ultimately benefit because the measure, they claim, weeds out waste, fraud and abuse through stricter work requirements and eligibility checks.

Republicans are putting working-class Americans first. The one big beautiful bill set that image in concrete for the 2026 midterms, putting Republicans on offense and giving voters a clear, commonsense contrast, the National Republican Congressional Committee said in a memo. The group has named 26 House districts where it believes Republicans can win, while its adversary, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), is targeting 35 seats.

The main battle next year will be for control of the House of Representatives, which the GOP controls by a margin that is expected to shrink to just three seats once recently created vacancies are filled.

Democrats see reasons to believe their strategy of campaigning against the bill is sound. Recent polls from KFF and Quinnipiac University show that the legislation is unpopular, while Trump is seeing his own approval ratings slump. The GOP is also grappling from the messy fallout caused by Trump supporters demands for the release of files related to the sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

Yet some in the party say making their case will be tricky because of how the measure is written. While it mandates the largest cuts in history to Medicaid and to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap), those mostly go into effect only after election day next year.

Mission number one for us as Democrats is to be educating voters on the actual impacts of the bill and continuing to call out the Republicans that if it was so important to make these cuts to Medicaid and other programs that are happening basically in two years, why arent they doing it now? Why dont they make it now? said Jane Kleeb, a vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the partys leader in Nebraska, where the House seat around Omaha is expected to be the site of a fervid race to replace the retiring Republican Don Bacon.

We all know the answer, right, because they want to win some of these races in 26.

Brian Jackson, the Democratic party chair in Ingham county, Michigan, said he was not concerned about the bills timing undermining their case against Tom Barrett, a first-term Republican congressman. In an interview, he described an atmosphere of uncertainty in the swing district created by the looming benefit cuts, Trumps tariffs and his administrations freeze of research funding, which has affected the local Michigan State University.

The concern goes back to the overall culture of fear and unknown, and that just is horrible for the economy, its horrible for jobs, the auto industry. So, you know, Medicaid is just one of many symptoms of an out-of-touch Washington and how it impacts peoples day-to-day lives, he said.

In Californias Kern county, Democrats are gearing up for a campaign against David Valadao, a Republican congressman and resilient opponent whose district has one of the highest rates of Medicaid enrollment in the nation. Though he voted for Trumps bill after giving mixed messages about its cuts to Medicaid, the local Democratic party chair, Christian Romo, warned that their delayed impact could frustrate the partys efforts.

This is going to devastate this community, Romo said. But with the provisions not taking effect until after the election, will people actually feel the implications of that? No. So will they remember that Valadao voted yes on that bill? You know, its up in the air, and well have to see.

Top congressional Democrats argue that even if the cuts themselves are delayed, voters will feel their disruptions coming.

Companies are making decisions because they know theres going to be less revenue as a result of a trillion dollars in cuts to Medicaid, the largest Medicaid cut in history of this country, said Pete Aguilar, the House Democratic caucus chair.

So, healthcare premiums will rise, that will happen early, insurers will make these decisions as well, and hospitals are going to have to face difficult decisions on what their future looks like.

Christopher Nicholas, a veteran Republican political consultant based in Pennsylvania, where the DCCC is looking to oust four Republicans, warned that Democrats cant count on just the Medicaid cuts to get them back to the majority.

As America continues to stratify, self-select into separate neighborhoods and communities, youre going to have a lot of those represented by Republicans that dont have as much exposure to the Medicaid program, and youre going to have lots of them represented by Democrats in more urban areas that have more exposure to the Medicaid program, he said.

I think Democrats are way out of over their skis, thinking that that alone will get them to the promised land next year.
Transfer invitation: Virgil van Dijk (The FA via Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk has opened the door to Liverpool signing another attacker amid the Reds pursuit of Alexander Isak.

The Netherlands international, who conceded a penalty in the Premier League champions spot-kick defeat by Crystal Palace in the Community Shield, believes that there is room for another addition to the frontline at Anfield.

Liverpool have spent heavily this summer, with the signing of Florian Wirtz for over 100million, while Hugo Ekitike also arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial 68m.

They have also signed Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong in the full-back areas.

Arne Slots side saw a 110m plus add-ons offer for Isak knocked back by Newcastle earlier this month.

Now, van Dijk believes that the Merseysiders could do with one more body in their attacking arsenal.

"Well, we just lost Darwin [Nunez], he went to Saudi and we lost Lucho [Luis Diaz], obviously he went to Bayern, van Dijk told talkSPORT.

I think there's always room for an attacker in order to strengthen us so let's see what the window brings in terms of the balance of the team."

However, van Dijks compatriot and his manager Slot told the media the opposite, insisting that he was happy with his current complement of players.

"I think we have more than enough options to be good enough to win again, the Dutchman said.

"This is where I focus on myself. With the players we have we should be able to win, to score. That's actually what we did as well. We scored twice and last season we only scored one against [Crystal Palace], away and at home.

We could only score one against them. So my last concern at the moment is our offensive quality.

Liverpool open the Premier League campaign at home to Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday evening.
Commentators have noted that the new legislation would be just one of many steps taken to restrict freedom of speech and the media by Anwars coalition (AFP/Getty)

In his first year in office as foreign secretary, David Lammy has made an astonishing 47 trips abroad. One of the most recent stamps on his diplomatic passport is from Malaysia, where he attended the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting on 12 July.

As the event was opened by prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, he underlined in the official communique the principle of centrality as ASEANs guiding message, emphasising the need to ensure that, as one international scholar put it, the southeast Asian organisation should be the engine which empowers the evolving regional architecture of the Asia Pacific.

While in Malaysia, Mr Lammy paid a separate courtesy call to the prime minister. Pleasantries and gifts were exchanged, while the prime minister tweeted his delight at the meeting, lauding the upgrade in relations between Malaysia and the UK. In the tweet, Anwar also commended the fact that the UK and Malaysia now benefit from a strategic partnership, and that the relationship was increasingly mature and strategic, grounded in shared values  justice, the rule of law, and universal humanity. Honourable and self-congratulatory those sentiments may be, but they are some way removed from the reality of Malaysias current politics.

There has been a bundle of oppressive legislation tabled in Malaysia, the main aim of which appears to be to curtail freedom of expression and media freedom. Anwars government plans to introduce amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act, which, if introduced, will enable the Government to widen the scope of so-called undesirable publications to include those which alight on sensitive issues related to religion, race, and royalty, already a tricolon of controversy in Malaysia.

Commentators have noted that the new legislation would be just one of many steps taken to restrict freedom of speech and the media by Anwars coalition. Promises first made in his partys manifesto to repeal draconian legislation, including the Sedition Act and Multimedia Act, remain on Anwars campaign website, but somehow appear to be missing at the cabinet table.

This chipping away at the rule of law and curbing of media freedom and freedom of expression can find no greater epitomisation than in UK journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown, who uncovered the 1MDB scandal, exposing corruption in her famed Sarawak Report. While she has been the target of abusive lawsuits in Malaysia since she first exposed corruption there, under Anwars aegis Clare has been sentenced, in absentia, to two years imprisonment on a bogus defamation charge without having been told she was to be put on trial. Anxious to appeal, she cannot clear her name as she must attend the court in Malaysia in person. While journalists in many countries have been the target of SLAPPS (strategic lawsuits designed to muzzle them), Clares case takes this to a new level.

Anwars election was an attempt by Malaysias electorate to shed light on the long shadow cast by former premier Najib Razak. The hope was that Anwar would oversee an executive who abided by the rule of law, shunned corruption, and lived by the values of a democracy. Yet, within the last three years, Anwar has placed a satirical cartoonist under a travel ban, allowed a British journalist to be tried and found guilty in absentia (with a prison sentence tacked on) for exposing the corruption of the previous government, and promoted a raft of censorious legislation which tightens his grip on civil society and weakens the checks and balances that freedom of speech, the rule of law and media freedom all provide for a flourishing western democracy.

It has been said that politicians campaign in poetry and govern in prose. Anwar Ibrahim has campaigned on the promise of reform and governed in breach of that promise. Clare is another on the list of British citizens, like Jimmy Lai and Alaa Abd El Fattah, who are being punished by foreign Governments simply because they do not like their journalism. The Foreign Secretary should be using every opportunity to press their case. That need is even greater when it comes to a strategic partner and Commonwealth country like Malaysia.

Mere months before he took office, David Lammy spoke of how easy it is to take the rule of law for granted when it remains a foreign concept in many parts of the world. He can now use the influence of his office to translate that foreign concept to the government of Malaysia and help its citizens enjoy the freedom of expression that we here in the UK take for granted.

Sir John Whittingdale is Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Media Freedom and Conservative MP for Maldon
US officials say it is absolutely possible that Volodymyr Zelensky will join Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin for peace talks - AFP

The White House is considering inviting Volodymyr Zelensky to Alaska for peace talks, where Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will meet next week for a summit, US media reports.

A senior US official told NBC News that while no visit had been finalised, it was absolutely possible the Ukrainian president would join his US and Russian counterparts.

Everyone is very hopeful that would happen, the official said.

The President remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is focusing on planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin.

Mr Trump will meet the Russian leader in Alaska on Friday, in a bid to broker a ceasefire deal that could end the three-and-a-half-year war.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska on Friday to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine - AFP

European leaders have cautiously welcomed the plan for Putin and Mr Trump to meet, but warned any agreement must protect Kyivs and Europes security.

In a joint statement released late on Saturday night, the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Britain, Finland and the European Commission said: The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine International borders must not be changed by force The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations.

We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraines and Europes vital security interests.

We agree that these vital interests include the need for robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

They said talks could only happen in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.

Zelensky could join Trump and Putin in Alaska - AFP

JD Vance and Britains Foreign Secretary David Lammy hosted a meeting with representatives of Ukraine and European allies on Saturday at Chevening House in Kent, to discuss Mr Trumps push for peace.

Mr Lammy told Mr Vance that a ceasefire had to take place in Ukraine before any other steps towards peace were implemented, according to reports which suggested a European counter-proposal had been put forward.

Andriy Yermak, Mr Zelenskys chief of staff, who took part in the Chevening House discussions with US and European officials, said: A ceasefire is necessary but the front line is not a border.

Together with @rustem_umerov, we held important meetings with European security advisers, the UK Foreign Secretary, and the Vice President of the United States. I am grateful to each of them for their highly constructive approach.



Our positions were clear: a reliable, lasting pic.twitter.com/9CJhGM98if  Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) August 9, 2025

A US official said the hours-long talks produced significant progress toward President Trumps goal of bringing an end to the war in Ukraine, ahead of President Trump and President Putins upcoming meeting in Alaska.

The White House did not immediately comment when asked about the European counterproposals.

It was not clear what had been agreed at Chevening, but Mr Zelensky described the meeting as constructive.

The path to peace for Ukraine should be determined together and only together with Ukraine this is key principle, he said in his evening address on Saturday.

Mr Zelensky earlier rejected Mr Trumps proposed plan for peace, vowing Ukraine would never cede any territory to the occupier.

Kyiv will not give Russia any awards for what it has done, the Ukrainian leader said, several hours after Mr Trump suggested an end to the fighting could involve some swapping of territories.
The White House is considering inviting Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, according to reports in the US.

The reports come a day after Washington and Moscow confirmed the US and Russian presidents will meet on Friday to discuss bringing about an end to the war in Ukraine.

A senior US official and three people briefed on internal discussions have told Sky News' US partner network NBC News that the Trump administration is now considering inviting the Ukrainian president to the summit.

"It's being discussed," one of the people briefed on the talks was quoted as saying.

The sources said a visit by Mr Zelenskyy has not been finalised - and it is unclear whether the Ukrainian leader will be in Alaska.

However, the senior administration official said it is "absolutely" possible.

"Everyone is very hopeful that would happen," the official said.

Asked whether the US had officially invited Mr Zelenskyy, a senior White House official said: "The president remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is focusing on planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin."

On Friday - before the summit was confirmed - Mr Trump had told reporters at the White House that "we're getting very close to a deal" that would end the conflict.

The US president added there will be "some swapping of territories to the betterment of both sides".

Zelenskyy suggests he's unwilling to give up territory

Yesterday, the Ukrainian president warned that allowing Russia to keep territory it has occupied in Ukraine will result in another invasion.

He said allowing Mr Putin to annex Crimea in 2014 didn't prevent Russia forces from occupying more parts of Ukraine during the current conflict.

Mr Zelenskyy added: "Now, Putin wants to be forgiven for seizing the south of our Kherson region, Zaporizhzhia, the entire territory of Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and Crimea. We will not allow this second attempt to partition Ukraine.

"Knowing Russia - where there is a second, there will be a third."

NATO allies say Ukraine must be involved in negotiations

Ukraine and several NATO allies have reportedly been privately concerned Mr Trump might agree to Mr Putin's proposals for ending the war without taking their positions into account.

In a joint statement last night, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland and the European Commission said Ukraine's future cannot be decided without Kyiv.

They said: "Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.

"The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.

"We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force.

"The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations."

Read analysis:

Lifting sanctions a 'massive victory for Moscow'

Stakes high for Alaska summit as Zelenskyy faces nightmare deal

Why Trump will have a lot of ice to break at Alaska summit

UK hosts Ukrainian officials ahead of summit

Earlier, Foreign Secretary David Lammy hosted a meeting of top Ukrainian officials and European national security advisers alongside US Vice President JD Vance.

The meeting took place at Chevening, the foreign secretary's official country retreat in Kent, where Mr Vance is staying at the start of a UK holiday.

After the meeting, Mr Lammy said: "The UK's support for Ukraine remains ironclad as we continue working towards a just and lasting peace."

It is understood that the meeting had been called at Washington's request, and included representatives from the US, Ukraine, France, Germany, Italy, Finland and Poland, as well as the UK.

Ukraine was represented by Rustem Umerov, secretary of the country's national security and defence council, and the head of Mr Zelenskyy's office, Andriy Yermak.

In a post on social media, Mr Yermak said the allies' positions were "clear" that "a reliable, lasting peace is only possible with Ukraine at the negotiating table, with full respect for our sovereignty and without recognising the occupation".

Ahead of the meeting, Sir Keir discussed the talks in a call with Mr Zelenskyy, and also spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said Sir Keir and Mr Macron "discussed the latest developments in Ukraine, reiterating their unwavering support for President Zelenskyy and to securing a just and lasting peace for the Ukrainian people".
Thousand gathered to protest against racism after the assault of an Indian national in the Tallaght area of Dublin in July. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

In the west Dublin suburb of Tallaght, a group of teenagers accosted, beat and partially stripped an Indian man, who was then filmed staggering and bleeding. Days later a gang attacked another Indian man in the nearby suburb of Clondalkin, hitting him in the face, chest, back and legs, leaving him with a fracture, gashes and multiple bruises.

Days later again, two male passengers turned on an Indian taxi driver in the north Dublin suburb of Ballymun, striking him across the face with a bottle and shouting: Go back to your country.

Days later, boys in a County Waterford housing estate allegedly punched a six-year-old girl in the face, hit her in the genital area with a bicycle and told her: Go back to India.

These are just some of a spate of incidents in recent weeks that have sown alarm and bewilderment among the Indian community, and other immigrants, in Ireland. In each case police are investigating but no charges have yet been brought.

Indians held a silent protest outside the justice department and the Indian embassy in Dublin has urged its citizens to take security precautions and avoid deserted areas. Media in India have given prominent coverage to the assaults, a jolt to those from the country who had long considered Ireland a safe, welcoming destination.

A fellow on a motorbike stopped and hit me in the face when I was stopped in traffic, said a Dublin-based taxi driver from the state of Punjab, who declined to be named. Why is this happening?

Each new incident makes the question more urgent. Since the 1990s, immigration has transformed a once mono-ethnic country into one where a fifth of the population was born overseas. In recent years, anger over a lack of affordable homes has fuelled resentment towards immigrants and asylum seekers and led to protests, some violent. Thugs posted videos of attacks on tents with refugees from Africa and the Middle East.

Since June there has been a spate of brutal assaults on people from south Asia, many of whom have lived in Ireland for years and are taxi drivers, tech workers or medical professionals.

We are accustomed to micro-aggressions, said Fahmeda Naheed, a poet and human rights activist from Pakistan who has lived in Cork for 18 years. We are seeing more physical assaults. It is more forceful and aggressive than in the past. It has coincided with the housing shortage and antisocial behaviour of the youth.

Naheed called for improved policing and procedures to encourage victims to come forward, counselling, anti-racism education and hate crime legislation.

The far right remains a marginal political force but videos of anti-immigrant rallies are widely shared. A recent one shows a man in a playground telling a small crowd with Irish tricolours that immigrants are arriving who are not fit to work yet are buying property. Theyre never going to integrate either. Islam should never be allowed into a Christian country, he said, prompting cheers.

Amal Women Ireland, a group that provides support to Muslim women, expressed alarm after what it called a violent, racially motivated assault on a colleague at a Dublin bus stop on 30 June.

An open letter posted on Reddit purportedly from an Indian nurse says the author and dozens of colleagues are thinking of quitting Ireland because of abuse and fear. It cites an incident in which Irish teenagers bullied and mocked an eight-year-old Indian girl. What kind of place is this becoming? We came to Ireland to save lives and now were scared to walk home after a shift, it says.

The letter is anonymous and the Guardian has not been able to verify the authenticity, but it has gone viral and amplified concern at racism and xenophobia.

Im seeing a side of us that I dont like, Jennifer Whitmore, a legislator with the Social Democrats, posted this week on social media. I think that some peoples fear of being left behind is being hijacked by a small minority of toxic individuals whose only objective is chaos, hatred and a divided society.
Fearne & Rosie's founder is on a mission to bring back the jam to UK households

Rachel Kettlewell was still teaching part-time with three small children at home when she registered her healthy jams startup in 2019. Three years later she delved full-time into her business, but even then it was after initially taking a sabbatical from the education sector.

It has proved a wise and fruitful decision. From setting out with a goal of being stocked in 10 farm shops in Yorkshire, Fearne & Rosie has since secured national listings in more than 5,100 stores nationwide, from Waitrose to Holland & Barrett.

With a revenue forecast of 2m for the 2025 financial year, the low-sugar preserves maker has a three-year plan for 7m in revenue and is seen as the fastest-growing jam brand in UK grocery.

Read More: 'We were told being bald is bad  but our skincare gel hit 8,000 orders in one month'

Success can be pointed to its contents: 40% less sugar and 70% more fruit than standard, using all natural ingredients from farms in the UK and Europe.

Its not a fancy secretive recipe, its just really obvious, says Kettlewell.

Its a big part of why we started. Im not from the food industry, I am just a teacher and so when I looked at the products on the shelf and saw how much sugar and how little fruit there was, it seemed obvious to me to put in more fruit and less sugar.

Fearne & Rosie jams contain 40% less sugar and 70% more fruit than standard.

Her initial plan received an early boost when she listed in 30 farm shops within the first month of trading, alongside selling on Instagram, although she says she wouldnt do the same today after yielding no profit from selling glass jars via Royal Mail.

After early talks with Morrisons in Yorkshire and Waitrose, it was only in 2024 when the company entered retailers such as Co-op and Tesco that the business took off, having used her husband's manufacturing facility to produce the first iterations. Its berry-rich products are now made in Belgium following rapid scale.

A registered B-Corp business, Kettlewell says that 2% of its revenue goes to charitable causes. BBC Children in Need is a corporate partner, while it supports food redistributor charity FareShare.

I come from teaching, where people are generally quite friendly, open and honest, says Kettlewell. In business, I have met people who havent built businesses the way I would expect them to be run.

Read More: 'Our 30m success is due to mums making sure our children's food looked great'

When they are commercially minded and not seeing the wider impact of what they are doing, I find that hard sometimes. For me, balancing profit and purpose is the way to do it, even though we are a commercial entity.

Originally a jam for children, Fearne & Rosie now see themselves as a family brand. Kettlewell has also taken steps, as a female founder with three children, to reduce her working hours over school holidays after consultations with her board and to take Fridays off.

Fearne & Rosie is the brainchild of teacher Rachel Kettlewell, who had the idea after becoming frustrated with the level of sugar in jams. (HEIDICBEARD)

I was working hard on the business and going straight to school pick-up" Kettlewell says. "By changing my working pattern, I hope to make myself a better parent and better equipped to run our business.

Diagnosed with dyslexia, the teacher turned businesswoman has also overcome a lack of confidence in the workplace. She recognises that she isnt the most qualified to run the business, but says that she is best placed when it comes to helping build her team.

Further, she sees her business akin to vertical learning. It would be boring if it was always the same, she smiles. That gift of lifelong learning is what is helping me grow.

Read More: 'I pitched my car finance idea to my mother-in-law and she got it straight away'

Fearne & Rosies first year of trading accrued around 9,000 before its first 12 months after launching into Waitrose netted around 30,000.

The company, which employs 10 staff both part and full time, is on its third investment round after raising 750,000 and has enlisted investors such as Giles Brook, who grew Innocent Drinks and Vita Coco.

Fearne & Rosie, named after Kettlewells daughters, has added to its stable of five jams this year with a mango preserve, designed to appeal to the South Asian culinary market.

Fearne & Rosie is on a mission to bring back the jam to UK households

With innovation and growing the six-year business, Kettlewell believes there are similarities with teaching and running a business; namely the multi-tasking involved, as well as the campaigning piece in ensuring retailers can support schools to teach children whats in their food and the impact it has on their bodies.

The reason I started was to provide healthier choices for schools and framing it around how to help families, she adds.

I hope we can build something that can have a positive impact and the idea we can do good in the world is what drives me.

Read more:

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Androi
It is not yet known whether Volodymyr Zelensky will be at the US-Russia summit in Alaska - Getty Images

Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a fair end to the war and thanked European leaders for their robust stance towards Russia.

Ahead of Donald Trumps planned peace talks with Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, a joint statement by France, Italy, Germany, Poland, the UK and the European Commission said: The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.

Only an approach that combines active diplomacy, support to Ukraine and pressure on the Russian Federation to end their illegal war can succeed.

On Sunday, Mr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said: The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today for the sake of peace in Ukraine, which is defending the vital security interests of our European nations.

Ukraine values and fully supports the statement by President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Tusk, Prime Minister Starmer, President Ursula von der Leyen, and President Stubb on peace for Ukraine.

But the European leaders could be set for a collision course with Mr Trump, the US president.

We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force, their statement said.

European leaders have steadfastly backed Zelensky since the war began - Reuters

On Friday, Mr Trump told reporters that any peace deal may involve some swapping of territories.

Were gonna get some [territory] back. Were gonna get some switched. Therell be some swapping of territories, to the betterment of both, he said.

Mr Zelensky is steadfastly opposed to this, vowing to reject any deal that cedes his countrys borders. He insisted that Ukrainians will not give their land to occupiers.

The White House has not ruled out inviting the Ukrainian president to the Alaska summit, according to an NBC report.

Putin and Mr Zelensky have not been in the same room since before the war broke out. The only time they have met was in Paris in 2019.

War cannot be ended without us, without Ukraine

If the meeting goes ahead, it will mark Mr Trumps first sit-down with Putin in six years, after a string of disappointing phone calls in a bid to end the conflict.

Mr Trump last met the Russian president in 2019, on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Osaka, Japan. The last US-Russia summit took place in 2021 when former US president Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva.

A senior US official told NBC News that while no visit had been finalised, it was absolutely possible the Ukrainian president would join his US and Russian counterparts.

Everyone is very hopeful that would happen, the official said.

The president remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is focusing on planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin.

Mr Zelensky said the summit is taking place very far away from this war, which is raging on our land, against our people, and which anyway cant be ended without us, without Ukraine.

Deal must include Ukraine and the EU

Kaja Kallas, the European Union foreign policy chief, said on Sunday that any deal between Washington and Moscow to end the war in Ukraine must include Ukraine and the EU, adding that she will convene a meeting of European foreign ministers on Monday to discuss next steps.

She said: The US has the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously. Any deal between the U.S. and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraines and the whole of Europes security.

The EUs top diplomat doubled down on the assertion that Ukrainian territory is sovereign, saying: as we work towards a sustainable and just peace, international law is clear: all temporarily occupied territories belong to Ukraine.

A deal must not provide a springboard for further Russian aggression against Ukraine, the transatlantic alliance and Europe, she added.

On Saturday, Ukraine launched an overnight drone attack on the south Russian region of Saratov, striking an oil refinery and setting it on fire. Russian air defence took down 121 drones, according to Roman Busargin, the regional governor.

Debris from a destroyed drone damaged three apartments, killing one person, hospitalising another and prompting an evacuation of residents.

Meanwhile, a bus carrying civilians was hit in Ukraines frontline city of Kherson, killing two people and wounding 16.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in Jerusalem, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP)

JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended a new military offensive in Gaza that's more sweeping than previously announced, declaring in the face of growing condemnation at home and abroad that Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.

Even as more Israelis express concern over the 22-month war, Netanyahu said the security Cabinet last week instructed the dismantling of Hamas strongholds not only in Gaza City but also in the central camps and Muwasi. A source familiar with the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media, confirmed that Israel plans it in both areas.

The camps  sheltering well over a half-million displaced people, according to the U.N.  had not been part of Israel's announcement Friday. It was not clear why, though Netanyahu faced criticism this weekend within his ruling coalition that targeting Gaza City was not enough. Netanyahu said there would be safe zones," but such designated areas have been bombed in the past.

Late Sunday, heavy bombardment was reported in Gaza City. Shortly before midnight local time, broadcaster Al Jazeera said correspondent Anas al-Sharif was killed in a strike. Rami Mohanna, administrative director at the nearby Shifa Hospital, said the strike hit a tent for Al Jazeera journalists outside the hospitals walls. Along with al-Sharif, three other journalists and a driver were killed.

Israels military confirmed it, asserting al-Sharif had posed as a journalist and alleging he was with Hamas. Al-Sharif had denied having any political affiliations. The Committee to Protect Journalists last month said it was gravely concerned for his safety and said he was a targeted by an Israeli military smear campaign.

Netanyahu spoke with Trump about plan

Netanyahu's office late Sunday said he had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump about the plan and thanked him for his steadfast support.

Rejecting starvation in Gaza as well as a global campaign of lies," Netanyahu spoke to foreign media just before an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, a platform for outrage but little action on the war.

Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza, Netanyahu asserted. The goals, he said, include demilitarizing the territory, the Israeli military having overriding security control and a non-Israeli civilian administration in charge.

Israel wants to increase the number of aid distribution sites in Gaza, he said, but in a later briefing to local media, he asserted: There is no hunger. There was no hunger. There was a shortage, and there was certainly no policy of starvation."

Netanyahu also said he has directed Israels military to bring in more foreign journalists  which would be a striking development, as they havent been allowed into Gaza beyond military embeds during the war.

He again blamed many of Gazas problems on the Hamas militant group, including civilian deaths, destruction and aid shortages. Hamas still has thousands of armed terrorists," he asserted, adding that Palestinians are begging to be freed from them.

Hamas responded with a lengthy statement that summed up Netanyahu's remarks as blatant lies.

U.S. defends Israel at Security Council meeting

The United States defended Israel, saying it has the right to decide whats best for its security. It called allegations of genocide in Gaza false.

The U.S. has veto power at the council and can block proposed actions there.

Other council members, and U.N. officials, expressed alarm. China called the collective punishment of people in Gaza unacceptable. Russia warned against a reckless intensification of hostilities.

This is no longer a looming hunger crisis; this is starvation, said Ramesh Rajasingham with the U.N. humanitarian office. Humanitarian conditions are beyond horrific. We have frankly run out of words to describe it.

Israel faces growing action even by its closest allies. Netanyahu said Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany had buckled under the growing international criticism by stopping exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza. Merz, for his part, told public broadcaster ARD that Germany and Israel were talking very critically but Berlins overall policies of friendship havent changed.

More Palestinians killed as they seek aid

At least 31 Palestinians were killed while seeking aid in Gaza, hospitals and witnesses said. The Associated Press spoke to witnesses of gunfire in the Israeli-controlled Morag and Netzarim corridors and the Teina area in the south. All accused Israeli forces of firing at crowds trying to reach food distributions or waiting for convoys.

Fifteen people were killed while waiting for trucks near the Morag corridor that separates the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, according to Nasser hospital.

The situation is a death trap, said Jamal al-Laweh, who said Israeli forces opened fire there. But I have no other choice to feed the kids.

Six were killed while waiting for aid in northern Gaza near the Zikim crossing, according to Gaza's Health Ministry and Shifa hospital.

In central Gaza, witnesses said they heard warning shots before fire was aimed toward crowds trying to reach a distribution site operated by the Israeli-backed and U.S.-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The AP could not independently confirm who fired. Awda hospital said four people were killed by Israeli gunfire.

Six other aid-seekers were killed while trying to reach GHF sites in Khan Younis and Rafah, Nasser hospital said.

The GHF sites opened in May as an alternative to the U.N.-run aid system, but operations have been marred by deaths and chaos.

Responding to AP inquiries, the GHF media office said: There were no incidents at or near our sites today. Israel's military said there were no incidents involving troops near central Gaza aid sites.

Hunger death toll among children hits 100

Israels air and ground offensive has displaced most Palestinians and pushed the territory toward famine. Two Palestinian children died of malnutrition-related causes on Saturday, bringing the toll among children to 100 since the war began.

At least 117 adults have died of malnutrition-related causes since June, when the ministry started to count them.

The hunger toll is in addition to the ministrys war toll of 61,400 Palestinians. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, doesnt distinguish between fighters or civilians, but says around half of the dead have been women and children. The U.N. and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on war casualties.

___

Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel; Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut; Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed.

__

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Kasey Gary Photography/Getty Images The serene view of Lake Ouachita in Arkansas.

While the bright blue, crystal clear Caribbean Sea may garner all sorts of attention, there are more than a handful of freshwater lakes that rival the tropical regions most pristine waters in terms of color and clarity.

Switzerlands Lake Geneva and Lake Lucerne, for instance, show off their glittering hues in the sunshine. Theres also Lake Annecy in France, Lake Winnipeg in Canada, and the Blue Lake in New Zealand. In the U.S., a couple of bodies of water may immediately come to mind, like Lake Tahoe, Crater Lake, and Lake George, among others. Theres also one lake that may have less powerful name recognition, but its waters are just as stunning: Lake Ouachita.

Located in west-central Arkansas, just about 10 miles from Hot Springs National Park, the 40,000-acre lake, known for its incredibly clean, clear water, is surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest. The name Ouachita, pronounced Wash-ah-taw, is the French spelling of the Native word Washita, which comes from the Choctaw phrase Owa Chito, or big hunt.

Lake Ouachitas beauty is multifaceted. Its relatively undevelopedhomes are not allowed to be built directly on the shorelinegiving it a wild, rugged nature, but the lake itself is manmade. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the reservoir between the years of 1946 and 1954; its one of three lakes built by damming the Ouachita River. Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine are its neighbors.

Although the water draws comparisons to the Caribbean, one of the most significant differences is the fact that the lake has a forest beneath the surface. So even though its averages around 50 feet deep and measures in at 200 feet at its deepest point, shallow waters and even tree tops are still prevalent; 60-foot-tall trees were left standing when the lake was filled in.

Besides underwater trees, the lake has all sorts of wildlife, including freshwater sponges, freshwater jellyfish, and even freshwater shrimp. Several species of fish also call Lake Ouachita home, and anglers have the chance to catch striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, and bream.

Along with fishing, visitors go swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and camping. In fact, there are over 200 islands within the lake where you can find a remote, private campsite. And if you prefer something a bit more civilized? There are eight cabins within Lake Ouachita State Park that you can rent for an overnight stay.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Houston Astros' Jose Altuve runs the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

NEW YORK (AP)  Jason Alexander pitched one-hit ball through six innings, Jose Altuve hit his 250th career homer and the Houston Astros beat the Yankees 7-1 Sunday after New York manager Aaron Boone was ejected in the third inning.

Alexander (3-1) allowed his first hit in the sixth inning, a one-out single to Ben Rice. Alexander did not allow a run for the second straight start. He walked three, struck out three in a game in which he relied mostly on changeups and sinkers over 87 pitches.

Altuve, as designated hitter, homered to left in the first and became the 11th player whose primary position is second base to reach 250 homers.

Altuve had two hits and scored three runs, including on a double by Christian Walker in the third and on a single by Ramon Urias that fell in between shortstop Anthony Volpe and left fielder Cody Bellinger in the ninth.

Rookie Cam Smith had a two-out bases-loaded single that scored two runs in the fifth to help the Astros win for the fourth time in six games. Carlos Correa hit his second homer since being acquired from Minnesota, and Mauricio Dubon knocked in a run in the three-run ninth

Fried (12-5) allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings and lost for the third time in four starts.

The Yankees managed three hits and lost for the seventh time in nine games and were booed after the final out.

Boone was ejected for the fifth time this season after arguing a called strike on Ryan McMahon.

Key moment

Bennett Sousa loaded the bases with one out in the seventh and Bryan Abreu allowed a sacrifice fly to McMahon. On the next pitch, Abreu retired Austin Wells. Abreu retired Wells, Judge and Cody Bellinger in the eighth.

Key stats

Correa has five straight multi-hit games and six since rejoining Houston.

Up next

Yankees RHP Will Warren (6-5, 4.44 ERA) faces Minnesota RHP Zebby Matthews (3-3, 5.17) on Monday in New York.

The Astros did not announce a starter for the opener of three-game series against visiting Boston and LHP Garrett Crochet (13-4, 2.24) on Monday.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, opposed the idea of transport corridor between Azerbaijan and Armenia, saying Iran will prevent the creation of an American corridor in the Caucasus region no matter whether Moscow will join Tehran or not, Azernews reports.

In an exclusive interview with Tasnim, Velayati dismissed the idea of the so-called Zangezur corridor that is designed to link the Republic of Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan.

Asked about an agreement to grant the US a 99-year development lease on the corridor, located along Armenia's border with Iran, Velayati said such a corridor will turn into a graveyard of the mercenaries of Donald Trump, not a route owned by the US president.

The Caucasus is one of the worlds most sensitive regions, he added, saying Iran has always opposed the creation of the Zangezur corridor, as it would alter the regions geopolitics, redraw borders, and lead to Armenias disintegration.

He noted that the corridor plan is fiercely opposed by the Armenian people as well, because it will entail disintegration of their country.

Velayati said Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had announced in previous visits to Iran that the plot for the corridor has definite harms and had expressed his opposition to the creation of the corridor in concurrence with Irans stances.

The former foreign minister warned that the implementation of the corridor plan will jeopardize the security of South Caucasus.

As a result, Iran has insisted that it will move in line with the security of South Caucasus, with or without Russia. We believe that Russia is also strategically opposed to that corridor, Velayati said.

The Zangezur corridor is not a mere trade route, but a political plot against Iran and other neighboring countries, he warned, saying, Apart from Turkey, which is a member of NATO, the other NATO countries want to be present in this region too. NATO wants to lie between Iran and Russia like a viper, but Iran will not permit it.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had repeatedly warned that Moscow will take action if Ukraine intends to join NATO, he said, adding that Iran will also prevent NATO from getting closer to its northern borders. We believe that prevention is better than treatment.

Velayati emphasized that links between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan would not need any corridors, saying they can use the Iranian soil for connection.

The equations and arrangements of this region are not confined to the two countries of Azerbaijan and Armenia. A geopolitical change in the region will relocate the borders of Iran too. Therefore, we have the right to defend our interests quite strongly, he underlined
Key Points

Apple announced an additional $100 billion in investment in the U.S.

It's also creating a program to partner with manufacturers in the U.S. to make smartphone components.

Apple stock was up 5% on the day of the announcement.

10 stocks we like better than Apple 

Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) decision to increase its U.S. investment by $100 billion -- bringing its total recent commitment to $600 billion in the next four years -- comes at a critical time for the iPhone maker. But it could be a net positive as the company looks for ways to increase its sales and grow on the momentum of its promising fiscal third-quarter earnings report.

Apple and President Donald Trump made the announcement on Wednesday, Aug. 6, which is the same day that the White House announced a series of new tariffs against dozens of countries to take effect on Thursday. Tariffs have been a concern for Apple stock because the company makes most of its celebrated iPhones in China. While it had made plans to move some production to India, Trump has loudly proclaimed that he wants iPhone manufacturing to be in the U.S. instead.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More 

The announcement falls short of actually building smartphones in the U.S., but it does include concrete plans and partnerships to manufacture several components used in iPhones domestically. Through the creation of Apple's American Manufacturing Program, the company is bringing more supply chain and advanced manufacturing resources to the U.S.

Apple announced that initial partners in the program include Corning, Coherent, GlobalWafers America, Applied Materials, Texas Instruments, Samsung, GlobalFoundries, Amkor Technology, and Broadcom. Previously, Apple had also committed to buying rare earth materials from MP Materials.

Examples of the partnership, according to Apple, is that it will use Corning glass products for its iPhones and Apple Watches, and will work with Coherent to source the VCSEL lasers needed for facial recognition and other services. Apple also says it will use GlobalWafers to produce chips for iPhones and iPads, with the products being fabricated by Texas Instruments and by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing's Arizona plant.

"Apple engineers work closely with suppliers across the United States to create silicon chips that are on the leading edge of innovation," Apple Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan said. "We're committed to supporting U.S. suppliers involved in every key stage of the chip-making process -- from the earliest stages of research and development, to final fabrication and packaging. We want America to lead in this critical industry, and we're expanding our efforts to grow a silicon manufacturing ecosystem that will benefit innovators across America."

The market reacted positively to the announcement, as Apple stock jumped 5% on Wednesday.

Hand holding an Apple iPhone.

Image source: Getty Images.

A turnaround for Apple stock?

Investors are obviously hoping that this, coupled with Apple's most recent earnings report, will spark a fire under Apple stock and finally get it moving higher. While other tech stocks are booming, Apple has been relatively flat, rising less than 2% in the last 12 months. Its annual revenue, which helped make Apple the biggest publicly traded company in the world for nearly two decades, flattened in the last three years.

AAPL Revenue (Annual) Chart

AAPL Revenue (Annual) data by YCharts.

Now both Nvidia and Microsoft top Apple in the rankings of largest companies, with Alphabet and Amazon rapidly closing the gap.

AAPL Market Cap Chart

AAPL Market Cap data by YCharts.

However, investors finally got some good news on July 31, when Apple reported its fiscal third-quarter earnings (ended June 28). Revenue jumped 10% to $94 billion, and earnings per share were up 12% to $1.57. Product sales were up 8.2%, which was a vast improvement from the 2.7% increase that Apple saw in the fiscal second quarter.

Regarding Wednesday's announcement, Apple isn't the first tech company to promote U.S. manufacturing to avoid tariff issues. TSMC, which is the world's largest fabricator for high-level semiconductors that power generative artificial intelligence platforms, is investing $165 billion in Arizona to create a research and development center, two advanced packaging facilities, and three fabricators. The work is widely viewed as a hedge to avoid being penalized by future tariffs.

It's unclear so far how Apple's announcement will affect the cost of products. While Apple's Services division continues to grow and has a far higher profit margin, Apple continues to get the lion's share of its revenue from its products, including smartphones, Macbooks, iPads, and wearable devices.

Should you invest in Apple stock?

Apple has been a disappointment of late, but there's real momentum here that the company can use to make a change. The company is also fairly valued, with a recent price-to-earnings ratio of 32, which is reasonable for tech stocks.

Apple's announcement should be enough to keep it out of the White House's disapproval. Whether it's enough to keep Apple customers buying its products and help Apple continue to grow its quarterly revenue is another question.

Should you invest $1,000 in Apple right now?

Before you buy stock in Apple, 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 Apple 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 $653,427!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,119,863!*

Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 1,060%  a market-crushing outperformance compared to 182% 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

Patrick Sanders has positions in Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Applied Materials, Microsoft, Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Texas Instruments. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom, Coherent, Corning, and MP Materials and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Getty Images: Sean/PavonePhoto



The golden lights of a Waffle House hold a special space in the hearts of chefs, cooks, and food industry workers in the South who are seeking a fresh, hot meal when their shift ends.

"Our whole back of house team has a lot of respect for how many plates of food a single cook at Waffle House can crank out at 2 a.m. on a Friday night," says Joey Edwards, executive chef of Three Sisters Lodge. "Watching their flat top fill up with pancakes, burgers, and steaks is either anxiety producing or awe inspiring for someone who works in kitchens."

After all, the mighty open kitchen is often the last stand for a quick yet balanced and inviting meal when most other kitchens are closed. We talked to Southern chefs who know a thing or two about ordering at Waffle Houseand while you can't go wrong, we learned that the perfect ticket is truly an art form developed after many years of practice.

Their orders are an inspiring blend of the classics, with a few interesting twists.



Extra-Crispy "Scattered" Hash Browns

You can't go wrong with the All-Star breakfast, which always includes a waffle in addition to two eggs, toast, and bacon or sausage. Don't forget that you can ask for your hash browns "crispy" or in Waffle House lingo "scattered." Here are a few of the All-Star faves:



"I'm a total classic girl! All-Star Special, over-medium fried eggs, crispy, scattered and smothered [hash browns], toast, bacon, and [a] pecan waffle. And coffee of course." - April McGreger, Chef, Master Preserver, and cookbook author

Two eggs over easy, grilled biscuit, bacon, hash browns extra crispy with jalapenos and a slice of cheese.  Sara Bradley, Chef/Proprietor, Freight House, Paducah, KY

"Scattered, smothered, and peppered [hash browns], two over-medium eggs, and the basic salsa they have on every table. A coffee in the morning or iced tea in the afternoon." - Cheetie Kumar, chef/owner, Ajja, Raleigh, NC

My favorite order is scrambled eggs, sausage and cheese, and a side of hash browns. It has everything you want in it, it's piping hot, and is very comforting." Scott Franqueza, Executive Chef/Culinary Director, High Hampton, Cashiers, NC

Pecan Waffles

The illustrious pecan waffle is a recurring favorite among Southern chefs, and for good reason. It's the only waffle order that actually incorporates the topping into the waffle rather than on top, the pecan waffles yielding a delicious toasty flavor and crunch throughout.



"I have had quite a few late-night trips to Waffle House, and my go to was always pecan waffles, usually with over-easy eggs, hash browns, and coffee of course. I don't know why, but I always have to have that pecan waffle and I have been in many arguments about its superiority to the peanut butter waffle." - Alex Eliades, Bread Craft Bakery & Cafe, Roanoke, VA

"I always get a pecan waffle with lots of butter and syrup, and an order of hash browns! The pecan waffles are the bestsweet and crunchy. Wish I could have one right now." - April Franqueza, pastry chef, High Hampton, Cashiers, NC

"I used to love getting a pecan waffle for the table but, alas, the gluten." - Cheetie Kumar





"Our whole back of house team has a lot of respect for how many plates of food a single cook at Waffle House can crank out at 2 a.m. on a Friday night. Watching their flat top fill up with pancakes, burgers, and steaks is either anxiety producing or awe inspiring for someone who works in kitchens. - Joey Edwards"





Dips And Tricks

This is where things get technical. You can take a chef out of their own kitchen, but you can't take the knack and know-how out of the chef. Consider creating a well of ketchup to dip your hash browns into (rather than drizzling the ketchup overtop them), and legend has it some folks have smuggled their own toppings.



"I dip my hashbrowns in ketchupyou cannot put the ketchup on the hash browns! Then I get an unsweet tea and sweeten it with the maple syrup." - Sarah Bradley

"I have been known to bring my own jam or maple syrup!" - April McGreger

Chocolate Milk

Coffee gets the spotlight at Waffle House. While it's true that a bottomless cup is a no-brainer to cut the syrup and starchy grease of crispy fried potatoes, chocolate milk is an unsung item on the menu. But when you're already wide awake and eating at an unusual time, there's something special about the icy, chocolaty sweetness that hits the belly just right.



"It's always related to being up early fishing. The chocolate milk is just so ice cold and velvety. It's a superior balm for the stomach butterflies that come with those anticipatory early mornings. Oh, and of course hashbrowns all the way." - John Stokes, Tarasque Cucina and Panino Veloce, Oxford, MS



Good Gravy

The gravy is not to be missed, whether it's on biscuits or across the whole platter.



"I like to order a side of biscuits and gravy with two scrambled eggs, a side of hash browns. Sometimes dessert with a black coffee and cream." - Francisco Garcia, Chef/Owner, FOKO, Louisville, KY

"My go-to order is a Texas Patty Melt. It always hits. And don't sleep on getting your hash browns Country Style (with gravy) and topping with a little hot sauce." - Joey Edwards, Three Sisters Lodge at Blackberry Mountain, Walland, TN



Read the original article on Southern Living
Acacia Morton-Mack has received multiple eviction notices for non-payment of $1,405.00  except it wasn't even her fault.

Acacia Morton-Mack received a notice to vacate her home on August 4th for non-payment of rent  despite repeated attempts to pay it. "I have proof that I made the payment on my end," Morton-Mack told WSB-TV 2 (Channel 2 Action News) in Atlanta.

With the eviction deadline looming, shes turned to her local news station for help  a worst-case scenario for any tenant, especially a parent.

Don't miss

The problem isnt non-payment, its a clerical error

The problems started for Morton-Mack after her property management company, Mynd Properties, made a clerical error that disrupted her rent payments.

She uses a third-party rental loan platform to split her rent into two monthly payments. But in May and June, after she sent her payments, they were returned because Mynd never submitted the necessary documents to her platform.

"I know I've been doing my due diligence," she told Channel 2 Action News. "Mynd never sent their ledger."

Eviction notices despite a payment plan

Morton-Mack says Mynd acknowledged the error in writing via email and committed to investigating the issue. On July 23, Mynd agreed to honor a split payment plan to help her catch up: $500 installments toward the $1,405 balance she owed.

But since then, she claims the company has gone silent  and her payments still arent being processed in Mynds system.

"I'm doing my best to make a living, and this is extremely stressful," she told reporters.

Since May, multiple eviction notices have been taped to her door, leaving her life in limbo despite her documented payment attempts. Channel 2 Action News attempted to contact Mynd Properties through email and by visiting their Atlanta office, but received no response.

The situation highlights the vulnerabilities tenants face when dealing with third-party payment systems and property management companies, particularly when communication breaks down.

Landlords cannot legally evict a tenant without a court order in Georgia.

Read more: Car insurance in America now costs a stunning $2,329/year on average  but heres how 2 minutes can save you more than $600 in 2025

Can you fight a wrongful eviction?

When facing a legal eviction warrant, tenants can file an "answer" within seven days of service (extended if the seventh day falls on a weekend or holiday).

Answers can be filed in person at the courthouse or online. Filing an answer allows you to remain in the property during the trial process  but if ordered to pay rent into court and you fail to do so, you may be evicted before your hearing through a writ of possession.

Georgia courts generally recognize that tenants should not be penalized for administrative errors beyond their control. Because of this, Peach State residents, like Morton-Mack, could fight the eviction using a lawyer. To use this defense effectively:

Immediately document any errors upon discovery.

Maintain records, including all payment attempts, all communications regarding the error, the name of anyone you speak with, the date of that conversation, and any bank statement proving your claim.

Make good-faith efforts to continue paying, including offering payment through verifiable means.

If you've made any payments after the eviction notice is filed, this may invalidate the eviction case and require the landlord to restart the process.

The federal government also provides some protections against wrongful eviction. If you believe the eviction is discriminatory or retaliatory, federal fair housing laws provide additional protections.

Resources for tenants facing wrongful eviction

Tenants like Morton-Mack can seek assistance through local legal aid organizations. The Atlanta Legal Aid Society offers free legal services to qualifying low-income residents facing eviction. Their Eviction Prevention Initiative (EPI) has helped distribute over $23 million in rental assistance to Atlanta-area families since 2023.

Additionally, the federal Eviction Protection Grant Program funds legal services organizations that provide assistance at no cost to low-income tenants facing eviction. According to recent data, more than 80 percent of tenant households receiving extensive legal representation were able to preserve their tenancy, prevent eviction filings, or negotiate favorable settlements.

When facing an eviction notice, experts recommend speaking with the court clerk to understand your rights, including how long you have to file an answer and whether the court offers mediation services. Some judges may delay or dismiss an eviction when presented with evidence that the tenant is actively seeking assistance and working to resolve payment issues.

Bottom line: If your landlord refuses rent payments or a clerical error threatens your housing, act fast  document all communications, apply for rent assistance if available, file an answer in court, and connect with local legal aid to protect your rights.

What to read next

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The governments of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom condemned what they called ongoing repression and human rights violations in Belarus and accused Belarusian authorities of waging a campaign to shut down civil society, independent media and any form of political opposition.

KEY QUOTES

"We  Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom  stand united in condemning the ongoing repression and human rights violations," the three countries said in a joint statement on Saturday.

"Thousands have been unjustly detained, subjected to torture, or forced into exile. These actions represent a flagrant breach of Belarus' international law obligations and are a serious violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms," they added, urging Belarusian authorities "to end their campaign of repression."

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has led Belarus through more than three decades of authoritarian rule and was re-elected in January for a seventh five-year term.

Lukashenko crushed huge street protests in 2020 after an election the opposition and Western governments accused him of stealing, and all his leading opponents were jailed or forced to flee the country.

CONTEXT

Several hundred people convicted of extremism and other politically related offences have been released since mid-2024 in what analysts see as a bid by Lukashenko to ease his isolation from the West. However, human rights groups say nearly 1,200 are still behind bars.

Lukashenko denies there are any political prisoners in the country.

Australia, Canada and the UK said they welcomed the recent releases of several political prisoners in Belarus but added that they remain concerned by what they termed as continued arrests and persecution of individuals for exercising their human rights.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Mark Porter)
Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at a rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 1. - Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

Sen. Bernie Sanders says Democratic governors have no choice but to redraw congressional maps in response to Texas Republicans redistricting plan  which the Vermont independent describes as an attempt by President Donald Trump to rig the system.

What we have now is a terrible situation, and Republicans are making it worse. Well, what are you going to do? If Republicans are doing it, you have to respond. Its pathetic, but I think you have to respond, Sanders said.

The progressive senator, kicking off a new swing of his Fighting Oligarchy tour, spoke to CNN State of the Union anchor Dana Bash in Wheeling, West Virginia, on Friday in a wide-ranging interview that covered the redistricting fight, Israels plans to expand the war in Gaza, the 2028 presidential election, and his view that the Democratic Party has turned its back on what was its base.

As Democrats in the Texas House have left the state to stonewall Republicans from moving forward with the redistricting plan, which aims to gain five GOP US House seats, governors of Democratic-controlled states like California and New York have threatened to respond with the same tactics. Sanders, who has long opposed gerrymandering, acknowledged that he still believes partisan line-drawing undermines the political process, but that Democrats have got to fight back.

(Trump) is trying to, you know, in his authoritarian way, say, Hey, I dont want to lose elections. Lets rig the system. Give me five more votes in Texas, maybe some other states, Sanders said. So, what should Democrats do? Sit back and say, Oh, gee, Trump is doing this terrible  we cant do anything. Let them win the election, when they shouldnt?

Attendees at an August 7 hearing by the Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting in Austin, Texas, look at a map of the state. - Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Sanders tour has aimed to galvanize people looking for some form of political action and resistance to the Trump administration with rallies across the country  sometimes with guests like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and former presidential candidate Beto ORourke.

Sanders on Friday argued the case to a crowd in West Virginia  a state that Trump won overwhelmingly  that the Democratic Party has turned its back on the working class. He accused former Vice President Kamala Harris of listening to billionaires who backed her presidential bid in 2024.

Speaking to CNN afterward, Sanders called Harris a friend of mine, but said her campaigns core consultants were heavily influenced by very wealthy people.

CNN has reached out to Harris office for comment.

How do you run for president and not develop a strong agenda which speaks to the economic crisis facing working families? he said. You have more income and wealth inequality today than weve ever had.

Sen. Bernie Sanders talks to Vice President Kamala Harris during a ceremony in the Old Senate Chamber at the US Capitol, in January. - Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Sanders argued that the clue to Democratic victories is to understand that you got to stand unequivocally with the working class of this country.

The Democratic Partys favorability rating among Americans was at a record low in a March CNN poll conducted by SSRS. Sanders had the third-most votes in the poll (8%) when Democratically aligned respondents were asked which leader they feel best reflects the core values. When asked whether he would run for president in 2028, though, Sanders pointed to his age.

Lets not worry about that. I am going to be 84 years of age next month, as a matter of fact, he said. I think that speaks for itself.

But he told CNN there would absolutely be a candidate in 2028 who could take up his mantle representing the partys progressive wing. I can think of some great young people, he said, without naming names.

Trump, meanwhile, has suggested that Vice President JD Vance could inherit the MAGA movement. Sanders told CNN it doesnt matter to me who heads the Republican Party in 2028, arguing the Republicans of today dont have anything of significance to say to working class people.

Sanders on global issues

Sanders is pushing the Trump administration not to send weapons to Israel amid a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza and a major escalation in the war, after Israel approved plans to capture Gaza City.

Israel had a right, of course, to defend itself from the terrible terrorist attack from Hamas, but what they have done since then is gone to war against the entire Palestinian people, he argued. Sanders, who is Jewish, forced two Senate resolutions that would block some US arms sales to Israel that ultimately failed with no Republicans voting in support of them.

But he told CNN, I think Republicans at a grassroots level are also catching on that it is not a great idea to provide billions to a government that starves children.

A man carries cardboard boxes as he returns from a food distribution site near the Netsarim corridor in the central Gaza Strip on August 3. - Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images

Pallbearers carry coffins following a funeral ceremony for a couple and their son, in a church in Sloviansk, Ukraine, on August 5. - Genya Savilov/AFP/Getty Images

Sanders, who has long been critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said the countrys actions have turned it into almost a pariah state.

With Trump set to meet with Putin this week, Sanders condemned the Russian leader as a really awful guy.

You know, when you talk about oligarchs, Putin is one of the richest guys in the world, running a kleptocratic society, and then he invaded Ukraine with incredible destruction, Sanders said. People in Ukraine are suffering terribly because this guy wanted to start the largest war since World War II in Europe.

Sanders said hes not a fan of Putin, but would welcome any peace deal if the people of Ukraine feel that the agreement is positive. He cautioned Trump from an agreement that would sideline Ukraines interests.

If, in fact, an agreement can be negotiated which does not compromise what the Ukrainians feel that they need, I think thats a positive step forward, Sanders said. We all want to see an end to the bloodshed.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
By Daina Beth Solomon and Fabian Cambero

SANTIAGO (Reuters) -Copper giant Codelco has received approval from Chile's mining regulator to reopen a part of its flagship El Teniente mine, after more than a week of suspended operations following a deadly collapse that killed six workers, it said on Friday.

Chile's labor inspection office needs to sign off on the plan before El Teniente can resume mining activity, Codelco said in a statement. It did not say when it expects final approval or when operations may restart.

The state-run company aims to restart in a number of sectors of the mine, excluding those affected by the July 31 accident, pending further analysis.

A major tremor that day caused tunnels to collapse around the new Andesita section of the vast mine, which contains the world's largest underground copper deposit.

The mining regulator said the approved areas show no damage or imminent risk, and instructed Codelco to monitor seismic activity and comply with operational guidelines.

"Sernageomin emphasized that the restart of operations must be carried out under strict safety standards, prioritizing the protection of worker lives," Codelco said.

The labor inspection office did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Earlier, Codelco said it had suspended contracts with third-party workers at El Teniente through at least August 13.

Aquiles Cubillos, the prosecutor for the O'Higgins region where El Teniente is located, has said the collapse damaged about 3,700 meters (3.7 km) of passageways, far more than 700 meters initially estimated by the company.

He has not specified the severity of the damage, but said it affected two or three areas of Andesita, and five or six areas of the Recursos Norte unit.

El Teniente, which is more than a century old, spans more than 4,500 km (2,800 miles) of tunnels and underground galleries - nearly the distance between Chile and New York - deep within the Andes mountains.

On Friday, Cubillos' team inspected four damaged levels of the mine, excluding those where the injuries and deaths occurred, and met with Codelco technical experts. Investigators are documenting the damage with photographs to later reconstruct a full map of the affected areas.

(Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon and Fabian Cambero; Editing by Daniel Wallis, Diane Craft and Himani Sarkar)
Google Maps Coos Bay Police Department in Oregon





NEED TO KNOW

An Oregon family filed a wrongful death lawsuit on Aug. 6 against the City of Coos Bay and several police officers

The parents of 33-year-old Nathan Bradford Smith are accusing them of negligence, abuse of a vulnerable person and "deliberate indifference" for allegedly leaving him in a car in July 2024 as he was suffering from a meth overdose

One police officer, Benjamin Martin, is accused of responding to an intimate text about "snuggles" and liking several TikTok videos inside the police station as Smith was left in the car





An Oregon family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Coos Bay and three Coos Bay Police Department officers.

According to the federal lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, Aug. 6, the officers allegedly ignored signs that 33-year-old Nathan Bradford Smith was suffering from a methamphetamine overdose in the back of a parked patrol car while an officer inside the station responded to personal text messages and watched TikTok videos.

The complaint  obtained by The Oregonian, KOIN and KGW  claims that officers Benjamin Martin, Tristan Smith and Wesley O'Connor ignored signs that Nathan was suffering from the drug overdose when he was arrested on July 7, 2024, and failed to get him immediate medical care.

The family accuses the officers of negligence, abuse of a vulnerable person and "deliberate indifference." They are seeking unspecified damages.

An attorney for the City of Coos Bay did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday, Aug. 9.

Google Maps The Model 6 where Nathan Bradford Smith was arrested in July 2024

Nathan  who reportedly had schizophrenia and bipolar disorder  was pronounced dead at a Coos Bay hospital after Martin found him unconscious in the car, according to the suit. His cause of death was listed as "hyperthermia due to methamphetamine intoxication," and Nathan's "multiple layers of heavy clothing" may have contributed to his overheating, per the suit.

According to state police investigation records obtained by the local outlets, Coos Bay police had three encounters with Nathan on the day of his arrest for alleged disorderly conduct.

Officers took a meth pipe from Nathan during an unrelated investigation at around 11 a.m., per the state police investigation. At 3 p.m., police were called to another business after bystanders reported that a man was screaming and scaring customers outside. The officers warned him at the time that they would arrest him if someone made another report about his behavior. At around 5 p.m., three officers were called to a Motel 6, where someone reported a man lying on the sidewalk.

Nathan was on his back in the shoulder of the road, and he was dressed in a heavy coat and rain pants. Officers told him he was under arrest, handcuffing him on the ground after he did not stand up. His breathing was "loud and somewhat labored," according to a state police officer who reviewed body camera and dash camera footage of the incident.

Nathan struggled to get into the car, and the suit stated that his eyes were closed as he gasped for air. Martin then began driving, before pulling over to spray air freshener into the back of his car.

At 5:10 p.m., Martin began driving again and arrived at the Coos Bay Police Department three minutes later. State police reported that he left the windows closed and went inside. It was 65 degrees on the day of the incident, per The Oregonian.

Getty A person texting (stock image)

While inside the station, Martin then responded to a text message obtained by investigators that stated: Im so ready for snuggles I feel like i havent seen you in a week. He also liked a number of TikTok videos during this time.

After Nathan was left alone in the car, Martin returned from the station and found Nathan unconscious. Footage taken from inside the police car showed Nathan breathing in an "odd pattern," and his head eventually tilted back.

Martin then administered a dose of Narcan, which is used to combat drug overdoses, and the police officer then called an ambulance, according to state police.

When they arrived at 5:24 p.m., paramedics found that Nathan had a temperature of 107 degrees and rushed him to Bay Area Hospital. He later went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at 6:25 p.m.

Had officers taken Mr. Smith directly to Bay Area Hospital from Motel 6 or called an ambulance to the scene, emergency department staff would have had over 40 minutes to stabilize Mr. Smith prior to the time he suffered cardiac arrest, the suit says of Nathan.

No criminal charges resulted from the investigation into the incident, state police said.

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.

When these officers found him, he was clearly showing the signs of medical distress and what we know when he finally did get to see a doctor is that his temperature was 107. He was hyperthermic, and he was going to die. And unfortunately, he did, the suit's lead attorney Juan Chavez, with the Oregon Justice Resource Center, told KGW. There was a 40-minute delay in getting him critical medical assistance.



"I believe at least one of these officers had encountered him earlier in the day and understood that he was using substances at that time and that he was likely facing mental and physical health issues at that time," Chavez added. "He had the opportunity at that moment to be taken to a hospital that was a mile away, and instead, he was put into the back of a police car.



Nathan's father, Kurt Smith, told the The Oregonian that his son had been living at the motel, and Kurt had visited with his son just one week before his death. Police later came to the fathers work and informed him of Nathans death, but did not share any details. He found out his son's cause of death from the funeral home.

He didnt deserve to just be left to die, the father added.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.



Read the original article on People
ABOVE GAZA  From the sky, a besieged Gaza briefly came into view early Saturday as the military plane opened its back door and a mass of tents could be seen near the Mediterranean coast from a side window.

Then, boxes of baby formula, food and other supplies were pushed out the back and parachuted to the ground  a tiny fraction of what is required for the enclaves population, which is facing a spiraling hunger crisis  delivered by a method that experts say is inefficient, dangerous and in some cases deadly.

On Saturday, a 14-year-old boy named Muhannad Eid died after being struck by an aid package from one of the several airdrops over Gaza, his brother, Muhammad Eid, said.

This is an aerial humiliation, not aid, Eid said. We need protection. We want international protection.

But with mounting international outrage about deaths from starvation in Gaza under Israels offensive and crippling aid restrictions, several countries have started dropping food, medicine and other supplies into Gaza from the sky.

A UAE Air Force jet sits at an air base in Jordan outside Amman where nine planes prepared to take off to drop aid over Gaza on Saturday. (Chantal Da Silva / NBC News)

Those aid drops are actually causing havoc, Dr. Umar Burney, a Texas-based orthopedic surgeon volunteering in Gaza, told NBC News in a telephone interview Saturday from the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in northern Gaza. Multiple explosions could be heard ringing out nearby as he spoke.

Burney, who has been treating patients in Gaza for the past week, added that he had taken care of multiple patients whove been crushed by these sort of unplanned, unannounced aid drops on top of their heads, literally on top of their heads.

Saturdays flight from an air base just outside the Jordanian capital Amman took place a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government faced a wave of condemnation from European leaders, Arab nations and a group representing the families of hostages after it announced plans to take control of Gaza City in the north of the enclave.

Boxes of aid, including baby formula, sit on a plane to be dropped over Gaza on Saturday. (Chantal Da Silva / NBC News)

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the plan on Friday as a dangerous escalation that risks deepening the already catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians.

His colleague Volker Turk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, also said in a statement that the Israeli Government should put all its efforts into saving the lives of Gazas civilians by allowing the full, unfettered flow of humanitarian aid.

Deaths from starvation in Gaza have been on the rise after Israel launched a crippling blockade barring the entry of food and other vital supplies into the enclave in early March before ending its ceasefire with Hamas.

It lifted the blockade in May, allowing a basic amount of aid into Gaza, largely distributed under a controversial new distribution system led by the U.S.- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Since then, nearly 1,400 people have been killed and more than 4,000 injured while seeking food, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in an update Tuesday. At least 859 people have been killed around GHF sites since the beginning of GHFs operations, it added.

Palestinians receive lentil soup at a food distribution point in Gaza City. (Omar Al-Qattaa / AFP - Getty Images)

Asked to address the rising death toll by NBC News on Wednesday, GHF said aid convoys belonging to the United Nations and other organizations in the past often passed near these locations and were regularly looted by large crowds.

The Israeli military said in a statement Saturday that it allows GHF to distribute aid to Gaza residents independently. It said that after incidents in which harm to civilians who arrived at distribution facilities was reported, thorough examinations were conducted and that systematic learning processes to improve the operational response are underway.

Faced with mounting global outrage, Israel began tactical pauses in some parts of Gaza to allow more aid into the enclave late last month. It also began to allow countries to airdrop supplies into the territory, although aid groups have criticized this method of delivery.

These air drops are falling in extremely populated areas. Theyre dangerous, Caroline Willemen, a project coordinator at a Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) clinic in Gaza City, told British broadcaster Sky News on Saturday. They have fallen on tents, people have been injured," she added.

Aid groups have also pointed out that the drops can only provide a fraction of what is required for Gazas population of around 2 million people as the hunger crisis continues to spiral and much of the enclave plunge into famine conditions.

Aid is parachuted over Gaza from a military plane on Saturday in the midst of a spiraling hunger crisis in the enclave. (Chantal Da Silva / NBC News)

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, told journalists Thursday that at least 99 people, including 29 children under age 5, have died from malnutrition this year. These numbers were likely underestimates, he said, and the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza cites higher figures.

On Saturday, the ministry said hospitals had recorded 11 deaths due to famine and malnutrition within a 24-hour time frame. This brought the total number of starvation deaths to 212, including 98 children.

Israel has maintained there is no starvation in Gaza and that the situation on the ground is being exaggerated, almost 22 months after it launched its offensive following the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in which some 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage, marking a major escalation in a decadeslong conflict.

Palestinians walk on a dirt road in a makeshift displacement camp on the Gaza City beachfront on Friday. (Bashar Taleb / AFP - Getty Images)

Since then, more than 61,000 people have been killed in Gaza, including thousands of children, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in the enclave, while much of the territory has been destroyed.

Foreign journalists have been banned from entering Gaza independently since Israel launched its offensive. Traveling on aid flights has become one of the few ways of witnessing the destruction in the territory firsthand.
President Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 2025. - Samuel Corum/Getty Images/File

Six months into Donald Trumps second term, his administration is at war with the federal judiciary, evading court orders blocking its agenda, suing judges for alleged misconduct, and veering toward what multiple current and former federal judges say could be a constitutional crisis.

The administration this summer sued the entire federal district court in Maryland after its chief judge temporarily blocked immigration removals. It also filed a judicial misconduct complaint recently against the chief judge of the powerful DC District Court, James Jeb Boasberg, over comments he reportedly made in private to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts in March.

The standoff is unlikely to end anytime soon. On Friday, an appeals court ruled that Boasberg cannot move ahead in his effort to hold Trump administration officials in contempt for misleading him in a fast-moving case in which migrant detainees were handed over to a Salvadoran prison.

As Trump-appointed judges across the country continue to deliver the administration wins, the federal judiciarys ability to be a check on the executive branch has slowly been diminished.

They are trying to intimidate, threaten and just run over the courts in ways that we have never seen, said one retired federal judge, who, like about a half-dozen other former and current judges, spoke to CNN anonymously given the climate of harassment the Trump administration has created and the tradition of jurists not to comment publicly on politics and ongoing disputes.

How judges counter

The courts have tools to fight back  a lawyer in a courtroom who refuses a direct order or lies could be held in contempt on the spot. Judges also have the power to demand witness testimony and documents. They may also commission independent investigations and can make a criminal referral or levy civil penalties, like fines.

But so far, many judges have hesitated to move too quickly to levy sanctions or other punishments aimed at the Trump administration.

The truth is we are at the mercy of the executive branch, said one former federal appellate judge, adding that courts have fewer enforcement mechanisms than the White House, such as law enforcement and prosecutorial power. Sanctions situations also typically escalate slowly, and appeal opportunities for the Justice Department are ample and can take years.

At the end of the day, courts are helpless, the former judge added.

James Boasberg, chief judge of the US District Court for DC, attends a panel discussion at an American Board Association meeting on April 2, 2025. - Drew Angerer/AFP/Getty Images/file

Some judges, like Boasberg in Washington, DC, and Judge Paula Xinis in Maryland, have already analyzed how they could respond to disobedience by moving toward sanctions or contempt proceedings for members of the Trump administration. In both judges courts, the administration has delayed following judicial orders when detainees were sent to a prison in El Salvador without the proper due process.

Courts also move slowly at times. In one Maryland case on Friday, lawyers for a Venezuelan man sent to El Salvador by the Trump administration told a judge they are still looking at whether theyll ask the court to hold the administration in contempt. The administration actions happened in March.

The more egregious the contemptible behavior, the more speedy the judge will probably move, and the heavier weapons theyll use, said another former federal judge, who sat on a trial-level district court bench. Courts in general will see they need to move with speed and sharpness on this, if theyre going to get to the bottom of what happened, the former judge added.

Trump gets help from his appointees

In some situations, Trump-appointed judges have slowed or stopped direct conflict between the administration and judges.

The Supreme Court, with its conservative majority, this year signed off in Trumps favor on most emergency disputes over the use of his powers to reshape the federal government, undercutting standoffs.

But Trumps appointees to the federal bench havent unilaterally refrained from questioning the executives approach.

For instance, in a case over the Trump administration stopping the payout of grant programs, a judge in Rhode Island on Friday chastised the Department of Housing and Urban Development for inaction as potentially a serious violation of the Courts order. Nonprofit groups that received grants for affordable housing for low-income senior citizens had reported the administration hadnt paid out $760 million in grants the court said it must months ago.

The judge, the Trump-appointee Mary McElroy in the Rhode Island US District Court, responded, At risk of understatement, that is serious, then invited the Trump administration to explain itself.

In Boasbergs immigration case on Friday, a divided DC Circuit Court of Appeals with two Trump appointees in the majority ended a contempt proceeding that began three and a half months ago. The hold that had been over the case and the decision Friday have hurt Boasbergs ability to gather evidence of suspected disobedience of Trump administration officials toward the court.

Judge Greg Katsas of the DC Circuit, a Trump appointee, wrote that stopping the criminal contempt proceeding could help defuse a long and messy standoff between the judiciary and the Trump administration.

Boasberg has already signaled some of his other options. This Court will follow up, he said at a hearing in late July, noting recent whistleblower revelations about Justice Department leaderships approach to the case.

In addition, whether or not I am ultimately permitted to go forward with the contempt proceedings, I will certainly be assessing whether government counsels conduct and veracity to the Court warrant a referral to state bars or our grievance committee which determines lawyers fitness to practice in our court, the judge added in July.

In late June, a whistleblower publicly accused then-top Trump Justice Department official Emil Bove of telling attorneys they may need to ignore court orders like Boasbergs and consider telling the courts f*** you, the whistleblower wrote to Congress.

Since then, Bove, a former defense attorney to Trump personally, was confirmed by the Republican-held Senate to become a judge himself. He now sits on the 3rd Circuit federal appeals court overseeing Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Bove told the Senate he couldnt recall whether he made the comments about ignoring the courts.

Complaints

Boasberg has been one of the judges whos been most criticized publicly by Trump and others in the presidents top circle. Boasberg decided in mid-March the administration couldnt send detainees to El Salvador under a war-time act without due process and told the government to turn the airplanes around and bring the detainees back into US custody.

In July, the Justice Department formally complained about Boasberg to the appeals court above him, accusing him of judicial misconduct.

That complaint emerged after the conservative website the Federalist reported on comments Boasberg made at a private, annual meeting for leaders in the judicial branch  an incident separate from the immigration case hes handled.

Boasberg and about a dozen other federal judges from around the country had an informal breakfast meeting with Roberts in early March, CNN has confirmed.

A view of the E. Barrett Prettyman US Court House in Washington, DC. The building houses the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. - Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images/File

When Roberts asked the judges to share what was concerning their jurisdictions, Boasberg said the judges of the trial-level court in Washington, DC, over which he presides, had concerns the Trump administration might ignore court orders, and that would cause a constitutional crisis. Roberts responded without indicating his thoughts, a person familiar with the meeting told CNN. A Supreme Court spokesperson didnt respond to a request for comment.

Judge Boasberg attempted to improperly influence Chief Justice Roberts, said the Justice Departments complaint about the judge, sent to the chief of the appellate court above him. The administration maintains it never intentionally violated his orders in the immigration case, and that after Boasberg spoke to Roberts at the judicial conference, he began acting on his preconceived belief that the Trump Administration would not follow court orders, a reference to the immigration case proceeding.

Fears of a constitutional crisis

Steve Vladeck, Georgetown University law professor and CNN legal analyst, called the DOJs complaint against Boasberg preposterous in a recent analysis he wrote on Substack. Vladeck said that while the complaint is likely to be dismissed when a court reviews it  just as most misconduct complaints against judges are resolved  the Trump administrations approach may have been intended more to intimidate other federal judges and play to the presidents base.

None of these developments, including the Boasberg complaint, are a constitutional crisis unto themselves, Vladeck told CNN. But they all reflect efforts to undermine the power and prestige of the federal courts for if and when that day comes.

The problem is that too many people are waiting for a crossing-the-Rubicon moment, when what weve seen to date is the Trump administration finding lots of other ways to try to sneak into Rome, Vladeck added.

However, several of the former and current judges who spoke to CNN thought the courts arent yet facing a full-blown constitutional crisis.

Were in the incipient stages of a constitutional crisis. Were in the early stages, one federal judge told CNN recently. Weve all been talking about it since the moment [Trumps] been elected  that the administration could defy federal court orders.

A full constitutional crisis, this judge said, would emerge if the administration disregarded Supreme Court orders. That hasnt happened yet, and attorneys from the Justice Department are still engaging in many proceedings by meeting their deadlines and arguing in earnest at court hearings.

J. Harvie Wilkinson III, a long-serving, conservative judge appointed by Ronald Reagan on the 4th Circuit US Court of Appeals, pointed to presidential history in a recent opinion telling the Trump administration to follow court orders to facilitate the return of a Maryland immigrant, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, after he was mistakenly sent to El Salvador. Wilkinson wrote about President Dwight Eisenhower being willing to carry out the desegregation of schools following the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education.

The branches come too close to grinding irrevocably against one another in a conflict that promises to diminish both, Wilkinson wrote. The Executive may succeed for a time in weakening the courts, but over time history will script the tragic gap between what was and all that might have been, and law in time with sign its epitaph.

Suing the bench

Some of the Trump administrations unusual attacks of the judiciary are still testing how far they could go.

The DOJ filed its complaint as the judges were gathering at the 4th Circuits conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, in late June. The judges from Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia were shocked when they heard of the lawsuit naming all Maryland federal district judges all as defendants, and the district court realized the need to swiftly hire a lawyer to defend them, people familiar with the response told CNN.

The Justice Department has said it sued as a way to rein in judicial overreach.

Defense attorney Paul Clement, on behalf of the Maryland judges, called the lawsuit truly extraordinary and fundamentally incompatible with the separation of powers.

Attorney Paul Clement answers questions outside the US Supreme Court on April 25, 2022. - Win McNamee/Getty Images

Eleven former federal judges from various circuits, including some appointed by Republican presidents, warned in their own amicus brief in the case that if the Trump administration is allowed to carry its approach through to its logical conclusion, it would run roughshod over any effort by the judiciary to preserve its jurisdiction that frustrates the Executives prerogatives.  That result would be devastating to the efficacy of the Nations courts.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Cargo containers and transport trucks being processed through the Port of Baltimore at Seagirt Marine Terminal are visible during a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Maryland Port Administration briefing to the White House Office of Management and Budget and the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works during a site visit, July 30, 2025. By Thomas I. Deaton | U.S. Army photo

(The Center Square)  When President Donald Trump announced a string of trade deals with key U.S. trading partners recently, he touted pledges for billions of dollars in U.S. investments.

When Trump reached a deal with the 27-nation European Union, he said the EU would buy $750 billion in energy from the U.S. and invest $600 billion in the U.S. The president said South Korea would buy $100 billion in U.S. liquefied natural gas or other energy products and give the U.S. $350 billion for investments. With the Japan deal, Trump said Tokyo would invest $550 billion in the U.S. at his behest.

"Japan will invest, at my direction, $550 Billion Dollars into the United States, which will receive 90% of the Profits. This Deal will create Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs  There has never been anything like it," Trump wrote after he reached the framework deal with Japan.

During interviews, Trump has referred to the promised foreign investments as a "gift," "seed money," and a "signing bonus."

The White House has not released detailed terms of those agreements. Given the fast-pace of deals before Trump's trade deadline, the president's trade team could still be finalizing the terms.

However, Japan, the EU and South Korea have characterized the investments differently than Trump.

The White House said: "Japan will invest $550 billion directed by the United States to rebuild and expand core American industries."

Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's chief trade negotiator, said the money will come from loans and loan guarantees from government-backed institutions. Japanese officials said equity will be no more than 2% of the total, The Japan Times reported.

EU leaders also walked away with a different impression of the deal. The European Commission noted in a fact sheet that the "political agreement" was "not legally binding." Those last three words were in bold.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's deal sheet said the bloc would buy U.S. energy products as it shifts away from Russian energy.

"The EU intends to procure US liquified natural gas, oil, and nuclear energy products with an expected offtake valued at $750 billion (ca. 700 billion) over the next three years," according to the fact sheet.

The EU fact sheet said: "EU companies have expressed interest in investing at least $600 billion (ca. 550 billion) in various sectors in the US by 2029, further boosting the already significant 2.4 trillion in existing investment."

Trump's plans for the foreign money come as many states and other governments look to restrict some foreign investments, particularly from U.S. adversaries like China. Multiple states have passed laws restricting foreign investment in agricultural land, particularly near sensitive sites, such as military bases.

Trump has said he wants to use tariffs to restore manufacturing jobs lost to lower-wage countries in decades past, shift the tax burden away from U.S. families and pay down the national debt.

Trump has said he wants America to be more self-reliant, producing, making, and selling products such as steel, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors.
European leaders said peace talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week are unlikely to succeed without Ukraine's involvement.

The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine, a statement released on Saturday and signed by the leaders of France, Italy, the U.K., Germany, Poland, and Finland read.

We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force. The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations, it continued.

The public show of support for Kyiv came in response to Trump's announcement at the White House on Friday that he would hold a summit with his Russian counterpart to discuss a potential end to the war in Ukraine, without Ukrainian participation.

Trump provoked a backlash from allies for excluding Ukraine, and for insisting ahead of the talks that Kyiv would have to give up territory as part of a deal to end the fighting.

Were going to get some back, and were going to get some switched, Trump said. Therell be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both.

Read more: Exclusive: The Secret White House Backchannel That Paved the Way For Trumps Summit With Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky quickly denounced the idea of giving up territory to Russia in a video address on Saturday, vowing that Ukraine would not gift their land to the occupier and warning that any peace talks that didnt involve Kyiv would bring nothing.

The statement from European leaders backed Zelensky on both counts.

Zelensky responded by thanking European allies in a post on X on Sunday: "The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people."

Vice President JD Vance, who met with European leaders over the weekend to discuss the summit, said in an interview on Sunday that a negotiated settlement between Moscow and Kyiv would likely leave both sides "unhappy."

"It's not going to make anybody super happy. Both the Russians and the Ukrainians, probably, at the end of the day, are going to be unhappy with it," he said on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.

Some reports indicate that Russia is demanding that Ukraine give up the Donbas region and Crimea in return for ending the war. Russia has already annexed Crimeaa move not recognized by the international communityand its forces occupy most of the Donbas and further swathes of eastern Ukraine.

Matthew Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to NATO, told CNN on Sunday that "No big chunks or sections are going to be just given that haven't been fought for or earned on the battlefield," without elaborating further.

Three U.S. officials told NBC News that the White House is discussing inviting Zelensky to the summit, though decisions have not been finalized. The White House did not immediately respond to TIMEs request for comment.

Trump claimed the conflict could be solved very soon as he announced the summit at the White House on Friday, on the deadline he had imposed on Putin to finalize a peace deal or face potential financial penalties. The talks in Alaska will be the first time the leaders of the U.S. and Russia have met since 2021.

Read more: Trump Will Meet Putin in Alaska For Ukraine Talks Next Week. Heres What You Need to Know

European leaders have come to Ukraines defense, condemning Russias war in Ukraine and vowing to continue to provide military and financial support to Kyiv as necessary. Officials have also expressed a broader interest in including European leadership in peace negotiations due to concerns about the region's own security.

We underline our unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, the statement added. We are united as Europeans and determined to jointly promote our interests. And we will continue to cooperate closely with President Trump and with the United States of America, and with President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, for a peace in Ukraine that protects our vital security interests.

Thus far, Trump has not publicly remarked on Zelenskys stance on the upcoming Alaska meeting. But the President previously criticized Zelensky for being stubborn in his position for a ceasefire deal and claimed he is not ready for peace.

But the Kremlins demands extend beyond a desire for land. As part of any agreement, Putin has reportedly called for Ukraine to give up its quest to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a European and North American alliance of which the United States is a founding member. A similar demand was made by Russia in June last year during that round of peace negotiations.

The Kremlin also asked for the lifting of Western sanctions, protection for Russian speakers in Ukraine, and a resolution to unfreeze the $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets that are currently being held in Europe, Reuters reports.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
The golden age of cheap domestic flights  the one none of us knew we were in  may be coming to an abrupt end. At least, for now. Major U.S. airlines are sounding alarm bells about an industry-wide crisis that could fundamentally reshape how Americans travel, with Frontier Airlines leading the charge in what appears to be a coordinated retreat from unprofitable routes. In other words: Thanks to a questionable economy, Americans are traveling less, profits are down, and airlines feel forced to cut the fat.

Zbynek Pospisil via Getty Images

The numbers are in  and they don't lie

Frontier Airlines, the nation's eighth-largest carrier, delivered a sobering reality check in its second-quarter 2025 earnings report. Despite generating $929 million in revenue, the airline posted a staggering $70 million net loss. More alarming still, Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle didn't mince words during the earnings call: "We believe that the entire industry is not making money on domestic fares in the domestic market."

He's right  this isn't just Frontier's problem. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby echoed these concerns, revealing that a "double-digit percentage" of routes operated by carriers outside of United and Delta are hemorrhaging money. The writing on the wall is clear: Airlines can no longer afford to fly to destinations that don't turn a profit.

Several factors have converged to create this crisis. President Trump's broad tariff measures and government spending cuts have pressured consumers to scale back travel plans, creating a domino effect throughout the industry. The traditional summer travel season, typically the industry's cash cow, is underperforming dramatically this year due to weak demand for standard economy seats. (If you thought other countries bore the cost of tariffs, well, here's proof otherwise.)

Adding fuel to the fire, airplane safety concerns reached an all-time high in February, with Google searches for "Are planes safe now?" spiking 900%. Consumer confidence has plummeted to levels not seen in over four years, with future expectations for income and business conditions hitting a 12-year low.

baona via Getty Images

What this means for travelers

The implications for passengers are stark and immediate. Airlines are already implementing capacity cuts, with Frontier expecting third-quarter capacity to fall 3% to 5% from last year. These reductions will primarily target off-peak routes, midweek departures, smaller airports, and less-popular travel times.

Budget carriers like Spirit Airlines have already begun trimming flights, and travelers who typically book early-morning or midweek departures may find these options vanishing. The result? Fewer flight options, reduced service to smaller airports, higher fares on remaining routes, and more crowded peak travel periods.

Travel experts recommend booking early, considering alternative airports, and maintaining schedule flexibility. The era of last-minute deals and convenient flight times may be ending faster than anyone anticipated. While premium and long-haul travel bookings remain stable, the days of abundant, cheap domestic flight options appear numbered. Airlines are prioritizing profitability over route diversity, signaling a fundamental shift in the industry's approach. And, possibly, a fundamental shift in how Americans travel. Amtrak, anyone?
Prenuvo; Shannen Zitz



"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



Ive always believed in being proactive about my health, but like most people, I usually only see a doctor when something feels wrong or if Im overdue for an annual exam. That changed when I learned about the Prenuvo scana whole-body MRI designed to detect serious conditions like cancer, aneurysms, and degenerative diseases before symptoms appear. The idea of a non-invasive, radiation-free scan that could potentially catch issues early intrigued me. Still, I was skeptical. Its not a medically necessary procedure, is quite pricey (more on this later), and not widely available. Would it be just another wellness trend wrapped in high-tech marketing, or could it actually be the latest health breakthroughor better yet, a life-saving health screening?

Prenuvo has gained a lot of attention lately, especially after celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner publicly endorsed it, calling it a life-saving machine. Though I dont have an endless health budget of a Hollywood elite, I was lucky enough to receive a complimentary Enhanced Screening. Im 27 years old, generally healthy, and have no major concerns aside from some chronic neck pain and degenerative disc disease, of which Ive already had imaging and treatment. Still, with a family history of cancer and a growing awareness that symptoms dont always show up until its too late (Ive worked at Prevention for years), the opportunity to really see whats going on inside my body excited me.

Meet the experts: Daniel Durand, M.D., M.B.A., chief medical officer and president of Prenuvo Medical Group; Ken Berry, M.D., family physician and co-author of Common Sense Labs; and Mia Kazanjian, M.D., board-certified radiologist specializing in breast and body imaging

The entire process, from booking the appointment to the scan itself to my post-scan consultation, was overall a positive experience. In this Prenuvo review, Ill walk through what the appointment was like, the cost, what my screening found, what medical experts think of a (non-medically-necessary) whole-body MRI, and ultimately, whether I think it was worth it.



What is a whole-body MRI scan?

An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging technique that uses protons, magnets, and radio frequency pulses to create a detailed picture of the inside of the body, says Mia Kazanjian, M.D., board-certified radiologist specializing in breast and body imaging. It has no radiation, unlike CT scans and X-rays. MRI is typically used on individual parts of the body, like the pelvis or the head, on an as-needed basis. Whole-body MRI, on the other hand, does exactly what it sounds like: It uses the same magnetic resonance imaging technology to take a picture of the whole body, which, at Prenuvo, takes about an hour.

Typically, imaging is done in a very focused manner based on a specific question that another physician is asking, says Daniel Durand, M.D., M.B.A., chief medical officer and president of Prenuvo Medical Group. What Prenuvo does is digitize the entire body. You can think of Prenuvo as a tech-enabled, direct-to-specialist care model. Were digitizing the human body with the most powerful tool, which is MRI, and then were having a radiologist do a head-to-toe, on the inside, examination of the patient.

An important note about the limitations of whole-body MRI: Preunvo exists to layer on top of existing screenings. This is in addition to, not a replacement of, and we have always said that, Dr. Durand explains. The idea is that if you have a primary care doctor and youre doing your routine screenings, Prenuvo supercharges all that. Our belief is that whole body MRI, plus existing screenings, offers a level of diagnostic accuracy and reassurance that goes beyond anything that came before.

Ken Berry, M.D., family physician and co-author of Common Sense Labs, agrees that right now, whole-body MRI doesnt replace guideline-based screening (like colonoscopies or mammograms). Its a supplemental tool, not a substitute, he says. Whole-body MRI can detect early cancers, aneurysms, and neurological issues, but its not always better than traditional screening. Dr. Berry says if you have a strong family history of cancer, a genetic risk, or a history of serious illness, it may be worth considering, but hes cautious about recommending it for the average healthy adult.

My experience

I underwent the Enhanced Screening, the most thorough evaluation Prenuvo offers. This included a whole-body MRI, which covered the brain, chest, abdomen, pelvis, spine, and major vasculature, free from radiation or contrast; a body composition analysis and advanced brain health assessment (taken during the MRI); and a comprehensive bloodwork panel.

The actual experience of getting the MRI was fairly painless. Before the procedure, I was sent a fairly lengthy survey of my medical history to determine whether it was safe for me to undergo the scan and ascertain any health concerns I may have. I also took Prenuvo up on the offer to take a light sedative before heading in to ease any anxiety or claustrophobia to make the experience more comfortable. Then, I arrived at the Manhattan location ready to sit still in an MRI machine for just about an hour. Surprisingly, that hour went by pretty quickly. They gave me the option to choose a show or movie to watch on Netflix during the scan (I decided on Ginny and Georgia), which helped move things along mentally. Before I knew it, I was heading home, where a nurse from a concierge service employed by Prenuvo later drew my blood for the bloodwork portion.

About two weeks after my scan, Prenuvo reached out to schedule my post-scan consultation with Vikash Modi, M.D., senior medical director of preventative medicine at Prenuvo. My virtual consultation with Dr. Modi lasted about 45 minutes, and he walked me through my scan, all of my bloodwork, my body composition analysis, and brain health assessment. He also answered any questions I had and gave me a few suggestions regarding my health moving forward.

Courtesy of Shannen Zitz

The results

About a week prior to officially receiving my results, I got a call from Dr. Modi to discuss one potentially urgent finding from my bloodwork. My blood panel showed that I had a glucose level of 38, which can be very dangerous. We discussed that this was likely due to fasting all day before the bloodwork (which I had scheduled for 3:00 p.m.), as my A1c (a blood test that measures the average blood glucose from the last two-to-three months) was normal. But I was advised to repeat bloodwork with my primary care physician as a precaution. Dr. Modi then reassured me that there were no other major findings on my scan or my bloodwork, but that we would discuss it further at my official consultation.

Fast forward to that appointment: Dr. Modi thoroughly went over my results, starting with my bloodwork, then my scan, the brain health assessment, and finally body composition analysis.

Thankfully, my bloodwork showed Im in good health, which was reassuring since the blood panel was very comprehensive. However, as Dr. Berry explains, comprehensive doesnt always mean useful. While it did give me a lot of peace of mind, Dr. Berry says that although most doctors dont order enough bloodwork, as I discuss in Common Sense Labs, it is also true that ordering too much labwork creates a new set of problems, including confusion and the potential for reacting when it may not be medically needed.

My scan, however, did show one moderate finding, four minor findings, and one informational finding. In addition to my virtual consultation with Dr. Modi, I was able to visit the Prenuvo online dashboard, which features an interactive and informative report.

Courtesy of Prenuvo and Shannen Zitz

Heres a deeper look at those findings:

FLAIR hyperintense lesion, right frontal lobe. This sounds scary, but it was actually one of my minor findings. On the Prenuvo app, it was labeled a small vessel ischemia, which is a term describing the changes that occur by disrupting the small blood vessels in the brain, and is often a sign of poor cardiovascular health. However, Dr. Modi reassured me that the online interface is always being updated, and that the patient-facing side doesnt always align perfectly with the clinical interpretation. In my case, it may have been caused by head injuries I sustained during my time as a cheerleader. I had no signs of white matter disease, aneurysm, growths, or masses, and overall, my brain volume was very healthy.

Scoliosis. I knew about this minor finding previously from a recent X-ray. I have mild scoliosis in my lumbar spine.

Spondyloarthropathy of the cervical and thoracic spine. These are two minor findings I was also aware of from previous imaging. Spondyloarthropathy is the medical term for degenerative arthritis. I have long struggled with neck and upper back pain, and have been undergoing treatment (mainly physical therapy) for a few months now. Discussing these findings with Dr. Modi reassured me that Im doing everything right in my current treatment plan.

Hemorrhagic ovarian cysts. This was my only moderate finding; one that I was not previously aware of. While Im not experiencing any symptoms due to these benign, fluid-filled ovarian cysts, Im glad I know about them now in case they ever do rupture or cause any complications. While Dr. Modi didnt officially diagnose me, he suggested these may be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) due to my semi-irregular menstrual cycle, history of acne, and recent struggle to lose weight. He suggested some supplements I might consider taking and made me aware of the typical treatment and medications doctors usually prescribe, should I ever seek that.

Dense breast tissue. The scan also revealed that I have dense breast tissue, which means I have more glandular tissue (as opposed to fat tissue) in my breasts, which may make it more difficult to screen for breast cancer with a typical mammogram. I was already aware of this, as I have a history of breast cysts, which is why I get regular ultrasounds. I was a little surprised the Prenuvo MRI did not pick these up, but Dr. Modi explained that the threshold for breast cysts at Prenuvo is around five millimeters. So, anything smaller than that (which my cysts likely are) would not be picked up by the MRI. Its a see-a-lot test, not a see-everything test, Dr. Modi said.

Following my bloodwork and MRI scan, Dr. Modi went over my brain health assessment, which measured the volume of every structure within the brain. Thankfully, all of those structures in my brain fell into normal ranges.

Finally, we discussed my body composition analysis, which showed data for total muscle mass, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat. This test is very useful, says Dr. Berry. Knowing visceral fat and muscle mass is much better than just looking at Body Mass Index (BMI), he explains. (Note: Prevention no longer uses BMI as a measurement of health.) Again, thankfully, Dr. Modi ensured that for the most part, my analysis falls into normal ranges for my age and sex, except that I actually have a bit more muscle mass than average, which is a good thing. This test was really interesting to look at because it included a very detailed analysis of hip and lower body muscle volume, as well as a symmetry analysis. None of this was major, but it did confirm a few things I suspected about the way my body works and moves.

Are whole-body MRIs the future of preventative healthcare?

Its difficult to say. The essence of what Prenuvo does, and I think its poorly understood, is that we dont by ourselves prevent anything. But, we can absolutely help a patient choose their own destiny and pursue the right preventative strategies, because we can show them whats going on in them, as opposed to just general advice, Dr. Durand explains. However, as Dr. Durand and the Prenuvo website state, there are limitations.

I asked Dr. Berry, an unaffiliated family physician, whether whole-body MRIs can meaningfully replace or reduce the need for standard individualized screenings based on modern-day recommendations. He said, not right now. It doesnt replace guideline-based screening. It cant do what a colonoscopy or mammogram does, and it doesnt offer the same level of detail. Its a supplemental tool, not a substitute, Dr. Berry explained. If it could fully replace traditional tests, Id be on board, but the evidence just isnt there yet.



Dr. Kazanjian adds that whole-body MRI tends to be more effective at detecting lesions in the kidneys, pancreas, lymph nodes, and bones, among some others, but that the screenings ability to characterize them as benign or malignant may be limited. She adds that whole-body MRI does not effectively screen for some of the most common cancers, including skin cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and cervical cancer.

And while there will certainly be findings of import on these exams, including brain aneurysms, evidence of autoimmune diseases, metabolic syndromes, and small cancers, among others, Dr. Kazanjian explains, its impossible to say whether whole-body MRI truly leads to improved health outcomes or whether those results would be uncovered via traditional screening methods. Theres also the aspect of incidental or benign findings, which are clinically insignificant (meaning they cause no harm), but create a type of scanxiety, or anxiety felt by patients pre- and post-scan, Dr. Kazanjian says.

The cost and impact

My Enhanced Screening at the Manhattan location has a cost of $4,500, but it varies based on the exact scan you choose, and sometimes, the location. There are less costly options, like the regular whole-body MRI ($2,500) or the torso-only MRI ($999). Prenuvo also offers its Warriors Program, which offers discounted services to first responders, military members, and veterans.

While some doctors, like Dr. Kazanjian, do recommend whole-body MRI for high-risk individuals (like those with a strong family history of cancer and/or genetic mutations) and for patients with cancers such as multiple myeloma and lymphoma, it is generally not recommended for the general population, she explains. I do not think this is cost-effective for the population, particularly given the large percentage of false positives with the necessity for costly follow-ups, says Dr. Kazanjian. I say this even if the initial service were cost-free.

Dr. Durand also acknowledges that not everybody can afford the Prenuvo model of healthcare today. Thats why he says Prenuvo is working every day to harness the powers of artificial intelligence to become more efficient, which will allow them to bring prices down long-term.

In terms of side effects, MRI, including whole-body MRI, is mostly safe. The scanxiety and inconsequential benign findings that Dr. Kazanjian points out are the main downsides. As with any MRI, its important to tell your doctor and radiologist if you have any metal or electrical implants in your body (such as pacemakers and infusion pumps), as the magnetic field generated by the MRI machine can pose a hazard to patients in these cases. The detailed questionnaire sent over by the Prenuvo team before your appointment covers these in length, and your radiologist will also inquire about any metal in or on your body before your scan.

The bottom line

These scans have potential and may help in the future, but right now theyre best for people with high risk or specific concerns or a lot of disposable income, Dr. Berry explains. For the average person, they often create more questions than answers. Too much testing can lead to fear, cost, and harm, especially when theres no clear benefit. Prevention and early detection are very important, but it has to be reasonable and relevant, not just expensive.

Reflecting on my experience with the whole-body MRI at Prenuvo, I feel fortunate to have had access to such advanced technology. The scan provided valuable insights into my bodys health that I wouldnt have otherwise had. However, while I wouldnt hesitate to recommend it to those who have the resources and are curious about their health, I do believe its important to approach it with a balanced perspective. From a cost-benefit standpoint, its not yet a universally essential tool in healthcare, and its value largely depends on individual circumstances and priorities.

The best advice I can give to the people reading this is the advice I live by and the advice I give my patients. This is the same advice I give my motherand I love my mother. Its to live a healthy lifekeep a healthy weight, eat whole grains and vegetables and lean protein, exercise regularly, sleep seven hours a night, avoid tobacco and alcohol, and get annual checkups, recommended screenings, and vaccines with your doctor, Dr. Kazanjian says. Prevention is the best medicine.

You Might Also Like
(Reuters) -Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan was due to visit the White House on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump called for his removal last week, a source familiar with the matter said.

Intel and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Tan is expected to have an extensive conversation with Trump while looking to explain his personal and professional background, according to the Wall Street Journal, which broke the news, adding that he could propose ways Intel and the U.S. government could work together, the paper said.

Tan hopes to win Trump's approval by showing his commitment to the U.S. and guaranteeing the importance of keeping Intel's manufacturing capabilities as a national security issue, the Journal added.

Last week, Trump demanded the immediate resignation of Tan, calling him "highly conflicted" due to his ties to Chinese firms and raising doubts about plans to turn around the struggling American chip icon.

It was a rare instance of a U.S. president publicly calling for a CEO's ouster and sparked debate among investors.

Tan said he shared the president's commitment to advancing U.S. national and economic security.

Reuters reported exclusively in April that Tan invested at least $200 million in hundreds of Chinese advanced manufacturing and chip firms, some of which were linked to the Chinese military.

Tan, a Malaysian-born Chinese American business executive, was also the CEO of Cadence Design from 2008 through December 2021, during which time the chip design software maker sold products to a Chinese military university believed to be involved in simulating nuclear explosions.

Last month, Cadence agreed to plead guilty and pay more than $140 million to resolve the U.S. charges over the sales, which Reuters first reported.

(Reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan in Bengaluru and Max Cherney in San Francisco; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Richard Chang)
Illustration: Laura Formisano/AI. Photos: Lindsay Tigar

Theres a story my husband and I always love to tell new friends. Back when we first started dating  those long, luxurious hours filled with endless conversation  he casually mentioned that in Denmark, where hes from, its totally normal for babies to nap outside. In all kinds of weather. Even when its freezing.

He explained how parents will tuck their babies into snuggly bassinets, leave them outside a cafe and go inside for a coffee. Today, theyll use a simple audio monitor. In the 80s, his mother didnt use a monitor at all. He claimed it was good for their health and even made them better sleepers.

As someone who spent years traveling the world as a journalist, I thought Id heard it all  but this absolutely floored me. My anxious, type-A American brain couldnt comprehend it.

What if the baby got kidnapped? I asked, horrified.

He blinked, shrugged, and said, Who would want to kidnap a baby? Theyre a lot of work.

Its probably funnier to us than to anyone else, but that conversation perfectly captures what its like raising multicultural children. It all seems foreign  until it doesnt. Were married now with two daughters  both of whom, believe it or not, have taken most of their naps outside. Not quite curbside in Copenhagen, but on our screened-in porch at our home in western North Carolina, bundled up and with a monitor nearby. And he was right: they slept so well. Especially in the cold.

Lindsay Tigar

Raising multicultural kids is equal parts joy and chaos, with a healthy dose of privilege. My husband moved here for college over a decade ago and will soon become a citizen. When we met  right before he received his green card from work  we talked often about how we wanted our future children to inherit the best of both of our cultures, values and worlds. While were currently rooted in North Carolina, our long-term plan is to move to Denmark once the girls reach school age, giving me the chance to be the immigrant this time around.

So far, the journey has been full of beauty  and challenges. Navigating two very different countries, traditions and sets of parenting opinions isnt always seamless. But the in-between space is where our family lives. And that space? Its starting to feel like home.



English, Danish or Josefine-ish?

On the advice of our pediatrician, we decided early on to raise our first-born daughter, Josefine, in a bilingual home: my husband would speak exclusively Danish to her and I would speak English. He reads her Danish books, sings Danish songs and keeps the language alive through daily conversation and ritual. Weve asked his Danish family and friends to do the same, whether its over FaceTime or during our annual trips to Denmark. I dont speak Danish  quite yet!  but Im learning as she does.

Our very talkative now 3-year-old today speaks at lightning speed, switching between English and Danish words, and we just do our best to keep up. And to translate: We often have to decipher if shes speaking English, Danish or Josefine-ish, her own made-up language thats a mix between both of her parents native tongues.



Since English is the language she hears most  at daycare, with friends and throughout our daily life here  thats what she speaks most often. But she understands everything her dad says to her in Danish, even if she answers in English. Parenting in a language you dont fully understand adds a whole other layer to the experience  I often feel like Im witnessing a relationship I cant entirely access.

Were hopeful that as she grows, and especially as we eventually spend more time in Denmark, both languages will come more naturally. Its a slow, imperfect process, but we know that early exposure to multiple languages can support brain development and deepen her connection to both sides of her family.

Illustration: Laura Formisano/AI. Photos: Lindsay Tigar

When picking Josefines name and her sisters Mayas name, it was important to us for them to make sense and be easy to pronounce in each language. My husband is Rasmus, which is challenging for Americans to pronounce, and mine is Lindsay, which isnt a name at all in Denmark. We went with the Danish spelling for Josefines name, and picked the English spelling for Mayas, since we thought the Danish spelling  Maja  would be confusing outside of Nordic countries.

Trying to learn Danish alongside my children has had its ups and downs. While I still stumble when trying to respond, I can easily follow along when my husband asks Josefine to grab her shoes, choose a snack, or  for the love of god  please go to sleep. Its a skill thats already proving useful as our girls grow. Not only do I have hopes of becoming bilingual myself, but there's an added bonus: they wont be able to talk behind my back to their dad when theyre teenagers.

Different countries, different recommendations

When you bring your brand-new baby home from the hospital in the United States, the nurses tell you to look for one diaper on day one, two diapers on day two, three on day three  and so on. And if your baby isnt meeting this golden rule, you call the doctor ASAP. This all seems straightforward enough, but on day four, when Josefine didnt have the four diapers  we panicked. Our doctors office was closed for the weekend, so we had to call the nurse hotline who told us she wasn't eating enough and the panic intensified. I pumped around the clock, gave her breastmilk through a syringe and counted down the hours until 8 a.m. on Monday arrived for the first available emergency appointment.

Lindsay Tigar

In the meantime, my husband thought to look up the Danish recommendations on diapers and newborns, and found it was more lenient and offered more of a range, versus a hard-fast rule. This gave us peace of mind and it inspired our "parenting philosophy" ever since. We look at the United States recommendations and the Danish authority, and we find what works for us somewhere in the middle.

However, we are careful not to talk about it to our friends or family because, well, everyone will have an opinion since in many cases, they are vastly different. For example, in the U.S., sleep recommendations are more cautious, following strict AAP ( American Academy of Pediatrics ) guidelines around supervised sleep and controlled environments  no bumpers, no blankets, no anything. In Denmark, as you know, babies sleep outside bundled up, co-sleeping is common and baby monitors are not always used.

In Denmark, breastfeeding is strongly encouraged  and funded. Lactation support is available and free for those who need it. Because parental leave is much longer (usually up to a year), women have more time to navigate breastfeeding challenges without having to worry about building up a freezer stash for returning to work. Solids like rye bread and liver pate are often introduced between four and six months. In the U.S., breastfeeding is strongly promoted by health institutions, yet there is no federal support for new mothers. The conversations around formula feeding are changing but still carry a stigma in mom circles. Solids typically start around six months, with an emphasis on purees or baby-led weaning, depending on the trendy parenting philosophy of the moment.

As Josefine has grown into toddlerhood, weve naturally started leaning into what my husband jokingly calls a healthy amount of Danish gaslighting. In Denmark, kids are raised to be independent from the start and are viewed as valued members of society  not just tiny people to manage and encourage to "be quiet" and "sit still." Crying isnt treated as a crisis: its seen as a normal part of baby and toddlerhood, which means theres less pressure to constantly fix it. Parents are generally more relaxed about letting children self-soothe.

You can see this cultural difference play out on playgrounds in Copenhagen, where kids of all ages roam freely and confidently, while parents watch from nearby benches  not hovering, just present. Its a stark contrast to the helicopter-style supervision you often see in the U.S., and honestly, its kind of liberating.

Weve learned theres no perfect recipe that blends our cultures  and we dont always see eye-to-eye. Our biggest point of tension is around safety and independence as our toddler plays. In his Danish upbringing, kids are encouraged to roam more freely, take risks and maybe even get a little hurt. Its seen as a natural part of learning.

I, on the other hand, am more cautious. My instinct is to hover, redirect, anticipate every fall. Navigating that difference has taken some trial and error  and a lot of compromise. Hes comfortable letting her play alone in our playroom; I asked to install a camera so I can peek in when I need to. If they head to the big playground in town  the one with the steep slides and climbing nets that make me a little nervous  I stay home and trust that hes got it covered. (Which, of course, he does.) These kinds of trade-offs have become our way of honoring both perspectives while building something that works for our family.

Illustration: Laura Formisano/AI. Photos: Lindsay Tigar

Blending of traditions and mourning of "home"

One of the things I love most about Danish culture is its deep-rooted traditions. Holidays, birthdays any kind of celebration  theyre all marked with rituals that feel rich, universal and proudly shared. Theres a collective sense of identity around these moments thats quite different from what I experienced growing up in the United States. Of course, Denmark is much smaller  its entire population is less than that of New York City  so its easier to cultivate a national culture with shared traditions.

In the U.S., traditions are hyperlocal. They vary by zip code, by region, by family history. I grew up in the South, then spent a decade in New York City, then traveled the world for two years, then Boston, before returning home to raise my kids. My husband, on the other hand, had 30 first cousins  and only two of them are currently living outside of Denmark. That kind of closeness is common in Denmark, where many families live just a few blocks from each other. In the States, children grow up and move away. Its harder to hold onto shared rituals when your village is scattered across time zones.

Now, as a blended family, were doing our best to preserve and combine both cultures by not choosing either/or, but embracing and. We light the advent candle and open presents on Christmas Day. Santa, according to Danish tradition, lives in Greenland and the North Pole exists in Christmas movies, too. (My kids are too young to question how exactly Santa splits his time between the two.) We serve English and Danish dishes at Christmas and Easter. We sing Happy Birthday in two languages, and we always top our cake with Danish flags. (And on that topic: Danes are crazy about their flags! Its part of decorating for Christmas, for birthdays, for nearly any gathering or celebration.)

Still, with all the toggling between two cultures, it sometimes feels hard to know what version of home we belong to. Of course, wherever we are with our daughters, thats home  but one of us is always missing something. My husband misses his family, the pace and comforts of Denmark. When we relocate, Ill miss mine, along with the convenience and familiarity of American life. Theres a constant tug-of-war between nostalgia and possibility, identity and tradition.

I wonder sometimes how this will shape our daughters as they grow up with dual passports and multiple answers to the question, Where are you from? Will they feel an identity crisis? Will they feel stretched between two worlds  or lucky to belong to both? My hope is, like us, theyll eventually find peace in the in-between.

In Danish, the word for mother is mor  pronounced like more. And thats exactly how Ive come to think about this experience of mothering multicultural children: more love, more complexity, more flexibility, more chaos, more joy, more choice. More of everything. And I hope, most of all, that they grow up knowing they got more of the best we could give.

You Might Also Like
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said on "Meet the Press" that Russia and Ukraine would likely need to exchange some land to reach a ceasefire agreement. (NBC News)

WASHINGTON  Sen. Lindsey Graham said in an interview on NBC News Meet the Press that Russia and Ukraine would have to swap some territory to end the war, echoing President Donald Trumps comments about land exchanges.

I want to be honest with you, Ukraine is not going to evict every Russian, and Russia is not going to Kyiv, so there will be some land swaps at the end, Graham, R-S.C., said during Sundays interview.

That idea has been a non-starter for Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that Ukraine would not give their land to occupiers. His comments came after Trump said on Friday that therell be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both.

Graham said land exchanges would only happen after you have security guarantees to Ukraine to prevent Russia from doing this again.

You need to tell Putin what happens if he does it a third time, Graham said, referring to Russia annexing Crimea in 2014 in addition to Russias 2022 invasion.

Asked during the interview whether it was the right move for Trump to hold a summit with Russias President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this Friday in an attempt to broker a ceasefire agreement, Graham said he was very okay with the meeting, later adding that he hoped Zelenskyy could be involved.

You cant end a war without talking. I do hope that Zelenskyy can be part of the process. Ill leave that up to the White House, he said.

NBC News previously reported that the White House was considering inviting Zelenskyy to the meeting. Asked on CNNs State of the Union whether Zelenskyy might attend, U.S. ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said, I certainly think its possible.

Certainly there cant be a deal that everybody thats involved in it doesnt agree to, Whitaker said Sunday. Referring to the idea of territorial exchange, he no big chunks or sections are going to be just given that havent been fought for or earned on the battlefield.

Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S., said on CBS Face the Nation that Zelenskyy would be willing to travel to Alaska.

We have shown that he is ready to be anywhere to advance the agenda of peace, Markarova said. So if needed, President Zelenskyy of course will be present at the meetings.

Markarova also pushed back against the concept of buffer zones, calling it an outdated idea. She referred to the frontlines of the war as the frontline between evil and good, saying that the question is whether that boundary would be on Ukraines borders or in Europe.

Grahams comments on the exchange of territory are a shift from his previous position. In 2023, he said in a statement that The Ukrainians understand you dont end wars by giving territory to the aggressor. The senator also warned at the time that if Putin was not stopped in Ukraine, he will keep going, increasing the chance that NATO could be drawn into a war.

Asked on Sunday about those comments, Graham pointed to what he believed should be done to deter Russia from invading Ukraine a third time. He said the U.S. and allies should continue arming Ukraine, put some European forces on the ground, and build up economic integration.

If Putin were to invade Ukraine again, he would be fighting more than just Ukraine, having some European forces on the ground as trip wires, Graham said.

He also pointed to the split of Germanys capital after World War II into East and West Berlin and later reunification, noting that the city existed divided for a very long time.

In an interview taped before Trump announced the Alaska summit, Vice President JD Vance said a negotiated settlement would probably have elements that neither side likes.

"Its not going to make anybody super happy," Vance said. "Both the Russians and the Ukrainians, probably, at the end of the day, are going to be unhappy with it.

In the interview, which aired Sunday, Vance said Trump "needs to force President Putin and President Zelenskyy, really, to sit down, to figure out their differences."

"The way to peace is to have a decisive leader sit down and force people to come together," Vance said.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in an interview on ABCs This Week that Ukraine must be involved in moves to end the war.

Lets hope that Friday will be an important step in that process, he said. We need Ukraine at the table. It will be about territory. It will be, of course, about security guarantees, but also about the absolute need to acknowledge that Ukraine decides on its own future.

Rutte said neither Ukraines troop levels nor NATOs presence on the eastern flank in countries like Latvia, Estonia and Finland should be limited.

Separately, former national security adviser John Bolton, who served during Trumps first term, criticized the location of the Trump-Putin summit. Holding this meeting on American soil was legitimizing a pariah leader of a rogue state, he said on ABCs This Week.

Hes allowed Putin to get first mover advantage by putting his peace plan on the table first, Bolton said.
Police arrest protesters supporting the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action in London on Saturday. - Mike Kemp/In Pictures/Getty Images

Police have arrested 466 people in central London on Saturday for protesting the British governments decision to ban the pro-Palestinian activist group Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws.

As of 9pm, 466 people had been arrested for showing support for Palestine Action, the Metropolitan Police wrote on X on Saturday.

Eight arrests were made for other offences, including five for assaults on officers, but police said none were seriously injured.

Palestine Action is a UK-based group which says it aims to disrupt the operations of weapons manufacturers supplying the Israeli government.

Last month, UK lawmakers voted to proscribe the group after two Palestine Action activists broke into Britains largest air base in central England in June, damaging two military aircraft.

The groups ban makes it illegal under UK law to be a member of  or invite support for  Palestine Action and puts them on par with terrorist organizations such as Hamas, al Qaeda and ISIS.

Large crowds turned up for demonstrations organized by Defend Our Juries on Saturday afternoon at Londons Parliament Square. Londons Metropolitan Police had cautioned that it would arrest anyone showing support for the proscribed group.

One 80-year-old protestor from Surrey, England, who wished to remain anonymous, told CNN that she attended the protest to show what a farce the governments decision on Palestine Action was.

She said organizers were aiming to have at least 500 people sitting peacefully with signs. I watched a few being carried off by police but there simply werent enough police to arrest all, she added.

A demonstrator sits on the ground in handcuffs during the protest in London on Saturday. - Alberto Pezzali/AP

People attend a rally challenging the British government's proscription of the activist group Palestine Action in London on Saturday, - Jaimi Joy/Reuters

The demonstration organizers said on social media that upwards of one thousand people attended the protest, holding up signs that read I oppose Genocide, I support Palestine Action in a mass display of defiance against (British Home Secretary) Yvette Coopers ban.

The Metropolitan Police stated that approximately 500 to 600 people were in attendance when the demonstration began. Many were onlookers, media, or people not holding placards supporting Palestine Action, police said in an earlier statement.

We are confident that anyone who came to Parliament Square today to hold a placard expressing support for Palestine Action was either arrested or is in the process of being arrested, Scotland Yard added.

Those arrested at the protest were taken to prisoner processing points in the Westminster area, and those whose details could be confirmed were bailed, with conditions not to attend any further protest in support of Palestine Action, police also said.

A CNN team on the ground witnessed scuffles between protestors and police, as demonstrators were arrested and taken away for supporting Palestine Action. Onlookers were heard shouting shame on you as police officers removed peaceful protestors from the area.

British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper thanked police for dealing with the very small number of people whose actions crossed the line into criminality.

The right to protest is one we protect fiercely but this is very different from displaying support for this one specific and narrow, proscribed organisation, she said, according to the UKs Press Association.

Amnesty International UK condemned the arrest of peaceful protesters as a violation of the UKs international obligations to protect the rights of freedom of expression and assembly, in a post on X.

Last week, Palestine Actions co-founder Huda Ammori won a bid to challenge the ban, with a London High Court judge granting permission to seek a judicial review.

CNNs Jonny Hallam and Billy Stockwell contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
(Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The Trump administration reportedly fired Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Chief Billy Long for refusing to release tax information on illegal migrants, The Washington Post reported.

A deal was worked out in April between the Treasury Department  parent agency of the IRS  and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), two people familiar with the situation told The Washington Post. The IRS would send taxpayer data to verify the addresses of about 40,000 people DHS thinks are in the United States illegally. (RELATED: Department Of Homeland Security Confirms Abrego Garcia Stopped On Suspicion Of Human Trafficking)

DHS officials later suggested that they would eventually need tax information of about 7 million people thought to be in the U.S. illegally, The Washington Post reported. There are reportedly about 11 million illegal migrants in the U.S.

Privacy lawyers at the IRS objected to the data sharing, arguing that this information is confidential.

IRS officials responded to DHS Friday and said that they could provide less than 3 percent of the 40,000 listed names provided by immigration enforcement officials. These people had individual taxpayer identification numbers provided by DHS, which migrants often use in place of Social Security numbers on tax filings.

DHS said in a statement that the agreement with the IRS outlines a process to ensure that sensitive taxpayer information is protected, while allowing law enforcement to effectively pursue criminal violations, The Washington Post reported. After four years of Joe Biden flooding the nation with illegal aliens, these processes streamline pursuit of violent criminals, scrub these individuals from voter rolls, identify what public benefits these aliens are using at taxpayer expense, all while protecting American citizens safety and data, the statement said. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement, The Trump administration is working in lockstep to eliminate information silos and to prevent illegal aliens from taking advantage of benefits meant for hardworking American taxpayers. Any absurd assertion other than everyone being aligned on the mission is simply false and totally fake news, she added after The Washington Post story was published. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will serve as the interim IRS commissioner.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Friday's summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska will be an important test in ending the war in Ukraine.

"Next Friday will be important because it will be about testing Putin, how serious he is on bringing this terrible war to an end," Rutte told ABC News' "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl.

"When it comes to full-scale negotiations, and lets hope that Friday will be an important step in that process. ... It will be about territory. It will be, of course, about security guarantees, but also about the absolute need to acknowledge that Ukraine decides on its own future, that Ukraine has to be a sovereign nation, deciding on its own geopolitical future -- of course having no limitations to its own military troop levels. And for NATO, to have no limitations on our presence on the eastern flank," Rutte added.

MORE: Trump says he'll meet with Putin next Friday in Alaska

"The president wants to end this. He wants to end the terrible loss of life," Rutte said.

ABC News - PHOTO: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte appears on "This Week" on Aug. 10, 2025.

The NATO chief also acknowledged the reality that Russia is in control of some of Ukraine's prewar territory.

"The question will be how to go forward past a ceasefire, including what it means in terms of security guarantees for Ukraine," he said.

He continued, "When it comes to this whole issue of territory, when it comes to acknowledging, for example, maybe in a future deal that Russia is controlling de facto, factually some of the territory of Ukraine, it has to be effectual recognition, and not a political de jure recognition."

In recent days, Trump has suggested some swapping of territories as part of a potential peace deal. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected ceding any Ukrainian territory, particularly the eastern Donbas region, to prompt a ceasefire, and urged that Kyiv must be present in the negotiations. Several European nations similarly say there should be no peace talks without Ukraine present.

While Rutte sung the president's praises regarding this upcoming meeting, former Trump national security adviser John Bolton, who also appeared on "This Week," was critical of Trump's approach to dealing with Putin.

MORE: Vance in UK for high-stakes diplomacy day after Trump announces Putin meeting

"I think Trump has made some mistakes already, number one in holding this meeting on American soil, legitimizing a pariah leader of the rogue state. Second, he's allowed Putin to get first-mover advantage by putting his peace plan on the table first," Bolton said.

Bolton added, "What Putin gets more than anything else is an opportunity, one on one, to try and get his magic working again with Trump, applying that KGB training. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, he pushed Trump further than Trump wanted to be pushed. And you saw the reaction. What Putin wants to get back, he's not so worried about the sanctions, he wants the relationship back with Trump. We'll see if he gets it."

Here are more highlights from Rutte's interview:

On whether there are risks of rewarding Russia with summit

Karl: My next guest, Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton, says that this meeting comes in a very dangerous point for Ukraine, and he fears that negotiations are sliding in Russia's direction. Is there a risk that something is agreed to here that rewards Russia for its invasion of Ukraine?

Rutte: No, I don't think the risk is there. And all my respect for John, and please send him my best regards. But I would not agree on this point with him. We have seen President Trump putting incredible pressure on Russia. What happened last week, the extra 25% tariffs on India, because we know that India is one of the biggest buyers of oil from and, and other material from Russia. And this has had a huge impact potentially on the Indian economy, and this is forcing them to be much more clear with Moscow on what they expect Putin to do when it comes to this war in Ukraine. But also the fact that he opened the floodgates again when it comes to lethal weapons being delivered into Ukraine paid by the Europeans but delivered by the Americans. So this is all clear evidence that President Trump is absolutely adamant to bring this war to an end but also to keep maximum pressure on Putin.

ABC News - PHOTO: Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton appears on "This Week" on Aug. 10, 2025.

Here are more highlights from Bolton's interview:

On Trump and Putin's relationship

Bolton: I think it's gone up and down, and certainly it's been in a down period. That's what Putin wants to try and correct. I think that by already prenegotiating part of the Putin plan, Zelenskyy is going to be put in a position where he's going to be presented with something that Trump may feel very comfortable with. And then you could be back closer to where we were in February during the famous debacle in the Oval Office with Zelenskyy. So it's not inevitable, but I think this is a very risky meeting upcoming from the perspective not just of Ukraine, but the Western alliance.

On Trump's strategy on Ukraine

Bolton: You know, ultimately, I don't think you negotiate under the circumstances that are being presented to them. And I think we've gone through 3 1/2 years here where neither the United States nor NATO have had an effective strategy for Ukraine to win. We've spent a lot of time making sure Russia doesn't lose. And I think the danger with Trump's present position is, notwithstanding allowing the Patriots to be deployed to Ukraine, he has not made any kind of commitment on continued military assistance, weapons, ammunition and most critically, intelligence.

On Trump's international record

Bolton: I don't think what he has done materially changes the situations in any of those circumstances or several others he's mentioned like Pakistan-India, where the Indians -- not just the government, the entire country -- were outraged that he tried to take credit for that. In Thailand-Cambodia, he simply threatened tariffs if they didn't sign a deal. They've signed a deal. Nothing has changed. And the real kicker in Azerbaijan-Armenia was the Russians allowing Azerbaijan to take control of Nagorno-Karabakh in the past year. So I think what Trump has done is make it clear that he wants a Nobel Peace Prize more than anything else.

On Trump's retribution

Bolton: Well, I think he's already come after me and several others in withdrawing the protection that we had for, from the Iranians for the attack on Qassem Soleimani. So I think, and I said in the new forward to the paperback edition of my book, I think it is a retribution presidency.
By Parisa Hafezi and Andrew Osborn

DUBAI/MOSCOW (Reuters) -Iran threatened on Saturday to block a corridor planned in the Caucasus under a regional deal sponsored by U.S. President Donald Trump, Iranian media reported, raising a new question mark over a peace plan hailed as a strategically important shift.

A top Azerbaijani diplomat said earlier that the plan, announced by Trump on Friday, was just one step from a final peace deal between his country and Armenia, which reiterated its support for the plan.

The proposed Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) would run across southern Armenia, giving Azerbaijan a direct route to its exclave of Nakhchivan and in turn to Turkey.

The U.S. would have exclusive development rights to the corridor, which the White House said would facilitate greater exports of energy and other resources.

It was not immediately clear how Iran, which borders the area, would block it but the statement from Ali Akbar Velayati, top adviser to Iran's supreme leader, raised questions over its security.

He said military exercises carried out in northwest Iran demonstrated the Islamic Republic's readiness and determination to prevent any geopolitical changes.

"This corridor will not become a passage owned by Trump, but rather a graveyard for Trump's mercenaries," Velayati said.

Iran's foreign ministry earlier welcomed the agreement "as an important step toward lasting regional peace", but warned against any foreign intervention near its borders that could "undermine the region's security and lasting stability".

Analysts and insiders say that Iran, under mounting US pressure over its disputed nuclear programme and the aftermath of a 12-day war with Israel in June, lacks the military power to block the corridor.

MOSCOW SAYS WEST SHOULD STEER CLEAR

Trump welcomed Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the White House on Friday and witnessed their signing of a joint declaration aimed at drawing a line under their decades-long on-off conflict.

Russia, a traditional broker and ally of Armenia in the strategically important South Caucasus region which is crisscrossed with oil and gas pipelines, was not included, despite its border guards being stationed on the border between Armenia and Iran.

While Moscow said it supported the summit, it proposed "implementing solutions developed by the countries of the region themselves with the support of their immediate neighbours  Russia, Iran and Turkey" to avoid what it called the "sad experience" of Western efforts to mediate in the Middle East.

Azerbaijan's close ally, NATO member Turkey, welcomed the accord.

Baku and Yerevan have been at odds since the late 1980s when Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous Azerbaijani region mostly populated by ethnic Armenians, broke away from Azerbaijan with support from Armenia. Azerbaijan took back full control of the region in 2023, prompting almost all of the territory's 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee to Armenia.

"The chapter of enmity is closed and now we're moving towards lasting peace," said Elin Suleymanov, Azerbaijan's ambassador to Britain, predicting that the wider region's prosperity and transport links would be transformed for the better.

"This is a paradigm shift," said Suleymanov, who as a former envoy to Washington who used to work in President Aliyev's office, is one of his country's most senior diplomats.

Suleymanov declined to speculate on when a final peace deal would be signed however, noting that Aliyev had said he wanted it to happen soon.

There remained only one obstacle, said Suleymanov, which was for Armenia to amend its constitution to remove a reference to Nagorno-Karabakh.

"Azerbaijan is ready to sign any time once Armenia fulfils the very basic commitment of removing its territorial claim against Azerbaijan in its constitution," he said.

MANY QUESTIONS UNANSWERED

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.

The Armenian leader said on X that the Washington summit had paved the way to end the decades of conflict and open transport connections that would unlock strategic economic opportunities.

Asked when the transit rail route would start running, Suleymanov said that would depend on cooperation between the U.S. and Armenia whom he said were already in talks.

Joshua Kucera, Senior South Caucasus analyst at International Crisis Group, said Trump may not have got the easy win he had hoped for as the agreements left many questions unanswered.

The issue of Armenia's constitution continued to threaten to derail the process, and it was not clear how the new transport corridor would work in practice.

"Key details are missing, including about how customs checks and security will work and the nature of Armenia's reciprocal access to Azerbaijani territory. These could be serious stumbling blocks," said Kucera.

Suleymanov played down suggestions that Russia, which still has extensive security and economic interests in Armenia, was being disadvantaged.

"Anybody and everybody can benefit from this if they choose to," he said.

(Additional reporting by Maxim Rodionov and Dubai newsroom; Editing by Philippa Fletcher)
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Saturday that a $1 billion settlement offer by President Donald Trump's administration for UCLA amounted to political extortion to which the state will not bow.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

The University of California says it is reviewing a $1 billion settlement offer by the Trump administration for UCLA after the government froze hundreds of millions of dollars in funding over pro-Palestinian protests.

UCLA, which is part of the University of California system, said this week the government froze $584 million in funding. Trump has threatened to cut federal funds for universities over pro-Palestinian student protests against U.S. ally Israel's military assault on Gaza.

KEY QUOTES

"Donald Trump has weaponized the DOJ (Department of Justice) to kneecap America's #1 public university system  freezing medical & science funding until @UCLA pays his $1 billion ransom," the office of Newsom, a Democrat, said in a post.

"California won't bow to Trump's disgusting political extortion," it added.

"This isn't about protecting Jewish students - it's a billion-dollar political shakedown from the pay-to-play president."

CONTEXT

The government alleges universities, including UCLA, allowed antisemitism during the protests and in doing so violated Jewish and Israeli students' civil rights. The White House had no immediate comment beyond the offer.

Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the government wrongly equates their criticism of Israel's war in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories with antisemitism, and their advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism.

Experts have raised free speech and academic freedom concerns over the Republican president's threats. The University of California says paying such a large settlement would "completely devastate" the institution.

UCLA PROTESTS AND ENVIRONMENT

Large demonstrations took place at UCLA last year. Last week, UCLA agreed to pay over $6 million to settle a lawsuit by some students and a professor who alleged antisemitism. It was also sued this year over a 2024 violent mob attack on pro-Palestinian protesters.

Rights advocates have noted a rise in antisemitism, anti-Arab bias and Islamophobia due to conflict in the Middle East. The Trump administration has not announced equivalent probes into Islamophobia.

RECENT SETTLEMENTS

The government has settled its probes with Columbia University, which agreed to pay over $220 million, and Brown University, which said it will pay $50 million. Both accepted certain government demands. Settlement talks with Harvard University are ongoing.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Andrea Ricci)
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) says that peace negotiations in Alaska between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could be a positive step forward.

If, in fact, an agreement can be negotiated which does not compromise what the Ukrainians feel that they need, I think thats a positive step forward. We all want to see an end to the bloodshed, he said on CNNs State of the Union with Dana Bash.

Trump and Putin are set to meet in Alaska on Aug. 15 to discuss a peace deal. The White House and NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker said its possible Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could also attend next week.

The president remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin, a senior White House official told NewsNations Libbey Dean on Saturday.

Last week, Putin presented a ceasefire deal to the Trump administration that demanded land concessions in Eastern Ukraine in exchange for a halt in fighting.

Any decisions that are against us, any decisions that are without Ukraine, are at the same time decisions against peace, Zelensky replied to the news in a post on the social platform X. They will not achieve anything. These are stillborn decisions. They are unworkable decisions. And we all need real and genuine peace. Peace that people will respect.

The talks in Alaska next week will discuss these land concessions, according to President Trump.

Youre looking at territory thats been fought over for three and a half years. A lot of Russians have died, a lot of Ukrainians. So were looking at that, but were actually to get some back and some swapping. Its complicated. Its actually  nothing easy. Its very complicated. But were going to get some back. And were going to get some switched, he said.

The Russian president has not been on U.S. soil since 2015 under the Obama administration, and direct talks have not been held since 2021 with former President Biden.

Tens and tens and tens of thousands of Russian soldiers have been killed, people in Ukraine are suffering terribly, because this guy [Putin] wanted to start the largest war since World War II in Europe, Sanders said when asked how he felt about Putin being on U.S. territory. So, you know, Im not a great fan of Vladimir Putin.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Hundreds of cases of sugar cookies sold at Target are being recalled for potential contamination by a "foreign material," according to a notice posted to the Food and Drug Administration's website.

Following the recall, Target has since removed all the impacted sugar cookies from stores and online, a Target spokesperson told USA TODAY.

The voluntary recall for the Favorite Day Bakery Frosted Sugar Cookies was issued on July 22 by Give and Go Prepared Foods Corp. in Canada, according to the FDA. Favorite Day is a private label brand sold at Target.

In total, 803 cases are being recalled due to the potential foreign contamination.

The cookies, which could potentially contain wood, were distributed across 20 different states and Washington, D.C., the notice stated.

The recall is classified as a Class II recall, meaning the product "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences," according to the FDA.

A press release was not issued for the recall, but as of Sunday, Aug. 10, the recall is ongoing.

Anyone who previously purchased the product can call Target Guest Relations at 1-800-440-0680 for a full refund.

83775376007

Where were the recalled sugar cookies sold?

The cookies were sold in the following states and districts:

Connecticut

District of Columbia

Delaware

Illinois

Indiana

Kentucky

Massachusetts

Maryland

Maine

Michigan

Montana

North Carolina

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

Ohio

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Tennessee

Virginia

Vermont

How to tell if you purchased the recalled product

The recalled cookies, Favorite Day Bakery Frosted Sugar Cookies, 10 count, were distributed by Target and produced in Canada.

The cookies are a part of Lot 25195, with the UPC number 85239-41250 3. The packs of cookies have varying Best By Dates, as that is determined by when the retailer removed the cookies from the freezers, according to the notice.

This story was updated with new information.

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Favorite Day sugar cookies sold at Target in 20 states recalled
AUSTIN  State Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, a South Texas Democrat, has spent the past week prowling near-empty halls in the Texas state Capitol, talking to any Republican lawmaker who would listen and trying to avert a U.S. Supreme Court showdown.

On the nearby House floor, Republican lawmakers maneuvered to try to launch a rare mid-decade redistricting effort. Theyve drawn up a new map of U.S. House districts that could give the GOP five more seats and help the party maintain control of the narrowly divided chamber.

Most of Raymonds Democratic colleagues left Texas in an attempt to bust the quorums needed for the legislature to pass the measure. But he stayed behind, trying to cajole, convince, pressure, or plead his way out of the crisis.

For Raymond, its deja vu all over again.

exas Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, a Democrat from Laredo, discusses newspaper articles and other memorabilia in his office at the Texas Capitol. Raymond stayed behind to oppose redistricting plans, while many of his Democratic colleagues fled to Illinois to break up a needed quorum.

In 2003, when Texas Republican lawmakers again tried to redraw districts outside the norms of the once-a-decade process that follows each new Census, Raymond was on the redistricting committee and became an ardent voice of the opposition. When the measure passed, he was named as a plaintiff in a lawsuit that ultimately ended in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

This time, he said, the stakes are even higher.

2003 was a big deal. We went through a lot, Raymond, 64, told USA TODAY from his first-floor office at the Capitol. I could see that that was history-making, and what's going on right now will be history-making.

Midterm battle prompts Texas showdown

The current showdown began when President Donald Trump and White House officials urged Texas Republican leaders to redraw voting maps to add five new Republican-friendly seats to the U.S. House of Representatives. State Democrats traveled to Illinois  some even to New York and Massachusetts  to prevent Republicans from reaching the two-thirds quorum in the 150-member legislature needed to conduct business.

If Texas Republicans succeed in adding five GOP seats to the U.S. House, the Trump-friendly chamber could allow the president to continue one of the most aggressive and disruptive agendas in modern presidential history. A Democratic majority in January 2027 opens the door to Congressional investigations, legislative paralysis  even a third impeachment.

Gov. Greg Abbott has threatened to arrest the absent lawmakers and the Justice Department has said it will also try to track down the AWOL representatives. And on Aug. 8, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asked the state Supreme Court to oust 13 Democratic lawmakers from office over their absence from the Capitol, arguing they abandoned their seats when they fled the state.

The GOP's Texas power play has set off a redistricting arms race as blue state leaders move to create more Democratic-leaning House seats to counter Texas, and lawmakers in other red states, including Indiana and Missouri, consider joining the fray. Vice President JD Vance met with Indiana lawmakers on Aug. 7, reportedly to urge them to redraw maps and Florida Republican leaders have said they, too, will form a committee to begin redrawing districts.

In 2003, Texas Republicans also tried to redraw maps three years after Census data was released, prompting state Democrats to retreat to a Holiday Inn in Oklahoma, just over the state line from Texas and out of reach of troopers who could force them to return.

'Pack a toothbrush. Pack hair spray.' How the Texas Democrats are living on the run

Raymond fought the bill in committee, then joined his colleagues in Oklahoma. During committee hearings, he was at times the lone Democrat, objecting to Republican motions and grilling witnesses about the legality and fairness of gerrymandering maps for partisan gain. His goal was to get his comments and questions  and their replies  on the official record.

Just really putting them through the ringer to build the court record, he remembered. I was very, very involved in it, from the beginning to the end.

Lawmakers ultimately approved the new maps. But lawsuits were filed and the case wound up in the U.S. Supreme Court. A 5-4 decision upheld the Texas redistricting plan but ruled part of it violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting the voting power of Latino voters. A proposal to split Laredo, Raymonds hometown, in half was removed.

It was a 50-50 victory, but a victory nonetheless, he said.

Try to talk to everybody

On Aug. 8, Raymond walked the short distance from his first-floor office to the second-floor House chamber. He wound his way around desks, chatting with fellow lawmakers, both Democrat and Republican, patting others on the back, joking with others.

Theres a saying, he said, thats popular in the Spanish-speaking border city where hes from: Hablando se entiende, or Speaking to each other, youre able to understand each other.

Texas Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, a Democrat from Laredo, heads to the House chamber at the Texas Capitol, where Republican lawmakers try to pass a redistricting plan. Raymond stayed behind to oppose the plan, while many of his Democratic colleagues fled to Illinois to break up a needed quorum.

I have always tried my whole career to try to talk to everybody, get to know everybody, all 149 other members, he said. That hasn't changed.

Raymond, a state lawmaker since 2001, is one of the more tenured Democrats in the legislature. Known as a moderate, he represents a heavily Latino district that fans out for several square miles from Laredo along the U.S.-Mexico border and is home to about 183,000 residents.

Last year, Trump managed a near sweep of Texas border counties, traditionally a Democratic stronghold, winning 14 of the 18 counties on or near the border, including Webb County, which includes Laredo.

Trumps wins along the border were the biggest for a presidential candidate in three decades, outpacing those by native Texan George W. Bush when he won the governorship in 1995.

The borders shifting allegiances make it politically risky for representatives of those districts to align too closely with national Democratic figures, such as Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is essentially harboring the Texas Democrats, said Mark Jones, a Rice University political scientist.

Its no coincidence, Jones said, that five of the six Democrats who stayed behind last week were from border districts in South Texas. Raymond, who is up for reelection next year, also likely prefers to keep his distance, he said.

Republicans in Texas appear to be razor-focused on keeping the new redistricting maps unchanged, Jones said, despite the efforts of Raymond or anyone else.

The idea you can stay behind and get maps drawn to be less impactful on Democratic representation is very unlikely, he said.

Raymond acknowledged hes faced with a herculean task  not unlike Sisyphus rolling the boulder up the hill at Tartarus in Greek mythology. His deepest fear, he said, is that the issue will again end up before the Supreme Court  this time with a court much more malleable to the GOP agenda.

Texas Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, a Democrat from Laredo, talks with other state legislators and the media before a special session on controversial redistricting plans. Raymond stayed behind to oppose the plans, while many of his Democratic colleagues fled to Illinois to break up a required quorum.

Still, hell keep trying. When it gets to feel overwhelming, he said, he tries to remind himself that other members equally love their country and state  and are trying to make it better.

I recognize that we won't always agree on how we get there, but I don't ever doubt that, Raymond said. I always start from that common place.

The session on Aug. 8 was brief: Eight minutes gavel to gavel. House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Republican, recognized there still wasnt a quorum, chastised the missing members and adjourned until Aug. 11.

Moments after Burrows gaveled the meeting to a close, Raymond began talking to other lawmakers.

Follow Jervis on Twitter: @MrRJervis.

Contributing: Zac Anderson

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas Democrat stays behind to battle Republican redistricting push
An Army veteran suspected in a bar shooting massacre that claimed four lives in a rural western town of 9,000 people sparked a massive manhunt that lasted a full week.

Michael Paul Brown, 45, of Anaconda, Montana, was the state's most wanted man until his time on the lam ended near a barn just under six miles from the scene of his horrific crime. Now he is behind bars, where he is likely to remain for the rest of his life.

Below is a timeline of the shooting, and events that followed.

At around 10:30 a.m. local time, Brown entered The Owl Bar in Anaconda, a local watering hole where he was known to be a regular, and opened fire. He lived next door to the bar and "likely knew these patrons," according to Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen.

The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana is pictured on August 7, 2025 surrounded by crime scene tape. (Peter D'Abrosca/Fox News Digital)

Montana Manhunt Expands For Ex-soldier Suspect Seen With Stolen Survival Gear After Bar Massacre

Brown was almost immediately identified as the suspect. A SWAT team raided his home, but he was not there.

Read On The Fox News App

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte confirmed in a mid-afternoon Facebook post that he was aware of the attack.

"Im closely monitoring the situation involving an active shooter in Anaconda. Please join Susan and me in praying for the victims, their loved ones, and the brave law enforcement officers responding to this tragedy," he said on Facebook.

The FBI and ATF then announced that they were headed to the scene to assist in locating Brown.

A massive manhunt was launched in the rugged mountains of nearby Stumptown Road, and included the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center, the Granite County Sheriff's Office, Montana Highway Patrol, FBI and ATF. A lockdown was issued for that area.

Authorities located a Ford F-150 that they say Brown was driving, but he was not with the truck, which was stocked with clothing, food and outdoor gear.

Later that day, Brown was identified as a former armor crewman in the Army from January 2001 to May 2005, who had served in the National Guard from April 2006 to March 2008. He deployed to Iraq from February 2004 to March 2005, and was a sergeant when he left active service. He joined the Montana National Guard the next year, and served until 2009.

Montana Bar Shooting Suspect Could Return To Town, State Ag Says, Citing 'Concern For The Public'

Authorities released a photo of a shirtless Brown scaling a cement staircase, wearing black shorts. They said that photo was taken Friday, shortly after the shooting.

The lockdown was lifted in the Stumptown Road area, but the search, which included air and ground assets, expanded to the Barker Lakes area, according to The Associated Press. Knudsen said 250 law enforcement personnel were involved in Saturday's search efforts.

The Department of Criminal Investigations in Montana released a new photo of Michael Brown fleeing the scene after allegedly shooting and killing four people at a bar on Aug. 1, 2025.

Knudsen identified the victims in an afternoon press conference, and described the search as Montana's "priority number one."

The victims were identified as Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59, Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64, David Allen Leach, 70 and Tony Wayne Palm, 74, all from Anaconda. Kelley was working as a bartender at the time. The three other victims were patrons.

Knudsen announced that the U.S. Marshals Service was offering a $7,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of Brown.

He also confirmed that Brown used a rifle in the shooting, and noted that Brown had access to firearms.

Victims Of Montana Bar Shooting Identified As Manhunt For Military Veteran Suspect Continues

Knudsen reiterated that Brown should be considered "armed and extremely dangerous."

"Absolutely there is concern that he might come back into town," Knudsen said. "By all indications, this is an unstable individual who walked in and murdered four people in cold blood for no reason whatsoever. So absolutely there is a concern for the public."

The Owl Bar where Michael Paul Brown allegedly shot and killed four people on Aug. 1, 2025 (left) and Brown's boarded up home (right). Photographed Aug. 8, 2025. (Peter D'Abrosca/Fox News Digital)

The search for Brown continued on Monday.

The U.S. Marshals Service upped the reward for information leading to his capture to $10,000.

Gianforte held his first press conference since the bar massacre.

Flanked by high-ranking local, state and federal law enforcement officials, he said he had spoken to the families of the victims to offer his condolences on behalf of the state of Montana.

"Since the tragic event, 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," said Gianforte.

Manhunt Intensifies For Army Veteran Suspected Of Killing 4 In Bar Shooting After Truck Found Abandoned

He added that a Montana National Guard helicopter from the Helena Battalion and its four crew had flown 19 hours over the weekend to assist in the search, and to transport law enforcement in and out of the mountainous search area.

Main St. in Anaconda, Montana, leads to the Deer Lodge County Courthouse with mountains in the background. Photographed on Aug. 8, 2025 (Peter D'Abrosca/Fox News Digital)

He said that under Montana law, he is able to release emergency state funding to local law enforcement agencies at their request in times of need.

"This morning I received that request from Anaconda-Deer Lodge, and moments ago, I signed an executive order to support the efforts of local law enforcement," he said. "While the state has already been supporting this investigation with staff and aviation assets, this action today will ensure additional financial resources are available as we continue to track down this criminal."

Knudsen provided an update on the ongoing search, and took questions from reporters.

Citing the ongoing investigation, he could not confirm whether authorities had recovered a weapon used in the shooting, or whether Brown left behind any clues as to his motive.

Gunman Shoots Multiple People At Montana Business, Authorities Launch Intensive Manhunt

Michael Paul Brown's home on E. 3rd St. in Anaconda, Montana, is boarded up after being raided by a SWAT team on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. Photographed Aug. 8, 2025. (Peter D'Abrosca/Fox News Digital)

The search remained ongoing on Wednesday, without new updates from authorities.

Authorities continued to search for Brown on Thursday, while local residents told Fox News Digital that they feared his return to the town.

"He was always very skittish. Just like his thoughts were always off the wall and always giving crazy stories. But he was a very sweet guy," Jill Rowles, a bartender at Jfk Bar, just one block from The Owl Bar, told Fox News Digital.

Jill Rowles, is bartender at Jfk Bar, down the street from The Owl Bar, photographed on Aug. 8, 2025. (Peter D'Abrosca/Fox News Digital)

Rowles was a friend of Kelley, the victim and bartender at The Owl Bar.

"The town is just scared. Everybody's scared. You see everything on Facebook like that. You hear the sirens go by and your stomach just turns," she said.

"Everybody's in shock, and, hey, everybody's on edge. With me bartending, I'm looking at those doors constantly, she said, gesturing towards the two entrances of the bar."

Another resident, Matt Fontenot, described a dispirited town that spent the week on edge.

"I feel like the air has almost changed, like the attitude of the town has grown just a little bit more submissive than usual, just because people feel like they don't really have control over their lives as much right now because of this," he said.

The manhunt for Brown in the mountainous terrain continued in the morning.

Flowers and momentos rest on the street in front of The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, where four people were shot and killed on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (Peter D'Abrosca/Fox News Digital)

Several residents of the town expressed to Fox News Digital the desire for the manhunt to come to a conclusion - with Brown dead or alive - so the community could grieve its loss in peace.

Suddenly, in the early afternoon, information began to spread that Brown had been taken into custody.

Shortly thereafter, Gianforte confirmed the news on social media.

At around 4:30 p.m., Gianforte and Knudsen, again surrounded by local, state and federal law enforcement, emerged from the Deer Lodge County Courthouse for a press conference to discuss Brown's arrest.

"Our brave men and women in law enforcement didn't waste a second," Gianforte said. "They jumped into action and began the search with the promise to not give up until they found this suspect. Today I am grateful to report that Michael Brown has been apprehended, arrested and is in custody."

Knudsen then took to the podium.

"This really is an unprecedented level of cooperation," Knudson said, referencing local, state and federal authorities who assisted in the arrest. "It's a good day. We got our man."

He gave special thanks to the U.S. Marshals Service, calling them a "huge asset to us here today" and said they were "directly involved" in Brown's Friday apprehension. He revealed that 130 personnel were involved in the search, and that tips from the community also played a significant role in capturing Brown.

Brown was tracked down near a barn on private property about five-and-half miles from The Owl Bar.

The officials said he was taken to a local hospital to be medically cleared, and was then booked into jail.

Citing an ongoing investigation, authorities provided few other details.

The charges against Brown have not been made public, nor has his motive for the alleged killings.

Fox News' Alexandra Koch, Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Adam Sabes contributed to this report.





Original article source: A timeline of the manhunt for rural Montana bar massacre suspect as a small town hopes for closure
What is August really about? Owen Lamont, senior vice president and portfolio manager at Acadian Asset Management, suggests that for normal people, its about relaxing on the beach, but for financial markets, its panic season.

Lamont, who is a leading economist at the $150 billion quantitative hedge fund and has been a faculty member at Harvard University, Yale School of Management, University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, and Princeton University, looked back at financial history and found a startling pattern. Even if systematic equities arent your thing, he wrote on his Acadian blog, Owenomics, you need to be mentally prepared for an epic financial disaster over the coming three months.

His research draws a direct line between the timing of many of the most devastating financial crises and a centuries-old pattern: Market crashes tend to cluster during the so-called harvest time, spanning August to October.

The historical pattern

For grizzled practitioners of systematic equity strategies, Lamont writes, August is the cruelest month. He cast his mind back to the quant quake of August 2007, writing that analysts ever since have spent August compulsively checking our phones and having nightmares about screens full of glowing red numbers.

When reached for comment by Fortune Intelligence, Lamont said he was calling from the same house in Maine where he was summering during the quant crash of 2007. Every year around this time, he added, that panic is certainly on my mind, as it is for any quant equities managers who is over 50 years old.

Although overshadowed by the onset of the Great Financial Crisis in September 2008, the 2007 quant crash was a classic fit, Lamont writes, occurring during a sleepy time in markets when liquidity is thin because so many traders are away from their desks. Lamont cites modern research showing that August and September are periods of unusually low trading liquidity, as investors and market makers take summer vacations in the Northern Hemisphere. Lower market liquidity means less capacity to absorb big, sudden tradesa recipe for outsize volatility if a crisis does erupt.

Looking at the past 50 years, Lamont underscores the fact that most major U.S. market crises have struck between August and October, when thinner markets amplified shocks. Among the historic market meltdowns during these months were two in September: 1998s collapse of Long-Term Capital Management and 2008s Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, and two in October: 1987s Black Monday stock market crash and 1997s Asian financial crisis. But going back to the founding of the United States itself, he sees a similar pattern.

The deep roots of harvest time

Lamont wrote that Americas first bubble, Scriptomania, occurred in July/August 1791, and the Panics of 1857 and 1873 occurred in August and September, respectively. Then the Panic of 1907 followed in October.

The culprit is clear to Lamont: summer vacation. But, in a chicken-or-the-egg discussion, he argues that Americas agricultural economy created the need for time off in the summer, as that was when harvests occurred and money needed to flow from the big East Coast cities and into the Western agricultural regions.

Lamont cited Oliver Mitchell Wentworth Spragues diagnoses of panic season in 1910s History of Crises Under the National Banking System: With few exceptions all our crises, panics, and periods of less severe monetary stringency have occurred in the autumn, when the western banks, through the sale of the cereal crops, were in a position to withdraw large sums of money from the East. The pattern was spotted as far back as 1884 by English economist William Stanley Jevons. The creation of the U.S. Federal Reserve system itself was in part a reaction to such panics, Lamont adds, citing a 1986 American Economic Review article by Jeffrey Miron.

If you do the rough math, theres a 10% chance of an epic disaster between August and October this year, and just a 2% chance from November through the following July, Lamont writes, cautioning investors to be mentally prepared for outsize risk in the coming quarter.

Lamont told Fortune Intelligence that hes not particularly worried about the coming panic season compared to any other. A market crash is still a rare event, he said, adding that hes not aware of any particularly levered players in the market that could spark a crash. But then again, he added, he wasnt aware of any in August 2007 when the quant crash happened.

Remote harvest time?

Lamont agreed with Fortunes comparison of the harvest/panic season thesis to flash crashes, which often occur overnight, after trading in America ends and before it starts in Asia. He said thats a bit of an extreme vacation of an illiquid market, like what would happen if everyone went asleep. He reiterated his belief that weird stuff happens in illiquid markets. Then he got philosophical about how economics requires all of us to have some kind of appetite for weirdness.

What about Europe, which traditionally takes much longer vacations in August, sometimes the whole month, compared to Americans and their much more reserved time-off policy? Lamont agreed, but noted that with America as the worlds global financial center, with a much larger market, the impact of thinner liquidity is felt more strongly. He noted that other academics have covered seasonalities in other countries, such as Australia, where it seems to be the opposite case, or the impact of seasonal affective disorder on trading in Northern countries.

Ultimately, he told Fortune, the benefits of the current system outweigh the risks. The traditional, heavy-handed approach, he said, would be to shut the market down, calling off trading in August altogether.

Lamont told Fortune of his upbringing in the two schools of economics that revolve around heavy regulation and libertarianism, with the East Coast saltwater tradition he learned at MIT a major influence on him before he spent eight years on faculty at the libertarian freshwater school, the University of Chicago. A basic principle of economics is you should let people trade, he said, before adding that he also believes in behavioral finance, which holds that people mess up and markets make mistakes. He believes that governments make mistakes, too, he added.

The whole issue may be resolved over time by the rise of remote work, he added. One theory would be that because nowadays we can all work remotely, vacations are less impactful on [trading] volume, he said. Lamont said he was working remotely from his Maine house at the time, the week before his planned August vacation in the same location.

For now, he added, we are trapped in the paradox of tradition that began with our agricultural economy. People take vacation in August because thats when people take vacation. Especially with family gatherings, he said, you want to be on vacation the same time your relatives are on vacation. Hows that for behavioral finance?

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
Vice President JD Vance met with European allies and Ukrainian officials in the U.K. during a day of high-stakes diplomatic talks on Saturday -- less than a week before a historic meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The talks during a UK visit came just a day after Trump announced the face-to-face meeting with Putin set for Aug. 15 in Alaska to continue negotiations to end the war that has dragged on for more than three years.

A U.S. official told ABC News the Saturday talks Vance took part in "produced significant progress toward President Trumps goal of bringing an end to the war in Ukraine."

Kin Cheung/AP - PHOTO: Britain Vance Visit

MORE: Trump says he'll meet with Putin next Friday in Alaska

The talks Saturday took place at the UK foreign secretary's estate, Chevening House in Kent, England. Vance met with Foreign Secretary David Lammy and representatives from Ukraine and other European allies.

The UK meeting came as the upcoming Trump-Putin summit -- set to happen without Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the table -- has raised concern among Ukrainian officials and across Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday morning he had spoken with both Zelenskyy and other European leaders and that, "The future of Ukraine cannot be decided without the Ukrainians who have been fighting for their freedom and security for over three years now."

MORE: Trump administration weighs value of Putin summit: ANALYSIS

Speaking from the White House on Friday, Trump suggested discussions to end the war could include "some swapping of territories," which Zelenskyy later swiftly rejected, saying Ukraine will not give Russia any awards for what it has done and that Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.

Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials have also insisted that any negotiations must include Ukraine at the table.

"Our positions were clear: a reliable, lasting peace is only possible with Ukraine at the negotiating table, with full respect for our sovereignty and without recognizing the occupation," Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said in a statement Saturday that also thanked JD Vance for taking part in the UK talks.

Reuters/Getty Images/AP - PHOTO: President Donald Trump in Washington, Aug. 6, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome, July 10, 2025 and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Aug. 5, 2025.

MORE: Zelenskyy rejects ceding Ukrainian territory, says Kyiv must be part of negotiations

In an address Saturday evening, Zelenskyy called the talks Saturday in the UK "constructive" and said they came during an "active day of diplomacy" between Ukraine and several EU allies.

"All our messages were conveyed," Zelenskyy said of the talks with Vance. "Our arguments are being heard. The risks are being taken into account. The path to peace for Ukraine must be determined together  and only together  with Ukraine. This is fundamental. And it is important that our joint approaches and shared vision work toward a genuine peace. A consolidated position. A ceasefire. An end to the occupation. An end to the war."

Speaking more broadly, Zelenskyy said he believes Trump "has the leverage and the determination" to end the war, adding that "Ukraine has supported all of President Trump's proposals, starting back in February."

Friday marked the deadline Trump set for Putin to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine or face "secondary sanctions" against countries that buy oil from Russia.

But uncertainty remained as to whether the U.S. would hit Moscow with new economic penalties  and Trump has now agreed to meet with Putin.

The meeting in Alaska will be Putins first meeting with a major Western leader since Russia invaded Ukraine more than three years ago -- and his first visit to the U.S. in 10 years.
FIRST ON FOX - The White House, faced with an ongoing and growing tsunami of murderous attacks by Islamic State-allied groups against Christians in sub-Saharan Africa, is now working closely with the State Department to find ways to stop the killing.

Last week, the White House told Fox News Digital, "The Trump administration condemns in the strongest terms this horrific violence against Christians," after the U.N. reported 49 Christians were butchered with machetes on July 27 in and around a church in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), while Catholic worshipers were praying for peace. Authorities say the killers were Islamist militants from the Allied Democratic Forces, also known as Islamic State DRC.

In neighboring Nigeria last month, 27 Christians were reported killed by Islamist Fulani tribesmen in the village of Bindi Ta-hoss, where residents are predominantly Christian. Eyewitness Solomon Sunday said, "I advised my family to seek refuge in the church, which seemed the safest place at the time. I lost my wife and second daughter in the attack; they were burned [alive] by Fulani militias."

Local youth leader DYoung Mangut, who helped retrieve the bodies, added, "People are being killed like chickens, and nothing is being done."

"Such grisly proceedings have become commonplace in central Nigeria," John Eibner, president of Christian human rights organization Christian Solidarity International, told Fox News Digital. "It is part of a longstanding process of violent Islamization, of ethno-religious cleansing. Last Palm Sunday, 50 Christians were similarly slaughtered in nearby Bassa. Over 165 Christians have been killed in the last 4 months in Plateau State (one of Nigerias provinces) alone," he added.

"Massacres of the sort that happen in central Nigeria are also happening with increasing frequency in predominately Christian places like Congo and Mozambique. There is no simple solution."

Read On The Fox News App

Isis Soldiers Behead Christians In Mozambique, Burning Church And Homes: 'Silent Genocide'

The U.K. division of Open Doors, a global Christian charity which supports and speaks up for Christians persecuted for their faith, told Fox News Digital, "The crisis facing large areas of sub-Saharan Africa is hard to overstate. It is potentially existential for the future peace and stability of several nations in the region, not least Nigeria."

"Around 150,000 people have been killed in Jihadist violence over the last ten years. Over 16 million Christians have been driven from their homes and their land across the region."

The Trump administration appears to be preparing for action. This week, a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "The Department of State is working closely with the White House to identify opportunities to further the cause of religious freedom around the world."

Bishop's Village Attacked, 20 Slain After Recent Testimony To Congress On Christian Persecution

The spokesperson added, "Religious freedom for all people worldwide is a moral and national security imperative and a U.S. foreign policy priority. As President Trump has stated, the United States will vigorously promote this freedom."

Nigeria is among the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. Recent Open Doors research shows that more Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than the rest of the world combined. Local bishop Wilfred Anagbe was threatened, and some 20 of his parishioners killed, after he spoke out against the killings to a Congressional Committee in March.

This week, the bishop spoke exclusively to Fox News Digital, declaring that "the attackers form part of the larger Islamic- Jihadists family headed in Nigeria by the likes of Boko Haram, ISIS West Africa and similar groups. Nigeria has had a long history with Islamic fundamentalism. (But) the violence, killing and displacements without consequences suggests a new pattern where the Islamists have resorted to use their control of official government and apparatus to continue this jihad.

"There is a strong tendency by fundamentalist Muslims in Nigeria to turn the whole or part of Nigeria (in)to an Islamic State."

Pope, State Department Condemn Latest Massacre Of Christians By Islamist Militants In Nigeria

"This is what the Nazis did to the Jews," David Onyillokwu Idah, director of the International Human Rights Commission, told Open Doors, adding, "Its ethnic cleansing, step by step."

John Samuel, legal expert for Open Doors, told Fox News Digital that where the Islamist groups are operating, if Christians gather for "a prayer meeting, let's say, or go to a church, (it) could be a one-way ticket, or something very deadly."

"If you're a Christian, you either convert to Islam or die."

Christian faithful hold signs as they march on the streets of Abuja during a prayer and penance for peace and security in Nigeria in Abuja on March 1, 2020.

Samuel gives an example of a Nigerian Christian who was ambushed by Boko Haram fighters. According to his widow, "he was asked to deny his faith and say an Islamic prayer. He refused and he was killed instantly. You are a target. You are a target by the mere fact that you identify with Christ."

Islamist Terrorists Kill 49 Christians In African Church Massacre; Eyewitness Reveals Horrific Details

Across the region, its claimed the Islamist attackers want the land belonging to the Christians they attack. Lawyer Jabez Musa fights in court in Nigeria to get this land back. He told Fox News Digital the displaced Christians "want their land restored back to them for their livelihood. The cry is always I have been dispossessed of what belongs to me, my house, the food, foodstuff, the land. As we speak, over 64 communities in Plateau State have been dispossessed and taken over by the Fulani militants."

"Only Christians are targeted, they're killed, displaced, and their lands are taken over."

Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors U.K. and Ireland, told Fox News Digital that "African governments must urgently provide three things: justice - because very few of these perpetrators are ever held to account, and this impunity emboldens them. Restoration - people want their lives back, an opportunity to rebuild their homes, send their kids to school, have a future together. And protection - the state must protect them from these attacks. The security forces need to get out of their barracks and be deployed around the most vulnerable.

"For too long, nobody has been talking about the horrific wholesale slaughter of Christians and moderate Muslims in Africa. The Western world needs to wake up and be outraged," she said.

Lawyer Jabez Musa pleaded, "I urge the American government, especially President Trump personally  to come to the help of Christians."

One grieving relative told reporters after the massacre in Nigerias Bindi Ta-hoss this past month, "We are tired of condolences and statements. What we need is real security, not sympathy."

Fox News Digital reached out to the governments of both Nigeria and the DRC but received no response.





Original article source: White House responds to surge in Christian persecution crisis across sub-Saharan Africa
10 August 2025 19:45 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

The resilience and growing sophistication of Azerbaijans banking sector stand as clear proof of the countrys successful economic policy and the determination of its institutions to build a stable, forward-looking financial system. In a recent report published by international credit rating agency Fitch Ratings, the progress made by Azerbaijani banks since 2017 has been highlighted as both substantial and consistent. The agency notes that the overall condition of the sector has significantly improved, with strong fundamentals and reduced risks laying the groundwork for sustainable growth.

Access to paid information is limited

Find the plan that suits you best.
10 August 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

The recent decision by US President Donald Trump to impose a 50% tariff on Indian importsciting New Delhis continued purchase of Russian oilmarks a turning point not only in US-India relations but in the global economic and geopolitical landscape. While the move may appear to be a targeted economic sanction, its ripple effects could be far-reaching, with consequences that extend well beyond bilateral trade.

India, now the worlds most populous country, is not just a regional powerit is a global economic engine. Its massive labor force, growing manufacturing sector, and expanding middle class make it a key player in global supply chains. Imposing high tariffs on Indian goods is not a minor adjustment; it is a tectonic shift. The economic and political aftershocks of this decision will reverberate across continents.

From an economic standpoint, the immediate impact on India could be severe. The United States is one of the largest export markets for Indian goods, ranging from textiles and pharmaceuticals to industrial chemicals and seafood. Losing access to this marketor facing prohibitive tariffswill likely reduce Indias export revenues, weaken the rupee, and slow down GDP growth. A depreciated rupee could lead to Indian products flooding neighboring markets, putting local producers at a disadvantage against cheaper Indian goods.

But the consequences wont stop at Indias borders. As Indian exporters seek alternative markets to compensate for lost access to the USA, they will inevitably turn toward Europe, Southeast Asia, and other regions. This shift will intensify competition in those markets, particularly in sectors where India already has a cost advantage due to its cheap labor and large-scale production. Countries like Turkiye, which rely heavily on exports to Europe, may find themselves squeezed by a flood of lower-priced Indian goods.

This dynamic could also trigger a wave of protectionist policies across the affected countries. As competition intensifies and local industries feel the pressure, governments may resort to tariffs, subsidies, and import restrictions to shield domestic producers. The rise of such protectionist measures would undermine the principles of free trade and could lead to a fragmentation of global marketssomething the world can ill afford in the wake of recent supply chain disruptions and economic instability.

Despite all these economic hardships, Trumps decision stands out as a remarkably smart and calculated move. If bold steps are not taken today, the world may face even greater challenges tomorrow. Politically, Trumps move is clearly aimed at isolating Russia by penalizing countries that continue to engage with Moscow economically. Indias purchase of Russian oil has been a point of contention, especially as Western nations seek to cut off Kremlins revenue streams amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. By targeting India, Trump is sending a message: economic ties with Russia come at a cost.

This strategy could, in theory, weaken Russias position in the global energy market and reduce its capacity to finance its military operations. For many in Eastern Europe and the post-Soviet space, this is a welcome development. Russias involvement in the occupation of Garabagh in the 1990s, as well as its role in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, laid the groundwork for a pattern of unchecked aggression. Again, the world turned a blind eye to Moscows actions in Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine in 2014, allowing the Kremlins appetite for expansion to grow. Convinced that its moves would go unanswered, Russia escalated its ambitions, ultimately leading to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

So, if Russia emerges victorious or even partially successful in Ukraine, it could embolden further expansionist ambitions, particularly toward former Soviet republics. Thats why many believe that Russias nose must be bloodied in this conflictnot just for Ukraines sake, but to preserve the balance of power and deter future aggression.

If India ultimately agrees to reduce or halt its purchases of Russian oil in response to the tariffs, it will set a powerful precedent. Other nationsespecially those wavering between economic pragmatism and geopolitical responsibilitymay follow suit. Such a shift would accelerate Russias isolation, cutting off vital revenue streams and weakening its ability to sustain military aggression. In this sense, Trumps decision could catalyze a broader coalition against Russia, reinforcing the global effort to uphold international norms and deter authoritarian expansion.

So, despite the economic risks and potential fallout, Trumps decision to impose tariffs on India may prove to be strategically sound. It sends a clear message that economic partnerships cannot be divorced from geopolitical accountability. If the end result is a more unified front against Russian aggression and a stronger global commitment to peace and stability, then the costshowever steepmay well be justified.
10 August 2025 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

Serbia has welcomed the Joint Declaration signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington on August 8 under U.S. auspices, commending the constructive engagement of both parties.

Azernews reports that this was stated in a post on the social media platform X by the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ministrys statement underscored the pivotal role of U.S. President Donald Trump in achieving this milestone.

The Joint Declaration marks an important step toward lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in the South Caucasus. Serbia will continue to support peaceful dialogue, regional connectivity, and enhanced cooperation among all countries, based on mutual respect and full adherence to international law and order, the post read.
10 August 2025 11:35 (UTC+04:00)

Poland has warmly welcomed the historic declaration agreed upon by the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia.

According to Azernews, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared a statement on social media platform X, expressing its satisfaction with the agreement.

The post emphasized that the accord  reached with valuable support from the United States  paves the way for stability and lasting peace in the region, grounded in mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
10 August 2025 15:55 (UTC+04:00)

Pakistan has welcomed the signing of the peace agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, calling it a historic moment that reflects the wisdom and sagacity of Azerbaijans leadership in bringing a prolonged conflict to a peaceful resolution, Azernews reports.

In a statement on Saturday, the Spokesperson of Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Pakistan acknowledges and appreciates the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump in fostering conflict resolution and promoting peace across various regions of the world.

As a steadfast advocate for peace and stability in the Caucasus and beyond, Pakistan expressed hope that this agreement will mark the beginning of a new era of prosperity and enduring peace - not only for Azerbaijan and Armenia but for the entire region.
10 August 2025 14:18 (UTC+04:00)

On August 10, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a phone call to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Azernews reports.

During the conversation, the sides fondly recalled Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedovs recent visit to Azerbaijan, including to Karabakh, and the productive discussions held during the visit. President Ilham Aliyev and Chairman Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted the development of friendly and brotherly relations between the two countries.

The significance of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Turkmenistans city of Awaza, was emphasized. President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the successful organization of the event.

The discussion also addressed the importance of documents signed during President Ilham Aliyevs visit to the U.S., particularly the Joint Declaration signed by the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia in the presence of the U.S. President, the initialing of the Agreement on Peace and the Establishment of Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the joint appeal to dissolve the OSCE Minsk Group. These steps were described as critical for ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region.

President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the special role of U.S. President Donald Trump in achieving these outcomes and expressed confidence that the establishment of unimpeded transport links between Azerbaijans mainland and its Nakhchivan region would contribute to the prosperity of the entire region.

Chairman Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov congratulated President Ilham Aliyev and the Azerbaijani people on the historic agreements reached.

The Azerbaijani President asked Chairman Berdimuhamedov to extend his greetings to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

In turn, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov conveyed President Serdar Berdimuhamedovs greetings and congratulations to President Ilham Aliyev.

They also exchanged views on future contacts.
10 August 2025 13:41 (UTC+04:00)

Salim bin Mohammed Almalik, Director-General of ICESCO, has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan regarding the signing of the historic peace declaration between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia on 8 August 2025 at the White House.

According to Azernews, the letter reads:

His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Excellency,

From the heart of the Islamic world to the heart of Azerbaijan, I send you my warmest and most heartfelt congratulations on the signing of the historic peace declaration between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, on 8 August 2025, at the White House.

This is a radiant new dawn, a moment when the horizon of the South Caucasus is filled with light, promise, and harmony. It is a milestone that enriches history and inspires the world, opening pathways of friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect.

Excellency, this achievement reflects your visionary leadership, your steadfast dedication, and your inspiring commitment to shaping a future of shared prosperity. Under your wise guidance, Azerbaijan has become a shining example of how determination, dialogue, and forward-looking vision can unite nations in common purpose.

As Director-General of ICESCO, I share in the joy of this moment and in the pride it brings to your people. This is more than an agreement, it is a gift to generations to come, a foundation upon which cultures, ideas, and opportunities will flourish. ICESCO stands beside Azerbaijan, ready to contribute to this spirit of peace through initiatives in education, culture, and science, nurturing understanding and collaboration in every sphere.

May Allah, the Almighty, bless this new era, strengthen the bonds it creates, and guide the peoples of the region toward ever-greater success, unity, and prosperity.

Once again, Excellency, please accept my highest admiration and heartfelt congratulations on this historic and inspiring accomplishment. The name of Azerbaijan will be forever associated with this luminous chapter in history.

With profound respect and warm regards,

Most respectfully,

Salim bin Mohammed Almalik

Director-General of ICESCO"
10 August 2025 16:55 (UTC+04:00)

Pope Leo XIV has welcomed the signing of the peace declaration between Armenia and Azerbaijan during his traditional Sunday sermon, Azernews reports, citing Vatican News.

According to Vatican News, the Pontiff congratulated both parties in his address:

I congratulate Armenia and Azerbaijan on signing a joint declaration on peace. I hope this will contribute to the establishment of lasting peace in the Caucasus, Pope Leo XIV said.
10 August 2025 16:21 (UTC+04:00)

On August 10, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

During the conversation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on the achievements in the peace agenda between Armenia and Azerbaijan, supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing the historic nature of the meeting.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude for the congratulations and noted that the agreements reached, particularly the Joint Declaration signed by Azerbaijan and Armenia in the presence of the U.S. President, along with other documents, will contribute to ensuring lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

The call also touched upon bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Ukraine. The leaders highlighted the recent meeting of the intergovernmental commission held in Baku last month, where fruitful discussions on developing economic and trade relations took place.

During the conversation, both sides condemned the deliberate airstrikes by Russia on an oil storage facility owned by Azerbaijans SOCAR in Ukraine, as well as other Azerbaijani facilities and a gas compressor station transporting Azerbaijani gas to Ukraine. They emphasized their confidence that these attacks would not hinder energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Ukraine.
10 August 2025 17:15 (UTC+04:00)

On August 10, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a phone call to Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

During the conversation, the leaders fondly recalled the Pakistani Prime Ministers visit to Azerbaijan, the bilateral and trilateral meetings held in Lachin in the Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Pakistan format, as well as his participation in the Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization in Khankendi.

The discussion highlighted the significance of the documents signed during President Ilham Aliyevs visit to the U.S., particularly the Joint Declaration signed by the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia in the presence of the U.S. President, along with other documents. These were noted as crucial for ensuring lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, with a special emphasis on the pivotal role played by U.S. President Donald Trump in achieving these outcomes.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif underscored the importance of the agreements reached and extended his congratulations to President Ilham Aliyev.

The leaders also exchanged views on further expanding bilateral relations in the fields of economy, energy, trade, and investment.
10 August 2025 19:57 (UTC+04:00)

On August 10, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a phone call to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.

During the conversation, the leaders noted the friendly and brotherly nature of relations between Azerbaijan and the UAE. President Ilham Aliyevs recent visit to the UAE and his meeting with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan were fondly recalled.

The significance of the Joint Declaration signed by the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia under the witness of U.S. President Donald Trump during President Ilham Aliyevs visit to Washington, along with other documents, was emphasized. These were highlighted as crucial for ensuring lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. The special role of U.S. President Donald Trump in achieving these outcomes was highly appreciated.

President Ilham Aliyev underscored the importance of the bilateral meeting held in Abu Dhabi this July, which contributed to agreements between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and expressed gratitude to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his support.

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan congratulated President Aliyev on the achievements, noting their historic significance.

The call also highlighted successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UAE in the energy sector, including renewable energy, and the leaders exchanged views on mutual investments.

President Ilham Aliyev invited President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to visit Azerbaijan. The invitation was gratefully accepted.
10 August 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

United States Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Ibiza, Spain, in a fresh attempt to mediate an end to the conflict in Gaza, Azernews reports via Axios.

Two sources familiar with the talks stated that the US and Qatar are working on a comprehensive plan that involves releasing all the hostages held by Hamas and ending hostilities between the militant group and Israel. The plan could be proposed within the next two weeks and potentially delay Israel's plan to seize control of Gaza City.

Furthermore, it was said that the administration of President Donald Trump wanted an "all or nothing" deal that would end the war permanently, instead of a "piecemeal" deal. The White House, on the other hand, did not comment on the report.
10 August 2025 18:40 (UTC+04:00)

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday, during which they reviewed PakistanTurkiye bilateral cooperation and discussed regional and international developments, Azernews reports, citing Tribune.

According to a Foreign Office statement, both sides expressed grave concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Dar condemned Israels plan for a complete military takeover, terming it a violation of international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions.

He emphasised the urgent need for unimpeded humanitarian aid and an end to what he called Israeli impunity.

Earlier, Dar called for fast-tracking the implementation of already agreed-upon proposals and development projects, emphasising the need for timely action and coordination across relevant ministries under the Pakistan-Turkiye partnership.

Dar chaired a high-level meeting of the Committee on Enhancing Pakistan-Turkiye Bilateral Engagement.

During the meeting, the Committee was briefed on progress in multiple areas of bilateral collaboration, including economy, trade, industry, education, health, energy, defence, infrastructure, and connectivity.
10 August 2025 20:50 (UTC+04:00)

Iraqs prime minister approved sweeping disciplinary and legal measures against senior commanders in a paramilitary force after clashes with police at a government facility that left three people dead last month, Azernews reports, citing Arab News.

Gunmen descended on the agricultural directorate in Baghdads Karkh district on July 27 and clashed with federal police. The raid came after the former head of the directorate was ousted and a new one appointed.

A government-commissioned investigation found that the former director  who was implicated in corruption cases  had called in members of the Kataib Hezbollah militia to stage the attack, Sabah Al-Numan, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, said in a statement Saturday.

Al-Sudani, who also serves as commander in chief of the armed forces, ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the attack.

Kataib Hezbollah is part of the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of mostly Shiite, Iran-backed militias that formed to fight the Islamic State extremist group as it rampaged across the country more than a decade ago.

The PMF was formally placed under the control of the Iraqi military in 2016, but in practice it still operates with significant autonomy. Some groups within the coalition have periodically launched drone attacks on bases housing US troops in Syria.

The Kataib Hezbollah fighters who staged the attack in Karkh were affiliated with the 45th and 46th Brigades of the PMF, the government statement said.

Al-Sudani approved recommendations to remove the commanders of those two brigades, refer all those involved in the raid to the judiciary, and open an investigation into negligence in leadership and control duties in the PMF command, it said.

The report also cited structural failings within the PMF, noting the presence of formations that act outside the chain of command.

The relationship between the Iraqi state and the PMF has been a point of tension with the United States as Iraq attempts to balance its relations with Washington and Tehran.

The Iraqi parliament is discussing legislation that would solidify the relationship between the military and the PMF, drawing objections from Washington, which considers some of the armed groups in the coalition, including Kataib Hezbollah, to be terrorist organizations.

In an interview with The Associated Press last month, Al-Sudani defended the proposed legislation, saying its part of an effort to ensure that arms are controlled by the state. Security agencies must operate under laws and be subject to them and be held accountable, he said.
10 August 2025 17:47 (UTC+04:00)

The General Secretariat commended this historic agreement, which will open a new page in relations between the two countries, marked by understanding, friendship, and cooperation, and will strengthen the foundations of security, stability, and development in the Caucasus region.

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) welcomed the signing of a US-brokered peace agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia on Friday, August 8, 2025.

Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.

Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.

By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.

Subscribe

You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper

Thank you!
UPDATE: PAC leader Beto O'Rourke has told a Democrat rally that "Democrats will do anything to regain power - F__K the Rules!"

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/08/repeat-loser-beto-orourke-tells-texas-crowd-democrats/

https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2025/08/09/betos-profane-rant-at-rally-for-runaway-tx-dems-reveals-what-theyd-do-if-they-regained-power-n2192647

This guy, and his buddy Soros, need to have some serious criminal charges filed against them.

__________________________________________________________________________________

ORIGINAL POST:

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has scored a major victory in court against the "fleebagger" runway Texas Democrat legislators who are playing hooky our of state to try to stop Governor Abbot from un-gerrymandering Texas' Congressional districts. In a lawsuit filed by Paxton against the PAC paying the Democrats out of state expenses, which is affiliated with "Beto" O'Rourk and with Soros, a Texas judge has issued an injunction ordering the PAC to stop paying for the expenses of the runaway Democrats until the case is fully heard.

Paxton's case argues that under Texas law a PAC raising campaign funds to pay the personal expenses of elected officials is illegal. While not at issue in this civil case, it has also pointed out that this can be criminally prosecuted as bribery, a felony, both on those giving the funds and those receiving them.

This comes as the House speaker has cut off the fleebagger Democrats from being paid any salary or expenses. Arrest warrants for failing to do their duties by showing up for work at the legislature have also been issued.

At issue are five Democrat held Congressional seats that had been gerrymandered in the last redistricting on the theory that states were required to gerrymander to create "minority coalition" districts. Federal courts have since ruled in a case from Galveston that such districts are not required under the Voting Rights Act, so Texas wants to un-gerrymander them.

Texas Governor Abbot has pointed out that if the Democrats want to play hardball, there are three more Democrat districts he could flip by gerrynamdering if he wanted to.

https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2025/08/08/ken-paxton-sues-beto-and-his-group-n2192624

https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/08/beto-orourke-texas-democrats-ken-paxton-fundraising-quorum-break/

https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2025/08/09/ken-paxton-dunks-on-beto-after-court-win-on-runaway-tx-dems-n2192628
A recent poll by the Associated Press found that four in ten black Americans and about a third of Hispanics believe that the DEI agenda leads to more discrimination against their own group. Only about a fourth of white Americans, however believe that DEI increase discrimination against their own group. That is why a growing number of black Americans and Hispanic Americans are pushing back against the white liberals who promote DEI.

Real Clear Politics has an excellent article on this phenomenon:

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2025/08/09/quiet_revolt_against_dei_led_by_black_and_hispanic_americans_153155.html

But the evil of DEI extends to other groups that people are expected to bow down to. In Ontario, Canada, a husband and wife who were longtime and very capable teachers were recently fired by their public school district for "not celebrating and affirming the LGBTQ+" ideology. Their offense? Their son, who went to Catholic school was suspended for protesting the Catholic school policy of allowing boys who claimed they thought they were girls to use girls restrooms and locker rooms. When the school board discovered the son's position on the issue, that was enough for them to fire his parents from their teaching jobs.

https://www.rebelnews.com/canadian_teachers_fired_for_not_celebrating_and_affirming_lgbtq_ideology
A group of men urinating next to a garden on the Culmore Road.

Police have been urged to do more to address disrespectful behaviour by some bands and spectators at the Apprentice Boys parade in Derry.

Mark H Durkan was speaking after several incidents at Saturdays event.

An image was widely shared of a bus load of some visitors to the city urinating at a roadside on the Culmore Road.

Similar incidents were observed in other parts of the city.

A group of men urinating next to a garden on the Culmore Road.

The East Bank Protestant Boys Londonderry paraded around the Derry Walls with a banner of Gary Lynch, listed in the CAIN Troubles archive as a member of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA). According to CAIN, Lynch was shot dead by the IRA in August 1991.

Also on Saturday at the ABOD parade, the Tullycarnet Flute Band from east Belfast carried a banner with a UDA emblem on it as they marched from the Waterside area and through the city centre.

Sinn Fein Foyle MLA Padraig Delargy said: "Once again, visiting loyalist bands have shown a disgusting lack of respect for the people of Derry.

"Those organising these events must take responsibility and ensure we dont see a repeat of these scenes and other offensive behaviour."

Mr Durkan said that while the vast majority of people take part in the parade in good faith, we have seen a small minority creating issues over the past few years.

He added: These events have for a long time stood as hallmark of tolerance and respect in the North, but it must be reciprocated. Carrying UDA banners and openly urinating in local communities has caused considerable anger and upset.

Police have a difficult job in managing these situations, but people cant be allowed to act with impunity. Where offences have taken place they should be investigated and the parade organisers should assist with that. I will be making that clear to the PSNI.

When asked to comment on these incidents, the Apprentice Boys of Derry General Secretary said: Well be sitting down in the next week or so to thoroughly review all reports, debrief with the PSNI and our Marshal team, to take action as appropriate and to carry forward learning points on how to improve further for the future.

East Bank Protestant Boys carrying banner of UDA man Gary Lynch around the Walls.

He was asked what substantive actions ABOD has taken after past incidents and whether any bands have been banned from attending.

And why the Tullycarnet Flute Band was not listed as taking part in the main parade on the Parades Commission website.

No further response was provided.

In recent times a band wore uniforms in support of a man known as Soldier F from the Parachute Regiment, who is accused of murdering two men on Bloody Sunday.

Separately, stalls were selling Parachute Regiment and UVF flags in the Waterside.

Over the weekend, MLAs criticised the PSNI for arresting individuals, including a female pensioner in Belfast, for showing support for Palestine Action  the non-violent protest group who have now been proscribed by the government but are challenging that ban in the courts.

Asked why no action is taken on recurring incidents at the Apprentice Boys parade, the PSNI said: Any incidents of concern or potential offences identified will be reviewed by police and appropriate action taken.

A protest of approximately 150 people took place at Guildhall Square on 9th August. Two people have been cautioned at the end of this protest for being in possession of an item likely to show support of a proscribed organisation, Palestine Action.

Policing decisions are taken impartially and within the relevant legal framework. Each matter has to be considered against the specific evidence available and when reasonable grounds exists to suspect a criminal offences has been committed, or is likely to be committed, police will take appropriate action.

Band carrying a flag with UDA symbols.

Watch: Shrapnel damage caused to multiple houses as residents report loud bang after explosion

Governor of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry William Walker said: The Association has worked hard to ensure an enjoyable day for all in Londonderry for our Annual Commemorations.

"It has been an outstanding day of colour and pageant, Commemoration and celebration

Our thanks to the PSNI, Translink and Council departments we have worked with over the past six months and more to bring everything together and for their support in undertaking changes that have improved movement around the City for those on parade and for the general public.

Wed like to thank the Maiden City Festival who entertained visitors from across the World on the Walls in St. Columbs Cathedral and in the Memorial Hall.

Visitors have poured through the doors of the Siege Museum individually and on booked tours learning about the Siege, the Apprentice Boys and the City.

"The Festival continues to set the mood ahead of the main event at the weekend.
A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a man in Downpatrick  which police suspect is linked to the attack on a priest in the same area.

Newry, Mourne and Down, District Commander Superintendent Norman Haslett said: Police attended an address in the Marian Park area following a report of a deceased man at approximately 12pm on Sunday afternoon, 10th August.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and remains in police custody assisting with enquiries.

Enquiries are at an early stage and, at this time, we suspect this may be connected to a serious assault in the St Patrick's Street area of Downpatrick on Sunday.

I am appealing to anyone who believes they may have information which could assist us with our investigation to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 713 of 10/8/25.

Its understood that a prayer service will take place at St Brigids Church this evening at 7pm.

Earlier it was reported that a priest was seriously assaulted at his church in Downpatrick.

It was reported that at around 10.10am on Sunday August 10 that a man had walked into the St Patricks Church on St Patricks Avenue and hit the priest on his head with a bottle before leaving.

Fr John Murray was taken to hospital for treatment of head injury, where he remains in a serious condition.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it was one of two incidents this morning in the town.

It said it had received a 999 call at 11.57am after reports of an incident in the Marian Park area of Downpatrick, a spokesman said.

NIAS despatched two emergency ambulances and an ambulance officer to the incident.

It remains an ongoing incident.

SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath condemned the attack on the priest.

This is a disgraceful attack on an elderly priest which has left him in a serious condition in hospital. For this to happen in the church is particularly disgusting and I have spoken to many members of the community who are shocked and upset that this has taken place, he said.

My thoughts are with the priest and others impacted by this attack. I hope that he makes a quick recovery and that the person responsible is apprehended.

SDLP Downpatrick Councillor Conor Galbraith visited the scene at Marian Park.

Councillor Galbraith told the Irish News he had spoken to heartbroken relatives of a man who had died.

This is a very difficult day for people in Downpatrick after these two incidents and I have visited the Marian Park area to show my support to those affected, he said in a statement.

This is an ongoing situation and I would ask people to give police time and space to carry out their investigations.

People locally are devastated that this has happened on their doorsteps.

Detective Chief Inspector McBurney said: This was a completely shocking and brutal attack and has left the priest with a serious head injury.

Our enquiries are ongoing into this incident, and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed the assault, or has any information to contact Police on 101 and quoting reference 543 of 10/08/25.

St Patrick's Church, St Patricks Avenue, Downpatrick. Inset: Fr John Murray

Watch: Shrapnel damage caused to multiple houses as residents report loud bang after explosion

Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard expressed his shock following the death of a man and an attack on a local priest in Downpatrick.

What has happened in Downpatrick is deeply shocking, the South Down MP said.

The death of a man, along with the vicious attack on Fr Murray in St Patricks Church, has deeply saddened and horrified the local community.

My thoughts are with all those affected by these tragic events including family and friends of the victims, parishioners who were on their way to Mass this morning, and the emergency services who attended the scenes.

I would encourage anyone with information to contact police to assist them with their investigations.

Its understood the priest was set to retire soon.

Fr John Murray. Photo: Pacemaker

Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray has echoed shock and distress felt by the local community in Downpatrick.

This is a tragic day for Downpatrick, the heartbreaking events of which have left many here in the local community in shock on what should be a day of peace and rest, Mr McMurray said:

First and foremost, my thoughts and sympathies are with the family, friends, and loved ones of the two victims of todays attacks, as well as anyone whos been impacted. I want to wish Father Murray all the best for a hopefully speedy recovery.

I also want to extend my thanks to the local PSNI officers who acted swiftly and professionally in dealing with the incidents, under what will have been difficult and distressing circumstances.

Tonight, I will be standing alongside the people of Downpatrick at a special prayer service in response to todays events, and in honour of the victims and their families.

Commenting on a post addressing the incident by Downpatrick Family Parishes, parishioners have shared well wishes on social media, with many describing it as shocking.

One woman commented on the post, stating that her father was in the Downpatrick church at the time of the incident.

One wrote: Praying that he makes a full recovery. Holding Fr. Murray in my prayers and his family, Also all our priests in the parish and our parishioners. God bless Fr Murray.

Another commented: Totally shocked and disgusted at this terrible news. Prayers and thoughts with Canon Murray for a full recovery.

In a Facebook post Kilmore and Killyleagh Parishes asked for people to pray for his speedy recovery both physically and emotionally from this frightening incident.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) are treating the attack as arson. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph.

The PSNI is investigating an arson attack on a home in Belfast after flammable liquid was poured into the front porch and set alight.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses following the fire at a house in the North Howard Walk area on Saturday evening, August 9.

The fire was reported to police at around 10.50pm.

It is believed flammable liquid was poured into the front porch of the property and set alight, the PSNI said.

A woman who was in the property at the time was thankfully uninjured.

The incident is being treated as arson and anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything, or who may have CCTV/dash-cam or other video footage which could assist with police enquiries, is asked to contact detectives in Belfast on 101, quoting reference 1874  09/08/25.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) are treating the attack as arson. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph.

Watch: Shrapnel damage caused to multiple houses as residents report loud bang after explosion

Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/
Ireland is among eight European nations that have urged Israel to abandon its plans to occupy Gaza City.

Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, signed the letter on Sunday along with representatives from Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

The letter states that the countries strongly condemn the recent announcement of the intensification of the occupation and the military offensive, including in Gaza city.

It said Israels plan to expand its military operation and take control of Gaza City would force the displacement of a million Palestinians and further endanger the remaining hostages lives.

The signing comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.

He also pushed back against what he called a global campaign of lies as condemnation of the plan grows both inside and outside Israel.

The letter from eight European nations said: We firmly reject any demographic or territorial changes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Actions in this regard constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested Israel will occupy Gaza City (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP)

The intensification of the military offensive and the occupation of Gaza City represents a serious obstacle to the implementation of the two-state solution, which is the only path towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.

The Gaza Strip must be an integral part of the state of Palestine, along with the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

The recognition of both Palestine and Israel is the best security guarantee for both and will ensure stability for the whole region.

We continue to call for an immediate ceasefire agreement and a permanent end to hostilities, for the immediate release of all hostages at the hands of Hamas and for the rapid, unimpeded and large-scale entry of humanitarian aid. Hamas cannot have a role in the future governance or security arrangements in Gaza, and must be disarmed.

Speaking on Sunday, Mr Harris said this was an extraordinarily dangerous moment for Palestinians in Gaza.

Were living at a time where children are starving in Gaza and where there had been a lot of effort by a lot of countries, including Ireland, to try to get to a moment of de-escalation, where finally there could be a ceasefire, humanitarian aid could flow, hostages could be released.

We now see the Netanyahu government take an extraordinarily dangerous step in the absolute wrong direction, and we are joining today with a number of other European countries in calling this out for what it is and condemning these actions.

We will continue to use every lever available here in this country and working across the European Union and the international community to call for a reversal here, a ceasefire, the release of the hostages and a major surge in humanitarian aid.

I think people in Ireland know what famine is like. Its ingrained in our mindset, in our history, and to be seeing a modern day famine take place in the 21st century is utterly repulsive and repugnant to everything any decent person can stand.
In todays fast-paced business environment, providing prompt and accurate customer support is crucial. ResolveAI offers a customizable AI chatbot solution designed to enhance customer engagement and streamline support processes. By integrating your business data, ResolveAI enables the creation of a 24/7 AI assistant tailored to your specific needs, without requiring any coding expertise.

Key Features

Customizable AI Chatbot: Develop an AI assistant that reflects your brands persona and communication style, ensuring consistency in customer interactions.

Easy Data Integration: Train your AI chatbot using various data sources, including website pages, documents, and live data like Google Sheets, keeping the assistant updated with the latest information.

Multi-Channel Engagement: Embed the AI chatbot on your website and integrate it with platforms such as WhatsApp, Messenger, and Slack, providing seamless support across multiple channels.

Human Takeover Capability: Monitor active chats and transition to a live agent when necessary, ensuring complex inquiries are handled by human team members.

Who Is It For?

ResolveAI is suitable for businesses of all sizes seeking to enhance their customer support operations. Its user-friendly interface and customizable features make it ideal for organizations aiming to provide efficient, round-the-clock assistance to their customers.

Pricing

ResolveAI offers several pricing plans to accommodate different business needs:

Basic Plan: $9 per month or $90 per year, includes one chatbot, 20 training sources, and 500,000 training characters.

Enhanced Plan: $29 per month or $290 per year, includes one chatbot, unlimited training sources, and 5 million training characters.

Expert Plan: $79 per month or $790 per year, includes one chatbot, unlimited training sources, and unlimited training characters.

Additional chatbots can be added for an extra fee, and branding removal is available as an optional add-on.

Final Thoughts

ResolveAI provides a robust and flexible AI chatbot solution that can significantly improve customer support efficiency. Its ease of use, customization options, and multi-channel integration make it a valuable tool for businesses looking to enhance their customer engagement strategies. By leveraging ResolveAI, organizations can offer timely and accurate assistance, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Visit resolveai.co for more.
Relatives of Israelis taken hostage by Hamas will march on Downing Street (PA)

Family members of Israeli hostages taken on October 7 are set to join a march on Downing Street to urge the release of those being held by Palestinian militant group Hamas.

On Sunday afternoon there will be a national march for the hostages in central London organised by Stop the Hate UK and a number of Jewish organisations.

It comes after Sir Keir Starmer pledged to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless the Israeli government meets a series of conditions towards ending the conflict in Gaza.

Stop the Hate said that protesters will urge the Prime Minister to prioritise the release of 50 remaining Israeli hostages, with 20 of them thought to be alive, before any recognition of a Palestinian state.

Among those due to attend is Noga Guttman, the cousin of 24-year-old Evyatar David, who was kidnapped.

Hamas released a video last weekend which showed Mr David looking skeletal and hollow-eyed in a dimly lit Gaza tunnel.

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

Marchers will include the relatives of Avinatan Or, who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival with his girlfriend Noa Argamani.

Mr Ors cousin Ariel Felber, from London, said: Keir Starmer has failed the hostages and their families by not making it a condition that all the remaining hostages are brought home to their loved ones before he can even entertain talk of state recognition of Palestine.

He urgently needs to correct this.

Steve Brisley from Bridgend, Wales, whose sister and nieces were murdered on October 7 and his brother-in-law Eli taken hostage, said: As British families of hostages and victims, devastated by the ongoing suffering of our loved ones, our emotional torture has been exacerbated by the suggestion that the UK may recognise a Palestinian state without securing the release of the hostages as an absolute precondition.

This is not about politics. This is about basic humanity.

Also joining the protesters will be Ayelet Svatitzky, whose brothers Roi and Nadav Popplewell were murdered, and Adam Maanit, whose cousin Tsachi Idan saw his eldest daughters murder before he himself was later confirmed dead.

Demonstrators will gather in Holborn from 2pm before marching to Downing Street, where speeches will take place.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism, one of the groups attending, said: The situation for the hostages is absolutely desperate.

People from right across the Jewish community, from every denomination are uniting with us to say that the UK must focus all of its diplomatic pressure on securing the return of the hostages.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has condemned Israeli plans to take over Gaza City (PA)

It comes after Foreign Secretary David Lammy joined his counterparts from Australia, Italy, Germany and New Zealand to condemn Israeli plans to take over Gaza City.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said on Friday that Israel would seek the demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip, as well as Israeli security control in the Gaza Strip and the establishment of an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.

In their joint statement, the foreign ministers said the plans risk violating international law and any attempts at annexation or of settlement extension violate international law.

Sir Keir described Israels plans as wrong and called for a ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages by Hamas and a negotiated solution.

He 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 UN report is the first official confirmation of death threats against Afghan women working in the sector (Ted Shaffrey/AP)

The Taliban are investigating explicit death threats against dozens of Afghan women working for the United Nations, according to a report published on Sunday.

In its latest update on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, the UN mission to the country said dozens of female national staff were subjected to explicit death threats in May.

The threats came from unidentified individuals related to their work with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, other agencies, funds, and programmes, requiring the UN to implement interim measures to protect their safety, according to the report.

It said the Taliban told the UN mission that their personnel were not responsible for the threats. An Interior Ministry investigation is under way, the report said.

Afghan girls attend a religious studies class at the Tasnim-e-Nusrat religious education centre in Kabul (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

The Interior Ministry spokesman, Abdul Mateen Qani, said no such threats had been made.

This is completely incorrect, Mr Qani said. The ministry has an independent department for this, and we have a strategic plan for protection and security so there is no threat to them in any area, nor can anyone threaten them, nor is there any threat to them.

Mr Qani did not answer questions about an investigation.

The Taliban barred Afghan women from working at domestic and foreign nongovernmental organisations in December 2022, extending this ban to the UN six months later, and then threatening to shut down agencies and groups still employing women.

Humanitarian agencies say the Taliban have hampered or interfered with their operations, allegations denied by authorities.

The UN report is the first official confirmation of death threats against Afghan women working in the sector. The report also highlighted other areas affecting womens personal freedoms and safety.

In Herat, inspectors from the Vice and Virtue Ministry began requiring women to wear a chador, a full-body cloak covering the head. Dozens of women deemed not in compliance were barred from entering markets or using public transportation. Several women were detained until relatives brought them a chador, the report said.

In Uruzgan, women were arrested for wearing a headscarf, a hijab, rather than a burqa.

Women have also been denied access to public areas, in line with laws banning them from such spaces. In Ghor province, police forced several families to leave a recreational area. They warned the families against visiting outdoor picnic sites with women.

In Herat, vice and virtue inspectors stopped family groups with women and girls from accessing an open recreational area, only allowing all-male groups.

Nobody from the Vice and Virtue Ministry was immediately available to comment on the Ghor, Herat and Uruzgan incidents, which the UN said happened in May.

In Kandahar, the Public Health Department instructed female health care workers to be accompanied to work by male guardians with an identification card proving that they were related to the woman by blood or marriage.

It was not immediately clear if the card is specific to Kandahar or will be rolled out across Afghanistan.

The process to apply for a mahram (male guardian) identification card is reportedly cumbersome and can take up to several weeks as it requires the de facto Department for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice and a member of the local community (eg malik, imam or village elder) to verify the relationship, the UN report said.
Hes a big Hollywood star, but Liam Neeson has never forgotten his roots

Actor took time to shoot the breeze with me after interview at Belfasts Lyric Theatre

Ivan Little Sun 10 Aug 2025 at 08:30

As someone who can remember seeing Liam Neeson act in front of a half-empty Lyric Theatre in Belfast during the Troubles, it was surreal being part of an audience of millions watching him last week.
Belfast mum on how son saved her life after losing parents and sisters in tragedies: I want him to have a better childhood than I did
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.
Tourists are seen in Bangkok's Chinatown, Thailand, May 16, 2025. Photo by Reuters

Two Malaysian tourists were doused with paint thinner and set on fire outside one of Bangkoks busiest shopping centers in Thailand.

The incident occurred around 10 p.m. on August 7, when the two victims, 26-year-old Ong Yik Leong and 27-year-old Gan Xiao Zhen, were sitting on the steps of the mall.

The assailant approached them from behind, poured paint thinner over them from a plastic bottle, and set them alight, according to The Star.

The tourists reportedly fled after being doused, but the suspect chased them down and set them on fire, as reported by South China Morning Post.

Members of the public intervened, and the suspect was detained at the scene. He was handed over to the authorities and is currently in custody at a local police station.

Police said the suspect had recently been dismissed from his job as a security guard and was reportedly experiencing stress related to his unemployment.

The suspect, a 30-year-old man from Sa Kaeo province, allegedly attacked the victims out of frustration over his job loss.

Authorities are preparing formal charges of assault and are awaiting the victims recovery to take full statements from them.

Bong Yik Jui, the charge d'affaires ad interim at the Malaysian Embassy in Thailand, confirmed that the victims remain in critical but stable condition.
PITTSFIELD  If you want to travel to and from the Berkshires by rail, you'll have to wait until at least Nov. 30.

That's because of an ongoing infrastructure project in East Greenbush, N.Y., where a large sinkhole has shut down rail service. In July, Amtrak said the project would suspend rail service through at least January, but amended that estimate in a new service update, which projected the suspension through at least the end of November.

A clearer picture will come by the end of summer, Amtrak said, when it will re-evaluate its plan and provide an update on the timing of the repairs and when train service can resume. An Amtrak spokesperson did not respond to The Eagle's inquiry seeking further information on Saturday.

In the meantime, Lake Shore Limited and Berkshire Flyer service between Albany-Rensselaer, N.Y., and Pittsfield will be replaced by buses. In July, Amtrak replaced Flyer trains between those stops with buses through the rest of its run through September. However, at the time, The Eagle was only able to confirm that Lake Shore Limited rail service had been canceled through Aug. 31 via Amtrak's online schedules.

Those schedules have since been updated to reflect Amtrak's new timeline.

The buses cover the Flyer's and Lake Shore Limited's normal routes, with the exception of the latter's stops at Framingham and Back Bay in Boston, which the buses will not cover.

The sinkhole is 6 feet deep and required Amtrak to cut the tracks to prevent them from falling into the hole. Amtrak told New Channel 13 it was first flagged on May 19, when inspectors noticed movement on the tracks. It was initially thought to be a minor issue, but the track movement persisted, giving way to the sinkhole.

Renewed push for permanent buses

In July, former Flyer consultant and rail advocate Eddie Sporn said the sinkhole is indicative of the fragility of the rail infrastructure between Rensselaer and Pittsfield, but noted a silver lining: The replacement meant the Flyer is more likely to be on time.

"It's not a heavily traveled route and there are no bottlenecks," Sporn said of the bus route between Rensselaer and Pittsfield. "On-time performance should easily be 90 percent between those two points."

In past years, the Flyer has been bogged down by delays related to freight traffic traveling along portions of rail owned by CSX between Rensselaer and Pittsfield. Buses allow the Flyer to bypass that leg of its journey.

Sporn said that, until a reliable rail link between those two cities can be achieved, buses are the way to go. After the July cancellation of Berkshire rail service, he urged the Berkshire Statehouse delegation to again advocate for a daily "Thruway" bus service that would connect with a train in Rensselaer and allow people traveling from New York City to arrive in the Berkshires by mid-afternoon. Flyer passengers currently arrive in Pittsfield at 8:39 p.m. on Fridays  when the train is on time.

Sporn believes the replacement buses strengthen his case for permanent Thruway buses.

"I thought it was a blessing in disguise," he told The Eagle on Sunday.

Last year, Amtrak and the state Department of Transportation issued a request for proposals, seeking a company to operate the daily bus trips, and developed a timetable making connections to New York City and upstate New York-bound trains possible. However, despite support from the Berkshire Statehouse delegation, it was put on hold due to a lack of funding.

"Its not ideal given that its not a one-seat ride," Sporn wrote in a July 29 letter to the lawmakers. "But its a viable, cost-effective interim solution until reliable train service between [Pittsfield] and [Rensselaer] can be achieved."

The Flyer improves

How has the Flyer performed this year? Earlier this year, it's seen significant delays  but on a different stretch of rail. However, since July 11, it's seen significant improvement.

According to preliminary data provided by Sporn, it's been held up on its way to Rensselaer from New York City. On June 27, it was over an hour late and on July 3, when it ran on a Thursday instead of a Friday, it was nearly 4 1/2 hours late.

But between July 11 and Friday, it was no more than 22 minutes late. This is in line with this route's general reliability; in fiscal year 2024, the Empire Service, which travels through that corridor, reported an on-time performance of 81.1 percent, compared to the Flyer's 66.6 percent.

The Flyer's return trip to New York City on Sundays has also sustained its strong performance, as it's averaged a delay of 14 minutes this year and has only been significantly late once, when it pulled into the Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station 1 hour and 15 minutes late on Aug. 3.
The town of Egremont is celebrating its 250th birthday with a party at French Park on Sept. 20. Among the activities will be the creation of a time capsule to be buried for 100 years.
BillOReilly.com is not available in this country.



We apologize for any inconvenience.
Presidential hopeful and international dancing star Michael Flatley gave a surprise flute performance on Saturday at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Wexford.

The Irish-American Riverdance star is to seek a nomination to become Ireland's next president, a court was told last month during a High Court case he has taken in relation to works carried out at his mansion in Co Cork.

Advertisement

Mr Flatley, who is eligible to run as an Irish citizen, also strongly hinted at a presidential bid on RTE radios Brendan OConnor show. However, said he had not made a final decision.

He said during the radio interview in July that he did not believe the Irish people "have a voice  not a true proper deep voice that speaks their language".

The choreographer said he hears concerns from the "average person on the street" and they are not "happy right now".

An election for the largely ceremonial role is expected to be held by the end of October. The election must take place in the 60 days before outgoing President Michael D Higgins' term comes to an end on November 11th.

Advertisement

A candidate must be an Irish citizen who aged 35 or older and must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or at least four local authorities to be eligible to run.

Michael Flatley with TV presenter Daithi O Se

The dancer, musician and artist remained coy on his potential bid only commenting on his social media platforms. Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, Wexford. Thanks for a fantastic day! Lots of Irish music, dance and culture.

Ireland Michael Flatley to make bid for Irish presidency,... Read More

The Lord of the Dance dancer performed on the main stage in the town and on the streets of Wexford.

Flatley competed in the Fleadh Cheoil on several occasions as a concert flute player and appeared at the same event in Ennis, Co Clare, in 2017.

Festival organisers said the eight-day event would be bigger than last year which was also hosted by the county with up to 700,000 people expected to visit the town.

Between 40,000 and 50,000 competitors took part in 180 competitions.
Tanaiste Simon Harris has said he is deeply concerned about attacks on the Indian community in recent weeks.

Mr Harris is to meet with the Ireland India Council on Monday after they requested an engagement about the number of assaults and threats against Indian citizens.

Advertisement

The issue has been highlighted after an Indian man was the victim of an unprovoked attack in Tallaght, Dublin, last month.

A silent vigil was held outside the Department of Justice by Friends of India in response.

The Indian embassy in Dublin has also issued a warning that there has been an increase in the instances of physical attacks reported against Indian citizens in Ireland recently.

The embassy said it was in contact with Irish authorities about the matter.

Advertisement

All Indian citizens in Ireland are advised to take reasonable precautions for their personal security and avoid deserted areas, especially in odd hours, it said.

Mr Harris said he received a request from the Ireland India Council about the issue.

He said he was particularly concerned about the reported attack on a six-year-old girl in Waterford.

Im deeply concerned by what weve seen happen in the last number of weeks, he said.

Advertisement

The Indian community in Ireland have made and continue to make an incredible contribution to our economy, to our society, to life in this country.

Theres at least 80,000 people of Indian descent living here in Ireland, and I tell you, our health service would fall over if it wasnt for them, so many parts of our economy would.

We have seen a spate of brutal, horrific attacks, and one in particular sticks in my mind  of that poor six-year-old girl and what she experienced in Waterford, I think, is something that would sicken all of us.

This is a good country. This is a country of cead mile failte.

Advertisement

This is a country that recognises the incredible value that the Indian community have made. Its a country that abhors racism, and we must continue to call it out.

I think one of the most concerning things weve seen is the very young age of those that have been involved in some of this racist activity.

So, tomorrow, Ill take the opportunity to meet with the Indian community, to hear their views directly, and then to see what more government can do to help.
Fidelio is the only opera by the German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, and he wrote it while he was going deaf. In April 2022, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, along with the theater company Deaf West Theatre, premiered a new production of this work, conducted by the Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel. The Manos Blancas Choir, an ensemble of deaf musicians from Venezuela, was part of this production. It was the first time the work had been performed in sign language. Witnessing this led Dudamel to a reflection and an epiphany: that these young people were the lights of this project, and as such he wondered: what would happen if they stopped being just lights and became the faces of Fidelio? This question was the genesis of El canto de la manos (The song of the hands), by director Maria Valverde.

El canto de la manos explores deafness through music, following Jennifer, Gabriel, and Jose, three deaf musicians from Venezuela, as they take on the challenge of performing Beethovens Fidelio on stage for the first time in sign language.

Dudamel, 44, born in Barquisimeto, says the idea for the documentary began to evolve while he was at Princeton University. There, he had the opportunity to see one of Beethovens sketchbooks  of which there are only two or three in the world, according to the musician  and he encountered a very great intensity.

We know Beethovens world of sound, music expressed in calligraphy, but when you see the natural strokes of what he wrote, I describe it as a beautiful torment. I imagine all those searches, because he wrote, erased, changed. It was, I believe, a bit of that inner world that led him to deafness, a very intimate part of him, when he was already completely alone, and through which Maria and I wanted to understand this same condition of these young people, explains the composer, speaking in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The year 2020 marked the 250th anniversary of the German composers birth. The Los Angeles Philharmonics music and artistic director felt the need to explore beyond the traditional to celebrate. The plot of Fidelio has parallels with the story of the young people who star in the production, and with its author.

Its a story that speaks of love, freedom, and the struggle against adversity. A reflection of his life itself [...] I see them and think about how transcendental it is to experience music through sign language. It would mean being able to understand Beethoven in his true dimension, says the music director of the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela in a segment of the film.

A still from the documentary El canto de la manos, by Maria Valverde. CORTESIA

Maria Valverde, the Madrid-born actress who cemented her career with Three Steps Above Heaven in her early twenties, is now at 38 making her directorial debut. She explains, via video call, that her biggest challenge was being faithful and honest to the story she was telling. Above all, that Jennifer, Gabriel, and Jose Gabriel would see me as someone they could trust. No one invited me to make this film. I made it from the heart and from my need to understand the deaf community. My biggest challenge was getting them to identify with the story I was telling, she explains.

Valverde says it was a job of intense observation as they filmed, especially because they couldnt waste time as they were working alongside the production, with situations occurring and little time to plan. The director describes it as a pretty wild process because they had to be filming on the spot.

For me as a director, it was necessary to understand, as a hearing person, that I sometimes had to stop learning what I already knew and let myself be absorbed by what they were teaching me. In the end, it was a learning process that, as hearing people, we have to stop and think and ask ourselves what were doing wrong when were not including them in certain experiences that are necessary, Valverde adds.

Maria Valverde. Foto: Nico Bustos

Beethovens multidimensionality

The Manos Blancas Choir is a special education program within the National Network of Youth and Childrens Orchestras of Venezuela, known as El Sistema. This program was created in 1995 by Jose Antonio Abreu with the goal of integrating children, young people, and adults with functional diversity or physical and cognitive disabilities into daily life and artistic activities, using music as a tool for development and inclusion. This program has fostered important musicians, such as Dudamel.

The Venezuelan musician explains that bringing this project to life took years of work, trial, and error. From the outset, he explains, they encountered a communication and cultural barrier that could lead to the notion that were separate. But the orchestra conductor says its much simpler than it seems with music as a bridge. It may sound utopian, he says, but you just have to take on the challenge. Music isnt just sound. Its vibration; it has many spectrums. Many dimensions through which you can feel it. Music isnt just heard, its felt, and thats how it breaks down barriers. It breaks down any kind of wall we may have in principle and in terms of cultural values.

Sign language performance of Beethoven's 'Fidelio.' CORTESIA

Valverde, who is married to Dudamel, admits, laughing, that directing a conductor has its complications. However, she praises his gift for artistry and his way of expressing himself to achieve something so beautiful and inspiring. For me, it was very important that he be this creator of dreams and this person who enables the protagonists to develop artistically. It was a very beautiful exercise that we did, both he as conductor and I as director, to be able to unite in such a personal and necessary project, she explains.

For Dudamel, who considers himself a fan of Beethoven, his work, and his creative process, this project helped him more deeply understand the multidimensionality of music. You can see it through these kids, who teach you how to truly feel music. Beethoven gave it to us because, as he became deaf, he created his own musical language that transcended and remains avant-garde today. In the last music he wrote, when he was already completely deaf, you see a revelatory world that he offers us through his condition. This hope and motivation that these kids give us through music is something powerfully transformative, he concludes.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Three men arrested after gardai seized 1.28 million in suspected crime earnings in south Dublin this week have been remanded in custody.

Chinese national Kwan Wang (36), who lives in Hong Kong, Vladislavs Temmis (54), a Russian speaker from Latvia and 47-year-old Ik Joo Kang, from South Korea, appeared before Judge Stephanie Coggans at Dublin District Court on Saturday. All three held off on moving bail applications.

Advertisement

The arrests were part of an operation targeting an organised crime group. Gardai with the Dublin Crime Response Team stopped and searched a car in Donnybrook, Dublin 4, on Thursday, where they found 197,760 and arrested one man.

During follow-up searches in south Dublin, gardai seized an additional 1,086,175 in cash, bringing the total amount of money recovered in this investigation to 1,283,935.

Each defendant faces two counts under section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 for possessing proceeds of criminal conduct, which carries a maximum 14-year sentence.

Mr Temmis allegedly had 197,760 at Donnybrook Road, Dublin 4, and a further 27,500 at an address on Brewery Road, Stillorgan, in south Dublin.

Advertisement

His two co-defendants are also accused of having the 197,760, but it is alleged they possessed it in a 2025-registered motor vehicle at Donnybrook Road.

According to the charge sheets, Mr Kang and Wang also had 1,058,675 in a Dublin 2 hotel room.

The three men, who do not have stated addresses in Ireland, were dealt with separately and listened to the proceedings with the aid of interpreters. They spoke only to communicate with their legal representatives.

Gardai Sean Tyrell and Karl Byrne said Mr Wang and Mr Temmis made no reply when charged.

Advertisement

However, Mr Kangs response was Yes, I will not accept this.

Solicitor Andrew Walsh said his Hong Kong-based client was not making a bail application at this stage but would give gardai 48 hours notice if an application is going to be made. Following a recess to take instructions, barrister Kevin McCrave confirmed that his clients would also defer their applications.

The court adjourned ruling on requests to grant free legal aid to the trio after Garda Tyrell pointed out that Mr Wang was wearing a jacket believed to be worth 500.

They were remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court next week, Mr Kang and Temmis on Tuesday and their co-defendant the following day.

Judge Coggans also ordered that interpreters be available to assist at their next hearings.
A 74-year-old woman who was arrested for wearing a Palestine Action T-shirt in Belfast has been released.

The woman was arrested at a protest in Belfast on Saturday.

Advertisement

Police said she was arrested on suspicion of possession of an article that indicates support for a proscribed organisation in the Linenhall Street area of Belfast.

It comes after the British government in July made expressing support for, or being a member of, Palestine Action a criminal offence under terrorism legislation.

In London, some 466 people were arrested for supporting the banned group after protesters gathered in Parliament Square on Saturday.

In Belfast, videos shared online show a woman wearing a Palestine Action T-shirt being told by police officers she was being arrested on suspicion of possessing an article, namely a sign or T-shirt, that indicates support for Palestine Action.

Advertisement

Northern Ireland director of Amnesty International, Patrick Corrigan, criticised the protesters arrest as outrageous.

Peaceful protest is a basic human right, he said.
Targeted assaults on foreign nationals in Dublin and Limerick are examples of a "worrying pattern of far-right violence", according to an Irish anti-racism group.

In July, an Indian man on his way to work in Dublin was set upon and beaten, stripped and stabbed by a large group of men. Jennifer Murray, a local woman, stepped in to help him.

Advertisement

Also in July, a 64-year-old man originally from Afghanistan and seeking safety in Ireland was assaulted in broad daylight in Limerick city. He received several injuries, including a broken nose.

Both incidents were driven by misinformation on social media, with far-right agitators claiming the innocent men had committed sexual offences against children.

In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Emily Duffy, of the Hope and Courage Collective (H&CC), said: "What we're seeing is a pattern of violence towards people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people the far-right perceive as different or outside of the container of what it means to be Irish.

"These tactics aren't anything new, they have been learned from European fascists, they have been learned from the types of lynchings that happened in the past in the deep American south by the KKK.

Advertisement

"It is essentially to create a narrative around children and women. What is different now is that social media, the way the algorithms are designed is to reward outrageous content; content that literally engenders fear, disgust and anger. These are the three emotions that make people spend longer on platforms.

"When people create this type of content, which is nothing new, an old racist tactic, what we have now is an engine that makes it fly through the algorithm, particularly in a local setting."

Pointing to the incident in Limerick, Ms Duffy said the misinformation circulated on local algorithms.

'Copycat tactics'

"We see this over and over with all of these racist assaults occurring at the moment. There is a very strong social media element to it and there are copycat tactis they are learning from each other and past white supremacist and racist tactics."

Advertisement

In the days prior to the Limerick attack, the victim was harassed in a local park. Individuals filmed him and posted footage to social media. A false allegation began on the afternoon of Sunday, June 29th, when a woman uploaded a photo of the man alongside a fabricated story. This post was rapidly shared, including by members of Sinne Na Daoine (SND), inflaming local tensions and resulting in the assault two days later.

SND is a group that states they are a community watchdog dedicated to the safety and solidarity of Irish communities.

The group was set up in September 2023 by Anthony Casey, a former Irish Freedom Party candidate and the most recent and now former president of Ireland First. Initially SND operated online, sharing local crime alerts but has since moved offline. In 2025 the group and Casey came under media and public criticism for potentially encouraging vigilante activity.

Recruitment materials for Sinne na Daoine

According to a H&CC report: "Behind their self styled 'community watch' branding is an ideological agenda. Since their inception, SND have been involved predominantly in protests opposing the accommodation of people seeking asylum in Ireland, as well as spreading false information designed to incite strong emotion, such as claiming the monks living in Mount Melleray Abbey in Waterford were to be evicted to make way for international protection applicants  a complete falsehood designed to provoke nativist emotion in persuadable audiences. This activity is also used as a recruitment tool."

Advertisement

After the assault, the victims image with a bloodied nose and the location where he was assaulted was shared numerous times across multiple platforms as his face became known.

Post from Sinne na Daoine

Ms Duffy said there is a "real risk" that escalating racial violence could have lethal consqeuences.

She said this has happened before in Ireland, pointing to the murder of Josip Strok in Dublin in 2024, a man who was killed by two teenagers because they heard him speaking Croatian.

Ms Duffy called on Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, and Ireland's EU Commissioner Michael McGrath, to take action on social media recommender systems.

Advertisement

These algorithms often create echo chambers for violent and racist content, and the Hope and Courage Collective has long called for them to be banned.

"We need our Minister for Justice, An Garda Siochana, to take this seriously. We need our Minister to show brave political leadership around this, and we also need the EU Commissioner Michael McGrath to take this seriously. He has the power under the new democracy shield that is being developed to turn off the recommender system, the toxic algorithm, this river of hate that is normalising this violence.

"Online hate results in real world violence, and potentially loss of life... murder. We're very worried about that."

She was also critical of Mr O'Callaghan's recent focus on deportations.

"The Minister needs to understand his words carry weight, and if he is pushing this tough on immigraiton stance, pandering to this far-right narrative, it will embolden them.

"Sometimes politicans pander to extreme voices thinking it will make them be quiet, but actually it just makes them louder. Instead what we need them to see is the courage in communities, the welcome in our communities, the fact people have become knitted into the fabric of our society, and we can't just rip them out and deport people to appear tough.

"We're asking for the Minister to show that leadership, and for the recommender system and these toxic algorithms to be turned off.

"You cannot appease hatred, it is not rational. These minorities are very organised online and their narrative is pushed and supported by the algorithm."

Ms Duffy said the community response against racism is a reason to be positive, pointing to an anti-racism demonstration that occurred in Tallaght following the assault.

We are worried that if serious action is not taken we will see more and more violence.

"On the flipside, what we're also seeing is communities are really rallying and people are really angry over this type of violence, people say 'not in my name'. We saw in Tallaght after that Indian man was assaulted there was a huge rally.

"What we're seeing is although this is a small minority, potentially becoming more violent because they are not managing to get elected, not managing to convince the wider public of their racist beliefs, what they're doing instead is beoming more extreme and violent, and trying to create this atmosphere of fear and suspicion. When they create that atmosphere they think it is a way to grow and get more power, essentially holding communities hostage in a lot of areas and creating this scary atmosphere for communities.

"What we've seen is communities showing up with an incredible amount of courage. We saw in Limerick, Doras were able to support that man. People in Limerick have come out and said they are disgusted by this behaviour and it is not the Ireland they want."

She added: "The flipside is while this is rising we are seeing huge amounts of community leadership. Now what we need to see is our actual leadership, our political leadership matching the courage of communities.

World EU reaches landmark deal over online hate speech a... Read More

"The Minister's rhetoric around ramping up deporations, getting tough, all this is doing is emboldening a really extreme minority. Most people are welcoming, compassionate, they want to get to know their new neighbours, create community.

"We are worried that if serious action is not taken we will see more and more violence.

"There is a pattern of racist violence, there is a particular thing going on which is not coming from nowhere. We can see clear sources for these narratives and rhetoric, what puts racialised people at risk.

"Each individual case needs to be taken seriously along with the pattern behind them."
The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine, European leaders have said, as US president Donald Trump prepares to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin for talks on Friday.

In a joint statement, the leaders of Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland and the European Commission, said that the current line of contact between Russia and Ukraine could only be a starting point of negotiations.

Advertisement

They said: Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.

The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.

We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force.

The statement comes a day after Mr Trump announced that he would meet Mr Putin in Alaska on Friday, as he seeks an end to a conflict he had promised he could finish on his first day in office.

Advertisement

The US president had earlier suggested that any peace deal was likely to involve some swapping of territories, with reports suggesting this could involve Ukraine giving up its Donetsk region.

But president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has already rejected any proposal that would compromise Ukraines territorial integrity, something that is forbidden by Ukraines constitution.

On Sunday Mr Zelenskiy said Kyiv "values and fully supports" the joint statement by European leaders on achieving peace in Ukraine while protecting Ukrainian and European interests.

"The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today for the sake of peace in Ukraine, which is defending the vital security interests of our European nations," Zelenskiy wrote on X.

Advertisement

"Ukraine values and fully supports the statement by President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Tusk, Prime Minister Starmer, President Ursula von der Leyen, and President Stubb on peace for Ukraine."

He said Mr Putin wanted to exchange a pause in the war, in the killing, for the legalisation of the occupation of our land  he wants to get territorial spoils for the second time.

Mr Zelenskiy added: We will not allow this second attempt to partition Ukraine. Knowing Russia, where there is a second, there will be a third.

He also said that any peace agreement that excluded Ukraine would be a decision against peace.

Advertisement

In their statement, the European leaders said they welcomed Mr Trumps work to stop the killing in Ukraine, end the Russian Federations war of aggression and achieve just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine.

Adding that they were ready to support this work diplomatically and through military and financial support for Kyiv, they reiterated the need for robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine and their own unwavering support for the country.

The statement also comes after British foreign secretary David Lammy hosted a meeting of top Ukrainian officials and European national security advisers alongside US vice-president JD Vance on Saturday.

Saturdays meeting of national security advisers was co-hosted by US vice-president JD Vance. Photo: Suzanne Plunkett/PA

The meeting took place at the British foreign secretarys official country retreat, Chevening, in Kent, where Mr Vance is staying at the start of a UK holiday.

Advertisement

After the meeting, Mr Lammy said: The UKs support for Ukraine remains ironclad as we continue working towards a just and lasting peace.

It is understood that the meeting had been called at Washingtons request, and included representatives from the US, Ukraine, France, Germany, Italy, Finland and Poland as well as the UK.

Ukraine was represented by Rustem Umerov, secretary of the countrys national security and defence council, and the head of Mr Zelenskiys office, Andriy Yermak.

In a post on social media, Mr Yermak said the allies positions were clear that a reliable, lasting peace is only possible with Ukraine at the negotiating table, with full respect for our sovereignty and without recognising the occupation.

Ahead of the meeting at Chevening, British prime minister Keir Starmer discussed the talks in a call with Mr Zelenskiy on Saturday, and also spoke to French president Emmanuel Macron.

Meanwhile, the conflict continues, with Ukrainian authorities reporting four people killed and 16 wounded in Russian drone strikes on Saturday in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
The Taliban are investigating explicit death threats against dozens of Afghan women working for the United Nations, according to a report published on Sunday.

In its latest update on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, the UN mission to the country said dozens of female national staff were subjected to explicit death threats in May.

Advertisement

The threats came from unidentified individuals related to their work with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, other agencies, funds, and programmes, requiring the UN to implement interim measures to protect their safety, according to the report.

It said the Taliban told the UN mission that their personnel were not responsible for the threats. An Interior Ministry investigation is under way, the report said.



Afghan girls attend a religious studies class at the Tasnim-e-Nusrat religious education centre in Kabul (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

The Interior Ministry spokesman, Abdul Mateen Qani, said no such threats had been made.

This is completely incorrect, Mr Qani said. The ministry has an independent department for this, and we have a strategic plan for protection and security so there is no threat to them in any area, nor can anyone threaten them, nor is there any threat to them.

Advertisement

Mr Qani did not answer questions about an investigation.

The Taliban barred Afghan women from working at domestic and foreign nongovernmental organisations in December 2022, extending this ban to the UN six months later, and then threatening to shut down agencies and groups still employing women.

Humanitarian agencies say the Taliban have hampered or interfered with their operations, allegations denied by authorities.

The UN report is the first official confirmation of death threats against Afghan women working in the sector. The report also highlighted other areas affecting womens personal freedoms and safety.

Advertisement

In Herat, inspectors from the Vice and Virtue Ministry began requiring women to wear a chador, a full-body cloak covering the head. Dozens of women deemed not in compliance were barred from entering markets or using public transportation. Several women were detained until relatives brought them a chador, the report said.

In Uruzgan, women were arrested for wearing a headscarf, a hijab, rather than a burqa.

Women have also been denied access to public areas, in line with laws banning them from such spaces. In Ghor province, police forced several families to leave a recreational area. They warned the families against visiting outdoor picnic sites with women.

In Herat, vice and virtue inspectors stopped family groups with women and girls from accessing an open recreational area, only allowing all-male groups.

Advertisement

Nobody from the Vice and Virtue Ministry was immediately available to comment on the Ghor, Herat and Uruzgan incidents, which the UN said happened in May.

In Kandahar, the Public Health Department instructed female health care workers to be accompanied to work by male guardians with an identification card proving that they were related to the woman by blood or marriage.

It was not immediately clear if the card is specific to Kandahar or will be rolled out across Afghanistan.

The process to apply for a mahram (male guardian) identification card is reportedly cumbersome and can take up to several weeks as it requires the de facto Department for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice and a member of the local community (eg malik, imam or village elder) to verify the relationship, the UN report said.
The number of people arrested for supporting banned group Palestine Action at a protest in central London has risen to more than 520.

Only 18 of those people remained in custody on Sunday afternoon but were expected to be released on bail in the coming hours, the Metropolitan Police said.

Advertisement

Hundreds attended the demonstration in Parliament Square on Saturday, organised by Defend Our Juries, with the force warning it would arrest anyone expressing support for Palestine Action.

Hundreds attended the demonstration in Parliament Square on Saturday (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The Met confirmed on Sunday that 522 people were held for displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation, out of 532 total arrests made during the policing operation.

One arrest took place at the form up of the Palestine Coalition march in Russell Square, with the remaining 521 arrests at the protest in Parliament Square.

Charity Amnesty International previously described the number of arrests under UK terrorism law as deeply concerning.

Advertisement

There were a further 10 arrests  six for assaults on officers, two for breaching Public Order Act conditions and one arrest for obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty and a racially aggravated public order offence respectively, the force said.

Detained protesters were taken to prisoner processing points in the Westminster area, and those whose details could be confirmed were bailed, with conditions not to attend any further protest in support of Palestine Action, Scotland Yard said on Saturday.

Those whose details were refused, or could not be verified, were taken to custody suites across London.

Some 522 people were held for displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Some 320 people were dealt with at prisoner processing points while 212 were transported to custody, with 18 people remaining in the latter as of 1pm on Sunday, the force said.

Advertisement

On Saturday the crowd sat silently on the grass inside Parliament Square after writing I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action on white placards.

Police took several hours to individually remove the protesters, some sitting and some lying flat on the grass, from the square into waiting vans.

Onlookers applauded the protesters and shouted shame on you at the police making arrests.

Scotland Yard said it was aware of photos and footage posted online suggesting that some of those who were bailed had returned to Parliament Square.

Advertisement

Arrest update: We have finished compiling the full arrest figures for yesterday's operation.



The details can be found at the link below.https://t.co/qFyLLTmELl  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 10, 2025

We are as confident as we can be that none of those who returned to Parliament Square rejoined the protesters who were holding placards, the force said.

The Mets Counter Terrorism Command will work to secure charges against those arrested over the coming days and weeks, the force added.

Earlier this week, the first three people to be charged with supporting Palestine Action in England and Wales were named.

Jeremy Shippam, 71, Judit Murray, 71, and Fiona Maclean, 53, have all been charged with displaying an article in a public place, arousing reasonable suspicion that they are a supporter of a proscribed organisation after their attendance at a previous demonstration on July 5.

Advertisement

A further 26 case files relating to arrests at that same protest are due to be submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service imminently, the Met said.

Hundreds of people have been arrested in a wave of Defend Our Juries protests across the UK since the ban against Palestine Action was implemented by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper last month.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the decision to ban Palestine Action was based on strong security advice (Jacob King/PA)

Membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori said the Parliament Square demonstration would go down in our countrys history as a momentous act of collective defiance of an unprecedented attack on our fundamental freedoms.

She also criticised the policing methods used on Saturday, claiming that the fact most of those arrested at the protest were given street bail and allowed to go home proved the current ban was unenforceable.

In a statement, Ms Ammori said: This is humiliating for the Home Secretary, who will now have to justify this two-tier policing of arresting some people as terrorists for holding a sign, but not others who held the exact same sign.

Its clear that more and more ordinary people appalled by this anti-democratic, authoritarian ban will defy it en masse and it is simply not possible to arrest them all.

Ms Cooper thanked police in London and across the country on Saturday for their work to ensure peaceful protests, and officers continued dedication in responding to support for a proscribed organisation.

She said: The right to protest is one we protect fiercely but this is very different from displaying support for this one specific and narrow, proscribed organisation.

Palestine Action was proscribed based on strong security advice following serious attacks the group has committed, involving violence, significant injuries and extensive criminal damage.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked European nations who have rallied behind his country ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russias Vladimir Putin.

Mr Trump has said Fridays meeting in Alaska with his Russian counterpart was to discuss ending the more than three-year war.

Advertisement

Mr Zelensky responded by thanking European allies and wrote on X on Sunday: The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people.





The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today for the sake of peace in Ukraine, which is defending the vital security interests of our European nations.



Ukraine values and fully supports the statement by President  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) August 10, 2025

Saturdays statement by top European leaders emphasising that peace cannot be achieved without Kyivs involvement came after the White House confirmed the US president was willing to grant Mr Putin the one-on-one meeting Russia has long pushed for, and suggestions from Mr Trump that a peace deal could include some swapping of territories.

This raised fears Kyiv may be pressured into giving up land or accepting other curbs on its sovereignty.

A White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they are not allowed to speak publicly, told The Associated Press that Mr Trump remained open to a trilateral summit with both the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, but for now, he will have a bilateral meeting requested by Mr Putin.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance on Saturday met top European and Ukrainian officials at the UK Foreign Secretary David Lammys weekend residence to discuss how to end the war.



Foreign Secretary David Lammy welcomed JD Vance to Chevening House in Kent on Friday (Suzanne Plunkett/PA)

Mr Trump had earlier said he would meet Mr Putin even if the Russian leader would not meet with Mr Zelensky.

The Trump-Putin meeting may prove pivotal in a war that began when Russia invaded its western neighbour and has led to tens of thousands of deaths, although there is no guarantee it will stop the fighting since Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on their conditions for peace.

Saturdays statement, signed by the president of the European Union and leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Finland, stressed the need for a just and lasting peace for Kyiv, including robust and credible security guarantees.

Advertisement

Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities, the statement said.

The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force, the Europeans added.

A month-long US-led push to achieve a truce in Ukraine has so far proved fruitless, with Kyiv agreeing in principle while the Kremlin has held out for terms more to its liking.

Mr Trump had also moved up an ultimatum to impose additional sanctions on Russia and introduce secondary tariffs targeting countries that buy Russian oil if the Kremlin did not move toward a settlement. The deadline was Friday. The White House did not answer questions on Saturday about possible sanctions.

Advertisement

The Kremlin earlier this week reiterated demands that Ukraine gives up territory, abandons its bid to join Nato, and accepts limits on its military, in exchange for a withdrawal of Russian troops from the rest of the country.

Mr Zelensky said on Saturday that Ukraine will not give Russia any awards for what it has done and that Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.

Ukrainian officials previously told the AP privately that Kyiv would be amenable to a peace deal that would de facto recognise Ukraines inability to regain lost territories militarily. But Mr Zelensky on Saturday insisted that formally ceding land was out of the question.
In the artificial intelligence gold rush, even pick-and-shovel companies such as Arista Networks are seeing their fortunes swell. The hardware providers shares have more than doubled since April, reaching an all-time high last week.

Aristas run has made its chief executive, Jayshree Ullal, 64, one of the richest women in the world with a $US6.4 billion ($9.8 billion) fortune and put her among only a handful of non-founder executives to achieve that level of wealth, Bloomberg Billionaires Index shows. She owns a 3 per cent stake in the company through trusts for herself, her children and a niece and nephew.

Jayshree Ullal is on track to become one of the worlds 500 richest people. Credit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

The rise in Aristas stock has also pushed co-founder and chief technology officer Ken Duda, 54, to a $US1.2 billion net worth, Bloombergs wealth list shows, joining fellow co-founders Andy Bechtolsheim, 69, and David Cheriton, 74, in that exclusive club.

A spokesperson for California-based Arista declined to comment.
Thanks for joining me on a day largely dominated by one story: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced Australia will recognise a state of Palestine in September at the United Nations, joining the UK, France and Canada among other nations in this regard.

Here are six key quotes:

Anthony Albanese: Australia will recognise the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own. A two-state solution is humanitys best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East and to bring an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong: I spoke to [US Secretary of State Marco Rubio] ahead of the announcement, and as a matter of diplomatic courtesy, advised him, with our intention to announce.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley: This decision puts Australia at odds with the United States of America, our most important ally and the most consequential player in the conflict with Gaza. [It] does not appear to make the world a safer place, expedite the end of the conflict, deliver a two-state solution, see the free flow of aid support the release of hostages or end the terrorist group Hamas.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry: Todays announcement acknowledges the need for all the hostages to be released and for Hamas to be disarmed and removed from power. It accepts that the Palestinians and the Arab states have to recognise and make peace with Israel. The major flaw ... is that it relegates these conditions to the status of a mere promise to be fulfilled at some future time, and says nothing about what will happen if those conditions are not met.

Nasser Mashni, the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network: Lets be very clear, what I want today is for Palestinians not to be slaughtered. What I want for Palestinians, and it is part of the Palestinian non-negotiable, is for  accountability for that slaughter, for an end to occupation and apartheid, and for Palestinians to have the opportunity to enact our right to return. Its not my job, or Anthony Albaneses to determine how Palestinians might seek their self-determination.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (before the announcement): To have European countries, and Australia, marching to that rabbit hole [Palestinian statehood], just like that, falling right into it  is disappointing, and I think its actually shameful, but its not going to change our position. I know what theyd do if right next to Melbourne or right next to Sydney, you had these horrific attacks, I think you would do probably what were doing.

There may be more reactions tonight and tomorrow, so continue to keep an eye on this blog for all the latest from my colleagues.

On Tuesday, its likely at least some local attention will turn to the Reserve Bank of Australia, as it meets to once again decide whether to cut interest rates.

Well be back soon with more live coverage.
A 19-year-old hiker was impaled on a stick or a branch after falling 10 metres on one of the Gold Coasts most challenging bushwalking tracks yesterday afternoon.

The teenager was tackling the Pinnacle walking track, also known as Pages Pinnacle, when he plunged 10 metres.

Part of the Pinnacle waking tack in Advancetown on the Gold Coast hinterland. Credit: YouTube

Gold Coast Superintendent Brett Jackson said the teen suffered severe arm injuries after becoming impaled on a stick or a branch in the fall.

It took firefighters two hours to reach the teenager and carry him to a waiting four-wheel-drive that ferried him to an ambulance.

Pages Pinnacle is a 400-metre-high bushwalking track at Advancetown, in the Gold Coast hinterland. It is located on a ridge between Springbrook and the Numinbah Valley. It features steep climbs and descents and is considered one of the most challenging Gold Coast hinterland hikes.

Those areas are known for the scenery and sometimes they are steep, and hiking  especially if you are by yourself  can have an element of danger to it, Jackson said.

So we would recommend going in a group and at least if you are going to go by yourself, make sure people know where you are going to go.

Please take safety equipment, make sure your phone is fully charged, and if you can, take water and safety equipment such as blankets or a bandage or lighting such as a torch, that can be advantageous too.

The teenager was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
The presence of shells on a beach in Catalonia has decreased almost threefold in just a few decades, according to a study.

Its a summer ritual. Like eating a cold watermelon at dusk, picking figs straight from the tree, or lying on a blanket in the middle of the night to watch the Perseids meteor shower pass by. Collecting shells and snails by the seashore is one of the most typical summer traditions. But it comes at a price. It always has.

Lets assume the following, says Michal Kowalewski, a researcher at the University of Florida specializing in the study of invertebrates: There are, annually and almost certainly worldwide, around 10 billion visits to beaches. And lets say one shell is collected for every 100 visits, which sounds small, but wed still be talking about 10,000 tons of shells disappearing from beaches every year. This is equivalent to three Olympic-sized swimming pools filled to the brim. It seems like a small and innocent gesture, but the rise of mass tourism on Mediterranean beaches is irreversibly altering their ecosystems, and now taking a summer souvenir home is leaving an ever-deeper mark.

Scientists have been warning about this for years. A study by Kowalewski and researchers from the University of Barcelona, published in the journal PLOS One in 2014, showed a drastic decrease in the number of shells present on Larga beach in Salou (Catalonia). The authors compared two series of systematic samplings carried out in the same location 30 years apart: the first between 1978 and 1981, and the second between 2008 and 2010. They found that the presence of shells decreased almost threefold during the study period.

This decline coincided with an almost parallel rise in the number of tourists, which increased 2.7-fold during that period. However, the physical conditions of the environment  such as wave energy and climate  remained stable. Furthermore, the ecological indicators extracted from the study of shells  species dominance, size distribution, frequency of shell perforation by predators  were constant over the years. This indicates that there have been no substantial changes in the dynamics of mollusk populations or in the basic structure of the local marine ecosystem. So it seems that humans are to blame.

More tourism means greater urban development of the coastal area and increased boating activity, Kowalewski points out. The use of machinery for beach cleaning is also progressively increasing, and this is significant because it involves machinery passing over the sand, pulverizing the shells. Then theres the matter of harvesting.

Of course its not harmless, says Jordi Martinell Callico, another of the studys authors, who has also spent his entire life on the beach chosen for sampling and has seen the regions progressive deterioration firsthand. The pressure on the coastal zone is very severe, he adds.

I agree that taking a single shell isnt a big deal, says Kowalewski. The problem is that billions of people, visiting beaches each year, often take entire buckets of them. They put them away at home, but over time, most of those shells end up in the trash or landfills, he warns.

For decades, this has also been technically prohibited in Spain. The Coastal Law establishes that sand, stones, shells, mollusks, and beach fossils are public property and that their unauthorized extraction is illegal. While taking one or two as a souvenir is not actively prosecuted, it can carry fines of between 500 and 3,000.

An essential environmental function

In the living room, theyre just decoration, but on the beach, shells perform multiple ecosystem services and play an essential environmental role. Theyre not there by chance: theyre part of the natural ecosystem that keeps our beaches alive and stable, explains Fernando Garcia Guerrero, one of the curators of the malacology collection at the National Museum of Natural Sciences.

The experts consulted explain that one of the main functions of shells is the physical stabilization of beaches. Each shell, no matter how small it may seem, helps keep the sand in place, slowing its wash with each tide. Thanks to them, beaches retain their shape, firmness, and ability to resist erosion, explains Garcia.

When shells dissolve, they also affect the acidity of the water, as they contain calcium carbonate, which modifies the oceans pH, explains Martinell. This helps recycle calcium and other elements back into the sea, helping to maintain vital cycles within the water, including the generation of new shells.

Shells, in turn, provide shelter and habitat for many organisms. Algae, seagrasses, hermit crabs, small invertebrates, and even shorebirds use them as homes or as building materials. Some birds even use them to sharpen their beaks. Its indisputable: the loss of shells alters the physical, chemical, and biological balance of beaches.

Better to leave the shell where it is

At this point, the impact of human activity on the coast seems inevitable. However, we can still minimize our footprint while we walk, Kowalewski argues. The scientist says he would advocate for the simplest and at the same time most complicated solution of all: environmental education. I think thats the best way to begin mitigating the problem, he opines. Martinell agrees: We need to raise awareness among vacationers so they are careful, respect the beach environment, and dont destroy it. Taking a shell may seem like nothing. But its not necessary; its better to leave it where it is.

The good news, Garcia notes, is that enjoying the beach and caring for it are not only compatible, but should go hand in hand. Instead of taking the shells home, the scientist suggests observing them, photographing them, or simply admiring them. The experience doesnt lose value by not having a physical object as a souvenir; on the contrary, we gain a connection with nature, he says.

He also mentions that, when visiting a beach, its important not to disturb the dune vegetation, to avoid walking off marked trails, pick up trash, and follow the instructions of environmental authorities. Taking care of the coast doesnt mean giving up enjoying it, he reminds us. On the contrary, it means learning to truly value it. Because what we protect, we conserve. And what we conserve, endures.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
A woman in her 20s is in a critical condition after suffering serious injuries in a three-car collision south of Brisbane on Saturday night, while another five people have been hospitalised.

Police were called about 8pm on Saturday to Logan over reports of a serious crash.

Officers said the woman in her 20s had been driving a grey Hyundai i30, turning off Teviot Road into Cusack Lane in South Maclean when it was struck by a white Ford Falcon travelling south along Teviot Road.

Police are appealing for information related to a three-car crash and a suspected road-rage incident on Saturday night.

The two vehicles then collided with a silver Mazda 2, which was travelling north along Teviot Road.
Amid the furore of the public debate about the war in Gaza, and whether Australia should now recognise Palestine, it is too often forgotten that recognition of a Palestinian state is the outcome preferred by both sides of politics. Since the first Oslo Accord, which created the Palestinian Authority and set in train the long-since interrupted peace process, the ultimate goal has been to achieve a two-state solution.

A lot of water has gone under the bridge since that sunny day in the White House Rose Garden in September 1993 when Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin shook hands with Palestinian Liberation Organisation leader Yasser Arafat, under the benign gaze of US president Bill Clinton. Today, peace between Israelis and Palestinians is much further away than it seemed then. Nevertheless, the two-state solution remains the objective; the question is not whether Palestinian statehood should be recognised, but when and on what conditions.

Mounted police disperse demonstrators blocking a highway in Tel Aviv during a weekend protest demanding the release of all hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip and calling for an end to the war. Credit: Ohad Zwigenberg/AP

As with most other democracies, Australia has long taken the view that that should not happen until Israels right to exist is acknowledged  as it was by the Oslo Accords  and its security credibly assured by the Palestinians.

Since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, the Palestinian Authority has been unable to give that assurance. The consequences for Israel of Hamas control of Gaza  against which Israeli leaders long before Benjamin Netanyahu warned  were made horrifyingly clear on October 7, 2023.
Washington: She does not stand in triumph. She does not strut.

Instead, Petunia rides in someones arms, her small, hairless body balanced against a loop of pink leash. Fairground trophies shine behind her, but she looks away, folds of skin settling like soft hills along her neck.

Petunia, a two-year-old hairless English-French bulldog mix from Eugene, Oregon, arrived at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California, not as a polished show dog but as herself.

The Worlds Ugliest Dog Contest, a decades-old tradition meant to promote the adoption of dogs and remind people that pedigree does not define the pet, has never sought perfection.
A farmworker with no criminal record, whose wife and children are U.S. citizens and who has lived in Texas for more than 10 years. A single mother and cancer survivor who entered the country more than two decades ago. These are just a few examples of the immigrants who remain in detention in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing centers as a result of a new Trump administration policy that prevents them from seeking release on bond, regardless of their length of stay in the United States or their criminal record.

The no-bond policy, announced in July by the Department of Homeland Security, instructs ICE employees to consider anyone who entered the country without inspection as being subject to mandatory detention for the duration of their removal proceedings. As a result, immigration attorneys report, immigrants will be held indefinitely in detention while their cases are reviewed, which can take months or years.

The farmworker, a Mexican man in his 30s, was detained at a checkpoint. According to Pedro Lopez, the immigration attorney handling the case, his client passed through there every day, but this time he was arrested and then denied bond. That young man is a Boy Scout. I mean, hes well-behaved, hes an exemplary father. He works on a ranch. His life revolves around taking care of his family and working, the attorney stated.

Although the man is married to a U.S. citizen, he never regularized his immigration status. Now, the fact that hes in detention complicates his defense. He cant cooperate optimally, and the deadlines for submitting his defense will move much faster, Lopez explained. This means the lawyer has less time than usual to design his strategy. For the relief hes preparing, he must prove that his client has lived in the United States for at least 10 years. Even if he has a way to prove it, gathering the documentation while his client remains in the detention center is much more difficult. Were focused on trying to work on the appeal, because they gave me somewhat aggressive deadlines. Ive only spoken with him very briefly, so I have to do everything through his wife, the lawyer added.

For Lopez, the situation has become even more complicated because many judges are misinterpreting the new policy and are denying bond to everyone who goes through immigration court.

On June 19, single mother Ana Franco Galdamez was arrested in Los Angeles during a large-scale immigration operation. She had been in the United States for more than two decades, has no criminal record, and no previous contact with immigration authorities. In addition to being the sole provider for her two children, both of whom are U.S. citizens, she had just completed treatment for breast cancer.

She is currently being held at the ICE Processing Center in Adelanto, California and has not been able to undergo a follow-up mammogram. It is unclear when she will be able to leave the center, as she was denied bond despite the fact that the letters of support that accompanied her submission for bond describe her as a woman of integrity, an involved and loving mother who works hard to provide for her family as a single mother. The possibility of appealing the decision to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Board, according to the court file, has no practical effect.

Ana Francos story is part of a class-action lawsuit filed late last month against the federal government by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which aims to challenge this new policy. The organization, according to statements provided to this newspaper, also intends to challenge a specific policy in California, where judges at the Adelanto immigration court are denying bond.

The document presents several other stories of immigrants whose lives have been affected by this policy. A hardworking and respectful clothing packer who has lived in Los Angeles for four years; a father of four who has been in the United States for 20 years; the father of a daughter who is completely dependent on him. None of them has a criminal record or prior contact with immigration authorities. However, according to the document, they have been punished disproportionately.

Attorney Michael Tan, deputy director of the ACLUs Immigrants Rights Project, explained that with the lawsuit, the organization seeks to have the policy declared unlawful and restore peoples access to bond hearings. We argue that this policy violates immigration laws, which have provided for bond hearings for more than 70 years. We also argue that it violates the right to due process, said the specialist, who is one of the signatories of the legal complaint.

According to Tan, the White House-sponsored measure removes immigrants right to request release from a judge and gives ICE almost total control over their incarceration. He added that the result is indefinite detention: people imprisoned for months or years with no end in sight. This will force people to abandon their immigration cases and accept deportation, even if they have the right to remain in the country, which is the ultimate goal of the Trump administration.

The lawyer noted that the ACLUs next step will be to request a federal court to certify it as a nationwide class action. We are confident the court will reject this radical and unprecedented government policy, he said. If this happens, lawyers like Pedro Lopez could file a motion for a change of circumstances to try to free their clients.

According to Tan, the Constitution guarantees all persons within the boundaries of the United States rights to equal due process under the law, full stop. The government should never allow anyone to be imprisoned without guaranteeing them due process, he said: a hearing before a judge where the person has the opportunity to demonstrate that there is no justification for imprisoning them.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
The Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center on Saturday unveiled a new exhibit spotlighting the life, service, and legacy of Medal of Honor Recipient Dwight W. Birdwell.

On Jan. 31, 1968  during the opening day of the Tet Offensive, a massive and coordinated surprise attack by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces on more than 100 cities and military targets  Specialist Birdwells unit moved to defend Tan Son Nhut Air Base, one of the offensives primary targets. When his tank commander was wounded, Specialist Birdwell exposed himself to intense enemy fire to rescue him and took command of the vehicle. From the open hatch he used the tanks cannon and machine gun to hold back attackers, even after communications were destroyed. He continued fighting with his rifle, retrieved M-60 machine guns from a downed helicopter, and pressed on despite sustaining wounds to his face and torso. Specialist Birdwell rallied fellow soldiers, resupplied ammunition, and helped evacuate the wounded until he was ordered to seek medical attention.

A citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Specialist Birdwell served in both Korea and Vietnam before returning home to build a successful career in law and public service. In 2022, one of his Silver Stars was upgraded to the Medal of Honor  recognizing extraordinary bravery during combat in Vietnam.

The exhibit features deeply personal items, including his childhood stuffed animal "Coco," a selection of his favorite childhood books, and military decorations. In a nod to his heritage, the display also includes Cherokee cultural artifacts, reflecting his identity as one of only five Cherokee Medal of Honor Recipients.

Dwight Birdwells story reminds us that Medal of Honor Recipients were once children  shaped by their communities, cultures, and values, said Maranda Wilkinson, director of Education & Public Programming at the MOHHC. This exhibit helps visitors, especially students, see that these heroes come from all walks of life.

Specialist Birdwell traces his roots back to Tennessee and North Georgia, making his story especially meaningful to the region. Alongside his military honors, including two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts, the exhibit highlights his distinguished legal career and decades of service to the Cherokee Nation.

The new exhibit is now open to the public. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.MOHHC.org.
TVFCU announces the opening of its newest branch at 920 Vista Dr. in Dalton. The official grand opening is set for Aug. 18, with a week of celebratory events leading up to the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 22.

The grand opening of our Dalton branch marks an exciting new chapter in how we serve this incredible community, said Todd Fortner, CEO and president of TVFCU. Weve planned a week of meaningful events, local food, and community connection  all to celebrate the people who make Dalton special. Were honored to grow alongside this community.

The Dalton branch will be TVFCUs largest to date, housed in a 15,000-square-foot, two-story building that also serves as the North Georgia regional headquarters. The second floor will host tvfcuLIVE and business services, supporting a wide range of member needs.



TVFCU partnered with local design/build firm Construction Consultants to create a distinctive branch. Construction Consultants has been working with us for 25 years on a wide range of projects, said John Merritt, VP of corporate strategy, including the design and construction of new branches and the remodeling of numerous other TVFCU facilities.

Created by River Street Architecture with the help of AI-assisted tools, the building design includes unique lighting features and a roof inspired by the wave motif in TVFCUs logo. The 3D-printed wave panels on the front exterior were created by Branch Technology  a Chattanooga-based company. The entrance showcases a hand-painted concrete peacock and a 6-by-9-foot painting of a peacock feather by local artist Mayelli Meza.

The branch includes eight ITMs  five inside and three in the drive-thru. The lobby will be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Fridays. The drive-thrus will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Saturday. At opening, 25 employees will staff both floors, with space to grow. This location brings new jobs and elevated service to Dalton and surrounding Northwest Georgia communities.

Were proud to welcome the Dalton community with the same friendly service and affordable financial solutions that have made TVFCU a trusted name across the Tennessee Valley, said Vonda Bledsoe, branch director.

The full schedule of grand opening events is available at tvfcu.com/events.
A Chattanooga man with a lengthy criminal record has been arrested again - this time on federal charges in connection with a load of deadly fentanyl from Mexico.

Alex Freeman Jr., 41, is charged with conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

Authorities said in June, a confidential source advised that Freeman would soon receive a large shipment of pills containing fentanyl.

The large shipment would be going to 1313 Bradt St., via the U.S. Postal Service, it was stated.

The shipment was said to be for "Lil Vic," and that "Lil Vic" utilized a certain telephone number. Agents conducted an open-source search of that phone number and found a CashApp account in the name of Freeman with his photograph.

An agent said he knew Freeman from previous investigations. He is known by the nickname "Lil Vic."

On July 3, a USPIS Inspector located two USPS parcels in the USPS mail stream destined for 1313 Bradt St. A search and seizure warrant was issued for the two parcels.

They were found to contain approximately five kilograms of orange fentanyl pills. The pills were seized and submitted for analysis by a DEA forensic chemist.

On July 23, DEA received information from CS-1 that Freeman would receive an additional large shipment of pills containing fentanyl. Two Hispanic males were to make the delivery in a white GMC Acadia with Florida tags.

They were due to meet at 1701 North Concord Road, the Ledford at Hamilton Place apartment complex.

Law enforcement officers conducted surveillance of the area. At approximately 5:30 p.m., surveillance units observed a white GMC Acadia with Florida tags, occupied by two Hispanic males, pull into a parking lot at 1701 North Concord Road and park in a parking space.

At that time, the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) drone unit deployed a surveillance drone over the parking lot and observed the white GMC Acadia move to several different parking spaces.

A short time later, Freeman approached and opened the tailgate of a blue Dodge Ram that was parked in front of the white GMC Acadia. Then, an Hispanic male, later identified as Hugo Cisneros-Arciniega, exited the driver's seat of the white GMC Acadia, retrieved a duffel bag from the cargo-area of the white GMC Acadia, and placed it into the bed of the Dodge Ram pickup.

Freeman and Cisneros-Arciniega shook hands, then Freeman fled on foot but was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit. During a search of Freeman, law enforcement located a small bag of orange pills, which appear similar to those I seized from the USPS parcel.

Cisneros-Arciniega and the passenger of the white GMC Acadia, Angel Cangas-Vargas, were also taken into custody.

Later, Cangas-Vargas stated he and Cisneros-Arciniega traveled from Mexico and made stops in multiple U.S. cities prior to Chattanooga.

Law enforcement located and seized approximately six kilograms of orange pills inside the duffel bag that Cisneros-Arciniega placed in the bed of the pickup. The pills appear similar to those seized from the USPS parcel and from Freeman.

Law enforcement located an additional bag in the back seat of the Dodge Ram was found to contain distribution quantities of cocaine and marijuana.

Law enforcement located a live tortoise in the front passenger seat floorboard of the white GMC Acadia

In 2015, Freeman was ordered to return to federal prison after picking up new charges of selling marijuana and possessing a gun.

Freeman, who was 31 at the time, was sentenced to 80 months by Judge Curtis Collier.

Prosecutor Chris Poole at the time said Freeman already had a lengthy criminal record, and he once fired into a crowd while saying he was protecting his brother. He said he had 10 adult convictions.

He said Freeman "is very smart and he could do something positive with his life, but he keeps coming back to drugs and guns."
Home News Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell maintains innocence in fraud case as co-defendant pleads guilty

Prominent Texas megachurch Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, who was indicted last year for defrauding a number of investors  including members of his 15,000-member church  of more than $1 million, maintained his innocence Tuesday as his co-defendant pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

Caldwell and Gregory Alan Smith, an investment adviser based in Shreveport, Louisiana, were both charged with 13 counts, among them being conspiracy to commit money laundering when they raised around $3.5 million in Historical Chinese bonds from 29 investors between 2013 to 2014.

Caldwells attorney Dan Cogdell quickly released a statement after Smiths guilty plea insisting that it would not affect his clients belief that he committed no crime.

"We are aware that Greg Smith entered a plea of guilty today. That said, Smiths plea of guilty has no effect on Pastor Caldwells belief that he committed no crime. At all times, Pastor Caldwell believed in the legitimacy of the transactions he was involved with. Simply put, at no time did Kirbyjon Caldwell ever intend on defrauding anyone. We look forward to our day in court for the full truth to come out, he said.

Caldwell and Smith reportedly tricked investors into believing that they were buying the Historical Chinese bonds through a Shreveport-based company called Smith Financial Group LLC.

A release from the Department of Justice noted that the bonds were issued by the former Republic of China prior to losing power to the communist government in 1949.

They are not recognized by China's current government and have no investment value. Smith and Caldwell promised high rates of return, sometimes three to 15 times the value of the investments. Instead of investing the funds, the defendants used them to pay personal loans, credit card balances, mortgages, vehicle purchases and other personal expenses," the DOJ said.

Caldwell, according to Click 2 Houston, received $760,000, which he used for personal expenses, including mortgage payments. His limited liability company also received $1 million, of which $175,000 was transferred to the pastor. Smith received $1 million of the funds invested which he splurged on luxury vehicles, the indictment said.

None of the investors have gotten back their money, according to court documents.

Smith now faces five to seven years in prison, a $1 million fine, restitution, forfeiture and five years of supervised release. He is expected to know his fate at his sentencing scheduled for Dec. 11.

Caldwells trial is expected to start on Dec. 2.

The pastor announced earlier this month that he was diagnosed with stage 1 prostate cancer.

I want to share with you that earlier this week, I received a call from MD Anderson informing me that Ive been diagnosed with stage 1 prostate cancer. And thank God that my prognosis does not look like my diagnosis. God was very clear that Ill die from something as we all will one day but it wont be from prostate cancer, he said in a Facebook video.
Home News Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell who advised Bush, Obama sentenced to 6 years for fraud

Prominent Houston Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, who served as a spiritual adviser to former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, was sentenced to six years in prison Wednesday, just under a year after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a multimillion-dollar investment scheme.

The U.S. Department of Justice said in a release that in addition to serving six years in prison, Caldwell, who formerly led the Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, will also serve one additional year of supervised release.

He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,588,500, as well as a fine of $125,000.

The defendants in this case abused the trust that the victims had placed in them, Acting United States Attorney Van Hook said. This defendant used his status as the pastor of a megachurch to help convince the many victim investors that they were making a legitimate investment but instead he took their hard-earned money from them and used it for his own personal gain. This office will continue to investigate and prosecute those who scheme and prey upon the elderly and others.

The lay leadership of Windsor Village said in a statement shared on Facebook shortly after the sentencing that the man who led their church for nearly 38 years was a victim in the case as well.

First, I believe Kirbyjon Caldwell was also a victim in this case. His victimization started when he chose the wrong business partners. He acknowledges this fact and he has accepted full responsibility. This business deal involving investment in Chinese Heritage Bonds resulted in financial harm to a group of investors, victims in the legal case. Mr. Caldwell has apologized and asked forgiveness from the people harmed in this matter. Those include the victims in the Shreveport legal case, his family and the Windsor Village Church family, Floyd LeBlanc of the churchs personnel committee, said.

Caldwell, 67, who was indicted in 2018 for defrauding investors  including elderly members of Windsor Village United Methodist Church  of more than $1 million, previously maintained his innocence as his co-defendant, Gregory Alan Smith, pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

Caldwell and Smith, who is an investment adviser based in Shreveport, Louisiana, were both charged with 13 counts, including conspiracy to commit money laundering when they raised around $3.5 million in Historical Chinese bonds from 29 investors between 2013 to 2014.

The pastor, who obtained a masters degree from the Wharton School of Business and previously worked in the financial industry was the one who pitched the Chinese bonds to investors through Smith, according to the DOJ.

Potential investors were told that they would be obtaining a partial ownership interest in the bonds and that they would receive exponential returns on their investments in a short period of time. Caldwell and Smith neglected to tell these individuals the historical Chinese bonds, issued by the former Republic of China prior to losing power to the communist government in 1949, held no value. The bonds were considered by the Securities and Exchange Commission to be mere collectables with no value outside of the memorabilia market.

After hearing the pitch, investors signed up and were provided with a participation agreement indicating that if the sale of the bonds failed to occur within a certain number of days, the invested funds would be returned within a specific time. They were instructed to wire funds to various bank accounts held by or controlled by Caldwell. Approximately $3.5 million was invested in the scheme in 2013 and 2014.

Smith, Caldwell, and others later divided up the funds with Caldwell personally receiving approximately $900,000, the DOJ said. Caldwell used a portion of the funds to pay down debt including personal loans, mortgages, and credit cards to maintain his lifestyle while investors were told their funds were used to purchase bonds and pay for expenses incurred from selling or redeeming the bonds.

LeBlanc insisted on Wednesday that Caldwell was a victim.

Kirbyjon Caldwell and his wife were the first investors in the Chinese bonds, and thus the first victims. As a person seeking to operate in integrity, Mr. Caldwell executed contracts with the other investors, victims in the legal case and he committed to give them their money back if they asked to exit the deal. He had in fact refunded more than $1 million to investors or victims who requested a refund before the indictment in the legal case in 2018. And before the sentencing hearing earlier today Mr. Caldwell had repaid every dollar invested to every victim investor, LeBlanc said.
Home News Pastor returns to megachurch after being released from prison for $3.6M fraud conviction

A Texas pastor has resumed preaching at the megachurch he once led, nearly a year after being released from prison. The return of the pastor, who previously served as a spiritual adviser to Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, comes following a conviction for involvement in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme.

Last Sunday, the congregation at Windsor Village Church, part of the United Methodist Church, welcomed back Kirbyjon Caldwell, KTRK reported.

Caldwell had served part of a six-year sentence in Beaumont for defrauding investors out of nearly $3.6 million in a scheme involving historical Chinese bonds. He was granted early release last year and returned to the pulpit nearly 12 months later.

Federal court documents stated that Caldwells co-conspirator was responsible for finding investors. Caldwell has maintained that no one from his church was among the victims.

Prosecutors alleged that he and his co-defendant wired $25,000 from a church account, a sum that a representative said was later repaid. Court records confirmed Caldwell had paid full restitution to all victims.

Taking the microphone on Sunday, Caldwell sang to worshipers, I went all the way to Beaumont, Texas, looked all around, couldnt find nobody. His appearance drew applause and embraces from church members and friends.

Its such a blessing to have our visionary pastor back at church. We are so excited, one member was quoted as saying.

The church announced that Caldwell will deliver his first sermon since his return this Sunday.

Caldwell began serving his sentence in June 2021 after pleading guilty the previous year to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. His wife, Suzette Caldwell, the churchs senior pastor, told congregants at the time that she cried a river when he entered prison.

Speaking from the pulpit after his release to home confinement, she offered prayers of thanksgiving and praise and said her husband was healthy and ready to go.

Caldwell, 67, was sentenced in January 2021 in connection with a scheme that ran between 2013 and 2014, involving investment adviser Gregory Alan Smith of Shreveport, Louisiana. Prosecutors said the two raised about $3.5 million from 29 investors through Smith Financial Group LLC for bonds issued by the Republic of China before 1949, which had no value beyond the memorabilia market.

In a recorded message to the church before beginning his sentence, Caldwell said, Over three years or so ago, I was indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  Wire fraud is very inclusive [of a wide range of activities], obviously. I did not know I was committing wire fraud, neither did my attorney at the time, and thats the way it goes.

Windsor Village Church issued a statement after sentencing, noting Caldwells remorse and confirming that restitution had been completed before the case concluded. It said that many victims were paid over and above the amount that they invested, and described such voluntary restitution as rare in similar cases.

As part of the disciplinary process, Caldwell was removed as an ordained elder in the Texas Annual Conference of the UMC.

In a Facebook post the day after his return to church, Caldwell wrote, Hey there! I regret not being able to see you at church yesterday. As Pastor Suzette shared, I am at home under home confinement. Thanks for your prayers and prayerful support. I love you in Jesus Name, and I will see you soon!
Home News This week in Christian history: ELCA elects first woman leader, first Methodist preacher arrives in Australia

Throughout the extensive history of the Church, numerous events of lasting significance have occurred.

Each week marks anniversaries of impressive milestones, unforgettable tragedies, amazing triumphs, memorable births and notable deaths.

Some events, spanning over 2,000 years of history, might be familiar, while others may be unknown to many.

The following pages highlight anniversaries of memorable events that occurred this week in Christian history, including the election of the first female leader of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the arrival of the first Methodist preacher in Australia, and the death of Lowell Mason.
Home News Catholic dioceses reject same-sex blessings guidelines in Germany

Several Catholic dioceses in Germany have declined to adopt a new set of guidelines for blessing couples. The document includes provisions for same-sex and irregular unions that critics say contradict Vatican guidelines.

The dioceses of Augsburg, Eichstatt, Passau and Regensburg joined Cologne last week in rejecting the pastoral text produced jointly by the German Bishops Conference and the Central Committee of German Catholics, The Catholic Herald reported.

The handout, titled Segen spendet Liebe Kraft (Blessing Gives Strength to Love), has been in circulation since March and proposes a framework for blessing couples, including music, readings and ceremonial elements.

The dioceses that declined to use the text have cited its divergence from the Fiducia Supplicans, the declaration issued by the Vaticans Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on Dec. 18, 2023. That document, approved by Pope Francis and signed by Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, allowed for brief, spontaneous blessings of couples in what the Church considers irregular situations, while ruling out any liturgical or ritual form resembling marriage.

In Augsburg, diocesan leaders identified four areas of concern, including the handouts promotion of blessing ceremonies and its aesthetic guidance for events, which they said blurred distinctions between blessings and sacramental marriage rites.

Bishop Bertram Meier noted that while the Vatican document advised against promoting or prescribing rituals, the German handout explicitly spoke of blessing celebrations and planned to review experiences with them, according to Catholic News Service.

The Archdiocese of Cologne stated earlier in the year that it sought ways to assure people of Gods companionship within the boundaries of universal Church provisions. Regensburg, Eichstatt and Passau have taken similar positions, rejecting the handout but affirming their adherence to the Vaticans December guidance.

Responses from other dioceses vary widely. Eleven have formally adopted or endorsed the guidelines, among them Limburg, Osnabruck, Trier, Hildesheim and Aachen.

In Mainz, Bishop Peter Kohlgraf sent the document to all pastoral workers with a recommendation to follow it. Wurzburg has advertised blessings at wedding fairs, with a diocesan spokesperson describing the need for sensitivity and flexibility in shaping each ceremony, according to the Herald.

The remaining dioceses have taken middle positions, with some allowing local pastors to decide. In Munster, diocesan administrator Antonius Hamers said the leadership trusted in the sensitivity and pastoral empathy of the local pastors. In Berlin, Bishop Heiner Koch has opted not to conduct such blessings himself but will not sanction clergy who do so after a pastoral conversation.

The pastoral handout is nonbinding and was not approved by the German Bishops Conferences General Assembly. It was issued instead by a joint advisory committee of bishops and ZdK (Zentralkomitee der deutschen Katholiken, or the Central Committee of German Catholics) members, which has no authority to enact binding rules.

Criticism has also come from Catholic groups and senior clergy.

The lay initiative Neuer Anfang, or New Beginnings, has argued that the handout promotes the opposite of the stated intentions of Pope Francis and contradicts the purpose of Fiducia Supplicans. The group contends that some bishops are failing to uphold Catholic sexual ethics and that the guidelines encourage practices that exceed what the Vatican permitted.

Former Vatican doctrine chief Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller has compared the German practices to medieval indulgence trading, which he said endangered the eternal salvation of deceivers and deceived and brought us the continuing division of Christianity to this day.

Writing in Die Tagespost on July 18, Muller asserted that, according to biblical teaching, marriage exists only between a man and a woman, making blessing rites for irregular situations ineffective before God and a form of pious fraud toward participants, according to CNA Deutsch.
The recent decision by US President Donald Trump to impose a 50% tariff on Indian importsciting New Delhis continued purchase of Russian oilmarks a turning point not only in US-India relations but in the global economic and geopolitical landscape. While the move may appear to be a targeted economic sanction, its ripple effects could be far-reaching, with consequences that extend well beyond bilateral trade.

India, now the worlds most populous country, is not just a regional powerit is a global economic engine. Its massive labor force, growing manufacturing sector, and expanding middle class make it a key player in global supply chains. Imposing high tariffs on Indian goods is not a minor adjustment; it is a tectonic shift. The economic and political aftershocks of this decision will reverberate across continents.

From an economic standpoint, the immediate impact on India could be severe. The United States is one of the largest export markets for Indian goods, ranging from textiles and pharmaceuticals to industrial chemicals and seafood. Losing access to this marketor facing prohibitive tariffswill likely reduce Indias export revenues, weaken the rupee, and slow down GDP growth. A depreciated rupee could lead to Indian products flooding neighboring markets, putting local producers at a disadvantage against cheaper Indian goods.

But the consequences wont stop at Indias borders. As Indian exporters seek alternative markets to compensate for lost access to the USA, they will inevitably turn toward Europe, Southeast Asia, and other regions. This shift will intensify competition in those markets, particularly in sectors where India already has a cost advantage due to its cheap labor and large-scale production. Countries like Turkiye, which rely heavily on exports to Europe, may find themselves squeezed by a flood of lower-priced Indian goods.

This dynamic could also trigger a wave of protectionist policies across the affected countries. As competition intensifies and local industries feel the pressure, governments may resort to tariffs, subsidies, and import restrictions to shield domestic producers. The rise of such protectionist measures would undermine the principles of free trade and could lead to a fragmentation of global marketssomething the world can ill afford in the wake of recent supply chain disruptions and economic instability.

Despite all these economic hardships, Trumps decision stands out as a remarkably smart and calculated move. If bold steps are not taken today, the world may face even greater challenges tomorrow. Politically, Trumps move is clearly aimed at isolating Russia by penalizing countries that continue to engage with Moscow economically. Indias purchase of Russian oil has been a point of contention, especially as Western nations seek to cut off Kremlins revenue streams amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. By targeting India, Trump is sending a message: economic ties with Russia come at a cost.

This strategy could, in theory, weaken Russias position in the global energy market and reduce its capacity to finance its military operations. For many in Eastern Europe and the post-Soviet space, this is a welcome development. Russias involvement in the occupation of Garabagh in the 1990s, as well as its role in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, laid the groundwork for a pattern of unchecked aggression. Again, the world turned a blind eye to Moscows actions in Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine in 2014, allowing the Kremlins appetite for expansion to grow. Convinced that its moves would go unanswered, Russia escalated its ambitions, ultimately leading to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

So, if Russia emerges victorious or even partially successful in Ukraine, it could embolden further expansionist ambitions, particularly toward former Soviet republics. Thats why many believe that Russias nose must be bloodied in this conflictnot just for Ukraines sake, but to preserve the balance of power and deter future aggression.

If India ultimately agrees to reduce or halt its purchases of Russian oil in response to the tariffs, it will set a powerful precedent. Other nationsespecially those wavering between economic pragmatism and geopolitical responsibilitymay follow suit. Such a shift would accelerate Russias isolation, cutting off vital revenue streams and weakening its ability to sustain military aggression. In this sense, Trumps decision could catalyze a broader coalition against Russia, reinforcing the global effort to uphold international norms and deter authoritarian expansion.

So, despite the economic risks and potential fallout, Trumps decision to impose tariffs on India may prove to be strategically sound. It sends a clear message that economic partnerships cannot be divorced from geopolitical accountability. If the end result is a more unified front against Russian aggression and a stronger global commitment to peace and stability, then the costshowever steepmay well be justified.
Home News New Zealand sees euthanasia, assisted suicide rates climb 37%

Euthanasia and assisted suicide cases in New Zealand have risen by more than a third in the past year, reaching 472 deaths between April 2024 and March 2025  a 37.21% increase over the previous year, according to figures cited by Right to Life UK from the New Zealand Ministry of Health.

The pro-life group called the surge a cause for alarm and warned that the country is following the same steep upward trend seen in other nations that have legalized the practice.

New Zealand appears to be following the same trend as other countries that have introduced euthanasia and assisted suicide legislation in recent years  a steep year-on-year increase in deaths through assisted suicide and euthanasia.

The experience of New Zealand should serve as a portent of what we can likely expect in England and Wales should Kim Leadbeaters assisted suicide bill pass the Lords, said Catherine Robinson, spokesperson for Right To Life UK.

Altogether, the data show 472 cases of euthanasia and assisted suicide in New Zealand from April 1, 2024, through March 30 of this year. This is a 37.21% increase from the same period the previous year, when there were 344 cases of euthanasia and assisted suicide in the country. It equals 1.25% of all deaths in New Zealand.

According to Right To Life UK, reasons cited by the now-deceased applicants for seeking euthanasia or assisted suicide included having disabilities (12%), even though one in five were not receiving palliative care. Only 19 applicants underwent a psychiatric assessment to determine their competence to make an informed decision.

Meanwhile, one in 10 applicants cited a neurological condition. Right To Life UK described this as a relatively small proportion compared with the argument often made by pro-euthanasia supporters, noting the need for people with neurological conditions to access assisted suicide or euthanasia regularly being referred to by campaigners as a key reason for introducing assisted suicide and euthanasia.

The report also revealed a decline in the number of doctors willing to be involved in assisted suicide and euthanasia. The number of practitioners on the Support and Consultation for End of Life Choice (SCENZ) Group list, which connects patients with doctors willing to assess or carry out assisted deaths, fell from 148 in March 2023 to 126 in March 2025.

An ethnic disparity was also evident. New Zealand European/Pakeha applicants made up 79.92% of applications, despite comprising 67.8% of the population. Maori accounted for 4.97% of applications and are 17.8% of the population, Asians made up 3.56% of applications and are 17.30% of the population, and Pacific peoples were 0.56% of applications and account for 8.90% of the population.

New Zealand introduced the End of Life Choice Act 2019, which legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide effective Nov. 7, 2021. The law allows eligible individuals  those aged 18 or older, who are citizens or permanent residents, have a terminal illness expected to end their life within six months, are in irreversible decline, and are experiencing unbearable suffering  to pursue assisted dying.

This article was originally published at Christian Daily International
Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone.

Our work is made possible by the generosity of supporters like you. Your contributions empower us to continue breaking stories that matter, providing clarity from a biblical worldview, and standing for truth in an era of competing narratives.

By making a recurring donation or a one-time donation of any amount, youre helping to keep CPs articles free and accessible for everyone.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Greater Cleveland Peace Officer Memorial hosted its 17th annual COPS RIDE ceremony Sunday, honoring four Ohio law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty over the past year.

More than 300 motorcyclists participated in the processional ride from the police officer memorial to Rock N Roll City Harley-Davidson store, showing their support for fallen officers and their families.

C.O.P.S. was organized in 1984 to rebuild the shattered lives of survivors and co-workers of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.

The solemn ceremony featured performances by the Cleveland Police Flag Color Guard and Cleveland Police Pipes and Drums. WKYC 3News health correspondent Monica Robins performed God Bless America.

During the formal reading of names, the ceremony paid tribute to Lt. Rodney Osborne and Officer Andrew Lansing of the Ohio Department of Corrections, Officer Jacob Derbin of Euclid Police, Officer Jamieson Ritter of Cleveland Police and Lorain officer Phillip Wagner all of whom died in the line of duty.

Cleveland Police Commander Tim Maffo-Judd, a Marine veteran, emphasized the significance of their service. These brave individuals did more than wear a badge. They carried the weight of responsibility, the burden of danger, and the unwavering commitment to protect and serve, he said.

Jon Ritter, father of fallen Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter, addressed the gathering with an emotional tribute. Gesturing toward the memorials granite walls inscribed with fallen officers names, he said, All these members on the wall. Theyre living still today because of you.

John KIKS Kikol, president of the COPS RIDE, noted that registration funds support both the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial and Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.).

The ceremony also included remarks from Cuyahoga County Sheriff Harold Pretel, a 30-year law enforcement veteran and former Marine Corps corporal, and David Leo, president of Ohio C.O.P.S. and father of fallen Girard Police Officer Justin Leo.

Related: https://www.cleveland.com/news/2025/07/a-true-hero-of-lorain-thousands-gather-at-rocket-arena-for-slain-officers-funeral.html
Every other year, a Baldwin Wallace University student-faculty team travels to Guatemala to work with the Mission Guatemala medical staff to provide training and gather new software requirements. Photo Courtesy of Baldwin Wallace University

Guest columnist Rachelle Kristof Hippler, Ed.D., is the program director for software engineering at Baldwin Wallace University. Dr. Hipplers experience spans K-12 education, higher education and the tech industry, providing a rich backdrop for her leadership in software engineering education and applied undergraduate research. She is also director of BWs User Experience (UX) Research Lab.

Study abroad programs that focus on computing are rare. Nationally, less than 3 percent of students who study abroad are computer science majors.

But because computing graduates often work on international teams performing user experience research and software development, they need exposure to other cultures.

Thats why I helped establish a multi-year, multi-phase international capstone project for Baldwin Wallace University software engineering students.

Since 2019, we have worked to develop, deploy and maintain a custom medical records software system in collaboration with Mission Guatemala, a nonprofit dedicated to helping underserved and impoverished Guatemalan communities through health, education and nutrition initiatives.

Every other year, a BW student-faculty team travels to Guatemala to work with the Mission Guatemala medical staff to provide training and gather new software requirements.

Those site visits are life-changing for students. They have been for me, too.

Ill never forget my first trip to explore the partnership. It was daunting. I was supposed to travel with another person, but they canceled at the last minute, leaving me to go alone or miss the opportunity.

Growing up in Brook Park in a single-parent family, vacations usually meant camping nearby. So, traveling abroad -- never mind traveling alone -- was unfathomable.

I pushed myself to go. And I am so glad I did!

Guatemala is a beautiful country, and the Mayan people are kind and welcoming. Over the years, Mission Guatemala has given me more than I have given it.

I take my role seriously as an ambassador for my profession, university and country. More importantly, I am now an ambassador for Mission Guatemala and the Mayan people back home.

Theres only so much you can learn about people from books or the internet. You must go there, sit with them -- listen, pray, work and laugh with them -- to truly understand the beauty in our world of differences.

For BW students, service learning combined with study abroad creates a uniquely powerful experience. Heres why this combination is so effective:

 Authentic Context: When students develop software for Mission Guatemala while immersed in the local environment, theyre not just coding in a classroom; theyre seeing firsthand how their work impacts real people and communities. That gives immediate meaning to their technical skills.

 Cultural Competency: Working directly with Guatemalan partners requires students to navigate cultural differences, communication styles and technological infrastructures. This builds genuine cultural competency and prepares students for a globalized workforce.

 Problem-Solving Skills: International service learning presents complex, real-world challenges that dont have predetermined solutions. Students must adapt their technical approach to local constraints, resources and needs. This develops critical thinking and adaptability that classroom projects rarely achieve.

 Deeper Global Understanding: Working onsite at the medical clinic, students gain nuanced understanding of how technology intersects with economic development, education access and social justice issues.

 Connection and Accountability: Unlike study abroad programs that may be detached from local communities, BWs Guatemalan service learning has created genuine partnership with and accountability to the local medical clinic staff.

 Personal Growth and Perspective: The combination of building software in the classroom and cultural immersion during study abroad catalyzes significant personal development. Students frequently report increased confidence, empathy and sense of purpose.

The BW Computing in Guatemala program produces graduates who are not only technically skilled, but also culturally competent, globally minded and committed to using their abilities for positive impact -- exactly what employers and graduate programs are seeking.

Readers are invited to submit Opinion page essays on topics of regional or general interest. Send your 500-word essay for consideration to Ann Norman at anorman@cleveland.com. Essays must include a brief bio and headshot of the writer. Essays rebutting todays topics are also welcome.
YAOUNDE, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Former Chadian Prime Minister Succes Masra was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a criminal court on Saturday in the capital N'Djamena.

Masra was found guilty of inciting the public to hatred and hostility, according to the ruling handed down by Chad's criminal court.

Masra's lawyers called the verdict "an ignominy" and said they will appeal.

Masra was arrested in May after a government probe alleged that he incited people to violence, which led to the death of 42 people in clashes in Mandakao village in the southwestern province of Logone Occidental.

Masra, president of the opposition political party The Transformers, went into exile in 2022 but later returned and was appointed prime minister by President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno.

After serving as prime minister for five months in 2024, Masra resigned to pave the way for the formation of a new government. 
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stands next to French President Emmanuel Macron as he welcomes him for bilateral talks at Villa Borsig in Berlin, Germany on July 23, 2025.

European leaders on Saturday welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending the war in Ukraine, while stressing the need to keep pressure on Moscow and protect Ukrainian and European security interests.

Trump plans to meet Putin in Alaska on Friday, saying the parties, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, were close to a deal that could resolve the three-and-a-half-year-old conflict.

The U.S. president is open to a trilateral summit with Putin and Zelenskiy, but for now, the White House is planning a bilateral meeting as requested by Putin, a White House official said. Russian and Ukrainian officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the prospects of a trilateral meeting.

Details of a potential deal have not been announced, but Trump said it would involve "some swapping of territories to the betterment of both". It could require Ukraine to surrender significant parts of its territory, an outcome Zelenskiy and his European allies say would only encourage Russian aggression.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance met British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and representatives of Ukraine and European allies on Saturday at Chevening House, a country mansion southeast of London, to discuss Trump's push for peace.

A joint statement from the French, Italian, German, Polish, British and Finnish leaders and the president of the European Commission welcomed Trump's efforts, while stressing the need to maintain support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia.

"We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests," they said.

"We agree that these vital interests include the need for robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement said, adding: "The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine."

The leaders said "they remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force", and added: "The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations."

They said negotiations could only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.
A SK Hynix Inc. 12-layer HBM3E memory chip displayed at the Semiconductor Exhibition in Seoul, South Korea.

China wants the United States to ease export controls on chips critical for artificial intelligence as part of a trade deal before a possible summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

Chinese officials have told experts in Washington that Beijing wants the Trump administration to relax export restrictions on high-bandwidth memory chips, the newspaper reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter.

The White House, State Department and China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report.

HBM chips, which help perform data-intensive AI tasks quickly, are closely watched by investors due to their use alongside AI graphic processors, particularly Nvidia 's.

The FT said China is concerned because the U.S. HBM controls hamper the ability of Chinese companies such as Huawei to develop their own AI chips.

Successive U.S. administrations have curbed exports of advanced chips to China, looking to stymie Beijing's AI and defense development.

While this has impacted U.S. firms' ability to fully address booming demand from China, one of the world's largest semiconductor markets, it still remains an important revenue driver for American chipmakers.

Read the complete FT report here.


Visitors visit the NVIDIA booth at the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, China, on July 20, 2025.

Nvidia's chips pose security concerns for China, a social media account affiliated with China's state media said on Sunday, after Beijing raised concerns over backdoor access in those chips.

The H20 chips are also not technologically advanced or environmentally friendly, the account, Yuyuan Tantian, which is affiliated with state broadcaster CCTV, said in an article published on WeChat.

"When a type of chip is neither environmentally friendly, nor advanced, nor safe, as consumers, we certainly have the option not to buy it," the article concluded.

Nvidia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

H20 artificial intelligence chips were developed by Nvidia for the Chinese market after the U.S. imposed export restrictions on advanced AI chips in late 2023. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump banned their sales in April amid escalating trade tensions with China, but reversed the ban in July.

China's cyberspace watchdog said on July 31 that it had summoned Nvidia to a meeting, asking the U.S. chipmaker to explain whether its H20 chips had any backdoor security risks  a hidden method of bypassing normal authentication or security controls.

Nvidia later said its products had no "backdoors" that would allow remote access or control.

In its article, Yuyuan Tantian said Nvidia chips could achieve functions including "remote shutdown" through a hardware "backdoor."

Yuyuan Tantian's comment followed criticism against Nvidia by People's Daily, another Chinese state media outlet.

In a commentary earlier this month, People's Daily said Nvidia must produce "convincing security proofs" to eliminate Chinese users' worries over security risks in its chips and regain market trust.


Chip giant Nvidia pushed back Sunday in response to allegations from Chinese state media that its H20 artificial intelligence chips are a national security risk for China.

Earlier in the day, Reuters reported Yuyuan Tantian, an account affiliated with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, said in an article published on WeChat that the Nvidia H20 chips are not technologically advanced or environmentally friendly.

"When a type of chip is neither environmentally friendly, nor advanced, nor safe, as consumers, we certainly have the option not to buy it," the Yuyuan Tantian article reportedly said, adding that the article said chips could achieve functions including "remote shutdown" through a hardware "backdoor."

In response, a Nvidia spokesperson told CNBC that "cybersecurity is critically important to us. NVIDIA does not have 'backdoors' in our chips that would give anyone a remote way to access or control them."

Nvidia on Tuesday similarly rejected Chinese accusations that its AI chips include a hardware function that could remotely deactivate the chips, also known as a "kill switch."

Tensions between the U.S. and China on semiconductor export controls have escalated in recent weeks, even after Nvidia resumed sales of its H20 chip to China. Chinese state media has framed the H20 chip as inferior and dangerous compared to Nvidia's other chips, while the company has defended its chips.

The company's resumption of its H20 shipments reversed a previous ban on H20 sales that was placed in April by the Trump administration. Nvidia's H20 chips  a less-advanced semiconductor compared to its flagship H100 and B100 chips, for example  were developed by Nvidia for the Chinese market after initial export restrictions on advanced AI chips in late 2023.

U.S. export controls on some Nvidia chips are rooted in national security concerns that Beijing could use the more advanced chips to gain an advantage broadly in AI, as well as in its military applications.
KABUL, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Police have apprehended 28 criminals over the past 24 hours across Afghanistan, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said in a statement on Sunday.

The suspects were involved in theft, armed robbery, kidnapping and other activities, the statement said. 
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during morning trading on June 23, 2025 in New York City.

Stocks fell Monday as traders braced for key U.S. inflation reports due out later in the week and largely ignored a positive development in the tariff saga.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 200.52 points, or 0.45%, and settled at 43,975.09. The S&P 500 lost 0.25% to close at 6,373.45, and the Nasdaq Composite was off 0.3% and ended at 21,385.40.

Inflation readings this week will prove a key hurdle for a broad market index near record highs. The consumer price index, which is set to be released Tuesday, and the producer price index, due out Thursday, will be critical in shaping the outlook for the direction of interest rates, especially for the Federal Reserve's September meeting. Hotter inflation prints could hinder the market's advance.

Economists are forecasting the July CPI will show a 0.2% increase month-over-month and a 2.8% increase annually, according to estimates from Dow Jones. Core CPI  which excludes volatile food and energy prices  is expected to rise 0.3% on a monthly basis and 3.1% yearly, up from June's respective levels of 0.2% and 2.9%.

The inflation data comes ahead of the Fed's Jackson Hole meeting in Wyoming on Aug. 21-23, which could set the tone for the September meeting. While the market is now pricing in an 87% chance of a rate cut next month, CFRA Research's Sam Stovall told CNBC that investors may be getting ahead of themselves.

"I'm getting a little concerned that the market is going to end up being disappointed," the firm's chief investment strategist said. "The Fed will have a conundrum to deal with if inflation remains sticky and if the consumer remains willing to spend  where is the need to cut rates?"

Investors were left underwhelmed on Monday after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that extended the deadline for tariffs on Chinese goods by another 90 days. The president signed the order hours before midnight, when the previous pause set in place was due to expire.
Group Captain DK Parulkar (Retd), a celebrated hero of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, has passed away. Known for his unmatched courage and daring escape from a Pakistani prison camp, Parulkars story remains one of the most inspiring chapters in Indian Air Force history.

The IAF paid heartfelt tributes, calling him a symbol of bravery, ingenuity, and national pride.



Gp Capt DK Parulkar (Retd) VM, VSM  1971 War hero, who led a daring escape from captivity in Pakistan, embodying unmatched courage, ingenuity & pride in the IAF  has left for his heavenly abode.

All Air Warriors of the IAF express their heartfelt condolences.#IndianAirForce pic.twitter.com/cti0X24u7g

 Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 10, 2025

Commissioned into the IAF in March 1963, Parulkar served in several key roles  as a Flying Instructor at the Air Force Academy, on a two-year posting to Singapore, and as Battalion Commander at the National Defence Academy.

In the 1965 war, his fighter aircraft was hit by enemy fire, injuring his shoulder. Despite being advised to eject, he skillfully flew the damaged plane back to base, earning the Vayu Sena Medal.

During the 1971 war, while held as a Prisoner of War in Pakistan, Parulkar led a daring escape attempt with two fellow officers. The mission, carried out under extremely hostile conditions, displayed extraordinary determination and courage, for which he was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Also Read: India is certainly crucial in IMEC project, says Italy's envoy Francesco Talo'
A 60-year-old Indian man was subjected to racial harassment by children in Dublin, marking the latest in a spate of attacks on the Indian community in Ireland.

The incident, shared on Reddit by the victims daughter, took place at a bus stop where two boys, estimated to be around seven or eight years old, approached the family.

Initially asking for selfies with the man, the boys allegedly began mocking him, with one attempting to reach for his wallet. The harassment escalated when one boy blocked the victims path and made inappropriate gestures toward him.

My father, aged 60, was harassed by a child right in front of his daughters, leaving us feeling defenceless. Knowing the current climate for people of colour in Ireland and being aware of the laws, it was frustrating not to have any immediate recourse," she added.

The case comes amid a reported rise in violence against Indians in Ireland, including a recent attack on an Indian-origin taxi driver and a six-year-old girl.

Irelands police diversity unit has reached out to the Indian community, while the Irish Embassy in New Delhi condemned the incidents, calling them an assault on the values of equality and human dignity. The Irish Deputy Prime Minister is set to meet Indian community representatives on August 11.

Also Read: Congress launches campaign urging people to 'register' against 'vote chori'
A UN Security Council travel ban is widely thought to be behind the cancellation of a planned visit by Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Pakistan, according to a media report.Muttaqi was expected in Islamabad on August 4, continuing the recent high-level contacts initiated by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dars visit to Kabul in April, a move that led to a thaw in bilateral ties, Dawn reported.The rapprochement was brokered by China.However, diplomatic sources said that the United States had blocked a UN Security Council exemption that would have allowed Muttaqi to travel to Pakistan, the paper said on Friday.As the Afghan foreign minister is under international sanctions, he requires special approval from the UN sanctions committee for any foreign travel.Citing sources, the paper said that Washington delayed its decision until the last moment and ultimately refused to grant the waiver, scuttling the trip.As a key player in the UN Security Council, the US holds significant sway in the 1988 Sanctions Committee, which manages sanctions like travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes targeting Taliban-linked individuals and groups under UNSC Resolution 1988 (2011).It is believed the US blocked the waiver for Talibans FM to visit Pakistan, driven by worries about their growing ties with China, the paper said.The US has often clashed with China and Russia at the committee, who advocate for more lenient exemptions, creating tensions within the committees efforts to promote stability in Afghanistan.When asked whether Washington had blocked Muttaqis visit to Pakistan at a recent briefing, a State Department spokesperson simply responded with: We do not comment on rumours. The Foreign Office on Friday hinted that procedural issues had hindered the trip.There are certain procedural issues we are working through, Foreign Office spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan said when asked by journalists about media reports on Muttaqis aborted trip.The spokesperson also clarified that no official dates had been confirmed for the Afghan foreign ministers visit, so there was no question of cancellation or postponement.Khan said that both Kabul and Islamabad are working to address the matter and added, Once these procedural matters are resolved, we look forward to welcoming the Afghan foreign minister to Pakistan.
Pakistan army chief Asim Munir is on his second visit to the US in less than two months to meet top American military officials, signaling improving ties between the countries.Munir held talks with US Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Dan Caine and invited him to visit Pakistan, according to a statement from Pakistans military wing. They discussed matters of mutual professional interest, it said.Munir also attended a ceremony where US Central Command commander, General Michael E. Kurilla, retired and handed over office to Admiral Brad Cooper. Munir expressed confidence in continued collaboration to address shared security challenges at the event, according to the statement.Munirs visit comes less than two months after he was hosted to a private lunch at the White House by President Donald Trump. As the leader of the military, Munir is widely seen as the most powerful person in Pakistan, wielding the final word on critical matters from foreign policy to internal politics and the economy.Relations between the US and Pakistan have been improving after tensions in recent decades. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has praised Trump for brokering a ceasefire with India after a brief conflict in May, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has refused to acknowledge the US leaders role.Trump slapped lower tariffs on Pakistani imports compared with others in the region such as Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.
Women in traditional costumes are seen during the "18th Century Fair" in Isokyro, a municipality in western Finland, Aug. 9, 2025. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)

People in traditional costumes reenact scenes of olden warfare for visitors during the "18th Century Fair" in Isokyro, a municipality in western Finland, Aug. 9, 2025. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)

People in traditional costumes introduce a olden wooden restraint to a visitor during the "18th Century Fair" in Isokyro, a municipality in western Finland, Aug. 9, 2025. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)

A vendor introduces traditional handmade ornaments to visitors during the "18th Century Fair" in Isokyro, a municipality in western Finland, Aug. 9, 2025. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)

People in traditional costumes demonstrate the use of olden firearms during the "18th Century Fair" in Isokyro, a municipality in western Finland, Aug. 9, 2025. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)

A vendor introduces wooden items to visitors during the "18th Century Fair" in Isokyro, a municipality in western Finland, Aug. 9, 2025. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)

People in traditional costumes showcase olden weaponry during the "18th Century Fair" in Isokyro, a municipality in western Finland, Aug. 9, 2025. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)

A child in traditional costumes plays the violin during the "18th Century Fair" in Isokyro, a municipality in western Finland, Aug. 9, 2025. (Photo by Matti Matikainen/Xinhua)
BAGHDAD, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Health Ministry said Sunday that more than 621 people suffered from suffocation due to a chlorine gas leak in the Shiite holy city of Karbala.

In a brief statement, the ministry said that all affected individuals received medical treatment at hospitals in the city, located about 110 km south of Baghdad.

Major Abbas al-Zaidi from the Karbala police told Xinhua that the leak occurred early Sunday at a drinking water treatment plant near the city, caused by a technical malfunction.

"Ambulances and civil defense teams immediately responded and sent them to local hospitals," Al-Zaidi said, noting that most of the cases ranged from mild to moderate.

According to al-Zaidi, the majority of those affected were Shiite pilgrims traveling on foot to Karbala to participate in the annual major ritual of Arbaeen.

Arbaeen marks the end of the 40-day mourning for Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, who was killed in the battle of Karbala in 680 A.D. 
A Gazan family of six granted the right to settle in Britain under a scheme intended for Ukrainians.

A convicted rapist who avoided deportation to Afghanistan on the basis that the authorities there might take a dim view of sex offenders.

A murderer blocked from deportation to his native Bangladesh because he claimed he was bisexual.

They might sound like a random selection of the increasingly bizarre legal cases to be heard in Britain under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

But they all have one thing in common: one of the judges sitting on each of the cases was Hugo Norton-Taylor.

It is six years since Norton-Taylor, then 46, was appointed a salaried judge in the Upper Tribunal, Immigration and Asylum chamber  the court to which failed asylum-seekers and other foreign nationals eager to remain in Britain can apply to have their cases reconsidered.

But, in that time, Norton-Taylor has acquired something of a reputation. In a judiciary that sometimes seems dominated by bleeding-heart liberals, he stands out as having an unusually large number of unfathomable rulings to his name.

Hugo Norton-Taylor is a judge in the Upper Tribunal, Immigration and Asylum chamber  the court to which failed asylum-seekers and other foreign nationals eager to remain in Britain can apply to have their cases reconsidered

It takes something for both Keir Starmer, himself a human rights lawyer, and our Left-wing Foreign Secretary David Lammy to be shocked by a decision made under the ECHR.

But that is what has happened in the case of a Gazan family who applied for asylum in the UK through the Ukrainian resettlement scheme.

The family  not unreasonably  lost their case in the Lower Tribunal on the grounds that they were not Ukrainian citizens and had no connection to the country.

Yet, in January this year, the decision was overturned by Norton-Taylor, who ruled that the earlier decision did not strike a fair balance between the appellants interests and those of the public.

Norton-Taylor was still trying to defend this ruling last week when he was involved in a public spat with Lammy.

The family, as it happens, have not yet made it to Britain because they are in Gaza and need permission from the Israeli government to leave.

Lammy has so far refused to grant the consular support from the UK, which would be needed to facilitate their journey to Britain  prompting Norton-Taylor to urge him to think again.

It takes something for both Keir Starmer, himself a human rights lawyer, and our Left-wing Foreign Secretary David Lammy to be shocked by a decision made under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)

As the Foreign Office has pointed out with some alarm, Norton-Taylors decision may open the door for anyone living in a conflict zone anywhere in the world to apply for asylum in the UK. That could be millions of people.

Yet, unlike government ministers, the judiciary does not have to deal with the practical and financial consequences of its rulings.

Norton-Taylor happens to be the son of Richard Norton-Taylor, a former Guardian journalist who now writes for online publication DeclassifiedUK, often on Palestinian issues.

In one recent offering, Norton-Taylor Sr argued, somewhat hysterically, that the Governments decision to proscribe the group Palestine Action after its activists broke into RAF Brize Norton and spray-painted two aircraft threatens all our civil liberties.

Perhaps he would like to name a single country in the world that would tolerate protesters breaking into its military bases and vandalising equipment.

I dont know what the younger Norton-Taylor thinks about the Governments decision to ban Palestine Action. But when it comes to his general liberal sympathies, he certainly appears to be a chip off the old block.

Norton-Taylor seems to a chip of the old block. His father, a journalist who writes for online publication DeclassifiedUK, argued, that the Governments decision to proscribe the group Palestine Action after its activists broke into RAF Brize Norton and spray-painted two aircraft (pictured) threatens all our civil liberties

In the same month as his eccentric ruling granted asylum to the Palestinian family, it emerged that he had also handed Ramazan Morina, an Albanian who had twice been refused asylum, the right to remain in Britain on the grounds that it would be harsh on his stepchildren.

Never mind enforcing migration law, nor acknowledging that Albania is a safe country, in Norton-Taylors hands our immigration system hinges on the feelings of children who arent even descended from the asylum seeker in question.

Even more outrageous, to my mind, was a ruling in 2022 to block the deportation of Afghan native Ibrahim Ahmadi, who had been granted asylum before being jailed for seven years for raping a woman in Glasgow.

Serious offenders are supposed to be removed from Britain on release from prison. But Norton-Taylor, sitting with another judge, Tom Wilding, ruled that Ahmadi couldnt be sent home because it was reasonably likely that the Taliban would take a dim view of an individual who had committed a violent sexual offence in a Western country.

Given how the Taliban treat women, it is hard to see that they would be terribly bothered by what he had done, but yet again, thanks to judges such as Norton-Taylor, we have ended up with a migration system that rewards murderers and rapists for their crimes.

Ahmadi, by the way, was helped in his appeal by 1,330 worth of legal aid  paid for by you and me.

It was a similar story with EH, a Bangladeshi who had been jailed for a minimum of 12 years in 2008 for murdering his wife. The killer had claimed he was bisexual  although the court accepted that he had lied about this to support his case.

On his release, EH should have been summarily deported, but this was blocked on the grounds of Article 3 of the ECHR which provides protection against degrading and inhumane treatment, such as the type he may have faced for his fictitious bisexuality.

The judge involved? Youve guessed it: Norton-Taylor again.

Decisions such as these are surely a long way from what the bureaucrats who drafted the ECHR had in mind back in 1950.

But the problem with the convention  as its critics have rightly highlighted  is that its vague principles are open to wide interpretation. That gives judges huge leeway in their rulings  which certain liberal-minded officials are only too happy to take advantage of. And thats only scratching the surface.

Lets not forget Shaban Binaku, the Kosovan who illegally re-entered Britain after being convicted of theft, possessing a weapon and supplying class A drugs  but was granted permission to stay in 2020 on the grounds that deportation would be unfair on his children.

Aghan native Ibrahim Ahmadi was granted asylum before being jailed for seven years for raping a woman in Glasgow. Norton-Taylor, sitting with Judge Tom Wilding, blocked his deportation

Or the Sudanese 16-year-old who was ruled more likely than not to be telling the truth about his age when he applied for asylum  despite his receding hairline, beard and physical assessments suggesting he was closer to 25. Once again, rulings with Norton-Taylors fingerprints all over them.

He is not be the only judge making decisions that seem remarkably favourable to migrants. But it is astonishing how many times he is involved in overruling harsher decisions made in the Lower Tribunal.

More concerning than these, however, is the groupthink of other judges to try to prevent any criticism. In February  when both the Prime Minister and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch condemned the ruling to grant asylum to the Gazan family  Baroness Carr, Lady Chief Justice, complained about a mounting campaign of attacks on judges.

In a democracy, it is vital that we have the right to hold those in power to account. When judges such as Norton-Taylor are effectively imposing a migration policy that is vastly at odds with public opinion and stated government policy, that matters.

For many of us, most of Norton-Taylors rulings stink. Hopelessly soft-touch judges like him are undermining public confidence in our appeals courts, perhaps irreparably.
Borders can change. When Presidents Trump and Putin meet in Alaska on Friday, they will be on territory which was once part of the Russian Empire. Moscow sold it to Washington in 1867 for a bargain price, partly because they were afraid that either Britain or the USA would grab it anyway if they did not.

But since the aggressive horrors of the Second World War, there has been a general agreement that we should leave borders  above all in Europe  where they are.

Most especially, we should not reward the illegal seizure of ground by armed force.

This is a good principle, though it has been bent, if not actually broken, since the founding of the UN in San Francisco 80 years ago. Now it is being tested very severely.

Vladimir Putins criminal invasion of Ukraine was, and remains, a bloody and destructive action which should live in infamy. Thanks to wartime secrecy on both sides, we do not know the true scale of the horror, only that it is great. War deaths and other casualties are state secrets, and we can only guess at their size by looking at satellite pictures of the vast graveyards on either side of the frontline.

Civilians, too, have suffered appallingly. Multitudes have become destitute refugees. Ukraines economic sinews have been mangled and maimed by cynical Russian bombing, clearly intended to drive a once-prosperous country back into the pre-industrial age.

Donald Trump, very reasonably, wants to stop these miseries and he has made it plain to Putin that he will hit the Russian economy where it hurts if he carries on with his aggression.

But the lonely despot in the Kremlin is demanding a heavy price in return, especially the surrender of large slices of territory and the end of Ukraines Nato ambitions.

When Presidents Trump and Putin meet in Alaska on Friday, they will be on territory which was once part of the Russian Empire

Ukraines economic sinews have been mangled and maimed by cynical Russian bombing, clearly intended to drive a once-prosperous country back into the pre-industrial age

Mr Trump has spoken rather bafflingly of some swapping of territories to the betterment of both. But Ukraine does not hold any significant Russian territory, while Russia has seized large portions of Ukraine and continues to eat away at its land each week.

Even now, no more than 38 per cent of Ukraines population would even consider ceding some of that land for peace.

This is a big softening since 2023, but many of the remaining 62 per cent will always remain resolutely opposed to any such thing, and Ukraines President Zelensky is among them. He is rightly suspicious of any talks which exclude him from the table.

It is rumoured that Putin has offered a ceasefire in return for Ukraine handing over the eastern territories of Donetsk and Luhansk. But this is plainly not the end of his demands. Any such armistice would trigger more talks on the rest of the land Russia has grabbed  talks which Zelensky would rightly fear.

Ukraine cannot easily fight off new Russian gains without the support of the USA and Europes Nato powers. But America and Europe alike are worried that they must choose between a shabby deal or a much more intensive and dangerous war with Russia.

It is a nasty mess.

Credit must go to Donald Trump for continuing to try to resolve it. We must all wish and hope for a just and lasting peace. But with the current balance of forces, it is very hard to see how such a compromise can be reached.
Donald Trumps pretentions to be a world statesman whose name will resound down the ages is about to be brutally tested.

On Friday he will sit down in Alaska with his exasperating frenemy Vladimir Putin for what has the potential to be one of the most significant leader-to-leader summits of recent history, up there with Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachevs Geneva lakeside love-in 40 years ago which presaged the end of the Cold War.

The meeting should give the clearest indication thus far of whether there is any realistic possibility of a negotiated settlement of the war in Ukraine any time soon.

Also at stake are the reputations and ambitions of both men. Trump will want to prove that there is real weight to his claims to be a genius peacemaker whose wheeler-dealing approach to global politics succeeds where conventional diplomacy has failed.

He is up against a negotiating partner who will be using all of his KGB-honed wiles to feign sincere desire for a settlement while conceding nothing that could undermine his bucket-list determination to restore at least some of Russias historic frontiers before he passes from the scene.

Until now, relations between the two have defied easy analysis. Trumps feelings for Vladimir see-saw between queasy expressions of affection to anger when he thinks he is being jerked around. Putin, meanwhile, has proved a master at stringing him along with flattery and flannel.

On Friday their personal chemistry will interact in laboratory conditions. Whether the result is a breakthrough or a bodge-up, it will have profound implications for both men, as well as for Ukraine and the rest of the world.

To a crucial extent, the result will depend on the personal motivations of the participants rather than considerations of national interest. Questions of international law, let alone morality, will play little or no part.

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting in 2017

President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office in February

Both men are obsessed with legacy. Putin is a nostalgic imperialist who wants to be remembered as the man who made Russia great again. He sincerely believes that the eastern provinces of Ukraine can only ever be Russian  a credo that recently revealed German foreign ministry files shows dates back to at least the early 1990s. Winning de facto recognition of Russian ownership of recent conquests, as well as Crimea, will be a minimum condition of any agreement.

Trumps chief concern is himself. Having accumulated great wealth and enormous power, he now craves secular sainthood in the form of a Nobel Peace Prize. He is intensely irritated by the fact that the man he replaced in the White House in 2017 was awarded one within a year of becoming president, complaining last year: If I were named Obama I would have had [it] given to me in ten seconds.

Settling the Ukraine war  which he notoriously claimed on more than 50 occasions he would achieve within 24 hours of taking office  seemed a sure route to Nobel glory. When the reality proved more intractable he seemed to lose interest in Ukraine and in the spring seemed likely to walk away from the imbroglio.

Success in bringing a swift end to the Israel-Iran clash in June has revived his hopes of taking his rightful place alongside Nobel laureates such as Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela. Trump has been taking credit for solving other conflicts involving India and Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, Cambodia and Thailand and also Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Having shown no interest in these places before, this appears to be an exercise in burnishing his peacemaker credentials for the benefit of the five Norwegian worthies who make up the prize committee.

Hunger for the accolade rather than any positive developments on the diplomatic front seem to be the main driver behind Trumps pursuit of a summit.

Leaks from the recent meeting between Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin suggest there has been no significant weakening of Russias hardline positions. Moscow will insist on maintaining control of most of the territory seized in eastern Ukraine and could even demand that Kyiv hand over parts of Donetsk province that it has yet to capture.

It will also be seeking a ban on Ukrainian membership of Nato and crippling restrictions on the future size of Ukraines military, as well as a halt to Western weapons supplies.

Kyiv, in Ukraine, alight after more Russian drone strikes in May

The noises coming from Washington suggest that none of this is off the table and that at least some of Russias key demands are likely to be endorsed. On Friday, Trump blithely predicted that there will be some swapping of territories in order for Moscow and Kyiv to reach an agreement, provoking strong protests from Ukraines President Zelensky.

But Ukraines voice will count for little  Zelensky has not so far been invited to the talks  and nor will that of Britain, France and Germany, who have been reduced to anguished invocations of the sanctity of international borders.

Inexplicably, Trump continues to treat Putin as an equal when in reality the US massively overmatches Russia in power and wealth. He has always had the ability to impose real pain on Moscow that would force Putin to sit down to proper negotiations.

Despite some harsh words, threats of sanctions, Armageddon and military posturing  like recently sending nuclear submarines closer to Russia  there is no sign that he is about to do that now.

Putin has little reason to give ground. Russian forces are slowly but steadily advancing on the battlefield, apparently capable of absorbing losses that would impress a First World War general. In prospect in Alaska is an old-fashioned, big-power territorial carve-up that rewards the strong and punishes the weak.

Confronted by a Trump-Putin tag team agreed on the ingredients for a settlement, Zelensky would face a dreadful dilemma and whatever choice he made would hand a huge win to his enemies. Whether or not the deal involves ceding sovereignty of captured territory, officially accepting its at least temporary loss will give Putin a solid lodgement from which to pursue his aggression and usher in a future of perpetual insecurity for Ukraine.

But if Zelensky rejects the offer, Trumps wrath is guaranteed and Kyiv is potentially left to fight on, supported only by a Europe that is in no position to fill the gap left by Americas departure.

Such an outcome would be more than a heavy blow to Ukraine. It would be a dark portent for all our futures. If Putin emerges from Fridays meeting with a deal he feels comfortable with, it will mark the start of a new age in which might is always right and tyrannical aggression goes unpunished.

And Alaska 2025 will not be remembered alongside Geneva 1985. Instead, it will go down in history as another Munich 1938.
When it comes to free speech, some of us are hypocrites  and none more so than the present Labour Government.

We expect to be able to say whatever we want within the confines of the law, and to demonstrate peacefully. These are rightly said to be precious liberties.

But when we don't like the look of those taking to the streets to embrace a cause with which we disagree, we are apt to set aside these ancient liberties, and talk only about the need to maintain order.

An extraordinary thing happened in central London on Saturday. More than 522 people were arrested. Most, if not all of them, were demonstrating peacefully. They were taken away by the police. In theory they could face sentences of up to 14 years.

The highest number of arrests previously made by the Metropolitan Police at a single protest is believed to be 329 during the poll tax riots in 1990. Unlike Saturday's demonstration, those were violent, and many people including police were injured.

If we were to read that 522 peaceful demonstrators had been arrested in Moscow, and carted off by police to face possible prison sentences, we would think this was yet more proof of Vladimir Putin's tyrannical regime. But there has been surprisingly little criticism of the police response on Saturday.

And yet I would say that what happened is disturbing evidence of this Government's authoritarian tendencies. The villain of the piece is Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Police officers arrest an 89-year-old protester at a Lift The Ban demonstration in support of the proscribed group Palestine Action on Saturday

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who has invoked terror laws on activist group Palestine Action

In early July she determined that Palestine Action is a terrorist group. About a fortnight earlier, activists belonging to Palestine Action had broken into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, and sprayed red paint into the engines of two refuelling aircraft. The Government puts the cost of the damage at 7million.

This sabotage was of course disgraceful. Senseless, too, since disabling RAF planes can't conceivably help the Palestinian cause in the slightest degree. The culprits should be punished under the criminal law. There have already been several arrests.

However, whether the idiots responsible for this wanton act can justly be described as terrorists is doubtful. The same reservation can be held about other destructive crimes committed by Palestine Action in the months preceding the Brize Norton incident.

If there is legitimate doubt as to whether these vandals can properly be described as terrorists, there is surely no doubt at all in the case of the peaceful demonstrators in Parliament Square.

Yet hundreds were arrested for carrying placards bearing the slogan: 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.' They were deemed to have committed an offence under the Terrorism Act. If it goes on like this, the Government will have to build a lot more prisons.

In my opinion these people are misguided, even deluded. Some may be obnoxious. Interestingly, Palestine Action is reported to have attracted support from other bloody-minded, anti-social groups such as Just Stop Oil and Defend Our Juries.

One or two demonstrators may have been sinister. And the presence of Moazzam Begg, a former inmate of Guantanamo Bay where the Americans incarcerated terrorist suspects without trial, was notable.

But were the majority of these people  who included two 89-year-old ladies taken away in police vans  supporters of terrorism? I hardly think so. I happen to believe they are barking up the wrong tree, and that their action was futile since the British Government is powerless in the conflict in Gaza.

For all that, people in a democracy have a right to protest peaceably, however pointless their behaviour and foolish their beliefs. In tarring them as terrorist sympathisers, Yvette Cooper has revealed herself as the real extremist.

I can't say I'm surprised. Labour's gross mismanagement of the economy has been so attention-consuming that it has escaped the notice of many that this Government has an unpleasant authoritarian streak.

This is evident in its plans to end jury trial for some cases involving alleged fraud and bribery. These may soon be dealt with by judges sitting alone  and established freedoms would be jettisoned.

Meanwhile the Government's Online Safety Act, though rightly aiming to protect children from the scourge of pornography, may be curtailing freedom of speech on the internet.

Excessively harsh sentences after last August's riots for admittedly incendiary online comments can in part be pinned on the Government, since Sir Keir Starmer encouraged magistrates and judges to crack the whip.

A protestor holds a placard that reads 'dismantle the war machine' at the Palestine Action demonstrations last week

US vice president JD Vance has of course berated the Government for cracking down on free speech. As he spends his summer holidays in the Cotswolds, I wonder what he makes of the mass arrest of protesters peacefully demonstrating in Parliament Square. Does he defend their right to disagree with him about Israel?

This Government's tendency towards authoritarianism is of course inherited from Tony Blair and New Labour, which was one of the most overbearing administrations in modern British history.

Remember the huge Countryside Alliance demonstration in Parliament Square in 2004, when the police savagely beat naturally law-abiding protesters?

It was Tony Blair who facilitated the extradition of Britons to America without proper evidence of wrongdoing having to be presented. It was at the 2005 Labour Party conference that a heckler (and long-time party member) was manhandled out of the hall, and then detained under anti-terrorism laws.

Nor shall I forget that in February 2003 Blair despatched 450 troops with automatic rifles in light tanks to Heathrow airport. Was an attack by Al Qaeda imminent, as he claimed? It didn't happen. I suspect he was trying to soften us up for the invasion of Iraq, which took place a few weeks later.

The main connection between Blair's administration and Sir Keir Starmer's is Yvette Cooper, who worked her way up the ministerial greasy pole under New Labour and is now ensconced at the Home Office. The lessons that she imbibed 20 years ago she is applying now.

Ms Cooper puts me a little in mind of Nurse Ratched in the film One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest  a prim, humourless woman with the makings of a battleaxe. Her decision to proscribe Palestine Action is now being challenged in the High Court. I won't be surprised if the decision goes against her.

One of the demonstrators arrested in Parliament Square was a 77-year-old man wearing a Panama hat with a white beard and long white hair who identified himself as Frank. He said he had never been arrested before and was 'quite terrified'. He believes the Government is trying to take away 'freedom of assembly'.

Another protester, a wheelchair-using pensioner who had travelled from Reading, told the Telegraph he was 'sure' the Government had been 'paid by the Israeli embassy' to ban the group. A loopy thought, of course, but a harmless one. People can believe what they want.

Are such people really to be persecuted by the State and stigmatised as the enemy? Lock up the Palestine Action activists who break the law, but leave peaceful protesters alone. They have nothing to do with terrorism.

Those who look at Saturday's demonstration, and see only a group of oddballs holding silly or objectionable views, miss the point. What matters most is Labour's draconian attitude towards those with whom it disagrees. Next time it could be you.
As a young sergeant in the Met 30 years ago, I chased and tackled an armed robber who had stabbed a sub-postmistress during a raid.

I had a truncheon. He had a whacking great knife, and he tried to wield it against me and another copper as a crowd of schoolchildren in the street watched in mute horror.

We disarmed the man and arrested him. The sub-postmistress was badly shaken but recovered from her injuries.

And the robber got four years. At the time, I was disappointed with the sentence, but today it's likely he would serve less than half that.

Under Labour's shambolic scheme to reduce overcrowding in prisons he might well be deemed a 'low risk' and released after serving just 40 per cent of his time. In other words, if he'd already done a year on remand waiting for trial, he could be sentenced this week  and out by Christmas.

Such a travesty of justice is not a rare event. It's happening 100 times a day: According to the Ministry of Justice, criminals are being given early release at the rate of 3,000 a month. Latest figures show over 26,400 prisoners have been let out early in the first seven months of the scheme  with a significant number of them, around 3 per cent, sentenced to ten years or more.

To describe such people as 'low risk', as the Government does, is farcical. Judges do not sentence criminals to ten years unless they are a real danger to society.

As well as violent offenders, these could be serious drug traffickers, or people who supply guns to gangs, or fraudsters who prey on the elderly.

Labour Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Liverpool last year

According to the Ministry of Justice, criminals are being given early release at the rate of 3,000 a month

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood last month during the launch of a taser trial in the adult male prison estate in Kidlington, Oxfordshire

Not only will they have committed a serious offence, but it's very likely their record will also show a long list of previous crimes. Sentencing Council guidelines are stringent. Many judges admit privately that they would like to impose tougher penalties, but their rulings are tightly constrained by directives that must be followed. If a defendant gets ten years, it's because anything less is not safe.

Surveys show that between two-thirds and three-quarters of the public believe sentences are already too lenient. Few officers disagree with that. It is demoralising for police to put their safety on the line every day to protect society, only for the thugs and the lawbreakers to smirk as they are once again let off lightly.

And if they do get sent to jail, they have the reassurance of knowing they will probably serve less than half their sentence. That undermines the deterrent effect of prison and allows criminals to feel they've beaten the system.

It's no wonder that, when the first wave of prisoners won early release in September last year, they were blowing kisses and flicking V-signs at the cameras.

There's no way, of course, that the parole boards operating under Labour's hastily devised scheme can begin to assess each case thoroughly. With an average of 100 releases a day, seven days a week, the authorities can barely have time to shout 'Next, please!'  let alone discuss the potential risk each felon presents.

Serious issues such as mental health and past history of violence are all too likely to be overlooked. Despite this mass release, Britain's prisons are still gravely overcrowded.

Last year, the former chief inspector of prisons, Dame Anne Owers, warned the system could be only days from breakdown. Her successor, Charlie Taylor, says: 'The Government dealt with the problem not by turning off the taps but by letting out the bathwater.'

That's an understatement. To flood the streets of Britain's towns and cities with 3,000 criminals a month isn't overflow.

It's a tidal wave.
The Colombian immigrant dubbed 'Britain's Pablo Escobar' after juggling a TfL job as the driver of a London bus while running a billion-dollar cocaine empire has spoken out for the first time on TV, claiming, no doubt with little remorse, that he was a 'pioneer'.

Jesus Ruiz Henao, now 63, reflects on his 'Hollywood' life story in a two-part Discovery+ docuseries The Bus Driver: Britain's Cocaine King, set for release on Monday.

In his first ever television interview, the mild-mannered drug kingpin - currently a 'VIP' inmate at a high-security prison in Bogota - told of how he sought refuge in London after becoming the target of Colombian cocaine cartels over drug deals gone awry.

He charted his journey to becoming the country's most notorious drug dealer - with Henao blacklisted as a 'career criminal' by the UK's Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) alongside underworld bosses, fraudsters, and money launderers.

With what sounds like a hint of pride, Henao described how he flew under the radar for years before he was finally nabbed in one of the largest operations carried out by the Metropolitan Police - with more than 100 officers recruited to bring him down.

'My life story is a lot like a Hollywood movie,' Henao said, seated before a camera crew in the courtyard of La Picota prison. 'I was trafficking drugs for over 10 years and I was arrested and sentenced for [importing] over a billion pounds of cocaine.

'I was like a pioneer of cocaine in the UK,' Henao appeared to brag.

The new series, which premieres on Discovery+ on Monday, also features interviews with members of Henao's large family - including his doting younger sister Omaira and police officer brother Fabio, who revealed the cartels 'tried to kill me three times'.

The Colombian immigrant who juggled a TfL job as the driver of London bus 134 while running a billion-dollar cocaine empire has spoken out - as 'Britain's Pablo Escobar' unremorsefully claims 'I was a pioneer' in gripping new documentary

Jesus Ruiz Henao, now 63, reflected on his 'Hollywood' life story in a two-part Discovery+ docuseries The Bus Driver: Britain's Cocaine King that releases next week

'I hate drug dealers,' the nobler Henao spoke of his decision to serve in the narcotics branch of the Colombian police force. 'My brother, he never told me what he was doing because he knows what I think about all that.'

Fabio wasn't the only one fooled by Henao's gentle, salt-of-the-earth demeanour; in fact, the Colombian ran his massive drug operation for a decade while posing as a amiable bus driver before he was arrested in November 2003.

American journalist and Henao's biographer Ron Chepesiuk, who told Henao's story in the the book The Real Mr Big, noted: 'If you listen to such a story for the first time, it reads like fiction.

'A poor Colombian refugee becomes the biggest drug trafficker in British history - and nobody knew about it.'

On why he believes Henao went undetected for so long, Ron said Henao doesn't look like your average dealer.

'Most drug dealers are nasty. They kill a lot of people, they sell a lot of drugs without worrying about the consequences of it,' he continued. 'And Jesus is the most unusual drug trafficker you'll ever meet.

'He's soft spoken, he's very polite,' Ron, who counts himself among Henao's friends, added.

Before he became one of the world's most wanted criminals, Henao was a small-time drug smuggler in his home country, gripped by cartel violence against the backdrop of the Medellin and Cali groups' bloody rivalry in the Eighties.

In his first ever television interview, the mild-mannered drug kingpin - currently a 'VIP' inmate at a high-security prison in Bogota - told of how he sought refuge in London after becoming the target of Colombian cocaine cartels over drug deals gone awry. Jesus pictured after moving to London

The asylum seeker ran his massive drug operation for a decade while posing as a amiable bus driver before he was arrested in November 2003

In the documentary, which follows the cocaine trail from the Colombia into Europe in the Noughties, Henao recalled being gifted a bicycle by Pablo Escobar - the ruthless Medellin boss who became one of the world's richest criminals - at one of his political rallies around Christmas.

'My first bicycle in my life, I got it from the hands of Pablo Escobar,' Henao said, with a childlike glee.

Watching Escobar gave Ruiz-Henao purpose, he revealed, as the Pereira-native who grew up in poverty set his sights on becoming wealthy beyond belief - by whatever means necessary.

'I was thinking he has the power, he has the money,' Henao said. 'I want to be powerful like them. I want to have everything.'

Ron described how Henao and one of his early associates, Pedro, set up a 'mini cartel' that would buy drugs from the jungle for cheap and sell it in the city for double or triple the money.

'Pedro and Jesus were always scheming, trying to figure how they can make more money from the drug trade,' the true crime writer continued.

Henao knew from growing up in the cocaine-producing region that the American market had already been seized by the Medellin and Cali cartels, but the European market was wide open - one that Henao decided to own.

He was forced to flee the country after a few of his drug deals went awry and Henao ended up owing money to the cartels that he couldn't afford to pay.

Watching Escobar gave Ruiz-Henao purpose, he revealed, as the Pereira-native who grew up in poverty set his sights on becoming wealthy beyond belief - by whatever means necessary

He is currently awaiting extradition to the US on drug charges

After an assassination attempt, Henao moved to the Hendon in London where he recalled being enchanted by the culture, diversity, and 'moving stairs' or escalators in Tube stations.

His wife Maria contacted Jeremy Corbyn, long-serving MP of Islington North, to help them secure political asylum as immigrants forced to flee Colombia where they were 'endangered', he said.

Henao's application was refused twice but he, ultimately, secured indefinite leave-to-remain after his wife's bid was successful.

In the documentary, which includes previously unseen footage of Henao's arrest as police busted his drug operation, he recalled getting his bus driver's license before being assigned the 134 route - from North Finchley to University College Hospital in Euston.

'I was just living a normal, standard life,' he said. When people realised Henao - described in the documentary as a master 'manipulator' - was Colombia, he claimed, they inevitably asked him for blow before he realised he was sitting on a gold mine.

'When you arrived in the UK, did you intend to carry on dealing or did you want to go straight?' a member of the film production crew asked Jesus.

He replied: 'I wanted to just make a few pounds and live a normal life, but I already had my contacts for the cocaine and that was easy to start doing, to start dealing drugs.'

The film which releases on Monday sees how Ruiz-Henao set up a distribution network from Colombia via Spain and into the UK - all while posing as a respectable, hard-working immigrant.

One of the other ways Ruiz-Henao's lavish lifestyle that was, in reality, funded by drug money didn't raise alarm bells was because he won 100,000 in a spot-the-ball competition in the early 90s.

Ironically, it was when he decided to quit the business that Ruiz-Henao was arrested, as detailed in Ron's book that he co-wrote.

'After reflecting a long time, I decided to get out of the business,' an excerpt reads. 'The police were on to me. I spoke to my boss Sergio in Colombia and my friends there, telling them that I was getting out because of the heat that was on me.'

After he returned from a holiday in the Carribean, ready to move on from a life of crime that saw him earn 1 billion, Ruiz-Henao's associate-turned-informant Fernando finally helped the Metropolitan Police nab him.

He was sentenced to 19 years in prison at London's Southwark Crown Court.

The Bus Driver: Britains Cocaine King, streaming exclusively on discovery+ from August 11th
An influencer has sparked controversy after casually revealing she descended from one of history's most violent and unhinged warlords.

Leonie von Ungern-Sternberg, 29, an MBA student from Germany who is currently living in Spain, has gone viral for bubbly TikToks documenting her daily life - but behind her Instagrammable aesthetic lies a dark legacy.

The social media star, who describes herself as a 'reluctant heiress to questionable legacies' is the direct descendant of Roman von Ungern-Sternberg, a notoriously savage military commander from the early 20th century.

His ruthless reign of terror during the Russian Civil War earned him the nicknames 'The Bloody Baron,' 'The Mad Baron,' and even 'The God of War.'

In the wake of the 1917 Communist revolution, Ungern-Sternberg led a brutal campaign against the Bolsheviks, invading Mongolia, forming a rogue empire, and orchestrating mass killings of suspected Communists in a reign marked by sadism and terror.

However despite her horrific family history, Leonie appeared unfazed, making self deprecating videos about her lineage.

In one clip, which racked up more than 2.4 million views, she wrote: 'My entire royal bloodline, who survived revolutions and exile, watching me order a matcha in a little black dress because coffee makes my tummy hurt.'

In another TikTok she quipped: 'All these people telling me I should reclaim the throne to Mongolia but I'm literally just a girl who drinks matcha.'

Leonie von Ungern-Sternberg, 29, an MBA student from Germany who is currently living in Spain, has sparked controversy after casually revealing she is a descended from one of history's most violent and unhinged warlords

While some commenters were keen to know more about her ancestry, others fumed that she was making light of such a brutal past.

One person wrote: 'How are you proud of that?? Do something with your life.'

'Wasn't your ancestor the guy who went around pillaging Mongolia?' another questioned.

Someone else said: 'The Mad Baron was a murderous lunatic. Anyone who makes a hero out of someone like that belongs in a padded room.'

A fourth added: 'Is this your entire personality?'

Others however were impressed with the elusive background - as some even joked she should 'reclaim that throne'.

One person wrote: 'Let's get you a throne somewhere.'

Another said: 'Time to reclaim that throne, democracy is a failed experiment.'

Leonie, who describes herself as a 'reluctant heiress to questionable legacies' is the direct descendant of Roman von Ungern-Sternberg, (pictured) a notoriously savage military commander from the early 20th century

Leonie has gone viral for her bubbly TikTok's documenting her daily life, but behind her Instagrammable aesthetic lies a dark legacy

While some TikTokers were keen to know more about her ancestry, others fumed that she was making light of such a brutal past

Someone else asked: 'Sorry if you have already been asked this, but if things had gone differently would you be the direct first in line for the throne? Like would you be the Queen/Empress of the Mongolian empire?'

To this, Leonie replied: 'No, Roman was given the title of Khan out of respect from the actual King, the Bogd Khan.

'Other than the fact that Mongolia is a democratic republic (with a multi-party system) since 1990, we have absolutely no right or claim to the throne by blood.'

Another joked: 'I bet they would've ordered matcha in a little black dress too if they'd had the chance. They're living vicariously through you.'

In addition to hating Communists, Roman von Ungern-Sternberg was anti-Semitic and devised sadistic tortures and painful deaths for his enemies.

According to some historical reports, he was said to have burned victims alive and left them out in the cold to be torn apart by wolves.

He also crucified people with rusty nails and forced them to stay in treetops until they fell out and were shot, or died of exposure.

In 1920 to 1921, he led a military campaign to liberate Mongolia from Chinese occupation and he successfully captured the Mongolian capital Urga (now Ulaanbaatar).

In another TikTok she quipped: 'All these people telling me I should reclaim the throne to Mongolia but I'm literally just a girl who drinks matcha'

In the wake of the 1917 Communist revolution, Ungern-Sternberg led a brutal campaign against the Bolsheviks, invading Mongolia, forming a rogue empire, and orchestrating mass killings of suspected Communists in a reign marked by sadism and terror

His rule in Mongolia quickly descended into chaos and he was eventually defeated by Soviet-backed Mongolian forces where he was put on trial and executed by firing squad in September 1921.

In another video, which she called her 'trauma Ted Talk', Leonie revealed she does not condone any of her relatives actions, saying: 'Nobody in my family does.

'What he did was absolutely gruesome and terrible but I do think he is an interesting character in history.'

Leonie revealed what she finds most interesting about him is that people noticed signs in him, in his childhood, that he could could become a murderer due to some concerning behaviours.

She added: 'People who knew him from his childhood said he had shown clear indicators... he used to set things on fire, kill little animals, he used to wet his bed until he was in his teens.'

Despite her ancestors horrid past, Leonie still carries her surname with 'pride and honor,' because of her 'amazing family members'.

Speaking to the New York Post she explained: 'My great-grandparents got murdered by the Nazis for helping Jews flee the country.

'A lot of Mongolians say, "In our home, [Ungern's] a hero." There are some that say, "Without [Ungern], we would possibly belong to China right now".

'On the other hand, there are also a lot of Mongolians that say, he was brutal  an outsider  He had no business to even hold that much power.'
It's that time of the year again - rush week at the University of Alabama.

Back in 2021, a series of women who were trying to join the University of Alabama's Panhellenic community documented their road to being accepted into one of the 18 different sororities at the school, and uploaded it all to TikTok.

Their videos quickly exploded, and many people on the web became enthralled with watching the lengthy process play out.

Since then, every time August rolls around, #BamaRush goes viral once again, as a whole new set of freshmen hopefuls at University of Alabama and other Southern schools put their best foot forward to vie for the chance to get accepted into sororities on campus.

And many of them figure that the best way to do this is to make sure that foot is covered in a designer shoe.

Tons of the women rushing this year have been showcasing their daily outfits throughout the process on TikTok and Instagram - and some of them have donned ensembles worth thousands of dollars.

And while their stacks of expensive jewelry and name brand skirts used to elicit awe from their audiences, now it seems as though they only stir disbelief and anger.

One Instagram creator recently broke down some of the sky-high prices of these girls' rush looks, and it sparked immense backlash for the students.

Every August, college students attend 'rush week' at sororities to vie for a spot in the 'sisterhood'

One Instagram creator named Destinee Wilson broke down some of the prices of these girls' outfits, and it sparked immense backlash for the students

Destinee Wilson, who calls herself 'your favorite price breakdown analyst,' has been reposting videos of girls rushing sororities in the South and detailing the prices of each article of clothing they wear.

Tons of the women rushing this year have been showcasing their daily outfits throughout the process on TikTok and Instagram - and the ensembles worth thousands of dollars.

The outfit featured Shila Fijal earrings, a Tiffany necklace, a Tory Burch watch, a Hermes bangle, and a Farm Rio skirt, amongst other things.

After finding all of the individual products and their prices, Destinee revealed that the outfit costs a whopping $4,776.

And viewers were shocked to say the least.

'She spent four months of my rent on that outfit,' one Instagram user pointed out.

'How much money does she HAVE?!' another commented, incredulous.

Some users even had choice words for the parents of the student.

One of the students wore Sheila Fajl gold hoop earrings that cost $105

She also donned a Tiffany T white gold bracelet, which is priced at $1,350, and the $350 Tory Burch Small Eleanor Watch

She sported a $135 Farm Rio skirt, amongst other things. And after finding all of the individual products and their prices, Destinee revealed that the outfit cost a whopping $4,776

'Unless these girls are making their money on social media their parents are failing them by buying them all this shit thats so damn expensive,' one outraged person said.

'They will never understand the true value of a dollar.'

Others even made fun of the outfit, claiming it looked cheap despite its high cost.

'Meanwhile the whole outfit looks like it came from Old Navy,' another user added.

Destinee herself did not mock the outfit or its price.

In fact, in one of her other videos, she captions her price breakdown: 'The GSU girls were absolutely rocking rush week.'
Kate Forbes, Scotland's Deputy First Minister, has opened up about wanting more children after announcing last week that she will be leaving politics in 2026.

The MSP for Highlands constituency Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch already shares Naomi, three, with husband Alasdair MacLennan, who has three daughters from a previous marriage.

Kate, 35, who revealed on August 4 that she would be stepping down at next year's elections, said 'she couldn't have more children whilst doing this job'.

She revealed that she is mindful of her biological clock when she pointed out that she would be 41 by the time the next parliament concluded, adding that she wanted to avoid inflicting on a second child what she inflicted on her daughter Naomi.

Reflecting on motherhood in the interview with The Sunday Times, she said: 'I feel like it's a great thing, and I'm not doing a terribly good job of it. So I wanted to do a better job of it.'

Kate, who has come under fire for her religious views, specifically, her opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage, rebuffed the view that raising children is less significant than being in high office.

She described how she's had to drive four hours from her home in Dingwall to Edinburgh and four hours back every week, often with Naomi in tow.

Even with the help of family members and childminders, Kate has sometimes struggled to keep everything running smoothly, she admitted.

Kate Forbes (pictured with daughter Naomi) has said she is leaving politics to focus on motherhood

The Deputy First Minister has said that she would like to have more children - but that it would be impossible whilst doing her job

'There were lots of situations I thought were just impossible, in terms of being on Zoom calls with a one-year-old and then going back into the deputy first minister role,' she said.

'Being so far from home, I could fill a library of books with the number of close calls and close shaves where I was seconds away from cancelling something.'

The Scottish National Party is thought to be in disarray after Kate announced she will quit at next year's elections, with some claiming she is deserting a 'sinking ship'.

She announced her decision not to seek re-election as her daughter turned three, saying she did not want to 'miss any more of the precious early years of family life'.

Her allies claimed that her decision to quit may have been partly down to 'disgraceful' treatment during her leadership contest against Humza Yousaf, when senior figures including current first minister John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon raised concerns about her stance on issues like same-sex marriage.

Her announcement is a further blow to Mr Swinney ahead of the election, as she is widely regarded as one of his most capable ministers, and has helped try to repair the SNP's relationship with the business community.

Scottish Conservative MSP Meghan Gallacher said: 'Despite our political differences I completely understand and appreciate Kate Forbes reasons for standing down. I wish her and her family well for the future.

'However, the departure of his Deputy First Minister will come as a hammer blow to John Swinney ahead of next year's election.

Kate said she wanted to 'avoid inflicting on a second child what she inflicted on her daughter Naomi'

'He made the choice to bring her back into the heart of the government last year and would have wanted her to play a key role in the campaign.

'Kate Forbes is the latest senior figure to desert the SNP's sinking ship and clearly has no wish to hear voters' anger after 18 years of the nationalists failing Scots on so many issues.

'If Scotland is to move on from the SNP's never-ending obsession with independence, then we must remove them from office next year and get the focus back on Scotland's real priorities.'

Fergus Ewing, who backed Kate's previous leadership bid and is now an independent MSP, suggested that her treatment by senior figures in the previous contest, including Mr Swinney questioning whether her opposition to same-sex marriage made her an appropriate candidate to be first minister, had played a part in her decision.

Mr Ewing said: 'With Alex Salmond's death the SNP lost the best leader it has ever had, with Kate Forbes' decision to stand down the SNP has lost the best leader it should have chosen.

'As a dear friend of Kate's, I absolutely understand her decisions to bring up her family but the way that Kate was treated during the leadership election between herself and Yousaf was disgraceful.

'Yet despite being attacked by John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon during that campaign because essentially they argued her Christian beliefs somehow disqualified her from being SNP leader, Kate turned the other cheek and did so with astonishingly good grace.

'The SNP has now lost the outstanding talent of her generation and perhaps that loss resulted from the SNP ceasing to be a broad church, tolerant of different views, and latterly descended into a form of cult or sect where dissent was unacceptable and rational argument was almost absent from debate.'

Kate (pictured with husband Alasdair MacLennan and daughter Naomi) will leave politics after next years elections

Kate, who narrowly lost a fractious leadership contest to Humza Yousaf in 2023 but was brought back into government last year as Mr Swinney sought to heal divisions in the party, said she has 'consistently put the public's needs ahead of my family's' and now does not want to 'miss any more of the precious early years of family life'.

Including Fergus Ewing and John Mason, who were both elected as SNP candidates in 2021 and have since left the party, Kate becomes the 25th Nationalist to step down from the party at next year's elections.

Others include former First Ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and a score of former failed MPs have been accepted as potential candidates for the 2026 election. Anne McLaughlin, Kirsten Oswald, Anum Qaisar and Tommy Sheppard have also been named on the approved list.

It comes after the SNP suffered a damaging defeat in the recent Hamilton by-election. Labour's Davy Russell won the SNP seat with 8,559 votes, a majority of 602 over the Nationalists.

The vote followed the death of SNP MSP Christina McKelvie, who had represented the constituency since 2011.

Kate came under attack from a range of SNP MSPs during the 2023 leadership contest for her position on same-sex marriage and other beliefs she holds as a member of the Free Church of Scotland.

In a radio interview in 2023, Mr Swinney, then the Deputy First Minister, urged party members 'to decide if someone who holds those views would be an appropriate individual to be SNP leader and first minister'.

Deputy first minister Kate Forbes in pictured with Scotland's First Minister John Swinney (seen in May, 2024)

She had been expected to put her name forward as a candidate to be Mr Yousaf's successor when he resigned but instead agreed to join Mr Swinney's team rather than standing against him, in what opponents billed as a 'stitch-up'.

Kate was a prominent critic of the proposed gender reforms when Ms Sturgeon was First Minister, signed a letter raising concerns about them and said she wouldn't have voted for them. She also recently confirmed that she 'unequivocally' backs the protection of single-sex spaces.

Other prominent internal opponents of the SNP's self-ID agenda included Joanna Cherry, who lost her seat in last year's general election and does not intend to stand for Holyrood next year, Ash Regan, who defected to the Alba Party, and Fergus Ewing, who will stand for election as an independent candidate for Inverness and Nairn.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie thanked Kate for her service over a decade in parliament and wished her well in future endeavours and spending time with her family, but added: 'But it cannot have escaped the notice of voters that many of the SNP's former rising stars are abandoning the stage, often to be replaced by defeated names of yesteryears and anonymous party apparatchiks.

'Kate Forbes was the future once - but now, like many of her counterparts in the SNP, she can see the writing on the wall. The truth is this is a tired government with no vision and no ideas.'

In a statement which shocked Scottish politics yesterday morning, Kate said she had informed her local constituency association that she would not seek re-election next year.

She said she is 'wholly supportive' of Mr Swinney and will campaign for the SNP in next year's election.

But the Deputy First Minister, who is also Economy Secretary, said: 'I have grown up in the public eye, getting married, having a baby and raising a young family. I have consistently put the public's needs ahead of my family's during that time.

Kate Forbes (centre) ran against Humza Yousaf (left) and Ash Regan (right) to become the leader of the SNP

'I am grateful to them for accommodating the heavy demands of being a political figure. Looking ahead to the future, I do not want to miss any more of the precious early years of family life - which can never be rewound.'

In his letter responding to her resignation, Mr Swinney said he is sorry she has taken the decision 'but recognise and understand the reasons for doing so'.

He said: 'You have made a huge contribution to public life in Scotland and have been instrumental in making progress on economic issues for my Government.

'You have much to be proud of in all of the work you have undertaken but I am especially heartened by the effect of your leadership on advancing support for the Gaelic language.

'We all wrestle with the inevitable conflicts between family and public life and I sympathise with the dilemmas you have faced. I wish you, Ali and your family well and much happiness in the years ahead.'

At an event in June, Kate admitted she was 'unsuccessfully' trying to juggle bringing up her daughter and her Cabinet job and raised fears that childcare issues may have contributed to many female MSPs leaving politics.

She also urged the Scottish Parliament to follow the lead of the House of Commons and set up its own nursery.
TAIYUAN, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Amid the scorching summer heat of north China, 17 Chinese and international volunteers huddle beside the gatehouse of an ancient residence in the historic Pingyao County in Shanxi Province, carefully restoring bricks under the watchful guidance of seasoned professionals.

From Aug. 1 to 13, the Shanghai Ruan Yisan Heritage Foundation, together with Pingyao County, is hosting a volunteer camp focused on architectural heritage conservation in Dongquan Village, a traditional settlement in northern China.

Over two weeks, the volunteers will help restore the gatehouse and surrounding walls of the centuries-old residence under the guidance of master craftsmen.

They will visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pingyao Ancient City, along with historic sites like Shuanglin Temple and Zhenguo Temple. The itinerary also includes meeting inheritors of local intangible cultural heritage, from traditional puppet performers to artisans of Pingyao's famed lacquerware craft.

Among the 17 participants, six are from France. Leading the French group is 26-year-old Aurore Franche, a model with a deep passion for cultural heritage preservation. She sees it as a tangible link to the past, and joined the program to gain firsthand experience with traditional Chinese craftsmanship.

"Chinese architecture is so beautiful, especially the incredible mortise and tenon structure," she said. "It's amazing how the pieces can fit together so securely without glue or nails. That reflects the wisdom of ancient Chinese builders."

Sara Zuniga, a university student from Mexico with a long-standing fascination for history, said her studies are fueled by a desire to understand the brilliance of past civilizations.

"Unfortunately, many of Mexico's historical sites have been damaged over time as development progressed. This makes me feel regretful and motivates me even more to protect what remains," she added.

For Zuniga, China -- halfway across the globe -- had always felt like a mysterious and captivating place. "Before coming here, my impression of China was limited to what I had seen in films and reports from Western media. I wanted to see this ancient country for myself."

At the restoration site, a young man fluent in Chinese quickly caught the attention of fellow volunteers. Herwann Rocrou, 23, is an archaeology student in France and a passionate enthusiast of Sinology.

In his spare time, Rocrou studies Chinese and has traveled to cities like Shanghai and Suzhou. He's also explored ancient Chinese cultures, including the Yangshao culture and Shang and Zhou culture.

He said that he joined the Pingyao volunteer program to deepen his understanding of how traditional Chinese architecture is preserved and restored. "I love Chinese history and culture, and it's my dream to one day live in China with my girlfriend."

During the volunteer program, international volunteers teamed up with skilled masons in Dongquan Village, a nationally recognized historic site.

They also visited ancient structures and relics in Liangcun Village and explored Pingyao at night, one of China's best-preserved and inhabited ancient walled cities.

According to Ding Feng, secretary general of the Ruan Yisan Heritage Foundation, the foundation has organized 48 volunteer camps across Shanxi, Guizhou, Fujian, Yunnan and other provinces since 2010.

More than half of these activities have taken place in Shanxi, a province famous for its ancient architecture and home to over 28,000 historic structures, with nearly 1,000 international volunteers taking part over the past 15 years.

"Our goal is to give the public, especially young people, more opportunities to get directly involved in heritage protection," Ding said. "By working with their hands, they form a physical connection to traditional architecture, which deepens their emotional ties and sparks greater enthusiasm, initiative and awareness for preserving cultural heritage." 
Prince Josef-Emmanuel of Liechtenstein and Princess Claudia have welcomed their second child together.

The son of Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg and Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein, and his wife, Claudia Echavarria, kept the birth of their newborn under wraps for his first 40 days.

Taking to Instagram last week, Claudia surprised friends and royal fans alike by revealing that she had given birth to her son, Prince Nikolai.

'The first 40 days of Niki,' Claudia wrote, adding when translated into English, eternally grateful for these women @almapartera @haneshapeinado @drakarenperez @gabriellamcampagna @perezcastroi.'

The proud mother shared a selection of snaps from Nikolai's early days, including an adorable image of the newborn snuggling in a yellow cardigan and ruffled white shirt.

Elsewhere, Claudia, who is also the mother of her eldest child, Prince Leopold, who was born in March 2023, shared an image of Nikolai lying down in a knitted blue jumper with his name stitched on it.

The mother-of-two also shared a candid snap of her enjoying time with her son in bed while in pyjamas.

Josef-Emanuel, 36, wed Claudia in a breathtaking ceremony in Iglesia de San Pedro Claver church in 2022.

Prince Josef-Emanuel of Liechtenstein and Princess Claudia have welcomed their second child together, Prince Nikolai (pictured)

The prince is the youngest son of Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg and Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein.

Born in Belgium, where his father was an ambassador, he is currently 16th in line for the throne of Liechtenstein.

But Josef-Emanuel, like his newborn son Nikolai, is a member of not only one, but two royal families, being the grandson of the late Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and Josephine-Charlotte of Belgium on his mother's side.

He moved to the UK at a young age to attend the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, and after his graduation, he joined the Irish Guards.

Josef-Emanuel was quickly promoted to Lieutenant at the age of 21 and was selected to present the Queen with the flag of his regiment at the 2010 Trooping the Colour.

The regiment has a strong connection to the 32-year-old, since his grandfather, Grand Duke Jean, served with the group as a Lieutenant in the Second World War.

Grand Duke Jean had volunteered with the British Army after his royal family fled Nazi occupation of Luxembourg in the Second World War.

Josef-Emanuel's sister, Maria Anunciata of Liechtenstein, tied the knot in June 2021 with her entrepreneur boyfriend Emanuele Musini in a small civil ceremony at the Villa della Tenuta di Fassia near Gubbio.

Claudia surprised her Instagram followers by revealing the birth of Nikolai when he was already 40 days old

The mother-of-two shared an adorable snap of her newborn son in a knitted jumper stitched with his name

The royal's wife, known as Cloclo, is a well-known socialite in Cartagena, Colombia. She grew up in Miami and Geneva.

Meanwhile, in other royal news, Princess Diana's niece Lady Eliza Spencer announced her engagement to Channing Millerd earlier this month.

Eliza, 33, revealed the happy news on Instagram alongside a selection of photographs from the proposal, which took place in Santorini.

After almost a decade together, Channing popped the question to Eliza, the daughter of Charles Spencer and Victoria Aitken, in a stunning setting during sunset on the Greek island.

In the post, captioned 'Forever and ever', Eliza shared a sweet photograph of her lovingly looking at her fiancee.

The snap showcased the model's new ring, which features a lavish pear-shaped diamond.

A second photograph appeared to capture the moment Channing got down on one knee to the model during a romantic candlelit dinner overlooking the sea.

Eliza, a first cousin of Prince William and Prince Harry, put on an elegant display for the special moment in a silk red halter-neck dress and brown sandals.

Claudia shared a selection of snaps from Nikolai's first days, including a candid image of them in bed together

Friends and family rushed to congratulate the couple in the comment section, including Eliza's twin sister, Lady Amelia Spencer, who wrote, 'The best news ever', before adding, 'I couldn't be happier for you both!

'The BEST NEWS IN THE WORLD. I love you both with all my heart! The perfect couple and dream engagement.'

The model's elder sister, Lady Kitty Spencer, 34, also congratulated the couple on Instagram, writing, 'So happy for you and love you both very much @elizavspencer @channingmillerd.'

Eliza and Channing first met at a dinner party in South Africa through the executive's brother, Greg Mallet, according to Hello.

Talking to the publication, Eliza said, 'We have such a strong, loving and supportive relationship.'

'He truly is my best friend. We understand each other so well, and no matter what life brings, we're always there for one another.'

Eliza added, 'I absolutely believe he's The One - our bond is built on so much trust, laughter and shared values.'

Eliza and Amelia live in London's Fulham, around 15 minutes away from their elder sister, though they travel a lot, including back to South Africa, from where their partners hail.

Pictured: Prince Josef-Emanuel of Liechtenstein and Princess Claudia in Brussels in September, 2022

Following the union, the model will become a stepmother to Channing's son from a previous relationship, Nate, who the loving father has dubbed his 'perfect boy' on Instagram.

In an interview with Hello in March, Eliza said that she likes the idea of a destination wedding, particularly in Italy.

It comes after King Charles's cousin announced the engagement of his eldest daughter, Ella Mountbatten.

British aristocrat Lord Ivar Mountbatten, 62, who previously won America's The Traitors, took to Instagram to share the happy news of 29-year-old Ella's engagement to Fergus Allways Wright.

'I couldn't be happier to announce the engagement of my eldest and most precious daughter Ella @ellamountbatten to her fabulous boyfriend Fergus @wright.fregus,' the proud father wrote.

He continued, 'Ferg is not one to be rushed, so I am incredibly pleased that he has finally put us all out of our misery!

'I know he will look after my daughter to his dying day - they couldn't be better suited. Enjoy this special time in your life.'

The father-of-three to Ella, Alix and Luli, with his ex-wife, Penny Mounbatten, signed the post off by writing, 'Much love to you both. X #happycouple #finally #1down2togo.'

Ivar, who became the first member of the extended Royal Family to enter a same-sex union in 2018 with partner James Coyle, added a sweet photograph of the happy couple in the post.

Brand partnership manager Ella was all smiles as she proudly displayed her emerald and diamond-encrusted engagement ring while standing next to her fiance, who works as an insurance executive.
A woman who swapped homes with a total stranger on Instagram to save money on hotel costs while she was traveling has shared the highs and lows of the experience.

Sara Holt, 27, from Copenhagen, was planning a trip to Paris, France, and got fed up with the eye-watering prices of hotels and Airbnbs.

Inspired by the Cameron Diaz-lead movie The Holiday, she decided to turn to social media to try to find someone living in the European city who might exchange abodes with her.

She shared a video of her studio apartment on Instagram and received offers from people all over the world.

And she ultimately switched with a girl living in the heart of Paris.

She flew out on July 16 and stayed for a week  enjoying everything the city of lights had to offer for a fraction of the price.

'Travelling is expensive but a lot of the time, it is the accommodation that really breaks the bank,' she told Luxury Travel Daily recently.

'With home swapping, you really only have to pay for the transportation, which is a big perk when trying to save some money.

Sara Holt, 27, from Copenhagen, swapped homes with a total stranger on Instagram while she was traveling to save money on hotel costs

She shared a video of her Denmark studio apartment (seen) on Instagram and received offers from people all over the world

'Since watching The Holiday for the first time, I've always wanted to try it.'

The 2006 flick - which also starred Jude Law, Kate Winslet, and Jack Black - followed two strangers, one from a quiet English village and the other from star-studded Hollywood, who decided to trade homes in an attempt to spice up their lives.

In addition to saving money, there were a load of other benefits that came with living in someone's home rather than staying at a hotel.

'I was so happy arriving in her flat in Paris. It looked amazing, very homey and she had cleaned and laid out a list with local recommendations as well as a welcome gift of wine, soaps and chocolate,' Sara recalled.

'It was a bit strange to live in someone else's space but it quickly felt very homey.'

The content creator estimates she saved $800 on accommodation fees  and all in all, she only paid $650 for the entire trip, including flights, food, drinks and shopping.

She loved the experience so much that she now can't imagine travelling any other way.

Sara said: 'It was great to have your own kitchen and everything you need on hand, which is not the case in a hotel.

Inspired by the Cameron Diaz-lead movie The Holiday, she decided to turn to social media to try to find someone living in the European city who might exchange abodes with her

She ultimately switched with a girl living in the heart of Paris. The view from the home in Paris that she stayed in is seen

Sara flew out on July 16 and stayed for a week  enjoying everything the city of lights had to offer for a fraction of the price

'Living in her area had a very local feel as well, which was great. It was more like trying "everyday life" in Paris instead of a holiday.

'It was just perfect. We were keeping in touch all week, asking questions and sending each other recommendations.

'It was like having a guide ready in your pocket the whole time. The whole thing felt very wholesome.'

Sara added that the girl living in her apartment left it 'spotless,' in fact, it was 'almost better than when she left.'

But there were some downsides. Particularly, she admitted that she was worried knowing there was no second party involved to help if something went wrong in her temporary home.

'I was a bit more worried than usual about keeping her space in order  as there is not second party involved, I really didn't want to break anything or lose her keys  stuff like that,' she explained.

'I was a bit nervous the months leading up to it, that one of us would have to cancel after the other person had already booked flights.

'There's no refund policy when you just swap with someone outside of the platforms. Luckily that didn't happen!'

In addition to saving money, there were a load of other benefits that came with living in someone's home rather than staying at a hotel. The apartment she stayed in is pictured

But there were some downsides. Particularly, she admitted that she was worried knowing there was no second party involved to help if something went wrong in her temporary home

Despite some initial nerves about swapping her $950-a-month studio flat in Denmark with a stranger, the whole week went off without a hitch.

Sara concluded: 'The money saved was definitely a bonus but the real win was feeling like a local and having that insider experience.

'I'd encourage anyone curious about home swapping to just take the leap. It's such a unique way to travel and connect with people.

'It's not just about saving money  it's about the stories you collect and the memories you make in a home that isn't your own.'
Disney has been fiercely slammed over an alleged rule that characters may never take off their costumes... after one dramatically fainted during a parade at the theme park and still stayed in character.

Earlier this week, a video that showed someone dressed up as Winnie the Pooh's Tigger suffering from what appeared to be a medical emergency at Shanghai Disneyland Resort went viral on social media.

The clip showed the character laying on the floor seemingly passed out, as hoards of people stood around them using fans to try to cool them off.

Later, the character was seen attempting to stand as they loose their balance and fall back again, before one final clip showed them leaning on a fellow staffer as they slowly walked off.

Throughout the entire terrifying ordeal, even when the character seemed to lose consciousness, their mask was never removed.

It was reported that the incident had occurred during the parade at the theme park in China last weekend, and that the employee had collapsed after suffering from 'heatstroke.'

It occurred on a particularly scorching hot day, where temperatures soared to the mid-90s, and it can get even hotter inside the thick costumes.

After the video began circulating on TikTok and X, formerly Twitter, many viewers were left outraged that the other workers assisting didn't take off the mask to give the person inside some air and help them cool off.

Disney has been slammed over an alleged rule that characters may never take off their costumes... after one fainted at the theme park and still stayed in character (stock image)

Earlier this week, a video that showed someone dressed up as Tigger suffering from what appeared to be a medical emergency at Shanghai Disneyland Resort went viral

'Couldn't they remove the helmet to make him get enough air? Why did they leave the helmet?' one alarmed user asked on TikTok.

'I think they can't do that in Disneyland? I mean there's probably rule about not showing your face in front of kids and etc. or you'll get fired or something,' someone else replied.

'It's a man's life, I don't think rules are that important right now,' another person fired back.

'The fact they kept the head on just to keep the kids believing is crazy,' read a fourth comment.

A fifth said, 'Sorry but I think we shouldnt be risking someones life to keep the magic of Disneyland. Get that costume off the poor person! Kids will get over it.'

'For those wondering "why not take of the mask" they can't. If they did, the person in the suit would most likely get fired,' a different user chimed in.

'Why? Because Disney is extremely strict with their mascots, and 'cause they need to keep the magic alive for the kids. I know dumb rule...'

'Disney values their brand more than their cast members,' scathed someone else.

After the video began circulating online, many viewers were left outraged that the other workers didn't take off the mask to give the person inside some air and help them cool off

The Daily Mail has reached out to Disney for comment.

Shanghai Disney Resort said in a statement afterwards that the performer 'was immediately taken to the nearest infirmary,' where 'staff and park nurses were quick to attend' to them, per Inside the Magic.

'The cast member is now recovering, and their health is being closely monitored,' the site added.

One TikToker who goes by Mouselets online previously claimed that Disney workers portraying characters will indeed be fired if they take off their heads at any time, even in an emergency.

An 'insider from the world of Disney' also previously told DMarge.com that the same applies to characters on Disney cruises.

'As one of the most tightly controlled brands on the planet, Disney has some very strict protocols aboard their cruises  especially regarding emergency evacuations,' the source said.

One TikToker previously claimed that Disney workers portraying characters will be fired if they take off their heads at any time, even in an emergency (stock image)

'For instance, if a Disney cruise is to be abandoned, any employee who is in costume at the time of the alarm sounding must stay in costume.

'They are not permitted to remove their heads and ruin the illusion for guests, so therefore have to navigate the deck dressed as a giant Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, etc.

'Elsewhere on the ship, its somebodys job to head to the costume store and firmly lock it up. This is to ensure that if the ship does go down, the costumes go with it.

'They dont want to risk the empty costumes getting loose and floating up to the top  leaving children traumatized by seeing Goofys lifeless body bobbing about on the surface.'
A model has revealed that she shrunk her waist to only 20 inches by wearing a corset up to 23 hours a day for over a decade - and it's even moved some of her organs.

Aleira Avendano, 33, from Venezuela, started her waist reduction journey in 2009, and has spent the last 16 years working extremely hard to achieve her tiny, hourglass frame.

She dons a tight girdle every day to ensure her waist stays at a mere 20-inches, only taking it off for one hour a day to 'rest and wash herself' and even going as far as to sleep with it on.

Aleira spoke about the endeavor exclusively with the Daily Mail, and she insisted that she didn't just do it for aesthetic reasons.

'It makes me happy. For me, a small waist is not just aesthetic, its a symbol of discipline, focus, and passion,' she said. 'It empowers me to see my body reflect my effort and vision.

'It was a very conscious and personal decision, driven by my desire to transform my body into a living piece of art, a form of discipline and aesthetic expression.'

She added that she has 'learned so much about her body, health, and mind' along the way.

She also insisted that she has always 'respected her personal limits' and that while it may look painful, she has not felt much discomfort throughout the lengthy process.

Aleira Avendano, 33, from Venezuela, has shrunk her waist to only 20 inches by wearing a corset up to 23 hours a day for over a decade - and it's even moved some of her organs

She dons a tight girdle every day to ensure her waist stays at a mere 20-inches, only taking it off for one hour a day to 'rest and wash herself' and even going as far as to sleep with it on

'At first, it can feel strange or uncomfortable, like any body transformation,' shared the model.

'But over time, it becomes part of your routine. Its a gradual adaptation process. Ive never ignored my bodys signals pain has never been part of the journey.'

Back in 2015, a doctor spoke to the Daily Mail about the possible dangers of Aleira's body transformation, and the medical professional issued a stark warning to the influencer.

Dr. Andres Ruiz said at the time: 'In my medical opinion she should stop this immediately. Thank God she has not done any damage so far but she should stop before it's too late.'

But Aleira told the Daily Mail during a recent chat that while the endeavor has 'slightly shifted the position of her organs,' she has 'never put her health at risk' and has had the approval of her doctor every step of the way.

'Wearing a corset long-term can slightly shift the position of your organs, much like other body modifications even natural ones like pregnancy,' Aleira continued.

'In my case, Ive always done it under medical supervision. Ive never put my health at risk, and all my check-ups have been positive.'

She said that she has spent over $1 million to alter her waist, with a further $38,000 on surgical procedures, including seven boob jobs, five nose jobs, bum implants, and new teeth.

Aleira spoke about the endeavor exclusively with the Daily Mail, and she claimed that she didn't just do it for aesthetic reasons

While the endeavor has 'slightly shifted the position of her organs,' she insisted she has 'never put her health at risk' and has had the approval of her doctor every step of the way

'A small waist is not just aesthetic, its a symbol of discipline, focus, and passion,' she said. 'It empowers me to see my body reflect my effort and vision'

In response to her haters, she told the Daily Mail, 'Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I also have the right to live my truth. This is me unfiltered, unapologetic'

Aleira's goal is to have the world's smallest waist, a title currently held by Cathie Jung at 15 inches.

'[But more importantly], my goal is to remain true to my ideal image feeling strong, healthy, and in balance. I dont chase the extreme, I pursue harmony,' she insisted.

Aleira often shows off her unordinary body on social media, but unfortunately, she has faced a slew of backlash over it.

In response to her haters, she told the Daily Mail, 'Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I also have the right to live my truth. This is me unfiltered, unapologetic.'

'This has never been about pleasing others. I did it for myself, and I continue doing it for me,' she added.

She admitted that people often stare in public, but that she's unfazed because she's 'used to it by now.'

'I see it as an opportunity to break stereotypes and show that anyone can be authentic,' gushed the social media star.

In the end, Aleira, who recently released her own line of corsets so others can follow in her footsteps, said she's proud of her 'consistency, self-care, and control.'
A couple who are planning to stay at every Disney hotel on the globe have laid bare their plans to visit 45 resorts in five different countries in just 52 days.

James Doherty, 31, and Chloe Doherty, 28, based in the UK, have been avid Disney fans for years.

They take their daughter, Athena, three, to a Disney theme park 'two or three times a year, sometimes even more.'

Now, they have set out on a quest to stay at every single Disney property in one massive trip, something that's never been done before.

The pair, who started the endeavor this weekend, said it will take them roughly two months to complete, and will total more than 50 hours of flying.

'We usually visit Disney around two or three times a year - sometimes even more,' Chloe explained during an exclusive chat with the Daily Mail.

'Weve been to Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort in California, Tokyo Disney, and enjoyed a few Disney cruises as well.'

She explained that they always dreamed of doing a trip like this but 'never quite had the opportunity' to do it.

A couple who are planning to stay at every Disney hotel on the globe have laid bare their plans to visit 45 resorts in five different countries in just 52 days

James Doherty, 31, and Chloe Doherty, 28, from the UK, have been avid Disney fans for years, and take their daughter, Athena, three, to a Disney theme park 'two or three times a year'

But after 'dealing with some health challenges' earlier this year, they figured it was finally time to make their dream a reality.

'Wed talked about it so many times but never committed - then, after dealing with some health challenges, we woke up one morning and thought, "Lifes too short. Why not? Lets do it! And thats when we started looking into it,' she recalled.

They've been planning since April, and mapping out the perfect route to hit all the resorts was not easy.

But now, they've got it all figured out; the endeavor will start at Disneyland Paris, where they'll stay for seven days.

They'll then head to Hong Kong Disney, followed by Shanghai Disney, and then Tokyo Disney.

After that, they'll spend some time at Disney's resort in Hawaii, before they head to Disneyland in California.

Next comes Disney's hotel in Hilton head, South Carolina, and its Vero Beach, Florida, resort, before the family will end with Walt Disney world in mid-October.

'We will be staying at 45 official resorts in total,' shared Chloe.

Now, they have set out on a quest to stay at every single Disney property in one massive trip, something that's never been done before

The pair, who started the endeavor this weekend, said it will take them roughly two months to complete, and will total more than 50 hours of flying

'Seven in Disneyland Paris, three in Hong Kong, two in Shanghai, six in Tokyo, three in California, 21 in Orlando, one in Hawaii, one in Florida coast, and one in Hilton Head.'

When asked about how much they have spent on the trip, Chloe stayed tight-lipped, stating, 'We wont be discussing cost at the moment.'

Chloe noted that she's aware that it's a lot of time at Disney parks in a row, but said she's not worried that their three-year-old daughter will get sick of going to the Happiest Place on Earth.

'Shes been going to Disney parks since she was a baby and, honestly, she probably loves them even more than we do,' gushed the mother-of-one.

'For her, every visit is exciting and new, so I think shell be just as enthusiastic on the last day as she is on the first.'

In response to anyone who may judge them for the extravagant endeavor, she said, 'We know its a big, ambitious trip, but for us its about doing something we love as a family.

When asked about how much they have spent on the trip, Chloe stayed tight-lipped, stating, 'We wont be discussing cost at the moment'

'Everyone has their own passions - ours just happens to involve Disney and travel.

'Were making memories together, and at the end of the day, thats what really matters to us.'

They plan to document the entire thing on their YouTube channel, called Doherty's In The Magic.

'We love Disney, we love travelling as a family, and this combines both in the most magical way,' she concluded.

'Its about creating those once-in-a-lifetime memories together and being able to say, "We actually did it." But being the first to do it is something pretty cool also.'
When Anna Sullivan was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 37, her first thought was: 'Am I going to die?' Her second, quieter fear was what treatment would do to her bodyand to her sex life.

After a mastectomy, Anna was placed on hormone therapya vital treatment that works by blocking oestrogen, the hormone that can fuel the growth of certain breast cancers.

It dramatically cut her risk of the disease coming back, but it also catapulted her into an abrupt, medically-induced menopause.

The result was agonising vaginal pain that left her unable to have sex with her husband.

'We tried once and it was unbearable,' recalls Anna, now 44. 'At no point had a doctor warned me this might happen.'

The condition, known as genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), is common among women forced into early menopause by cancer drugs, causing dryness, pain and loss of intimacy.

But at first, Anna's suffering was dismissed: 'I told my oncologist, "It hurts all the time, especially during sex." They just said, "If you don't use it, you'll lose it." I felt ashamed and completely alone.'

But today, the picture is far more positiveand, after years of trial and error, Anna found an unlikely treatment that changed everything: platelet-rich plasma (PRP) vaginal injections.

Anna was thrilled when she got the all clear after she found a small lump on her breast that turned out to be breast cancer. But she didn't know the treatment would completely derail her sex life

Your browser does not support iframes.

The treatment involvings using a woman's own blood component to promote healing and tissue regeneration in the vagina.

A clinician will take a patient's blood before processing it in a centrifuge to concentrate the plateletssmall fragments in the blood that form clots and promote healing.

The concentrated plasma is then injected into specific areas of the vagina to stimulate cell regeneration and support tissue growth.

The treatment is said to provide a range of benefits from enhanced sexual function, through increasing sensitivity and improving lubrication, to pain relief and vaginal rejuvenation.

Whilst Anna did not experience lasting pain relief after the treatment when it came to sex, she said it helped improve sensation and lubrication and opened the door for more open and honest conversation about cancer, sex and the menopause.

She now uses a carefully-curated combination of treatments including pelvic floor exercises and low-dose oestrogen creams, after reading compelling new research, to treat her symptoms, allowing her to live an almost normal life.

She said: 'I used to be really scared of using oestrogen creams, even though the pain was unbearable and ruining my sex life, because it was thought for a long time that oestrogen could increase the chance of breast cancer returning.

'I know now that this simply is not true. But the culture of fear around using hormone therapy started so long ago it's going to take a long time for that fear to subside.'

According to the NHS, while some of the hormonal changes that happen during menopause may change the way a woman experiences sex, it does not guarantee a drop in sex drive

The menopausal transition usually lasts about 7 years, during which time women can experience a long roster of symptoms that go beyond just hot flashes and night sweats

She now wants to help reduce the stigma and shame surrounding the menopause, especially for women who have been left with no other choice but to face it early because of cancer.

Her plea comes as millions of women could soon benefit from a new all-natural intimate cream being hailed as a female version of Viagra.

Makers of the plant-based formulacalled Myregynainsist it can restore vulval health and 'bring back the joy of sex' for women battling the menopause, all without the use of hormones.

Inventor Dr Iona Weir claims trials have shown the cream improves sexual response and function in women dealing with the effects of menopause.

It's applied to the intimate area nightly and taken alongside a daily supplement, with results expected in as little as a month.

The cream is designed to reverse the symptoms of GSM including vaginal dryness, incontinence, discomfort and pain during sexall of which can severely impact quality of life.

Currently around 90 per cent of women with cancer encounter sexual health problems which can lead to long-term distress affecting personal and social well-being.

Around half of post-menopausal women will experience vaginal drynessmost of whom don't seek treatment for their symptoms which typically include vaginal dryness, irritation and pain during intercourse.
A man rapidly pacing up and down the corridors of a maternity ward isn't an uncommon sightbut unlike the other new dads, Anna Williamson's husband wasn't holding a newborn it was her freshly expelled placenta, in a lasagne dish.

The Celebs Go Dating expert, 44, is one of thousands of women who have opted to use their placenta to support post-natal recovery bolstered byscientifically unprovenclaims that it can lessen the chances of developing post-natal depression.

The practice, known as 'placentophagy', is heralded in wellness circles for lessening the chances of developing post-natal depression, and is said to be the best way to replace the iron and nutrients lost during childbirth.

The placenta is either eaten raw, blended up in a smoothie, roasted like a joint of meat, or freeze dried, ground up and taken in tablet form, a process known as encapsulation.

Last week, it was revealed that Radio 1 DJ Vick Hope was the latest star to partake in the practice after her husband Calvin Harris posted gory pictures of the chopped up organ inside a dehydrator.

The post divided fans, with some pleased to see the couple 'normalising' the practice, and others branding it as 'TMI'.

Anna's husband, personal trainer Alex Di Pasquale, 36, didn't have to be as hands-on as Calvin when it came to the preparation of her placenta pills.

All Alex had to do was pass the spongey organ over to a representative from the private company they paid 150 to 'encapsulate' her placenta after she welcomed her son in 2017.

Anna Williamson had her placenta encapsulated after the birth of her first child

Anna is one of the experts on Celebs Go Dating, which returned to screens this week

She told the Daily Mail: 'The midwife took my placenta and put it in the Pyrex dish.

'My husband called the encapsulation company and they sent a courier to meet him in the hospital car park.'

Then, jokingly comparing the handover to a 'dodgy drug deal', she explained that the rep took the dish, carefully removed the organ and placed it inside a medical-grade cool bag before driving away.

'I got my lasagna dish back, and I gave it a proper clean and it went through the dishwasher.

'I still use it, but I don't often admit to people that it momentarily had my placenta in it.

'I understand why people might be put off by it, but it's no different to it once containing a couple of raw sausages or some minced meat, and it is still in perfect working condition.'

Just four days after the carpark handover, Anna received a vitamin jar in the post which contained 60 capsules filled with powdered afterbirth.

'There were lots of different packages on what you want to havecreams, balms, and keepsakes,' she said.

Anna has two children, a son aged 8, and daughter, 5

'But I didn't want any of that. I just wanted the capsules.'

Like all new mums, Anna was overwhelmed by the prospect of becoming a mother, and in addition, was worried that the surge of pregnancy hormones could trigger a mental health crisis.

She explained: 'I was very fearful in pregnancy, around my hormones and around my mental health, knowing how awful it was when I had a mental health crash.

'Furthermore, because I have always been quite iron deficient and anaemic, I thought they couldn't do any harm.

'I just thought, 'Who am I to say it doesn't work? Animals in the natural world eat their placenta'.

'Maybe we're just being a bit too Western, a bit too sniffy about something that sounds a bit rank.

'I didn't see any scientific data around it, but anecdotal evidence claims it helps protect against postnatal depression, boosts milk production and aids general recovery after birth.'

Sadly for Anna, her first birth was incredibly traumatic, and despite taking the pills, she struggled with the mental, emotional and physical toll of childbirth for several months.

The new series of Celebs Go Dating starts on E4 Monday

'Unfortunately I experienced terrible birth trauma,' she said.

'My postnatal depression was so severe that I was on the borderline of postpartum psychosis.

'It was so severe that I don't think an iron tablet or a placenta tablet was really going to touch the sides.

'I had a two litre haemorrhage and I was struggling to breastfeed just due to the postnatal trauma.'

Anna chose not to have her placenta encapsulated after the birth of her second child, a daughter, now 5,but not because she believes that eating her placenta was pointless.

'I'm really open to it, and I didn't do it the second time around for no other reason other than I was so busy with my pregnancyI was filming Celebs Go Dating eight days up until I gave birth.

'It was the last thing on my mind because I was so stressed about my second birth and I was just focused on my planned C-section.

'I just wanted to have a baby that was alive and healthy.

Calvin Harris and Vick Hope recently welcomed their first child, a son named Micah

Calvin posted a photo of Vick's placenta, which was dehydrated before being turned into supplements

The proud dad showed off the capsules made from Vick's placenta

'But I would do it again, and I would say to somebody, if they were thinking about it, why not?'

However, there are risks. In 2017, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the US issued a warning against the practice after a baby was diagnosed with a strep infection after his mother consumed placenta pills.

Strep B  which kills one baby a week in the UK and 50,000 people worldwide annually  was transferred to the baby through breast milk when the mother took placental capsules.

In a shocking report the coroner said: 'That's the case that still haunts everyone in the industry.'

A 2018 study found that women who were given placebo capsules or placental pills experienced no significant changes in mood, energy levels or the emotional bond with their newborn baby.

One study that evaluated the amount of hormones in the placenta could potentially reach a level of physiological impact if ingested.

However, once the placenta is handled, dehydrated and packaged into a pill, it is unclear if the hormones are biologically present anymore.

Experts have also warned that the temporary organ can contain viruses, bacteria and even heavy metals due to its role of filtering the blood and protecting the growing foetus.

Interestingly, Anna was advised to take half of her capsules following the birth and to freeze the remainder to take once she enters perimenopausewhich she thinks won't be long.

She laughed: 'They've been frozen ever since I got them. Can any harm come from me eating a nine year old placenta capsule? I'm not sure.'
With parts of Britain set to bask in temperatures of 34C from tomorrow, many will be dreading the prospect of sleepless nights  but thats the least of your worries if youre a man.

As overnight temperatures in some parts of the UK have reached nearly 20C (68F), research suggests even an increase of one degree can reduce the quality of sperm cells and affect fertility.

The study analysed semen samples from more than 6,600 donors worldwide over a six-year period.

On average, the mercury reached highs of between 6.7C (44F) and 18.2C (64.8F) across the nations sampled  with the highest being 42.1C (107.8F).

And the results showed those living in hotter climes had less sperm motility  the ability of the cells to move effectively, which is crucial for successful fertilisation.

The research might make for difficult reading for men living in some cities as London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester are all set to see high temperatures.

The UK Health Security Agency has also issued a yellow heat health alert from 12pm tomorrow until Wednesday at 6pm

But those living in Scotland and Northern Ireland may rest a little easier as temperatures are expected to stay below 20C.

With parts of Britain set to bask in temperatures of 34C from tomorrow, many will be dreading the prospect of sleepless nights  but thats the least of your worries if youre a man

As overnight temperatures in some parts of the UK have reached nearly 20C (68F), research suggests even an increase of one degree can reduce the quality of sperm cells and affect fertility

The reason for the results of the study remain unclear but the researchers suggest that if the testes become warmer it could cause some cells to die and reduce the quality of remaining sperm.

The study, published in the journal Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, also suggests poor sleep on hot nights could impact on sperm quality.

Professor Raj Persad, at Bristol Urology Associates, suggested the results could explain a drop in the global birth rate.

It suggests that we might be able to improve fertility rates where it is consistently hot at night, he said.

Human testes are between 2C and 4C cooler than the bodys core temperature, which is critical for healthy sperm production.

The research, published in the journal Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, suggests that if the testes become warmer it could cause some cells to die and reduce the quality of remaining sperm. It also suggests poor sleep on hot nights could impact on sperm quality

This study, by Chinese researchers, is thought to be the first to look at the impact of overnight temperatures. Recent studies have shown a decline in global fertility rates, with one reporting a 10 per cent decline in sperm quality over the last 16 years

Previous studies have found a single degree rise in their temperature can reduce sperm count by around 40 per cent  while a two degree rise can reduce it to near zero.

Some seasonal studies in Europe have found that sperm output drops to around 70 per cent during the summer compared with winter. In general, fewer babies are conceived in the summer.

But this study, by Chinese researchers, is thought to be the first to look at the impact of overnight temperatures.

Poor semen quality has been identified as the most common cause of male infertility.

Recent studies have shown a decline in global fertility rates, with one reporting a 10 per cent decline in sperm quality over the last 16 years.

Recommendations to mitigate the problem include wearing loose-fitting underwear overnight and using electric fans.

But here's the scientifically proven formula to stay cool

By Pat Hagan

The mercury is climbing again and Britain is basking in yet another heatwave.

But if youre wondering how best to stay cool in the sweltering conditions, fear not  scientists have come up with the perfect formula.

The trick is to use an electric fan to cool the bodys exterior, while drinking the right amount of cold water for your weight  to ensure you dont overheat inside.

Researchers from Heibei Vocational University of Technology and Engineering in Xingtai, China, found that the body cools best when someone sits near a fan and downs 6ml of cold water an hour for every kilogram they weigh.

For someone weighing 90kg  or around 14st  this equates to 540ml of cold water, or just under a pint, every hour.

A person weighing 60kg, or just under 10st, would need to drink around 360ml an hour  or two-thirds of a pint.

This researchers found that this method was the best way to lower body temperature, minimise sweat loss and reduce blood pressure and heart rate.

Drinking smaller quantities of water while using a fan  or just using a fan on its own  was much less effective, according to results published in the Journal of Thermal Biology.

If youre wondering how best to stay cool in the sweltering conditions, fear not  scientists have come up with the perfect formula. The trick is to use an electric fan to cool the bodys exterior, while drinking the right amount of cold water for your weight

Researchers from Heibei Vocational University of Technology and Engineering in Xingtai, China, found that the body cools best when someone sits near a fan and downs 6ml of cold water an hour for every kilogram they weigh

The Chinese researchers recruited 14 young men and subjected them to eight hours of extreme heat exposure  with temperatures averaging 36.5C (97.7F).

At different times they either had no cooling aids at all, just used a fan, or had a fan and access to different quantities of cold water.

Fans helped but without drinking water simultaneously they increased the risk of dehydration, the study found.

And too little cold water failed to stem the negative effects of heat on the body.

In a report the researchers said heatwaves will become a bigger threat to health  especially as many homes are not equipped with air conditioning.
Women who had complicated pregnancies could be more likely to have an early stroke, a study has found.

High-risk complications during pregnancy is relatively uncommon in the UK  affecting just up to 10 per cent.

However, figures show those who are impacted may be more likely to experience a stroke before the age of 50.

Researchers in the Netherlands examined a sample of more than 1,000 women between the ages of 18 and 49, who had been pregnant at least once before.

They looked at how often certain pregnancy complications had occurred in those who had strokes.

These included pre-eclampsia  high blood pressure during pregnancy  pre-term birth before 37 weeks, babies born small for their gestational age, gestational diabetes, miscarriage and stillbirth.

Women who had complicated pregnancies could be more likely to have an early stroke, a study has found. Pictured: Stroke Illustration

Women who had a stroke were found to be more than twice as likely to have gone through at least one pregnancy complication, while those who had previously had a stillbirth were at the highest risk of stroke, estimated to be five times more likely.

Complications such as pre-eclampsia and pre-term birth were associated with strokes linked to large artery disease  often caused by a build-up of fatty deposits.

'Doctors should ask about pregnancy history when assessing stroke risk,' said the study's lead author Dr Frank-Erik de Leeuw, a professor in cerebrovascular disease at Radboud University.

'Our study suggests we may need to start thinking about cardiovascular prevention earlier in life  not just after menopause.

'Future studies should investigate the effects of lifestyle modification aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk in women with pregnancy complications.'

Previous research has shown that pregnancy itself can increase a woman's stroke risk by increasing blood volume, changing blood clotting factors and altering the elasticity of her blood vessels  with the highest risk occurring in the six weeks after delivery.
Young people who regularly go to live music events are at risk of suffering permanent hearing loss, a charity has warned.

A survey of 2,000 adults found that more than half of respondents aged between 18 and 28 reported hearing loss, the ear-ringing condition tinnitus or both after attending a festival, gig or going to a nightclub.

The report by the Royal National Institute For Deaf People (RNID) warns that while these symptoms are normally temporary, long-term exposure can cause permanent damage.

Despite three-quarters of respondents being aware of a risk of hearing damage when exposed to noisy venues, 35 per cent said they do not plan to wear hearing protection such as earplugs at live music events this year.

More than 18 million people in the UK are thought to be either deaf, hard of hearing or suffer from tinnitus.

Research shows that prolonged exposure to sounds louder than 85 decibels  roughly the same as a food blender  can trigger hearing damage. However, the music at many live venues and nightclubs can often reach more than 100 decibels.

A survey of 2,000 adults found that more than half of respondents aged between 18 and 28 reported hearing loss and tinnitus after attending a festival, gig or going to a nightclub (Stock image)

Experts say that more than 15 minutes of exposure to noise this loud will likely lead to some level of permanent hearing loss.

The RNID has also warned that young people are more likely to be exposed to unsafe levels of noise through headphones.

Those who wear headphones in the presence of background noise, such as during a commute, are most at risk. The charity says this risk can be reduced by ensuring the volume is below 60 per cent.

Franki Oliver, audiology manager at RNID, said: 'There is growing concern that headphone use, both by over-ear headphones and in-ear buds, could risk permanent damage, especially if people aren't aware of the risks.'
MANILA, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Philippine security forces have killed three alleged members of the militant group Dawlah Islamiya (DI) during a clash in Lanao del Sur province in southern Philippines, and a soldier has been wounded, the military said on Sunday.

Brig. Gen. Billy Dela Rosa, the 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the clash occurred on Saturday when soldiers and police officers were serving arrest warrants against the militants facing murder and multiple counts of homicide.

"The militants opened fire at our forces, triggering a firefight," Dela Rosa said.

Firearms have also been recovered from the clash site, Dela Rosa said. 
The number of children being poisoned by marijuana is on the rise, leaving youngsters with seizures and potentially life-threatening breathing issues.

As the use of the drug has spread across the US due to legalization and commercialization the number of marijuana-related incidents has too.

According to America's Poison Centers, there were around 930 cases of poisoning in 2019, compared to 22,000 last year alone.

Of that 22,000, over 13,000 of them caused negative effects and were classed as nonlethal poisonings, with children and teens accounting for 75 percent of them.

A study of the figures by The New York Times identified a number of cases involving kids consuming marijuana products from stashes belonging to friends and family that have gone on to suffer severe health problems as a result.

Their analysis uncovered a growing number of kids having breathing problems after being poisoned, up from 10 cases in 2009 to 620 last year.

According to their findings over 100 children required the use of a ventilator as a result.

America's Poison Center has also identified four deaths since 2009 as being likely caused by the drug.

According to America's Poison Centers, there was around 930 cases of poisoning in 2019, compared to 22,000 last year alone

A study of the figures by The New York Times identified a number of cases involving kids consuming marijuana products from stashes belonging to friends and family

Medical professionals spoke with the outlet about the alarming jump, with Dr. Robert Hendrickson revealing he had treated a toddler who ate a marijuana infused cookie.

Dr Robert Hendrickson, seen here, recalled to the outlet having to put a child, who ate a marijuana cookie, on a ventilator

Dr Hendrickson, an emergency physician and professor at Oregon Health & Science University, said: 'The child had a seizure and then was put on a ventilator'. The child went on to have more seizures afterwards.

Dr. Stephen Sandelich, pediatric physician and assistant professor at Penn State, said the blame was partially down to trendy and colorful packaging.

Sandelich says he has had to intubate seven children who had unfortunately ingested the products.

Amy Enochs daughter was one of those kids who accidentally ingested the drug while in school.

Enochs told the outlet that her daughter's school was put into a lockdown after her daughter and others ate marijuana gummies and were rushed to hospital.

The incident happened in 2022, with the kids being taken to hospital after suffering from hallucinations, high pulses and nausea.

Enochs told the outlet that her girl was convinced the school had been overtaken by aliens and that she had superpowers.

Flavored marijuana gummies are displayed in a cabinet at the Housing Works Cannabis Co., New York's first legal cannabis dispensary, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, in New York

As the use of the drug has spread across the US due to legalization and commercialization the number of marijuana-related incidents has too

She recalled: 'I was scared to death. It was shock and panic', it later emerged her and daughter and their classmates had eaten gummies containing 50 milligrams of THC.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main psychoactive compound in the drug that makes users feel high.

The classmate who brought them into school had lifted them from a kitchen cabinet, they belonged to their father who later pleaded guilty to inducing panic and obstructing official business.

According to the outlet the man was given probation and ordered to pay a fine and restitution.

In the aftermath, Enochs said her daughter felt unsafe at the school and was scared to fall asleep. Three years on she has recovered but still suffers mentally.

The Times found in their analysis that at least 38 marijuana-related poisonings led to charges filed against parents and caregivers.

Health officials say the amount that an adult would have to consume to get so ill that they would have a seizure is remarkably high, but far less for children.

Rebecca Villarreal also spoke with the outlet about her son Emilio who had picked out a cake pop from a store in Florida selling both THC products and THC-free ones.

After Emilio fell asleep, she recalled to the Times how he woke up screaming and appeared to be hallucinating that there were spiders in his throat.

He was rushed to hospital where it was found out that the treat had been incorrectly labeled and contained 100 milligrams of THC. Thankfully the youngster recovered.

It's not just children feeling the effects. A Canadian study last year found that after the country legalized the sale of marijuana emergency room visits for the elderly shot up.

Researchers found that older adults may be prone to overdosing due to slower metabolisms, possible interactions with medications and a greater potency than the marijuana they might have used in their youth.
Carthage by Eve Macdonald (Ebury Press 22, 368pp)

Carthage is available now from the Mail Bookshop

Its 146 BC. A woman stands on the heights of the mighty citadel of Carthage, North Africa, looking down upon the last, moments of this once proud city, capital of a vast Mediterranean empire.

After three years of siege, the Roman legions have finally captured Carthage.

The Roman historian Appian tell us that the woman on the walls  the wife of Hasdrubal, the last commander of Carthage  driven to a fury by the sight of her husband, kneeling in surrender, screamed out a curse: Upon this Hasdrubal, betrayer of his country and her temples, of me and his children, may the Gods of Carthage take vengeance

She then hurled her children down into the flames below, before hurling herself after. The ultimate statement of death over enslavement, says Eve Macdonald.

It could so easily have gone the other way  especially when the brilliant Carthaginian general Hannibal was in command - and Carthage would have been no kinder to Rome. Indeed they were notorious for their cruelty, even sacrificing their children to their sinister gods Tanit and Baal.

Carthage was Phoenician in origin. The Phoenicians were sailors with canny mercantile expertise which made them fantastically wealthy.

A people of such dynamism soon came to dominate much of the Mediterranean, and were almost fated to clash with a small but rapidly rising and ferociously martial little city in Central Italy, called Rome.

The intermittent Punic Wars, as Rome called them, lasted over 100 years. They fought for 23 years over Sicily, which nearly bankrupted them both. And in 256BC they fought the colossal sea battle of Ecnomus, one of the largest sea battles by numbers ever fought. There were some 200,000 sailors and marines at sea that day. Rome won.

But Carthage was far too powerful to be defeated in a single battle, and still to come was Hannibal, inset, Romes most dangerous enemy. A soldiers general, he slept in his cloak on the hard ground along with his men.

On the march: Hannibal in Italy, fresco depicts Hannibal Crossing the Alps on the back of an elephant in the Second Punic War, Italy, 3rd century BC

Macdonald gives a bravura re-telling of the whole story, the Alps, the elephants, and crossing the Rhone too. At last came the catastrophic Roman defeat at Cannae when at least 20,000 Romans were slaughtered in a day  more than the British lost at the first day on the Somme.

Among the Roman dead lay the consul and a staggering 80 of the Senatorial class. The governing elite of Rome had been wiped out.

Rome was, by any rational standard, finished. Yet with very Roman doggedness they simply refused to recognise it. As the Roman poet Ennius put it, The victor is not victorious if the vanquished does not consider himself so. They scraped together an army of older men and farmers boys, fought back  and Hannibal never did manage to take Rome. After losing the support of his fellow Carthaginians, and facing arrest by the Romans, he fled east into exile and died in Asia Minor.

In 146 BC, the Romans literally emptied out the city. They then razed the city to the ground where it still lies, on the edge of modern Tunis.

Macdonald has done a fine job of resuscitating its heroic warriors, beautiful queens and intrepid explorers, the colonisers, villains and victims, rescuing them from obscurity, from the flames, and the vengeance of Rome.
Vice President JD Vance has added fuel to the GOP's investigation into former President Bill and First Lady Hillary Clinton's ties to former financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

During an appearance on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures, Vance told host Maria Bartiromo that 'We know Clinton allegedly went to Epstein's infamous 'island 26 times, 28 times.'

The vice president also added that it was 'totally appropriate' for House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) 'to be asking what was going on on that island.'

Comer issued deposition subpoenas on Tuesday to Former President Bill Clinton and Former Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton, who have been called to appear before his Committee in October."The Democrats have tried to make this Epstein thing about anything but the fact that Democrat billionaires and Democrat political leaders went to Epstein island all the time, who knows what they did, it's totally reasonable to ask these questions,' Vance told Bartiromo.

'What you saw in the House's subpoena is, they're trying to investigate all of the things related to this particular case. I know a lot of Americans want answers, I certainly want answers, and I think James Comer and the team in the House, they're doing the right thing,' Vance added during his segment.

Several former Trump-era Department of Justice officials, as well as historical Democrat power players, were subpoenaed over the files as well.

Attorneys General Bill Barr and Jeff Sessions, who served under President Trump during his first term, are among the Republicans who have been subpoenaed for testimony.

Chairman Comer also issued a subpoena to the current Trump-led US Department of Justice for records related to Epstein.

Vice President JD Vance during an appearance on Fox News ' Sunday Morning Futures, Sunday, August 10, 2025

Jeffrey Epstein attends Launch of RADAR MAGAZINE at Hotel QT on May 18, 2005 in New York City

U.S. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer on July 22, 2024 in Washington D.C.

Vance defends the Clintons getting subpoenaed over Epstein on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures with host Maria Bartiromo

It's a spectacular move by Republicans to pressure Trump's Attorney General Pam Bondi to put out more documents as the administration has been embroiled in controversy over Epstein 'cover-up' claims.

House Republicans voted in favor of subpoenaing former President Bill Clinton and his wife for testimony about Epstein on July 23rd.

The effort also called for other high-profile Democrats with expected ties to the late pedophile to be subpoenaed.

Former Attorneys General Eric Holder and Merrick Garland will also be compelled to testify.

So will former special counsel Robert Mueller, who oversaw Trump's Russia collusion case.

The full list of officials called to appear before House Oversight also includes Former US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, Former US Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Former US Attorney General Eric Holder, Former US Attorney General Merrick Garland, and Former FBI Director James Comey.
Jimmy Kimmel has revealed he has obtained Italian citizenship as a backup plan to escape Donald Trump's presidency, after Trump said he was next to be canceled.

The 57-year-old late night host made the revelation while appearing on the Sarah Silverman Podcast earlier this week.

He said: 'I did get Italian citizenship, I do have that. What's going on is as bad as you thought it was gonna be.

'It's so much worse, it's just unbelievable - I feel like it's probably even worse than he would like it to be.'

The news from Kimmel comes after Trump said on Wednesday that he and his fellow late-night host Jimmy Fallon were next to be canceled.

The commander-in-chief was asked about rumors that Howard Stern is to part way with Sirius XM, before giving his two cents on both Jimmy Fallon and Kimmel.

Inside the Oval Office, he said: 'Fallon has no talent. Kimmel has no talent. They're next. They're going to be going, I hear they're going to be going.'

During the same podcast appearance, Kimmel also slammed what he called the 'loud' left for woke cancel culture.

The 57-year-old made the revelation while appearing on the Sarah Silverman Podcast earlier this week

The news from Kimmel comes after Trump said on Wednesday that Kimmel and his fellow late-night host Jimmy Fallon were next to be canceled

The comedian added: ''It's not the party. It's not the majority. It's the loud voices that scare people from saying what they believe and make you think twice about a joke.

'You know, a lot of their points are valid, but a lot of them are also just repulsive, in that they repel people.

'They go like, "Oh, you're no fun. I don't want to be around you." And I think if you had to boil it down to one thing, that's kind of what it is.'

Kimmel and Silverman discussed how Trump supporters who expressed their regret for casting their vote for the president have faced backlash from the left online.

Silverman noted the hate that famed podcaster Joe Rogan received after criticizing the president's second term.

'Now you see like these clips of Rogan saying, "Why is he doing this? He shouldn't be deporting people," and people go, "Fuck you, you support him, whatever."

'I don't buy into that. I don't believe the "f*** you, you supported him",' Kimmel added.

'If you wanna change your mind, that's so hard to do. If you want to admit you were wrong, that's hard and so rare to do, you are welcome,' he said.

Kimmel and Silverman also discussed how Trump supporters who expressed their regret for casting their vote for the president have faced backlash from the left online

His remarks comes after he found an unlikely ally in Fox News host Greg Gutfeld who lauded him with glowing praise for not being afraid of the left's cancel culture.

Gutfeld, who appeared on Fallon's show Thursday night, joked that the pairing was 'the biggest crossover since the Harlem Globetrotters visited "The Golden Girls."'

The Fox host dubbed Fallon 'a great, genuine guy who wants to make people laugh instead of putting them to bed angrier than 'The View at a salad bar.'

But it was his praise of Fallon's late-night show that grabbed everyone's attention, as he applauded Fallon's ability to break from the typical liberal late-night mold.

'Unlike the other guys, Jimmy doesn't reside in a liberal echo chamber,' Gutfeld said.

The industry has been left grappling with uncertainty after Colbert announced last month that his show was being brought to an end next year.

CBS said the move to axe Colbert was due to low viewership and a decline in profits, but critics believe the network crumbled under pressure from President Trump.

Paramount, which owns CBS, decided to settle for $16 million on a suit over deceptive editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris filed by Trump.

Colbert then used the term 'big fat bribe' to describe the settlement.

Two days later it was announced that his show would disappear from screens.
Poundland is set to shut 49 stores across the UK, with ten closing for good today, it has been revealed.

The discount shop chain's owner, Polish firm Pepco Group, sold the struggling business in June to US-based Gordon Brothers for a 'nominal fee' of just 1.

The investment firm, which used to own textile brand Laura Ashley, said it would inject up to 80million into restructuring the company.

As part of these efforts, it has said a whopping nearly 70 Poundland stores will close by mid-October - nearly ten per cent of the estimated total network of 800.

Three of these 68 ill-fated branches have already shut their doors - and now, the locations of 49 more of them have been confirmed.

After the shutters come down on ten of them today, some 15 stores will then close in just a week's time, on August 17, followed by 12 on August 24, and 11 on August 31.

The final closure of this group of 49 will then come on September 14, with the shutdown of the branch at the Rivergate Shopping Centre in Irvine, North Ayrshire.

Poundland is set to shut 49 stores across the UK, with ten closing for good today, it has been revealed. Pictured: File photo

The discount shop chain's owner, Polish firm Pepco Group, sold the struggling business in June to US-based Gordon Brothers for a 'nominal fee' of just 1. Pictured: File photo

The investment firm, which used to own textile brand Laura Ashley, said it would inject up to 80million into restructuring the company. Pictured: File photo

After this sweeping move, some 16 more stores will still need to close to reach the total of 68 - but their locations and closing dates are yet to be revealed.

The three stores which have already pulled their shutters down for the last time include the branch in Swiss Cottage, north-west London, which closed on April 20.

The store in Chiswick, west London, then shut on May 28, followed by the branch in the Southampton West Quay shopping centre on June 9.

Poundland's retail director Darren MacDonald said the chain is working towards a still 'sizeable' network of around 650-700 stores in the restructuring.

The closure of 68 branches outright will be followed by additional shutdowns when leases expire and are not renewed.

But he emphasised: 'It is of course, sincerely regrettable that we're closing a number of stores to allow us to get us back on track.

'We entirely understand how disappointing it will be for customers when a store nearby closes but we look forward to continuing to welcome them to one of our other locations.

'Work is underway to with colleagues through a formal consultation process in stores scheduled to close, exploring any suitable alternative roles.'

August 10 closure locations Ammanford, Camarthenshire Birmingham Fort Cardiff Valegate Cramlington, Northumberland Leicester Long Eaton, Derbyshire Port Glasgow, Inverclyde Seaham, County Durham Shrewsbury, Shropshire Tunbridge Wells, Kent

August 17 closure locations Bedford Bidston Moss, Merseyside Broxburn, West Lothian Craigavon, County Armagh Dartmouth, Devon East Dulwich, London Falmouth, Cornwall Hull St Andrews, East Yorkshire Newtonabbey, County Antrim Perth Poole, Dorset Sunderland, Tyne and Wear Stafford Thornaby, North Yorkshire Worcester

August 24 closure locations Brigg, North Lincolnshire Canterbury, Kent Coventry, West Midlands Newcastle, Tyne and Wear Kings Heath, Birmingham Peterborough, Cambridgeshire Peterlee, County Durham Rainham, Kent Salford, Greater Manchester Sheldon, Birmingham Wells, Somerset Whitechapel, London

August 31 closure locations Blackburn, Lancashire Cookstown, County Tyrone Erdington, Birmingham Kimberley Shopping Centre, Nottingham Horsham, West Sussex Hull Holderness, East Yorkshire Kettering, Northamptonshire Omagh, County Tyrone Shepherds Bush, London Southport, Merseyside Taunton, Somerset

On top of the closures, Gordon Brothers' restructuring plans will also involve negotiating rent reductions at certain store locations.

For instance, while one Poundland store in Canterbury, Kent, is sadly due to close, the city's other branch, on St George's Street, has reopened.

It shut down on July 23, not as part of the list of 68 set to close amid the restructuring - but opened its doors again on August 1 after a new lease agreement was secured.

They will also close Poundland's frozen and digital distribution centre in the village of Darton, South Yorkshire, later this year.

This will see frozen products removed from stores and much fewer chilled food items.

The new owners also plan to shut the chain's distribution centre in the town of Bilston, West Midlands, by early 2026.

Other cost-cutting measures include stopping selling products online and expand the chain's womenswear and seasonal collections.

But all these additional changes, beyond the 49 store closures, still need to be approved by the High Court later this month.

On top of the closures, Gordon Brothers' restructuring plans will also involve negotiating rent reductions at certain store locations. Pictured: File photo

Poundland went under the hammer in March, with its previous owners Pepco putting it on the market after issues with sales.

The firm reported a 6.5 per cent drop in the chain's revenue, which sunk to 830million for the six months to March, versus the previous year.

Pepco blamed the decline on 'highly challenging trading conditions', with the franchise struggling to make sales in all product categories.

Some 18 stores closed in this period.
Car buyers are being offered a cash incentive to purchase a new electric vehicle (EV) for the first time in three years.

The Governments Electric Car Grant (ECG)  part of Energy Secretary Ed Milibands drive to net zero  will offer up to 3,750 towards the cost of a new EV.

However, the size of the discounts depends on how sustainable the EV is  and the rules have left drivers confused.

So will the grants make EVs a cheaper option than petrol? Heres what you need to know before you buy  and how to weigh up the costs.

What is the Electric Car Grant?

The ECG offers car buyers money off new all-electric models that are sustainably manufactured and priced at  or under  37,000.

It is Labours take on the Conservatives Plug-In Car Grant, scrapped in 2022. The 650million scheme was revealed last month and runs until 2028-29.

Depending on how green the car-production process is, they will fall into band 1 or band 2 of Government support, giving drivers either a 3,750 or 1,500 reduction to the price of eligible EVs.

The Government says the ECG will make owning an electric car cheaper, easier and a reality for thousands more people across the UK.

The ECG offers car buyers money off new all-electric models that are sustainably manufactured and priced at  or under  37,000

Which car makers are in the ECG?

At the time of writing, Citroen, Vauxhall, Nissan and Renault have models confirmed for the ECG  but only the lower 1,500 grant  with 17 EVs between them now automatically discounted for buyers.

Among the eligible EVs, the retro-inspired Renault 5 and Nissan Micra EVs are standouts  showing drivers can get behind the wheel of electrified nostalgic nameplates for less than 21,500.

While other manufacturers wait to hear whether they have been accepted some have proactively introduced their own electric car grants.

Chinese car makers such as MG were the first to react to the Governments ECG news, but European marques including Alfa Romeo, Volvo and Skoda soon followed with discounts of up to 3,750 off selected EV models, creating a mini price war.

Leapmotor, Great Wall Motors, and Skywell have their own discounts as well, as do Fiat, Volkswagen, Cupra, Smart, Suzuki, Kia and Hyundai.

BYD is not offering a cash discount but instead giving buyers extended battery warranty across its entire range of EVs and five years free servicing.

How stringent is the green criteria?

The criteria are rigorous and complex, and have left drivers, EV experts, and carmakers themselves scratching their heads. Rather than simply looking at tailpipe emissions of EVs, the Government is addressing the carbon emissions across the vehicles entire lifetime, rewarding the carmakers with the highest manufacturing sustainability standards.

Manufacturers must hold a Science Based Target, verified by the independent Science Based Targets initiative, which aligns with the Paris Agreement goals.

The Government assesses the carbon intensity of the electricity grid in the country where the vehicle is assembled and the battery produced.

Renaults E5 is among the models to be confirmed as being eligible for the ECG so far

Its bad news for Chinese EVs: Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood recently warned that the Department for Transport doesnt expect any cars that are assembled in China to be eligible for the scheme because the country relies too heavily on coal power stations.

However, as EV manufacturing is a global business there are several European marques that could also be penalised for having part of their production based in China, making them eligible for only the 1,500 grant or nothing at all.

Why arent all makers part of the ECG?

Instead of coming up with a list of models that meet the ECG sustainability standards and releasing this alongside the grant announcement, the Government has instead asked carmakers to apply retrospectively to qualify.

The Department for Transport and Office for Zero Emission Vehicles say they are processing applications as fast as manufacturers can file them and will update the online list of eligible models as they are approved.

But that means manufacturers are out until theyre in, and the public and the car industry are being drip-fed the discounts as they come, causing hesitancy and uncertainty.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed a cooling of EV sales in July. EV sales made up 21.3 per cent of the new car market last month.

At least 28 per cent of new cars sold by each manufacturer in the UK this year must be electric under the Governments Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. Manufacturers that miss this target can expect fines.

Should you wait for the grant?

This depends on where along the EV buying process you are.

If youre ready to purchase a new EV and know the model you want, then see if its being discounted by the manufacturer. Many of the offers expire at the end of September, and some end this month.

Unlike the Governments grant, though, a carmakers discount is guaranteed. Some experts say theres no point waiting to see if the model is eligible for the official ECG, only to find out its not and miss out on savings.

The manufacturer is offering a discount equivalent to the grant it expects to receive, so if it is then eligible, you havent lost out either. On the other hand, if youre only loosely considering buying an

EV theres no need to be hasty  you have years before the grant dries up.

You might as well shop for your new EV with the full list of eligible ECG models to hand  hopefully not too far way.

And many drivers appear to be doing just this, waiting to see which models qualify for a discount before taking the plunge on a plug-in car.

SMMT says July was the second-weakest month of battery electric growth this year, with registrations rising 9.1 per cent compared with the 34.6 per cent recorded in the first half of 2025.

Do the grants make EVs the better option?

The ECG doesnt make a new EV affordable for many buyers, or necessarily cheaper than a petrol car.

Vauxhalls eligibility for 1,500 discounts across its entire electric range takes the entry-level Corsa Electric down to 26,505.

But Vauxhalls entry-level petrol Corsa is 19,410  26.7 per cent cheaper.

The upfront price isnt the whole picture. Low running costs are a big draw of EVs, especially if youre able to charge yours at home. Charging provider Ohme found that it costs 3.57 to travel 266 miles in a 51kWh Corsa Electric if you have a smart charging tariff that offers lower unit costs if charging at off-peak hours, compared with more than 40 (at 40mpg average fuel economy) for the equivalent petrol car.

It costs roughly 800-1,000 to have a charger installed, so these costs need to be factored in, too.

As of June, charging the same model using a public charger from 10 to 80 per cent cost 20 (11.3p/mile) compared with the 42.91 to refuel the equivalent 1.2-litre petrol Corsa (11.72p/mile).

EVs can be easier to maintain as they have fewer parts and therefore require less routine maintenance, and they produce no exhaust emissions and therefore a cleaner environment.
Landlords may soon need to sign up to a national database that will be visible to councils and tenants, if a controversial piece of legislation goes through.

The rental sector is on the cusp of the biggest shake-up to date when the Renters Rights Bill becomes law either later this year or early in 2026.

One of its key reforms is a national private rented sector database that will require every landlord in England to register and list details of every property they let.

The aim is to give local authorities and tenants a single source of information about who owns and manages each rental property.

Landlords who fail to register will be unable to legally let their properties and face fines for not doing so.

And they could even be subject to a landlord ombudsman, which will handle complaints from tenants and could force them to pay compensation.

While it is possible this element of the bill could be removed or watered down before it passes into law, some landlords are concerned about the change - with some worried it will become a 'Trustpilot-style' review website.

Landlords who fail to register on the database will be unable to legally let their properties

'Once the PRS database goes live, enforcement will be swift and visible,' says Allison Thompson, national lettings managing director at Leaders.

'Tenants will be able to search the database to check whether a landlord is properly registered and whether they have received any fines or penalties.

'Being proactive now will reduce the risk of fines and help landlords maintain a positive reputation in the market.'

The bill will also create a single landlord ombudsman that all private landlords will also need to join.

'The ombudsman will provide an independent route to resolve complaints about landlord service and property standards,' adds Thompson.

'All landlords, even those managing properties themselves, must join the ombudsman, which will have the power to order landlords to apologise, provide information, take remedial action, or pay compensation.

'Landlords who fail to comply with the ombudsman's decisions could face enforcement action, including fines and potential removal from the database.'

How will the landlord database work?

Landlords will be required to provide their name, contact details and the address of every property they let.

Registration is expected to be renewed periodically, with fees applying each time.

Local authorities will be able to issue civil penalties for failure to register while renters will be able to check if their landlord is legally registered.

'Designed properly, the database should make it easy for the vast majority of compliant landlords to demonstrate to tenants and prospective tenants that their properties meet all required standards,' says Chris Norris, chief policy officer at the National Residential Landlords Association.

'As a minimum, gas and electricity safety certificates should be fully digitised so they can be easily uploaded onto the database, alongside existing Energy Performance Certificates.

'The database should also include a signed declaration by a landlord which confirms that a property meets the requirements of the planned decent homes standard for the sector.'

Prepare: Allison Thompson, national lettings managing director at Leaders, says landlords should be proactive about the upcoming changes

What will happen to landlords who don't comply?

For those who fail to register, local authorities will have the power to issue civil penalties of up to 7,000 for a first offence and up to 40,000 for the most serious or repeated breaches.

They will also be able to prevent unregistered landlords from legally letting their properties.

Will it really be like Trustpilot?

A database will raise some fears among landlords that they could find their reputations and properties made public, with tenants able to rank them in a similar way to Trustpilot where customers rate companies using a star system.

'It won't be a review site in the traditional sense and tenants won't be posting ratings - but in many ways, the database will likely have similar consequences,' says Sian Hemming-Metcalfe, operations director at property management software company Inventory Base.

'If you're fined or found to have breached legislation or are non-compliant, that information could be made searchable and then visible to prospective tenants.

'It becomes a public trust marker. Reputation will increasingly rest on a landlord's ability to stay compliant and proactive.'

Chris Norris, chief policy officer at the National Residential Landlords Association also does not envisage the database allowing for ratings or reviews, though.

He says: 'Whilst the Government has not yet outlined what it believes should be on the database, or the timeframes for its implementation, we do not anticipate it becoming a Trustpilot-style review site.'

Will there also be a database for renters?

The introduction of a landlord database may lead some landlords to ask why tenants won't be subject to the same type of scrutiny.

After all, for every bad landlord, there are also reports of bad tenants who fail to look after properties or pay the rent.

Hemming-Metcalfe says: 'It's understandable that landlords may feel the system is one-sided, especially when there's no formal database for tenants - who can be equally rogue when it comes to their conduct in rental properties.

'But in reality, landlords already have access to credit checks, references, and legal recourse.

'What we're seeing here is a rebalancing of the sector - one that gives tenants more visibility and landlords more responsibility.

'Fairness comes through transparency on both sides, so it could be seen as an opportunity to show you are not only a good landlord, but a fair and compliant one.'

Landlord reviews? Some worry that the database will become a 'Trustpilot' style review site

When will it come into force?

The Renters Rights Bill is likely to come into force later this year or in early 2026.

The advice, however, is to get prepared for the new rules now.

'While a definitive start date is still to be confirmed, the imminent introduction of the Renter's Rights Bill means landlords shouldn't wait for the legislation to come into force,' adds Hemming-Metcalfe.

'The database will likely be rolled out soon after, and enforcement is expected to be swift.

'As a landlord, now is the time to get your property records in order and ensure your processes are watertight.'
Did Hawaiians ride sharks?

If you believe Jason Momoa's new drama, Chief of War, the answer is yes.

An early scene in the opening episode of the new, exciting epic shows the star's muscled warrior character being pulled through water by a shark; his hands clasped around its dorsal fin.

Although you might think the sequence is pure fiction, it is not entirely outlandish.

A history of Hawaii and its people would be incomplete without a lengthy mention of sharks.

Native tribes used the teeth of tiger sharks to make tools and weapons, and 19th century Hawaiian historian Samuel Kamakau recounted how the animals could be 'tamed like pet pigs' by fishermen.

One entrepreneur even allegedly opened a 'sharkquarium' at Kewalo Basin on the Hawaiian island of Honolulu, at which the public could pay to see tiger sharks be ridden.

And, even though he was more sitting while stationary instead of riding, local fisherman Filomeno Patacsil was photographed atop a captured tiger shark in 1957.

Did Hawaiians ride sharks? If you believe Jason Momoa 's new drama, Chief of War, the answer is yes. Above: Momoa's warrior character 'riding' a shark at the start of the show's opening episode

Hawaiian fisherman Filomeno Patacsil rides an 800-pound tiger shark that he had subdued with the help of five other men, Sand Island, Hawaii, 1957

In 1876, Kamakau reported: 'To the native son, the shark was a horse to be bridled, its fin serving as the pommel of a Mexican saddle.

'Men skilled in herding sharks were seen riding a shark like a horse, turning the shark to this side and that until carried to shore, where the shark died.'

He told how fishermen would 'pat' sharks on the head so they got used to being touched, and then would slip a noose over their heads and subdue them.

In Chief of War, Momoa portrays Ka'iana, a native Hawaiian warrior who lived in the latter half of the 18th century.

Momoa's idea for the shark-riding scene came from written accounts he was shown to him by the show's co-creator, Hawaiian writer Thomas Pa'a Sibbett.

'Why wouldn't they [ride sharks]?,' Momoa told TV Insider.

In Chief of War, Momoa portrays Ka'iana, a native Hawaiian warrior who lived in the latter half of the 18th century

English navigator John Meares described Ka'iana in 1788, writing: 'He was nearly 6ft 5in in stature, and the muscular form of his limbs was of an Herculean appearance'

'Every other indigenous tribe is connected to their animals, their totems. Man and animal have always been connected.

'I feel like before anyone else came, they were 100% connected to their environment.'

He added: 'I would believe that a lot of the training they would do too as warriors would be in the water with sharks and just being able to ride them and be at peace and at one with them.'

English navigator John Meares described Ka'iana in 1788, writing: 'He was nearly 6ft 5in in stature, and the muscular form of his limbs was of an Herculean appearance.'

Ka'iana allegedly travelled abroad to countries including China, from which he is said to have brought back weapons and ammunition to use in conquests on Hawaii.

One of his enemies was Briton John Young, who became an advisor to Hawaii's king and later was the island's governor.

Young is depicted in Chief of War by Benjamin Hoetjes, whilst Luciane Buchanan portrays Queen Kaahumanu, the wife of Hawaii's ruler, King Kamehameha I.

Momoa's fearsome warrior character is adept with a spear

Chief of War airs on Apple TV+. It has received mixed reviews from critics

Hawaiians enjoy surfing and canoeing in the sea off Waikiki, Honolulu

Hawaiians seen with their canoes on a beach in Honolulu in 1922

Ka'iana died in battle in 1795, when he was 40.

The exact circumstances of his death remain unclear, although some believe that he was killed by a cannon ball felled by Young.

The shark has been held in very high esteem in traditional Hawaiian culture.

The animals feature heavily in folklore that has been passed down generations on the territory.

And some species have had an extra special status.

They can be known as 'aumakua, meaning a personal or family god.

And in Hawaiian religion, there is a dedicated shark god, Kamohoalii. According to legend, he fell in love with Kalei, a beautiful woman.
More than eight out of ten crimes went unsolved last year, a Daily Mail investigation suggests.

Police last year opened 3.9million crime cases, yet our stark analysis today reveals 3.3m were closed with either no suspect ever being identified or coppers unable to prosecute them.

Sex offenders and thieves were among the criminals who evaded justice last year.

Using the data we uncovered, the Daily Mail has built a postcode search tool laying bare the situation in your neighbourhood.

It reveals how many offences actually resulted in action being taken in your LSOA  tiny geographical areas home to around 2,000 people, typically consisting of just a few streets.

Action taken can mean a suspect being hauled to court, or being cautioned by the police, given a fine or being made to attend an awareness or education course.

The widget, available to use below, also lists the types of crimes reported to police last year that had an 'outcome', and how many occurred.

Your browser does not support iframes.

No crime was solved in almost 900 of approximately 34,000 LSOAs in England and Wales in the year ending May 2025, according to our analysis of Police UK figures.

Chalk Farm and Primrose Hill, a suburb of Camden, north London, topped the league table, with all 150 reported crimes going unsolved.

It was followed by the Bromley Common and Holwood area of Bromley (133 crimes) and the Marshalswick West region of St Albans in Hertfordshire (114).

At the other end of the scale, 14 LSOAs had a 100 per cent solve rate, although none saw more than five crimes reported.

When broken down to the 44 police forces instead of LSOAs, all but one  Avon and Somerset Constabulary  solved a quarter or fewer of the crimes reported.

The Met Police, the largest force in the country, came bottom of the rankings. Cops working in London solved just 8 per cent of the 727, 313 crimes reported to them.

West Mercia (89 per cent) and Hertfordshire Constabulary (88 per cent) followed in second and third, respectively.

Police may be unable to charge someone because of a lack of evidence, the Ministry of Justice says.

Police must co-operate with the Crown Prosecution Service to determine if there is a viable case for the suspect to be charged.

Your browser does not support iframes.

To do this, two criteria must be met  there must be sufficient evidence against the suspect and a prosecution should be in the public interest.

Of the 14 major crime types, our analysis found half had an unsolved rate of over 90 per cent.

Behind theft (98.7 per cent) was vehicle crime (97.1), which might include theft of or damage to a vehicle as well as pinching belongings from a vehicle.

Just 32.8 per cent of drug crimes, meanwhile, went unsolved.

Experts claimed the staggering findings lay bare the extraordinary state of disrepair of policing, with the watchdog earlier this year warning that forces lack the resource and time to investigate crimes properly.

His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services said workloads of officers had increased by a third since 2015.

Its report also claimed the police-recorded crime rates per 1,000 people had jumped by 44 per cent in a decade.

And although overall police numbers are increasing, they aren't rising in line with the soaring population.

Brian Booth, deputy national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales told the Daily Mail: 'Every day our police officers kit up for a shift not knowing what theyll face or whether theyll come home in one piece.

'They run towards danger, not away from it, dealing with trauma, violence, and the very worst moments in peoples lives, often without thanks or the support they need.

'Policing places exceptional demands on its people and these figures do not reflect a lack of effort but rather a service pushed to its limits.

'If we want better outcomes for victims and safer communities, we need increased investment in policing.'

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Chris Hobbs, an ex-Met Police officer, said: 'Morale in the Met is completely on the floor - absolutely, no doubt about it, [it's at an] all-time low.

'Solving crimes is both a resource and bureaucracy issue.

'Police aren't making many arrests because officers spend so much time doing other things that they shouldn't be doing.

'When I was a young officer I'd be in and out of the station in one or two hours after I made an arrest, now when you make one that's you done for the day.'

It comes after the Met this week announced it would be axing nearly half of its front desk services across the capital to try and balance its 260million budget shortfall.

The moves wipes out a pledge made by mayor Sadiq Khan and the force to have one counter accessible 24 hours a day in each borough.

At the end of last year, Keir Starmer pledged a 'named, contactable' police officer for every neighbourhood in England and Wales by the next election.

The move looks to bolster the party's 2024 election manifesto promise to put 13,000 more 'bobbies on the beat' across the nation.

It comes after a Daily Mail analysis last year revealed that neighbourhood policing is almost extinct in parts of the country, with just one for every 11,000 residents in the worst-affected forces.

Greater Manchester Police have not provided data to Police UK since 2019 so their figures are not included in our analysis.

To calculate the amount of 'unsolved' crimes, the Daily Mail combined the numbers from the 'Investigation complete; no suspect identified' and 'Unable to prosecute suspect' datasets provided by Police UK.
ZHENGZHOU, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- A university team in central China's Henan Province has successfully completed the high-definition digitization of 542 oracle bone inscriptions housed in European institutions, marking significant progress in preserving these cultural treasures in their ancestral home.

The inscriptions were digitized by the oracle bone script information processing laboratory at Anyang Normal University in the city of Anyang, which is known as the home of oracle bones.

Of the inscriptions that have been digitized, 485 are housed in the Ethnological Museum in Berlin, Germany, and the remainder are housed in different institutions in France.

Liu Yongge, the lab's director, said the team is currently processing the data to create detailed digital models, which will be shared globally via an AI research platform.

The lab is also negotiating with institutions in Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands and Belgium to digitally preserve further oracle bone inscriptions, he noted.

Oracle bone script, or Jiaguwen, is an ancient Chinese writing system. Inscriptions were carved on tortoise shells or animal bones. Jiaguwen is the earliest known form of Chinese writing, composed of the oldest fully developed characters found in China. More than 160,000 inscriptions have been excavated from the Yinxu ruins in Anyang and are now in collections scattered at home and abroad. 
Gangs may already be using a new secret weapon to smuggle drugs into Britain in the form of 'narco subs' laden with cocaine, an expert said today.

South American cartels regularly smuggle drugs on container ships before jettisoning the packages overboard for UK-based associates to retrieve and transport to land.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) launched 60 investigations into such incidents last year, involving small fishing boats or rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs).

While many were caught by Border Force cutters, officials fear criminals could innovate by deploying underwater drones - nicknamed 'narco subs' - instead.

And, according to one expert, they may already be in operation.

'I've not seen evidence of it yet, but it's plausible,' Peter Walsh, author of Drug War: The Secret History, told the Daily Mail.

'When gangs use boats to pick up drugs there's always the risk of those onboard being caught. Then you don't only lose your drugs - they could flip on you too.

'That means there would be a double advantage of using unmanned drones for this type of trafficking.'

Your browser does not support iframes.

South American cartels have long trafficked drugs using manned semi-submersibles, which float just underwater, or even fully fledged submarines.

The first submarine linked to drug smuggling in Europe was found off the coast of Spain in 2006.

In 2019, police intercepted a 65-foot vessel off the coast of Galicia and found three men onboard.

Astonishingly, it is believed to have sailed across the Atlantic from Colombia - a journey of 4,778 nautical miles.

Mr Walsh believes there is a possibility manned drug-smuggling submarines have been used off the coast of Britain too.

'I don't see why you couldn't see manned subs or semi-submersibles in the UK, although there are factors to do with shipping and sea conditions that could complicate it,' he said.

'For example, the Channel is a very busy shipping lane, so it may be easier to take the sea route to Spain and then bring the drugs to the UK overland.'

In 2020, Spain's Policia National seized three underwater drones built to smuggle drugs from Morocco over the Strait of Gibraltar

Last year, one crew had to be rescued from their sinking narco sub after it was intercepted by Spanish customs officers and police in the Atlantic

The crew of four men, who are from Colombia, were rescued from the sinking submersible after they purposefully made the vessel sink in order to get rid of their illicit cargo

Last year, the NCA seized nearly five tonnes of cocaine criminals were bringing in using the 'at-sea drop-off' (ASDO) method. However, all these cases involved boats.

The agency has not seen narco subs used in the UK and does not consider it a 'significant threat'.

If narco subs did begin operating in domestic waters, it would demonstrate a concerning escalation in the technological capabilities of UK-based criminals.

In 2020, Spain's Policia National seized three underwater drones built to smuggle drugs from Morocco over the Strait of Gibraltar.

Fitted with GPS navigation systems, the drones could potentially be operated by traffickers from anywhere in the world over the Internet.

The unmanned submersibles were said to be capable of carrying up to 200kg (441lbs) of cargo.

Narco subs equipped to carry passengers are usually pieced together by the gangs themselves, meaning they can be flimsy and dangerous.

An undated photo of a Colombian Police boat next to a submarine transporting 2643 kilograms of cocaine

A 2021 photo of a sub seized off Puerto Rico's Caribbean Sea coast carrying a record 2,500 kilos of cocaine

Counter narcotics police guard an under-construction submersible that was taken from Colombia's 'Los Urabenos' drugs cartel in 2011

In 2024, one crew was rescued from their sinking sub after it was intercepted by Spanish customs officers and police in the Atlantic.

Video showed four Colombian men standing on top of the submersible after they deliberately sank it when they saw officers approaching them.

In a second clip, the men are seen struggling to stay afloat in the crashing waves by holding onto black barrels.

They were then taken onboard the customs vessel and handcuffed.

Narco subs deployed in the Americas are typically built deep in cartel-controlled territory.

So far, at least three manned subs have been caught near Spain, though authorities estimate that as many as 30 may have avoided detection.

This semi-submersible was intercepted in the Atlantic earlier this year

Police found 6.5 tons of cocaine worth an estimated 530million aboard the vessel earlier this week

Five alleged members of the criminal organisation were found aboard - three Brazilian men, one Colombian and a Spaniard

Galicia, Spain, has long been considered to be the perfect hub of trafficking.

Its rocky coastline means there are countless nooks and crannies for drugs to be pushed onto land before they are sent on to distributors.

One vessel caught by police was said to have been carrying 3,000kg of cocaine.

Narco subs have also been spotted in the Caribbean, and last year one was boarded by Royal Marine commandos during a maritime security patrol.

A boarding team made up of Royal Marines from 47 Commando, specialist sailors and US Coast Guard personnel, clambered aboard the vessel in waters 190 nautical miles south of the Dominican Republic and seized two tonnes of cocaine worth 160m.

Two crewmembers were arrested.

Royal Marines commandos storming a narco sub in the Caribbean Sea last year

The submarine was intercepted in the Caribbean and was packed with 160m of cocaine

Royal Navy personnel on board HMS Trent, supported by the US Coast Guard, made the seizure in September 2024 (pictured are naval staff with some of the seized drugs)

The bust was the eighth carried out by Portsmouth-based HMS Trent, which intercepted 750m of cocaine over just seven months.

As well as hunting drug gangs. Trent also delivers humanitarian aid during the hurricane season.
Few people pass through the remote and mountainous region in the north of Pakistan.

The area is home to huge glaciers and is the point where the Himalayan, Hindukush and Karakorum mountain ranges meet.

The Kohistan region, however, has seen decreased snowfall in recent years due to climate change.

And with the glaciers in the area being exposed to more and more direct sunlight, they have started to disappear.

It was here, in a melting glacier in the so-called Lady Valley, that a shepherd stumbled across a body that had lain there undiscovered for 28 years.

The body, which was found on August 1, was remarkably well preserved - with the clothing intact and an ID card with the name Naseeruddin found alongside it.

Omar Khan, the shepherd who found the human remains on August 1, told BBC Urdu: 'What I saw was unbelievable.

'The body was intact. The clothes were not even torn.'

Nasseruddin reportedly fell into a glacial crevasse along with his horse when he tried to hide from some attackers on the route in an icy cave

The hiker's body (to the left of the picture) was remarkably well preserved when it was found in the melting glacier

Pictured: Naseeruddin's ID card that was found with his body 28 years after he disappeared

Family sources confirmed that Nasseruddin, a local man, had disappeared in June 1997 while he was travelling through the region with his brother.

He reportedly fell into a glacial crevasse along with his horse when he tried to hide from some attackers on the route in an icy cave.

An extensive search and rescue operation was launched for missing Nasseruddin but no trace of him was found.

Locals have told how prior to his disappearance Naseeruddin's family had become embroiled in a violent family feud.

Gardezi, his younger brother, was killed in what was referred to as an honour-related dispute and the family were also suffering from legal troubles.

It is understood that Naseeruddin and his other brother Kaseeruddin had gone into hiding as a result of the row.

Speaking following the discovery of the body, Kaseeruddin said they had taken an 'unconventional route' through the mountains to avoid their enemies.

But after hearing gunshots during a snowstorm, Naseeruddin led his horse into an icy cave and was never seen alive again.

Pictured: General view of mountains in the remote areas of northern Pakistan

The glaciers in the area being exposed to more and more direct sunlight and have started to disappear (file photo)

Kaseeruddin said he went into the cave to look for his brother and went back to get others from the area to help - but they never found him.

Experts have explained that the discovery of his body 30 years later shows how climate change has accelerated the process of glacial melt.

Prof Muhammad Bilal, head of the Department of Environment at Comsats University Islamabad, said that human bodies freeze fast in glaciers, in turn preventing decomposition.

He explained that mummification then takes place due to the lack of moisture and oxygen in the glacier.
The State Department is rolling out a yearlong pilot program that will require certain travelers looking for US tourism or business visas to pay a significant bond, hoping to stop people from overstaying their welcome.

It's a decision that could make the process unaffordable for aspiring visitors - and force them rethink their plans altogether.

The department outlined the new 'visa bond' initiative this week, which targets countries with high rates of visa overstays.

The list will first apply to nationals of Malawi and Zambia applying for a tourist visa, but could be amended throughout the program to consider other countries. The pair of African countries were targeted first because they have a high rate of unauthorized overstays.

According to State Department officials, the bond could reach as much as $15,000 per person, though officers will typically set the amount at $10,000 per adult and $5,000 per child. The amount will be determined during the visa interview.

The department adds that the bond payment will be returned if the applicants comply with all of the terms set in the visa.

The Daily Mail reached out to both embassies for a reaction to this move, and learned that they were not communicated with by either the White House or State Department on the changes.

The Republic of Zambia Minister of Foreign Affairs Mulambo Haimbe, tells the Daily Mail, 'The Zambian government views this development with serious concern, given its potential economic implications on trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. This includes the unnecessary financial strain on Zambian Nationals.'

According to State Department officials, the bond could reach as much as $15,000 per person, though officers will typically set the amount at $10,000 per adult and $5,000 per child

The Minister added, 'The decision is contrary to the spirit of the meeting held with His Excellency, Mr. Michael Gonzales, Ambassador of the United States of America to Zambia, at State House in Lusaka on July 9, 2025, which centered on exploring new pathways to deepen the enduring partnership between the two nations,' adding that they are now taking immediate steps to engage with the US government through diplomatic channels.

The Malawi office of the Ambassador also responded to the Daily Mail, saying, 'The Embassy has not been officially informed about this trending news. As such, the Embassy has no comment at this point.'

David Bier, director of immigration studies at the CATO Institute, told the Daily Mail the policy is 'incoherent' and amounts to an admission 'it will likely just ban people from coming, not just result in compliance.'

'There is no reason to impose such a draconian rule,' Bier added.

According to State Department officials, if nationals stay in the US past their set deadline, they will lose the money. However, if the visa holder applies and is denied admission at a US point of entry they will be reimbursed.

Visa holders from the two countries will have to arrive and leave from their choice of three airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.

A state department spokesperson told the Daily Mail that this program was put into place to address national security and immigration compliance concerns, and that it does not restrict lawful travel to the United States.

The spokesperson added that the countries they identified are based on high overstay rates, screening and vetting deficiencies, as well as foreign policy considerations.

'This targeted, common-sense measure reinforces the administration's commitment to US immigration law while deterring visa overstays,' State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters Tuesday.

According to the Department of Homeland Security's most recent data, nationals of Malawi and Zambia who traveled to the United States on nonimmigrant visas exceeded their authorized period of admission at higher rates.

Other countries with reported high overstay rates include Colombia, Brazil, Haiti, Ecuador and Spain.

Additional department data shows that, at the end of the fiscal year 2023, there were over 510,000 suspected in-country overstays, which represented 1.3% of the total expected departures.

This plan was announced as the Trump administration started tightening requirements for individuals applying for a visa, particularly for citizens of Africa.

Th 12-month plan was announced as the Trump administration started tightening requirements for individuals applying for a visa

Last week, the State department made the announcement that a significant number of visa renewal applicants may have to submit an additional interview in person as part of their application process.

The plan is set to be implemented on Aug. 20 and last until Aug. 5, 2026.

For citizens of countries that are enrolled in the visa waiver program, which allows travel for business or tourism for up to 90 days, the bond would not apply.

Both countries are landlocked nations in South Africa that face significant challenges related to poverty. According to the most recent data from the World Health Organization, both Zambia and Malawi's population stands at about 21 million people each.

According to the US travel Association, tourism has already dropped11.6% decline for overseas visitors in March as well as a 20% year-over-year decrease from Canada and Mexicoprompting industry warnings that such policies could cause further damage. Data projections shows the tourism industry is set to lose billions of dollars this year.
The creator of a Las Vegas 'Super Moms' Facebook group has been accused of disturbing allegations after a ten-year-old child came forward.

Christiann Ault was indicted on July 16 and faces charges of lewdness and child abuse as she is accused of making a child rub their private area on her leg and chest area 'with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passions or sexual desires of the defendant', the indictment viewed by Daily Mail shows.

The ten-year-old testified that the abuse began when they were seven and continued for nearly two years until March 2024, KTNV reported.

Ault was also accused of verbally abusing the child. The chiltold the court on July 15 that the abuse occurred once or twice a week in Ault's apartment.

'My legs were around her, and then she made me, and then a pillow was over her private areas, and then she had her hands like under the pillow,' the child told the court according to 3News.

The child testified that Ault had been clothed and he 'was wearing underwear' during those moments.

'She told me I could have iPad time if I do something, and I was like okay. And then it was making, she was wanting me to rub my private areas on her. I didn't want to. It made me uncomfortable,' the child added according to court documents.

Ault was also accused of locking the child in his room, 'because she's mad and doesn't love or like me, she hates me', the victim said.

Christiann Ault was indicted on charges of lewdness and child abuse as she is accused of making a child rub their private area on her leg and chest area 'with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passions or sexual desires of the defendant'

Christiann Ault is pictured during a court hearing last month

The Las Vegas Super Moms Facebook group, created by Ault, was used as a space for moms or prospective moms to share advice, events and ask questions

The child said they would be locked in the room for hours after Ault told them 'more than once' that she didn't love them and instead hated them.

In March 2024, two adults were told the situation by the child. The same day, Henderson Police responded to the home of the child for a welfare check after Ault called law enforcement, a man testified according to 3 News.

Following the welfare check, the man told law enforcement about the accusations the child had made against Ault and the child was questioned by police.

Ault attempted to get in touch with the man around 242 times in one day, the outlet reported.

Court documents furthered that Ault 'willfully, unlawfully, and feloniously cause[d] a child under the age of 18 years to... suffer unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering as a result of abuse of neglect'.

As well as 'verbally abusing [the child] in a manner that caused them to feel unsafe and/or unloved and/or upset,' the documents stated.

Ault was seen in evidence reviewed by the grand jury on a video call with the alleged victim, she asked the child: 'Has anyone asked you to lie?... Have I ever hurt you or made you feel gross?'

She was also heard asking if anyone was in the room with the child while on the call.

'Im sorry, baby. Im just scared. Im just scared. Im just scared. Im just scared Im gonna go to jail, to be honest with you, Im scared because you and I have always been best buds, and I miss you.'

'I'm sorry for bringing this up, but I need you to understand. I need you to understand how serious, serious this is about the stuff you said,' she said, 8 News Now reported.

The child testified that the abuse began when they were seven

The child claimed the abuse lasted for two years

Ault was also accused of 'verbally abusing [the child] in a manner that cause him to feel unsafe and/or unloved and/or upset,' court documents stated

Ault was heard urging the child to tell the truth, she further said: 'It's okay. Its okay, sweetheart, its okay. Dont worry about it. I just need you to know how important it is to always tell the truth.

'I listen, I know youre scared right now, and I know youre confused. I know you are. And none of this is your fault, baby. None of this, please. Because the truth, youll never get in trouble for telling the truth, baby, but lies can get, can get people put in jail.'

The Las Vegas Super Moms Facebook group, created by Ault, was used as a space for moms or prospective moms to share advice, events and ask questions.

One member of several years, Aryanna Scott, told KTNV: 'You would think this is someone you could trust, but you don't really know who's behind these groups.'

'People post pictures of their kids, ask for advice, not realizing who might be in the group or what their intentions are,' Scott added.

A member of the group shared a post on the group, allegedly written by Ault, 3 News reported.

'Many of you may have seen posts or rumors being spread about me regarding very serious allegations,' Ault allegedly said.

'I want you to know that I am innocent and fighting these accusations with everything I have. The case is ongoing, and the truth will come out in time.

Ault was heard in a video call, which was submitted into evidence, asking the child if she had ever hurt the child or made him feel 'gross'

'Sharing charges without context is harmful and unfair, not just to me but to my child. I would never harm him, and anyone who knows me knows the kind of mother I am.

'If you care about me or believe in any kind of justice at all, I ask that you please refrain from sharing or commenting on this while the case is still active. I won't be discussing this further publicly, but I appreciate those who have reached out with kindness and concern.'

Ault is scheduled for trial in April. She has pled not guilty and is currently out on a $50,000 bond with orders to have no contact with the victim, the Daily Mail can confirm.

The Las Vegas Super Moms group has since been deactivated.

The Daily Mail reached out to Las Vegas Super Moms group for comment from Ault.
An expat just admitted to Filipino police he was the driver of the SUV that killed one person and seriously injured another in two separate accidents on a single night.

He was charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and physical injuries. If found guilty, he was facing a lengthy prison sentence.

Incredibly, this man - an American citizen living in the Philippines - walked free after paying compensation to the victims' families totalling just AU$4,600.

His story is a fascinating example of how the criminal justice system works in the Philippines - where human life comes with a price tag.

Under Filipino law, any person charged with causing a wrongful death has the legal right to negotiate a compensation payment with the victim's family.

I spent a day at the Alcantara Police Station in the province of Cebu - where the American was being held while negotiations took place - speaking to police and prisoners about their unique way of handling the business of accidental death.

The Philippine justice system - and many locals - regard the compensation system of justice as the only fair way to resolve matters quickly in a country that is heavily backlogged with court cases.

Filipinos, generally speaking, believe strongly that the families of victims of crime should receive financial benefit. They see compensation - what some Westerners may regard as blood money - as transparency in an otherwise murky legal system.

'Seeing someone incarcerated for a crime doesn't help the victim's family,' Alcantara's Chief Investigating Officer, Sergeant Dionesid S. Tagopa, told me.

Australian journalist Jens Ward spent hours inside Alcantara Police Station, in the Philippines province of Cebu, and witnessed negotiations between an American hit-and-run driver and the brother of the man he killed

I was invited by police to sit in on the compensation process.

Police were not required to take part in negotiations, but both parties were given the use of police interview rooms to negotiate a settlement between themselves.

Sergeant Tagopa told me that if a financial settlement was reached that day, then the American was free to go home. 'If he has money then the problem will go away,' Sergeant Tagopa said.

'Isn't that how it works in Australia?' he asked. He was surprised when I said no.

The accused first hit and injured a 70-year-old bicycle rider, then, hundreds of metres further down the highway, struck and killed a 53-year-old trisikad driver.

He was caught on CCTV fleeing the scene and was arrested at his home in Ronda the following morning. He admitted to police that he was the driver of the vehicle and that he had fled the scene out of fear.

In the American's defence, it was alleged that both the bicycle and trisikad riders were travelling along a national highway at night with no lights. But the fact that he fled the scene of both accidents, and was driving while unlicensed, was damning.

Police had a strong case to give to the prosecutor, but the foreigner hoped to pay the victims' families and walk free - as was his legal right.

Police contacted both families and told them the man wanted to settle.

While we waited for the families to arrive, the American was taken to a cell where he was told to put on an orange T-shirt, after which he was photographed holding the charge sheet standing in front of a height chart.

I was permitted to photograph whatever I wanted both inside and outside the police station, including the expat's badly damaged SUV, plus the wreckage of the bicycle and trisikad, which were brought in on a truck as evidence.

The American's mangled SUV after he killed one person and injured another on the same night

We sent out for pizza and Coke which we were allowed to eat in the interview room. A policeman entered the room and politely introduced himself to us as the jailer, and signalled to the driver to follow him to the holding cells.

Sitting in the interview room was a far better alternative to sitting on the concrete floor in the overcrowded cell at the back of the police station, where food is often brought in by the relatives of detainees to supplement the meagre rations given by police.

The officers were friendly and courteous to us while we waited for the injured old man to arrive for the first round of negotiations.

Later, the 70-year-old hobbled into the station with his daughter as his interpreter.

He was a poor rice farmer and, according to the American's lawyer, would settle for less than what the family of the deceased victim would likely ask.

Police told me casually that, drawing from their experience, they would price the death of the 53-year-old at about PHP50,000 (AUD$1,373). The injured rice farmer wouldn't get close to that.

However, they said it could well be more because a foreigner was involved.

Under Filipino law, any person charged with causing a wrongful death has the right to negotiate a compensation payment with the victim's family. Sergeant Tagopa (pictured) explained to me how the negotiations work and was surprised the same thing doesn't happen in Australia

These kinds of negotiations can take days in the Philippines.

The trick, I was told, is to never reveal to the other party that you want the matter resolved quickly. Instead, you tell them you are prepared to spend months in jail negotiating a fair settlement.

In many cases, victims' families settle for a lot less than they want to avoid a protracted negotiation.

Sergeant Tagopa stressed it was in everybody's best interests to settle the matter financially rather than go through the court system, where the wheels of Filipino justice turn very slowly.

We were told earlier by the driver's lawyer that the compensation money had to be ready once all parties had reached an agreement. Police reminded the man that he would not be released until the matter had been signed off and all compensation money had been paid to the victims' families.

Officers repeatedly told me these kinds of negotiations were perfectly normal and that it was standard for both parties to haggle over the amount of compensation.

The old man told us in the interview room that he was very sorry for causing us any trouble and, after an hour of polite discussion, settled for PHP18,000 (AUD$500), which included the cost of replacing his mangled bike.

The second round of negotiations - with the deceased man's elder brother - would determine whether our American friend would walk free that night.

We had been at the station for 10 hours when the dead man's brother walked in.

He indicated to the driver's lawyer that he wanted PHP300,000 (AU$8,150). The driver said he was prepared to pay PHP100,000 (AU$2,690) in compensation, and not a peso more. The brother then asked for PHP250,000 (AU$6,700).

For the next few hours, the lawyer was kept busy going from one room to another with counter-offers until the brother finally accepted PHP150,000 (AU$4,020).

The driver paid his lawyer PHP10,000 (AU$270) for his services that day, so the total cost to him in avoiding jail and a lengthy court case was under AU$5,000.

The American's arrest was widely reported in the local media but never reached the West. It's possible his family doesn't yet know what he's done.

But, like most cases settled by compensation, there was no follow-up coverage about the matter concluding after the victims' families accepted a compensation payout.

It was like the tragedy never happened.
Stephen Gee's mugshot looked similar to hundreds of others released by Merseyside Police when on the hunt for wanted men and women.

A grimace, a prison-issue baggy grey sweatshirt, bags under the eyes and look of defiance into the camera.

The middle-aged suspect was wanted on recall to prison last week after serving time for a brutal robbery on an OAP.

A horrible crime, but small fry when it comes to the Liverpool underworld.

But for residents of a particularly notorious estate in the city, the look of this pathetic middle-aged career crook may have sent a shiver down their spine.

Gee, 43, is from one of the city's most violent crime families.

Along with his brother Danny, Darren and Ian, he turned the Grizedale estate into an open air drug market - and ruled with an iron first.

The family - known as the Grizedale Crew - groomed schoolboys to run their drugs and left a trail of broken lives behind them.

They then became embroiled in a sprawling drugs war across Liverpool, a battle so explosive their rivals reportedly hired an SAS-trained hitman to finally take them out.

Stephen Gee was wanted on recall to prison after serving time for a brutal robbery on an OAP

Darren Gee who along with brothers Danny, Stephen and Ian, ran the notorious Grizedale crew

Police forensics officers investigate a shooting on the Grizedale estate in Liverpool

But before they became a force in the city's drugs market they built up a network on the streets.

Local lads were paid cash to bunk off school and act as spotters, patrolling the warren of streets on mountain bikes.

Families that were on benefits started earning hundreds of pounds a day selling crack and heroin to addicts, as the Gee brothers made around 20k a week.

Gang members wearing the latest Berghaus jackets and Rockport trainers patrolled the perimeter of the estate, moving around in stolen cars with false plates.

At one point in 2004 around 250 Grizedale residents were facing drug offences in court, as police raided homes to recover weapons. In one raid the force recovered a sniper rifle with a telescopic sight.

The Grizedale estate was built in the 1970s during an era when the city was still clearing the terraces that were deemed to be no longer suitable for habitation.

Daniel Gee, 44, (pictured) grinning following his arrest in Wigan by officers from Merseyside Police

Merseyside Police set up a special taskforce to tackle the Gees' iron grip on the Grizedale estate in Liverpool (pictured, officers are the scene of a shooting on the estate)

Unfortunately by the time the Gee brothers grew up the estate was a rat run of dank alleyways and poorly lit underpasses - perfect for dealers and thugs.

In response to growing concerns from community leaders across north Liverpool, police set up a special taskforce to take down the Gees.

A former officer who played a lead role in the unit told the Liverpool Echo how they were ordered to go out and do 'The Lord's work' which was a euphemism for breaking the rules.

The former officer, told how: 'It was a kind of code for what we were doing. So yes we were unorthodox, but for all the right reasons.

'In short it was old fashioned, old school policing. We took the fight to the criminals and I stand by this approach because it worked.'

The officer explained how the Gees took over the estate by controlling the drug market and the distribution of cash.

The Merseyside man stressed how the majority of locals became 'outsiders' because they were not involved in the Gee dark economy.

He told how the Gees would often provoke officers into ugly confrontations in front of witnesses, who would provide statements claiming the police used unreasonable force.

However, a second dynamic entered the equation when the Gees became embroiled in an anarchic gang war which spread across north Liverpool in 2004.

A key event in this saga was a fall out between the Gees and William Moore, who hired a former soldier to execute one of the brothers.

Gee has been arrested and detained after he fled Category D open prison HMP Kirklevington Grange in North Yorkshire on May 27

Luton man Darren Waterhouse opened fire on a car Darren Gee was travelling in, riddling it with bullets. Innocent teenager Craig Barker, just 18, died from his injuries.

Local gangster Mark Richardson who was in the car at the time was also seriously injured.

Waterhouse, who trained with the SAS, had been decorated with the Military Cross for the bravery he showed serving with the Coldstream Guards in 90s Bosnia.

He became involved in drug culture after being discharged from the forces and met William Moore in prison, who paid him to murder Darren Gee. Waterhouse and Moore were both later jailed for life.

In revenge Darren organised the murder of local businessman David Regan, who was thought to have been Waterhouse's getaway driver.

Regan was shot dead on the forecourt of the carwash he managed in the Old Swan area of the city.

During this period a wiretap in a prison cell gleaned intelligence suggesting the Gees and their associates were plotting to shoot an off duty police officer.

As a result, officers who were targeting the Gees and their associates were advised to wear body armour when out shopping with their families at the weekend.

At this time associates of the Gee family were involved in a major dispute with the owners of a famous Liverpool nightclub, which resulted in a wave of car bombs across the city.

Nightclubs, homes and then police stations were all targeted. Police intelligence suggested Darren Gee helped orchestrate some of the carbombs.

While Darren Gee was jailed for his role in the murder of David Regan, his brother Danny continued to head up the Grizedale Crew.

Danny moved into an apartment on the city's plush waterfront, but continued to run drug rackets across the north of the city.

He was shot and nearly killed by rival gang member Jamie Starkey in 2008, which led to further acts of violence in north Liverpool.

Liverpool Crown Court later heard how the Grizedale Crew ordered the murder of teenager Tony Bromley, who was cut down with machetes in the street.

Denis Gilboy and Scott Walker, who carried out the murder, were acting on the orders of the gang's leaders.

Andrew Edis QC told the jury that the Grizedale were a gang 'so powerful and fearful' they believed no-one would come to court to give evidence against them.

The Grizedale estate became notorious for crime - at one point in 2004 around 250 Grizedale residents were facing drug offences in court

Daniel Gee absconded from Category D Kirklevington Prison in May 2024

In 2010 Daniel Gee was handed an imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentence after being found guilty of threatening to kill a rival and blackmail.

The court heard he had previously been the focus of police surveillance that recorded him making threats and trying to obtain firearms.

Daniel fled Category D open prison HMP Kirklevington Grange in North Yorkshire on May 27 last year and disappeared, prompting a huge scale manhunt.

He was arrested in a pub in the Aspull area of Wigan a month later with officer bodycam footage showing him grinning as police took him into custody.

His brother Darren later bragged on TikTok: 'He's had a f****** scream, look at the smile on his face. Good on him'.

Daniel has a reputation as a hardman within the prison system, sources on Merseyside have told the Mail that Gee's reputation is based on his dealings with heroin addicts.

A Liverpool man said:'The Gees have always controlled addicts, on the outside and inside.

'Danny's reputation as a hardman is all based on the way he deals with addicts on the inside.

'They work for him and or he batters them. I have seen him with addicts over his knee while he pulls out bags of heroin from their bum with a spoon.

'The addicts work for him - they provide him with an income and a layer of protection.

'But Danny always stayed away from the proper fellas on the wings like me, because I would have smashed him to bits.

'Darren was similar, but had a bit more upstairs. Darren was a clever, cunning and had loads of arse (guts). He will use a blade or a gun if he has too. Dangerous kid.'

Darren Gee, who was convicted of conspiracy to murder, is now a successful YouTuber with over 30,000 subscribers to his channel.

Darren has focused heavily on the role played by the Kinahan Cartel in spreading drugs and crime across Liverpool over recent years.

He has also hit out podcasters who interview guests with alleged links to the Kinahans.

Stephen Gee has now been recalled to prison and will serve out the rest of his sentence.
Public sex, voyeurism, adultery, foodplay, orgy, domination, death.

Nagisa Oshima's groundbreaking 1976 erotic drama In the Realm of the Senses was hugely controversial upon its release and left audiences speechless with an infamous scene, bizarre beyond imagination.

Based on the gruesome real-life 1936 murder of Kichizo Ishida by his lover Sada Abe, who strangled him and cut off his penis, the arthouse masterpiece is one of the most explicit to come out of Japan.

Upon its release, the adaptation of the Sada Abe murder was banned nationwide and its director Nags Oshima was called to a court of law on charges of obscenity and disturbance of society. And it's no wonder why.

Also known as Senses, the movie uses vulgarity and smut to drive the themes of devotion, taboo, sex and violence into the audience. From the infamous eating of a boiled egg out of a vagina, to witnessing bodies embroiled in an orgy during a wedding, this raw work of erotica leaves no fetish untouched.

Senses dabbled in hardcore pornography, testing the boundaries between desire and addiction, passion and obsession, and fantasy and reality.

Throughout the provocative piece, Oshima presented a power dynamic which was not common in Japanese media at the time - a woman who takes agency over her own sexual pleasure, and a man who offers up his life in an act of submission.

The haunting reality of this is expressed through the chilling words Ishida would speak before his brutal death: 'You'll put the cord around my neck and squeeze it again while I'm sleeping, won't you? If you start to strangle me, don't stop, because it's so painful afterwards'.

Nagisa Oshima's groundbreaking 1976 erotic drama In the Realm of the Senses was hugely controversial upon its release for a series of reasons

In the Realm of the Senses

At almost two hours long, Senses is a twisted and fictionalised retelling of the story of Sada Abe, whose affair with her master, Kichizo Ishida, turned obsessive and sadomasochistic.

In 1936 Tokyo, Abe is a former prostitute who now works as a maid in a hotel. She appears on screen quiet and timid until around five minutes in she is performing a sex act on a homeless man in ragged clothes and covered in dirt.

The hotel's married owner Ishida quickly initiates a torrid affair that consists of sexual experiments and a disturbing selection of self-indulgences.

In one of the first scenes seen in the film between Abe and Ishida, she can be seen cleaning the floor in a hotel room before Ishida lifts up her kimono and performs a sex act on her.

It is not long before the pair are having sex on screen, breaking through the barriers of critical inhibitions in a way cinema had never seen before.

The pair's genitalia are captured on camera in a scene similar to something one would expect to find on an adult video website.

Instead, Oshima works to depict the couple's growing obsession for one another and their insatiable appetite for sexual pleasure.

Ishida ultimately leaves his wife to pursue his affair with Abe who becomes increasingly possessive and jealous of him - leaving the married man only more eager to please her.

One scene captures Abe in heavy traditional geisha makeup using a bird-shaped sex toy, while another - and perhaps one of the most infamous - left audiences jaw-dropped.

As the pair sat together on the floor of a hotel room, Ishida picks up a boiled egg and places it inside Abe's vagina before eating it from her body.

During a wedding scene later on in the film, a man who had previously conducted the ceremony can be seen partaking in a celebratory dance.

But in true Sense style, the camera pans upward so that he and his dance are the focus of the shot. It settles there for a minute as he continues dancing, before the camera then pans down to his feet where an orgy is taking place among the entire wedding party.

Again, it is meant to shock and not titillate.

In one scene Ishida picks up a boiled egg and places it inside Abe's vagina before eating it from her body

Oshima works to depict the couple's growing obsession for one another and their insatiable appetite for sexual pleasure

At almost two hours-long, Senses is a twisted and fictionalised retelling of the story of Sada Abe, whose affair with her master, Kichizo Ishida, turned obsessive and sadomasochistic

Abe and Ishida's mutual obsession spirals until Abe discovers she is most excited by strangling him during sex, and he is later killed in this manner.

During the harrowing scene, Ishida is seen on the floor with Abe straddling him, two ends of a pink sash in each hand as she pulls tighter around his neck.

With his hands bound, he embraces Abe who sobs into his chest before they begin to have sex for what would become the final time.

Wrapping the rope around his glistening neck once more, she closes her eyes and pulls on the two ends as Ishida's face becomes swollen and purple.

Following a dream-like cut scene of a naked Abe being surrounded by a group of people, the audience are thrown back into reality as the killer is shown sawing off her lover's penis and testicles with a large kitchen knife.

While she is depicted next to him naked in Senses, it is revealed she will walk around with his organ inside her for four days before being arrested, smiling.

Words written in his blood can be read on his chest: 'Sada Kichi, the two of us forever'.

A large majority of the film is made up of depraved scenes and disturbing imagery ranging from an elderly Geisha soiling herself after a particularly intense bout of lovemaking, to Ishida licking off menstrual blood from his fingers.

Even though the description of Senses may sound like a hardcore pornographic movie - and in a way, it is - the masterpiece was created by one of the greatest classical Japanese filmmakers alongside Akira Kurosawa and Yasujiro Ozu.

Reviews claim the piece, although dark and twisted, has an artistry that lessens the stimulation.

The videography, with close ups of lips parted in orgasm and breasts and buttocks on full display creates a sense of raw passion amid deluded sexual obsession.

Critics over the years have claimed: 'Oshima's film widens and deepens the sensual realm'.

A large majority of the film is made up of depraved scenes and disturbing imagery

The videography, with close ups of lips parted in orgasm and breasts and buttocks on full display creates a sense of raw passion amid deluded sexual obsession

The films ban wasnt totally lifted and has yet to be shown completely uncensored in Japan to this very day, but Oshimas point remains groundbreaking for its time

Oshima, knowing Japan would never allow such a graphic movie to grace its screens, went through adventurous French producer Anatole Dauman to make the film, officially making Senses a French production and giving the director total creative freedom.

'This was the first hardcore pornographic film (in Japan),' he said in a 1976 interview, a fact that the Japanese government was not overly excited about.

Upon its release, Senses was banned nationwide and Oshima was called to a court of law on charges of obscenity and disturbance of society.

As headstrong as ever, he made a case validating his feature, claiming that by tackling obscenity head-on he rendered the word meaningless.

He said: 'Nothing that is expressed is obscene; what is obscene is what is hidden. When we are free to see everything, both obscenity and taboo disappear'.

The films ban wasnt totally lifted and has yet to be shown completely uncensored in Japan to this very day, but Oshimas point remains groundbreaking for its time.

The real-life murder of Kichizo Ishida by his lover Abe Sada

In the Realm of the Senses is a retelling of the May 18, 1936, murder of Kichizo Ishida by the Japanese geisha and prostitute Abe Sada.

The pair had first met in Tokyo on February 1, 1936, when she began working as an apprentice at the Yoshidaya restaurant, owned by 42-year-old Ishida.

Not long after Abe started her apprenticeship, Ishida began making sexual advancements towards her. She happily accepted his attention.

By mid-April, the pair had begun their affair that would end in fatality.

The week of the murder the following month was one filled with passion after the couple had been repeatedly meeting in secret behind the back of Ishida's wife, who was also Abe's boss.

Abe remembered in testimony the passion of their lovemaking in reflecting on one tryst at the Tagawa inn: 'We kept the bed out from the evening of the 27th to the morning of the 29th, and hardly slept at night doing every nasty deed possible.

'When I said I was tired Ishida would make love to me and even while sleeping he would massage my body very sweetly.

'It was the first time in my life that I had met a man who treated a woman so well and who made me so happy. I fell in love. I could never be separated from him'.

In the Realm of the Senses is a retelling of the May 18, 1936, murder of Kichizo Ishida by the Japanese geisha and prostitute Abe Sada (pictured)

on May 18, the lovers snuck off to the Masaki Inn (pictured), in what would become Ishida's final night on earth

The pair had been experimenting sexually for three months before Abe killed her lover.

Following her arrest, she spoke in testimony about the sex play they engaged in prior to the murder in a revelation which stunned Japan.

'The evening of May 16 I got on top of Ishida and at first we had sex while I pressed his throat with my hands but that didn't do anything for me so I wrapped my kimono sash around Ishida's neck and I pulled it tight and then loosened it and so on while we were having sex, and while I was doing it I kept looking down there so I didn't realise that I'd squeezed too hard; Ishida let out a moan and suddenly his thing got small,' she said.

'I was shocked and released the sash but Ishida's face [and neck] had turned red and didn't return to normal so I tried cooling his face by bathing it with water'.

Panicked at how close he came to dying Ishida suggested he return home to his wife for a while and make Abe his mistress.

This deeply angered Abe, who seethed with jealousy at the thought of sharing Ishida with another woman, and on May 18, the lovers snuck off to the Masaki Inn, in what would become Ishida's final night on earth.

Following the pair's sexual play that evening, Ishida began to doze off, and according to Abe, told her: 'You'll put the cord around my neck and squeeze it again while I'm sleeping, won't you If you start to strangle me, don't stop, because it is so painful afterwards'.

At around 2am, while Ishida slept, Abe wrapped the pink sash of her kimono around his neck, this time fatally asphyxiating him.

She then used a kitchen knife to sever his penis from his body and carved in his left thigh Sada Kichi futari - 'Sada and Kichi, the two of us.'

Abe left a similar sentiment on the bedding in his blood.

This concept had a history in the Tokugawa period when used by courtesans who promised their loyalty to patrons by offering a token of their affection which in extreme cases was purported to be their own finger.

Courtesans would even tattoo a sign of devotion on their upper arms. Abe reversed this practice of self-mutilation and inscribed Ishida's body with her love letter instead.

Abe was finally arrested three days after the incident on May 21, 1936

Abe had planned to take her life one week after the murder, and admitted to practicing necrophilia in the days leading up to her arrest

Abe eluded the police by wandering the streets of Tokyo and the murder took Japan by storm, triggering a frenzy that would quickly be referred to as 'Sada Abe panic' by the Japanese media.

As the hunt for the murderess became more frantic, reports from the public flooded in. There was an alleged Abe sighting in Tokyo, then Okinawa, then Kobe, with one false claim inciting a stampede in the Ginza district of Tokyo.

Abe was finally arrested three days after the incident on May 21, 1936.

The killer later told police: 'After I had killed Ishida I felt totally at ease, as though a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders, and I felt a sense of clarity.'

She had planned to take her life one week after the murder, and admitted to practicing necrophilia in the days leading up to her arrest.

'I felt attached to Ishida's penis and thought that only after taking leave from it quietly could I then die,' she said.

'I unwrapped the paper holding them and gazed at his penis and scrotum. I put his penis in my mouth and even tried to insert it inside me It didn't work however though I kept trying and trying.

'Then, I decided that I would flee to Osaka, staying with Ishida's penis all the while. In the end, I would jump from a cliff on Mount Ikoma while holding on to his penis.'

Abe was convicted and sentenced to six years in prison on May 21, 1936. The sentence was commuted, however, in 1940.

The murderess disappeared from the public eye in 1970. When Senses was being planned in the mid-1970s, director Oshima reportedly sought out Abe and after a long search, found her, with her hair shorn, in a nunnery in Kansai, southern Japan.
Part of a Chinese school exchange trip has been abandoned after one of the girl students was allegedly stabbed to death by another at a suburban Australian home.

A 13-year-old girl accused of murdering her friend, 14, remains in custody while her parents are expected to fly in from their home in China to speak to detectives.

They were part of a group of 15 Chinese students on an exchange trip from schools in China associated with the Newcastle Waldorf School in the NSW Hunter region.

The two teenagers had been staying with hosts Steve Moloney and Tracey Taylor at their home in Edgeworth, Newcastle.

The couple had gone to bed on Monday evening when they allegedly heard a commotion and discovered the 14-year-old fatally wounded.

Police arrested the 13-year-old at the scene.

The Newcastle Waldorf School this week held a candlelit ceremony but classmates revealed the other Chinese students on the trip were too traumatised to attend.

They have not been seen since the tragedy unfolded, one student revealed.

The host couple Steve Moloney and Tracey Taylor had gone to bed when they allegedly heard a commotion

The teens were part of a Steiner study international exchange program

The Newcastle Waldorf School held a candlelit ceremony for the young girl

'There are around 15 of them, across a few year groups, but none of them came back to school again,' they told the Daily Mail.

'Some had made good friends here, but I don't think we will see them again before they leave on Saturday.

'We sang, lit candles and laid flowers to remember the girl who lost her life.

'The school has offered counselling to us and we have been making cards for the other students who came with them.'

It is believed the alleged victim and her alleged killer did not know each other before making the trip to Australia on the study program.

'Most of the kids met for the first time at the airport in China,' said the student.

'But they had ten hours together before arriving in Australia and saw each other every day, so the news was really shocking to all of them.'

The Newcastle school's co-principals, Peter Muddle and Tracey Ashton, said they had arranged extra counselling to support everyone through this very difficult time.

It is believed the alleged victim and her alleged killer were unknown to one another before commencing the study program

'We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic incident involving two visiting Chinese students who have been in Australia since last week as part of a tour group,' they said in a joint statement.

'Our priority has been to ensure care and professional support is in place for our school community, as well as for the visiting students and their carers who find themselves dealing with grief far away from their families.'

They also confirmed the teenagers' host couple were not affiliated with the school.

'The tragedy occurred at a residence where both students were billeted,' the statement continued.

'Although the host family is not connected with our school, we are thinking of them as they too must cope with this ordeal.'

It's understood the group were from various Waldorf schools across China and are scheduled to leave Newcastle on Saturday before spending a further week in Australia.

A Waldorf or Steiner school is based on the educational philosophy of German Rudolf Steiner, which emphasises a holistic approach to education.

The school focuses on intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual development rather than just academic performance.

It's understood the group were from various Waldorf schools across China

The program is held by Beijing-based tour agency Depu and run by Italian Amerigo Sivelli.

The tour in Australia is the second this year, with another group of students enjoying the same three-week itinerary in April.

After the planned two weeks in Newcastle, the students were due to visit more of Australia before returning home.

'After a marvellous time at the Newcastle Waldorf School, we took our Chinese students travelling to Sydney and Melbourne,' the company posted to Facebook in April alongside images of the trip.

'We focused on the relationship between First Nations People (Aboriginal people) and Western colonisation in Australian art as well as on nature connection activities.

'Opening up to new questions makes us more vulnerable and fragile, but it's also a courageous step towards our future.'

It is not known if the remaining tour - which is understood to include a tour of the Great Ocean Road in Victoria - is going ahead.

It is alleged a kitchen knife was used in the alleged attack

Strike Force Aggnes has been established and an investigation is underway with the assistance of the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad.

The 13-year-old has been charged with murder and remains in custody after appearing before a Children's Court on Wednesday.

The court heard that the 13-year-old was travelling with an 'extraordinary,' amount of medication.

Daily Mail contacted the program organisers, who said they were 'too busy' to comment on the death of the child.
Out of the wall of Atlantic sea fog rolling into the Cornish village of Newlyn, a vast container ship looms.

Its maroon hull is barely visible in the distance and any smaller vessels around disappear into the thick grey blanket hanging above the waves. For tourists, this grim apparition may be the sign to retreat inside to escape the dreary day.

But in years gone by, such a day would traditionally have been favoured by the county's infamous smugglers who sailed past customs ships with crates of tea and rum to reach Cornwall's white shores.

Of course, the approach is perilous. Fingers of rock protrude from the shore, barely visible beneath the surface but deadly to strike. Even for a seasoned sailor, local knowledge is almost always essential.

The tales of 18th and 19th century smugglers in Cornwall has long since passed into local legend. Yet once again, rumours of brazen smugglers has started to bubble up in the old coastal taverns that pepper the cliffs.

The reality is that South American cocaine cartels are targeting quintessential English fishing villages in Cornwall as potential entry points into the UK drugs market, the Daily Mail can reveal.

The favourite method of smuggling gangs these days are 'at-sea drop offs'. Criminals will throw GPS-tagged bales of cocaine into the ocean for smaller boats to come collect.

These smaller ships, often skippered by locals, will navigate the dangerous waters and hidden outcrops of rocks off the coast to land the drugs safely on shore before passing them to distributors.

Andy Wheeler, 63, from Newlyn, is the deputy chief of the Cornish Fish Producers' Organisation (CFPO), which is accountable for 80 per cent of the fish and shellfish caught in Cornwall.

He told the Daily Mail he was 'sure' fishermen of all nationalities were smuggling drugs on the side to supplement their income.

This boat filled with 18million worth of GPS-tagged cocaine (pictured) crashed into a beach after the three drug smugglers on board tried to outrun the Border Force for 28 miles at sea

A ton of high purity cocaine was discovered on a fishing boat called the Lily Lola on September 13 last year

In 2024, a black bale of cocaine (pictured) worth up to an 3.1million was found washed up on the popular beach of Trevaunance Cove in north Cornwall

A container ship appears through the sea fog off Newlyn this. Although there is no suggestion this one is connected to drug smuggling, ships like these have been used to carry drugs to British waters

Your browser does not support iframes.

Mr Wheeler said: 'Very occasionally you hear about skippers suddenly retiring well before retiring age and selling their boats.

'Did they come into inheritance or were they involved with smuggling?

'I'm sure people have done it and got away with it. There is obviously a [drug smuggling] network.

'There was a cocaine bust at the beach in Sennen last year. And there was a boat that was scuppered about this time last year down at Lamorna Cove.

'They found a dinghy ashore, so it was very, very suspicious. The alarm went out that this boat was sinking. Someone must have seen it from the shore.

'There was no sight of anyone on board or anyone near it.

'This boat was half sunk and eventually sank. Nobody knows for sure what it was doing there. It was a pretty old, rickety boat. I think it was a wooden one.'

Newlyn (pictured) is the largest fishing port in England by tonnage of fish caught per day

The low tide reveals the smorgasbord of different dangers lurking beneath the sea

This small dinghy was chased across the sea for 28 miles by Border Force officials before landing on Gwynver Beach in an attempt to smuggle 18million of cocaine into the UK using GPS-tagged cocaine bales

Six large containers containing around 230kg of 'high-purity cocaine' in brown blocks (pictured) were later recovered from the ocean

Truro Crown Court heard that seven conspirators had been due to collect 20 bales of cocaine from the sea after they had been dropped there by a cargo ship. Pictured, clockwise from top left, six accomplices: Alex Fowlie, Terry Willis, Scott Johnston, Michael May, Bobbie Pearce and Peter Williams

The seventh was Spanish-speaking Edwin Yahir Tabora Baca (pictured), who joined Johnston and Williams in trying to outrun Border Force officers

The gang of drug smugglers came ashore on Gwynver Beach (pictured), near Land's End

He said the struggle with smuggling was navigating the rough seas and rocky shore.

'It's the sea conditions that make it difficult and there are lots of nooks and crannies,' he said.

Just last week, a gang who tried to smuggle 18million of cocaine into the UK using this exact method were jailed for a total of more than 80 years.

In September last year, drug smugglers Scott Johnston, 39, Peter Williams, 43, and Spanish speaking Edwin Tabora Baca, 33, were trying to pick up 20 bales of cocaine thrown from a South American cargo ship in an area of the sea famed for its perilous waters.

The trio were using Apple AirTags to find the bales close to Gywnver Beach, off the coast of Land's End, near Sennen in Cornwall. In Cornish, Gwynver means 'white water'.

As the ocean swirled around them, their small dinghy contending with the Atlantic swell, the strong tide and the threat of submerged rocks, they only found 11 bales.

Then their plot hit another snag  they were spotted by a Border Force patrol boat, which pursued them on a high-speed chase for 28 miles as the criminals dumped the bales in the water.

Their small boat finally ran ashore on Gwynver Beach, Border Force officials ran after the smugglers and tackled them to the ground.

The Border Force later found six large bales with around 230kg of high purity cocaine floating in the ocean.

After arresting the men and going through their phones, co-conspirators Alex Fowlie, 35, of Chichester; Bobbie Pearce, 29, of Brentwood, Essex; Michael May, 47, also of Kelveden Hatch, Essex; and Terry Willis, 44, of Chelmsford, Essex, were arrested.

All were found guilty of being part of the plot to smuggle millions worth of cocaine into the UK.

During sentencing, Judge Jame Adkin said: 'This was an international conspiracy to smuggle a large quantity of cocaine into the UK via a smuggling operation into the South West.'

The judge said two organised crime groups were involved  one in the South West involving the boat and retrieval of the drugs from the sea and the other in Essex where the cocaine would have been taken to be cut, divided and sold to dealers.

Tabora Baca was jailed for 17 years and seven months and will be deported, Johnston was jailed for 24 years, Willis for 21 years and eight months, and May was jailed for 19 years.

The other three men involved in the conspiracy - Pearce, Fowlie and Williams - will be sentenced at a later date.

Speaking to the Mail this week, a vagabond living just around the coast from Newlyn said he had watched small boats approaching container ships under the cover of darkness

Pictured: A fishing boat makes its way into Newlyn Harbour in the early hours of the morning

South American drug cartels have been targeting Cornwall as part of their bid to supply the UK with cocaine

A small vessel comes into the harbour of Newlyn as a container ship looms in the distance

Barry Chivers, 68, (pictured) has been a fisherman in Newlyn for more than half a century, since he was just 15 years old. He said Cornish men spent 'too much' time drinking and taking drugs to be relied upon as fishermen

A row of gulls watch over the harbour at Newlyn in south Cornwall, where Border Force officials often watch out for drug smugglers

Even when the fog comes rolling in off the sea, the harbour remains busy, with ships and lorries coming in and out all day

In 2018, a catamaran loaded with 1.4 tons of cocaine worth 112million was intercepted off Cornwall and brought to Newlyn

Two British men and three Europeans were found guilty of conspiracy to import cocaine and jailed after a trial at Bristol Crown Court. Pictured: The catamaran they used

But this successful capture and conviction is not a surprise. For years, cocaine cartels from South America have been exploring new ways to smuggle their drugs into Britain.

Also in September last year, the National Crime Agency intercepted a fishing boat called the Lily Lola carrying 100million of cocaine near Newquay, north Cornwall.

Four British men were jailed in May this year for a total of 90 years for plotting to smuggle the cocaine.

In 2019, a drug smuggler was jailed for 16 years after trying to smuggle 133million of cocaine hidden in a yacht off the coast of Cornwall.

The Border Force cutter HMC Vigilant intercepted the Dutch-registered boat off the coast of south west Cornwall on July 18, 2018, and the ship was brought into Newlyn Harbour.

Yet while many smugglers are caught, if they slip the net, cocaine is likely to be spread across the south towards London and Essex or up towards Wales, Liverpool and Manchester.

Some drugs may also stay in Cornwall for locals there, as well as for the summer as holidaymakers flock to the region, and youngsters gather for festivals such as Boardmasters, which is happening this weekend.

In July this year, the NCA arrested two Brits, an Albanian and a Greek in Somerset after seizing hundreds of kilos of drugs thought to be cocaine from a small boat that is thought to have collected the bales after they were dropped from a cargo ship.

At the time, NCA Regional Head of Investigations Gavin Webb said: 'The NCA is confronting and dealing with at-sea drugs drop-offs as a priority, focusing on protecting the public, and ensuring illegal drugs do not make it to UK shores.'

Last year, the Border Force seized around 20 tons of Class A drugs across the whole of the UK, a 21 per cent increase in the number of seizures on the previous year.

Around 272 tons of Class B drugs were seized, a 71 per cent increase on the previous year.

A Home Office spokesman told the Mail: 'Our Border Force officers work tirelessly to intercept dangerous drugs at our borders.

'This work, alongside our police and international partners, has led to record seizures, helping protect communities and dismantle criminal networks.'

Cocaine cartels have favoured using cargo ships to transport bales of cocaine before throwing them in the sea with GPS trackers attached for smugglers to pick up and transport to shore. There is no suggestion this cargo ship has been used for organised crime

Newlyn and the surrounding coves of Cornwall have seen a flurry of drug smuggling in recent years

In 2023, a beach cleaner found a bag of cocaine that had washed up on the shore at Upton Beach in Bude, north Cornwall

The package was given to the police, who determined it had a street value of around 100,000

In April, the Border Force launched Project Kraken, an appeal for locals to report suspicious activity along the coast.

Border Force chiefs released a list of warning signs for the public to watch out for that included boats meeting at sea, ships mooring in odd places at strange times and suspicious packages washing up on the shore.

Bosses are also on the lookout for new ways drug smugglers could use to take cocaine to shore.

One in particular they are watching for is the use of small, unmanned submarines, the likes of which have been caught smuggling drugs in South America.

Speaking to the Mail this week, a resident living just around the coast from Newlyn said he had watched small boats approaching container ships under the cover of darkness.

Another local said while freighters would often sit in the waters off Newlyn for days waiting for orders to come in, no one would check who - or what - left the ship at night.

Other locals think drugs gangs have simply cottoned onto the fact that Cornwall was associated with smuggling for a reason - and the benefits of its location remain to this day.

Four British men were jailed in May this year for a total of 90 years for plotting to smuggle cocaine aboard the Lily Lola (pictured)

The vessel was intercepted by officials from the National Crime Agency and blocks of cocaine worth a total of 100million seized

Just as in the 18th and 19th centuries, few people would openly speak down about smuggling - which is once again seemingly a thriving, and lucrative, local industry.

Yet many locals also agreed that drugs have hurt other industries, such as fishing.

Barry Chivers, 68, has been a fisherman in Newlyn for more than half a century, since he was just 15 years old.

In that time, the industry has changed drastically because of drink and drugs, he said.

Mr Chivers told the Mail: 'It's completely different now. If it weren't for the Filipinos, the Ghanaians and the Poles, those boats wouldn't go to sea. They can't get a stable, local crew.'

He said Cornish men spent 'too much' time drinking and taking drugs to be relied upon.

He added: 'There are one or two youngsters that have come into the industry and are doing well and are good lads and hardworking.

'If they like the beer too much and don't turn up to go to sea, that's no good to a skipper.

'But most of these bigger boats wouldn't go to sea if they didn't have the Fillipinos.'

Mr Chivers remembered seeing teams of NCA agents swarm on Newlyn harbour during a drugs bust years ago but hasn't spotted anyone since.

'This coastline is so big that you can come to shore anywhere,' he said. 'It must be very difficult [to police it].'

The CFPO's Mr Wheeler added: 'The price of fish is really good at the moment so any professional fisherman could quite easily make a decent living.

'The boats this year have been earning good money.

'Trawlers come and go. They unload their catch. If nobody had any suspicions, to anyone watching they'd just be doing their normal thing.

The picturesque fishing village of Newlyn, near Penzance, has played host to drug smuggling busts

All along the coast of Cornwall, rocks are submerged in peculiar place, some of them far out at sea

It takes a great deal of local knowledge and experience to be able to sail these waters

The deputy chief of the Cornish Fish Producers' Organisation (CFPO), Andy Wheeler, 63, from Newlyn, said he was 'sure' fishermen of all nationalities were smuggling drugs on the side to supplement their income

When the sea fog clears, Newlyn Harbour has a view of St Michael's Mount near Penzance

'There are often several of these coasters [coastal container ships] anchored up. They come in and wait for orders.

'They're just hanging around waiting for their next [job].

'Five or six years ago there was a big catamaran loaded with cocaine and the Border Force dragged her in here.

'The Border Force come in once a month in a big grey cutter. Fast, stealthy things and they don't show up on AIS [tracking].

'It's been very, very difficult to recruit younger people into the industry. Skippers of the larger boats in particular have plugged that gap by getting people from overseas.

'Fishing can be quite lucrative and it's hard as a job. They're working at sea for a week or more and are coming in and they've got wads of money.

'They've got two or three days to let of steam, see their family or have a good time.

'What would you do? You go get pissed and get some recreational drugs.'

Despite the growing threat, Cornwall's police force told the Daily Mail that it did not investigate drug smuggling.

The police also refused to comment on how the community might be impacted by drug smuggling in Cornwall.

While it said its officers help the National Crime Agency and the Border Force in the county, the police said they never took the lead. The NCA refused to comment.
Members of Congress aren't technically allowed to use insider knowledge to trade stocks while in office, but a couple of well-timed trades have raised eyebrows among eagle-eyed critics.

Momentum to ban members of Congress from trading stocks is swelling even as lawmakers make major profits from the turbulent stock market.

Right now, existing law allows legislators sitting on military committees buy defense stocks while financial regulators can snap up crypto and bank shares.

Though trading on inside information is forbidden, there's little enforcement - and the practice appears rampant on Capitol Hill.

Senate proposals would bar even the president and vice president from trading, but wealthy lawmakers claim restrictions would strip incentives and force unfair divestment of their holdings.

Others complain they can't survive on their $174,000 salaries alone, fueling a trading bonanza that's generating handsome profits just as ban proposals gain steam.

Here the Daily Mail highlights the top most suspect stock trades of the year:

Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-Pa., a 34-year-old freshman legislator has been one of the most scrutinized traders.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that she would endorse a ban on stock trading for members of Congress. When she was in control of Congress she did not push a ban, citing how lawmaker's should have fair access to the markets

Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-Pa., wrote in an op-ed before getting elected that members of Congress must be banned from trading stocks. He has introduced a bill to do just that, but he keeps disclosing trades

He was the former CEO of Kuharchik Construction, Bresnahan's family company, where he is credited with expanding the family business.

The Pennsylvania Republican campaigned on banning members from trading, but he has reported more transactions than practically every other lawmaker.

'Bresnahan has filed more stock trades than almost any other member of Congress since entering office this year,' Quiver Quantitative's co-founder Christopher Kardatzke told the Daily Mail.

Since being sworn in this January and August 8, the Republican has made at least 617 trades, according to federal disclosures data compiled by Quiver Quantitative.

The Republican has repeatedly claimed his financial advisors manager his trades, but when pressed recently by a local radio station on why he doesn't instruct them to halt the transactions he deflected.

'And then do what with it?' the lawmaker told WVIA. 'Just leave it all in the accounts and just leave it there and lose money and go broke?'

Bresnahan introduced a bill earlier this year to ban members and their spouses from stock trading, even as he's continued to make transactions.

According to federal data retrieved by Quiver Quantitative, Bresnahan has traded a total volume of over $7 million since January. He has sold $4 million in stock and purchased $3 million in the past eight months

Right before Trump's signature domestic agenda the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' passed Congress, Bresnahan reported sale in Centene, a healthcare company that later lost over half of its share price because of Medicaid cuts contained within the legislation.

Democratic attack ads have shredded him for voting for the cuts.

'Honestly I found out about it in real time but the key takeaway is I follow the STOCK Act and I follow the rules,' Bresnahan said when pressed on the stock sale by WNEP.

Bresnahan has been widely criticized for being hypocritical about his stock trading.

He's claimed his advisors are forbidden from trading in companies held by foreign adversaries, however his disclosures show that he has bought and sold shares in Alibaba, a Chinese e-commerce company.

Bresnahan has also indicated he will put his money in a blind trust, where it is managed by someone else and he has no clue about the individual transactions.

But setting up such an account takes time, he has claimed.

'The whole process has been excruciating,' he told the Washington Examiner recently.

Nearly 170 of the Pennsylvanian's trades occurred just after Trump's early April tariff announcement, dubbed 'Liberation Day' by the White House.

In one instance in February, the lawmaker even disclosed a day trade, showing the purchase and sale of Palantir stock on the same day.

'Even if the portfolio is managed by a financial advisor, as Bresnahan has claimed, we're left to wonder why an advisor is day-trading Palantir stock in a U.S. Congressman's account,' Kardatzke said.

Firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene has also gained attention for trading the same stock around the same time - a transaction that has netted her thousands.

The Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has far exceeded

Greene has also been one of the top traders in Congress this year

Alex Karp, CEO of Palantir Technologies, speaks on a panel titled Power, Purpose, and the New American Century at the Hill and Valley Forum at the U.S. Capitol on April 30, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Karp has embraced working closely with the Trump administration

The Georgia Republican made a flurry of stock purchases around the exact time that Trump instructed the nation that it was 'a great time to get rich, richer than ever before,' on Truth Social.

After the market dipped around Liberation Day, Green heeded the president's warning and loaded up on discounted stocks.

She purchased tech stock Impinj on April 4, which has since rocketed up over 100 percent in the last few months.

And after buying Palantir on April 8, the Georgia Republican has doubled her investment, locking in a return over 115 percent.

The tech company provides AI solutions and software to the federal government, including the Pentagon and more recently the Department of Homeland Security.

Greene currently sits on the House Homeland Security Committee, the congressional panel that approves funding for DHS and ICE. She also claims her portfolio is managed by a financial advisor.

'Prior to this year, we had only seen one member of Congress ever buy Palantir stock. In the first two months of 2025, we saw six different members buy in,' Kardatzke noted. 'Maybe they all share the same financial advisor. The stock is up 148 percent so far this year.'

Legislation to ban trading among members has even received backing from former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who has become notorious for scoring winning trades during her decades in Congress.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul Pelosi

When she led Congress in 2021 she famously brushed off questions about implementing a stock trading ban for members, citing 'a free market economy.'

Though her disclosures show that these trades are done by her husband, Paul Pelosi, it does raise questions as to how he can so frequently beat the market, and by such massive margins.

President Donald Trump posted on his own social media site Truth Social Saturday, calling Pelosi a 'disgusting degenerate' over her and her husband's stock trading practices.

Trump wrote that 'Crooked Nancy Pelosi, and her very interesting husband, beat every Hedge Fund in 2024.'

'In other words, these two very average minds beat ALL of the Super Geniuses on Wall Street, thousands of them,' Trump also added.

'Speaker Pelosi does not own any stocks and has no knowledge or subsequent involvement in any transactions,' her spokesperson told the Daily Mail before Trump's latest attack on the former Speaker.

Between 2023 and early July 2025, over 70 percent of Pelosi's trades were profitable, according to Capitol Trades.

The Bay Area couple has also reported call options on AI-focused companies like Nvidia, Alphabet and others.

'I think it's a little bit sketchy just because of how high-risk high-reward option contracts are,' Christopher Josephs, co-founder of Autopilot, a congressional investing app, told the Daily Mail. 'No average everyday person trading does that.'

The 85-year-old Democrat got defensive recently when asked by CNN's Jake Tapper to respond to Trump's attacks on her trading practices.

Why do you have to read that? Pelosi interrupted when Tapper began asking about members' trading.

Neither Greene nor Bresnahan responded to the Daily Mail's request for comment.
This photo taken with a mobile phone on Aug. 9, 2025 shows a view of the Beijing Fun complex in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Song Xinping)

BEIJING, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- In the welcoming lobby of the Muji Hotel in central Beijing's Beijing Fun complex, Dutch visitor Guido Langendoen recently paid for an ice cream using WeChat Pay.

"I don't have much cash with me," he said, adding that mobile payment systems have been reliable everywhere he has gone.

It is Langendoen's first trip to China. "After a tiring red-eye flight yesterday, we're finally starting to explore this city with rich historical heritage," he said.

As Beijing Fun is situated in the heart of the city, Langendoen and his family opted to tour the complex first, saving major sights like the Forbidden City for later in the day.

Langendoen is among a growing number of domestic and international tourists drawn to the area's unique blend of culture and commerce.

Located next to the Beijing Central Axis, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site last year, Beijing Fun has grown into a cultural landmark and a pioneering model of urban renovation since it opened in 2018.

From architectural design to business planning, Beijing is home to countless renovated buildings and walkways. "The whole neighborhood preserves the original 'hutong' fabric while incorporating contemporary architectural elements," said Zhang Chen, who is in charge of Beijing Fun's promotion. "The design reflects harmony in diversity."

At the heart of Beijing Fun stands the historic Quanyechang building, which was once a department store and dates back to the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). In 2006, the original site of Quanyechang was designated as part of what is now a major historical and cultural site protected at the national level. Today, the century-old building serves as a cultural arts center.

Beyond its historic appeal, Beijing Fun embodies vibrant consumer culture, attracting rising numbers of renowned brands that enrich its cultural tourism offerings. The area has become a hub for creative enterprises -- from art and design innovators to lifestyle brands -- presenting diverse consumer experiences.

Not far from Quanyechang, the PAGEONE bookstore attracts readers of all ages with a multi-story layout perfect for browsing and relaxation. A dedicated section features books about the Beijing Central Axis and traditional culture, also showcasing themed postcards, souvenirs and other cultural keepsakes.

"We aim to provide more than just a bookstore experience," said Liu Di, marketing manager of PAGEONE. The store creates a cultural platform that engages the public through activities such as literary salons, book-signing events, film screenings, art workshops and vinyl record listening sessions, Liu added.

According to Zhang, Beijing Fun is not just a shopping center, but a neighborhood where people can explore new lifestyles and immersive cultural experiences. Since it opened, it has hosted nearly 1,000 public culture, international exchange and performance events.

"By organizing a variety of pop-up events and cultural and creative markets, we're striving to build a lifestyle destination that blends commerce, heritage and experience," Zhang said.

The second phase of Beijing Fun is set to open this year, featuring even more experiential offerings, including those related to city-themed IP exploration, healthy lifestyles and trendy art spaces.

In recent years, Beijing has integrated cultural soft power with urban planning. As a crucial part of integrating people, city and industry, cultural and commercial landmarks like Beijing Fun have become engines for high-quality development and vibrant new centers of cultural consumption in the Chinese capital.

With China's expanding visa-free travel policy, the country is becoming a global hub for tourism and culture. Leveraging their prime locations and rich offerings, these new landmarks offer visitors a window to the real China and demonstrate how old cities can tell new stories. 

This photo taken with a mobile phone on Aug. 9, 2025 shows an exterior view of the Quanyechang building of Beijing Fun, in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Song Xinping)
Rebekka Card's fingers trembled as she tenderly dressed her baby, Hayden, in the outfit that three generations of boys in her husband's family had worn for their baptisms.

It took a while to put the delicate silk vest over the long-sleeved onesie sewn by Cameron's grandmother more than 50 years earlier.

As tricky as the tiny buttons were to fasten, Card wanted her son to look his best for the ceremony ahead.

But she was not readying Hayden for the Christian sacrament of initiation. She was preparing him for his funeral.

The infant died at just four months old in circumstances too horrifying to contemplate.

His mother fell asleep while breastfeeding him in bed and woke in the early hours to find him unresponsive.

It is the kind of trauma from which many bereaved parents never recover. Card, however, has found purpose in sharing details of the tragedy to let other parents, enduring similar loss, know that they are not alone.

'Hayden's passing has left a huge void in my heart,' the 27-year-old told the Daily Mail. 'But I'm living the rest of my life in his honor to make him proud.'

Rebekka Card with her baby son, Hayden. 'His passing has left a huge void in my heart,' she said

Hayden when he reached his milestone age of three months in December 2021

The night of January 7, 2022, was much like any other in the Cards' household in Gilbert, Arizona. It was the end of an exhausting day, and she was just beginning to feel herself again after a bout of sickness.

She worked from home as an insurance adjuster while her mother helped care for Hayden and his older brother, Bentley, then 17 months.

Card and Cameron, a mechanic, went through the usual routine of bathing the children before tucking them in for the evening. Card nursed Hayden around 9pm and put him in a cushioned baby 'nest' on the couple's king-sized bed.

Hayden often became anxious and fidgety in his crib and slept better - and longer - in the little rimmed mattress by her side. Exclusively breast fed, it was effortless to scoop him up to latch on when needed.

The couple tidied the house before joining their youngest son, a momma's boy with beautiful, piercing blue eyes, around 10pm. They put the nest in its usual position to Card's left while she slept in the middle next to Cameron.

She recalled that Hayden wanted to feed just before 1am and she put him across her lap, sitting up against the wall to keep alert during the nursing session.

But, drained from the day and the vestiges of illness, she nodded off. The next thing she remembered was Cameron's voice calling Hayden's name. It was shortly before 5am. He had seen that Hayden wasn't in his cushioned mattress.

The following seconds played out in slow motion. Confused, Card jumped out of the bed to scan the floor. Could Hayden have rolled over the edge?

Then she realized that the baby was in her arms. He was perfectly still. He felt warm. But something was terribly wrong.

Card began CPR while Cameron dialed 911. Then, terrified that her compressions might be too hard on Hayden's tiny body, she swapped places to finish the call with the dispatcher.

'I couldn't work on him any longer because I thought I might be causing damage by crushing his chest,' she said. 'I thought: 'I need to help him, but I don't want to make things worse.'

The emergency services arrived within 15 minutes. Police officers immediately separated the couple as paramedics attempted resuscitation.

Card later learned that it was standard procedure to prevent couples from colluding on some kind of defense.

'I understand now that they had to do their due diligence but not being allowed to be with my son when he needed me most was incredibly painful,' she said.

'They treated us like criminals.'

Card described Hayden as a momma's boy with beautiful, piercing blue eyes. He was exclusively breast fed

Card with her husband, Cameron, and their sons, Bentley, and Hayden. Bentley was 17 months old when his brother died

Hayden often became anxious and fidgety in his crib and slept better - and longer - in a cushioned baby 'nest' Card would place next to her in the family bed

The questioning seemed accusatory. Police asked if Card had been intoxicated and whether she was 'in her right mind'.

They were transported to the hospital in the same police car, too stunned to speak to each other. At one point, Card made eye contact with Cameron and they both burst into tears.

At the hospital, they were shown into a private room and left to wait for what seemed like hours. Finally, two doctors and a nurse came in. Their grim faces gave away the devastating news: Hayden was gone.

'My first instinct was to go to him,' Card said, 'and I begged them to let us see him. But they shook their heads.'

A police officer explained that a visit might impede their investigation into whether foul play was involved.

They went home to check on Bentley, who was with relatives, and sat, numb. Card's phone rang at 12:30pm. The initial investigation into Hayden's death has concluded and the couple were allowed to see him.

They were allowed to stay with Hayden for more than an hour but didn't exchange a word. Card took photographs of him cocooned in a blanket. She wasn't allowed to pick him up.

'The police had told us his body would be sent for an autopsy,' she recalled. 'We knew that our baby wouldn't look the same after the procedure and I wanted memories of how perfect he was at the time of his passing.'

The next few days were a blur. The autopsy was completed within 48 hours and Hayden was taken to a funeral home. There, Card dressed her little boy in the treasured heirloom handed down by his father and uncles.

Hayden was cremated on January 16. The grief was crushing, made worse by the finger of suspicion that detectives still appeared to point at the couple.

After the funeral, police wanted them to re-enact Hayden's death to confirm that it was an accident.

'I immediately turned them down,' Card said. 'I told them: 'If my word isn't enough, then go ahead and put me in handcuffs and send me to jail.'

However, Cameron agreed to carry out the heartbreaking task on behalf of them both.

It was the turning point in the investigation. One detective confided how he related to their loss because he and his wife had suffered a stillbirth. He said he believed their story without hesitation that Hayden's death had been a freak accident.

'We were finally treated like we had lost our child,' she said. No charges were brought.

The autopsy listed Hayden's cause of death as 'undetermined.' There were no signs of trauma, disease, infection, particles or toxins in his airway, ruling out suffocation.

Still, there was a paragraph suggesting signs 'consistent with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)' and mention of a 'sleeping position causing a baby to not be able to breathe.'

Card acknowledged that many relationships fall apart in the face of despair such as the loss of a child but said that her marriage remains strong.

Cameron has never blamed his wife for what happened. Even when Card begged him to tell her his true feelings, he insisted there was nothing to feel guilty about.

'I think the biggest blame was on myself,' she said, adding that she had struggled to stop her mind drifting towards 'what if?' and 'if only.'

Posting her thoughts on TikTok has helped her heal. In one clip, she talks bluntly about falling asleep while nursing her son, and notes 'tragedy only looks preventable when you're not the one going through it.'

As for co-sleeping, Card directs people to bed-share resources such as Safe Sleep Seven, which offers practical advice.

Card and Cameron holding Bentley at his baptism when he was three months old  Hayden wore the same precious outfit for his funeral. The heirloom had been handed down through three generations

Card had some of Hayden's ashes incorporated into a tattoo of his footprint on her wrist

The reaction on social media has been mixed. Card says that 60 percent of the comments are positive and empathetic, 20 percent constructive and 20 percent hateful.

'I've had people say that I suffocated my son and shouldn't be allowed to have more children,' she said. 'But no matter what you do in life, there is going to be negativity from those who haven't walked in your shoes.'

She has found a community of parents who have experienced similar heartache and find some comfort in sharing their stories.

'Instead of letting tragedy eat you up, you can turn pain into purpose,' said Card.

The family now lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and includes a daughter, Delaney, born a year after Hayden died. Card is six months pregnant with her third son.

Meanwhile, she and Cameron had some of Hayden's ashes incorporated into tattoos on their arms in a lasting tribute. 'That way,' she said, 'wherever we go, he is always with us.'
Raised in a 25-room Dorset stately home surrounded by 400 acres of parkland, Constance Martens childhood was luxurious beyond the wildest dreams of her fellow inmates at HMP Bronzefield.

And it seems Constance  or Prisoner A9624X as shes now known within its stark walls  has lost nothing of her aristocratic sense of entitlement as she awaits sentence for the manslaughter of her newborn daughter.

She complains as much as any other inmate Ive seen in my career, a prison source said, and shes got it a lot easier than most prisoners.

She seems to think she is above the jail and everyone in it. She acts like its a mistake shes in there and sooner or later someone will realise and shell be back out.

Her list of grievances reads like a Lady of the Manor admonishing her staff. The food is ghastly (this is a woman who once told Tatler magazine she couldnt abide too much dill on her fish), the company frightful and the very thought of joining in socials or classes with other inmates is disdainfully dismissed as being beyond the pale.

Marten, 38, and her violent lover Mark Gordon, 51, were last month found guilty of causing newborn Victoria to die after going on the run in Northumberland in freezing weather at the end of December 2022 to prevent social services taking the baby into care, as they had with the couples four other children.

Prisoner A9624X, Constance Marten, complains that prison food at HMP Bronzefield is ghastly (this is a woman who once told Tatler magazine she couldnt abide too much dill on her fish) and the company frightful

They had lived off-grid for 56 days, hiding out in tents on rough ground in sub-zero weather and sparking a nationwide hunt for them.

After their arrest, Victorias decomposed body was found in a shopping bag beside a half-eaten sandwich in an allotment shed in Brighton on March 1.

Yet it seems Marten has an issue with the way contact with her surviving four children  mercifully safe in foster care  is strictly managed by prison authorities.

A source revealed how, following several complaints, her prison profile was recently updated, meaning she is permitted to send each child one letter or card a year from Bronzefield, in Surrey.

She has complained that this isnt sufficient as it would force her to choose between sending a Christmas or a birthday card to each child.

Its a hard one for staff to wrap their heads round, the source said. We know why she is in here and we know shes proven herself to be a danger to her children, so it seems strange she is so desperate to contact them and present herself as a decent mother.

But maybe it just boils down to control and entitlement  when shes told shes not allowed to do something she makes a huge fuss until she can.

Marten and Gordon, who is on remand at Category A Belmarsh mens prison in south-east London, are expected to be sentenced next month for manslaughter by gross negligence, concealing the birth of a child, perverting the course of justice by not reporting her death, and child cruelty.

Marten awaits her fate on Wing 4 at the 527-inmate womens prison, a mile south of Heathrow airport.

She is not the only high profile woman in the block convicted of causing the death of a child: sharing the unit is neo-natal nurse Lucy Letby, jailed for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill seven more, and Beinash Batool, serving a 33-year sentence for the murder of her ten-year-old stepdaughter Sara Sharif.

The entitled aristocrat was raised in Crichel House, a 25-room stately home surrounded by 400 acres of parkland in Dorset

At HMP Bronzefield, Marten is not the only high profile woman there convicted of causing the death of a child: sharing the unit is neo-natal nurse Lucy Letby and Beinash Batool, serving a 33-year sentence for the murder of her ten-year-old stepdaughter Sara Sharif

While Letby and Batool have formed an uneasy alliance, and have been spotted playing cards together, Marten has so far chosen not to socialise with either of them. But she would do well to consider joining their macabre sisterhood, the prison source said.

Marten comes out in the same group as those two, not through her own choice but because theyve all been convicted of hurting children so they cannot safely mix with most other prisoners.

But it would probably be a good idea for her to mix with Letby and Batool for her own sake. Most other prisoners wouldnt give her the time of day knowing what shes in for, so those two are as good as she will ever do in terms of friendships made on the inside.

As far as some inmates will see it, Constance is a baby killer. So while she is inside she is naturally going to be a target for others.

The Daily Mail revealed last month how Letby, 35, is seen as a model prisoner who is polite to staff, keeps an immaculate cell at all times and is dressed and ready before the 8am wake-up call.

Thanks to her good behaviour she has retained enhanced status and a coveted cleaning job which affords her more time out of her cell and extra cash to spend on treats from the canteen, phone credit and toiletries  33 a week compared to the standard 19.80.

The heiress  whose father Napier was a page to the late Queen when he was child  made her horror at the prisons cuisine abundantly clear

Martens approach to prison life is different. Most prisoners are crying out for jobs, a source said, but Constance shows no interest. Its like she thinks its beneath her and shes just passing through so theres not much point engaging.

The same thing goes for enhanced status, which is something that prisoners on Unit 4 are encouraged to work towards. Shes not bothered.

Her behaviour isnt what you might call abusive, she just moans constantly and seems to have no interest in making her time as easy as possible.

Martens refusal to engage with prison life tallies with her antics during two trials fraught with delays often caused by her and Gordon, who burned through a total of 19 lawyers.

One Family Court judge who oversaw child custody proceedings said the couple viewed external agencies as hostile forces determined to do them harm. The strong impression given is that of two people who are fiercely united in an unrelenting struggle against a non-existent opponent, the judgement read.

As a standard prisoner, Marten has a TV and DVD player in her cell, which she can use to watch a selection of approved titles from the prison library. But her unwillingness to engage fully with staff or put in the effort expected of a model inmate has been obvious from the outset.

The heiress, whose father Napier was, as a child, a page to the late Queen, made her horror at the prisons cuisine abundantly clear.

She complains constantly about the food, a source said. Its almost as if shes in a restaurant and is surprised about how poor the standards are. Its like she doesnt seem to understand where she is, that this is a prison.

She does have a point though  the prison food is horrible. But then, its not supposed to be anything more than healthy and calorific. We have roughly 2.70 per day to feed a prisoner three meals with taxpayers money.

On paper, the menu looks OK, with dishes like lasagne, chilli and burgers. But the burgers are cheap patties that are only ever cooked on one side, and the Thai curry is like runny dishwater.

It should be another incentive for her to target enhanced status so she has more cash to spend on other food, but she doesnt get it.

Martens reputation as an entitled, inveterate complainer is long established. During the second of her two chaotic trials, which cost a total of 10million, Marten used an interview with The View magazine for female prisoners to moan about the disgusting microwaved food served to prisoners at the Old Bailey.

She also complained about the journey to the central London court while accompanied by guards on minimum wages.

Marten was a complete nightmare during her trial. Getting her up in the mornings was the worst, a prison source said.

Because of logistical challenges in getting remand prisoners ready for the two-hour drive to the Old Bailey, during her trial Martens day would begin with a 5.15am wake-up  not acceptable to someone of her standing, it would seem.

A source says that most prisoners at HMP Bronzefield (pictured) are crying out for jobs, but Constance shows no interest. Its like she thinks its beneath her and shes just passing through so theres not much point engaging

It was necessary, of course, or theres no way shed have been ready in time. But she got it into her head that the officers had it in for her and resented them for getting her up, the source said.

Following her wake-up call, Marten would have 20 minutes to get ready in her cell before being escorted to reception to fetch her court clothes from a property box and get dressed.

She would be given a breakfast pack including a cereal box with a carton of long life milk, a breakfast bar and some coffee.

She might sometimes be stuck in reception for an hour or so while other prisoners heading to court were rounded up and brought down, and she was never happy waiting, the source said.

Before going to court, Marten would have to sit in a BOSS chair, otherwise known as a Body Orifice Security Scanner, a non-intrusive method of detecting objects concealed in body cavities.

All this was normal protocol but she would complain each morning without fail about her treatment and what an inconvenience everything was, the source added.

On multiple occasions Marten refused to attend court following a furious row with prison staff.

Following one argument, a note sent to the judge explaining her absence described her as very argumentative and abusive.

The morning routine isnt pleasant but youre in prison heading to a trial because your actions resulted in the death of your baby, the source said.

The Daily Mail revealed last month that Lucy Letby, who is also at HMP Bronzefield, is seen as a model prisoner who is polite to staff, keeps an immaculate cell at all times and is dressed and ready before the 8am wake-up call

She is by no means the most vicious inmate we have dealt with but its difficult to have too much sympathy. Plenty of other inmates do it for lengthy trials and they are as good as gold.

At one point during the trial, Martens behaviour bordered on the farcical, when she sent a bizarre note to the judge begging to be allowed to nip out for coffee as were falling asleep, as if she were attending a tiresome social event.

The request was denied by His Honour Judge Mark Lucraft KC.

In prison, nipping out for a coffee is not straightforward either but seen as a privilege that must be earned through good behaviour.

A Bronzefield canteen list reveals Marten can choose between a Lyons instant coffee for 1.70, a Costa Coffee chocolate frappe for 1.45 or a 150g pot of Kenco granules for 7.

She can also buy a packet of Hobnobs for 1.59, Bourbon creams for 80p or Custard Creams for 90p, all of which must come out of her 19.80 weekly budget.

Marten also has access to workshops and courses in her unit, such as catering, science and beauty, but her attendance is sporadic.

Ahead of their sentencing next month, a source said: Staff are a bit nervous about what shes going to be like afterwards.

She is only expecting a couple of years maximum because she still believes what she was doing with her baby made sense. She thinks shes just passing through here.

We reckon shes in for a rude awakening.
The widow of a cyclist who was killed by a hit-and-run drunk driver and secretly buried in a shallow grave believe her family was denied justice  after the men responsible avoided a murder conviction.

Tony Parsons, 63, was on a charity cycle in the Highlands when he was knocked off his bike near Bridge of Orchy and lay dying by the roadside of horrific injuries.

But instead of calling emergency services, driver Alexander McKellar and his twin brother Robert hid Mr Parsons body in a peaty bog on the estate where they worked.

The remains went undiscovered for three years until farm worker McKellar confided in his pathologist girlfriend Caroline Muirhead about the killing and took her to the burial site. She deliberately dropped a soft drink can on the ground and was later able to pinpoint the remote location to the police.

In August 2023, Alexander McKellar was jailed for 12 years after he pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and attempting to pervert the course of justice by hiding the body.

His twin also admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice and was jailed for five years at the High Court in Glasgow.

The Crown had originally indicted both brothers for murder but this was reduced during the court case and the McKellars admitted to the lesser charges.

Tony Parsons, 63, was on a charity cycle in the Highlands when he was knocked off his bike near Bridge of Orchy and later died from his horrific injuries

Alexander McKellar was jailed for 12 years after he pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and attempting to pervert the course of justice by hiding Mr Parsons' body

Robert McKellar also admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice and was jailed for five years at the High Court in Glasgow

In a BBC documentary that airs on Tuesday, Mr Parsons wife, Margaret, said: They took Tony, they buried him and left me, my kids and grandkids for three and a half years not knowing where he was.

When they get out of jail they will get back to life as if nothing has happened. They are going to enjoy themselves. I cant do that because Tony is not here.

They are not the ones left with the life sentence, I am. Theres no remorse, nothing from them at all. I hate them both, Im still angry. It wont go away.

Mr Parsons went missing in September 2017 during a charity cycle, having battled prostate cancer. He had planned to ride through the night to complete his trip from Fort William to his home in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire.

The court was told his body would likely never have been found if Ms Muirhead had not come forward, and that Mr Parsons would have been alive for around 30 minutes after he was hit.

In Murder Case: The Vanishing Cyclist, Mr Parsons son, Mike, a former police officer, said: He would have been in massive amounts of pain and for them not to seek any form of treatment is just 100 per cent inhumane.

Mr Parsons' daughter Vicky, left, wife Margaret, centre, and son Mike in court in Glasgow

Dr Caroline Muirhead, former girlfriend of convicted killer Alexander McKellar, proved pivotal in leading police to the spot where the brothers had buried Mr Parsons' body

If you know you have hit someone and know they are still alive, any basic human instinct says you need to try and get help.

To willingly let someone die, that to me is murder and our opinion will always be the same. They murdered my dad and they have taken him away from us.

Mr Parsons daughter Vicky said: When we found out the McKellars had made a plea, that didnt sit well with me.

'My initial thought was they are going down and they are taking the truth with them.

By pleading, they have robbed me of knowing the truth. She added: Being told he was found buried, that made me feel physically sick.

The documentary makers interviewed the investigating offices on what began as a missing persons case and ended in a murder probe and court case.

DC Gavin McKellar said: You know you are looking for someones loved one and they are looking for answers. Its a very heavy burden to carry.

He described how shocked the police were when the body was found on the remote Auch Estate in January 2021.

He said: Where Tony was recovered was an area where there were kill pits, where a farmer or a gamekeeper will dispose of fallen livestock.

A can of red bull found at the site on the Auch estate, where the body was found

Words cant describe what would go through someones head to put another human being into that position. They are horrible.

Also interviewed was Professor Lorna Dawson, head of Soil Forensics Group at The James Hutton Institute.

She helped police find the exact spot where the body was buried by identifying an icy, mossy patch of ground where the peat had been dug up.

Forensic archaeologists soon found the remains, which had been well preserved in the peat.

Professor Dawson said: He still looked like the images of him on the day he disappeared.

Murder Case: The Vanishing Cyclist, Episode 1, is available on iPlayer from August 12 and Episode 2 from August 19.
The mayor of Arlington, Texas, has been accused of cursing out a controversial street preacher in a shocking caught-on-camera outburst.

Jim Ross, who has been mayor of the Texas city since 2021, was seen in the footage from Vice in 2018 berating a demonstrator at the Southern Decadence festival in New Orleans, an LGBT event held annually over Labor Day weekend.

According to The Dallas Express, Ross is the man whose face is blurred in resurfaced footage, screaming vulgar obscenities about anal sex at Christian street preacher Ruben Israel.

Israel, who died in 2023, was known for showing up to pride events with his supporters and holding anti-gay signs.

He also spent a lot of time ridiculing Muslims at Islamic events around the country, once saying that the religion brings 'crime, murder and destruction' wherever it goes.

Ross was seen holding a beer at the festival in New Orleans and decided to get up in Israel's face to shout him down.

'I believe yall can have free speech But this is some hateful s**t and I am a heterosexual guy,' said Ross, who would be elected mayor of Arlington three years after this event.

Jim Ross, who wasn't the mayor of Arlington at this time, is allegedly seen screaming at Christian street preacher Ruben Israel during a LGBT pride event in New Orleans

Israel, who died in 2023, was known for showing up to pride events with his supporters and holding anti-gay signs

'You stand out here like you're a bada** motherf***er, hoping somebody starts some s**t,' Ross said, before calling Israel a 'punk motherf***er'.

'You dont think anal sex is good, do you?' he said before launching into an obscene tirade about intercourse with Israel's 'old lady.'

After that, someone handed Ross a megaphone so he could continue his X-rated rant to all of Israel's supporters at the same time.

He raised his voice at the anti-LGBT demonstrators, telling them 'these people around here are having a good f***ing time... They don't come to your stupid redneck church and f***ing talk s***!'

His rant ended with him calling someone in Israel's camp a 'p***y motherf***er'. He then pushed through the crowd to confront that person.

Some Arlington and Tarrant County residents were disappointed or upset about Ross's behavior at the event.

Elected Texas Republicans called for Ross to resign as they branded him 'disgusting' and 'a disgrace' for the outburst

'This is unfortunate. I am not certain what prompted this altercation. He sounds inebriated,' Arlington resident Kathi Arocha told The Express.

Elected Texas Republicans were significantly harsher in their condemnation of Ross.

'This video is beyond shocking. What a disgusting piece of human garbage. Mayor Ross should resign immediately,' said Tarrant County GOP Chairman Bo French.

'The now Mayor of Arlingtons vile, profanity-laced rant at the late Ruben Israel, a Christian street preacher, is a disgrace. Perhaps the mayor was stressed out because of not being able to pay his taxes of late, but his unprofessional conduct mirrors the worst of todays cursing Democrats. Leadership demands better,' Tarrant County Republican Precinct Chair TK Campbell added.

Campbell was referring to Ross's unpaid taxes, which has led the IRS to garnish his salary.

Records from the Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector show Ross owes $940.39 in penalties and interest, with a total outstanding debt of $174,945.93 as of June 2025.

Daily Mail approached Jim Ross's office for comment.
Labour has been accused of 'gagging' military chiefs after being embarrassed by an RAF officer's claims that Russia could overwhelm Britain's defences.

Earlier this summer there were complaints of 'unprecedented' interference by Downing Street to ensure that key announcements on defence were made by politicians, not military figures.

The move prompted accusations of 'micro-management' by the Labour Government when senior officers were also restricted at one key conference to only speaking 'off the record'.

But now sources have told The Mail on Sunday that No 10's move came after senior RAF officer Blythe Crawford lifted the lid on the weakness of UK air defences.

Speaking at a Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) conference in April, Air Commodore Crawford revealed the results of a special war-game simulation based on the first day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

It showed the UK could not successfully fend off a similar Russian attack made up of jets, drones and missiles.

Air Comm Crawford also warned that the UK, despite being on the western edge of Europe, can no longer make 'assumptions that we are safe', adding: 'We need to assume that we're under threat.'

A few weeks later, ahead of a major land warfare conference it was hosting, RUSI alerted the military chiefs attending to a 'late change in reporting rules' which meant most speeches and panel appearances by officers 'will not be for reporting'.

Labour has been accused of 'gagging' military chiefs after being embarrassed by RAF officer Blythe Crawford's (pictured) claims that Russia could overwhelm Britain's defences

A new simulation revealed the UK could not successfully fend off a similar Russian attack made up of jets, drones and missiles

Now there are claims that officers attending next month's Defence, Security and Equipment International show in London have received a directive reminding them that they could not speak to the media without Downing Street's permission.

Tory Armed Forces spokesman Mark Francois branded the Ministry of Defence 'a real mess' under Labour, adding: 'The MoD is not a happy ship at present.'

But last night a Government source insisted there is no 'gag' on public speaking, saying: 'The process has always been on a case-by-case basis.'

They added that this arrangement had been 'in place under governments of all political colours'.
A 14-year-old girl who vanished during a family camping trip in Utah's remote Uinta Mountains was found safe more than 24 hours after she sparked an urgent search when she disappeared.

Maya Suisse, of Cache Valley, was camping with her family in the Painter Basin area near Kidney Lakes on Thursday when she became disoriented on her way back from the campsite bathroom.

The simple outing turned into a 25-hour ordeal, leaving the 14-year-old alone in the wilderness and triggering a large-scale search by land and air.

'I went to the bathroom, and then on the way back, I got lost,' Maya told KUTV following her safe return.

'I couldn't figure out if I was supposed to be going east or west  and I went the wrong way.'

Maya eventually found a trail with a sign and decided to stay put, hoping it would help rescuers locate her.

Maya Suisse, 14, was camping with her family in the Painter Basin area near Kidney Lakes when she became disoriented on her way back to the campsite Thursday morning

The simple outing turned into a 25-hour ordeal, leaving the 14-year-old alone in the wilderness and sparking a large-scale search by land and air. Pictured: Search teams gearing up to search for the missing teen

'My grandpa knows a lot of the trails, so I thought he would be able to find me there,' she said. 'So I just hung out there, and then I just slept on a rock.'

'It was a pretty nice rock,' she added in an interview with KSL-TV.

Search-and-rescue teams were deployed Thursday after the teen was reported missing by her family.

The widespread response included ground crews flown in by helicopter, horse teams, and local volunteers already in the area.

Just after 1 p.m. Friday, a helicopter crew assisting the search spotted Maya near a well-known trail that has been the site of past disappearances.

Duchesne County Sheriff's Captain John Crowley described the area as 'super dense,' making visibility and navigation extremely difficult.

'She was safe and sound, a little sunburned,' Crowley said. 'She wanted a drink of water, was in good spirits, and was even laughing and joking with us.'

Maya described the night in the woods as cold, saying she tried to stay warm by curling up on the rock and pulling her shirt over her legs.

'It was so cold. I was trying to get my legs inside my shirt and lay my head on the rock to keep warm,' she said.

Search-and-rescue teams were deployed Thursday after the teen was reported missing. Pictured: The Uinta Mountain range in Utah

The widespread response included ground crews flown in by helicopter, horse teams, and local volunteers already in the area

Just after 1 p.m. Friday, a helicopter crew assisting the search spotted Maya near a well-known trail that has been the site of past disappearances

Maya (pictured) described the night in the woods as cold, saying she tried to stay warm by curling up on the rock and pulling her shirt over her legs

Despite the difficult conditions, Maya said she stayed calm throughout her time alone.

Recalling the moment the helicopter spotted her, she said: 'I think I started flagging them down,' adding, 'everybody was a lot more worried about me than I was.'

Her mother, Tami Suisse, said she ran to her daughter and hugged her as soon as Maya was brought off the mountain.

'I'm so relieved and so grateful to have her safe, and so thankful to all of the people that helped find her,' she told KSL-TV.

'Duchesne County search and rescue, their sheriff's department - they were amazing to work with. So, very grateful to them and grateful that she is safe and not injured.'

Maya was found in good physical condition and said the first thing she was looking forward to was a hot shower.

Crowley offered advice for anyone who becomes lost in the wilderness, urging naturegoers to 'Go to an empty field instead of hiding in the trees or staying on trails.'

'That way a helicopter can spot you more easily,' he added.

Maya's sister, Brittany Suisse, told KUTV before she was found that the family remained hopeful because search teams believed she might be circling the area.

Recalling the moment the helicopter spotted her, she said: 'I think I started flagging them down,' adding, 'everybody was a lot more worried about me than I was'

Maya's sister, Brittany Suisse, told KUTV before she was found that the family remained hopeful because search teams believed she might be circling the area

Brittany also described Maya as a fairly experienced backpacker.

After her safe return, Brittany's Facebook post about the search was flooded with supportive messages.

'Not sure I've ever felt so relieved in my entire life. So so so grateful she's ok,' one user commented.

'Best news ever, I've been thinking about her all day. What a smart kid!' wrote another.

Another wrote: 'I was thinking about this situation all day and I'm SO relieved she's ok!!'

'Such wonderful news... was watching for news all day' another chimed in.
The UN Security Council is to hold emergency talks today after Israel's plan for a complete military takeover of Gaza sparked international condemnation.

Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, claimed the session was initiated by the UK  and he hit out, insisting that Downing Street would not 'sit idly by' if it was 50 British citizens still being held captive by Hamas terrorists.

Of the 50 remaining hostages taken by Hamas fighters during their attack on October 7, 2023, it is believed only 20 are still alive.

The UN meeting was announced as US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Qatar's prime minister in Spain to discuss a new proposal to end the war.

Egypt and Qatar are preparing a new ceasefire framework that would include the release of all the remaining hostages in one go, in return for the end of the war and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

A joint statement by nine countries, including Germany, Britain, France and Canada, said that they 'strongly reject' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision for a large-scale military operation in Gaza, saying it will worsen the 'catastrophic humanitarian situation', endanger hostages and further risk mass displacement.

They also said that any attempts at annexation or settlement in Gaza violate international law.

A separate statement by more than 20 countries, including Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, called Israel's decision a 'dangerous and unacceptable escalation'. Russia said it will aggravate the 'already extremely dramatic situation'.

A joint statement by nine countries, including Germany, Britain, France and Canada, said that they 'strongly reject' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's (pictured) decision for a large-scale military operation in Gaza

Pictured: Palestinians run towards parachutes carrying aid packages airdropped over northern Gaza Strip

The Israeli security cabinet's decision to take full control of Gaza has also been met with fury by the families of the remaining hostages, who called the decision a 'death sentence' for them.

Hostage Matan Zangauker's mother Einav said: 'The living will be murdered, and the dead will disappear for ever. I will finish with a direct call to the prime minister: If you conquer parts of Gaza and the hostages are murdered, we will pursue you.

'Your hands will be stained by the blood of the kidnapped.'

The plan has also caused a rift between Israel's security cabinet and defence leaders.

Israel Defence Forces chief Eyal Zamir reportedly warned against the proposal, telling ministers that the hostages' lives 'will be in danger if we proceed with a plan to occupy Gaza'.

He added: 'We have no way to guarantee they won't be harmed. If that is what you're aiming for, I suggest you drop the return of the hostages as one of the war's objectives.'

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron of making it harder to achieve a ceasefire with their intention to recognise a Palestinian state.

Yesterday, hospital officials in Gaza said that, in the past 24 hours, 11 Palestinians seeking aid were shot dead and 11 adults died of malnutrition-related causes.
A Melbourne resident says she is so terrified about living in her crime-ridden suburb that she is moving out of her house and putting it up for rent.

Kiwi woman Chrissy Skye said she was 'getting the f*** out' of her Altona home, in south-west Melbourne, after she was left feeling 'unsafe at night'.

She claims three cars have been stolen and that her house was broken into.

Ms Skye said that a group of five boys made off with her $100,000 car.

'I'm going to go live in an apartment because I'm sick of it,' she said in a TikTok video.

'I feel so unsafe at night because of the crime in Melbourne. It's disgusting, and the government doesn't care.'

She claims the bail laws were too lenient and that the group of thieves had been released.

Social media users slammed the crime rate in Melbourne.

Kiwi woman Chrissy Skye said she was 'getting the f*** out' of her Altona home, in south-west Melbourne, after she was left feeling 'unsafe at night'

'I've been offered a job transfer from NZ to Melbourne. I said hell no,' one wrote.

Another added: 'Wake up Australia, our women and children should be safe in their own homes.'

Ms Skye shared her experience as Libertarian MP David Limbrick vowed to overhaul Victoria's self-defence laws to give homeowners greater powers to protect their houses.

'People tell me they are worried about their safety and confused about what they are allowed to do, so I think it's high time we strengthened and clarified the laws about self-defence,' Limbrick told the Herald Sun.

'There have been disturbing cases where people protecting their families have been jailed while awaiting bail, and nearly ruined by legal costs, even though they were exonerated.

'The government should not tie residents' hands behind their backs.

'I want criminals who fool around to find out that you can vigorously protect yourself and your family in your own home.'

Limbrick intends to move a motion in parliament this week demanding the Victorian Law Reform Commission review current self-defence laws.

CCTV footage of an unrelated ambush carried out by masked thugs at a service station

The UK's 'castle doctrine' could also be examined as a possible solution.

The doctrine allows residents to defend themselves against intruders and use 'reasonable force'.

'If you have acted in reasonable self-defence, as described above, and the intruder dies you will still have acted lawfully,' a published guidance note states.

The number of break-ins has soared in Melbourne over the last decade.

In 2015, there were 2,300 break-ins, with the figure soaring to 5,000 in 2024.

The number of thieves using weapons also rose from 36 in 2017 to 65 in 2024.
The Barefoot Investor has taken aim at a real estate agent who allowed a botched property sale to drag on for months, leaving a pregnant mum out-of-pocket.

The furious mum, who is expecting her second child next week, wrote to Scott Pape for help after a nightmare sales process that began in early 2024.

'I've been trying to sell an investment property since early 2024,' she said in the letter published on the Courier Mail.

'A buyer came through, signed everything, and I was told the contract was unconditional.

'But they only paid $1,000, not a real deposit, and kept stalling on settlement.'

Weeks turned into months, which saw the tenants move out. Meanwhile, the mortgage repayments kept rolling in, but no rent came to offset them.

'I found a lawyer, despite the expense,' the mother said.

'I just couldn't watch that nasty person walk away free.'

Barefoot Investor Scott Pape (pictured) slammed the real estate agent over dodgy dealings

But the lawyer hit a wall almost immediately after trying to find the buyer.

'The name was "Jenny Tren", but there was no ID on file and no way to trace her,' the woman explained.

'We couldn't sue. I've copped thousands in losses, two advertising campaigns, legal fees, settlement costs, months of mortgage repayments, and relentless stress.'

'I'm giving birth to my second baby next week, and I'm still lying awake at 5am thinking about this mess.'

Scott Pape described it as a 'mess' and said it sounded like the mother had been 'screwed around by amateurs who couldn't sell a sandpit'.

He was particularly scathing of the minuscule deposit and lack of identity checks.

'Seriously, a thousand bucks down and no ID?' he wrote.

'It sounds like your real estate agent thought they were flogging a Labradoodle on Gumtree, not handling a property sale.'

Pape said anyone selling their property should demand all explanations in writing (stock image)

Pape pointed out that most property sales require a ten per cent deposit, and for good reason.

'It's not just a tradition,' he explained.

'It's a form of protection, if the buyer bails, you keep the cash. But in your case, they vanished into thin air and left you holding the bill.'

The Barefoot Investor suggested the agent may have failed in their professional duties.

'Something stinks here, and it's your agent who stepped on the turd,' he said.

His advice to the mum was to always demand answers in writing.

'Have your lawyer ask the agent for a full written statement: specifically, how they vetted the buyer, why they let that tiny deposit slide, and why no ID was ever collected,' he said.

If the agent is found negligent, he said, their professional indemnity insurance could cover her losses.

Pape signed off with a final jab.

'Good luck with the new bub. This is one dirty nappy you don't have to change,' he said.

'It's their mess, make them clean it up.'
An antisemitism advocate abused online and called an 'ugly Zionist' has accused the police of double standards and victim blaming after officers said she had made herself 'a target' by posting about Gaza.

Heidi Bachram, from Brighton, East Sussex, was bombarded with offensive terms, including 'scumbag' and 'genocidal Zionist pig' from an X account that has since been suspended.

She claimed that Sussex Police seemed reluctant to investigate who was behind the racist posts and advised her to simply stop posting about 'politically sensitive subjects'.

But Ms Bachram said this was in stark contrast to a recent post written by a far-Right troll - that the force had proactively alerted her to and asked her to report.

She was contacted by police after she shared an image of a hostage memorial in Brighton that had been smeared with faeces.

One user wrote: 'None of these people died in Brighton. F*** off, Jew'.

Over the last two years, Ms Bachram has established herself on X as a voice against antisemitism with more than 42,000 followers.

She was spurred on to grow her online presence after close relatives of her Israeli-Jewish husband were murdered and taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023.

Antisemitism advocate Heidi Bachram has accused the police of double standards and victim blaming after officers said she had made herself 'a target' by posting about Gaza

Ms Bachram was especially distressed by posts referencing the Hamas hostages, because of her family connection. Tsachi Idan - the first cousin of Heidi's husband, Adam Ma'anit - and his daughter Mayan, 18, were both murdered by Hamas terrorists

She was contacted by police after she shared this image of a hostage memorial in Brighton that had been smeared with faeces - and a far-Right troll made a racist comment

In the latest case of abuse, Ms Bachram said she was trolled by another account and the antisemitism was 'relentless'.

The troll created offensive posts referencing stereotypes about Jewish men and women with large noses.

Another showed a photograph of released hostage Mia Shem, who was kidnapped at the Nova festival, accompanied by the caption: 'Check out the beak on this one.'

Ms Bachram was especially distressed by posts referencing the Hamas hostages, because of her family connection.

Tsachi Idan - the first cousin of Heidi's husband, Adam Ma'anit - alongside his wife and two children were held at gunpoint at their home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz. Tsachi's daughter Mayan, 18, was murdered, while he was taken hostage into Gaza.

In February, Tsachi's remains were among the four bodies of Israeli hostages handed over by Hamas.

When Ms Bachram reported the abuse to a police officer she claimed that she was met by some resistance.

She told The Telegraph: 'He said I was making myself a target.'

Ms Bachram added that she believes the police had shown double standards in their treatment of the two offenders.

She added: 'I feel like I've been victimised twice. Once by this cruel troll and secondly by the police.'

Sussex Police said it was aware of concerns raised by Ms Bachram and confirmed the force had received a formal complaint.
KABUL, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces have found a 13-year-old boy dead after being kidnapped by unidentified armed men in Gardiz city, the provincial capital of east Afghanistan's Paktia province, the local media TOLOnews reported Sunday.

The boy was "brutally killed," the report said, adding that local authorities have launched an investigation and no one has been arrested in connection with the case yet.

The Afghan interim government has vowed to ensure security and taken actions against criminals disturbing public order. 
Nagaski's mayor yesterday pleaded for an end to conflicts raging worldwide on the 80th anniversary of the US atom bomb attack which destroyed the Japanese city.

Eighty years since that day, who could have imagined our world would become like this? Immediately cease from disputes in which force is met with force, Shiro Suzuki said during a solemn ceremony at Nagasaki peace park.

He added: To make Nagasaki the last atomic bombing site for ever, we will go hand-in-hand with global citizens and devote our efforts toward the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realisation of everlasting world peace.

The US dropped the bomb on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, killing 70,000 by the end of that year, three days after the bombing of Hiroshima that killed 140,000.

It forced Japans surrender on August 15, 1945, ending the war.

At 11:02am yesterday, the exact time when the plutonium bomb exploded above Nagasaki, officials from more than 90 countries joined in a moment of silence at the peace park as a bell rang.

Dozens of doves were released after the speech by Mr Suzuki, whose parents survived the attack.

Water offerings were made in a symbolic gesture to remember blast victims whose skin was burning and who begged for water.

Nagaski's mayor, Shiro Suzuki (pictured) yesterday pleaded for an end to conflicts raging worldwide on the 80th anniversary of the US atom bomb attack which destroyed the Japanese city

The US dropped the bomb on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, killing 70,000 by the end of that year, three days after the bombing of Hiroshima that killed 140,000. It forced Japan s surrender on August 15, 1945, ending the war

At 11:02am yesterday, the exact time when the plutonium bomb exploded above Nagasaki, officials from more than 90 countries joined in a moment of silence at the peace park as a bell rang. Pictured: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba

Some survivors and their families prayed at churches in Nagasaki, home to Catholic converts persecuted in feudal times. The twin bells at Urakami Cathedral, which was destroyed in the bombing, also rang together again

Survivors and their families gathered at the peace park and nearby hypocentre park  the bombs detonation spot  hours before the ceremony.

I simply seek a world without war, said Koichi Kawano, 85, who laid flowers at the hypocentre monument.

Others prayed at churches in Nagasaki, home to Catholic converts persecuted in feudal times.

The twin bells at Urakami Cathedral, which was destroyed in the bombing, also rang together again after one of the bells that had gone missing following the attack was restored by volunteers.

Despite their pain from wounds, discrimination and illnesses from radiation, survivors have publicly committed to a shared goal of abolishing nuclear weapons.

But they fear the world is moving in the opposite direction.

There are only two things I long for: the abolition of nuclear weapons and prohibition of war, said survivor Fumi Takeshita.

I only see a world where nuclear weapons are never used and everyone can live in peace.
Keir Starmer was challenged to stand up for Britain and fight tough new checks for UK citizens travelling to the EU.

The Prime Minister was warned that the new regime, which will require Britons to prove they have medical insurance and a return ticket, will cause absolute chaos.

Nigel Farage made clear Sir Keir should not accept the incoming rules and insist on a new deal.

The Reform UK leader told the Mail on Sunday: The PMs got to be tough.

He needs to stand up and say this is completely over the top.

And Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden said hard-working Brits were coming off second best because Sir Keir failed to negotiate a better deal.

Mr Holden added: So much for Starmers so-called reset with Brussels. Were once again a rule taker, not a rule maker, and we have nothing to show for it.

The criticism began over details of a strict new digital system which will apply to Britons and other non-EU travellers from October 12.

Keir Starmer was challenged last night to stand up for Britain and fight tough new checks for UK citizens travelling to the EU

As well as the medical insurance and return ticket requirements, non-EU passport holders will have to have their fingerprints and a photograph taken the first time they use travel into the EU.

Passengers are also expected to be asked a series of questions to check they have proof of accommodation and enough money for the trip.

At most airports and ferry terminals, passengers will undergo the process at automated kiosks. But those who answer no to any questions are expected to be quizzed by a border officer, who could refuse entry.

The long-awaited entry/exit system (EES) will also automatically flag arrivals at risk of overstaying.

Under post-Brexit rules, Britons without the right to work or reside in the EU can only stay for 90 days in any 180-day period. The new entry system has been long in the planning and is only due to be fully operational across the EU next April.

But there are fears that as the system begins there will be huge queues at EU airports, as well as delays at Dover, Folkestone and Londons St Pancras station  where French border checks are carried out before people embark on cross-Channel journeys.

And last night, Mr Farage said Brussels had created a system that was almost as strict as getting into America. He added: How on earth we managed to negotiate a deal as bad as this, I do not know.

Nigel Farage made clear Sir Keir should not accept the incoming rules and insist on a new deal

For all the travellers who go to France, to have to prove medical insurance will be a very lengthy process.

Once again, Starmer has gaslit the public, telling us weve got a deal where we can go straight through [digital passport] gates.

But a Home Office spokesman said the Government had been working closely with the European Commission, member states, local authorities and the travel industry to prepare ports for EES.

They added: We are supporting ports and carriers to ensure EES registration is simple for anyone travelling to the Schengen area.
A family of farmers have converted their land into a cemetery in a highly creative method of making cash.

The owners of Castle View Farm in Bottesford, Leicestershire have transformed what was once an 'unproductive' 10-acre spring barley field into a new and innovative source of income.

The 136-hectare family farm is run by husband and wife James and Claire Goodson and comprises of livery stables, a lake for fishing, alongside solar panels.

Speaking about the challenges farmers face in generating unique sources of income, Ms Goodson, 54, told The Telegraph that many had been forced to 'diversify' as a result of Rachel Reeves' inheritance tax raid.

The new policy outlined in the October budget means farmers are set to pay inheritance tax on agricultural property and land worth more than 1million at a rate of 20 per cent - half the main base rate - from April 2026.

With campaigners warning that the decision will likely affect almost all family farms, many looked towards alternative sources of income, such as selling produce or letting out space.

But, Ms Goodson, who described the farming industry as 'really tough', has outlined her family's innovative use of their historical land in the hopes that it may inspire and encourage others.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Vale of Belvoir, Belvoir Castle and Lincoln, their once abandoned field is now capable of holding up to 7,500 burial plots at a cost of either 500 for an ashes plot of 1,400 for a full burial.

The owners of family-run Castle View Farm in Bottesford, Leicestershire (pictured) have transformed what was once an 'unproductive' 10-acre spring barley field into a cemetery that can hold up to 7,500 burial plots at a cost of either 500 for an ashes plot of 1,400 for a full burial

Speaking about the challenges farmers face in generating unique sources of income, Ms Goodson (pictured), 54,said that many had been forced to 'diversify' as a result of Rachel Reeves ' inheritance tax raid

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Vale of Belvoir, Belvoir Castle and Lincoln, while traditional gravestones are not on offer, wooden plaques placed at ground level ensure that the area is marked. The family achieved planning permission for the cemetery in 2021

While traditional gravestones are not on offer, wooden plaques placed at ground level ensure that the area is marked.

The unique idea first came from their daughter Emily, a university student then aged 21, after the field's heavy clay meant it was no longer suitable for growing crops.

After obtaining planning permission in 2021, the family set up their modern burial ground three years ago, prior to Chancellor Reeves' Autumn Budget.

But for Ms Goodson, the timing is absolutely perfect - with the 'lovely' field now offering 'an easier way of bringing income' for their farming family while also providing 'wonderful views' for people to remember their loved ones.

The couple, who also have a son James, are hopeful that the burial site will be used for generations of families in their community to come.

Speaking to the BBC, Ms Goodson added: 'No-one wants to talk about death but I feel like more people are now.

'I find that this is a nicer alternative than maybe the churchyard or crematorium because they know they can come and visit a nice place.'

With up to 50 plots set to be laid, several locals, despite being initially sceptical, have now praised the idea and even expressed a desire to get buried there themselves.

In June, it was reported by The Telegraph that more than 40 Labour MPs are said to be considering a bid to water down looming changes to agricultural and business inheritance tax relief introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) in the October budget

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) and others say the impact of Ms Reeves' measures will be much more widespread. Critics claim the move could wipe out family-run farms with tight margins, as they will be forced to sell up in order to pay death duties

Alongside providing a burial ground, the family also contribute to local wildlife and biodiversity, planting up top 93 trees that they eventually hope will comprise of bat boxes and owl boxes.

They currently house hedgehog boxes, alongside a family of nine hares.

In June, it was reported by The Telegraph that more than 40 Labour MPs are said to be considering a bid to water down looming changes to agricultural and business inheritance tax relief.

The Government have previously insisted the measures - dubbed the 'family farm tax' and set to be in place from April 2026 - will only affect the wealthiest quarter of landowners.

But the National Farmers' Union (NFU) and others say the impact of Ms Reeves' measures will be much more widespread.

Critics claim the move could wipe out family-run farms with tight margins, as they will be forced to sell up in order to pay death duties.

There have been months of demonstrations by farmers in response to the Chancellor's tax raid, including tractor protests in Wesminster.

The Government have previously insisted the measures - dubbed the 'family farm tax' and set to be in place from April 2026 - will only affect the wealthiest quarter of landowners

There have been months of demonstrations by farmers in response to the Chancellor's tax raid, including tractor protests in Wesminster

A 'rural growth group' of Labour MPs is now proposing the raising of the 1million cut-off point at which estates lose their tax reliefs.

They have suggested estates receive full tax relief on the value of agricultural properties up to 10million, 50 per cent to 20million, and nil thereafter.

Sam Rushworth, Labour MP for Bishop Auckland, who is a member of the group, told the newspaper they would 'consider what amendments to put down'.

Mr Rushworth said: 'We are all keen to avoid amendments. I don't want it to get to that point. I am a Labour MP and I broadly support the Government.

'I would like to see them bring forward different recommendations in the Bill.'
Anthony Albanese found himself in an awkward diplomatic moment after attempting a hongi, the traditional Maori greeting of pressing noses, with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Queenstown.

The Australian leader had just successfully exchanged hongi with members of the local iwi, but when he moved to greet Luxon in the same way, the Kiwi PM instead reached out for a standard handshake.

The moment resulted in mixed responses online.

'Chris Luxon is clutching Albanese like a small child clutches its mother,' one person joked.

'Poor Albanese had no choice. Once Luxon zooms in with his arms outstretched, you're done for,' another said.

Some even linked the moment to a recent, highly publicised incident in which Luxon was loudly booed at an ANZ Netball Premiership match.

'Luxon finds an Aussie tourist who wasn't at the netball booing him,' someone said

That earlier episode, captured on official broadcast footage, showed sections of the crowd jeering as the Prime Minister walked onto the court to present awards.

Albanese ended up having to awkwardly hug Luxon, after attempting hongi

While many social media users mocked the hug, some New Zealanders sided with the Australian leader.

'This is so embarrassing,' one wrote.

'Could someone from the [New Zealand National Party] have a word with Christopher Luxon? Poor Anthony Albanese didn't deserve this.'

'Albanese had no choice, he was forced into the Luxon Lovefest,' someone else said.

The two leaders were in Queenstown for the annual Australia, New Zealand Leaders' Meeting, where they reaffirmed their shared stance on recognising Palestinian statehood, but stopped short of setting a timeline.

Both stressed their countries would make decisions 'independent' of each other.

'We make our own assessments in our own economic and security interests,' Luxon said.

'Australia has exactly the same position,' Albanese agreed. 'As a sovereign nation, we make our decisions.'

Albanese also outlined Australia's position on the Gaza crisis.

Luxon (left) and Albanese (right) met for bilateral talks in Queenstown this weekend

'Australians want to see a ceasefire,' he said.

'They want to see the killing stop. They want to see hostages released. They want to see peace in the region. They don't want conflict brought to Australia either.'

Albanese brushed off calls to impose sanctions on Israel for blocking humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, calling the demands a 'slogan'.

Speaking in the historic mining settlement of Arrowtown on New Zealand's South Island, the prime minister also repeated his government's call for Israel to abandon its plan to occupy the entirety of the Gaza Strip.

'We called for an immediate ceasefire,' he told reporters on Sunday morning following a meeting with Kiwi counterpart Chris Luxon.

'We called for the release of hostages and we called for the unimpeded entry of aid into Gaza.

'We have a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding there. And the idea that it can just be continued is completely unacceptable.'

But the prime minister refused to answer a question about whether Australia would impose further sanctions on Israel as demanded by the Greens and other pro-Palestinian campaigners.

'What we need to do here is to have very clear statements and actions by the Australian government that make a difference, rather than respond to a slogan on a protest,' Mr Albanese said.

Australia previously imposed sanctions on Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, two far-right Israeli ministers in Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government, who have been accused of inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

It comes as France, the United Kingdom and Canada announced plans to formally recognise a Palestinian state at a United Nations summit next month.

The debate is unfolding as the United States, Israel's closest ally, pursues trade negotiations that could see tariffs introduced, including a proposed 15 per cent duty on New Zealand goods.
An anti-abortion campaigner is being investigated after taking part in a silent prayer outside an abortion clinic.

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, a Catholic pro-life advocate, has been arrested twice before by West Midlands Police for campaigning outside the Birmingham clinic.

She received a payout and apology on both occasions and earlier this year lodged a complaint against the police force.

The campaigner accused them of harassing her for standing too close to a clinic in and praying in silence.

But now she is being investigated for a third time, the Telegraph reports.

Ms Vaughan-Spruce was arrested in November 2022 for silently praying in a 'buffer zone' around an abortion clinic in the Kings Norton area of Birmingham.

In February 2023, the charity-worker was acquitted of all charges at Birmingham magistrates' court when the prosecution was unable to offer evidence to support the charge.

But just weeks later the director of anti-abortion group March for Life UK was arrested for a second time and was told her silent prayer was an offence.

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce (pictured), a pro-life advocate, has been arrested twice before by West Midlands Police for campaigning outside an abortion clinic but was acquitted and received an apology and a payout

Despite a new law against actions that could influence someone's decision to use abortion services, Ms Vaughan-Spruce (pictured with Father Sean Gough) has continued to pray silently outside clinics every week

After a six-month investigation, the police dropped the charges and she received a payout of 13,000 and an apology.

Last year, a new law was introduced making it an offence for anyone within a 'buffer zone' to do anything that could influence someone's decision to use abortion services.

They could not intentionally or recklessly obstruct, harass, alarm or distress anyone visiting or working at the clinics.

Despite the new law, Ms Vaughan-Spruce, who has won support from US politicians including vice president JD Vance, has continued to pray silently outside the Birmingham clinic every week.

She insisted her actions did not break the law and instead brought a formal complaint against the force.

Ms Vaughan-Spruce issued a claim for two wrongful arrests and false imprisonments; assault and battery in relation to an intrusive search of her person; and for a breach of her human rights in 2022 and 2023.

Her complaint was rebuked by the police force's Department for Professional Standards because she was the subject of a live investigation.

The force also said officers were liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), with an update expected next week.

A new law also banned anyone from not intentionally or recklessly obstructing, harassing, alarming or distressing anyone visiting or working at the clinics (protesters outside Birmingham Magistrates' Court)

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: 'We are currently investigating allegations that a 48-year-old woman has interfered with access to or provision of abortion services between January and July this year, and are liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service as enquiries continue.'

She told the the Daily Mail: 'Despite being fully vindicated multiple times after being wrongfully arrested for my thoughts, it's unbelievable that two and a half years later, I am still being harassed by police for silently praying in that area, and yet again find myself under investigation for the same prayers I have said for twenty years.

'Silent prayer cannot possibly be a crime  everyone has the right to freedom of thought.'

The anti-abortion campaigner is being supported by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, a charity committed to protecting freedom of expression that has campaigned against the buffer zones - areas around clinics cordoned off from anti-abortion campaigners.

They claim to expand Christian religious stance through faith-based legal advocacy.

The group claimed that the police were censoring Ms Vaughan-Spruce's beliefs.

She has also met with lawyers from the US House Judiciary Committee to discuss restrictions being imposed on others silently pray outside clinics.

The Daily Mail has approached ADF International and West Midlands Police for comment.
A Jewish father was brutally attacked in front of his two young children on a Montreal street in a vicious assault that was caught on video.

Horror footage of the attack on Friday afternoon saw the 32-year-old victim, who has not been named, sprawled out on the sidewalk as a man rained down punches to his head and body.

One of the victim's children could be seen clinging to his father, crying out for help as he tried to shielded them both from the blows.

The beating unfolded in broad daylight in the Montreal borough of VilleraySaint-MichelParc-Extension.

Once the assault was over, the attacker cooly stood up to gather their belongings and placed them into a red shopping bag.

A second child can be seen rushing into view to help their father, while in a final act of contempt, the assailant hurls the victim's yarmulke into a nearby fountain.

It's not clear what sparked the attack, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney leading condemnations of the 'appalling act of violence' against the Jewish father.

The father can be seen lying on the ground as he is pummeled by the attacker on a Montreal street on Friday afternoon

Following the brutal assault the father is still seen on his knees with a young child by his side

Police say they responded to a 911 call at 2:45pm but the attacker had fled before officers arrived.

Const. Caroline Chevrefils, the police chief for the province, confirmed the authenticity of the footage and said the victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries. 'The reason for the assault is not yet known,' Chevrefils said.

Carney took to X as footage of the attack swept social media, writing: 'Everyone in Canada has an inalienable right to live in safety.

'My thoughts are with the victim and his family as they recover, and my support is with law enforcement as they work to bring the perpetrator to justice.'

Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante described the attack as 'troubling', while Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi, who posted the video online, went further issuing a blistering statement.

'This is beyond deplorable - it is an outrage against basic human decency. In the heart of Montreal, a Jewish father is savagely beaten in front of his children.

A second child can be seen rushing into view to help their father while in a final act of contempt, the assailant hurls the victim's black yarmulke into a nearby fountain

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney led condemnations of the 'appalling act of violence' against the Jewish father

'This is the Canada that Mark Carney has allowed to fester - a place where weakness in leadership has emboldened brutality. Hampstead made a different choice long ago.

'We refused to bow to complacency. We increased our Public Security budget by 50%, ensuring we are ready, capable, and unwilling to depend on politicians who lack the courage to protect their own citizens. We will defend our people - every time, without apology.'

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs echoed those concerns, calling on authorities 'to hold the attacker accountable' and warning leaders at all levels to 'confront this dangerous escalation.'

Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
We all have different attitudes to what counts as an acceptable amount of time to leave when youre setting off for the airport, railway station, car park or port.

Its one of those hazards of coupledom  on a par with having different internal thermostats and being unable to agree on the volume for the television.

But if, like me, you travel with somebody who always needs to leave ridiculously early, you will learn that however early you set off, it is never early enough.

Because crise de gare, as my boyfriend calls his condition, is not really about how many hours in advance you leave, but some weird mental wiring that causes him to fret about being late even if were sitting in an almost empty Gatwick Airport.

Its an unshakable conviction that something will happen at some stage to foil our plans. The length of the security queue, the chaotic line to nab a sandwich at Pret, the slow movement of passport control and the check-in desk. Every other passenger is seen as a potential hazard to him making the flight.

Its not as if Im super-casual myself  I leave for long journeys well before the hour most would choose. I know others who cant bear to board a plane unless its the last call over the tannoy; they feel getting there any earlier is an imposition on their precious time. But compared to David, my most frequent travelling companion, my attitude to time is cavalier in the extreme.

There is a point on every journey when I vow we will never travel together again. We will make our own way to the point of departure and greet each other calmly in our seats, having avoided the tense recriminations. But then, just like childbirth, we forget the pain and travel in tandem, hoping it will be different. Which it never is.

If, like me, you travel with somebody who always needs to leave ridiculously early, you will learn that however early you set off, it is never early enough. PICTURED: Alexandra Shulman

Its an unshakable conviction that something will happen at some stage to foil our plans. The length of the security queue, the chaotic line to nab a sandwich at Pret, the slow movement of passport control and the check-in desk

Zaras ad  and a fuss about nothing

Throughout the London Underground there are ads for the Advertising Standards Authority urging passengers to report anything untrue or offensive in an advertisement. Last week, we learned that Zara had been reported to the ASA for two fashion images on its website that supposedly showed an unhealthily skinny model. Despite there being only one registered objection, the pictures were banned by the ASA and removed by Zara.

I imagine most people, like me, came across these allegedly offensive images only when reading the story about the ban. The model looked fine to me, dressed in a white shirt, trousers and a mini-dress. But Zaras loss is the ASA advertising departments gain  all the fuss is presumably drumming up more business for the regulator.

Last week, we learned that Zara had been reported to the ASA for two fashion images on its website that supposedly showed an unhealthily skinny model

Christmas comes early for Aimee Lou

Clever old M&S has signed Aimee Lou Wood to be the face of its Christmas campaign. She was wildly appealing as Chelsea, the lovable hippy-dippy chick in the last season of White Lotus, which provided the springboard to the widespread recognition that M&S clearly thinks she has.

Its also interesting that Aimee Lou is now so bankable, given that the streaming series  although popular  will have been watched only by the relatively small proportion of the population who have access to Sky Atlantic. Though perhaps it was less her turn as Chelsea and more the rumours about a fallout with her co-star Walton Goggins that brought Aimee worldwide fame.

Aimee Lou (pictured) was wildly appealing as Chelsea, the lovable hippy-dippy chick in the last season of White Lotus

Were Oasis staff in the wrong areas?

Oasis's fantastic London concerts were tarnished by the death of a member of the audience who fell from one of the top tiers of Wembley. I was there the night before the news broke. Looking back, perhaps it could have been avoided if security was tighter around those high levels.

There is no shortage of staff encouraging concert-goers to spend big at the bars and food stalls. So keen is Wembley to ensure that nobody brings in their own food and drink that my companion and I were interrogated about a glucose bar he keeps in his pocket to combat low blood sugar. At first, the security guard refused to let him in without seeing a letter from his doctor (try finding a letter on a smartphone with the 4G available in a stadium of 90,000 people and a long queue behind you).

Fortunately, his superior took pity on us and let us through, along with the forbidden food. But what a waste of manpower that could have been diverted towards safety during the gig.

Oasis's fantastic London concerts were tarnished by the death of a member of the audience who fell from one of the top tiers of Wembley

How the roof caved in on convertibles

During my 20s I had a boyfriend who owned an open-top Morgan car. It was his pride and joy and although I would have preferred a less Mr Toad-like, more modern convertible  a Mercedes, say  it was the height of glamour to be driving along with the roof down.

But now convertibles are becoming extinct, with 70 per cent of carmakers no longer including them in their range. And even more bafflingly, theyve been replaced by hideous, space-guzzling SUVs.

Everything that made driving desirable is being eroded. Cars are no longer elegant havens of independence, but nagging nannies with impenetrable control panels and screens filled with unnecessary information. Come back, Mr Toad, all is forgiven.

The negative side of electric car owners

On the subject of cars, a new etiquette dilemma has been thrown up by the growing number of electric vehicles. Do you let visitors charge their cars on your driveway using the electricity from your home? As the driver, do you offer to cover the cost?

A Tesla owner told me of staying with a wealthy friend when their car was low on charge. They were directed to the nearest village to find a charging point, rather than being allowed to use the power supply at the huge house. Mean behaviour  and possibly why the Scrooge in question had become so rich.
A North Alabama mother is facing capital murder charges after her 8-month-old son was found unresponsive and 'severely beaten' inside their home.

Morgan Skye Thornton, 29, was arrested early Friday morning after authorities found the child battered and bruised in her home, officials said.

Deputies arrived at the home on the home in the small town of Athens shortly after 12:30 a.m. to find Thornton's 8-month-old son, Jonah James Thornton, with 'no signs of life.'

Thornton appeared intoxicated and was taken into custody at the scene, according to the Limestone County Sheriff's Office.

In newly released dispatch audio, an emergency responder can be heard reporting the dire situation.

'Medical call, Estate Drive East. Have an 8-month-old, possible full arrest. Confirmed: Full arrest at this time. We've got a CPR in progress. EMS on scene as well,' the harrowing audio revealed.

Local deputies and Athens-Limestone EMS personnel performed CPR and were able to regain a pulse before transporting the infant to UAB Trauma Services, AL.com reported.

Morgan Skye Thornton, 29, is facing capital murder charges after her 8-month-old son was found unresponsive and 'severely beaten' inside their home

Thornton was arrested early Friday morning after authorities responded to a medical call involving the 'abused' infant

However, baby Jonah coded on the way to hospital, and the ambulance diverted to Cullman Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The 29-year-old mom was charged with aggravated child abuse before the infant died from injuries sustained in the alleged assault. Her charge has since been upgraded to capital murder.

The disturbed mother appeared before a judge on Friday afternoon, but claimed she didn't understand what she was being charged with.

'I put my son to bed,' she told WAFF 48 following the hearing. 'I swaddled him and put him to bed at 7 o'clock, and then something happened Tried to give him CPR. That's all.'

Authorities say search warrants were executed at the Athens home and a sample of Thornton's blood was taken.

Deputies arrived at the home on the 15000 block of Estate Drive in Athens shortly after 12:30 a.m. to find Thornton's 8-month-old son, Jonah James Thornton (pictured), with 'no signs of life'

The 29-year-old mom was charged with aggravated child abuse before the infant died from injuries sustained in the alleged assault, however, her charge has since been upgraded to capital murder

Thornton remains in the Limestone County Jail without bond, pending an Aniah's Law hearing.

An Aniah's Law hearing is a judicial proceeding in Alabama where a judge reviews a defendant's background and the circumstances of their arrest to determine whether they should be granted bail while awaiting trial.

Following the tragedy, Limestone County Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin praised the work of first responders for their efforts in trying to save the infant's life.

'Please keep this family and everyone who responded to this heartbreaking scene in your prayers,' McLaughlin said.

'While the outcome is devastating, I'm incredibly proud of our deputies, firefighters, EMTs, hospital staff, and DHR workers who did absolutely everything in their power to save this innocent child,' the Sheriff added.

The baby's cause of death has not been stated by officials as his body is sent to a forensics lab for autopsy.

The disturbed mother appeared before a judge on Friday afternoon, but claimed she didn't understand what she was being charged with. Pictured: Morgan Thornton outside the Alabama courthouse on Friday afternoon

A relative of Thornton's has since chimed in on the disturbing Friday incident, calling the 'drunken' mom an 'evil, sick and twisted witch'

The post continued, addressing Thornton's court appearance, calling her niece-in-law a 'liar'

A relative of Thornton's waded into the disturbing Friday incident, calling the 'drunken' mom an 'evil, sick and twisted witch.'

'Prayers for my family please and thanks. Jonah James Thornton is my nephew's son, 1 of twins, 8 month old, beautiful sweet baby boy, whose precious life was taken by the hands of his own mother Morgan Thornton, evil, sick and twisted witch!' a post on Facebook reads.

The post continued, addressing Thornton's court appearance, calling her niece-in-law a 'liar.'

'She lied in that video! She said she put Jonah to bed at 7:00 and she didn't remember anything after that!' the post reads.

'She went in there and woke my nephew up and told him to "come look at what she did to this demon,"' the post alleged, adding that Thornton lied once more when she claimed to have given her ailing son CPR.

'She also said she tried to give him CPR and she did not, my nephew did!'

Thornton remains in the Limestone County Jail without bond, pending an Aniah's Law hearing. Pictured: Jonah James Thornton

Court records reviewed by WAFF show a history of troubling behavior for the Athens mother

Court records reviewed by WAFF show a history of troubling behavior for the Athens mother.

In July, Thornton pleaded guilty to second-degree assault after she kicked a police officer during a separate incident.

She had also been charged with DUI, domestic violence, and disorderly conduct in connection with the same event - those charges were dropped in exchange for her plea.

She also has a 2019 conviction for public intoxication.

'No amount of alcohol could cause you to hallucinate to that degree,' the family member's Facebook post reads. 'My opinion, she was either on something my nephew didn't know about or just ate up with evil.'
A shop outside a Westfield was targeted in a shooting with cops launching an investigation.

Smoke Station on Cecil Avenue at Cannington, south Perth, was hit at 1.30am on Saturday.

The shop is just metres from Westfield Carousel Shopping Centre.

Western Australia Police said two rounds of ammunition were fired at the premises.

A metal roller shutter and a glass window were damaged.

Two off-road motorcycles were seen in the area at the time and crossing the Albany Highway before disappearing into bushland.

Detectives have urged anyone with information to come forward.
Authorities in Florida have found the body of missing North Carolina teen Giovanni Pelletier, 18, in a tragic end to the week-long search for the teen.

His decomposing remains were found in a retention pond off I-75 and State Road 70 on Friday, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. The body was formally identified on Saturday afternoon.

The area where he was found had been searched by authorities on the first day of search efforts, but the body was ultimately located by a private investigation group hired by the Pelletier family.

Authorities said positive identification is pending further testing, and an autopsy is scheduled for Sunday, reports Gulf Coast News.

Giovanni vanished on Friday, August 1 while visiting Florida with his mother, Bridgette Pelletier, her fiance, and his four siblings.

Before leaving Raleigh, North Carolina he had arranged via text with paternal relatives to pick him up in Englewood, Florida and take him to his grandfather's home in Brevard County, more than three hours away.

Bridgette said she was hesitant to let her son travel alone but wanted to support his wish to reconnect with family.

But within 30 minutes of being picked up, Giovanni sent her a chilling text message: 'Mom help.'

According to Bridgette, Giovanni's paternal grandfather later left her a voicemail alleging that there had been an altercation and that the teen's cousins had left him on the side of the road in Bradenton, Manatee County.

He had been in the car with his cousins on his father's side when he 'suddenly began to act erratically before exiting the vehicle and walking away near SR70,' the sheriff's office said.

The body of Giovanni Pelletier, 18, was found on Saturday. He disappeared a week last Friday in Florida after texting his mother, 'Mom help' in the middle of the night

The teen's decomposing remains were found in a retention pond (pictured) off I-75 and State Road 70 on Friday, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office

The teenager's body was finally identified on Saturday afternoon after being retrieved from the pond

Giovanni's phone and backpack were abandoned on the side of the highway, leaving his family devastated and without answers to his whereabouts.

His mom, Bridgette, 34, told People that she saw the chilling text messages when she woke up at around 6:20am, hours after he had texted around 2am. He had also tried to FaceTime her.

The teen had also texted his aunt and father, asking for help when his mom didn't reply.

Bridgette said she also received a missed call from one of Giovanni's cousins, who was in the car with him when he vanished.

'He only called me that one time,' she said. 'And then no effort was made to communicate with me. No effort was made to come back to the house to let me know.'

The family launched a GoFundMe to raise money for a reward and resources for the search.

Hours after his body was identified on Saturday, his mother posted a statement to social media.

'My son was recently found after a desperate search by our family alone, and we are still facing an active investigation into his death. I am living every parents worst nightmare, trying to find the strength to give him the goodbye he deserves. Any funds raised now will provide crucial support to cover funeral, medical, and legal costs as we struggle to honor his memory through this unimaginable heartbreak'

On Saturday night his mother posted a statement online

Giovanni's mom, Bridgette, left, only saw her son's frantic texts and calls the next morning

Giovanni's phone and backpack were abandoned on the side of the highway, leaving his family with endless questions

Giovanni had been staying with his cousins on his dad's side in Florida, who his family claim didn't know when he disappeared

Bridgette told how Giovanni was from North Carolina, but was visiting his dad's side of the family in Florida.

His parents were never married, but he was born in Florida and lived there until he was four years old.

When he turned 18, Bridgette said he wanted to get to know his father's family. 'He was craving the culture and the background from his dad's side of the family, and I couldn't give that to him,' she said.

Bridgette added that there had been little communication with Giovanni's relatives and that they haven't helped them look for her son.

After he disappeared, she said his paternal grandfather left her a message that there was an altercation on the side of the road between the cousins, and to 'let him know when I found Giovanni.'

Bridgette said that one of Giovanni's cousins told her that they were smoking marijuana, and he started to panic.

The cousin claimed Giovanni pulled out a knife on the side of the road, which Bridgette said was unlike her son.

Giovanni's aunt, Desiree, shared on Facebook that he was with three boys when he disappeared, whom he had never met in person.

Desiree posted a video on social media pleading for the public's help, and dismissing theories that her nephew was a runaway.

Searchers are seen combing for evidence close to where the teens body was found

The area, a retention pond had been searched by authorities the first day of search efforts. However, the body was ultimately located by a private investigation group hired by the Pelletier family

Giovanni's death is being investigated by the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office

A reward was also put up for any information relating to the 'arrest and conviction' of anyone responsible

'Giovanni is smart, kind, and full of life. He didnt deserve this,' the description read.

'Our family is devastated, terrified, and doing everything in our power to bring him home  but were receiving very little help from officials, and we are being forced to search on our own.'
Performers perform during a grand symphonic epic concert, titled "Ode to Peace and the Future," at Sydney Town Hall in Sydney, Australia, Aug. 9, 2025. The concert, together with a photo exhibition were held here on Saturday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.(Xinhua/Ma Ping)

SYDNEY, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- A grand symphonic epic concert and a photo exhibition were held at Sydney Town Hall on Saturday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.

The event, titled "Ode to Peace and the Future," was attended by over 2,000 people from China, Australia and other countries.

Upon entering the Sydney Town Hall, attendees were greeted by 80 historical photographs from World War II, capturing scenes of people around the world bravely resisting fascist aggression.

Many guests stopped to view those photos carefully and take pictures.

At the concert, the Huaxing Arts Group Australia joined hands with Australian artists to present performances featuring symphony, chorus, solo performances, and poetry recitals, which struck a deep chord with the audience.

Chinese Consul General in Sydney Wang Yu said in his speech that the people of China and Australia stood united against fascism, supporting each other, and together made important contributions to the final victory of the world's anti-fascist war.

All countries must work together to safeguard international fairness and justice, and to uphold the outcomes of the victory of World Anti-Fascist War and the post-war international order, he said.

Mark Buttigieg, a member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales (NSW), representing the state's premier, attended and addressed the event.

The Chinese people made a massive contribution in World War II, he said, emphasizing that people must be vigilant all the time and constantly promote the cause of peace.

The event was hosted by the Huaxing Arts Group Australia and co-organized by the Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney, the Maritime Union of Australia, and NSW South Coast Labor Council. 

Performers perform during a grand symphonic epic concert, titled "Ode to Peace and the Future," at Sydney Town Hall in Sydney, Australia, Aug. 9, 2025. The concert, together with a photo exhibition were held here on Saturday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.(Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Performers perform during a grand symphonic epic concert, titled "Ode to Peace and the Future," at Sydney Town Hall in Sydney, Australia, Aug. 9, 2025. The concert, together with a photo exhibition were held here on Saturday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.(Xinhua/Ma Ping)
The US's special envoy to the Middle East may have misinterpreted Vladimir Putin's terms for ending Russia's war in Ukraine as he worked to set up a face-to-face with President Trump, according to media reports.

Steve Witkoff met with Russian president at the Kremlin for about three hours on Wednesday, after which Trump praised his negotiator for making 'great progress'.

However, a report from BILD, a German outlet, suggests that Witkoff was under the impression that when Putin demanded a 'peaceful withdrawal' from Kherson and Zaporizhia, he meant that he wanted Russian soldiers to withdraw.

According to insiders, Putin actually meant he wanted Ukrainian forces to give up these tactically important cities.

'Witkoff doesn't know what he's talking about,' a Ukrainian official told BILD.

It is understood that Russia is refusing to budge on its demand for control of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, Kherson and Crimea.

It comes as Trump officially set Friday August 15 as the day he and Putin will meet in Alaska to discuss a negotiated settlement to the war, which has stretched on for over three-and-a-half years. It will be Putin's first time stepping inside the US for a decade.

'It's complicated, nothing easy,' Trump told reporters ahead of the announcement. 'It's very complicated but we're going to get some back and we're going to get some switched.'

A report claims that Steve Witkoff, US special envoy to the Middle East, misinterpreted Russian President Vladimir Putin's intentions in eastern Ukraine

It comes as President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Putin on Friday August 15 in Alaska

On the day Trump confirmed he and Putin would be meeting, two people were killed in a Russian strike on a civilian bus in Kherson and two others were killed in a Russian FPV drone strike on a car.

Once news of Trump-Putin summit emerged, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that 'decisions without Ukraine' would not bring peace to the region.

Writing on social media the Ukrainian President said: 'Any decisions against us, any decisions without Ukraine, are also decisions against peace. They will achieve nothing.

'Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.'

He said Ukraine was 'ready for real decisions that can bring peace' but said it should be a 'dignified peace', without giving details.

After Zelensky's comments it emerged that the White House is considering inviting him to Alaska.

A senior US official told NBC News that an invite to Zelensky is 'being discussed'.

His presence hasn't been finalized, but the prospect of him showing up is 'absolutely' possible, the official said.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky could be invited to the Alaska meeting, according to a senior US offical

Trump has long wanted to end the war in Ukraine, often promising on the campaign trail last year that he would end the conflict on day one of his presidency if he were elected

'The President remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is focusing on planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin, the White House said in a statement to NBC.

Trump has long wanted to end the war in Ukraine, often promising on the campaign trail last year that he would end the conflict on day one of his presidency if he were elected.

Trump's frustration with Putin has grown as the fighting has worn on months into his second term.

In late Jul, he began to turn the heat up on Russia, saying he was giving the country 10 or 12 days to restart peace talks with Ukraine.

If that condition was not met, he said he was prepared to hit Russia with economic sanctions.

Originally, Trump gave Putin a 50-day deadline and threatened to bring stiff economic penalties on Russia if it did not end hostilities with Ukraine. That would've meant a target date of early September for Putin to make a decision.
A frustrated business owner has slammed dodgy Uber Eats drivers for claiming they have picked up an order when they are nowhere in sight.

John Jenkins, who runs Gold Coast Kebabs, said a recent experience with a delivery driver left him outraged.

Mr Jenkins described how a driver accepted an Uber Eats order but did not arrive at the store for more than 13 minutes.

'He claims he's been waiting for 13 minutes, but there's no driver here,' Mr Jenkins said in a TikTok video, showing the front of his shop.

'So what's gonna happen now?'

Mr Jenkins claimed he contacted the driver, who told him he was 'coming', but still took more time to arrive.

'Mate, you don't like it? Cancel the job. Give it to someone who's close by,' Mr Jenkins said.

'You cannot. This is not fair.'

John Jenkins, who runs Gold Coast Kebabs, said a recent experience with a delivery driver left him outraged

He said the situation put him in a difficult position: if he gave the driver a thumbs down for the delay, the driver would know it came from him, and could retaliate.

'All of a sudden you want to give them a thumbs down, what do they do? They go on your Google review and they give you thumbs down,' Mr Jenkins said.

'Is this fair? Is this justice?'

The kebab shop owner warned the system creates a risk for business owners, who may avoid giving negative feedback to poor-performing drivers out of fear of bad reviews.

'Uber, you've got to fix this problem,' Mr Jenkins said.

'This is causing businesses big problems. If you don't fix it, you will lose a lot of customers.'

Social media users were left disgusted by the dodgy tactics used by some drivers.

'I had one say they had picked it up, but the store rang me to say they hadn't,' one wrote.

'I told them I'd pick it up, and in the meantime, the driver cancelled the order. I got a refund and the food. Some drivers are very dodgy.'

Mr Jenkins described how a driver accepted an Uber Eats order, but did not arrive at the store for more than 13 minutes

Another added: 'Lately my Uber orders are cold. The problem is they are multi-lapping and have three or four orders at the same time.'

Uber Eats' rating system allows both customers and delivery partners to leave feedback on each other after a trip.

However, small businesses have long raised concerns about the potential for 'revenge' reviews that can impact a store's public reputation and revenue.

In February, a retail worker claimed his lunch was stolen by a food delivery driver who pretended to leave the order at his address.

Corey Davis, an employee of Billy Hyde Music in Marleston, Adelaide, had ordered the expensive feast from Betty's Burgers for himself and his colleagues.

CCTV footage from outside the shop appears to show the Uber Eats driver attempted to cover his tracks by taking photos of the delivery on the kerb, before he immediately picked it up again and drove off.

After submitting a complaint, the delivery service offered him a flat $25 refund.

Daily Mail has contacted Uber for comment.
Nearly 30 years after 23-year-old Amy Bradley vanished from a Caribbean cruise, a small but overlooked detail may hold the key to her disappearance, an expert claims.

Amy vanished in the early morning hours of March 21, 1998, while vacationing with her family aboard Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas cruise ship.

Despite an extensive FBI investigation and renewed attention from the recent Netflix docuseries 'Amy Bradley Is Missing,' her disappearance remains one of the most puzzling unsolved cases in recent history.

But author James Renner, who has spent years researching her unexplained disappearance, believes there may be an overlooked explanation.

The True Crime Addict author even went as far as suggesting the three-part Netflix series, released on July 16, omitted important details about the missing woman.

'In the facts of the case, there's a small detail that doesn't seem to mean anything - but it might mean everything,' Renner told The US Sun.

'They make a big point of saying that the balcony door was ajar in the morning, but they also suggest that Amy then left the room without telling anybody.'

Nearly 30 years after 23-year-old Amy Bradley (pictured) vanished from a Caribbean cruise , a small but overlooked detail may hold the key to her disappearance, an expert claims

Despite an extensive FBI investigation and renewed attention from the recent Netflix docuseries 'Amy Bradley Is Missing,' her disappearance remains one of the most puzzling unsolved cases in recent history. Pictured: Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas

Renner, who has interviewed cruise staff and studied internal briefings shared after the FBI investigation, pointed out the safety feature most cruise passengers may overlook.

'If you've ever been on a cruise ship, you know that there are warning plaques in your room that say, "Do not open the cabin door when the balcony doors are open,"' he explained.

'Because the hallway is pressurized. So, if you open that cabin door, it creates a wind tunnel. And it often causes the cabin door to slam shut - hard.

'You cannot quietly leave a cabin room with the balcony door open. It would've woken everybody up.'

Instead, Renner suggests, the answer lies outside, on the balcony itself.

While searching her seaside room, investigators discovered Amy's palm prints on the balcony railing and her footprints on the glass door.

'It appears she was sitting on the balcony with her feet against the glass,' Renner suggested, adding, 'it's possible that she kicked off - and when she did, the door opened a little bit.'

He believes what happened may have been a tragic example of l'appel du vide - the French phrase for 'the call of the void.'

'She had a really rough night. She'd been drinking. And she had a very big decision to make when she got home: Does she live her life openly as a gay woman, or does she live a lie to maintain her close relationship with her family?' Renner said.

Amy vanished in the early morning hours of March 21, 1998 , while vacationing with her family aboard Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas cruise ship. Pictured: Amy Bradley and family

Amy's body has never been recovered, and her official status remains missing

Sitting alone on the balcony, Renner theorizes, Amy may have experienced a moment of emotional overwhelm and acted on impulse.

'That voice inside you sometimes comes up and says, "What if?" I think she's sitting on that balcony thinking, "What if?" And by pushing off, she causes action.'

Once overboard, Renner notes, survival is rare.

'There's only about a 20 percent chance you're going to survive in the open sea long enough to be rescued,' he said.

Renner's theory stands in contrast to the widely circulated belief that Amy was abducted and sex-trafficked.

The unproven theory gained traction in the years following her disappearance, and has even drawn attention from aspiring lawyer and mega-celebrity Kim Kardashian.

Renner, however, dismisses the trafficking theory as improbable.

'There is no verified account of a Caucasian woman being abducted and trafficked in the Caribbean,' he said.

'A white woman is going to stand out in Grenada. It's not worth the risk for the people that do this. They have plenty of women from the Dominican Republic or Colombia who can go there and make more money than their family could in a year.'

The True Crime Addict author even went as far as suggesting the three-part Netflix series, released on July 16, omitted important details about the missing woman

Renner's forthcoming book, A Cruise to Nowhere, explores the dynamic case.

'For me, I've narrowed down what happened to Amy Bradley I don't believe she ever came off that balcony,' he said.

'I think it's highly likely that she is responsible for whatever took place there.'

Amy's body has never been recovered, and her official status remains missing.

The Bradley family has not publicly responded to Renner's claims.

Daily Mail has reached out to Netflix for comment.
Right-wing activist and Trump adviser Laura Loomer sparked a wave of backlash after slamming the US Army for honoring a war hero because he is not 'US born' and spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

Loomer penned a long post on X criticizing Army Secretary Dan Driscoll for recognizing the brave sacrifice of Florent Groberg, who tackled a suicide bomber in Afghanistan and saved the lives of his fellow soldiers.

A Friday post from the US Army was sent out on the 13-year anniversary of Groberg's selfless act, which left him with catastrophic injuries and a Medal of Honor.

'There are probably so many people who the Army could honor who have received the Medal of Honor,' Loomer wrote in response. 'But who did the Army choose to honor instead on their social media page under the Trump admin?'

They chose Groberg, she said, whom she characterized as 'an immigrant who voted for Hillary Clinton and spoke at the DNC as Obama's guest'.

'Are we supposed to believe the Army couldn't find a Republican and US born soldier?' she continued. 'Under the Army Secretary Dan Driscoll , there have been several instances of either him, or the Army promoting anti-Trump Leftists on their official social media channels.'

An Army official spoke anonymously to The Washington Post and called Loomer's attack 'despicable'.

Laura Loomer took to social media Friday to criticize Florent Groberg, a US Army veteran who tackled a suicide bomber in Afghanistan and saved many soldiers' lives on August 8, 2012

President Barack Obama awards Groberg with the Medal of Honor, the highest military honor, on November 12, 2015

The official also called French-born Groberg a 'national hero' who is among many soldiers the Army plans to spotlight this year as the institution turns 250 years old.

'The Army is not going to check the political affiliation of our soldiers before we recognize them,' the official said. 'A man or woman serving is not a Democrat or Republican, they are an American. Their political affiliation has nothing to do with their service.'

Groberg was awarded the military's highest honor following his heroics on August 8, 2012, where a suicide bomber killed four men: Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Griffin, 45; Army Maj. Thomas E. Kennedy, 35; Air Force Maj. Walter D. Gray, 38; and Foreign Service officer Ragaei Abdelfattah, 43.

Had Groberg not sprinted toward the suicide bomber and pushed him further back, 'many more would have died,' according to the Army.

'Groberg sustained multiple injuries in the attack, including the loss of 50 percent of his lower calf, going deaf in his left ear, and a significant traumatic brain injury,' the Army said.

After Loomer launched her social media rant on Saturday, Groberg publicly responded to the right-wing activist by bringing the focus back to the men he lost in the war.

'Thirteen years ago today is my Alive Day, the day I nearly lost my life, and four of my brothers, including three Army leaders, never came home,' he wrote.

'I've served under presidents from both parties and will always honor my oath to this country. Yes, I spoke for 60 seconds at the DNC when asked about service and sacrifice, not politics. For me, 8/8 isn't about parties. It's about the lives we lost.'

Pictured: Groberg speaks at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. He has insisted that he's a Republican, but that he didn't come to speak at the DNC for political reasons

In a statement to The Washington Post, Loomer stood by her posts criticizing US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Groberg

During his brief speech at the DNC, Groberg said he wasn't speaking as Republican or Democrat but as a 'proud immigrant to this country, a proud veteran of the United States Army, and a proud recipient of our nation's highest military honor.'

And in an interview with The Washington Post in 2016, he actually clarified that he is a Republican.

'I saw an opportunity for me to go in, not as a Republican, not as a Democrat, not as a political figure, but as a veteran. As an immigrant. As an American,' he said at the time.

'I made a choice,' he said. 'I stood up. I knew I would take the heat. But guess what? I still go to sleep at night like a baby. I'm okay with it.'

Loomer told The Post that she stands by her posts criticizing Driscoll and Groberg, while also saying that no one from the White House told her to take them down.

'It is very important that the secretary of the Army does not push out Democratic propaganda,' she said. 'I just laid out the facts.'

Loomer also said that this is the third time the Army, under Trump's second term, has highlighted people who oppose the administration.

She cited Driscoll's show of gratitude for Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-Virginia) for attending the Army parade in Washington, D.C. as one example. Vindman testified against Trump in his first impeachment trial.

Former Trump officials have defended Groberg and Driscoll (pictured) while also pointing out that the military is a nonpartisan institution

The other instance Loomer mentioned was when the Army appointed retired officer and Biden official Jennifer Easterly as a faculty member at West Point Military Academy.

In that case, Driscoll withdrew Easterly's appointment last month following severe backlash from Loomer and others.

Former Trump officials have defended Groberg and have tried to point out that the military is a nonpartisan institution.

'One of the first things my drill sergeant told us at Army Basic Training in 1983 was, "You all bleed Army green now  no one cares about the color of your skin, where you came from, or what religion you are,"' Chris Miller, who served as acting defense secretary during the first Trump administration, wrote to The Post in a text message.

'He didnt have to add, "or your political affiliation" because it was taken for granted that our oath was to the Constitution and not any political party or person,' Miller said.

Miller called Loomer an 'agent provocateur' whose decision to cast aspersions on Driscoll was 'an abomination and disreputable.'

Robert Wilkie, the Veterans Affairs secretary during Trump's first term, said the Medal of Honor 'knows no political affiliation'.

'I am a Trump supporter and I am the son of a distinguished combat officer,' Wilkie said. 'My service was modest. I was raised to believe that that medal is sacred. No matter what the holder believes or where he came from, he is worthy of the respect and thanks of all Americans.'
A Qantas flight bound for Hong Kong was forced to return to Melbourne Airport shortly after departure.

Flight QF29, operated by an Airbus A330-300, took off from Melbourne just before 1pm on Sunday, before the crew requested to turn back.

The flight landed 25 minutes after takeoff.

Qantas has not yet disclosed the exact nature of the issue, but the airline confirmed that the decision was made out of caution.

It's understood the discovery of a hydraulic or technical issue was the cause of the aborted flight.

In a statement to Daily Mail, Melbourne Airport said that in line with aviation safety protocols, a 'local standby' was declared, a precautionary measure signalling the potential need for emergency assistance.

Fire and rescue crews were positioned at the airport as the aircraft made its return approach.

The plane landed safely without further incident and was towed to the gate, where passengers disembarked without issue.

Daily Mail contacted Qantas for comment.

A flight radar map shows the plane had only just taken off, before returning to Melbourne
The mother and grandmother of a 2-year-old who police say was thrown into the Bronx River by his father are suing New York authorities for allegedly telling her 'So what' when she called 911.

Montrell Williams, 2, vanished on Mother's Day after a custody visit with his 20yearold father Arius WIlliams, and his body was later discovered in the East River nearly a month after his disappearance on June 11.

Now, Williams' mother, 17yearold Cierra Carroll, is suing the city for $60 million, alleging the NYPD failed to investigate the toddler's disappearance, a lawsuit claims.

Carroll claims she repeatedly alerted police that her son had not been returned but was met with no support, and grew emotional as she detailed her ordeal at a Friday press conference outside the NYPD's 40th Precinct.

'They told me not to follow him and to go to the police to file a complaint,' Carroll said. 'I told the police that he had a warrant, they said, "So what?"'

'And hung up the phone,' Carroll's mother, Octavia Roane, added.

Court records say Montrell's father was captured on surveillance video walking with his young son before allegedly tossing him from the Bruckner Expressway overpass in The Bronx.

Montrell Williams 2, (pictured) was last seen wearing only a white shirt and diaper, at an apartment building in Hunts Point - about a mile from his home

Williams mother, 17yearold Cierra Carroll (pictured in black), is suing the city for $60 million, alleging the NYPD failed to investigate the toddler's disappearance

Montrell, 2, vanished on Mother's Day after a custody visit with his 20yearold father Arius WIlliams, who now faces murder charges

Arius Williams now faces charges including seconddegree murder and manslaughter, and remains held without bail.

Carroll filed a formal notice of claim, a prerequisite to suing a government entity, on Thursday.

She stood visibly shaken as she held her press conference in the Bronx, surrounded by her mother and a spokesperson for the family.

'She's very hurt right now,' Roane said. 'The way the police responded, the way they acted towards us, no care in the world.'

'They put them on notice that this child is in danger. No Amber Alert was issued at all. And, while this child's life was hanging in the balance, they were pushed to the side,' the family's lawyer, Shiraz Khan, added.

The family also alleges they filed multiple missing-persons reports but were repeatedly directed to family court rather than being treated with urgency.

Police say Montrell was murdered on May 10 but that the initial complaint wasn't reported to the NYPD until May 11, The Gothamist reported.

Mayor Eric Adams said the NYPD's handling of the case is under review.

The toddler was last seen around 10 p.m. on May 10, wearing only a white shirt and diaper, at an apartment building in Hunts Point about a mile from his home.

Detectives have reason to believe the father threw Montrell into the Bronx River, near the Bruckner Expressway. Pictured: A view of the Bronx River from the Bruckner Expressway

He was last seen around 10 p.m. on May 10 at an apartment building at Hunts Point Avenue and Gilbert Place in Hunts Point (pictured)

The boy was reportedly with his 20-year-old father that day for a scheduled custodial visit. The parents share split custody and visitation rights.

However, when Montrell was not returned, his mother grew concerned.

On May 30, after questioning the father about the boy's whereabouts, she received a troubling response.

'She asked where their son was and he made concerning statements,' a police source told the Daily News. Officials confirmed that the father's initial statements raised red flags about the child's safety.

Following initial questioning at a police precinct, the father appeared in Bronx Family Court to answer a warrant for failing to return Montrell in accordance with the custody agreement, according to ABC7.

When he refused to disclose the boy's location to the judge, he was taken into custody.

Detectives have reason to believe the father threw Montrell into the Bronx River, near the Bruckner Expressway.
Leaked internal NSW Liberal Party messages have given weight to rumours that Opposition leader Mark Speakman could be 'rolled' out of the top job.

Whispers of a leadership challenge began on the weekend after Wendy Tuckerman resigned from the Opposition frontbench over the party voting through a controversial renewable energy bill, saying regional communities weren't consulted enough.

Tuckerman is reportedly backing shadow attorney-general Alister Henskens for the job, with a leaked WhatsApp exchange obtained by Daily Mail showing that she isn't the only one looking to cut Speakman loose.

High-profile former Liberal candidate and anti-Indigenous Voice campaigner Warren Mundine made his position clear in the group text, which consists of 220 Liberal party members, including a number of current and former MPs.

'When are the Opposition going to get rid of Mark Speakman?' Mundine asked the chat.

'According to... Outsiders, soon!' someone wrote.

'Good,' Mundine bluntly replied.

Mundine is an influential figure in the party having narrowly missed pre-selection for the federal seat of Bradfield earlier this year after being endorsed by ex-PM Tony Abbott, senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and ex-deputy PM John Anderson.

Mark Speakman (pictured) said those attempting to destablise his leadership were 'cowards'

Mundine said it would be 'good' if Mark Speakman was removed as NSW Opposition Leader

In NSW Parliament on Friday, Tuckerman quit as Shadow Minister for Local Government in protest over the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025.

The legislation, which passed a day earlier on Thursday, hands the Environment Minister greater powers to oversee renewable energy projects.

During her resignation speech, Tuckerman expressed outrage at only learning of the draft bill earlier in the week, despite other MPs having been briefed earlier.

She accused the transition process, and her parliamentary colleagues, of ignoring the concerns of regional communities.

Henskens, her rumoured pick to replace Speakman, is a member of the party's conservative faction like Mundine.

Mundine most recently attempted to be preselected for the Federal seat of Bradfield on Sydney's North Shore, but lost out to tech executive Gisele Kapterian.

Despite the public and private frustration, no one has indicated that they would be willing to challenge Speakman for leadership.

Warren Mundine asked the chat when the Opposition would remove Mark Speakman as leader

NSW Liberal front bencher Wendy Tuckerman (pictured) quit the shadow cabinet on Friday

On Saturday, Speakman slammed the 'anonymous cowards' who were destabilising his leadership.

'To the people of NSW  my focus is on you and your needs, not the rumour mill from a few anonymous cowards who should get out of the way,' he said.

'NSW is under a Minns minority Labor government that keeps re-announcing the same things while the state's problems keep getting worse.'

The party is now gearing up for a by-election, caused by the resignation of Kiama MP Gareth Ward.

Ward, 44, was last month found guilty of sexually assaulting two young men, aged 18 and 24, between 2013 and 2015.

He is currently in custody awaiting sentencing.

Labor has confirmed it will field a candidate for the seat, though the election hasn't yet been called.

Daily Mail has contacted Mundine for comment.
A woman who poisoned and killed her 11 husbands over a 22-year period is currently facing the death penalty in Iran.

Kolsum Akbari, 56, married elderly men before administering blood pressure medications, diabetes drugs, sedatives and even industrial alcohol in order to inherit their property.

Akbari's sick actions went undetected for more than two decades, due to her victims old ages and health conditions, until she confessed to the killings. She currently awaits sentencing.

The families of her victims are now asking for her execution.

Beginning in 2000 and carrying on until 2023, she killed over and over until she became careless with her final husband, 82-year-old Gholamreza Babaei.

Babei's son was suspicious of the woman after a family friend revealed his own father had previously been married to a woman called Kolsum who had tried to poison him.

Police were called, and the woman was arrested. Upon interrogation police managed to get her to confess, though she reportedly gave conflicting accounts on just how many people she killed.

She said: 'I dont know how many I killed. Maybe it was 13 or 15 people. I dont remember exactly.'

Kolsum Akbari, 56, (pictured) married elderly men before administering blood pressure medications, diabetes drugs, sedatives and even industrial alcohol in order to inherit their property

Iran is believed to have carried out at least one thousand executions in 2024 alone (File image)

Her life as a married woman began when she was just 18, having been involved in a short marriage with a man who suffered mental health problems.

She was then married to a much older man who had children from a prior marriage. Akbari was said to have been regularly beaten by her husband and stepsons.

After her second husband died, she is said to have sought out marriages with lonely older men through women's gatherings. She would befriend the daughters of these men and, after investigating their means, would agree to marry them for a significant dowry.

Though she administer poisons, in some cases she would suffocate victims with pillows and towels.

In many cases, the victims would die shortly after getting married to her. Mirahmad Omrani, 69, died a month after their marriage in 2013; Esmail Bakhshi, 62, died two months after their 2016 wedding, and Ganjali Hamzei, 83, died 43 days after marrying her.

One man survived Akbari's attempted murder in 2020 after consuming tainted soup. Though he kicked her out, he chose not to report the incident to police.

Akbari was charged with 11 counts of premeditated murder and one count of attempted murder.

Though Akbari initially tried to deny the charges in the Sari Revolutionary Court on Wednesday, she eventually confessed to the killings.

Her victims lives in cities across Iran, which stopped authorities from connecting the dots for years.

Their families have asked for her execution, though the court will only deliver its verdict once hearing from all 45 plaintiffs involved in the case.
Foreign criminals living in Britain are to be deported immediately after sentencing under new plans revealed by Labour.

The proposal, which is one of the most hardline actions taken so far by Sir Keir Starmer's government, was unveiled by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

It comes as Labour struggles to get a grip on the number of migrant crooks - including rapists, paedophiles and murderers - swarming into Britain illegally.

Violent protests have erupted outside asylum seeker hotels across the UK as fury builds over the number of foreign residents allegedly carrying out crimes while living in them.

The new scheme, which is being rapidly rolled out by an increasingly-under pressure Downing Street, could reportedly save taxpayers almost 600million.

Meanwhile, the government is continuing to shell out billions on putting up illegal migrants in hotels nationwide.

The ramped up measures come weeks after Ms Mahmood declared foreign prisoners caged behind bars would be deported after serving just a fraction of their sentence.

Announcing the proposal today, Ms Mahmood told The Sun on Sunday: 'My message to foreign criminals is clear: "Break Britains laws and youll be sent packing in record time.".

The plan, which is one of the most hardline actions taken so far by Sir Keir Starmer's government, was unveiled by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood (pictured)

Fierce protests have erupted over alleged foreign criminals, living in migrant hotels, carrying out sex attacks while in Britain (pictured are protesters in Epping, Essex, after a migrant allegedly sexually assaulted two teenage girls in the town days after arriving illegally in Britain)

'These new powers mean removal and bans from our shores - keeping victims and the public safe.

'This will ramp up removals of foreign offenders jamming up our jails, with deportations already up 14 per cent on the same time last year.'

It's believed around one in eight prisoners in England and Wales are foreign-born, costing taxpayers about 580million a year.

Under the new measures rapists, drug dealers and burglars - who receive custodial sentences - will be deported straight away to their home countries.

Those kicked out of Britain will then be banned from life from ever coming back.

However, the most violent criminals - including murderers, foreign-born terrorists and others serving life behind bars - will still need to finish their sentences before being ejected.

As of June 30, 2025, there were 10,772 foreign nationals in custody, data from the Ministry of Justice showed. This included 1,731 in jail for sexual offences.

The number of overseas criminals now behind bars in England and Wales is higher now than at any point since 2013.

Anger continues to build across Britain over the number of illegal migrants allegedly carrying out crimes after arriving in the UK (pictured are police in Epping, Essex, during a protest after an asylum seeker living in a migrant hotel allegedly sexually assaulted two teenage girls)

It's believed around one in eight prisoners in England and Wales are foreign-born, costing taxpayers about 580million a year (pictured are protesters in Epping on July 27)

Large scale counter-protests have also taken place. Pictured are activists marching in Epping on July 27

The Conservatives say the number of foreign sex offenders in prison has increased by 9.9 per cent in Labour's first year in office.

Meanwhile, the number of foreign crooks behind bars for violence has skyrocketed by 8.8 per cent in Labours first year in office - with 3,250 now locked up.

Critics of Labour's newest plan say it could fail if jailed crooks try to use human rights laws to dodge deportation.

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick told the Mail: 'In Starmers topsy turvy world investors are fleeing the country in their droves while record numbers of violent and sexual offenders from abroad are put up in our prisons. It's a farce.

'Yet again Starmer has refused to confront our broken human rights laws. He needs to grow a backbone and change them so we can actually deport these individuals. The safety of the British public is infinitely more important than the "rights" of sick foreign criminals.

'If countries wont take back their nationals, Starmer should suspend visas and foreign aid. His soft-touch approach isnt working.

News of the latest measures comes just weeks after Ms Mahmood unveiled new legislation, due to come into force next month, which will see foreign inmates facing deportation after serving 30 per cent of their term behind bars rather than the current 50 per cent.

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick (pictured) blasted Labour for its plans and said the PM should 'grow a backbone' if he is ever to get on top of the crisis

The latest change is expected to come into force in 2026.

Prisoners eligible for the so-called 'early removal scheme' will also see other discounts under Labours other sentencing reforms, as reported by the Mail last month, meaning they could be eligible for deportation after serving just 10 per cent of the sentence handed down by a court.

Offenders who are deported will also permanently barred from re-entering Britain.

Speaking in June of the plan, Ms Mahmood said: With prisons close to bursting, Im clear we shouldnt be giving bed and board to foreign criminals with no right to be here.

'These changes will get more of them on planes out of the country much sooner, saving taxpayers' money and keeping our streets safe as part of our Plan for Change.'

The existing early removal scheme came into operation in 2004.

It only applies to those serving a 'determinate sentence'  in other words, a specific period of time. Inmates sentenced to life are ineligible.

The measures come amid increasing levels of outrage after a number of illegal migrants staying in asylum hotels were accused of crimes.

In Epping, Essex, violent protests erupted outside one such venue - The Bell Hotel - last month after one residents was accused of sexually assaulting young girls.

Ethiopian Hadush Kebatu, 38, is alleged to have put his hand on a 14-year-old schoolgirl's leg, asked her for a kiss and suggested they make 'Jamaican babies' in Epping over two days, Chelmsford Magistrates' Court was told.

Kebatu, who had arrived in the UK by small boat eight days prior, denied three charges of sexual assault against two girls aged 14 and 16, inciting a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity and harassment without violence.

Hadush Kebatu (pictured), 38, is alleged to have put his hand on the school-girls leg, asked her for a kiss and suggested they make 'Jamaican babies' in Epping over two days, Chelmsford Magistrates Court was told

Pictured: The Bell Hotel where Kebatu had been staying at the time of the incidents. Following protests last month, the hotel was graffitied with slogans 'go home', 'die' and 'this is England' (pictured)

His arrest on Tuesday, July 8, prompted a huge anti-migrant demonstration in Epping - and a counter 'Refugees Welcome' rally which led to clashes between rival demonstrators.

The court heard how on July 7 the schoolgirl was allegedly sitting at a bench in Epping High Street with friends eating pizza when Kebatu approached.

Prosecutor Sharon Hall said: 'Mr Kebatu approached [the schoolgirl] while she was eating pizza. There was some suggestion that the children gave Mr Kebatu some pizza when he asked for it.

'He then made comments to [the schoolgirl] and another girl, saying Who wants to have a kiss and make love and have Jamaican babies?.'

The judge asked defence barrister Miss Tia Ojo if she accepted those comments.

She answered: Those comments are denied.'

Mrs Hall then told the court that Kebatu approached the same schoolgirl the next day and touched her thigh and touched the leg of a 16-year-old girl the following day.

She said: 'On 8th July [Kebatu] approached [the schoolgirl] and he tried to kiss her and brush the hair from her face.

'She moved away at which point the defendant followed her and put his hand on her thigh and then it appears that he was confronted.

'[Earlier] the defendant tried to kiss [the 16-year-old girl]. He put his hand on her leg and told her she was pretty.'

Miss Ojo, for the defence, told the court: 'All those allegations he denies.'

District Judge Williams told the court he was refusing bail and set the date for a two-day trial on August 26 and 27.
Brazen crooks are going on crime sprees in the dead of night to rip cruise control sensors from the front of vehicles in seconds.

Fitted behind the badge of some motors, furious drivers have hit out at manufacturers for a 'design flaw' that they say is making it easy for their beloved cars to be targeted for the speedy thefts.

It is leaving anguished car owners to foot the 1,500 bill to have the sensors replaced.

Thieves have been captured on Ring doorbell cameras ripping the badges in seconds, before moving on to other vehicles in adjacent streets minutes later. Volkswagens, BMWs, and Mercedes appear to be at the centre of the targeted thefts.

They are then selling them online on places such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace for as little as 200 - with the cut wire dangling from the sensor still visible in the picture.

Stratis Alisafakis, 40, from Ealing, in London, watched doorbell footage back in horror when he captured his Volkswagen GTI being targeted in March.

He is now driving around with a 'cheapo badge' and an orange warning light constantly on display on his dashboard after scoffing at the 1,500 cost to replace it, reported The Sunday Times.

Mr Alisafakis said he had been told at the dealership that they are seeing up to four people a week asking them about their cruise control sensors being stolen.

Brazen crooks are going on crime sprees in the dead of night to rip cruise control sensors from the front of vehicles in seconds

Stratis Alisafakis, 40, from Ealing, in London, watched doorbell footage back in horror when he captured his Volkswagen GTI being targeted in March

But he has hit out at Volkswagen who he has accused of 'washing their hands of it' after receiving an email from its headquarters in Milton Keynes that the firm was 'unable to provide any goodwill support regarding this issue'.

'I am really frustrated. It is rife and it is getting worse,' he told The Sunday Times.

He has since started a petition calling on VW 'to address [the] widespread theft'.

Mercedes and BMW drivers in London have also seen their cruise control sensors taken.

One owner of a BMW M3 Touring - where the sensor is located behind the numberplate - told an online forum it appeared 'all someone had to do to make off with it is simply unscrew it, unplug the connectors and pull it off'.

He claimed through his insurance when he was quoted 3,546 to fit a new one.

Andrew Perry, 42, from Balham, vowed never to buy another BMW with a radar system again, and, like Mr Alisafakis, has not bothered replacing his sensor.

Calling it a 'real flaw in manufacturing and common sense', he added: 'What blows my mind is that BMW would make it so easy to steal such an expensive component.

'If you look online you can see that the radar unit can be removed from the car in about 30 seconds.'

Cruise control car sensors have appeared online on places such as Facebook Marketplace. (Note: there is no suggestion the sensor pictured above is stolen)

Last May, VW owner Tara O'Driscoll told The Guardian she had heard of more than 50 thefts in Clapham where she lives after posting on social media about being a victim.

She said: 'Every VW car in our area that has this sensor has been targeted and it has been the talk of the community on WhatsApp and other media, not least as the bills to fix it are so big.

'It seems the part itself is expensive and only VW can calibrate it to work with your car.'

Mike Orford, head of PR for VW UK, denied there was a 'design flaw' and said people should report the theft to police with the vehicle's VIN number.

He said: 'The average replacement rate for the part in question is only a handful per month, per retailer, across the country.

'There are only one or two retailers where this number is higher, and they are both in London. This supports the observation that these thefts are highly localised.

'We advise that any customer affected by this crime contacts the police to log the incident, providing them with their vehicles VIN, so that the information can then be passed by the police to our HQ via a local Volkswagen Retailer.

'As this part is chassis-stamped, it can then be locked so that it is inoperable on another vehicle  and as a result worthless on the black market.'

A spokesperson for BMW UK told the Daily Mail: 'BMW Group specialist security teams work continuously to design and enhance the best possible security systems in our vehicles.

'The challenge of targeted vehicle component theft evolves as organised criminals targeting cars become ever more sophisticated, and BMW works in partnership with police and other authorities in the UK and around the world in responding to the latest threats and anticipating new ones.

Furious drivers have hit out at manufacturers for a 'design flaw' that they say are making it easy for their beloved cars to be targeted for the speedy thefts (Note: there is no suggestion the sensor pictured above is stolen)

'To combat this constantly evolving threat, the company continuously innovates and strengthens the layers of security across our vehicle range, although we do not publicly disclose all of these security measures because maintaining secrecy is crucial to staying ahead of criminals.'

Mercedes-Benz said: '[We] strongly condemn all forms of criminal activity and any unauthorised reuse or secondary use of genuine Mercedes-Benz parts.

'Our highly complex and safety-critical sensors are permanently integrated into specific components  such as the front bumper  and are precisely positioned, engineered and certified for each vehicle to fulfil their specific function.'
BEIJING, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- The first comprehensive rehearsal for the upcoming grand gathering to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War concluded in Beijing early Sunday, according to the event's media center.

The rehearsal, held from the night of Saturday to the early hours of Sunday in Tian'anmen Square, involved about 22,000 participants, including those taking part in the rehearsal and personnel providing on-site support.

Organizers said the rehearsal covered key elements of the gathering and served as a comprehensive test of organizational, logistical, and command operations.

The grand gathering, which will include a military parade, is scheduled for the morning of Sept. 3 in Tian'anmen Square. 
A gang of robbers who stole around 700,000 in ATM thefts boasted that police had no 'concrete evidence' against them just days before they were arrested.

The group, who are now facing prison sentences, used angle grinders and sophisticated 'jaws of life' tools - typically used by firefighters - in a looting spree which saw them strike nine times in just under a year.

Raiding machines in West Mercia, Leicestershire, Avon and Somerset, Bedfordshire, Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Staffordshire, they used stolen high-speed cars with fake registration plates to flee crime scenes.

The group also used a reinforced flatbed truck to pummel their way into the businesses.

West Midlands Police launched an investigation into the gang after discovering that they were based nearby, and detectives closed in after finding that the thieves had booked two holiday lets in Cumbria as a base to strike from in August 2024.

For three consecutive days they operated in the North Western county, stealing 128,000 from cash machines that they had prised open before using a stolen Audi as a getaway vehicle.

However, it was during the group's attempts to return the stolen vehicle to the Midlands, where it was sourced, that an officer spotted it on the back of a low loader being driven by Daniel Hickenbottom.

Hickenbottom was arrested and it later transpired that his role in the plot was to take stolen vehicles from A to B on the trailer in a move to avoid detection by the authorities.

The group used angle grinders and sophisticated 'jaws of life' tools - typically used by firefighters - in a looting spree which saw them strike nine times in just under a year

CCTV footage captured the gang striking numerous businesses - they stole around 700,000

Detectives spotted members of the group buying clothes which they would wear in the raids

During the group's attempts to return a stolen vehicle to the Midlands an officer spotted it on the back of a low loader being driven by Daniel Hickenbottom who it transpired would take stolen vehicles from A to B for the robbers

Subsequent investigations saw the rest of the gang identified through analysis of video footage, mobile phone records, voice recordings and forensic examinations including fingerprints and DNA.

Detectives uncovered that Noel Reilly, Craig Howell and Simon Pagett would plan and carry out the raids, and were spotted on CCTV buying clothing to wear on the thefts before arriving in stolen cars with tools to break into the ATMs.

During the investigation, police recovered a WhatsApp audio recording from Reilly, who said police had no 'concrete evidence' against the gang. Eleven days later, the force launched dawn raids to arrest him and other gang members.

Oliver Matthews was the owner of Bloxwich Resprays, where the gang would store their stolen vehicles and use as a base. He would drive around the country after crimes to assist the gang.

On Friday, after a trial lasting more than a two months at Wolverhampton Crown Court:

Noel Reilly, aged 46, of Appletrees Crescent, Bromsgrove pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle, handle stolen goods and possess criminal property

Simon Pagett, aged 43, of Dartford Road, Bloxwich pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle, handle stolen goods and possess criminal property

Oliver Matthews, 39, of Baneberry Drive, Featherstone pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle

Craig Howell, 44, of Hatfield Drive, Wolverhampton, was convicted of conspiracy to burgle, handle stolen goods and possess criminal property

Daniel Hickenbottom, 38, of Chantry Avenue, Bloxwich, was convicted of conspiracy to burgle, handle stolen goods and possess

All five will be sentenced at a later date.

Noel Reilly, aged 46, of Appletrees Crescent, Bromsgrove pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle, handle stolen goods and possess criminal property

Simon Pagett, aged 43, of Dartford Road, Bloxwich pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle, handle stolen goods and possess criminal property

Oliver Matthews, 39, of Baneberry Drive, Featherstone pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle

Craig Howell, 44, of Hatfield Drive, Wolverhampton, was convicted of conspiracy to burgle, handle stolen goods and possess criminal property

Daniel Hickenbottom, 38, of Chantry Avenue, Bloxwich, was convicted of conspiracy to burgle, handle stolen goods and possess

Det Sgt Tom Frenchum, from West Midland Police's Major Crime Unit's Proactive Team, said: 'A huge amount of planning and preparation went into these offences and the gang showed a high level of sophistication throughout but our detective worked tirelessly to disrupt them and now put them behind bars.

'The gang had specific roles  some would carry out the ATM attacks, while others would help with the logistics of transporting the stolen vehicles and the specialist cutting equipment.'

The investigation was part of the force's Operation Target, which they say is a '24/7 effort' to target those involved in serious and organised crime in the region.

The force say: 'Our officers work around the clock to target those involved in guns, drugs, money laundering and exploitation.'
An Italian mother who murdered her own son, dismembered him and covered his body with lime has claimed she was protecting his girlfriend.

Alessandro Venier's remains were found in a rubbish bin at his home in Gemona del Friuli, near the north-eastern city of Udine.

The 35-year-old's remains were found buried in quicklime to disguise the smell. He was reportedly cut up into three parts.

His mother, 61-year-old nurse Lorena Venier, confessed to the crime, telling prosecutors: 'I have done a terrible thing.'

She told police that her 35-year-old son was abusing her and his Colombian girlfriend, 30-year-old Mailyn Castro Monsalvo, who was also the mother of his six-month-old daughter.

Lorena said her son had drug and alcohol problems, was unemployed and refused to help out around the house that he shared with his mother and girlfriend.

When he began discussing the idea of moving to Colombia with his young family, Lorena said she feared the harm he would bring to Mailyn and their daughter.

She said at a hearing on August 2: 'Mailyn is the daughter that I never had.

Alessandro Venier's (pictured) remains were found in a rubbish bin at his home in Gemona del Friuli, near the north-eastern city of Udine

His mother, 61-year-old nurse Lorena Venier (pictured), confessed to the crime

'Mailyn was being beaten up, insulted and threatened many times with death. My son downplayed the post-natal depression she was suffering from. Alessandro was violent, Mailyns life was in danger.

'I could not have allowed them to go to Colombia, Mailyn and the baby would have run very serious risks there. The only way to stop him was to kill him.'

Though Mailyn is alleged to have helped out with the July 25 murder, she was in a vulnerable state and confessed less than a week later.

The pair are alleged to have given Allesandro a glass of lemonade spiked with a tranquiliser.

When that didn't work, Lorena allegedly injected him with two doses of insulin, which she said she got from the hospital she worked. Insulin overdoses can lead to comas, irreversible brain damage and even death if not treated.

But despite the heavy dose of insulin, Allesandro was still alive. He was allegedly finished off after the pair smothered him with a pillow before strangling him to death with his own bootlaces.

Lorena told cops: 'I took care of the dismemberment myself. I used a hacksaw and a sheet to hold the blood. I dissected him into three pieces.'

Her hope was that no one would notice her son's disappearance, banking on neighbours assuming he had moved to South America without his girlfriend or daughter.

Mailyn's (pictured) confession exposed his death, and both were detained

The town has reportedly been left shocked by the horror death

Venier was brought up by his mother after his father abandoned the family following his birthVenier was brought up by his mother after his father abandoned the family following his birth

But Mailyn's confession exposed his death, and both were detained. Lorena has been charged with murder and concealing a body, while Mailyn is suspected of instigation to murder.

The town has reportedly been left shocked by the horror death.

Roberto Revelant, the mayor of the town, said: 'Nothing like this has ever happened here before. Its a terrible thing, its heart-wrenching.'

A post-mortem examination is currently being carried out, and the women are expected to be officially charged in the coming days.

The six-month-old child has been taken into care, with the mayor adding: 'The whole community is rallying around the baby. We are working with social services to make sure she is safe.'
Distressing new photos of two skeletal-looking Palestinian children have emerged amid the continued war of words over the plight of the people in Gaza.

The war-ravaged enclave is reportedly in the grip of a major famine amid claims vital aid reaching civilians has either stalled or been seized by Hamas terrorists.

The situation has sparked desperate calls for action from the United Nations (UN), as fears of a humanitarian crisis erupting continue to grow.

So far, 212 people, including 98 children, have reportedly died of malnutrition according to unconfirmed figures by the Hamas-run health ministry, with 11 more deaths reported last night.

The latest harrowing images to come out of the Gaza strip appear to show a severely emaciated two-year-old crying out as he is treated in hospital.

Little Sham Kadih, who appears to be suffering from malnutrition, was pictured weeping as he is tended to at Nasser Hospital on Saturday.

It comes amid an on-going shortage of baby formula and medicine, which has reportedly left scores of children on the brink of starvation.

Another image purports to show three-year-old Palestinian boy Edhem Mohammed Abu Urmana being fed just water instead of baby formula.

Little Sham Kadih, who is suffering from malnutrition, can be seen weeping as he is tended to at Nasser Hospital on Saturday

The toddler is the latest child in Gaza to be pictured reportedly suffering from severe malnutrition

Another image purports to show three-year-old Palestinian boy Edhem Mohammed Abu Urmana being fed just water instead of baby formula. Little Sham Kadih, who is suffering from malnutrition, can be seen weeping as he is tended to at Nasser Hospital on Saturday

The youngster, who appears gaunt and thin, was forced to flee his home alongside his family amid the on-going bombing campaign by Israel.

Now staying inside a tent at the Nuseirat refugee camp, Edhem is reportedly suffering from malnutrition.

The youngster was pictured on Saturday curled into a ball as he sipped water from a bottle.

It is the latest in a series of heartbreaking images to emerge from Palestine amid claims its residents are starving, and a row over the cause between Israel and foreign critics.

Last month, pictures of Mohammed Zakaria al-Mutawaq, an 18-month-old child who was diagnosed with severe malnutrition, were featured across the Western media. But subsequently it emerged the child had pre-existing medical conditions.

Pro-Palestinian voices blame Israel for the images of starvation, accusing them of blocking aid. Israel denies these claims and accuses Hamas of stealing and hoarding aid - and the UN of failing to deliver life-saving supplies.

Videos reportedly shared from terror tunnels underneath Gaza City have previously shown Hamas militants surrounded by food and smiling, while citizens above desperately fight for food.

UN-backed experts have said they have 'mounting evidence of famine' in Gaza, calling for Israel to allow more aid to enter, while Israel insists there is no starvation, arguing Hamas is using a 'famine narrative' for leverage in ceasefire talks, and blocking aid.

Three-year-old Edhem Mohammed Abu Urmana, who was forced to flee his home with his family due to Israel's ongoing attacks and blockade, struggles to survive in a tent in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza

The photos comes after an image of starving nine-year-old Maryam Duvvas was shared earlier this month

Palestinians wait with pots in their hands as a charitable organization distributes food to people in Gaza suffering food crisis

People carried pots and pans to collect food from aid workers in Gaza on Sunday, August 10

As the blame game continues to rage, the international community has been scrambling to air drop vital supplies and food into the war-torn Gaza strip

In desperate scenes, a 15-year-old boy was reportedly crushed to death by a falling pallet yesterday during an airdrop of humanitarian aid near the so-called Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza.

The footage, verified by news agency Al Jazeera, shows people scrambling to try and save Muhannad Zakaria Eid on Saturday.

Some people try to resuscitate the lifeless teenager, whose face appears bloodied.

Other footage shows the boy's brother carrying him away from the site and his father clutching his body at al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat.

Eid's brother told the Reuters news agency the teen was killed after an aid pallet fell on top of him.

'Despite the famine and the hard conditions that we live in, my brother went to get aid that was dropped into the sea by [aero]planes. A box fell on him directly and he was martyred,' he said.

'They [the countries involved in the airdrops] cannot enter the aid through the crossing but they drop them over us and kill our children. A kid was killed in [az-]Zawayda and here and there, and nobody feels us. God is sufficient for us, against them and their aid,' he added.

In desperate scenes, a 15-year-old boy was reportedly crushed to death by a falling pallet yesterday during an airdrop of humanitarian aid near the so-called Netzarim Corridor

Footage shows Muhannad Zakaria Eid, 15, being carried away after reportedly being crushed

So far, 212 people, including 98 children, have reportedly died of malnutrition according to the Hamas-run health ministry, with 11 more deaths reported last night (pictured: Maryam Duvvas)

Other images released earlier this month show severely malnourished babies as the Gaza Strip finds itself on the brink of famine

Five-month-old Palestinian infant Abdulkarim Sobh is severely malnourished, surviving on only water as his mother is unable to access milk or food due to ongoing Israeli blockade that cut off critical humanitarian supplies, in Gaza City, Gaza on August 02, 2025

The tragedy comes amid repeated warnings from the UN that airdrops were potentially dangerous, costly and inefficient.

Around a million civilians are now thought to now be sheltering in the war-torn enclave, which has largely been reduced to rubble after almost two years of bombardment.

Over the last 24 hours, the Hamas-run health ministry claims at least 38 people have been killed and 491 injured as a result of Israeli military. The figures have not yet been independently verified.

Deaths continue to rise amid reports that a deadline of October 7 has been set for residents to evacuate Gaza City following the announcement of a controversial Israeli plan to take control of the area.

The new plan, approved by the Israeli security cabinet and detailed on Friday, lists five 'principles' for ending the war in Gaza, with one being 'taking security control of the territory'.

Reports in Israeli media say the action plan initially focuses on seizing full control of Gaza City, relocating its estimated one million residents further south.

However, the proposals have been met with fierce criticism from the international community, as well as senior figures in the Israeli military.

It comes amid fears over what impact the full-scale onslaught could have on the civilian population still stranded in Gaza - as well as to the remaining Israeli hostages still held captive by terror group Hamas.

Israel has so far shrugged off the criticism from world leaders, with Defence Minister Israel Katz saying global condemnation would 'not weaken our resolve'.

COGAT, the Israeli military agency that coordinates aid, said that during the past week, over 23,000 tons of humanitarian aid in 1,200 trucks had entered Gaza but that hundreds of the trucks had yet to be driven to aid distribution hubs by UN and other international organisations

America has seemingly been less critical, with president Donald Trump saying earlier this week it was 'pretty much up to Israel' whether to occupy Gaza or not.

The move to take full control of Gaza could potentially make the plight of Palestinians worse in the short term, with fears the fighting could further restrict aid routes into the enclave.

The UN's humanitarian agency said on Friday the amount of aid entering Gaza continues to be 'far below the minimum required to meet people's immense needs'.

Experts from the UN-backed global food security organisation have warned the 'worst-case scenario of famine' is already playing out.

Israel has denied there is any famine and accused UN agencies of not picking up aid at the borders and delivering it.

But the UN claims its workers are being impeded at the borders.

In its announcement of the plan to seize Gaza City, Israel's prime minister's office insisted it will provide 'humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones'.

However, it did not provide further details of what that might entail.
Former Labour anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq says she feels like she is 'in a Kafkaesque nightmare' as she faces a corruption trial in Bangladesh.

Ms Siddiq, 42, is accused of having obtained plots from her aunt Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted as the south Asian country's prime minister last year, through 'abuse of power and influence'.

The MP for Hampstead and Highgate has labelled the charge as 'completely absurd' and is yet to confirm whether she will travel to the country to appear in court in person.

The trial is set to start tomorrow, but she says she is yet to receive an 'official summons'.

Talking to The Guardian, she said: 'I feel a bit like I'm trapped in this Kafkaesque nightmare where I've been put on trial and I genuinely haven't found out what the allegations are and what the trial is about.'

Bangladesh's new government has been investigating claims that her family embezzled up to 3.9billion from infrastructure spending.

The nation's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) accuses Ms Siddiq of obtaining a 7,200 sq ft plot of land in the Purbachal diplomatic zone of the capital, Dhaka.

Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam claimed she 'influenced her aunt to get land properties for family members'.

Former Labour anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq says she feels like she is 'in a Kafkaesque nightmare' as she faces a corruption trial in Bangladesh

Siddiq (left) is pictured with Sheikh Hasina (centre) in 2013 alongside Vladimir Putin during her aunt's state visit to Russia

Ms Siddiq quit as a minister in January after an official investigation found her family's links with the ousted Bangladeshi regime exposed the Government to 'reputational risks'

On Thursday, two Bangladeshi courts indicted her and 26 others, including her aunt  who fled to India after being deposed  family members and officials.

Mr Salam said that if Ms Siddiq was found guilty, Bangladesh authorities were likely to submit an Interpol Red Notice for her arrest, which would prove embarrassing for Sir Keir Starmer.

Ms Siddiq insists she is the victim of an orchestrated campaign against her, and accused interim leader Muhammad Yunus of 'interfering with UK politics'.

'The truth is that I'm collateral damage, because of this feud between Muhammad Yunus and my aunt,' she said.

'These are wider forces that I'm battling against There's no doubt people have done wrong things in Bangladesh, and they should be punished for it. It's just I'm not one of them.'

Ms Siddiq, whom the ACC also accuses of money laundering and benefiting from a nuclear power deal with Russia, quit as a minister in January after an official investigation found her family's links with the ousted Bangladeshi regime exposed the Government to 'reputational risks'.

She had referred herself to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.

Her lawyer, Paul Thwaite, said earlier this week: 'Ms Siddiq has not received any official communication from the court and has never owned any plot of land in Purbachal.'
A Metropolitan Police officer has been hailed for having the 'patience of a saint' after a pro-Palestine protester loudly banged a metal pot repeatedly next to his ear.

The nuisance female activist, wearing a red and white keffiyeh and face mask, was filmed smashing the silver cooking instrument with a wooden spoon dozens of times just inches away from the cop's face.

The stoic officer, who was overseeing a chaotic rally by Left-wing demonstrators in London, was forced to put his finger in his ear to try drown out the racket.

Despite the deafening din from the clattering of the pot, and other activists loudly chanting 'free free Palestine' and 'down down occupation', the officer refused to move, completely ignoring the woman's relentless noisy onslaught.

A Met Police spokesman told the Daily Mail: 'Our officers worked tirelessly for more than six hours yesterday.

'As the extraordinary patience of the officer in this video shows, they demonstrated professionalism and carefully measured judgement throughout, even when being subjected to some unpleasant abuse and interference.'

People on social media were quick to slate the 'annoying' activist's pot-bashing antics - while hailing the officer as having the 'patience of a saint'.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, one person said: 'She was doing it to provoke a reaction - he did the right thing to ignore it, she wanted to be confronted, arrested etc. The man has the patience of a saint!'

Another person said the woman deserved to be arrested for her actions. 'She doesn't need warning she needs arresting immediately,' one man claimed on X.

A Metropolitan Police officer has been hailed for having the 'patience of a saint' after a pro-Palestine protester loudly banged a metal pot repeatedly next to his ear

At one point the noise from the din became so loud the officer was forced to put his finger in his ear to drown out the racket

'Why do they think this is OK behaviour from anyone? She would be the first to scream if this was done to her,' someone else added.

While a fourth person took a more blunt approach to the footage. 'I'd shove that thing up her a**, and smack her head with the cup,' they said.

The footage was filmed in the capital during a rally spearheaded by militant protesters - who were last night accused of a 'colossal' waste of millions of pounds of taxpayers' cash after more than 360 deliberately forced police to arrest them.

During a day of mayhem and farce, Left-wing activists swamped Parliament Square in London on Saturday in support of outlawed organisation Palestine Action, which was proscribed by the Government last month as a terrorist group.

Hundreds held placards declaring 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action' in deliberate acts of law-breaking designed to overwhelm police resources and the courts.

By 6pm police had arrested 365 people for supporting a proscribed organisation and seven others, including five for assaulting police officers.

More than 850 officers were deployed on the huge operation, including 120 drafted in to bolster the Met from Wales, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

Officers endured a torrent of abuse as they made arrests, with demonstrators screaming 'shame on you', 'terrorists' and 'fascist scum'. Violent scuffles broke out as officers attempted to lead those arrested away. The Met said that none of its officers was seriously injured.

Militant protesters were accused of a 'colossal' waste of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money after more than 360 deliberately forced police to arrest them by brandishing signs supporting the outlawed group Palestine Action

During a day of chaos and farce, Left-wing activists swamped Parliament Square in London on Saturday in support of the organisation, which was proscribed by the Government last month as a terrorist group

A woman is led away by police officers as supporters of Palestine Action take part in a mass action in Parliament Square

The cost comes on top of the more than 53 million that the Met has already spent policing pro-Palestine protests in central London since the October 7 attacks against Israel in 2023.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp estimated the police operation and subsequent legal costs to prosecute those arrested, including court time and legal aid, could cost taxpayers up to 3 million.

Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Mr Philp said: 'When you take into account the policing costs today and how much lengthy prosecutions and court processes will cost, the final bill for today's idiotic stunt could be as much as 3 million. This is money that could have been spent catching drug dealers, gang members, phone thieves and shoplifters.

'Those supporting a banned organisation should feel the full force of the law. Palestine Action is a violent group that seeks to impose its views on others through force. They smash up property, vandalise RAF planes and have even attacked a police officer with a sledgehammer.

'Those illegally supporting Palestine Action are supporting political violence.'

To prevent London's police cells from being overwhelmed, the Met established a so-called 'prisoner- processing point' in nearby King Charles Street.

Under three gazebos, arrested activists were asked for their names and addresses and had their fingerprints taken. They were then bailed and told to return to a police station at a future date.
The White House Farm killer Jeremy Bamber has made a twisted claim about his murdered family.

The then 24-year-old murdered his adoptive parents, his adoptive sister and her six-year-old twins at the farmhouse in the village of Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Essex, on August 7, 1985.

Nevill and June Bamber, both 61, Sheila Caffell, 28, and little Daniel and Nicholas were all shot, for which Bamber, now 64, is currently serving a life sentence.

But he has always maintained his innocence, saying it was Ms Caffell, a paranoid schizophrenic, who carried out the murders with one of her father's guns, before shooting herself.

Now, almost exactly 40 years on, Bamber has made a bombshell claim about the events of that horrifying day, the Mirror reports.

The infamous murderer has now alleged Essex Police accidentally shot his sister's corpse before blaming the killings on him to cover it up.

He said: 'They were the ones who, when they took the gun off, shot her a second time  and then tried to pretend that was down to me.'

The force has previously declined to challenge or comment on Bamber's astonishing claim.

The White House Farm killer Jeremy Bamber (pictured in a police van amid his original 1986 trial) has made a twisted claim about his murdered family

The then 24-year-old murdered his adoptive parents (pictured), his adoptive sister and her six-year-old twins at the farmhouse in the village of Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Essex, on August 7, 1985

Nevill and June Bamber, both 61, Sheila Caffell (pictured), 28, and little Daniel and Nicholas were all shot, for which Bamber, now 64, is currently serving a life sentence

Bamber is determined - even after being behind bars since 1986 for the crime, convicted on a majority verdict - an upcoming appeal will prove he is blameless.

The killer has insisted his latest words are supported by documents from his original trial.

But a whopping 226 prosecution files from the original coroner's inquiry, which he and his supporters believe may contain the crucial evidence, have been locked up.

They will not become publicly available at the National Archives until 2054.

There was no direct evidence at the time linking Bamber to the killings.

Essex Police has previously declined to comment on whether they are confident these documents hold no proof of Bamber's claim.

His sister Ms Caffell, a model from the Maida Vale area of north London, was found at the scene with the firearm used in the bloodbath sitting on her chest.

This led authorities to initially believe she had, in a psychotic episode, shot her family before turning the gun on herself.

Now, almost exactly 40 years on, Bamber (pictured in 2011) has made a bombshell claim about the events of that horrifying day

The infamous murderer has now alleged Essex Police accidentally shot his sister's corpse before blaming the killings on him to cover it up. Pictured: White House Farm

She had received care for her schizophrenia in a psychiatric facility and had previously confessed to having suicidal thoughts.

Ms Caffell had also previously admitted to social services she was afraid she might harm her two children.

But after further investigation, the police later concluded it was Bamber behind the murders and that he staged the scene to look like a murder-suicide by his sister.

Prosecutors at the trial said Sheila had been shot twice - both in the neck and through the chin, into her head.

They told the jury: 'The prosecution say on that evidence alone, it is inconceivable that she shot herself.'

But Bamber's lawyers insisted Ms Caffell had taken her own life, saying it was rare but not impossible for a person to shoot themselves twice in cases of suicide.

Now, with 40 years behind bars to reflect, he has said one of the two shots Ms Caffell took was discharged after she died.

Officers and a police surgeon who were present at the scene said in statements she had suffered only one gunshot wound.

Bamber (pictured in 2002) said: 'They were the ones who, when they took the gun off, shot her a second time  and then tried to pretend that was down to me'

Bamber (pictured in 1986) is determined - even after being behind bars since 1986 for the crime, convicted on a majority verdict - an upcoming appeal will prove he is blameless

The surgeon, Dr Ian Craig, confirmed this both at the trial and during a post-trial review: 'I saw only one gunshot wound at that stage.'

One of Bamber's staunchest advocates, Philip Walker, added: 'We thought, "OK, this is highly suspect".'

He mentioned the police held firearms training exercises at the farm that morning after the bodies were found, which he said the force has not disputed.

'They had to admit that, partly because they asked Jeremy's permission to do it and he, in his sort of shocked state, said, "Yeah, okay"', Mr Walker continued.

'They brought all these new recruits from their recently formed firearms unit to see what a real crime scene looked like, how you'd go about dealing with it.'

Police documents confirm six firearms officers arrived at the farm after the bodies were discovered.

Bamber is now arguing the second wound on Ms Caffell's body came after the officers examined it, recording one shot, but before crime scene photos were taken.

Mr Walker explained the prisoner and his supporters now believe a gun was accidentally fired during this training exercise process - inflicting the second shot.

One of Bamber's staunchest advocates, Philip Walker said the police held firearms training exercises at the farm (pictured) that morning after the bodies were found, which he said the force has not disputed

Multiple officers at the time noted a disparity between the initial appearance of Sheila's body and the gun and what was documented in crime scene photos.

Mr Walker concluded, alleging: 'This would obviously be a big embarrassment for Essex Police.

'To go around shooting dead people accidentally is not a good look  so they just covered it up.'

An Essex Police spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'In August 1985 the lives of five people, including two children, were needlessly, tragically and callously cut short when they were murdered in their own home by Jeremy Bamber.

'In the years that followed this case has been the subject of several appeals and reviews by the Court of Appeal and the Criminal Cases Review Commission  all of these processes have never found anything other than Bamber is the person responsible for killing his adoptive parents Nevill and June, sister Sheila Caffell and her two sons Nicholas and Daniel.

'Essex Police will continue to assist the Criminal Cases Review Commission as required.'

It comes after a retired Essex Police CID officer broke ranks in March to blow the whistle on the force's handling of the case.

He did so after reading Bamber's submissions to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).

Police documents confirm six firearms officers arrived at the farm after the bodies were discovered. Pictured: Bamber in handcuffs being escorted by police

The review body refused in June to refer his case back to the Court of Appeal after spending four years reviewing four of the ten grounds Bamber's lawyers said undermined the safety of his conviction.

They continue to review the other six.

The CCRC's provisional statement of reasons said the four grounds did not meet the threshold for being referred to the Court of Appeal.

Bamber can challenge this and his lawyers have said they will judicially review the decision.

He received a boost last year after an article in the New Yorker magazine highlighted more than a dozen apparent discrepancies in the prosecution's case.

The submissions to the CCRC include evidence from one of the world's leading ballistics experts who said the jury may have been misled.

This is because, they claimed, Essex Police 'changed the evidence' by moving Nevill Bamber's body before the crime scene photos were taken.

The whistleblower's detailed written statement corroborates the claim Essex Police 'changed the evidence'.

It comes after a retired Essex Police CID officer broke ranks in March to blow the whistle on the force's handling of the case. Pictured: Bamber being led into Chelmsford Crown Court at the start of his original 1986 trial

He claims officers 'disturbed' the murder scene at White House Farm hours after the shootings, with items 'removed' and 'replaced' before the photos were taken.

At the original trial, prosecutors showed the photos to the jury, without any mention that police had disturbed the kitchen or the bedrooms where the bodies were found.

The photos helped secure a 10-2 majority verdict.

The whistleblower claims Essex Police took video footage of the murder scene, which was withheld from the jury and Bamber's defence team and later destroyed.

Astonishingly, the whistleblower  who worked for the Essex force for 20 years and left with an exemplary record  says he was shown the footage by a 'very senior officer' on the condition it never became public.

The whistleblower's evidence is backed by two alleged Essex Police documents, which appear to confirm footage of the crime scene did exist.

One document, apparently written in February 1991 and titled 'Bamber  Enquiry Exhibits (Location of)', lists ten pieces of evidence from the case that went missing after the trial.

The list includes four reference numbers for 'video cassettes of scene'. Essex Police denies any video footage existed.

The former CID officer  who decided to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals  previously told The Mail on Sunday: 'You can restage a crime scene to make anybody look like the guilty party.

'In the White House Farm case, the crime scene constitutes the vast majority of the case against Jeremy Bamber.

'If the crime scene has no integrity, then neither does the investigation, and it follows that neither does the case against Mr Bamber.

'He has basically been convicted on a fabricated crime scene and a series of lies.'

Essex Police said, responding to the whistleblower's claims, that it stood by its investigation.
Flash flooding slammed parts of Wisconsin on Saturday evening, forcing revelers at the state fair to flee and left residents trapped inside their homes.

Torrential rainfall battered the Badger State, with the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing a flash flooding warning for Milwaukee, West Allis and Wauwatosa.

Images emerged of flood waters rising over cars in the state, in one clip a man is seen stranded sitting on the hood of a car as fast flowing water passes him.

Other videos shared online show streets in the state flooded with rainfall totals exceeding six inches in some parts of the state, the NWS said.

Residents near the Menomonee River were reportedly trapped inside their homes in the early hours of Sunday morning after severe flooding swamped the area.

The heavy downpours also hit Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport where runways were flooded, the NWS said.

The brutal storms also forced the Wisconsin State Fair to close early and cancel their main stage performance, Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Videos shared of the fairground captured the intense flooding at the event, with locals seen wading their way through high water to the nearest exits.

Locals can be seen here fleeing from the Wisconsin State Fair after flash flooding swamped the area

Images emerged of flood waters rising over cars in the state, in one clip a man is seen stranded sitting on the hood of a car

TMJ4 also shared video footage they had of vehicles trapped in the flood waters at the fair.

Fair officials announced the closure shortly before 10PM, saying: 'Attention Fairgoers! The State Fair Park is closing.

'Please use caution as you make your way to the nearest exit as safely as possible and follow the directions of the Fair Park staff and police as you exit.'

On Sunday, officials confirmed that the flash flooding that hit the state fair park had resulted in them having to close it all together.

Footage shared by Chief Meteorologist at FOX6 Milwaukee Tom Wachs also showed kids jumping around in the flood waters at the fair.

Other soaked revelers can be seen clutching at umbrellas while wading shin deep in the water to the exit.

According to the We Energies outage map, around 45,000 customers were without electricity as of Sunday morning.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the highest rain total was 10 inches in Butler.

Rain monitors ran by Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District said that over 13 inches had fallen in the 8100 block of W. Florist Ave in Milwaukee.

The outlet also reported that streets and creeks were flooded in Milwaukee, with some basements also underwater.

Benjamin Sheppard, a meteorologist at the NWS office in Milwaukee, said that those in the city should expect more to come.

Other videos shared online show streets in the state flooded with rainfall totals exceeding six inches in some parts of the state

According to the We Energies outage map, around 45,000 customers were without electricity as of Sunday morning

The NWS urges anyone caught in a flash flood to 'turn around, don't drown' and to avoid getting in a car

He said: 'This first round of storms today has been to some extent unpredictable in terms of when and where they'll intensify and how fast they will propagate and move.'

The heaviest of the downpours are expected to land on Sunday night. Sheppard added that some fallen trees had been reported in Menomonee Falls.

In their latest warning for parts of Wisconsin, issued on Sunday morning, they said: 'At 619 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area.

'Between 3 and 4 inches of rain have fallen. Muscoda and Boscobel had received over 3 inches of rain as of 615 am.

'Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.'

The NWS urges anyone caught in a flash flood to 'turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles', they said.
A Labour Police and Crime Commissioner has been criticised after it emerged she handed over 5,000 of taxpayers' cash for a gay pride march  just weeks before a High Court judge ruled that allowing uniformed police officers to take part in such a parade was biased and unlawful.

Emily Spurrell, a former councillor and PCC for Merseyside, made the donation of public money to 'save' Liverpool Pride, which was under threat because of a shortage of funds.

The cash from her office  which was the top donation of any organisation or individual  helped the event to go ahead as planned, on July 26.

But just days earlier Northumbria Police was admonished by the High Court for allowing uniformed police officers to march under a Progress flag promoting transgender ideology at a pride march last year.

In his ruling, Mr Justice Linden said it was 'contrary to the uniformed officers' duties of impartiality', as well as Northumbria Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine's 'own duty of impartiality, to participate in the 2024 march, in Newcastle, in the way that they did.'

His judgement had immediate repercussions for police forces nationwide, with some opting to ban their officers from marching and taking part in such future events  unless policing it in an official capacity.

Yesterday critics said Ms Spurrell's decision to make the donation when the High Court case was 'on the horizon' was 'an extraordinary misuse of public funds' and 'simply stupefying.'

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell made the 5k donation to help save Liverpool Pride, which was struggling financially

She was pictured at the event with police officers in 2024 wearing facepaint and a rainbow dress

Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin has slammed the donation as a 'misuse of public funds'

Sarah Pochin, Reform UK MP for nearby Runcorn and Helsby, said: 'The Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner's 5,000 donation to Liverpool Pride is an extraordinary misuse of public funds.

'With rising crime and anti-social behaviour, taxpayers want to see safer streets not political gestures.'

Another outraged local told the Mail: 'When other forces are following the ruling and making cancellations in relation to Pride events  the Merseyside PCC was shelling out thousands - that's in no way impartial.

'The decision to make the donation when that High Court case was on the horizon was simply stupefying.'

Under police regulations, which are set out in legislation, officers have a duty to act with impartiality and must avoid activities likely to interfere with the impartial discharge of their duties.

Allowing Northumbria police officers to march in Newcastle's 2024 Pride in the City parade, and to staff a police stall decorated in the colours of the Progress flag, alongside a van painted in the same design, breached that duty, the judge found.

He agreed with lawyers for Linzi Smith, a lesbian who brought the case against the Northumbria force, that when police officers appeared in uniform or under official branding while displaying the Progress flag, it suggested an alignment or support for gender ideology or transgender rights.

The Progress Pride flag is a variation on the original rainbow banner adopted by gay rights campaigners in the 1970s. It has extra colours to represent trans and non-binary people, as well as people of colour and those living with Aids.

A judge said police who marched at Newcastle Pride in 2024 breached rules on impartiality

The ruling prompted other forces across the UK to ban officers taking part in Pride marches in uniform unless they are officially on duty

Vanessa Jardine, Chief Constable of Northumbria Police, was criticised in the High Court ruling

Linzi Smith, a gender-critical lesbian, brought the legal action against the Northumbria force

Soon after the ruling, Chief Constable Tim Forber, of neighbouring North Yorkshire police, said any officers from his force who wished to participate in such parades, who were not officially on duty or 'actively engaged in policing the event,' would not be permitted to wear uniform.

'Participating in protest activity, or parades that support any 'cause' can quite rightly undermine the public's confidence in that impartiality,' he said.

'I do not allow the altering of police uniform or the changing of the livery of police vehicles to show support for any cause.'

Similarly, Greater Manchester Police officers were also told they will not be able to take part and 'represent the force' at this year's Manchester Pride parade later this month.

In a letter to staff, Assistant Chief Constable Stephanie Parker said the High Court ruling had concluded that 'such participation could reasonably be perceived by the public as the police taking a side in ongoing societal and political debates.'

She specifically highlighted gender identity and 'related issues' in the correspondence.

While GMP 'remains steadfast in its commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion' and 'would continue to support LGBTQ 'colleagues and communities', Ms Parker said they also needed to 'uphold the principle of operational impartiality'.

The senior officer added that staff will continue to be able to attend Manchester Pride 'in a personal capacity' and encouraged 'everyone to continue celebrating and supporting our diverse communities'.

'We understand this may be disappointing to many, but this decision has been made to ensure we remain compliant with legal expectations and maintain public confidence in our impartiality,' she added.

Ms Spurrell did not respond to requests for comment.
Were YOU there?

A priest has been rushed to hospital after he was 'bottled by a man who walked into church before mass'.

Father John Murray was hit on the head at St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, today.

In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said the priest was in a 'serious condition' in hospital after what has been described by detectives as a 'brutal attack'.

Fr Murray was believed to have been preparing for one of his last Masses before retiring when the attack took place in the church's sacristy at 10.10am, according to Belfast Live.

A PSNI spokesperson said: 'It was reported to police at around 10.10am on Sunday, 10th August that a man had walked into the church on St Patrick's Avenue and hit the priest on his head with a bottle before leaving.

'The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of a head injury, where he remains in a serious condition.'

Detective Chief Inspector McBurney said: 'This was a completely shocking and brutal attack and has left the priest with a serious head injury.

'Our enquiries are ongoing into this incident, and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed the assault, or has any information to contact Police on 101 and quoting reference 543 of 10/08/25.'

Were YOU there? Email: matt.strudwick@mailonline.co.uk

Father John Murray was today attacked at St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick, in Northern Ireland, today and is in a 'serious condition'

Fr Murray was believed to have been preparing for one his last Masses before retiring when the attack took place in the church's sacristy

The St MacNissi's Parish, in Larne, said Fr Murray had been taken to the Royal Victoria hospital for surgery.

Writing on Facebook, a post read: 'Please remember Fr Murray, retiring Parish Priest of Downpatrick who was the subject of an incident this morning in St Patricks Church, Downpatrick which left him requiring medical care.

'Pray for his speedy recovery both physically and emotionally from this frightening incident.'

Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard said in a Facebook post that he was left 'shocked and saddened to hear the news' about Ft Murray's attack.

'My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish him a full and speedy recovery,' he wrote.

'This cowardly attack is completely unacceptable and I condemn it unequivocally. I urge anyone with information to contact the police.'

Cathy Mason, member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, said she was 'horrified'.

'The attack on Father Murray in St Patricks Church, Downpatrick, this morning is deeply shocking,' she wrote on her Facebook page.

'No one should ever face violence, least of all in a place of worship. This was a shameful act and must be condemned outright.

'My thoughts are with Father Murray and I hope he makes a swift and full recovery.'

A post on the Downpatrick Family of Parishes thanked people for their prayers and well wishes.

'Parishioners will be aware of an incident in St Patrick's Church earlier today. Fr Murray is currently receiving medical treatment,' it read.

Were YOU there? Email: matt.strudwick@mailonline.co.uk
At least one person in Greece has died after wildfires consumed nearly 16,000 acres of land amid a surge of fires across Europe.

In the Keratea region, just south of Athens, an elderly man tragically died during the fire that broke out on Friday. Firefighters found his remains in a bed in a hut.

As blazes continue to wreak havoc across the nation for a third day, the National Observatory in Athens said that the high winds that have been fanning the flames will persist until at least Monday.

Over in Italy, Italian firefighters on Sunday tackled a wildfire on the flanks of Mount Vesuvius, with all hiking routes up the volcano near Naples closed to tourists.

The national fire service said it had 12 teams on the ground and six Canadair planes fighting the blaze, which has torn through the national park in southern Italy since Friday.

Reinforcement firefighters were on their way from other regions and the onsite teams were using drones to better monitor the spread of the fire, the service said on Telegram.

'For safety reasons and... to facilitate firefighting and cleanup operations in the affected areas, all activities along the Vesuvius National Park trail network are suspended until further notice,' the park said in a statement Saturday.

Nearly 620,000 people visited the volcano's crater in 2024, according to the park.

Flames and smoke rise from burning trees while firefighters continue their efforts to extinguish the fire that broke out in the forest area near the Komotini, Greece on August 10, 2025

Flames and smoke rise from a wildfire that breaks out at the Vesuvius National Park in Terzigno, a commune in Naples, Italy on August 8, 2025

A drone view shows fire trucks driving past a house severely damaged by fire in Jonquieres, near Narbonne, southern France, as wildfires sweep through the region, August 8, 2025

lames and smoke rise from burning trees while firefighters continue their efforts to extinguish the fire that broke out in the forest area near the Komotini, Greece on August 10, 2025

The smoke from the fire could be seen from the Pompeii archeological site, which however remained open to tourists.

Over in France, about 1,400 firefighters were deployed Saturday in the southern Aude region to prevent the country's largest wildfire in decades from reigniting, as all residents were allowed to return to their homes.

Aude prefect Christian Pouget said the fire has been contained since Thursday after burning this week more than 62 square miles in the wooded region, known for its wineries.

Horrifying photos showed the fires left the vineyards as little than piles of ash.

All roads have been reopened but authorities issued a strict ban on accessing the forest, Pouget said at a news conference on Saturday.

'The fight is continuing, firefighters are still working on (fire) reignition,' he said.

The blaze left one person dead and 25 people have been injured, including 19 firefighters, Pouget said.

High temperatures in the coming days are expected to complicate firefighters' efforts.

'The fire won't be extinguished for several weeks,' Col. Christophe Magny, director of the Aude fire department, said, pointing to several 'hot spots' that are being closely monitored.

Flames and smoke rise from burning trees while firefighters continue their efforts to extinguish the fire that broke out in the forest area near the Komotini, Greece on August 10, 2025

A firefighter in action amid a wildfire that broke out in the area of Keratea, Southeast Attica, Greece, 9 August 2025

A Canadair flights over flames and smoke rise from a wildfire that breaks out at the Vesuvius National Park in Terzigno, a commune in Naples, Italy on August 9, 2025

A large fire rages in a green area on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius near Naples, Italy, 8 August 2025

Smoke rises from a fire that broke out late the previous day in the surroundings of Maceda in Galicia, northwestern Spain, 10 August 2025

Residents watch as smoke rises from a fire that broke out late the previous day in the surroundings of Maceda in Galicia, northwestern Spain, 10 August 2025

France's national weather agency Meteo France placed the southern half of France on a 'high vigilance' alert for heat wave, with temperatures expected in the Aude region of up to 39 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

Monday is forecast to be the 'hottest day nationwide,' according to national weather service Meteo France.

In Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, a 65-year-old woman was found dead on Wednesday in her home, which was devastated by flames.

For livestock farmers in Fontjoncouse, the fire has ravaged grazing land and wiped out much of their flocks, fuelling outrage among those who said they did not have time to evacuate their herds.

Emmanuelle Bernier said she was 'extremely angry' when she returned to a devastating scene, finding the pen that had housed her herd of goats in ruins, with 17 animals - some close to giving birth - lost in the fire.

'I will definitely change jobs. This will change my whole life,' she said.

Bernier's property now holds only a few geese and two sick goats after she had to temporarily entrust her surviving sheep to a local winegrower, as the damage to the farm was so extensive that they could no longer stay.

'Everything here was built around the sheep, and seeing the flock leave was incredibly difficult for me,' she said.

But as she surveyed the scorched landscape, Bernier voiced some hope for the future.

'There's still a little life left,' she said.

Authorities said one resident suffered serious burns and four others were lightly injured, while 19 firefighters were hurt, including one with a head injury.

In neighboring Spain, firefighters continued to battle a wildfire in Avila province, over 62 miles west of Madrid.

A man cools off at the Acqua Paola Fountain ('Fontanone') on Gianicolo Hill in Rome, on August 9, 2025

A woman seeks refreshment at the Colosseum on a hot day in Rome, Italy, 8 August 2025

A helicopter drops water to put out the fire while firefighters continue their efforts to extinguish the fire that broke out in the forest area near the Komotini, Greece on August 10, 2025

An helicopter flights over flames and smoke rise from a wildfire that breaks out at the Vesuvius National Park in Terzigno, a commune in Naples, Italy on August 9, 2025

A drone view shows vineyards and scorched vegetation near Jonquieres, near Narbonne, southern France, as wildfires sweep through the region, August 8, 2025

A firefighting airplane in action amid a wildfire that broke out in the area of Keratea, Southeast Attica, Greece, 09 August 2025

Hundreds of firefighters battled the deadly wildfire near Athens for a second day on Saturday

large wildfire breaks out in the town of Keratea near Athens, Greece, on August 8, 2025

Victor Fernandez, a technician at the advanced command post, told reporters Saturday the fire was being contained but warned the next hours would be 'critical.' Extreme temperatures are expected to continue until at least next week, according to Spain's national weather service.

The fire began on Friday afternoon with the Spanish Military Emergencies Unit working through the night to bring it under control and prevent it from approaching roads and train lines.

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.
Members of the People's Armed Police Force Gansu Corps search for missing individuals in Maliantan Village, Yuzhong County of northwest China's Gansu Province, Aug. 10, 2025. The People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) Gansu Corps mobilized over 400 officers and soldiers on Sunday, deploying them to several villages in Yuzhong County, including Xinglongshan, Maliantan, Xiaokangying, and Jiuzhuanggou. The forces will conduct disaster relief work, which includes searching for missing individuals, roadway clearing, transferring materials, and disinfecting affected areas. (Photo by Liu Yabin/Xinhua)

A member of the People's Armed Police Force Gansu Corps searches for missing individuals in Maliantan Village, Yuzhong County of northwest China's Gansu Province, Aug. 10, 2025. The People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) Gansu Corps mobilized over 400 officers and soldiers on Sunday, deploying them to several villages in Yuzhong County, including Xinglongshan, Maliantan, Xiaokangying, and Jiuzhuanggou. The forces will conduct disaster relief work, which includes searching for missing individuals, roadway clearing, transferring materials, and disinfecting affected areas. (Photo by Liu Yabin/Xinhua)

Members of the People's Armed Police Force Gansu Corps conduct rescue work in Xinglongshan Village, Yuzhong County of northwest China's Gansu Province, Aug. 10, 2025. The People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) Gansu Corps mobilized over 400 officers and soldiers on Sunday, deploying them to several villages in Yuzhong County, including Xinglongshan, Maliantan, Xiaokangying, and Jiuzhuanggou. The forces will conduct disaster relief work, which includes searching for missing individuals, roadway clearing, transferring materials, and disinfecting affected areas. (Photo by Hou Conghui/Xinhua)

Members of the People's Armed Police Force Gansu Corps clean up mud in Xinglongshan Village, Yuzhong County of northwest China's Gansu Province, Aug. 10, 2025. The People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) Gansu Corps mobilized over 400 officers and soldiers on Sunday, deploying them to several villages in Yuzhong County, including Xinglongshan, Maliantan, Xiaokangying, and Jiuzhuanggou. The forces will conduct disaster relief work, which includes searching for missing individuals, roadway clearing, transferring materials, and disinfecting affected areas. (Photo by Hou Conghui/Xinhua)

Members of the People's Armed Police Force Gansu Corps clean up mud in Xinglongshan Village, Yuzhong County of northwest China's Gansu Province, Aug. 10, 2025. The People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) Gansu Corps mobilized over 400 officers and soldiers on Sunday, deploying them to several villages in Yuzhong County, including Xinglongshan, Maliantan, Xiaokangying, and Jiuzhuanggou. The forces will conduct disaster relief work, which includes searching for missing individuals, roadway clearing, transferring materials, and disinfecting affected areas. (Photo by Hou Conghui/Xinhua)

Members of the People's Armed Police Force Gansu Corps clean up mud in Xinglongshan Village, Yuzhong County of northwest China's Gansu Province, Aug. 10, 2025. The People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) Gansu Corps mobilized over 400 officers and soldiers on Sunday, deploying them to several villages in Yuzhong County, including Xinglongshan, Maliantan, Xiaokangying, and Jiuzhuanggou. The forces will conduct disaster relief work, which includes searching for missing individuals, roadway clearing, transferring materials, and disinfecting affected areas. (Photo by Hou Conghui/Xinhua)

Members of the People's Armed Police Force Gansu Corps search for villager's missing materials in Xinglongshan Village, Yuzhong County of northwest China's Gansu Province, Aug. 10, 2025. The People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) Gansu Corps mobilized over 400 officers and soldiers on Sunday, deploying them to several villages in Yuzhong County, including Xinglongshan, Maliantan, Xiaokangying, and Jiuzhuanggou. The forces will conduct disaster relief work, which includes searching for missing individuals, roadway clearing, transferring materials, and disinfecting affected areas. (Photo by Hou Conghui/Xinhua)

Members of the People's Armed Police Force Gansu Corps clean up mud in Xinglongshan Village, Yuzhong County of northwest China's Gansu Province, Aug. 10, 2025. The People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) Gansu Corps mobilized over 400 officers and soldiers on Sunday, deploying them to several villages in Yuzhong County, including Xinglongshan, Maliantan, Xiaokangying, and Jiuzhuanggou. The forces will conduct disaster relief work, which includes searching for missing individuals, roadway clearing, transferring materials, and disinfecting affected areas. (Photo by Hou Conghui/Xinhua)
Conservatives are celebrating what they call a 'vibe shift' to the right after surprising images revealed MAGA merchandise for sale inside Los Angeles International Airport - in one of the bluest cities in America.

The viral photo shared Friday pictured the inside of a store called AMERICA!, revealing shelves stocked with Trump-branded pens, dolls, mints, masks and other pro-MAGA Donald Trump gear.

'Spotted at LAX,' Elizabeth Barcohana shared on X alongside a photo of a MAGA T-shirt display in the shop. 'California Vibe Shift Right is real.'

While AMERICA! isn't officially a 'Trump store,' LAX describes the retailer as a store having a 25-year track record specializing in 'local pride, pop culture, and current events' with an emphasis on all things Americana.

'The dynamic, constantly evolving assortment of carefully curated merchandise reflects ever-changing American trends in the market, the local experience, pop culture, politics and current events,' the store description states on LAX's website.

'By design, each AMERICA! store engages visitors by conveying a regional sense of place, set against a contemporary patriotic backdrop.'

Another user, known as unapologeticcrystal, posted a video of the store on TikTok saying: 'You know California has changed when youre at LAX and there's an entire store dedicated to Trump.'

The footage quickly went viral social media, with many users praising the display.

A viral photo shared Friday pictured the inside a store called AMERICA!, revealing shelves stocked with Trump-branded pens, dolls, mints, masks and other pro-MAGA Donald Trump gear

While AMERICA! isn't officially a 'Trump store,' LAX describes the retailer as a store having a 25-year track record specializing in 'local pride, pop culture, and current events' with an emphasis on all things Americana

'That's so awesome to see,' one wrote. 'MAGA is more than a slogan to those of us who saw the previous administration send billions of dollars to foreign countries while abandoning Americans in Western North Carolina. MAGA just means: America before anyone else. Period.'

Another commenter wrote: 'MAGA is the new way we live. We embrace everything that we love about America under the greatest president who has cared about our country in Donald J. Trump. We are taking back California.'

A third simply said: 'I never see any representation. This is nice.'

'So in one of the most liberal cities in the country. They have a Trump store, but I'm supposed to believe the election is close,' another added.

Despite its reputation as a liberal stronghold, Trump and the Republicans picked up substantial gains in November's general election.

Large swathes of California voted for him in areas far away from coastal cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Back in January, sources revealed that Trump was convinced the devastating California wildfires would help him turn the traditionally left-wing state Republican.

One legal source close to the President told the Mail at the time: 'Donald sees this as an opportunity to turn California Republican red.

'This is a state which has the fifth largest economy in the world and it should be thriving. Instead, the liberals have destroyed it with their woke policies. Crime is rising, the streets are filthy, homelessness is everywhere.'

'During the last election people in California were already hearing Donald's message and voting for him.'

The footage quickly went viral social media, with many users praising the display

Conservatives are celebrating what they call a 'vibe shift' to the right after surprising images emerged showing MAGA merchandise for sale inside Los Angeles International Airport - one of the bluest cities in America

'It's still one of the most liberal states in the US, but this total screw-up with the wildfires, the fact that the fire hydrants didn't have enough water, the fact that Democrats constantly cut the fire budget, the fact that none of the vital forest and wild land clearance work has been done  all this supports Donald's message that the Dems have screwed it up badly.'

'His message to ordinary Californians is that these wildfires are the final straw. Make the change and vote Republican and watch California come roaring back to prosperity.'
All those involved have now been suspended

Prisoners volunteering at an animal shelter have been accused of eating the creatures they were supposed to be caring for.

The 'disturbing' allegations were uncovered when guards found guinea pig meat and carcasses in a fridge at the Wooroloo Prison farm, 45km from Perth.

Inmates are believed to have slaughtered the disowned pets at the farm before smuggling the meat back into prison where it was cooked and shared around.

Guinea pig , which is routinely eaten in South America and Asia, is considered to have a gamey flavour that tastes more meatier than rabbit.

Those involved in the alleged meat trade have since been subject to lengthy interrogation and the work-release program has been shut down by jail bosses.

'All Section 95 activities from Wooroloo in the community are suspended pending the outcome of investigations,' Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce told The West.

'It's particularly concerning given the Section 95 community work program is an integral part of the Department's rehabilitation and reintegration efforts, demonstrating the valuable contributions prisoners can make to Western Australian communities.'

Prior to the scandal breaking out, the work-release program had been considered one of the WA prison system's most successful initiatives.
The number of militant activists arrested at a chaotic Palestine Action protest have soared to more than 530 people.

During a day of mayhem and farce, Left-wing protesters swamped London's Parliament Square on Saturday in support of the organisation, which was proscribed by the Government last month as a terrorist group.

Hundreds held placards declaring 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action' in deliberate 'idiotic' acts of law-breaking designed to overwhelm police resources and the courts.

Last night, the Metropolitan Police announced more than 360 people had been detained following the scenes of disorder - at an estimated cost of about 3million.

Protesters were accused of a 'colossal' waste of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money after seemingly getting deliberately arrested by officers.

However, in an update on Sunday afternoon, the Met said the number of total arrests had skyrocketed to 532 - with 522 of these being for people allegedly displaying placards supporting the proscribed terror group.

One of those arrests took place at the form up of the Palestine Coalition march in Russell Square, but the remaining 521 arrests were carried out during the rally in Parliament Square.

There were a further 10 arrests, which included six for assaulting police officers, one for racially aggravated public order, two for breaching a Section 14 Public Order Act condition and one for obstructing a constable in the execution of their duties.

Militant protesters were accused of a 'colossal' waste of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money after more than 360 deliberately forced police to arrest them by brandishing signs supporting the outlawed group Palestine Action

During a day of chaos and farce, Left-wing activists swamped Parliament Square in London in support of the organisation, which was proscribed by the Government last month as a terrorist group

A woman is led away by police officers as supporters of Palestine Action take part in a mass action in Parliament Square

The average age of those detained by police was 54, the force said, with the youngest person cuffed by cops being aged just 17.

In a statement, a spokesman for the Met added: 'We believe that 30 people arrested at the protest on Saturday had been arrested at previous recent protests in support of Palestine Action in London. We're not in a position to confirm if any of those arrested had been arrested recently at protests outside London.'

Over the coming weeks, officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command will work to put together the case files required to secure charges against those arrested.

More than 850 officers were deployed on the huge operation, including 120 drafted in to bolster the Met from Wales, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

Officers endured a torrent of abuse as they made arrests, with demonstrators screaming 'shame on you', 'terrorists' and 'fascist scum'. Violent scuffles broke out as officers attempted to lead those arrested away. The Met said none of its officers was seriously injured.

Speaking last night, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp estimated the police operation and subsequent legal costs to prosecute those arrested, including court time and legal aid, could cost taxpayers up to 3million.

However, the latest arrests could see this figure soar to more than 4million.

The cost comes on top of the more than 53million that the Met has already spent policing pro-Palestine protests in central London since the October 7 attacks against Israel in 2023.

A protester is carried away by police officers at a Lift The Ban demonstration in support of the proscribed group Palestine Action

Hundreds of pro-Palestine campaigners descended on London's Parliament Square

The Met has released this photo of Palestine Action protesters swarming Parliament Square during a protest this afternoon

Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Mr Philp said: 'When you take into account the policing costs today and how much lengthy prosecutions and court processes will cost, the final bill for today's idiotic stunt could be as much as 3million. This is money that could have been spent catching drug dealers, gang members, phone thieves and shoplifters.

'Those supporting a banned organisation should feel the full force of the law. Palestine Action is a violent group that seeks to impose its views on others through force. They smash up property, vandalise RAF planes and have even attacked a police officer with a sledgehammer.

'Those illegally supporting Palestine Action are supporting political violence.'

To prevent London's police cells from being overwhelmed, the Met established a so-called 'prisoner- processing point' in nearby King Charles Street.

Under three gazebos, arrested activists were asked for their names and addresses and had their fingerprints taken. They were then bailed and told to return to a police station at a future date.

Some, however, immediately returned to the protest on Parliament Square and were re-arrested for breaching their bail conditions.

Richard Roques, 69, from London, was among the first to be arrested on the edge of Parliament Square. He had brought a placard with the words 'I support' written on it. At 1pm he added the words 'Palestine Action', prompting his arrest minutes later.

At 1.53pm he was arrested for a second time for returning to the protest and allegedly breaching his bail conditions.

Police officers arrested an 89-year-old protestor in London on Saturday

By 6pm police had arrested 365 people for supporting a proscribed organisation and seven others, including five for assaulting police officers

Officers endured a torrent of abuse as they made arrests, with demonstrators screaming 'shame on you', 'terrorists' and 'fascist scum'

There were also ugly scenes on Whitehall as those arrested were led  and in some cases carried by their arms and legs  to the temporary processing centre, with a hostile crowd pushing and shoving officers

A protestor held a placard in support of Palestine in Parliament Square

Moazzam Beg, a former Guantanamo Bay detainee, was also among those arrested yesterday afternoon. He had been detained by US authorities between 2002 and 2005 before his release without charge.

The protest began at 1pm on Saturday when hundreds of activists sat down and silently held the illegal placards.

Defend Our Juries, which organised yesterday's protest, claimed that between 600 and 700 protested by holding the signs.

The Met, however, said that, while between 500 and 600 people were in Parliament Square 'many were onlookers, media or people not holding placards'.

First to be arrested was William Hancock from Kingston upon Thames. Speaking to the MoS, he said: 'I had a sign that said I support Palestine Action.'

He was followed by Ian Mursell, 73, from Battersea, whose arrest was witnessed by his son Phillip. Designer Theresa Jordan, 45, said she would refuse to co-operate with police as she was led away.

At 2.17pm seven officers arrested a blind man in a wheelchair who told the MoS his name was 'Mike'. Dozens of protesters followed the officers chanting 'no justice, no peace, no fascist police'.

One woman screamed 'you are f****** disgusting, you are fascist scum' at the officers.

Protesters held signs vowing support for Palestine Action in Parliament Square on Saturday

Violent scuffles broke out as officers attempted to lead those arrested away. The Met said that none of its officers was seriously injured

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp estimated that the police operation and subsequent legal costs to prosecute those arrested, including court time and legal aid, could cost taxpayers up to 3 million

The protest began at 1pm when hundreds of activists sat down and silently held the illegal placards

A woman is led away by police officers as supporters of Palestine Action take part in a mass action in Parliament Square

To prevent London's police cells from being overwhelmed, the Met established a so-called 'prisoner- processing point' in nearby King Charles Street

More than 850 officers were deployed on the huge operation, including 120 drafted in to bolster the Met from Wales, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Cheshire

Legislation to proscribe Palestine Action made it a criminal offence to show support for the organisation, carrying a prison sentence of up to 14 years

Some activists said they had previously been arrested while demonstrating for eco-militant groups such as Just Stop Oil.

There were also ugly scenes on Whitehall as those arrested were led  and in some cases carried by their arms and legs  to the temporary processing centre, with a hostile crowd pushing and shoving officers.

A middle-aged man was pushed to the ground by officers as he fought against them. Another march, organised by separate group the Palestine Coalition, assembled on Whitehall. The Met said one person had been arrested.

Legislation to proscribe Palestine Action made it a criminal offence to show support for the organisation, carrying a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said tonight: 'Palestine Action was proscribed based on strong security advice following serious attacks the group has committed, involving violence, significant injuries and extensive criminal damage.'
Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed his plan to take over Gaza City is the 'best way to end the war' in the Middle East.

The plan, which has been broadly condemned by many of Israel's allies, aims to take the entire Gaza Strip under the control of Netanyahu's government.

He said that while Israel currently controls around 75% of the enclave, there are two 'remaining strongholds' where he claimed Hamas militants are - Gaza City in the north and the 'central camps.'

Despite his military's actions that have led to it taking a large proportion of the Strip, he asserted that 'our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza' on a 'fairly short timeline.'

The goals there, he said, include demilitarising Gaza, the Israeli military having 'overriding security control' there and a non-Israeli civilian administration in charge.

He also said he plans to establish a 'security zone' on Gaza's border 'to prevent future terrorist incursions', referencing Hamas' deadly attack on Israel on October 7 2023.

The prime minister also said he had directed Israel's military in recent days to 'bring in more foreign journalists' - which would be a striking development as they have not been allowed into Gaza beyond military embeds.

Netanyahu again blamed many of Gaza's problems on the Hamas militant group, including civilian deaths, destruction and shortages of aid.

Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed his plan to take over Gaza City is the 'best way to end the war' in the Middle East

Starving Palestinians including women and children holding pots wait to receive food distributed by a charity organization as Israel continue to block humanitarian aid from reaching the Gaza Strip on August 10, 2025

He said: 'Since the beginning of the war, Israel has let in close to two million tonnes of aid.

'I know of no other army that has enabled such aid to go to the civilian population in enemy territory.

'Now, if we had a starvation policy no one in Gaza would have survived after two years of war. But our policy has been the exact opposite.'

But since Israel began its retaliatory attack against the Gaza Strip, more than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed.

This number does not include the number of people who have died of malnutrition.

Since June, when Hamas' health ministry began collecting data on starvation, 100 children have died of malnutrition while 117 adults succumbed to the lack of sustenance in the Strip.

Despite the barrage of criticism from world leaders regarding Israel's actions in Gaza, Netanyahu said his nation was prepared to fight without the support of others.

'We will win the war, with or without the support of others,' he warned.

Palestinians collect aid packages dropped by parachutes from military cargo planes at the Nuseirat refugee camp in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on August 10, 2025

Sham Qudeih, a two-year old Palestinian child, is held by her mother at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 10 August 2025

Palestinians struggling with hunger flock to an aid distribution point near the Zikim Crossing to receive limited supplies of flour and other food items, in northwestern Gaza on August 10, 2025

A view captured near the Gaza border, shows tank and armored vehicle movements of the Israeli army as Israel's attacks on Gaza continue without interruption, on August 10, 2025

Following Netanyahu's comments, a UN official warned the Security Council that Israel's plans to control Gaza City risked 'another calamity' with far-reaching consequences as Benjamin Netanyahu insisted his goal was not to occupy the territory.

The UN Security Council held a rare emergency weekend meeting after Israel said its military would 'take control' of Gaza City approved by Prime Minister Netanyahu's security cabinet that sparked a wave of global criticism.

'If these plans are implemented, they will likely trigger another calamity in Gaza, reverberating across the region and causing further forced displacement, killings, and destruction,' UN Assistant Secretary Miroslav Jenca told the UNSC.

Slovenia's ambassador to the UN Samuel Zbogar, speaking on behalf of the five European members of the Security Council ahead of the meeting, said 'this decision by the Israeli government will do nothing to secure the return of the hostages and risk further endangering their lives.'

'It will also worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and risk further death and mass displacement of Palestinian civilians.'

More to follow.
A British father died after eating half-cooked chicken at a luxury four-star Spanish resort, an inquest has heard.

Leslie Green, 70, from Little Lever, Bolton, had jetted out on a 2,300 holiday to the Occidental Jandia Playa resort in Fuerteventura last year to celebrate his 70th birthday when he was struck down with salmonella.

The grandfather-of-one and former newspaper delivery driver was in his second week of the trip, which he had joyfully spent basking in the sun, before falling ill on October 9.

Mr Green was admitted to a nearby hospital in the hope of receiving treatment and being released, but he developed complications including sepsis and kidney failure before tragically dying four weeks later from devastating multi-organ failure.

An inquest has now found that his death was as a result of eating undercooked chicken at the resort, which also left his wife of 38 years, Julie, seriously ill on the day of her own birthday.

Mrs Green, who herself spent a week in hospital after contracting salmonella when eating from the buffet, said they had been concerned over a carbonara sauce they were served one day being lukewarm.

She also claimed that staff at the resort, which looks out onto the sea, were not washing their hands and would mix newly cooked food in with items that had been stood.

Three days after his initial feelings of sickness, Mr Green visited the in-resort doctor before being taken by ambulance to the local clinic where he was given fluids to combat dehydration.

Leslie Green (right) was celebrating his 70th birthday when he was struck down with salmonella

Mr Green had jetted out on a 2,300 holiday to the Occidental Jandia Playa resort in Fuerteventura last October

Mr Green (above) was admitted to a nearby hospital where he developed complications including sepsis and kidney failure before tragically dying four weeks later

However, his condition did not improve and the 70-year-old was taken to hospital the next day - where he was eventually placed into an induced coma before doctors said they could do nothing more.

Mr Green's life support machine was switched off on November 4 and he died just hours later. His body was repatriated the following week.

Mrs Green told the hearing that it was 'impossible to find the words' to convey her grief at losing her 'best friend' and a 'loving and caring husband and dad'.

She said: 'Life without him will never be the same. I still struggle to comprehend how we went on holiday, but Leslie didn't come home. Leslie was the head of our family and someone everyone looked to for help and guidance.

'There's now a gaping hole in our family that can never be filled. I'd do anything not to be in this position and for Leslie to be in our lives, but I know that's not possible.

'Listening to the evidence has been difficult but it was something I was determined to do to honour Leslie's memory.

Mrs Green told the hearing that it was 'impossible to find the words' to convey her grief at losing her 'best friend' and a 'loving and caring husband and dad' (Pictured: Mr Green with his daughter)

'I just hope that by speaking out I can prevent anyone else suffering like Leslie did. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.'

Jennifer Hodgson, a lawyer representing Mrs Green, said: 'Julie and the rest of her family remain devastated by Leslie's death and the circumstances surrounding it.

'Understandably they've had a number of concerns about how Leslie contracted his infection. Sadly, the inquest has validated their concerns, hearing worrying evidence.

'What happened to Leslie vividly highlights the impact of salmonella and why it, and other gastric illnesses, should never be downplayed.

'While nothing can make up for the ordeal Julie and her family have been through, it's now vital that lessons are learned to improve hygiene for other holidaymakers in the future. We continue to support Julie at this distressing time.'

A spokesperson from the Barcelo Hotel Group, which owns the Occidental Jandia Playa, told the Daily Mail: 'The Barcelo Hotel Group deeply regrets the death of a guest at our Fuerteventura (Canary Islands) hotel in November 2024.

'On behalf of the entire group, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the guests family and loved ones and reiterate our firm commitment to the safety and well-being of our customers.

Mrs Green (right) who herself spent a week in hospital after contracting salmonella while eating from the buffet, said they had been concerned over a carbonara sauce they were served one day being lukewarm

'The Barcelo Hotel Group has a strict food hygiene and safety protocol that includes rigorous internal controls and periodic external audits performed by an independent company renowned in food safety.

'This control system guarantees compliance with applicable regulations and our company's stringent quality standards.

'We also hold certificates from the aforementioned external audit company confirming that no salmonella has been detected at the hotel in the last twelve months.

'These audits and controls reflect our ongoing commitment to the health and safety of guests.

'The Barcelo Hotel Group remains committed to transparency and guest safety. We will continue to take all the necessary measures to guarantee the highest quality and wellness standards at our hotels.'
Vladimir Putin's father gouged out his mother's eye with a pitchfork, it was revealed.

The violent attack came when his mother Maria was just 17 and as a result of the incident in which she lost her eye, Vladimir senior was ordered to marry her.

The attack was 'in a fit of rage' according to independent news outlet Proekt.

The bizarre story has emerged as a new book - The Tsar in Person. How Vladimir Putin Fooled Us All - details the Kremlin despot's life, and was highlighted by Proekt.

Putin's father arrived with male friends when Maria - known as Marusya - was home alone in her village in Tver region in 1928.

'Marusya didn't want to let them in,' said an account by villager Anfisa Kormilitsyna.

This apparently enraged Putin's father.

'They took the pitchfork that was standing by the fence and started breaking down the gate.'

Vladimir Putin's (pictured) father gouged out his mother's eye with a pitchfork

The violent attack came when his mother Maria (pictured) was just 17 and as a result of the incident in which she lost her eye

Putin's wild father (pictured) was notorious for terrorising teenage girls in his village

'She got scared, ran out of the house, and raced up to the fence.

'And Volodka [Vladimir senior, Putin's father] at that moment broke through the gate with the pitchfork and hit Marusya right in the face.

'In short, he accidentally gouged out her eye.

'He took her to the hospital right away.

'There, Marusya's eye was removed.

'For a girl in those days, this was a disgrace: who would marry a defective woman?

'So Marusya's mother threatened Volodka: if you don't marry, I'll put you on trial.

'So they got married.

'Marusya was very embarrassed about her glass eye later, never looked you in the face when talking, and tilted her head to the side.'

She revealed Putin's wild father was notorious for terrorising teenage girls in his village.

'He liked to lift up girls' skirts and tie them in a knot over their heads,' said Anfisa.

Vladimir Putin's father Vladimir, aged 21

Vladimir Putin pictured with his parents Vladimir and Maria before leaving USSR to the German Democratic Republic

Vladimir Putin with mother Maria Putina

This was so the village boys 'could get a better look at the girl's knickers,' said co-author Roman Badanin.

'Putin's mother had been one-eyed since her youth because the other eye had been put out with a pitchfork in a fit of rage by the father of the future Russian leader,' said Proekt.

Yet Putin has only spoken about how his parents were perfect.

His mother was over 40 by the time she gave birth to the future spy and dictator, triggering rumours that he was adopted or the child of a lover.

Last year he recounted: 'Never  I want to emphasise this  never did I see my father drunk.

'That never happened at all. I'm not even talking about my mother.

'I never heard a single swear word from him. Not one. Well, I'm not even talking about my mother here either.'

The authors accused Putin of covering up his personal life.

'In Russia, lies and inventions have replaced truth and history,' said a story about the new book in Proekt.

'Real biographies have been forbidden and erased from memory, the press destroyed. Since then, one can lie about absolutely anything.'
Did YOU see what happened at the march?

Scuffles broke out between campaigners and pro-Palestine activists at a march on Downing Street calling for more to be done to free Israeli hostages from Hamas.

Shouts of 'free free Palestine' from a small group caused huge disruption as the two sides clashed in the capital, which is facing its second day of protest following a chaotic rally on Saturday supporting Palestine Action.

One counter-demonstrator with gold teeth stuck his tongue out at the main group and appeared to make comments.

Police have removed a number of counter-demonstrators are threatened them with arrest.

Meanwhile, one man a man has reportedly been detained outside Downing Street after a protestor was grabbed by the throat.

He threw water from a bottle over a demonstrator a fracas occurred, which included him being grabbed by the throat.

He had him by his throat for several seconds, witnesses claimed. There was shoving and pushing and then police swooped over him and apprehended him.

One eye-witness said: 'He grabbed the man by the throat for a few seconds. It was horrific. It was so aggressive. It's disgusting behaviour.'

A man (left) taking part in the march is grabbed by the throat by another man during the National March For The Hostages, in central London on Sunday

A pro-Palestinian supporter (centre, in white) is removed after interrupting the rally

Scuffles have reportedly broken out during a protest calling on the government to do more to free Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas (pictured are some of the campaigners today)

A number of other people have been apprehended but it is unclear if they have been arrested.

The march was peaceful until that point, with no trouble.

Some demonstrators chanted 'get the terrorist scum off our streets' in response.

The rally comes a day after thousands of Left-wing pro-Palestine activists swamped Westminster on Saturday - with more than 530 people arrested for supporting newly prescribed organisation Palestine Action.

Today's rally has seen thousands of demonstrators are marching to Downing Street to call for Keir Starmer to do more to get hostages held by Hamas in Gaza released.

Families of those held captive in Palestine have today slammed the Prime Minister for his efforts to get them released.

The organisers have described the demo as having an 'unequivocal' stance that Palestine should not be recognised as a state until the hostages are home.

Israel believes around 20 hostages remain, with protesters today chanting 'bring them home' as they approached Downing Street.

Thousands of people took to the street on Saturday demanding more action to free the few remaining Israeli hostages from Hamas (pictured)

The march was reportedly peaceful until pro-Palestine activists allegedly triggered a scuffle (pictured are some of those taking part in Sunday's rally through Westminster)

Israeli flags - as well as rainbow-coloured Pride flags - were carried by some protesters. Others held pictures of some of the captive Israel hostages

Adam Ma'anti, cousin of hostage Tsachi Idan, said Mr Starmer should do more.

He said: 'We are deeply concerned. Their lives are at risk. There is no time to lose. We have to bring them home now.

'I'm desperate to see my cousin come home and the rest of the hostages. I miss him dearly.

'The UK has not done enough. They need to apply more pressure, especially on states which have a relationship with Hamas.

'The recent announcement to recognise Palestine is a travesty. It sends the wrong message. It has given Hamas confidence.

'We were close to a ceasefire. This has emboldens Hamas and they now want more demands.'

He said no recognition of Palestine should be made until the hostages are relieved.

He said: 'We're living a nightmare. This has been so distressing for all of the families. Not a moment goes by when I don't think of him.'

Angela West, 56, from Kilburn, north London, attended the demo with husband, Paul, 57.

The teacher said: 'Today is a message to the government and the world that we will never forget the hostages.

'We need peace. We're desperate. Keir Starmer needs to do more.'

Paul added: 'This will be peaceful today. We want peace. This isn't aggression. The world needs peace.'

Thomas Barker, 65, got emotional when talking about the situation.

Sunday's rally followed a protest by thousands of people in Westminster supporting Palestine Acton, which led to more than 530 people being arrested (pictured is one activist being taken away by police on Saturday)

During a day of chaos and farce, Left-wing activists swamped Parliament Square in London yesterday in support of the organisation, which was proscribed by the Government last month as a terrorist group

Hundreds of pro-Palestine campaigners descended on London's Parliament Square on Saturday, with hundreds of people arrested (pictured: police lead a protester away)

Militant protesters were accused of a 'colossal' waste of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money after more than 360 deliberately forced police to arrest them by brandishing signs supporting the outlawed group Palestine Action during Saturday's rally (pictured)

The retired engineer said: 'The world needs to stand up. That starts today. Keir Starmer needs to put pressure on states that communicate with Hamas. How has this happened? How has it allowed to happen?'

Dozens gathered in Holborn, central London, before a 'national march for the hostages' organised by Stop the Hate UK and a number of Jewish groups.

Some protesters held Israeli flags and wore yellow ribbons as they congregated in Lincoln's Inn Fields from 1.30pm on Sunday.

The march has since arrived at Downing Street, where Noga Guttman, the cousin of kidnapped 24-year-old Evyatar David, will give a speech.

Other speakers include Ayelet Svatitzky, whose brothers Roi and Nadav Popplewell were murdered, and Adam Ma'anit, whose cousin Tsachi Idan saw his eldest daughter's murder before he himself was later confirmed dead.

The UK's Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis has joined hundreds of protesters in London.
Plans to convert empty units into migrant housing within a deprived town have been axed after thousands of locals protested against the proposals.

The Home Office planned to relocate 35 asylum seekers to a new development in Waterlooville, Hampshire, in a bid to lower the numbers in hotels and 'disperse' migrants across UK towns and cities.

But nearby residents argued the new arrivals could bring 'chaos' to their already 'dead' community hub following unrest at other migrant sites in recent weeks.

Havant Borough Council has now said the Home Office confirmed the proposals will not go ahead.

Suella Braverman, MP for Fareham and Waterlooville, previously dubbed the plans 'wholly inappropriate' and argued they would send the area's regeneration scheme 'backwards'.

The Home Office previously said the blocks would be 'best suited for the use of couples, or single parents with young children. There is one single flat which would most likely be utilised for a single adult female'.

On July 30, around two thousand people packed into Waterlooville precinct to protest against the plans.

The area used to be a 'thriving' high street but lost many big name stores including Waitrose, Wilko, Game and Peacocks in recent years - with much of the footfall being 'taken' by a nearby retail park.

Locals gather in Waterlooville high street to protest against migrant housing in the town centre on July 30

The Home Office planned to relocate 35 asylum seekers to a new development in Waterlooville, Hampshire

Protesters hold a sign which reads 'House Brits not illegals' during the demonstration on July 30

Around two thousand people packed into Waterlooville precinct to protest against the plans last month

A woman holds a sign which reads 'We're not far right, we're just right' during the demonstration

Now, the 'barren' high street still houses a Wetherspoons but little else, and some residents have feared the lack of life in the town centre would lead to migrant men loitering aimlessly.

The development was a newly converted block of 19 flats called Waterloo House.

It is owned by Mountley Group whose Director, Hersch Schneck, also owns a migrant hotel in nearby Cosham.

At the top of the market, the flats could fetch 250,000 each but falling house prices mean taking them off the market and entering into a deal with Clearsprings, a company which procures accommodation for asylum seekers on behalf of the Home Office, could have been a far more profitable move for Mountley Group.

That's because the government could offer top of the market fees in order to get migrants into housing.

As well as private rentals, the Home Office has been seeking medium-sized sites such as former student accommodation and old tower blocks to house migrants.

The flats are located above a bric a brac store called The Junk Emporium which was once a Peacocks clothing store and before that, a Tesco.

Havant Borough Council said in a statement: 'The Home Office considered the consultation response from HBC alongside other evidence and has decided not to purchase the property as the accommodation has been deemed unsuitable for asylum dispersal accommodation.'
Almost a third of university students now live at home while studying as many are unable to afford rent, new data reveals.

Figures from admissions body Ucas show 30 per cent of 18-year-olds who applied for the 2024/25 academic year said they would be living at home rather than in student accommodation.

This compares to just 14 per cent in 2007, and 21 per cent in 2015.

The change is likely down to the soaring cost of living and an expansion of students from less wealthy families going to university.

Rent in some university towns can reach as much as 1,000 a month, and many families are unable to help out financially.

A typical student leaves university with debts of 53,000, including tuition and maintenance loans.

Jo Saxton, chief executive of Ucas, said the high cost of studying away from home could be stopping youngsters pursuing the best course for them.

She told the Sunday Times: If students choose to stay at home during their studies because it's the best course or institution for them, or because of caring or family responsibilities, of course that's the right thing, but more needs to be done to ensure the cost of living doesn't become a limit on young people's ambition.

Almost a third of university students now live at home while studying as many are unable to afford rent, new data reveals (file picture)

Separate data showed large variation between universities.

Glasgow Caledonian University has the highest rate of home-dwelling students in the UK, accounting for 45 per cent of its intake, according to Ucas.

By comparison, 1 per cent live at home while studying at Oxford and Cambridge, which famously provide three meals a day and room cleaning in the colleges.

Ben Jordan, director of strategy at Ucas, said: If you drive along any motorway in September, you will see car after car full of duvets, pots and pans, and clothes as students head off to university for the first time.

However, this stereotypical view of a literal journey into higher education isn't the case for everyone and far more students now live at home during their studies than you may think.

In 1984-85, only about 8 per cent of young first-degree entrants were living at home, according to a report released in 2020 by the now-defunct Higher Education Funding Council for England.

The proportion of stay-at-home students began rising in the 1990s, which coincided with the introduction of tuition fees in 1998.

Fees now stand at 9,250 a year, due to increase to 9,535 next month.

Figures from admissions body Ucas show 30 per cent of 18-year-olds who applied for the 2024/25 academic year said they would be living at home rather than in student accommodation (file picture)

A report from the Higher Education Policy Institute last year found the maximum maintenance student loan of 13,348, which is only paid to those from low-income families, is now less than the average annual student rent in London of 13,595.

In contrast to old-fashioned student digs with shared showers and toilets, student accommodation blocks are now run by private companies and are often aimed at a high-end market.

For those on a budget, living with parents who can help out with meals and washing is an attractive alternative.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has doubled down on President Donald Trump's dealmaking reputation, amid the anticipated meeting between the U.S. President and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska this week.

Vance is reportedly in the UK meeting with Ukrainian officials, being hosted by Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Before Vance left Washington for the trip, he sat down for an interview on Fox News which aired on Sunday, in which he told host Maria Bartiromo that a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy would not be productive without Trump.

'I think fundamentally, the President of the United States has to be the one to bring these two together. We're, of course, going to talk to the Ukrainians. I actually spoke with the Ukrainians this morning. Marco has been talking to them quite a bit. We're going to keep that dialogue open,' Vance noted, describing the delicate balancing act that America is currently playing in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Vance then added that 'fundamentally, this is something where the President needs to force President Putin and President Zelenskyy to really sit down to figure out their differences.'

US President Donald Trump confirmed on his Truth social media platform that he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15.

'The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska,' Trump wrote. 'Further details to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter!'

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian President has warned that 'decisions without Ukraine' would not bring peace to the region.

Vice President JD Vance during an appearance on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures, Sunday, August 10, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the Security Council in Moscow, Russia, August 8, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a briefing in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, April 17, 2025

Zelensky has ruled out ceding any territory to Russia as Putin continued his offensive last Friday, killing four civilians and wounding 10.

Writing on social media, the Ukrainian President said: 'Any decisions against us, any decisions without Ukraine, are also decisions against peace. They will achieve nothing.

'Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.'

He said Ukraine was 'ready for real decisions that can bring peace' but added it should be a 'dignified peace', without giving details.

A Downing Street spokesperson said that Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky both agreed that the meeting between Vance, Lammy, and the Ukrainian would be a 'vital forum to discuss progress towards securing a just and lasting peace'.

'Both leaders welcomed President Trump's desire to bring this barbaric war to an end and agreed that we must keep up the pressure on Putin to end his illegal war,' the spokesperson added.

Vance publicly dressed down Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for not being respectful enough to President Donald Trump during a dramatic Oval Office meeting at the White House back in February.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, right, speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, as President Donald Trump listens, in the Oval Office at the White House on Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and US President Donald Trump shake hands before a meeting in Helsinki on July 16, 2018. US President Donald Trump said on August 8, 2025 he would meet with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on August 15 in Alaska, as the Republican billionaire hopes to help mediate an end to the war in Ukraine

At the time, the vice president launched into attack mode after he felt Trump was being disrespected by the Ukrainian president.

'Mr. President, with respect, I think it's disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media,' Vance said after Zelensky repeatedly interrupted and disputed statements made by Trump.

A source familiar with the meeting at the White House told DailyMail.com at the time that Zelensky's demeanor was surprising to American officials in the room.

'No one expected the meeting to play out as it did, because nobody expected [him] to act that way,' the source said.

Vance noted that Biden stood up for four years and 'talked tough' while 'thumping his chest' but Putin invaded Ukraine anyway.

'The path to peace and the path to prosperity is maybe engaging in diplomacy,' he said back in February.
TEHRAN, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Four people were killed and another one was injured in an armed clash between gunmen and the police in southeastern Iran early Sunday, local media reported.

The police forces were on a patrol in Saravan County in Sistan and Baluchestan province, when they were attacked by a group of "terrorists," according to the semi-official Mehr news agency.

Three assailants were killed during the clash, in which one policeman was also shot dead and another one wounded. A manhunt is underway to arrest the rest of the attackers, according to the report.

Sistan and Baluchestan, bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan, has been the site of several terrorist attacks targeting both civilians and security forces in recent years. 
More foreign criminals will be deported before their appeals have been heard as Labour expands its 'deport now, appeal later' scheme.

Offenders from another 15 countries including India, Bulgaria and Australia will now be included in the scheme, bringing the total to 23 countries.

The scheme allows the UK to deport offenders who have had a human rights claim against their removal rejected, with any appeals heard from abroad via a video link.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said foreign criminals had been 'exploiting' the immigration system by 'remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on'.

She said: 'That has to end. Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system, which is why we are restoring control and sending a clear message that our laws must be respected and will be enforced.'

Other countries now in the scheme are Angola, Botswana, Brunei, Canada, Guyana, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda and Zambia.

The Home Office said the expansion of 'deport now, appeal later' would help 'scale up' the country's ability to remove foreign criminals, alongside measures announced on Sunday to deport offenders as soon as they are sentenced.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the move, which requires parliamentary approval, would save 54,000 a year per prison place.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper (pictured) said foreign criminals had been 'exploiting' the immigration system by 'remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on'

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood (pictured) said the move, which requires parliamentary approval, would save 54,000 a year per prison place

Fierce protests have erupted over alleged foreign criminals, living in migrant hotels, carrying out sex attacks while in Britain (pictured are protesters in Epping, Essex, after a migrant allegedly sexually assaulted two teenage girls in the town days after arriving illegally in Britain)

Anger continues to build across Britain over the number of illegal migrants allegedly carrying out crimes after arriving in the UK (pictured are police in Epping, Essex, during a protest after an asylum seeker living in a migrant hotel allegedly sexually assaulted two teenage girls)

Since Labour came to power last year, almost 5,200 foreign offenders have been deported, representing a 14 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.

Officials have said increasing deportations will help ease pressure on overcrowded prisons.

But figures from the Ministry of Justice from the end of June suggest there are currently just 772 prisoners from the 15 new countries covered by 'deport now, appeal later'.

Of the new countries, only Indians are in the top nationalities among current prisoners, while there are no offenders from Botswana or Brunei currently behind bars.

The 'deport now, appeal later' scheme for human rights claims was introduced in 2014 but was ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court three years later in cases where deportation would prevent the offender from giving live evidence in their appeal.

But the court noted that giving evidence over a video link could be sufficient, provided it was financially and logistically possible, in effect limiting the policy to countries where video appeal facilities were realistically available.

The UK currently has arrangements for video appeals with eight countries, including Tanzania, Belize, Finland and Estonia.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: 'We are leading diplomatic efforts to increase the number of countries where foreign criminals can be swiftly returned, and if they want to appeal, they can do so safely from their home country.

'Under this scheme, we're investing in international partnerships that uphold our security and make our streets safer.'

The new scheme could reportedly save taxpayers almost 600million and see an expected 3,000 foreign offenders deported earlier, according to a government source.

However, Alex Chalk KC, former justice secretary, told The Times he had real misgivings about the decision, arguing that the policy would result in prisoners being released with no punishment and placed under a tax-payer funded flight home.

He also questioned why other criminals convicted for severe crimes, such as rapists and domestic abusers, were being considered for deportation.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said that the decision marked an end to individuals manipulating the system in month or even year-long appeals.

Meanwhile, David Lammy, foreign secretary, added that the government were leading diplomatic efforts to increase the number of countries where foreign criminals can be swiftly returned.

He added that those wishing to appeal would be able to do so from their home country in a bid to increase the UKs safety and security.

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick previously criticised the government's plans, arguing that it could fail if jailed crooks try to use human rights laws to dodge deportation.

Mr Jenrick told the Mail: 'In Starmers topsy turvy world investors are fleeing the country in their droves while record numbers of violent and sexual offenders from abroad are put up in our prisons. It's a farce.

'Yet again Starmer has refused to confront our broken human rights laws. He needs to grow a backbone and change them so we can actually deport these individuals. The safety of the British public is infinitely more important than the "rights" of sick foreign criminals.

'If countries wont take back their nationals, Starmer should suspend visas and foreign aid. His soft-touch approach isnt working.

As of June 30, 2025, there were 10,772 foreign nationals in custody, data from the Ministry of Justice showed. This included 1,731 in jail for sexual offences.

The number of overseas criminals now behind bars in England and Wales is higher now than at any point since 2013.

The Conservatives say the number of foreign sex offenders in prison has increased by 9.9 per cent in Labour's first year in office.

Meanwhile, the number of foreign crooks behind bars for violence has skyrocketed by 8.8 per cent in Labours first year in office - with 3,250 now locked up.
A large fire has broken out at Arthur's seat in Edinburgh this afternoon sending clouds of smoke into the air.

The flames at the beauty spot can be seen for miles across the Scottish capital.

Police Scotland has advised motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: 'Crews are in attendance at a fire in the open at Arthur's Seat, Holyrood Park, Edinburgh.

'Members of the public no longer need to alert our Operations Control room about this fire, as we are receiving a number of calls to this incident.'

The service later added: 'We were alerted at 4.05pm on Sunday, 10 August, to reports of a fire in the open at Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh.

'Operations Control mobilised four fire appliances and specialist resources to the area where firefighters are working to extinguish a fire affecting a large area of gorse.

'There are no reported casualties at this time and crews remain at the scene.'

A witness told Edinburgh Live they saw people 'running down the hill to get away from the smoke.'

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have reportedly been called out to a wildfire at Arthur's Seat

Members of the public watch the fire on Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh

The fire has sent clouds of smoke into the air over the city this afternoon

Huge clouds of smoke seen coming from the iconic beauty spot in the Scottish capital

Situated in Holyrood Park, Arthur's seat is an ancient volcano which sits 251 above sea level, high above the city below.

It is the highest point of the park and offers views of Edinburgh. It is also a site of Special Scientific Interest due to its unique geology.

The park has four hill forts which have stood for 2,000 years as well as a 15th century medieval chapel and Duddingston Loch, which attracts a wide variety of local birds.

The fire comes on one of the busiest weekends of the year in the city, with Edinburgh Fringe Festival in full swing.

The city also hosted two gig from Oasis on Friday and Saturday night, with the band returning for their third gig at Murrayfield on Tuesday night.

Hibernian fans were able to see the smoke from the stadium during their match vs Kilmarnock. Fans were told to avoid the Willowbrae, Duddingston and Holyrood areas when leaving the Easter Road stadium.

The fire could be seen for miles, with people as far as East Fife posting images of the blaze.

Fire crews underneath the blaze at Arthur's Seat as four crews work to tackle the flames

The Fire at Arthur's Seat seen from Easter Road stadium where Hibernian were playing Kilmarnock

Firefighters work at the scene as a wildfire burns at Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh

Thick smoke seen overhead as a fire service vehicle arrives at the scene in Holyrood Park

Firefighters arrive under a cloud of smoke near the wildfire at Arthur's Seat

The fire at the Scottish beauty spot seen from Caerketton, just outside Edinburgh

The fire at Arthur's seat seen from the Canonmills area of Edinburgh earlier today

The fire could be seen from miles around as huge smoke clouds billowed into the air

The fire at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh seen from East Fife earlier today

An eyewitness told The Mail they were walking down from Caerketton, one of the hills in the Pentlands, when they spotted the smoke.

She said: 'How sad, however it started, to know wildlife will have been affected and local residents must be worried.

'I hope they are able to quell the fire quickly, with no injuries.'

The highlands recently saw one of the biggest wildfires Scotland has ever seen.

In April the country was put on red alert after a string of dramatic blazes hit the country.

Emergency services were deployed to battle raging fires that were hitting vast tracts of land in both rural and urban areas.

Fire chiefs yesterday called on people to act responsibly after the extreme warning was issued for the whole of Scotland.

It followed nearly two weeks where just 0.2mm of rain fell in Scotland, with temperatures 4c warmer than usual.
Holidays used to be about making memories. But for younger generations they seem to be about making their peers jealous  whatever the cost.

Nearly three quarters of Gen Z and millennials admit that capturing social media content is the most important factor in planning a trip, which they will go on even if they cannot afford it.

On average Gen Z go over budget on holiday by 2,200, but that would appear to be the price to pay if you think documenting every aspect of your lives is a generational expectation  as 90 per cent do.

Almost six in 10 admit to going into the red to pay for a trip. And seven in 10 say they feel obliged to go on holidays they can't afford.

'Cocktail at golden hour' is the top post, according to younger Britons (30 per cent), followed by 'the airport tipple' (27 per cent) and 'the holiday dinner table' (23 per cent).

Other moments Brits are breaking the bank to post are 'the classic mirror selfie in hotel lift', 'the gelato close up' and 'showing off your #booktok by the pool'.

Funds are also spent by a quarter of the youngsters on exclusive beach clubs (25 per cent), and they have bought holiday outfits that have left them short of cash (23 per cent).

Gen Z have even gone as far as to use their student loan to pay for a holiday (18 per cent) or take out a loan to cover the expense (14 per cent).

Nearly three quarters of Gen Z and millennials admit that capturing social media content is the most important factor in planning a trip, which they will go on even if they cannot afford it

And the holidays come in thick and fast  with Gen Z and Millennials claiming they're expected to fork out for an average of seven trips a year, research by holiday company First Choice found.

Yet nearly four in 10 (39 percent) say there is a definite wealth gap between them and richer pals, while 71 percent feel obliged to go on trips they don't have the cash for.

And as many as 57 percent feel embarrassed if they can't afford it, while 38 percent feel upset seeing holiday plans unfold on a group WhatsApp chat knowing they will struggle to go.

But breaking the bank may be worth it for some, as 27 per cent said that regular holidays are the key to a happy life.

Travel experts at First Choice, who commissioned the study, say the findings reveal more about the very real pressures facing younger generations.

With many reporting a visible wealth gap between themselves and their friends, and more than seven in ten feeling obliged to join trips they can't afford, social media becomes just one driver in a wider story of financial strain.

'Our research highlights that young people want to make memories with their friends but are often caught between social expectations and their budgets,' says Kevin Nelson, MD of First Choice.

'That's why we're focused on offering all-inclusive trips designed for real friends and real budgets  proving you can still have those rich experiences without the rich price tag.'
Three people have been killed in a double explosion after sea mines washed up onto tourist beaches in Ukraine.

A woman and two men lost their lives when the blasts ripped through the Black Sea resort area of Zatoka at around 11.30am today.

The explosions sent shockwaves through crowds of holidaymakers at the resort in southern Ukraine.

The three victims were reportedly swimming when two explosive devices went off around 50 metres from the shore.

Odesa regional chief Oleh Kiper said: 'All of them have been killed by explosive devices while swimming in areas prohibited for recreation.'

Police said a man and woman were killed in Zatoka, while another man died in Karolino-Buhaz.

Dramatic footage taken from the scene shows a huge group of terrified sunseekers gathered on the sand in the aftermath of the blasts.

Bomb dispersal experts and investigators are now reported to be searching the shoreline for more devices.

Footage shows a huge group of terrified sunseekers gathered on the sand in the aftermath of the blasts in southern Ukraine

In the resort area of Zatoka, Odesa region, three people were killed after triggering a sea mine

The explosions sent shockwaves through crowds of holidaymakers at the resort in Ukraine

People in the sea in the aftermath of the devastating blasts, which took place this morning

Meanwhile, authorities launched a criminal case under Article 115 of the country's penal code, marking the incident as an 'accident' waiting for further findings.

The explosions happened at 11.30am (9.30am BST) on Sunday between Karolino-Buhaz and Zatoka, witnesses told local outlet Dumskaya.

'This once again proves that being in unchecked waters is fatally dangerous,' the regional governor confirmed.

Police said they are yet to confirm the identity of the swimmers, warning visitors 'not to neglect safety measures'.

'It has been previously determined that three vacationers - a woman and two men - died while swimming as a result of two explosions of unknown objects. The identities of the deceased are being established,' the police said.

Thirty-two areas are safe for swimming, with 30 of these located in Odesa, authorities said.
Nicola Sturgeon has revealed she came perilously close to a breakdown last year in the wake of her appearance at the Covid inquiry.

The former First Minister also confirmed that that she is absolutely going to divorce her husband Peter Murrell.

Ms Sturgeon said she couldnt stop crying for weeks, struggled to leave her bed and was incapable of leaving her house for weeks after sobbing while giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 inquiry in January 2024.

She needed professional counselling for the first time in her life and said she was in a bad state, although insisted she did not need to be hospitalised.

In further developments following two high-profile media interviews and new extracts of her upcoming memoirs:

- The ex-SNP leader said she will not be rushing into new relationships but wouldnt rule out dating a woman.

- She admitted for the first time that she might have been wiser to take a step back on her controversial gender reforms rather than to dig my heels in.

- She revealed that she is considering leaving Scotland for London, a city she says she has always loved.

- After her arrest she hid from media in the north-east coast in what she describes as the worst week of her life.

In her upcoming autobiography Frankly, Ms Sturgeon recounts crying during her evidence to the UK Covid-19 inquiry and reveals that in the aftermath she came perilously close to a breakdown as she couldnt stop crying for weeks, struggled to leave her bed and was incapable of leaving the house.

She said: The inquiry just felt like the straw that broke the camels back..

Nicola Sturgeon says she came perilously close to a breakdown in the wake of her appearance at the UK Covid inquiry

Ms Sturgeon says she is 'absolutely going to be divorced' from estranged husband Peter Murrell

Ms Sturgeon had repeatedly broken down in tears as she accounted for her decisions during the January 2024 all-day evidence session at the Covid-19 inquiry, when she said she is deeply sorry to those who lost loved ones and admitted that if she could turn the clock back she would do different things to protect care home residents.

In an interview with the Sunday Times magazine, she said she needed professional counselling for the first time in her life in the aftermath of the appearance at the inquiry.

She said: Im from the west of Scotland. We dont do things like that! Working-class west of Scotland, Ayrshire, my God, I would never have. And I suppose part of me would have worried that people would have thought, if I did, that I wasnt up to the job.

Asked if she might have gone into hospital when she fell apart if she had not been Nicola Sturgeon, she said: No, I dont think I was ready to be hospitalised. Im not sure how it would have been described clinically. I was not suicidal. But I was definitely in a bad state.

She said the therapy she received didnt cure everything but it brought back my sense of perspective and equilibrium and just gave me the ability to talk it through.

Earlier this year, Ms Sturgeon announced that she and Mr Murrell, who was arrested and charged as part of the police probe into the SNPs funding and finances, had decided to end their marriage.

In the Sunday Times interview, she said that I dont think you can just not love somebody after so long together and confirmed that divorce proceedings have not yet begun, while he still lives in their marital home and I come and go.

But we are absolutely going to be divorced, she said. Our relationship is over.

In the first extract of her memoirs last Friday, Ms Sturgeon said that she had never considered sexuality, including her own, to be binary.

In an interview with ITV News, to be broadcast tonight (MON), she was asked by Julie Etchingham whether we might see her in a relationship with a woman.

Ms Sturgeon replied: Im just out of a marriage, so Im not rushing into a relationship with anyone, anytime soon. Im enjoying being my own person for a while.

Ms Etchingham said: But not ruling it out?

Ms Sturgeon replied: Im not contemplating, sort of anything of that nature. Im just enjoying life.

Ms Sturgeon has given an in-depth interview to ITN's Julie Etchingham ahead of the launch of her memoirs

In both her interviews, Ms Sturgeon indicated she now accepts she could have changed her approach to her controversial gender reforms, which proposed removing the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria from those obtaining a gender recognition certificate and lowering the minimum age to 16.

She told the Sunday Times: As I look back now, I can see that it might have been wiser to take a step back than to dig my heels in.

In the ITV News interview, she said: I didnt anticipate as much as I should, or engage as much as I should, on some of the concerns that might then be triggered.

At the point I knew it was becoming, or felt it becoming, as polarized I should have said, Right, okay, lets pause, lets take a step back.

I fervently believe that the rights of women and the interests of trans people are not irreconcilable at all. I should have taken a step back and said, How do we achieve this?.

Ms Sturgeon also revealed that when she was released without charges from a police station following her arrest, she lay across the back seat of a friends car with her hoodie pulled over her head and was taken to a hideaway on the north-east coast - saying it would have broken me if she had been found by the media.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: If Nicola Sturgeons memoir was simply a chronicle of her achievements as First Minister it would be a short read.

Unsurprisingly this book does not implore readers to judge Nicola Sturgeon on her record on education.

Frankly, no one has squandered as much political opportunity as badly as Nicola Sturgeon.

Remarkably her memory of events seems to be returning, as she appeared to suffer from amnesia when she was before the parliamentary inquiry into the handling of sexual harassment complaints against the former First Minister, Alex Salmond.

As a result of her dismal lack of delivery in office, Nicola Sturgeons legacy will be defined instead by political division and personal drama.
A bottle attack on a priest before mass may be linked to a nearby murder, police have said.

Police received a report that a man was found dead at an address in the Marian Park area of Downpatrick at about 12pm on Sunday.

A man, 30, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is in police custody.

Earlier today a priest was rushed to hospital after he was 'bottled by a man who walked into church before mass'.

Father John Murray was hit on the head at St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, today.

Police chiefs have said today that the incidents, just 1.3 miles away from each other and just fewer than two hours apart, may be linked.

In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said the priest was in a 'serious condition' in hospital after what has been described by detectives as a 'brutal attack'.

Fr Murray was believed to have been preparing for one of his last Masses before retiring when the attack took place in the church's sacristy at 10.10am.

Father John Murray was today attacked at St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick, in Northern Ireland, today and is in a 'serious condition'

Superintendent Norman Haslett, district commander for Newry, Mourne and Down, said officers suspect that the murder investigation may be linked to the attack on the priest.

'Inquiries are at an early stage and, at this time, we suspect this may be connected to a serious assault in the St Patrick's Avenue area of Downpatrick on Sunday,' he said.

'I am appealing to anyone who believes they may have information which could assist us with our investigation to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 713 of August 10 2025.'

A PSNI spokesperson said: 'It was reported to police at around 10.10am on Sunday, 10th August that a man had walked into the church on St Patrick's Avenue and hit the priest on his head with a bottle before leaving.

'The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of a head injury, where he remains in a serious condition.'

Detective Chief Inspector McBurney said: 'This was a completely shocking and brutal attack and has left the priest with a serious head injury.

'Our enquiries are ongoing into this incident, and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed the assault, or has any information to contact Police on 101 and quoting reference 543 of 10/08/25.'

The St MacNissi's Parish, in Larne, said Fr Murray had been taken to the Royal Victoria hospital for surgery.

The two incidents happened less than two miles away in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland

Writing on Facebook, a post read: 'Please remember Fr Murray, retiring Parish Priest of Downpatrick who was the subject of an incident this morning in St Patrick's Church, Downpatrick which left him requiring medical care.

'Pray for his speedy recovery both physically and emotionally from this frightening incident.'

Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard said in a Facebook post that he was left 'shocked and saddened to hear the news' about Ft Murray's attack.

'My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish him a full and speedy recovery,' he wrote.

'This cowardly attack is completely unacceptable and I condemn it unequivocally. I urge anyone with information to contact the police.'

Cathy Mason, member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, said she was 'horrified'.

'The attack on Father Murray in St Patrick's Church, Downpatrick, this morning is deeply shocking,' she wrote on her Facebook page.

'No one should ever face violence, least of all in a place of worship. This was a shameful act and must be condemned outright.

Fr Murray was believed to have been preparing for one his last Masses before retiring when the attack took place in the church's sacristy

'My thoughts are with Father Murray and I hope he makes a swift and full recovery.'

A post on the Downpatrick Family of Parishes thanked people for their prayers and well wishes.

'Parishioners will be aware of an incident in St Patrick's Church earlier today. Fr Murray is currently receiving medical treatment,' it read.

DUP MLA for South Down Diane Forsythe condemned the 'shocking and disgraceful attack on a religious leader in a place of worship'.

Of the two incidents, she said: 'There is no place for violent attacks in our society.

'My thoughts and prayers are with the entire community as they process this devastating murder as well as the serious assault earlier today.'

Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray said the 'heartbreaking' incidents had left many in the local community 'in shock on what should be a day of peace and rest'.

'First and foremost, my thoughts and sympathies are with the family, friends, and loved ones of the two victims of today's attacks, as well as anyone who's been impacted.

A man was found dead at an address in the Marian Park area of Downpatrick at about 12pm on Sunday, two hours after the priest was attacked

'I want to wish Fr Murray all the best for a hopefully speedy recovery.

'I also want to extend my thanks to the local PSNI officers who acted swiftly and professionally in dealing with the incidents, under what will have been difficult and distressing circumstances.

'Tonight, I will be standing alongside the people of Downpatrick at a special prayer service in response to today's events, and in honour of the victims and their families.'

Anyone with information is urged to bring it to the attention of police by calling 101 and quoting reference 543 of 10/08/25 for the assault on the priest, or 713 of 10/08/25 for the murder inquiry.

People can also submit a report on the PSNI website or anonymously through Crimestoppers.
A New York tourist has been killed while visiting Puerto Rico for a Bad Bunny concert

Kevin Mares, 25, was fatally shot in La Perla, a shantytown along the coast near Old San Juan, early Sunday while visiting the island for Bad Bunny's concert residency.

His mother told The New York Daily News that he had planned to proposed to his girlfriend in the fall.

Police told the Associated Press that Mares was next to a fight which broke out at a local bar called 'Shelter for Mistreated Men.'

One man involved allegedly pulled a gun and opened fire, striking at least three people.

Mares was hit in the left side of his abdomen and rushed to the island's largest public hospital.

Kevin Mares, 25, (left) was fatally shot in La Perla, a shantytown along the coast near Old San Juan, early Sunday while visiting the island for Bad Bunny's concert residency

Police told the Associated Press that Mares was next to a fight which broke out at a local bar called 'Shelter for Mistreated Men'

Ruiz said Mares had flown to Puerto Rico with three friends from New York for one of Bad Bunny's 30 sold-out shows

He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Two local men from La Perla were also injured and remain hospitalized.

'We're still in the early stages of establishing a motive,' homicide detective Sgt. Arnaldo Ruiz told local media, according to El Nuevo Dia. 'We can't rule anything out until the interviews are completed.'

Ruiz said Mares had flown to Puerto Rico with three friends from New York for one of Bad Bunny's 30 sold-out shows.

His girlfriends latest post is a heartbreaking tribute reading: I love you my angel

She shared various footage from their evening up until her final, heartbreaking post

His latest Instagram stories shows recent videos from his hotel room and the concert.

His girlfriend shared various footage from their evening up until her final, devastating post.

Her latest post is a heartbreaking tribute reading: I love you my angel.
Nicola Sturgeon is pulling the oldest trick in the book of spin: misdirection.

In her memoirs, Frankly, she reportedly says she has never considered her sexuality 'binary'. I'm not sure what that means but whatever it is, I'm very happy for her.

What I'm less happy about is all the time we're spending on the former first minister's private life when it is her public life that matters.

For though I've no doubt Sturgeon would rather avoid a public conversation about her sexual orientation, which is no one else's business after all, she would much rather avoid a public conversation about her legacy, and that is very much everyone's business.

Cast your mind back to the turbulent months that followed Scotland's decision in 2014 to remain part of the United Kingdom.

Alex Salmond resigned and Sturgeon became his successor as SNP leader without a single vote cast, and she was thereafter chosen by MSPs to become first minister of Scotland, the first woman to hold that office.

She embarked on her premiership amid widespread good will, swarmed for selfies everywhere she went, and receiving media coverage that bordered on the sycophantic. (A Vogue photoshoot, a slot on the Daily Show, and her own Hogmanay night on STV.

However did Sturgeon cope with the biased Unionist media?)

Many political successors only reach the throne in the dying days of their party's reign.

That's what happened with Gordon Brown and later Rishi Sunak.. Sturgeon's coronation, however, came at the height of her predecessor's powers.

Whatever she might think of him now, it was Salmond's name that got her elected deputy leader, Salmond who made her a powerful second-in-command, Salmond who put her in charge of the day-to-day running of the Yes campaign, and Salmond who eventually (however reluctantly) made way for her leadership ambitions. Without him, most Scots would never have heard of her.

From Salmond she inherited a majority government, a divided opposition, and 45 per cent of voters in favour of independence.

She parlayed this into a landslide victory in the 2015 general election, leading the SNP to victory in all but three seats north of the border.

That is a signal achievement for which she deserves much credit. It is possible to argue that Sturgeon was a woeful first minister while acknowledging her considerable talents as a strategic operator.

Ms Sturgeon's private life is the source of much discussion, but as First Minister she saw Scotland become the drugs death capital of Europe

Ms Sturgeon succeeded the late Alex Salmond as First MInister after he decided to step down in 2014

She persuaded intergenerational Labour voters to abandon the party of their parents and grandparents, took the SNP to unprecedented heights in membership numbers, and packed concert arenas with adoring fans. She was a political star.

But it's what you do with political stardom that matters, and Sturgeon did so little of merit considering the powers at her disposal and the opportunities handed her by opponents and chance.

For Nationalists, the first item on the charge sheet against her will always be this: she failed to deliver independence.

Despite Brexit. Despite unpopular Tory governments. Despite Jeremy Corbyn and a divided Labour party. Despite austerity.

Despite the Internal Market Act. Despite the pandemic. Despite Partygate. Despite the cost-of-living crisis. Despite Liz Truss.

Opportunity knocked and knocked but Nicola never answered.

Any relief Unionists might feel at her failure is tempered by her performance on the everyday matters of Scottish life.

She was the first minister who saw Scotland become the drugs deaths capital of Europe.

She pledged to close the attainment gap in education - asked to be judged on it, no less - and instead it widened on her watch.

As health secretary she introduced 'legally binding' treatment time targets that, as first minister, she watched being routinely missed.

She couldn't get two ferries built and so she launched one with pretend windows instead. She touted her government's world-leading climate targets but grew quiet every time emissions levels zoomed right on past them.

She put the rights of women and girls in jeopardy with her reckless, scientifically illiterate gender reforms, and left Westminster to step in and save female Scots from their own parliament.

As to the truth about the Salmond affair and the Holyrood inquiries that followed, we might never know the full story but it seems plain to me that we don't know even half the story at this stage.

That is another legacy of Sturgeon's first ministership: secrecy and resistance to transparency became hallmarks of the Edinburgh government on her watch.

Even so, there must be a reason she sought out a political career within Scottish nationalism. I'm sure she believes in independence in theory but in practice she showed herself more interested in self than in self-determination.

Similarly, her concerns about care-experienced young people and the educational opportunities of socially deprived children strike me as sincere, but she was not just a commentator.

She had the power to change things and yet she did so little of any consequence for anything other than her career. Sturgeon didn't get to the top by herself but she seems to have got there only for herself.

Every politician I have ever discussed the matter with has said the same: the lowest point in government is better than the highest point in opposition.

For a simple reason: power. Government means the power to change things, to strip away old failing policy and install something new and up to scratch.

It's not primarily an issue of legislating. That takes time and involves all sorts of hoops and hurdles. But ministers have everyday powers that can be exercised with the flick of a pen. The choice is not only whether to exercise those powers but how and to whose benefit.

Sturgeon made her choices and Scotland is still living with them years later.

It is not merely that she failed to improve her country, it's that she left her country in a worse state than she found it. Schoolchildren, and particularly the poorest, were worse off because Sturgeon became first minister.

Scotland's health service didn't get the reform it needed to serve patients' needs because Sturgeon ditched a career in law for one at Holyrood.

Amid the pandemic, a point at which Scottish businesses needed all the help they could get, she struck a pact with the Greens, took her government to the left and alienated entrepreneurs.

Last week she was warning against working with Donald Trump, but who would solicit her advice?

She obtained power, she did nothing with it, she has little to show for it. Sturgeon is in no position to be doling out lessons in what not to do in politics. She is the lesson.

For almost a decade, Nicola Sturgeon had the levers of power at her disposal, and although she made plenty of noise, the machinery of change seldom registered more than a murmur.

Hers was an epoch of idleness. Kitty Muggeridge once said David Frost 'rose without a trace'. Sturgeon governed without one.

Now she speaks of frankness. It is a cause to which she is a decidedly late convert, but if she so wishes let's be frank. Eleven years ago, she became first minister.

Unparalleled power, unmatched opportunities, a country for the improving. Eventually, she got a book advance out of it. What did Scotland get?

In an interview with a Sunday broadsheet, Sturgeon says she might move to London. Frankly, Scotland would be better off today if she'd done that eleven years ago.
Public support for prostate cancer screening has grown following a Daily Mail campaign, a poll reveals.

Some 91 per cent of Britons now believe the NHS should offer regular prostate checks for men, as it does for breast cancer in women.

This is up from 86 per cent in April when OnePoll last conducted its survey on behalf of the charity Prostate Cancer Research.

The latest findings found widespread problems around the current system, which relies on men to come forward and ask GPs for tests when they already have concerns.

Responses from 2,000 adults show one in five has had a male family member or close friend die from the disease.

Among those, more than three quarters believed earlier diagnosis could have saved the life of their loved one.

And more than one quarter of those polled had no trust, or not much trust at all, in the current NHS system to detect prostate cancer at an early stage.

Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed form of cancer in England, with 55,033 cases identified in 2023, the latest figures show.

The Daily Mail has been campaigning to end needless prostate cancer deaths

Catching it early improves the odds of successfully treating the disease, which kills around 10,200 men in England each year.

The Daily Mail is campaigning for a national prostate cancer screening programme, initially targeted at high risk men.

This includes those who are black or have a family history of the disease.

Women aged between 50 and 70 are offered mammograms every three years.

More than half of those polled said their opinion of their local MP would worsen if they opposed the introduction of screening.

The survey found a strong desire among its respondents for the NHS to be more proactive about collecting and sharing information about medical history.

Almost seven in ten (69 per cent) said in the event they were diagnosed with prostate cancer, they would want their male family members' NHS records to be automatically updated to reflect this.

There was also considerable appetite for technological innovation, with 60 per cent supporting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve diagnosis, for example, by reading MRI scans faster and more accurately.

David James, Director of Patient Projects and Influencing at Prostate Cancer Research

Health secretary Wes Streeting has declared his support for a national prostate cancer screening programme in a major boost for the Mails campaign.

The health secretary told MPs in April that he would like to see the NHS proactively offer men tests for the disease in a move that could prevent thousands of needless deaths.

He said he is particularly sympathetic to the argument that this should initially be targeted at high-risk men.

The call for targeted screening has also been backed by former prime minister Rishi Sunak, former home secretary Sir James Cleverly and Calvin Bailey, a Labour MP and the chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on prostate cancer.

David James, the director of patient projects and influencing at Prostate Cancer Research, said: These poll results send an unequivocal message to policymakers: the public overwhelmingly supports the introduction of a national screening programme.

The current system is clearly failing to meet the public's expectations for early detection and proactive management of genetic risk.

It's time for the NHS to prioritise a targeted screening programme that could save countless lives and alleviate the long-term burden on our healthcare system.

The charity's research suggests targeted screening, focused on black men, those with BRCA1/2 mutations and those with a family history of the disease, could mean an additional 775 early diagnoses per year for those aged between 45 and 69.

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak

The research also suggests these changes could spare almost 300 men a year from a stage 4 diagnosis, in which prostate cancer becomes incurable.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: This Government has been clear we would like to see screening in place, but the decision must be evidence-led.
Aspiring doctors who only get BCC grades can still find a route to medical school in Clearing this year thanks to a scheme to make the profession more diverse.

Bradford University runs a foundation year for those with lower grades to catch up  transferring 20 of these students per year directly to a full medical degree at nearby Sheffield University.

The course, foundation in clinical sciences and medicine, still has places available and is being advertised on the official Clearing website.

It means students who miss their grades to attend regular medical school  which typically asks for AAA  could find another route in to train as an NHS doctor.

This Thursday, hundreds of thousands of sixth formers will receive their A-level grades, and discover whether they secured their first choice university place.

Those rejected can enter Clearing, which matches unplaced students with unfilled places.

Bradfords course, which has entry criteria of BCC but no specific subject requirements, teaches a range of relevant content including chemistry and biology.

The course page says its focus is to encourage progression into medicine and healthcare education from under-represented groups.

Aspiring doctors who only get BCC grades can still find a route to medical school in Clearing this year thanks to a scheme to make the profession more diverse (file picture)

Historically, 20 have transferred per year thanks to the established partnership between the two universities.

Those transferring must achieve at least 70 per cent in a chemistry module, meet the medical schools UCAT test criteria, and go through an interview process.

They must also be able to demonstrate they are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented background.

It comes following political pressure to make the profession more diverse, with the Medical Schools Council committed to widening participation.

However, Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, said: The quality of medical care is being sacrificed to promote EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion).

This is totally unacceptable. It is putting the well-being of vulnerable patients at risk.

We do need to train more doctors but not by diluting entry requirements.

It is a national disgrace for any university to surrender to the woke tyranny that is currently plaguing our country.

Bradford University runs a foundation year for those with lower grades to catch up  transferring 20 of these students per year directly to a full medical degree at nearby Sheffield University (file picture)

Previous graduates of the foundation year have also successfully entered Leeds, Hull, York, Brighton and Sussex and Norwich medical schools, according to the course page.

Anyone not transferring to medical school can continue onto Bradfords clinical sciences three-year degree.

A Bradford spokesman said the course is designed to support students from under-represented backgrounds in accessing careers in medicine and healthcare.

They added: While the entry requirements reflect our commitment to widening participation, progression to medical school is not automatic.

Students must meet rigorous academic and admissions criteria, including performance in key modules and competitive selection processes.

The programme is academically demanding.

Widening participation is a national priority and programmes like ours play a vital role in ensuring that talented individuals from all backgrounds have the opportunity to contribute to the future of healthcare.

A Sheffield spokesman said: Our partnership with the University of Bradford is a dedicated access pathway, specifically for students from under-represented and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, which allows them to apply to our medical school after successfully completing a rigorous foundation year and demonstrating performance equivalent to our existing A-level requirements.

This ensures we maintain our high academic standards while promoting a more diverse medical profession.

Students who successfully progress from this pathway are highly capable and have demonstrated the academic rigour, commitment and personal qualities required to become outstanding doctors.

The course, foundation in clinical sciences and medicine', still has places available and is being advertised on the official Clearing website (file picture)

The Bradford course is the only route into medicine available in Clearing this year.

However, recent research has shown 16 other medical schools not entering Clearing also run similar schemes.

For example, Bristol Universitys medical school has its own foundation year specifically for disadvantaged students, with grade requirements of just BBC.

A report by the Sutton Trust in February found only 5 per cent of medical school entrants were from disadvantaged backgrounds in 2021, compared with 75 per cent from advantaged backgrounds.

At the time, Clare Owen, director of education at the Medical Schools Council (MSC), said: 'By 2032, medical schools aim to have 33 per cent of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

'Achieving this goal will require a sector-wide effort.
BEIJING, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Robots, once seen mainly as symbols of industrial strength and efficiency, are showcasing their potential and capability as "health guardians" for humans, as demonstrated at the ongoing World Robot Conference (WRC) in Beijing.

In the bustling exhibition area, visitors are seen confidently navigating the space with their eyes shut, guided by a six-legged robot in dog shape and holding a white cane connected to its back.

"We developed this hexapod robot to help visually impaired people walk safely and comfortably," said Fang Ling, CEO of Shanghai Jizhi Robotics.

He explained that this one-meter-long robot, weighing 20 kg, maintains stability by keeping three legs on the ground as it moves. It can effectively avoid obstacles and navigate steps, sidewalks and other complex terrains, operating for up to three hours on a single charge.

"Our robotic 'dog' is not just strong in muscle but smart in brain," Fang said, noting that using lidar, it navigates autonomously and recognizes traffic lights, while sensors equipped with AI models detect users' walking status and intentions through force and voice, enabling gentle guidance and stopping. He went on to add that these robots are already in use at airports in Beijing and Shanghai.

During the opening ceremony of the 2025 WRC on Friday, themed "Making Robots Smarter, Making Embodied Agents More Intelligent," Qiao Hong, president of the World Robot Cooperation Organization, highlighted cognition, decision-making and safety as key future development trends for embodied intelligent robots.

In the medical field, this vision is progressing alongside the application of AI-embodied robots in surgery and rehabilitation.

For instance, in May, a 66-year-old patient, suffering from destructive right knee osteoarthritis and deformity, underwent a joint replacement surgery in about 30 minutes with the assistance of the ROPA orthopedic smart surgical robot. The patient was able to walk the same day and has recovered well.

"Before a surgery, AI-embodied ROPA calculates parameters and forms a personalized plan by constructing a 3D model of a patient's bones from X-ray and CT images," said Zhang Yiling, founder of Longwood Valley MedTech, developer of the robot. He added that, during a surgery, sub-millimeter-level precise optical positioning and a stable robotic arm ensured accurate execution of the preoperative plan.

The patient's surgeon, Chen Guoqiang from Beijing Shijitan Hospital, said surgeries assisted by smart robots can reduce repetitive bone-cutting tasks, shorten surgical time and minimize blood loss. "For doctors, learning to use surgical robots is a trend," he said.

Currently, AI-driven innovative medical products of Longwood Valley MedTech have been deployed in over 1,000 top-tier hospitals across more than 30 provincial-level regions in China, serving over 100,000 patients.

In 2024, the surgical robot market size in China exceeded 10 billion yuan (about 1.4 billion U.S. dollars), with domestic equipment accounting for 48.9 percent, a rise of 30 percentage points compared with 2020, according to a report by Zhongyan Puhua Industry Research Institute.

In the field of rehabilitation, Shenzhen Deyeemed Medtech Co., Ltd. has integrated AI into its physiotherapy robots, which feature real-time body scanning, acupoint recognition and personalized therapy plan generation. Their mechanical arms also simulate traditional Chinese massage techniques like pushing, grasping and kneading.

Beijing AI-robotics Technology Co., Ltd., an exoskeleton robot producer and therapy service provider, uses AI to offer rehabilitation training for individuals with lower-limb motor impairments. The company's exoskeleton robots mimic a bionic gait while adjusting pace through a self-adaptation system.

Xu Guanghua, professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, said that while robots are making progress in surgery and rehabilitation, their overall application in the medical field remains nascent.

"Robots are poised to play a bigger role in medical visits and family healthcare, with an enormous market ahead," said Xu. Enditem

(Zhang Yiyi, Xiong Run and Dai Ruoxuan also contributed to the story.)
One person has died and several have been injured after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey - bringing down more than a dozen buildings.

The epicentre of the deadly quake was in western Turkey's Sindirgi in Balikesir, as residents started to feel tremors around 8pm local time on Sunday.

At least 29 people were injured and 16 buildings turned to rubble after the disaster tore through the country, which was then followed by a 4.6-magnitude aftershock minutes later.

There were a total of seven aftershocks exceeding magnitude 3.0, officials have said.

One of the destroyed homes was in the city centre, Mayor Serkan Sak announced on Turkish private channel NTV.

'Six people lived in this three-storey building. Four were rescued from the rubble,' he said, adding that efforts to extract the other two were underway.

An elderly woman died shortly after being pulled out alive from the debris of the collapsed building, said interior minister Ali Yerlikaya.

None of the injured were in serious condition, the minister said.

One person has died and several have been injured after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey as several buildings have crumbled to the ground

At least 29 people were injured and 16 buildings collapsed after the disaster tore through the country, which was then followed by a 4.6-magnitude aftershock minutes later

The earthquake struck in its epicentre of Balikesir (pictured), which was then followed by a 4.6-magnitude aftershock minutes later

Many houses also collapsed in the nearby village of Golcuk, he said. The minaret of a mosque also tumbled down in the village.

Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu said on X that four people were being treated in hospital. None of them were in critical condition, he said.

The quake was felt across multiple cities in the west of the country, including Istanbul and the tourist hotspot of Izmir, said officials.

Two people were trapped under the rubble in Istanbul but were saved by rescue teams, the Governer's office said.

Local television footage showed crews asking for silence so they could listen for signs of life beneath the rubble.

Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) have urged citizens not to enter damaged buildings.

Videos shared to social media reportedly show the aftermath of a destroyed building and locals in distress.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a statement wishing all affected citizens a speedy recovery.

An elderly woman died shortly after being pulled out alive from the debris of the collapsed building, said interior minister Ali Yerlikaya

Local media reported that rescue teams asked for silence so they could listen for signs of life beneath the rubble

The quake was felt across multiple cities in the west of the country, including Istanbul and the tourist hotspot of Izmir, said officials

Two people were trapped under the rubble in Istanbul but were saved by rescue teams, the Governer's office said

'May God protect our country from any kind of disaster,' he wrote on X.

Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent.

In 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed more than 53,000 people in Turkey and destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings in 11 southern and southeastern provinces.

Another 6,000 people were killed in the northern parts of neighboring Syria.

The disaster ministry said: 'On August 10, 2025, at 7:53 PM, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Sndrg district of Balkesir province.

'The earthquake was felt in the provinces of Manisa, Izmir, Usak, and Bursa. To date, a total of seven aftershocks exceeding magnitude 3.0 have occurred.

'Field surveys are currently ongoing. AFAD Provincial Directorates in Canakkale, Izmir, Afyonkarahisar, Usak, Bursa, Sakarya, Kutahya, Bilecik, Manisa, and Kocaeli have dispatched personnel and vehicles to support search and rescue efforts.

'The Turkish Disaster Response Plan (TAMP) has been activated, and representatives of all disaster groups will meet at the AFAD Disaster and Emergency Management Center.'
Heroic rescues of hostages from terrorists and undercover operations in some of the worlds most dangerous war zones are usually the stuff of action movies and video games.

But these real life-or-death experiences can be found in a former SAS soldiers riveting autobiography  a book the MoD tried to ban.

Colin MacLachlan, known for his appearances on shows such as Channel 4s SAS: Who Dares Wins and Channel 5s Secrets of the SAS, has spent the last 10 years trying to get his memoir, The Pilgrim, past the Ministry of Defence, who feared he would reveal too much about the elite British military force.

When he joined the SAS in 1998 after nine years in the Royal Scots, Colin had to sign a non-disclosure agreement designed to prevent former members from disclosing anything about their activities without official permission.

The secrecy contract was introduced in 1997 after a flood of books about SAS operations in the Gulf war.

It means that anything you write has to be sent to the MoD and cleared, which is generally a no if youre writing about what they call TTP  tactics, techniques and procedures, Colin told the Mail on Sunday.

He first handed the MoD the manuscript for his book in 2016, 10 years after hed written it during his last tour in the SAS in Iraq.

Channel 4s SAS: Who Dares Wins had just come out and the profile of the SAS had been raised and I thought there would be an appetite for my book.

Colin MacLachlan's book has finally been published after protracted discussions with the MoD's lawyers

When I ran it past them, they thought it looked fine and gave me the green light to look for a publisher, said Colin, 51, from Queensferry, near Edinburgh.

But when a major publisher picked up the book it entered into a dispute with the MoD, which wanted certain sections taken out.

They just bumped heads and the publishers tried to call the MoDs bluff and said they were going to publish anyway. The MoD put an injunction on the book and the publishing deal fell through, added Colin.

He refused to give up and, employing all the qualities that had stood him in good stead during his career as a soldier  resilience, courage and conflict resolution  Colin spent the next decade negotiating with the MoD.

Now, his autobiography will finally be published by Pen & Sword, who specialise in military history.

Its been a lengthy battle because I wanted to keep in as much as I could. Ive had to go back and forth with the MoD, looking at different books to find precedents.

Im happy because in the end Ive managed to keep quite a lot about special forces and operational detail. Thats why it is now the book the MoD tried to ban.

Colins autobiography starts with his troubled childhood and escape to the military where, as a fifteen-year-old boy, he had to get special written permission from his mother to join the Royal Scots.

Former SAS soldier Colin survived being taken hostage during a mission in Basra, Iraq in 2006

With the help of the Childrens Panels, the NSPCC and some caring schoolteachers, Colin escaped to the Army from a childhood marked by physical and sexual abuse.

I wasnt convinced I wanted to be in the Army as I wasnt enthused by fighting and guns, but it was the last resort.

I was in with a lot of guys who were older than me, and bigger and stronger than me. I made the best of it and grew up quickly, he said.

There were a lot of positives for me in terms of discipline and confidence.

While I dont believe in compulsory national service, the military offers kids a lot of benefits, whether they become cadets or do a year, learning basic skills and being surrounded by positive role models and peers who want the best for you, added Colin, who at 23 volunteered for the SAS.

When I was in Northern Ireland, I was hiding in in the bushes doing surveillance, when these guys came out of the smoke and shadows clad in stray (non-standard military uniform often used by the SAS for covert operations). Everybody talked about them and how they did a really important job.

I decided to throw myself into the deep end and give it a go, said Colin, who embarked on a gruelling six-month SAS course that saw only 12 out of 196 candidates pass.

His training included yomping with heavy backpacks on the Brecon Beacons, six weeks in the jungle, being chased by hunter forces made up of Gurkhas or Paras, being held for 36 hours as interrogators repeatedly tried to break him down, and being trained for close quarters battle.

Colin drew on this training when he was taken hostage in Basra in Iraq in 2006. His captors stripped him naked, beat him, frequently rammed a gun into the back of his head and pulled the trigger in mock executions.

He only survived long enough to be rescued by British troops because the terrorists holding him wanted to film his suffering.

Despite facing almost certain beheading, Colin remained calm, not only because his SAS training meant he was ready for any opportunity to escape, but also because of his abusive childhood.

As a child Id been locked up and beaten so I was comfortable in that environment. If youve already been in a situation, its easy to get into the right mindset to survive, said Colin, a father-of-two.

Only six months after joining the SAS, he was the first person on the scene at Stansted Airport in 2000 when an airliner with 180 passengers was hijacked by nine Afghans fleeing the Taliban.

Colin also took part in the notorious 2000 SAS mission Operation Barras  known as Operation Certain Death  in Sierra Leone. It is now regarded as one of the elite units most dangerous expeditions with the rescue of 12 captured British servicemen held by 400 drug-fuelled guerrilla fighters.

After leaving the SAS, Colin headed up a bodyguard team looking after CNN and BBC news in the Middle East and carried out security for MTV pop stars and the Saudi Royal Family, before returning to the UK where he gained a First-Class Honours degree after repeated rejections from universities and colleges.

After a disheartening period of unemployment where he applied for more than 1,000 jobs, he worked in conflict resolution in schools before being approached by Channel 4 to take part in SAS: Who Dares Wins.

For the last 18 years he has been involved in motion capture for the video games industry and has played characters and battled stuntmen from Rockstars Grand Theft Auto series, LA Noire, Sumos Hood: Outlaw and Thieves, and played the lead character Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption.

As well as his video work, Colin travels all over the world as a motivational speaker and runs a special forces events company, Stoic Events, in the Highlands where people can test themselves and build confidence through outdoor team building events using live weapons and real explosives.

I try to pass on what I have learned  that resilience and strength come from facing adversity and rejection, and that nobody is born brave.

Im just a normal person who found a path. Anybody can be brave.
Allies of Alex Salmond have hit back at Nicola Sturgeon's claims he may have leaked details of his own sexual misconduct saga.

The ex-SNP leader and Alba Party founder was cleared in 2020 of 13 sexual offence charges, including attempted rape, though his lawyer conceded during the trial that his client could have been a 'better man'.

The latest extract from Sturgeon's soon-to-be published memoir, Frankly, centres around how Salmond reacted to multiple allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against him in 2018 - many of which made their way into the press.

In the book Sturgeon denies any responsibility for the leaks and says that she does not know who was behind them.

Controversially, she also claims in her memoir that it would have been 'classic Alex' to have made the leaks himself.

Her remarks have caused fury among the Scottish political elite, with Kenny MacAskill - the man who succeeded Salmond as Alba Party leader - calling Sturgeon out for her 'hypocrisy'.

Meanwhile, Chris McEleny, the party's former general secretary, branded Sturgeon's speculations a 'fabrication'.

MacAskill, a former SNP minister who succeeded Salmond as Alba Party leader, recently called for a public inquiry into the way sexual misconduct complaints against Salmond were handled.

The latest extract from the soon-to-be-published memoir of former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon (pictured) centres around how Alex Salmond (right) reacted to multiple allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against him in 2018 - many of which made their way into the press

In the book Sturgeon denies any responsibility for the leaks and says that she does not know who was behind them - but suggested it would have been 'classic Alex' for him to have

Sturgeon's comments have caused fury among allies of Salmond, including Alba party leader Kenny MacAskill (pictured)

He posted on X: 'It's one thing to be supposedly candid in your autobiography.

'Quite another to block openness and transparency when in office and by those you continue to support.

'This hypocrisy is yet another reason for an inquiry into the Scottish government's actions relating to Alex Salmond.'

Alex Salmond served as first minister of Scotland from 2007 but stood down in 2014 after losing the Scottish independence referendum.

Sturgeon took over the top job and in 2018 allegations against Salmond began to surface, following a review of the Scottish government's 'policies and processes for addressing inappropriate conduct' in the wake of the #metoo scandal.

Salmond was accused of a string of sexual offences between June 2008 and November 2014, which ranged from him stroking a civil servants hair to trying to rape a former Scottish Government official in Bute House.

However, in March 2020 he was cleared of all charges, although his lawyer Gordon Jackson started his closing speech to the jury with the words: 'If in some ways the former first minister had been a better man, I wouldnt be here, you wouldnt be here, none of us would be here.

'Im not here to suggest he always behaved well or couldnt have been a better man on occasions. That would be a waste of my time.

MacAskill, a former SNP minister, called Sturgeon out for her 'hypocrisy' after claiming she 'block[ed] openness and transparency when in office'

Sturgeon took over from Salmond as SNP leader and first minister in 2014 and remained in that role until her resignation in March 2023

The pair were once close, but Sturgeon now says that once she realised Salmond's 'thirst for revenge' was greater than the bond between them, she knew their friendship was over

'But Im in a court of law and Im dealing, not with whether he could have been a better man because he certainly could have been better.

'Im dealing with whether or not it was established he was guilty of serious, sometimes very serious, criminal charges.'

Additionally a judicial review in 2019 found that the Scottish government's investigation into Salmond's alleged misconduct was unfair, unlawful and biased.

As a result Salmond received 500,000 in legal expenses.

Chris McEleny, the Alba Party's former general secretary, who was himself expelled following an investigation into 'gross misconduct' earlier this year, called Sturgeon's remarks a 'fabrication'.

He said the investigation into Salmond was a 'stitch-up' and claimed that a number of public bodies had 'conspired to jail Salmond'.

He said: 'Alex Salmond delivered an SNP government, an SNP majority and an independence referendum whereas Nicola Sturgeon delivered nothing whatsoever for the national cause.

'Nicola might think she can fabricate her own version of the truth now that Alex is no longer here but the reality is her book will end up in a bargain basket whilst Alex Salmond will reside in the pages of the Scottish history books.'

Chris McEleny, the Alba Party's former general secretary, called Sturgeon's remarks a 'fabrication' and said 'her book will end up in a bargain basket whilst Alex Salmond will reside in the pages of the Scottish history books'

The ex-SNP leader and Alba Party founder was cleared of 13 sexual offence charges, including attempted rape, though he conceded during the trial he could have been a 'better man'

Even now after Salmond's passing, Sturgeon admitted his impact on her continues and she will 'never quite escape the shadow he casts, even in death'

The story about the investigation of sexual misconduct claims against Salmond was broken by journalist David Clegg, then political editor of the Daily Record.

Speaking on BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show, Mr Clegg, who is currently editor of The Courier, called the notion that Alex Salmond had leaked the story himself 'a conspiracy theory too far'.

He said: 'But I think it shows the level of suspicion and the deep rift that had formed between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon prior to his death.'

Me Clegg said a document arrived at the Daily Record office with the claims against Salmond summarised - but described the idea that it came from Salmond as 'not credible'.

He added: 'There is obviously some mystery and speculation about what went on seven years ago and how that happened.

'But if it was Alex Salmond who had leaked it, when I phoned him up that night to put the claims to him, he did an incredible acting job of seeming surprised and shocked.

'I have heard this from people close to Nicola Sturgeon before and it's always struck me as not credible and I would be very surprised if it was the case.'

The former SNP leader said she was 'desolate and heartbroken' after losing her baby in 2010 (Pictured at a memorial service for the Ibrox disaster just days after her miscarriage)

Salmond died of a heart attack in North Macedonia last October, aged 69 - but before his death he maintained there had been a 'conspiracy' between his accusers to bring him down.

'What he never did was show any contrition,' lamented Sturgeon, who added that she felt 'sick' over the allegations.

In an extract published by The Sunday Times, the former First Minister added that 'ruthless' Salmond would have done anything to extricate himself from blame - even if it meant the downfall of his party.

'There was also never the merest hint of concern about the damage he did to the party he previously led.

'Indeed, it felt to me that he would have rather destroyed the SNP than see it succeed without him.

'He was prepared to traumatise, time and again, the women at the centre of it all.'

Sturgeon said the notion his accusers had collaborated with one another to accuse him of misconduct was 'a fabrication, the invention of a man who wasnt prepared to reflect honestly on his own conduct'.

She added: 'That he tried to distort and weaponise genuine expressions of shock, in some cases trauma, was truly disgraceful, and it strikes at the heart of why I find it so hard to forgive him.'

Sturgeon wrote: 'Being the subject of a high-profile criminal investigation for almost two years, especially having committed no crime, was like a form of mental torture.' (Police outside Ms Sturgeon's home following her arrest)

Retired SNP politician Alex Neil said Sturgeon should issue a retraction after journalist David Clegg categorically denied that Alex Salmond had leaked the report on his own sexual misconduct accusations

At the point of realising his 'thirst for revenge' was greater than the bond between them, Sturgeon said she knew their friendship was over for good and she went through a 'grieving process'.

She wrote: 'For a time after we stopped speaking I would have conversations with him in my head about politics and the issues of the day.

'I had occasional, vivid dreams in which we were still on good terms. I would wake up from these feeling utterly bereft.'

And even now after Salmond's passing, Sturgeon admitted his impact on her continues and she will 'never quite escape the shadow he casts, even in death'.

Ms Sturgeon ruled Scottish politics for years before she walked away from Scotland's top job in March 2023 - shortly before her husband Peter Murrell was arrested in a police probe into the SNP's finances.

She was arrested in June 2023 in relation to the Operation Branchform investigation into the SNP's finances.

Sturgeon was subsequently released without charge pending further investigation, while Mr Murrell - formerly SNP chief executive - was eventually charged in relation to the alleged embezzlement of party funds.

Earlier this year, the pair announced their separation and planned divorce.
A man has survived clinging to the outside of a high-speed train in Austria after 'it started leaving as he popped out for a cigarette'.

The 24-year-old grabbed onto the train at St Polten, west of Vienna, on Saturday, Herbert Hofer, a spokesperson for Austria's state railway has said.

Departing from Zurich, Switzerland, the railjet train was bound for the Austrian capital when the shocking incident occurred.

The Algerian national had initially disembarked the train to take advantage of a planned stop in St Polten to have a cigarette break, a passenger onboard the train told Austrian tabloid Heute.

He then is said to have made the decision to jump into the space between two carriages after the train began to set off, desperately clinging on as it moved at high speed.

Becoming panicked, the man banged on the train's windows to attract the attention of his fellow passengers.

Eventually, the train's conductor activated the emergency brake before train crew were able to take the man onboard.

Then, having successfully made it onto the train, the conductor is said to have had 'a massive go' at the passenger.

A 24-year-old Algerian man has survived clinging to the outside of a high-speed train in Austria after 'it started leaving as he popped out for a cigarette' on Saturday (file image)

Departing from Zurich, Switzerland, the railjet train was bound for the Austrian capital (pictured) when the shocking incident occurred

The man made a quick-thinking decision to jump into the space between two carriages after the train began to set off, desperately clinging on as it moved at high speed. Becoming panicked, he banged on the train's windows to attract the attention of his fellow passengers

It is unknown whether the passenger sustained any injuries from his dare-devil activity.

After the train arrived in Vienna's Meidling station, the man was led away by police.

Despite the chaos onboard, the service experienced a mere seven minute delay.

Describing the actions of the traveller as 'irresponsible', Mr Hofer said: 'This kind of thing usually ends up with someone dying.

'And you're not just putting yourself in danger, if you end up under the train there's rescuers, there's police, fire service that come.'

Mr Hofer said he could not comment on the man's background ahead of further investigations.

In January, a 40-year-old Hungarian man survived clinging to a German high-speed train for 20 miles, likewise after it set off before he had finished his cigarette.

After the train arrived in Vienna's Meidling station (pictured), the man was led away by police. Describing the actions of the traveller as 'irresponsible', Herbert Hofer said: 'This kind of thing usually ends up with someone dying'

Eventually, the train's conductor activated the emergency brake before train crew were able to take the man onboard. Then, having successfully made it onto the train, the conductor is said to have had 'a massive go' at the passenger (pictured: Meidling station in Vienna)

The passenger had boarded the ICE train in Munich without a valid ticket and was hoping to take a smoking break in the station at Ingolstadt.

However, after lingering too long, the train doors closed and he proceeded to cling onto cables held between two carriages as the train sp[ed towards Nuremberg at up to 175mph.

He later told police, after the train was halted, that he had left his luggage on the train and had not wanted to be parted from hit.

The man, who bore no injuries from the incident, was subsequently handed over to federal police.
Labour has freed over 26,000 criminals early  including hundreds of serious offenders who were handed sentences of more than a decade behind bars.

Astonishing figures for the soft-justice programme suggest 45,000 could have their sentences cut in its first year.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood introduced the programme in September, and by the end of March 26,456 offenders had been let out early.

For the first time it can be revealed that 248 convicts sentenced to 14 years or more have already been let out, despite the seriousness of their offending and the severity of their punishment.

Under the scheme, a criminal given 14 years by a court will serve just five and a half years.

In addition, 490 criminals handed between ten and 14 years have been freed early under the programme, as have almost 1,000 who were handed terms of between seven and ten years, according to the Ministry of Justice figures.

On average, 3,500 criminals a month are released  or more than 150 each working day.

It means the total is already likely to have hit 40,000, when projected figures for April to August are taken into account.

Labour has freed over 26,000 criminals early  including hundreds of serious offenders who were handed sentences of more than a decade behind bars, astonishing figures for the soft-justice programme introduced by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood (pictured) show

For the first time it can be revealed that 248 convicts sentenced to 14 years or more have already been let out, despite the seriousness of their offending and the severity of their punishment. Pictured: HMP Wandsworth

Tory justice spokesman Robert Jenrick said: 'The public are sick of soft justice. Instead of introducing emergency measures to let criminals out early, Starmer should change our broken human rights law so we can deport the thousands of foreign offenders clogging up our jails'

By the time the programme has been running for a full year the total is likely to hit an estimated 44,785 at current rates.

Tory justice spokesman Robert Jenrick said: 'The public are sick of soft justice. Instead of introducing emergency measures to let criminals out early, Starmer should change our broken human rights law so we can deport the thousands of foreign offenders clogging up our jails.

'These shocking statistics explain why Britain feels lawless.'

After the scheme began, 3,785 were freed in September and 5,366 in October, which included backdated releases.

Since then, an average 3,461 a month have been let out early  26,456 in all. A total of 23,803 were British and 2,613 were foreign. The nationality of 40 freed crooks was 'not recorded'.

The scheme allows offenders to be freed after serving 40 per cent of their sentence rather than the previous 50 per cent.

Those jailed for sex crimes, terrorism and serious violent crimes carrying more than four years in jail are excluded. But offenders sentenced to less than four years can be freed early, including killers convicted of manslaughter.

A scheme introduced by the former Tory government  letting inmates out up to 70 days early  led to 13,325 offenders being freed over 11 months, or about one third of the rate being let out by Labour.

On the first day of Labour's scheme last September, lags released early were seen celebrating outside jails. Pictured: a man celebrates as he is released from HMP Wandsworth

After the scheme began, 3,785 were freed in September and 5,366 in October, which included backdated releases. Since then, an average 3,461 a month have been let out early  26,456 in all. A total of 23,803 were British and 2,613 were foreign. Pictured: Ms Mahmood visits HMP Millsike

Your browser does not support iframes.

On the first day of Labour's scheme last September, lags released early were seen celebrating outside jails.

Criminals thanked Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and vowed to be 'lifelong Labour voters'. Some committed new offences within hours.

Ms Mahmood is drawing up new soft-justice measures that could allow even greater sentence discounts  including for killers and rapists. Tens of thousands of other criminals would dodge jail altogether.

Under the plan, published in May, courts will no longer impose jail terms of less than 12 months other than in 'exceptional circumstances'.

Criminals convicted of serious violence or sex offences would be freed after half their term, rather than the current three-quarters point.

This lower automatic release date would apply to offenders convicted of 'rape, manslaughter, soliciting murder, attempted murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm', providing they behaved well in jail.

Most other offenders could be released after serving just a third of their sentence. Labour has also announced a new plan to deport foreign criminals immediately after sentencing.

It will require an Act of Parliament and is expected to form part of a sentencing Bill due in the autumn.

Pictured: a former prisoner celebrates his early release with friends who picked him up in a Lamborghini

After the scheme was introduced, Criminals thanked Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and vowed to be 'lifelong Labour voters'. Some committed new offences within hours

Most other offenders could be released after serving just a third of their sentence. Labour has also announced a new plan to deport foreign criminals immediately after sentencing. Pictured: top security prison Belmarsh, in south-east London

Former Tory justice secretary Alex Chalk said he had 'real misgivings' about the measure. Serious offenders 'would not have to spend a day in custody', he told Times Radio, and would 'get a thousand pounds to help resettle'

But former Tory justice secretary Alex Chalk said he had 'real misgivings' about the measure.

Serious offenders 'would not have to spend a day in custody', he told Times Radio, and would 'get a thousand pounds to help resettle'.

'The real danger is you're giving a green light to foreign national offenders,' Mr Chalk warned.

Separately, the Home Office said last night that it was expanding the list of nationalities who must appeal from overseas against their deportation.

Rather than being able to block their removal with legal challenges in Britain, they will be removed and appeal from their home nation by video link.

The existing list of eight will expand to 23, now including India, Bulgaria, Latvia, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'This Government inherited prisons days from collapse and had no choice but to take decisive action to stop prisons overflowing and leave police unable to make arrests.

'Public protection is our number one priority. Offenders out on licence face strict conditions and will be brought back to prison if they break these rules.

'We are building 14,000 prison places and reforming sentencing so jails never run out of space again.'
The UK's trade envoy to Turkey is facing calls to resign after he visited Northern Cyprus  despite the British Government not recognising the territory.

Afzal Khan arrived in the Turkish-controlled area last week 'for a series of official engagements', a local newspaper reported.

As part of his visit, he will be awarded an honorary doctorate from a university tomorrow.

However, the UK does not recognise the self-declared 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' as an independent nation following Turkey's military invasion of the island in 1974.

Greek Cypriots regard it as a rogue state and have called for the Turkish troops stationed there to leave.

Mr Khan's visit was met with protests by the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK which represents more than 300,000 British citizens of Cypriot origin.

It sent a letter to the UK Government questioning the envoy's visit to the 'Turkish-occupied' areas of Cyprus and accusing Mr Khan, the Labour MP for Manchester Rusholme, of breaking several international agreements.

Describing the visit as a 'blatant violation' of international law and longstanding UK policy, the group called for his dismissal from the role.

Afzal Khan (left) arrived in the Turkish-controlled area last week 'for a series of official engagements', a local newspaper reported. Above, the Labour MP with the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar (right)

The UK does not recognise the self-declared 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' as an independent nation following Turkey's military invasion of the island in 1974

It said he had met the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, a hardline nationalist who is close to Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's authoritarian leader.

Mr Tatar told Mr Khan that he wanted to pursue a 'two-state solution' despite no international recognition of the seized territory, the Cyprus Mail newspaper reported.

Mr Khan replied that his friends of Cypriot origin living in Manchester had encouraged him to visit the island, adding: 'That is why I am happy to be here.'

But Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel said: 'This visit undermines the UK's credibility as a guarantor country and as an impartial interlocutor in settlement negotiations.

'It also sends a worrying signal to UK citizens of Cypriot heritage, many of whom were displaced from the very areas that Mr Khan visited.

'Labour's record on foreign affairs shames Britain and this is another example of their diplomatic failures  this time with legal and ethical implications of this visit.

'Mr Khan should resign, the Government must restate Britain's long-standing position on Cyprus and they should tell us if the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, or any other department of HM Government, was aware of or approved Mr Khan's visit in advance and whether any official advice was sought or given before it took place.'

The Foreign Office told the Cyprus News Agency that the visit was made in a personal capacity and not in Mr Khan's role as trade envoy and that the Government had not been informed in advance.

A spokesman for the Government said: 'The visit to the north of Cyprus was undertaken in a personal capacity. There is no change to the Government's long-standing position regarding the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus".'
Looking for a holiday hotspot for a last-minute getaway? You'd be better off sticking with Blighty.

Because as this summer's fourth heatwave arrives on Monday, the UK is set to be warmer than Barbados.

On Sunday beaches around the country were packed with families enjoying the glorious British weather.

The highest temperatures this week are expected in the South East, Midlands, East Anglia and east Wales, with the mercury likely to be over 30C (86F).

The south Midlands could even reach as high as 34C (93F) on Tuesday afternoon.

There is also a chance the 35.8C (78.4F) registered in Faversham in Kent on July 1  the UK's hottest day in three years  may be beaten.

And the North could reach 28C (82F) in the likes of Manchester and York.

The Met Office requires three consecutive days above 25 to 28C (77F to 82F) for an official heatwave to be recorded.

As this summer's fourth heatwave arrives on Monday, the UK is set to be warmer than Barbados

NEWQUAY: People cooling off in the sea as temperatures soared this weekend

LONDON: A cyclist ditches his shirt as he peddles along the Mall in searing heat on Sunday

A weather map has revealed the spots which will hit 30C heat on Monday as Britain braces itself for a fourth heatwave of the year

Scotland and Northern Ireland will be cooler but could still see highs of 23 to 25C (73 to 77F)  which is still 4C to 7C above average. But they are likely to see some rain, with a risk of thundery showers moving northwards from the south and west on Monday evening.

Yellow heat health alerts have been issued for most of England, except the North East and North West, from Monday noon until Wednesday to mark hot air arriving from the continent.

The UK Health Security Agency measure aims to put care providers on alert to protect those most vulnerable in the warmer weather.

It comes after a major incident was declared in Dorset, with 100 firefighters sent to tackle a huge blaze that ravaged hundreds of acres of land at the weekend.

And in Edinburgh on Sunday, firefighters tackled a large blaze on Arthur's Seat. The fire spread rapidly across the grass-covered hill at around 4pm and police urged people to stay away from the area.

Dry conditions contributed to the serious wildfire on Saturday near Wimborne, Dorset. Twenty homes were evacuated after 170 acres of heathland were scorched at Holt Heath.

In Edinburgh on Sunday, firefighters tackled a large blaze on Arthur's Seat. The fire spread rapidly across the grass-covered hill at around 4pm and police urged people to stay away from the area

The blaze came within yards of several properties, including a 1mllion detached home.

The fire was eventually brought under control. Firefighters doused the thatched roof of businessman Guy Reynolds' home with foam and managed to save it, but his garage and other outbuildings were destroyed.

Mr Reynolds, 44, who was on holiday in France, thanked those who helped his in-laws staying at the property to safety.

He said: 'It was lucky that the house was protected extremely well by the fire service. My parents-in-law were given six minutes to leave. We have ponies and sheep and people helped evacuate them.'
The new boss of HS2 is enjoying a pay package of nearly 1 million, it can be revealed.

Mark Wild, who took over as chief executive of the beleaguered high-speed rail project in December, will pocket a salary of 600,000 for the 2025/26 year.

But he is also in line for a bonus of up to 280,000 and pension contributions of 60,000, meaning his overall package is worth up to 940,000.

It dwarfs the 676,763 that predecessor Mark Thurston received in his final year at the helm.

Critics last night said it showed that the HS2 'gravy train knows no bounds', despite the project having been severely curtailed in recent years.

John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'The new boss of HS2 must be as delighted as taxpayers are furious given his nearly seven-figure pay packet.

'There has been a high churn of senior managers at this failing project, as senior executives jump on the gravy train to make a quick buck while failing to deliver anything but wasted money and broken promises.

'Given Rachel Reeves' desperate need to fill the fiscal black hole created by her Budget, scrapping this white elephant would be a good place to start.'

Mark Wild (pictured), who took over as chief executive of the beleaguered high-speed rail project in December, will pocket a salary of 600,000 for the 2025/26 year. But he is also in line for a bonus of up to 280,000 and pension contributions of 60,000

Mr Wild's overall package of up to 940,000 dwarfs the 676,763 that predecessor Mark Thurston (pictured) received in his final year at the helm

John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Given Rachel Reeves' (pictured) desperate need to fill the fiscal black hole created by her Budget, scrapping this white elephant would be a good place to start'

Lord [Tony] Berkeley, who served as deputy chairman of a government-ordered review into HS2, said: 'The HS2 gravy train knows no bounds.

'Taxpayers will be horrified at this sort of salary, which just looks like a blank cheque. And I think we've all had enough of blank cheques from this project.'

Mr Wild's package was signed off by the previous Tory administration in March last year.

His overall package for the last financial year came in at 212,402 because he only started in December.

But sources revealed his annual salary from April this year will be 600,000, with a bonus of up to 280,000 if targets around keeping within budgets and hitting deadlines are met.

Mr Wild was boss of Crossrail, now known as London's Elizabeth Line, from 2018 to 2022.

While this was delivered three-and-a-half years late and 4 billion over budget, he is credited with turning the project around after construction work began more than 15 years ago.

HS2 has been dogged by repeated delays and spiralling costs, with Birmingham to London trains originally due to begin in 2026. But this now won't happen until at least the mid-2030s.

Lord [Tony] Berkeley, who served as deputy chairman of a government-ordered review into HS2, said: 'The HS2 gravy train knows no bounds. 'Taxpayers will be horrified at this sort of salary, which just looks like a blank cheque. And I think we've all had enough of blank cheques from this project'

Mr Wild's package was signed off by the previous Tory administration in March last year. His overall package for the last financial year came in at 212,402 because he only started in December. Pictured: Mr Wild with Rail Minister Lord Hendy

Mr Wild was boss of Crossrail, now known as London's Elizabeth Line, from 2018 to 2022. While this was delivered three-and-a-half years late and 4 billion over budget, he is credited with turning the project around after construction work began more than 15 years ago

The project initially had a price tag of just over 30 billion, including for eastern and western legs to Leeds and Manchester from Birmingham.

But only phase one, which connects London with Birmingham, will now go ahead after both northern legs were axed.

Despite this, estimates suggest the final bill will still exceed 100 billion.

A spokesman for HS2 Ltd defended Mr Wild's salary, saying: 'This is a highly technical project on a huge scale.

'As such, HS2 is competing with some of the biggest infrastructure schemes globally to employ people with the right level of skills and expertise to deliver it.'
The number of small-boat migrants who have reached Britain since Labour came to power is poised to hit 50,000.

The Home Office confirmed 435 arrived on Saturday  bringing the total since the General Election to 49,516.

Hundreds more arrived at Dover on Sunday, with official figures due to be released on Monday.

It means more than 1,000 migrants have come to the UK since the Government's 'one in, one out' deal with France became operational last Wednesday.

The 50,000 milestone is likely to be hit in the coming days amid ideal weather conditions for crossing the Channel.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'Labour cancelled the Rwanda deterrent plan before it started with no replacement and numbers have surged.

'This year so far has been the worst in history for illegal immigrants crossing the Channel. Labour has lost of control of our borders. Every illegal immigrant needs to be removed immediately upon arrival. But this government is too weak to do that.'

On Sunday, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage posted a video which showed migrants chanting 'Allahu Akbar' as they apparently crossed the English Channel.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent

Hundreds more arrived at Dover on Sunday with official figures due to be released on Monday

The men were brought in by Border Force following a small boat incident in the Channel

The Home Office confirmed 435 arrived on Saturday  bringing the total since the General Election to 49,516

More than 1,000 migrants have come to the UK since the Government's 'one in, one out' deal with France became operational

He said: 'This is a national security emergency. Allowing these men to invade our country will not end well.' Last week, Mr Philp accused Sir Keir Starmer of 'gaslighting the British public' and making 'grossly exaggerated' claims over the new migrant deal.

He said the returns agreement would see only 6 per cent of migrants sent back. The deal is also due to last just ten months.

Speaking about the first detentions under the deal, the Prime Minister warned migrants: 'If you break the law to enter this country, you will face being sent back.'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said 'every migrant' will be 'throwing away their money if they get into a small boat'.

Since the start of this year, a record 26,274 migrants have arrived  up 49 per cent on the same period last year.

Protests against illegal migrants continued across the country at the weekend. Demonstrators gathered outside hotels in Bristol and near Gatwick, West Sussex, which are being used to house asylum seekers.

There was also a rally near two migrant hotels in Bournemouth.

In a separate development, 13 migrants were rescued in northern France after locking themselves inside a refrigerated lorry heading for the UK on Saturday.
When Princess Diana died, her sons Prince William and Prince Harry inherited most of her 13million fortune, including her possessions, jewellery and money.

The money was placed in trusts and invested, which resulted in the fortune swelling to more than 20million by the time they were of age.

But there is one family heirloom which didn't form part of her inheritance due to a centuries-old practice.

The Grade I listed Althorp Estate in Northamptonshire, where Diana grew up and is buried, has been owned by the Spencer family for more than 500 years.

Diana spent childhood holidays at the 5,463-hectare estate before moving in permanently at the age of 14.

The estate will go to William and Harry's cousin Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp, the son of Diana's brother, Charles Spencer and his first wife, Victoria Lockwood.

Despite the fact that Louis Spencer, who grew up in South Africa, has an elder sister, Lady Kitty Spencer, he will inherit the title and estimated 100million estate.

This is because of the centuries-old practice of male primogeniture, by which an aristocrat's title and estate passes to the eldest son, rather than the eldest child.

When Princess Diana died, her sons Prince William and Prince Harry inherited most of her 13million fortune, including her possessions, jewellery and money

The estate will go to William and Harry's cousin Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp, the son of Diana's brother, Charles Spencer and his first wife, Victoria Lockwood. Viscount Althorp and Harry are pictured in 2018

The Grade I listed Althorp Estate in Northamptonshire, where Diana grew up and is buried, has been owned by the Spencer family for more than 500 years

Over the years politicians have waded in on the controversial topic of primogeniture.

When he was prime minister, David Cameron said the 'idea that a younger son should become monarch instead of an elder daughter, simply because he is a man, just isnt acceptable any more'.

Former PM Boris Johnson reportedly ordered the issue of male primogeniture be looked into as part of plans to make Parliament more welcoming to women.

Earl Spencer, 58, however, is not inclined to embrace the 'changing attitudes' and has spoken out to say he will keep to tradition and choose Louis as his heir.

In 2015 he said: 'If I chose Kitty it would be against all the tradition that goes with Althorp. Its just the way it is. I get the problems with it as a concept.

'I also get the strengths of it having worked to date. It is still intact. If you go around the chateaux of the Loire or whatever, they are empty.

'Everything gets split equally through the generations and you end up with a beautiful building with one nice tapestry in it. The whole idea of primogeniture was to keep it together.'

Perhaps it is easy to see why the Earl favours keeping the estate 'together'.

William and Harry's inheritance was placed in trusts and invested, which resulted in the fortune swelling to more than 20million by the time they were of age

Earl Spencer and William are pictured at the funeral ceremony of Princess Diana

Despite the fact that Louis Spencer (pictured) who grew up in South Africa, has an elder sister, Lady Kitty Spencer, he will inherit the title and estimated 100million estate

He has seven children from three marriages, meaning dividing the estate could become a tricky prospect.

Despite their complicated family dynamic, Louis enjoys a close relationship with his sisters.

He walked his eldest sister Kitty down the aisle during her Italian wedding, instead of their father, who controversially did not attend.

Their close sibling relationship is in part due to the fact that they enjoyed a privileged but private upbringing in Cape Town, where Earl Spencer and Victoria moved in 1995 to raise their children out of the public eye.

The couple divorced in December 1997, months after Diana's death, and Charles moved back to the UK shortly afterwards.

It is a topic that continues to rear its head, leading the Daily Telegraph to dub Louis the 'reluctant poster boy of male primogeniture'.

Kitty, who married a fashion tycoon 30 years her senior in 2021, discussed being overlooked in the order of inheritance in an interview with Town & Country magazine.

'Primogeniture can be a tricky topic, because as times are changing, attitudes are as well,' she said.

Lady Kitty Spencer, Victoria Aitken and Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp, attend Tatler's English Roses 2017

Lady Eliza Spencer, Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp and Victoria Aitken attend the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle

Diana's resting place is on an island in a lake at her family home at Althorp, Northamptonshire

What is male primogeniture? Primogeniture is preference in inheritance that is given by law, custom, or usage to the eldest son and his issue. In exceptional cases, primogeniture may prescribe such preferential inheritance to the line of the eldest daughter. The motivation for such a practice has usually been to keep the estate of the deceased, or some part of it, whole and intact. The Royal Family brought to an end the system of primogeniture that had dictated the line of succession since 1701. Under the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, princes no longer take precedence over their sisters. It means Princess Charlotte is ahead of her brother Prince Louis in the line of succession. Advertisement

'We've grown up understanding that its Louis to inherit, and Louis will do an incredible job.'

In the December 2015 issue of Tatler, Kitty said: 'Im totally pro-gender equality. But Im quite happy that thats [going to be] my brothers responsibility. I just think its the correct way.

'I like that the house stays within the same family, with the same surname,' she continued.

'I wouldnt want it any other way for the Spencers. And I just know my brother is going to do an impeccable job.'

Diana's grave is located on a small island in the middle of the propertys Oval Lake and is not accessible to the public.

Harry wrote in his 2023 memoir, Spare, about visiting the site on the 25th anniversary of Dianas death in 2022, bringing his wife Meghan for the first time.

'As they took a boat across the lake, Harry said he gazed around at Althorp's rolling fields and ancient trees, the thousands of green acres where my mother grew up, and where, though things weren't perfect, she'd known some peace.'

Though Harry said the visit was admittedly not 'easy,' he expressed his desire to share his mothers final resting place with Meghan, writing: 'At long last, I was bringing the girl of my dreams home to meet Mum.'

Last year, Daily Mail reported that Harry stayed with his uncle at Althorp House during his trip to the UK after going to the funeral of Diana's brother-in-law, Lord Robert Fellowes.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail that Harry staying at Althorp 'emphasises his links with his mother's family' - far more so than with his father King Charles III as he remains estranged from most of the Royal Family.

The Prince's closeness to his mother's side of the family has been maintained despite his move to America.

Earl Spencer has publicly defended Harry in the media and on social media, showing his support for the prince during his legal battles and other challenges.

On what would have been the late Princess of Wales's 60th birthday, William and Harry's aunts and uncle came together in 2021 for the unveiling of Diana's statue at Kensington Palace.

An aerial view of Althorp House, home of the aristocratic Spencer family

Last year, the Daily Mail reported that Harry stayed with his uncle at Althorp House during his trip to the UK after going to the funeral of Diana's brother-in-law, Lord Robert Fellowes

The Spencer family tree, showing the family's relationship to Harry and William

Meanwhile it has been announced that Diana's former butler, Paul Burrell, is set to release a third 'intimate' memoir, promising to reveal stories he felt he couldn't share while the late Queen was still alive.

His book The Royal Insider  with a picture of himself and Diana on the cover  is due out in September.

The princes are now bracing themselves for what he might reveal as he vows to 'speak candidly about the tensions that simmered' during his time at the Palace  'including the breakdown of Charles and Diana's marriage and his own complex relationship with Princes William and Harry'.

Despite Harry's assertion that he had been cut off from his family financially after stepping down from the Firm, he said that the money left to him from Diana helped him and Meghan move to California after they stepped back from their royal roles in 2020.

'I brought what my mother left me,' he said in the couple's 2021 sit-down with Oprah Winfrey.

'And without that, we would not have been able to do this, so touching back on what my mother would think of this, I think she saw it coming. I certainly felt her presence throughout this whole process.'
A customer selects pearl earrings at a trading center for jewelry products in Shanxiahu Town, Zhuji City of east China's Zhejiang Province, Aug. 9, 2025. Shanxiahu Town of Zhejiang Province is renowned for its pearl industry that ranges from pearl farming, processing, trading to cultural tourism.

Shanxiahu has embraced technological innovations in recent years to boost eco-friendly pearl farming as well as green development.

This town now serves as a leading pearl trading center and online jewelry trading platform in China, handling 80% of pearl trading volume in the country, and the business in "beauty economy" has also handsomely improved household revenues here. (Xinhua/Mao Zhu)

Workers release mussels at a smart pearl farming base in Shanxiahu Town, Zhuji City of east China's Zhejiang Province, Aug. 9, 2025. Shanxiahu Town of Zhejiang Province is renowned for its pearl industry that ranges from pearl farming, processing, trading to cultural tourism.

Shanxiahu has embraced technological innovations in recent years to boost eco-friendly pearl farming as well as green development.

This town now serves as a leading pearl trading center and online jewelry trading platform in China, handling 80% of pearl trading volume in the country, and the business in "beauty economy" has also handsomely improved household revenues here. (Xinhua/Mao Zhu)

A shopkeeper (R) introduces pearl jewelry to a customer at a trading center for jewelry products in Shanxiahu Town, Zhuji City of east China's Zhejiang Province, Aug. 9, 2025. Shanxiahu Town of Zhejiang Province is renowned for its pearl industry that ranges from pearl farming, processing, trading to cultural tourism.

Shanxiahu has embraced technological innovations in recent years to boost eco-friendly pearl farming as well as green development.

This town now serves as a leading pearl trading center and online jewelry trading platform in China, handling 80% of pearl trading volume in the country, and the business in "beauty economy" has also handsomely improved household revenues here. (Xinhua/Mao Zhu)

This photo taken on Aug. 9, 2025 shows pearl jewelry products at a trading center for jewelry products in Shanxiahu Town, Zhuji City of east China's Zhejiang Province. Shanxiahu Town of Zhejiang Province is renowned for its pearl industry that ranges from pearl farming, processing, trading to cultural tourism.

Shanxiahu has embraced technological innovations in recent years to boost eco-friendly pearl farming as well as green development.

This town now serves as a leading pearl trading center and online jewelry trading platform in China, handling 80% of pearl trading volume in the country, and the business in "beauty economy" has also handsomely improved household revenues here. (Xinhua/Mao Zhu)

A worker opens a mussel to retrieve pearls in Shanxiahu Town, Zhuji City of east China's Zhejiang Province, Aug. 9, 2025. Shanxiahu Town of Zhejiang Province is renowned for its pearl industry that ranges from pearl farming, processing, trading to cultural tourism.

Shanxiahu has embraced technological innovations in recent years to boost eco-friendly pearl farming as well as green development.

This town now serves as a leading pearl trading center and online jewelry trading platform in China, handling 80% of pearl trading volume in the country, and the business in "beauty economy" has also handsomely improved household revenues here. (Xinhua/Mao Zhu)

A customer selects pearl jewelry at a trading center for jewelry products in Shanxiahu Town, Zhuji City of east China's Zhejiang Province, Aug. 9, 2025. Shanxiahu Town of Zhejiang Province is renowned for its pearl industry that ranges from pearl farming, processing, trading to cultural tourism.

Shanxiahu has embraced technological innovations in recent years to boost eco-friendly pearl farming as well as green development.

This town now serves as a leading pearl trading center and online jewelry trading platform in China, handling 80% of pearl trading volume in the country, and the business in "beauty economy" has also handsomely improved household revenues here. (Xinhua/Mao Zhu)

This photo taken on Aug. 9, 2025 shows a simulated pearl farming system in Shanxiahu Town, Zhuji City of east China's Zhejiang Province. Shanxiahu Town of Zhejiang Province is renowned for its pearl industry that ranges from pearl farming, processing, trading to cultural tourism.

Shanxiahu has embraced technological innovations in recent years to boost eco-friendly pearl farming as well as green development.

This town now serves as a leading pearl trading center and online jewelry trading platform in China, handling 80% of pearl trading volume in the country, and the business in "beauty economy" has also handsomely improved household revenues here. (Xinhua/Mao Zhu)
It's been no secret that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have faced animosity from senior royals since 'Megxit'.

In 2021 the late Queen led the Palace's response to the Sussexes notorious interview with Oprah Winfrey, where she famously claimed 'recollections may vary'.

When Harry released his memoir Spare in January 2023, the Firm remained silent and have not commented on any of the revelations revealed inside the book.

But while last month's 'peace summit' suggests relations between the two camps could be warming, privately some of the family's closest friends have been quite candid about Harry and Meghan.

According to a royal source, friends of Prince William and Kate Middleton allegedly ridiculed Meghan after the announcement of her lifestyle company being rebranded to As Ever in February.

The friends reportedly referred to the Duchess of Sussex's latest business venture as 'As If', as in 'as if it will take off', Bella Magazine reported.

One said: 'It's caused quite a bit of laughter within the group. WhatsApp messages have been going back and forth.

'It's all very budget and rushed. Embarrassing, really.'

Prince William and Kate Middleton in April 2025. The Prince and Princess of Wales's friends allegedly have a clever nickname for Meghan Markle's lifestyle brand

Meghan in a promotional shot for her Netflix series. Kate and Wills' so-called friends allegedly referred to the Duchess of Sussex's latest business venture as 'As If' as in 'as if it will take off'

Upon the launch of her lifestyle brand - which sells products including an assortment of teas, edible flower sprinkles and a 20 jar of honey - Meghan's products sold out very quickly but then the website was not updated for several months.

That was until Meghan launched her latest line of products - Californian rose wine. Customers were able to purchase three bottles for 66, six bottles for 118, and 12 bottles for 223 and it was sold out within the hour.

Meghan has also invested in a number of companies including the vegan coffee brand Clevr Blends and haircare line Highbrow Hippie.

Through her business ventures and lucrative deals with media brands, royal experts have hypothesized that Meghan could have ambitions to become a billionaire.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said Meghan has ambitions to become a billionaire with her various projects including TV and investing in start-ups, but Harry lacks the same 'ruthlessness'.

'Harry is increasingly finding himself as the spare in a relationship with Meghan which undoubtedly involves mutual affection, but where their priorities differ widely.

'Meghan likes glitz and glamour and is absolutely ruthless as the interview on Oprah showed so clearly. Because she married Harry, her brand does have reach.

'She would like to be a billionaire influencer and an A-list celebrity but she has very few A-list friends.'

He cautioned that Meghan's hopes of becoming a billionaire, could be damaged by her problematic public image.

Meghan's raspberry spread. As Ever lifestyle products launched in April

Meghan during an episode of With Love, Meghan. Royal experts have hypothesized that Meghan could have ambitions to become a billionaire

Prince Harry and Meghan in 2022. Even during the drama of 'Megxit', Harry and Meghan's early business ventures were almost entirely joint

'Her declining popularity in the United States is partly due to the bullying allegations which have dogged her though she strongly denies them, and partly because, as was pointed out by critics of her With Love, Meghan cookery show, she is too self-obsessed,' Richard explained.

'She should take advice from the infamous but pragmatic 16th-century diplomat Nicolo Machiavelli who wrote It is not necessary that a prince (in her case a princess) be just. It is very necessary that he (she) appear to be.

'The talent isnt there, the ambition is boundless, the self-love infinite and it shows far too obviously. The novelty has worn off, too. If you preach love but rubbish the royal family, which you married into, you might not make the fortune you seek!'

Meghan's attempts to build a global empire have hit some stumbling blocks.

Harry and Meghan signed a lucrative 18million deal with Spotify in 2020. However despite appearing to be a joint venture, the only show they produced was hosted by Meghan.

In the series, titled Archetypes, Meghan interviewed various celebrities from Serena Williams to Paris Hilton.

The deal was 'mutually ended' in June 2023 with sources claiming the music streaming giant did not see a enough content to warrant the full payout.

And now Harry and Meghan's $100m Netflix deal is reportedly 'dead', following 'dismal' viewing figures for With Love, Meghan, an insider at the streamer reportedly said.

William and Kate during VE Day celebrations. Their friends have previously been quite candid about Meghan

Meghan's Californian rose wine. Customers were able to purchase three bottles for 66, six bottles for 118, and 12 bottles for 223 and it was sold out within the hour

Meghan's lifestyle show failed to break into Netflix's top 300 programmes for the first half of 2025 and was even thrashed by multiple seasons of Suits.

Harry's passion project documentary Polo ranked at a disastrous 3,436 out of 7,000 shows and was only watched by 500,000 people in six months.

A second season of With Love, Meghan was announced by the Duchess herself as the first season came out in March this year as part of the couple's $100million deal with the streaming giant, which expires this year.

But a Netflix source has claimed: 'This deal is dead.

'She had everything going for her - name, platform, press - and the numbers were dismal.

'They're just waiting for the credits to roll. They're letting it expire without drama. There's no appetite for anything new.'

Their most successful show was their first Netflix series about the Sussexes was released aptly named Harry and Meghan.

While it holds the record for the biggest debut for a Netflix documentary it received mixed reviews.
Fresh claims about the infamous 2004 'Tic Tac' UFO encounter are reigniting fierce debate over the true nature of the mysterious craft observed by US Navy pilots off the coast of Southern California.

Journalist and UFO investigator Ross Coulthart has sparked controversy by asserting that the craft, captured on video and later released by the Pentagon, is actually advanced man-made technology developed by aerospace giant Lockheed Martin.

Coulthart suggested the craft may have been operated psionically, controlled through advanced mental or neurological means, and could be the product of reverse-engineering non-human technology recovered by the US government.

However, leading experts in the field of unexplained aerial phenomena (UAP) rejected this explanation.

UFO researcher Mark Christopher Lee argued that the Tic Tac's silent propulsion, instantaneous acceleration, and lack of visible lift mechanisms closely match sightings of similar craft documented centuries before modern aviation, making it unlikely to be current military tech.

'There have been documented sightings of the same type of craft even before the technological age,' Lee told the Daily Mail.

'This continuity suggests an intelligent, non-human presence operating beyond our understanding.'

The 2004 incident remains one of the most well-known UFO encounters in recent history.

UAP expert Ross Coulthart recently made the claim that the Tic Tac drone sighted in 2004 - and captured on video - is in fact man-made technology

During training exercises, Navy pilots aboard the USS Nimitz tracked multiple unidentified objects descending from 80,000 feet in under a second.

Cmdr. David Fravor described a white, capsule-shaped craft, the now-iconic Tic Tac, which appeared to respond intelligently to their maneuvers before rapidly accelerating out of sight.

Coulthart, who has long investigated UAP secrecy, suggested the encounter was part of a covert military program rather than an alien visitation.

'I now know categorically that the Tic Tac is Lockheed Martin technology,' he claimed, adding that multiple similar craft were spotted over several days, possibly indicating advanced tests of this classified technology.

Yet Lee suspected such claims are deliberate misdirection aimed at hiding the true extraterrestrial origins of these crafts.

He noted historical records, including the 1561 Nuremberg 'cylindrical flying objects' and the 1890s US 'airship wave,' as evidence of long-standing unexplained aerial phenomena beyond human capabilities.

'There is a strong chance that what we are seeing is beyond human technology, and attempts to explain it as secret military hardware serve only to distract the public,' Lee said.

Some experts, like Dr Ajaz Ali from Ravensbourne University, caution that many UFO sightings stem from advanced but earthly technology.

One of the pilots, Cmdr. David Fravor, later reported observing a white, capsule-shaped craft

Cold War-era reconnaissance missions by the US and Soviet Union, such as U-2 spy plane flights, and modern drone developments have often been mistaken for extraterrestrial craft.

'The shapes and behaviors of modern drones and spy aircraft closely mimic those reported in UFO encounters,' Ali said, noting that declassified documents have linked covert aerial operations to the rise of UFO lore.

Despite decades of investigation, the true identity of the Tic Tac craft remains a mystery, fueling an ongoing clash between believers in secret military tech and advocates of alien visitation theories.

'It's possible we'll never fully understand this intelligence,' Lee concluded. 'It may be far beyond anything we currently comprehend.'

However, the mystery of the Tic Tac remains unsolved, leaving both believers in extraterrestrial intelligence and advocates of secret military technology debating what exactly is flying above our heads.

'It's conceivable that it was being operated neuro-meditatively, psionically, by a human psionic,' Coulthart said.

'It makes no scientific sense to me that the Tic Tac UFO is Lockheed Martin technology,' Lee told the Daily Mail.

'There have been many documented sightings throughout history of the same type of craft, even before the technological age.

'These sightings are well-documented. There was definitely something technological in their skies, but it wasn't ours.

'What it is or where it comes from, I do not know. That is the question we are all trying to answer.'

Lee agreed that there may be attempts to reverse-engineer alien technology and suspects that the reporting around the Tic Tac sighting is intended to divert attention from this.

He claimed efforts to portray such craft as secret military technology are designed to prevent the public from realizing that aliens regularly visit Earth.

'I suspect the US military is diverting us away from what they actually know about this technology, which is most likely extraterrestrial in origin,' he said.

'However, I'm also sure that reverse engineering programs are ongoingthis has been confirmed to me by a senior intelligence contact in the UK military, though with limited success.'

'There are a lot of so-called UFO experts making wild claims, all wanting to be the messiah who brings us the truth, but the reality is we do not know, and maybe never will fully understand what this intelligence is. It may be far beyond anything we can comprehend.'
Almost 13,000 years ago, a massive fragment of a comet exploded over Louisiana, turning stone into glass and potentially offering evidence for one of history's most controversial theories.

New research supports ideas popularized by author Graham Hancock, who shared a stage with comet scientist Dr Allan West to discuss the findings.

Hancock's bestselling books argue for the existence of a lost, advanced civilization wiped out by a cosmic cataclysm around 12,800 years ago.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Hancock said his work is often misunderstood or dismissed by critics, but recent comet impact discoveries lend weight to the mystery he explores.

Dr West, one of the scientists behind the Louisiana find, warns that such explosions with the destructive power of nuclear weapons may be more common than previously thought.

'I am exploring a mystery, and that mystery is a very strong feeling that the archaeological project is not giving us the whole story about the past, not because of any conspiracy, but because archaeology mainly focuses on physical artifacts,' Hancock explained.

'This approach tends to overlook important evidence found in religious texts and ancient myths, like the Egyptian Book of the Dead and the global flood myth.'

'It's clear to me that something is missing, that during the Ice Age, there was a culture with advanced astronomy, knowledge of the Earth's dimensions, and even the problem of longitude solved.'

The study identified what appeared to be a 12,800-year-old depression in Louisiana caused by a cosmic airburst, an explosion in the atmosphere by a space object.

The study found evidence of what appears to be a 12,800-year-old depression made by a cosmic airburst - an explosion caused by a material from space exploding in the atmosphere

The 'evidence' was uncovered in Louisiana, which experts say could prove America was once home to an advanced civilization

Radiometric dating and electron microscopy date the event to the Younger Dryas Boundary, a period marked by abrupt cooling and mass extinctions.

Researchers suggested that the 984-foot-long lake and crater-like depression in Perkins could be the first airburst crater identified from this era.

Hancock believes the Earth was bombarded by fragments of a giant comet, part of the Taurid meteor stream, thousands of years ago.

'Comets can get caught in the sun's gravity and enter orbit. According to research by Nature and others, the Taurid stream included a massive comet, possibly over 100 kilometers wide, which crossed Earth's path about 20,000 years ago,' Hancock said.

He argues the impacts were not single hits but 'like a shotgun blast,' multiple airbursts from objects ranging in size from the Great Pyramid to entire cities, affecting locations worldwide, including the US, Belgium, Syria, Chile and Antarctica.

Hancock sees the recent discovery as one among dozens of such global events, possibly including an impact crater as well as airbursts.

Rising to fame with Fingerprints of the Gods in 1995, Hancock has faced ongoing rejection from mainstream archaeology.

'That book gathered evidence from mythology, traditions, and design, leading to my conclusion that a global cataclysm wiped out part of human history around 12,500 years ago,' Hancock said.

Graham Hancocks books explore the idea that there might have been a lost civilization on Earth (Picture Netflix)

Comets in varying sizes - from Great Pyramid-sized to city-sized hit all across Earth, Hancock believes

'The Younger Dryas Impact hypothesis, proposed scientifically in 2006, fits this timeline perfectly. Evidence continues to build, though it remains controversial.'

Dr West, from the Comet Research Group, stressed the broader implications of their findings.

'The accepted view is that extraterrestrial impact events are extremely rare, especially large ones like the dinosaur extinction event,' he said.

'But smaller, dangerous airbursts like Tunguska in 1908 and Chelyabinsk in 2013 happen more often than believed.'

He said evidence points to a major encounter with a giant comet's tail 12,800 years ago, causing widespread devastation without the comet itself striking Earth.

'This event was enormous, equivalent to thousands or even tens of thousands of nuclear bombs exploding simultaneously,' West explained.

Radiometric dating and electron microscopy date the event to the Younger Dryas Boundary, a period marked by abrupt cooling and mass extinctions. Researchers suggested that the 984-foot-long lake and crater-like depression in Perkins could be the first airburst crater identified from this era

The aftermath pushed many megafauna species, including mammoths and saber-toothed cats, into extinction.

West warns that if a similar event happened today, it could be catastrophic.

'Back then, fewer than a million people lived on Earth. Today's billions would suffer immensely, millions could die, crops would fail, satellites and electrical grids would be destroyed.'

The Younger Dryas Impact hypothesis remains controversial because the sharp climate downturn it explains has no other widely accepted cause.

West believes the comet impact darkened skies with dust and soot for months, plunging the world back into ice age conditions.

West and Hancock share the experience of facing intense criticism for their unconventional ideas.

'Graham invited me to speak because our work challenges the prevailing scientific paradigm,' West said. 'We've had papers blocked, delayed, and even targeted for retraction by those opposed to our research.'

Hancock is realistic about the acceptance of their theories.

'I'm not optimistic for a sudden paradigm shift. Overturning established views is a slow, often hostile process,' he said.

'But with enough evidence, the truth will eventually emerge, just not tomorrow or anytime soon.'
A police officer slain by a gunman targeting the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta Friday was expecting his third child.

David Rose, 33, leaves behind two children and a pregnant wife and had only joined the Dekalb County Police Department in September.

Rose succumbed to his injuries in hospital after being shot during a firefight with the gunman, who was firing wildly at CDC buildings near Emory University.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Killed: Dekalb County police officer David Rose, 33, was slain while responding to the shooting at the Centers for Disease Control in Georgia

Heavy police response: Officers set up a blockade of a road near the CDC, where several buildings took fire

'This evening, there is a wife without a husband. There are three children, one unborn, without a father,' DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said during a press conference.

'There is a mother and a father, as well as siblings who also share in this traumatic loss. Lets join together to give this family the support it needs.'

The officer was suffering from critical injuries when he was located at the scene as gunfire erupted from the CVS located at Emory Point, a mixed-used development across the street from the CDC headquarters.

The shooter was located on the floor above the CVS and died during a firefight with police. It wasn't immediately clear if his injuries were from officers or if they were self-inflicted.

He was identified Saturday by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White from Kennesaw, Georgia.

'There is extensive evidence to collect due to the complex scene,' a statement from the bureau noted. 'Numerous interviews are being conducted. This investigation will take an extended period of time.'

CNN reported that the shooter's family members spoke to law enforcement and told them that he blamed his recent illness on the Covid-19 vaccine, which was pushed by the CDC.

CDC Director Susan Monarez, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp recognized Rose's death as a brave sacrifice.

In a statement, Dekalb County said that Rose was a former Marine who served in Afghanistan.

Police said he graduated from the police academy in March and 'quickly earned the respect of his colleagues for his dedication, courage and professionalism.'

'This evening, there is a wife without a husband. There are three children, one unborn, without a father,' DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said.

The shooter is believed to have been targeting the CDC, not nearby Emory University.

Emory University students began hearing gunshots late Friday afternoon. Eventually, the university sent out a desperate alert at around 4:50pm pleading with students to 'RUN. HIDE. FIGHT.'

A little over two hours after the alert was sent out, Atlanta Police confirmed the shooter was dead.

'There is no ongoing threat to the Emory Campus or the surrounding neighborhood. The incident involved a single shooter, who is now deceased,' Atlanta Police said in a statement.

No civilians were shot throughout the course of the attack, said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.

Damage: Bullet holes are seen in Building 24 at the CDC, which is just down the road from Emory University

Tactical teams: An officer with a rifle gets ready to deploy at the scene of the attack

Upsetting: Two women who appear to be CVS employees hug each other. The shooter barricaded himself in the floor above the CVS while shooting at police officers

The shooting ended at the CVS, but bullets from the shooter's gun hit at least four buildings that are part of the CDC's headquarters.

A photo shared to social media showed at least two bullet holes in two separate windows.

A CDC employee told CNN that he saw a man approach the steps in front of the building, pull out a rifle and open fire.

Law enforcement officials said the shooter had four different weapons  two hand guns, one rifle and one shotgun  and was wearing what looked to be a surgical mask.

The CDC ultimately wasn't breached. At around 10pm ET, the CDC gave its employees the all-clear order via text message.

'Local law enforcement continues to clear Roybal Campus buildings but has determined that there is no longer a threat to CDC staff,' the text message read.

Roughly 92 children were at the employee daycare at the CDC campus, which had parents panicking since they weren't allowed to immediately go pick them up because of shelter-in-place orders.

When the all-clear order was given roughly five hours after the shooting began, that's when the children were finally reunited with their parents.
A teacher convicted of sexually abusing an underage boy was able to have a baby with his husband through a surrogate, potentially exploiting a loophole in state law.

The issue recently came to light and sparked outrage after a video circulated online showing Brandon Riley-Mitchell, 39, and his husband holding their infant boy and blowing out candles on a series of cupcakes.

Riley-Mitchell, a former chemistry teacher at Downingtown West High School in Pennsylvania, was convicted in 2016 of sexually abusing a student and possessing child pornography.

Convicted: Sex offender Brandon Riley-Mitchell, a former chemistry teacher at Downingtown West High School, has sparked fresh outrage

He had a sexually inappropriate relationship with the 16-year-old student between May 2013 and December 2014, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

More than 12,000 text messages, which included nude images and videos, were exchanged between the student and Riley-Mitchell, who was 30 at the time.

Riley-Mitchell, who was placed on the sex offenders registry, spent three months in jail and was sentenced to probation with no unsupervised contact with minors.

Under state law, registered sex offenders are not allowed to adopt or foster children, but there is no current law preventing individuals from conceiving via surrogacy.

It remains unclear if Riley-Mitchell is biologically related to the child through the procedure, which surrogacy and adoption attorney Stuart Sacks told the Inquirer may be 'where the loophole comes in.'

Fathers: Riley-Mitchell (right) and his husband have recently become parents to a baby boy via surrogacy

The couple had launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe in 2023 to raise money to help them afford a gestational surrogate.

In an update, they announced that they had found a surrogate 'after three long years of searching' when a family friend reached out.

The couple wrote: 'Our surrogate went through extensive medical and social worker evaluations in order to be approved for surrogacy.

'Once approved, the lengthy legal and financial process began. We are so excited that our amazing surrogate will carry one of our embryos for us, helping to expand our family!'

Now, thousands are calling for the child's removal and for an update to state law that would also protect children born through surrogacy.

Plea: The couple had launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe in 2023 to raise money to help them afford a gestational surrogate

A Change.org petition said: 'This child is now living in the custody of a man convicted of sexually abusing a child. The public is outraged, and we are demanding immediate action,' .

The petition called on Gov. Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, and the Pennsylvania Legislature to launch an investigation into the situation, remove the child, and 'close any legal gaps' for sex offenders to adopt or have custody of children.

As of Saturday, the petition had garnered more than 10,500 signatures.

Peter Kratsa, Riley-Mitchell's former attorney in his criminal case, told the Inquirer that his former client 'did nothing illegal or unethical in becoming a surrogate parent.'

Kratsa added that Riley-Mitchell had 'accepted responsibility for his conduct, served his sentence without incident, and engaged in extensive counseling.'

Mystery: It remains unclear if Riley-Mitchell is biologically related to the child, which a surrogacy and adoption attorney said may be 'where the loophole comes in'

Kratsa told the outlet: 'Perhaps the attention of those decrying his parenthood would be more appropriately directed toward those who are not held accountable for child abuse, are not punished, and make no efforts at rehabilitation.'

York County District Attorney Tim Barker told Newsweek in a statement: 'I thoroughly appreciate the concerned and outraged emotions expressed by many that a loophole exists in the law to allows a registered sex offender to become a parent through surrogacy without the same intense scrutiny, accountability, and judicial oversight mandated for the adoption process.'

He added: 'This is an issue ripe for review and remedy by our Pennsylvania Legislature.'

Barker added that currently no laws have been broken but he had 'full confidence' that county officials would pursue any 'constitutionally permissible legislative actions' to protect children,' the outlet reported.
A mother and her boyfriend have been arrested on several child and sexual abuse counts - more than three years after her two-year-old girl was allegedly beaten and handed over to a meth dealer.

London Kerr was last seen in April 2022 at an Oklahoma City home, having reportedly been bashed with a paddle and shot with a BB gun before being given up.

The mother, Ashley Rowland, 39, and her boyfriend, Joshua Denton, 40, were arrested on Tuesday - but detectives say London's whereabouts are still a mystery.

Missing: London Kerr, then two, was last seen in April 2022 at a southeast Oklahoma City apartment complex. Now five, the Oklahoma toddler is considered missing and endangered

Charged: Her mother, Ashley Rowland, 39, and her boyfriend, Joshua Denton, 40, were arrested on Tuesday on multiple complaints related to child abuse and sexual abuse

The toddler, who would now be five, is still considered missing and endangered and Oklahoma City Police are continuing their search.

And despite the arrests, police say there's been no credible information about London's whereabouts.

The harrowing case only began to unravel a year after London was last seen alive, when the Oklahoma Department of Human Services attempted to serve a pickup order in April 2023 and was unable to locate London, according to court records.

Rowland initially told authorities her daughter was staying with her biological father in Georgia - but that statement was later proven false.

In a follow-up interview, Rowland allegedly admitted to giving London to a man named 'Carlos,' whom she said had sold her methamphetamine in 2022.

'He was possibly London's father, but Ashley was not sure. Carlos had told Ashley he was going back to Mexico,' her arrest affidavit stated.

Rowland also told police she did not give Carlos any of London's personal identification documents, The Oklahoman reported.

Mystery: Despite the arrests, police say there's been no credible information about London's whereabouts

Oklahoma City police have not yet confirmed Carlos's existence or involvement.

Rowland was first arrested on a child abandonment charge last October but was bonded out.

She later admitted to police she had lied and that Carlos did not sell or use meth.

'We don't have very credible information from the people that assumed responsibility or had custody of this child,' Oklahoma City Police Sgt Dillon Quirk told WFSB.

'So, when we take over an investigation, we have to go back and look at what has already been documented.'

Investigators eventually uncovered additional disturbing allegations of abuse in interviews with other children connected to Rowland and Denton.

According to affidavits, a 15-year-old boy told police Denton hit London with a wooden paddle and shot her with a BB gun.

He also said Denton duct-taped him to a chair, beat him with a belt, threatened to kill him if he spoke to anyone and even threatened to 'make him disappear.'

Appeal: The multi-layered case began to unravel in April 2023 when the Oklahoma Department of Human Services attempted to serve a pickup order and was unable to locate London

Residence: Ashley Rowland's southeast Oklahoma home where Department of Human Services believed London Kerr was living before her disappearance

In March, Denton's eight-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son were also interviewed.

The two children alleged that their father poured hot sauce in London's eyes, locked her in a closet, and threatened to beat them if they told Rowland.

The girl also said Denton had sexually abused her and warned her she would die if she spoke out.

The two minors also told investigators Rowland was aware of the abuse. Rowland, however, denied knowledge of the abuse, and insisted Denton was never violent toward London.

Moore Police later searched a storage unit tied to Rowland and Denton, where they recovered a BB gun, a wooden paddle labeled 'The Last Resort,' a pink baby blanket, diapers, a pink shoe, and a car seat, the Oklahoman reported.

Complicating the timeline further, a daycare worker told police early this year that she last saw London with Rowland at a gas station over two years earlier.

At the time, the worker noted visible bruises on London's head, but according to the affidavit, Rowland said her toddler's injuries were from a car accident.

Despite extensive searches of properties, storage units, and electronic devices, no trace of London has been found.

Police said the case is now being led by Oklahoma City detectives, with assistance from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Affidavits: A 15-year-old boy told police Denton hit London (pictured) with a wooden paddle and shot her with a BB gun

If still alive: An age-progressed photo of London Kerr at age five, posted by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Moore Police previously worked the case but turned it over after exhausting leads.

'Time is of the essence, still hoping for a positive turnout in this case, and we don't have a lot to go off of right now, which makes it extremely difficult,' Quirk told KOCO-TV.

If still alive, London would turn six in early September.

Denton now faces nine felony charges, including six counts of child abuse, one count of forcible sodomy, one count of lewd or indecent acts to a child, and one count of a pattern of criminal offenses.

Rowland has been charged with enabling child abuse.

Anyone with information about London's whereabouts is urged to contact the Oklahoma City Police Homicide Tip Line at 405-297-1200.
Skopelos, in Greeces Northern Sporades islands, is famous for being where the seminal 2008 Abba musical Mamma Mia! starring Meryl Streep, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth was filmed. But few know what a complete bargain of a holiday destination it is.

Flights are cheap  you go to neighbouring island Skiathos, from as little as 75 return from Gatwick on Easyjet. Then its a 15-minute ferry hop (14) and youre on a lovely, classic Greek island (population 5,000) with a slow place of life thats just as enchanting now as it was when Streep and co went all those years ago.

Skopelos is often referred to as the Green Island due to its lush, verdant landscapes of pine and olive trees. The scent of pine and sage fills the air, and you cant escape the hum of cicadas.

Expect white-washed buildings, local families picnicking on beaches, fruit sellers with rusty old trucks and some excellent hotel prices.

Take the Aegeon Hotel, on the edge of the main settlement, Skopelos town. Surrounded by pine forests, this simple lodging (with a 9.3/10 rating on Booking.com) offers basic but comfortable rooms. Yet all feature large balconies overlooking the sparkling waters of a gorgeous bay below.

The hosts, three generations of one family, are warm and welcoming  willingly driving guests to and from the port on request. Theres a large pool with ample seating. And then you have the room rates: from as low as 29 a night.

Cheap prices are commonplace on Skopelos. Across the island, most decent hotels of the standard of the Aegeon can be secured for about 40 a night in high season, while three-star properties with pools cost from around 58  easily picked up online.

The tourist season here runs from May until October, and although there is so much more to Skopelos than Mamma Mia!, its easy to seek out film settings if youre a real fan. A good place to begin is Kastani beach, scene of the quirky Does Your Mother Know number as well as the romantic Lay All Your Love On Me sequence.

Expect white-washed buildings, local families picnicking on beaches, fruit sellers with rusty old trucks and some excellent hotel prices in Skopelos

Die-hard fans of Mamma Mia! will be keen to visit Agios Ioannis Chapel in Kastri, where the wedding scene was filmed

Getting there is simple  and naturally affordable. Buses on the island are frequent and cheap. Tickets start from 1.70 for a 15-minute journey up to 4.30 for an hours trip from Skopelos town to Glossa, where the two ports are. Alternatively, motorbike hire is from 13 a day.

Most beaches are easy to reach by bus and all have free areas where you dont need to rent a sunbed. Milia and Limnonari were particularly peaceful  and no need to spend a single euro. Yet even on the most popular beaches, like Kastani, sunbeds are a reasonable 13 for the whole day.

Die-hard fans of the Swedish hitmakers will be keen to visit Agios Ioannis Chapel in Kastri, where the wedding scene was filmed; requiring climbing 200 steps carved into the rock. Its possible to drive along bumpy roads to this location, but for those nervous behind the wheel, its perhaps best to take a boat tour. Sporades Queen Cruises offers a three-hour trip to see the chapel from the sea, as well as inaccessible parts of the islands north. Tickets are a reasonable 25.

This company also runs boat trips to the Northern Sporades National Marine Park, the largest protected marine area in Europe, home to the endangered Mediterranean monk seal. I opt for this trip, which also visits the unspoiled island of Alonissos.

The double-decker boat stops at the all-but-abandoned island of Peristera too, home to around 30 residents  and some of the most beautifully clear swimming waters anywhere. This seven-hour cruise costs 34, and the bar onboard is no rip-off either: beers are 1.70.

There are plenty of great local hikes. A popular route is from Skopelos town to Stafylos village and on to quiet Velanio beach. Then walk or take the bus back after a dip.

Skopelos has more than 360 churches and chapels, plus the ruins of a Venetian castle near the port  all free to visit.

In the old part of Skopelos town, some of the best spots to eat and drink include the International Cafe, Aktaion Taverna and En Plo Cafe.

Kastani beach, scene of the romantic Lay All Your Love On Me sequence from Mamma Mia!

For a quick snack, bakeries and cafes sell strong Greek coffees and pastries like spanakopita for 1.70

Happy hour cocktails cost around 6.50, while typical Greek dishes such as moussaka and souvlaki will set you back about 9.

A litre of decent house wine is usually 7.

For a quick snack, bakeries and cafes sell strong Greek coffees and pastries like spanakopita and baklava for 1.70. Dont miss traditional Skopelos cheese pie, cooked in a frying pan and served with honey.

Mamma Mia! could have led to a tourist stampede on Skopelos but it has not suffered the overtourism and sky-high prices of the likes of Mykonos and Santorini. And what a joy that is.

HOW SKOPELOS ADDS UP

Decent hotels across the island cost from 203 for seven nights.

Buses are frequent and cheap, at 1.70 for a 15-minute ride up to 4.30 for an hour trip.

A seven-hour cruise taking in a National Marine Park and the islands of Alonissos and Peristera is 34.

Day rates for motorbikes are from 13.

Renting a sunbed for a day is also 13.

Happy hour cocktails in Skopelos town are 6.50, while a litre of house wine is 7.

Greek dishes like moussaka cost around 9.

TRAVEL FACTS

Gatwick-Skiathos return flights from 75 (easyjet.com). Island cruises available at sporadesqueencruises.gr
Have YOU taken advantage of the scheme?

Wealthy bankers and city workers in London are flocking to Italy to take advantage of hugely lucrative tax break incentives dubbed the country's 'best-kept secret'.

Italy has been on a relentless drive to attract high earners to up sticks and decamp from Britain and start up a new life in places like Rome, Milan or Naples.

It's flat-tax scheme - dubbed 'svuoate Londra', or 'empty London' - has already bagged a large cohort of bankers from the English capital.

However, another tax incentive, that's been around for almost 15 years, has arguably had an even greater impact, attracting a staggering 10 times as many talented professionals.

The 'Rientro dei Cervelli' scheme - which literally translates to the 'return of the brains'  was launched to attract top employees into the country through lower income tax rates.

Despite slight fluctuations between 2019 and 2023, those moving to the south of Italy could pay tax on just 10 per cent of their income, while those in the north pay it on 30 per cent.

And Britons who have taken advantage of it say it has given them a marked increase in the quality of their life, with some taking home 80 per cent of the gross pay.

Daria, 36, had been living in Hackney, east London, for 13 years before making the shift to Italy

Many wealthy Brits are taking advantage of the tax relief scheme to move to places like Milan

Even with a slight change to the scheme after December 2023, which saw those moving to Italy now charged tax on 50 per cent of their income, the move remains hugely popular among top earners.

According to the Italian ministry of finance, by 2023 around 50,000 people were signed up to the tax break scheme - with experts saying there is a 50:50 split between returning Italians and new non-Italian residents.

Meanwhile, the nation's flat-tax scheme has only seen around 4,000 people applying for the 200,000 (173,000) relief initiative.

Many are still benefitting from the more generous pre-2023 version of the 'return of the brains' tax scheme.

Among them is 36-year-old Daria, who did not want to share her surname. She had been living in Hackney, east London, for 13 years before making the shift south.

She moved to the picturesque historic town of Bari, in the south-east Italian region of Puglia, with her partner - a commodities trader - to benefit from a 90 per cent exemption for 10 years just before the rules changed.

'When travelling we met people who were optimising their finances. Some were going to Dubai, but my work is in Europe and we heard about the "impatriati" scheme and realised it was a bit of a well-kept secret,' Daria told the Sunday Telegraph.

The naturalised British citizen is now living in a two-bedroom flat she rents out for 1,400 a month, with her and her partner now enjoying regular swim or paddle-board trips past the city's historic waterfront before work.

However, since Daria moved to Italy, the rules have been tightened on tax, which has seen regional difference scrapped in favour of a 50 per cent tax exemption for up to five years.

Those applying have to meet certain criteria. For instance, they cannot benefit if their earnings are more than 600,000 per year (520,000).

Dari moved to the picturesque town of Bari in the south east of Italy in Puglia, where she can enjoy paddle boarding past the town's historic buildings

Applicants must not have been a resident in Italy for three years - or up to seven if transferring with the same company.

And those seeking to take advantage of the scheme must remain in the country for four years or they will be forced to pay some of the benefits back.

This is a marked increase from the length of time required for to remain in Italy for those who are on the pre-2023 arrangement, where the timeframe was just two years.

The 2023 amendment also introduced the need for applicants to have a higher education qualification or an EU Blue Card - a work permit and residence permit for non-EU residents.

Most people now living on the scheme have set up homes across Italy's business and industrial hubs in the north, in places like Milan, Padua and the wider Lombardy region as well as in the capital or Rome.

When the five-year relief scheme comes to an end, those remaining in Italy will see their tax payments jump significantly.

For instance, those earning around 150,000, would see tax payments balloon from 24,890 a year to 57,140  or 17 per cent take to one of 38 per cent.

Not everyone has found the scheme worthwhile, with one British citizen reportedly moving back from Tuscany to London after only two years, citing a 'nightmare' of paperwork and difficulties with the language barrier.

Italian native Francesca Inglima also moved back to the UK after just two years.

Investment banker and Italian native Francesca Inglima moved to Milan after working in London for more than a decade but said she did not enjoy it and returned back to Britain to start her own business

Italy's generous tax relief schemes have reportedly attracted wealthy banker from the UK (pictured is the Bank of England's HQ in London)

She had been working for more than a decade in London as a top-tier investment banker when she opted to move to Milan in 2021 and 2023.

'I had a lot of European clients. The tax incentive made it a no-brainer,' the 32-year-old told the Sunday Telegraph.

But she admitted she wanted to start her own business and said that Italy was 'not the place' to do this.

'After London, returning to Italy felt like taking a step back. I missed the fast pace, the ambition, the easier bureaucracy,' she added.
Home and Away's writers are on the brink of a legal showdown with Network Seven over what they claim are decades of unpaid superannuation, amid talk of a potential strike.

The Australian Writers' Guild is pushing for Seven Productions, which makes the long-running soap, to follow an Australian Tax Office ruling on its members' superannuation entitlements.

The ATO found in December last year that film and television writers engaged by production companies to produce scripts work for an employer rather than sell a product.

According to the AWG, that means writers of such programs as Home and Away are entitled to superannuation, which they have not received in the past.

Writers on other series such as Neighbours, made by Fremantle Australia and screened on Network Ten after its revival by streaming giant Amazon, have also allegedly not been paid superannuation.

One Home and Away writer said: 'We should all stop letting Seven treat us like s*** and threaten to go on strike.'

Another source who did not want to be identified said the superannuation claim - which would run into millions of dollars - seemed destined to end up in court.

'Essentially, the writers on Home and Away and the guild have known for many years that Network Seven was legally obligated to pay the writers superannuation,' the source told the Daily Mail.

Home and Away 's writers are on the brink of taking Network Seven to court over what they claim are years of unpaid superannuation, amid talk of a potential strike. Long-term cast members Ada Nicodemou (left) and Lynne McGranger (right) are pictured

'However, Network Seven have refused, claiming there is no legal basis, despite it being clear in the Superannuation Guarantee Act.

'My understanding is that far in the past Seven did actually pay superannuation to the writers, although I have only heard this anecdotally.

'However, no writer on the show has been paid it in approximately the last 20 years and the same goes for Fremantle/Neighbours.'

Neighbours was cancelled for a second time in February, production finished in July and its final episodes will air at the end of the year.

Some independent production houses, including Matchbox Pictures - responsible for television dramas House of Gods, The Heights, Glitch and The Slap - do pay superannuation to writers who work on their shows.

'It can be pot luck with who pays it and who doesn't,' the source said.

'But none of those currently writing for Home and Away have ever received super, despite many attempts over the years.

'I do know of an ex-Home and Away writer who went to the ATO in an attempt to force Seven to pay out her superannuation on scripts. However, she only did this once she left the show.'

The source said most Home and Away writers are freelancers, even though many have worked for the program for more than a decade, and are concerned about their continued employment.

The Australian Writers' Guild is set for a showdown with Seven Productions over superannuation. Home and Away actors Ray Meagher and Georgie Parker are pictured

'The writers are too frightened to speak out over the issue - and other issues - due to the very probable fear they will no longer have a job,' the source said.

The Australian Writers' Guild recently spelt out its position on superannuation.

'Writers who are engaged by production companies to write scripts are entitled to superannuation under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act,' it said in a statement.

'The Act states that if a person works under a contract that is "wholly or principally for the labour of the person" then that person is an employee of the other party to the contract.

'The Act also states that a person "who is paid to perform services in, or in connection with, the making of any film, tape or disc or of any television or radio broadcast is an employee of the person liable to make the payment".'

'Screenwriters engaged to write scripts are expressly stated to be "performing services" and are therefore classified as employees for the purposes of superannuation.'

The recent ATO ruling on superannuation is limited to writers contracted to provide services rather than for some other purpose.

'For example, a person engaged to write a script is performing services but one who sells existing scripts is not - they are merely selling property,' the ATO stated.

A source told the Daily Mail that Home and Away (above) writers had known for years they were entitled to superannuation payments

Screen Producers Australia, which represents major local production companies such as Fremantle and Endemol Shine - but not Seven Productions - does not see the superannuation issue as so clear-cut.

The body advised its members last year that some writing services attracted superannuation.

But it also advised that writers commissioned to pen a script were paid a fee for copyright and the use of their work, rather than for providing a service.

The Australian Writers' Guild and Screen Producers Australia are understood to be seeking legal advice.

The guild has not ruled out a class action or strike but recognises the latter course could cause considerable financial hardship to its members.

Daily Mail approached Seven, Fremantle, the Australian Writers' Guild and Screen Producers Australia for comment but none responded.

In May 2023, the Writers Guild of America went on strike over a labour dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which lasted 148 days.

The writers wanted a greater share of the payment of residuals from streaming services as well a limit on generative artificial intelligence.

Daily Mail revealed last week that veteran Home and Away scriptwriter Fiona Bozic was suing Seven after working for the network for more than 20 years

In July 2023, the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists joined the action against AMPTP and stayed on strike until that November.

The combined strikes caused the biggest interruption to the American film and television industries since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Both unions eventually ratified new agreements with production companies which secured major concessions for their members.

Daily Mail revealed last week that veteran Home and Away scriptwriter Fiona Bozic was suing Seven after working for the network for more than 20 years.

Bozic filed a statement with the Federal Court under breach of general protections provisions in June and is being represented by Thrive Workplace Consulting & Legal.

According to LinkedIn, Bozic is a script producer and scriptwriter for Seven on programs including Home and Away, and previously wrote for Neighbours.

'My responsibilities are broad and primarily focused on overseeing the creation of engaging, creative and compelling storylines,' her LinkedIn profile states.

'I have contributed to a variety of story themes that are appealing to diverse audiences, including domestic violence and mental health trauma.

'With responsibility of creating a detailed plot for five episodes a week, I am heavily involved in structuring episodes, creating characters and recruiting script department personnel who can add value to the process.'

Bozic declined to discuss her specific claims against Seven when approached by the Daily Mail last week.

A network spokeswoman said: 'As this matter is before the courts, Seven will not be commenting.'
Former In The Style Founder Adam Frisby is expecting his first child with his long-term partner Jamie Corbett, Daily Mail can exclusively reveal.

The couple, who have been together for 14 years, shared that their five-year surrogacy journey has been a success, and their surrogate is 17 weeks pregnant with their first baby.

In an exclusive interview, Adam and Jamie excitedly shared: 'We've kept it such a big secret! It has been really special sharing the news with our friends and family.

'I don't think anyone was expecting it, and everyone was just so shocked and emotional. I think that has been our favorite part of the process in a way, like letting people who love us know because they really wanted this to happen for us.'

Adam and Jamie explained that it has been a complex process, and that they previously had a match, but she sadly had a miscarriage.

'We did match with a surrogate back in 2022 and went through the full process, but unfortunately, last year she miscarried, and then she pulled out of the process. It was obviously a lot for her to go through, and then we were kind of back to the start of the process, which was gutting for us after three years.

Former In The Style Founder Adam Frisby, (right) is expecting his first child with his long-term partner Jamie Corbett, Daily Mail can exclusively reveal

The couple, who have been together for 14 years, shared that their five-year surrogacy journey has been a success (Adam and Jamie pictured with their Goddaughters, Charlotte Crosbys children)

'We were relying on matching with another surrogate. We had three or four calls with other potential surrogates that just didn't feel the right fit, and then we finally met one last year. It just felt great, and we flew out to meet her.'

Adam and Jamie are based in the UK, but decided to go through the surrogacy process in America due to it being less complicated.

They explained: 'In the US, it's completely different. You join an agency, and it's legally documented from day one. We're always in terms legal parents, so the process is just much easier.

'The only real complication around it is flying to America for the scans, and when the baby is born, we will fly to America. We will have to wait four to six weeks before flying home while we wait for the passport. But it is a small price to pay.'

The couple are holding off for their gender reveal on August 31 before deciding on names or sorting their nursery.

Adam and Jamie are godfathers to Charlotte Crosby and Jake Ankers' two children, Alba and Pixi, and said that spending quality time with them has taught them a lot.

They shared: 'We're lucky to be godfathers to Charlotte and Jake's children, and it is amazing. We love them to bits and we've had so much useful and special time with them already, like checking nappies and staying over that we wouldn't have got to practice.

'Charlotte's lots of things like crazy, funny, you know, but most of all, she is an incredible mother. We've learned so much from her. And I think she's just so excited.

In an exclusive interview, Adam and Jamie excitedly shared: 'We've kept it such a big secret! It has been really special sharing the news with our friends and family'

Adam and Jamie explained that it has been a c omplex process, and that they previously had a match, but she sadly had a miscarriage

Adam and Jamie are godfathers to Charlotte Crosby and Jake Ankers' two children, Alba and Pixi, and said that spending quality time with them has taught them a lot

'When we told her she couldn't speak, she was crying, and she's just delighted. So yeah, we got some great tips from her and Jake, and lots from our friends and family.'

Since leaving In The Style, Adam has been building a new brand and has been working on a behind-the-scenes mini series.

He told Daily Mail: 'I'm underway with a new career path, which is exciting and coming in the next few weeks. And over the last 10 years, Jamie has helped me out and works in the businesses, and I wouldn't be able to do it without him.

'It's been nice to have a little bit of time off prior to this, to be in the moment and recover from what has been a really busy time here.'

Speaking about juggling work and the baby, Jamie added: 'When we get back to the UK, because of the line of work that Adam does, he is and always has been his own boss. And I'm there as well. If there are days when we're both in the office, we can take baby with us. We've always worked like that.'

Earlier this year, Adam broke his silence after staff were 'made redundant without any pay' after the retailer collapsed into administration, owing 21million.

The fashion company was founded by Adam in 2013, but was acquired by UK-based private equity firm Baaj Capital for 1.2million in March 2023.

Ben Armstrong became managing director in December 2023 when Adam stepped down from his position, but he has since left the business.

The retailer was at the centre of a media storm after EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa publicly hit out at them and demanded to be 'paid what she is owed' after 'bringing in lawyers as the fashion retailer faces administration'.

'We love them to bits and we've had so much useful and special time with them already, like checking nappies and staying over that we wouldn't have got to practice'

Since leaving In The Style, Adam has been building a new brand and has been working on a behind-the-scenes mini series

Speaking out on the situation surrounding his former employer, Adam wrote on Instagram: ' I've spent the morning trying to find the right words but honestly I am at a loss. I know I can't stay silent about this.

'No matter what threats of legal action come my way. What I've learned about how people are being treated at In The Style this week has left me with no choice but to speak about.

'Longtime, loyal employees who have poured so much into this company are being called into meetings, dismissed on the spot and denied ANY pay. Among those affected are two pregnant employees, as well as many mothers with children to support. It's heartbreaking.

'I've reached out to anyone I know affected to offer whatever support I can but it's hard to find the right words when something feels so wrong. In The Style will move forward, that much I know and mark my words, the same owners will still be in control. I just hope people start to see them for what they really are now.'

In a later post, Adam revealed he will be helping employees with money for legal aid to try and fight their dismissals.

Charlotte Crosby, one of Adam's close pals who had a collection with the brand, also spoke out on the In The Style pay row and hit out at the company on Instagram.

The Geordie Shore star has thrown her support behind celebrities including Jacqueline, who claimed they haven't been paid what they are owed by the fashion retailer, as well as supporting Adam and Jamie who were 'silenced'.
SYDNEY, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- A man has been airlifted to hospital in a critical condition following a shooting in eastern Australia, police in Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) said in a statement on Sunday.

The emergency services were called to reports of a shooting at a home in the small town of Nana Glen, about 440 kilometers northeast of Sydney, around 8:30 p.m. local time on Saturday.

Officers arrived and were told that a 22-year-old man was shot in the chest by a man known to him following an argument.

The victim was treated at the scene by ambulance paramedics before being airlifted to the hospital, where he was in a critical but stable condition on Sunday morning after undergoing surgery.

About 30 minutes after the shooting, officers stopped an SUV in the nearby city of Coffs Harbour and arrested a 20-year-old man. A rifle was seized during a subsequent search of the vehicle.

The 20-year-old was taken to a local police station and charged with six offenses, including shooting with intent to murder as an act of domestic violence and possessing and using an unauthorized firearm.

NSW Police established a strike force to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. 
Fans of classic '60s TV got a blast from the past on Thursday when a famously reclusive former child star made a rare appearance in Los Angeles.

The 71-year-old, who first lit up the small screen with roles on Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie, looked to be in great spirits as he ran errands in his neighborhood.

Casually dressed in a T-shirt and faded jeans, he was a galaxy away from the silver space suit he donned as Will Robinson in Lost in Space, which aired from 1965 to 1968.

At one point, while hoisting a trash bag high over his head, fans could almost imagine the voice of the shows beloved robot echoing its famous warning: 'Danger, Will Robinson!'

This TV veteran also appeared in three episodes of CBSs original Twilight Zone, most memorably as six-year-old Anthony, who terrorizes his town with psychic powers in 1961's Its a Good Life episode.

So, whos the mystery star?

Fans of classic '60s TV got a blast from the past on Thursday when a famously reclusive former child star made a rare appearance in Los Angeles

The 71-year-old, who first lit up the small screen with roles on Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie, looked to be in great spirits as he ran errands in his neighborhood

Casually dressed in a T-shirt and faded jeans, he was a galaxy away from the silver space suit he donned as Will Robinson in Lost in Space, which aired from 1965 to 1968

If you guessed Bill Mumy  youre right!

Mumy was born in sunny San Gabriel, California, and stepped in front of the cameras at just seven years old.

By his teens, he was starring in the 1971 cult favorite Bless the Beasts and Children and strumming a guitar in the TV weeper Sunshine  a role he reprised for a Christmas special and spin-off series.

In the 70s, he popped up everywhere from The Rockford Files to Matlock, charming viewers whether he was playing a street artist or a brainy nephew.

Sci-fi fans got another dose of Mumy magic when he co-created Nickelodeons Space Cases and slipped into prosthetics as Lennier on Babylon 5.

He even beamed into the Star Trek universe in 1998, this time as a human  something he admitted was a relief after years of alien makeup.

In later years, he appeared in Crossing Jordan, starred in Syfys A.I. Assault, and made a cheeky cameo as Dr. Z. Smith in Netflixs Lost in Space.

But acting is only half his story  Mumy has lived and breathed music for decades, releasing solo albums and collaborating with America, Shaun Cassidy, and more.

At one point, while hoisting a trash bag high over his head, fans could almost imagine the voice of the shows beloved robot echoing its famous warning: 'Danger, Will Robinson!'

If you guessed Bill Mumy (pictured left)  youre right!; (seen with Jonathan Harris on Lost in Space in 1966)

LOST IN SPACE cast: (left row) Mark Goddard, Marta Kristen, Jonathan Harris, (ctr) The Robot, (right row) Guy Williams, June Lockhart, Angela Cartwright, and Mumy

Lost in Space the series was inspired by the 1812 Johann David Wyss novel The Swiss Family Robinson

He made waves in the late 70s as half of the quirky duo Barnes & Barnes, whose bizarre earworm Fish Heads became a cult hit.

These days, hes rocking out with Action Skulls alongside Vicki Peterson of The Bangles and John Cowsill of Beach Boys fame.

Still happily married to Eileen Joy Davis since 1986, Mumy calls Laurel Canyon home, where he lives with their two kids, Seth and Liliana.

From boy wonder to sci-fi legend to rocker, Mumys career has been anything but lost in space.
Amy Schumer is on the mend following a recent spinal surgery.

The slimmed-down actress, 44, posed with a walker as she explained to her fans on social media why she needed the procedure.

'Since my surfing injury back in the day my L5 has been killing me,' she explained.

The Emmy winner was seriously injured in a surfing accident while she was in high school.

'Today I got a laminectomy! Its a short recovery and when Im feeling better I will buy a bra!

According to the Mayo Clinic, 'Laminectomy is surgery to remove the back arch or part of a spinal bone... called the lamina, (which) covers the spinal canal. Laminectomy enlarges the spinal canal to ease pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.'

About a week before the surgery, Schumer shared that she had fallen off of a horse during a riding lesson with her son.

Amy Schumer is on the mend. 'Since my surfing injury back in the day my L5 has been killing me. 'Today I got a laminectomy! Its a short recovery and when Im feeling better I will buy a bra!' she explained

'I took a deep breath and got my 44 year old, bad backed a** right back up on that horse and rode and trotted and it sent a message to those (riding students) and myself,' she wrote.

She also revealed she had been taking Pilates, which she believed helped prevent a more serious injury.

Get well wishes poured in from Schumer's famous friends and fans.

'The Catskills has @never looked better! Heal well and fast ' said supermodel Helena Christensen, referring to Schumer's long sleeve pink shirt. The Trainwreck star kept her recovering outfit cheerful with a pair of bright pink joggers.

'Feel better soon my love,' wrote Kathy Hilton. 'Feel better soon!!' was the message from fellow comic Connie Love.

Celebrity photographer Elder Ordonez hoped she would 'Get well soon Amy '

Schumer's latest project is one close to her heart. She was an executive producer on the documentary, Room to Move, which focuses on dancer and choreographer Jenn Freeman's autism diagnosis as an adult.

About a week before the surgery, Schumer shared that she had fallen off of a horse during a horse riding lesson with her son and had bravely gotten back up to ease his and the other students' anxiety

The funny lady also revealed she had been taking Pilates, which she believed helped prevent a more serious injury; Pictured in Morrison, CO in April

Schumer's latest project, the documentary Room to Move is streaming on Prime. She and her husband, Chris Fischer are executive producers of the film about an autistic dancer and choreographer; Pictured in New York City in June

Freeman reached out to director Alexander Hammer, after watching Expecting Amy, a documentary series about the actress' difficult pregnancy. Freeman noticed some similarity between herself and Schumer's husband Chris Fischer, who was diagnosed during the making of the series.

Schumer and Fischer got involved because 'There arent that many people who are out,' she told Variety.

'My husband is out, and that might not be what everybodys thing is, but yes, we want to definitely de-stigmatize autism.'

Room to Move debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in June and is available to watch on Prime.
Karl Stefanovic has warned the Logie Awards will risk becoming 'woke' and 'beige' if organisers don't bring back the cheeky, unpredictable antics the ceremony was once known for.

The Today show host, who won the coveted Gold Logie in 2011, made the blunt observation while speaking on the red carpet at last Sunday's event.

'They have got a bit woke, the Logies, haven't they,' Stefanovic told the Herald Sun.

'Everyone is a bit conscious of doing the wrong thing, and that is TV in general. Bring back drunk biffo buffoonery.

'I do love it (the Logies). I do think it runs the risk of being beige if there is not a bit of tomfoolery.'

Karl went on to say it's important to 'just have a good time'.

Karl Stefanovic has warned the Logie Awards is at risk of becoming 'woke' and 'beige' if organisers don't bring back the cheeky, unpredictable antics the ceremony was once known for

The Today show host, who won the coveted Gold Logie in 2011, made the blunt observation while speaking on the red carpet at Sunday's event

His remarks come as industry insiders and viewers question whether the long-running awards show still has the pulling power it once did.

Daily Mail recently revealed the Logie Awards might not be back next year - or ever.

A very high-level TV insider has revealed 'they're quietly rolling up the red carpet'.

'It's just not viable anymore. No one wants to pay for it, no one's watching, and the people behind it are already looking for an exit,' said the source.

That 'exit' is apparently the upcoming fire sale of magazines at Are Media - which owns TV Week and the Logies brand.

The private equity firm backing Are Media, Mercury Capital, wants out after five years of underwhelming returns.

The Logies red carpet used to host the likes of Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, One Direction, Ricky Martin and even Destiny's Child.

'You remember when the Logies had international stars, outrageous moments, drama?' said the insider.

'They have got a bit woke, the Logies, haven't they. Everyone is a bit conscious of doing the wrong thing, and that is TV in general. Bring back drunk biffo buffoonery,' Karl said. Pictured: Host Sam Pang

'Now it's a glorified promo reel for local TV. It's like the Bogan Oscars. The big acts are gone - and so is the audience.

'It's Karl Stefanovic, Sonia Kruger, Hamish Blake - rinse and repeat. Boring! The audience is tired, the talent's recycled, and the networks aren't throwing cash at Logies campaigns like they used to.'

The ratings have also plummeted as Seven - which reclaimed the Logies broadcast in 2023 after 28 years with Nine - has seen a 20 per cent drop in digital audience.

'Seven thought they were buying back a national treasure. What they got was a very expensive nostalgia trip,' the insider added.
Frank Skinner has claimed there are 'lots of creepy men' working in the TV industry who often make 'women's lives a misery'.

The comedian, 68, recalled one particular incident in which he used his position on his chat show, which aired on both BBC and ITV from 1995 to 2005, to get a vile cameraman sacked after he filmed up a female colleague's skirt.

He told The Sun: 'I think if youve got the power to do something about that, you need to use it', as he branded the incident 'horrible' and a form of 'bullying'.

'[The cameraman] He thought it was funny to put the camera up a make-up womans skirt and it got big laughs in the studio. I wasnt in the studio, but I found her crying in a room and she told me about it.

'I asked around. And because I was a big-time comedian, I was able to say: "Well, look, either he goes or I go". I dont want to get anyone sacked, but I did get him sacked. I tell that story not to make myself sound like some big hero and good guy, but just that I had the power and I did something'.

Frank said that he believed that is how incident os misconduct should be bullied and found it 'baffling' how they often appear to go ignored.

Frank Skinner has claimed there are 'lots of creepy men' working in the TV industry who often make 'women's lives a misery'

The comedian recalled one particular incident in which he used his position on his chat show to get a vile cameraman sacked after he filmed up a female colleague's skirt (pictured 2001)

Meanwhile Christopher Biggins has shockingly admitted he would still like to be able to 'grab women by the t***ies' in a bizarre defence of Gregg Wallace.

The iconic actor, 76, who is openly gay, said his own past behaviour would 'land him in prison' today and claimed 25 years ago 'everyone' was acting inappropriately.

Gregg, 60, stepped down from his duties as Masterchef host after more than 40 complaints about his behaviour were upheld following a BBC investigation.

Christopher, who appeared on the show's celebrity version in 2014, said he'd reached out to the scandal-plagued broadcaster following the axe, as well as sharing insight into his own less than savoury antics.

He told The Sun: 'Years ago I would approach a woman from behind and grab her t***ies from the front. Well, I'm gay so it didn't matter. And I'd like to still be doing it, but I don't think I can any more.

'If I were to do that now I'd be put into prison. Twenty-five years ago we were all doing it. It was a thing of affection.'

He went on: 'I love Gregg and I love his wife. I've tried to get hold of her because they must be going through a terrible time because suddenly careers are vanishing, it's so wrong.'

Daily Mail have contacted Christopher Biggins' reps for further comment.

No stranger to his own controversy, Christopher was famously axed from the Celebrity Big Brother back in 2016 after making a shocking comment to X Factor star Katie Waissel, which was never broadcast.

He said: 'I think if youve got the power to do something about that, you need to use it', as he branded the incident 'horrible' and a form of 'bullying'

ank said that he believed that is how incident os misconduct should be bullied and found it 'baffling' how they often appear to go ignored

Meanwhile Christopher Biggins, 76, has shockingly admitted he would still like to be able to 'grab women by the t***ies' in a bizarre defence of Gregg Wallace

Christopher told Katie, who is Jewish: 'You better be careful or they'll be putting you in a shower and taking you to a room.'

Bosses immediately removed him from the house, and his 100,000 fee was reportedly slashed.

Christopher has since apologised for his comments, noting that some of his close friends, such as Birds of a Feather's Lesley Joseph, were Jewish.

The BBC review into Gregg's behaviour concluded that the 'majority of the substantiated allegations against him related to inappropriate sexual language and humour'.

It added that 'a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated', with 'one incident of unwelcome physical contact' also substantiated.

Australian-born chef co-host John Torode, 59, also lost his job after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have 'absolutely no recollection' of.

Gregg and John have returned to screens for one final time together as the BBC made the decision to air the controversial 21st series of MasterChef.

It was filmed last year and remained shelved by the broadcaster until the findings of the independent investigation were gathered.

Gregg, 60, was recently dismissed from his duties as Masterchef host after more than 40 complaints about his behaviour were upheld following a BBC investigation

The iconic actor, who is openly gay, said his own past behaviour would 'land him in prison' today and claimed 25 years ago 'everyone' was acting inappropriately (pictured on Celebrity Masterchef in 2014)

Fans have been left divided over the move to air the programme, with some branding the decision as 'bizarre' and accused the BBC of being 'tone deaf'.

There was a last-minute scramble behind-the-scenes to re-edit it and limit the appearances of John and Gregg.

One contestant, Sarah Shafi, will not appear on the programme after she complained about the behaviour of Gregg.

She claimed she was 'eyed up and ogled' by Gregg on the show, while accusing the TV host of making an 'off' comment about his reputation with women.

Sarah, who was set to appear on the show's yet to be aired season, said the greengrocer, 60, made her feel like a 'rabbit in the headlights', when he made a 'throwaway comment' about his reputation with women.
Former child star Jeffrey Louis Starr died at the age of 61 on July 25 while 'surrounded by loved ones.'

The late actor - who is known for appearing in the Bad News Bears sequels - passed away inside a hospital in Carbondale, Illinois, TMZ reported on Saturday.

Family sources confirmed Jeffrey's death to the outlet and stated that he had been battling an illness leading up to his passing last month.

The star's brother Kevin also shared a heartbreaking post on Facebook just one day after his passing and revealed that he had been 'sick for several years.'

'The world got a little darker yesterday with the passing of my Best Friend and Brother,' Kevin wrote.

'Jeff lived an amazing life and shared his life with countless people, Jeff never met a stranger and helped so many people throughout the years.'

Former child star Jeffrey Louis Starr has died at the age of 61 on July 25 while 'surrounded by loved ones'

The late actor - who is known for appearing in the Bad News Bears sequels - passed away inside a hospital in Carbondale, Illinois, TMZ reported on Saturday; seen above (middle top) in The Bad News Bears Go To Japan (1978)

Kevin then expressed that his late brother had been ill 'for several years' and added that 'depression is one of the biggest killers in the world.'

However, the actor's official cause of the death has not been disclosed.

'Our family has suffered so many losses in the past but we must push through,' he continued in the post, before asking others close to the actor to keep his family 'in their prayers.'

Kevin concluded by adding, 'I Love you so much little Brother and I'll see you on the other side.'

Jeffrey passed away on July 25 at Memorial Hospital in the city of Carbondale in the state of Illinois, per a public obit shared by Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Homes.

He was born on February 20, 1964 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and later married Linda Darlene Webb in 1981 - with the pair celebrating their 44th wedding anniversary a few months earlier in June.

The late actor is survived by wife Linda as well as their two sons Brandon and Jacob, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and another on the way, as well as his two brothers, one sister and other relatives.

Jeffrey was previously seen on the big screen in The Bad News Bears sequels, including The Bad News Bears In Breaking Training (1977) and The Bad News Bears Go To Japan (1978).

The star's brother Kevin also shared a heartbreaking post on Facebook just one day after his passing and revealed that he had been 'sick for several years'

Jeffrey passed away on July 25 at Memorial Hospital in the city of Carbondale in the state of Illinois, per a public obit shared by Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Homes; seen left in Bad News Bears in Breaking Training (1977)

The late star portrayed the character of Mike Engelberg throughout both films.

In the 1977 sequel, Jeffrey had the chance to work alongside other cast members including William Devane and Clifton James.

William is known for his roles in projects such as the soap opera Knots Landing and the Fox series 24.

And in the 1978 film, Jeffrey also starred with Hollywood icon Tony Curtis - who was known for a number of movies including Some Like It Hot (1959) with Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon.

The original film The Bad News Bears premiered in 1976 and starred Walter Matthau, Tatum O'Neal and Vic Morrow.

The premise followed, 'An aging, down-on-his-luck ex-minor leaguer who coaches a team of misfits in an ultra-competitive California little league,' per IMDB.

The sports comedy was a box office and critical success upon its release and also garnered a variety of accolades, such as a Writers Guild Award for Best Comedy Written Directly For The Screen.

Along with the two sequels starring Jeffrey, the first movie also spawned a short-lived CBS series from 1979-1980 and a remake which premiered in 2005 - starring Billy Bob Thornton and Greg Kinnear.

Jeffrey (left) seen with Tony Curtis (1978) in The Bad News Bears Go To Japan (1978)

The Bad News Bears sequels are the only acting credits listed under Jeffrey's name, according to his official IMDB page.

He later became a deacon in 2010 at the Mill Creek Baptist Church and 'loved going to church and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren,' per the obit.

Jeffrey was also a 'proud member of the Screen Actors Guild and a longtime member of the Moose Lodge #1346 in Anna.'

A funeral service was held four days after his passing on July 29 at the Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home.
Good Morning Britain star Richard Madeley has reportedly agreed to a short-term deal to stay on the ITV breakfast sofa as bosses prepare a cost-cutting overhaul.

The veteran broadcaster, 69, has signed a six-month contract thought to begin in September, as part of a temporary arrangement while ITV reviews its presenter line-up.

It comes ahead of a major reshuffle in January which is expected to see some familiar faces axed in a bid to save millions.

A source told The Sun that Richard - one of the programmes best-known hosts - has not been offered a long-term commitment.

They revealed: 'Richard is one of the biggest names on the show but even he hasnt been offered a long-term deal.

'Hes signed for six more months and will then re-consider how the show looks. As things stand, almost every prominent face on the show is in talks.

Good Morning Britain star Richard Madeley has reportedly agreed to a short-term deal to stay on the ITV breakfast sofa as bosses prepare a cost-cutting overhaul

'Some are going to go in the reshuffle, so it will depend on who rates well with focus groups and how much money each of them is insisting on.'

It had previously been reported in May that Richards position was under review before he reached a part-time agreement with bosses.

An ITV source told the Daily Mail: 'We dont comment on individual contracts but we have always said that we intend to keep our daytime shows familiar to our audience.

'Good Morning Britain viewers can expect to see the presenting line up that they know and love on screen once the proposed changes to production and scheduling take place in 2026.'

ITV chiefs are said to be weighing presenter popularity in focus groups against salary demands as they decide who stays.

Only lead anchor Susanna Reid, 54, is guaranteed a longer-term deal.

Other regulars include Ed Balls, Robert Rinder and Kate Garraway, while Martin Lewis and other stand-ins rotate through the schedule.

The shake-up comes as ITV embarks on a drastic restructure, with plans to halve the daytime workforce at ITV Studios.

The veteran broadcaster, 69, has signed a six-month contract thought to begin in September, as part of a temporary arrangement while ITV reviews its presenter line-up

It comes ahead of a major reshuffle in January which is expected to see some familiar faces axed in a bid to save millions

ITV chiefs are said to be weighing presenter popularity in focus groups against salary demands as they decide who stays (pictured l-r) Charlotte Hawkins, Adil Ray, Richard Madeley, Susanna Reid, Kate Garraway, Ed Balls and Ranvir Singh

Only lead anchor Susanna Reid, 54, (pictured right) is guaranteed a longer-term deal

Bosses are also set to trim other shows, with Lorraine to be cut to just 30 minutes and broadcast for only 30 weeks a year.

The new regime, set to come into effect in January, will cost a potential 300 staff members their jobs as a consultation period begins, thought to last until September, before employees are finally let go in December.

A source told The Sun: 'The tension is unbearable. There's a lot of rage towards This Morning, which everyone feels is constantly favoured despite it being the lame duck of the daytime flock.

'There's a feeling that Loose Women and Lorraine are delivering resilient, solid ratings while This Morning is always in the Press for its tumbling viewing figures. Loose Women is even winning awards.

'Never mind the Phillip Schofield scandal and then Holly Willoughby leaving, This Morning is like the black sheep and yet that's the show that is not facing any cuts.

In May, ITV announced there would also be dramatic changes to Lorraine Kelly's show slashed from an hour to 30 minutes and, like Loose Women, will only air 30 weeks of the year (pictured host Kaye Adams (L), guests Oti Mabuse and Myleene Klass (middle) and panelist Nadia Sawalha (R) in July 2025)

'Everyone is absolutely furious that This Morning has got away with it yet again.'

A source added that some of the older members of the ITV presenting teams are worried that bosses will favour younger stars for the roles that are left.

Daily Mail contacted ITV for comment at the time.

The changes follow a slump in profits, with ITV reporting a 30 per cent fall in earnings in the first half of this year.
She's already being dubbed the 'wildest bride in MAFS history' - and Daily Mail can reveal upcoming star Gia Fleur has the very surprising past to match.

The glamorous blonde once partied with Playboy icon Hugh Hefner, starred in a Nicki Minaj music video and lived a fast-paced Hollywood lifestyle before returning home to cause chaos on the small screen.

Photos exclusively obtained by Daily Mail show the glamorous blonde photographed inside the Playboy Mansion, posing alongside the late publishing mogul.

Wearing a plunging black corset under a cropped denim jacket, Gia smiled next to the Playboy founder during what appeared to be one of his infamous parties.

Gia also landed cameos in high-profile music videos, including French Montana featuring Nicki Minaj's 'Freaks' and Gillespie's 'Take Me Back'  both filmed while she was based in Hollywood.

In one scene from Freaks, she can be spotted dancing in a neon-lit club among a group of scantily clad performers, complete with voluminous hair, full glam and a figure-hugging outfit.

She's already being dubbed the 'wildest bride in MAFS history' - and now Daily Mail can reveal upcoming bride Gia Fleur has the jaw-dropping past to match

The glamorous blonde once partied with Playboy icon Hugh Hefner, starred in a Nicki Minaj music video and lived a fast-paced Hollywood lifestyle before returning home to cause chaos on the small screen. (Gia, pictured right, with Hugh Hefner)

Sources say Gia's LA years were filled with red carpet appearances, celebrity encounters and 'very wild' parties.

Back in Australia, Gia has built a reputation for her bold style, outspoken personality and elaborate body art.

With a full sleeve of colourful tattoos, surgically enhanced curves and a no-filter approach to conversation, insiders have already dubbed her 'the wildest bride in MAFS history'.

'Gia doesn't give a single f*** what anyone thinks,' one insider told Daily Mail Australia.

'She's bold, she's brash and she says whatever's on her mind  which makes for absolutely iconic TV.'

Gia will be matched with fellow tattooed contestant Scott McCristal, 33, a former reality TV contestant who has appeared on Million Dollar Island and Holey Moley.

The Gold Coast-based businessman runs three ventures - A Lend Finance, Jetski United and McCristal Motors  and boasts more than 25,000 Instagram followers.

'They're both huge personalities,' another source said of the couple.

Photos exclusively obtained by Daily Mail, show the glamorous blonde photographed inside the Playboy Mansion, posing alongside late publishing mogul

Gia pictured with Hefner at his mansion

Gia also dabbled in beauty pageants

Gia has landed cameos in high-profile music videos, including French Montana featuring Nicki Minaj's 'Freaks' and Gillespie's 'Take Me Back'  both filmed while she was based in Hollywood

Gia will be matched with fellow tattooed contestant Scott McCristal, 33, a former reality TV contestant who has appeared on Million Dollar Island and Holey Moley

The Gold Coast-based businessman runs three ventures - A Lend Finance, Jetski United and McCristal Motors  and boasts more than 25,000 Instagram followers

'It's explosive. There are blow-ups, big emotions and some serious chemistry. Viewers are either going to love them or hate them  but no one will be able to look away.'

Friends say Gia is more than just her glamorous exterior.

'She's wild, sure, but she's also incredibly caring and protective of the people she loves,' a close friend said.

'She's been through a lot, and she's unapologetically herself now.'

Another pal added: 'Gia is the definition of a modern power woman. She's outspoken, confident, and not afraid to call people out on their BS  but she's also super fun and brings this amazing energy everywhere she goes.'
Catherine Zeta-Jones has quipped that nobody thought her marriage to husband Michael Douglas 'would ever last' ahead of their 25th wedding anniversary.

The Welsh actress, 55, and Hollywood icon, 80, appeared an unlikely pairing due to their 25-year age gap when they tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at the five-star New York Hotel in 2000.

However the loved up couple, who are parents to Dylan, 25, and Carys, 22, have proven their doubters wrong with Catherine describing the marriage as full of 'love and fun' as she excitedly prepares to mark the milestone.

She told The Sun: 'Weve been married 25 years, its something to celebrate. And they said it would never last!'.

'Its a journey of learning and loving and fun, and the prospect of reaching a 25-year anniversary is really quite thrilling. I remember my mum and dad celebrating theirs'.

However despite her excitement, Catherine said she would be unable to celebrate on the day due to her commitments filming Netflix's Wednesday, in which she plays Morticia Adams.

Catherine Zeta-Jones, 55, has quipped that nobody thought her marriage to husband Michael Douglas, 80, 'would ever last' ahead of their 25th wedding anniversary

The Welsh actress and Hollywood icon appeared an unlikely pairing due to their 25-year age gap when they tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at the five-star New York Hotel in 2000

She told the publication: 'Ive been working a lot this year and hes been so supportive. I think were going to be doing a party around the holidays because Ill be shooting season three. Its such a short period of time I have off'.

Catherine previously reflected on the 'up-and-downs' of her marriage, after the pair briefly separated in 2013 following his tongue cancer battle and her bipolar disorder diagnosis. They reconciled in 2014.

In an 2023 interview with The Telegraph, she said: 'It's impossible for there not to be ups and downs if you live with the same person and wake up with them every day.

'I've been waking up to Mike for nearly 25 years. I love being married but it's a crazy thing when you really think about it. "Will you marry me?" "Sure!"

'But then you think about the Chanel purse you spent a fortune on, and actually I don't really like it any more  I'll put it up for resale.'

She added that despite their rollercoaster relationship, she and Michael are 'just very good with one another, we respect each other, and I never really feel that hes 25 years older than me.'

'I remember people saying, When youre 50, hes going to be 75. Well, thats just maths.

Last month Catherine detailed her surprisingly low-key family staycations with her husband Michael and their two kids.

However the loved up couple have proven their doubters wrong with Catherine describing the marriage as full of 'love and fun' as she excitedly prepares to mark the milestone

She said: Weve been married 25 years, its something to celebrate. And they said it would never last! Its a journey of learning and loving and fun'

However despite her excitement, Catherine said she would be unable to celebrate on the day due to her commitments filming Netflix 's Wednesday, in which she plays Morticia Adams

The couple have raised their children amid the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, but also enjoy some very low-key family moments away from the spotlight.

Catherine has revealed she and Michael have taken their kids on UK staycations to Butlin's and Legoland - despite their 250million ($360million) combined net worth.

She told Radio Times of her kids: 'They've been to Butlin's, Legoland, seen the sights in London, up to Scotland, over to Ireland. They've even been to the Isle of Man, I think.'

Catherine added that she insists her children spend two weeks in her native Wales every year to spend time with her parents - David James Jones and Patricia Fair.

However, Dylan and Carys have also enjoyed some bucket list trips abroad over the years including to India, Patagonia, Africa and Cambodia, among others.

Catherine said she always wanted to be a mother and sweetly described it as one of her biggest achievements.

'Having children is one of the most amazing joys of my life,' she gushed, before reflecting on how motherhood changed her perspective on the world.

'All of a sudden, I saw doom and gloom everywhere,' she quipped.

Catherine previously reflected on the 'up-and-downs' of her marriage, after the pair briefly separated in 2013 following his tongue cancer battle and her bipolar disorder diagnosis

Last month Catherine detailed her surprisingly low-key family staycations with her husband Michael and their two kids - Dylan, 24, and Carys, 21 (all pictured)

Catherine has revealed she and Michael have taken their kids on UK staycations to Butlin's and Legoland - despite their 250million net worth (Michael is pictured with their kids in 2024)

'My husband would be throwing them up in the air and I'd be thinking, ''We have ceiling fans! They'll be decapitated!''

'I started to see the worst-case scenarios everywhere. But I think that's just getting older and thinking ''Ooh, what if?'''

Catherine added that having children brought home the amount of work her parents put in raising her and her two brothers David and Lyndon in Swansea.

'My mother brought up three kids. She had no help. My brother was judo, my other brother was swimming, I was dancing,' she explained.

'I was part of the amateur dramatics, the Dylan Thomas Theatre, I'm sure there was gymnastics thrown in there at some point

'Just taking us to all of that, as a parent you think, ''Oh my gosh,'' whereas as a kid you're p****d off that she was five minutes late in picking you up that one time.'
One Tree Hill star Chad Michael Murray shared a harrowing story about a near-death experience when he was a teenager.

The actor, now 43, said that back when he was 15 years old, he lost '50 percent' of the blood in his body and was 'on [his] deathbed.'

On Friday's episode of the Great Company podcast, he told host Jamie Laing that he was in the hospital for two and a half months.

He explained that his intestines became twisted, and he was suffering from internal bleeding.

He said he didn't remember much from that experience as he was going 'in and out of consciousness' and had to undergo emergency surgery multiple times.

This comes after Murray opened up about his mental health and revealed he was battling agoraphobia amid his One Tree Hill success when he was in his early 20s.

One Tree Hill star Chad Michael Murray shared a harrowing story about a near-death experience when he was a teenager; pictured July in London

And at one point during his near-death, teenage experience, the Freakier Friday star said that he saw his father talking to a priest about last rites at one point before his nurse gave him a blood transfusion to save his life.

He explained that his organs shut down because the blood coagulated around them and he had to undergo a second surgery to 'clean up' around them.

The actor added that during those weeks in the hospital, his weight had dropped from 180 to a 118 pounds.

He also recalled the names of the nurses who saved his life  Sandy, who gave him a blood transfusion, and Alana, who was a model.

Murray said that the latter nurse told him to become a model first to 'segue' into his acting dreams  and even followed through on her promise to introduce him to a modeling company when he got out of the hospital.

About the conversation that got him into Hollywood, he recalled: 'Alana says to me, "Oh gosh, you should model." I was like, "I don't want to model. I want to be an actor. Like, I love film and television. I want to give this gift to other people."

'And she's like, "Well, you can segue from modeling into acting. Look, when you get out, I'm hooking you up with this modeling company I know." And she meant it.'

A few years after making his recovery, he made his big break and started landing major roles in hit teen dramas.

He said he didn't remember much from that experience as he was going 'in and out of consciousness' and had to undergo emergency surgery multiple times; pictured July in New York City

The actor, now 43, said that back when he was 15 years old, he lost half of the blood in his body and was 'on [his] deathbed'; pictured in his early 20s in 2003 One Tree Hill portrait

He explained that his intestines became twisted, and he was suffering from internal bleeding

He also recalled the names of the nurses who saved his life  Sandy, who gave him a blood transfusion, and Alana, who was a model. He recalled how Nurse Alana helped him become a model and make his break into Hollywood after he got out of the hospital

On Friday's episode of the Great Company podcast, he told host Jamie Laing that he was in the hospital for two and a half months

Murray is known for playing the lead role of Lucas Scott in the CW teen drama series from 2003 to 2009 and again reprising his role in 2012.

He also starred opposite Lindsay Lohan in Freaky Friday in 2003 and in the recently released sequel Freakier Friday.

He is also known for playing the love interest of Hilary Duff's character in the 2004 romantic comedy A Cinderella Story.

The actor is also known for making appearances on Gilmore Girls, Dawson's Creek and Riverdale.

On the podcast, Murray also said that he is focused on clean living  avoiding alcohol and eating healthy  nowadays to stay healthy.

He is currently on a promo tour alongside co-stars Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis as they promote Freakier Friday.
US-born filmmaker Bill Leimbach, who emigrated to Australia 47 years ago, has died.

His sons, Louis Leimbach, 35 and Oliver Leimbach, 37, of the Aussie band Lime Cordiale, took to Facebook to announce the sad news on Saturday.

The pair did not share any details of their father's passing, including his age, but did confirm that he died on August 5, surrounded by his family.

Best known for his documentaries, Bill worked on the much-loved Channel Seven series The World Around Us (1979-2000) with famed British natural historian Sir David Attenborough.

He was also a producer who made the highly acclaimed Australian war drama Beneath Hill 60 starring Brendan Cowell (Love My Way) in 2010.

Born in San Diego, California, Bill was a surfer in his youth, and later trained as a filmmaker in London, and entered the film industry there in the 1970s.

US-born filmmaker Bill Leimbach (pictured), who emigrated to Australia 47 years ago, has died

His sons, Louis Leimbach, 35 and Oliver Leimbach, 37, of the Aussie band Lime Cordiale, took to Facebook to announce the sad news on Saturday. Pictured: Oliver and his brother Louis Leimbach in 2021

He worked for the BBC and the British Film Institute, where he met visiting Australian filmmakers like Peter Weir (The Last Wave), Bruce Beresford (Breaker Morant) and Phil Noyce (Dead Calm).

Deciding he 'loved' Australians and impressed by the new films being made Down Under in the 1970s like Picnic at Hanging Rock, Bill moved to Sydney in 1978.

Bill also won acclaim for his camera work on the French-produced Oscar-nominated documentary Raoni (1978).

His first major film was a documentary about Indigenous film star David Gulpilil, Walkabout to Hollywood (1980).

He later made the popular travel series Outback Adventures (1998-1999) and the acclaimed history documentary, Gallipoli: The Unknown Stories (2005).

In a career spanning over five decades, Bill also made films for National Geographic, PBS, SBS, the ABC and the BBC.

He also worked for the Nine, Seven and Channel 10 networks.

'Not many people can say they had a dad like Bill,' his sons shared on their father's own Facebook page.

Best known for his documentaries, Bill worked on the much-loved Channel Seven series The World Around Us (1979-2000) with famed British natural historian Sir David Attenborough

His first major film was a documentary about Indigenous film star David Gulpilil, Walkabout to Hollywood (1980). Pictured: Bill pictured with Gulpilil

'He was a filmmaker, a grandpa, a husband, a Yank-turned-Aussie, and a huge presence.'

Elsewhere in their tribute, the Leimbach brothers shared little-known family history.

'By the time the hippie movement was in full swing, Dad was into photography and had started travelling,' they said.

'When he was conscripted to fight in Vietnam, he fled to South America. Eventually, they caught him - so he faked insanity and was institutionalised. The plan worked, but after they let him out, he left the States for good,' they wrote.

His sons also shared intimate details about their relationship with their father.

'He pushed us sons hard - but almost in the same breath, he'd tell us to take a f***ing break,' they said.

'He knew how to turn a holiday into a tax deduction.

'Dad never grew up. He was a cheeky bugger with an infectious giggle, always trying to shock you with something inappropriate. It's a lesson for all of us. Be carefree and don't take life too seriously because one day you'll be dead.

'You'd hardly ever see Dad without our merch on.

'He was our best mate, and we were always trying to impress him. We'll miss you, Dad.'

They concluded: 'Written by his sons, but sending love from the whole family.'

Bill shares two daughters, Carli and Tania, with his first wife.

After separating, he met his second wife, Karen, a music teacher, with whom he shares sons Oliver and Louis, who formed Lime Cordiale in 2009.
CHONGQING, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- As more than 5,000 drones soared into the night sky over southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, they formed a dazzling array of vibrant patterns and shapes that mesmerized the spectators below.

Waves of excited cheers and people shouting "Wow" erupted from the crowd as the breathtaking drone light show illuminated the city's skyline.

Since mid-April of this year, Chongqing has been hosting an exciting drone light show every Saturday night in its downtown area, where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers converge. This grand spectacle has quickly become a new hallmark of Chongqing, injecting fresh vitality into the city's tourism industry.

On June 17 this year, Chongqing dazzled the public by setting a Guinness World Record with an amazing drone performance featuring 11,787 drones. The spectacular show was enjoyed by over 100,000 residents and visitors.

"The drone show perfectly complements Chongqing's stunning nightscape, with patterns that highlight the city's unique features. It's truly a visual feast," said Tong Cheng, a tourist from east China's Shandong Province.

The drone shows not only illuminate Chongqing's night sky, but also energize the city's growing night-time economy.

"Each performance lasts only 20 minutes, but the consumer activity it sparks continues throughout the night," said Li Jingliang, director of the drone show.

"Although the show does not start until 9 p.m., the surrounding area begins to bustle with visitors as early as 5 p.m., bringing an early boost to local businesses," said Pei Zongquan, who runs a restaurant near the venue.

The Sandongqiao Folk Culture Street near the performance venue has also seen a surge in consumer activity. "Private rooms and outdoor seating at riverside restaurants were fully booked two days before the show. On performance days, these restaurants see their revenues increase by nearly 80 percent compared to regular days," said Zhang Youjia, who oversees business operations for the area.

Data show that since this regular drone performance started, it has unleashed over 350 million yuan (about 49.03 million U.S. dollars) of consumption.

These achievements owe much to the technical team behind the show. "To many people's surprise, more than 5,000 drones can be controlled by only one computer and one manipulator," said Li, who added that the key to achieving precise coordination in drone formations lies in real-time control and seamless information exchange among the drones.

Each drone is equipped with advanced sensors and communication devices. The sensors accurately capture data such as the drone's position, speed, and orientation, while the communication devices ensure this information is rapidly shared among all drones. Based on this data and a preset formation algorithm, each drone calculates its flight path and movements, enabling precisely coordinated flight.

Chongqing's drone shows are also distinguished by their ever-evolving creative designs, featuring patterns inspired by city landmarks, local cuisine, and traditional festivals. Each show offers tourists a fresh and memorable experience.

The show has become a must-see attraction in Chongqing, drawing visitors from across China and even around the world every Saturday. With this level of popularity, the prospects for regular drone performances are highly promising, according to Li. 
She's the famous daughter of famed INXS rock legend Kirk Pengilly.

But April Rose Pengilly insists that after forging her own successful career as a model and actress, she does not want to live in her dad's 'shadow'.

April Rose, 37, who is set to marry fiance Adam Paul in France this month, says that she did not even use her surname when she started modelling as a teen.

'I didn't want to be in [my dad's] shadow. I kept travelling around and starting over again  I worked in Japan, New York, London,' she told Stellar on Sunday.

'But eventually people figured it out. I'm glad I did it though, because I basically proved to myself that I could make it work.'

The daughter of the INXS star and designer Karen Hutchinson, April Rose started modelling at 16 - and used the interview to address being labelled a 'nepo baby'.

April Rose Pengilly insists that after forging her own successful career as a model and actress, she does not want to live in her dad's 'shadow'. Pictured in Stellar

April Rose is the daughter of Kirk Pengilly, 65, (left) a founding member of rock legends INXS

The well-known derogatory term applies to celebrity offspring who pursue a show business career, and who supposedly owe success to their famous family name.

She continued: 'Anything written about me, they'd usually bring my father into it. I'd see comments, and any success I had, it was, "Oh, it's just because of her dad"...That does play on your mind.'

Still, April Rose said she would use the Pengilly name even after she marries, even though she says her husband-to-be wants her to change it.

'I've had this name my whole life, so I do feel attached to it. It makes me feel close to my dad, that it's his name. My mum has a different surname; they were never married,' she said.

'They were together for 10 years. But it never bothered me that I had a different surname to her.'

Elsewhere in the chat April Rose said she was very proud that it was INXS came in at number one in Triple J's Hottest 100 Aussie song poll for their hit Never Tear Us Apart.

'I think Australia definitely voted correctly, and it is well deserved,' she said.

It comes after April Rose flaunted her enormous diamond engagement ring during an outing with her beau back earlier this year.

April Rose, 37, who is set to marry fiance Adam Paul in France this month, says that she did not even use her surname when she started modelling as a teen. She later scored a prominent role in the soap Neighbours in 2017

The model announced her engagement to her fiance Adam Paul (right) in December 2023

The former Neighbours actress announced her engagement to Adam Paul in December 2023.

'BEST DAY OF THE YEAR,' the petite blonde captioned the share featuring pictures from her excursion to Sydney's Royal Easter Show back in April.

The couple had been together for just under two years when Adam popped the question.

Details of the upcoming nuptials have been scarce so far, with April Rose saying last month that clothes shopping had taken priority over wedding planning.

'Starting to look for my future groom's suit,' she captioned an Instagram post in March.

'Honestly, we're doing a lot more outfit shopping than wedding planning. Priorities innit.'

April has forged a career for herself as an actress and television star with her father previously saying she didn't 'want to live off my coat-tails'.

The star joined Neighbours in 2017, playing Chloe Brennan, and left the famed soap in 2023.
Sarah Paulson and her longtime partner Holland Taylor stepped out to celebrate their friend's Emmy nomination on Saturday.

The American Horror Story actress, 50, and Two And A Half Men star, 82, first met in 2005, but didn't begin dating until a decade later after they reconnected over social media.

And they looked as smitten as ever as they attended a dinner at celebrity hot spot Steak 48 in Beverly Hills celebrating their friend Katherine LaNasas's Best Supporting Actress Emmy nomination for her role in The Pitt.

The event was attended by a host of Katherine's friends, as well as her The Pitt co-stars and creative team.

For the evening, Holland donned a chic white silk shirt paired with a neck tie, while Sarah opted for a sleek black suit.

Despite their long-term romance, the couple, who have a 32-year age gap, have no plans to marry anytime soon.

Holland Taylor and her longtime partner Sarah Paulson stepped out to celebrate their friend's Emmy nomination at Steak 48 in Beverly Hills on Saturday

For the evening, Holland donned a chic white silk shirt paired with a neck tie, while Sarah opted for a sleek black suit

In August, Holland revealed why she and Sarah have no plans to marry after nine years of dating.

While appearing on Andy Cohens SiriusXM show, the Emmy Award winner made a rare remark about her relationship.

She explained why she doesn't believe they will ever tie the knot.

'I dont think [well get married],' Taylor, who typically keeps her love life out of the spotlight, said. 'No. Weve never talked about it with any interest.'

The queer icon, best known for portraying Judge Roberta Kittleson on ABC's The Practice, noted that a legal contract just 'doesn't seem to mean to [them] what it means to a lot of people.'

She went on to pointed out that they wanted to walk down the aisle than they 'would.'

After Andy said he loves how in love they seem, Holland gushed that they 'do have a wonderful resonance.'

'We are very interested in the same kinds of things, and yet we share big differences,' the star added.

Holland and Sarah first met in 2005, but didn't begin dating until a decade later after they reconnected over social media (pictured in 2023)

Still Holland said their age gap does cause some 'big generational' differences that 'worry' her, at times.

'But what can I do?' the performer asked. 'A lot of the things that she is going through that are very emotionally important to her right now, I went through 30 years ago or 40 years ago.'

Neither Holland or Sarah have ever been married. Previously, Sarah was engaged to playwright Tracy Letts.

In an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen in January 2019, Sarah admitted Holland sneaked into her DMs after they began to follow each other on Twitter.

Despite their long-term romance, the couple, who have a 31-year age gap, have no plans to marry anytime soon (Seen in 2018)

She gushed about her partner in September on the Dear Chelsea podcast with comedian Chelsea Handler, 50.

Sarah said: 'I think shes the smartest, wisest, funniest, most extraordinary person Ive ever met. So I cant imagine not being with her. I just cant.'

'I just feel very, very lucky to be around someone so incredibly witty and funny and smart and, I think, incredibly sexy.'

'I find her to be the most beautiful woman. I tell her all the time, like, shes the most beautiful woman Ive ever seen and she always will be.'
The long-running Eddie McGuire-hosted quiz show Millionaire Hot Set is headed for a reboot at Channel Ten.

Originally airing on Nine, the network gave the fan favourite the axe in 2024 after 25,00 episodes.

Now, producers of the reboot have announced a casting call with entries closing on September 15.

And in an added twist, there is strong speculation among TV insiders that the new host will be a woman.

According to a report in the Herald Sun on Sunday, network rumours have been 'bubbling for months' that plans are well underway to snare a female for the prized role.

The producers, Curio Pictures - the makers of Shark Tank and the streaming drama The Artful Dodger - announced to hopefuls that the show will begin filming next month in Melbourne.

The long-running Eddie McGuire-hosted quiz show Millionaire Hot Set is headed for a reboot at Channel 10. Originally airing on Nine, the network gave the fan favourite the axe in 2024 after 2500 episodes. Pictured: Eddie McGuire on the beloved quiz show

'Come and show off your smarts for the chance to win big,' the call for entries announced on the producer's website.

'We're casting energetic, confident trivia lovers from all walks of life...Your trivia obsession could be your ticket to serious cash  if you've got what it takes!'

Channel Ten has not confirmed when the quiz reboot will air.

'We look forward to making the 2026 content announcements for both 10 and Paramount+, at our Upfront presentation in the next few months,' the network said in a statement.

Fans were deeply disappointed when Nine announced it was putting Millionaire Hot Seat on hiatus back in 2023.

The longest-running game show on Australian television has given away millions over the years to contestants.

'It's with great pride and joy and also sadness that I announce this morning Millionaire Hot Seat will go into hiatus at the end of January next year,' Eddie said on 3AW at the time.

'There will be a replacement show at 5pm on the Nine Network after we will hit our 25th anniversary as we go into 2024.'

Fans were deeply disappointed when Nine announced it was putting Millionaire Hot Seat on hiatus back in 2023

Eddie said he loved being the host of the show because he got to meet people from all walks of life across Australia

'I love the fact so many people would come and say, I sat there with my grandparents and we did these things together [watched the show].'

'There were four millionaires in total, two from each show But so many people won $250,000 and $500,000,' Eddie added.

Eddie said he loved being the host of the show because he got to meet people from all walks of life across Australia.

'What I love about it is I've seen multicultural Australia, people who have come out in their sexuality, coming on the show and feeling really free to do so. I've seen a snapshot of Australia,' he said.

'Every person's got a story, they've got battles in their life, they don't want a big handout, they just want a bit of sunshine come their way.'

Who Wants to be a Millionaire switched to the Hot Seat version in 2009.

Eddie had hosted Who Wants to be a Millionaire since its premiere in 1999.

The show returned with reruns in January 2024 and was ultimately replaced by Tipping Point.
Ambika Mod has doubled down on her opinion that her and her One Day co-star Leo Woodall 'weren't treated the same' with the calibre of roles they landed after the show's success.

The pair starred as lovers in the hit Netflix show - but in the months that followed many of her fans on social media pointed out the differences between her and Woodall's career trajectories.

After One Day Leo notable landed a role in Tony, A24's Anthony Bourdain biopic.

One penned on X at the time: 'It's quite sad to see that despite being in incredibly popular, high-performing shows the POC women are never booked as much as their white counterparts'.

Ambika subsequently said in an interview: 'We just don't get treated the same at all.', something which she reiterated in an interview with The Times this Sunday.

Speaking of if she regretted her remarks, she explained: 'Not really. I mean, it's the truth!

Ambika Mod has doubled down on her opinion that her and her One Day co-star Leo Woodall 'weren't treated the same' with the calibre of roles they landed after the show's success

The pair starred as lovers in the hit Netflix show - but in the months that followed many of her fans on social media pointed out the differences between her and Woodall's career trajectories

'This is nothing I've not said to Leo's face, by the way Obviously it's not personal. It's just the industry and the way that our society works.

'If you're brown, if you're a woman, if you don't have any connections, you do just have to work ten times harder to get half as far. That's sadly a reality of it.'

Ambika will soon play a porn addict in a new stage show at Britain's most 'experimental' publicly funded theatre.

The Royal Court has announced that they will be staging Sophia Chetin-Leuner's Porn Play, which focuses on a female academic who is addicted to pornography, and also tackles the taboo topic of female masturbation.

The play was informed by a study which suggested that women are statistically more likely to watch violent pornography than men.

Ambika will take on the leading role in the play, which will be directed by Josie Rourke.

David Byrne, the Royal Court's artistic director, said the play had a 'conversation that I have not seen anywhere else'.

He said: 'It is going to be a play that everybody will be talking about. Of course the subject matter elicits attention but it is a really deep and complex work.'

Ambika subsequently said in an interview: 'We just don't get treated the same at all.', something which she reiterated in an interview with The Times this Sunday

Speaking of if she regretted her remarks, she explained: 'Not really. I mean, it's the truth! 'This is nothing I've not said to Leo's face, by the way'

Chetin-Leuner, a London-based playwright, previously said she started writing Porn Play, because she 'wanted to write something that I had never seen on stage before, and I had never seen a woman masturbate so it started from there'.

Ambika and Leo were praised by fans when they starred in Netflix's One Day last year, which was based on the novel of the same name by David Nicholls.

One Day follows the story of Emma and Dexter after meeting on the final night at Edinburgh University and the next 20 years of their lives on the same date, July 15.

The two graduates become integral to each other's lives with a series of 'will they won't they' moments and obstacles in the path of a possible romance.

The Daily Mail revealed Ambika originally turned down the role of Emma Morley after the star explained she found it was a 'massive, massive undertaking' given Emma was previously played by Anne Hathaway, 41, in the 2011 adaptation.

She said: 'It was definitely originally written as white and previously played by a white actress. I'm really excited to bring something new to the role, I hope that young women who don't see themselves on screen that often see that it's possible.

Ambika admitted she wouldn't have landed the role 10 years ago due to her skin colour, saying: 'I'm very different to Anne Hathaway, so I was never worried about that. Just the fact that I'm not white and I'm getting to play Emma.

'I don't think that would have happened ten years ago. That in itself is a way to modernise the story.'
Irina Shayk and Adria Arjona led the famous faces featuring in a sexy behind-the-scenes look from the 2026 Pirelli Calendar shoot.

Model Irina, 39, showed off her incredible muscular legs in a pair of nude briefs as she covered her modesty with just a sheer red drape.

Elsewhere actress Adria, 33, wore a sultry black set as she was drenched with water in other images.

She looked incredible in the high-waisted black leather hot pants and statement pointed bralet as she posed up a storm.

Eva Herzigova, Gwendoline Christie and Tilda Swinton are among the other names featuring in the backstage snaps.

The yearly calendar is by Slve Sundsbo, with photos by Italian author and photographer Alessandro Scotti.

Irina Shayk (seen) and Adria Arjona led the famous faces featuring in a sexy behind-the-scenes look from the 2026 Pirelli Calendar shoot

Adria, 33, wore a sultry black set as she was drenched with water in other images from the shoot

The project was shot in Norfolk, Essex and NYC and the full official imagery from the calendar will be revealed later this year.

Pirelli star Adria is currently dating actor Jason Momoa.

Jason and his girlfriend Adria made their red carpet debut as a couple at the SNL50: The Homecoming Concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Valentine's Day.

The actor and Puerto Rican beauty made a glamorous pair as they cosied up at the star-studded event.

Jason and Adria have been dating since at least May 2024 when he revealed he was in a relationship at the Basingstoke Comic Con.

Jason was previously married to actress Lisa Bonet, 57. Their divorce was finalised in January 2024.

Jason revealed their relationship when he was asked if he was single and said: 'I am very much in a relationship.'

He did not, however, reveal how long he'd been in the relationship or how they met.

In 2021, Adria played Amanda Cooper, wife of Jason's character Ray in Sweet Girl.

Model Irina, 39, showed off her incredible muscular legs in a pair of nude briefs as she covered her modesty with just a sheer red drape

She looked incredible for the shots as at one point her whole body was covered with the sheer drape

The yearly calendar is by Slve Sundsbo, with photos by Italian author and photographer Alessandro Scotti

She looked incredible in the high-waisted black leather hot pants and statement pointed bralet as she posed up a storm

She wore her hair in a slicked back style and opted for a glowing makeup look

She took a look at the snaps afterwards

Venus Williams (seen) Eva Herzigova, Gwendoline Christie and Tilda Swinton are among the other names featuring in the backstage snaps

The project was shot in Norfolk, Essex and NYC and the full official imagery from the calendar will be revealed later this year (Tilda Swinton seen)

Adria observes the photos from the shoot

At that time, Jason was still with Lisa and Arjona was still married to her husband Puerto Rican-American lawyer Edgardo Canales, who she married in Guatemala in 2019.

Jason and Lisa wed in 2017. They announced their separation in January 2022, and eventually filed for divorce in January 2024 with the date of separation listed as October 2020.

He and his ex-wife share two kids - 17-year-old daughter Lola and 16-year-old son Nakoa-Wolf.

Adria was born in Puerto Rico and lived in Mexico City until she was 12.

Her father, Ricardo Arjona, is one of the best-selling Latin American recording artists of all time and as a result Adria spent her childhood traveling around Central and South America.

Her family moved to Miami when she was 12 and at 18 she moved to New York City to take a three-month course at the Lee Strasberg Institute.

She waited tables to make ends meet during this time.

Adria booked early roles in Spanish language films and had a two episode stint on Person of Interest in 2014 and 2015.

Model and actress Eva Herzigova featured in a daring underwater shot
The brotherly bond was well in evidence on Friday as Paul Gallagher joined supportive younger brother Liam at Luton airport - just weeks ahead of his scheduled court appearance.

The older brother of Oasis stars Liam and Noel has been charged with rape and string of other violent sex offences, following an investigation that began last year.

Paul, 59, accompanied Liam and his fiancee Debbie Gwyther as they prepared to board an Edinburgh-bound private jet.

And the brothers were seen laughing and joking as they made their way into the airport after travelling to Bedfordshire from Liam's 4million home in north London.

The pair were en route to Edinburgh while Oasis - currently in the midst of a lucrative reunion tour - perform across three consecutive nights at the city's Murrayfield Stadium.

It's understood that Liam, 54, has been supporting rape-accused Paul while he prepares for his imminent court appearance.

The brotherly bond was well in evidence on Friday as Paul Gallagher joined supportive younger brother Liam at Luton airport - just weeks ahead of his scheduled court appearance

The older brother of Oasis stars Liam and Noel has been charged with rape and string of other violent sex offences, following an investigation that began last year

As well as rape, he is also accused of sexual assault, coercive control and making threats to kill. The offences are said to date from between 2022 and 2024 and relate to one woman.

Paul, who is one year older than Noel and seven years older than Liam, grew up with the pair in Burnage, Manchester.

While he has previously not been involved with Oasis, which is currently mid-way through its sold-out reunion tour, Paul is listed on an official programme as the 'tour DJ'.

Paul lives in a flat that Noel bought in 2004 and has worked as a DJ and photographer. He has previously described himself as living a normal life 'amongst the lower middle classes'.

He is expected to appear at Westminster Crown Court on August 27.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: 'Paul Gallagher, 59, of East Finchley, has been charged with rape, coercive and controlling behaviour, three counts of sexual assault, three counts of intentional strangulation, two counts of making a threat to kill and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

'The offences are reported to have taken place between 2022-2024. The charges follow an investigation which commenced in 2024.

'A woman is being supported by specially trained officers.'

Paul, 59, who is expected to appear in court later this month, accompanied Liam and his fiancee Debbie Gwyther as they prepared to board an Edinburgh-bound private jet

And the brothers were seen laughing and joking as they made their way inside with their luggage ahead of the flight after travelling to Bedfordshire from Liam's 4million home

As well as rape, Paul is also accused of sexual assault, coercive control and making threats to kill

Paul and Liam were travelling to Edinburgh for a weekend stay while Oasis - currently in the midst of a lucrative reunion tour - perform for three consecutive nights at Murrayfield Stadium

Oasis announced their highly anticipated reunion tour in August last year, after Noel quit in 2009 after a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris.

Before the recent string of concerts, the last time they played Wembledy was on July 12, 2009, when they performed during their Dig Out Your Soul tour.

The group kicked off their Oasis Live '25 world tour on July 4 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Oasis have also dominated the UK album charts, with three top five albums, according to the Official Charts Company.

Following their final gig in Edinburgh on April 10, they will perform at Dublin's Croke Park before heading to Japan, South Korea, South America, Australia and North America.

Paul, from East Finchley in north London, is facing the charges following an investigation that began last year

Paul and Liam pictured together in Cheshire in 2015. It's understood that Liam has been supporting his rape-accused brother while he prepares for his imminent court appearance

Paul, who is one year older than Noel and seven years older than Liam, grew up with the pair in Burnage, Manchester (the young Gallagher children in 1984)
Indy Clinton has revealed that she is seriously considering taking legal action against 15 individuals who targeted her on social media.

The Sydney-based influencer told this week's issue of Stellar Magazine that she has suffered continuous online trolling from anonymous accounts, for posting images and video of her young children on social media.

The 28-year-old, who boasts 645,000 Instagram followers and 2.1 million TikTok followers, shares her children Navy, four, Bambi, two, and Soul, one, with her realtor husband Ben Azar.

'They'd likened me to Ruby Franke. A convicted child abuser who tortured her children for years and years  didn't feed them, tied them up with metal chains,' Indy explained.

'I was lost for words. My heart was racing, and my eyes just filled up with tears.'

Fed up by the abuse, which she says negatively impacted her parenting, Indy hired Cybertrace, a company which worked with her over 12 weeks to track down the identities of the faceless trolls who had left nasty comments on her social media.

Indy Clinton has revealed that she is seriously considering taking legal action against 15 individuals who targeted her on social media. Pictured in this week's Stellar Magazine

Indy ended up with a list of the 15 worst offenders, and she was shocked to discover their true identities.

'The craziest statistic that came out of doing this was the fact that the majority of these people are mothers with multiple children  and some had high-paying jobs,' she said.

With the help of Cybertrace, which she paid $8000 for their private investigation skills, Indy collected enough information to track these women down.

'I know what hospitals they gave birth at, their obstetrician's name, their tattoo regrets, their ABNs, home addresses, their last home address before they moved, their current jobs, their previous jobs, which hairdresser they use,' she said.

Indy has faced a barrage of criticism for footage she has posted of her children in the past.

In February, she was slammed online for letting her three young children create a mess at a cafe.

The Sydney-based influencer shared two posts to her Instagram story showing her spilling drinks and food on the floor at the establishment.

After she made the posts, online spaces were flooded with comments about Indy's 'lack of parenting skills.'

The 28-year-old, who boasts 645,000 Instagram followers and 2.1 million TikTok followers, shares her children Navy, four, Bambi, two, and Soul, one, with her realtor husband Ben Azar. All pictured

In January, she clapped back at a hurtful follower after they publicly accused her of letting her four-year-old son get sunburned during a beach trip.

The Aussie TikTok star posted a clip to Instagram which captured the highlights of the outing, and one troll asked her why she had allowed her son to get sunburned after noticing scrapes on his back.

'Navy scraped his back on a rock, it's not peeling. You're all so concerned about my kids' sun safety, but have you ever seen them sunburned?' she said.

'I'm born and raised at the beach, I know how to keep them safe. Get a hobby, get laid or go find God because you need something better to do than making up stories about me and my kids,' she added.

Indy was also extensively trolled after she underwent rhinoplasty in March.

After revealing her updated nose, some compared her to Michael Jackson and said she has 'ruined her face'.
She struggled to maintain her composure when she accidentally found herself on a nudist beach.

But luckily for Kate Moss her next holiday outing was a more low-key affair, as she headed out for a spot of sunbathing with her daughter Lila in Formentera on Friday.

The model, 51, showed off her incredible figure in a skimpy pink bikini as she and her daughter, 22, headed to the beach.

No stranger to displaying her figure, Kate showed off her boho sense of style as she teamed her two-piece with a cream crochet crop top and an olive green skirt.

The fashion icon was joined by her pals Bella Tilbury, who is the niece of makeup mogul Charlotte Tilbury, and fashion designer Luella Bartley, as well as Lila's boyfriend Yoni Helbitz.

Lila herself emulated her mother's beach style in a brown bikini as she reclined on the sand, while Kate herself cooled off with a swim.

Kate Moss, 51, showed off her incredible figure in a skimpy pink bikini as she headed to the beach with her daughter Lila in Formentera on Friday

The model was joined by her daughter Lila (far right), and pals Bella Tilbury (second left), who is the niece of makeup mogul Charlotte Tilbury, and fashion designer Luella Bartley (far left)

The model showed off her incredible figure in a skimpy pink bikini as she and her daughter headed to the coast for another day of sunbathing

Bella, who is a close friend of Kate's and has worked with her on several campaigns, was seen relaxing with Lila on the sand in the black bikini.

Meanwhile Luella, opted for casual denim cut-off shorts and an oversized white shirt as she and Kate headed to the beach together.

Lila has followed in her mother's model footsteps after inheriting her striking good looks.

Kate's beach babe look saw her go make-up free and showcase her smooth visage, which has left tongues wagging over the years about possible cosmetic work.

The star recently discussed her tips to good skin - having always insisted she had no chemical enhancements - saying: 'The ice plunge is the best trick I've learnt [to mask tired eyes and perk up the skin].

'Fill a sink or a bowl with ice cubes, cold water and slices of cucumber and hold your face in for as long as you can, it instantly reduces puffiness and tightens up your skin.

'I love how my skin feels and looks after a weekend in the country with fresh air and lots of rest. As I spend so much time wearing a lot of make-up at work, I tend to keep it simple when I'm not. [Also,] I do like to have a facial and massage when I can.'

Kate has also been on a health kick after turning her back on her wild partying ways.

After arriving on the beach, Kate was seen heading into the ocean for a cooling swim, as she and Lila continue to enjoy their Spanish holiday together

Lila slipped into a brown bikini as she and her mother sunbathed together

The pair slipped into revealing bikinis as they relaxed alongside Lila's boyfriend Yoni Helbitz

Kate's beach babe look saw her go make-up free and showcase her smooth visage, which has left tongues wagging over the years about possible cosmetic work

The star recently discussed her tips to good skin - having always insisted she had no chemical enhancements - saying: 'The ice plunge is the best trick I've learnt'

She added: 'Fill a sink or a bowl with ice cubes, cold water and slices of cucumber and hold your face in for as long as you can, it instantly reduces puffiness and tightens up your skin'

Kate is no stranger to showing off her famous model physique, and her latest summer getaway was no different

Kate has also been on a health kick after turning her back on her wild partying ways

She was thought to have given up alcohol back in 2017 in favour of juice fasts and reformer Pilates, even selling her own range of teas and skincare products

And while she has long struggled to give up her nicotine habit, just two years ago Kate - once hailed the 'greatest smoker of all time' - was seen puffing away on a vape

Back in January, Kate was reportedly planning a huge boozy birthday bash to celebrate her 51st birthday

Plans for Kate's birthday came following her split from boyfriend of nine years, Nikolai von Bismarck

Kate, who lived in the Cotswolds with teetotal photographer Nikolai, apparantly decided at the time that she 'wants to let her hair down' to mark her birthday with her famous pals

She went on to start her new chapter celebrating her 51st birthday at A-list restaurant China Tang at The Dorchester before continuing her night until the early hours

She was thought to have given up alcohol back in 2017 in favour of juice fasts and reformer Pilates, even selling her own range of teas and skincare products through her beauty and wellness brand, Cosmoss.

And while she has long struggled to give up her nicotine habit, just two years ago Kate - once hailed the 'greatest smoker of all time' - was seen puffing away on a vape in an attempt to give up the cigarettes.

Back in January, Kate was reportedly planning a huge boozy birthday bash to celebrate her 51st birthday following her split from boyfriend of nine years, Nikolai von Bismarck , 38.

Kate, who lived in the Cotswolds with teetotal photographer Nikolai, apparantly decided at the time that she 'wants to let her hair down' to mark her birthday with her famous pals.

A source told The Sun: 'Last year, she celebrated her 50th at an intimate soiree in Paris, which was fairly pared down.

'But a lot has changed since then and Kate has said she wants this party to be like turning over a new leaf.

'Now that her daughter Lila is all grown up and she is single again, Kate feels like she wants to let her hair down and be carefree  which is not something she's been able to do for a long time.

'She is looking on the bright side of life. Although it's sad her relationship is over, she is throwing herself back into her social life and embracing the new year.'

She went on to start her new chapter celebrating her 51st birthday at A-list restaurant China Tang at The Dorchester before continuing her night until the early hours at The Globe in London's Notting Hill.
Pete Davidson enjoyed a loved-up pool day with his pregnant girlfriend Elsie Hewitt over the weekend.

On Saturday the 29-year-old expectant mother shared a snapshot of the 31-year-old comedian kissing her as they relaxed on a cabana.

She added a single white heart emoji while posting the photo to her one million followers via Instagram Stories.

The beauty also posted a selfie showing off her elaborately patterned bikini top and a coordinating straw sun hat.

But the English model did not show her growing baby bump, as the snapshot was taken from the chest up.

Pete Davidson enjoyed a loved-up pool day with his pregnant girlfriend Elsie Hewitt over the weekend

On Saturday the 29-year-old expectant mother shared a snapshot of the 31-year-old comedian kissing her as they relaxed on a cabana; pictured in May

The beauty also posted a selfie showing off her elaborately patterned bikini top and a coordinating straw sun hat

It comes after Pete recently shared what wisdom he gleaned from being around Eddie Murphy.

The Saturday Night Live alum and 64-year-old veteran actor star together in the newly released Amazon Prime Video comedy-heist The Pick Up.

While speaking to People magazine, Pete divulged, 'He has a really small crew, and it's the same people for a really long time, and I think that's really important to have an efficient career and just overall life in this business.'

The father-to-be lightheartedly reflected, 'I've been guilty of having 700 friends in the green room. People I just met or are just in the crew, and then I'm like, "Why did they not have my best interest in mind?"'

He emphasized, 'You have to be able to trust who's around you, and you got to be able to move a certain type of way.'

The Staten Island native humbly added, 'I'm not Eddie Murphy by any means, but especially when you're at his level, you need to be able to trust everyone around you.'

In conclusion he said, 'Pretty much after that movie I was like, okay, I have three friends. Here's who they are. Here's who I have to trust and share things with.'

As Pete prepares to become a father, he also noted that he felt moved by Eddie's dedication to his family as he noticed the actor bring his kids on set to watch him work.

The couple announced the baby news via social media in late July

Elsie and Pete pictured in Los Angeles on July 27

The twosome made their red carpet debut at the 13th Annual Blossom Ball in May

News of Pete and Elsie's romance emerged in March, with insiders describing Hewitt as a 'non-celebrity' and unlike 'anybody else he's ever dated,' per Page Six.

The outlet added that his new lady 'respects Pete and his desire for privacy.'

Elsie went Instagram official with her beau in late March, posting a brief video of him outstretching his arms to hug her as he entered the room in a white robe.

They made their red carpet debut in May at the 13th Annual Blossom Ball.

And Elsie shocked fans in July when she shared a series of photos with her boyfriend, including a sonogram.

She captioned the post, 'Welp, now everyone knows we had sex.'
Last Friday, Kourtney Kardashian Barker received substantial backlash over neglecting to put her 21-month-old son Rocky Thirteen Barker in a life vest while aboard a small boat during their family vacation in Coeur d'Alene, ID.

Idaho state law mandates that 'all children under the age of 14 must wear an approved life jacket when they are aboard a boat 19 feet in length or less whenever the boat is underway or under power.'

The 46-year-old reality star boasts 283.4M social media followers - many of whom were concerned and outraged - like user @janettparks, who commented: 'Child endangerment per Idaho law.'

'Please, please put a life jacket on that sweet babe!' Instagram user @bcudini agreed.

'What no life vests?' Instagram user @calkins5039 blasted. 'Isn't that against the law?'

Instagram user @sue_branagan commented: 'POV Please use a life vest on your child. In that huge boat accident in Tahoe, the only two people that survived were wearing life vests. All the rest died when the boat capsized.'

Last Friday, Kourtney Kardashian Barker received substantial backlash over neglecting to put her 21-month-old son Rocky Thirteen Barker in a life vest while aboard a small boat during their family vacation in Coeur d'Alene, ID

'Protects her son's face from the internet but doesn't protect him from possibly drowning... priorities,' Instagram user @lifeofrylee84 scoffed.

Instagram user @danielle_mamma_of_two wrote: 'No life jacket? And the mother of the year award goes to...'

On Saturday, Kourtney announced that she had officially purchased a $69.99 Stohlquist 'Infant' life jacket that 'fits' little Rocky.

'Good looking out. Honestly, didn't think about some of the dangers,' Kardashian wrote in response.

'Thank you for making me aware and hopefully this helps make other mommies aware of the dangers of certain types of boating without a life vest.'

The Calabasas socialite and her son were joined in Idaho by her neighbor-turned-husband Travis Barker, whom she wed three years ago.

Kourtney shared one snap of herself seated next to the 48-year-old Grammy-nominated drummer's 26-year-old stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya, who's biological father is retired boxer Oscar De La Hoya.

Missing from the woodsy family fun were Travis' two children - son Landon, 21; and daughter Alabama, 18 - from his three-year marriage to Miss USA 1995 Shanna Moakler, which ended in 2008.

Kardashian also welcomed three older children - daughter Penelope, 13; son Mason, 15; and son Reign, 10 - during her on/off nine-year relationship with Talentless CEO Scott Disick, which ended in 2015.

Idaho state law mandates that 'all children under the age of 14 must wear an approved life jacket when they are aboard a boat 19 feet in length or less whenever the boat is underway or under power'

The 46-year-old reality star boasts 283.4M social media followers - many of whom were concerned and outraged - like user @janettparks, who commented: 'Child endangerment per Idaho law'

Instagram user @sue_branagan commented: 'POV Please use a life vest on your child. In that huge boat accident in Tahoe, the only two people that survived were wearing life vests. All the rest died when the boat capsized'

'Protects her son's face from the internet but doesn't protect him from possibly drowning... priorities,' Instagram user @lifeofrylee84 scoffed

Instagram user @danielle_mamma_of_two wrote: 'No life jacket? And the mother of the year award goes to...'

On Saturday, Kourtney announced that she had officially purchased a $69.99 Stohlquist 'Infant' life jacket that 'fits' little Rocky

Kardashian wrote in response: 'Good looking out. Honestly, didn't think about some of the dangers. Thank you for making me aware and hopefully this helps make other mommies aware of the dangers of certain types of boating without a life vest'

The Calabasas socialite and her son were joined in Idaho by her neighbor-turned-husband Travis Barker, whom she wed three years ago (pictured August 4)

Kourtney shared one snap of herself seated next to the 48-year-old Grammy-nominated drummer's 26-year-old stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya (L), who's biological father is retired boxer Oscar De La Hoya

Barker will host four upcoming 5K Run Travis Run races starting with September 20 at Jackson Park in Chicago, and tickets range between $59-$1,680.

The half-Armenian beauty will soon begin production on the seventh season of her family's Hulu reality show, The Kardashians.

Kourtney was technically the first member of her family to star in a reality show - The Simple Life-inspired eight-episode series Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive, which aired in 2005 on E!

Kardashian happens to be one of the few college graduates in her family as she holds a bachelor's degree in theatre arts from the University of Arizona.

The 5ft brunette keeps busy running her lifestyle website Poosh and her sugar-filled vitamin and botanical supplement company Lemme.
JERUSALEM, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli Health Ministry on Sunday reported 93 new diagnosed cases of measles, bringing the total in the current outbreak, which began in early April, to 410.

The ministry estimated that, due to the high hospitalization rate and community reports, the number of infected people in the current outbreak in Israel ranges from 950 to 1,700.

According to the ministry, the number of active diagnosed patients has increased from 120 to 162, including 22 currently hospitalized.

Two of the hospitalized patients, a one-year-old baby and a toddler nearly two and a half years old, are currently receiving ECMO support in the intensive care unit.

About a month after the outbreak, the ministry launched a nationwide vaccination completion campaign, and since then, more than 105,000 doses have been administered.

Measles is an extremely contagious viral illness characterized by common symptoms, including fever, fatigue, runny nose, and a distinctive rash. In some cases, it can result in severe or potentially life-threatening complications.

The ministry also reported a new case of West Nile fever in the southern city of Beer Sheva. This is the second confirmed case of the disease in Israel, following a diagnosis in central Israel in early June. 
Bethenny Frankel revealed the celebrities artificial intelligence suggested she should date in a hilarious new video.

On Sunday the 54-year-old media personality took to Instagram to share, 'Someone from my team just sent me the top five matches for me on ChatGPT. Let me tell you the top three.'

The first familiar name she dropped was Leonardo DiCaprio, who is known for dating women in their 20s, despite turning 50 last November.

'It's actually not the worst one for ChatGPT to come up with from my perspective. Yes, I know I'm only 38 years too old for him,' she quipped. 'But, if he had some sort of breakdown, he came to Jesus, he went to the Hoffman Institute, he healed, he had an emotional glow-up...'

Jeff Bezos and Bradley Cooper were also on the short list, and she encouraged her followers in the caption: 'Comment your picks for top 4 & 5  Im curious.'

Bradley is currently dating supermodel Gigi Hadid, who turned 30 in April.

Bethenny Frankel has listed the celebrities artificial intelligence suggested she should date in a funny new video; pictured in May

'Number two: Bradley Cooper,' Bethenny went on to reveal. 'The only problem I have with this is I love Gigi Hadid and him together. I think they're still together.

'I love that couple and they're maintaining privacy and they're beautiful and they're like, cool and they're chill and I don't mind the age difference.'

She added that she wouldn't mind dating the 50-year-old Maestro star as she joked, 'So like, fine. If they break up, fine, I'll go out with Bradley Cooper. But for the moment, I really like them together.'

Bethenny then addressed Jeff, 61  who recently married Lauren Sanchez, 55  explaining why she doesn't think the Amazon boss would be a good fit for her.

'The third one  Lauren and Jeff are an amazing match and they're extremely social. And as you can see, I'm in the bed,' she noted. 'And also it'd be too much talk about work and Amazon products. I feel like we would never be able to turn the off switch on.'

She praised the famous couple, adding, 'I think they're actually an excellent match. I think they're madly in love. They're good.'

The former Real Housewives of New York City star then questioned, 'But for one and two, doesn't ChatGPT look at who someone has historically dated, based on age?'

On Sunday the 54-year-old media personality took to Instagram to share, 'Someone from my team just sent me the top five matches for me on ChatGPT. Let me tell you the top three'

The first familiar name she dropped was Leonardo DiCaprio, who is known for dating women in their 20s, despite turning 50 last November; pictured in July

Bradley Cooper, pictured with girlfriend Gigi Hadid, was also among the matches ChatGPT suggested for Bethenny

Billionaire Jeff Bezos, who is married to Lauren Sanchez, was also on the short list; pictured in December 2024

Her fans engaged in the comments, with one suggesting, 'I think Keanu Reeves would be an awesome pick if his current relationship doesn't work out. He seems like a down to earth, nice guy!'

Another added, 'This might be the best ChatGPT use. At least the funniest.'

Someone else joined the conversation, writing, 'You need someone funny and super authentic - and a water sign or earth sign/they will provide loyalty and stability.'

And one person joked: 'I'm holding out for Donald Trump Jr. for you,' adding a crying laughing emoji.

'I see you with a man who is so confident and has done it all and is so in love with you. An older man who can be flexible and is super easygoing. Who he is? Your guess is as good as mine. But not a celebrity... God no,' another fan shared.
Americans love SUVs. But today's market is flooded with bulky five-seaters that seem out of step with what most drivers actually need.

We independently tested four 2025 midsize SUV models  the Toyota Land Cruiser, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mazda CX-70, and Nissan Murano  in and around New York City over the course of a week.

Each SUV was driven for over 100 miles, with the manufacturers covering a tank of gas and congestion pricing tolls so we could focus on day-to-day performance.

Across the board, we were left wondering: what happened to the actual midsize market?

In 2005, the three-row Dodge Durango was considered a large, full-size SUV with a 119.2-inch wheelbase. Today's midsize segment has ballooned beyond that benchmark.

The CX-70 stretches to 122.8 inches between the axles. Even the smallest vehicle in our test, the Murano, spans 111.2 inches.

Larger cars come with predictable drawbacks: they're heavier, thirstier for gas, more expensive, and harder on their engines.

All four SUVs in our test feel oversized  and they all might've made more sense with a third row of seating to justify their scale.

Mazda's CX-70 was the most luxury-forward offering in the test, with a well-appointed interior

Here's how the bloated beasts stacked up:

4. Mazda CX-70

The largest SUV in our test is undeniably stylish and equally puzzling.

Our Turbo S Premium-trim CX-70 made a bold first impression with swooping body lines, pulsating LED turn signals, and a well-appointed interior.

At around $55,000, it felt premium. But its market positioning raises questions.

Mazda already sells the CX-90  essentially the same vehicle, but with a third row and a lower starting price.

Both share the same powertrains: a 3.3-liter six-cylinder or a 2.5-liter plug-in hybrid four-cylinder.

We've previously tested the CX-90 hybrid and were impressed. Jumping into the five-seat sibling left us missing the extra versatility.

Mazda's CX-70 has a gorgeous exterior shape and a ton of space in the trunk - but its identical three-row sibling is probably a better match for American families

The CX-70 keeps Mazda's well-documented steering feel - the car is fun to pull around a corner

Despite its size, our gas-only CX-70 wasn't especially powerful.

The six-cylinder engine struggled under pressure, and the transmission jolted during hard acceleration.

But it excelled in handling: the steering feel was the best in this group  taut, responsive, and true to Mazda's reputation for fun-to-drive SUVs.

We averaged 24 MPG in mostly highway driving, just under the EPAs estimated 25 MPG combined.

The CX-70 is refined and satisfying around corners, but too large for an SUV with the capacity to only handle five butts.

Nissan's Murano is the smallest (and swoopiest) SUV in our mid-size test

The interior uses plenty of different light-color textures with easy-to-use haptic buttons on the console

3. Nissan Murano

Nearly a foot shorter than the CX-70, the 2025 Murano feels more appropriate for the midsize class.

This year's redesign brings a fresh look and a new engine. Swooping body lines, stacked LED headlights, and a full-width rear lightbar modernize its exterior.

Inside, the cabin feels bright and airy, with generous glass coverage, upgraded tech, and the most comfortable seats in this group.

Rear passengers get 38.7 inches of legroom, and there's 31.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row  more usable, if less excessive, than its rivals.

The old, whiny V6 has finally been replaced by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing around 248 horsepower.

It's a quieter, smoother setup, but still feels underpowered during aggressive acceleration.

Our tester came in around $52,000  the cheapest in this group, though still pricey for a five-seater.

Buyers looking for better value might consider Nissan's smaller Rogue. It's cheaper, more efficient, and nearly as practical as a five-seat hauler  and doesn't carry the extra bulk.

Jeep's Grand Cherokee holds its iconic nameplate as a powerful, screaming V6 with the best towing capacity in the test

The Grand Cherokee is an able-bodied off-roader with American flag badging throughout - its probably a bit too big for what the average American needs

2. Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Grand Cherokee brought gas-churning, eagle-flying American swagger to the midsize SUV test  and the 30-year-old nameplate has grown to keep up with the US market's bulkiness.

What started in 1994 as a 105-inch wheelbase, 3,600 pound midsize has ballooned today to 116-inches and 4,800 pounds.

This year, the SUV's upright, truck-like silhouette was handsome and commanding. Inside, cabin controls were smartly laid out and easily in the driver's reach.

Our test car featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine good for 293 horsepower  and the best towing capacities of the bunch at 6,200 pounds.

That power setup managed 24 MPG in mostly highway driving, beating the EPA's combined estimate of 22 MPG.

Unlike Mazda, Jeep's three-row iteration, the Grand Cherokee L, sits on an extended-wheelbase.

But even in our two-row form, rear-seat passengers sat ahead of a massive 37.7-cubic-foot cargo hold, good for nearly every passenger to bring two full-size suitcases in the trunk. That's an outrageous amount of space.

While the Jeep's size impressed on paper, the front row feels more cramped than expected.

Tall door panels and a center console that climbs high on the driver's right side gave it a cockpit-like feel that felt claustrophobic.

And while the Grand Cherokee starts around $40,000, our test model crept up to $56,655  edging into luxury territory for a five-seater.

Toyota's Land Cruiser blends retro stylings (like the block lettering instead of a badge on the steering wheel) with modern amenities

The brick-like structure comes with huge headroom and ample sightlines - but its not super efficient as a mild hybrid

1. Toyota Land Cruiser

Among car enthusiasts, the Land Cruiser is an icon.

The nameplate's lineage goes back to the 1950s when the US government asked Japanese companies to build cars for its war with Korea.

Today, it's evolved into a rugged, premium off-roader  and at $68,695 as tested, its by far the priciest SUV in this group.

Toyota blends retro design and modern amenities with finesse.

Two-tone color schemes, blocky badging, and squared-off body lines nod to its heritage, while the cabin offers excellent visibility, abundant headroom, and solid tech.

Power comes from a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid, which left some room for improvement.

In our test, the hybrid battery consistently handed power off to the gas engine at just 6 MPH  far earlier than other Toyota mild hybrids, which often hold electric power through 20 to 25 MPH.

That limited its real-world fuel-saving benefits. The Land Cruiser is rated at 23 MPG combined  middle of the pack here, despite being the only hybrid.

For similar interior space and better fuel economy, Toyota's RAV4 Hybrid or three-row Highlander Hybrid may be better options.

Still, if forced to splurge within this segment, the Land Cruiser is the one we'd choose. But given the state of today's bloated midsize SUV market, we'd rather skip it entirely.
The absence of a simple 'back' button on United Airlines' website cost a Canadian traveler nearly $100 while booking flights for her family.

The traveler, who shared her story in a Reddit post, was booking tickets that were due to cost #295 when she realized she needed to modify the seat selection.

But without a back button, she had to cancel the cart and start over.

The same tickets had jumped $30 within minutes after entering all her flight details again.

Still hoping for a fix, she tried searching on another computer  only to see the fare rise again, this time to $362.

'On United's website, there is no 'back' button,' she wrote. 'So I basically had to cancel the cart item and redo all the steps.'

She concluded the spike, on July 31, was likely due to demand  a suspicion echoed by fellow Reddit users, many of whom shared similar experiences.

'If it makes you feel any better, I made a $500 mistake similar to that,' one traveler replied.

(STOCK ONLY) A woman was forced to spend nearly $100 on a United ticket after forgetting to modify seats

Others chimed in with advice and critiques.

'The system might not have released the inventory you held, back into the pool right away. Why didn't you just change the seats after booking,' a commenter wrote.

'It's a demand issue,' another added. 'If there are multiple searches for the same flight, the prices start increasing.'.

One traveler said they nearly made a $1,600 mistake by misunderstanding a change fee.

'I thought it was $320 total to move our family's return flight up by four hours,' they wrote. 'Turns out it was $320 per ticket. Thankfully, I called and got everything refunded.'

Others noted that United will often refund the fare difference in credit if the price drops after booking.

United has faced growing criticism in 2025 for several unpopular changes that have led some travelers to jump ship.

The company faced backlash after quietly reinstating a pricing policy that charges solo passengers more than those traveling in pairs or groups.

Several travelers believe the United tickets rose because of popular demand

Reddit user chimedon how a quirk on United's website cost a Canadian traveler nearly $100 while booking flights for her family.

Data indicated the airline is applying at least an eight percent price hike for solo travelers on weekdays.

It also ignited fury by narrowing its check-in cutoff window.

Since June, instead of the 30-minute cutoff, all United flyers must check in for domestic flights at least 45 minutes before takeoff.

Meanwhile, United continues pushing luxury on international routes.

Its new Polaris Studio suites, launching this year on flights from San Francisco to London and Singapore.

The suites will include perks such as Cuvee Rose and designer hoodie pajamas, and will include Wi-Fi from Starlink, a service developed by the Elon Musk's SpaceX.

DailyMail.com reached out to United Airlines for comment.
Chick-fil-A is no longer the top fast food chain in America  that title now belongs to Del Taco.

It's the second year in a row the Mexican-inspired chain has topped the list, beating out bigger names despite operating just 600 restaurants nationwide.

The 61-year-old brand, known for burritos, fries and even vegan options, is owned by Jack in the Box  which itself took second place. A&W secured third place.

Meanwhile, Chick-fil-A slipped down the list to fourth after backlash over a recipe tweak to its beloved waffle fries.

Some customers even threatened a boycott, calling the change 'gross,' though the chain continues to thrive with more than 3,000 locations across North America.

Despite landing top spot, it is not all rosy for Del Taco. Its owners are looking to sell the brand, while a South Carolina-based franchisee Matador Restaurant Group filed for bankruptcy.

In fifth in USA Today's annual list was Wendy's, the fast food empire famous for its Dave's burgers and Frosty desserts. It was a move up the list after not cracking the top 10 last year, helped by rolling out a raft of deals in last year's fast food price war.

KFC dropped four spots to sixth place in this year's ranking. It was also kicked out of separate ranking of the top chicken chains in the US.

Del Taco beat out a variety of restaurants like Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell

Its sister brand, Taco Bell, stayed put at seventh place..

Raising Cane's was recently named the top chicken chain but only made number eight in this list.

Zaxby's and McDonald's filled the last two spots this year, the latter having made headlines for bringing back its snack wraps.

Del Taco is expanding. It is set to enter the Louisville, Kentucky, market with five restaurants, opening between 2026 and 2027.

The chicken chain opened over 500 restaurants during that time, while Taco Bell added 24 units to its 8,000+ store amount.

While Raising Cane's and Zaxby's finished at eighth and ninth on the list, they're coming for fast food chains by initiating massive US expansions.

Their store count is still nothing compared to McDonald's, the largest fast food chain in the nation with first quarter earnings that were less than desirable.

Meanwhile, a separate section of USA Today's ratings, Habit Burger & Grill's Double Char was named the nation's best fast food burger.

Multiple restaurant chains featured in this year's bast fast food burger ranking kicked other brands off the list

In-n-Out Burger's Double Double dropped two places to number four after slipping down the rankings on last year's list.

Its humiliation came after CEO Lynsi Snyder sparked outrage after deciding to move the company to Tennessee.

A&W and Jack in the Box were praised for its Papa Burger and Jumbo Jack Cheeseburger, coming in at number three and four respectively.

Culver's rounded up the top 5 with its double ButterBurger with cheese after missing out on the list last year.

Multiple chains have had its financial up and downs this year including Jack in the Box, which is planning to shutter between 150 and 200 locations.

However, some of them also kicked out prominent brands like White Castle, Carl's Jr. and BurgerFi, a top brand that filed for bankruptcy last year.
Costcos Kirkland Signature line has long been the warehouses not-so-secret weapon.

But its latest releases are sparking an even bigger frenzy  with shoppers saying Kirkland rivals high-end brands at a fraction of the price.

Some customers swear theyll never go back to name brands again.

Kirkland Signature Cranberry Juice

Costco's cranberry juice comes highly rated and recommended by customersmany of which are fans of Ocean Spray.

'I have been purchasing this for over eight years. I love that it contains no added sugar and has a good percentage of cranberry juice in it,' a shopper wrote.

'The first sip is a little tart but delightful. Then it's just plain delicious,' a shopper wrote online,' a member claimed.

The cranberry juice is available for delivery at select locations. A two-count of the fan-favorite beverage start at $9.99.

Kirkland Signature Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks

Reddit users praised the chicken breast chunks for its taste and shape

Customers have been raving about these chicken chunks for years and believe they're better than plain bare chicken.

'Perfect amount of breading, meat is moist, tender, perfectly seasoned. The pieces of chicken are also fairly uniform and cube shaped,' a Reddit user wrote.

Others compare it to chicken they'd order at restaurants, including Chick-fil-A.

Prices for the chicken breast chunks vary based on locations, but Reddit users claimed they bought a bag for $13.99.

Kirkland Signature Green Tea

The nearly five-star tea is a blend of Sencha & Matcha that can be served hot and or cold.

Shoppers insisted the caffeinated drink is a great beverage to serve to friends and family, and 'exceeds expectations in price and quality.'

'I've been drinking this tea for a long time now and am so glad that Costco continues to sell them. I have tried many brands and can honestly say these are by far the best - quality, taste and cost!,' a shopper revealed.

The cost of a box of this 100-count green tea bag product typically starts at $13.61.

Kirkland Signature Maple Syrup

The Kirkland maple syrup has been highly praised by Costco shoppers for years

A $14.99 bottle of the Kirkland maple syrup is a hot buy for hundreds of Reddit users and Costco members.

The five-star rated product is Kosher and described as 'great tasting maple syrup for a good price.'

'Kirkland's maple syrup is tasty and I rank it with the best,' a Costco member wrote.

'It takes me a while to use a bottle this size, so I pour some in a smaller container for my kitchen fridge and keep the larger bottle in my garage fridge with the probably inaccurate idea that if it isn't opened continually it will stay fresh longer.'

Kirkland Signature Oxi Powder

Not only is there enough powder for 328 loads of laundry, but Reddit users have also believed it to be better than the fan-favorite OxiClean.

'Their version of oxi-clean is what oxi-clean used to be. It is much, much better at removing stains than the current version of oxiclean,' a Reddit user claimed.

'I have purchased the Costco Oxi two times since it has hit the shelves. I can't explain how impressed I am with the overall performance & light fragrance,' a shopper revealed.

Costco members can usually purchase a box online or in stores for only $13.99.

Kirkland Signature Pesto

Costco shoppers believe the Basil Pesto is 'hands down' better than other sauces

Costco's Basil Pesto is a must-have product that typically costs around $11.71 per jar.

Reddit users insisted the product is 'hands down' better than other pesto sauces one finds in grocery stores.

'My family has been using Costcos pesto for 20+ years and its now the only pesto I truly love,' a Reddit user admitted.

'I'm in love with the pesto, I tell people this all the time and I'm so glad others here like it too!,' another commenter responded, adding the sauce is also delicious when it's frozen.

Kirkland Signature Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

A bottle of this extra-virgin olive oil is one of the most expensive offerings on this list starting at $20.99.

However, the organic product has received thousands of positive reviewsover 1,500 being on the product page.

'I almost exclusively use olive oil for cooking, and I have found this Kirkland brand to be an excellent choice,' a shopper wrote.

'It has a lovely, deep olive flavor and a little burn at the end, just like it's supposed to do.'

Organic Kirkland Brand Peanut Butter

Shoppers praised Costco's signature peanut butter for its taste and ingredients

Costco's signature creamy peanut butter has been praised for its organic flavor and 'minimal ingredents.'

'I was going to give this a 1 star and return it back to Costco but then realized that this peanut butter needs to be refrigerated,' a Costco member admitted.

'When I did this, it was a better constancy true to peanut butter. Great taste and value with healthy ingredients.'

Shoppers can purchase a two-count of these peanut butter jars right now for $11.69 online and in stores.

Kirkland Signature Unscented Kitchen Trash Bags

The highly-rated trash bags are an affordable product that Costco members claim they 'can't live without.'

'These are very strong and flexible bags and the handles make it easy to carry to outside larger garbage cans. Leakproof,' a fan commented on the product page.

'These do what they're supposed to for me. They hold all my garbage items, seem sturdy, don't break, don't easily get a hole, they tie up tightly. What else can I ask for?,' another person wrote.

The a 200-count box of the fan-favorite trash bags is available to purchase for $20.99.

Kirkland Signature Super Premium Vanilla Ice Cream

Customers insisted Costco's signature vanilla ice cream is the best they've ever had

Costco's five-star vanilla ice cream has been a popular desert buy for years.

Both Kosher and gluten-free, the dessert has been praised for its ingredients by consumers claiming it's the 'best vanilla ice cream' they've ever had.

'It's so creamy and flavorful. You can enjoy it on its own, or if youre feeling adventurous, top it with some chocolate fudge and nuts. And dont forget the whipped cream - its the cherry on top!,' a fan wrote.

Prices vary depending on locationbut a two-count of the product typically costs $17.01 online and in stores.

Kirkland Signature Extra Crispy French Fries

Costco's beloved extra crispy french fries have been praised by shoppers on Reddit and TikToksome claiming it's better than the Ore Ida brand.

'We bought some and theyre pretty good. They remind me of the Lamb Weston hand cut freezer fries,' a Reddit user revealed.

'They are a pretty decent fry. Thicker cut and potato forward. I love them bought instead of the ore ida and wont be going back as long as they sell them,' a fan commented.

Known as a McDonald's dupe, a bag of these extra crispy fries costs between $6.79 and $7 in stores.
Avon Protection plc (LON:AVON  Get Free Report) insider Rich Cashin bought 6 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 5th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 2,214 ($29.78) per share, for a total transaction of 132.84 ($178.67).

Rich Cashin also recently made the following trade(s):

Get Avon Protection alerts:

On Thursday, June 5th, Rich Cashin acquired 8 shares of Avon Protection stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 1,801 ($24.22) per share, for a total transaction of 144.08 ($193.79).

Avon Protection Trading Up 0.5%

Avon Protection stock opened at GBX 2,139.66 ($28.78) on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 47.69, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 2.27. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is GBX 1,960.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 1,635.17. The firm has a market capitalization of 800.67 million, a PE ratio of -73.79, a PEG ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 0.35. Avon Protection plc has a 52 week low of GBX 1,180 ($15.87) and a 52 week high of GBX 2,230 ($29.99).

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Shore Capital reiterated a hold rating on shares of Avon Protection in a research note on Wednesday, May 21st.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on AVON

Avon Protection Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

We are a world leader in protective equipment, with a reputation for innovative design, high-performance quality and specialist materials expertise.

Our two businesses, Avon Protection and Team Wendy, supply our respiratory and head protection portfolio to customers across the globe from our manufacturing sites in the UK and North America.

With over 900 talented people our shared purpose and core beliefs are to be #FIERCE about Protecting Lives.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Avon Protection Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Avon Protection and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new position in ING Group, N.V. (NYSE:ING  Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 95,506 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $1,871,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Northern Trust Corp grew its stake in shares of ING Group by 48.2% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 4,161,116 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $65,205,000 after purchasing an additional 1,353,054 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of ING Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $14,375,000. Natixis Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of ING Group by 25.7% during the 1st quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 4,250,850 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $83,274,000 after purchasing an additional 869,281 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC grew its stake in shares of ING Group by 671.8% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 560,313 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $8,780,000 after purchasing an additional 487,716 shares during the period. Finally, Causeway Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of ING Group by 38.8% during the 4th quarter. Causeway Capital Management LLC now owns 1,491,567 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $23,373,000 after purchasing an additional 416,762 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 4.49% of the companys stock.

Get ING Group alerts:

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently commented on ING. Cfra Research raised shares of ING Group from a moderate sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Barclays raised shares of ING Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

ING Group Trading Up 2.0%

Shares of NYSE:ING opened at $24.43 on Friday. ING Group, N.V. has a 1 year low of $15.09 and a 1 year high of $24.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $76.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.83, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 1.12. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $22.23 and its 200-day moving average price is $20.07.

ING Group (NYSE:ING  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The financial services provider reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.59 by $0.05. ING Group had a return on equity of 11.62% and a net margin of 27.28%. The firm had revenue of $6.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.40 billion. On average, equities research analysts forecast that ING Group, N.V. will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

ING Group Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 25th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 11th will be given a dividend of $0.4002 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 11th. This represents a dividend yield of 450.0%. ING Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 62.67%.

ING Group Profile

(Free Report)

ING Groep N.V. provides various banking products and services in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, rest of Europe, and internationally. It operates through five segments: Retail Netherlands, Retail Belgium, Retail Germany, Retail Other, and Wholesale Banking. The company accepts current and savings accounts.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ING? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ING Group, N.V. (NYSE:ING  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for ING Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ING Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
American Alpha Advisors LLC trimmed its position in AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T  Free Report) by 10.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,426 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 2,297 shares during the quarter. AT&T comprises about 0.5% of American Alpha Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest position. American Alpha Advisors LLCs holdings in AT&T were worth $549,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in T. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of AT&T by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 651,044,650 shares of the technology companys stock worth $18,411,543,000 after buying an additional 8,185,006 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in AT&T by 16.3% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 78,148,354 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,779,438,000 after purchasing an additional 10,945,679 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors grew its holdings in AT&T by 5.2% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 57,425,387 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,307,576,000 after purchasing an additional 2,841,837 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its holdings in AT&T by 31.8% during the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 53,432,827 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,216,665,000 after purchasing an additional 12,881,578 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in AT&T by 6.1% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 52,032,367 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,184,717,000 after purchasing an additional 2,992,073 shares during the last quarter. 57.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Get AT&T alerts:

AT&T Stock Performance

NYSE:T opened at $28.08 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $27.83 and its 200-day moving average price is $27.04. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. The company has a market cap of $200.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.95, a P/E/G ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 0.42. AT&T Inc. has a twelve month low of $18.97 and a twelve month high of $29.19.

AT&T Announces Dividend

AT&T ( NYSE:T Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 23rd. The technology company reported $0.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.53 by $0.01. AT&T had a net margin of 10.29% and a return on equity of 13.36%. The firm had revenue of $30.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $30.44 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.51 earnings per share. AT&Ts revenue was up 3.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that AT&T Inc. will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 10th were paid a $0.2775 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 10th. This represents a $1.11 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.0%. AT&Ts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 63.07%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently commented on T shares. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of AT&T in a report on Monday, July 7th. They set a buy rating and a $32.00 price target on the stock. UBS Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $31.00 price objective (up from $30.00) on shares of AT&T in a research report on Wednesday, June 18th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of AT&T from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of AT&T from $31.00 to $33.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 24th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of AT&T from $27.00 to $30.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, eighteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $29.66.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on T

About AT&T

(Free Report)

AT&T, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of telecommunications and technology services. It operates through the Communications and Latin America segments. The Communications segment offers wireless, wireline telecom, and broadband services to businesses and consumers located in the US and businesses globally.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for AT&T Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AT&T and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) and OppFi (NYSE:OPFI  Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, risk, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability and dividends.

Risk & Volatility

Mastercard has a beta of 1.03, meaning that its share price is 3% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, OppFi has a beta of 1.71, meaning that its share price is 71% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Get Mastercard alerts:

Insider & Institutional Ownership

97.3% of Mastercard shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 7.1% of OppFi shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Mastercard shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 72.0% of OppFi shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Mastercard 0 5 24 2 2.90 OppFi 0 1 3 0 2.75

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Mastercard and OppFi, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Mastercard presently has a consensus price target of $615.3333, suggesting a potential upside of 7.12%. OppFi has a consensus price target of $13.6250, suggesting a potential upside of 26.16%. Given OppFis higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe OppFi is more favorable than Mastercard.

Profitability

This table compares Mastercard and OppFis net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Mastercard 44.93% 200.01% 29.26% OppFi -6.04% 53.08% 19.31%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Mastercard and OppFis revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Mastercard $28.17 billion 18.59 $12.87 billion $14.83 38.73 OppFi $525.96 million 1.78 $7.26 million ($1.31) -8.24

Mastercard has higher revenue and earnings than OppFi. OppFi is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Mastercard, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Mastercard beats OppFi on 12 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Mastercard

(Get Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions. It also provides solutions that enable businesses or governments to make payments to businesses, including Virtual Card Number, which is generated dynamically from a physical card and leverages the credit limit of the funding account; a platform to optimize supplier payment enablement campaigns for financial institutions; and treasury intelligence platform that offers corporations with recommendations to enhance working capital performance and accelerate spend on cards. In addition, the company offers Mastercard Send, which partners with digital messaging and payment platforms to enable consumers to send money directly within applications to other consumers; and Mastercard Cross-Border Services enables a range of payment flows through a distribution network with a single point of access to send and receive money globally through various channels, including bank accounts, mobile wallets, cards, and cash payouts. Further, it provides cyber and intelligence solutions; insights and analytics, consulting, marketing, loyalty, processing, and payment gateway solutions for e-commerce merchants; and open banking and digital identity services. The company offers payment solutions and services under the MasterCard, Maestro, and Cirrus name. Mastercard Incorporated was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Purchase, New York.

About OppFi

(Get Free Report)

OppFi Inc. operates a cialty finance platform that allows banks to offer credit access. Its platform facilitates the OppLoans, an installment loan product; SalaryTap, a payroll deduction secured installment loan product; and OppFi Card, a credit card product. OppFi Inc. was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Wall Street Zen cut shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report released on Saturday morning.

AJG has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $266.00 to $265.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 11th. Erste Group Bank reiterated a hold rating on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. UBS Group reduced their target price on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $345.00 to $322.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 4th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $371.00 to $373.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 1st. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $326.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $329.15.

Get Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. alerts:

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Stock Up 0.0%

AJG opened at $290.13 on Friday. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has a 12 month low of $274.25 and a 12 month high of $351.23. The company has a market cap of $74.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.21 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a current ratio of 1.36, a quick ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $312.55 and its 200-day moving average price is $322.59.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The financial services provider reported $2.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.36 by ($0.03). Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. had a net margin of 14.54% and a return on equity of 13.17%. The business had revenue of $3.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.20 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.29 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 16.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will post 11.54 EPS for the current year.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 19th. Investors of record on Friday, September 5th will be given a $0.65 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 5th. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s dividend payout ratio is 36.93%.

Insider Activity at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

In related news, insider Susan E. Pietrucha sold 13,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $344.13, for a total value of $4,645,755.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 11,941 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,109,256.33. This represents a 53.06% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP Scott R. Hudson sold 10,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $337.17, for a total value of $3,540,285.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 91,175 shares in the company, valued at $30,741,474.75. This trade represents a 10.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 25,000 shares of company stock valued at $8,528,080. 1.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of AJG. Advisory Services Network LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 8,353 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,371,000 after buying an additional 149 shares during the period. Scotia Capital Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 5.7% during the 4th quarter. Scotia Capital Inc. now owns 2,903 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $824,000 after buying an additional 157 shares during the period. Argent Trust Co lifted its holdings in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 14.3% during the 4th quarter. Argent Trust Co now owns 4,843 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,375,000 after buying an additional 606 shares during the period. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. lifted its holdings in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 17,799 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,047,000 after buying an additional 49 shares during the period. Finally, Distillate Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. during the 4th quarter valued at $20,718,000. 85.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

(Get Free Report)

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co engages in the provision of insurance brokerage, reinsurance brokerage, consulting, and third-party claims settlement and administration services. It operates through the following segments: Brokerage, Risk Management, and Corporate. The Brokerage segment consists of retail and wholesale insurance brokerage operations.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission Excludes Assyrian Candidates

Baghdad -- In an unprecedented move, Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) has excluded Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian candidates from the parliamentary track, igniting widespread debate over disqualification criteria and its implications on minorities' representation.

The decision affected Issam Behnam Matti, the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian candidate representing the Christian quota in Nineveh Governorate. Matti Yakub, district mayor of Hamdaniya until earlier this year when he was replaced by a candidate affiliated with Rayaan Kaldani, was barred for allegedly violating Article 7 (Fifth) of the amended Iraqi Council of Representatives Elections Law No. 12 of 2018.

Similarly, Sargon Lazar Sliwa Koral, the Christian representative in Kerkheslokh (Kirkuk) Governorate, was excluded under Article 7 (Third) of the same law, citing failure to meet "good conduct and behavior" requirements.

The Commission also upheld the disqualification of Burhan al-Din Ishak Ibrahim, the Assyrian Patriotic Party candidate for the Christian quota in Arbil Governorate due to an existing criminal record.

Despite formal appeals against the exclusions, the Commission upheld its decisions, deepening concerns over the transparency of law enforcement, particularly regarding subjective behavioral standards or procedural violations.

Observers warn that such rulings could undermine minorities' chances of securing genuine parliamentary representation.

Iraq's Council of Representatives consists of 329 seats, including 9 quota seats reserved for minorities, including Christians (5), Yezidis (1) and Shiite Shabaks.

In this cycle, the Commission approved 5 Christian representatives, some of Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian background: Baidaa Khidhir Bahnam Yakub, Dureid Jameel Ishoh Simaan, Farouq Hanna Atto Shamoun, Hiba Jirjis Abdul-Ahad al-Qass and Aswan Salim Sadiq Sawa al-Kaldani.

The controversy extends beyond legal technicalities, raising deeper questions about the future of political participation for Iraq's smaller peoples post-2003 and the electoral system's ability to safeguard Iraq demographic and political diversity.
MOSCOW, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Russia's air defense systems shot down a Su-27 fighter jet of the Ukrainian Air Force, the Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday.

In a bulletin, the ministry said its forces also destroyed two guided aerial bombs, two rockets fired from the U.S.-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system, and 457 aircraft-type drones.

The Ukrainian Air Force said on social media that between Friday night and Saturday morning, its air defenses intercepted an Iskander-K cruise missile and downed 31 Russian drones over Ukrainian territory. 
CCM Investment Group LLC bought a new stake in Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM  Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm bought 14,189 shares of the restaurant operators stock, valued at approximately $2,210,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Yum! Brands by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 6,605 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $886,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Yum! Brands by 78.0% in the first quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 162 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in Yum! Brands by 0.8% in the first quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 9,178 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,444,000 after buying an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Lakeshore Capital Group Inc. boosted its position in Yum! Brands by 2.1% in the first quarter. Lakeshore Capital Group Inc. now owns 3,614 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $569,000 after buying an additional 74 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mather Group LLC. boosted its position in Yum! Brands by 4.5% in the first quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 1,908 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $300,000 after buying an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.37% of the companys stock.

Get Yum! Brands alerts:

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO David W. Gibbs sold 7,117 shares of Yum! Brands stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $146.60, for a total transaction of $1,043,352.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 102,893 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,084,113.80. This trade represents a 6.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Scott Mezvinsky sold 272 shares of Yum! Brands stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.28, for a total transaction of $40,332.16. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,755 shares of the companys stock, valued at $260,231.40. This represents a 13.42% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 14,983 shares of company stock valued at $2,187,764 in the last three months. 0.33% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Yum! Brands Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of NYSE YUM opened at $141.34 on Friday. Yum! Brands, Inc. has a twelve month low of $122.13 and a twelve month high of $163.30. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $145.49 and a 200 day simple moving average of $146.98. The company has a market capitalization of $39.29 billion, a PE ratio of 27.88, a P/E/G ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.73.

Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The restaurant operator reported $1.44 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by ($0.02). Yum! Brands had a negative return on equity of 21.01% and a net margin of 18.11%. The firm had revenue of $1.93 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.94 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.35 EPS. Yum! Brandss quarterly revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that Yum! Brands, Inc. will post 5.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Yum! Brands Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 27th were paid a dividend of $0.71 per share. This represents a $2.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 27th. Yum! Brandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 56.02%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have weighed in on YUM shares. Evercore ISI cut their target price on shares of Yum! Brands from $170.00 to $165.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Yum! Brands from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $167.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. TD Cowen cut their target price on shares of Yum! Brands from $158.00 to $156.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Yum! Brands from $162.00 to $160.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Yum! Brands from $160.00 to $155.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $161.23.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Yum! Brands

About Yum! Brands

(Free Report)

Yum! Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick service restaurants worldwide. The company operates through the KFC Division, the Taco Bell Division, the Pizza Hut Division, and the Habit Burger Grill Division segments. It also operates restaurants under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill brands, which specialize in chicken, pizza, made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches, Mexican-style food categories, and other food products.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding YUM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Yum! Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Yum! Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. grew its holdings in Shinhan Financial Group Co Ltd (NYSE:SHG  Free Report) by 10.5% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 617,210 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 58,660 shares during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd.s holdings in Shinhan Financial Group were worth $19,800,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in SHG. Wayfinding Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Shinhan Financial Group during the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. bought a new position in shares of Shinhan Financial Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its stake in shares of Shinhan Financial Group by 1,884.2% in the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,897 shares of the banks stock valued at $95,000 after purchasing an additional 2,751 shares during the last quarter. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. bought a new position in shares of Shinhan Financial Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $125,000. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Shinhan Financial Group by 14.7% in the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 4,077 shares of the banks stock valued at $131,000 after purchasing an additional 522 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 7.76% of the companys stock.

Get Shinhan Financial Group alerts:

Shinhan Financial Group Stock Up 0.5%

Shinhan Financial Group stock opened at $50.13 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $46.62 and its 200 day simple moving average is $38.59. Shinhan Financial Group Co Ltd has a fifty-two week low of $28.76 and a fifty-two week high of $52.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.02, a PEG ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 1.04.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Shinhan Financial Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, August 2nd.

Get Our Latest Research Report on Shinhan Financial Group

Shinhan Financial Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Shinhan Financial Group Co, Ltd. provides financial products and services in South Korea and internationally. The company operates through six segments: Banking, Credit Card, Securities, Insurance, Credit, and Others. It offers retail banking services, including demand, savings, and fixed deposit-taking; checking accounts; mortgage and home equity, and retail lending; electronic banking and automatic teller machines (ATM); and bill paying, payroll and check-cashing, currency exchange, and wire fund transfer services.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SHG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Shinhan Financial Group Co Ltd (NYSE:SHG  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Shinhan Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shinhan Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Fiduciary Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 3,075 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $241,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 380.5% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 24,240 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,794,000 after acquiring an additional 19,195 shares in the last quarter. Scotia Capital Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 13.7% during the 4th quarter. Scotia Capital Inc. now owns 78,361 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,800,000 after acquiring an additional 9,415 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 37.4% during the 4th quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,278 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $95,000 after acquiring an additional 348 shares in the last quarter. Nicolet Bankshares Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 6.0% during the 4th quarter. Nicolet Bankshares Inc. now owns 14,623 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,082,000 after acquiring an additional 832 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Crux Wealth Advisors purchased a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,250,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.38% of the companys stock.

Get Charles Schwab alerts:

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

SCHW has been the topic of several research analyst reports. TD Securities boosted their price target on Charles Schwab from $95.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Charles Schwab from $92.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, April 21st. William Blair downgraded Charles Schwab from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 3rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on Charles Schwab from $102.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, July 21st. Finally, JMP Securities lifted their price objective on Charles Schwab from $106.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a research report on Monday, July 21st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and sixteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Charles Schwab currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $99.35.

Charles Schwab Trading Up 1.1%

Shares of SCHW opened at $97.05 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $92.15 and a two-hundred day moving average of $84.38. 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 $176.34 billion, a PE ratio of 26.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 0.96. The Charles Schwab Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $61.16 and a fifty-two week high of $99.59.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.10 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $5.85 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.64 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 19.73% and a net margin of 33.68%. Charles Schwabs revenue was up 24.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.73 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that The Charles Schwab Corporation will post 4.22 EPS for the current year.

Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 8th will be issued a dividend of $0.27 per share. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 8th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is presently 29.03%.

Charles Schwab announced that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Thursday, July 24th that permits the company to buyback $20.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the financial services provider to purchase up to 11.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at Charles Schwab

In other news, Chairman Walter W. Bettinger sold 173,876 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.84, for a total transaction of $17,185,903.84. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman directly owned 590,734 shares in the company, valued at $58,388,148.56. This represents a 22.74% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider Nigel J. Murtagh sold 24,096 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 29th. The stock was 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,776,592.09. The trade was a 29.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 308,016 shares of company stock worth $29,341,433. 6.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Charles Schwab Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

Featured Stories

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.
First American Trust FSB trimmed its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Free Report) by 50.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 21,403 shares of the companys stock after selling 22,145 shares during the period. First American Trust FSBs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $1,486,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL raised its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 2,727.3% in the 4th quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL now owns 311 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Park Square Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Transce3nd LLC purchased a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S during the 4th quarter worth $33,000. North Capital Inc. purchased a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S during the 1st quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Copeland Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 184.8% during the 1st quarter. Copeland Capital Management LLC now owns 393 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 255 shares during the last quarter. 11.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts:

Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Up 4.7%

Novo Nordisk A/S stock opened at $51.06 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a current ratio of 0.78. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $67.14 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $71.54. The company has a market cap of $227.98 billion, a PE ratio of 14.03, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.63. Novo Nordisk A/S has a fifty-two week low of $45.05 and a fifty-two week high of $139.74.

Novo Nordisk A/S Cuts Dividend

Novo Nordisk A/S ( NYSE:NVO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported $0.97 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.93 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $11.69 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $77.51 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 78.64% and a net margin of 35.60%. Equities analysts anticipate that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 26th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 18th will be paid a $0.4119 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 18th. This represents a dividend yield of 240.0%. Novo Nordisk A/Ss dividend payout ratio is presently 45.05%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently weighed in on NVO. Hsbc Global Res downgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. BNP Paribas began coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. They set an underperform rating on the stock. Barclays restated an equal weight rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. UBS Group downgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets restated a market perform rating and set a $64.00 target price (down from $105.00) on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $93.67.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Novo Nordisk A/S

Novo Nordisk A/S Profile

(Free Report)

Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Ultrapar Participacoes (NYSE:UGP  Get Free Report) and South Bow (NYSE:SOBO  Get Free Report) are both mid-cap energy companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, dividends, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings and valuation.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

3.6% of Ultrapar Participacoes shares are held by institutional investors. 1.8% of Ultrapar Participacoes shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Get Ultrapar Participacoes alerts:

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Ultrapar Participacoes and South Bows top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Ultrapar Participacoes $24.76 billion 0.14 $438.05 million $0.36 8.47 South Bow $2.12 billion 2.69 $316.00 million $1.85 14.80

Ultrapar Participacoes has higher revenue and earnings than South Bow. Ultrapar Participacoes is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than South Bow, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Ultrapar Participacoes and South Bow, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Ultrapar Participacoes 0 0 3 2 3.40 South Bow 2 8 1 2 2.23

Ultrapar Participacoes currently has a consensus target price of $3.20, suggesting a potential upside of 4.92%. South Bow has a consensus target price of $29.00, suggesting a potential upside of 5.89%. Given South Bows higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe South Bow is more favorable than Ultrapar Participacoes.

Profitability

This table compares Ultrapar Participacoes and South Bows net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Ultrapar Participacoes 1.65% 14.29% 5.70% South Bow N/A N/A N/A

Dividends

Ultrapar Participacoes pays an annual dividend of $0.14 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.6%. South Bow pays an annual dividend of $2.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.3%. Ultrapar Participacoes pays out 38.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. South Bow pays out 108.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

Summary

Ultrapar Participacoes beats South Bow on 10 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Ultrapar Participacoes

(Get Free Report)

Ultrapar Participacoes S.A., through its subsidiaries, operates in the energy and infrastructure business in Brazil. The company distributes liquefied petroleum gas to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers, in addition to renewable electricity and compressed natural gas. It also operates in the distribution and marketing of gasoline, ethanol, diesel, fuel oil, kerosene, natural gas for vehicles, and lubricants; and holds AmPm convenience stores and provides JetOil lubricant services. In addition, the company operates liquid bulk storage terminals. Further, it offers digital payments services, combining the abastece ai app and the loyalty program Km de Vantagens. It also exports its products and services to customers in Europe, Singapore, the United States, Canada, other Latin American countries, and internationally. The company was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

About South Bow

(Get Free Report)

South Bow Corp is a strategic liquids pipeline company. It is a new liquids-focused midstream infrastructure company. South Bow Corp is based in Canada.

Receive News & Ratings for Ultrapar Participacoes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ultrapar Participacoes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Headlands Technologies LLC increased its stake in Targa Resources, Inc. (NYSE:TRGP  Free Report) by 234.9% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,343 shares of the pipeline companys stock after purchasing an additional 942 shares during the period. Headlands Technologies LLCs holdings in Targa Resources were worth $269,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Targa Resources by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 27,584,275 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $5,529,820,000 after purchasing an additional 423,667 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its holdings in Targa Resources by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 2,756,419 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $492,022,000 after acquiring an additional 53,853 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its holdings in Targa Resources by 43.6% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 2,748,708 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $551,033,000 after acquiring an additional 834,666 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in Targa Resources by 8.5% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 2,191,307 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $391,148,000 after acquiring an additional 170,755 shares during the period. Finally, Nuveen Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Targa Resources by 22.0% during the 4th quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 1,955,316 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $349,024,000 after acquiring an additional 353,165 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 92.13% of the companys stock.

Get Targa Resources alerts:

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have commented on TRGP shares. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Targa Resources from $178.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an overweight rating and set a $205.00 target price (up previously from $198.00) on shares of Targa Resources in a report on Friday. TD Cowen started coverage on Targa Resources in a report on Monday, July 7th. They set a hold rating and a $192.00 target price for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $205.00 price objective on shares of Targa Resources in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. Finally, Scotiabank reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Targa Resources in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $208.79.

Targa Resources Stock Down 1.1%

NYSE TRGP opened at $165.07 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.04. Targa Resources, Inc. has a 1-year low of $135.16 and a 1-year high of $218.51. The company has a 50 day moving average of $168.36 and a 200-day moving average of $178.14. The company has a market cap of $35.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.35, a PEG ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 1.12.

Targa Resources (NYSE:TRGP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The pipeline company reported $2.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.95 by $0.92. Targa Resources had a net margin of 8.99% and a return on equity of 40.21%. The company had revenue of $4.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.82 billion. On average, equities research analysts expect that Targa Resources, Inc. will post 8.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Targa Resources Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 31st will be given a dividend of $1.00 per share. This is an increase from Targa Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $0.12. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 31st. Targa Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 73.66%.

About Targa Resources

(Free Report)

Targa Resources Corp., together with its subsidiary, Targa Resources Partners LP, owns, operates, acquires, and develops a portfolio of complementary domestic midstream infrastructure assets in North America. It operates in two segments, Gathering and Processing, and Logistics and Transportation. The company is involved in gathering, compressing, treating, processing, transporting, and selling natural gas; storing, fractionating, treating, transporting, and selling natural gas liquids (NGL) and NGL products, including services to liquefied petroleum gas exporters; and gathering, storing, terminaling, purchasing, and selling crude oil.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRGP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Targa Resources, Inc. (NYSE:TRGP  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Targa Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Targa Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
King Luther Capital Management Corp cut its position in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) by 2.4% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 130,750 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 3,154 shares during the quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corps holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $32,427,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the 1st quarter valued at about $1,646,000. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 4.7% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,034,929 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $504,683,000 after purchasing an additional 91,359 shares during the period. Fiduciary Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the 1st quarter valued at about $686,000. Johnson Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the 1st quarter valued at about $313,000. Finally, Benjamin Edwards Inc. boosted its position in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 193,189 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $47,913,000 after purchasing an additional 4,761 shares during the period. 79.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Illinois Tool Works alerts:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ITW has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $255.00 to $261.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Truist Financial cut Illinois Tool Works from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $283.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. UBS Group increased their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $243.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $235.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $240.00 to $243.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $259.33.

Illinois Tool Works Stock Performance

Shares of ITW stock opened at $256.98 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $74.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.54 and a beta of 1.09. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $252.29 and a 200-day simple moving average of $250.06. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 12-month low of $214.66 and a 12-month high of $279.13. 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 the consensus estimate of $2.56 by $0.02. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 90.89% and a net margin of 21.31%. The firm had revenue of $4.05 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.54 EPS. Illinois Tool Workss quarterly revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.39 EPS for the current year.

Illinois Tool Works Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 30th will be paid a $1.61 dividend. This represents a $6.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 30th. This is an increase from Illinois Tool Workss previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 52.59%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director David Byron Smith, Jr. acquired 872 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 2nd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $241.16 per share, with a total value of $210,291.52. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 122,884 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $29,634,705.44. This trade represents a 0.71% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.88% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Illinois Tool Works Company 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 Stories

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.
King Luther Capital Management Corp lessened its holdings in Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM  Free Report) by 0.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 255,059 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 1,533 shares during the quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp owned 0.06% of Waste Management worth $59,049,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Westend Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Waste Management by 126.9% in the 1st quarter. Westend Capital Management LLC now owns 118 shares of the business services providers stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. Transce3nd LLC bought a new stake in Waste Management in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. West Branch Capital LLC grew its holdings in Waste Management by 69.0% in the 1st quarter. West Branch Capital LLC now owns 120 shares of the business services providers stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. Adalta Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Waste Management in the 4th quarter worth $40,000. Finally, New Age Alpha Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Waste Management in the 1st quarter worth $45,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.40% of the companys stock.

Get Waste Management alerts:

Waste Management Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of Waste Management stock opened at $235.11 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.51, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $94.71 billion, a PE ratio of 34.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.64. Waste Management, Inc. has a 52-week low of $199.69 and a 52-week high of $242.58. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $230.87 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $228.96.

Waste Management Dividend Announcement

Waste Management ( NYSE:WM Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The business services provider reported $1.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.89 by $0.03. Waste Management had a net margin of 11.36% and a return on equity of 34.37%. The business had revenue of $6.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.37 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.82 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 19.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Waste Management, Inc. will post 7.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 6th were issued a dividend of $0.825 per share. This represents a $3.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 6th. Waste Managements payout ratio is presently 48.96%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Scotiabank raised their price target on shares of Waste Management from $265.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Melius began coverage on shares of Waste Management in a research note on Monday, June 9th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Oppenheimer lifted their target price on shares of Waste Management from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Waste Management from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the company from $225.00 to $277.00 in a research note on Friday, May 23rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a $229.00 target price on shares of Waste Management in a research note on Thursday, June 26th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $254.35.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Waste Management

Insider Activity at Waste Management

In other news, SVP Rafael Carrasco sold 674 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $236.81, for a total transaction of $159,609.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 16,542 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,917,311.02. The trade was a 3.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Devina A. Rankin sold 57,888 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $237.36, for a total transaction of $13,740,295.68. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 83,934 shares of the companys stock, valued at $19,922,574.24. The trade was a 40.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.18% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Waste Management Profile

(Free Report)

Waste Management, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of environmental solutions to residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in the United States and Canada. It offers collection services, including picking up and transporting waste and recyclable materials from where it was generated to a transfer station, material recovery facility (MRF), or disposal site; and owns and operates transfer stations, as well as owns, develops, and operates landfill facilities that produce landfill gas used as renewable natural gas for generating electricity.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Waste Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Waste Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Maryland State Retirement & Pension System lessened its holdings in shares of Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM  Free Report) by 12.4% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,866 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 407 shares during the quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension Systems holdings in Martin Marietta Materials were worth $1,370,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Wayfinding Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Martin Marietta Materials during the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. Chilton Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Martin Marietta Materials during the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. IMA Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Martin Marietta Materials during the 1st quarter valued at about $40,000. Valley National Advisers Inc. boosted its position in shares of Martin Marietta Materials by 193.9% during the 1st quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 97 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bellwether Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Martin Marietta Materials during the 4th quarter valued at about $46,000. Institutional investors own 95.04% of the companys stock.

Get Martin Marietta Materials alerts:

Martin Marietta Materials Stock Performance

Shares of MLM stock opened at $612.09 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 2.35. Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $441.95 and a fifty-two week high of $633.23. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $561.39 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $528.42. The company has a market capitalization of $36.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.95, a PEG ratio of 5.59 and a beta of 0.89.

Martin Marietta Materials Dividend Announcement

Martin Marietta Materials ( NYSE:MLM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 7th. The construction company reported $5.43 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $5.44 by ($0.01). Martin Marietta Materials had a net margin of 16.47% and a return on equity of 11.88%. The company had revenue of $1.81 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.88 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $4.76 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. will post 19.53 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd were given a $0.79 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $3.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. Martin Marietta Materialss payout ratio is presently 18.20%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on MLM. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Martin Marietta Materials from $576.00 to $605.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 28th. Bank of America boosted their target price on Martin Marietta Materials from $577.00 to $643.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on Martin Marietta Materials from $515.00 to $525.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday. Stephens restated an overweight rating and issued a $700.00 target price on shares of Martin Marietta Materials in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Martin Marietta Materials from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $615.60.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Martin Marietta Materials

About Martin Marietta Materials

(Free Report)

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc, a natural resource-based building materials company, supplies aggregates and heavy-side building materials to the construction industry in the United States and internationally. It offers crushed stone, sand, and gravel products; ready mixed concrete and asphalt; paving products and services; and Portland and specialty cement for use in the infrastructure projects, and nonresidential and residential construction markets, as well as in the railroad, agricultural, utility, and environmental industries.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MLM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Martin Marietta Materials Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Martin Marietta Materials and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Nuveen LLC bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm bought 12,500,411 shares of the healthcare product makers stock, valued at approximately $1,658,180,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Hughes Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the first quarter valued at $27,000. Abound Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Wormser Freres Gestion purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. JCIC Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Vision Financial Markets LLC purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth about $33,000. Institutional investors own 75.18% of the companys stock.

Get Abbott Laboratories alerts:

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on ABT shares. Leerink Partners started coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Monday, June 16th. They issued a market perform rating and a $143.00 target price for the company. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Raymond James Financial dropped their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $142.00 to $141.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 18th. BTIG Research dropped their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $148.00 to $145.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price 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. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $144.47.

Abbott Laboratories Stock Up 1.8%

NYSE:ABT opened at $134.41 on Friday. Abbott Laboratories has a twelve month low of $107.11 and a twelve month high of $141.23. The company has a market cap of $233.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 0.70. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $131.69 and a 200-day simple moving average of $131.07. The company has a current ratio of 1.82, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.26 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.26. The firm had revenue of $11.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.01 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 18.32% and a net margin of 32.43%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.14 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current year.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

The company 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 $0.59 dividend. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 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.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
BRUSSELS, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Sunday that any agreement between the United States and Russia must include Ukraine and the EU, as the two countries prepare for talks on a possible ceasefire of conflicts in Ukraine.

"Any deal between the U.S. and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraine's and the whole of Europe's security," she said.

Kallas revealed that she would convene an online meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday to discuss "our next steps."

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are due to meet on Aug. 15 in the U.S. state of Alaska to discuss a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, the first talks between the two leaders since 2021. 
Pandora Wealth Inc. bought a new position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund bought 266 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 7.3% in the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 3,583,903 shares of the companys stock valued at $568,873,000 after acquiring an additional 242,799 shares during the last quarter. 49 Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Philip Morris International by 79.0% in the first quarter. 49 Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,334 shares of the companys stock valued at $847,000 after purchasing an additional 2,354 shares during the period. Cortland Associates Inc. MO raised its position in Philip Morris International by 704.0% in the first quarter. Cortland Associates Inc. MO now owns 142,950 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,690,000 after purchasing an additional 125,171 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its position in Philip Morris International by 24.9% in the first quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 439,082 shares of the companys stock valued at $69,695,000 after purchasing an additional 87,631 shares during the period. Finally, SpringVest Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Philip Morris International in the first quarter valued at approximately $253,000. 78.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Philip Morris International alerts:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on Philip Morris International from $168.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. UBS Group boosted their target price on Philip Morris International from $170.00 to $181.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, July 14th. Needham & Company LLC reissued a buy rating and issued a $195.00 target price on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Citigroup reissued an overweight rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Tuesday, July 22nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Philip Morris International presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $186.27.

Philip Morris International Trading Up 1.2%

Philip Morris International stock opened at $170.23 on Friday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a twelve month low of $115.62 and a twelve month high of $186.69. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $176.29 and its 200-day simple moving average is $163.44. The firm has a market capitalization of $264.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.36, a P/E/G ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 0.48.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 22nd. The company reported $1.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.86 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $10.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.33 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 120.86% and a net margin of 9.03%. The companys revenue was up 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.59 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Friday, June 27th were issued a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 27th. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is 102.66%.

Philip Morris International Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
SouthState Corp increased its holdings in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 7.2% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 53,936 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after purchasing an additional 3,641 shares during the quarter. SouthState Corps holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $7,155,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in ABT. Hughes Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Abound Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Wormser Freres Gestion purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. JCIC Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Vision Financial Markets LLC purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. 75.18% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Get Abbott Laboratories alerts:

Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

ABT opened at $134.41 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $233.93 billion, a PE ratio of 16.84, a P/E/G ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.82, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. Abbott Laboratories has a 1 year low of $107.11 and a 1 year high of $141.23. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $131.69 and its 200-day simple moving average is $131.07.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.26 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.26. The business had revenue of $11.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.01 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 18.32% and a net margin of 32.43%. Abbott Laboratoriess quarterly revenue was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.14 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 15th will be paid a $0.59 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 15th. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is currently 29.57%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have issued reports on ABT. Evercore ISI upped their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. BTIG Research reduced their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $148.00 to $145.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 18th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $158.00 to $159.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $144.47.

Read Our Latest Report on ABT

About Abbott Laboratories

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Menieres disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

See Also

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.
Cynosure Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Transdigm Group Incorporated (NYSE:TDG  Free Report) by 8.2% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 251 shares of the aerospace companys stock after buying an additional 19 shares during the period. Cynosure Group LLCs holdings in Transdigm Group were worth $347,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of TDG. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC increased its stake in Transdigm Group by 111.1% during the 1st quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 19 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 10 shares during the period. Winch Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in Transdigm Group by 53.8% during the 1st quarter. Winch Advisory Services LLC now owns 20 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 7 shares during the period. Park Square Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Transdigm Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Wayfinding Financial LLC acquired a new position in Transdigm Group during the 1st quarter valued at about $75,000. Finally, CVA Family Office LLC increased its stake in Transdigm Group by 123.1% during the 1st quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 58 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $80,000 after buying an additional 32 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.78% of the companys stock.

Get Transdigm Group alerts:

Transdigm Group Price Performance

Shares of TDG opened at $1,392.54 on Friday. Transdigm Group Incorporated has a one year low of $1,183.60 and a one year high of $1,623.82. The company has a 50-day moving average of $1,507.43 and a two-hundred day moving average of $1,411.00. The stock has a market cap of $78.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 46.22, a PEG ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 1.07.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Transdigm Group ( NYSE:TDG Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The aerospace company reported $9.60 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $9.75 by ($0.15). Transdigm Group had a negative return on equity of 35.27% and a net margin of 20.98%. The firm had revenue of $2.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.29 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $9.00 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 9.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Transdigm Group Incorporated will post 35.13 earnings per share for the current year.

Several research firms have commented on TDG. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on shares of Transdigm Group in a research note on Tuesday, June 24th. They set a buy rating and a $1,710.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Transdigm Group from $1,480.00 to $1,500.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Transdigm Group from $1,635.00 to $1,795.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Transdigm Group from $1,526.00 to $1,709.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, June 23rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Transdigm Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, May 17th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $1,616.86.

Get Our Latest Research Report on TDG

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Transdigm Group news, Director Robert J. Small sold 45,700 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,425.01, for a total value of $65,122,957.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 88,419 shares in the company, valued at $125,997,959.19. This trade represents a 34.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director W Nicholas Howley sold 2,736 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,569.86, for a total transaction of $4,295,136.96. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 21,548 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $33,827,343.28. The trade was a 11.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 69,872 shares of company stock valued at $100,747,061. Company insiders own 4.09% of the companys stock.

Transdigm Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

TransDigm Group Incorporated designs, produces, and supplies aircraft components in the United States and internationally. The Power & Control segment offers mechanical/electro-mechanical actuators and controls, ignition systems and engine technology, specialized pumps and valves, power conditioning devices, specialized AC/DC electric motors and generators, batteries and chargers, databus and power controls, sensor products, switches and relay panels, hoists, winches and lifting devices, and cargo loading and handling systems.

Featured Articles

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TDG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Transdigm Group Incorporated (NYSE:TDG  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Transdigm Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Transdigm Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Hanesbrands (NYSE:HBI  Get Free Report) had its price objective raised by equities research analysts at UBS Group from $8.00 to $9.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the textile makers stock. UBS Groups price target points to a potential upside of 85.95% from the companys previous close.

HBI has been the topic of a number of other reports. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on Hanesbrands from $7.00 to $5.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 10th. Wall Street Zen lowered Hanesbrands from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, July 26th. Barclays set a $6.00 target price on Hanesbrands and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, May 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Hanesbrands from $3.00 to $4.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Hanesbrands currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $6.00.

Get Hanesbrands alerts:

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on HBI

Hanesbrands Price Performance

Shares of HBI opened at $4.84 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.17 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.62, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 1.52. Hanesbrands has a one year low of $3.96 and a one year high of $9.10. The stocks fifty day moving average is $4.58 and its 200-day moving average is $5.35.

Hanesbrands (NYSE:HBI  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The textile maker reported $0.24 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.18 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $991.33 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $971.93 million. Hanesbrands had a return on equity of 226.31% and a net margin of 2.49%. The companys quarterly revenue was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.15 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Hanesbrands will post 0.53 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hanesbrands

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Intech Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Hanesbrands by 178.0% in the 2nd quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 700,939 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $3,210,000 after purchasing an additional 448,770 shares during the period. Creative Planning boosted its position in shares of Hanesbrands by 50.7% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 92,455 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $423,000 after purchasing an additional 31,088 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its position in Hanesbrands by 7.4% during the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 90,794 shares of the textile makers stock worth $416,000 after acquiring an additional 6,293 shares during the period. Olympiad Research LP acquired a new stake in Hanesbrands during the 2nd quarter worth about $63,000. Finally, Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey boosted its position in Hanesbrands by 7.4% during the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 80,890 shares of the textile makers stock worth $370,000 after acquiring an additional 5,578 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.31% of the companys stock.

About Hanesbrands

(Get Free Report)

Hanesbrands Inc, a consumer goods company, designs, manufactures, sources, and sells a range of range of innerwear apparels for men, women, and children in the Americas, Europe, the Asia pacific, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Innerwear, Activewear, and International.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Hanesbrands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hanesbrands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG  Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report published on Saturday morning.

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on shares of American Financial Group from $125.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 9th.

Get American Financial Group alerts:

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on AFG

American Financial Group Stock Up 1.1%

Shares of NYSE:AFG opened at $129.30 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $125.42 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $126.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.67. American Financial Group has a one year low of $114.73 and a one year high of $150.19. The company has a market cap of $10.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.21 and a beta of 0.74.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The insurance provider reported $2.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.08 by $0.06. American Financial Group had a net margin of 9.21% and a return on equity of 17.40%. The firm had revenue of $1.65 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.77 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.56 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that American Financial Group will post 10.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, July 15th were issued a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, July 15th. American Financial Groups payout ratio is currently 35.16%.

Institutional Trading of American Financial Group

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 10.8% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 59,633 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $7,832,000 after acquiring an additional 5,799 shares during the last quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Financial Group during the 1st quarter worth $282,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas purchased a new position in American Financial Group in the 1st quarter worth $1,370,000. Private Trust Co. NA raised its position in American Financial Group by 144.3% in the 1st quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 215 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares during the period. Finally, QRG Capital Management Inc. raised its position in American Financial Group by 10.5% in the 1st quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,427 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $713,000 after purchasing an additional 514 shares during the period. 64.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About American Financial Group

(Get Free Report)

American Financial Group, Inc, an insurance holding company, provides specialty property and casualty insurance products in the United States. The company offers property and transportation insurance products, such as physical damage and liability coverage for buses and trucks, inland and ocean marine, agricultural-related products, and other commercial property and specialty transportation coverages; specialty casualty insurance, including primarily excess and surplus, executive and professional liability, general liability, umbrella and excess liability, and specialty coverage in targeted markets, as well as customized programs for small to mid-sized businesses and workers compensation insurance; and specialty financial insurance products comprising risk management insurance programs for lending and leasing institutions, fidelity and surety products, and trade credit insurance.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for American Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST  Get Free Report) and Lancer Orthodontics (OTCMKTS:LANZ  Get Free Report) are both medical companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, valuation, risk, earnings, dividends, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

93.9% of West Pharmaceutical Services shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.5% of West Pharmaceutical Services shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 24.3% of Lancer Orthodontics shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Get West Pharmaceutical Services alerts:

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares West Pharmaceutical Services and Lancer Orthodonticss gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio West Pharmaceutical Services $2.89 billion 6.00 $492.70 million $6.68 36.12 Lancer Orthodontics N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

West Pharmaceutical Services has higher revenue and earnings than Lancer Orthodontics.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for West Pharmaceutical Services and Lancer Orthodontics, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score West Pharmaceutical Services 0 2 6 1 2.89 Lancer Orthodontics 0 0 0 0 0.00

West Pharmaceutical Services presently has a consensus price target of $320.7143, indicating a potential upside of 32.91%. Given West Pharmaceutical Services stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe West Pharmaceutical Services is more favorable than Lancer Orthodontics.

Risk & Volatility

West Pharmaceutical Services has a beta of 1.05, suggesting that its share price is 5% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Lancer Orthodontics has a beta of 0.92, suggesting that its share price is 8% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares West Pharmaceutical Services and Lancer Orthodontics net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets West Pharmaceutical Services 16.48% 18.43% 13.67% Lancer Orthodontics N/A N/A N/A

Summary

West Pharmaceutical Services beats Lancer Orthodontics on 10 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About West Pharmaceutical Services

(Get Free Report)

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in two segments, Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products. The Proprietary Products segment offers stoppers and seals for injectable packaging systems; syringe and cartridge components, including custom solutions for the needs of injectable drug applications, as well as administration systems that enhance the safe delivery of drugs through advanced reconstitution, mixing, and transfer technologies; and films, coatings, washing, and vision inspection and sterilization processes and services to enhance the quality of packaging components. This segment also provides drug containment solutions, including Crystal Zenith, a cyclic olefin polymer in the form of vials, syringes, and cartridges; and self-injection devices; and a range of integrated solutions, including analytical lab services, pre-approval primary packaging support and engineering development, regulatory expertise, and after-sales technical support. This segment serves biologic, generic, and pharmaceutical drug companies. The Contract-Manufactured Products segment is involved in the design, manufacture, and automated assembly of devices used in surgical, diagnostic, ophthalmic, injectable, and other drug delivery systems, as well as consumer products. The company serves pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and medical device companies. It sells and distributes its products through its sales force and distribution network, contract sales agents, and regional distributors. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. was founded in 1923 and is headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania.

About Lancer Orthodontics

(Get Free Report)

Lancer Orthodontics, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets orthodontic products for orthodontists and dentists worldwide. It offers aesthetic brackets, brackets and buccal tubes, bands, adhesives, wires, elastomerics, intraoral and extraoral appliances, instruments, and miscellaneous products. The company was founded in 1967 and is based in Vista, California.

Receive News & Ratings for West Pharmaceutical Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for West Pharmaceutical Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report report published on Saturday.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Williams Companies from $67.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $63.00 price target on shares of Williams Companies in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on shares of Williams Companies from $59.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on shares of Williams Companies in a research note on Monday, July 7th. They issued a buy rating and a $67.00 target price for the company. Finally, Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Williams Companies from an underperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Friday, June 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Williams Companies has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $62.00.

Get Williams Companies alerts:

Get Our Latest Stock Report on Williams Companies

Williams Companies Price Performance

WMB stock opened at $57.89 on Friday. Williams Companies has a twelve month low of $42.79 and a twelve month high of $63.45. The company has a market cap of $70.59 billion, a PE ratio of 29.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.66. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $59.32 and its 200 day simple moving average is $58.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73.

Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, August 4th. The pipeline company reported $0.46 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by ($0.03). Williams Companies had a return on equity of 16.23% and a net margin of 21.63%. The firm had revenue of $2.78 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.90 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.43 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 19.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Williams Companies will post 2.08 earnings per share for the current year.

Williams Companies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 12th. Williams Companiess payout ratio is currently 100.50%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Williams Companies news, SVP Terrance Lane Wilson sold 2,000 shares of Williams Companies stock in a transaction on Friday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.68, for a total transaction of $119,360.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 313,645 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,718,333.60. The trade was a 0.63% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.44% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Williams Companies

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in shares of Williams Companies in the 1st quarter valued at $335,419,000. Blackstone Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Williams Companies by 36.5% in the 4th quarter. Blackstone Inc. now owns 18,954,088 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $1,025,795,000 after buying an additional 5,068,738 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Williams Companies by 45.0% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 11,339,078 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $677,623,000 after buying an additional 3,519,370 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP grew its holdings in shares of Williams Companies by 2,303.2% in the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 3,517,336 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $190,358,000 after buying an additional 3,370,974 shares during the period. Finally, Bahl & Gaynor Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Williams Companies by 34.0% in the 1st quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. now owns 11,287,921 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $674,566,000 after buying an additional 2,861,988 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.44% of the companys stock.

Williams Companies Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The Williams Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company primarily in the United States. It operates through Transmission & Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, West, and Gas & NGL Marketing Services segments. The Transmission & Gulf of Mexico segment comprises natural gas pipelines; Transco, Northwest pipeline, MountainWest, and related natural gas storage facilities; and natural gas gathering and processing, and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Williams Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Williams Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
ABUJA, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria will not alter its stance against accepting deportees from the United States, the country's foreign ministry spokesman has said, noting the most populous African country would never accept "additional baggage" to its existing socio-economic challenges.

Speaking in an interview published by the local Saturday Punch, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the spokesman for the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said no amount of pressure from Washington could persuade Nigeria to rescind its decision against accepting some foreign nationals deported from the United States, some of whom are directly from prison.

"Even if other African countries are accepting deportees from the United States, Nigeria will not accept them," he said, reiterating that the country has its own issues that "we are struggling with."

With a population of more than 200 million people, Nigeria is not in a position to accommodate foreign deportees, especially those with potential criminal backgrounds, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar said in a separate interview with local media last month.

Nigeria's unwavering stance signals a new layer of complexity in diplomatic relations between Washington and African nations, according to Tuggar, adding that acceding to such requests could set an unsustainable precedent for future deportations. 
Visually-impaired artist Winston Courage Callum feels that fear is the dream killer. Thats why he embraces challenges and is never afraid to risk failure.

Risk must be taken because the greatest hazard of life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing does nothing, and will have nothing. I will not allow fear of failure to stop me from doing anything in this world, even though I may be blind, the artiste whose real name is Winston Callum, said.

Courage is employed as an assistive technology instructor, but has decided to pursue music professionally. He writes his lyrics, which are based on his life experiences.

My music name Courage came about as a result of the various things that I am capable of doing and the fact that I love to take on new challenges, he said.

Courage is pushing his latest single, Sweet Jamaica, a combination with his brother, Varel Anthony. He shot a video of the song, using images from tourist spots in the song.

People have been asking for the video because I entered the song in the annual festival song contest but it didnt make the top ten, Courage said.

He hails from the Kensington district in St. Ann, the home of great musicians such as the king of reggae, Bob Marley. From a young age, he exhibited a keen interest in music. Even though he gained fame as a deejay in his community, Courage attended the Salvation Army School for the Blind in Kingston and completed a two year course in information technology at the Abilities Foundation.

In the meantime, Courages brother, respected producer Varel Anthony aka Fada Specialist, had always been involved in music, first through operating a sound system and then studio production.

In 2021, Specialist suggested that Courage pursue music professionally. He did not hesitate.

I know that I have what it takes because my style, the quality of my lyrics and the message of my music always gets a great response from friends, family and close acquaintances, he said.

He has recorded songs such as risque Bedroom Bully, the inspirational but uptempo How Wi Dweet, Rise Up and arguably his most popular song, Nuh Like Me. He is signed to the Specialist Sound Production Inc label.

My philosophy is to write good music so that people from all over the world can relate to it. Its all about positive energy that will get the mass of the people interested in my songs, he added.

He has done performances at venues in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale in Florida and Flat Bush, New York.

I would like to be remembered as an artiste who inspired people to never give up on their dreams despite any challenges they may face, as well as someone who created quality music to inspire others, he said.
Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. cut its position in shares of iShares Global Tech ETF (NYSEARCA:IXN  Free Report) by 62.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 26,926 shares of the companys stock after selling 44,765 shares during the quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc.s holdings in iShares Global Tech ETF were worth $2,039,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Get iShares Global Tech ETF alerts:

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Richards Merrill & Peterson Inc. bought a new position in iShares Global Tech ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Global Tech ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Transce3nd LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Global Tech ETF in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $60,000. Spectrum Wealth Counsel LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Global Tech ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $62,000. Finally, North Capital Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares Global Tech ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $76,000.

iShares Global Tech ETF Price Performance

IXN opened at $97.43 on Friday. iShares Global Tech ETF has a 12 month low of $63.58 and a 12 month high of $97.98. The stock has a market cap of $5.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.73 and a beta of 1.15. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $91.83 and its 200 day moving average price is $84.01.

iShares Global Tech ETF Company Profile

iShares Global Tech ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P Global Technology Sector 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 Global 1200 Information Technology Sector Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of companies that Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies (S&P) deems to be part of the information technology sector of the economy.

Featured Articles

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IXN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Global Tech ETF (NYSEARCA:IXN  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for iShares Global Tech ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Global Tech ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
A man lays flowers and pays tribute to the victims of a military helicopter crash in Accra, Ghana, on Aug. 9, 2025. The government of Ghana held an Evening of Reflections and Memorial on Saturday to conclude the three-day national mourning for the five officials and three military personnel who died in the military helicopter crash on Wednesday. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

ACCRA, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- The government of Ghana held an Evening of Reflections and Memorial on Saturday to conclude the three-day national mourning for the five officials and three military personnel who died in the military helicopter crash on Wednesday.

Thousands of Ghanaian citizens, government officials, members of parliament, and officials from various political parties, including former President John Agyekum Kufuor and former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, participated in the event held on the forecourts of Parliament House in Accra, the country's capital.

Tributes were read by the institutions and families of the eight lost souls amid the sound of traditional dirges played on flutes with candlelight, dotting the dark evening, well set to depict the mood of gloom across the nation due to the unfortunate incident.

In his tribute, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama described the incident as a painful loss to the country, the families, and loved ones of the deceased.

"They were only a few days ago vibrant lives, each dedicated to a singular cause -- the betterment of our country. I want to honor those lives that were lived in full with unwavering passion and a commitment right up until they took their final breaths," Mahama added.

He urged Ghanaians to let the ultimate sacrifice of their deceased compatriots, though painful beyond measure, serve as a powerful reminder of the profound work that remains to be done for Ghana.

"Let us recommit ourselves to working tirelessly, transcending our differences, and focusing our energies on the monumental task of nation-building. They served Ghana with their last breath, and it is our sacred duty to continue that service, to build the Ghana they wanted, a Ghana of opportunity, justice, and prosperity for all our citizens," the president said.

He announced that two of the deceased would be buried at the military cemetery on Sunday in line with Islamic traditions.

A military helicopter crashed in Ghana's Ashanti Region on Wednesday, killing all eight occupants, including Defense Minister Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, and Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. 

People pay tribute to the victims of a military helicopter crash in Accra, Ghana, on Aug. 9, 2025. The government of Ghana held an Evening of Reflections and Memorial on Saturday to conclude the three-day national mourning for the five officials and three military personnel who died in the military helicopter crash on Wednesday. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)
NovaBay Pharmaceuticals (NYSEAMERICAN:NBY  Get Free Report) is expected to be posting its Q2 2025 quarterly earnings results before the market opens on Tuesday, August 12th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of ($0.21) per share for the quarter.

Get NovaBay Pharmaceuticals alerts:

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Stock Up 1.8%

NBY opened at $0.59 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $3.45 million, a P/E ratio of -0.06 and a beta of 0.40. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $0.62. NovaBay Pharmaceuticals has a one year low of $0.36 and a one year high of $1.01.

About NovaBay Pharmaceuticals

(Get Free Report)

Read More

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc develops and sells eyecare and wound care products in the United States and internationally. It offers Avenova Spray, a solution for removing foreign materials, including microorganisms and debris from skin around the eye, such as the eyelid; Avenova Eye Health Support antioxidant-rich oral supplements; Avenova Lubricating Eye Drops for instant relief; NovaWipes by Avenova; Avenova WarmEye Compress to soothe the eyes; and the i-Chek by Avenova to monitor physical eyelid health.

Receive News & Ratings for NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Get CACI International alerts:

CACI International, Inc. (NYSE:CACI  Free Report)  Equities researchers at William Blair issued their Q3 2026 EPS estimates for shares of CACI International in a research report issued on Thursday, August 7th. William Blair analyst L. Dipalma expects that the information technology services provider will post earnings of $7.14 per share for the quarter. William Blair currently has a Outperform rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for CACI Internationals current full-year earnings is $23.94 per share. William Blair also issued estimates for CACI Internationals FY2026 earnings at $27.57 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $29.68 EPS.

CACI International (NYSE:CACI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The information technology services provider reported $8.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.54 by $1.86. CACI International had a net margin of 5.79% and a return on equity of 15.84%. The company had revenue of $2.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.29 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $6.61 EPS. The firms revenue was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on CACI. Truist Financial set a $575.00 target price on shares of CACI International in a research note on Friday. Barclays upped their target price on shares of CACI International from $450.00 to $510.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Cowen reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of CACI International in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of CACI International from $438.00 to $513.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on shares of CACI International from $576.00 to $600.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $536.54.

View Our Latest Report on CACI International

CACI International Price Performance

Shares of CACI stock opened at $495.28 on Friday. CACI International has a 12-month low of $318.60 and a 12-month high of $588.26. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a quick ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $466.52 and a 200-day moving average of $424.60.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On CACI International

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in CACI International by 15.5% during the 1st quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. now owns 200,214 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $73,463,000 after buying an additional 26,804 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of CACI International by 91,931.1% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 112,278 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $41,197,000 after purchasing an additional 112,156 shares during the period. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. raised its holdings in shares of CACI International by 36.3% in the 1st quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. now owns 90,078 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $33,051,000 after purchasing an additional 24,010 shares during the period. Sterling Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of CACI International by 256.0% in the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 74,708 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $30,187,000 after purchasing an additional 53,724 shares during the period. Finally, Lord Abbett & CO. LLC raised its holdings in shares of CACI International by 8.2% in the 4th quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 63,882 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $25,812,000 after purchasing an additional 4,846 shares during the period. 86.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

CACI International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

CACI International Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of expertise and technology to enterprise and mission customers in support of national security in the intelligence, defense, and federal civilian sectors. The company operates through two segments, Domestic Operations and International Operations.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for CACI International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CACI International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Ebrington Square is set to host the most exciting weekend of concerts the city has ever seen! Live at the Square 2025 promises to be an unforgettable experience, showcasing Ebrington as one of the premier music venues on the island.

There is an incredible lineup of headline acts starting with the sensational Emeli Sande on Friday, August 22, 2025.

This four-time Brit Award winner is guaranteed to deliver a performance you won't forget!

Then, on Saturday, August 23, immerse yourself in the sounds of the Ibiza Orchestra, along with guest DJs who will keep the energy high throughout the night.

The weekend wraps up with the phenomenal Ella Henderson on Sunday, August 24. As a multi-platinum selling artist and two-time BRIT Award nominee with over a billion streams, Ella is sure to captivate the crowd!

READ NEXT: Abba and Coldplay tributes to kick off Derry Candlelight Concert series

But thats not all! Supporting these fantastic headliners are some of the North Wests most promising rising stars, including Brooke Scullion, Rachel OConnor, Cheryl-Ann and Lavengro. Plus, the talented Allie Sherlock will be main support for Emeli Sande, bringing her unique flair as one of Irelands fastest-rising stars and a social media powerhouse with over 14 million followers!

Adding to the excitement, Bperfect are set to take over as our biggest guest collaborator, CEO Brendan taking the stage as one of the support acts and is bringing along all his brand ambassadors and influencers.

With under 18s welcome, Friday and Sunday are perfect for family outings. Dont miss your chance to be part of this incredible event! Grab your final tickets now at www.buyticketapp.co.uk/app. Live at the Square 2025 is an experience you wont want to miss!
Ireland is among eight European nations that have urged Israel to abandon its plans to occupy Gaza City.

Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, signed the letter on Sunday along with representatives from Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

The letter states that the countries strongly condemn the recent announcement of the intensification of the occupation and the military offensive, including in Gaza city.

It said Israels plan to expand its military operation and take control of Gaza City would force the displacement of a million Palestinians and further endanger the remaining hostages lives.

The signing comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.

He also pushed back against what he called a global campaign of lies as condemnation of the plan grows both inside and outside Israel.

The letter from eight European nations said: We firmly reject any demographic or territorial changes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Actions in this regard constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

The intensification of the military offensive and the occupation of Gaza City represents a serious obstacle to the implementation of the two-state solution, which is the only path towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.

The Gaza Strip must be an integral part of the state of Palestine, along with the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

The recognition of both Palestine and Israel is the best security guarantee for both and will ensure stability for the whole region.

We continue to call for an immediate ceasefire agreement and a permanent end to hostilities, for the immediate release of all hostages at the hands of Hamas and for the rapid, unimpeded and large-scale entry of humanitarian aid. Hamas cannot have a role in the future governance or security arrangements in Gaza, and must be disarmed.

Speaking on Sunday, Mr Harris said this was an extraordinarily dangerous moment for Palestinians in Gaza.

Were living at a time where children are starving in Gaza and where there had been a lot of effort by a lot of countries, including Ireland, to try to get to a moment of de-escalation, where finally there could be a ceasefire, humanitarian aid could flow, hostages could be released.

We now see the Netanyahu government take an extraordinarily dangerous step in the absolute wrong direction, and we are joining today with a number of other European countries in calling this out for what it is and condemning these actions.

We will continue to use every lever available here in this country and working across the European Union and the international community to call for a reversal here, a ceasefire, the release of the hostages and a major surge in humanitarian aid.

I think people in Ireland know what famine is like. Its ingrained in our mindset, in our history, and to be seeing a modern day famine take place in the 21st century is utterly repulsive and repugnant to everything any decent person can stand.
US TV star Cynthia Nixon has shared videos and pictures as she tours Ireland on holiday with her wife Christine Marinoni.

Cynthia Nixon rose to fame as Miranda Hobbes in TV series Sex And The City and its latest spin-off, And Just Like That, which is currently airing on HBO Max in the US.

Taking a break from the screen, Cynthia shared details of her trip to Ireland where she's been taking in many of our most famous sites, including Skellig Michael, the Forty Foot and Bunratty Castle.

In an Instagram montage of the trip, she said: "Ireland through our eyes. Castles and beaches and caves, oh my! From Dublins Forty Foot to Ballybunions fairy doors to warm seaweed baths in the Connemarawe loved it ALL!"

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cynthia Nixon (@cynthiaenixon)

Fans were quick to respond with one woman commenting: "Welcome to Ireland!! So glad you enjoyed all the Craic agus Ceoil & everything in between."

Another said: "This post just made my day! Sending love from a proud Irish woman living in Miami  and a huge fan of yours."

READ NEXT: Rosie O'Donnell loves living in Ireland as she hits back at Trump citizenship threat

A third added: "Wearing an oh Mary t-shirt around Ireland is so iconic ahaha . Glad you had a nice visit."

Cynthia also revealed that she linked up with fellow US TV star Rosie O'Donnell while in Ireland. Fierce critic of Donald Trump, Rosie O'Donnell has been living in Ireland and performing at new comedy show at the 3Olympia Theatre.

Cynthia said: "Nothing like seeing my friend (and Mirandas one-night stand, Mary) kill it onstage IN DUBLIN! And we had the luck of the Irish to see her once more at the airport as she was taking her show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

"If youre at the Fringe, go! Youll get a much needed laugh. And a much needed cry. This is both quintessential Rosie and a Rosie youve never seen before."
A new civic group, the Louth Neutrality Network, was launched last week, 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.
Louth TD and Labours Finance spokesperson, Deputy Ged Nash, has expressed scepticism over the "clean bill of health given to supermarket big beasts" by the Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) in relation to the Commissions analysis of the Irish grocery sector.

Deputy Nash said: Given the limited reliable data that is publicly available on supermarket profits in Ireland, it is a big stretch for the CCPC to definitively claim that the Irish arms of global retailers are no more or less profitable than their EU counterparts. This is a peculiar conclusion to reach, under the circumstances.

This is exactly why Labours Unfair Pricing Bill, which would compel operators to share data on profit margins with the CCPC so they can undertake more frequent market analysis and surveillance to ensure competition is working and consumers are treated fairly, must be enacted by government.

Back in 2023, Simon Coveney said he would force the big players to do just that. Since then, the sum total of government action to protect consumers has been the commissioning of this report. It is the policy equivalent of can anything be said for another Mass?."

Deputy Nash continued: The narrative in this desk-top analysis, and most of the points made in it, are unsurprising and are not new. It is welcome that a light is being shone on the super-normal profits of big suppliers such as Unilever and the Kerry Group and more work needs to be done on that internationally.

Because the CCPC says that current prices in Ireland are in line with other EU countries is little comfort to hard-pressed Irish households where salaries are not rising as quickly as prices.

We need to get a better understanding of why prices for the basics in Ireland have remained high for so long; why they are not coming down and why there is only moderate competition with no new, major entrants in 25 years."

The Labour TD added, this report does not have the answers and it reveals in stark relief how limited the actual functions of the CCPC are. Farmers have the Agri-Food Regulator to stand up for their interests while the limited interest government has in how competition and consumer protection works in the interests of citizens and small retailers means citizens are left to suck up high prices.

The least the government can do is allow the Labour Bill to get to Committee Stage in September.
KAMPALA, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and visiting Ugandan Chief of Defense Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba have held talks on strengthening regional stability.

The Ugandan military said in a statement issued here late Saturday that during a meeting held in the South Sudanese capital of Juba on the same day, Kiir commended Uganda for its role in maintaining peace in South Sudan.

Uganda has its troops deployed in South Sudan at the request of the South Sudanese government following clashes between rebel forces and government troops.

Kainerugaba said Uganda will continue to foster stronger ties with South Sudan.

After meeting Kiir, Kainerugaba visited the tactical headquarters of Operation Mlinzi Wa Kimya, a Swahili phrase meaning "Silent Guardian," where he interacted with Ugandan troops and commanders overseeing the mission.

These engagements underscore the deepening military and security partnership between Kampala and Juba, according to the statement.

The meeting came after at least four soldiers were killed late last month during clashes between Ugandan and South Sudanese troops at a disputed border area.

The two neighboring East African countries have yet to resolve the land dispute in Uganda's Yumbe and Moyo districts, which border South Sudan's Kajo-Keji area.

Uganda and South Sudan established a working committee to settle ongoing tensions at the border area, which have involved confrontations between the two militaries and occasionally sparked diplomatic concern. 
Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) music student Darren Culliney, recently had multiple successes at the Leinster Fleadh Cheoil held in Drogheda.

Longford man Darren had a fantastic weekend, securing first place in four separate competitions. As a soloist, he triumphed in the Senior Button Accordion and added another win in the Senior Accompaniment on piano. Teaming up with his brother Cathal, he claimed victory in the Senior Duet, and the pair, joined by Liam Doherty, went on to win the Senior Trio competition.

Darren also earned third place in both the Melodeon and Lilting categories, and several of his students took part in various competitions throughout the weekend.

Darren is a TUTF PhD scholar at DkIT examining the role of the button accordion in the musical and cultural life of Ulster under the supervision of Dr Daithi Kearney and Dr Verena Commins (University of Galway). Darren is also chair of the Longford County Board of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann and the Education Officer for the Irish affiliate of the International Council for Traditional Music and Dance.

He has presented his research internationally and published articles on his research. Darren will also be competing at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, which will be held in Wexford in August.

The Leinster Fleadh was seen as a great success, bringing thousands of people to Drogheda for a weekend of celebration. The opening concert in the Droichead Arts Centre included another tie to DkIT with a performance of Oliver Plans a Party, written and directed by DkIT lecturer Dr Daithi Kearney, who was involved across the weekend as a volunteer, including as MC on the Gig Rig where leading bands including Goitse performed to large crowds.
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.
DISCLAIMER: I dread the thought of Conor McGregor as President of Ireland, but he should be allowed to run for the Aras

Very few people polarise opinion in Ireland more than MMA star Conor McGregor. He is one of the most recognisable Irish people worldwide, and has made no secret of his desire to become the next President of Ireland with his largely anti-immigration shtick finding an audience on social media. During a rant in the White House, where he was speaking on the invitation of US President Donald Trump for St Patrick's Day, McGregor said there is an illegal immigration racket in Ireland and that rural towns are being "overrun" with immigrants.

Announcing his intention to seek a nomination to run for the presidency, McGregor wrote: "To the esteemed citizens of Ireland and the Irish diaspora, I, Conor McGregor hereby declare my intention to seek the esteemed office of President of Ireland. The current constitutional framework however, presents a significant barrier to democratic participation.

"The existing regulations mandate that a candidate must secure nominations from either twenty members of the Oireachtas or four county councils to be eligible for the ballot. This system, while intended to ensure a degree of political influence among candidates, inadvertently restricts the direct voice of the Irish electorate.

READ NEXT: Ryanair passenger's discovery lands airline in hot water after 'misleading' ad

"In light of this, I propose a petition advocating for a modification of the nomination process to allow my name be included on the ballot. I contend 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.

McGregor is right in that one thing is standing in his way and that's the Constitution. Despite reposting tweets about himself like, 'you dont vote charisma into office. It walks in and takes the mic,' his petition has so far attracted a paltry 15,000 signatures. It seems he must go the old-fashioned route to get his name on the paper.

The council route is the same one taken successfully by the likes of Peter Casey, Mary Davis and Sean Gallagher in the last two Presidential elections. A motion to nominate a candidate is put to councillors who vote in favour or against. Majority rules and if you replicate that with four county councils, you're eligible to stand for election as President.

We have seen controversial candidates in other elections, most recently in the last General Election, when convicted criminal Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch narrowly missed out on a seat in Dublin Central. He attracted the fourth-highest number of first preference votes in a three-seater behind Mary Lou McDonald, Paschal Donohoe and Gary Gannon, all high-profile sitting TDs, including a Minister in Donohoe.

There were a host of other controversial names from the political fringes on the ballot papers of last year's local, European and general elections. Most of them picked up a handful of votes here and there as their online following failed to translate to real votes, but some won seats and have taken them up, as is their right. Given the voters the choice to accept or reject them is true democracy in action.

The process is that bit different for a Presidential election; it's more prohibitive, and rightly so. We shouldn't have dozens or hundreds of names on the ballot paper, but for some, the system does feel very closed-minded. Only people already in the so-called political establishment act as gatekeepers of democracy, deciding who is acceptable and unacceptable on behalf of the public they've been elected to serve.

Minister Darragh O'Brien recently said Conor McGregor "would not be fit to hold that office" with regard to the Presidency but that rhetoric is part of the problem. Arguing McGregor isn't palatable enough to go before the Irish people is like saying no one in a cafe should be allowed buy a cheese and pickle sandwich just because you don't like pickle. The perceived elitist system is already being weaponised by those on the political margins, and it's an easy sell to their loyal followers. 'They won't let him run because they know he'll win.' That nonsense grows legs quicker than you think.

Perhaps paying too much heed to these people is wrong but there is a growing base of 'ordinary' people who are fed up with the political establishment too. Almost 60% of people in Ireland didn't vote for the governing parties of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in the General Election. That's not to say the government formed after November's vote is undemocratic, but it's easy to see how that large cohort of people who didn't want that outcome can be sucked into the orbit of far left or far right politics, particularly online. It's in that online universe conspiracy theories grow like an insidious fungus.

Conor McGregor has painted himself as a man of the people; his courting of controversy is almost part of his brand and something supporters latch onto. Whether it's punching innocent people in pubs or being ordered to pay compensation in a civil rape trial; nothing seems to dim that aura in the eyes of ardent followers. To most people, they are abhorrent acts to have attached to your name, and would end most other political careers, but then again, Trump happened in America - twice.

All that said, the solution is simple; let the people decide. Think of the two scenarios from now until the Presidential Election. One where McGregor fails to get the 20 Oireachtas or four council nominations and the Presidential Election goes ahead without him. His exclusion emboldens his supporters and other figures, who admittedly he has no control over, to use it to whip up support of their own ideology. Why give them more fuel for their fire?

The second scenario is Conor McGregor on the ballot paper and come what may. Could he win? It's highly unlikely. Then again, don't forget 'fans' nabbed selfies with McGregor as he turned up to court for assaulting a man in a Dublin pub in 2019. This is the level of fandom his crude-cut character attracts - but it's far from a majority. Canvass your friends and family and try to find one person who would vote for him.

Give McGregor4TheAras all the opportunity in the world to crash and burn. Wouldn't it be glorious to see him so confidently put himself forward only to be resoundingly rejected by the Irish people?
Cork TDs have called for urgent Government action on spiralling back-to-school costs, as a new report shows that one in three families are being forced into debt as a result.

Labours education spokesperson, Cork TD Eoghan Kenny, said new data from the Irish League of Credit Unions, which shows that parents are spending 1,450 per primary pupil and 1,560 per secondary student, is shocking.

One in three families are being forced into debt to cope with the financial burden, it is claimed.

Mr Kenny said: Parents are doing everything they can to give their children the best start in life, but they are being failed by a system that continues to demand voluntary fees, charges for uniforms and exam papers, and now increasingly requires expensive digital devices like tablets and iPads. This is not free education.

It is absolutely unacceptable that 35% of parents say they have had to deny their child at least one essential item. This isnt just about cost  its about fairness and dignity for children. No child should be left behind because their family cant afford the basics.

Mr Kenny called for the Government to make the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance universal, to abolish exam fees, to make school transport free for all, and to ban voluntary contributions.

A Barnardos report shows that 50% of primary-pupil parents and 60% of secondary-student parents are worried about meeting costs this year, with many having to take out loans.

Sinn Fein TDs Donnchadh O Laoghaire and Thomas Gould said the report must act as a wake-up call for Government.

This report from Barnardos yet again lays bare the need for a cost-of-living package in this years budget, Mr O Laoghaire said. Families are already struggling to keep their heads above water. As the cost-of-living crisis continues to spiral out of control, people simply cannot afford this annual financial blow.

As the reports detailing the level of financial pressure on ordinary workers and families stack up, so too do the excuses from Government as to why they wont offer support.

Mr Gould added: One secondary school parent outlined in the survey that they will not pay their gas and electric bill in August and will take out a loan and use instalments.

It does not have to be this way. To have families being pushed to the brink to cover basic back-to-school costs is scandalous.
Two Cork community projects have been announced as beneficiaries of the Bank of Ireland Community Fund.

Nasc, the Migrant and Refugee Rights centre, and Helium Arts, which fosters creativity in children, have been allocated grants in the sixth year of the banks flagship community investment initiative, delivered in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland.

The two Cork grantees will each receive employment supports in Cork city and county, industry placements, mentors, access to meaningful further education, and tailored, one-to-one career guidance.

The current round will bring the total value of issued Community Fund grants to 3m for 307 community projects across the island of Ireland since 2020.

Initiatives will receive grants from 10,000 to 80,000.

Eamonn Corcoran, director for area south, Bank of Ireland, said that the grants aim to help society be more inclusive: Since 2020, the Community Fund has been working with Community Foundation Ireland to help to make our society stronger by allocating funds to those in greatest need.

I am very proud of the support that we provide to these Cork-based groups, who do incredible work. We are focused on supporting projects that will broaden inclusion levels in our society, equipping people with the requisite skills, and providing opportunities for them to be connected through education, enterprise, or work. I would like to wish all the successful Cork grantees well as they embark on their programmes.

Denise Charlton, chief executive of the Community Foundation for Ireland, added: Our partnership with the Bank of Ireland Community Fund continues to deliver support to groups like the Cork-based ones who are receiving this years grants.

We use our experience as a philanthropic hub across Ireland to assist in the identification of projects which are responding to existing, as well as new and emerging, challenges. We congratulate the latest awardees and look forward to hearing the progress of their valuable work.
Cork County Council is to receive more than 1m in additional funding for upgrades to rural roads and lanes, almost doubling its total allocation this year.

The council is be given a supplementary 1,167,898, on top of the 1,163,479 already allocated.

This brings to 2,331,377 the total amount allocated to the county under the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS).

Nationally, supplementary allocations worth 14m have been added to the initial allocations totalling 16,550,000, bringing the complete national outlay under the LIS to 30,550,000 in 2025.

Since the LIS was reintroduced in September 2017, almost 170m has been provided for works on over 4,800 roads. The additional funding announced for 2025 will bring that total to approximately 184m.

Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central and minister of state at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, said the 30m made available to local authorities this year represented the highest annual funding level since the scheme was re-introduced.

This additional funding demonstrates our commitment to improving connectivity for rural residents  whether it be access to homes, farms or outdoor amenities, he said.

Padraig OSullivan, Fianna Fail TD for Cork North Central, said he had been delighted to be informed of the additional funding by rural and community development minister Dara Calleary.

Access to rural homes and farms, alongside the access to outdoor amenities here across Cork is crucial for our county and this substantial funding will help enhance the accessibility to those amenities for locals and visitors alike, Mr OSullivan said.

John Paul OShea, Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, said he had worked closely with both Mr Buttimer and Mr Calleary to ensure Cork received a strong allocation.

This is fantastic news for communities across rural Cork. The LIS plays a vital role in improving access to rural homes, farms, and outdoor amenities across the county, he said.

Aindrias Moynihan, Fianna Fail TD for Cork North West, said rural roads and laneways were often the first roads locals travelled on each morning and the last they took on their way home each evening, making them a vital part of our local rural road network.

This investment announced today will improve access to rural homes, farms and outdoor amenities across Cork. This will be most welcome news by the people of Cork and improve their accessibility across the county, Mr Moynihan said.

The works must be completed before the end of the year.
A number of houses have been damaged following a fire in Carrigaline this afternoon.

At least two homes were impacted by the fire, which occurred at the Hillview estate on the Upper Kilmoney area of the town. No injuries were reported.

Cork County Fire units from Carrigaline, Crosshaven, Midleton and also Cork City Fire Service attended the scene.

Chief fire officer at Carrigaline Station Chris Gledhill told The Echo they were called to the scene of an outdoor fire at 12.36pm today, with assistance called for from Crosshaven Fire Service shortly afterwards.

Fire crews from Midleton and the Cork City Fire Service were also called for to provide resources and water tankers.

Mr Gledhill said: All crews here put in serious, serious work to fight this fire with the elements of the wind and lack of water to extinguish this fire.

Mr Gledhill added that the fire is now under control, with units from Carrigaline and Crosshaven remaining on the scene on Sunday evening to make sure all the fire has been fully extinguished.

Speaking to The Echo about the fire, Carrigaline based County Councillor, Jack White of Fine Gael said:

My thoughts are with all those affected by the horrendous fire in Hillview, Carrigaline today. Thank you to the Emergency Services who have responded so professionally in very difficult circumstances.

Carrigaline based Fine Gael Councillor Una McCarthy, who was at the scene of the fire earlier today, added: It was devastating to witness the fire at Hillview, Carrigaline, today. The wind directions made conditions extremely difficult to contain and my thoughts are with the families affected.

I want to pay tribute to the firefighters from Carrigaline, Crosshaven, Midleton, and Cork City, whose bravery prevented the fire from reaching a third home.

"I have no doubt that the Hillview and Carrigaline communities will rally together to support the families during this difficult time.

Cork SouthCentral Fianna Fail TD Seamus McGrath added: Thanks to Carrigaline Fire & Rescue and other crews for attending to the serious fire in Carrigaline earlier today.

Thankfully, it seems that there were no injuries involved, but regrettably significant damage to the properties. My thoughts are with those impacted with their homes damaged.

Thanks again to all the emergency services involved.
It was another tough pill to swallow for Cork fans over the weekend as they lost out to Galway in the All-Ireland Senior Camogie final.

The Rebel side were hoping to go three for three by bringing home the ODuffy cup for the third time in a row. However, the Tribeswomen had other ideas, beating the Cork side by just one point this evening.

John and Lily Power (11) from Co Cork outside Croke Park ahead of the All Ireland Camogie Snr Final with Galway vs Cork. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins photos

Speaking to The Echo ahead of the match at Croke Park, Wendy Lynch from Cork city said: Were buzzing to be hereits been electric since we rolled into town this morning. Heres hoping we can rally and keep that three-in-a-row dream alive! Ms Lynch was joined by her two daughters Abbie and Maisie Lynch who were excited to cheer on their Camogie heroes for their first ever visit to Croke Park.

Following Galways last-minute victory, the mood was low on Jones Road as Cork supporters trickled out from the stands.

Cork fans Ali Fall and Amy Flaherty. Photo: INPHO/Bryan Keane

Gutted for the girls. They fought tooth and nail, but it just wasnt our day. You cant win them allstill proud to be from Cork. That red card changed the whole game. Galway smelled blood and took their chances. Hard to watch, but fair play to them, Breed Coughlan from Bandon said.

Maire Tobin of Buttevant shared her sadness at the result: We came up hoping for three-in-a-row and were heading home empty-handed but sure, well be back. Rebels never stay down for long.

Its a tough pill to swallow, especially after the year weve had. They gave us some great days out though, and that counts for something, she said.

Tony Cashman also from Buttevant, agreed: Well clap them off the field every timetheyve given everything for the jersey. Today hurt, but they can be proud of how far theyve come.

Elisha Sexton and Hannah Hodnett from St Patricks Club Skibbereen, Cork outside Croke Park ahead of the All Ireland Camogie Snr Final with Galway vs Cork. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins photos

The roar at the start was unreal, but by the end you could feel the heartbreak. Still, they can come home tomorrow evening with heads held high. That group of girls have done so much for the sport in Cork and across the country and have inspired so many little girls in their wake, my own nine-year-old included. The scoreboard might not have told of their glory, but the history books will, Paudie Boyle, Carrigtwohill, said.

Mary Hurley from Mallow said: Weve been spoiled with the camogie the last few years, so maybe we forgot how sore losing feels. Fair play to Galwaythey were sharper when it mattered.

Cork fans Katie Rose (11), mum Barbra Doyle and Lottie Terry (14) outside Croke Park ahead of the All Ireland Camogie Snr Final with Galway vs Cork. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins photos

The future was bright in the eyes of Passage West woman Jackie Dunne who said: Ive seen us win and Ive seen us lose, but Ive never seen this team give up. Thats why we follow them. The bus trip home will be quieter but come January well all be back talking about next year. The girls owe us nothing. Theyve given Cork camogie some of its best days ever. Tonights for licking wounds, but the futures still bright.

Its hard to take when you know the talent is there, but thats finalstheres no second chances, she said.

The loss, following Cork's loss in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling final last month, was a sore spot for many of the Cork fans, many of whom travelled to support the Rebels in Croke Park for both games.

Orlaith Walsh and Kelly Ginnifer Burke from Co Cork outside Croke Park ahead of the All Ireland Camogie Snr Final with Galway vs Cork. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins photos

One point thats whatll haunt us. One bounce of the ball, one shot the other side of the postits a cruel way to lose. Its easier to take a big lossyou can say the other side were better. We saw that with the mens game with Tipp. But one point? Thats pure torture. And add that to our loss to Tipp. Are we cursed? Brian Cahill, Cobh, joked.

Georgina Price held onto hope until the last whistle: The whole way through I thought wed nick it at the end. When we got that goal I thought we had pulled it out of the bag somehow. One more minute and maybe it was ours but thats sport."
A letter written on Longueville House headed notepaper five weeks before the opening of Mallow Racecourse on May 30, 1924, is one of 800,000 documents held in the Churchill Archives Centre at Cambridge.

It was signed by Paddy Longfield, a member of a powerful land-owning family, prominent in the public life of the Blackwater Valley for 300 years.

The handwritten letter began My Dear Winston and was friendly in tone, indicating both men were acquainted.

Longfield assured the future British Prime Minister that he would properly treat him or any of his friends if they were interested in acquiring polo ponies or horses.

He assured him he would insist on all purchased horses being examined by the owners English vet or by J. T. Clanchy of Charleville, who later served as a veterinary surgeon for meetings at the new riverside racecourse.

There is no known record of any deals having been done, but the letter underlined Churchills links with the turf, which began as a child and grew when he was a cavalry subaltern at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst.

He helped to organise point-to-point races, rode in horse and pony races, including a steeplechase, and later became a successful owner and breeder.

Winston lived in Dublin, at what is now Aras an Uachtarain, from age two to six.

His grandfather, the Duke of Marlborough, was Viceroy to Ireland (1876 to 1880). His father, Lord Randolph Churchill, was the dukes private secretary.

Winston, as the First Lord of the Admiralty in the early years of the last century, attended Cork Park Races during inspection visits to the British naval base at Haulbowline.

On one of those visits, Churchill, regarded as one of the great orators of the 20th century, visited Blarney Castle and kissed the famous stone, which is said to give a person the gift of eloquence.

The Times described how he removed his hat, and with Sir James Long, chairman of the Harbour Commissioners, holding his legs, leaned backward over the parapet and kissed the stone to the cheers of onlookers.

Cork Park Races were first held in 1869 on land leased by the Corporation to Sir John Arnott and others. Some 30,000 people attended the inaugural meeting.

Falling attendances, drainage problems and other issues led in later years to a decline in the fortunes of the track before new management took over.

Relations with the Corporation nosedived, however, when the Lord Mayors name was omitted from the list of stewards for three successive meetings in 1911.

The last races were on June 21, 1916.

The land was then acquired by the Ford Motor Company.

It was the end of horse racing in the city, but it led to the opening of a new racecourse in Mallow in 1924, with Colonel F. F. MacCabe as manager.

Located on the town outskirts, the venue had several owners up to 1943 when it was bought by a progressive local farmer William Fahy. He continued to run the racecourse with his family until 1995 when it was purchased by the then Horse Racing Authority.

The venue was upgraded and renamed Cork Racecourse Mallow and remains the only racecourse in Co. Cork, hosting 20 meetings each year.

Winston Churchill, who died in 1965, never attended Mallow Races, which opened two years after the Irish Free State was founded.

But he was familiar with the area, home to the Duhallow Hunt, birthplace of the steeplechase and location of the centuries old Cahirmee horse fair in Buttevant.

His grandfather, the Duke of Marlborough, enjoyed salmon fishing on the Blackwater, sometimes renting Clifford House in Castletownroche or staying in Mallow at the Royal Hotel, now Cork County Councils divisional headquarters.

Fr Robert Forde, a parish priest of the Cloyne Diocese, writing in Mallow Field Club Journal (1998), relayed an intriguing story about Churchill.

It involved a British politician who had once attended a function in London at which the former Prime Minister was the after-dinner speaker.

A tight finish at the old Mallow Racecourse in March, 1927. Winston Churchill, who died in 1965, never attended Mallow Races, which opened two years after the Irish Free State was founded.

The man told an Irish member of the European Parliament that Churchill recalled holidays he had spent around Mallow as a young lad, and how he was on his way back to Dublin on one occasion. As he walked up and down the platform at the railway station, waiting for the train, he noticed there was a clock at each end. One clock showed 8 oclock and the other 8.30. He met the Station Master and pointed out that the two clocks showed different times. But the man replied that if the two clocks were at the same time one clock would do us.

Churchill clearly had happy memories of his early years in Ireland, and these are noted in many biographies.

However, some of his later actions as a political leader left a sour taste among many Irish people.

His role as British Secretary of State for War in sending the Black and Tans to Ireland during the War of Independence in 1920 was bitterly criticised.

And so was his reaction to the States neutrality during the Second World War and his attitude to then Taoiseach Eamon de Valera.

However, Churchill assured Ambassador John W Dulanty when they met at a Buckingham Palace reception in 1946 there was not, and never was, any bitterness in his heart towards Ireland.

In May 1951, he told Dr Frederick Boland, who had succeeded Dulanty as Ambassador, that he had a horse, Canyon Kid, running in the Irish Derby at The Curragh.

Apart from a desire to see his horse run, he said he would like to see the Vice-Regal Lodge (Aras an Uachtarain) once again and wondered how he would be received.

de Valera advised: Let him arrive and go to the races, adding that if Churchill had the time to spare, the President or the Government would be happy to entertain him to lunch.

Dr Boland, who conveyed the response to Winston about a week later, in his room at the House of Commons, noted there were tears in his eyes on hearing this very agreeable message to me.

Churchill never got to the races at the Curragh, however, because his horse died of heart failure.

But he told Dr Boland he would have liked to have gone over and Im sure the people would have given me a good reception  particularly if my horse had won. The Irish are a sporting people.

Sir Winston won 71 races as an owner in a 15-year career breeding and running horses, including one Irish Classic, the 1,000 guineas in 1955.

His filly, Dark Issue, leased from wealthy Belfast grain merchant William Barnet, was trained at the Curragh by Captain Darby Rogers.

Churchill was again unable to attend, due to a political campaign in Britain.

The general election was my owner, he said, and I was already among the runners.

The 1,000 guineas result provided a link, however, with the inaugural meeting at Mallow Racecourse on May 30, 1924.

Churchills horse was ridden by Phil Canty, whose uncle Joe Canty, seven-times Irish champion jockey, won the first race at the new Mallow track 31 years previously on a horse named Court Picture.

That horse was trained at Springfort Hall, 8km from Mallow, by a man who later moved his stables to the Curragh.

His name was the same as that of another Irishman, who was well-known to Churchill  Michael Collins.
KABUL, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- At least one passenger was killed and three others injured in separate road accidents in eastern Afghanistan's Ghazni Province on Sunday morning, according to local media reports.

The incidents occurred in three districts of the province, including Gelan and Andar, and were reportedly caused by reckless driving. Authorities confirmed that the injured victims were transported to a nearby health center for urgent medical treatment.

Fatal road accidents remain a recurring tragedy across Afghanistan due to poor road infrastructure, reckless driving behavior, overloading of vehicles, challenging mountain terrains, and unsafe overtaking practices. 
Prince Harry has broken his silence after being cleared of any wrongdoing in a formal investigation into harassment and bullying claims at Sentebale, the charity he co-founded nearly 20 years ago.

The Charity Commission for England and Wales released its findings on August 5, stating that it found "no evidence of systemic bullying or harassment" at Sentebale.

A recent report has confirmed that Prince Harry acted appropriately during his time as patron, finding no signs of overreach.

"Unsurprisingly, the Commission makes no findings of wrongdoing in relation to Sentebale's co-founder and former patron, Prince Harry," a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex said in a statement.

"They also found no evidence of widespread bullying, harassment, or misogyny as falsely claimed by the current Chair."

Back in 2006, Prince Harry teamed up with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to create Sentebale  a charity whose name means "forget-me-not" in Sesotho.

Their goal is to support children and young people in Southern Africa who are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

According to ENews, Sentebale has always been close to Prince Harry's heart. He founded the charity in memory of his mother, Princess Diana.

But earlier this year, the charity was rocked by internal conflict. Dr. Sophie Chandauka, the chair of Sentebale's board, accused senior figuresincluding Harryof misconduct, which she claimed included bullying and abuse of power.

These claims were strongly denied by the former trustees and by Prince Harry himself.

Prince Harry CLEARED of bullying at Sentebale

An independent inquiry by the Charity Commission found no evidence of bullying, harassment, misogyny, or misogynoir by Prince Harry

Meanwhile... 

Allegations of bullying by King Charles toward his gardeners, including claims of pic.twitter.com/HNSG5oI1dx  Narinder Kaur (@narindertweets) August 6, 2025

Charity Probe Clears Prince Harry, Highlights Internal Failures

In March 2025, both Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso resigned from their roles, stating that a breakdown in trust between the board and Dr. Chandauka had made it impossible to continue.

They described the situation as "devastating," and accused the chairwoman of refusing to step down after being asked by the trustees, People said.

The investigation by the Charity Commission found that the real issue was a "lack of clarity around roles and internal policies" within the organization.

This confusion, the report noted, led to tension and resignations but did not point to any single person as responsible.

Although the report cleared Prince Harry of any wrongdoing during his time as patron, his team expressed disappointment that it didn't fully explore how the actions of the current Chair, Dr. Heather Chandauka, could affect Sentebale's future.

They emphasized that the real cost may be felt by the vulnerable children who depend on the charity's work, rather than by those responsible.

Looking ahead, Prince Harry remains committed to supporting children in Lesotho and Botswana. His spokesperson confirmed, "The Duke of Sussex will now focus on finding new ways to continue supporting the communities close to his heart."

Dr. Chandauka also accepted the report but stood by her decision to raise concerns earlier this year. "The experience was intense," she said, "and it became a test of our strategic clarity and operational resilience."
Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving time for her role in Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking operation, has been removed from a service dog training program at her prison in Texas.

Ghislaine Maxwell has recently been transferred to a new facility. She was moved from a low-security prison in Tallahassee, Florida, to Federal Prison Camp Bryan  a minimum-security women's prison located in Bryan, Texas.

The facility offers programs where inmates help train service dogs, but officials say Maxwell won't be allowed to take part.

Based on NBC News reports, Paige Mazzoni, CEO of Canine Companionsthe nonprofit that runs the programexplained the reason for the ban.

"We do not allow anyone whose crime involves abuse towards minors or animals  including any crime of a sexual nature," she stated. "That's a hard policy we have, so she will not be able to."

Mazzoni added, "Those are crimes against the vulnerable, and you're putting them with a puppy who is vulnerable."

Maxwell, 62, was convicted in 2021 of helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse underage girls and was sentenced to 20 years in prison, Newsweek said.

She has since been at the center of public attention, especially after the Justice Department recently announced that it would not be releasing further documents from the Epstein investigation.

NEW: Ghislaine Maxwell barred from service dog training at cushy prison camp



We do not allow anyone whose crime involves abuse towards minors or animals  including any crime of a sexual nature, the CEO of Canine Companions said. https://t.co/SZcx2rVntK  Ana Cabrera (@AnaCabrera) August 7, 2025

DOJ May Release Transcript of Maxwell's Epstein Interview

Ghislaine Maxwell's recent move to FPC Bryan has people wondering if her prison privileges will change.

Dave Aronberg, former Palm Beach County State Attorney, described the Texas prison as more of a "dorm-style housing situation" compared to her previous facility.

According to FoxNews, her transfer came just days after she met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche for a two-day interview regarding her connections to Epstein.

The Department of Justice is considering whether to release a transcript of that interview under President Donald Trump's recent order to declassify credible evidence related to the Epstein case.

Ghislaine Maxwell isn't giving up on her fight for freedom. Her legal team has taken the next step by appealing her conviction to the US Supreme Court.

She was also scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee on August 11.

However, Committee Chair James Comer has agreed to postpone her deposition until after her appeal is resolved, which is expected in late September.

Maxwell's legal and political future remains uncertain, especially as Trump has not ruled out the possibility of granting her a pardon.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are asking a California court to make her estranged brother, Michael Sanchez, pay nearly $190,000 in legal fees after years of bitter court battles.

According to a motion filed on July 28 in California Superior Court, the newlyweds want Michael to cover $182,374 in attorney's fees and $8,182 in legal costs.

The filing states the expenses were "incurred in connection with her successful Special Motion to Strike, and this Motion for Attorney's Fees and Costs."

The case stems from a defamation lawsuit Michael filed in 2020. He claimed he was wrongly accused of leaking intimate texts and images of Bezos and Sanchez to the National Enquirer.

Lauren's legal team has described his actions as a "multi-year campaign of harassment" meant to pressure her into a "wholly undeserved financial settlement."

Bezos and Sanchez say the fees are justified under California's Anti-SLAPP law, which is designed to stop meritless lawsuits aimed at silencing people.

Their motion argues Michael's claims were "frivolous" and "dead on arrival." The couple's attorneys bill between $549 and $1,125 per hour, PageSix said.

This is not the first time the billionaire and his wife have been awarded legal costs in the dispute. In 2021, Bezos received $218,385 in fees from Michael, though ongoing filings have kept the fight alive.

Lauren Sanchez awkwardly dances with stiff Jeff Bezos in Ibiza nightclub https://t.co/hAoBSh93r4 pic.twitter.com/HX4oe63DJ3  Page Six (@PageSix) August 7, 2025

Inside the BezosSanchez Rift with Her Brother Michael

The family feud began shortly after Bezos announced his divorce from MacKenzie Scott in 2019.

Reports emerged that Bezos was in a relationship with Sanchez, who at the time was separated from Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell.

Things escalated when the National Enquirer obtained private messages between Bezos and Sanchez. Bezos later went public with details of the threat, accusing the tabloid of attempting blackmail.

According to NYMorningStar, Michael Sanchez has denied leaking explicit "below-the-belt selfies," but court records show he and National Enquirer publisher American Media signed a nondisclosure agreement in October 2018 regarding certain information, photographs, and messages.

The latest legal push comes just weeks after Bezos and Sanchez tied the knot in a lavish $50 million wedding in Venice, Italy, attended by celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom, Usher, Sydney Sweeney, and Ivanka Trump.

Since then, the couple has been seen enjoying a summer of yacht trips and parties across Europe, including Ibiza.

Michael has fired back in public statements, calling Bezos and Sanchez "liars and cheaters" and accusing the justice system of being "corrupt." Despite the personal and legal drama, it appears neither side is backing down anytime soon.
Tom Hanks paid tribute to late astronaut Jim Lovell, following the news of the Apollo 13 commander's death at age 97.

Hanks, who portrayed Lovell in Ron Howard's 1995 film "Apollo 13," described the astronaut as "a man of calm courage and unwavering integrity" in a statement released by his representatives.

Lovell, one of NASA's most celebrated explorers, died peacefully at his home in Texas on Friday. His missions included the famous near-disaster Apollo 13 flight in 1970, which safely returned to Earth after an oxygen tank exploded, as well as Gemini 7, Gemini 12, and Apollo 8, the first crewed spacecraft to orbit the Moon. Hanks emphasized Lovell's role as a leader who "showed the world how to stay steady under pressure."

In his tribute, Hanks recalled meeting Lovell on the set of "Apollo 13," saying, "I found in him the same spirit of dedication and humility that he carried as an astronaut." He added that Lovell "never lost sight of the teamwork and meticulous attention to detail that saved his crew and inspired millions."

Lovell's family confirmed that he passed surrounded by loved ones and that a public memorial service will be scheduled in the coming weeks. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson also paid homage, calling the astronaut "a pioneer whose bravery and expertise expanded the frontiers of human knowledge." He announced that the agency would lower its flags to half-staff at all facilities on the day of the service.

Born March 25, 1928, in Cleveland, Ohio, Lovell graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and became a naval aviator before joining NASA's second group of astronauts in 1962. His experiences on long-duration missions and his calm response to emergencies earned him respect among colleagues and the public alike.

Throughout his life, Lovell remained committed to education and outreach. He co-authored the memoir "Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13," which was later adapted into the film. He frequently spoke at universities and space museums, encouraging young people to pursue science and engineering.

Lovell is survived by his wife, Marilyn, their four children, and nine grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, which supports students in STEM fields.

As tributes pour in from around the world, Lovell's legacy endures through the generations he inspired. His friendship with Hanks and his lasting impact on space exploration stand as a testament to a life dedicated to discovery and courage.
Jovannie Postrano is originally from the island of Cebu and, in addition to Cebuano, his mother tongue, he speaks Tagalog, English and Spanish. He has been living in the parish of Carmen of Algeciras for just a few months, but his mission is not on land, but aboard the large oil tankers or container ships that dock in the port. Every day, first thing in the morning, he checks an app to see which cargo ships will be calling at Algeciras, chooses the ones he will have time to visit, puts on his fluorescent vest and yellow safety helmet, and reports to the gangway of the selected ship. The sailor on duty, who has not been notified in advance, lets him board because he immediately recognises the emblem on his helmet: the organisation of this young priest, Stella Maris, is present in more than sixty countries and three hundred ports around the world.

Jovannie is always welcomed with joy and affection on ships. If, in addition to the usual philippines in the crews of these ships (25% of all crew members worldwide are philippine), the commanding officers also come from the Philippines, then it is likely that they will invite him to eat and spend the afternoon with them, and he may even end up celebrating mass for them in the ship's grandest hall. They often go months and months without touching land, without setting foot on the ground, and they are very grateful for the visit of a compatriot who speaks to them in their language, who offers them information and help in whatever way we can, who listens to their problems, accompanies them, resolves any issues and, of course, provides spiritual care if they require it, Postrano explains to Europa Sur.

The atmosphere inside a cargo ship is not always easy, says this young priest who until recently lived in London: Sailors have to live 24 hours a day with colleagues who are not always friendly, from different nationalities, cultures and religions, with whom they sometimes cannot even have a conversation because of the language barrier, he continues. The families of the crew members are also far away, which sometimes makes day-to-day life very difficult, he says. He also explains that many sailors give up the days off at home to which they are entitled after each voyage in order to remain on board and thus earn what they need to live and support their families; most of them earn a thousand pounds a month and the bulk of their wages goes directly to their homes in Manila, Cebu or Davao.

Postrano, at the Algeciras Port, with the Stella Maris helmet / E. S.

Stella Maris is an ecclesiastical service that has been operating since 1920 and is dependent on the episcopal conferences of each country. Its objective is to provide seafarers, through its centres, with the human and spiritual assistance they may need for their well-being during their stay in port, as well as support for their families. It is aimed at all seafarers of any race, nationality and gender, always respecting their culture, religion or ideology. There are times when we facilitate contact with mosques and imams for muslim crew members who request it; our aim is to help everyone in any way we can.

In some ports, they have premises or rooms where sailors can relax and meet people outside their everyday lives. In other centres, the priests, deacons and volunteers of this organisation even have small boats so that they can visit ships anchored offshore that do not dock at the quays. Ships are spending less and less time in port; I often meet sailors who haven't set foot on land for more than six months, he laments. He adds, in conclusion: We are newcomers to Algeciras: it seems incredible, but there was no one from Stella Maris in Spain's main port.
NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until September 26, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE: SOC), if they purchased the Company's securities (1) between May 19, 2025 and June 3, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"); and/or (2) pursuant and/or traceable to Sable's May 21, 2025 secondary public offering (the "SPO"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Get Help

Sable Offshore investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-soc-1/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Sable Offshore and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On June 4, 2025, the Company disclosed that "a Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge granted ex parte requests from plaintiffs in Center for Biological Diversity, et al. v.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, et al. (25CV02244) and Environmental Defense Center, et al. v. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, et al. (25CV02247) for temporary restraining orders prohibiting Sable Offshore Corp. from restarting transportation of oil through the Las Flores Pipeline System pending the hearing on an order to show cause regarding a preliminary injunction scheduled for July 18, 2025. Sable is exploring all possible avenues available to address these preliminary rulings."

On this news, the price of Sable's shares fell by $0.94 per share, or 3.91%, to close at $23.10 on June 4, 2025.

The case is Johnson v. Sable Offshore Corp., et al., No. 25-cv-6869.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sable-offshore-shareholder-alert-claimsfiler-reminds-investors-with-losses-in-excess-of-100-000-of-lead-plaintiff-deadline-in-class-action-lawsuits-against-sable-offshore-corp---soc-302525509.html

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Brunei legislative council meeting wrapped up on Saturday with legislative council members touching on various steps towards realizing the Brunei Vision 2035.

Haji Mohamad Danial, a legislative council member, emphasized that rural development must not be overlooked as Brunei moves towards achieving its Vision 2035 goals. He stressed the importance of equality in national planning, calling for strategic efforts to ensure rural areas are included in the country's progress.

In support of the government's target of 85 percent homeownership under the national housing scheme by 2035, he proposed the revitalization of rural communities through integrated housing developments. This approach would not only offer affordable and comfortable homes but also counter the loss of village residents caused by urban migration.

Highlighting the rise of digital connectivity, Haji Sulaiman Nasir, a legislative council member, noted a 12.5 percent increase in mobile phone usage, reaching 538,723 users between 2012 and 2022, and broadband penetration of 85.89 percent. He urged authorities to promote the responsible and beneficial use of technology to safeguard the well-being of the population.

Meanwhile, Haji Daud Jihan, another legislative council member, stressed the importance of national unity and commitment in achieving Brunei Vision 2035. He called for a "whole-of-government" and "whole-of-nation" approach, aligned with the country's social, economic, and manpower blueprints, to ensure long-term and inclusive progress. 
Police in London arrested 466 people Saturday for supporting Palestine Action at the latest and largest protest backing the group since the government banned it last month under anti-terror laws.

The Metropolitan Police said it had made the arrests, thought to be one of the highest number ever at a single protest in the UK capital, for "supporting a proscribed organisation".

It also arrested eight people for other offences including five for alleged assaults on officers, though none were seriously injured, it added.

The government outlawed Palestine Action in early July, days after it took responsibility for a break-in at an air force base in southern England that caused an estimated 7 million ($9.3 million) of damage to two aircraft.

The group said its activists were responding to Britain's indirect military support for Israel amid the war in Gaza.

Britain's interior ministry reiterated ahead of Saturday's protests that Palestine Action was also suspected of other "serious attacks" that involved "violence, significant injuries and extensive criminal damage".

But critics, including the United Nations and groups such as Amnesty International and Greenpeace, have condemned the move as legal overreach and a threat to free speech.

- 'Unprecedented' -

A group called Defend Our Juries, which organised Saturday's protests and previous demonstrations against the ban, said "unprecedented numbers" had risked "arrest and possible imprisonment" to "defend this country's ancient liberties".

"We will keep going. Our numbers are already growing for the next wave of action in September," it added.

Attendees began massing near parliament at lunchtime bearing signs saying "oppose genocide, support Palestine Action" and other slogans, and waving Palestinian flags.

Psychotherapist Craig Bell, 39, was among those holding a placard. For him, the ban was "absolutely ridiculous".

"When you compare Palestine Action with an actual terrorist group who are killing civilians and taking lives, it's just a joke that they're being prescribed a terrorist group," he told AFP.

As police moved in on the demonstrators, who nearly all appeared to offer no resistance, attendees applauded those being arrested and shouted "shame on you" at officers.

"Let them arrest us all," said Richard Bull, 42, a wheelchair-user in attendance.

"This government has gone too far. I have nothing to feel ashamed of."

However, interior minister Yvette Cooper insisted late Saturday Palestine Action had been outlawed "based on strong security advice" and following "an assessment from the Joint Terrorism Assessment Centre that the group prepares for terrorism".

"Many people may not yet know the reality of this organisation," she said, adding it "is not non-violent".

"The right to protest is one we protect fiercely but this is very different from displaying support for this one specific and narrow, proscribed organisation."

- NGOs opposed -

Police forces across the UK have made scores of similar arrests since the government outlawed Palestine Action on July 5, making being a member or supporting the group a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Police announced this week that the first three people had been charged in the English and Welsh criminal justice system with supporting Palestine Action following their arrests at a July 5 demo.

Seven people have so far been charged in Scotland, which has a separate legal system.

Amnesty International UK Chief Executive Sacha Deshmukh wrote to Met Police chief Mark Rowley this week urging restraint be exercised when policing people holding placards expressing support for Palestine Action.

"The arrest of otherwise peaceful protesters is a violation of the UK's international obligations to protect the rights of freedom of expression and assembly," Amnesty said Saturday on X.

A UK court challenge against the decision to proscribe Palestine Action will be heard in November.

jj/jj
Poultry farmers have just weeks left to secure rare avian influenza insurance, as NFU Mutual warns its books will close at the beginning of next month.

Producers are being urged to act quickly as the rural insurer's avian insurance cover will once again shut to new applicants, on 1 September.

Earlier this year, following collaboration with the NFU, NFU Mutual temporarily reopened its AI insurance offering to new customers.

This move came after growing concerns that poultry businesses faced the peak risk season without any form of cover.

As one of the very few insurers still providing AI policies in the UK, NFU Mutuals decision offers a crucial  but limited  opportunity for farms to protect themselves against outbreaks.

Adam Williams, NFU Mutuals animal disease portfolio manager, explained: To maintain the sustainability and viability of our AI insurance offering, NFU Mutual reopened general new business outside our scheme for the first time in three years last April.

The book has since reopened for 2025 and is scheduled to close again on 1 September 2025, ahead of the high-risk period  subject to outbreak developments.

Producers interested in securing cover are encouraged to contact their local NFU Mutual agency as soon as possible.

It comes amid a notable surge in bird flu cases across the UK this summer, with several outbreaks reported in commercial and wild bird populations.

Just this weekend, two outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza were confirmed in Devon, with further suspected cases under investigation in Wales and Suffolk.

NFU Poultry Board chair James Mottershead highlighted the urgency, warning that the UK was entering a critical period for poultry producers.

"As the risk of avian influenza ramps up, then so does the vital need to ensure adequate insurance cover and protection," he said.

Any producers who are affected can contact NFU CallFirst for advice and support.
The calendar-adjusted output of the Dutch manufacturing sector was 0.2 per cent lower year on year (YoY) in June this year, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Output rose in over half of the underlying sectors.

More than half of the various industrial sectors produced less than they did one year previously. Of the eight largest sectors, output fell the sharpest in the chemical industry.

The calendar-adjusted output of the Dutch manufacturing sector was 0.2 per cent lower YoY in June. Output rose in over half of the underlying sectors. Of the eight largest sectors, output fell the sharpest in the chemical industry. Producer confidence was almost as negative in July as it was in June. Manufacturers were more positive about expected output for the next three months.

A more accurate picture of changes in short-term output is obtained when the figures are adjusted for seasonal effects and the working-day pattern. After adjustment, manufacturing output fell by 0.1 per cent month on month (MoM) in June.

Producer confidence was almost as negative in July as it was in June. Manufacturers were more positive about expected output for the next three months, but more negative about their current stocks and order positions, a CBS release said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Israeli Startup Xpand Raises $6M to Launch Autonomous Retail Stores Worldwide

Xpand, a retail technology startup building autonomous, AI-powered retail stores, today announced it has raised $6 million in a funding round led by Ibex Investors and Emerge. The company's executive team, including Chairman and CEO Joel Bar-El, also participated, signaling strong internal alignment and confidence in the company's strategic direction.

The new funding will support Xpand's next phase of growth, beginning with the launch of its first smart autonomous store in Vienna. This milestone marks a major step in the company's plan to expand access to efficient, frictionless retail infrastructure worldwide.

"With this new investment, we are ready to move from vision to global execution," said Joel Bar-El, CEO of Xpand. "The Vienna store is only the beginning. Our leadership team is deeply committed to bringing scalable, autonomous retail to life."

Xpand develops modular "store-in-a-box" units that integrate robotics, computer vision, and real-time inventory management. These unmanned plug-and-play stores are designed to operate 24/7 without staff, giving retailers a fast, flexible way to grow their footprint and provide a seamless, personalized shopping experience.

Founded in 2021 by Eyal Yair and Roee Tuval under the name 1MRobotics, the company was rebranded as Xpand to reflect its shift from research and development to commercial deployment. The new capital will accelerate store rollouts across Europe and North America and fund the expansion of the company's sales, marketing, and technology teams.

Xpand is led by a team of seasoned operators and entrepreneurs with deep roots in retail, logistics, and enterprise technology. Bar-El previously co-founded Trax Retail, a global retail AI unicorn. Other senior team members bring experience from leading companies including SAP, Retalix, Bringg, and Magic Leap.

"Our mission is to power the next generation of retail autonomous, scalable, and always on," said Bar-El. "We are excited to partner with global retailers to bring this model to life."

About Xpand

Xpand is redefining convenience and grocery retail through autonomous, AI-powered "store-in-a-box" units. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Tel Aviv, the company enables retailers to scale with 24/7, unmanned, plug-and-play stores. To learn more, visit https://xpand.us.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250807126499/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Yael Costi

yael@xpand.us
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 10, 2025) - JAR Audio, one of North America's leading branded podcast agencies, has officially rebranded as JAR Podcast Solutions. The new name reflects the company's evolved mission: helping enterprise marketers create podcasts that don't just sound good-they perform. This marks a clear shift from full-service production to structured podcast solutions tied to business results.

Over the past eight years, JAR has built award-winning podcasts for global brands. But as the podcasting landscape has matured, so too have client expectations. Branded podcasts are no longer experimental side projects-they're being scrutinized alongside other high-investment marketing channels.

"Asking 'Should we make a podcast?' isn't the question anymore," said Roger Nairn, CEO and Co-Founder. "Today's marketing leaders are asking: 'Will this move the needle? Will it build trust, drive loyalty, or generate leads?' This rebrand is our way of saying: Yes. But only if you treat podcasts like strategic assets, not just content."

From Production to Performance

The rebrand isn't just cosmetic-it's structural. JAR Podcast Solutions now offers a suite of structured podcast solutions, each designed to solve a clear marketing challenge. These solutions help clients:

Launch new shows that serve specific business goals

Refine or reposition existing podcasts for stronger ROI

Build integrated content ecosystems that go beyond audio

Every engagement includes strategic planning, audience analysis, expert host casting, creative development, audio and video production, analytics dashboards, and multi-format distribution across podcast platforms, YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and more.

"We've spent years refining what works," said Jennifer Moss, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer. "Now we've packaged that into something repeatable and reliable-for clients who need results, not just recordings. If your show isn't earning attention, driving engagement, or creating brand trust, it's not doing its job."

JAR Audio Rebrands to JAR Podcast Solutions to Reflect Marketers' Focus on ROI-Driven Branded Podcasts

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/261784_f87aed0044473b19_002full.jpg

Built for the Enterprise

The rebrand also reflects the sophistication of the brands JAR now serves. With deep experience across finance, tech, healthcare, education, and purpose-driven consumer sectors, the agency has adapted to serve large, complex organizations-those that require strategic integration, stakeholder alignment, and compliance at every step.

JAR Podcast Solutions brings together creative direction and business acumen, backed by a team of former agency strategists, journalists, audio engineers, and content marketers. The agency is also expanding its analytics offerings to help marketers better quantify brand lift, share of voice, and retention-metrics more aligned with how enterprise teams measure success.

What's Next

With this rebrand, JAR Podcast Solutions is doubling down on its core belief: a podcast should be a brand's most trusted, versatile content asset.

"Great content isn't enough anymore," said Nairn. "It has to deliver. That's why we restructured everything-from our service offerings to our internal processes-to support marketers who are under pressure to prove ROI."

About the company: Founded in 2017, JAR Podcast Solutions is a strategy-first branded podcast agency. The company helps make, market, and measure brand podcasts that earns attention and delivers business results. Its full-service offering includes podcast strategy, host casting, audio/video production, analytics, and distribution. JAR's leadership team combines decades of experience in marketing, journalism, and storytelling, and its clients span finance, healthcare, education, tech, and consumer sectors.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261784

SOURCE: Plentisoft
Gopal added, Characters who operate in moral grey zones will always be fascinating - people who are both perpetrators and victims of geopolitics.

John Abrahams film Tehran has been awaiting its release since 2023. It finally releases on Zee5 during the Independence Day weekend. And in an interview with Bollywood Hungama, the actor broke his silence on the same.

John revealed, Its very disheartening. Im not going to mince my words on it, but it breaks your heart, especially for an actor who always wants to be seen on the big screen. But we all made a very informed decision on that. And the decision was that because of the conflicts and controversies that are happening around internationally.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

And the director of the film Arun Gopal has spilled the beans on the idea of the film and said, What initially drew me in was the sheer intrigue of an espionageish thriller set against a backdrop we rarely get to explore cinematically - the geopolitical landscape of the Iran-Israel conflict. But when I started my research I soon realised that geopolitics was just the texture - the real deal was a deeper curiosity: how personal loyalty and political ideologies collide in the shadows

Gopal added, Characters who operate in moral grey zones will always be fascinating - people who are both perpetrators and victims of geopolitics. Once I started spending more time with real officials and agents, I understood real-world events and covert operations involving India, Iran, and Israel. Thats when the story started to take shape. It wasnt just about action or politics anymore - it became about identity, choices, and the cost of duty.

On political thrillers and the sensitivity of the material

Its tightrope over a minefield - especially when the lines between fact and fiction start to blur. Did we as makers, second-guess certain choices? Yes we did. Not because they werent dramatic or compelling, but because the subject matter touched on real tensions, real countries, and real people. You want to tell a gripping story, but you also dont want to misrepresent or sensationalise just for the sake of impact.

One scene in particular - without giving too much away - raised internal debates. It dealt with a decision I took on set, involving the antagonists vice and I kept circling back to whether it was too provocative, too loaded, or simply too risky. In the end - we kept it, but only after we ensured it was rooted in character truth, not just political noise. Thats the challenge with this genre: staying honest to your story while respecting the gravity of the world youre portraying.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The actress added, Through the years, we met some incredible people who are now our Rakhi brothers. I have so many Rakhi brothers.

Bhumi Pednekar and Samiksha Pednekar are best friends first and sisters later. Recently, they even took a step ahead by becoming business partners as well. On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Bhumi and Samiksha delve into their bond, sharing how it has deepened over the years, especially after the demise of their father.

Bhumi told Bombay Times in an interview, My mom has our pictures of us tying rakhis from the time we were little kids. Over the years, the meaning of the ritual has changed for us. As its core, Raksha Bandhan for us is all about supporting your sibling, protecting them and just being there for each other. Samiksha adds, Rakhi would start 10 days before the festival. We would go rakhi shopping and send rakhis via post to our cousin brothers. In fact, to this date, we do that."

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The actress added, Through the years, we met some incredible people who are now our Rakhi brothers. I have so many Rakhi brothers. It just happens naturally sometimes that you meet some people, and they feel like family. Nikhil Shetty, who I bonded with during my initial years as an actor, is my rakhi brother. He was Shanoo Sharmas rakhi brother and thats how I met him. Hes one of the strongest people I know, and hes supported me so much. I lost my father, and he just took on that role so beautifully in my life.

On standing up for each other

It just happened very organically. It was the correct thing for me to do for my family. We all stood up for each other. We all had our days and our moments. Thats what a family unit does. You stand up for each other when the other person is falling. To date, the only person who truly, even emotionally, protects me from the world is my sister. Nobody can say anything about me in front of Samiksha. She can go up against the world for me. Now, we are just not sisters, we are co-founders of a venture we started. Without defining boundaries, we have figured out each others boundaries. On a lighter note, the beauty of our relationship is that we fight every five minutes. They might look like fights to the world, but to us, it is a way of communication.
Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko was the first person to get married while he was in space on August 10, 2003. The ceremony took place while he was orbiting Earth aboard the International Space Station (ISS) while his bride, Ekaterina Dmitrieva, stood on solid ground at Nasas Johnson Space Centre in Texas

Ekaterina Dmitriev with a life-size cut-out of her new husband, Yuri Malenchenko, after her satellite wedding. File image/Reuters

History was created on August 10, 2003, when the Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko became the first person to get married while in space. The unique wedding ceremony took place while Malenchenko was orbiting Earth aboard the International Space Station (ISS), some 240 miles above New Zealand.

If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers ongoing series, History Today, will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

First person to get married while in space

Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko became the first person to get married while in space on August 10, 2003. Orbiting Earth on the International Space Station (ISS), he exchanged vows via satellite with his bride, Ekaterina Dmitrieva. She stood on solid ground at Nasas Johnson Space Centre in Texas.

The wedding was a blend of tradition and cosmic novelty. Dmitrieva wore a classic white wedding gown, processed down the aisle to David Bowies Absolute Beginners, and posed beside a life-size cardboard cutout of her groom. Up in orbit, Malenchenko donned a bow tie atop his flight suit, and astronaut Ed Lu, acting as best man, played the wedding march on a small keyboard aboard the ISS.

Ekaterina Dmitriev Malenchenko poses with a cardboard cutout of her new husband, cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, after their wedding ceremony in August 2003, while Malenchenko was still in space. File image/AP

Texas law allowed the ceremony to proceed despite one partys physical absence, with a proxy standing in for Malenchenko during the legal process. The ceremony was emotionally resonant, which Dmitrieva later described as celestial, soulful, while guests exchanged smiles and kisses through the video link.

Yet the wedding wasnt without controversy. Russian authorities initially objected, citing rules that barred active officers from marrying foreign nationals while in space. They were ultimately overruled, but the event prompted Roscosmos to ban space marriages in future mission contracts.

King Louis XVI was arrested

On this day in 1792, King Louis XVI of France was officially arrested after a violent uprising in Paris, marking a crucial turning point in the French Revolution. The monarchy, already under intense scrutiny and losing popular support, faced its downfall when thousands of revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace, where the royal family resided.

Amid rising tensions, Parisians, outraged by the kings vetoes, the dismissal of pro-revolution ministers, and his perceived ties to foreign powers, took to the streets. Armed National Guards, Sans-culottes, and radical citizens attacked the palace, leading to a bloody confrontation with royalist Swiss Guards. The violence left nearly 1,000 people dead, including hundreds of defenders loyal to the king.

Joseph Garat proclaims the arrest of death to the King Louis XVI. Wikimedia Commons

Louis XVI and his family fled to the nearby National Assembly, seeking protection. But instead of sanctuary, they were effectively taken into custody. The Legislative Assembly suspended the kings powers and declared him a prisoner of the nation. He was transferred to the Temple prison, along with Queen Marie Antoinette and their children, under increasingly harsh conditions.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The events of August 10 shattered the illusion that a constitutional monarchy could survive the revolution. It set the stage for the abolition of the monarchy and the birth of the French Republic just weeks later.

This Day, That Year

On this day in 1914, France declared war on Austria-Hungary in World War I.

The Louvre Museum opened in Paris in 1793.
KABUL, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Afghan police have thwarted an attempt to smuggle 1,200 sheep out of the southern Kandahar province, the provincial department of information and culture said on Sunday.

The livestock was being moved illegally through Spin Boldak and Registan districts toward a neighboring country, according to the department.

Authorities said this was the second such interception in recent weeks, with security forces having prevented the smuggling of 2,400 sheep from Kandahar two weeks ago.

Animal smuggling remains a persistent challenge in Afghanistan's border regions, where traffickers seek to profit from selling livestock abroad.

Officials have intensified anti-smuggling patrols as part of a wider campaign to curb illegal cross-border trade. 
India Post announced that it will merge its 50-year-old Registered Post service with modern speed post. As the curtains slowly draw on one of the most iconic services of Indian postal history, its worth pausing for a moment to reflect on what were leaving behind

From September 1, 2025, Resgistered Post, a 50-year-old service, once valued for its reliability, affordability, and legal weight among office-goers, will be officially discontinued. AI-generated Image for Representation

When was the last time you wrote a letter? Some of us can faintly recall writing one, maybe a postcard mailed on a holiday or a letter to a distant cousin. For Gen Z, licking a stamp and sealing an envelope may be something theyve only seen in movies.

Its 2025, a world ruled by WhatsApp messages and endless email threads, so its no surprise that the art, and even the need, for handwritten letters has quietly faded into nostalgia. Yet, there was a time when letters carried emotions across cities, when the wait for a postman was filled with anticipation.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

But that era is sadly drawing to a close.

Earlier this week, India Post said it would merge the 50-year-old Registered Post service, once valued for its reliability, affordability, and legal weight among office-goers, with the faster and more modern Speed Post service.

An Indian postwoman wearing her new blue saree uniform empties a post box in New Delhi, 01 October 2004.File image/AFP

As the curtains slowly draw on one of the most iconic services of Indian postal history, its worth pausing for a moment to reflect on what were leaving behind and the rich legacy it has been carrying for centuries.

Pigeons, horses & more: A look at Indias ancient postal system

Long before the British set up a structured postal system, ancient India had its own creative ways of staying connected. Messages were sent through runners, horse riders, and even pigeons.

One of the earliest known postal systems can be traced back to the Mauryan Empire, during Emperor Chandragupta Mauryas reign (circa 321297 BCE). Historical accounts suggest messages were often sent through pigeons, who became a trusted network of communication across the vast empire.

Amazingly, this pigeon post system remained in use for centuries. In fact, in April 1948, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru used a pigeon to send a message from Sambalpur to Cuttack regarding arrangements for a public meeting. The service continued until as late as March 2008, when Odisha officially retired its last pigeon post.

The pigeon post system remained in use for centuries. Police in Indias Odisha are preserving a flock of carrier pigeons for use when disasters sever communication links. File image/Reuters

But pigeons werent the only messengers. Indias ancient postal network evolved significantly under the Delhi Sultanate. Around 1296, Alauddin Khilji introduced a structured system using a combination of relay runners and horses, according to records from India Post.

The Mughal emperor Akbar is credited with refining this further. He set up what was called a dak chauki  dak meaning post and chauki referring to relay stations placed every 11 miles. Each station had runners or riders who would pass on state messages in a relay. You could even call it a very early version of express delivery.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The runners, known as meorahs, were celebrated for their astonishing endurance. According to 16th-century Portuguese writer Antoni de Montserrat, some were even believed to have had their liver removed in infancy to help them run long distances without getting breathless.

Dak Chowki of Sher Shah Suris period. Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Interestingly, despite the scale and organisation, these early postal services werent meant for the public. They primarily carried official dispatches, used by kings, emperors, and administrators to maintain control over distant provinces.

The British Empires postal revolution

To consolidate its hold over the Indian subcontinent, the British East India Company did more than fight battles  it built systems of control. And at the heart of that control was communication.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Company developed its own postal system known as Company Mail across its territories. The first regular postal service started in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1766 under Lord Clive, then Governor of Bengal. By 1774, the city had a General Post Office that charged two annas per 100 miles. Similar offices opened in Madras and Bombay in 1786.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Under Warren Hastings, who succeeded Clive as Governor-General of India, the postal setup in Bengal became more structured. A Postmaster-General was appointed, and postage charges were introduced for private letters. By 1789, the East India Company had a network of daks (postal runners) or dauriyas  connecting administrative homes to key towns.

A postman leaving his office to deliver posts in Amritsar on Tuesday. File image/ PTI

These dak runners, who often came from marginalised caste groups and ran for miles through forests and rivers to deliver letters, According to an Indian Express report citing a study Dak Roads, Dak Runners, and the Reordering of Communication Networks of historian Chitra Joshi, writes that these runners were not only loyal but remarkably efficient, navigating difficult terrain and even braving tigers, as noted in official records.

A major transformation came in 1854 under Governor-General Lord Dalhousie, who introduced uniform postage rates and helped pass the India Post Office Act. This laid the foundation of Indias national postal service, officially launched on October 1, 1854.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

By the early 20th century, Indias postal system had become a cornerstone of communication and efficiency. Before independence, there were around 23,000 post offices. But in the decades that followed, the network grew at an incredible pace, reaching nearly 1.5 lakh post offices by 1978.

Workers of India Post deliver parcels through Shikara postal service at Dal lake in Srinagar on October 12, 2022. File image/AFP

Bollywoods love affair with letters

As the postal system expanded, every town, village, and mohalla had its own postman, whose arrival was often awaited with the same anticipation as a festival. This emotional connection was also reflected in Indian pop culture.

Songs like Dakiya Dak Laya from the 1977 film Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein romanticised the postmans role in village life. Some were even as heart-wrenching as the one in Border (1997), where the postman delivers a letter to a soldiers family, the very chitthi that confirmed his death.

The song Sandese Aate Hain from the same film became an anthem for longing and love, echoing the emotions of families waiting to hear from loved ones at the frontlines. Chitthi Aayi Hai from the film Naam (1986) also captured the ache of homesickness.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The song

Even Irrfan Khans popular movie The Lunchbox (2013), rekindled that nostalgia of handwritten letters and missed connections.

Beyond cinema, philately, the collection of postal stamps, became a popular hobby in Indian households. India Post even capitalised on this with special edition stamps marking historic events, freedom fighters, festivals, and even cinematic milestones.

A stamp of India Post featuring Rajesh Khanna in 2013. Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Old letters, new challenges

Today, India Post operates as a commercial arm of the Indian government, with over 160,000 post offices, more than 130,000 of which are located in rural India. With a workforce of around 600,000, it is the countrys third-largest employer, after the armed forces and the railways.

Despite being one of Indias oldest institutions, the postal department is far from obsolete. As The Indian Express cited economist V Ranganathan from his Challenges in Reform of the Indian Postal Service, India Post continues to provide vital last-mile connectivity and access to basic services, especially in remote and underserved regions.

An Indian man (R) dictates to a letter writer sitting on a pavement outside the general post office in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata. File image/ Reuters

India Post had been the earliest adopter of technology and infrastructure changes, Ranganathan wrote. During the British period, it used the train extensively when it was introduced; when the airplane was introduced, again it was the first.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

However, in recent decades, the service has been squeezed between rapid digitalisation and fierce competition from private logistics players. According to official data, the number of registered items dropped by nearly 25 per cent, from 244.4 million in 201112 to 184.6 million in 201920.

Yet, even in the face of declining volumes and changing habits, the iconic red postbox remains as a relic of a time when communication had heart, purpose and patience.

With input from agencies
Israel has decided to seize control of Gaza City despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing increasing pressure to end the war with Hamas. All this and more in our weekly wrap from around the world

Israel is planning a military escalation in Gaza. The country has decided to seize control of Gaza City, a densely populated urban centre, despite domestic and international pressure.

United States President Donald Trumps 25 per cent tariffs on India have come into effect. He has also threatened to impose an additional 25 per cent tax on Indian goods as a penalty on New Delhi for buying Russian oil. However, it is not just India, the world will be singed from the high tariffs on India.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The US has sped up the space race. Nasa has decided to fast-track efforts to put a nuclear reactor on the Moon, with a goal to do it in the next five years.

Heres all this and more in our weekly roundup from around the world.

1. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on Israeli forces to seize control of Gaza City, which has already faced the brunt of the countrys repeated bombings and ground incursions since the Hamas war began in October 2023. This comes even as pressure on Israel grows to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, as the Palestinian population is on the brink of a famine.

Netanyahus proposed strategy, citing the necessity of defeating Hamas through military pressure, has been condemned by the relatives of hostages who are held in the narrow strip and even by former Israeli military officials. As a ceasefire with Hamas remains elusive and a humanitarian crisis unfolds in Gaza, we take a look at the Israeli PMs plan to conquer Gaza City.

2. US President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on India to 50 per cent, but left a 21-day window open for negotiations to avoid the steep taxes. While Indias electronics and pharma exports to America remain exempt for now, the increased rates will hit labour-intensive exports like textiles and gems and jewellery.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

However, if the US president thinks the high tariffs on India will not impact the world, he is mistaken. The 50 per cent tariffs will hurt Indian exporters. The world will also suffer if New Delhi stops buying crude oil from Russia. We explain in this story how.

3. The image of an unidentified stealth aircraft in China has aviation experts wondering whether it is a jet or a drone. Two images of the aircraft showing a sleek, tailless design with a lambda-wing layout surfaced this week.

Soon, conjectures began whether it was a sixth-generation crewed jet, similar to the J-36, or one of its new advanced drones. Some say it is a carrier-based fighter, while others believe it to be a loyal wingman drone. But what is it? We bring you the answers.

4. Nasas acting administrator has issued a directive to accelerate efforts to put a nuclear reactor on the lunar surface. Sean Duffy wants to deploy the reactor on the Moon by the year 2030.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

In his memo sent out last month, he said the nuclear reactor should provide at least 100 kilowatts of power, which can power 80 houses in the US, and be ready for launch by late 2029. With this, the US space agency has started another space race. But why is Nasa rushing for such a reactor on the Moon? Read our report to find out.

5. This week marked 80 years since the United States atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On August 6, 1945, a US Air Force B-29 Superfortress, dubbed the Enola Gay, dropped a uranium bomb called Little Boy on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, killing more than a lakh people. Three days later, another atomic bomb detonated in Nagasaki.

Smoke billows over Nagasaki, Japan after the atomic bomb was dropped on the city in this August 9, 1945. File photo/ Reuters

The two atomic bombings killed about 200,000 people in Japan and possibly more. There was one Japanese man, though, who survived both the attacks. Who was he? And how did he survive the explosions? We take a look at his story here.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

6. Individuals seeking a US green card may get some relief in future. Two United States lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill that aims to increase the cap on green cards as well as reduce waiting times.

The Dignity Act of 2025, brought in the US House of Representatives, could reduce immigration visa backlogs, which reached 11.3 million (1.13 crore) cases by the second quarter of FY2025. Heres our story on who will benefit if the bill becomes a law.

7. Indian-origin lawyer Mathura Sridharan has become Ohios 12th Solicitor General. This makes her the US states top appellate lawyer. Soon after Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost made the announcement, Sridharan was subjected to racist and xenophobic trolling online.

AG Yost today named Mathura Sridharan as his pick for Ohios 12th solicitor general, the states top attorney for appeals in state and federal courts.

Details: https://t.co/IloRCZLpXD pic.twitter.com/3uaLuV57rP  Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (@OhioAG) July 31, 2025

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Some claimed she was not an American citizen, which was swiftly denied by Yost. Others took objection to her bindi in her official photo. We take a look at what happened.

This is all we have for you this week. If you like the way we analyse news, you can bookmark this page to stay updated.
Noise sensitivity, often dismissed by health professionals, can significantly impact both mental and physical wellbeing. Affecting up to 40% of the population, this condition is linked to anxiety, sleep disturbances, and long-term health risks.

While noise sensitivity is often overlooked by health professionals, it can have long-lasting effects on the mental and physical wellbeing of humans.

Studies suggest that between 20% to 40% of people are more sensitive to everyday sounds than the average, leading to a higher levels of stress, annoyance, or anxiety.

Research shows that noise sensitivity has biological roots rather than being just a personality trait.

In recent years, neuroscientists have discovered that the brains of noise-sensitive people process sound differently, which might make them more reactive to noise.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Daniel Shepherd, a neuroscientist at Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand stated, Its been one of those what we might call a wastepaper basket sort of issues that just gets pushed away by health professionals."

Only in recent years have people actually really started to say, right, this is at an experiential level really impacting patients, he added. We really need to actually start getting a handle on this.

Although noise sensitivity is not a formal medical diagnosis, but it can be identified via questionnaires like the 21-question Weinsteins noise sensitivity scale, which assesses reactions to various everyday sounds.

It differs from similarly related conditions such as misophonia, which involves a strong negative reaction to specific sounds like chewing or tapping, or hyperacusis, where sounds are perceived as louder or more painful than they really are.

In contrast, noise sensitivity includes a heightened reactivity to a wide range of sounds, irrespective of its volume.

Physiologically, the noise can trigger a fight-or-flight response in sensitive individuals, and can raise their heart rate and blood pressure. In some cases. sleep can also be affected.

A 2021 study of 500 adults in China found that while noise itself did not drastically change sleep quality, noise-sensitive participants reported feeling less rested and more fatigued the day after.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

There are connections to long-term health as well. Research led by Professor Stephen Stansfeld at Queen Mary University of London found that noise-sensitive men in the Welsh town of Caerphilly were more likely to face anxiety and depression when exposed to road traffic noise.

A 2023 French study of residents near airports reported that those who were highly disturbed by aircraft noise were more likely to rate their general health as poor.

Brain studies provide more insights.

According to Shepherds research, noise-sensitive individuals have increased brain activity in response to both threatening and non-threatening sounds. This may be linked to differences in the medial geniculate nucleus, which is a part of the brain that filters sound information, which appears less efficient at filtering out irrelevant noise.

The reduced filtering is also observed during sleep, where fewer brain spindles happen, making it harder to adapt to background noise.

The causes of noise sensitivity are still being explored. While twin studies from Finland suggest there might be a genetic component, environmental factors might also play a role.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The condition is more common in individuals with anxiety, schizophrenia, autism, or a history of brain injury, and it often lasts a lifetime.

Addressing noise at its source looks like the most effective long-term solution.

Urban planning measures like sound-dampening road surfaces, noise barriers, reduced speed limits, and quiet zones have been put in place in some European cities.

However, the change is slow, and many people cope with noise sensitivity symptoms by themselves by using ear protection, or noise-cancelling devices.

In certain cases, treating underlying issues like anxiety with medication or cognitive behavioural therapy can help lessen the stress.

Music therapy that uses soft, calming tunes, such as Renaissance or Baroque chamber music, may also be useful. Art therapy can offer a different way to relax and manage emotions.

While noise is an unavoidable part of modern life, understanding its effects on sensitive people could lead to better public health measures and, ultimately, quieter and healthier living environments.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
After marking a humble beginning in Indian space programme with a tiny rocket supplied by the United States, ISRO would launch a 6,500 kg communication satellite built by the USA in the next couple of months, the Chairman of space agency, V Narayanan said on Sunday.

Indias space agency ISRO is set to launch a 6,500 kg communication satellite built by the United States in the coming months, a remarkable journey from its modest beginnings with a small rocket supplied by the US, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan said on Sunday.

Speaking at an event near Chennai, Narayanan highlighted the historic launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission on July 30 aboard the Indian GSLV-F16 rocket. The collaboration involved the L-band SAR payload from the US and the S-band payload from ISRO. The satellite was placed in orbit precisely by Indian launcher, he said, adding that this milestone demonstrated Indias arrival alongside advanced spacefaring nations.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Narayanan, who also serves as Secretary of the Department of Space, was honoured with an honorary Doctor of Science degree by Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan during the 21st convocation of SRM Institute of Science and Technology near Chennai.

In his acceptance speech, Narayanan recalled that the ISRO was set up in 1963 and the country was 6-7 years behind advanced countries then. In the same year, a tiny rocket was donated by the United States marking the beginnings of the Indian Space Programme. It was on November 21, 1963, he said.

In 1975, through satellite data given by the US, ISRO demonstrated mass communication by keeping 2,400 television sets across 2,400 villages of 6 Indian states, he said.

From that (kind of humble beginnings), the 30th of July was a historical day for Indian space programme. We have launched the NISAR satellite. The costliest satellite ever built in the world. The L Band SAR payload from the USA and S Band payload provided by ISRO. The satellite was placed in orbit precisely by Indian launcher (GSLV). And today, we are shoulder to shoulder with advanced countries, Narayanan remarked.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

He noted that the team from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) appreciated their ISRO counterparts for the precision launch of the GSLV-F16/NISAR Mission.

In another couple of months, a country which received a tiny rocket from the United States, is going to launch a 6,500 kg communication satellite built by the America using our own launcher from Indian soil. What a significant growth it is, he noted.

From a country which did not have satellite technology 50 years back, ISRO has, to date, launched 433 satellites of 34 countries using its own launch vehicles, he said.

With inputs from agencies
As India-Australia relations improve, it is vital that defence attaches fulfil the directive given to them in early 2022 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, calling to promote Indian defence production capabilities under Aatmanirbhar Bharat

There are clear signs that India-Australia ties are on an upward trajectory. The Australian Army Chief is due to visit India for a second time in his tenure. Lt General Simon Stuart, AO, DSC, had last visited India as part of the Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference in 2023, and he will be here again from August 10-15.

The visit was preceded by a host of top officials meeting with the political leadership, including Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, who was in Delhi in June to mark the fifth anniversary of the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This was followed by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting in Washington on July 1, 2025. Alongside all this are military exercises to be held in October this year.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Focus on Land Warfare Studies

The Army Chief is here on a high-level visit to cement these burgeoning relations with an interaction with his counterparts in Delhi. Among his other engagements, he will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies, New Delhi, which will establish cooperation with the Australian Army Research Centre to study emerging warfare strategies in a world where war and conflict, both conventional and unconventional, seem to be the norm rather than the exception, with Europe and the Middle East in flames. The two countries had signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020, which has only now begun to take off, with bilateral visits and armed forces interactions rising significantly.

The Australian Army Research Centre (AARC) was established in mid-2016. It was earlier called the Land Warfare Studies Centre. It sits as a Directorate within the Armys Future Land Warfare Branch in the Land Capability Division of Army Headquarters. It is therefore the exact counterpart of the Indian think tank that is also placed under the aegis of the Indian Army Headquarters. Both centres aim at deep research into the employment and modernisation of the Army, in keeping with the countrys core interests. Both critically contribute to the Armys understanding of the future character of war and the advancement of land power through a number of initiatives, including encouraging scholarship within the Army and fostering a dynamic understanding of the neighbourhood and beyond.

That Grey Zone Field

Of particular interest to both will be grey zone operations, which refer to a whole spectrum of adversarial activities involving both state and non-state actors, falling between traditional war and peace. It is marked by ambiguous, incremental, deniable and often non-attributable tactics designed to achieve strategic objectives without triggering a conventional military response.

These include cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, economic coercion, political subversion, use of proxy forces, and maritime militia operations. India faces this from various countries but primarily Pakistan and China, while Australia has seen a gradual rise in the size and nature of such operations from China. For instance, in February, three Chinese naval vessels carried out live-fire exercises in international waters in the Tasman Sea before continuing their navigation around the Australian continent.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Later, the dual-purpose vessel Tan Suo Yi Hao travelled west along Australias southern coastline. Both countries, however, have reached out to Beijing in an effort to mend ties, with Prime Minister Albanese in Beijing recently, and President Xi noting that ties with Australia have turned around. Indias Jaishankar was similarly in China recently, where he met his counterpart Wang Yi.

Quite apart from the fact that both countries are part of the Quad  the grouping which includes India, Australia, the US and Japan  both are also engaged in purely bilateral military exercises. In mid-July, India, along with 18 other nations, took part in Talisman Sabre 2025, a major bilateral military drill led by Australia. Now in its 11th iteration, this is the largest and most sophisticated warfighting exercise ever conducted in Australia, according to the Department of Defence, Australia. The exercise unites more than 35,000 military personnel from 19 nations.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Then there is AUSTRAHIND, held last year and now planned again in late 2025. According to government sources, the aim of the exercise is to enhance interoperability in the conduct of joint sub-conventional operations in semi-urban environments in semi-desert terrain, most importantly under Chapter VII of the UN mandate. In other words, these drills are for actions under the UN mandate, thus not aimed at any other country. All of this is supplemented by agreements like the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement, which helps streamline logistical support during joint exercises and humanitarian missions. There is also the air-to-air refuelling pact concluded last year. Both these extend the operational reach of each.

Bureaucracies Set the Stage

In mid-March, the 9th edition of India-Australia Defence Policy Talks was held, preceded by talks at ministerial and secretary levels. The discussions focused on cooperation priorities including maritime domain awareness, reciprocal information sharing, industry and science and technology collaboration, and exercises and exchanges including deployments from each others territories. Australia now designates India as a Top-tier Defence Partner, which fleshes out the original intent of the Strategic Partnership.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

All of this is part and parcel of traditional military diplomacy, often underrated earlier in India. In recent times, however, the military has been encouraged to increase its outreach, with more defence attache posts established across the world, including in Poland and, significantly, new posts in Armenia and the Philippines, with the former now the focus for defence exports from India.

As India-Australia relations improve, it is vital that defence attaches fulfil the directive given to them in early 2022 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, calling for them to act as the bridge between India and Friendly Foreign Countries for mutual defence cooperation and promote Indian defence production capabilities under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, showcasing innovation in both public and private defence sectors so as to promote these in their countries of accreditation.

While Australian defence firms are largely linked to US firms as Original Equipment Manufacturers, a range of partnership opportunities exists, particularly in innovation, to the benefit of both countries. That gives the relationship the vital grounding in bilateral terms to ensure sustainability. This means a more agile military bureaucracy on both sides, able to interact with a burgeoning domestic defence industry. All that and more will also lie on the shoulders of the two institutions on Land Warfare Studies, whose job it is now to think innovatively to get the military partnership up to speed  and beyond.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The writer is the Director General of the Centre for Land Warfare Studies. Lt Gen Dushyant Singh (Retd) is Director General, CLAWS. Views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
By engaging more pragmatically with Mediterranean countries, particularly with the European nations, as well as Russia, India can balance both the US and China

The Mediterranean region, due to its strategic location as well as its natural resources, is playing an important role in shaping global geopolitics. Some of these factors make this region a space of geopolitical contestation and power rivalry. Looking at the immense geostrategic and geo-economic significance of this region for India, there is a need for a grand Mediterranean strategy. One of the major factors which propel the Mediterranean countries to have better engagement with India is its growing role in global geopolitics and its status as the fourth-largest economy in the world, as well as the emerging market.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

On his way to attend the G7 Summit in Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a brief stopover at Nicosia, the capital city of Cyprus, on June 15. Similarly, on his return visit from Canada after attending the G7 Summit, the Prime Minister visited Croatia, which is also a Mediterranean country. The visit to Cyprus and Croatia by the Indian Prime Minister, though for a shorter period of time, generated much speculation about Indias approach to Mediterranean geopolitics, which over the years has been the hotspot of global geopolitics. British geopolitical thinker Halford J Mackinder termed this geopolitical space as the heartland. It is in this context that there is a need to examine the reason for a proactive foreign policy of India towards the Mediterranean region. Along with Greece, Cyprus, Israel, France, Italy, Croatia, Slovakia, Egypt, etc., which are the major players of the region. Even with Libya and Syria, India has more pragmatic engagement.

The Mediterranean region as a priority in Indias foreign policy calculus can be studied in the context of geopolitical challenges as well as opportunities this region provides. This calls for a greater proactive engagement by India. To understand the importance of the same, there is a need to understand the geographical importance of this region located in the vicinity of the Mediterranean Sea.

Geographical Importance

The importance of the Mediterranean Region can be gauged from its strategic location, as a connecting point between Asia, Europe, North Africa, its vast mineral resources, as well as its vast strategic coastline, and geo-cultural mosaic, which provides a complex identity to the region. The strategic significance of Mediterranean geopolitics can also be studied in the context of strategic developments that took place in this region over the historical past, which makes this region a vital zone for global geopolitics. The same has also impacted global geopolitics in manifold ways. Giving a historical analogy to the significance of the Mediterranean Sea in global geopolitics, Halford J Mackinder, in his book, Democratic Ideals and Reality: A Study in the Politics of Reconstruction, highlights how the Roman Empire became a great power by controlling the Mediterranean Sea.

As Mackinder argues, by controlling the strategically significant sea region, Rome advanced into the Heartland, if that term be understood, in a large, a strategical sense, as including Asia Minor and the Balkan Peninsula. He further argues that the Mediterranean Sea was the focal point of competition between France and England to control the Sea to acquire the status of a European power.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Similarly, the US Naval Strategist Alferd Mahan in his path-breaking work The Influence of Sea Power Upon History has highlighted the significance of the Sea in the global geopolitics. As Mahan underlined the importance of the Sea by stressing that: Circumstances have caused the Mediterranean Sea to play a greater part in the history of the world, both in a commercial and a military point of view, than any other sheet of water of the same size. Nation after nation has striven to control it, and the strife still goes on. In this book, he suggested that the US policymakers control the Mediterranean Sea, which will give a geopolitical preponderance to it in the forthcoming years. In this regard, Mahan gave an example of France, how it became a major power in European geopolitics by controlling the Mediterranean Sea. The American geostrategist Mahan further stresses Russias move in this Sea.

Some of the above observations being made by both Mackinder and Mahan, can be substantiated by various studies which suggest that the fact that major straits like the Strait of Gibraltar, which connect Atlantic to the Mediterranean, Bosporus Strait connecting Asia and Europe, Turkish Strait connecting with the Black Sea, etc, Otranto Strait, which connect with the Adriatic Sea with the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, to the Indian Ocean through the Suez canal, etc.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

A closer look at some of these straits reflects how the Mediterranean has shaped and will shape global geopolitics in the 21st century. As per the European Commission report, around 30 per cent of the global trade passes through this Sea. At the same time, the reports suggest around 450 ports and containers at sea. The Suez Canal alone, which connects with the Mediterranean, through which 10 per cent of the global trade passes.

Not only does this Sea connect as the major bridge for global trade, but also for the transportation of energy. For instance, a major chunk of Russian energy is exported to the international market through the Mediterranean Sea. Studies also suggest that this region is rich in oil and gas resources. Discoveries of new gas fields, particularly in Israel, Cyprus and Egypt and also in the Eastern Mediterranean Gas field, were made way back in 2010. The exploration of rich energy, as well as its strategic location as a key route for the transportation of energy, has also heightened the importance of the region.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

It has been observed that the Northern Mediterranean countries, which consist mostly of European countries, are heavily dependent upon renewable energy, consisting of around 43.2 per cent as per the study titled Heres how and why the Mediterranean could lead in the global clean energy revolution. Though the same study highlights that the Levant and North African region have not taken much lead in this region. It is also a fact that because of energy, Israel has emerged as a key exporter of energy to Egypt, considered a major foe in the geopolitics of the Mediterranean. Similarly, the Mediterranean has emerged as a strategic corridor for the export of Israels gas to European countries in recent years.

Thus, the emergence of Israel as a major exporter of energy brought out a fundamental shift in the geopolitics of this region. One of the major policies of the European Union, like the Trans-Mediterranean Energy and Clean Tech Cooperation Initiative, is aimed at harnessing the blue economy and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. The initiation of the India-Middle East-European Economic Corridor (IMEC) will further heighten the geo-economic significance of the region in global geopolitics.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Though this region occupies a significant position in the global geo-economic landscape but at the same plays a critical role in the global geopolitical chess game. The prolonged conflict between Russia and Ukraine, located in the Black Sea region, has a link with the Mediterranean Sea. The repeated Houthi terrorists attacks on ships flowing in the Red Sea, as well as the Suez Canal region, and the protracted conflict between Israel and Iran have changed the geopolitical configuration of West Asia.

Geopolitical Complexity

There are four major structural geopolitical developments which influence strategic developments in this region. These are:

Fraught within the European Union, especially after the war between Russia and Ukraine over the nature of engagement with Nato and Russia.

Strategic developments are taking place both in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, which will have an impact on the global geopolitical landscape.

The economic meltdown in the European Mediterranean countries.

Turkeys role in posing a threat to the Mediterranean countries is creating new security challenges to the security complex of this region.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The geopolitical turmoil which affects the region in a broader context contributed to a new version of the Great Game in the Mediterranean region, where power interplay among the external powers like China, the United States and Russia becomes more incessant. As one can see in the context of Syria, all three powers are trying to influence the geopolitical landscape in the post-Assad regime. While the US is a traditional player in this part of the world, and Russia, which is the legal successor of the former Soviet Union, has tried to offset the geopolitical balance in its favour.

Russian geopolitical analysts have long considered the region as its traditional sphere of influence. In fact, Russia, being the key actor of the Black Sea, requires the Mediterranean Sea as a major outlet to export its agricultural products, oil and gas and other important export commodities to North Africa, Europe and the West Asian market. It is a fact that Russia has a naval base at Tartus in Syria on the Syrian coast of the Eastern Mediterranean. Though Russia has lost its sphere of influence to some extent after the ouster of the Assad regime in Syria, it is gaining a new footprint in Israel in recent months. This is largely due to the changing policy posture of the Putin Administration towards Israel. This will also give a greater impetus to Russias engagement with the region.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Similarly, the energy volatility in the European Mediterranean countries, especially after the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, can push many of these Nato European countries to mend fences with Russia for securing cheap energy. It is a fact that the US energy prices are at a higher level, which will put European countries at a higher risk. As both the US and EU reached a trade agreement under which the former will impose a 15 per cent tariff on the latters product on the condition that the EU will provide US energy to the tune of 750 billion US dollars. Though it appears to be a fairer trade bargaining, the moot point is whether the EU countries will be hostage to the coercive trade practices of the US.

Thus, they are looking towards Russia being the traditional energy supplier to maintain energy equilibrium. Hence, one can see a major role for Russia in this part of the world in the near future. Similarly, the growing threat being posed by Turkey not only to European Mediterranean countries like Greece and Cyprus, but also its role as a mischievous player in the West Asian part of the Mediterranean region under Erdogan, poses a challenge to the regional security of the Mediterranean region.

On the other hand, China is trying to offset the geopolitical balance in this part of the world and bring this entire region under its ambitious and imperial Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Though the operationalisation of the IMEC corridor will put a hold on Chinese expansionist tendencies in this part of the world. For instance, Italy, which is a key country in the Mediterranean, has soured its relations with China. So is the case with Israel, which took a U-turn in its relations with China because of Beijings relations with the Palestinian-based Hamas. As studies suggest, there is a social uprising against China in many of the Mediterranean countries of West Asia and North Africa for its role in resource exploitation. All these developments put China on the back foot.

Looking at the geopolitical, geostrategic, and geo-economic significance of the region, it is imperative to mention here that India has a significant role to play in the Mediterranean region.

Indias Strategic Interest

India has a deeper interest in the geopolitical developments which are occurring in this part of the world. Hence, security and stability in this strategically significant region are one of the primary concerns of India. A robust policy towards the Mediterranean region was unveiled at the sidelines of the Delhi G20 Summit, which took place in September 2023, when the IMEC Corridor was initiated. There are three important considerations why India attaches so much importance to the Mediterranean. Over the years, it has been observed that the geopolitical stability in the broader Mediterranean, both the West Asia North Africa (WANA) region and the European part, is considered critical to Indias national interest. The same can be witnessed if one looks at the Houthi crisis in the Red Sea.

This crisis is affecting Indias energy security needs as India brings the bulk of its energy through the Suez Canal, which links India to the Mediterranean Sea. Thus, stability in the Red Sea and Suez Canal corridor is considered to be critical to Indias strategic energy interests. Another important dimension that needs to be highlighted is that Egypt, because of its strategic location on the Mediterranean Coast, is an entrepot to North Africa, West Asia and Europe.

Thus, the beefing up of Indias relations with Egypt over the years provided an opportunity for robust strategic engagement between the two countries. The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Egypt in June 2023 resulted in enhancing strategic cooperation between India and Egypt. By engaging with Egypt what India achieved a greater strategic preponderance in the Mediterranean geopolitics. What is interesting to note here is that India is pursuing a coherent foreign policy without involving itself too much in the internal dynamics of Mediterranean geopolitics. For instance, India has good relations with Israel and Egypt. It is a fact that Israel has emerged as a trusted strategic partner for India in Mediterranean geopolitics.

The initiation of the IMEC project, as discussed above, makes Israel a critical partner for India in strategising Mediterranean diplomacy. The Israeli port of Haifa, which is under the control of the Indian conglomerate Adani Group, is directly linked to the Mediterranean Sea coast. This gives India a tactical advantage both in a geopolitical and geo-economic sense in shaping Mediterranean diplomacy. It is also a fact that the bilateral relations between India and Israel stood at 10.77 billion dollars in the year 2022-23 (minus defence cooperation) as per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India.

One may recall here that over the years, India and Israel, both at the bilateral and multilateral levels, have had a convergence of interests on many issues. The same can be manifested when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2025, when India conducted Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Earlier, Israel fully supported Indias Operation Sindoor by stating that Israel supports Indias right to self-defence.

Despite the political transition in Libya after 2011, India maintained good contact with Libyas National Transitional Council. One noteworthy aspect of Indias engagement with Libya is in the economic sphere. Major Indian companies like OVL, Punj Lloyd, BHEL, along with the IT sector, etc, are actively engaged in Libya. Because of its strategic location on the Mediterranean coast as well as in WANA, Libya is going to play an important role in the geopolitical landscape of global geopolitics. In this context, one can see a more proactive engagement of India in this part of the world.

Coming to the European part of the Mediterranean, India has, over the years, beefed up its presence in this part of the world. This move of New Delhi has both geopolitical as well as geo-economic connotations aimed at building a new kind of strategic partnership. The above strategic analysis provides an opportunity to understand the complex geopolitical developments which are confronting the strategically located region, which shapes the future of global geopolitics. The above analysis also helps India to locate its geopolitical engagement with this part of the world.

Some of these structural developments are also shaping Indias engagement with this part of the world. Though it is a fact that Indias long-standing relations with the Mediterranean countries can also be factored into shaping relations. For instance, the relationship between India and France has undergone a sharp transformation in recent years. Cooperation in the field of Science and technology, climate change, sustainable growth, renewable energy, defence, as well as trade and a shared perception on some of the global issues are factors that bring relations between the two countries. It may be underlined here that France, in recent years, has taken a keen interest in Indo-Pacific geopolitics.

In this regard, France seeks Indias cooperation. The visit of Prime Minister Modi to France on February 10-12, 2025, gave a new vista to India-France relations. During the visit of Prime Minister Modi to France in February, a Joint Statement was signed between the two countries. The Joint Statement appreciated the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) on the margins of the G20 Summit in Delhi in September 2023 and agreed to work together more closely on implementing the initiative. In this regard, they acknowledged the strategic location of Marseille in the Mediterranean Sea. The trade relations have also been substantially increased between India and France over the years, and as per the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India report in 2023-24, the trade volume reached 15.11 billion US dollars.

Italy, which occupies a vantage point in the Mediterranean Sea Coast, acts as a bridge with European, North African and West Asian Mediterranean, and has strong relations with India. Along with bilateral relations, Italy is part of major Indian renewable energy initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, Global Bio-Fuel Alliance, Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiatives, and the IMEC corridor.

This reflects the convergence of interests on the issue of mutual interests. Similarly, Italy is also a major trading partner of India, with a trade volume of 14.74 billion Euro in 2023- 24 as per the MEA, Government of India report. Along with the IMEC corridor, both countries have also agreed to develop cooperation in the field of technology, defence, renewable energy, etc. Similarly, another important Mediterranean country on the European continent is Spain, with which India has a strong relationship.

The most interesting aspect of Indias relations with European Mediterranean countries is with Cyprus and Greece. The relationship between Cyprus and Greece has assumed importance in recent years. This is because another Mediterranean country, Turkey, has posed a strong security challenge to India in recent years. In fact, a new form of unholy nexus is emerging among Turkey, Azerbaijan and Pakistan. The same was more glaringly evident when Turkey provided overt and covert support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. This includes supplying drones and other sophisticated weapons to Pakistan by Turkey. These Turkic weapons were being used by Pakistan in May-June 2025 against India.

Even in recent years, especially after the Bangladesh coup in August 2024, Turkey has been providing arms and ammunition to the Yunus Government. Reports suggest that Turkey, with the active connivance of Pakistan, is augmenting its presence in Nepal with sinister motives against India. This move by Turkey is driven by its desire to step up its presence in South Asia. Thus, Turkeys move in South Asia is posing a strong threat to Indias security.

It is in this context; there is a need to re-examine and augment Indias presence in the Mediterranean region to checkmate and encircle Turkey. In this context, Indias presence in Cyprus as well as in Greece assumes vital importance and has strong geopolitical connotations.

Indias policy posture towards both Greece and Cyprus can be evident from the fact that, under Prime Minister Modi, New Delhi is pursuing a more assertive and pragmatic policy. The same can be evident from Prime Minister Modis visit to Cyprus in June 2025. It may be argued that India consistently supported Cypruss unity and integration. It is a fact that Cyprus occupies an important position in the Eastern Mediterranean region and constantly faces a threat from Turkey.

In this context, one can see India and Cyprus strategic cooperation. One may add here that Cyprus is strategically located and emerging as a major energy connectivity hub. Apart from this, the IMEC corridor also passes through Cyprus. Looking at the strategic significance of Cyprus, it can be stated that India also has a vital stake in Cyprus. The visit of Prime Minister Modi in June 2025 has also augmented India-Cyprus relations to a great extent.

The Joint Statement issued after the end of the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Cyprus highlighted Unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including international and cross-border terrorism, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to countering hybrid threats that undermine peace and stability.

At the economic front, both countries underlined Viewing IMEC as a catalyst for constructive regional cooperation, they reiterated their shared commitment to promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East and emphasized the importance of fostering deeper engagement and corridors of interconnection from the Indian peninsula through the wider Middle East to Europe.

Over the years, Cyprus has consistently supported Indias counter-terrorism measures. Along with this, Cyprus also supported Indias position on Kashmir at various forums, including at the United Nations (UN). Cyprus also supported Indias Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Over the years, Cyprus has also shown keenness to purchase Indias defence equipment. Along with defence, technological cooperation, sustainable development, blue economy, etc, are some of the key aspects which were discussed during Prime Minister Modis visit to Cyprus in June 2025. One major issue that gained prominence in recent years was the further institutionalisation of economic cooperation among India, Cyprus and Greece. The formation of the IndiaGreeceCyprus (IGC) Business and Investment Council can be stated as the first step in the direction of trilateral relations between the three countries.

Along with Cyprus, India has also strengthened its relations with Greece in recent years and turned into a Strategic Partnership in August 2023. The visit of Prime Minister Modi to Greece in August 2023, followed by Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakiss return visit to India in February 2024, adds a new milestone in the bilateral relations between the two countries. It may be noted that India shares both historical and civilizational relations with Greece. In this context, one can see how both countries can benefit from each others cooperation.

Like Cyprus, Greece also occupies a vantage point on the Mediterranean Coast. Hence, it can act as a gateway to reach out to the European as well as the Mediterranean countries. This adds much weight to Indias geopolitical and geo-economic engagement with this part of the world. It is also a fact that, like Cyprus, Greece also supports India at the various international forums, including at the UN. Greece also supported India when India conducted Operation Sindoor against Pakistan.

At the same time, India and Greece have also conducted Joint Naval as well as Air defence exercises in 2024, known as Tarang-2024 exercises in September. 2024. The strengthening of cultural relations as well as economic relations will add much substance to the strategic cooperation between India and Greece. Similarly, Turkey is also posing a substantial security threat to Greece.

Territorial and maritime zone dispute, especially in the Aegean Sea, is one of the thorniest issues between the two countries. There are a number of reports which suggest that over the years, the radical Islamist regime of Turkey under Erdogan has been mulling hostile moves, including military aggression against Greece, to take over the Greek territories. This is happening despite the fact that both countries of the Mediterranean are part of Nato.

It is in this context; one can envisage stronger military coordination between India and Greece in the Mediterranean region to checkmate the challenge being posed by Turkey. Greece is also seeking an interest in the Indo-Pacific corridor, in which it seeks Indias cooperation. It is a fact that Greece is emerging as a reliable strategic partner of India in the Mediterranean region. Similarly, the formation of the India-Cyprus-Greece trilateral economic grouping can be translated into a regional security grouping with the inclusion of Armenia (a Caucasus country) and Israel in the long run. This will add much substance to the Mediterranean regional security complex.

A report being published by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) titled India and Mediterranean Nations: Crossroads of Commerce, published in September 2024, vividly outlines Indias economic engagement in this part of the world. The report outlines how India, being one of the largest economies in the world, has a positive role to play in the economic dynamics of the world. As the above report of CII suggests, Indias trading with Mediterranean countries is to the tune of $76.2 billion, which is to the extent of 6.8 per cent of its total trade.

The report further underlined that the European Mediterranean countries constitute the largest trading partner of India, with a trading volume of $55.9 billion. The report has also further highlighted Indias trade engagement with the West Asian and North African parts of the Mediterranean region. The report further highlights the new areas of cooperation, like circular economy, blue economy, digital payment, green hydrogen, joint cooperation in defence manufacturing, etc, are some of the areas of cooperation.

Thus, looking at both the strategic developments of the Mediterranean region as well as Indias geopolitical and geo-economic engagement with this region, one can add here that this region provides challenges as well as opportunities. While at the geo-economic front, this region offers market as well as strategic connectivity along with resources, but on the other hand, Turkey is posing a strong threat to Indias security.

Hence, there is a need for Indian policy makers to tread a cohesive as well as pragmatic policy towards this strategic region. As discussed earlier, the structural geopolitical factors like the US and EU engagement, Russia and EU relations, along with the nature of volatility in the trade relations among these countries, are likely to shape Indias Mediterranean policy. Along with these external factors, both geopolitical logic and geo-economic dynamics are shaping India-Mediterranean relations.

Looking at some of the above developments, the following inferences can be drawn from the above analysis. These are:

The geopolitical complexity of the Mediterranean region is partly accentuated by its strategic location, resources, as well as the role of external actors.

The new geopolitical reconfiguration is associated largely with the role of external powers like the US, Russia, and China, which are shaping the strategic dynamics of the region.

India has deep-rooted historical, geo-strategic and geo-economic linkages that actually provide the foundation for building a cohesive, resilient and pragmatic policy towards the Mediterranean region.

In recent years, Indian foreign policy has looked towards the region in a more realist sense. The same can be evident from New Delhis move to beef up its presence in the region through the IMEC corridor as well as through maritime connectivity.

There is a need to augment Indias naval presence on the Mediterranean coast. This will give New Delhi a strategic manoeuvrability in influencing the geopolitical development of the region.

India and Mediterranean countries can foster cooperation in the fields of science, technology, defence, agriculture, climate change, renewable energy, health, and trade.

Conclusion

The Mediterranean region is in a state of geopolitical flux, largely due to its strategic location as well as geo-economic significance as a major connectivity corridor in global geopolitics. It is in this context that India should take full advantage of the complex geopolitical situation of the Mediterranean region by forging a closer partnership with Israel, Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, and the European Mediterranean countries. Trade, resources, culture, technology, and connectivity are some of the key areas of cooperation between India and the Mediterranean countries.

It is a fact that the IMEC corridor is in a state of geopolitical impasse largely due to the onset of conflict in West Asia and the North African region, as well as in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Similarly, the trade and tariff impasse between India and the US, though, may slow down the implementation of the project, but one can envisage that once the issue is resolved, then IMEC may revitalise itself. Similarly, India can use Greece and Cyprus as a stepping up base for encircling Turkey. It is a fact that over the years, Turkey and Pakistan have been hobnobbing with each other along with Azerbaijan, which is impacting Indias national security.

Thus, India can also form a new trilateral cooperation along with Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Armenia, in forming a new strategic alliance in the Mediterranean sub-region. This will give a new strategic dimension to Indias Mediterranean policy. The trilateral economic cooperation involving India, Cyprus and Greece is already operational and may provide further impetus to the Mediterranean sub-regional economic cooperation

To sum up, India needs a robust foreign policy towards the Mediterranean region. By engaging more pragmatically with Mediterranean countries, particularly with the European countries, as well as Russia, India can balance both the US and China.

The author teaches at the School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The White House is weighing whether to invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Alaska, where Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are set to meet next week, says a report.

The White House is considering inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Alaska, where President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin next week, NBC News reported, citing senior US officials.

Its being discussed, one source told NBC News, while another said it was absolutely possible. Everyone is very hopeful that would happen, the official added.

No visit has been confirmed, and it remains unclear whether Zelenskyy would join the Alaska meetings. Asked if an invitation had been extended, a senior White House official said, The president remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is focused on planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Trump announced Friday that he will meet Putin on August 15 in Alaska to push for a Ukraine ceasefire. Initially, the White House made a PutinZelenskyy meeting a precondition for the summit, but Trump later said it was not required. Even if Zelenskyy attends, it is uncertain whether he and Putin would meet directly.

The diplomatic push follows a visit to Moscow by Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff ahead of Trumps Friday deadline for Putin to agree to a ceasefire or face new sanctions. Putin has so far resisted, offering instead a deal that would allow Russia to retain large swathes of Ukrainian territory. Zelenskyy rejected the idea on Saturday, vowing that Ukrainians will not give their land to occupiers.

Trump, however, hinted at possible concessions, saying Friday that therell be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both. US officials are now working to rally Ukrainian and European backing for a potential ceasefire plan.
Iraq has a troubled history with chlorine gas. Several chlorine tanker trucks were used in bombings during the Iraq War, deliberately releasing chlorine gas in populated areas

More than 600 Shiite pilgrims in Iraq were treated for respiratory problems after inhaling chlorine gas from a leak at a water treatment station, officials said on Sunday (August 10).

The leak occurred overnight along the main route between Najaf and Karbala, two of the countrys most important Shiite holy cities.

Millions of pilgrims are expected to converge on Karbala in the coming days to mark Arbaeen, the 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, and his brother Abbas.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Iraqs health ministry said 621 people suffered asphyxiation following the leak, but all received treatment and were discharged in good health. Security forces protecting pilgrims said the chlorine escaped from a water facility on the KarbalaNajaf road.

How bad is inhaling chlorine gas for health?

Inhaling chlorine gas can cause a wide range of health effects depending on how much is inhaled and for how long, as the gas is highly irritant and corrosive.

When chlorine enters the airways, it reacts with moisture in the respiratory tract to form acids, which damage tissue and trigger inflammation. Even brief exposure to low concentrations can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, producing symptoms such as burning sensations, redness, watering eyes, and a sore throat.

Many people experience immediate coughing or choking as the airways react to the chemical, and some may develop nausea and vomiting due to its sharp, pungent odour.

More serious exposures can lead to pronounced shortness of breath, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and wheezing from bronchospasm. In high concentrations, chlorine gas can cause pulmonary oedema, a dangerous condition in which fluid builds up in the lungs, sometimes several hours after the initial exposure. This delayed reaction can be life-threatening without medical intervention.

The long-term effects of chlorine inhalation depend on the severity of the incident. Mild cases often resolve completely, but more severe exposures can leave lasting airway damage, leading to persistent coughing, wheezing, or a condition known as reactive airway dysfunction syndrome.

In the most serious cases, scarring of lung tissue can permanently reduce lung capacity. People with asthma, chronic respiratory diseases, or weakened immune systems are at greater risk of both immediate and lasting harm, and children and older adults tend to be more vulnerable to the effects of chlorine gas than healthy young adults.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Chlorine gas attacks in Iraq in the past

Several chlorine tanker trucks were used in bombings during the Iraq War, deliberately releasing chlorine gas in populated areas.

Insurgents in Iraq began weaponizing chlorine gas as early as October 2004, combining it with conventional vehicle-borne explosives (better known as dirty bombs), a tactic that continued through mid2007.

Two chlorine truck bombs exploded outside the Fallujah government center, injuring at least 15 Iraqi and US soldiers, with many suffering suspected chlorine poisoning.

A suicide truck bomb loaded with chlorine detonated at a police checkpoint in Ramadi, killing approximately 27 people.

In one of the deadliest chlorine-related attacks, a bombing at a Shia village market in Diyala Governorate killed between 32 and 45 people and injured about 60, making it the highest death toll from a chlorine bombing in Iraq at the time.

By early 2007, multiple suicide attacks using chlorine had occurred across Anbar Province, resulting in over 350 people suffering injuries or illness from chlorine exposure.

With inputs from agencies
Russian President Vladimir Putin presented US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff with a special award to pass on to a senior CIA official whose son was killed while fighting in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war

Russian President Vladimir Putin presented US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff with a special award to pass on to a senior CIA official whose son was killed while fighting in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. During his meeting with Witkoff, Putin gave the Order of Lenin to the American envoy, sources close to the family told BBC News.

21-year-old Michael Gloss was killed in Ukraine last year. He was the son of Juliane Gallina, who is the CIAs deputy director for digital innovation. Reports of this engagement came to light after it was confirmed that US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, will meet in Alaska next Friday to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

However, neither the Kremlin nor the Russian Foreign Ministry has publicly acknowledged that Gloss was bestowed with the Order of Lenin posthumously. The honour is a Soviet-era award recognising outstanding civilian service. It also remains unclear what exactly was done with the award.

Glosss case

Meanwhile, the White House, the CIA and Witkoff are yet to respond to the matter. It is pertinent to note that Glosss death first emerged in Russian media back in April. Later that month, the CIA released a statement in which they stated that Gloss had been suffering from mental health problems, adding that his death was not a national security issue.

A person familiar with the matter made it clear that Gloss himself was never an employee of the CIA. Sources close to the family told CBS News that the Kremlin did not initially appear to be aware of the family background of Gloss, who enlisted with Russian forces in autumn 2023.

While in Russia, Gloss shared selfies in Moscows Red Square on social media last year. In his post, he had expressed support for Russia in what he described as the Ukraine Proxy war. He went on to dismiss media coverage of the conflict as Western propaganda. An obituary of Gloss was eventually published in November 2024, saying he was killed in Eastern Europe on 4 April that year.

It is pertinent to note that Glosss father was an Iraq War veteran named Larry Gloss. While speaking to The Washington Post in April, Larry said that his son had struggled for most of his life with mental illness.

Our biggest fear while we were waiting for him to be repatriated was that someone over there [in Moscow] would put two and two together and figure out who his mother was, and use him as a prop, Larry Gloss said.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
An Indian-origin woman in Dublin alleged her 60-year-old father was racially harassed by two boys, amid rising attacks on Indians in Ireland. Both Indian and Irish authorities have condemned the assaults.

Police stand at the front of the Richmond Road Baptist Church as other officers maintain a perimeter following a shooting at the church in Lexington, Ky. AP

Amid a spate of recent attacks on Indians in Ireland, an Indian-origin woman has alleged that her 60-year-old father was racially harassed and subjected to inappropriate behaviour by two young boys at a bus stop in Dublin.

In a Reddit post on August 9, she recounted waiting for a bus with her father and sister when the boys, believed to be around seven or eight years old, approached. They first asked for selfies but soon began mocking her father, with one allegedly trying to grab his wallet.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

We tried to stay calm and ignored their behaviour. But then, shockingly, one boy blocked my fathers way, made grabbing gestures toward his crotch, she wrote, saying the ordeal left her family feeling defenceless.

My father, aged 60, was harassed by a child right in front of his daughters, leaving us feeling defenceless. Knowing the current climate for people of colour in Ireland and being aware of the laws, it was frustrating not to have any immediate recourse, she said.

Citing the current climate for people of colour in Ireland, she urged the Irish government to amend laws so that children can be held accountable for serious misconduct. No one should have to feel unsafe or powerless in public spaces, regardless of their background, the post read.

Multiple attacks against Indians raises concerns

The incident comes after an Indian-origin taxi driver and a six-year-old Indian girl were attacked in separate incidents last week. The Indian Embassy in Ireland has issued an advisory urging the community to stay vigilant, while the Irish Embassy in India condemned the violence, calling it an assault on the values of equality and human dignity that Ireland holds dear.
BEIJING, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet on August 15th in Alaska to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, marking the first talks between the leaders of the two countries since 2021.

On the campaign trail in 2023 and 2024, Trump made repeated claims that he would end the Ukraine crisis within 24 hours of winning presidency. The summit, Trump's latest push for peace in the region, has been billed by the White House as a high-stakes push to end the Ukraine crisis.

But the prospects for a breakthrough appear uncertain, with the two leaders approaching the talks from sharply different positions and many of America's allies warning that any deal struck without Kiev's participation will lack legitimacy.

The plans for the face-to-face meeting between the two leaders surfaced after Putin's three-hour working meeting with Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff during the latter's visit to Moscow on Wednesday.

Putin this week offered the Trump administration a broad ceasefire proposal that requires significant territorial concessions from Kiev and seeks international acceptance of Russia's claims in return for stopping the fighting, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing European and Ukrainian officials.

Trump said Friday that he intended to secure a ceasefire, even suggesting that "swapping of territories" could be part of the deal. While he has not specified what that would entail, the phrase has drawn immediate pushback from Ukraine and its allies.

Ukraine has repeatedly said it will not accept any arrangement that cedes its territory. President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Saturday the Alaska talks for excluding his government and warned that lasting peace cannot be achieved without Ukraine at the table.

"Any decisions made against us, any decisions made without Ukraine, are at the same time decisions against peace," Zelensky said in a video address. "They will bring nothing. These are dead decisions; they will never work."

European capitals reacted swiftly to Trump's suggestion of a land swap. Leaders from the European Commission, France, Italy, Britain, Germany, Poland and Finland issued a joint statement on Saturday affirming that Ukraine's borders, as recognized internationally, cannot be changed by force. The statement underscored that Ukraine must be directly involved in any negotiations regarding its sovereignty.

The last round of Russia-Ukraine talks held in Istanbul on July 23 concluded with no breakthrough towards a ceasefire but an agreement on another prisoner swap with civilian detainees included.

Russia and Ukraine remain quite apart from each other while exchanges of drone and missile attacks continue to inflict heavy casualties and infrastructure damage.

Analysts say that even if Trump and Putin agree on broad principles, achieving a workable ceasefire will be far from simple, as Russia controls significant territory, including areas it has fortified heavily over the past year, while Ukraine remains committed to regaining its land.

A halt to fighting would require agreement on troop withdrawals, security guarantees and the future status of disputed regions -- issues that have defied resolution since the conflict began in 2022. Without clear enforcement mechanisms, experts warn, any truce could unravel quickly.

Whether the Alaska summit moves the Ukraine crisis toward resolution or entrenches a fragile stalemate will depend on whether the leaders can bridge deep divides. With positions hardened and trust in short supply, a ceasefire, if it comes at all, will not be easy. 
As China takes measures to fight the Chikungunya virus spreading across the south of the country, accusations of Chinese officials infringing on peoples privacy rights have started to emerge.

As China takes measures to fight the Chikungunya virus spreading across the south of the country, accusations of Chinese officials infringing on peoples privacy rights have started to emerge.

A single mother living in Zhanjiang, a port city in Guangdong province, posted a video on social media this week showing a group of people, including a uniformed police officer, entering her childrens bedroom in the middle of the night and taking blood samples. In the video, the mother mentioned that the whole ordeal took place without the mothers presence or consent.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The officers barged into the home in the middle of the night while the mother was working a night shift and was not at home. The video went viral instantly with 90 million views on Weibo, and Chinese media reported that a local pharmacy had alerted the local authorities after the son had a fever, The Guardian reported. Many soon started raising concerns about privacy rights in the country.

China imposes strict measures

Health authorities in Guangdong were on high alert because of an outbreak of Chikungunya that started about a month ago in Foshan, a city 260km from Zhanjiang. As per the government data, there have been about 8,000 reported cases in the country so far, along with at least one imported case in Hong Kong, a city that borders Guangdong.

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease that can only be spread by being bitten by an insect carrying the virus. It is a non-fatal mosquito-borne disease that can be cured with medical attention. Symptoms of the disease include fever, muscle and joint pain, nausea and a rash. In rare cases, symptoms can last for months or even years. But it is rarely fatal.

However, babies, elderly people and people with underlying health conditions are most at risk. It is pertinent to note that Chikungunya outbreaks are quite common in Asia, Africa and the Americas, but this is the first time that there has been a major occurrence in China.

In the past, people took to the streets to protest against strict COVID-19 prevention measures undertaken by the Chinese authorities. On 2 August, Wang Weizhong, Guangdongs governor, said that China would strive to win the battle against the Chikungunya fever epidemic and ordered a range of measures.

Some of these measures included eradicating mosquito breeding grounds such as pools of stagnant water, mobilising the public to empty pots and pans that might be collecting water, encouraging the use of mosquito coils and nets and using mosquito repellent.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

However, the authorities have also been resurrecting surveillance and reporting measures which hark back to the zero-COVID era, in which peoples daily lives were strictly monitored and controlled. On August 4, the Foshan local authorities announced that all pharmacies would have to report the sale of certain drugs used for treating fevers.

This appears to be the reason why the children in Zhanjiang were identified. Following the outrage online, local authorities said that they are investigating the matter.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have launched a surprise drill, Dawn, to test the readiness of its top command and response to major attacks. Led by Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the exercise includes unannounced scenarios across all battlefronts.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a surprise drill called Dawn on Sunday to test the readiness of its general headquarters and key command centers, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Led by Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the exercise is designed to assess how quickly and effectively the IDF can respond to large-scale attacks. It features unannounced scenarios and operations across all potential battlefronts.

IDF Comptroller Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Sarig and his team are monitoring the drill, evaluating both the speed and quality of the militarys response. The IDF will continue to carry out inspections across all commands, branches, and units to improve competence and readiness, the military said in a statement.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

IDF launches the surprise "Operation Dawn" to test the forces' reaction capabilities and readiness for any possible large attacks.https://t.co/AFdL4x9V9g  The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) August 10, 2025

The drill comes amid ongoing IDF activity on several fronts. On Saturday night, Israeli forces struck a Hezbollah operative in Aynata, southern Lebanon, accusing him of gathering intelligence in violation of a ceasefire with Lebanon.

Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met security officials for over three hours to discuss the Gaza campaign. The IDF Chief of Staff presented various options, and Netanyahus office said the military is ready to implement any decision from the Security Cabinet.
India is concerned about Chinas mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, fearing impacts on South Asias ecology and water security, urging transparency and consultation.

The Indian government has expressed serious concern over Chinas reported construction of a massive hydropower dam on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, the upper course of the Brahmaputra, warning of potential risks to South Asias water security, ecology and livelihoods.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is carefully monitoring the project, which was first announced in 1986 and has long been viewed in New Delhi as a strategic and environmental threat. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh told Parliament that India has repeatedly conveyed its concerns to Beijing, urging transparency and consultations with downstream nations.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

This project, first made public in 1986, has been a subject of concern for India due to its potential impact on the countrys interests and the livelihoods of local tribes.

Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, said that the government carefully monitors all developments related to the Brahmaputra River and takes necessary measures to protect its interests. The government has consistently conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities, emphasising the need for transparency and consultation with downstream countries.

The Government of India has taken note of reports about the commencement of construction of the mega dam project by China on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo (upper reaches of the Brahmaputra) River in Tibet. This project was first made public as far back as 1986 and since then, preparations have been underway in China, the MEA stated in response to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha.

The MEA said that the government remained committed to safeguarding Indian interests in the region. Government carefully monitors all developments relating to the Brahmaputra river, including plans by China to develop hydropower projects, and takes necessary measures to protect our interests, including preventive and corrective measures to safeguard life and livelihood of Indian citizens residing in downstream areas, the statement said.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The Yarlung Tsangpo originates in Tibets Jiema Yangzong Glacier near Mount Kailash, flows into Arunachal Pradesh as the Siang, becomes the Brahmaputra in Assam, and eventually merges with the Ganges in Bangladesh before reaching the Bay of Bengal. Any disruptions upstream could directly affect ecosystems, agriculture, and livelihoods across the entire region, Phayul reported.

The project is situated in a seismically active and ecologically fragile part of the Himalayas. Environmentalists, quoted by Phayul, have warned that such large-scale infrastructure in this region could have devastating consequences, including disrupted river flows, loss of biodiversity, and increased flood risks.

India and China have discussed such issues under the Expert Level Mechanism set up in 2006, as well as through ongoing diplomatic engagement. Singh highlighted that India has urged China to ensure transparency and to engage in meaningful consultations with downstream nations before moving ahead with any hydropower developments, Phayul noted.

India has also pressed for the resumption of hydrological data sharing, which China has suspended during crucial monsoon periods in the past. The issue was brought up again during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankars visit to China from July 14-16 for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers Meeting, according to Phayul.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

While China has promoted the dam as part of its renewable energy strategy, India remains wary that the project could allow Beijing to exert control over water flows in South Asia, a strategic tool with far-reaching consequences, Phayul reported.
After rifts due to the mandatory military conscription of ultra-orthodox Jews, Netanyahus coalition is now struggling as far-right factions voice vehement opposition to his plan for the Gaza war

Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has declared that he no longer believes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can deliver a decisive victory in Gaza, days after the security cabinet approved plans to expand the military offensive in the devastated territory.

In a sharply worded video message on Saturday (August 9), the ultranationalist politician accused Netanyahu of reversing course after promising to go all the way in the fight against Hamas, and criticised him for keeping the door open to a potential ceasefire-for-hostage deal.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

I remained in government as long as I believed we were driving for decisive victory, Smotrich said. I have now lost faith that the prime minister can and wishes to lead the [Israeli military] there, Financial Times reported him as saying.

The comments mark the most pointed criticism yet from a key coalition partner. Smotrich, along with national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has long pressed Netanyahu to adopt harder-line policies throughout the 22-month-old war. While he did not threaten to resign, the statement deepened tensions within an already fractured governing alliance.

Cabinet pushes forward on Gaza City takeover

Netanyahus security cabinet has ordered the military to prepare for a full takeover of Gaza City, once the most populous urban centre in the enclave. The move would require the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and the creation of new humanitarian aid infrastructure, according to Israeli officials. Military planners have indicated that the operation may be delayed until early October to allow the mobilisation of additional reservists.

Smotrich, who took part in the cabinet deliberations, said the plan amounted to putting pressure on Hamas to agree to a partial hostage deal rather than pursuing outright victory. He has advocated for the reoccupation of the entire Gaza Strip, the removal of its two million residents to other countries, and the rebuilding of Israeli settlements.

Zvi Sukkot, a parliamentarian from Smotrichs Religious Zionism party, told army radio on Sunday that the party could reconsider its role in the coalition and might push for early elections. I dont see any point being partner to something that will ultimately send soldiers [into battle] without first knowing what the end result will be, he said.

Coalition strains and international backlash

Netanyahus coalition includes Likud, two far-right factions, and two ultra-Orthodox parties, the latter having already suspended participation in government over a dispute on military conscription. Despite the growing rifts, analysts doubt snap elections are imminent, noting that the governing bloc is trailing in polls and Religious Zionism risks failing to meet the threshold for re-entering parliament.

Military leaders have reportedly opposed the Gaza City plan, warning it could overextend exhausted troops and jeopardise the lives of the remaining 50 Israeli hostages, of whom about 20 are believed to be alive.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticised the expansion of the war, warning that delusions of conquering the strip would impose heavy economic costs, including new taxes and cuts to domestic programmes.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Nine Western countries, including the UK, Germany and France, joined the European Union on Saturday in condemning the cabinets decision, warning it could worsen Gazas catastrophic humanitarian situation, endanger hostages, and violate international law.
Wildfires are tearing through southern Europe, killing at least three people and displacing thousands as flames, driven by strong winds and extreme heat, sweep across Greece, France, Spain, and Turkey.

A wildfire rages across a forested area near Cavuslar village, in Karabuk district, northwest Turkey, Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (Ridvan Bostanci/IHA via AP)

Fast-moving wildfires, fanned by strong winds and scorching summer heat, are sweeping across parts of Greece, France, Spain, and Turkey, killing at least three people and forcing thousands to flee.

In Greece, flames tore across scrub-covered hillsides in the Keratea region, about 25 miles southeast of Athens, on Friday, edging dangerously close to residential areas. Nearly 200 firefighters, aided by water-dropping planes and helicopters, battled the blaze as thick black smoke billowed over the landscape.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

On the tourist island of Milos, two Vietnamese visitors died after being swept into the sea by strong winds, the Greek Coastguard confirmed.

France and Spain hit hard

In France, wildfires in the Aude region left an elderly woman dead in her home and injured two others, one critically with severe burns. The fire erupted Tuesday afternoon, quickly spreading through dry terrain.

Across the border in Spain, 15mph winds drove flames through the popular Torre de la Pena beach resort in Cadiz. Bars, restaurants, hotels, and campsites between La Pena and Casas de Porros were evacuated as firefighters struggled to contain the blaze.

Turkey declares disaster zones

Turkey is facing its own crisis, with wildfires threatening its fourth-largest city and prompting the evacuation of more than 3,500 people. Two people have died, and dozens of severe fires have been breaking out daily since late June.

Overnight blazes in the forested mountains around Bursa turned the night sky an ominous red. The flames forced the closure of the BursaAnkara highway and prompted evacuations from villages northeast of the city. The government has declared the western provinces of Izmir and Bilecik disaster zones.

A separate fire near Saricaeli village in Canakkale province forced the evacuation of a university campus and an elderly care home. The Dardanelles Strait, a key shipping route, was temporarily closed due to heavy smoke and poor visibility.

Region on edge

Bulgaria and Montenegro are also battling blazes as high temperatures, parched landscapes, and strong winds fuel a dangerous wildfire season across southern Europe.
Indian Army troops on Sunday clashed with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmirs Kishtwar district during an intelligence-based operation, with heavy firing underway and at least two to three militants believed to be trapped.

Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard as police and army soldiers launch an operation in Awantipora area, south of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday, May 6, 2020. (Photo: Dar Yasin/AP)

Indian Army troops clashed with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmirs Kishtwar district early Sunday during an intelligence-based operation, the Armys White Knight Corps said.

Acting on specific inputs, soldiers tracked suspected militants in the Dul area and came under fire shortly after making contact. Security sources believe two to three Pakistani terrorists are trapped, with heavy gunfire ongoing. The area has been sealed off, and the operation continues, with no word yet on casualties.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Kishtwar has seen a spike in counterterror operations in recent months as forces push deeper into remote, mountainous terrain to dismantle militant networks.

The clash comes amid Operation Akhal in South Kashmirs Kulgam district, launched on August 1 after reports of terrorist movement in a forested belt. It has already claimed two militants lives but also cost the Army two soldiers, Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh, and left 10 others injured.

At least two to three militants remain cornered in dense forests, with elite PARA units, drones, and attack helicopters working to flush them out.
Police in London braced for fresh demonstrations Sunday as protesters marched to Downing Street demanding the immediate release of Gaza hostages. The rally follows the arrest of 474 people during a protest supporting the banned group Palestine Action

A woman holds a Palestinian flag as demonstrators attend a rally organised by Defend Our Juries, challenging the British government's proscription of "Palestine Action" under anti-terrorism laws, in Parliament Square, in London, Britain. Reuters

As the war in Gaza continues to exacerbate tensions in the United Kingdom, police in London prepared for another day of demonstrations on Sunday.

Demonstrators seeking the immediate release of all remaining captives in Gaza are to march through central London to the prime ministers house at No. 10 Downing Street on Sunday afternoon. The march comes a day after police detained 474 people at a rally in favour of a banned pro-Palestinian organisation.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Noga Guttman, a relative of 24-year-old hostage Evyatar David, is slated to join the gathering. David was featured in a video released by Hamas terrorists last week, which angered Israelis. The video showed an emaciated David saying he is digging his own grave inside a tunnel in Gaza.

Hamas-led militants kidnapped 251 people when they attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Some 50 of the hostages still havent been released, of whom 20 are thought to be alive.

Israel last week announced its intention to occupy Gaza City as part of a plan to end the war and bring the captives home. Family members and many international leaders have condemned the plan, saying it would lead to more bloodshed and endanger the hostages.

We are united in one clear and urgent demand: the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, Stop the Hate, a coalition of groups organizing the march, said in a statement. Regardless of our diverse political views, this is not a political issue  it is a human one.

On Saturday, police arrested hundreds of people in central London as demonstrators sought to pressure the government to overturn its decision to ban the group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. Legislation passed last month makes it a crime to publicly support the group.

The Metropolitan Police Service said it arrested 466 people for supporting Palestine Action. A further eight were arrested on other charges, including assaults on police officers.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The government banned Palestine Action after activists broke into a Royal Air Force base and damaged two tanker planes to protest British support for the war in Gaza. Palestine Action had previously targeted Israeli defense contractors and other sites in Britain that they believe have links with the Israeli military.

Supporters of Palestine Action are challenging the ban in court, saying the government has gone too far in declaring a direct action group a terrorist organization.
Malis ruling junta has detained dozens of soldiers, including prominent military commander General Abass Dembele, over an alleged plot to overthrow the government. The arrests come amid growing dissent within the armed forces and continued instability in the West African nation.

Mali has detained scores of troops accused of trying to depose the junta, which gained control in the west African country in a coup, sources said AFP on Sunday.

Since capturing power in Mali via back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, the west African countrys junta has increased persecution of its critics in the face of massive terrorist rebellion.

Since three days ago, there have been arrests linked to an attempt to destabilise the institutions. There have been at least around 20 arrests, a Malian security source told AFP.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

A different army source acknowledged a attempt at destabilisation, adding, We have gone ahead with the necessary arrests.

General Abass Dembele, a famous military commander and former governor of the central Mopti district, was among those seized.

Soldiers came early this morning (Sunday) to arrest General Abass Dembele in Kati, on the outskirts of the capital Bamako, a source close to the officer claimed.

They have not told him why he was arrested.

A member of the National Transition Council, the junta-backed parliament, stated that around 50 arrests had occurred.

All are soldiers. Their objective was to overthrow the junta, the legislator stated.

Grumblings within the ranks

Since 2012 Mali has been wracked with crises on various fronts, with militants linked to the Al-Qaeda or Islamic State groups carrying out violent attacks across the Sahel nation.

Criminal and sectarian violence are likewise rife, while the economy is in dire straits.

After the coups, the junta turned its back on France, arguing that the country should be free of its former colonial ruler, as have its fellow military-run allies in Niger and Burkina Faso.

It has forged ties with new allies, notably Russia, whose mercenaries from the paramilitary Wagner group and its successor Africa Corps have helped the military fight jihadists and other internal adversaries.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Yet, like Niger and Burkina Faso, Mali has continued to struggle to contain the jihadist threat, while the regular army and its Russian allies are frequently accused of committing atrocities against civilians.

For Malian sociologist Oumar Maiga, this latest purge was proof that the officers are struggling to control the situation. There are grumblings within the armys ranks.

Some soldiers are not happy with the treatment given to the Russian mercenaries at the expense of Malian soldiers, Maiga added.
Police say the pattern of activity differs from the more familiar exploitation of Asian women by global trafficking networks that trap victims in debt bondage

A growing number of Chinese women are travelling to Germany to work in the sex trade, police say, often arriving on forged residential permits and operating outside the reach of human trafficking laws. Unlike victims forced into sex slavery, these women are said to be entering the country voluntarily, drawn by the promise of higher earnings and relative anonymity.

Germanys Federal Criminal Police Office and Federal Police, in a joint report issued on July 28, described the phenomenon as an emerging trend, though they provided no figures.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The women typically enter the country on falsified permits issued by other European Union member states, allowing them to move freely within the bloc. Others without such documents are smuggled through the Balkan region, often hidden in vans, and then transported to Germany with the assistance of local gangs, Nikkei Asia reported.

Police say the pattern of activity differs from the more familiar exploitation of Asian women by global trafficking networks that trap victims in debt bondage. According to the report, the Chinese women work under short-term arrangements in appointment apartments discreet flats that function as brothels but are rarely marked as such.

Two or three women often share one apartment, with the operators providing the premises, advertising online, and taking a 50 percent share of the earnings.

Suspicion of human trafficking cannot generally be substantiated, the report noted, because the women arrive with knowledge of the work, function largely independently, and retain a substantial portion of their income. In Germany, prostitution is legal and regulated, although working without valid papers leaves the women vulnerable to police action and deportation.

The Federal Criminal Police Office declined to elaborate on the scale of the increase, referring questions to the Federal Police, which did not respond to a request for comment. Yet industry insiders say the rise is evident. Stephanie Klee, a spokeswoman for the brothel operators association BSD, said that advertisements for Mandarin-speaking women from mainland China and Hong Kong have become common on sex trade websites. Many of the women, she said, depend on contacts who arrange airport pickups, housing, and working conditions.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Klee attributed the influx to financial incentives and the ability to earn abroad without public shame at home. Germany is considered a wealthy country, she said, and there is also the hope of avoiding discrimination in their home country by spreading the lie that they have worked in a hotel or in health care overseas. She added that the women are popular not only among Chinese clients but also among older German men, who view them as respectful to elders.

Complaints from licensed brothels have spurred police operations, although Klee doubts the raids impact. Apartments often reopen in the same location, sometimes with the same workers, if the women avoid detection. Those caught without valid visas can have their earnings seized, be deported, and receive passport stamps barring reentry.

Chinese involvement in Germanys sex trade drew public attention after a raid on the Pascha brothel in Cologne last year. A Chinese investor had purchased the 11-story building, reputed to be the largest brothel in Europe, in 2021. In April 2023, more than 1,000 police officers stormed the premises, saying the address had been used by a smuggling network to secure fraudulent German permits for wealthy Chinese and Omani citizens. The brothel was later seized by prosecutors and is now under German management.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The police report suggests that the trade in Chinese sex workers is shifting from the shadows of forced exploitation toward a model in which participants enter by choice, albeit through illicit channels. For authorities, the distinction complicates enforcement, and for the women, it leaves them balanced between opportunity and risk.
Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir, who is visiting Washington for the second time since the four day conflict with India, has met top US political and military leaders.

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir who is visiting Washington for the second time since the recent four-day conflict with India, the Pakistan Army said on Sunday.

In an official statement, the army confirmed that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is on an official trip to the United States. During his visit, General Munir held high-level meetings with senior US political and military leaders, as well as members of the Pakistani diaspora.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Details about the duration of his stay or the exact date of his arrival were not disclosed.

While in Tampa, Munir attended the retirement ceremony of outgoing US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Michael E. Kurilla. He also participated in the Change of Command Ceremony, where Admiral Brad Cooper took over as the new CENTCOM commander.

The statement highlighted that General Munir praised Kurillas leadership and significant role in enhancing military cooperation between the two countries. He also conveyed his best wishes to Admiral Cooper, expressing confidence in ongoing collaboration to tackle common security challenges.

He also met with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, where matters of mutual professional interest were discussed. He extended an invitation to General Caine to visit Pakistan, it added.

On the sidelines, Munir interacted with Chiefs of Defence from friendly nations.

During an interactive session with the Pakistani diaspora, Munir urged them to remain confident in Pakistans bright future and to actively contribute to attracting investments. The diaspora reaffirmed its commitment to support Pakistans progress and development, according to the army.

In June, Munir travelled to the US on a rare five-day trip during which he attended a private luncheon with President Donald Trump, an unprecedented gesture typically reserved for visiting heads of state or government. That meeting culminated in Trumps announcement of enhanced US-Pakistan cooperation in various fields, including an oil deal.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Munirs visit came just over a month after the US general described Pakistan as a phenomenal partner in counterterrorism efforts during a congressional hearing, where he also praised Pakistans role in promoting peace and stability in the region.

With inputs from agencies
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Six people were wounded, including a 5-year-old girl, in a mass shooting in a neighborhood in Baltimore on Saturday night, local media reported.

The gunfire broke out shortly before 8:50 p.m. local time (0050 GMT) as people near the intersection of Spaulding and Queensberry Avenues gathered outside to eat, ABC News reported, citing Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley.

A man is in critical condition and undergoing surgery, it said, adding that police have not released any details about the suspected shooter or shooters. 
Pakistans army chief Asim Munir warned that his country could resort to nuclear weapons if India proceeds with dam construction on the Indus River and if it faced an existential threat in a future conflict with India. Read here

In an unusually blunt warning delivered on US soil, Pakistans Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir suggested his country would be prepared to unleash missile strikes and even escalate to nuclear conflict if India proceeds with dam construction on the Indus River.

Speaking at a black-tie dinner in Tampa hosted by businessman Adnan Asad, Pakistans honorary consul, Munir said that the river is not the Indians family property and warned that Islamabad has no shortage of missiles", al-Hamdulillah [praise be to God], the Print reported.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

He went further, issuing an apocalyptic caution about Pakistans nuclear posture. We are a nuclear nation, Munir said. If we think we are going down, well take half the world down with us.

The remarks came for the first time a Pakistani military leader has publicly delivered such a threat against India while abroad and particularly from within the United States, raising concerns about the volatility of South Asias already tense security environment.

While dam construction on the Indus has long been a source of friction between the nuclear-armed rivals, Munirs explicit linkage of water disputes to potential missile and nuclear strikes underscores how resource competition could trigger far broader geopolitical consequences.

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir who is visiting Washington for the second time since the recent four-day conflict with India, the Pakistan Army said on Sunday.

In an official statement, the army confirmed that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is on an official trip to the United States. During his visit, General Munir held high-level meetings with senior US political and military leaders, as well as members of the Pakistani diaspora.

Details about the duration of his stay or the exact date of his arrival were not disclosed.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

While in Tampa, Munir attended the retirement ceremony of outgoing US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Michael E. Kurilla. He also participated in the Change of Command Ceremony, where Admiral Brad Cooper took over as the new CENTCOM commander.

He also met with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, where matters of mutual professional interest were discussed. He extended an invitation to General Caine to visit Pakistan, it added.

With inputs from agencies
One called abortion a barbaric practice. Another referred to himself as a zealot for the antiabortion movement. Several have played prominent roles in defending their states abortion restrictions in court and in cases that have had national impact, including on access to medication abortion. Read here

As President Donald Trump advances his federal judicial nominees through the Senate, a clear pattern is emerging: many appointees hold strong anti-abortion views and have actively defended restrictive abortion laws. This strategy allows the Trump administration to reshape abortion access in the United States through the judiciary, sidestepping the political and public backlash that might accompany direct legislative or executive actions.

Nearly half of Trumps 17 judicial nominees in his second term have taken public stances against abortion rights, participated in high-profile legal battles to uphold state restrictions, or are affiliated with conservative anti-abortion groups, a recent AP review found. These lifetime federal appointments promise to influence abortion access long after Trump leaves office, subtly embedding a federal rollback of abortion rights under the guise of state-level decision-making.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Bernadette Meyler, a constitutional law expert at Stanford University, explains this judicial nomination strategy as a federal shaping of abortion policy without the drama and visibility of legislation. Its a way to cover up a little bit what is happening in the abortion sphere compared to legislation or executive orders that may be more visible, dramatic and spark more backlash, she said.

Despite Trumps public statements favouring state control over abortion laws, the judicial nominees reveal a coordinated federal effort to restrict abortion access nationwide. None of the nominees have records supporting expanded abortion rights, and most hail from states that supported Trump in 2024 and where Republican legislatures have aggressively limited abortion access.

Among the most notable nominees:

Whitney Hermandorfer, confirmed to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, has challenged federal protections for abortion and transgender rights and defended Tennessees strict abortion ban. She argued abortion deserves special scrutiny as it terminates a life.

Maria Lanahan, nominated for a Missouri district court, helped draft lawsuits targeting FDA approval of the abortion pill mifepristone and defended state efforts to cut Planned Parenthoods Medicaid funding.

Jordan Pratt, a Florida district court nominee, described abortion as a barbaric practice and supported Floridas bans, including laws now prohibiting abortion as early as six weeks.

Joshua Divine, Missouris deputy solicitor general and a nominee for district judge, co-authored litigation falsely claiming medication abortion starves the baby to death, and has defended abortion restrictions despite a 2024 Missouri ballot amendment protecting abortion rights.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Other nominees have similarly played key roles defending restrictive abortion laws in Kentucky, Montana, and Florida, among others.

The White House, in defending these nominees, cites alignment with the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade and emphasises states rights and the sanctity of human life. Anti-abortion organisations have praised the nominees as fulfilling campaign promises, while abortion rights advocates warn that the administration is systematically embedding anti-abortion ideologues into the federal judiciary, undermining decades of legal protections.

Mini Timmaraju, president of Reproductive Freedom for All, said, This is a deliberate strategy to dismantle abortion access quietly through the courts, while publicly claiming to defer to states. It threatens to close off legal avenues that advocates have relied on to challenge harsh abortion bans.

As the Trump administration continues to nominate judges, the federal courts are becoming the primary battleground for the future of abortion rights in Americashaping access not through popular debate or elected representatives, but through lifetime judicial appointments.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

With inputs from agencies
South Koreas military shrank by 20% in the past six years to 450,000 troops, largely due to a sharp drop in the population of males of enlistment age for mandatory service in the country with the worlds lowest birth rate.

South Koreas active-duty military has shrunk by 20% over the past six years to 450,000 troops, mainly due to a steep decline in the number of men eligible for the countrys mandatory service, according to a defence ministry report released Sunday. The demographic squeeze is tied to South Koreas record-low birthrate, the lowest in the world which is straining recruitment and threatening operational readiness.

The report, shared with Democratic Party lawmaker Choo Mi-ae, noted that the active military stood at about 563,000 in 2019, already down from roughly 690,000 in the early 2000s. Between 2019 and 2025, the population of 20-year-old malesthe typical age for enlistment, fell by 30% to 230,000.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

South Koreas military has steadily declined since the early 2000s when it had about 690,000 soldiers. The pace accelerated during the late 2010s and there were about 563,000 active-duty soldiers and officers in 2019.

North Korea is believed to have an active-duty military of about 1.2 million, according to the latest estimate by the defence ministry in 2022.

In the period between 2019 and 2025, the population of 20-year-old males declined by 30% to 230,000, according to government data, the age when most men who pass a physical exam enlist for military service, which is now 18 months long.

The military has cited improved capabilities as a key reason for shortening service periods, made possible by a military alliance with the United States and the development of a defence industry that has become a major exporter of arms.

Able-bodied men served 36 months in 1953 when the Korean War ended in an armistice.

South Koreas defence budget, at more than 61 trillion won ($43.9 billion) in 2025, is larger than the estimated size of North Koreas economy.

Still, the military is 50,000 troops short of the number of troops adequate for maintaining defence readiness, the ministry said. About 21,000 of the shortfall is in the non-commissioned officer ranks, it said.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

South Korea is one of the worlds fastest ageing societies and has the lowest fertility rate in the world at 0.75 in 2024, which signifies the average number of babies a woman is expected to have during her reproductive life.

Its population, which hit a peak of 51.8 million in 2020, is expected to shrink to 36.2 million by 2072, according to a government projection.

With inputs from agencies
Indias S-400 Sudarshan Chakra took down five Pakistani fighter jets and a surveillance aircraft during Operation Sindoor. With delays from the Ukraine war pushing timelines, the full system is now set to be operational by 2026. Heres the journey

Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has revealed that Indias S-400 Triumf air defence system, locally dubbed the Sudarshan Chakra, shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft during Operation Sindoor, marking the largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill for India.

Speaking at the Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru, Singh said the AEW&C aircraft was targeted at a range of about 300 kilometres, confirming for the first time the scale of Pakistans aerial losses in the April operation. The system also intercepted multiple drones and missiles during the mission.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

From Moscow to the Himalayas

First developed in 2007, the Russian-made S-400 was originally deployed for the defence of Moscow, later serving in Syria to protect Russian assets, and in Crimea after its annexation from Ukraine.

India signed a $5.43 billion deal in 2018 for five S-400 regiments, with deliveries initially planned to conclude by 2023. However, the RussiaUkraine conflict and resulting supply chain disruptions pushed back the timeline.

The first regiment arrived in December 2021, followed by the second in April 2022 and the third in October 2023. These are now operational along Indias western and northern borders, covering both Pakistan and China.

Full power in India by 2026

The fourth and fifth regiments are set to arrive from Russia in February and August 2026, respectively. Each S-400 regiment can deploy multiple interceptor missiles capable of destroying aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at ranges up to 400 km.

After induction, the system was rechristened as Sudarshan Chakra, a nod to its role in safeguarding Indias skies. Defence sources say talks are underway for additional batteries to bolster coverage.
Demonstrators waved signs and held up pictures of hostages still being held in the Palestinian territory as they called on the government to secure their release.

A protester confronts a mounted Israeli policeman attempting to disperse people gathered for a demonstration organised by the families of the Israeli hostages taken captive in the Gaza Strip since the October 2023 calling for action to secure their release, by Azrieli Centre outside the Defence Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv on August 9, 2025. AFP

Thousands took to the streets in Tel Aviv on Saturday to call for an end to the war in Gaza, a day after the Israeli government vowed to expand the conflict and capture Gaza City.

Demonstrators waved signs and held up pictures of hostages still being held in the Palestinian territory as they called on the government to secure their release.

AFP journalists at the rally estimated the number of attendees to be in the tens of thousands, while a group representing the families of hostages said as many as 100,000 people participated.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Authorities did not provide an official estimate for the size of the crowd, though it dwarfed other recent anti-war rallies.

We will end with a direct message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: if you invade parts of Gaza and the hostages are murdered, we will pursue you in the town squares, in election campaigns and at every time and place, Shahar Mor Zahiro, the relative of a slain hostage, told AFP.

On Friday, Netanyahus security cabinet greenlighted plans for a major operation to seize Gaza City, triggering a wave of domestic and international criticism.

Foreign powers, including some of Israels allies, have been pushing for a negotiated ceasefire to secure the hostages return and help alleviate a humanitarian crisis in the Strip.

Despite the backlash and rumours of dissent from Israeli military top brass, Netanyahu has remained defiant over the decision.

In a post on social media late Friday, Netanyahu said we are not going to occupy Gaza  we are going to free Gaza from Hamas.

The premier has faced regular protests over the course of 22 months of war, with many rallies calling for the government to strike a deal after past truces saw hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.

Out of 251 hostages captured during Hamass 2023 attack, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 the military says are dead.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

- A new crime -

The Palestinian Authority (PA) on Saturday lambasted Israels plan to expand its operations in Gaza.

According to a statement carried by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa, PA president Mahmud Abbas said the plan constitutes a new crime, and stressed the urgent need to take action to stop it immediately.

He also emphasised the importance of enabling the State of Palestine to assume its full responsibilities in the Gaza Strip.

In the same meeting that approved the Gaza City plan, the security cabinet adopted a set of principles for ending the war in Gaza that included establishing a new administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.

The PA, conceived as a first step towards a Palestinian state, exercises limited administration over parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but does not have a presence in Hamas-run Gaza.

A statement issued Saturday by the foreign ministers of Italy, Australia, Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom again criticised the decision to occupy Gaza City.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

This will exacerbate the catastrophic humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of hostages, and increase the risk of a mass exodus of civilians, they said.

Russia also condemned the Israeli plan to take control of Gaza City in a statement Saturday.

Implementing such plans risks worsening the already dramatic situation in the Palestinian enclave, which shows all the signs of a humanitarian disaster, said a foreign ministry statement.

Gazas civil defence agency said at least 37 people were killed by Israeli fire across the territory on Saturday, including 30 civilians who were waiting to collect aid.

Israels offensive has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas health ministry, figures the United Nations says are reliable.

Hamass 2023 attack on Israel  which triggered the war  resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
Trump has nominated State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce to be the United States deputy representative to the United Nations, praising her as a Great Patriot.

President Donald Trump on Saturday announced he is nominating State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce to serve as the United States deputy representative to the United Nations, with the rank of ambassador.

I am pleased to announce that I am nominating Tammy Bruce, a Great Patriot, Television Personality, and Bestselling Author, as our next Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador, Trump wrote on Truth Social. He said Bruce has been serving with distinction in her current role and will represent our Country brilliantly at the United Nations.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Bruce has been one of the State Departments most visible figures in the first six months of Trumps second term, leading regular briefings on foreign policy.

Her nomination comes as the US remains without a permanent UN ambassador. Mike Waltz, who briefly served as Trumps national security adviser, had his confirmation hearing for the top UN post last month, but the Senate has yet to vote.

Trump appointed Bruce to the State Department in January, continuing his trend of naming former Fox News contributors to senior roles. A former Democrat and self-described liberal activist, Bruce later shifted to conservative politics and became a supporter of Trumps MAGA movement.

The deputy representative post requires Senate confirmation, meaning Bruce will face lawmakers scrutiny. If confirmed, she will take the role at a time when US policies, particularly Trumps strong backing of Israel during its Gaza offensive, have drawn criticism from some allies.
A Ukrainian drone strike on Russias Saratov region killed one person, damaged several apartments, and hit an industrial site, officials said. Russian defences claimed to have downed 121 drones overnight, as flights in and out of Saratov were briefly suspended.

Smoke and fire rise from an industrial facility, which, according to the governor of the southern Russian region, was damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack, in Saratov, Russia. File image/ Reuters

A Ukrainian drone strike on the southern Russian region of Saratov killed one person and destroyed several apartments and an industrial site, the governor announced on Sunday.

According to Roman Busargin on the Telegram messaging app, occupants were evacuated after debris from a wrecked drone damaged three flats during the overnight attack.

Several residents required medical assistance, Busargin stated. Aid was offered on-site, and one person was hospitalised. Unfortunately, one person died.

Russian air defence units shot down 121 Ukrainian drones overnight, including eight over the Saratov region, according to the Defence Ministry. It only discloses how many drones its defensive forces shot down, not how many Ukraine launched.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Busargin did not identify which type of industrial site was affected.

Social media footage showed thick black smoke rising over what looked like an industrial zone. Reuters verified the location seen in one of the videos as matching file and satellite imagery of the area. Reuters could not verify when the video was filmed.

Ukrainian media, including the RBK-Ukraine media outlet, reported that the oil refinery in the city of Saratov, the administrative centre of the region, was on fire after a drone attack.

Reuters could not verify those reports. There was no official comment from Russia.

The Rosneft-owned refinery in the Saratov city was forced to suspend operations earlier this year for safety reasons after Ukrainian drone attacks, industry sources told Reuters.

Russias SHOT Telegram channel, which often publishes information from sources in the security services and law enforcement, reported about eight explosions were heard over Saratov and Engels, cities separated by the Volga River.

Russias civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia said on Telegram that flights in and out of Saratov had been halted for about two hours early on Sunday to ensure air safety.

Both sides deny targeting civilians in their strikes on each others territory in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Kyiv says its attacks inside Russia are aimed at destroying infrastructure that is key to Moscows war efforts, including energy and military infrastructure, and are in response to Russias continued strikes.
US Vice President JD Vance and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy have hosted a meeting with security officials to discuss the war in Ukraine ahead of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Alaska

US Vice President JD Vance and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy have hosted a meeting with security officials to discuss the war in Ukraine ahead of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Alaska. According to BBC News, the talks between the two leaders were reportedly called at the request of the United States.

As per the report, Vance and Lammy were joined by Ukrainian officials and European national security advisers. During the talks, Lammy made it clear that the UKs support for Ukraine remains ironclad as we continue working towards a just and lasting peace. The talks were held just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that he will make no territorial concessions to Russia.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Meanwhile, the world will be watching closely the outcome of the meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska next week. According to BBC News, the Saturday meeting was held at Chevening, Lammys official country residence in Kent, where Vance and his family are staying.

Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defence Council, and Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelenskys office, attended the talks along with representatives from the UK, US, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Finland and Nato.

UK supports Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin talks

In the midst of all this, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and said they agreed it would be a vital forum to discuss progress towards peace. Ahead of his meeting with Putin, Trump signalled that both Ukraine and Russia may have to swap territories in a bid to end the war which have been raging for over three-and-a-half years.

Speaking on a potential peace deal between warring nations, Trump said on Friday that there will be some swapping of territories, to the betterment of both. Youre looking at territory thats been fought over for three and a half years, a lot of Russians have died, A lot of Ukrainians have died, he said.

Concerned by Trumps remarks, on Saturday night, several European leaders issued a joint statement reaffirming their support of Ukraine and insisting that it must be involved in any peace talks. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine, said the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny.

In the letter, the leaders insisted that international borders must not be changed by force and that their nations would continue to support Ukraine diplomatically, militarily and financially. Trumps position has consistently involved Ukraine sacrificing land for peace.

Zelenskyy wont give up the Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories

While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been careful not to criticise Trump, in his latest post on the matter, he made it clear that he will not accept giving up territories. Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier, Zelenskyy said in a telegram post and reiterated that Ukraine must be involved in any solution for peace.

We are ready, together with President Trump, together with all partners, to work for a real, and most importantly, lasting peace - a peace that will not collapse because of Moscows wishes, he added. In his evening address on Saturday, Zelenskyy said that the meeting in the UK had been constructive.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

The path to peace for Ukraine should be determined together and only together with Ukraine; this is a key principle, he said. Meanwhile, Moscow has maintained that Kyiv should recognise the Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory.
Its not going to make anybody super happy, Vance said in an interview. His remarks came two days after President Donald Trump announced he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15

US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky listen to Vice President JD Vance (R) as they meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, February 28, 2025. Source: AFP

US Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday (August 10) that any negotiated settlement to end the war in Ukraine will almost certainly leave both Moscow and Kyiv dissatisfied.

Its not going to make anybody super happy, Vance told Fox News Sunday Morning Futures. Both the Russians and the Ukrainians, probably, at the end of the day, are going to be unhappy with it. He added that Washingtons objective is to broker an agreement that both sides can at least accept.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

His remarks came two days after President Donald Trump announced he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15 to discuss a possible ceasefire. Trump claimed Moscow and Kyiv were close to a deal that could halt the fighting, though it might require Ukraine to give up significant territory seized by Russian forces since the invasion began in February 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swiftly rejected any suggestion that Kyiv would cede land.  Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupiers, he said on Saturday, reiterating that the countrys constitution prohibits surrendering territory.

Vance said the administration is also exploring the possibility of direct talks between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy, but suggested Putin should first meet the US president. Were at a point now where were trying to figure out scheduling around when these three leaders could sit down and discuss an end to this conflict, he said. A White House official later confirmed Trump is open to a three-way summit, but that preparations are currently focused on the bilateral session requested by Putin.

A stalemated, attritional war

Russias full-scale invasion in 2022 has become Europes most devastating conflict since World War II, displacing millions, killing tens of thousands, and drawing deep Western sanctions on Moscow. After Ukraines counteroffensive in 2023 recaptured swathes of territory in the south and east, the front lines hardened through 2024 and into 2025, with neither side making major breakthroughs.

Russia still occupies Crimea, seized in 2014, and large portions of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Ukrainian forces, heavily reliant on Western military aid, have focused on defending strategic cities and disrupting Russian logistics, while Moscow has pounded Ukraines energy grid and infrastructure with missiles and drones.

Previous diplomatic efforts, including talks in Belarus and Turkey early in the war, collapsed over irreconcilable positions on territory and security guarantees. Analysts say any agreement now would likely have to address Ukraines Nato aspirations, Russian withdrawal demands, and long-term security arrangements for both nations.

With the Alaska meeting looming, expectations remain tempered. Peace, Vance indicated, may come not through triumph but through a deal that leaves both adversaries convinced they gave too much and got too little.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

With inputs from Reuters
For the first time, Army Chief has revealed how the Indian Army planned and executed Operation Sindoor, a high-risk mission carried out in April and May this year. He described the operation as a strategic chess game fought in the militarys grey zone, just short of a conventional war.

As part of its unprecedented diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor, 59 MPs, former ministers and politicians, cutting across party lines, will be part of the seven delegations that will travel to 32 countries and the EU headquarters in Brussels. File image/PTI

For the first time, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, describing it as a strategic chess game, has publicly shared details of the planning and execution of Operation Sindoor, Indias military response to the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam by Pakistan-backed terrorists.

He spoke about the mission earlier this week while inaugurating Agnishodh, the Indian Armys research cell at IIT Madras.

Operation in the grey zone

Comparing the operation to a game of chess, General Dwivedi said it took place in a grey zone  unpredictable and just short of a full-scale conventional military engagement.

In Op Sindoor, what we did, we played chess What does it mean! It means that we did not know what step the enemy was going to take and what we were going to do. It was a gray zone. The gray zone is that we are not going for the conventional operations but we are doing something which is just short of the conventional operations, he said.

Planning began in late April

Planning began on 23 April, when the three service chiefs and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh decided decisive action was needed.

This is the time when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had also said, I think enough is enough. And all the three chiefs were very clear, something had to be done. And the free hand was given, of course, that you decide what is to be done, Dwivedi noted.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

By 25 April, the Northern Command had executed strikes on seven of nine high-value targets, eliminating several terrorists.

How Sindoor differed from Uri and Balakot

General Dwivedi stressed that Operation Sindoor differed from earlier missions like Uri and Balakot. Uri targeted launch pads to send a message, while the 2019 Balakot strikes aimed at training camps deep inside Pakistan.

#WATCH | During an address at IIT Madras, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi says, "...If you ask a Pakistani whether you lost or won, he'd say my chief has become a field marshal. We must have won only, that's why he's become a field marshal..." (09.08)



(Source: pic.twitter.com/G81nCSY9dh  ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2025

Sindoor, however, went wide and deep, hitting further into enemy territory, what he called the heartland, and targeting key assets codenamed Nursery and Masters.

This was the first time we hit the heartland. And our targets were Nursery and the Masters. And thats what came as a shocker to them, he said.

Five of the targets were in Jammu and Kashmir and four in Punjab, with two missions carried out alongside the Indian Air Force. This test match stopped on the fourth day and it could have continued for fourteen days also, one forty days also, fourteen hundred days also, we dont know. So we have to be prepared for those kinds of things, Dwivedi added.

IAF confirms major aerial kills

In a separate disclosure, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh revealed that during Operation Sindoor, Indias air defence systems shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one AEW&C/ELINT surveillance aircraft, the largest-ever surface-to-air kills recorded by India.

Speaking at the 16th Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture, Singh detailed the 7 May strikes that targeted terrorist infrastructure both near the border and inside Pakistan.
Park Chan-wook has been expelled from The Writers Guild of America.

Park Chan-wook has been expelled from The Writers Guild of America

The Old Boy director, 61, was drummed out of the group as it has taken a firm stance on strike violations, and said Park and Don McKellar were no longer welcome in the organisation for working on their mini-series during the 2023 writers walk-out.

It said in a statement about Park and Dons expulsions: The board had decided that the disciplines should be made public.

Celebrated South Korean writer, director and producer Park also known for his film The Handmaiden, and Canadian actor and filmmaker Don McKellar, were both removed from the WGA for writing on the HBO miniseries The Sympathizer.

The seven-episode series, starring Hoa Xuande and Robert Downey Jr., is based on the 2015 novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen and aired in 2024.

The WGA confirmed neither Park nor McKellar appealed their expulsions.

Anthony Cipriano has also faced significant disciplinary action  a suspension through May 1, 2026, a public censure, and a lifetime ban from serving as a strike captain for writing on The Last Breath, previously known as Untitled True Story Haunting  Thriller Project.

The WGA revealed this was part of ongoing enforcement following the 2023 strike, with seven writers disciplined overall.

Four writers were publicly identified after choosing to appeal, while three others  including Park, Don and Anthony  were only named recently.

The guilds leadership expressed gratitude for the Strike Rules Compliance Committee, which reviewed dozens of allegations and forwarded cases to the board.

It added in a statement: The board and the officers also thanked the members of the various trial committees, who heard testimony and delivered recommendations on discipline to the board.

All of these members volunteered their time for the delicate but necessary task of holding writers accountable to fulfill their obligations to their fellow members under the Strike Rules, Working Rules and WGAW Constitution.

Parks upcoming Korean film No Other Choice is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival later this month.

Don, who shares a screenplay credit on that film with Park and collaborators Lee Kyoung-mi and Lee Ja-hye, is also known for his work on 1998s Last Night.
Description

Join Doherty-owned Applebee's "Stuff the Bus" school supply drive at select New Jersey and Long Island locations to help local students get ready for the upcoming school year. Bring school supplies or make a cash donation to the bright yellow school bus parked outside participating restaurants. Stop by and enjoy a great meal knowing you've contributed to a good cause!

Participating Locations and Dates:

Lindenhurst, NY: August 10

Parsippany, NJ: August 23

Manahawkin, NJ: August 2224

Howell, NJ: August 25

Totowa, NJ: August 2225
Zelensky has accused Putin of trying to legalise the occupation of Ukrainian land, warning that a just and lasting peace can only be achieved if Moscow ends the war it started. His remarks come ahead of the planned August 15 meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday (local time) accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to legalise the occupation of Ukrainian territory, as efforts to reach a peace deal gather pace.

Zelensky said ending the war depends entirely on Moscow. First and foremost, there must be a just end to the war, and it depends on Russia. It is Russia that must end the war it started, he told Ukrainians in his address.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Call for a real and lasting peace

He stressed that Ukraine and its allies share the same goal  a ceasefire and an end to the killings.

Only one actor stands against this, Putin. His only card is the ability to kill, and he is trying to sell the cessation of killings at the highest possible price, Zelensky said.

I have not heard any partners express doubts about America's ability to ensure that the war ends. The President of the United States has the levers and the determination. Ukraine has supported all of President Trumps proposals, starting back in February. Ceasefire, all formats pic.twitter.com/klG8tMqpIq  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) August 9, 2025

The Ukrainian leader insisted that what was needed was not a temporary pause, but a real, lasting peace. He called for an immediate ceasefire, adding that US President Donald Trump had also told him the same. Trump is set to meet Putin in Alaska on August 15 in an attempt to end the war.

Backing Trumps proposals for peace

I have not heard any partners express doubts about Americas ability to ensure that the war ends. The President of the United States has the levers and the determination. Ukraine has supported all of President Trumps proposals, starting back in February. Ceasefire, all formats have been supported, Zelensky said.

He accused Putin of seeking territorial gains and the legalisation of occupation, vowing that Ukraine would not accept a second partition after the loss of Crimea.

Kyiv on exclusion from Alaska meet

Trump and Putin will meet next Friday in Alaska to discuss ending the war, which began with Russias invasion in February 2022. There has been no indication that Ukraine will take part, despite repeated calls from Kyiv and European leaders for its inclusion in the talks.

This has angered Kyiv, with Zelensky declaring, We wont give land to the occupier and warning that any decisions without Ukraine are also decisions against peace.
Key Points

Exchange-traded funds can be appealing options for income investors as they offer great diversification.

The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF and iShares Core High Dividend ETF both pay a dividend yield of over 3%.

Both funds have dozens of stocks in their portfolios and their expense ratios are less than 0.1%.

10 stocks we like better than Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF 

Generating recurring income for your portfolio can be a great way to grow its value and provide you with a way to generate cash flow without having to sell stocks. You can then use that money to pay bills, pad your savings, or even have it reinvested back into stocks.

What's important when investing in income-generating investments is picking ones that you can safely rely on. Chasing high yields can lead to trouble later on if those payouts don't prove to be sustainable. In some cases, it's just bad luck where a dividend stock you've invested in ran into challenges that it couldn't get itself out of, and it had no choice but to reduce its payout.

Some risk is unavoidable when you're investing in individual stocks. And that's why, if your goal is to generate safe recurring income, you may want to consider investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that can provide you with an easy way to diversify. Two ETFs that can be ideal options in this case are the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT: SCHD) and iShares Core High Dividend ETF (NYSEMKT: HDV). They both pay above-average dividends and can be excellent investments to hang onto for years.

Image source: Getty Images.

Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF

The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF promises investors a straightforward investing strategy that prioritizes things such as low costs, fundamental strength, and quality and safety when it comes to dividends. Those are essential items to consider when investing in dividend stocks. And at 0.06%, its expense ratio does indeed make it a low-cost fund, which makes it suitable for long-term investing; its fees won't put a big dent in your overall returns, even over several years.

With 103 holdings as of Aug. 5, the fund isn't overly diversified, and there are much larger ETFs. But what makes the Schwab fund ideal for income investors is its focus on quality stocks with good fundamentals. It isn't simply investing in a wide range of dividend stocks; the ETF carefully selects safe stocks, with many of them being high-yielding investments that pay more than the S&P 500 average of 1.2%.

Big-name stocks such as Merck, Verizon Communications, and PepsiCo are among its top holdings. By focusing on such high-yielding stocks, the ETF is able to average an overall yield of around 3.9%. That's exceptional, given the diversification you're getting with the fund.
CEO Andy Jassy made some remarks about the artificial intelligence (AI) business that may have sounded worse than he expected. He explained that it couldn't meet demand right now, which is why it's investing heavily in the platform. While that could lead clients to find somewhere else to meet their demand, the high demand implied should be great for Amazon down the line, as long as it can build out fast enough to keep it going.

It also wasn't thrilled with the performance of Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon's cloud business. AWS sales were up 17.5% year over year in the quarter, but that was nowhere near the growth of its two biggest rivals, Microsoft 's Azure and Alphabet , which increased 39% and 32%. However, AWS is much bigger than both of them, and in dollar amounts, its increase surpassed them.

The market seems to have been spooked by the outlook for operating margin coming in slightly below expectations. Management is shooting for $15.5 billion to $20.5 billion in third-quarter operating income, and Wall Street is expecting $19.5 billion.

Operating income surged to $19.2 billion, up from $14.7 billion last year, easily topping its guidance. But that wasn't enough for Wall Street.

Sales growth was strong at 13% year over year, beating expectations. Let's not forget that Amazon is the second-largest company in the U.S. by sales, and to be able to still deliver double-digit sales growth is an impressive feat. It reached $167.7 billion in sales, ahead of Walmart 's $165.6 billion in sales in its most recent quarter, and Amazon is on track to become the largest company in the U.S. by sales.

Jennifer Saibil (Amazon): Amazon reported spectacular results for the 2025 second quarter last week, but its stock dropped on the news. While there was a lot to be excited about, the market seemed to home in on certain qualities that didn't fully meet its expectations, and that has created an excellent opportunity for investors who haven't pressed the buy button yet.

Three fool.com contributors see great deals right now for fallen growth stocks like Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Dutch Bros (NYSE: BROS), and Sweetgreen (NYSE: SG). Here's why they believe these stocks are solid investments for a long-term investor.

Investors should never let market volatility scare them out of a good investment. Stocks of growing companies will usually experience greater volatility than the market average. But investors that ignore those fluctuations and keep regularly buying shares of growing companies will come out ahead over the long run.

This restaurant chain has had a rough year, but a recovery could be around the corner.

Wall Street found things to be disappointed about in Amazon's quarterly report despite a phenomenal quarter, but it's already overcorrected.

Story Continues

Amazon stock is down 8.5% from its highs, already making its way back up as investors recognize the opportunity to buy on the dip. This was an overcorrection, and now it's a great chance to buy before it reaches new highs.

Dutch Bros: Down 33%

John Ballard (Dutch Bros): Dutch Bros has all the ingredients of a growth stock set up to deliver multi-bagger returns for patient shareholders. It's tapping into growing demand for specialty beverages. The business was founded in 1992, but it's still early in its nationwide U.S. expansion plans.

Analysts expect revenue to grow at a compound annual rate of 23% over the next few years. This is in line with the company's current pace of shop openings and same-shop sales trends, which have hovered around the low to mid-single-digit level over the last few years. It currently has over 1,000 shops in 18 states, but management sees tremendous growth potential supporting as many as 7,000 locations over the long term.

Dutch Bros is outperforming Starbucks, which has experienced problems growing sales recently. One reason for Dutch Bros' success is that it likes to hire shop managers from within the company. Even some of the company's franchise partners started out working for Dutch Bros as "broistas." This can help promote consistency throughout the company's shops, which is an important quality to look for in any restaurant chain.

Another quality that leads me to have high conviction in the future of this brand is that it is very popular among Gen Z. Dutch Bros offers a fun-loving atmosphere and a focus on the drive-thru experience, and it goes out of its way to delight customers with limited time offerings, such as the recent rubber duck giveaway with every purchase. The little things can go a long way in winning loyal customers, and Dutch Bros seems to understand this well.

The stock is currently down about 33% from its 52-week high. I would consider taking advantage of the dip and adding shares, especially for investors who are interested in finding promising new restaurant brands in the early stages of expansion.

Sweetgreen: Down 77%

Jeremy Bowman (Sweetgreen): Restaurant stocks have struggled this year as a combination of fears about tariffs and weak consumer discretionary spending have weighed on both business results and stock performance.

Sweetgreen, the promising fast-casual salad chain, has been one of the worst-performing stocks in the industry. The stock is now down 61% year to date, and is off 77% from its all-time high shortly after the company went public in late 2021.

It's understandable why Sweetgreen is down based on its recent results. In its first quarter, same-store sales declined 3.1%, and revenue rose just 5.4%. Sweetgreen has also been unprofitable throughout its history.

However, the chain is still small with roughly 250 locations, and it is popular as its restaurants generate average sales of $2.9 million. That puts it on par with Chipotle, one of the most successful restaurant stocks in history.

Sweetgreen has also been unprofitable in part because it's invested in its Infinite Kitchen program, an automated system that measures and dispenses ingredients and helps prep its salad bowls. That innovation seems likely to pay off over the long run. Management has said that restaurants with the Infinite Kitchen generate higher sales, as it helps increase throughput and customer service, in addition to saving on labor costs.

Sweetgreen's comparisons are expected to get easier in the second half of the year, which could turn comparable sales positive. The company expects to open at least 1,000 stores over the long term, meaning it has a long growth runway ahead.

Investors who take advantage of the discount are likely to be rewarded.

Do the experts think Amazon is a buy right now?

The Motley Fools expert analyst team, drawing on years of investing experience and deep analysis of thousands of stocks, leverages our proprietary Moneyball AI investing database to uncover top opportunities. Theyve just revealed their 10 best stocks to buy now  did Amazon make the list?

When our Stock Advisor analyst team has a stock recommendation, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisors total average return is up 1,047% vs. just 181% for the S&P  that is beating the market by 865.68%!*

Imagine if you were a Stock Advisor member when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $636,563!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,108,033!*

The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Don't 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

Jennifer Saibil has positions in Walmart. Jeremy Bowman has positions in Amazon, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Starbucks, and Sweetgreen. John Ballard has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Microsoft, Starbucks, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Dutch Bros and Sweetgreen and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft, short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft, and short September 2025 $60 calls on Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

3 Growth Stocks Down 8% to 77% to Buy in August was originally published by The Motley Fool
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A hidden gem has just been unearthed in the desert. Solana Guest Ranch and Spanish Villas, a historic property with roots dating back to 1948, has been completely renovated, expanded, and relaunchedreviving one of Tucsons only historically zoned guest ranches in over four decades.

After decades of decline in Pima Countys guest ranch scene, which has seen a dramatic drop from over 100 ranches to just a handful, local entrepreneurs John Jacobs and Danielle Jacobs have brought back Tucsons Last, Lost Guest Ranchand its bigger and better than ever. Nestled in the lush Tanque Verde Valley, Solana Guest Ranch introduces a modern take on the classic Arizona ranch experience, merging luxury with adventure in a way thats never been seen before in this part of the state.



Equestrian activities and cowboy cookouts at Tucsons Solana Guest Ranch on Tanque Verde

A Revival of a 75-Year-Old Tradition

Since the 1985 zoning change that ended guest ranch designations in Pima County, Arizona, no new guest ranches have been established. Most major dude ranches in Pima County, including Lazy K Bar Ranch have closed with urban sprawl slowly replacing the rugged western charm. But Solanas renovation of the Bar J Desert Haciendas , a historic guest ranch founded in 1948, is a true western revival story. The property has been renovated and expanded into Solana Guest Ranch and Spanish Villas, with restored 1950s ranch houses, immaculate grounds, and state-of-the-art, air-conditioned luxury glamping wagons set to debut later this year.

As Tucson locals with generations of family here in the Old Pueblo, its important to us that we invest into preserving the history that makes our community so unique, says John Jacobs, owner of Solana and several other local businesses. Solana is the last of its kind in Tucson, and weve transformed it into a nearly forgotten Tucson destination thats ideal for wellness retreats , corporate events , weddings , and group rentals . Its a place where peace, nature, and luxury come together.

Tucsons Best-Kept Secret: A Luxe Ranch for the Modern Traveler

Solana Guest Ranch offers an experience like no other. The entire 11-acre boutique ranch property is available for buy-out, allowing groups to enjoy a private escape with exclusive access to all the ranchs luxury amenities:

Air-conditioned luxury glamping wagons with full bathrooms

with full bathrooms On-site catering for events, weddings, receptions, and corporate gatherings

for events, weddings, receptions, and corporate gatherings Private chef-prepared meals , including cowboy cookouts

, including Arena horse rides and equestrian lessons

and equestrian lessons Pickleball , resort-style swimming pool, and expansive outdoor recreation

, resort-style swimming pool, and expansive outdoor recreation Wellness retreats with meditation, sound bathing, and yoga sessions

Whether youre looking to host a wedding ceremony and reception in Tucson or corporate off-site retreat or simply escape for a few days, Solana offers a unique, private ranch experience like nothing else in Tucson. And with its close proximity to Tanque Verde Falls, Saguaro National Park East, Mount Lemmon, and Agua Caliente Park, guests can immerse themselves in Tucsons natural beauty through hiking and biking.

Historically Zoned Guest Ranch in Pima County

The historical significance of Solana cannot be overstated. Not only is it the last of its kind in the area, but Solana is also the only guest ranch in Tucson to be re-recognized by Pima County in decades. This means Solana isnt just another resortits a true authentic ranch experience where guests can relive a classic western lifestyle with all the modern touches of luxury.

Solanas Signature Ranch-to-Table Experience

Food is at the heart of the Solana experience. With an on-site chef specializing in ranch-style cuisine, guests can enjoy hearty meals with a gourmet twist. From cowboy cookouts under the stars to intimate fine-dining events, every meal is an experience. And for those planning an event, Solana offers full-service catering, making it the perfect venue for special occasions.

Book Your Escape to Solana Guest Ranch

Experience the last of Tucsons guest ranches and the luxury of modern ranch life at Solana Guest Ranch and Spanish Villas. The ranch is now open and accepting bookings for special events, private retreats, and luxury stays.

For more information or to book your stay, visit SolanaTucson.com or call (520) 200-2059

Media Contact:

John Jacobs

Solana Guest Ranch & Spanish Villas

Phone: (520) 609-4592

Email: Manager@SolanaSpanishVillas.com

Website: www.SolanaTucson.com

About Solana Guest Ranch & Spanish Villas:

Solana Guest Ranch & Spanish Villas is a luxury boutique guest ranch located in the Tanque Verde Valley in Tucson, AZ. Revived and renovated by local entrepreneurs John and Danielle Jacobs, Solana offers a premier western experience with luxurious accommodations, on-site catering, wellness retreats, and exclusive private event venues. With close proximity to Tucsons most iconic natural wonders, Solana is the perfect place to reconnect with nature, celebrate special moments, and experience true Arizona ranch-life luxury.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f774df53-b67c-494b-8ffb-931fe56ea489
BEIJING, Aug. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The film "Dongji Rescue," based on the 1942 sinking of the Japanese ship Lisbon Maru after it was torpedoed by American forces, is the moving story of Chinese fishermen from nearby Dongji Island courageously rescuing the over 1800 British POWs aboard the liner despite Japanese soldiers firing.

It's not just a poignant look back at a forgotten chapter of history. "Dongji Rescue" embodies the principle that remembering history is not about perpetuating hatred, but about learning from it to safeguard peace.

When the Lisbon Maru sank, Japanese forces, instead of mounting a rescue effort, callously sealed the ship's holds and fired upon the prisoners trying to escape.

In stark contrast to their brutality and callousness, the local Chinese fishermen, though suffering greatly under the war, showed their principle that "saving a life is a greater virtue than building a seven-storied pagoda."

Risking their lives, they took their flimsy boats near the sinking ship to rescue hundreds of the POWs. This selfless, borderless act of compassion shone as a beacon in the darkness of war, highlighting the sense of responsibility and commitment of ordinary Chinese in times of crisis.

The films release is especially significant in today's complex and volatile global landscape where some nations are still pursuing hegemonism and unilateralism in international affairs, and conflicts continue to erupt, threatening world peace.

Japans attitude toward historical issues remains deeply disappointing. Instead of acknowledging and atoning for its wartime aggression, it has been attempting to whitewash its history of invasion. Tokyo is distorting textbooks and justifying visits to the so-called Yasukuni Shrine, which actually commemorates over 1,000 convicted World War II war criminals. This is a desecration of historical truth and an insult to the nations Japan victimized.

As Guan Hu, director of "Dongji Rescue," said, "Distorting and twisting history is more terrifying than forgetting it. I felt that I should tell everyone the truth through the film."

Through the power of cinema, "Dongji Rescue" revives the memory of this true history, reminding us that history must not be forgotten, and certainly not falsified. We remember history not to perpetuate hatred or seek revenge against a particular nation but to draw lessons from it  to understand the preciousness of peace and to defend it more resolutely.

Many were unaware what happened on Dongji Island in the East China Sea during World War II and China's role in the war. On the 80th anniversary of the War of Resistance, through films and reports, the world has learned how the Chinese fought invaders eight decades ago. These recollections bring to light the atrocities committed by Japan.

China will always be a builder of world peace and contributor to global development. By championing the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, China contributes to global peace and development.

Eighty years ago, after 14 years of relentless war, the Chinese achieved their great victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression along the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. To mark the occasion, a batch of new films and television dramas remembering the war of resistance has been released to acclaim. The box-office earnings of Dead to Rights" have crossed 2 billion yuan ($278.4 million).

"Dongji Rescue" is a film with profound insight and contemporary relevance. While commemorating history, it strengthens our resolve to uphold peace, inspires deeper reflection on history and aspiration for peace worldwide. It teaches us to unite, learn from history, and build a brighter future together.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-09/-Dongji-Rescue-Humanity-forged-in-blood-and-fire-1FHEdjhFUYM/p.html

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b22e654b-ae0b-48a0-9ecc-5e9ddf3365aa
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

SkyBridge Capital founder and leading cryptocurrency advocate Anthony Scaramucci endorsed the Avalanche (CRYPTO: AVAX) network on Wednesday, suggesting it is on the verge of significant growth.

Scaramucci Sees Potential In Avalanche

Scaramucci stated in an X post, Avalanche has been building and its moment is coming, indicating his firm support for the Layer-1 blockchain.

John Nahas, Chief Business Officer at Ava Labs, Avalanche's lead developer, responded to the post with a saluting emoji.

Trending: The same firms that backed Uber, Venmo and eBay are investing in this pre-IPO company disrupting a $1.8T market  and you can too at just $2.90/share.





Scaramucci cited a video from the Tokenized Asset Coalition in which Nahas discusses the concept of purpose-built chains for specific use cases.

Nahas highlighted how Avalanche is moving away from piling everything into single chains, instead focusing on the idea of "Your business, your blockchain."

See Also: Accredited Investors: Grab Pre-IPO Shares of the AI Company Powering Hasbro, Sephora & MGMSecure $0.63 Shares Before 8/14

Avalanche Vying To Be The DeFi Leader

Launched in 2020, Avalanche aims to provide a scalable and secure infrastructure for decentralized applications and smart contracts. It was dubbed an Ethereum Killer in its early days, although Ethereum has grown to be far larger in market value and decentralized finance.

One of Avalanche's key features is Subnets, which are interoperable networks within the ecosystem that can be tailored to specific use cases

Scaramucci revealed previously that AVAX is part of his cryptocurrency portfolio and among the "high-quality, great core assets in the long term.

Read Next:

Scrolling To UBI'  Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can invest today for just $0.30/share.

If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it?

Image via Shutterstock

This article Anthony Scaramucci Thinks This 'Ethereum Killer' Network's Moment Is Coming  Here Is Why originally appeared on Benzinga.com
Washington, D.C., Aug. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A presentation from former CIA advisor Jim Rickards unveils an unexpected trend emerging across the U.S. a coming wave of domestic migration not driven by housing markets or politics, but by resources, geography, and history.

Weve seen this before. Entire cities formed overnight when people went looking for opportunity beneath their feet.

The American Migration Story Is About to Repeat Itself

From the California Gold Rush to the Texas oil boom, America has a long history of internal migration driven by the discovery of valuable resources. According to Rickards, the next wave is already formingand this time, the migration may not be physical, but financial and digital .

You dont have to uproot your family or endure months of labor. The modern rush is quieterbut just as real.

Why Forgotten Regions Are Becoming the New Frontier

Rickards outlines how regions once dismissed as flyover country are now being reexamined for their rich, untouched mineral reserves . He points to vast public lands in the Mountain West, the Southwest, and Alaska as potential epicenters for new development, infrastructure, and technological growth.

About 90% of this land is concentrated out west many of the deposits have never been touched.

Cities Dont Just AppearTheyre Built on Whats Below

Throughout the briefing , Rickards draws a straight line between natural resources and the birth of Americas most iconic cities. Denver, Birmingham, Houston, and San Francisco didnt just happenthey rose because of the minerals that lay beneath them.

Houston was known as Mexican Texas until the discovery of Spindletop. Then everything changed.

Could the Same Thing Happen Again?

While the circumstances are different, Rickards says the pattern is clear: when the country needs to rebuild, it turns inwardand downward. And this time, instead of pickaxes and railroads, the boom could be powered by AI infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and energy-hungry tech.

These minerals are fueling everythingfrom chips to satellites to next-gen cities.

About Jim Rickards

Jim Rickards is a former advisor to the CIA, the Pentagon, and the White House, with over five decades of experience in intelligence and economic strategy. He currently leads Strategic Intelligence, a monthly briefing series that helps Americans anticipate and prepare for major economic and societal shiftsbefore they hit the headlines.
Next article: CIB post-MPC seminar urges banks to reposition for lending in low-rate environment

Featured

KNUST crowned best business school in Ghana at Tertiary Business Sense Challenge 7.0

GraphicOnline Business News Aug - 09 - 2025 , 17:35

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has emerged winner of the Graphic Business Tertiary Business Sense Challenge (TBSC) Version 7.0, beating the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) and the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) to clinch their second national title.

The event was held today at the Zenith University College auditorium in Accra.

Led by Intelligentsia Master Kwadwo Acheampong Opoku, the KNUST quartet  Japhet Adeleke, Frederick Asontoliya and Daniel Ekow Baffoe  dominated their counterparts from UEW and UG from start to finish.

After six rounds of competition, KNUST scored 77.17 points to win a golden trophy, medals, books from sponsors ICAG, laptops, and cash. UGBS, which placed second with 54 points, took home books, medals, and cash. UEW came third with 51.83 points, also winning medals, books, and an undisclosed cash prize.

The contest began evenly, with KNUST scoring nine points in the first round, ahead of Legons four points and UEWs five. However, as the competition progressed, Kwadwo Acheampong proved unstoppable, impressing judges and the audience with his sharp answers and confident presentations.

In the third round  the business case of the day  UEW scored 13.83 points, UG 14 points, and KNUST 16.17 points. KNUST further extended their lead in the Graphic Business Stories round with 21 points, ahead of UGs 19 and UEWs 18.

The fifth round saw KNUST and UEW tie with 13 points each, while UG managed four points. In the final riddles round, KNUST scored six points, UEW three, and UG none.

Kwadwo Acheampong was named Overall Best Performer, receiving a plaque and an undisclosed cash award.

The event, attended by sponsors such as CompuGhanas Elizabeth Frempong and PwCs Paula Adum-Yeboah, included words of encouragement to participating students to take their studies seriously and strive for excellence.

The Director of Marketing of the Graphic Communications Group Limited lauded the high level of business acumen on display, stating that the TBSC has come to stay and encouraging all tertiary schools to participate.

According to quiz master Alhassan Trawule, the competition format has been expanded to include comprehensive presentations judged by panels, more business case studies, computer literacy training, and mentorship sessions with seasoned professionals.

The University of Cape Coast remains the most successful school in the history of the competition, having won twice in 2019 and 2021. This year saw over 26 schools, including new entrants, participate.

The TBSC is sponsored by the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG), MTN, PwC, GLICO Life, Papaye, GCB Bank, and CompuGhana.
Featured

China Detains Senior Diplomat Liu Jianchao after overseas trip

Reuters Entertainment Aug - 10 - 2025 , 10:35 2 minutes read

Liu was taken away after returning to Beijing in late July from an overseas work trip, WSJ reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

China's State Council Information Office, which handles media queries for the Chinese government, and the Chinese Communist Party International Liaison Department did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

Liu, 61, has led the Communist Party's body in charge of managing ties with foreign political parties. Since taking the role in 2022, he has travelled to more than 20 nations and met officials from more than 160 countries.

Liu's busy schedule, especially his meetings with the former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, stoked expectations that the former ambassador and ministry spokesman was being groomed to be the next foreign minister.

His detention marks the highest-level probe involving a diplomat since China ousted its former foreign minister and President Xi Jinping's protege, Qin Gang, in 2023 following rumours of an extramarital affair.

Born in the northeastern province of Jilin, Liu majored in English at Beijing Foreign Studies University and studied international relations at Oxford before taking up his first post as a translator with the foreign ministry.

He has served in China's mission to Britain and later as ambassador to Indonesia and the Philippines.

During his time as ministry spokesman, he was known for humorous off-the-cuff comments while making a no-nonsense defence of China's interests.
B2Gold Corp. (NYSE:BTG) is one of the best Canadian gold stocks to buy according to hedge funds. On July 30, the company announced that Malis government had granted it approval to commence underground mining at the Fekola Mine. The decision followed meetings between B2Gold executives and senior Malian government officials earlier in July, which the company termed productive.

B2Gold (BTG) Receives Approval for Underground Mining at Fekola Mine in Mali

Pushish Images/Shutterstock.com

B2Gold has already developed more than 9,300 meters of underground workings and installed all necessary mining infrastructure at the site in anticipation of approval. Following the green light, the company has commenced stope ore production, and previously stockpiled underground ore is now being processed through the Fekola mill.

The Fekola Complex comprises the Fekola Mine (Medinandi permit), which includes the Fekola and Cardinal open pits, and the Fekola underground mine. B2Gold owns 80% of the mine, while the State holds the rest. The other element of the Fekola Complex is the Fekola Regional (Anaconda Area/Menankoto permit and Dandoko permit), 65% owned by B2Gold and 35% by the State.

The company expects Fekola underground to contribute up to 35,000 ounces of gold production in 2025, with further ramp-up in 2026 and subsequent years. Additionally, B2Gold reaffirmed its full-year 2025 gold production guidance for the entire Fekola Complex at 515,000550,000 ounces.

B2Gold Corp. (NYSE:BTG) is a Canadian gold mining company. It acquires, develops, and operates gold properties, primarily through the Fekola mine in Mali, the Masbate mine in the Philippines, and the Otjikoto mine in Namibia. Its main product is gold bullion, produced from open-pit mining operations across its global portfolio.

While we acknowledge the potential of BTG as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 12 Best Depressed Stocks to Buy in 2025 and Top 10 Medical AI Companies to Buy According to Analysts.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Featured

VIDEO: Last images of crashed Z-9 helicopter with Dr Omane Boamah dressed in all white waving before flight took off

Enoch Darfah Frimpong Aug - 10 - 2025 , 14:47 3 minutes read

The Ministry of Defence has shared the last images of the Z-9 helicopter belonging to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) moments before it took off from the Airforce Base in Accra on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

In a video tribute, the Ministry showed how the late Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, the then Minister of Defence arrived at the Airforce Base dressed in all white around 8am for the trip.

Dr. Omane Boamah reportedly instructed his bodyguard and the ministry's cameraman to stay behind because there was insufficient space on the helicopter to accommodate them on the trip.

He shook hands with the crew and waved as the chopper took off.

The aircraft departed Accra at 0912 hours en route to Obuasi but lost radar contact and subsequently crashed in the Adansi area of the Ashanti region.

The video attached below is the last image of the Z-9 helicopter moments before it took off. VIDEO CREDIT: Defence Press Corps (DPC)

The last images of the Z-9 helicopter belonging to the Ghana Armed Forces moments before it took off from the Airforce Base.

The aircraft departed Accra at 0912 hours en route to Obuasi but lost radar contact and subsequently crashed in the Adansi area of the Ashanti region pic.twitter.com/A8haGqirmu  DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) August 10, 2025

Around midday on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, the Ghana Armed Forces, first through a press statement, announced that the Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter carrying eight people had gone missing after taking off from Accra.

On board were three crew members and five passengers. 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).

Then at 2:30 pm, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, at a press briefing from the presidency confirmed that the helicopter had crashed in the Adansi area of Ashanti Region and that all eight persons on board had passed on.

He named the victims and said they included two serving ministers of state and top military officers.

"The government regrets to announce the demise of the following persons in the tragic crash: "Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Mr Samuel Aboagye, a former Parliamentary candidate.

The others are Squadron Leader Peter Abaafemi Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah. Samuel Sarpong was a former Metropolitan Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) in President J.E.A. Mills era, and later became Ashanti Regional Minister and later Central Regional Minister.

Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Murtala Mohammed on his part was also a Member of Parliament representing the people of Tamale Central.

Writer's email: [email protected]

Follow @enochfrimpong Follow @Graphicgh
Featured

Let sorrow strengthen our resolve  Mahama urges Ghanaians after helicopter tragedy

Gertrude Ankah Aug - 09 - 2025 , 20:03 2 minutes read

President John Mahama has urged Ghanaians to channel their sorrow from the recent military helicopter crash into a strengthened resolve for national unity and development.

Speaking at an Evening of Reflections and Memorial held at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra, Mr Mahama expressed his deep personal sorrow for the eight victims who lost their lives in the crash on August 6 at Adansi Akrofuom.

These were more than just names in news reports, he said. They were dedicated public servants, united by their commitment to Ghanas success.

The former president called on the nation to mourn collectively while embracing the responsibility to heal and move forward. He emphasised that the tragedy should serve as a poignant reminder of the critical work that remains to be done in building a stronger Ghana.

We come together not as divided factions but as one family, Mahama said. This tragedy reminds us how fragile life is and how crucial it is for us to stand united in the face of loss.

Honouring the victims, military officers, politicians, and civil servants, Mahama highlighted the broad impact of their service across the country.

He named the victims, including Flight Officer Chumam Pedu, Squadron Leader Peter Anala, and Dr Ibrahim Murtala, MP for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, among others, paying tribute to their dedication and sacrifice.

Their deaths, he said, call on us all to renew our dedication to building the Ghana they envisioned: a nation of justice, opportunity, and prosperity for all.

Mahama underscored the importance of focusing on facts and prevention, warning against blame and division.

Referencing a recent tragic accident that claimed the lives of 15 young church members, he highlighted the recurring challenges Ghana faces and the resilience required to overcome them.

As we mourn, let us commit ourselves to healing and rebuilding, he urged. Let their memories inspire us to act with courage, innovation, and shared purpose.

With the official mourning period coming to an end, Mahama announced that the burial of the victims would begin imminently, with support pledged for the families affected.

He concluded his address by quoting a poem by Professor Kofi Awoonor, envisioning a peaceful journey beyond life and encouraging Ghanaians to honour the legacy of those lost.

May this moment of sorrow unite us in a common resolve to build a stronger Ghana, he said.
Featured

Bawumia doesnt deserve automatic second bid in NPP flagbearer race  Kennedy Agyapong campaign spokesperson

GraphicOnline Politics Aug - 10 - 2025 , 16:32 2 minutes read

Kwasi Kwarteng, spokesperson for Kennedy Agyapongs campaign in the New Patriotic Partys (NPP) flagbearer race, has argued in a Facebook post that second chances in presidential bids should be reserved for candidates with proven records of electoral growth, not those who have delivered poor results.

Kwarteng criticised what he described as the selective enforcement of the National Executive Committees directive to halt campaigning until after the Akwatia by-election.

He claimed that while some candidates respected the mood of national mourning following the August 6 helicopter crash, others continued active campaigns in the Ashanti Region.

Kwarteng took aim at arguments likening Dr Mahamudu Bawumias bid for a second run to those of former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, insisting that historical precedent favours only candidates who improved the partys electoral standing.

In the NPP, the privilege of a second presidential bid has never been automatic. It is not a reward simply for showing up; it is a recognition earned through strong performance in the previous general election, he wrote.

He cited statistics from past elections, noting that Professor Albert Adu Boahen, despite facing the political dominance of Jerry John Rawlings in 1992, secured 30.29 per cent of the vote; Kufuor improved the share to 39.67 per centin 1996; and Akufo-Addo raised it to 49.13 per cent in 2008, leading his opponent in the first round.

In contrast, Kwarteng said, Dr Bawumias 2024 performance of 41.61 per cent represented a drop of over seven percentage points from Akufo-Addos debut and the worst performance ever witnessed in the history of the Fourth Republic.

Only Dr Bawumia recorded a decline making him the first NPP candidate in history to poll lower than his immediate predecessor on a first attempt, he argued, adding that Prof Adu Boahen, a founding member, was denied a second chance despite his challenging circumstances.

Kwarteng stressed that the 2028 election will not be about second-chance candidates but about a strong, credible and winnable candidate, asserting that Kennedy Agyapong best fits that description.

He warned that the opposition National Democratic Congress would work to consolidate its power and that the NPP cant afford to present a weak candidate.
Samsungs new foldables launched only a couple of weeks ago, while Googles Pixel 9 series will be replaced with the 10-series later this month. Lets have a closer look at their prices.

This might not last long, but the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 got its first discount  the 512GB model, only in Jet Black, is just under $2,000 now  that makes it a bit cheaper than the 256GB MSRP.

Alternatively, you can get a gift card but then theres no discount  the 256GB model is $2,000, the 512GB one is $2,120, but you score a $200 Amazon Gift Card, so the effective price is lower. If you dont want to deal with gift cards, use the deal below.

The slim and light Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is cheaper than the Ultra, but aside from physical dimensions, it doesnt compare favorably to it. Still, a display of this size is impossible to find on a phone this light anywhere else.

The Google Pixel 9a, the affordable model of the family, is at $400  its lowest price yet. The discount is the same for both the 128GB and 256GB versions.

If youre looking at the 9a, you should also consider the Pixel 9. Its quite a step up in price - $200 up, which is +50% for the 128GB model  but you get more RAM (12GB vs. 8GB), better glass (GG Victus 2 vs. GG 3) and, most importantly, a better camera system. Here is a detailed Pixel 9 vs. 9a comparison.

Another $200 step up brings us to the Google Pixel 9 Pro. This one is the same size as the other two with a 6.3 display, but its a premium LTPO panel with a higher resolution (1280p+ vs. 1080p+) and adds a 48MP 5x/113mm telephoto camera. You can read more on Pixel 9 vs. 9 Pro here.

Last week, we put the Samsung and Motorola flip foldables head to head. The Motorola Razr+ 2025 presents an interesting alternative to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE, but last week the discount was only $50.

Now its over $200, which tilts things in favor of the Moto flip. It has a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, the Samsung has an Exynos 2400. The Moto boasts bigger inner (6.9 vs. 6.7) and cover (4.0 vs. 3.4) displays. The batteries have the same capacity (4,000mAh), but the Moto charges faster over USB (45W vs. 25W) and the same wirelessly (15W). Both phones have 50MP main cameras (the Samsung has a larger sensor), but their secondary cameras differ  50MP 2x/47mm telephoto for the Razr and 12MP ultra-wide for the Galaxy.

Were hearing rumors of upcoming Galaxy Tab S11 and Tab S10 Lite models, but for now the Tab S10 series is the flagship offering from Samsung. The Galaxy Tab S10+ is $180 off for the base model and $120 off for the version with more storage  of course, the microSD slot offers an alternative way to get more storage. This model has a 12.4 120Hz OLED display.

For a more affordable option  or if you prefer LCD over OLED  the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Tab S10 FE+ come in 10.9 and 13.1 sizes, respectively, both with 90Hz IPS LCDs. These have mid-range chips (Exynos 1580 vs. Dimensity 9300+), so they are better-suited for productivity and streaming, AAA gaming is better left to the flagship model.

We may get a commission from qualifying sales.
Learn CHamoru Project executive director Troy Aguon is partnering with the Marianas Festival in Oregon to start a series of 5-kilometer races as fundraisers for nonprofit organizations.

The Marianas 5K series format is the first of its kind, assembling runners, benefactors, and participants from Guam, Oregon, California, and Las Vegas.

Its fundraising aspect of these events not only contributes to both local and mainland nonprofit organizations, but acts as a vehicle for former Guam residents now living in the states to give back to their island, Aguon said. It also qualifies as service-learning hours for students.

Aguon said his efforts are driven by a goal to offer CHamorus on the mainland an avenue to reunite with their roots. He conceived the idea based on the popularity of 5Ks as fundraising events on Guam.

Guam has the most 5Ks in the world annually, and theyre all fundraisers, Aguon told the Pacific Daily News. Were actually trying to prove that by securing a Guinness World Record, something for us to be proud of. Imagine a U.S. territory so small in size and population but we have that significant number of fundraisers that support all these social causes.

The most important component to Aguon as he organizes these races is their contribution to Guam and its local organizations. He visited the Mayors Council of Guam on Aug. 6 to ask for their support of the project moving forward.

Were doing this in the states because were trying to find vehicles to bring support monies to Guam, Aguon said. For example, that whole Buy Local campaign [has] a lot of businesses out in the states that have products from Guam, so the money from their customers comes to Guam instead of Amazon or Walmart. Thats another component: commerce contributing to the local economy.

Races in the mainland will be simultaneously planned with races on Guam, he said. Aguon plans to encourage participation from island residents by incentivizing a friendly challenge for each village: whichever can register most participants will be crowned the fittest village.

Aguon also expects to implement a virtual running component, which he originally brought to Guam before the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing participants to compete in any race at any location.

Once the project is off the ground, local races could be held as often as every month, even offering volunteer opportunities for non-racing participants.

The first race is on Aug. 24. At least two more will happen before the end of the year, and then the project is expected to continue into 2026 and beyond.

Following race events will be planned and held in Washington, Texas, Florida, and wherever else clusters of CHamorus are found.

One thing I really want to stress is that this has never been done before in a way where its our fundraiser but were opening up to other nonprofits to also benefit from, Aguon said. If that doesnt demonstrate that inafamaolek spirit, I dont know what does.
In the world of public policy, words matter. So when I first read the name of the proposed budget overhaul, I paused.

RIFLE, according to its author Sen. Sabrina Salas Matanane, stands for Restructuring Initiative for Fiscal Leadership and Efficiency.

But lets not ignore the metaphor embedded in the name. A rifle is a weapon; its designed to fire with precision but also to wound, to eliminate, to silence.

And when used as a verb, to rifle through suggests careless rummaging, a violation of order and dignity. Thats exactly what this proposal feels like.

Five of my eight oversight committees are marked for defunding.

Among the affected agencies is the Bureau of Womens Affairs, which administers millions in federal grants and runs programs that directly impact maternal health, domestic violence prevention, and educational access for women. These are lifelines, yet theyre being treated as expendable.

The proposal also defunds the Department of Chamorro Affairs, the Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency, the Hagatna Restoration and Redevelopment Authority, and the Kumision I Fino CHamoru.

Even the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities faces a significant budget cut under this proposal.

These agencies are not peripheralthey are pillars of identity, inclusion, and resilience. DCA, in particular, carries responsibilities that are central to our cultural preservation and public education. It oversees the Guam Museum and, soon, the Guam Cultural Repositoryinstitutions that safeguard our history, curate our stories, and serve as living classrooms for future generations.

It also manages Chamorro Village, a hub for small businesses and cultural exchange, and leads the governments decolonization efforts, which are essential to advancing self-determination and civic awareness. Defunding DCA would dismantle the very infrastructure that protects and promotes our heritage, supports our economy, and guides our political future.

Let me be clear: I support fiscal responsibility. But I reject the notion that efficiency means erasure. Agencies like BWA and DISID exist to fill societal voids. To rifle through our government and underfund or flat-out discard these entities is not reformits regression.

Project RIFLE claims to promote precision. But its cuts are anything but. Agencies already operating on minimal budgets are being zeroed out, while larger departments continue to expand without clear accountability. The initiative speaks of discipline, but it overlooks the unconstrained growth and inefficiencies that have plagued our government for years.

And lets not forget whats at stake for our economy. Tourism is the linchpin of Guams economic recovery, and the realities of our time have ushered in an industry driven not just by beaches and resorts, but by the Guam Experienceour natural beauty, our unique indigenous culture, and the authentic encounters fostered by historic preservation and the arts. The agencies targeted for defunding are foundational to this experience. Without them, we lose not only our competitive edge, but also our cultural compass.

This approach doesnt reflect thoughtful governance. It reflects a rush to meet a fiscal target without fully considering the consequences. And the public will rightly demand answers.

Throughout the campaign trail, we heard it all from the candidates: pledges to uplift Guam, care for our people, celebrate our culture, and elevate our heritage on the global stage. Yet today, we find ourselves undermining those very promises we made to the people of Guam.

If we truly want to lead with fiscal integrity, lets start by identifying the real fat: the duplicative roles, the unchecked hiring, the non-essential expenditures.

Project RIFLE may be dressed in the language of reform, but its execution is foreboding. It rifles through our values, our commitments, and our communities. And if we allow it to proceed unchecked, we risk becoming not just enablers of waste, but architects of harm.

We are the 38th Legislature. We carry this together. Lets aim smarter and govern better.
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Changpeng Zhao, the founder of the cryptocurrency exchange Binance, is seeking a pardon from President Donald Trump for money-laundering violations.

Zhao has been out of prison for two years and is now pushing for a pardon, backed by a sophisticated influence operation.

Zhaos campaign is notable even in a time when many seeking pardons are paying substantial fees to lobbyists and lawyers with connections to President Trump.

The implications of Zhaos pardon could be significant for the cryptocurrency industry. Zhao and his team are employing a variety of strategies that have previously helped wealthy interests secure preferential treatment from President Trump.

Dont Miss:

The same firms that backed Uber, Venmo and eBay are investing in this pre-IPO company disrupting a $1.8T market  and you can too at just $2.90/share.

Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." Heres how you can earn passive income with just $100.

Publicly, Zhao has praised the presidents crypto policies in podcast interviews. Behind the scenes, his team has hired lobbyists with ties to Trumps circle.

As per the report by The New York Times, Binance has also fostered a business relationship with the Trumps, striking a deal that profited the familys own crypto firm, World Liberty Financial.

Both Zhao and Binance pleaded guilty to serious crimes in 2023, admitting that a flawed compliance system allowed illicit actors to move money on the platform. However, the Trump administration appears to be considering the possibility of granting clemency.

The White House has received pardon applications from both Zhao and Binance, and according to sources, these applications are currently under review.

The potential political fallout of a pardon for Zhao has been discussed among Trumps advisors.

Democrats are worried that Trump will grant the pardons to reward Binance for directing business to World Liberty Financial, thereby paving the way for a more profitable partnership. Zhao has dismissed claims that Binances dealings with World Liberty are related to his pardon push.

The pardon of Zhao could have far-reaching implications for the crypto industry. If granted, it could set a precedent for other crypto industry leaders facing similar charges.




Haiti - Feminist Summer University : At the heart of the mobilization for positive masculinity





On Friday, August 8, 2025, at the El Rancho Hotel in Petion-ville, Pedrica Saint-Jean, Minister for the Status of Women and Women's Rights, participated in the launch of the third edition of the Feminist Summer University, organized by Karavan Fanm Pou Chanjman (KFPC).



This year, the theme of this initiative is "Commitment to positive masculinity to prevent gender-based and sexual violence and build more just, peaceful and inclusive communities." It aims to build capacity, consolidate alliances and promote a lasting change in attitudes in favor of gender equality.



The opening ceremony brought together various figures, including Ms. Yves-Marie Edouard, Electoral Advisor; Ms. Guerda Benjamin, UN Women Representative in Haiti; Ms. Yolette Mengual, founder of the Feminist Summer University; and representatives of women's and youth organizations.



In her speech, Minister Saint-Jean praised the consistency and strategic scope of this initiative, which she considers an essential space for training, advocacy, and dialogue to transform sociocultural norms. She emphasized the need to fully involve men and boys in the fight against gender-based violence and highlighted positive masculinity as a lever for social transformation based on responsibility, listening, empathy, and mutual respect.



Through her presence and commitment, the Minister reaffirmed the central role of her Ministry in promoting gender equality, combating all forms of violence against women and girls, and building a peaceful, inclusive Haiti that respects human rights.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















To kick off the second day of Black Hat 2025 in Las Vegas, former New York Times journalist Nicole Perlroth conjured up a picture of growing cyber threats in front of the assembled security community. Attackers are targeting public discourse with disinformation campaigns and critical infrastructure such as power grids, healthcare and water supplies with "cyber weapons".

Anzeige

However, public-private partnerships as well as AI could help against increasingly escalating attacks. Considering the situation, the cyber security industry needs the courage to name threats, even if this has consequences.

Stopping malware that communicates via DNS

The next session then delved deeper into individual gaps, vulnerabilities and attack methods. Vedang Parasnis demonstrated how DNS can be exploited as a tunnel for command and control servers (C2)  and how such malicious processes can be detected and killed. He presented an eBPF filter and a userland process that can not only stop DNS traffic from suspicious processes, but also terminate the malware process from the kernel. And if it becomes active again, it is immediately terminated again.

Finding vulnerabilities in software with AI

With the topic of AI Agents for Offsec with Zero False Positives, Brendan Dolan-Gavitt from XBOW managed to fill the lecture room quickly. Everyone wanted to know how he managed to easily find vulnerabilities with LLMs that are not false positives.

The first thing he showed was that LLMs reveal an extremely large number of vulnerabilities that are not false positives. This is a fact that drives many open source developers crazy, as a lot of resources are wasted without advancing the projects. Dolan-Gavitt's approach is different: he uses the AI agents to play a kind of "capture the flag" with them.

Anzeige

He builds UUID flags into the software, which the AI agents are supposed to find. For example, he used an AI bot to find an authentication bypass in Redmine and XSS and other real vulnerabilities in many other web applications. He distinguishes between business logic vulnerabilities by inserting these flags, and applications such as databases, where he places a flag in the admin SQL table or a flag file in the file system. In this way, he can use the AI agents to search for vulnerabilities, and by finding the flags, he has immediate proof that there is a vulnerability there that would otherwise be undetected.

Using this method, the AI has found 174 real vulnerabilities, of which 22 CVEs have already been assigned and 154 are still pending. These include projects such as GeoServer (XXE), Apache HugeGraph (RCE), Puppy Graph (RCE), Apache TomCat (XXS). It currently still has a backlog of 650 vulnerabilities found, whereby the greatest difficulty for researchers is to find the security officers for the respective project.

Hardware errors in all Intel processors

Sandro Ruegge and Johannes Wikner from ETH Zurich identified a vulnerability in Intel processors. Enhanced Indirect Branch Restricted Speculation (eIBRS) is Intel's primary defensive measure against branch target injection (BTI)-style Spectre attacks. eIBRS prevents the misuse of untrusted branch target predictions in domains with higher privileges (for example, in kernel/hypervisor mode) by restricting predictions from privilege domains other than the one for which they were created.

Since its introduction in late 2018, eIBRS has been the best-fit BTI defense relied upon by all major operating systems and hypervisors, and has so far successfully prevented attackers from injecting arbitrary branch-target predictions across privilege boundaries. However, the researchers show that microarchitectural defenses such as eIBRS, like software, are vulnerable to race conditions. Therefore, they demonstrate a technique that allows attackers to completely remove this protection across all CPU authorization levels and rings.

Tracing the flaw back to its origin, the researchers found that it has been present since the introduction of eIBRS. This means that Intel processors have been since Sandy Bridge, over seven years ago. In a live demo, the security researchers demonstrated that with their proof of concept, a normal user can simply capture all memory pages according to the contents of /etc/shadow. This password file should only be accessible to the system and root. The kernel was a Linux 6.8, with all mitigation and protection measures enabled. The whole paper is available here.

Developer from North Korea

Under the pseudonym SttyK, a South Korean has reported on the IT machinations of the North Korean regime. IT employees with false passports are smuggled in as IT service providers and remote employees so that they can then capture information or procure foreign currency for the regime. Applications as qualified "full-stack developers" with particularly favorable salary expectations are typical. Any employer should be suspicious when service providers suddenly want to be paid in cryptocurrencies.

The North Koreans also apply with fake documents, and SttyK has shown how these can be easily detected with open source tools. Normal passports always have noise in the print. If the writing is too perfect, then manipulation is obvious.

(vbr)

Don't miss any news  follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.
Speaking at the National Coalition Party (NCP) council meeting on Saturday, Orpo said the issue requires further discussion within the cabinet. He reaffirmed the partys commitment to a two-state solution in the Gaza conflict, stating that recognition of Palestine would be part of that process only when conditions are met.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has confirmed that Finlands government is not moving to recognise the state of Palestine at this time.

That logically includes recognising the state of Palestine when the time is right, Orpo said.

Earlier this summer, President Alexander Stubb said he would be ready to recognise a Palestinian state if the government proposed it. His remarks have contributed to tension within the governing coalition.

Orpo stressed that such a decision is irreversible and must be considered carefully. Recognition can only be given once, so it must be considered carefully, he said.

The prime minister focused on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, saying Finlands priority is to ensure aid reaches civilians. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is devastating. For Finland, the most important thing is to get aid to civilians immediately. Hostages must be released, and a ceasefire must be achieved in the area, he said.

Israel has announced its intention to take control of Gaza City. Orpo addressed this directly in his speech, appealing to Israel to change course. I strongly urge Israel to reconsider this decision. It would not help the situation, he said.

He added that achieving lasting peace and a viable two-state model depends on Hamas disarming and civilian authorities taking control in Palestine, including Gaza.

Orpo said the matter of Palestine will be addressed in cooperation with the president in the future.

The party council also confirmed Maggie Keskinen as the NCPs new party secretary.

In a separate issue, Orpo responded to questions about cost-cutting proposals from Finance Minister Riikka Purra of the Finns Party, which included abolishing the Finnish National Agency for Education. Orpo declined to comment on individual suggestions but indicated that the government will examine all proposals when seeking billion-euro savings.

It would be categorically foolish to reject everything when billion-euro savings need to be found. We will review the proposals. Of course, there are things that are unpleasant or seem difficult, even impossible, Orpo said.

Earlier this week, Orpo told the Finnish News Agency STT that while he expected Purra to make a savings target proposal, he did not know its specific contents in advance.

HT
The facility is intended to increase data transfer speeds and improve access to services, including messaging platform Telegram. The Finnish Transport and Communications Agencys Cybersecurity Centre said it is monitoring the development.

Russian mobile operator Beeline has opened a telecommunications data centre in Helsinki, according to a report by Iltalehti .

The data centre is designated as an internet exchange point, or IXP, which are typically small in Finland. Such facilities serve as hubs for internet traffic, allowing data to be exchanged between networks more efficiently.

Beelines parent company, Vimpelcom, is among Russias 20 most valuable publicly traded companies.

Western governments have imposed extensive sanctions on Russias technology and telecommunications sectors since the countrys invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Canada has sanctioned all major Russian mobile operators, including Vimpelcom, the paper noted.

The Finnish agency did not comment on potential security risks linked to the new facility but confirmed that it is assessing the implications for domestic communications infrastructure.

HT
The Israeli security cabinet approved the plan on Friday. It sets out five principles for ending the conflict: disarming Hamas, securing the release of all hostages, demilitarising Gaza, establishing Israeli security control, and creating a new civil administration not led by Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed his government will proceed with plans to seize full control of Gaza City , describing the move as the best way to end the war with Hamas. The decision has triggered large protests in Israel and sharp condemnation from the United Nations and multiple governments.

Netanyahu told reporters that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will target Hamas strongholds in Gaza City and the central refugee camps. He said civilians will be moved to designated safe zones before operations begin, with food, water, and medical care provided. The prime minister compared Hamas to Nazi Germany and said the objective was not to occupy Gaza permanently but to free it from what he called a genocidal organisation.

We have no choice but to finish the job and defeat Hamas, Netanyahu said. He added that operations would move fairly quickly and cited the IDFs clearance of Rafah earlier this year, which took up to eight days, as an example.

He dismissed claims that Israel is enforcing a starvation policy in Gaza, accusing Hamas of looting aid and causing the humanitarian crisis. Netanyahu displayed photographs of malnourished children published in international media, labelling them fake and alleging they were taken out of context. If Israel had a starvation policy, no one in Gaza would have survived after two years of war, he said.

According to Gazas Hamas-run health ministry, 217 people have died of malnutrition since the war began, including 100 children. The United Nations says hunger is widespread and worsening.

The announcement came as the UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting in New York at the request of the UK, France, Slovenia, Denmark, and Greece. UK ambassador James Kariuki warned the plan will only deepen the suffering of Palestinian civilians and called it a path to more bloodshed. France described the likely impact as dramatic humanitarian consequences and urged Israel to reverse course.

UN assistant secretary-general Miroslav Jenca said the five-point plan marked another dangerous escalation and reiterated calls for a full ceasefire and the release of all hostages. He warned that Gaza was already experiencing a humanitarian catastrophe on an unimaginable scale.

Protests against the plan have grown across Israel, with demonstrations in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa. Thousands marched to Netanyahus residence in Jerusalem, including families of hostages held in Gaza. Former IDF soldier Max Kresch, holding a sign reading I refused, said more than 350 soldiers had signed a pledge not to participate in Netanyahus political war.

Hostage families argue that the takeover will endanger those still held in Gaza. Netanyahu insisted that the new offensive offers the best chance to secure their release, saying a war of attrition would not achieve results.

International reaction has been swift. The UK, France, Germany, Australia, Turkey, Canada, and Finland have condemned the move, alongside Arab states including Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a suspension of arms exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the decision wrong and likely to cause more bloodshed.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the plan must be reconsidered, while Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas described it as a fully-fledged crime. Chinas foreign ministry reiterated its position that Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an inseparable part of Palestinian territory.

US Vice-President JD Vance said the Trump administration supported Israels goal of eliminating Hamas but also wanted a resolution to the humanitarian crisis.

Despite the growing pressure, Netanyahu maintained that Israel would not back down. Defence Minister Israel Katz said international condemnation will not weaken our resolve. Netanyahu confirmed that foreign journalists would be allowed into Gaza under new arrangements, though he cited security challenges in implementing the directive.

HT
LOCAL BRIEFS: GOP hot dogs, progressive post cards, I-26 driver aid, Helene recovery legal aid

Related Stories

Republicans announce hot dog fundraiser

The Henderson County Republican is hosting a hot dog fundraiser 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at the party's headquarters, 170 Four Seasons Blvd. (between Honey-Baked Ham and Applebee's). Call in orders may be made from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday for pickup on Friday (828-693-6040). Cost is $10 for hot dog, drink, chips and cookie.





Progressive Alliance hosts Postcard Party

The Progressive Alliance of Henderson County invites the public to its free Postcard Party and Social Time from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at Trailside Brewing. Located off S. Whitted St. at 874 Lenox Park Dr., Trailside offers a variety of beverage options for sale.All who plan to attend are encouraged to bring friends and family. We always have postcards for youngsters to color.



The Postcard Party and Social Time is an opportunity for civic-minded individuals to mingle and write postcards to elected officials andothers on current legislative topics and concerns of participants. Our theme for August is our resolve to defend, support and strengthen public education in North Carolina.

The Progressive Alliance of Henderson County compassionately advocates for justice, dignity, inclusion and sustainable, healthy communities for all. Through activities such as postcard parties, rallies and silent vigils, and active support of local organizations and movements, PAHC strives to connect residents of Henderson County and vicinity through grassroots civic engagement, education, outreach and volunteerism. For more information, see the website at www.progressiveallianceofhendersoncounty.com.

NCDOT expands incident management aid on I-26

The N.C. Department of Transportation recently expanded its Incident Management Assistance Patrol (IMAP) coverage along Interstate 26 from Exit 54 (the U.S. 25 connector) to the South Carolina line.

This expansion is part of NCDOTs ongoing efforts to improve traffic safety, reduce congestion and provide timely assistance to motorists. The newly covered section includes key travel corridors through Henderson and Polk counties  including the Saluda Grade, the steep and heavily traveled portion of I-26 that presents unique challenges for drivers. IMAP now covers 52 miles of I-26 between South Carolina and Madison County.

My partner and I are both local to the area and know it well, said IMAP responder Jason Smith, who covers the newly expanded route. That familiarity allows us to respond quickly and assist drivers without long wait times.

IMAP is a free service operated by NCDOT that assists with:

Managing traffic at crash scenes

Providing fuel, water or jump-starts

Assisting with flat tires

Removing minor roadway debris

The program is designed to reduce secondary crashes, minimize delays and support emergency responders. IMAP vehicles are easily identifiable to motorists by their blue and white markings, NCDOT and GEICO logos and highly reflective safety markings to make them more visible at night.

Extending our IMAP coverage to the South Carolina border allows us to better serve drivers in the region and respond more efficiently to incidents along this busy stretch of I-26, said Chad Franklin, NCDOTs regional intelligent transportation systems engineer. This expansion reflects our commitment to being responsible stewards of public resources and ensuring the safety and mobility of both residents and visitors traveling through North Carolina.

Pisgah Legal Services staffing disaster recovery hotline

Pisgah Legal Services Nearly one year after Hurricane Helene devasted communities across Western North Carolina, residents are still dealing with the impact. On Aug. 27,and its partners will host a free WNC Disaster Recovery Hotline to help survivors with critical legal support needed to move forward.

People can call in anonymously for free help with legal issues still lingering after Helene, including: FEMA claims and appeals, unresolved FEMA applications, continued FEMA rental assistance, roads and bridges, mortgage issues and foreclosure prevention, insurance and contractor problems, scams or fraud, and other disaster-related issues.

1-828-418-6969 from noon to 6 p.m on Wednesday, Aug. 27. The hotline is hosted in partnership with Legal Aid of North Carolina NC Bar Foundation WNC residents can call the Ask A Lawyer  WNC Disaster Recovery Hotline atfromonThe hotline is hosted in partnership withand the

Even now, almost a year after the storm, there are families still feeling stuck and exhausted, said Julia Horrocks, managing attorney of PLS. We are able to help resolve a lot of disaster-related issues and even make successful FEMA appeals well after the deadline to get resources for our neighbors.

Anyone who is unable to call during the hotline hours, or who has legal needs unrelated to disaster recovery, can apply anytime online at Pisgah Legal Services or call 828-253-0406 or Legal Aid NC or call 1-866-219-5262.

We know how overwhelming it can be to face FEMA denials, insurance disputes, difficulty catching up on mortgage and rent payments, and so many other issues following a disaster, said Alicia Edwards, LANC Disaster Recovery Program Director. Weve seen firsthand that a phone call with an attorney can change the course of someones recovery.
But customers' attention is already turning to 2026, when AMD plans to release its MI400 series. These new chips will be combined with specialized software and hardware systems to create a fully integrated AI data center rack called Helios, which will supercharge their performance. AMD CEO Lisa Su believes these MI400-based Helios systems will be the most powerful in the world when they launch, offering a staggering 10 times more performance over the MI350 series.

In fact, the latest MI355 offers comparable performance to Nvidia's Blackwell GB200 GPU, and it delivers up to 40% more tokens (words, symbols, and punctuation) in AI inference workloads for the same cost. In other words, it's much cheaper to run over the long term without sacrificing any processing power, which is why it's attracting hyperscalers and even leading AI start-ups like OpenAI.

While Nvidia continues to leap ahead of the competition with new GPU architectures like Blackwell and Blackwell Ultra, AMD is quickly closing the gap. It just started shipping its MI350 series GPUs, which are based on a new architecture the company calls Compute DNA (CDNA) 4. These new chips offer 35 times more performance than CDNA 3 versions like the original MI300X, placing them on par with Nvidia's Blackwell lineup.

AMD launched its flagship MI300X data center GPU at the end of 2023, more than a year after Nvidia's industry-leading H100 GPU hit the market. Despite being behind, AMD still managed to attract some of Nvidia's largest customers, including Microsoft , Oracle , and Meta Platforms .

AMD stock is up 34% in 2025 already, but it's still below its all-time high just north of $200, which was set last year. Should investors scoop it up while it's still trading at a discount? Read on to find out.

However, AMD's biggest opportunity right now is in the data center. The company is planning to launch a new lineup of graphics processing units (GPUs) for AI development in 2026, which could blow the competition -- including Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) -- out of the water.

Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) is one of the world's largest suppliers of semiconductors. Its chips can be found in popular consumer products like Sony 's PlayStation 5, Microsoft 's Xbox, and even the infotainment systems inside Tesla 's electric vehicles.

Wall Street anticipates significant earnings growth for AMD next year, making its stock look very attractive at the current price.

AMD plans to launch a powerful new lineup of GPUs in 2026 called the MI400 series, which could obliterate the competition.

Story Continues

Simply put, 2026 could be the year that AMD overtakes Nvidia in the AI data center space, at least in terms of technological capability.

AMD's AI data center revenue hit a speed bump in Q2

AMD generated a record $7.7 billion in total revenue during the second quarter of 2025, which was a 32% increase from the year-ago period. The data center segment was responsible for $3.2 billion of that revenue on its own, but it only mustered 14% growth, which was somewhat disappointing given the competitive, high-stakes nature of the GPU market.

Export restrictions were recently imposed by the U.S. government, and they wiped out AMD's AI GPU sales to China, which was the main reason for the underperformance in its data center segment. However, the company says it has applied for licenses to resume sales, and they are currently under review by the Trump administration.

But there was great news in other areas of AMD's business, like its client segment, where revenue soared 67% year over year to $2.5 billion. This is where the company accounts for sales of its Ryzen AI chips for personal computers, which come with a built-in GPU, central processing unit (CPU), and neural processing unit (NPU). They are installed in a growing number of computers from leading brands like Dell, HP, Acer, and Asus.

AMD's gaming business also roared back to life in Q2, with revenue surging by 73% to $1.1 billion. Revenue declined in this segment last year, and also during the first quarter of 2025, but demand for some of the company's core products is starting to rebound. Console manufacturers are increasing their inventories in preparation for the holiday season, and AMD said demand for its new Radeon 9000 series desktop GPUs is exceeding supply.

Should you buy AMD stock while it's under $200?

Despite the temporary regulatory headwind in AMD's data center business, Lisa Su is as optimistic as ever about its potential. She believes the company's AI revenue will scale into the tens of billions of dollars per year over the long term, driven by the MI400 GPU, which is already experiencing strong customer interest even though it won't hit the market until next year.

On that note, is AMD stock a buy while it's still below its record high? The company generated $3.45 in non-GAAP (adjusted) earnings per share (EPS) over the last four quarters, placing its stock at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 46.8. That means it's notably cheaper than Nvidia stock, which is sitting at a P/E ratio of 55.7.

Moreover, Wall Street's consensus estimate (provided by Yahoo! Finance) suggests AMD could deliver $5.97 in EPS during 2026, placing its stock at a forward P/E ratio of just 27.1. That leaves room for significant upside, because the stock would have to soar by 73% over the next 18 months just to maintain its current P/E ratio of 46.8.

It's possible AMD stock will perform even better if the MI400 series blows the competition out of the water next year, like Su expects, so it could be a great addition to any diversified portfolio right now.

Should you buy stock in Advanced Micro Devices right now?

Before you buy stock in Advanced Micro Devices, 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 Advanced Micro Devices 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 $636,563!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,108,033!*

Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 1,047%  a market-crushing outperformance compared to 181% 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

Anthony Di Pizio has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, HP, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, and Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Should You Buy Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Stock While It's Under $200? was originally published by The Motley Fool
LPL Financial lost a $380 million AUA team to Cetera, while two RIA aggregators  Arax Investment Partners and Aspen Standard Wealth  each brought on teams managing $1 billion.

Meanwhile, UBS appointed two new market directors in Southern California. Read about those and other notable industry deals and moves below.

UBS

UBS names two new market directors

UBS Global Wealth Management announced two new market directors in the San Diego area to support the wirehouse's Southern California market.



DeAnne Steele, formerly an executive director with Merrill Lynch, will lead the Carmel Valley and Rancho Bernardo offices. George Towers III, previously UBS' associate market executive for the Pacific desert market, will head the La Jolla and downtown San Diego offices.



Steele joined Merrill Lynch in 2019 after five years at Bank of America Private Bank, holding business development roles. Towers entered the industry in 2021 with UBS.

First Manhattan buys RIA with $350M in AUM

Investment advisory firm First Manhattan has acquired a Jersey-based RIA.



Founded by Edwin Vroom in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1978, Roanoke Asset Management manages portfolios for affluent clients and employee benefits for Fortune 100 companies and brings to First Manhattan $350 million in assets under management.



Vroom will serve as senior managing director and portfolio manager, as will Adele Weisman, who joined Roanoke in 1981, according to LinkedIn.

Sanctuary Wealth partner firm adds Texas RIA with $400M in assets

The Sanctuary Wealth network is expanding through an addition to partner firm mFORCE Capital.



Newly launched Fossil Rock Private Wealth, a Fort Worth, Texas RIA with $400 million in total client assets, will join mFORCE Capital under the leadership of former Merrill Lynch wealth advisor Larry Milton, who will be recognized as the co-founder. This will bring mFORCE Capital's $1.9 billion in total client assets to $2.3 billion.



Milton brings 37 years of experience, having worked across his career at firms including Lehman Brothers, UBS PaineWebber, Raymond James, Merrill Lynch and Truist.

Ameriprise

Ameriprise nabs $780M investment program from Osaic
Collective Mining Ltd. (NYSE:CNL) is one of the best Canadian gold stocks to buy according to hedge funds. On July 21, the company announced results from its drilling program at the Apollo system within the Guayabales Project, located in Caldas, Colombia. The highlight is a drill intercept of 442.35 meters at 2.16 grams per ton (g/t) gold equivalent starting from surface, including 68.05 meters at 4.55 g/t gold equivalent. The hole (APC-125) bottomed while still in strong mineralization.

Collective Mining (CNL) Hits 442-Meter Gold Intercept at Apollo System in Colombia

Fer Gregory/Shutterstock.com

According to the company, gold-equivalent grades are composed of a combination of gold, silver, copper, and tungsten. For the 442.35 meters, the breakdown is 1.18 g/t gold, 43 g/t silver, 0.21% copper, and 0.05% WO. Another hole (APC-126) recorded 325.10 meters at 2.03 g/t gold equivalent (0.98 g/t gold, 27 g/t silver, 0.47% copper, and 0.03% WO), starting 8 meters below the surface.

Apollo is the most advanced discovery within the Collective Minings multi-target Guayabales Project. The company said it is conducting a fully funded 70,000-metre drill program for 2025, operating ten drill rigs: eight at Guayabales, two at San Antonio.

Collective Mining Ltd. (NYSE:CNL) is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on developing high-grade gold deposits in Colombia. Its flagship asset is the Guayabales Project, where the company has reported multiple high-grade drill results, including intercepts exceeding 9 g/t gold equivalent.

While we acknowledge the potential of CNL as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 12 Best Depressed Stocks to Buy in 2025 and Top 10 Medical AI Companies to Buy According to Analysts.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
The chief financial officer in Wilton, Connecticut, resigned last week after town officials discovered she was simultaneously serving as a town administrator in a Wyoming town 2,000 miles away.

However, Dawn Norton claims she fully complied with her employment terms when she took on the role of Town Administrator and Finance Director in Greybull, Wyoming, and says she kept Wiltons leadership fully informed about the arrangement.

Norton began serving as Wiltons CFO in March 2022 and took on the Wyoming position in May, Wilton Town Administrator Matt Knickerbocker told CT Insider on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Norton told Good Morning Wilton that she had been working remotely for Wilton from Wyoming since February of this year while on Family Medical Leave, caring for her injured husband. In April, she applied to the Greybull job and was initially hired on a part-time trial basis before being offered a permanent full-time position.

I gave him my retirement notice  I gave it to him when I went full-time, Norton told the outlet. My notice said Id give them full support, whatever it is, up to Nov. 3 when all department head contracts are  renewed. I said, Ill do 100 percent of everything. I will get the audit done. I will attend meetings. I will do whatever it is that you need me to do in my full capacity.

Wilton, Connecticut, CFO Dawn Norton also worked as a town official 2,000 miles away in Greybull, Wyoming (Town of Wilton Zoom)

But Knickerbocker tells CT Insider, On Sunday night, our HR director  alerted me that Dawn was listed as the town administrator ... for Greybull, Wyoming.

On Monday morning, I called her to verify that and found that yes, she had" taken on the new role.

Once HR confirmed with Norton that she held both positions, she resigned from Wilton.

Both Knickerbocker and First Selectwoman Toni Boucher say Norton never told them about her confirmed job in Greybull. Norton disagrees, pointing to a written notice she sent on April 7, 2025, to Boucher and the HR director stating she was actively seeking employment elsewhere.

The Wilton officials say the town allows occasional part-time external roles only in limited, emergency situations, not another full-time public office, which would have prevented approval had they known.

The Independent has contacted representatives for the Town of Wilton, the Town of Greybull, and Norton for comment.

This controversy arose amid a recent Town Hall review triggered by concerns over Wiltons Finance Department, including auditor findings of material weakness, chronic understaffing, unauthorized tax credits, and a difficult budget process. Town officials had focused on the department being overworked, unaware Norton was also employed elsewhere.